Cheap Tricks

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Moria Dailey

Published: January 25, 2006

So, Cheap Tricks number two.  Now you that you know where to eat cheaply, let’s discuss how you ought to shop to look stylish while you’re eating.

Idea numero uno: hit up those thrift stores.  Now, I can hear the cries of “Oh I don’t want to wear something that someone has already worn!”  Well, fear not, folks – all the clothes are washed and sanitized before you buy them, and then you can take them home and subject them to all sorts of crazy washing, if you so chose.  Plus, you can get all sorts of awesome stuff – that vintage look that everyone seems to be digging lately is easy to come by if you actually buy old clothes.

Also, on that note, check out estate and garage sales.  As our editor says, you can get some “groovy buys” there.

Next recommendation?  Target!  Awesome, awesome place to shop and super cheap!  Super comfortable, super cool, super inexpensive.  And, Target is making leaps and bounds improvement-wise in their quest to meet the demands of current fashion.  What else do you need?  Shoes, you may say.  Well, Target has those as well.  Including the best flip flops I’ve ever owned – and they’re only $3.99.  I had them for two years and wore them nearly constantly – including for miles and miles of walking in Italy this past summer.

Outlet stores are also a huge help for college students.  Beall’s outlet store has some wicked deals on everything you could ever imagine, including, but definitely not limited to, polka-dotted fedoras.  Their clearance deals make everyone else’s look lame – they go up to 95 percent off the original price.

And, if you’re willing to drive, there’s a great outlet mall in Foley, Ala. called Tanger’s; you can find all sorts of name brand stores there, without the exorbitant name brand prices.