With the holidays quickly approaching here in Buffalo, it’s time to start planning for one our favorite times of the year: Black Friday. While many wouldn’t dream of heading out into the madness on this often dreaded day after Thanksgiving, I revel in it. It’s a tradition in the Dandy household that we pack into the car and head out usually around 10 am because, while our newborn already has us up at 5:30, we’re not about that “get to the mall at dawn” life. So we head to the mall to brave the crowds, hopefully snag some deals and enjoy our first Peppermint Mocha of the season.
With all the renovations and new stores at the Fashion Outlets at Niagara Falls, it’s easily become one of my favorite shopping destinations in Buffalo. Imagine my surprise/delight when I was asked to participate in a photoshoot at the Outlets to showcase pieces from some of my favorite stores and put together a “What to Wear on Black Friday” outfit.
The temperatures in Buffalo are dropping steadily, which means Winter will be rearing it’s ugly head soon enough. Which I’m kind of OK with because they means it will be time to start busting out some more rugged wardrobe staples. Thankfully, the recently opened Timberland store has pretty much everything you’ll need to handle those tough Buffalo Winters. The Mount Davis Waxed Jacket is heavy duty enough to protect you from the elements but is also lightweight enough for wearing indoors. So you don’t have to worry about overheating while walking around the mall in a bulky winter jacket. I’m also in love with their Earthkeeper Boots, which are made from recycled materials and are perfect for being on your feet all day while shopping til you drop. The boots tend to run big which means they’ll fit perfectly with a pair thick woolen socks which are also available in the store.
Next we stopped by the Levi’s store and spoke with their extremely knowledgable staff about the best way to finish putting our look together. I’m a big fan our of their 511 style, which is slim but not too slim with just the right amount of stretch and the perfect low rise. With plenty of washes to choose from, I went with a more worn-in look to match the jacket. I also eyed an olive corduroy western shirt which is just holiday-looking enough amidst the sea of red you tend see everywhere this time of year. With all the affordable pricing on some truly stellar pieces, the Levi’s store quickly became a new favorite of mine.
I finished this casual look off with a nice heavy-knit Hugo Boss scarf from Saks Off Fifth. Now, don’t get me wrong, one could easily pick an entire outfit from any of these stores (more on that later), but I often find this store to be more of a scavenger hunt unless you know exactly what you’re looking for. However, if you’re looking for some simple, well made accessories for some easy stocking stuffer wins, Saks should definitely be one of your first stops.
Once all of these pieces were put together, you have a comfortable yet fashionable look which is perfect for the unpredictable Buffalo weather and makes spending all day at the mall a breeze.
If you are interested in purchasing any of the items mentioned above, The Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls will be hosting a Fashionably Late Black Friday Event on November 24th-25th. The Mall will open at 8PM-2AM on Thanksgiving Day and reopening at 6AM on Black Friday until 9PM with several stores (Levi’s and Timberland included) staying open for 24 hours straight. This late night shopping event is a great option for those looking to beat some of the holiday crowds without having to get up a the crack of dawn.
Many thanks to the Fashion Outlets at Niagara Falls for letting me spend the day shopping with them and be sure to stay tuned for next month’s post about what to wear to those upcoming Holiday Parties.
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Buffalo Dandy 