Jacket: Old Navy
Scarf: The Limited
T-shirt: Old Navy
Cigarette Pants: The Limited
Pumps: Pleaser
It's no secret that I often wear the same outfit from the weekend/church to work early in the next week. I don't have to think as hard, it's already ironed and the same people don't see me so why not? And the jacket continues to get comments. My boss today told me he saw me from a mile away in it. I think people have just been in the winter blahs for so long that they don't know how to take a bright spring color!
Ally was commenting a couple weeks ago on a post about how she doesn't really believe in "investment pieces." She's more likely to slap down a chunk of change on a purse or great shoes. It made me smile because we are completely opposite in this manner--and truly, there is no right or wrong, it's whatever personally works best for you!
I buy investment clothing pieces that are classic. Great tees, button downs, jackets/blazers and pants, I don't mind shelling out money for. I'm a relatively classic dresser so most things I buy rarely go out of style. That's why you'll see me shop a lot at CAbi, The Limited and Ann Taylor. However, whenever I incorporate a trendy item in my wardrobe, I spend as little as possible because, not being classic, I don't know how long it will be "in" so I don't want to invest (Ally and I see alike on that!) and look to places like Old Navy and Target that are current and hip. This jacket is a great example. It's fun and bright and yellow is an "it" color this season--but it may be totally out in a year so I wouldn't spend a great deal on it but I certainly don't mind spending $17.50 and having a little fun with it.
You rarely see me focus on my shoes or see me pictured with a purse--and for good reason! Ally commented that she is more likely to shell out money for great shoes or a fabulous purse (she has quite the impressive collection I do admire!) and I'm the total opposite--I pour mine into clothing. I'll admit, I buy a purse (never in my life spent over $100) and I carry it until it literally falls apart. Same purse, every day, never change. My current bag, a red Beijo "Unchain My Heart" is starting to get holes in it, so I'll get a new one and carry it for at least 6 months until it does the same thing. I have a ridiculous closet full of shoes but don't spend a great deal on them for 2 reasons: A) I love "outfit" shoes and B) I walk a TON in heels downtown so they wear down really quickly so why spend a great deal? If I wasn't walking all the time, I would probably spend more. For instance these Pleaser pumps you always see me in often (have in red patent as well) were only $20. So when they wear out in 6 months, who cares?
How about you? Are you a clothing "investment dresser" or a shoes or handbag "investment gal?" Give us your reasoning!
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16 comments:
I'm like Ally; shoes and handbags all the way!
I'd rather "invest" in those accessories to truly set off or compliment an outfit, and spend less on inexpensive (but always good quality) clothing to have a larger, interchangeable wardrobe. For me this means buying practically everything on sale, but it works for me.
I would like to be a clothing investment person, but in all actuality, I'm not, especially now since I'm still doing the post-baby clothing transition. I have quite the collection of kate spade shoes (gifts, ebay, etc.) and a few of her bags and coach bags, so I guess you might say I invest in my accessories. :)
I am half and half. I invest in good suits and jackets but will pay less for cute tops and such. Same with shoes. Dressy heels and boots are definite investment pieces as I will keep and wear them long into old age but flats and sandals and presently gladiator anything, I buy for the trend.
See I will spend more BECAUSE I walk all the time. I live downtown Boston and don't own a car. My feet are my car why put cheap tires on them?? mmh.
But I do agree I will buy investment clothes. Things that are perfectly tailored or a natural fiber. I just bought a Marimekko silk dress for $90 (marked down from $450.) $90 bucks is a lot of money for me. BUT the dress is the most magnificent piece of fabric ever. Its a wrap dress with full sleeves and a wicked full skirt in a 50's fashion and its the softest cottony feeling silk. I know I will own it for a long time. (since its a wrap I know it will fit a few sizes heaven forbid)
But I agree with Ally. Since again I live in a city and can't store things in a car I have to carry everything I want for the day so I spend a good sum on a nice purse. I have my limits though. 450 has been the most ever and that is still a bit ouch.
i'm in the middle...at times i will invest in acessories others in clothing.
I feel a little sheepish admitting this, but I'm happy to invest in quality shoes, the perfect handbag, AND clothing items that I think will suit my taste for years to come.
But like both of you beauties, I stick to thrift and Target for trends: Why spend big there?
I don't invest in clothing. I think that trends, my tastes, or my body can change too quickly for me to feel comfortable spending a lot on clothes. I'm sad when a beloved piece wears out because it was Target and was never meant to last 5 years, but I'd be even more sad if I gained or lost 10 pounds and suddenly I have thousands of dollars of a whole wardrobe down the drain.
I don't invest in bags because I rarely carry one. It's a laptop bag to work every day, and on the weekends I don't carry bags with me when I'm going out at night - so I pretty much only use them a couple hours, once or twice a week! They last forever and I'm not going to spend more than $30 on a purse that barely anyone will ever see. I'm getting better about shoes. I'm up to spending about $50 a pair now and I'm comfortable with that. I don't know if I could consistently spend more. But my mom had a HEART ATTACK one day when I told her I spent $50 on some classic black pumps that I would be able to wear for years. So I come from pretty cheap beginnings anyway ;-)
As much as you walk, you really SHOULD spend cash on shoes - I agree with Hillary. A good shoe can be resoled and repaired while a cheap shoe is just tossed in the trash. At the end of it all, you'll spend more money on cheap shoes (and fill a landfill).
