Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Back to Style





What we're about to say is sad but true so let's just admit this one loud and clear: sometimes, our kids have better wardrobes than we do. Really. And especially at this time of year when they've got brand new clothes and you just don't. Not yet, that is.

We're sometimes style challenged here in Squamish where, let's face it, there aren't a lot of places to find current clothes for the "younger" mother.

Here is a list you'll want to keep: our picks for quick wardrobe fixes on a budget.

Basics:

H&M
H&M is just a must, plain and simple. Always current, always cheap, and the quality is improving with its natural blends and organic pieces.
We love this gray sweater $19.95 and these treggings* $14.95
(trousers + leggings)


Joe Fresh
Where else can you shop for groceries and clothing? Joe Fresh is incredible and beyond affordable. If you don't already know, it's the genius line created for Loblaw's by Joe Mimran, founder of Club Monaco. It's the top selling children's brand in the country (no surprise there) and has been so successful that Walmart is jealous so rumor has it they're scrapping all of their brands except for George that will go head to head with the reason why we shop at Superstore. Our picks: plaid shirt $19 (they're flannel!) and tights - you can never have too many.

Gap
You've shopped there for years and now the Gap has given you two great reasons to look there first.
1. Online shopping (yes!). This has long been an option for our friends south of the border but the Gap (along with its sister stores Old Navy and Banana Republic) have finally launched an online shop for Canadian residents. We looked and we found:
This Vintage long sleeve tee in Oatmeal ($19.50)
This black lightweight sweater ($59.50)
2. Sprize. We all know how quickly Gap merchandise goes on sale. Well, now you don't have to wait. Visit a participating Gap location (Park Royal participates, Whistler village does not) and sign up for their Sprize program. What does it do? They're calling it "splurge insurance". If any of the items you purchase go on sale, they credit you the difference. The only catch is you've got 30 days to spend it.

Footwear:
Gravity Pope
Myth: Gravity Pope only has $300 shoes. Truth: They have a lot of them, but they also have (in our humble opinions) the best selection of sale shoes we've ever seen. Ever.
Our picks:
These black flat mid-calf boots ($119.99)
These Tretorn rubber boots ($39.99)
These Hunter classic short rubber boots ($69.99. $109.99 for the same pair in black)
Or stock up for next summer with these metallic sandals by Trove Tkees $39.99.
It get's better: buy 2 or more sale items and receive 30% off all sale prices. Buy 1 sale item and save 20% off the sale price. Gravity Pope doesn't offer free shipping but (and we speak from experience) ask for your purchase to be transferred into the Vancouver store (2205 West 4th Ave) and shipping is $0.

Denim:
Winners
Our husbands will never understand that a good pair of jeans is an important investment. Even still, we can't bear to drop a small fortune so what to do? Winners at Park Royal. One of the "Runway at Winners" locations, they regularly stock Rich and Skinny, J Brand, Joe's Jeans, and Paige Premium Denim ranging in price from $99.99-$129.99. That's half of what you'll pay retail. If you have time (and patience) scour the racks for labels we love like Splendid, Vince, American Vintage and Teenflo. They're there, believe us.

Support Local:
You won't always find a bargain here, but these are two great up-and-coming local designers that offer online shopping and sale merchandise.
Lily + Jae (they recently hosted their first ever pop-up shop - join their mailing list or Facebook fan page to find out when they'll do it again. The Tame Toque, pictured above, is $20.)

Sample Sales:
Go. Nowhere else will you find prices like these. They're always happening and they're good. We promise.
I Love Sample Sales maintains a current list of sales and will deliver them to your inbox if you sign up, like the one for Vincent Park this weekend. Hello, love.

While this post is not about clothing for kids, Joe, Gap, H&M and Gravity Pope are great places to shop for cool little duds.



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