Garter belts, fanny packs and leg warmers - all tax-exempt!
There is a list you can print out, a cross between a National Lampoon Christmas list and the innards of a Carnival Cruise overnight bag.
It’s your state-issued tax holiday guide.
Florida’s annual break from sales taxes commenced today and runs through Sunday. It was conceived in 1998 to give families a discount on clothes, shoes and school supplies during the back-to-school season.
To help people navigate the law, the Florida Department of Revenue came up with a lengthy list of items exempt from taxes. It’s only a guideline, not all-inclusive, tweaked every year by "a big group of people" from departments at the office, said DOR spokeswoman Renee Watters.
"Over time, retailers will call and say, 'Is this included?'," she said. "We'll refer back to the legislation. It has pretty much stayed the same."
That's pretty clear. And there's not much chatter of updating it to reflect that people don't really buy many fanny packs anymore, she said. They're more focused on legal definitions than matters of taste.
Here are the stranger items you can get tax-free this weekend -- if you really want to.
Leg warmers and sweatbands
Truly outrageous! Truly contagious! Not since Jem and the Holograms has this sexy combo been hot. Leg warmers had a short resurgence a few years ago until people realized they could just, you know, wear pants.

Shoulder pads
Alexis Colby didn’t land four husbands with saggy shoulders. Get your Joan Collins game right with savings on extreme jacket structure.

Ski suits
Because you never know when Florida might sprout mountains and powder-white snow cover!

Tuxedos
Listen. If your tuxedo costs less than $75, the tax-free price limit, you should probably stay home from the charity gala and spare yourself the snickering Oliver jokes. Further reason - your cuff links aren’t exempt.

Bowling shoes
Just, please. Remember to buy tax-free socks, too.

Fanny packs
Well, Florida is land of theme parks. But nothing says “Atkins didn’t work out,” better than strapping a purse horizontally across your widest part.

Garters and garter belts
For the K-12 Burlesque Talent Expo at the elementary school.

Deal Diva Stephanie
Photos: Times files









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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
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