Steals for Under $20

Sometimes you just want to buy something.  Some people feel urges to smoke, gamble or drink; others feel the urge to shop.  Comparably, shopping is certainly the healthiest choice!

A helpful analogy: dieters are always told to eat one square of chocolate instead of denying themselves – which puts them at risk of eating the whole king size candy bar.  Shopping is the same way.  If you feel the need to shop but are low on cash, try these shopping ideas, all for less than $20:

1)    Visit the accessories wall at Forever 21.  Don’t buy necklaces and bracelets made of fake silver or gold.  They’ll only turn green (your skin too) after a few wears.  Instead, buy fun plastic rings and bracelets.  Most items are under $5 and I’ve had inexpensive pieces like this for years.

2)    Hit the streets of Soho on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.  Vendors line the streets hawking their homemade goods.  Earrings, broaches, headbands and other fun accessories can be found for $20 or less.

3)    Visit a ribbon store in the Fashion District.  Inexpensively add color to your wardrobe by buying several lengths of your favorite ribbons to create a new selection of belts!

4)    Visit the “sale” table in the Bloomingdale’s jewelry section.  Many weekends (subscribe to their sale emails), items will be marked down 30% - 70% off regular prices.  I’ve gotten gorgeous $90 necklaces for $10 apiece. 

5)    Check out Screaming Mimi’s on Broadway for a huge vintage selection of clothes, hats, shoes and accessories.  Be on the lookout for the occasional brand-name find.

Welcome to SohoShopGirl

Hello, Readers!  Thank you for visiting my blog!  I promise that your time will not be wasted; my lofty plans for future entries include shopping tips and tales from the streets of New York City, and the information and experiences that have allowed me to achieve my very affordable, yet largely designer, wardrobe.  (Hopefully a few amusing stories along the way as well…)

It all began (my blog, that is) a few weeks ago, when some friends at a professional event complimented me on my espadrilles.  Never being one able to keep a good deal to myself, I was of course compelled to share that they were almost-new Christian Louboutins, recently purchased at my favorite consignment store for a mere $100.  From there, the conversation led to other shopping “best practices,” and I found myself in the happy state that consists of me talking about my favorite stores - the ones that have the best sales, selections, customer service, etc.  My listeners, thankfully seeming very impressed and satisfied with this new information, exclaimed, “You should have a blog!”  And so, here we are...

My interest in fashion began in middle school, although my style preferences have morphed quite a bit along the way.  Surprisingly, for those who know me now but not then, I was pretty taken with the “punk” era that included baggy pants and skater shoes.  But before long, I made a style-360, and was embracing everything pink and ultra-girly. Eventually, I settled somewhere in the middle, although admittedly more towards the feminine side of the spectrum.  In retrospect, I think both early phases contributed a lot to my fashion preferences today, and explain why I now gravitate to not just one, but a number of different style mantras.

The second element of my blog is the financial side of fashion.  While my childhood was certainly not tragically financially challenged, I never had the luxury of parents who could take me on pricey shopping trips to the mall – at least not after I got my first job babysitting at 14 and at about the same time starting wanting to shop at stores other than Sears (ughh).  From time to time I did and still do feel jealous of those whose parents could afford to spend a few hundred dollars per spree on new Abercrombie jeans, skirts and tops.  But usually this is fleeting, as I realize that this element of my upbringing only inspired a more exciting and rewarding relationship with fashion.  Over the years, I have come to love the adventure that is browsing new stores for incredible discounts, combing the racks for hidden treasures, and keeping a mental list about where the greatest shopping “victories” lie.

I firmly believe that fashion is an important form of self-expression.  What we wear is part of how we convey ourselves to those around us, be it friends, colleagues or even random people on the street.  I also believe that everyone should have the right to fashion, which is why I plan to share my “deals, steals and other stories” about how to find the best pieces at the best prices.

Fashion-forward deal-seekers, stay tuned!