As an editor-in-chief, I am offered the lovely opportunity to sit front row during fashion week shows. This allows me to get an up-close look at trends to look forward to shopping in the upcoming seasons.
While I certainly adore fashions fresh off the runway, I also enjoy heading to my local mall and browsing some stylish new looks on the racks.
I was recently gifted a $100 gift card to Primark, so I decided to treat myself to a mall day as I prepared for the Summer. Ahead, read about my experience shopping at the international fashion retailer known for affordable prices and trendy clothing, and see if I was able to secure a bag full of goodies without breaking my budget.
My Shopping Plan
As someone who makes hundreds, if not thousands, of decisions a day, I like to ensure that my wardrobe is easy to navigate with timeless and versatile pieces that I will adore for years to come. This is why I often lean towards classic patterns, solid colors, and simple silhouettes that are easy to mix and match.
Keeping this in mind, I knew exactly what I was looking for before heading to Primark at my local mall. My shopping goal was simple: upgrade my Summer wardrobe with timeless pieces for under $100. (Yes, your girl is on a budget!)
My Shopping Experience
Walking into Primark, I was immediately greeted by casual vibes, moody lighting, upbeat music, and fashions for the entire family.
Although I was initially distracted by the brand’s adorable new home section, I got myself back on track. Summer shopping, I reminded myself before taking the escalator to the women’s section, where I was met with stylish images of Rita Ora rocking her latest collection. Although I was immediately attracted to pieces from her new line, I quickly discovered that I wouldn’t be able to maximize my shopping experience if I just stuck to the name-brand styles.
With a modest budget in mind— and a hope to get more bang for my buck— I ventured deeper into the sales racks to discover stylish looks that could enhance my Summer wardrobe. Mission accomplished!
What I Got From Primark For $100
I’m proud to say that I only went $6.50 over my $100 budget, but it was worth it to ensure I had a stylish new belt to wear with my new threads.
Ahead, check out all the timeless and versatile pieces I was able to grab from Primark without breaking my budget.
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My Shopping Receipt
- ✨ Stylish Nude Belt – $7.00
- ✨ Cotton V-Neck Striped T-Shirt – $5.50
- ✨ Striped Cropped Shirt – $11.00
- ✨ Striped Sleeveless Shirt – $11.00
- ✨ Nude-Colored Shirt – $13.00
- ✨ Animal-Print Chiffon Blouse – $5.00 | Originally – $14
- ✨ Black Palazzo Pants – $14.00
- ✨ Light Blue Flare Jeans – $20.00
- ✨ Dark Blue Skinny Jeans – $10.00
- ✨ Blue Midi Office Dress – $5.00 | Originally – $22
- ✨ An Oversized Striped Button-Down (Red) – $5.00 | Originally – $19
The goal was simple: shop for versatile pieces that I could easily style with the clothing already in my wardrobe. For example, my new Striped Sleeveless Shirt from Primark perfectly matched with my ripped Old Navy jeans.
My Shopping Techniques
While shopping, I was also mindful of choosing items that I knew I would love for years to come.
Some other techniques included ensuring I got the most from my shopping experience by finding tops and bottoms that could easily be mixed and matched. This is why I chose striped colors like black, navy blue, and beige for my tops.
For my jeans, I kept things simple with classic silhouettes and both dark and light washes. For my slacks, I kept it simple with black palazzo pants that looked both stylish and expensive.
Lastly, I made it a point to shop the sales racks! By doing so, I lucked up and found an animal-print chiffon blouse on sale, along with a red oversized striped button-down and a trendy blue midi dress that I cannot wait to wear to the office!
Editor’s Note: This story has been edited and condensed for clarity.
By BrownStyle Magazine in Special Editions
72 pages, published 1/17/2025
