After spending a few years wearing frumpy maternity clothes, I vowed that once I lost the baby weight, I would start wearing stylish clothing again. Well, the scale is finally back to normal, so it’s time to start shopping!
Unfortunately, there’s just one little problem: I hate shopping for myself. Seriously, you can ask my husband, I very rarely spend any money on myself.
Why? I have no idea. My kids look stylish. My husband looks dapper. But, as for myself – well, I’ll only buy clothes and shoes when I absolutely have to, and that’s usually the day before an important event.
Brennan, Abbey & Tyler looking picture-perfect!
So, I decided to challenge myself this fall…
I will buy new clothes, but I'll make it interesting: Rather than just buying the fancy-schmancy outfits I adore in my beloved high-end catalogs, I will bargain shop for the same look instead!
Considering that I spend most of my days being a life-sized, human-napkin for my kids, why would I waste the money on designer clothing at this stage of my life?
If I am going to have a mental breakdown because Tyler and Abbey wiped their dirty, ice cream covered hands (and bodies) all over my new designer jeans, is it worth it? I think not.
So, my first bargain hunting mission was to replicate this outfit from the ever-lovely Garnet Hill Fall 2010 catalog. This catalog is really beautiful, and I’d love to buy directly from it, but not while I have sticky, little kids following me around all day long.
I immediately feel in love with this look; it’s chic, comfortable…and she has a belt on – something I always forget to wear! When I priced out the original outfit, it broke down to:
|
Garnet Hill Items |
Prices |
|
|
$88.00 |
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Pima Ruffled Scoop-Neck Knit Top
|
$44.00 |
|
|
$88.00 |
|
|
$98.00 |
|
|
$48.00 |
|
Total Outfit Cost w/o S&H, or tax: |
$366.00 |
My version came from a few sources, but it was still just a fraction of the cost. I shopped mail-order for the cardigan, but I found a free shipping coupon at RetailMeNot, so I just had to pay the tax. Then, I went to the mall to gather up the rest of my finds.
Obviously, the fabrics and materials are different, but I was bargain hunting…and when I priced out the this version, it broke down to:
|
Bargain Hunting Items |
Prices |
|
$16.99 |
|
|
Perfect Boot Cut Jeans, The Gap
|
$69.50 |
|
$16.99 |
|
|
$19.99 |
|
|
$39.99 |
|
|
Total Outfit Cost w/o S&H, or tax: |
163.46 |
In case you don't have your calculators handy, my bargain hunting expedition saved me a whopping $202.54! With those savings, I could buy TWO of these very same outfits – how crazy is that?!
Now I can’t say how I’d look in the Garnet Hill version, but I think I pulled off the replica quite nicely!
So, if you want to have some fun bargain-hunting with me, stay in touch. I think I’m going to get Daniele involved too; she’s always up for a good deal!
*I am wearing a beloved Vera Bradley belt in the picture. I did not see anything similar online, so I opted for the snakeskin belt, which is more in-step with the Garnet Hill outfit.
Thanks Alana, it’s coming! Should be posted right around Turkey time!
Great post! Being a mom with an infant I never have time to shop for myself and feel so out of touch with whats in style. This really helped me. I can’t wait to read your next one!