It was a few years ago, at– surprise surprise!– Filene’s Basement. I was sifting through the clearance rack when I saw them.
Leather pants.
Impractical, yet alluring.
And? They fit! (Well, almost, but I wasn’t about to break out the pliers in the dressing room).
And? They were Miu Miu. As in by Prada.
And? They were originally priced at $1600.
*gulp*
But. The original Filene’s price was “just” $500.
But. They had been marked down to $299.
But. They had been marked down again to $199.
But. They had been marked down AGAIN to $99, and AGAIN to $39.99.
I wasn’t sure if I should spend even $40 on leather pants, because– come on. This isn’t a Whitesnake video.
But. When I took it to the register, I was informed that all red sticker items were an additional 60% off.
That’s right, folks. I got the pants– the $1600 PANTS– for $16.
99% off.
It’s true I haven’t worn them yet, but that’s what this Pretty Year is all about for me. You’ll see them before December 31st– even if it’s as part of a Halloween costume.
And you? Got any tales of amazing discovery? What was your Best Deal Ever?
Related posts:
- Pretty Savvy Friday: Where Do You Get Your Best Bargains?
- Pretty Savvy Friday: What Kind of Shopper Are You?
- 150 of 250– And a Pretty Savvy Friday Question
- Pretty Savvy Friday: Hey, Big Spender!
- Pretty Savvy Friday: Tell Me About the One That Got Away
Ya-freakin’-hoo! That’s what I call a real bargain!! Congrats to you!! Wear those pants girl!!
WHAT?!!!
I’m HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATING. And I don’t even have a reason to wear leather pants, but I’m SO incredibly jealous you found a deal like that!
I have nothing else to add. I’m seething with envy.
Oh man! That is amazing. The only super awesome deal I’ve snagged was for a Claire’s necklace when I was like 12. It ended up being 1 cent at the register. I scoffed at the cashier and said, ‘No way. Seriously? No really. Seriously?!’
It was awesome.
I think my best “deals” (not necessarily my favourites but still dear) have all been found at thrift stores.
In terms of the greatest cost differential, it has to be either the St. John Evening paillette jacket for $7 or the Dolce and Gabbana wool skirt suit for $10, both of which were in spotless condition.
Holy crap that’s awesome! who cares if you never wear them!
OMG, Caitlin, 1 CENT?!? You literally can’t beat that unless it’s free.
nausicaa– WOW. D&G skirt suit for $10? I did once get a Diane von Furstenberg wool dress (I’m sure to wear it in the Fall) for $21, and I thought *that* was good.
I would die if I encountered a vintage DVF dress (or even a contemporary one) at the thrift store. I did come across a vintage DVF canary yellow jumpsuit once, around 4 years ago, and let it go because the two girls with me thought I had gone off the deep end. (For some reason it just hasn’t been one of the labels I see very often at my usual secondhand stomping grounds.)
Yes, and the suit is from the main line, so you know it’s a classic. Makes for a great business/interview outfit in the warmer months.
Colder months, I mean.
I have several designer steals, but my Best Deal Ever is not so much a designer or (insert giant number) percent saved thing, but rather…a $1.50 bra. One dollar and fifty cents. For a bra in 30DD, with a band that runs like a 28. Sure, it was a Pour Moi and the original price was only $30, but to find a pretty bra that fits me correctly for $1.50? As the commercials say…priceless.
nausicaa– I got it at Filene’s Basement (naturally), but as I mentioned in the Guide to Thrifting, my friend Kitty did find a BCBG sweater, so I am keeping my eye out for designer merchandise!
Brenna– I hear that! I used to get (ill-fitting) bras at discounters for $5-10 like it was nothing, but since I found out I’m a 32FF, I am thrilled to find anything under $40. Day after Thanksgiving, I woke up at 5 am to get to Loehmann’s and their Buy One, Get One 50% Off Sale (and special $10 off coupon for the first x-number of customers). I couldn’t find any gifts, so I grabbed two $60 Wacoal bras (34DDD/DDDD seems to be my Wacoal size).
$29.99 each, plus the BOGO, plus the coupon = $35 for $120 worth of bras. And NICE bras– lightly padded plunge bras in beige and black. Bras I wear constantly. I was beside myself.
Black cotton blend Anne Klein bolero cut jacket…$16 @ Filene’s Basement on State Street, Chicago. I wear it three seasons per year, at least once per week for almost 5 years now. That is the most hours of wear per dollar for any garment I have ever owned.
Now that’s a seriously good deal, Joyce. I’m not sure what my best cost-per-wear item is (or ever was), but I am certainly getting my $2.50 out of this skirt. So far we’re at about 20-25 cents per wear.
woah!! major score!
here in Boston, I grew up with Filene’s Basement (and sooo sad – still! – that the actual basement is closed downtown, I just about cry every time I read a news story that mentions it) and deals like these are what the legend was made of! If you could wait long enough, you could get things for crazy deals like 99% off!
Though my beloved FB is a mere shadow of it’s former self, I’m so happy to hear that the dream lives on out where you are
Would that it were so! FB is looking pretty grim these days… *sigh*
I am in awe of your Bargain Fu. I’ve had some bargains in my time but nothing that comes close to that!
And, yes, you must wear them!!
I hate shopping so I’m usually not willing to put in the work to get a great deal. The best I’ve gotten were $10 Old Navy jeans and $20 DKNY jeans. But I have no idea what the original prices were. I’m sure they were both near a pedestrian 50% off
[...] July 26, 2009 · 7 Comments Speaking of mending and my best deal ever… [...]