No. I'm sure a stylista could put something together from Jaye Cee Penney that is chic, but Rick Owens would never make us wear rubberized leggings when humidity is at 96 percent.
Pennys always has pencil skirts- every season for the past 5 years. I get complimented all the time on my suits from there. I wouldn't wear a single outfit from this article, but their Worthington line is chic and cheap.
While I think it's good that someone's trying to prove that you really can get cute clothes at a fairly-priced store, I'm not crazy about any of those outfits. Some of them are alright, but overall it's very average. If I were looking for affordable-but-nice clothes, I'd probably try H&M.
@greengrey: Yes. While a few outfits were okay, several of them reminded me how poorly I probably dressed in middle school - probably shopping at JC Penney, as I did.
@greengrey: They just look sort of . . . awkward. A sweater dangling off your shoulder. A flannel shirt tied around a cardigan. Too-long skirts and oddly tucked shirts. This is fashion?
@PrettyB is like Whoa: A few of the skirts just look dowdy. I mean, they might look alright on that woman, but I think on most people that stuff just wouldn't work. In the last picture the sweater didn't fit and she had to pin it. I'm sorry, but if it doesn't fit it's not a bargain (unless it's something very high end reduced to a low price that you get tailored...).
@bluebears: Yeah, there are a lot of stores that do "fast fashion" better and cheaper. Target being a big one, but also H&M, Zara, and to some extent Top Shop. I really don't think JCP is the place to go for cheap-chic. For towels? Yes. Haha.
@greengrey: I was thoroughly confused by tying the plaid shirt around her waist, and the boyfriend jeans outfit. Really? That's how I dress on a sloppy day - in 1995.
@greengrey: Her weird shoes make everything look strange. I don't like any of the outfits particularly, although my friend Suzy can shop at JCPenney and look adorable in everything she tries on.
This is one of the more amusing aspects of our current great depression. Articles from "fashionista's" advising the public that GASP! you actually don't need to spend 150.00 on a designer tank top to look stylish. Oh tell me more wise ones! Next they'll tell us about a magical land called Target...
@bluebears: Yeah, I did my self-funded Back to School shopping at Penney's the other week and I get compliments on how I look. Thanks, article, for being so condescending.
@bluebears: By the same token, I'm hearing athletes telling me that I don't necessarily need to buy $60 pants from Nike to run better. Yeah, already figured that out with my Target ensemble, which cost $50 for my cute dri-fit tank, sports bra, and pants.
@victoriasauce: As long as you steer clear of the super synthetic polyester, you're clear. I especially like American Living (when it's on sale, obviously).
Can't afford much else, honestly. I'm a musician for crying out loud. Also, since I've recently gained weight, I am no longer able to just log on and buy clothes from the internet. I absolutely MUST try everything on. It always ends in tears of frustration, otherwise.
@lowkeylo: Very true. Dry cleaning is also lousy for the environment.
My experience has been that certain fabrics can be gently hand-washed, but if you've just dropped $100 on it, do you really want to find out the hard way? No thanks.
As some other people have said, it doesn't have to be one or the other. Cheap places still make basics that last more than one season or year. I say just figure out what flatters your body and what you like and shop from there. Its been really freeing to stop chasing trends and just wear what I like. Jeans (not skinny!) - check! Cardigans - check! A pair of basic black and brown boots - check and check! I honestly believe that the most fashionable thing is something flattering and true to what you like. Individuality in style and bodies is beautiful.
Also, I know Jez is always kicking American Apparel because of Dov Charney and some of their clothes look ridic, BUT they also make wearable basics and they pay and treat their workers fairly.
Buying more expensive clothing forces you to buy less, which is a good thing for the planet, whichever way you slice it. I have Agnes B T-shirts that I've been wearing for the past 8 years. They cost $65 new. I'd rather have one of those than 10 from Old Navy.
Buying for quality is something I've really started to embrace as I've gotten older. I used to think that cheap clothes were just as good as more expensive ones, just with a different label (a la store brand groceries), but that is usually not the case. Sure, I may spend more per shopping trip than before, but I don't have to replace shirts every few months because they rip/fade/fall apart. It's true that you get what you pay for.
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Damn.
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A couple of the outfits are OK, but still very meh. Other stores do it better.
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@bluebears: Yeah, there are a lot of stores that do "fast fashion" better and cheaper. Target being a big one, but also H&M, Zara, and to some extent Top Shop. I really don't think JCP is the place to go for cheap-chic. For towels? Yes. Haha.
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No. Just no.
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The outfit in the photo chosen for this post looks like something I imagine Sadie would wear!
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My experience has been that certain fabrics can be gently hand-washed, but if you've just dropped $100 on it, do you really want to find out the hard way? No thanks.
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