Abercrombie & Fitch White Heritage Flip Flops

Original Retail: $24 Price Paid: $9.99 Location: Marshalls

At first glance, these Flip Flops may not seem like such a great deal, but if you run the numbers that is still actually over 50% off, which is not too shabby. Still, the main reason I included them here is because I found these at Marshalls while the same Flip Flops were still on sale on the A & F website for $14 (plus shipping) so that right there makes them a big deal to me.

Robert Graham "Freshly Laundered Shirt"

Original Retail: $148 Price Paid: $20.27 Location: Nordstrom Rack

This has to be one of my best finds to date. one of the things I love about this shirt, is all the little embellishments - things that might never be noticed by the casual observer as you walk down the street, but just knowing they are there makes me smile all the same. An example of this is visible just above the tag hanging from the shirt, the second button is actually trimmed in a small patch of fabric that is also used along the bottom hem. You will never see it when the shirt is buttoned, but it is still fun nonetheless.

Express 1MX Dress Shirt and Producer Pants

Original Retail: $157.90 Price Paid: $87.95 Location: Express

 In this blog I often focus on shopping clearance sales, discount stores and outlets, but that's not to say you can't score great deals on in-season regular priced merchandise without resorting to swapping price tags or using shopping bags lined in tin-foil. 

Many big name retailers have old fashioned mailing lists or email list which they will use to send you catalogs and coupons/discounts through if you sign up for them. I am on the Express mailing list because I buy all my dress shirts for work there. Every few months I get a mailer with 2 coupons, one for $30 off a $90 purchase and one for $40 off a $120 purchase. 

Recently I needed to buy a dress shirt and slacks for my sister's wedding (her color is green apple) Express was running an in-store promotion, buy any 1 item and get a second item half off. The Pants cost $98 and the Shirt $59.90, the promotion brought the shirt down to $29.95 so my grand total was $127.95. Enter in Mr. Coupon and good bye to an additional $40 off!

In the end they basically took $10 off the pants and threw in the shirt for free. I love the thrill of the kill.

Diesel DZ-1415 10 Bar Diving Watch

Original Retail: $180 Price Paid: 69.99 Location: TJ Maxx

 From a discount percentage stand point, this certainly isn't the greatest deal on my blog - however $110 in savings is nothing to turn your nose up at. Especially since Diesel is one of my all time favorite brands. This watch also features a really cool LED light feature for night time that I just could not capture properly.

 

Creative Recreation GENO Sneakers - Black, Coral & Fuchsia

Original Retail: $109.99 Price Paid: $39.98 Location: Finish Line

 

You Just never know where you may find a great deal. I almost never go to athletic shoes stores, however I was lured in by a pair of training shoes I have seen a bunch of people at my gym wearing. Once inside I discovered that not only did they stock what I refer to as "Fashion Sneakers" in addition to athletic shoes, but they were also having a pretty kick ass sale. Lesson learned.

Dolce & Gabbana Double Band Sport Brief

Original Retail: $68 Price Paid: $19.99 Location: Marshalls

I just want to point out that, yes - that is me iin the last picture. So Calvin Klein, if you are reading this, I if you call my agent I am sure we can work something out before my next trip to Milan. Who knows, maybe I'll even includ that new Calvin Klein suit I picked up recently here in my blog...

Emporio Armani Leather Wrap and Stainless Steel Bracelet

Original Retail: $175 Price Paid: $39.99 Location: TJ Maxx

 The more "luxury" a brand is, the better its packaging is. (Apple has this concept down to a science.) I honestly can't say what I was more impressed with when I came across this piece, the bracelet itself or the box it came in. (Magnetic ribbon closure - very chic.) I guess this puts me about on par with a toddler at Christmas!

 

Express Pinstripe Cotton Photographer Suit Jacket

Original Retail: $198 Price Paid:$29.99 Location: TJ Maxx

 Sometimes a little good old-fashioned Martha Stuart know how can help to save you big bucks - This amazing coat had obviously been crumpled up at the bottom of a box for its transfer from Express to TJ Maxx, so as a result it looked like it had been slept in after a night of binge drinking. Here is where owning a wrinkle releasing steam cleaner can come in handy, or if you don't have one, a tea kettle on high heat and a lot of patients. Either way in the end you can look like the night before instead of the morning after, earn yourself that promotion and save your hard earned cash in the process.

Abercrombie & Fitch Slim Straight Chinos

Original Retail: $78 Price Paid $11.13 Location: Abercrombie & Fitch

 

 

You don't always have to go to discount stores or outlets to find the best deals. At the end of the day a retailer stands to make more money if they can sell their product in house then shipping it off in bulk for pennies on the dollar, so several times a year most brand retailers will have amazing in house clearance sales. These chinos had already been marked down to $15.90 when AnF put all clearance on an additional 30% off. Score! 

Diesel Stainless Steel and Leather Ring

Original Retail: $120 Price Paid: $24.99 Location: TJ Maxx

Actual Conversation:

"Wow! that's a nice looking ring!"

"Thank you."

"Where is it from?"

"Diesel."

"Oh, is that where you go to school or something?"

"No, it's where I go to buy jeans."

<Blank Stare>

Robert Graham 'Stevens' Brown Leather Belt with Wooden Buckle

Original Retail: $128 Price Paid: $39.99 Location: Marshalls

To a certain extent, you do get what you pay for. That is often the allure of high-end brands, better quality materials, fun little embellishments and better craftsmanship. However there comes a certain point when you are no longer paying for quality, but rather the exclusivity of being able to afford the product. Such is the case here, I felt rather excessive spending $40 on a belt, I can't fathom spending $128 - and for a Robert Graham belt, that is actually the lower end of the price spectrum.

True Religion Ace Low-top Leather Sneakers

Original Retail: $85 Price Paid:$39.90 Location: Nordstrom Rack

  The world of fashion moves quickly, the average "season" last about 3 months. In order to keep up, big brand retailers like Nordstroms only orders limited quantities in each size, still they often end up with an overstock especially in less popular sizes. This is where stores like Nordstrom Rack come in. In order to keep only the latest fashions in the main store, overstock gets shipped to these one-off stores. That is how I was able to snag these shoes at less then half their retail cost at a time when most internet shops are still selling them at or near full retail value. 

DKNY Distressed Long Sleeve T-shirt

Original Retail: $54.00 Price Paid: $8.49 Location: Ross

Many self-proclaimed "fashionistas" will react to the term "Clearance Rack" the way most red-headed children react to the proclamation, "Honey, I'm getting married again!" Even more so when you begin discussing discount clothing stores.

That being said, in amongst the frayed hemlines, holes, mysterious stains that look suspiciously like bodily fluids and other rejects from project runway you can still find good clothes that have just been overlooked. 

This long-sleeved t-shirt just happened to find itself still on the rack at a time when all the short-sleeves shirts were arriving for spring, however this light-weight cotton t was just the thing for the not-quite-spring-but-no-longer-winter chill in the evening air.