Wish List to Wardrobe: My Ultimate Bargain Shopping Tool

It’s no secret that your girl loves a good deal. And, while I don’t mind spending more for items of value, I always have a price in mind that I’m willing to pay. Take today’s featured Anthropologie maxi dress for example. I wanted it from the moment it appeared in a spring preview email, but it was $228, too much for one dress in my monthly budget. So, I waited. Months later, no markdowns in sight. The dress finally appeared in my store, though, so I tried it on. No surprise, I loved it! So, did I buy it at full price? Heck no! I relied on my ultimate bargain shopping tool to bring it home for less.

Dress | Sandals | Earrings (old, option) | Mac “Heroine” lipstick

Ultimate Bargain Shopping Tool

What’s that tool? I’m really friendly with key store associates in my favorite stores. We’re on a first name basis. We chat about everything from fashion to family. It also helps that I really do adore the women that work in my favorite stores. So, when they see me loving an item but debating it because of price, they reach into secret stashes and hand me discount cards I never knew existed. That, my people, is how I got this dress before it officially went on sale.

If you’ve been eying this particular dress but got discouraged by the reviews, you should know that the reviews are actually correct. The top of this dress, with its beautiful criss-cross detail, is cut in such a way that it has to fit perfectly to sit on the neckline as intended. If it doesn’t fit just right, there’ll be some gaping at the top.

I was concerned about a bit of gaping when I tried on my size. By the way, I’m wearing a size small. I also raised that concern with my favorite store associate, so we discussed the issue. But, I realized that once I kept the straps wide, the dress sat perfectly at the neckline.

I bought the dress just in time for Easter Weekend. And, it was perfect, from the vibrant combination of color and pattern to the accordion pleats that create beautiful movement with every step.

I wore the dress to a fashion show in an old church last Saturday. It was quite the experience. By the way, are you following me on Instagram? You can join me at events like that fashion show by following my Instagram Stories.

Cheers to a fabulous new week!

Location: St. Francis Xavier College Church, St. Louis