GO CHEAP OR GO HOME

Is cheap the new black?

Sexy, hip, flattering.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. But is cheap the new black?

Erm, not at Zara. Yeah, it's chic 'n cheap but it's also crap. And not in the disposable way Le Crapeau...I mean Le Chateau... is crap. We're talking ripped-while-still-on-the-hanger crap, as opposed to wear, tear, and toss crap. Oddly, their kids' line is not crap. Mind you, it ain't cheap. But it's stunning - especially for boys.

Ditto H &M. Awesome duds for the kids, but for ladies? Duds of a different kind. For this gal at least. Believe me, I've tried. But 'twas not to be. The fit, the fabric, or just the itch factor - there was always something a bit off.

Winners? Dirty. Old Navy? XXXXXL. Fairweather? Puh-lease. And the list goes on.

So I stuck with fancy. The supersoft shirts, yummy sweaters, perfect pants. All mine. For a price. A very hefty price. And y'know what I found? That a lot of the high end stuff was crap too! No sooner had I washed and worn than I'd find a little teeny tiny hole. Or a snag. Or an unravelled cuff or jagged hem. And don't get me started on cotton tees that start to ball. It's the worst.

But what's a fashion victim to do? Shelling out the big bucks didn't work. And the cheap and cheerful left me feeling anything but...

Until now.

There's a new kid in town. Let's call him Joe. For real. 'Cuz the place is called Joe Fresh and basically, it's clothes shopping at Loblaws.

WAIT!

Before you delete and think I must've completely lost my mind, read on. I actually debated sharing this dirty little secret. In fact, some friends kindly suggested I keep my mouth shut (at least until after they'd checked it out themselves). But alas loyal readers, you've earned it. You've shared my blog, you've liked my blog - you've actually read my blog! So here's a little tidbit for you.

Joe Fresh. As in Joe-who-used-to-own-Club-Monaco. As in the guy who got lured away by the kind folks at Loblaws. As in who the hell cares? You won't. Cred be damned! If you can get over the fact that it's, well, grocery shopping for fashion, you'll be glad that you did.

Housed in suburban Superstores and in the Old Caban space beside, yup, Loblaws, you will meet Joe Fresh. Nice, plain, simple. And did I mention, cheap? Tees for a tenner. Jeans under $30. And yoga pants and tops that fit and feel EXACTLY like your Lulus - but without the hefty price tag (pants are $29)(that's right, no type-o: $29)

AND not only are the clothes flattering - the sizes are somewhat generous too. So you can try on stretchy jeans and check out your butt - or thighs, or hips or calves - and marvel at the fact that you're wearing a size smaller than you thought. Who doesn't love that? Especially compared to all the fancy pants around that were definitely not designed for women of childbearing age. Paige Jeans excepted.

I got a bit carried away this morning: jeans, shirt, vest, sweater, and more. What with these prices...And the turnover is crazy fast as the stuff flies off the shelves...'Cuz at these prices... Finally, I do hear you, skeptics. It may all turn out to be more disposable fashion crap. Only time will tell. But again, at these prices...