As you may already know, I went outfit & shoe shopping at Dixie Outlet Mall (& through this experience gained a new perspective on how to wear platform sandals. But more on that later…). With $200 to use up in as many shops as possible, I had 1 specific mission: putting together an outfit while saving as much as possible. Now that might seem easy enough to you, but the “She Who Hunts Finds” challenge came with a bunch of it's own, well, challenges!
But first, here's the outfit:
(Fab Photography by Che Rosales)
I swore to myself that I had to find the trendiest, most OUT THERE shoes & I think I accomplished that. My heart was set on a 70s look complete with killer platform sandals & a pair of new flares. I lucked out with the former–a sparkly pair from Aldo–but since the only flare jeans available in my size were from the Guess Factory Store & weren't long enough to work with these รผber platforms, I had to devise another plan. I've always equated how to wear platform sandals with flare pants, myself. But as there is nothing worse than having the wrong hemline with the right shoes, I headed back out to see what alternatives I could find. Because NO, I was definitely not letting go of these chunky heels! Luckily, I spotted this cute high-waisted denim pencil skirt from Guess. The rest came relatively easily:
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- A trip to Aรฉropostale for the printed t-shirt (love how the seams part at the sides& hangs low in the back to hide my newishly acquired “winter-was-far-too-long”derriรจre).
- Danier Leather Outlet for the purse. It actually took me a while to decide…sooo many choices! I love the metallic sheen on this little cross-body & its spectacular deep blue color.
- Then I grabbed these aviators from Sunglass Outlet.
- Last, but not least, I found gold jewelry to match the purse hardware: a pretty monogrammed “M” necklace, arrow stud earrings, Katy Perry Collection lion ring with pearl insert (too cute!) & infinity ring, all at Claire's for $2 a pop. Huge clearance sale on already discounted merchandise. Lucky me!
- …..When I checked with Guest Services I had spent a total of $199.98. Mission accomplished! So how did I do in the savings department?
How much I saved at Dixie Outlet Mall
Platform sandals: Aldo Shoes – saved $90
Denim pencil skirt: Guess Outlet – saved $15
Tee: Aรฉropostale -saved $8
Purse: Danier Leather -saved $60
Aviators: Sunglass Outlet -saved $7
Earrings + Necklace + 2 Rings: Claire's – saved $30.35
Total: a WHOPPING $210.35 in savings. Beat that!
So I got this outfit for over 50% off, while aiming for as many quality items as possible. Hmm…I think I must be some sort of discount shopping superhero BWAHAHAH!
But I did have some obstacles that were thrown my way during my Dixie Mall adventure. Let's just call it my shopping “kryptonite” shall we? You know, because shopping & blogging ain't that easy, folks ๐
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- Some of the shops had Spring 2015 merch in addition to their outlet stock that wasn't on sale or discounted, so I had to exclude those items (meaning: lots of pretty things I couldn't grab!)
- Trying to find separate pieces from different stores when you're perusing a huge mall of 100+ shoes & clothing retailers is tough. I wanted to put 5 different outfits, not merely 1!
- I shouldn't have pre-planned an outfit in my mind. My own stubborn stupidity, really; I should have just gone with the flow when I got there. Especially since I had never been & didn't know what to expect.
- I wanted to buy a zillion pairs of shoes, which temporarily (but ever so often!) distracted me from my mission. You can see a my thorough shoe shopping experience at Dixie Outlet Mall here. So many great buys!
- I got hungry from all the walking & ignored it for longer than I should have. Shopping while hungry is never a good idea!
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I hope I've motivated the deal-hunter in you & inspired you on how to wear platform sandals sans flares! I mean, just because they're a 70s comeback shoe trend, doesn't mean your whole outfit has too look like it came straight out of the era! Yes, I've learned that too ๐
xo Cristina
**This post is brought to you in collaboration with Dixie Outlet Mall. All opinions expressed are my own**
Cristina is the chief editor & shoe expert at ShoeTease. As a seasoned stylist and women's fashion & shoe designer with over 20 years of experience, Cristina's here to guide you on your fashion journey! Learn more.
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I am excited to shop at Winners
Danier!
I’d go to the Guess Factory Store
I love winners, Aldo, Danier
I’m excited to shop at Winners
Boathouse, Guess & Footlocker
Danier Leather or Nine West
I am excited for Aldo
I’m excited for Nine West!
