Hers vs. His

The other day, I was chatting with a few other women about jeans shopping, and one woman mentioned that she always bought men's jeans because they were significantly cheaper. Naturally, that devolved into a discussion of how women's clothes are much more expensive than men's. In light of my recent blog comparing the same outfit purchased at several different stores, I thought it might be interesting to find an outfit that was reasonably comparable between men and women and compare the price when purchasing that outfit at three different stores: Kohls, JC Penney, and Nordstrom.

Let's start with a super-easy outfit: Levi jeans, a plain crewneck T-shirt (house brand, if available), a v-neck sweater, and white Adidas sneakers. I'll compare the men's and women's pieces side-by-side. The more expensive of the two pieces is bolded.

At Kohls, I chose these items:

  

Levis 414 women's relaxed fit jeans: $33
Levis 550 men's relaxed fit jeans: $60

  

Croft and Barrow Women's essential crewneck tee: $16
Men's Apt. 9 solid tee: $10

Sonoma Goods for Life women's woven v-neck sweater: $30
Croft and Barrow Men's classic fit 12gg v-neck sweater: $27

  

Adidas women's NEO Cloudfoam Xpression athletic shoes: $65
Adidas men's NEO Baseline sneakers: $60

Kohls Women's Grand Total: $144
****Kohls Men's Grand Total: $157****

At JC Penney, I found these pieces:

  

Levis 414 women's relaxed straight jeans: $37
Levis 550 men's relaxed fit jeans: $60

  

St. John's Bay women's fitted crewneck T-shirt: $8
Arizona men's basic crewneck T-shirt: $6

  

Worthington women's long-sleeve v-neck sweater: $30
St. John's Bay men's long-sleeve fine gauge sweater: $20

 

Adidas women's NEO Advantage sneakers: $55
Adidas men's NEO Advantage Clean VS athletic shoes: $55

JC Penney Women's Grand Total: $130
****JC Penney Men's Grand Total: $141****

At Nordstrom, this was what I found:

  

Levi women's vintage flare jeans: $98
Levi men's red tab 501 straight leg jeans: $47

  

BP women's high/low stretch knit tee: $19
James Perse men's crewneck jersey t-shirt: $30

 

Leith women's v-neck sweater: $59
Cutter & Buck men's "Broadview" cotton v-neck sweater: $78

 

Adidas women's Stan Smith sneaker: $75
Adidas men's Stan Smith sneaker: $85

****Nordstrom Women's Grand Total: $251****
Nordstrom Men's Grand Total: $240

So let's summarize: women's jeans were more expensive at Nordstrom (mainly because they don't even carry the more "basic" styles), but men's were significantly more at both Kohls and JC Penney. For the remaining items (tee, sweater, and sneakers), however, the men's version was less expensive at Kohls and JC Penney (the sneakers were the same price at JC Penney) but more expensive at Nordstrom. The women's outfit was cheaper overall at Kohls and JC Penney, but slightly more expensive at Nordstrom. But considering that there were four items purchased and the total ranged from $130 to $251, the price difference between the men's and women's outfit only ranged from $11-$13, at most 10% of the total price. I'd call that pretty insignificant, wouldn't you?

Let's try one more quick comparison, shall we? Let's look at the least and the most expensive men's and women's version of non-distressed Levi jeans and plain crewneck tees in each store.

At Kohls, the cheapest full-length Levi brand jeans are 505 straight jeans, priced at $33, and the most expensive are 535 super skinny jean leggings for $50. For men, the cheapest are 501 original fit jeans, for $18, and the most expensive are 508 regular taper fit jeans for $70. So men can get both cheaper and more expensive jeans.

At JC Penney, the cheapest women's Levis are 535 super skinny jeans for $22 and the most expensive are slimming skinny jeans for $55. For men, prices range from $35 for 511 slimline 8 jeans to 513 slim fits for $70. Women's jeans in general are cheaper here.

And at Nordstrom, women's jeans run from "Mile High" high rise skinny jeans for $90 to the vintage flare jeans listed above for $98. Men's jeans range from 513 slim straight leg jeans for $40 to 511 slim fit jeans for $148. Men's prices are a much wider range than women's here.

Moving onto the crewneck tees, at Kohls, a women's white crewneck tee ranged from $9 for Sonoma Goods for Life crewneck boyfriend tee to a tail coral glam Bridget crewneck tennis to for $63. For men, prices ranged from $7 for the excelled slim-fit raw edge tee to $30 for a New Balance Accelerate tee. Men's are slightly cheaper here.

At JC Penney. women's prices ranged from $6 for a Liz Claiborne short-sleeve fitted knit t-shirt to $18 for a Stylus short-sleeve pocket T-shirt, while men's ranged from $6 for an Arizona crewneck jersey t-shirt to a Dickies Dri-Release pocket tee for $34 (although it's on sale for buy one, get one 50% off, so the true price, assuming you buy 2, is only $26). So the low end is similar, but there are more pricy options for men (mainly because of high-performance athletic options).

