Cheap Clothing, Expensive Handbags

[TheMrsKwok]

I like to buy good quality clothes, that is more simple looking and durable looking. Into the washing machine that's what I meant, no hand wash no dry clean. I also like 100% cotton and silks but they are not high end designer clothes. Cost around 50-300$. I am not sure if this price fits into cheap clothes categories compared to the luxury handbags. Anyways, I wouldn't buy LV Chanel clothes simply because I don't think I will like it until I am 70 years old lol ! And even I still like it I couldn't fit it in anymore /giggles

However to me clothes and dress cost between $50 to $300 is expensive for my ability. But I will invest in it. Because I am at the age where these clothes will fits nicely for office environment with a coat on, or good for parties with a bright red shoes. I needed them to last long enough because I am tired of trying clothes. I do it as a fun date night shopping with my girls once in a few months.

 

[pbmuffin]

This was a fun thread to read! I am completely all over the map when it comes to my clothes. I tend to buy my very casual basics (i.e. cotton tanks & tees that I wear mainly around the house) inexpensively - targets "basic tees" are actually awesome and so, so soft!

Then I have my work clothes for which I usually shop at stores a tiny bit nicer, but still affordable (i.e. Express, the Limited). The reason for this is that I'm a hair stylist and I work with color almost every day. No matter how hard I try to remember to wear an apron, I often end up getting a little color or bleach on my clothes. I don't want to dress downright sloppy, especially in such a fashion-oriented profession, so no, I'm not wearing my Target tanks to work. But getting some bleach on a $35 (with coupon top from Express stings a lot less than if it were a very expensive top.

Then I have my third tier of my wardrobe which I tend to reserve for going out, special occasions, etc. I have a few Halston Heritage dresses (LOVE), some blouses from Club Monaco, Theory dress pants, Paige jeans, etc. This is probably the smallest part of my wardrobe, but since I wear these clothes less frequently than my casual and work wardrobes, I have plenty of options.

I don't really own any clothing from true "premier" designers despite owning handbags by them - probably because I just find it impractical and prefer to have a bit of variety. I wouldn't be able to afford a closet full of Chloe frocks, for example, but I can afford a bag here and there that will go with multiple outfits.

All this is to say, I could easily be that person posting a photo of a Saint Laurent bag while wearing a target tank. But would I wear the two together? Most likely no. I have a Coach borough bag that is a serious workhorse that I use almost every day for work, then a Rebecca Minkoff mini Avery for running to the store, and running errands (it's lighter and smaller than the borough). These two bags get the most use in my collection. My nicer bags stay in their dust bags and boxes until I have an occasion to dress up.

 

[Cheetah7]

Some people would rather spend the big bucks on designer bags than clothes just as some would rather splurge on jewelry...etc. Personally, I have a mixture of designer and no-name but trendy brands which I sometimes mix together. Since trends come and go, I only pick classic pieces for my designer items. I have way more high street clothing but I pick ones that are of quality and most importantly, fit me well. I do like designer jeans only because they tend to fit me better but I have a couple from Express that fit just as good and are made well.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, if the clothes are of good quality, fit well and are not falling apart, it shouldn't matter what the brand and/or price tag is.

 

[CrackBerryCream]

Clothing gets ruined a lot faster (I have to toss out pants every two years because of holes forming) and no matter how expensive it is, I won't look good in it as long as I am overweight. Bags always look great, no matter the condition of the owner

I don't buy things that look cheap though. I can't stand items that look old after only washing them a few times or fabrics that have a cheap look to begin with.

 

[Waffle65]

The most important thing to me when it comes to clothes is the fabric quality. I try to buy as many natural fibers as possible, and avoid polyester at all costs. I don't care whether a shirt comes from Dior or Gap, as long as it's cotton, I'm happy. The best thing I ever did was learning how to sew quite well, so I make probably more than half of my clothes. I can get great quality fabrics and make a perfectly tailored shirt much cheaper than I can buy something with a designer label. I only have so much disposable money to go around, and I feel like it is better spent on great quality handbags and shoes than clothes. Expensive clothing just doesn't excite me the way a great bag does, so it almost feels like a waste for me to buy it.

 

[lenarmc]

The most important thing to me when it comes to clothes is the fabric quality. I try to buy as many natural fibers as possible, and avoid polyester at all costs. I don't care whether a shirt comes from Dior or Gap, as long as it's cotton, I'm happy. The best thing I ever did was learning how to sew quite well, so I make probably more than half of my clothes. I can get great quality fabrics and make a perfectly tailored shirt much cheaper than I can buy something with a designer label. I only have so much disposable money to go around, and I feel like it is better spent on great quality handbags and shoes than clothes. Expensive clothing just doesn't excite me the way a great bag does, so it almost feels like a waste for me to buy it.

I am jealous. I wish that I could sew. My mother tried to teach me, but I just couldn't grasp it. Anything trendy that I wanted, my mother would make it. Everything we had was tailored to fit. She used to even tailor my father's suits. You are blessed to have such a skill.

 

[ladysarah]

At the moment I am into top quality clothes (and no bags cheap or expensive.) I bought a number of very nice bags and is more important to me to be well dressed than acquiring more bags. Clothes don't have to be hugely expensive but cheap clothes never fit properly, and do us no favours. Discount brands use the deplorable sweatshops and child labour, but they also exploit us the consumer, by using inferior fabrics and cutting production corners. Ugly buttons, unfinished hems and general shoddiness.

