OK, so this gorgeous striped scarf is not exactly dirt cheap, but it costs half as much as similar ones I’ve seen from fancy brands like Loewe, and I think the color combination is just aces.
Dec 6, 2022 - Shopping
OK, so this gorgeous striped scarf is not exactly dirt cheap, but it costs half as much as similar ones I’ve seen from fancy brands like Loewe, and I think the color combination is just aces.
Share this post:
Kim France
I was born in Houston, Texas in 1964 and have lived in New York City since 1988. I had a long career in magazines, working at Sassy, Elle, New York, and Spin, and in 2000, I founded Lucky magazine, which I edited for ten years.
Comments
I was born in Houston, Texas in 1964 and have lived in New York City since 1988. I had a long career in magazines, working at Sassy, Elle, New York, and Spin, and in 2000, I founded Lucky magazine, which I edited for ten years.
Not sure if this counts but I just ordered a pair of olive green suede Swedish husband clogs from Hasbeen for $84 dollars. They are usually $280 so merry xmas to me!
Also I bought a charming duvet cover and throw pillows at target. Jungalow collection!
I found a pair of consignment Tod’s loafers on RealReal for $48.
The Target brand, Threshold, makes good flannel sheet sets. After sleeping on my daughter’s Threshold sheets last Spring I knew I wanted some and assuming Winter will come to Texas eventually, I purchased a set this past weekend. https://www.target.com/p/fall-flannel-solid-sheet-set-threshold/-/A-85386989?preselect=85239839#lnk=sametab
Target’s Threshold bathroom rugs are great too. After a much more expensive set shed all over my bathrooms for six months, despite washing and vacuuming — and with guests coming — I ordered some from Target. They’re soft, nonskid and, best of all, don’t shed.
I am such a Threshold fan—bought this shower curtain recently and it looks so much fancier than it is: https://rstyle.me/+MYtEBTiB8YBI2BBRizrufg
Target has THE BEST shower curtains. There’s no need to spend hours looking elsewhere — if Target doesn’t have what I want, I just wait until they do.
Red alert! I just got an email that J Crew is 50 percent off. They have some cute balaclavas in grey, sky blue and bright green. Balaclavas are weird but they appeal to me. I strongly regret not buying a leopard print one I saw at the end of last season. Domage!
My college freshman just knitted a balaclava and sent me a picture of herself in it. I thought she was crazy.! Now I realize they are having a moment. Once again, she’s ahead of me on the fashion curve.
I bought the H&M version. Balaclavas are perfect for wearing with winter parkas when it’s so cold you have to put the hood up: not too hot, and they replace a scarf. Pompom hats are not perfect in this way. January is almost here, so it will get a lot of use.
Threshold just has really nice things. I like so many of their items.
That looks like LemLem! <3
LOVE everything I have bought from Threshold – flannel and regular cotton sheets and towels – great colors and they wear so well!
Target flannel pajamas and robes. Comfy but not to heavy and 100% cotton. Also, for those in need of additional Christmas décor, Target has some really cute pillows this year.
You are in my brain. I have been eyeing a scarf like this and this might just be the one. Thank you!
Hey Margit, I really enjoyed your Oldster questionnaire responses. I’m enjoying the idea of the scarf with that pink Argent suit you linked to.
I (re)discovered Longchamp small leather goods and purchased a gorgeous wallet in the seasonal color Cypress — so beautiful! I love how chic and elegant this line is — no doodads or excess hardware:
https://www.longchamp.com/us/en/products/continental-wallet-L3044021139.html
PS. I realize this wallet may not be considered a “cheap and chic purchase.” It’s chic, but perhaps not cheap. However, I will use this wallet every day for at least 5 years — and that makes it one of my best purchases, ever.
I think that is really well-priced for a nice wallet that you will use for years. I always think of Kim’s “cost per wear” philosophy. The color is pretty and seasonless!
That is v tempting! So elegant and the color…I am using a continental now and think I want a smaller wallet though.
I just realized a rather amazing thru line
My main wallet in rotation for 15+ years has been a commes de garçons black imprinted wallet that Lucky magazine stated was THE one to have .I understood the call. It was a clear directive 😊 I dragged my husband to Dover Street Market on a London trip. It was an intimidating level of arty sophistication for us both .
