I'm wearing a new outfit today that includes Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Kenneth Cole and Anne Klein

[LynneSin]

Pants: Pants are a nicely tapered black dress pants from the Anne Klein line from Sears. I found them on the sales rack and paid about $25 for them. I think I've had these things for 2 years so truly I've got my moneys worth for them.

Shirt: Michael Kors from Macy's. Again, sales rack and I got this shirt for $25 although I think originally it was around $100. Michael Kors has a plus size line but not carried at Macy's; however, this must have been a returned because it's a 1X and absolutely gorgeous shirt.

Sweater: Black Cardigan from Ralph Lauren that I found on the 40% off rack - ran about $50. I love Black Cardigans - I'll own this sweater for about 10 years so it was worth every penny

Shoes: Probably the only thing NOT bought on sale but they were so cute I couldn't resist. Black Leather Mary Jane from Kenneth Cole heels - $80. I've been size 11 forever so when I find a cute pair of size 11 I can't worry too much about price. For some reason they think once you get to size 11 you've lost your taste in clothes but fyi - Paris Hilton has size 11 feet too.

Watch: I've had that for about 7-8 years now and that was on the super clearance rack from Bloomingdales It's Kenneth Cole and I got it for about $25. What's nice about the watch - it has 3 different watch bands I could swap out with the watch, so it's very versatile.

So that makes my outfit, which I'm a professional female that has to look business-like for work (We're business causal but still look professional) - I got for about $225. Nice thing is the sweater and pants can be worn with just about any blouse that I own. I probably wear these pants at least once every 5-7 days (I have about 8 pairs of pants total for work).

Thing is, you could put me next to Sarah Palin and one of her fancy $3000 outfits and you probably could not tell who spent more on their clothes.

[msongs]

1. I'm envious, my outfit includes Target and Kmart lol nt

[LynneSin]

3. I love the Isaac Mirazhi line for Target

K-mart, well not so much but I have this beautiful black cardigan I found there for $5 and a blue oversize sweater from the Jacquelin Smith line. (It was also $5).

Thing is, alot of these top designers like Mirazhi and also Vera Wang, are doing price-to-own lines for the department stores. And those 3 pieces I got from target are very well made, I've had them now for about 2 years.

[SmokingJacket]

8. It's true, if you're careful and patient, you can find good clothes

practically anywhere. I have name brand stuff from Salvation Army.

[Clio the Leo]

2. Not to mention the fact that you're 8,000 times more intelligent. NT

[LynneSin]

4. and that's with half my brain tied behind my back

:woohoo:

[Randomthought]

5. Sounds like you have better taste

and are lots smarter than Palin too!

[graywarrior]

6. I'm wearing vitage Gibson Center Thrift Shop sweater and coat

Airport Goodwill in Sarasota shirt and shoes topped off with a winter hat left behind on a hiking trail at Puddin Pond behind my house (yes, I washed it in Woolite) and earrings from the now defunct Swank Stores.

[LynneSin]

14. I still have a great green windbreaker I found in a garbage pile the day after a protest

I'll have it handy for election day incase it's raining out.

(Yes it has been washed since I found it)

[graywarrior]

24. Get this story

I donated a suede/fake fur coat to one of our church thrift shops 6 years ago when we moved to Florida. Last week I was at one of them and glanced at the free box as I came into the basement of the church. Hmmm, looks familiar. On my way out I pick it up and it's the coat I donated. A little dirty on the sleeves, but still in great shape. I know it't mine because it has an ink stain on the left sleeve which is why I decided to give it away. Paid $150 6 years ago, I get it back free 6 years later.

[SmokingJacket]

7. The most expensive thing I'm wearing is my Obama tee-shirt.

I think I donated $30 to MoveOn to get it.

:hi:

The crazy thing is, didn't they stop for a second and think, Hey! Isn't our image all about Joe-the-Plumber and being a Hacky Mam? And isn't that sort of at odds with all this designer stuff???