 

[mkpurselover]

At the moment I am into top quality clothes (and no bags cheap or expensive.) I bought a number of very nice bags and is more important to me to be well dressed than acquiring more bags. Clothes don't have to be hugely expensive but cheap clothes never fit properly, and do us no favours. Discount brands use the deplorable sweatshops and child labour, but they also exploit us the consumer, by using inferior fabrics and cutting production corners. Ugly buttons, unfinished hems and general shoddiness.

Thanks in no small part to you, Lady Sarah, I have become a believer in quality fabrics! Organic cotton and linen, silks and top quality wool. These make all the difference in comfort and breathable clothing. Plus no sweatshops. I believe it's worth the extra cost. Plus, of course, Vintage clothing and accessories are an excellent way to buy quality for a more affordable option!

 

[antschulina]

Thanks in no small part to you, Lady Sarah, I have become a believer in quality fabrics! Organic cotton and linen, silks and top quality wool. These make all the difference in comfort and breathable clothing. Plus no sweatshops. I believe it's worth the extra cost. Plus, of course, Vintage clothing and accessories are an excellent way to buy quality for a more affordable option!

I absolutely agree with you and Lady Sarah. In my opinion, clothes do not have to be 'cheap', but do not have to come from a premier designer, either. I think that you can get great quality clothes, which are produced in normal and legal conditions, and come in good quality.

 

[hanzi]

Such a fun thread!
I basically feel like what most of the ladies here said: you keep your bags for more than a season or two but clothes are much more disposable. I do, however, feel there are certain items of clothing that are as classic as a bag design-wise, e.g., coats, clean-cut blouses, slim jeans, dresses...
Also, I don't enjoy clothes as much as bags tbh. I don't have a supermodel's figure, so in the past, I often got upset when trying on clothes as I didn't like what they looked like on me. That never happens with a bag
The same is true for shoes. I pretty much exclusively buy designer shoes but I also shop at Tory Burch because her shoes are SO comfy
Other than that it may be a marketing thing, too? I very well remember times when Zara was a no-no.

 

[ladysarah]

I absolutely agree with you and Lady Sarah. In my opinion, clothes do not have to be 'cheap', but do not have to come from a premier designer, either. I think that you can get great quality clothes, which are produced in normal and legal conditions, and come in good quality.

Exactly! The main issue is to be prepared to pay for non sweat shop and ethically produced clothes. Sure they may cost a little more, but who wants to go around dressed in an outfit made from the misery of others? In my view it looks especially bad when accessorised with expensive, 'designer' bags, since it's obvious the person wearing the clothes are not in distressed circumstances but made a conscious choice.

 

[misskris03]

Thanks in no small part to you, Lady Sarah, I have become a believer in quality fabrics! Organic cotton and linen, silks and top quality wool. These make all the difference in comfort and breathable clothing. Plus no sweatshops. I believe it's worth the extra cost. Plus, of course, Vintage clothing and accessories are an excellent way to buy quality for a more affordable option!

+1 I love buying high quality second hand clothing. It's affordable and good for the environment. You can find wonderful wools for almost nothing and they last forever.

 

[pandorabox]

Exactly! The main issue is to be prepared to pay for non sweat shop and ethically produced clothes. Sure they may cost a little more, but who wants to go around dressed in an outfit made from the misery of others? In my view it looks especially bad when accessorised with expensive, 'designer' bags, since it's obvious the person wearing the clothes are not in distressed circumstances but made a conscious choice.

Sorry. - curious. Which place / stores / brand make non sweat shop ethic made clothes?

 

[Shelby33]

Exactly! The main issue is to be prepared to pay for non sweat shop and ethically produced clothes. Sure they may cost a little more, but who wants to go around dressed in an outfit made from the misery of others? In my view it looks especially bad when accessorised with expensive, 'designer' bags, since it's obvious the person wearing the clothes are not in distressed circumstances but made a conscious choice.

I do not think it's obvious that just because they have expensive bags it means they have enough money for expensive clothes. Especially if they spend a lot of money on expensive bags.

 

[AugustaBlue]

I’ve progressively moved toward spending more money on clothes than on bags. I used to be into fast fashion and really believed my F21 jeans worked as well as more expensive pairs because I was put together. However, once you jump to quality clothes you can’t go back, similar to what happens once you get into bags.

That’s not to say there aren’t plenty of cheap expensive clothes or that designer brands equal style or quality. Good taste and fabrics are key. I always read the fabric content of any potential purchase because even my favorite brands are guilty of duds.

Still, clothes are the worth the cost because they’re the largest item I wear! The fit and feel of fabric, the seams and little details missing from lower quality products – now I can easily tell whether someone's clothes are fast fashion or not. A well-made coat or dress, a tailored blouse and skirt create such a sleek and polished look. Also, they last longer if taken care of properly, and I no longer find myself having to replenish my wardrobe because a few washes finished off a piece. My clothes last years and because I go for timeless items they don’t go out of style. I’ve bought vintage dresses that are 20 or even 60 years old that look as if they could’ve been made today.

I’m strategic about my purchases and value quality over quantity. My wardrobe has shrunk, but now I wear every piece I own and feel good no matter what I choose.

And this is my personal experience, but since I’ve upgraded my clothes they almost always eclipse my bags, lol (even my premier designer). The first compliment I get these days is about my dress/skirt/blazer/blouse and that I'm well-dressed as a whole as opposed to my accessories.