What’s In Store: Payless

Posted On Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

Last weekend I dipped in to Payless to see what the budget chain shoe store had to offer. I’ve been impressed with their selection as of late, especially the designer collaborations, but it’s always nice to see everything up close. How do they feel? What’s the material like? Is the heel sturdy? See what I found!

If you’re a girl who wants added height without teetering in a stiletto, then you definitely want to check out the massive selection of wedges. American Eagle had options in a range of colors and patterns, from the nautical inspired to gingham.

{the bow and flower details add a girly touch}

Links to Save By

Posted On Friday, April 1st, 2011

SheFinds: Payless’ latest designer collaboration with Silvia Tcherassi {prices will range from $40-$70}

Goodwill NY/NJ: I was just named a Goodwill Style Icon! Check out my interview

The BeautyXchange: Enter to win a $25 Sephora gift card

The Budget Babe: Get a peek at Kmart’s Spring/Summer collection

InStyle: Beauty must-haves for under $15

Love Maegan: Check out these awesome DIY tassel earrings

Designer Collaborations: Too Expensive?

Posted On Wednesday, February 16th, 2011

Christian Siriano for Payless, $54.99. Lela Rose for Payless, $49.99

I’ve been noticing a trend lately at budget retailers like Payless, Target and H&M: higher prices…and I don’t like it. Last week I posted photos of Payless’ designer collaborations for spring and you guys loved most of the pieces but hated the cost. Dropping $60 for a pair of shoes at Payless was a bit baffling to some of you. 60 bucks isn’t a lot for gorgeous footwear, but for that price, you can go to Macy’s or DSW and possibly spend even less.

Zac Posen for Target: $79.99 and $69.99

I’m all for designers collaborating with affordable chains {it brings fashion to the masses and is still way cheaper than their upscale collections} but how high are the price tags going to rise? I wonder if in the near future Payless will have a designer line that retails close to $100?

And furthermore, there’s always so much hoopla surrounding the lines that everyone ends up wearing the same thing.

Lanvin for H&M dresses, $249 and $199

How much are you guys willing to spend at a budget retailer like Target, H&M or Payless? Do these prices defeat the purpose of their wallet-friendly purpose? Or are you willing to drop extra for the designer collections?

Payless Spring Designer Collection

Posted On Thursday, February 10th, 2011

Spring is near and Payless is pulling out all stops with their designer collections from Christian Siriano, Lela Rose and Isabel Toledo. Whether your style is more glam or edged out, there’s something for every taste and the prices won’t break the bank. Siriano’s is ierce and glam. Rose’s is more ladylike and classic. Toledo’s is funky and fun.

Christian Siriano:

Exotic strappy sandal: $29.99. Caged strappy shootie: $54.99. Mena dress boot: $59.99.

The Project Runway winner’s collection features strappy sandals, caged booties with platform heels and boots with goldtone details. I wish the line featured bolder colors but I love what I see so far. The heel on the boots are too fierce!


Lela Rose:

Perlita Bow Quarter Strap Sandal: $29.99. Tweed Lafayette Pleated Pump: $29.99. Olivos satin t-strap pump: $44.99.

This is definitely the more subdued, ladylike collection with all of the neutral tones and feminine details. The heels are perfect with an LBD or skinny jeans.

Isabel Toledo:

Mesh lace shootie: $54.99. Bow dress shoe: $29.99. Pointed kitten: $44.99.

Fun and funky sum up Toledo’s offerings for Payless. From a lace up mesh bootie to a metallic peep-toe to a striped kitten heel, you’ll definitely turn heads in these.

And luckily the BOGO {buy one, get on 1/2 off} sale is underway.

Are you guys excited for the spring offerings from Payless? Would you pay up to $50 or $60 for shoes from Payless?

Thrifty Threads – Vintage* Leather

Posted On Friday, January 14th, 2011

Ok, it’s not really vintage, but have you ever had an item of clothing in your closet for years…and then you finally wear it only to discover you absolutely love it? Yup, that’s what happened to me this week. I ordered a leather vest from New York & Company more than a year ago but I just wasn’t feeling it. And it didn’t help that a friend of mine told me leather vests are reminiscent of 90s groups like Jodeci and Blackstreet. I kept the receipt in hopes of returning it, but you know how that goes. One month turns in to the next and soon you’ve lost the receipt. But I wanted to switch up my normal girly attire so I reached for the vest, which still had the tags on. I threw it over a comfy cowl neck sweater and Levi’s Curve ID jeans to create a look rocker chic look.

{i love the collar on the vest and cowl neck sweater}

{my buckle boots you’ve seen a million times, like here and here…}

{since i went with a “hard” leather look, i kept the accessories soft with a 2-finger flower ring and simple studs. polish: Wet n Wild’s Sunny Side Up}

Breakdown:
Vest: New York & Company, $15
Sweater: Uniqlo, thrifted for $1
Jeans: courtesy of Levi’s
Boots: Payless, $20
Ring: Urban Outfitters, $5
Earrings: Forever 21, $4

Week 19 of my Thrifty Threads 365 challenge (a full year where I only buy second-hand clothing) is down. Only 33 more weeks to go!