Obviously candidates need to be well dressed... but come on.

[CoffeeCat]

9. You're awesome!

You are a very organized, savvy person--and I applaud you! :applause:

Not only are you a smart shopper--you are very efficient. It sounds like you buy fewer things, but you
shop smart--and coordinate everything, to get the most our of your pieces. I love black cardigans too.
When you buy timeless pieces like that, you get so much mileage out of them.

There are many people who have a giant closet full of clothes, and they stand in front of their closet
frustrated because they "have nothing to wear."

You've made thoughtful, smart choices. I also think that buying brand names is smart--if you can afford
them and what a bonus if you can find them on sale. You've done that! Brand names wear so much better
and last longer. In the long run, you save money buying brand-name clothing--because the cheap stuff
falls apart after one season.

I'm a stay-at-home mom now--so I'm a fashion nightmare. I used to be a professional (high-tech public
relations). I miss it! So, it's fun to hear about your clothes and your shopping.

Thanks for sharing!

[LynneSin]

15. Hate to disappoint you - I'm a clothesaholic

But I hadn't been clothes shopping in ages because of my weight. Now that I'm down 2 sizes I'm finding all these great gems in my wardrobe I haven't worn in over a year.

Thing is, I buy stuff I know that will stay in style no matter what. I have clothes I've bought over a decade ago that are still very stylish.

[AllieB]

10. The only thing I splurge on are good leather shoes (I have bad feet) and purses.

Like you, I'm a bargain hunter. I shop in Filene's Basement, Marshall's and TJ Maxx. I wear suits and business wear for work also, and I have never paid more than $300 for a suit-and that was a Dolce & Gabbana suit from Filene's Basement. Instead of shopping at Saks and Neimans in NYC, Palin could have found business attire at off-price places like Century 21 and Loehmann's.

I also *try* not to buy crap made in China, but that is getting incresingly difficult. My shoes and purses are made in Europe, but clothing from Target is often made in the 3rd world.

[LynneSin]

16. Ooh - I forgot, Dooney & Bourke purse I got for $40 from the clearance rack at TJMaxx

THAT was a real find

[AllieB]

30. My sister found a Coach purse at Marshall's.

The only problem now is that most Coach bags (and Cole Haan) are made in China. :-(

[LynneSin]

33. My favorite is a Michael Kors bag I got at TJMaxx

Only thing I have from Coach is a wristlet - I love wristlet purses. When I go out I usually only need something for money, ID, my cell phone and lipstick. Wristlets do the trick.

[yardwork]

11. Black slacks bought at Steinmart for about $25. Red sweater set bought at Talbot's for 20% off.

Black lizard skin pumps bought at discount shoe store for about $50. Ten year old Seiko watch with gold tone band that goes with everything. Handmade earrings about $15. Black socks, also bought at Steinmart. GAP underwear. Cover girl makeup.

Total outlay less than $200 for the outfit which I've worn for years and will continue to wear for years, as its classic and not at all trendy, plus whatever I paid for the watch ten years ago, still going strong.

[connecticut yankee]

12. Sounds good to me...

I generally wear sweats around the house, but when I go out, practically everything I wear is from Chico's. And I always get them on sale.

My family motto was "Never pay retail."

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

13. This morning I am wearing

A Company Store Down bathrobe I paid $1 for at a thrift shop, Tee shirt $1 sale at walmart, Shorts $8 at Kmart, Fur Boots $300 Overland online.

[LynneSin]

18. Great outfit but one major gripe

WALMART???!!!!

:pals:

I'm such a major bargain hunter - I wait for the big sales at Macy's or Bloomies and there are always coupons in the paper. I once bought a $600 downfilled suede jacket from Ralph Lauren for $80. I saw it on the mens store rack and just fell in love. It was already $65% off the lowest ticketed price and then I had 15% coupon on top of that.

