April 15, 2011

Today's Everyday Fashion: Creature of Habit






































I'm a creature of habit. I buy from the same stores, eat from the same restaurants, do the same workouts. If I didn't push myself to consider other options, I would probably have a closet full of nothing but Banana Republic and Forever 21. That's partly why I have loved blogging so much - it has pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me try new things and I have to say I'm loving it!

I'm curious to here how you guys approach shopping, Am I the only one who sticks to the same routine? Do you only shop only at a few favorite stores, or do you like finding new places to shop?

Occasion: Casual Friday
Inspiration photo: LOFT
Navy cardigan: Gap, $15
Shirt: J.Crew, $25
Belt: H&M, $20
Necklace: Banana Republic, $30
Jeans: Gap, $44
Shoes: Restricted/Endless.com, $39
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelet: Forever 21, $10

ps. Doing a little Stella & Dot giveaway on my Facebook page! You can enter here.

30 comments:

  1. I recently did an experiment where I took a photo of what I wore every day for a month. And discovered that probably 90% of my work wardrobe is from The Limited. Obviously I chose to spend most of my time shopping there and not branching out!

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  2. I too like to shop at teh same stores: Express, Forever 21, NY & Co. For me it's easier because you get familiar with the store, when and where they display the best deals in the store. You also know which size fits you in that store. So to me that saves time. But lately I've started to thrift. still not sure if it's for me because it is too time consuming. Love your blog and appreciate that you take the time to post something every day. We have a very similar style.

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  3. when it comes to clothes I'm also a creature of habits. I go to the same 2-3 stores, and also have some kind of comfort zone for colors, shapes.

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  4. guilty!!! SAs are probably tired of seeing me go through their sale rack and try clothes on. since the weather has gotten warmer, i stopped by the same stores every week looking for deals and fun spring wardrobe.

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  5. I only shop at the same stores: LOFT, Target and Ross are my favorites. I get my variety from Ross because they carry so many different brands but even there I tend to stick to what I know. And you can't beat the prices!! LOFT is my absolute favorite!

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  6. I'm so bad about The Limited. I know how to work the coupon system there (like you do at Banana Republic) so I can get $300-500 worth of clothes for $100 or less. I can't go wrong there! I know I need to branch out so I've started to browse at stores like Gap and Banana to search for deals on their sales rack so thank you for your blog and helping me branch out! ;)

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  7. I LOVE that top! Is that a recent purchase?

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  8. Kimberly, I go the top last summer. Kohl's has a similar one in the Elle collection though, it's really cute!

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  9. I pretty much only shop at JCrew, although I did go to the Gap outlet the other day!! At the JCrew in my hometown all the SAs know my name and are super helpful! So its hard to go anywhere else!!

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  10. The Limited is my go-to store, but I am also trying to branch out. I have also put a ban on myself from buying anymore black, navy, or gray. I need to expand my color horizons!

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  11. Totally guilty. I am a creature of habit--my closet is full of BR, GAP & LOFT. It's difficult to leave that comfort zone when you know what works.

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  12. Thank you..I will go check there today!

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  13. I totally understand your shopping strategy. I think my entire closet used to m be from The Loft until I started blogging. I was stuck in a total rut! Blogging has broaden my horizons and shown me that you can make fashion out of clothes from anywhere! (well, may not Walmart, but maybe)
    Brett

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  14. Your blog is my favorite because you shop at a variety of places and you mix things up so well. There are some others that I really like but they pretty much shop at one store so their outfits are really predictable. Then there are the ones that do alot of thrifting and while they come up with some stunning outfits they don't seem very practical for the real world, or atleast everyday life. Anyway, keep doing what you are doing J, because you ROCK!!

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  15. I am in college and finally making the transition from "teen-style" clothes to dressing like an adult. I love your blog for this reason. It gives me so much inspiration of how to make what I consider "adult clothes" trendy and fun! So I don't have to dress like my mom (hehe). Since reading your blog, I have started to vary my usual shopping stores, I am now in love with LOFT! I'm still working on finding my exact style, but I love everything you wear and the great deals you find! Girl after my own heart! :)

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  16. I stick to the same stores because I know my style and what I like. For instance, Ann Taylor Loft has clothing that I know will be work appropriate and I know what size I wear so I can just run in if I am super busy and not worry about if something is going to fit or not.

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  17. I am such a creature of habit! I not only go to the same stores, but I start in the exact same spot of the store every time. I need to branch out!

    http://asktheduplex.blogspot.com/

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  18. I go through phases as to which stores I shop at. Though I do most of my shopping online. I used to shop mostly at Gap, then for a while Express, then Limited, Buckle, Kohl's, Victoria's Secret online, and lately Lululemon - gotta love gorgeous workout wear. haha.

