Forever Young

Don't underestimate shopping in your daughters' favorite stores. Whilst they're not likely to become our be-all and end-all shopping euphoria, the prices are ridiculously cheap, and if you seek out the right fit, fabrics and styles, you can snag yourself a wardrobe gem that doesn't look cheap or Forever 21! 

Can you guess which part of this outfit is from Forever 21? It's the cute navy tweed top with metallic gold thread, finished off with super trendy crisscross lace-up ties and gold polished grommet accents at the back.  It was a whopping $22.90, looks way grown up (is it too old for me?) and puts the trendy right back into tweed!

No, I didn't have to unlace the back and lace it back up again to get into this! It has an invisible zipper in one of the side seams. It also has a satin lining which makes it really comfortable to wear.

Tweed is of course timeless, brought to the forefront of fame by Chanel in 1924. It's had it's waning moments since then but along with tartans, the heritage trend has sprung a new shoot this fall developing into styles no longer associated with old librarians and female morticians!

Bonus - the top also looks great with another pleated skirt I have in a gold metallic fabric. Now I'm spoiled for choice. 

Tweed has always looked good with jeans and this top is no exception. Since the top is slightly cropped I prefer it with high waist jeans to eliminate the baring of midriff!

So you're probably thinking " Yikes, I'm not shopping at Forever 21, it's for teeny little teenagers who will think I've lost my mind or  left my specs at home!" You'll be surprised how many forever 51's frequent Forever 21. I've seen occasions when there hasn't been a soul under forty in the store except the girls working there! If it makes you feel any better go with your daughter, use her as the excuse as to why you're in there, "Oh, I'm with her", sounds plausible enough! If you don't have a daughter borrow someone else's, or if all else fails just brave it!

The one thing to be aware of is the sizes run small. Don't be disappointed when you find yourself slipping comfortably into a LARGE! You can always take the label out when you get home and from then on in deny all knowledge or recollection of what size it is!

I had been looking for something the same color to pair with the navy pleated skirt for a while and it was by luck I found this tweed navy top. Even more luck that it works so well with other things in my closet like the gold pleated skirt, and looks super cute with jeans too. 

For basic wardrobe pieces these types of stores are great, whether it be a simple tee-shirt that you need to wear under something or a cozy sweatshirt with some trendy detailing that you don't want to pay an arm and a leg for.  Given how rapidly the fashions come and go, if you enjoy the latest styles even if they are fleeting, these prices will definitely keep the fashionista in you afloat!

Finally, don't forget your tailor. If something really grabs you and the only way you can make it work is with a larger size that sits well in one area but is too big in another, a good tailor can make it look like it was custom made for you.  With the savings you made on the purchase price the chances are you'll still come out ahead even after alterations!
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Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!

Karen xox