I spend a lot of time in the suburbs, so I’m no stranger to a Walmart run. I’ve made quick stops for household things or makeup remover but, truthfully, I’ve never given much thought to their clothing section. That was until I got invited to attend Walmart’s annual Fall Fashion Pop-up down in Soho. Since the brand has no NYC storefronts, this annual event gives us city people a chance to explore the fall offerings from their in-house brands: Free Assembly, Scoop, Avia (which just introduced menswear), and, the newest in their lineup, Scenario.
I walked up the Bond Street cobblestones and into the pop-up space, which felt like a sleek upstate spot I’d visit on the weekends. There were light bites being passed around on trays, a DJ to keep the vibe high, dressing rooms to try on your Walmart finds, and lots of gorgeous, well-dressed people at every corner. I meant to ease into things with one of the tuna tartare bites, but I was immediately distracted by the display of cashmere sweaters from Free Assembly.
Mikhaila Archer for Cosmopolitan
Mikhaila Archer for Cosmopolitan
Was I tempted to pick up one in every color? Yes. But I did the responsible thing and got a few for my niece instead. Free Assembly also had some preppy pieces that I was eyeing for my fiancé’s closet; the entire display was honestly a moodboard for fall layers.
Mikhaila Archer for Cosmopolitan
I considered some cozy, matching sets from Scoop, puffers (again, in every color), and color block workout sets — both from Avia. Can I give them their props really quickly for being on top of the vintage athleisure moment that’s happening right now?
Mikhaila Archer for Cosmopolitan
Mikhaila Archer for Cosmopolitan
Mikhaila Archer for Cosmopolitan
Scenario also has some wonderful offerings right out of the gate, from statement jewelry to work totes.
Mikhaila Archer for Cosmopolitan
Mikhaila Archer for Cosmopolitan
After a greeting from the Walmart team, and a special appearance by Brandon Maxwell, the Creative Director for both Scoop and Free Assembly, I found the two items I ended up buying for myself: these crisp, white and blue embroidered button downs. I’m a dedicated Millennial Decorator subscriber so, obviously, these classic pieces have been at the center of my fall wardrobe inspo. At $28 each? It really wasn’t even a question.
Mikhaila Archer for Cosmopolitan
Mikhaila Archer for Cosmopolitan
Walmart’s beauty offerings were also featured in this gorgeous room towards the back of the store. Anyone who spent $25 and over qualified for a free beauty bag, and happily picked the “Day Off” bundle, which included products from Vitamasques, Nude by Nature, and Mario Badescu.
Mikhaila Archer for Cosmopolitan
Mikhaila Archer and Beth Gillette for Cosmopolitan
If I haven’t made the case for Walmart fashion already, I’ll make it now: every time I checked a price tag throughout my shopping experience, I was genuinely surprised by how affordable everything was considering the high-quality look and feel. Admittedly, I’m someone who wants to add to my wardrobe at the start of any new chapter, whether that’s a new season, a new job, or a big event. If you’re the same, Walmart’s pieces are a great way to do that while staying true to your taste and being kind to your budget. What more could you ask for?
If you’re ready to shop, or just explore more of what Walmart has to offer, you can stop by the pop-up (1 Bond Street, New York, NY 100012 ) between now and September 20th from 11 AM to 7 PM, daily. Let me know what you get!
Mikhaila Archer is an editorial assistant at Cosmopolitan, where she does a little bit of everything. She’s into all things media and entertainment, and has previously held roles at Select on NBC News, Late Night with Seth Meyers and Saturday Night Live. She’s also a graduate student working towards an M.S. in Professional Writing at New York University, where she also earned her B.S. in Media, Culture and Communication.