Wal-Mart: The Newest Place for Fashionistas?

As I was crowding around a mirror with four of my 20-something friends getting ready for another Saturday night in Atlanta, I complimented my 25-year-old friend Nicole on her great outfit. Flirty skirt, retro (yet trendy) top…I figured it must have been some hot boutique-y buy, or, at least, a great purchase at the local Target. Her response, “Thanks….I bought it at Wal-Mart.”

What? Had Nicole lost all sense of fashion (no, unless I had as well) or had Wal-Mart suddenly become trendy (refer back to the first word of this paragraph)? Could it even be possible that people my age can now proudly sport Wal-Mart apparel, and at places other than the gym?

I know that Wal-Mart has made some changes. In October, it debuted the Metro 7 collection, a line of women’s apparel that, as Wal-Mart put it, is “designed specifically for the fashion-savvy customer.” Just last weekend, the retailer boasted its first ever pop-up store, joining in on the hot trend of temporary retail space. And, as we all know, Wal-Mart has been sporting some upgraded store designs, in Plano, Texas, and elsewhere. But, showing up in my bathroom?! This is going too far.

I don’t know whether Nicole was behind the times or ahead of them. I don’t know whether I will, one day—on my way to grab some laundry detergent and dryer sheets—be lured into the clothing section by some seductive outfit. I do know that I’ll be keeping my eyes out for this retail giant—and wondering where it will show up next.

--Sree Roy