Brian Maynor October 17, 2013
October 16, 2013
By Brian Maynor
October 17, 2013
October 17, 2013
Everyone loves a good deal, but not all deals are the same. Enter the discount store. Some people love the hunt for a bargain and will spend hours sifting through options while the thought of spending hours shopping is enough to send other people over the edge.
Discount stores are hugely popular and advertised as places to find great bargains. This can be true, but my advice has always been to shop the sale racks of boutiques and department stores before hitting the discount stores and here are the reasons why:
1. Quality. Discount stores may advertise lower prices on name brand merchandise, but that is often the merchandise is overstock, damaged and/or closeouts. Purchasing quality products is one of my top recommendations. It is the ‘cost per wear’ equation. Every item you buy, except trendy and disposable ones, should be the highest quality available within your budget. Inexpensive items will show wear faster and need to be replaced more frequently, costing you more in the long run.
2. Seasonal. When you shop department store and boutique sales the merchandise is always current. That is not the case with discount stores. Most of their merchandise is at least a full cycle behind. The remaining inventory they purchased last month will not hit shelves until next year. So if your goal is to be on the cutting edge of the season you will not find those items on discount store shelves.
3. Time. I have found a few hidden gems in discount stores. If you are very critical and discerning of the item and willing to put in the time to sift through a lot of misses, you can find a gem. When you enter a discount store it should not be for a quick ‘run in and grab something’ endeavor. To find and take advantage of the real deals you have to take the time to look through every item on every row. For most people however spending that much time in one store with the real possibility of leaving empty handed is enough to end the search before it begins.
4. Lack of Continuity. Department stores and boutiques offer extended collections that are designed to work together. It makes pulling together multiple outfits easier because you do not have to wonder if two colors match or if the materials go together. Shopping in discount stores does not offer the same luxury. Their merchandise is fragmented. There is nothing more frustrating when pulling an outfit together than missing the one item that pulls the whole thing together.
5. Odd Pieces. The very facts laid out above with regard to discount stores that make them challenging also make them perfect for finding odd pieces. Odd pieces are those items that are unique and definitely not found anywhere else in town.
Discount stores are abundant and very persuasive that their merchandise is the same as any department store or boutique just at a lower price. That has not been my experience. I have found better deals at department stores and boutiques using coupons and sales. However, I do love a discount store when I am looking for a unique or ‘odd piece’ and have nothing but time to browse.
Click on the images below to learn more about the outfit.
Discount stores are hugely popular and advertised as places to find great bargains. This can be true, but my advice has always been to shop the sale racks of boutiques and department stores before hitting the discount stores and here are the reasons why:
1. Quality. Discount stores may advertise lower prices on name brand merchandise, but that is often the merchandise is overstock, damaged and/or closeouts. Purchasing quality products is one of my top recommendations. It is the ‘cost per wear’ equation. Every item you buy, except trendy and disposable ones, should be the highest quality available within your budget. Inexpensive items will show wear faster and need to be replaced more frequently, costing you more in the long run.
2. Seasonal. When you shop department store and boutique sales the merchandise is always current. That is not the case with discount stores. Most of their merchandise is at least a full cycle behind. The remaining inventory they purchased last month will not hit shelves until next year. So if your goal is to be on the cutting edge of the season you will not find those items on discount store shelves.
3. Time. I have found a few hidden gems in discount stores. If you are very critical and discerning of the item and willing to put in the time to sift through a lot of misses, you can find a gem. When you enter a discount store it should not be for a quick ‘run in and grab something’ endeavor. To find and take advantage of the real deals you have to take the time to look through every item on every row. For most people however spending that much time in one store with the real possibility of leaving empty handed is enough to end the search before it begins.
4. Lack of Continuity. Department stores and boutiques offer extended collections that are designed to work together. It makes pulling together multiple outfits easier because you do not have to wonder if two colors match or if the materials go together. Shopping in discount stores does not offer the same luxury. Their merchandise is fragmented. There is nothing more frustrating when pulling an outfit together than missing the one item that pulls the whole thing together.
5. Odd Pieces. The very facts laid out above with regard to discount stores that make them challenging also make them perfect for finding odd pieces. Odd pieces are those items that are unique and definitely not found anywhere else in town.
Discount stores are abundant and very persuasive that their merchandise is the same as any department store or boutique just at a lower price. That has not been my experience. I have found better deals at department stores and boutiques using coupons and sales. However, I do love a discount store when I am looking for a unique or ‘odd piece’ and have nothing but time to browse.
Click on the images below to learn more about the outfit.
Click on the images below to learn more about the outfit.
I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace. Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyboards athttp://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.
About Brian Maynor
Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.
