Brrrrrr! A coat-buying trip for a Florida wimp
While Deal Diva Letitia is looking for the perfect fall tee to welcome the cooler temperatures, I'm swaddling myself in Snuggies, wool pants and thick boots. Yesterday, I complained building services that I couldn't feel my fingertips or nose, and could they please turn on the heat in the office when it's below 70 outside. Then I walked into my boss's office and warmed my icy hands up against his steaming, brewing coffemaker.
Yeah, I'm a cold weather wuss. I don't mind seasonal cold fronts, but I usually can't wait for it to end. This is in large part because I never feel prepared. Last winter, when we had that brutal stretch of below-60 days that lasted for months, I found myself wearing the same one sweater, one cardigan, one jacket, two pairs of pants and either black or brown boots, over and over and over and over ... It was awful.
Not this year, I vowed. Instead of digging out the same pilled cardigan and praying for it all to end soon, I went ahead and stocked up on outerwear at my new favorite department store, JCPenney. In September, well before the air got chilly, my mother and I went to one of those "doorbuster" sales, though we practically had the place to ourselves for the first hour. We couldn't resist the huge assortment of coats and 
jackets they were offering for up to 50 percent off (and that's not including coupons that 
come in the paper every week).
I typically go for dark or neutral jackets and coats, but I'm loving bright colors this year. I bought this pretty St. John's Bay peacoat in emerald green (pictured left, $99.99) and a boyfriend jacket with a red plaid lining that peeks out when you roll up the sleeves. For simple functionality, I also got this black hooded babydoll coat (pictured right, $39.99) that is so soft and comfy. And I stocked up on new boots, including an adorable pair of suede-ish above-the-knee boots that were only about $60. Sweaters were also on the cheap, and for about $250, I walked out of JCPenney ready to brave the harsh elements. In fact, I can't wait for the next cold front! Bring it!
Deal Diva Emily
Loading...
Katie Sanders foolishly spurned pretty dresses and shoes as a child, tossing new clothes over her shoulder at birthday parties with a totally rude "no, thank you." Her drab days of monocolor outfits are over now, and she certainly knows better than to turn down free stuff. Her wardrobe mixes classic with quirk. Think blazers with statement necklaces, and lots of patterned ballet flats. She can be reached at 850) 224-7263 or 
Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost, but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan, she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can be reached at (727) 893-8643 or 
A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or 
From camo pants and construction boots to sundresses, sweaters and sling backs, Keyonna Summers knows how to make all of it rock -- at rock bottom prices. A Detroit native, Keyonna delves into her urban roots to find fashion pairings that give a nod to street fashion while maintaining the class of the modern, professional woman. She believes in searching for affordable clothes that look expensive and can easily be dressed up or down. You won't find plaid shirts or fleece jackets in her closet; the only hiking Keyonna does is to the bargain basement. She can be reached at (727) 445-4153 or 
0
Comments