A Happy Day at Old Navy

A few nights ago, Cheapy Junior woke up crying. Reason: A hole in his sock. (The boy hates holes in clothing. It drives him mad when I wear my destroyed jeans.) I went through his sock drawer pair by pair and found that pretty much all of them had holes or were threadbare. So the next day I went to Old Navy to stock up on tiny socks and grab some pants for Cheapy Senior (he loves their loose fit khakis. They're baggy, super soft and inexpensive which is everything Cheapy wants in a pair of pants.)

While I was there I cruised through the women's section. I tried on a the best beige trench, which I was fully prepared to purchase. I liked it a lot but was thinking, I wish this came in black. Then I walked out of the dressing room, and, lo and behold, I found this:


It's not on Old Navy's website, so this is my own photos, so you'll have to do your best to get the idea. (I put it on and tried to take my photo in my full-length mirror, but that was not good.) There's really no sheen to the coat, as it seems so in the photo--but my camera flash did illuminate the details of this trench, which I'm so very excited about.

Notice the slash pockets, the button-down collar and the higher-waisted belt. It fits a petite shopper like myself perfectly--it's the right length, the belt hits in a good spot. It looks nice buttoned up or open. It's truly the trench I've been looking for for several years. I'd almost call it chic (a word that, for some reason, bugs Cheapy). And at $49.50. I should probably go back and get the beige one too.

Finally Someone Pays Me to Shop! (Plus a Quick Trip to Target)

I got a call from a market research firm the other day. They ask me lots of question about buying hair care products and where I like to shop and whatnot and said they'd call me back in five minutes to tell me if I qualified for any upcoming studies. I figured it would be one of those sit-around-a-table deals where you get free bad dinner and have to spend three hours talking about what you like in plastic shampoo bottles.

Instead they asked if I could meet them at Sephora and talk about my shopping experience there. I was all over that. I took the day off work, got to sleep a little later than usual, and met two market researchers at The Mall. I picked up a few items I was out of as I chatted with the ladies. Then we cruised The Mall, talked about what catches my eye in a window and why I like the Aveda store and hate the Mac store. Then we drove to a nearby CVS, discussed hair products and makeup, and I bought some mousse. It took one hour and they paid me $175 to run my errands and talk about my favorite activity--I hope they call back!

I had some spare time, so I got a pedicure with my birthday girl pal, and stopped in Target on my way to the gym. I had purchases a long white belted Isaac Mizrahi sweater with pretty pearl buttons a couple weeks ago. What was I thinking? Long? White? Belted? I returned it and in approximately seven minutes found two more sweaters, and a dress and a top from the Go line. There was no specific designer attached to the Go items currently in the store (Rogan is winding down and Richard Chai is gearing up), but I liked what they had going on. Lots of flowers and ruffles--and I'm a sucker for both these days.

Here's the dress. It's very fun and vintagey and cute on. Short but not too short, and quite figure flattering. (Cheapy Jr. doesn't care for it, but he's four--what does he know? He's quite the fan of my Chick Flick Cherry toenails, however.)


This is the top I got. It's very similar in style--floral and ruffly--and I probably should have gotten one or the other, but I couldn't decide and I like them both, so now they are both in my closet. Note that both of these items look better in person than they do in these photos. I don't know what it is about the Target website, but they really don't do their clothing justice.


Check out the exposed silver zipper up the back--that was the clincher.


The other items a got were a couple of cropped cardigans. I can't get enough of them for summer. It's hot outside; it's freezing in my office. A mini cardi is the perfect thing to keep the chill off my arms and shoulders and not eclipse my entire summer outfit. They also fit into my bag quite nicely. I must have close to a dozen at this point--a few from Anthropologie, a couple from Old Navy, and four of the exact same one from Target in different colors. Have you all noticed I collect things?

One Stop, Four Stores: Brillant Move for the Gap

Check this out: Go to the website for the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy or Piperlime, and you can shop at all four of the stores at once, and shipping is seven bucks for your whole order. You just click the tabs at the top of the sites to go from one collection of goodies to another.

So I can get myself some shoes from Piperlime, go to Old Navy and pick up some new flannel shirts for Cheapy Jr., then click over to the Gap for some super-on-sale jeans for Cheapy, and checkout all at once. So cool.

Shoe Shopping with Cheapy: DSW

I'm starting to think I might have to change my husband's blog persona from Cheapy McMeiserberg to Spendy McShopalot. He keeps planning dates that involve shopping. Last weekend it was boutiques; this weekend evening shoe shopping. (This was after an day of Old Navy with Cheapy Jr. and shopping for an office furniture. We were almost getting to the point of too much retail even for me.)

