TARGET: A shopper’s delight and that’s no secret. With designers from Isaac Mizrahi to Erin Fetherston, there is no other place like Targe’. While Target is by no means considered high fashion, there are a number of fashion staples and wardrobe pieces that can easily be found if you give yourself twenty to thirty minutes of un-interrupted Starbucks enhanced time to scour the clearance racks to find sassy cardigans for work and crisp trousers to match as well as jersey knit dresses in staple colors such as black and grey in both mini or floor length. I’m not one for non-designer jeans but I have to admit that their styles are tempting.
Urban Outfitters: located across from California Pizza Kitchen in Southpark Mall is most definitely NOT for the faint of fashion hearts. With bohemian style dresses, boy tanks, and an assortmant of denim , U.O. is the go-to place for all things West Coast. If you’ve seen it on People, INO (www.imnotobsessed.com) or on the Hills then you’ll have plenty of luck replicating the look there. Even the associates are dressed to inspire you to kick your Olsen twins fashion game up a notch or two. I am a personal fan as their prices can range anywhere from $20-$100 per item, never leaving you at a loss when it comes to picking up anything from a great piece to pair with an already acquired collec tion or a new vintage-y dress to wear to the weekend birthday bash.
Forever 21: located in almost every mid-range mall (Con cord Mills, Northlake and Carolina Place) and is the Queen Bee of savvy and short shopping. No need to go down the list of items that retail for under thirty bucks because it is nearly the entire line. If you’re looking for a chiffon blouse (in every color and or style imag inable) to meet your future ex-husband or if you are simply on the hunt for the perfect black blazer to match your BCBG tuxedo pants then you’ve come to the right place. Forever 21 sell both casual and not so casual items along with lingerie (I person ally would stick to Vicky’s when it comes to that area but to each her own), a plethora of affordable accessories, sun wear and bangles in nearly every shape and size.
American Apparel: I’ve recently been introduced to one of the best retail shops in the Charlotte — American Apparel, a clothing company based out of Los Angeles, California. The store is hidden in the depths of the narrow South End roads, but you can’t miss the neon lights, encased within the enormous glass windows. As soon as you step foot inside, you will be greeted by the friendly staff, while retro tunes blare over the speakers. All of the clothing is carefully arranged by color with a men’s section on one side of the store and a women’s on the other. The apparel ranges from casual jackets and hoodies, tanks and tee’s, to swimwear and vintage accessories. A lot of pieces can be incorporated into any wardrobe, whether you’re vesting a nearby art gallery or looking to jazz up that corporate pin- striped suit. There is definitely something for everyone and in any color imaginable. With garments that consist of casual comfort and quality.
SAKS 5th Avenue: Located in Concord Mills, this store is so often looked over and snubbed by both the label whores and the penny-pinch ing Princesses BUT that is what we’re here for! If you have been bypassing Saks in favor of Arden B (and not to knock my former place of employment) then you are missing out on some amazing and deeply discounted denim (Seven, Paper Denim and Cloth and Chip n Pepper), party dresses (Joie and Juicy) and eyewear that will not leave you blinded by its prices (Fendi, Gucci and Dolce and Gabbana) as well as a shoe collection to rival any Saks ON 5th Ave Avenue. Their men’s line is equally amazing as well as their children’s section. Now, for all of my fierce Mamas and I do mean that in the true sense of the word, please do not get overly excited about the children’s section as you may have better luck hopping across the hall to the Ralph Lauren store but their RL collection is quite luxurious and very Park Avenue-esque so at the least it is worth a look-see.
