Shopping Bag Hags by CouponWinner.com

Exciting, On-Sale Basics

New sale pieces are always popping up, and these spring essentials should help you maintain a high-quality wardrobe for much less. If you stock up on the simple stuff, you can put together winning outfits in no time.

 

Neutral-Colored Skirt

If you think putty or tan when you see neutral-colored skirt on the list, you're mistaken! A neutral skirt can be in black, white, or cream, and it should be in the most figure-flattering style you can get your hands on. My top choice is a black pencil skirt, but I know plenty of people who love a good a-line piece.

 

A Patterned, Lightweight Top

This simple top can add color under a blazer, can be worn unbuttoned over a silk tank, or can be tucked into a dressy skirt of choice. Don't let the pattern trip you up, either—you have more options out there than just florals. Try a patterned top with swirls or other abstract designs, or a willy-nilly geometric in black and white.

Available at Kensie.com

A Bright T-Shirt with Scoop or V-Neck

These tops won't just work for every day—they are excellent for working out as well. Try a scoop neck and then wear a scarf around your neck, or go for a tucked-in plain t-shirt with a billowing blouse worn up top. Grab a v-neck shirt with elbow-length sleeves if your office is chilly, and you don't want to have to layer all summer.

 

A Simple Cardigan

I always reach for black when it comes to cardigans, but you definitely don't have to. A simple cardigan that needs a boost can easily have its buttons replaced, too, and you'll have a brand-new look for the following season. Because cardigans can be carried over from year to year, buy the best one you can afford.

 

A New Dress

A cockatail-length dress with a slightly more conservative shape will flatter women in the office or out on the town. A brand-new dress is always a good investment, because you can try wearing a button-down underneath or a jacket on top to change the look entirely. It's worth it.

 

A Pair of Jeans

Invest in a summer-weight pair of jeans if you are a die-hard denim wearer like me. While dark jeans are amazing for matching and looking elegant, nobody would fault you for going a shade or two lighter to complement summer pastels and whites.

 

If you are looking for a good way to cobble together your spring wardrobe, I highly recommend you swing by a sale or two and get going! These basics will lighten up your wardrobe enough to keep you going until summer.

Quotes for the Deal Seeker

Bargain seekers, these quotes are for you! We love deals, and so do you, so why not page through these quotes about grabbing deals, anywhere you can?

  “Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.” --Benjamin Franklin 

“There are plenty of ways to get ahead. The first is so basic I'm almost embarrassed to say it: spend less than you earn.” –-Paul Clitheroe

“Don't bargain for fish which are still in the water.” --Indian proverb

“Anybody who thinks talk is cheap should get some legal advice.” --Franklin P. Jones

“Waste is worse than loss.” --Thomas A. Edison

“The thrifty maxim of the wary Dutch, is to save all the money they can touch.” --Benjamin Franklin

“A bargain is anything a customer thinks a store is losing money on.” -–Kim Hubbard

"Prudent men woo thrifty women.” --German proverb

“There is no victory at bargain basement prices.” --Dwight David Eisenhower

“Life is the greatest bargain - we get it for nothing.” --Yiddish proverb

“To sell something, tell a woman it's a bargain; tell a man it's deductible.” --Earl Wilson

“A bargain is something you cannot use at a price you cannot resist.” --Proverb

“My old father used to have a saying: If you make a bad bargain, hug it all the tighter.” --Abraham Lincoln

“A bargain is something you have to find a use for once you have bought it.” --Benjamin Franklin

“I believe you are your work. Don't trade the stuff of your life, time, for nothing more than dollars. That's a rotten bargain.” --Rita Mae

How to Remix Your Closet

A lot of people wonder how they can get their closet in tip-top shape. What's the secret to a well-styled wardrobe—is it just quantity? Heck no! Style is something that comes from a smart wardrobe and a quick mind, not only from sheer volume of pieces. Let these tips on remixing get you started on your great wardrobe adventure.

1. Know the best silhouettes for you. When you want to start getting wear out of some fantastic pieces and you're not feeling the silhouette, it's sad—so do get the most out of your wardrobe with smart shopping and inspired picks. If you have a small waist, embrace pencil skirts and defined-waist dresses, and if you don't? Show off your awesome gams or great cleavage with a dress engineered for your body type.