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  19. I use to shop at the same stores and to a certain extent, I still do. Only now, those stores are my baseline and I try to branch out from them into other outlets whether it's just a different store or even department. A lot of times, experimenting in the men's department or your hubby's/boyfriends closet, can produce some happy accidents in an outfit.

    I also have gotten more into thrifting. It can be a battle sometimes to find a specific vision at these types of stores, but that's why I learned it's important to go with an open mind and know while I may not find an entire outfit, I can find a unique piece that can add an entirely different flare to my staples at home from those traditional stores I usually shop at.

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  20. I mostly shop online, and hit up the same sales. I love your blog and seeing what you wear every day and wish I had the time to hit up JCrew/Bananna/and Gap for their sales. BTW, I used to be very anti-gap until I saw how you can make the boring staples unique!! Will you post a blog sometime about your shopping strategy including how much time you spend online, in stores, finding the inspiration photos, and putting outfits together?

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  21. I am like you....I buy at mainly the same stores. My fav is The Loft. I also love The Limited and Express for all my pants. I am for sure a creature of habit in all my daily activities.

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  22. My first stop is always H&M and I avoid any place that to me is just to pricey. I do occasionally splurge at Free People though. My second is Old Navy and then some Gap, Urban Outfitter, Nordstrom Rack, JCrew, Target, and DSW for shoes almost always

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  23. I am the same way. i have to force* myself to go to new stores. But recently I went to the sax outlet and always think oh all the nice stuff is still $$ but... I scored a dress and a coat for soooo cheap! Worth the extra effort.

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  24. I go to all kind of stores (including online ones)). I do not stick to the same brands usually. That's why TJ Maxx is my favorite - they bring all kinds of things from all over. If I see somebody wearing something I really like, I come up and ask. And that's how I discover new things for me. Online blogs with pictures also help to locate some cute things in places I normally never go to. I was never a big fan of Gap, but your latest cute cardigan (ochre color) made me go to that store, so I bought it and also some skinny cargos that fit me so well (couldn't find those anywhere else)) Collections of each brand vary so much from year to year, so it is impossible for me to stick to the same brands all the time. What I never do is to completely dress in the same brand from head to toe ))) It sounds too easy and too programmed for me )) A couple of years ago I discovered DressBarn, which I thought was making clothes in plus sizes only, so I never went inside before.. But they have small sizes too! Got a couple of very stylish dresses on sale for a great price! I like going to H&M, Zara, BR, Old Navy, Ann Taylor, Burberry, Kenneth Cole, Calvin Klein, Target, JCP, Kohl's, F21, Express, Nordstrom, Macy's, etc., etc.... ))
    By the way, I really like these shoes on you!

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  25. I am totally a creature of habit in my shopping. I do have a fairly wide array of favorites, but I almost never shop online. Hmmm.

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  26. I'm totally a creature of habit! I have my favorites, but I do love finding new places, since I get bored with seeing the same styles/types of things at a store and I like to try new things.

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  27. I'm definitely a creature of habit when it comes to shopping. Gap and Banana, for the most part. Sometimes I'll find shirts at other stores, but most of my pants come from those two stores. Its hard to findn pants that fit, I see no reason to look elsewhere!

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  28. I am mostly a creature of nature myself and prefer smaller stores to department stores. The stores I have shopped mostly the last couple of years are The Limited, Express, White House Black Market, Loft, Gap, Nine West & Banana Republic. And occasionally I have gotten some pieces from J.Crew, Armani Exchange, Forever 21, H&M, Aeropostale & American Eagle (these last two mostly for jeans but also some tees) & Ann Taylor.

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  29. Most of my wardrobe especially work wardrobe is from there. I love that store, fits my body and my style well and they always have great deals, promotions and sales. Like you, I use coupons all the time and get a great amount of clothes in great quality for such great deals like anywhere from 50-75% off the original prices.

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  30. My favorite tends to be hitting an outlet mall during a sales weekend.  That's what I do the majority of the time.  I also love getting deals at Walmart (I once got a very nice textured, fitted white sweater there for maybe 10 or 12 bucks, plus Walmart is a great source for cute panties from their junior's brand), Payless (I've gotten black flats and black pumps there, both from brands that design nice-looking shoes made for comfort), Marshall's (got Tahari leopard pumps for $40), Ross (cheap but good for basics like solid long-sleeved tops, and my black crochet shrug sweater), and TJMaxx.  Every once in a while I'll run into a unknown store in a local mall that has some good deals.  I also have a few brand names that I love; I tend to get a Coach bag every season and Michael Kors bag every year from their outlet stores, but I don't get ones with the logo letters printed all over the bag.

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