My bank account doesn’t allow me to update my wardrobe as frequently as I’d like, but every January I make it a point to shop at my favorite stores. Experience has taught me this is the best time of the year to find bargains on clothing purchases. My goal for this article was to find a complete outfit, including shoes, for $100.
At my first stop, Kohl’s on Gunbarrel Road, a Vera Wang dress caught my eye. The empire-waist dress, in a red and black floral print, could be worn year-round in Chattanooga, and it’s perfect for my upcoming vacation to Jamaica. Regularly priced at $68, the dress was on sale for $33.99.
Since my dress would be doing double duty, I wanted to accessorize it for both climates.
At Marshalls, in The Shoppes at Hamilton Place, I found a pair of shoes to wear with the dress in Jamaica: a pair of BCBG black, patent flip-flops, practical for walks on the beach. A silk rose on the straps dresses up these casual shoes. Retail price: $50. Sale price: $7.
With $59.01 remaining (tax excluded), it was on to Hamilton Place mall to look for hosiery and shoes to wear with the dress in Chattanooga and, possibly, an accessory.
PRICE LISTVera Wang dress, Kohl’s, $33.99 (regularly $68)BCBG flip-flops, Marshalls, $7 ($50)Mudd heels, J.C. Penney, $14 ($50)Worthington jacket, J.C. Penney, $17.99 ($60)Worthington tights, J.C. Penney, $6.99 ($10)Faux leather clutch, The Limited, $9.99 ($39.50)Sale total: $95.96 (not including tax)Regular retail total: $277.50 (not including tax)
I found great deals at several stores — Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Charlotte Russe, Limited Express, Dillard’s and Belk — but nothing to complete my ensemble until I went to J.C. Penney, where clearance items were up to 70 percent off.
Here I picked up black heels by Mudd for $14.99 ($50 retail), a dressy black jacket by Worthington for $17.99 ($60 retail) and Worthington black tights for $6.99 ($10 retail).
I was now down to $19.04 (excluding tax), enough for a purse. I found a perfect red clutch, made of faux leather and accessorized with brass studs, at The Limited for $9.99 ($39.50 retail).
Not counting tax, the grand total was $95.96. Mission accomplished.