Cheapy/Spendy has a habit of over-scheduling. His Saturday night plan: babysitter arrives at 6:45; we go taste wine; hit DSW and the Gap at one shopping center; go to Aveda and Macy's at The Mall; have dinner.

We tasted wine, shoe shopped, and went to the Gap for 10 minutes. Cheapy had no idea how long it can take to wend one's way through the two-floor expanse of our beautifully lit and well stocked DSW store.

Cheapy bought two pairs of shoes for himself, one by GBX (his Favorite Shoes Ever!) and one by Timberland. I must say I like Cheapy's taste in footwear. (I happen to think there are not a lot of attractive options when it comes to men's shoes. The lack of footwear options is one of the many reasons I'm happy to be a girl. That and I don't have to shave daily, take out the trash, or walk around with a penis, but I digress.)

During our evening of shopping at DSW, Cheapy had a shopping milestone: It was the first time in his life he's ever purchased two pair of shoes on the same day. (I also think it's the first time he's ever purchased two pairs of shoes in the same year.)

He was on a shoe-shopping high. He was so excited about finding a GBX shoe that he wanted to walk around the store and look for shoes for me. Somehow I walked out with the closest thing DSW had to stripper shoes. They're Michael Kors does stripper shoes in ivory patent leather with a bit of a vintage feel. They're just like the ones pictured below except instead of cork, the heels and platforms are navy and ivory striped. They're very tall but very comfortable, and I let Cheapy talk me into them despite the fact that they're ankle straps and I hate ankle straps. (I'm actually thinking about taking them to a shoe repair and having the strap shortened so they become slingbacks. I love slingbacks.) The fact that these are so light in color, however, makes them an acceptable ankle strap for someone my height. In black or something dark they would cut my leg off at the ankle. The ivory blends enough with my anti-tan that they work. And I've got a perfect pair of shoes to pack next time we go to Vegas.


P.S. Cheapy is still really excited about his shoe purchase. He told me he was in a good mood all day because of his new shoes. He was excited that he got a couple of compliments on them. He said several times throughout the day he took a few moments to just stare at and admire his shoes. I think he's starting to understand me.

Shirt Dress Throw Down: Vintage Safari vs. Old Navy Safari

Today I got a recent eBay purchase in the mail--an olive green safari shirt dress. The auction listing said it's a vintage item from the '70s. This was a good purchase. The dress fits me perfectly. It's in wonderful shape and has a wonderful shape (what's not to love about a shirt dress with a little flare at the hem and a little nip at the waist), and it's on trend with all the safari-ish items hanging around the stores for spring. I tried it on with my studded leather Calvin Klein belt and it looked fab. The eBay price: $20.50 including shipping cost.




Below is Old Navy's olive green safari shirt dress from their Urban Explorer line. Unlike my vintage dress above which buttons all the way down, this shirt dress only has three or four buttons at the top. I found it to be too short (even for 5'2'' Material Girl). It also doesn't do much for the figure, what with it being so straight. It's cute, but not cute enough for me to buy when I tried it on in the store a while ago. It's currently on sale for $22.99 (down from $34.50).





So, in the Shirt Dress Throw Down--vintage safari shirt dress from eBay vs. Old Navy safari shrit dress--vintage wins handily and for two bucks cheaper.

The vintage dress came from an eBay store called Designer and Vintage Deals for All. Check it out. They've got some fun stuff (sequined tube tops! '50s garden party dresses!) and the bidding starts out at $0.99 so you can come away with some real bargains.

Shopping Shipping Injustices: The Gap

Today I decided to buy a pair of the new pink and the new light blue khakis from the Gap. I'm going to Florida for vacation next week, and I figured these pastel trousers would compliment Miami well. Trouble is that (as I mentioned in a previous post) they only come in regular length in the store. If you're petite or tall you have to order online and pay for shipping. It's only $6 when you shop on Gap.com.

But I was thinking about this--why should I have to order my clothes online just because I am not of average height? That's not fair! The Gap should carry petite and tall items in their stores. (Their sister store Banana Republic finally started carrying petite and their line fits me so well.)

While my ire was still up, I decided to voice my opinion. I called the Gap's customer service number. Here is a close facsimile of our conversation:

Gap: Gap online customer service--how may I help you?