Until a few years ago I always bought cheap CHEAP shoes. Always. Quantity over quality. Then I purchased a pair of Charles Davids for $30. I still have them, they're in excellent shape, and I can wear them all day and they don't hurt my feet. I was a changed woman. My feet hurt less, my feet aren't as stinky, and I get FAR more wear out of them.
I think you can go either way with bags. Like Kelly, if you don't carry one, there's no sense in buying one. But if you always carry a bag, then spend what you're comfortable spending.
One can find some GREAT deals if you bargain shop on good, leather shoes. Your feet will thank you :)
But all of this is subjective. If you don't have $75-100 to drop on a pair of shoes, then don't do it. However, if you don't buy 4 pairs of cheap shoes, you'll have the money for one good pair :) Took me a long time to figure that out!
I know Tracey will weigh in on this too!
Sorry Leslie, but I'm with Ally on the investment pieces thing. While I have no use for purses, I will invest in an awesome pair of shoes. I've bought one pair of Timberlands for work shoes, and wear them daily. These things get abused when I'm on the road for work, but they have held up the best out of any shoe I have ever bought. They're more comfortable than the day I bought em, and couldn't be more happy. One pair of $80 shoes (on sale for $60 cause I'm awesome like that) beats any amount of shoes I could have in my closet.
See I gotta still disagree some on shoes in my case. Let me explain.
I LOVE nice shoes. They feel so good. However, I am hard on shoes and know it. For me the worst is that I wear a lot of pointy toe heels and literally within a day of wearing them I have A) scuffed the toe (which cant be repaired) or B) had my heel drop in a sidewalk grate and scuff (no repair there either). My shoes with a thciker or non-pointy heel hold up MUCH better so I dont mind paying a great deal for those but those pointy toes just get demolished at the drop of a hat on me. I have a pr of Charles Davids I love but nearly cry because they are already torn up. So I try to save on the pointy toes since they fall apart and spend on the non-pointy shoes because those, like you said, can be reheeled and such which I do often.
I'm really hard on shoes too, but all that can be fixed by a good shoe guy. Ask Tracey about her Gucci pumps - She tore the heel by stepping in a crack/grate and thought all was lost. Her shoe guy fixed them - it's possible.
"Hello, my name is Tracey and I'm a shoe snob."
Now when I say "shoe snob", I don't mean like designer or in a certain price point kind of way. I just never buy a shoe unless it's an all leather upper (this allows your foot to breathe) and of good quality. I prefer a leather sole as well, although I'm not AS picky about that. I can understand if you have moral obligations to wearing leather, but I don't mind the cow in my belly or on my feet.
I just saw a piece on the local news this afternoon about how since the economy has tanked and people haven't been shopping as much that the shoe cobblers are crazy busy. More people are just repairing what they have instead of buying new. Apparently there are only like 9 shoe cobblers in the city of Louisville? who knew?!
I also think it's interesting that Daniel commented on this post. I think men in general are so used to buying good quality, more expenisve shoes that they just don't think much of it. If you ever price men's shoes, you'll see that they are mostly well made, albeit pricier than women's. I think this is because they know that men just don't shop and they'll take their shoes to cobblers and get them repaired just so they don't have to go shopping for another pair. lol
They will do this for years... That $200 pair of shoes actually saved them money in the long run.
I've always kind of had this shoe snobbery thing, but up until recently I didn't really think THAT much of it. I bought the loveliest Gucci red patent pumps at the Off 5th outlet. Literally the 2nd time I wore them I decided to partake in too many drinks and totally got my heel stuck in a crack in the sidewalk on Baxter Ave and fell face first. The next morning through the fog of the night before I see my shoes. I could have cried. The heel pad was totally pulled off one of the heels and the leather on the covered heel was peeled back. I took them to my cobbler and he fixed them up. Just like new.. well, ALMOST! if your head is on the ground next to my heel you can probably tell, but other than that they are fine! I wanted to kiss him, but I got the feeling he thought I was crazy for thanking him over and over :)
I'll get off my soap box now... and to think that I didn't even start on purses! :)
Love this outfit by the way!! I'm an investment shopper in that I will invest in good pieces that will last and be classic. I will spend on shoes b/c I'm a shoe freak and shoes can make an outfit, but I feel like I can find cute inexpensive jewelry and purses that still make the look without a lot of cash.
I wear my purses until they are falling apart(lost my keys in the hole in my purse pocket today!) I buy a lot of CAbi (i am a rep can't help it) but will supplement tanks, tops at old navy etc.
I love reading everyone's posts!
oh my gosh.. my dtr started a blog and now i'm ilana and talia..
Debbie!
I think it depends. I buy nice clothes - designer sometimes - at consignment shops, on sale at boutiques and at Winners (Your version of TJ Maxx I think). That being said, if I see something I will wear over and over again - I'll buy it at full price. It's cost per wear.
I cheap out on t-shirts, socks, trendy tops and cardigans.
I buy good quality shoes because I walk everywhere and take public transport. I also buy very good purses and rotate through them. Actually since buying my classic purses, I haven't had to buy new purses.
Oh, forgot to add - do you take your shoes to the cobbler before you wear them? He can add a small piece of metal or padding under the tip of the shoe which can help slow down the wear and tear on the points.
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