I bought that jacket over 10 years ago and other than some repair work on a tear in the pocket I'll have that thing for the rest of my life. It is so fricking warm - I love it. It's the type of coat that after I pass away one of my nieces or nephews will try to claim it.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

27. I know I know. But the nearest Macy's is 5 hours one way from me.

Kudos on the down coat find!

[gblady]

17. it certainly can be done....

my professional wardrobe is a curious mix of items from
sales racks, Ross, Value Village, Goodwill,
and a variety of consignment shops...

I live in a ritzy area on a meager wage...
the local wealthy donate their not wanted stuff to charity...

I find great looking quality stuff at bargain prices.
total win-win!

[Supply Side Jesus]

19. "You should really get your own shoes next time"

"Hi Linda, nice shoes! Patrick Cox's?"

"Hmmm small feet for a bloak"

:rofl: Love that show!

[zulchzulu]

20. Me...

Black GAP pants ($20), Dark Grey long-sleeve Chamois shirt ($20), LL Bean Duck boots ($65), socks with Irish clover icons (free birthday present) and USA flag boxer shorts (free birthday present)... I wore a NorthFace black light jacket ($80) with Blue Obama pin ($3)...

Working in a media relations company as the resident geek/artiste who did have arugula in my eggs this morning, I am a charter member of Non-America... and damn proud!

[vanderBeth]

21. I get you on the shoes

Size 11 here. You must be tall like me. :)

But the shoes and my underwear are the only things I buy. I make the rest of my clothes.

[grace0418]

32. I see your size 11 and I raise you size 10.5 wide. Most shoes come in half sizes

until you get to 10, then they conveniently skip to 11, 12. And forget trying to find wide on top of that. Zappos.com was the best thing that ever happened to me. :)

[The Stranger]

22. I have this funny feeling reading this.

The only time women have described what they're wearing to me is in an erotic context.

I don't mean to offend, but the whole wardrobe campaign thing has led to some odd places.

[TornadoTN]

23. I get Ralph Lauren suits from S&K, have them tailored and fit for $200-300

I have to wear suits daily and I love the style of Ralph Lauren suits but I don't want to pay $750+ for them in the big name stores. I am on a first name basis with the manager at a local S&K Men's Store and when they get in new Ralph Lauren suits, he gives me a call and I'll go out and take a look. They claim most of them have some kind of flaw in them but I've never seen one in any of them!

I take them to a local tailor shop and they custom fit it for me - so all in all I spend between $200 and $300 on the suits that look like a million bucks (or so my wife says). I didn't include ties because I have so many, I can pretty much find anything to match a suit. You can find designer ties (Ralph Lauren, Hilfiger, etc.) at Kohls, TJ Maxx or Ross for $5-$10, sometimes cheaper.

[Blue Belle]

25. Yeah... I just don't understand it....

I understand why the GOP would want Sarah Palin to look nice, and I can even understand buying a pricey outfit for the convention, but you can find REALLY nice stuff at Jones New York or Ann Taylor that looks very professional and classy. It also would have made her claim as a "Hockey Mom" more believable. But what do I know? Obviously less than the McCain campaign. At least Michelle Obama gets it.

[LynneSin]

29. That's the real issue I have here - They spent this money on her - wasn't she good enough as is?

:shrug:

[RockaFowler]

26. Hey Lynne, I'm with you

As a professional woman myself, I'm wearing the following today - all from Macy's:

Style & Co Pink Dress Shirt - $15 (clearance rack)
Michael Kors Black Skirt - $35 (clearance rack)
Nina Black Pumps - $0 - (buy 1 get 1 free clearance shoes)

It can be done for under $100 and still look professional from day to day.

[scarface2004]

28. only $149,775 to go!

should only take you about 1,000 years to catch up!!

[AlCzervik]

31. i have a pair of made in america true religion jeans on and a run-dmc shirt.

the jeans werren't cheap but they were made here.