Michelle Oliver: Getting quite a steal in red and black

It’s no secret that I am always on the lookout for new places to shop.

As much as I love my high-fashion stores and local boutiques, sometimes you just have to go someplace new.

For this week’s article, that place was Bass Pro Shops. Now don’t get me wrong – it isn’t like I haven’t shopped there a million times – but normally my shopping trips to Bass Pro consist of sweatshirts, boots or looking for something camouflage. Yep, that’s right, I’m an outdoors type of girl.

Anyway, I went there to pick up a few Christmas gifts a few weeks ago, and as soon as I walked in I saw this classy plaid shirt.

I have wanted a new plaid shirt for a while and haven’t owned a red-and-black one since I was a kid. It was time to purchase another one and see what I could do with it.

I am a huge fan of the outdoors. In addition to loving my fashion and designers, I will never pass up a camping trip or a day out in the country.

Let’s be honest, a lot of the outfits on my blog aren’t exactly made for dirt roads and hiking up mountains. However, today’s outfit is perfect for it.

I took this red-and-black plaid shirt and threw my favorite white puffer vest over it. I paired it with my favorite dark denim jeans from Helen & Louise downtown and added some knee-high boots. I couldn’t exactly forget about some sparkle, so I added a great statement necklace. Even when I’m outdoors, I always have to wear something that is sparkly or pink. It’s just who I am.

I laughed after I purchased this shirt because a shirt exactly like this one would cost me around $60 at a department store; however, at Bass Pro is was only $25. Talk about a steal!

I was super excited to put together this outfit. It is different, yes, but so comfortable and practical. Sometimes you just need to be more concerned about comfort than anything else. I wore this outfit for Thanksgiving and decided that my Ugg boots would be even more comfortable. I was warm and cozy all day long, which is always important at family events.

There are so many ways to take an ordinary item from a store and make it extraordinary.

It has almost become a game to me: What item can I buy at a random store and then turn it into a great outfit?

I can’t tell you how many times I have gone on a camping trip and found a cool jewelry piece or new scarf at a gift shop along the way.

Not only do they make great fashion pieces, but the memories that go along with those items are priceless.

Moral of the story: Don’t assume that something that wasn’t purchased at a mall isn’t worthy of being a part of your outfit. If that were the case, half of my jewelry collection wouldn’t exist.

This story was originally published December 11, 2015 at 2:21 PM with the headline "Michelle Oliver: Getting quite a steal in red and black."