As most of you know here (LOL!), I've been obsessed with watches and a collector of watches, some jewelry, and 11 LV bags in the past few years. But I was not into clothing and shoes at all. Most of my clothing came from Old Navy, Kohls, and a few items from Gap. Part of the problem is being a 45 yr old SAH mom of 3 (2 teenage boys and 9yr daughter) and having difficulty finding balance of clothes that are not too youthful or matronly. Well, things changed today! Hit the fancy boutiques and owners dressed me in some amazing stuff. I bought 2 pairs J Brands, 4 shirts, a great jacket and a scarf. Now I'm thinking of passing on the YG Love bangle since I already have two. $4,000 can get me a lot of clothes. And I'm going to stop on LVs with the exception of a wallet and/or agenda. Has anyone else ever switched from jewelry to clothing and shoes or am I unique?
abandon jewelry for wardrobe forum?
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That's fantastic! I am so glad that some nice boutiques knew and took the time to help you choose the perfect clothing for you. I, too, am a sahm, and I know how it goes to try to walk the line with clothing, so I say that if you found items that make you feel great then take a break with bags and jewelry and go for clothes for a while! The jewelry and bags will still be there anytime you choose.
And I do go through "phases" where I go nuts buying jewelry and then I get bag obsessed and then go for clothing... and then start over again. I think it is totally natural to occasionally find a new passion and change up you style.
And I do go through "phases" where I go nuts buying jewelry and then I get bag obsessed and then go for clothing... and then start over again. I think it is totally natural to occasionally find a new passion and change up you style.
My jewelry and bags addiction has been about 4 years! I just felt that the rolexes, LVs and Cartiers really hold their value. They always fit and are classic items. I also felt that I would never be able to get them with 2 college tuitions at the same time. But it is now out of my system! The woman who helped me in the clothing boutique knew exactly what worked for my age and size. The clothing is so comfortable and looks great. I was tempted to get a furry vest, sweaters and tall brown boots. But I must spread the purchases out. Have to decide 100% to not get the YG Love bracelet if I will become a "regular" in this store. Not enough $ for Cartier and clothes!
Don't leave us! Seriously though, I think it's normal to have your focus areas change. I left some of the purse brand forums for jewelery because I felt that jewelry lasted so much longer and meant more. But wardrobe is definitely fun, and the ladies over there are super kind and give great advice.
lanasyogamoma - I'm not leaving as far as giving advice and offering opinions! I just don't think I'll be making any more jewelry purchases. But I have until December for the 12 month zero interest on YG bangle. I will probably wait until the last week if I decide to go for it! After today, I'm leaning towards clothing and I have not even started shoe/boot shopping!
Hi Hokaplan! I went through a jewelry/bags phase of about 4 years before I got burned out on it and began to focus on my wardrobe. During my bling/bags phase, 95% of my clothes were from Gap/Old Navy/Target. Since then I have re-directed my spending budget to clothes and I'm so glad I did!
My jewelry "collection" (if you can call it that) is very small but nice and has all the basics: 1 great watch, a couple of rather pretty diamond rings, and lovely pearls I had inherited. I don't need much beyond that. What caused my change of focus was when I realized that my "window" for being able to rock beautiful clothes is getting smaller the older I get. My rationale is that I can always acquire jewelry at any age, but my ability to carry off really great, figure-flattering clothing....well, I give it a good 10-12 more years at most! Now that I'm more focused on my wardrobe, I feel more confident, better put-together, and more polished. This is NOT to say that Gap/Old Navy/Target are not conducive to looking polished, but, now that I've invested in higher-quality materials and better-fitting cuts, you can really tell the difference.
My opinion is that a well put-together outfit generally makes a greater overall impact than, say, what your watch looks like. Then again, people collect clothing versus jewelry/watches for totally different reasons, so in the end it's all about which is most important and enjoyable for you.
Speaking for myself, I've had my fun with bags and jewelry but am having SO much more fun with clothing because there are more options and I don't have to pay an arm and a leg every time I want to buy something! There's a certain freedom in that.
My jewelry "collection" (if you can call it that) is very small but nice and has all the basics: 1 great watch, a couple of rather pretty diamond rings, and lovely pearls I had inherited. I don't need much beyond that. What caused my change of focus was when I realized that my "window" for being able to rock beautiful clothes is getting smaller the older I get. My rationale is that I can always acquire jewelry at any age, but my ability to carry off really great, figure-flattering clothing....well, I give it a good 10-12 more years at most! Now that I'm more focused on my wardrobe, I feel more confident, better put-together, and more polished. This is NOT to say that Gap/Old Navy/Target are not conducive to looking polished, but, now that I've invested in higher-quality materials and better-fitting cuts, you can really tell the difference.
