Good Buys in Charleston
Posted on February 11, 2006 8 Comments
Charleston is chalk-full of clearance racks. I told my friends we need to come back for a girls’ weekend. It’s a shoppers paradise.
I didn’t go too crazy today…I actually walked out of a Steve Madden store where boots were as cheap as $35 without dropping a dime (gasp)!
Here’s the list of what I bought and what my co-workers bought. Not that this will help you curb your spending in any way but at least you can compare how far a dollar stretches in various parts of the country:
ME:
I needed an entire outfit for this particular business occasion because it’s not dressy enough for a suit (of which I have plenty), but too dressy for business casual (of which I have plenty). I didn’t have time to shop for an outfit in Chicago – been working a ton – so I did it here.
I went to Anne Taylor (not Loft) and picked up a lined, wool skirt, a nice black sweater and a pair of hose for…. only $61! And that includes tax. I feel like a champ and got a lot for my money.
Plus, if I itemize my taxes, this can count as a business expense! Nice 
CO-WORKERS:
Allison got a pair of leather cowgirl boots for $35. They’re out of season but oh so cute. Did I mention they were $35?
Kelly got a pair of boots for $50 that are also cute and super trendy.
Both bought their boots at Steve Madden.
What I didn’t buy? Let’s just say I went into a Lilly Pulitzer store and walked out empty handed. But visions of pastels and neons will dance in my head before I go to sleep. I also went into a Black/White store and found a cocktail dress – halter top WITH LINED BRA inside (do you know how rare that is?) and passed it buy. Not to mention a Tommy Bahamas bathing suit reminiscent of Debra Messing’s Golden Globes dress that is tres chic.
Not a bad day, all things considered. Sorry for the lame post, but have you seen my mission statement up top? This is what I’m here for.
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8 Responses to “Good Buys in Charleston”
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February 12th, 2006 @ 3:08 pm
Wow, good buy on the Ann Taylor outfit… you totally outdid my super deal of Ann Taylor cashmere sweaters for $45 (I was weak and bought three… eek!).
February 12th, 2006 @ 10:49 pm
Aren’t sales magnificent? I own my own business and do nearly all of my work with my clients over the phone or over the Internet, so when I DO need an actual “business outfit”–as opposed to my every-day attire of sweats or jeans or shorts in the summer–I don’t want to spend much money, as I don’t get as much wear out of them as business people in the public eye do. So for this reason, I always check sales racks for good deals on clothes I won’t have much opportunity to wear–my best deal thus far was a snazzy tan colored skirt, very fashionable, for $10!! Off season sales are also great, if you’re willing to look through the racks, live with the disappointment if you can’t find your size, and keep an eye on more classic designs that will work season to season.
February 13th, 2006 @ 12:00 am
Actually, you can also apply the same kind of principal (shopping for sales) for your food budget. I take advantage of sales at my local market to stock up on staples and stock my freezer. I also always look at the “reduced for quick sale” items in the meat department–these are perfectly good meats that are on the last (or nearly last) day of their “sell by” date. I don’t always see items I want (or like the looks of) in the reduced for quick sale bin, but I’ve also been able to stock my freezer with sirloin steaks and roasts at a cost per pound less than ground beef!!
February 15th, 2006 @ 4:10 pm
It is “chock-full”, actually.
February 15th, 2006 @ 6:03 pm
I’m a big fan of the Ann Taylor Factory Outlets…. I get shirts there for $4.99 and really nice pants and skirts for 5-$10! Practically my whole wardrobe these days is Ann Taylor because of it!
February 15th, 2006 @ 7:05 pm
hi there! love your blog, i check it regularly.
wanted to point out that you cannot claim clthing as a business expense, so don’t do that! you will get into trouble with the irs! i understand the exception is if you need to wear a uniform and have to buy that yourself.
thanks.
ib
February 15th, 2006 @ 7:29 pm
I love your blog too….Charleston too. I grew up in Chicago, but my parents had a small summer place in Charleston SC. Things seem to be cheaper there than in Chicago.
February 16th, 2006 @ 11:41 pm
I am guilty. I succumbed to Lilly Pulitizer 2 weeks ago. I bought only a skirt for the new season and I am not going to buy anything else, fortunately the dress I tried on was too pale for me, and they didn’t have the killer white dress I saw later in the catalog. Later I bought yarn at 60% off to knit myself a matching wrap.
Funny thing is in DFW airport I saw a lady wearing Lilly from head to toe! She had on a sweater, with one of their shirts and patchwork pants! eek! That’s a bit overkill.
ps- I added you to my blogroll today. I really like your site. It’s PINK! Like my Lilly skirt…