Material Girl: Hello Gap. I'm going to purchase some khakis from your website because you don't carry petite sizes in your stores. I feel it is unjust that I must pay shipping charges, however, simply because I am 5 foot 2. Would you consider waiving the shipping charge of $6 to make me, your loyal customer who talks about you on her blog quite often, happy?

Gap: No. We can't do that.

Material Girl: Do you have any future plans to carry petite and tall sizes in your store and thus discontinue this injustice?

Gap: I'm going to put you on hold, Ma'am.

Interlude of obnoxious-and-loud hold music for approximately 2 minutes.

Gap: Ma'am, we do carry petite sizes in some of our large flagship stores, but we have no plans to carry them in other locations at this point. And I confirmed that we cannot waive shipping.

Material Girl: I'm sorry to hear that. Thank you for checking.

Gap: Is there anything else I can help you with today, Ma'am?

Material Girl: No thank you. Goodbye and have a Gappy day.

I'm thinking of starting a one woman email campaign. Perhaps if I bug them enough they will reconsider this retail strategy of theirs. I've have engaged in such campaigns before and hold myself at least partially responsible for dark chocolate M&Ms, the reemergence of the Jell-O pudding pop, and getting a Sephora in my Mall--so it just could work. Feel free to join me fellow not-of-average-height shoppers! If we all bug the Gap, they gotta change their ways.

And we can also work on Old Navy who some time ago removed all their plus size clothing from their stores, making it online only. A plus size friend of mine was both annoyed and insulted by this, as if Old Navy was saying to their plus size customers: "We want your money, but we don't want you in our stores." And who needs to try on clothing more than a plus size woman? Size 2's have a much easier time of it when it comes to how clothing fits them. Size 22's need a fitting room and a selection.

Gap corporation--throw me a bone here. Clear out a few dozen of the 10 million pairs of jeans you carry and give me a tiny little section of pants and tops that fit me.

Old Navy's New Line: My Review

I stopped by Old Navy on my way home from yoga class to check out their new Urban Explorer line for spring. I'll start by saying I sorta dig the whole city-safari vibe of the collection. The prints are interesting and the color palate is really appealing. (The olive green and the lovely shade of red happen to be very flattering on my skin tone.) But, alas, there was nothing I liked enough to purchase and I came home with 3 pairs of sweatpants and 8 pairs of socks from the toddler department for Cheapy Junior. On to my critique of some of the items I tried on...


I seriously considered buying this dress. The cotton feels pretty nice for the price (a tiny bit stiff), and the cut is flattering and very comfortable. The thing is just too short. I'm 5'2" and it felt extra mini on me. (When one is over 35, on should be careful with the minis.) If this was 2 inches longer I may have taken it home with me. Price: $34.50.


This looked really nice on the model (see my post below), but in person--big ol yuck. The jersey is scratchy and cheap looking, the print looks bad, and where the wrap attaches on the inside (it's not a full wrap dress--the front wraps and ties but the inside is sewn) the dress is bulgy. Price: $29.50.

This cropped jacket was almost there. The fabric feels nice, the lining is good. The sleeves are a bit odd, however. They are a weird width--they made me look very wide. This might work on someone a tad taller and a tad flatter chested. Price: $39.50.


Love the color, hate the cut. Odd. Price: $19.50.


This cotton top with ruched sleeves is very cute. If fit well, the wide covered placket is a nice touch, and there's just the right amount of stretch to the fabric. I like the slate gray, although it does not exactly scream spring (but then neither does urban safari). This is one I would wear when the weather warms up. Price: $24.50.


A khaki safari romper. A khaki safari romper? A khaki safari romper! This is just wrong. Price: $29.50

Old Navy Turns Up the Style

Have you heard that Old Navy, from which I currently buy only my workout wear and an occasional t-shirt, is launching a sexier, more fashion-forward line starting with their spring offerings? Check out these great dresses from their "Urban Explorer" collection which is in stores now and one of four new lines from ON. I'll peruse these new duds in person ASAP so I can report back on fit, style, and price for you, fellow shoppers.



I read on InStlye's website that Old Navy had a launch party of sorts with young, hip, CW-types on the guest list. Here's a party shot of impossibly cute actresses in front of a wall of denim.

Cheapy's Cheap Moment of the Week

When I was in L.A., my son ran out of clean pants. Instead of doing laundry (which is "too complicated"), Cheapy decided to simply take the little guy to Old Navy to buy a few new pairs. They came home with no new pants: Old Navy toddler sweats were too expensive at $9.50.