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After much prodding and pleading, we got the stylish staffers of InStyle to reveal their best-kept shopping secrets. Whether you’re looking to treat yourself or are searching for the perfect birthday gift for a friend, these places have the ultimate deals and steals. Click through the gallery for the best stores and websites to buy luxe looking vases, gorgeous wallpaper, chic dresses and so much more.
Time Inc Digital Studio (3)
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WHAT Shoes
WHY "You'll always find inexpensive styles that reflect the latest trends."
—Cynthia Weber Cleary, Fashion Director
Faux-leather wedges, $75; aldoshoes.com.
WHY "You'll always find inexpensive styles that reflect the latest trends."
—Cynthia Weber Cleary, Fashion Director
Faux-leather wedges, $75; aldoshoes.com.
Courtesy of Aldo
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WHAT Bra clips
WHY "These adjust my bras so they work well even under racer-backs and strappy dresses."
?Violet Gaynor, InStyle.com Senior Fashion Editor
Bra clips, $1/8; dollartree.com for stores.
Time Inc Digital Studio
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WHAT Jewelry
WHY "I love to stock up on fun of-the-moment pieces I'd never spend a lot of money on otherwise. There are things I bought here for $3, and I get compliments every time I wear them."
—Sheryl George, Editorial Assistant
Metal ring, $5; forever21.com.
Time Inc Digital Studio
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WHAT Crewcuts sweaters
WHY "An extra large in the kiddie line has a nice snug fit and costs half the price of adult ones."
—Patricia Alfonso Tortolani, Senior Editor
Cashmere sweater, $125; jcrew.com.
Time Inc Digital Studio
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WHAT Military wear
WHY "I find so many military-inspired basics like cargo pants, camo tanks, and army jackets."
—Clarissa Cruz, Contributing Senior Editor
Cotton military jacket, $49; fatiguesarmynavy.com.
Courtesy of Fatigues Army Navy
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WHAT Men's socks
WHY "They're nice and warm and come in all sorts of cool colors. I stock up on them every fall."
—Nikki Ogunnaike, Assistant Editor
Cotton socks, $12/3 pairs; 877-486-4756 for stores.
Courtesy of Uniqlo
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WHAT Kushyfoot Flats-to-go
WHY "I pick these up all the time from Duane Reade, a drugstore that seems to be on every corner in N.Y.C. They're simple, comfortable, and commitment-free."
—Hannah Morrill, InStyle.com Senior Beauty Editor
Faux-leather flats, $10; kushyfoot.com.
Time Inc Digital Studio
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WHAT Leslie Fremar for Fruit of the Loom Ts
WHY "These 100 percent cotton Ts drape on the body better than any expensive gown."
—Nicole Vecchiarelli, Senior Entertainment Editor
Cotton Ts, $18 each or $40/3; at select Bloomingdale's stores.
Time Inc Digital Studio
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WHAT Jil Sander coats
WHY "The simple, clean cuts are amazing in quality. If I didn't know better, I'd think they cost 10 times more."
—Kahlana Barfield, Senior Beauty Market Editor
Wool coat, Uniqlo + J, $250; 877-486-4756 for stores.
Time Inc Digital Studio
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WHAT U.K. street-chic attire
WHY "This British site has tons of cool stuff that looks very designer. I got a nice pair of slouchy pants for under $100 that I wear all the time."
—Amy Synnott-D'Annibale, Beauty Director amp Editor
Polyester striped dress, $80; asos.com.
Time Inc Digital Studio
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WHAT Decorative extras
WHY "My favorite thing to do is buy feathers, ribbons, and jewels to dress up an inexpensive basic and turn it into something really special."
—Jenni Radosevich, Designer
Velvet ribbons, $1/yard; mjtrim.com.
Getty Images
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WHAT Maternity clothes
WHY "HampM's maternity line is genuinely cute—not the typical matronly stuff you normally see. Plus, the clothes fit the body really well."
—Nicole Hyatt, Photo Editor
Cotton sweater, $25; hm.com for stores.
Courtesy of H&M
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WHAT Perfume containers
WHY "You can put your favorite fragrance in one or use it to decorate a shelf."
—Anne Kim, Editorial Assistant
Perfume containers, $7–$10; fancyperfumebottles.com.
Time Inc Digital Studio
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WHAT Vases
WHY "These are sleek and refined, come in a range of sizes and shapes, and make grocery-store flowers look like pricey arrangements."
