The bastions for designer bargain hunters have only multiplied. Nordstrom Rack (where I usually find those Dior glasses, and buy boots off-season), Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s Outlet (love the additional half-off redlines), and Barney’s New York Outlet, in addition to Off 5th, all have those brands to be craved. Loehmanns is another don’t-miss, especially for their back room of high-end designers — I once snagged a $1,600 Dolce & Gabbana handbag, by combining red-tag discounts and opening a discount-card account, for $105. The ultimate is a Loehmanns clearance center — when one opened and closed near me, I got Manolo Blahniks (Mary Janes, retail $650) for $60, a Missoni scarf that retailed at $545 for $45, Chloe sweaters, Moschino leather and cashmere gloves, and more.
If I became as wealthy as the Obamas, Romneys or Gingriches tomorrow, I wouldn’t start paying full price. I’ve learned too much about how to shop the game to ever go back at this point, and would still feel the thrill of finding rock-bottom-priced couture.
And that’s my advice to Michelle and Ann: Don’t try to counter the criticism by pretending that you’re suddenly a J.C. Penney aficionado. Nobody buys it.
But they would be smart to be seen shopping at the aforementioned outlets, to brag about their discount finds and share with other American women how they can find couture on a budget, as well.
It would also display a personal sense of fiscal conservatism to which voters can relate — even though you might have the money to throw at a personal shopper on Rodeo Drive, you choose to spend it wisely and stretch each dollar as far as possible when filling up that closet from high-end retailers’ clearance racks.
Kudos, but where do you find time? Seriously, I hate to shop and Loehmans is the most dismaying sight in the known universe. You have to find things that match and fit.Half the time I flee with nothing.
I want to shop where you do!
So, go shop there. Anybody can.
Actually the funnest thing is in a 2nd hand shop and finding treasures. So thanks I guess I kind of do it already.
Haha, I’m a fan of The Rack and Target’s big-name, low-price clothes, but I’d still like to make you my personal shopper, Bridget! You’ve found better deals than I have.
I was going to say that shopping in actual boutiques and stores as opposed to the cheapie versions is a much nicer experience, one that a hard-working woman might be willing to pay for in the form of higher prices. But when you’re seriously searching for a very specific item that you need — a dress for your niece’s high school graduation, say, that has to be festive yet dignified, suitable for indoors and out, special but able to sustain a spill, something that preferably doesn’t have to be dry-cleaned, that will go with accessories you already have — shopping is an unmitigated chore no matter how nice the store. You might as well go cheap.
I disagree. I think you are talking about letting the Left control the narrative. I think you have to put forward your own message on this.
“I have money. I made it fair and square. I can do three things with it: Invest it; spend it; or sit on it. If I invest it, businesses have money for operations, and people get employed. If I spend it, people also get employed. Does not the woman who sold me the expensive item have a family to feed? And the merchant who owns the shop? And the people who labored to produce the item? And the marketing people? And the magazines and photographers and the models and all the people in the industry? What will they do, if rich people like me do not buy their products?
What will those ritzy resorts do without customers like me? Whom will the wait-staff serve, if not me? Shall maids have no work to do? The valets? The desk clerks, and so forth? Shall I, instead, squat on my wealth like a miser, and deny others an opportunity to feed their families? Would you see them out of work? Do you desire yet more unemployment?
As long as I am spending my own money, honestly earned, you should rejoice, not pillory me. When I seek luxury goods, I create a market for something that would not exist without rich people. I buy finely-made goods, and the craftsmen who produce them practice their crafts, create things of beauty, and feed their families? How is that so terrible?”
We have to fight the narratives of the Left, if we are ever going to turn things around. Celebrate well-earned wealth. This is America, after all.
Bingo, Mr. Mallone.
What Johnson is suggesting is more fakery from political figures. I don’t see how that helps.
Taxpayers aren’t footing the bill for these women’s closets, so should it be our business?…Ann, obviously not. Michelle – how do we know that? She’s not ‘working’, but she does get free money from us for all kinds of things.