My opinion is that a well put-together outfit generally makes a greater overall impact than, say, what your watch looks like. Then again, people collect clothing versus jewelry/watches for totally different reasons, so in the end it's all about which is most important and enjoyable for you.
Speaking for myself, I've had my fun with bags and jewelry but am having SO much more fun with clothing because there are more options and I don't have to pay an arm and a leg every time I want to buy something! There's a certain freedom in that.
I say go for it!
its probably not the best idea to only spend on one group of items, I have been putting my money into clothes and shoes for many years, I used to also buy every "it" bag, until I discovered Hermes! so I started buying Hermes items/bags/shawls etc, which took my attention off constant clothes buying! now I want to add more nice jewellery into my collection so my focus now is mainly jewellery (vca/JLG/Cartier etc) and to aqcuire any suitable H bag when it appears!
I think we all need variation to look our best...
its probably not the best idea to only spend on one group of items, I have been putting my money into clothes and shoes for many years, I used to also buy every "it" bag, until I discovered Hermes! so I started buying Hermes items/bags/shawls etc, which took my attention off constant clothes buying! now I want to add more nice jewellery into my collection so my focus now is mainly jewellery (vca/JLG/Cartier etc) and to aqcuire any suitable H bag when it appears!
I think we all need variation to look our best...
I rotate out my purchases, but I don't really buy myself jewelry. My fiance likes seeing me wear nice jewelry, so that works out!
I work in retail and some seasons are just BAD for my Amex statements. Last year, our designer had lots of cashmere, leather and silk tees in his collection and I just went nuts. But, now I have some great basic black and grey cashmere pieces and a fabulous black cashmere short coat that I can't wait to wear this coming winter. My designer shoes I bought last year are still in style, so I'm really trying to hold off on more shoe purchases (* and really, I don't need any more) since I'm really focused on wedding purchases ONLY.
As someone working in retail, I'm glad you found a SA you've clicked with. Most people don't actually want us to help them, which is really unfortunate for them because VERY few people can identify what will really work for them on the hanger or folded on a table. Besides merchandising the windows, I also try on every single new style that comes in so I know EXACTLY the nuances of the fit and can make suggestions to customers. Example, if a customer is more pear-shaped I may suggest a pant in a certain color that is running just a touch looser in the hips or one where the waistband is for some reason tighter so it won't gap.
Now when I go shopping in other boutiques, I ask the SAs what their favorite pieces are or what they've bought for themselves. It's a good way to avoid the poorly cut/ completely awful pieces clogging up my fitting room (I don't do the 20+ items routine).
I work in retail and some seasons are just BAD for my Amex statements. Last year, our designer had lots of cashmere, leather and silk tees in his collection and I just went nuts. But, now I have some great basic black and grey cashmere pieces and a fabulous black cashmere short coat that I can't wait to wear this coming winter. My designer shoes I bought last year are still in style, so I'm really trying to hold off on more shoe purchases (* and really, I don't need any more) since I'm really focused on wedding purchases ONLY.
As someone working in retail, I'm glad you found a SA you've clicked with. Most people don't actually want us to help them, which is really unfortunate for them because VERY few people can identify what will really work for them on the hanger or folded on a table. Besides merchandising the windows, I also try on every single new style that comes in so I know EXACTLY the nuances of the fit and can make suggestions to customers. Example, if a customer is more pear-shaped I may suggest a pant in a certain color that is running just a touch looser in the hips or one where the waistband is for some reason tighter so it won't gap.
Now when I go shopping in other boutiques, I ask the SAs what their favorite pieces are or what they've bought for themselves. It's a good way to avoid the poorly cut/ completely awful pieces clogging up my fitting room (I don't do the 20+ items routine).
hey hoka i think it is very normal to go through phases. after a while of say building up a bag wardrobe and i assume channeling the funds to new bags, we do not have the funds to build up the bling, shoes, clothes at the same time.
for the past decade it was shoes and some clothes, then clothes then bags. then jewelry and now i'm back to clothes and shoes
for the past decade it was shoes and some clothes, then clothes then bags. then jewelry and now i'm back to clothes and shoes
Hi Hokaplan! I went through a jewelry/bags phase of about 4 years before I got burned out on it and began to focus on my wardrobe. During my bling/bags phase, 95% of my clothes were from Gap/Old Navy/Target. Since then I have re-directed my spending budget to clothes and I'm so glad I did!