That we laughed about at a pub later . I got it ! Was my splurge for the trip. I also got a unique old enamel bracelet in the antique market nearby I still cherish . So thank you -lucky mag lists i
HA. You never know the impact… goes on
Two big wins for me. Discovered Source Unknown (such cool-girl stuff) and snagged an oversized blazer for $68. And scored a men’s Dior Tuxedo suit for $12 at a vintage shop. Yes, $12…gorgeous, slouchy goodness!
Am I the only one who wants to tell those models to stand up straight? “Posture!” As my mom used to say.
I love Source Unknown, love their style and the quality is pretty good. My online shopping MO is when I’m not sure of a size I order two, and hopefully keep the one that fits. But their returns are a nightmare. They used to have a U.S. warehouse but have permanently closed it, blaming COVID. That means returns must be sent to Seoul, which cost a freaking fortune. I paid $55. to return a pair of $112. pants. Nuts, right? So I just won’t let myself shop there anymore. Quel dommage.
I’m living in a heathered light grey, men’s Champion crewneck sweater I got for $20 at Costco. It’s so cozy and warm. I just wish it came in more colours because it only came in black and a charcoal grey.
I bought a simple black Henley from JCrew Mercantile recently with an Amazon Gift Card, and it looks great paired with my Vince green cords. My sister also bought me a Kirkland Signature grey cashmere sweater that looks a lot like the Everlane one, and I love it.
Where does one find J Crew Mercantile? I tried Googling but it took me to dead links. Thanks!
You can find them on Amazon. Someone gave me an Amazon gift card and I used it for the shirt.
JCrew mercantile is what they called the factory store for a bit. My mercantile in SJ , CA Westgate is now back to factory.
I haven’t gotten it yet, but I have high hopes for the Christmas present for my MIL that I ordered just now from Quince, the Bold 14K Gold Hoops. My MIL has sensitive skin with certain metals so she has to stick to gold. So, the fact they offer it in white gold means she can wear a metal color she likes, but usually can’t wear. Meanwhile, I am digging all the comments. I am now off to investigate J.C. Penney pants: thank you, Lisa!
There is a Spanish company with gorgeous scarves. They are similar to the ones Kim wrote about: https://www.mantasezcaray.com/en/product-category/foulards-en/
The Moma store sells them too: https://store.moma.org/products/mantas-ezcaray-mohair-wool-colorblock-scarf?variant=43236046438630
Reading this snuggled in a blanket I bought years ago at the small store in Ezcaray, Spain!
Perhaps a scarf, too?!
Also not quite on topic, but, I don’t think Beth takes Summer in a fistfight (Yellowstone). She drinks so much and never seems to work out. Whereas Summer has probably been doing a lot of pushups. I’m just saying. … … … … But the scenery is still killer.
I have never watched Yellowstone but this comment made my day.
Glad to oblige!
Sadly sold out, but I just received this Gap striped scarf (it’s an Andrea rec):
https://www.google.com/search?q=gap+striped+scarf&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS881US881&oq=gap+striped+scarf&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i22i30.3376j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=9eUSnb1VLZ12sM
So much happy for $35!
I got this scarf too for a gift!!! I liked it so much I was able to snag another for under $20 before Thanksgiving so I can have one for myself too even though in Texas there is not a lot of need for scarves, but it is so pretty at least it will look festive on my coatrack.
Is the Cos scarf soft?? I find some of their stuff a little itchy and I’m done with itchy scarves. An itchy sweater I can occasionally tolerate, but not around the neck– thanks!
Had a similar qualm. I loooooove the navy/burgundy color in that scarf, but that much mohair seems like a recipe for an itchy chin. Which is probably a good thing, because I need another scarf like I need a gaping hole in the head.
I treated myself to a Naadam cashmere boyfriend cardigan in black. So cozy, chic and downright useful.
Another vote for Naadam cashmere as a “somewhat cheap” self-gift. Got the zip hoodie on Black Friday sale for $150 and v pleased with quality & fit. Hope it wears well!
On a tip from Andrea at “I Want to Be Her” I ordered a bunch of Uniqlu men’s Fine Cotton Button down shirts. Love them. The wrinkles steam out very nicely and they look great with my Nili Lotan “Paris” pants. I also just bought a bunch of Uniqlo Heatech socks in fall colors which have gone into rotation with a bunch of sweaters that coordinate. The green pair even match my new Arizona Birks which I spent WAY too much on, but love. I am feeling pretty stylish these days. 🙂
I’m bad with links, but the material on that scarf looks like the one Free People uses as well. The Skye Stripe fringed scarf or the Piper Plaid fringe scarf is $58.
