Ah, the perils of being a PYT (that’#146;s pretty young thing, for you post-Mike-Jacksonkids) stuck living the life of a starving college student.
What’#146;s a dirt-poor clotheshorse suspended from using daddy’#146;s plasticto do?
Shop like mad. Literally. Put on your mean mask, because no fashion-conscioushoney should prance around the stores with a smile on her face – that last pairof low-rise jeans will be stolen by the hussie right next to you!
Case in point: once upon a time, in a far-away paradise called the Barney’#146;sWarehouse sample sale, a friend and I found the PERFECT leather skirt. She slidit on her teeny frame, and not a moment later we felt the eyes of a twiggy blondeglaring at us.
‘Are you taking that or what?’ she said in a Cruella Deville voice.’Is that even in your size?’ Oh, the agony! The barking wouldn’#146;tstop!
Feeling in no rush to make a decision, my friend and I continued to admirethe skirt we found, and after ten minutes of deliberation, made an already devilishwoman angrier as we left with our new skirt.
Lesson? Hiss at those who hiss at you. It’#146;s a war out there, in the voluminousshelves of Polo tees and Seven jeans. The frenzied shoppers and the mortifyingdressing-room mirrors don’#146;t help much, either.
So there you have it, rule numero uno: save your princess act for the boy toyyou’#146;ve been eyeing in CHE 131. Whether you’#146;re searching for a perfectpair of stilettos or the ubiquitous little black dress for under fifty bucks,show no mercy at the stores. Shove your way to the racks, if you must!
Here are two other rules to keep in mind when shopping:
- ‘middot; Hit the bargain basements. I once scored a cute pair of Uber-chicPumas in the kids’#146; section at Marshall’#146;s for $6.99. Designer goodiesfor college wallets? The key is to search, search, search. Also try: Filene’#146;sBasement, Daffy’#146;s, TJ Maxx (great undies), and everyone’#146;s favorite,Target.
- ‘middot; Keep an eye out for sample sales. Trust me, it’#146;s worth a tripto Manhattan for these. Brands like Diesel, Kate Spade and Theory are amongthe gaggle of merchandise sold at up to 70% off.
Next time you’#146;re on the net, check out www.newyork.citysearch.com, whichhas a shopping section that lists these and other sample sales weekly.
Shoes for the Savvy Shopper
Summer’#146;s made its mark with steamy weather as of late, which means it’#146;sthat time of year when the flip-flops and the tank tops make their yearly return!
But let’#146;s just say you don’#146;t do flip-flops for some reason’#151;likemyself, for instance’#151;because I insist on the extra oomph (and height) thatheels provide. Or perhaps your feet simply won’#146;t agree with the strainflip-flops can put in that teeny skin between your big and second toes.
Fret not, my fashion-forward friends. There’#146;s a new flock of hip and comfysandals out this season, with more variety than a rack at H&M.
Steve Madden is showing off his new line of summer footwear, and my favoriteis his Gore sandal, which combines comfort and style’#151;what with the two-inchsabrina heel and all. Ladies, take note: this one won’#146;t be around too long.Check it out at www.stevemadden.com.
The natural-colored wedge sandal is another trend that’#146;s been spottedon fashion-conscious divas as well. Think 70’#146;s. Look to old episodes ofThree’#146;s Company or Charlie’#146;s Angels for reference. Or, click on overto www.girlshop.com, where the shoe selection is heavenly.
Got a clueless boyfriend who needs to tap into his inner diva? Surprise himwith a sleek pair of leather slides, which are great at Aldo’#146;s. Look forthe ones with a single, wide band of leather. My guy (after I hid his basketballsneaks) discovered he loves them!
That’#146;s all for now ladies, until next time, keep those toes pedicuredand stay tuned for a lesson on bargain hunting!