And at Nordstrom, women's prices ranged from $12 for the Topshop pocket tee to $210 for the Helmut Lang cotton and cashmere tee. Men's ranged from $10 for the Topman slim-fit crewneck t-shirt to the Orlebar Brown "Glover" cotton and linen t-shirt for $110. Similar on the low end, but women have more high-end options here.

Again, I think the bottom line is that you can find a wide range of price options for both genders, but a careful shopper can find a good deal but checking out a variety of stores and finding the best price for the style you're looking for.

Happy shopping!

How Much Was That Outfit?

I am a perpetual bargain hunter, especially when it comes to clothes. So I tend to shop at places like TJ Maxx and Marshalls rather than Neiman Marcus and Lord & Taylor. Every now and then, I wonder what the real price difference is between the bargain stores and the high-end stores. I started wondering, could I buy a similar outfit at several stores and see how the prices match up? Let's find out together if we can get the same thing for less at some stores, shall we? I shopped online at a number of the stores in my area, using similar descriptions and choosing items I like that seem relatively similar in style (and in some cases, absolutely identical!).

Let's start with a basic, casual outfit: jeans, a cute sweater, a pair of shoes, some earrings, and a bag. To be a bit more specific, let's find a pair of dark wash skinny jeans, a black V-neck sweater, black ankle boots, silver hoop earrings, and a basic black satchel.

Here's what I'd put together if I were shopping at Kohls:

Sonoma Goods for Life skinny jeans, $25

Apt. 9 Shark Bite V-neck sweater, $30

Croft & Barrow comfort buckle ankle boots, $50

Napier hoop earrings, $10

Croft & Barrow satchel, $35

Kohls grand total: $150


Here's what I'd put together if I were shopping at Dress Barn:

Westport 1962 signature fit skinny jeans, $30

V-neck sweater, $30

Emmy ankle booties, $50

Roz&ALI hoop earrings, $10

Chain handle satchel, $45

Dress Barn Grand Total: $165


Here's what I'd put together if I were shopping at JC Penney:

Wallflower ultra-skinny jeans, $58

Worthington long-sleeve essential v-neck sweater, $30

a.n.a. Canoga booties, $48

Sterling silver hoop earrings, $45

Liz Claiborne "Julie" zip-top satchel, $33

JC Penney Grand Total: $214


Here's what I'd put together if I were shopping at Nordstroms:

NYDJ 'Ami" colored stretch super skinny jeans, $114

Halogen oversize V-neck sweater, $30

BP 'Tandem' booties, $72

BP oversize hoop earrings, $14

Kate Spade New York "cedar street - malaise" satchel, $298

Nordstrom Grand Total: $528


Let's try again, with a more office-appropriate outfit: a pantsuit, blouse, and dress shoes. Specifically, a neutral pantsuit (or trousers and matching jacket), a white cotton blouse, and black pumps.

At Kohls:

 Le Suit herringbone suit jacket and pants set, $120

Dana Buchman button-down sateen shirt, $25

Lauren Conrad dress heels, $35

Kohls Grand Total: $180


At Dress Barn:

 

Jones Studio stretch crepe 1-button blazer and classic trouser pants, $119

Button-down pocket shirt, $16

Tiana peep-toe heels, $45

Dress Barn Grand Total: $180


At JC Penney:

Le Suit long-sleeve textured weave pantsuit, $90

Liz Claiborne long-sleeve wrinkle-free shirt, $25

Clarks Arista Abe leather pumps, $70

JC Penney Grand Total: $185


At Nordstrom:

Halogen herringbone stretch 1-button suit jacket and straight leg suit pants, $118

Foxcroft non-iron fitted shirt, $76

Cole Haan "Juliana" pointy toe pump, $100

Nordstrom Grand Total: $294


And finally, let's plan for a night on the town with a cocktail dress, and shoes, and an evening bag. Specifically, a sheath-style "little black dress" (I actually found the exact same dress in three of the four stores), strappy heels, and a black satin clutch.

At Kohls:

Scarlett mesh yoke sheath dress, $70

Chelsea & Zoe Cachete high heel sandals, $55

Gunne Sax by Jessica McClintock pleated satin convertible clutch, $26

Kohls Grand Total: $119


At Dress Barn:

Lattice-top sheath dress, $56

Luxe by Carmen Marc Valvo Kylie heels, $25

Satin pleated clutch, $15

Dress Barn Grand Total: $96


At JC Penney:

Scarlett short-sleeve illusion sheath dress, $60

I. Miller Valrie crystal ankle-strap sandals, $55

Gunne Sax by Jessica McClintock pleated clutch evening bag, $21

JC Penney Grand Total: 136

At Nordstrom:

Maggy London illusion yoke crepe sheath dress, $148

Vince Camuto "Court" ankle strap sandals, $60

Sondra Roberts chain tassel woven satin box clutch, $88

Nordstrom Grand Total: $296


So the bottom line seems to be that if you hit the sales right, you can do very well at Kohls and Dress Barn, and nearly as well at JC Penney. But don't go to Nordstrom unless you can't get exactly what you want anywhere else!