Recession Rescue: Designer Duds for Cheap
Instead of a "fashionista," be a "recessionista."
Aug. 8, 2008 — -- With gas at $4 per gallon and food prices rising, it's getting harder and harder to make ends meet, much less to splurge on designer clothes.
But what if you could get those designer duds without paying big bucks?
ABC's JuJu Chang visited Loehmann's, which touts itself as an "upscale off-price specialty retailer," with More magazine's editor in chief, Lesley Jane Seymour, to see how much she could save buying designer clothing at discount prices.
The result? Instead of being just a fashionista, you can look good and pay a lot less, making you a "recessionista." See how Juju and Lesley made out on their deals. But first, read their tips:
1. Don't be seduced by the price tag.
As Lesley says: "It's never a deal if you don't need it."
2. Set a budget.
Decide how much you want to spend before you shop.
3. Shop early.
With so much to weed through, discount shopping can be overwhelming. Go when it's less crowded. Change your lunch hour. Sit in during lunch and go shopping when the store opens.
Look at the nearly 70 percent off deal Juju got on her outfit at Loehmann's:
Theory gray pants: Original/Retail Price: $230Discount Price: $79.99
Rena Lange gray tank top: Original/Retail Price: $345Discount Price: $99.99
DKNY wrap: Original/Retail Price: $175Discount Price: $49.99
Max Studio shoes: Original/Retail Price: $149Discount Price: $49.99
Total retail price: $899Total bargain price: $279.96Total savings: $619.04
Other items Juju found:
Tom Ford sunglasses:Retail price: $350Bargain price: $149.99 Savings: $200.01
Sigerson Morrison boots:Retail price: $495Bargain price: $229Savings: $266
Theory pant suit:Total retail price: $870Total bargain price: $359.97 Total savings: $510.03
True Religion jeans:Retail price: $216Bargain price: $119.99 Savings: $96.01
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