My jewelry "collection" (if you can call it that) is very small but nice and has all the basics: 1 great watch, a couple of rather pretty diamond rings, and lovely pearls I had inherited. I don't need much beyond that. What caused my change of focus was when I realized that my "window" for being able to rock beautiful clothes is getting smaller the older I get. My rationale is that I can always acquire jewelry at any age, but my ability to carry off really great, figure-flattering clothing....well, I give it a good 10-12 more years at most! Now that I'm more focused on my wardrobe, I feel more confident, better put-together, and more polished. This is NOT to say that Gap/Old Navy/Target are not conducive to looking polished, but, now that I've invested in higher-quality materials and better-fitting cuts, you can really tell the difference.
My opinion is that a well put-together outfit generally makes a greater overall impact than, say, what your watch looks like. Then again, people collect clothing versus jewelry/watches for totally different reasons, so in the end it's all about which is most important and enjoyable for you.
Very well put! Since I lost some weight, I've found a whole new appreciation for clothes!!!
When I first started working I was into clothes a lot, it was only Jil Sander, Costume National, Miu Miu, Comme des Garçons, and Prada for me. I had no jewelry, no bags, and mediocre shoes.
Then I started losing weight and all my clothes didn't fit and so my shoes obsession started and all my new clothes were from Zara (and still are), I was only buying exp shoes and lots of them. When we moved to our new apartment I realized I had more than 100 pairs of shoes and I had to stop buying shoes.
Then when our puppy came in our home (and I was out of work) I was in gym clothes all the time, because I was training him , running and playing with him all day. So I gave up my shoes obsession, and started my jewelry obsession (because diamonds and sweatpants are soo classy lol)... Then my poor puppy died and I had to get over it with Hermes bags and even more jewelry...
And now I think I'm going to start my scarf obsession. I keep dreaming of scarves.
I still can't go back to my exp clothes habit, I keep losing weight. I was wearing S size earlier this year and now I'm going back to XS like last summer. Only last week I had to donate a huge bag of clothes that no longer fit me. Until my body stops changing I'm not buying exp clothes again. Right now 70% of my wardrobe (that I don't want to donate because they are not cheap clothes) needs a good seamstress...
This is why jewelry, scarves, shoes, and bags are so nice, weight doesn't matter!
Then I started losing weight and all my clothes didn't fit and so my shoes obsession started and all my new clothes were from Zara (and still are), I was only buying exp shoes and lots of them. When we moved to our new apartment I realized I had more than 100 pairs of shoes and I had to stop buying shoes.
Then when our puppy came in our home (and I was out of work) I was in gym clothes all the time, because I was training him , running and playing with him all day. So I gave up my shoes obsession, and started my jewelry obsession (because diamonds and sweatpants are soo classy lol)... Then my poor puppy died and I had to get over it with Hermes bags and even more jewelry...
And now I think I'm going to start my scarf obsession. I keep dreaming of scarves.
I still can't go back to my exp clothes habit, I keep losing weight. I was wearing S size earlier this year and now I'm going back to XS like last summer. Only last week I had to donate a huge bag of clothes that no longer fit me. Until my body stops changing I'm not buying exp clothes again. Right now 70% of my wardrobe (that I don't want to donate because they are not cheap clothes) needs a good seamstress...
This is why jewelry, scarves, shoes, and bags are so nice, weight doesn't matter!
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lily25 - I bought my very first scarf the other day! It is so true about weight verse jewelry, bags, and shoes. But in my case, it is more about body image. My weight is low but I never really cared for how I look in a lot of things. I never got "into" shoes because I'm klutzy and it drives me crazy when they get marked/scuffed. No worries with jewelry getting ruined and my bags are easier to take care of. But my SA at clothing store really knew what would work for me and I love my new clothing. So I'll have to decide if I want to continue (slowly) to build a wardrobe and possibly treat myself to some shoes.
I think if you have the jewelry basics (i.e. diamond studs, diamond pendant, a good watch, a pair of hoops, pearl strand and studs) then you should build on your wardrobe. I have the jewelry basics, but I have a jewelry addiction. Yes, America, I am a JEWELRY addict! LOL! My favorite clothing store is Anthropologie by the way. I am not into shoes, but I do see the appeal. As for bags, I carry around a LV Speedy most of the time. I choose jewelry because I get distracted by shiny objects, and I agree with Marilyn Monroe, "Diamonds are a girls best friend." LOL!