Looking for a bargain bonanza? Ask ShopGirl

Shopping is a way of life in Maine. Sure, people may drop more money in New York City, but there, it’s competitive (as in, “My Coach bag is both cooler and more expensive than yours.”)

Here, it’s more of a collaborative effort. Rather than boast about how much they spent on that Kenneth Cole pea coat, people here are more likely to tell you it only cost $9.95 and that there are a few more left in your size at Marden’s. If a woman stumbles across Clinique Bonus Time at Filene’s or Porteous, she tells all her colleagues so they can run to the mall on their lunch break. This is what ShopGirl is all about.

This column is for you, the savvy shopper. Because I spend much of my leisure time perusing the racks at TJ Maxx, combing Reny’s for bargains and stalking savings at Marden’s, I know what’s out there. And I want you to know, too.

If a trunk full of Ralph Lauren floor samples lands at Marden’s for $5 apiece, as it did last winter, I’ll let you know. I care when a store remodels and starts carrying a wider selection. I revel in the One-Day Sale at Filene’s, the seasonal clearance at Molly’s, and that crazy shipment of Abercrombie & Fitch clothes that recently landed at Miller’s Discount.

ShopGirl isn’t just about clothes, however.

It’s about finding pretty plant pots that won’t break your budget, scoring a $100 drill for $20 at a surplus store, or searching for All-Clad cookware, which isn’t that easy to find in these parts. It’s about looking for a leather collar for your golden retriever and finding it, for $9.95, at Blue Seal.

ShopGirl hunts down labels on the Internet. She keeps up on trends so she can keep you informed. And she loves to stumble across a little-known shop in the middle of nowhere that’s just bursting with great stuff.

This isn’t my column, though. It’s yours. I’ve included a question-and-answer section at the end of each column for readers. Ask me anything, tell me what you think, and let me know if you find a bargain. If you’re a retailer, keep me informed of any great deals or unique products you have. I can’t guarantee they will make it into the column, but I can guarantee I’ll look into it.

Until next time, happy shopping! (Like there’s any other kind …)

Dear ShopGirl:

I personally hate wearing clothes bearing manufacturers’ logos on them. I don’t want to be a Tommy Girl, and I can’t pronounce DKNY. I’d like to Everlast in the gym, but not wear it on my sports bra. Abercrombie & Fitch sounds like something my dog scratches to get rid of, and I don’t want a Gap on my chest.

What are your thoughts on logos? Can one wear cool clothes and not advertise?

Signless in Bangor.

Dear Signless,

There will always be people who want to advertise where they buy their clothes, or, more specifically, how much they paid for said clothes. That tiny little horse embroidered on the chest of most Polo clothes and the stylized “LV” stamped on a classic Louis Vuitton bag don’t just say “Polo” or “Louis Vuitton,” they say “expensive.” But those are more about status, and a T-shirt is about as far from a status symbol as you can get.

Whether we like it or not, clothing sends a message, and it sounds like you don’t want that message to be “I shop at the Gap.” I suggest you try to find logo-free clothing. Skip the Everlast and buy a Hanes Her Way sports bra at Kmart. Try one of those cutesy little T-shirts with a glittery Curious George on the front. For the gym, Nike and Adidas have several workout wear options where the logo is subtly embroidered near a seam or on the sleeve. JC Penney has a good selection of these, as does Olympia Sports.

Most of the brands you mentioned have a target market of teen-agers and college students, who can generally pull off the look. For grownups, it’s a little trickier, and most women over 25 look silly with “Tommy Girl” emblazoned across their chest, seeing as they are neither Tommy nor girl.

As for my thoughts on logos, I take it on a case-by-case basis. I usually try to avoid them, but I wouldn’t turn down a Kate Spade bag (black label and all) if it showed up on my doorstep one day. I recently saw a tight T-shirt at the Gap with the store’s old-school logo on it (circa 1979) that looked decidedly hipper than most logo Ts. And I have a weakness for all things Ralph Lauren.

But one can definitely wear cool clothes without advertising – this has more to do with personal style than trends, and style doesn’t need to advertise.

ShopGirl would love to read your questions, comments or suggestions. Send letters to: Bangor Daily News, attn: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329, or e-mail kandresen@bangordailynews.net. Please be specific your question (age, likes, dislikes, where you live) so ShopGirl can lead you in the right direction.