ShopGirl lucks out, or was it by design?

I am not a slave to fashion. OK, that’s a stretch, but I don’t completely overhaul my wardrobe every season, nor do I buy into every trend. Sure, I have a lot of shoes and bags, but probably no more than most women my age.

I do have one extreme weakness, however. Though I normally show restraint when it comes to shopping, my morals loosen at the sight of Burberry plaid (I can tell the difference between the real deal and a fake on sight). Chanel’s interlocking C’s make me melt, and don’t even get me started on Seven jeans.

Still, I’m a journalist, which means that I have to be a little creative – or lucky – when it comes to buying designer clothes. Speaking of which, I recently found a pair of Lucky jeans on the clearance rack at Marshalls for $22. The last time I saw Luckys, I was in Portland and they were $80.

I immediately put them on hold and went home to weigh the pros and cons: On the pro side, they fit like a dream, the Lucky label was still intact, and they cost a quarter of their usual price. On the con side, they had a small flaw, and I couldn’t tell whether they were blue or black. I’m not big on black jeans, but in the end, I decided they were fabulous, so I returned and snagged them.

Of course, I have no regrets. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: designer on sale is like a straight flush. It beats a full house (of second-rate clothes) any day. In my travels, I have amassed a small but impressive collection of label-ho treasures: my grandfather’s Burberry scarf, a vintage Gucci bag that I paid $25 (Canadian) for in Toronto, a Dooney & Bourke bag from the Salvation Army in Presque Isle, which I bought for a whopping $1.99. And then there’s my editor, who gets Manolo Blahnik castoffs from a chic pal.

I only regret the purchases I let slip by, such as the Tod’s loafers at Marden’s for $24.99 – I’m still kicking myself (in knockoffs, no less). There was also a selection of Ralph Lauren runway samples for $5 apiece that I skipped – ugh – and the new $9.99 Juicy Couture T-shirt that I found while Goodwill hunting. I went back, and it was gone.

But enough of my sob stories – I want to hear from you. Tell me about your best, most inexpensive designer find, whether it was at a vintage shop, a thrift store, T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Goodwill or Marden’s. I’ll publish it in an upcoming column as an inspiration to fellow savvy shoppers.

That’s the best part about bargain hunting – you never know what you’re going to find. It’s like a treasure hunt – every once in a while, you find something that will indulge your brand-name fantasies. And the cost is so low, you won’t feel guilty about it in the morning.

ShopNews

. Attention shoppers: Come join me at the Home Show this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bangor Auditorium. I’ll be at the Bangor Daily News tent, where you can register to win a $250 shopping spree at the stores of your choice. The only caveat is you have to take me along (any excuse to shop, right?). Do drop by and say hi.

. The Cole Haan shop in Freeport is holding its “Bags to Riches” sale through April 25. It’s simple: bring a new or nearly new handbag (any brand) to donate, and get 20 percent off Cole Haan purchases that day. The bags will be donated to Dress for Success, a not-for-profit group that helps low-income women make tailored transitions into the work force.

Reader question

Dear ShopGirl,

My daughter, 14, will be going to Australia and New Zealand this summer (their winter, mild though) for 22 days. The group she is traveling with allows the kids one backpack and a suitcase. Can you give some packing advice or recommendation of what and how much to pack, i.e. lightweight, good for layering, easy to wash out, and not hopelessly “mom-ish” looking? Help! They need one dressy-type outfit, swimsuit, casual and hiking sort of clothing. Also, she doesn’t have much money to spend.

Thanks,

Julie Cormier

Dear Julie,

ShopGuy would laugh if he knew you were asking me for advice on packing light. I generally travel with about six steamer trunks full of clothes. And that’s for a weekend trip.

But seriously, I have a few ideas, none of which are mom-ish. There are several considerations, not the least of which is shoes, especially if your daughter is going hiking. If she packs sneakers or those slip-on Merrell shoes, she could kill two birds with one stone, but that all depends on the terrain. Also, she’ll want to pack comfortable things that can be dressed up or down. Much also depends on the laundry situation.

Here’s what I’d pack if I were her and had access to some type of laundry facility – this does not include undergarments, thermals or socks: a windbreaker; a fleece jacket; a turtleneck and/or long-sleeve T-shirt, two short-sleeve T-shirts; a pair of convertible pants (the kind that zip above the knee that can be worn as pants or shorts – not incredibly stylish, but practical, given the winter temperature range for the area); jeans; black pants in a wrinkle-resistant, synthetic fabric; khaki pants; a dressy top or two (I’d choose a two-layer floral mesh top similar to the ones they sell at Old Navy, which take up no space); pajamas; a hooded, zip-front sweatshirt; a lightweight wool sweater; a hat for sun protection; a pair of warm, thin gloves (check Epic Sports); hiking boots or sneakers; dressier black shoes; a one-piece swimsuit or tankini; a water bottle; a watch; and a small camera. As for toiletries, the fewer the better.

I hope this helps, and I hope your daughter has a wonderful, memorable trip. As always, happy shopping!

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions by e-mail to: kandresen@bangordailynews.net, by U.S. mail to: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329, or by fax to: 941-9476.