jacket {$35 & similar} // top {s/o but similar print} // shoes {similar} // jeans {only $10!} // sunglasses // jewelry {vintage}
Friends, let’s talk about deals and steals. I am unabashedly a big fan, especially when it comes to basics I’ll wear all season long. I’ve never been made of gold, so shopping in the sale section is what I do best. When I make my way to Anthropologie or J.Crew, I make a b-line for the sale section, and always use my student discount despite the fact that I graduated over 3 years ago. Hey, if I can save 15% with a little white lie, I’m all for it. Just please don’t tell on me…
And when I’m not even in the mood to drop dollars on the sale section, Forever21 is my jam. I know friends who’ve declared Forever21 “scary” or “overwhelming”, but I’ve mastered the fine art of a good Forever21 buy. Take this top and “leather” jacket I’ve had for years – both the products of a good Forever21 scour. Not too shabby, right?
So here’s what you need to know about wheeling and dealing your way through Forever21:
– When to shop: Call me captain obvious but if you can swing it, make sure you shop on a weekday. Weekends are a madhouse full of pre-teens and too many crop tops – so avoid the rush early in the week. It’s also the cleanest/most organized, so you’ll be much more effective in your shopping-pa-looza.
– Give yourself time: Would you rush a search for buried treasure? Heck no! So make sure to give yourself an adequate amount of time. I usually spend a whole hour between hunting, trying things on, and waiting in agony in the check out line. #Struggle
– Try things on! Seriously…trust me on this one. Even if you have a million just like it and you “totally know your size” – just do yourself a favor and try it on. 9 times out of 10, I try something I thought I’d love on and realize I look like a fool. And even if you do buy it without trying it on, that return policy is a pain! Avoid the headache early in the game.
– Go for on trend pieces: The whole reason Forever21 was invented {okay, not really…} was so you can try out the latest trends without breaking the bank. Trends come and go, and that’s the perfect reason to swing by Forever21. Leave the basics for investing in.
– Be a designer stalker: Forever21 unabashedly rips off some of the best designs – and pretty damn well too. Do your homework and check the website before you drop bank on that expensive bag or top. There’s a good chance they’ve already knocked it off.
– Buy it now! Found something you love, but you’re just not sure? Buy it now, friends! Forever21 is like a revolving door of clothes, once you see it and love it, it’s bound to be gone the next day. When the investment is low, you might as well go for it.
– Don’t get heels, dear lord: I’ve rocked a few pairs of Forever21 flats in my day, but their heel game is waaaay off. Even if they’re cute, they’re like little torture chambers for your toes – and you love your toes too much to hurt them, right? Invest in a killer pair of heels, that doesn’t actually kill – kay?
Any other Forever21 tips? Teach me your ways friends! xx
I have a few things I love from F21 and I'm totally on board with your tips. They recently redid ours and I need to go check it out when stocking up on fall stuff. You look gorgeous, by the way 🙂
This is a fabulous post! I love Forever21, but I typically don't have the patience to sort through all the racks. And, I'm usually there on a weekend, so that's a huge issue. I'll have to try to make it out there during the week – I'm sure it's a much better shopping experience!
Dying over that last one on the list haha, it's so true! I'm lacking in the patience department, but knowing you got that jacket there has me wanting to jet down to the Plaza……on Monday 😉
Wait. Those jeans were TEN DOLLARS?! Get out of here.
Love love love that jacket!! And your jewelry is so cute! Happy weekend!
http://www.madeintheshadeblog.com
Hahaha, yes weekends are a mad house LOL. And it is all so true. I have never owned a pair of heels from there but have always wanted to try them, I actually linked to a pair today, whoops! Good to know!
I used to hate F21 but my friend introduced me to their "plus" size department, which starts at like a size 10 (hello, NOT plus sized!), and it is much smaller and much more manageable than browsing through the whole store. I also love their scarves and jewelery!
Love these ideas! Especially trend seeking and design ripoffs. No need to spend $$$ on something you'll only wear once! – J
love that cropped leather jacket!
The Style Scribe
Those bracelets are fabulous!