Thursday, November 25, 2010

My Pre-Black Friday Find ($15 Coat @ H&M!)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I just wanted to let you all know that I'll be on vacation starting today through the weekend so I may or may not be gone -I'm trying to get some posts done so that I can have them scheduled for the days I'm gone but I still need to pack and get reading for our family Thanksgiving feast. =)
Anyways, I wanted to share my new coat with you all. I was at H&M on Tuesday looking for an oversized sweater (something not too long but past the butt) but there was nothing -either they were all too long or they didn't have my size. I decided to head for the sales racks and halfheartedly looked through the piles of clothes (I rarely find anything in the sale sections at H&M and Forever 21 because usually it's just the really ugly clothes either with the ten rows of ruffles or barf colors left.)
However, I lucked out and spotted this coat! I'm extremely weary of buying outwear (i.e. jackets, coats, etc.) at stores like H&M or Forever 21 because the quality usually isn't great -most of their outwear tends to feel like felt you'd buy at the craft supply store. But this coat felt nice. I looked at the tag and found out it was wool blend (great!) I figured it would half off (they had a 50% off outwear sale going on) but I saw a big red tag on the shoulder that read $20. Yes, TWENTY DOLLARS! I looked at the inside tag and found out the original price was actually $79.95.
After that, I bumped into an old friend (who now works there) -another plus! Then, I skipped happily to the fitting room to try on the coat. It fit nicely but I wasn't sure if I liked the bottom (which flares out so it looks like more of a dress coat for going out.) My friend (that I was shopping with) didn't like it but my other friend and some other customers talked me into getting it. I'm really happy I did!
But let me tell you why it was only $15. When I went to the register, the worker told me that it had been a return from a larger H&M store that carries a certain line of clothing (this coat was from that line.) Because this store didn't carry the line, they had to mark it down to get rid of it since there was nowhere to put it. So that's why it was $20. Then, he gave me, I guess, a $5 off "inconvenience" discount (I didn't even ask for it!) Earlier on, I had asked him about some sweaters but this very rude customer interrupted us so he was forced to go with them but I was totally OK with it because that's when I ran into my friend. It wasn't much of an inconvenience for me but for $5 off? I'll take it! P.S. I forgot to mention that I actually had a gift card so I paid nothing for this.
Here's the front of the coat. The belt is extremely long but I don't mind because I'd rather wear it tied than the way it's supposed to be worn. I love the side pockets -plus they're not faux pockets (I hate faux pockets.) The color is great to since I've been looking for a camel coat since forever. Also, the sleeves are the perfect length (something that rarely happens.) The one thing I'm not super impressed with is the plastic detailing (buttons and belt ring.) They look cheap since they are just black plastic and are the only thing that totally give away that the coat is from a store H&M or Forever 21. BUT, buttons are always easy to replace and the belt "ring" won't be too noticeable since I'll be wearing the belt tied instead.
I love the back of the coat. The stitching detail (lines?) make it look nice as well. And I love the tabs on the shoulders of the coat.
Here I am wearing the coat. I think it fits me (pretty) well so I'm happy about that. The length is also good -not too long or short and perfect for wearing over a dress or leggings. I don't think I'd wear this with jeans or other pants though -it looks too "dressy."

Here's another photo of my wearing the coat. Here you can see just how much the coat flares out. I'm thinking of taking it to a tailor but I'm not sure. Should I leave it flared or should I have it taken in so that it looks more casual?

I also love that the coat is lined! Most coats I find from H&M/Forever 21 are not lined or they're lined with poor quality material. This coat actually feels "heavy" which means I know that it'll keep me warm and will stand up to the cold and wind that most cheaper coats wouldn't. Something I did notice during my recent trip was that I believe H&M has stepped up their game when it comes to outerwear. I think (overall), their outwear is much better quality than that of Forever 21.

Recycled wool blend. =) I mentioned above that I'm very picky about coats -I usually buy my Fall/Winter coats from GAP because they offer good quality (usually wool) and fit me right. I'm so happy that I was able to find this coat in a size 4. I usually wear a 2 or 4 at H&M but it's nice to have the 4 since I'll need to wear layers under the coat -you don't ever want to wear a coat that's so tight that you can't fit your bulky winter sweaters and thermals underneath.

