Uniqlo is launching more than one Spring/Summer collection and each one is super functional and spectacular. Let's consider 3 of its winning offerings.
Monday, March 6, 2023
Uniqlo's: Spring 2023 Collections
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
5 Uniqlo LifeWear Gifts To Blow Your Mind
Regular readers know that Uniqlo, the Japanese innovator of LifeWear sustainable clothing, is my absolute favorite retailer for basics. I don't know why Uniqlo doesn't just hire me as their spokeswoman already! I wear their outerwear and clothing, plus blog about their quality and great price points frequently. I mean, I'm a true believer in Uniqlo LifeWear!
Here are 5 of my favorite articles that make awesome holiday gifts and demonstrate how budget-friendly doesn't have to mean a lack of quality, style, or durability!
I own each of the following pieces and continue to love wearing them again and again, and so with authority I highly recommend every single piece as a perfect, not to mention, ultra-useful holiday gift:
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Best Leggings Updated
Photo: LL Bean |
The 3 new leggings I'm adding today to my original list cost more and are a tad more durable ... a financial wash to a Savvy Shopper. If you buy and wear new leggings without paying more money, the money you spend is a wash:
1) Uniqlo leggings - Since I comprised my Best Leggings List, the innovative Japanese retailer has stepped up its leggings game now offering a variety of legging styles designed for different climates and purposes. Moreover, the exciting development is the company's sizes now fit tall women over 5'5"! (The retailer's petite sizing kept it off my original roundup.) Best price point for lasting leggings bar none!
The next two are more expensive retailers. Recently each of them has expanded its legging styles + offers better sales:
2) LL Bean leggings - (top image👆) - The merchant has launched what it calls perfect fit leggings for every type of body, and there are styles galore this season. My favorite fabric is jersey smooth cotton with a touch of spandex, but you can also get fleece-lined leggings if you live in an arctic climate. There are 4 fits (or cuts): 1) original (relaxed); 2) straight-leg; 3) slim; and 4) legging. They won't cling, fade or stretch out.
3) Landsend Starfish leggings - The link leads to all of Landsends' styles of leggings for women, but the only one I'm familiar with is its Starfish leggings which are soft jersey cotton with lycra. Excellent quality leggings, but usually more expensive than I think consumers need to pay. However, when you catch them at their rock bottom sale price of $22, grab them as they are then a fantastic value!🎉LL Bean's and Landsends' apparel is comparable. From season to season, one retailer will have a better selection, so before buying, I always look at both.
Uniqlo is usually the better-priced retailer for good (or good enough) and unfailingly innovative clothing -- including its pants and leggings. Toss Old Navy and Express into the mix and one of the 5 retailers will offer you a perfect pair of leggings at a steal of a price!🎯
You are set for the fall, winter, and early spring!
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
6 Best Fabrics To Wear In Summer
Photo: Stitch Fix Style |
I must overcome my bias for natural fabrics to give you more shopping choices for summer clothes. In fact, if the price is right at Uniqlo or Old Navy on cute summer dresses in a manmade material, I make an exception; and in the past, it has worked out. So let's begin ...
Photo: Cotton Citzen |
2) Linen - Cloth woven from flax that is light and airy. A tad stiffer and more sophisticated than cotton, yet still soft, casual and cool. Moderately priced and affordable. Very durable. Winkles are accepted in linen clothing. Nowadays linen is often treated so it can be washed and line dried. The garment label will say if it's machine washable. Includes: Chambray - a cotton or linen-finished gingham cloth with a mottled appearance. (Photo of shorts: H&M)
Photo: Old Navy |
4) Modal - A semi-synthetic fabric consisting mainly of beechwood pulp, it is shrink-resistant and unlikely to fade. Frankly I'm not completely in love with modal either as it too stretches and I find it warmer than cotton ... yet every source I consult says it keeps us cool. I do have a modal sweater (and of course, it's cooler than wool). Modal is popular nowadays with retailers, so if the price is right, you might consider buying one stylish garment (or two).
5) Silk - Fine, strong, lustrous fiber spun by silkworms in making cocoons. The silk fiber is turned into fabric. Previously expensive, but demand and modern industry have lowered the cost. Super light and cool ... another favorite fabric of mine. Still I tend to save my silk dresses and shirts for work or attending events, not running Saturday errands. Not as cheap as cotton, and I don't as mindlessly wash it. I suppose it's why I don't mindlessly wear it, yet I do love it.😍👗 Silk includes: Chiffon, taffeta, and crepe de cine. (Photo: Silk dress: Halston)
Photo of BraTop: Uniqlo |
Sometimes an apparel maker uses fabric blends, for example 95% cotton with a touch of 5% spandex, to give a dress or blouse a benefit like wrinkle resistance, or strength or shape which I don't mind in a dress despite a tad less softness in the blend. (However, for bed sheets pure 100% cotton is a must.)
