Cheap Clothing, Expensive Handbags

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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.


+1. I totally agree with this post! I'm the same way. My clothes have lasted years/decades with proper care and use.
 
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.


Bravo! I have also spent the last few years moving in this direction.
 
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.
:true: Another excellent post on quality over quantity, and great fabrics!
 
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.

This. Good quality clothing can be found at all price ranges. Price or label doesn't mean anything now. Just look at Kanye's clothing line, Yeezy. I can't believe that some people would pay hundreds/thousands for his stuff.

Some of my pet peeves when shopping for clothes are finding some of my favorite brands cutting corners with their stitching and seams allowance. For example, using a straight stitch instead of a blind hem stitch for dresses, skirts and pants. Or not paying attention to fabric grain and nap when cutting the fabric.
 
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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.

it is so much harder to buy lovely well fitting clothes. It is hard work actually and requires planning and perseverance. Anyone, can buy an expensive and beautiful bag or a scarf or a belt. Those things are money spinners for the fashion companies, they fit almost everyone and require no alterations. A well made properly tailored jacket in good fabric will always be harder to obtain.
 
I'm one of those people that spends very limited amounts of money on clothes, but splurges on high quality bags. As far as I am concerned, when it comes to clothing it's all about how you put it together. I would say about 95% of my wardrobe comes from Forever 21 and I constantly get compliments about my outfit and people are shocked when I tell them where I purchased my clothing. As for bags, a bag is a statement piece. So I am going to spend more money on something that I want to stand out. Like jewelry - you want to spend the extra money on the quality since it's a statement and is that little extra something to bring out an outfit. I'm not going to spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on a t-shirt or a pair of pants when it's just something that I have to wear everyday where a bag brings the outfit together. At least this is how I see it. At the end of the day, no matter how much money you spend on clothing, it's all how you put it together and present yourself!
 
I'm one of those people that spends very limited amounts of money on clothes, but splurges on high quality bags. As far as I am concerned, when it comes to clothing it's all about how you put it together. I would say about 95% of my wardrobe comes from Forever 21 and I constantly get compliments about my outfit and people are shocked when I tell them where I purchased my clothing. As for bags, a bag is a statement piece. So I am going to spend more money on something that I want to stand out. Like jewelry - you want to spend the extra money on the quality since it's a statement and is that little extra something to bring out an outfit. I'm not going to spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on a t-shirt or a pair of pants when it's just something that I have to wear everyday where a bag brings the outfit together. At least this is how I see it. At the end of the day, no matter how much money you spend on clothing, it's all how you put it together and present yourself!
[emoji119] exactly. As long as my clothes fit me well, aren't accidently see-through, and feel nice...it's all in how one presents themselves.

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i rarely spend much money on designer clothes. i do buy some stuff if they are on sale a great price. but they maxed to kenzo and MJ. i tend to get bored with my clothes so mostly buy them at zara, pull & bear or h&m and i just love thrift shops.
i only buy certain iconic designer clothing like balenciaga motorcycle jacket or a cavalli coat i got for 80% discount :p

i'd rather spend more money on designer bags that lasts longer and i can resell them when i needed the money
 
Right now, I am buying more high end handbags & accessories. Since menopause hit, my weight is fluctuating too much to invest in expensive clothes. While I don't buy the cheap stuff, I'm staying in the middle price range. I past the age of trendy fashions & stay with classics that fit well. I do agree with other posters who say it's hard to find quality, well made & fitted clothing. So many designers these days are cutting corners.
 
I'm a fan of mixing expensive handbags/accessories with cheap clothes. I love variety and I find that Zara, h&m, the limited provide the trendy looks I'm looking for at a reasonable price. I like to accessorize with shoes, bags, scarves and jewelry that are of better quality. Clothes to me don't last as long because styles change over time and I don't want to invest a lot of money in clothes that I will end up giving away to goodwill. I will spend money on classics that will last a long time -- a Chanel tweed blazer, cashmere sweaters, and of course all my coats but for T shirts, jeans and general work wear, I stick to inexpensive pieces that look good. Below are examples: the blue dress with brown Evelyn is from H&M, the slacks and sweater with my B are from the Limited and the coat with the K is from Zara. ImageUploadedByPurseForum1459703880.861781.jpgImageUploadedByPurseForum1459703922.197734.jpg
 

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I'm a fan of mixing expensive handbags/accessories with cheap clothes. I love variety and I find that Zara, h&m, the limited provide the trendy looks I'm looking for at a reasonable price. I like to accessorize with shoes, bags, scarves and jewelry that are of better quality. Clothes to me don't last as long because styles change over time and I don't want to invest a lot of money in clothes that I will end up giving away to goodwill. I will spend money on classics that will last a long time -- a Chanel tweed blazer, cashmere sweaters, and of course all my coats but for T shirts, jeans and general work wear, I stick to inexpensive pieces that look good. Below are examples: the blue dress with brown Evelyn is from H&M, the slacks and sweater with my B are from the Limited and the coat with the K is from Zara. View attachment 3319168View attachment 3319169


Beautiful! This is what style is all about. You look like a million bucks! And I completely agree with your philosophy. Spend the big money on bags, jewelry, coats, and shoes.
 
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