by josie
Derek Lam’s DesigNation collection for Kohl’s includes this sheath dress for $42.
I’ve spent entire days wandering thrift shops and boutiques in search of great style bargains — and my overstuffed closets are proof. But it’s my fashion finds at discount department stores that surprise people the most when I reveal them.
In fact, half my wardrobe comes from JCPenney. The department store recently made headlines for its mea culpa for recent changes and asked loyal customers to return. (The fashion-forward approach of the store, however, is hopefully here to stay.)
Following are three old-time moderately priced department stores that have made major strides in their fashion departments over the last few years. With a good eye, even a little cash will score you some desirable designer duds at these retailers.
JCPenney When former Apple retail chief Ron Johnson took over JCP as CEO in November 2011, he immediately transformed the stores and the business plan. The clothing department was restructured into “shops” with their own themes and designer diffusion collections such as MNG by Mango, L’Amour Nanette Lapore and Pearl by Georgina Chapman of Marchesa. The stores are now clean, bright and chic. Johnson outlawed price cutting and mandated everything be sold at its “best price” — which was often much lower than the competitors — but it appears that, now that Johnson is out, sales are back.
Colored and printed slim pants found in the Joe Fresh shop are just $29 and there are hundreds of dresses that range from $30–$50, such as this Duro Olowu mixed print dress. Even the store’s veteran brands boast fashionable and affordable pieces like the sheer two-pocket shirts by a.n.a ($28) and these Worthington wedge sandals ($35), perfect for summer. Italian designer Monet’s handbag and jewelry collection is extensive ($14–$90).
While JCP has become one of my go-to stores, the changes have been a nightmare for the company, which lost $552 million in its last quarter. Former JCP CEO Myron Ullman III replaced Johnson at the beginning of April.
I’m hoping the changes Johnson made in the fashion department remain, however. All signs indicate that they will, because on April 24, JCP announced the launch of The Bijoux Bar, a shop complete with fine and fashion jewelry from Kenneth Jay Lane, Diego Massimo, Lana Bramlette and more, with prices averaging $65.
Kohl’s The home of door-buster savings, Kohl’s has made itself a name in the good-deal department. Over the past few years, its focus has been on style, inviting fashion heavyweights to jump on board to create an inventory that’s not just on-trend, but sometimes even ahead of the style curve.
At Kohl’s, you’ll find lifestyle brands from Vera Wang, Dana Buchman and Rock & Republic alongside collections from celebrity designers Jennifer Lopez and Daisy Fuentes.
For fall 2012, Kohl’s introduced its DesigNation capsule collection, which highlights different internationally inspired designs. Narciso Rodriguez kicked off the initiative with color-blocked pieces inspired by a trip to Istanbul. In a few months, Catherine Malandrino will debut her Parisian style.
In stores now, you can find Derek Lam’s collection, inspired by Brazil’s bright and playful city of Rio de Janeiro. Considering one of the most expensive items in the Kohl’s collection is a striped sheath dress that tops out at $42 on sale (and at Kohl’s, there is always a sale), the dresses, tops and pants are a steal compared to his runway pieces. (A blue lace dress from Lam’s Spring 2013 runway collection will set you back $3,350.)
Sears Synonymous with brands like Craftsman and Whirlpool, Sears is more likely to come to mind when purchasing a new lawn tractor than a new wardrobe. But the recently launched #StyleSurprise advertising campaign proves the department store’s leaders are trying to change that.
“Over the past two years we have placed great emphasis on revising our portfolio in apparel to give shoppers the style and versatility they want,” says Lana Krauter, senior vice president of Sears Apparel. “The result is that we’ve been able to retain our core customer while appealing to those who may not have previously considered Sears for fashion.”
Krauter says the Kardashian Kollection, the best-selling brand on Sears.com, helped the store establish a new identity and build a customer base that appreciates contemporary fashions. “It has helped continue the momentum of key brand launches like Metaphor in our women’s department,” she says.
Metaphor pieces made their way into the latest Sears commercial featuring a woman who finds herself constantly telling people who compliment her outfits, “I got it from Sears.” The collection includes colored blazers ($19.99–$25) and striped maxi dresses ($19.99 on sale) in spring’s hottest combo — black and white.
Sears is also getting in on the practice of partnering with high-end designers, something that’s becoming more and more common for fashion-focused stores. The Zelda collection is sold exclusively at Sears.com and features black-and-white tailored runway styles that range from a chic white ruffled blouse ($220) to a studded jacket ($550).
Photo credit: Courtesy Kohl’s; cover: Courtesy Sears
