Here’s a trick question for you.
Can you tell me three favorite things that we LOVE to do here at LA-Story.com?
Answers:
1) Playing bartender or asking the bartender for some crazy a$$ drink that we heard about or thought about tweaking because we had something similar.
2) Checking out the coolest new breaking out, “emerging” singer/songwriter/musician at one of our local haunts– or it could even be on the phone (we aren’t picky when it comes to listening– or talking music)..
3) Shopping online at any number of online spots including Ebay, Gap, Piperlime, Endless.com, Le Train Bleu, Etsy, 80%20,
Urban Outfitters,
Obviously it’s number 3 that happens the most because if one of the BFF’s calls or emails, I often share what I am writing about and getting input and ideas about how to work it into the wardrobe– not just mine, but anyone’s closet.
Because the economy is taking a beating (Excuse me, George in that big white house– can you hear me?), there are sales galore going on.
Walking through mega-mall South Coast Plaza last weekend , it’s incredibly disappointing to see the same thing in almost every store or– even worse– the price is still too high ( Elie Tahari “to die for ” leather jacket : originally $998, mark down 40%= $600.00.)
Hitting several boutiques, department stores and chains of basic and disposable fashion, there was nothing enticing me to flash the plastic,
I get a tons of emails touting sales — and I have been hitting online sales enough to know that I just am not loving what I am seeing — for the prices that the stores are asking– even on Ebay.
Today, the JCrew.com’s email # 37 came in and it said markdowns, final sale.
What got my attention was an extra 30% off the final price so I caved and went to take a look — not at the trend stuff (of which there is plenty) but the basics that need replacing since I have been weeding through the closet and pulling out the dead, dying and the “why did I buy that” items.
So I spotted some tees and tanks in a range of brights and deep rich tones that definitely caught my eye because the prices were 50% (or more) off. Add to that the additional 30% off…. and she shoots, she scores.
I did find something I wanted and was tossing things into the virtual cart and then I spotted the skirt that was paired with the tank top I was looking at: silk taffeta mini that’s “adorable” .. Yummy — in an array of colors that makes it hard to choose. Even better the price is under $100 — alas but not on sale.
It calls to me– that gorgeous color and the texture and I know I can work it just like it looks and layer on the tanks and also put on a beaded sweater or a sequined sweater tank. It’s just the versatility of the skirt for summer, for fall (read Emmy & LA Fashion Week events) and also holiday time.
Wearing it with flats, sandals or flip flops works for the Indian summer morphs to tights (solid and ombre dip-dye) with an interesting tee also from JCrew in dark eggplant from their fall collection (read NOT on sale)
The cost per wearing (even though I have to factor in that they were out of my size and I have to get it taken in at the waist) will be a couple of bucks per wearing and it will get a lot of wear– and carry right into next spring because it’s a color that will work with my wardrobe.
I picked up a couple more tanks in bright lime, brilliant blue, and sour cherry (perfect for holidays) and a azure linen cotton scoop tee,– mostly sale items. Mixing a couple of non-sale items in with the mostly sale items takes the sting and gives me an edge on fall since I can layer the tees and tanks with shirts. Add them to a pencil skirt in black or dark denim or even a lace skirt paired with a sexy shoes, nice filigree drop earrings and layered nekclaces makes for a lot of versatility– from basic things like tees, tanks and realizing just how much they will blend into my closet.
What fueled the shopping spree?
The nice person I spoke to at JCrew’s phone line. Rick (yeah, a guy!), was really helpful, giving me lots of details and keeping me apprised of the stock level on each item, color and size (since we were dithering back and forth because some items were *quite fited*.)
The rapport was much like what I have with my BFF’s on the phone when we are talking shop (as in shopping). This guy was fascinated about my passion for color and mixing it up. Just having someone willing to be patient enough to check everything was really great and he made shopping by phone/online so easy.
I was just so impressed by the end of the HOUR on the phone with him (not to mention the time I spent online before that) that I wound up buying more than I planned and I actually liked everything I ordered.- which is typically not the case. I return more than I keep when I am shopping.
While you might find online shopping easier, there are some reasons to actually talk to a live body– asking questions about fit, color, availability of a particular size, style or color is crucial to having a positive shopping experience. While I can say that most of my experiences in a variety of shopping attempts (in person at a mall, on the phone, online) aren’t *bad*, most are ok or pretty good. This experience rate up there with some of the best customer service I have ever experienced and the J Crew sales person was in no rush to get me off the phone.
If you happen to be looking for a positive shopping experience, I would definitely check out JCrew.com and their phone ordering staff. I was more the pleasantly surprised –downright impressed (and that’s not easy to do!)
The waiting for the clothes to arrive girl,
Stevie Wilson
Subscribe to RSS headline updates
Powered by FeedBurner