That's it for my haul. I'm pretty sure I'll be missing out on Black Friday since I'll be on vacation but this was a nice pre-Black Friday deal considering all the sales I'll miss.

What are your Black Friday plans? What stores are you hitting? Any Thanksgiving plans? Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving weekend everyone!

14 comments:

  1. How do you keep on getting these awesome inconvenience discounts?? Are you sure it's not because you are too cute lol. I've never been offered such discounts in my life.

    I tried on that coat too and thought the bottom flared out wayyy too much. But it was full price then. At the steal that you got it at, I would take it to the tailors to get it tapered at the bottom like a normal coat, but I'm not entirely sure if that would come out as planned because of all the curved seaming on the back. Maybe take it to a tailor and ask whether it can be done and get an estimate?

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  2. The coat looks really nice on you! I like how it fits around your waist.

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  3. WOW.. what a great deal !!! I was excited when I read your title of your blog, thinking I could get one too!! Lol.. but I don't think I will be able to find this.. I went to H&M recently and found nothing nice on the sales racks.. LUCKY YOU!! =D hehe

    The coat looks great, and I am in love with the color! The buttons are nice too ^_^

    Great find, Happy Thanksgiving!

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  4. @ PAG.. Well the first one, I just asked but this time around, he just offered it to me! I really lucked out -if you ever face some sort of inconvenience while shopping jus try asking. =)

    I'm not sure what to do with it yet. It looks nice over a dress (like how I'm wearing it today) but I would lit it to be taken in (at the bottom) for daily wear. I THINK it can be done but I'll try to see a tailor when I have some time.

    @ Susalie.. Thanks! =) I like the overall fit as well -but not too sure about the bottom.

    @ siwing.. I super lucked out because it was someone's return from another store. The other store carries the line but my store doesn't so they placed the coat at a deeply discounted price. Plus the "inconvenience discount"..

    I hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving as well!

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  5. Great coat!! I can't wait for Black Friday haha (even here in Canada)!!! I'm thinking about paying $25 at Sephora to get the tote. However, i gotta make sure the tote looks okay because it's kind of BIG. Not sure if it'll look weird on me since i like small bags :P I also want to run to The Body Shop for the 3 for $30 deal. Going to get my body butters. And then i have to also hit up FCUK (hopefully it's 40% off) and Jacob (which is 40% off). And Banana Republic (which is 40% off until 12pm noon). Looks like i have to be at 5 places at once when the mall opens. Oh and i have to run to the Sony Store and buy my bro a video game that's only $10. haha.. I'm so excited. I think i like Black Friday better than Boxing Day in Canada!! yay to the States for making it awesome! haha.. and on top of that, I have to go to work LOL

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  6. I love your coat it looks pretty on you and I hope you will enjoy your vacations

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  7. I think it's cute on you! Personally I would rather have it fit straight down, but if it's too much of a hassle to get it changed it's still really cute the way it is!

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  8. wow, $20?! shows how much clothing companies mark up on those things! man! I'd be pissed if I bought that for the orig price lol. the coat looks FAB on you though, fits you perfectly! have fun on your vaca!

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  9. You're right. This is an absolutely perfect coat for a great price. Lucky!

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  10. wow, what a beautiful coat!
    i want one like that!


    stainsintheuniform.blogspot.com

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  11. @ Pamela.. I Hope you got everything you wanted! Did you get the tote from Sephora?? And $10 for a game?! That's a GREAT deal!

    I didn't really hit any good sales today. We went late so I think most sales ended early. =(

    @ Alvira.. Thank you so much!! =)

    @ PoorCollegeStudent.. See that's how I feel too. I prefer it straight but I think at $15, it's ok the way it is!

    @ Pop Champagne.. LOL!! I know! It probably cost them like $3 to make the coat. And thank you -I am starting to really like it. =) And thanks for the good vaca wishes!

    @ aki!.. Yupp! Love it for $15 but would never pay full price for it. =P

    @ Shirley.. Thank you! Hope you're able to find one!

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  12. Cute jacket! Looks so cute on you!

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  13. @ Vanessa.. Thanks! =)

    @ Alina.. Thank you! And to everyone, you've all definitely helped me to like it for the way it already is -I don't think I'll be going to the tailor. I'll just have to look for another coat that goes "straight down" -this one's great for dresses!

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