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Cheap JAP Challenge: Charlotte Russe

During my stay in South Jersey, I explored some choice, trashtastic stores at the local mall and discovered Charlotte Russe. Charlotte Russe is kind of like Forever 21’s naughty little sister; 75% of the stuff isn’t just slutty; it’s made from stiff, icky material, and made poorly at that - most of the zippers catch mid-zip, most of the buttons are already loose. But this is a Cheap JAP challenge, goddammit, and we’ve got to find something that doesn’t look like it belongs in Jersey!

As it happens, I found a few relatively decent items at very decent prices. The waistline of the sheer, black button-down shirt makes it uber flattering, and the sleeves, material and color make it a $20 way of experimenting with that neo-goth trend that’s like, soooo In for Fall omg.

The mod Colorblock and oh-so-Autumn Houndstooth dresses are $28.99 each (ditch the belt on the Houndstooth fyi - it’s pleather in the worst way - and add your own instead). The Buffalo Plaid top is $19.99, if you wanna jump on the celebrity trendwagon.

Coolier Than Thou

A brief addendum re: my Macy’s shopping experience. I wore this Lux jumper ($11.95 at Beacon’s - take that, Urban!) over an American Apparel tee for the occasion. Paired with a belt stolen from my little bro’s closet and my new Crocs, I thought the outfit was kinda cool. This notion was reinforced by the fact that I’ve received multiple compliments on the jumper in question when I’ve worn it in good ol’ trendy Brooklyn.

Alas, My Jersey shopping peers weren’t quite as forgiving - the looks I got were priceless, and not in a good way. I felt like a circus freak and/or Ty in “Clueless.” I even thought I heard someone say, “She could be a farmer in those clothes.” But that could have been the paranoia talking.

Just had to share.

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Making the Most of Macy’s

Say hello to the only department store continually available to me throughout my childhood: Macy’s. Where Coach and Dooney & Bourke bags - the interlocking “C” and “DB” print kind, not the leather kind - reign supreme. Where Nine West pumps actually sell out. Where the makeup gals look befuddled when you ask after the Stila lipgloss. Welcome to South Jersey.

I’ve always been JAPpy, but I wasn’t too good for Macy’s till I skipped town. As I spend less now than I did then, one would think I’d appreciate the fact that their prices aren’t as ridiculous as Saks and/or Bloomies. Oh, the irony. In an attempt to de-snobbify myself (if only temporarily) I decided to give Macy’s another chance. This French Connection tie-front, pinstriped, menswear-esque shirt was on sale for $64, reduced from $106. Not terrible - if I didn’t know I could probs find its twin at a thrift store, I might have considered buying it.

Resisting this Kenzie lightweight coat was significantly more difficult. I’m a sucker for popped collars, and this one stays up effortlessly. The tie in front cinches the waist nicely too. It was on sale for $76.50, reduced from $126.50 - totally reasonable for a coat. And if Mommy hadn’t splurged for a Manoush trench on my behalf a few months ago, I could have rationalized the purchase. Sigh.

Thankfully, my nostalgic Macy’s experience wasn’t a total loss. I ended up with a fabulously versatile Kenzie top, on sale for $30, reduced from $64, which will be revealed in outfit form shortly.

Heel Schpiel

Function, Not Fashion - Is it a Croc?

It’s rare that I choose function over fashion, and I’m not so practical that I’d ever resort to wearing traditional Crocs. But I am a style realist (sometimes). I can’t afford cabs and I don’t work out, so if I’m headed somewhere within 20 blocks of my current location, I’m doing it on foot and calling it exercise. And this need for fashionable, functional footwear presents a bigger problem than my penchant for alliteration. Especially when you’re 5′2″ (and a half, but who’s counting). Yes, my Blowfish flats have served me well, but sometimes I want a little height without a lot of pain, goddammit. I found the answer to my daytime-footwear-dilemma in the Croc Cyprus Heel.
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Targeting Suburbia

I’m on vacay this week, and by vacay, I mean I’m dogsitting in South Jersey while my parents are out of town. Sigh. Anyhoo, no trip home would be complete without a visit to my local Target. This is because suburban Targets put urban Targets to shame. The selection of GO International stuff isn’t just more varied - it’s even cheaper than usual!

This high-waisted, satin-esque (it’s Target, let’s not kid ourselves) bubble skirt - from the store’s in-house Go International line - was originally priced at $34.99. Not bad to begin with, obvs. I, however, got it on sale for $8.74.

Paired with a Theory tank (on loan from my friend Lucy) and Via Spiga pumps it looks fairly high-end, which makes the fact that it was less than ten bucks kind of ludicrous.

And kind of awesome.