—Jenifer Walter, Art Director
Glass vase, $7; jamaligarden.com.
Time Inc Digital Studio
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WHAT Travel items
WHY "I love the assortment of plastic plane-ready bottles—all under 3 ounces—plus the fun pencil sets and notebooks to take along for the flight."
—Angelique Serrano, Senior Beauty Features Editor
Muji colored pencils in tube, $11/36; muji.us.
Time Inc Digital Studio
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WHAT Potted Orchids
WHY "Orchids usually cost a fortune, but you can buy beautiful fresh potted ones here for a mere $20."
—Leah Karp, Accessories Director
Potted orchids, $20; homedepot.com.
Almay
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WHAT Discounted Le Creuset cookware
WHY "Le Creuset is the gold standard when it comes to cookware. The pots are made of the best materials, last forever, and look fantastic just sitting on your stove—the colors are amazing. The stock here is generously discounted, so it's worth the investment."
—Joanna Bober, Life, Etc. Director
Le Creuset enameled cast iron 5-quart oval french oven, $240; amazon.com.
Time Inc Digital Studio
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WHAT Sophisticated artwork
WHY "Limited-edition works from artists like Kara Maria (above) for hundreds, not thousands, of bucks."
—Isabel Gonzalez Whitaker, Fashion Features Editor
Counterpassant print, 12" x 17"/$250 (with frame) and $100 (without frame); artspace.com.
Artspace
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WHAT Exotic items of all kinds
WHY "I love Pearl River for exotic gifts. I found body powder with a fur pouf and cute old-fashioned packaging. There are also nice garden stools. And great wrapping paper."
—Wendy Wallace, Senior Market Editor
Wrapping paper, $7/sheet; 212-431-4770.
Time Inc Digital Studio
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WHAT Yummy wine
WHY "Flash sales of really high-end, hard-to-find wine—sometimes up to 60 percent off. Cheers!"
—Lauren Tumas, Assistant Editor
Lot18 is having a private flash sale just for us: Go to lot18.com/instyle for access to a special reserve (only 360 bottles) of one of their top picks. 2007 Fotinos Brothers Carneros pinot noir; $28/bottle (usually $59).
Courtesy of Lot18
Advertisement
Where InStyle Editors Shop
After much prodding and pleading, we got the stylish staffers of InStyle to reveal their best-kept shopping secrets. Whether you’re looking to treat yourself or are searching for the perfect birthday gift for a friend, these places have the ultimate deals and steals. Click through the gallery for the best stores and websites to buy luxe looking vases, gorgeous wallpaper, chic dresses and so much more.
Advertisement
Aldo
WHAT Shoes
WHY "You'll always find inexpensive styles that reflect the latest trends."
—Cynthia Weber Cleary, Fashion Director
Faux-leather wedges, $75; aldoshoes.com.
WHY "You'll always find inexpensive styles that reflect the latest trends."
—Cynthia Weber Cleary, Fashion Director
Faux-leather wedges, $75; aldoshoes.com.
Dollar Tree
WHAT Bra clips
WHY "These adjust my bras so they work well even under racer-backs and strappy dresses."
?Violet Gaynor, InStyle.com Senior Fashion Editor
Bra clips, $1/8; dollartree.com for stores.
Advertisement
Forever 21
WHAT Jewelry
WHY "I love to stock up on fun of-the-moment pieces I'd never spend a lot of money on otherwise. There are things I bought here for $3, and I get compliments every time I wear them."
—Sheryl George, Editorial Assistant
Metal ring, $5; forever21.com.
Advertisement
J. Crew
WHAT Crewcuts sweaters
WHY "An extra large in the kiddie line has a nice snug fit and costs half the price of adult ones."
—Patricia Alfonso Tortolani, Senior Editor
Cashmere sweater, $125; jcrew.com.
Advertisement
Fatigues Army Navy & Surplus Gear
WHAT Military wear
WHY "I find so many military-inspired basics like cargo pants, camo tanks, and army jackets."
—Clarissa Cruz, Contributing Senior Editor
Cotton military jacket, $49; fatiguesarmynavy.com.
Advertisement
Uniqlo
WHAT Men's socks
WHY "They're nice and warm and come in all sorts of cool colors. I stock up on them every fall."
—Nikki Ogunnaike, Assistant Editor
Cotton socks, $12/3 pairs; 877-486-4756 for stores.