2. Keep in mind how much you're saving. Honestly, nothing is more refreshing than not shopping and finding that all the money you were spending is now going to a great place—your pocket. Wardrobes don't need to be big, and they don't need to be perfectly organized, but they should be honed and budget-reflective. I have a lot of pieces that I wish I had never bought, because not only were they expensive, but they get zero wear these days. Shop smart.

3. Keep everything you do own in top condition. I have a “to mend” bag that's bursting at the seams, and that's very bad. Why? Because I'm never going to get my wardrobe completely together when I buy things I think I don't have, only to realize that I had the pieces, and that they needed to be fixed! This is often the same case with dry cleaning piles, and even dirty laundry piles in more extreme situations. 

4. Maintain your shoe collection for maximum flatterability. Those “one time only” heels are a killer of closet space and of your budget. Don't buy shoes to match one dress, for example, buy shoes to match an entire category of outfit. Black peep-toe heels will match with a ton of party dresses and will work on the job. 

5. Don't underestimate the power of quality lingerie. It will allow you to wear clothes that you've been avoiding because of you can't go braless or don't have a slip. A full slip is good to have, for example, as is a half slip, a push-up bra, a longline bra, and a convertible bra. Get measured in a department store in order to know your proper size.

6. Get yourself a friend to help you edit. True story: I had a friend who helped me throw out a bunch of ugly junk I had saved from an insane amount of shopping sprees. Her advice? “We don't like pink skirts!” She was a lifesaver, because that skirt was ugly.

 

Do you have trouble paring down your wardrobe?

Current Great Deals on Coupon Winner, Part II

Need some more deals to get you the wardrobe you dream of? Check out these current coupon codes.

 

Sears

Sears might not be called a fashion destination, but it's a reliable, high-quality place to shop for basics when you need them. Sears and JCPenney are two of my top picks for party dresses, jeans, and bras. Give Sears a chance or revisit them today!

• Receive free shipping on Sold by Sears orders $49+ at Sears.com.
• Receive an extra 15% off apparel at Sears.com.
• Receive an extra 15% off shoes at Sears.com.

Get your Sears coupon codes here.

 

The Limited

The Limited's a great work-shop stop for anyone, especially when you need actual layering pieces or professional pieces that you can mix-and-match. One of our favorite pieces on The Limited's site right now is the sheath dress, a piece you can choose for work or for dress-up. Their sleek and curvy Lexie Pant is just perfect, too.

• Receive $15 off any purchase of $50 or more when you sign up for email at TheLimited.com.
• Receive Free Shipping on any purchase at TheLimited.com.
• Receive Free Shipping on any purchase of $50 or more at TheLimited.com.

Get your Limited coupon codes here.

 

Delia's

There's no reason to avoid a Delia's shopping spree, no matter what age you are. If their hemlines are too short, wear one of their dresses as a tunic with skinny jeans. Their open-stitch cardigans will serve you well on the beach, and have a swing over to their footwear as well.

• Receive 15% off any purchase at dELIA*s.com.
• Receive free shipping on any purchase over $25 at dELIA*S.
• Receive Jeans & Pants: Buy 1 Get 1 50% off at dELIA*S.

Get your Delia's coupon codes here.

 

Levi's

Levi's has some great curvy picks available for the choosing, so if you're not the straight up and down type, then you'll love these jeans. Have you seen their “New Custom Fits for Women” campaign? You should look into that as well.

• Receive $15 off any purchase of $75 or more from Levi's. *A CouponWinner.com Exclusive
• Receive Free Shipping on any purchase of $100 or more at Levi's.
• Receive up to 75% off select Sale Items from Levi's.

Get your Levi's coupon codes here.

 

Hanes

Hanes has more than just stretchy tees and shorts on sale on their website, and all it takes is a one-two-three click to find fresh looks. Drawstring shorts for working out? Check. Drawstring skirts for weekend fun? Check. Stretchy tees for painting, hiking, and hanging out? Check.

 

• Receive 10% off any purchase at Hanes.com.
• Receive $4.99 Flat Rate Shipping on your purchase of $60 or more at Hanes.com.
• Receive 15% off any purchase of $75 or more at Hanes.com.

Get your Hanes coupon codes here.

Current Great Deals on Coupon Winner

Need some new deals? These hot coupon codes are very popular on our site, and we want to help you get the best deals of the moment: Overstock, Old Navy, Kensie, Go Jane, and Ann Taylor await!

Overstock.com

Overstock is one of those destinations that you have to try as hard as you can to visit regularly when you're doing your usual shopping. Want a specific style of shoes, a great necklace set, or a special-occasion dress? Overstock.com is the place to go.