I am excited for EB games!
Nine West and Winners, of course!
I would go to Winners first!
I would shop at Winners and Aldo.
I am most excited to shop at ROCKPORT
I would love to get some new summer shoes. I used to have a Nine West addiction but I hear the store calling me back!! ๐
I’d love to dress my man from head to toe at Stars Men’s ๐
I am most excited to shop at Nine West. They have great shoes for work that is stylish and comfy!
Love the outfit you put together! I’d chose either Nine West or Winners if I won. Thanks for the chance.
I’d head straight for Danier Leather or Nine West. Love your choices.
Besos, Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
Winners! I love that store sooooo much.
Would love to shop at Nine West & Danier.
Thansk for this great giveaway
Excited to shop at Nine West and Laura for some awesome new summer outfits
I would love to buy my 2 daughters a ton of stuff at GARAGE, it’s their favorite store and I’m a single mom so this would be huge!
How happy would they be!? Thanks for entering & good luck!
xo Cristina
I would say winners and carters for my kids.
I am most excited to shop at Aldo!
I would take my wife and go on a shopping date
Best. Husband. Ever.
xo Cristina
Would love to do some shopping at the Shoe Warehouse or Nine Westโฆ:)
you look great!
Thanks Shizzy!!
xo Cristina
I’m excited to go to Nygard
I’d be excited to shop at Michael because I have a bunch of stuff to frame.
I love bulk barn and winners. Two of my favourite stores in the world.
I love Winners too! I think I’m a little addicted, though.
xo Cristina
I would be excited to shop at nine west
I’m heading to Nine West. My feet looove shoes from Nine West.
Oh, so do mine! Did you see their newest, brightest collection?
https://www.shoe-tease.com/2015/03/24/how-to-wear-colorful-shoes-spring/
Do I have to pick just one store??? Aldo, Carters, Winners….Motherhood Maternity because I’m expecting!
Oh goodness no! Go nuts in each & every one!
xo Cristina
I would spend most of it at carters on the kids
I would love to shop at Nine West for some summer shoes!
They have so many great styles with knocked-down prices ๐
xo Cristina
I would excited to shop at the Guess Factory Store!
It’s HUGE! I could spend the whole day there!
xo Cristina
Winners!!!!!
I would hit ip danier leather if I won! I have to say you look FAB and that pencil skirt is HOT!
You’re too kind, thank you!! Danier Leather has some ahmazing discounted purses & clothing. Loved it! xo Cristina
I am excited about shopping at EB games.
Guess outlet would be my pick ๐
I highly recommend it!! It is so large & have everything from clothing, footwear, bags & small accessories. Good luck:)
xo Cristina
i would love to shop at ardene
Good choice! They have a lot of great deals & fun trinkets.
xo Cristina
I really want to go to SPRING OUTLET! My friend got a real nice handbag there for only 21$ and I need one soooo bad!
What a steal!! You’re right, they have some cute purses & clutches there! Best of luck!
xo Cristina
This is fantastic ! We love Dixie mall and always seem to find great deals. I love fairweather, I would start there ๐
You’ll definitely find some great deals at Dixie. I surely did! ๐
xo Cristina
Those shoes are everything! Omg! Real eye catcher. Check out my outfit reveal if you like too : https://www.glamdiaries.com/dixie-outlet-mall-canada-cheap-shopping/
Thanks! As are yours ๐ You jelly sandals are amazing xoxo
Loving the outfit (and the shoes especially)! This contest has been so much fun, can’t believe it’s over!
Nabihah
Thanks Nabihah! I know, it has been great and best of all getting to meet some new Toronto bloggers ๐ xo Cristina
Exicted for every and all shoe stores.
So MANY shoes both outlet prices & new collections. You’ll love it Raz! Good luck ๐
xo Cristina
Great outfit, love the shoes and that skirt looks like it’ll work with so many other things!
Hope you’ll check out my outfit too: https://inmy30sanditstime.com/2015/05/01/she-who-hunts-finds-week-3-outfit-reveal/
Thanks Angie! The skirt is great & so versatile. I tried to pick out pieces that I’d actually wear a lot vs. just for a special occasion. Except for the shoes, though. Can’t wear 6″ heels that often haha!
xo Cristina