Michelle and Barack’s mumblings and ramblings about the poor and oppressed (long predating their own rise to notoriety) are extraordinarily hypocritical given their own predilections for self-indulgent spending, luxury and travel.
Recall Michelle Obama’s comment post Katrina, that cash given to people in New Orleans, $500 or so, was somehow inadequate …”What’s that, a pair of earrings?” (for her, it was about pair of $540 tennis shoes)
I’ve not seen a president and his wife waste our money like that duo does.
As is true for self-proclaimed élitists in general, they talk the talk but wouldn’t themselves dream of walking the walk. (hey, there’s a hackneyed cliché Jonah Goldberg might like)
I must be a typical guy, but I can’t see why what those women are wearing is so expensive? In short, they look like average outfits to me, nothing that would really make me stop on the street and take notice of them. So I guess they’re wasting their money on voters like me, because I couldn’t tell a $1,000 shirt from a $40 shirt.
So who’s getting fooled here, the voters who don’t notice this type of clothing, or the women who are silly enough to pay $1,000 for a shirt? I’m wondering who these women are really trying to impress, themselves or other women who may notice this stuff? Either way, seems like a big waste of time and money to me. I’ll never forget when Diane Keaton started a fashion craze in the movie “Annie Hall” when she wore an old man’s vest, chinos, a tie and shirt, and an old man’s hat. Overnight it became a fashion sensation, and I doubt that the whole outfit cost more than $200. Perhaps women should try to be trend setters rather than tren followers? Isn’t that the essence of independence and style? But what do I know. I’m just a guy who can’t tell the difference between a $1,000 shirt and a $40 shirt.
Yes, that is correct.
Alas, no amount of luxury label will make 40 lbs. of bulldog in a chihuahua’s sweater look fashionable…Mrs. Obama.
Pleeeeze, L’Wrenn Scott, start making (headsized) bags.
I don’t care how much Moochelle pays for her clothes as long as she’s packing them in January.
For heaven’s sake! These women are really, really rich! So get over it! I’ve had money and been broke. Money is better. When I had money I shopped in high end consignment shoppes and wore some pretty fabulous duds for 20% of retail. Now I make a lot of clothes and get stopped and asked where I found it. Had a custom clothing business for 8 years – sewed for what I called the “crystal bathtub” set. They wanted everything and didn’t want to pay for it. So closed the business. I would guess that a lot of clothing is given to the presidents wife just for the advertising. Really can’t imagine paying $2,000 for a sweater. It would have to be one heck of a sweater – not the crap she wears.
I have a friend that shops at WalMart and GoodWill and looks like Sax. Never could manage that.
So – like I said – get over it! I never got hired by someone who did not have money.
It’s the hypocrisy of the First Couple !!!
They continue to insist the rich dont pay their share, use every IRS loophole and blow the $ on $550 tennis shoes.
You can’t be tempting kids with Happy Meals but I can spend tens of thousands on a London Shopping Spree…and menthol cigs
Meanwhile Barrys flown further than any Prez but rants about Rs wanting dirty air. Won’t defend the Family & Marriage Act but claims he’s against Gay Marriage. THIS IS WHAT SICKENS ME ABOUT THE WORST FAMILY
I know a number of wealthy women who buy most of their clothes at thrift shops. The clothes might be ‘high fashion’ labelled or not. They look good and the clothes hold up. While it is doubtful that Michelle Obama hits the thrift shops, it’s almost certain that Ann Romney does from time to time. Who knows? I very rarely buy new clothes, except for climbing breeches and shooting shirts or jackets. Most of whatever I wear comes from thrift shops. For a long time, I hardly ever bought T-shirts. I had a steady supply from the optical goods manufacturers. You, too, can save big time.
Hey, couture designers gotta eat, too!
When I was growing up my sisters used to go into my bureau to steal my shirts. Women also look great in genuine sea mens clothes. As we say in New England, I don’t buy clothes, I own them.
Buying expensive clothes and tax-payer paid vacations. Shouldn’t the Obamas be saving money for their children’s education instead of “fixing” student loans so the kids can get their college education for free by defaulting on their (the kid’s) student loans? Wait! That would be a good conservative example instead of a Liberal Entitlement example.