• Receive $17 off all orders $400+ from Overstock.com. New Customers.
• Receive $10 off all purchases $250+ from Overstock.com (expires April 5th)

Get Overstock.com coupon codes here.

 

Old Navy

Old Navy is one of my favorite places to shop, because the discounts are always quite good. Stacking coupons, getting free shipping, browsing extended sizes... you can do it all at Old Navy. This spring, I recommend getting something with a fresh floral print—Old Navy regularly has some great ones.

• Receive Free Shipping on purchases $50+ at OldNavy.com (ongoing)
• Receive 30% off select maternity jeans at oldnavy.com.
• Receive $10 off any purchase of $50 or more when you sign-up for the e-mail newsletter from OldNavy.com.
• Receive savings w/ the Semi-Annual Stock-Up Sale with basics starting at $4 & free shipping on orders $50+ at Old Navy (expires March 16th).

Get Old Navy codes here.

 

Kensie

Kensie's the kind of site that seems quite expensive, but it's not. It combines exciting finds with tantalizingly low prices, and their best coupon is the one that's for 20% off any purchase. That could mean a fairly inexpensive piece for less if you play your cards right.

• Receive 20% off any purchase at Kensie.com (expires Dec. 31st)
• Receive Free Shipping on any purchase of $100 or more at kensie.com.
• Receive 40% - 85% off Winter Clearance Items at Kensie.com.

Get Kensie coupon codes here.

 

Go Jane

Go Jane's shoes might be a one-season only deal, but why is that so bad? Go Jane's booties are just magnifique, as are the flats, and since the shoes are already fairly cheap, you'll be in for a treat when you buy a couple pairs of their shoes with a coupon code. Their faux leather is particularly soft.

• Receive free shipping on purchases $50+ from GoJane.com.
• Receive 25% off full price purchases from GoJane.com (expires March 10th)
• Receive Skirts from $6 from GoJane.com.

Get Go Jane coupon codes here.

 

Ann Taylor

Shopping for work? Ann Taylor is one of my favorite places to load up on the deals, and why not? With these coupon codes in hand, copied and ready to paste, Ann Taylor's sweet sophistication could be mine, mine, mine!

• Receive 40% off 3 or more full-price items at anntaylor.com
• Receive 25% off 2 full-price items at anntaylor.com
• Receive 20% off your purchase of $150 or more from AnnTaylor.com (expires March 18th).

 Get Ann Taylor coupon codes here.

From Our Collection: Quotes About Shoes

Deals and steals are good enough, but do you have the right amount of inspiration required for a killer shopping spree? These quotes about shoes should get you salivating over the fancy, the practical, the regal, and the amazingly imaginative shoes in this world.

“I like Cinderella, I really do. She has a good work ethic. I appreciate a good, hard-working gal. And she likes shoes. The fairy tale is all about the shoe at the end, and I'm a big shoe girl.” --Amy Adams

“I think people are going to like my new shoes. I like them. I had a lot of success with the one last year, but this year's shoe is going to be a little different, but at the same time it's going to be a little spin-off on last year's shoe.” --Vince Carter

“Sex and the City changed New York-New York's become a big shoe store now, unfortunately.” --Chris Noth

“If the shoe fits, it's too expensive.” --Adrienne Gusoff

“A shoe that is too large is apt to trip one, and when too small, to pinch the feet. So it is with those whose fortune does not suit them.” --Horace

“You want to fall in love with a shoe, go ahead. A shoe can't love you back, but, on the other hand, a shoe can't hurt you too deeply either. And there are so many nice-looking shoes.” --Allan Sherman

“Stiletto, I look at it more as an attitude as opposed to a high-heeled shoe.” --Lita Ford

“When there's uncertainty they always think there's another shoe to fall. There is no other shoe to fall.” --Kenneth Lay

"Is it time to go home yet? I keep clicking these damn shoes, but nothing happens.” --Robin Hecht

“I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet.” --Unknown

“I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes.” --Oprah Winfrey

“Yet if a woman never lets herself go, how will she ever know how far she might have got? If she never takes off her high-heeled shoes, how will she ever know how far she could walk or how fast she could run?” --Germaine Greer

“If you want to forget all your other troubles, wear too tight shoes.” --Unknown

“Art is like baby shoes. When you coat them with gold, they can no longer be worn.” --John Updike

 

Do you know anybody who collects quotes like I do?