Moderngear Women: SOS = Saving on Style!

I raved last week about the fact that I don't think you need to spend a lot to look good, and I'm happy to offer more proof to back up this assertion. First of all, I just got the two dresses I had admired earlier in the summer but waited until they were on sale much later to order, and they are fantastic. The denim dress from Delia's is a heavier and better quality denim than I really expected, and I can see myself wearing it over the fall and winter frequently (especially after moving back to Vancouver when I'll need a little more warmth). Properly accessorized, it's going to be stylish and very comfy.
The shirtdress from Garnet Hill is lighter and longer than I expected (though I ought not be surprised about the length - I am 5'2" and the model probably at least 5'7"!), and really simple and beautiful.
And so, heady from the success of my sale purchases, I am also ready to 'fess up that I ordered something from Forever 21 that knocked my socks off. Why "'fess up"?

Well, I'll start off by saying though I might look 21, I'm nowhere near that age, and I don't think I should dress as such. And, I've been in a Forever 21 store just once in my life and was disappointed with the quality of the items...cheap fabric, poorly sewn, would fall apart after one wash, sort of complaints.

So imagine my surprise when decided to take a chance and order something that looked good on their web site: this little beauty, the Caylin Sheer Silk Top, for $29.80.
I was more than pleasantly surprised when I received it in teal - I was downright ecstatic. I did feel a bit silly that I hadn't bothered to look at the back and just assumed it was solid and that I'd be able to wear a bra with it, but the back actually looks like this:
so it's pretty much a cami or strapless bra style, but I don't mind that at all. So, I ordered it in the other colour, magenta!
Now, this top wasn't on sale, but it was a very reasonable $29.80 and looks like it cost more than that. And so here are a few lessons I can share when taking a chance on a purchase from a store you're just not sure about. One: I don't think you can go wrong with 100% silk. Two, to me, ruffles are classic and can be dressed up or down...so even if the over-all look of the top didn't work for me, and maybe isn't appropriate for an office job (i.e. the sheer in the back), I'd still have kept it because it would be great with a jacket/skirt combo to spice up your plain black suit, great with a cardi and jeans, or lovely with a short/swingy jacket that is going to feature prominently in the fall as a topper. So my chance paid off.

When I ordered the pink one I thought I'd try a few more pieces, so I also ordered the really pretty Deco Cotton Top for $22.80:

and the Meghan Satin Top for $19.80:
In the end, the Meghan top didn't work - just too big and ill-fitting on me, so I sent it back and there was a credit on my card very quickly.

I'm very impressed with Forever 21 - I learned that cheaper doesn't necessarily look cheap, and I will absolutely order again. I would definitely counsel people to take a chance on a place they are not completely familiar with, as long as they are well-established and you can return things your money back, of course. It might turn out really well and if not, you can always say you tried. Isn't that what fashion is all about, anyway?