Advertisement
Duane Reade
WHAT Kushyfoot Flats-to-go
WHY "I pick these up all the time from Duane Reade, a drugstore that seems to be on every corner in N.Y.C. They're simple, comfortable, and commitment-free."
—Hannah Morrill, InStyle.com Senior Beauty Editor
Faux-leather flats, $10; kushyfoot.com.
Advertisement
Bloomingdale's
WHAT Leslie Fremar for Fruit of the Loom Ts
WHY "These 100 percent cotton Ts drape on the body better than any expensive gown."
—Nicole Vecchiarelli, Senior Entertainment Editor
Cotton Ts, $18 each or $40/3; at select Bloomingdale's stores.
Advertisement
Uniqlo
WHAT Jil Sander coats
WHY "The simple, clean cuts are amazing in quality. If I didn't know better, I'd think they cost 10 times more."
—Kahlana Barfield, Senior Beauty Market Editor
Wool coat, Uniqlo + J, $250; 877-486-4756 for stores.
Advertisement
Asos.com
WHAT U.K. street-chic attire
WHY "This British site has tons of cool stuff that looks very designer. I got a nice pair of slouchy pants for under $100 that I wear all the time."
—Amy Synnott-D'Annibale, Beauty Director amp Editor
Polyester striped dress, $80; asos.com.
Advertisement
M & J Trimming
WHAT Decorative extras
WHY "My favorite thing to do is buy feathers, ribbons, and jewels to dress up an inexpensive basic and turn it into something really special."
—Jenni Radosevich, Designer
Velvet ribbons, $1/yard; mjtrim.com.
Advertisement
H&M
WHAT Maternity clothes
WHY "HampM's maternity line is genuinely cute—not the typical matronly stuff you normally see. Plus, the clothes fit the body really well."
—Nicole Hyatt, Photo Editor
Cotton sweater, $25; hm.com for stores.
Advertisement
Fancyperfumebottles.com
WHAT Perfume containers
WHY "You can put your favorite fragrance in one or use it to decorate a shelf."
—Anne Kim, Editorial Assistant
Perfume containers, $7–$10; fancyperfumebottles.com.
Advertisement
Jamaligarden.com
WHAT Vases
WHY "These are sleek and refined, come in a range of sizes and shapes, and make grocery-store flowers look like pricey arrangements."
—Jenifer Walter, Art Director
Glass vase, $7; jamaligarden.com.
Advertisement
Muji.us
WHAT Travel items
WHY "I love the assortment of plastic plane-ready bottles—all under 3 ounces—plus the fun pencil sets and notebooks to take along for the flight."
—Angelique Serrano, Senior Beauty Features Editor
Muji colored pencils in tube, $11/36; muji.us.
Advertisement
The Home Depot
WHAT Potted Orchids
WHY "Orchids usually cost a fortune, but you can buy beautiful fresh potted ones here for a mere $20."
—Leah Karp, Accessories Director
Potted orchids, $20; homedepot.com.
Advertisement
Amazon.com
WHAT Discounted Le Creuset cookware
WHY "Le Creuset is the gold standard when it comes to cookware. The pots are made of the best materials, last forever, and look fantastic just sitting on your stove—the colors are amazing. The stock here is generously discounted, so it's worth the investment."
—Joanna Bober, Life, Etc. Director
Le Creuset enameled cast iron 5-quart oval french oven, $240; amazon.com.
Advertisement
Artspace.com
WHAT Sophisticated artwork
WHY "Limited-edition works from artists like Kara Maria (above) for hundreds, not thousands, of bucks."
—Isabel Gonzalez Whitaker, Fashion Features Editor
Counterpassant print, 12" x 17"/$250 (with frame) and $100 (without frame); artspace.com.
Advertisement
Pearl River
WHAT Exotic items of all kinds
WHY "I love Pearl River for exotic gifts. I found body powder with a fur pouf and cute old-fashioned packaging. There are also nice garden stools. And great wrapping paper."
—Wendy Wallace, Senior Market Editor
Wrapping paper, $7/sheet; 212-431-4770.
Advertisement
Lot18.com
WHAT Yummy wine
WHY "Flash sales of really high-end, hard-to-find wine—sometimes up to 60 percent off. Cheers!"
—Lauren Tumas, Assistant Editor
Lot18 is having a private flash sale just for us: Go to lot18.com/instyle for access to a special reserve (only 360 bottles) of one of their top picks. 2007 Fotinos Brothers Carneros pinot noir; $28/bottle (usually $59).