With the knowledge of what fabrics will keep you cool on soaring hot days, have fun shopping for your summer wardrobe!
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Who Wears Short Shorts?
Photo: Uniqlo High-Rise Denim Shorts |
Uniqlo 3/4 length shorts |
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
After Christmas Goodies: SLGs, Silicone Bags And Bras
James is showing you the SLGs (Small Leather Goods). |
Before Christmas, it's fun to shop for others. After Christmas, it's fun to buy for ourselves! Not by design, yet I bought "holders" of all sorts yesterday and today:😁😉
4) Old Navy Silicone Reusable Sacks/Bags - Eco-friendly and sturdy enough to carry snacks, cosmetics, or anything you need to place in your purse, the pantry, or a drawer. I bought a few at $2.99 each. Then they were reduced again to $1, so a few more came home with me. It's rare for me to buy items I'm unsure of exactly how I'll use them, but I know they will keep my purses, pantry and drawers clean and organized. Price: now $1.
Monday, November 9, 2020
Back At Uniqlo on Saturday Wearing Uniqlo
The SAVVY SHOPPER is a written word, not a photoblog, therefore photos of me are few and far apart. (You're welcome readers, I spare you!😁) Every once in a while, I throw one up here because it's normal to be curious about a blogger.
New Your City is very spring-like for several days. In fact, it will be 76 degrees F today in November ... summer! This was me on Saturday browsing in one of my favorite stores, Uniqlo, the innovative Japanese retailer of super practical and budget-friendly clothing, accessories and occasionally shoes. Frankly, the shoes are not up to the same standard as Uniqlo's other offerings, but the merchant has just ventured into shoes, so their quality will likely improve if continued. Fashionistas will be tempted to buy Uniqlo shoes for their unbeatable prices ($19 - $49) and perhaps the looks ... not for their durability though. Also, they lack adequate support and comfort for walking on concrete city blocks.
In the picture above, I happen to have on some of the articles I've recommended on THE SAVVY SHOPPER. How apropos to be wearing the Uniqlo dress I bought in the spring to Uniqlo! Truly, a useful transitional dress, or when the weather is wonderfully out-of-wack balmy. I'm wearing a Uniqlo airism bra top underneath it as a camisole, as well as, a Uniqlo nylon parka. The sneakers are the decades-long-world-popular Converse, and I insert Nazaroo insoles inside for arch support so I can walk around the city in them. No-show (plus ankle) socks I always buy 5 pairs for $9.95 at H&M. My black "liberated" leather Foley & Corinna crossover purse completes my outfit. And of course, during our pandemic days, we never leave our homes without our face masks. Bulletins are posted at the door of all New York City retailers: You must wear a face covering to enter.
Monday, October 12, 2020
Rain Trousers are The Bomb
L.L.Bean TEK O2 3L Storm Pants |
I don't know why, but, every year on the day I have to walk across Central Park from the Upper Eastside to the Upper Westside of Manhattan for an eye exam, there's always a monsoon downpour. I mean I make the appointment months in advance and it's not always the same time of the year, but on the day I must go, the rain never relents!
Until I moved to New York City without a car, I never thought about just how wet a person can get walking in a storm! Certainly, I dislike wet trousers, legs, socks, and feet, so after years of going to work on a rainy day and sitting damp for hours afterwards, I bit the bullet to buy the final piece of my rain gear trio ... an expensive pair of rain trousers. They are not much of a fashion statement unless you're aiming for a bag lady look, but I don't mind ... I love them!
Today I had my eye doctor appointment and sure enough, it's been raining all day long. But guess what, readers? I returned home dry as if I'd stayed indoors, including my leggings, socks and shoes. Not a drop of moisture after removing my outerwear!
My pricey rain pants go over my leggings (or trousers). Three layers of specially constructed nylon, called TEK O2 L3, keep the rain out! Interior gaiters keep moisture out of my Merrell's Waterproof Comfort Mocs. Zippers and Velcro let me adjust the legs of the pants to fit over shoes or boots.