Target Universal Thread Coveralls for $48. Like them so much better than the Everlane coveralls I paid $148 for. https://www.target.com/p/women-39-s-long-sleeve-button-front-boilersuit-universal-thread-8482-green-8/-/A-85328430
Surprisingly, this toothpick holder brings me joy
https://store.moma.org/products/bird-toothpick-holder-and-dispenser?currency=USD&gclid=Cj0KCQiAkMGcBhCSARIsAIW6d0B0iqpXanZwzTspMlAHjNMImfVi52vrI0LnDW8qHwy_xwVPFtREPnoaAkEyEALw_wcB
I just bought one of those, too! 😀
I cleaned up last week at the Xirena sample sale, restocking my button down collection (theirs are my fave) and getting a gorge cashmere sweater for waaaaaay less than retail.
Not wearable, but scored a pair of lovely hand-painted Victorian vases at my local thrift/antique store that somehow fit perfectly into my decidedly non-minimalist living room without making things look more crowded and are therefore making me soooo happy.
A Loewe Mohair scarf is available on ebay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/354425626223?hash=item528569de6f:g:N94AAOSwoQJjijFR&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAkA74Dhkm%2FrQhh%2FJOmfcw9A4bbzhzE40g
Gorgeous gold buttons to replace the black ones on my black wool coat.
I want to do the same thing! Where did you source your buttons?
I love the scarf in this post but I’m very petite in height and can’t wear a big scarf. It makes my head look like it’s the size of an orange. Recently I was on the couch under a blanket I bought decades ago in Ireland from Avoca Mill. It’s bright shades of blue, green and pink and I thought it would be lovely as a scarf so I went to the website. They have gorgeous soft wool scarves that aren’t too voluminous. I bought one in a bright pink and black plaid.
i was in Ireland this summer- love the Avoca stores!
I read in The Strategist that Target has a really good weighted blanket for $99 in lots of colors so I’m contemplating buying one. I bought a Marni x Uniqlo raincoat in September and it’s been excellent (sold out alas)
https://www.target.com/p/heavyweight-linen-blend-quilt-casaluna/-/A-79148461 for the quilt
Not exactly cheap ($198) but worth it is the Eileen Fisher Eggshell Recycled Nylon Quilted Vest. Not for super cold climates but it’s sleek and beautiful. The look of puff without real puff and cut to accommodate curves (which most puffer items are not) without being oversized at all. My long time dream come true! Beautiful quality. Size down at least one, maybe 2 if you don’t need to accommodate ample boobs. EF has been mostly miss for me in recent years but this piece was a happy win.
Eileen Fisher’s outerwear is all gorgeous (at least online) but so expensive! I know coats last for years and years so I’m working up the nerve to invest. Thanks for the rec!
Sort of off topic but I’ve really been feeling COS lately. Got this bag yesterday and I have to say, I’ve seen similar bags for MUCH more https://www.cos.com/en_usd/women/accessories/bags/product.padded-shopper-bag-brown.1059558004.html
Love COS but the sizing can be hard if you have to order. If anyone has pull in the retail fashion industry ask them to put a store in Richmond!
Indeed. Love COS but order carefully if you have boobs! The styles often seem to be narrow on top with flare below.
I will put in a plug for Eileen Fisher Renew as a great place to find EF clothing including outerwear that is gently used. I live in Seattle where we happen to have a Renew store, which is a treat!
I have become a fan of J.C. Penney pants. They have some well fitting stuff amazingly cheap. I just got burgundy colored khakis for 14 dollars! You can get old school, straight leg corduroy pants in lots of colors and in petite. What I personally like is the flattering (for me) classic fit, not high waisted or trying to do bells and whistles. Pretty streamlined which is slimming. I spend a lot elsewhere but I actually prefer their pants, and the prices are astounding.
JCPenneys is great for winter under layer 100% cotton longsleeve tshirts and turtlenecks.
Yes! The only reliable source of pants for actual grown women! Especially those who are not served by higher end brands whose range tops out at a 12.