Since I'm very happy with my Uniqlo Blocktech moisture wick coat, I didn't buy the matching L.L.Bean's TEK O2 3L Storm Jacket. The Uniqlo Blocktech coat is only supposed to be rain-resistant, but I don't get wet wearing it. I love the L.L.Bean jacket too, but it looks more casual than my versatile Uniqlo Blocktech coat that I always wear as a raincoat. If I can save by using what I already have, great!
The rain pants, however, are the bomb and worth every penny!
Thursday, July 2, 2020
Fabulous Deals Now At Macy's, Old Navy And More
Macy's emerald tennis bracelet (20 ct. t.w.) in sterling silver |
1) Macy's is offering a 50% - 75% epic summer sale on apparel, shoes, handbags, and jewelry. What a lovely 20-carat emerald tennis bracelet above, which is also offered in certified rubies. The sale includes more expensive necklaces, bracelets and rings. As an example, I selected a lovely budget-friendly piece that won't break the bank! In sterling silver (a precious metal), plus real emeralds for the price of costume jewelry. If you miss this particular sale, put the item on your wish list on Macy's website, then wait for the sale to come around again. Count on it happening!
2) Old Navy High-Waisted Slim Boot-Cut Yoga Pants - I'm letting my secret out of the bag. In the fall and winter I wear these substantial cotton and spandex yoga pants with a top and blazer for events -- the combo looks like business attire, and nobody is the wiser! The pants are jet-black, opaque and smooth, and they are so comfortable! The high-waisted slim boot-cut suits me, but there are several styles of yoga pants for every~body. Best deal for the quality in town. None better!
3) Crew-neck t-shirts - This year it was time for me to replace old, weathered t-shirts. Based upon quality alone, the t-shirts from L.L. Bean, Landsend and Uniqlo in the order listed are what I like buying. Although L.L. Bean is my top pick for high caliber t-shirts, I buy t-shirts from all 3 merchants based upon the price, sales, and colors available. All 3 retailers have good quality cotton t-shirts to last for several seasons of wear. A few weeks ago, I went with Landsend. In years past I also purchased t-shirts from Old Navy, but this year they only have neutral colors (white, black, grey), and I love t-shirts in vivid colors!
4) Old Navy Swing Dresses - I highly recommend buying O.N.'s swing dresses to wear all summer long. Frankly I favor cotton because the fabric lasts longer, but Old Navy makes these practical and cool (knitted) rayon dresses so cheap, it's quibbling. Every spring the retailer returns their swing dresses in new colors and patterns. I got the above floral red dress at the store today for $10.93 on sale! How could I not bring it home!
Certain stores (including Ulta and Uniqlo) are not yet ready for in-store shopping, but you can go to their websites for details on ordering, then can go to the store for "curbside pick up" of the goods. Moreover some merchants offer both in-store and curbside side pickup services (like Macy's, Saks, Bloomingdales, Old Navy, H&M and Sophora). Check the websites of your favorite retailers ... and support them if you can. They want you back and are showing it with sales and extra services. Show brick and mortar stores some love! They were hurt by the shutdown. Let them know you're glad to be back!
You may also enjoy:
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Summer Songs Of Yesteryear
Emerald Jewelry Gifts At Macy's
Pardon My Back Summer Dresses
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Pandemic Sheltering In Place Fashion
Uniqlo for crew-neck t-shirts here. Pair with a cardigan on cold days. |
Perhaps it would be entertaining to see my pandemic uniform. Everything featured I'm wearing as I write the blog.
Aeries - cotton with a touch of spandex lightweight Chill leggings here. |
Furthermore since rarely leaving home, I sometimes hand wash the leggings or t-shirts in Woolite, or dishwashing soap and hang them up in the bathroom to dry before bed. The less I have to go down to our common laundry room, the better. Being at home constantly, this bit of handwashing gives a gal a small sense of accomplishment. What is there to dooo next? Let me at it!
NAZAROO Shoe Insoles Arch Support Inserts (here) are excellent to keep my high arches happy in my Merrell ballet flats. With insoles I should be able to turn them into outdoor shoes this summer. We'll see. |
Once in a while to make myself happy, I put on a bracelet in my apartment. But I stopped wearing makeup and jewelry to go outside to buy groceries. I mean, why wear anything under a face mask? It would only get the mask dirty. And rings on fingers when you're forever worrying about Coronavirus and washing your hands? I think not!
Merrell Dassie - my outdoor to the supermarket shoes here. |
What are you wearing at home during this pandemic?
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