To me, mid-range is brands like Gap, J. Crew, Banana Republic, Zara, Topshop, Madewell, Ann Taylor, Loft, etc. Things that would be considered nice, but not designer-level.
Cheap Clothing, Expensive Handbags
- Thread starter LuvDesignerBags
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
I agree with several comments here. High end for the classics and staples. Mid to low-end for trends and dresses you'll wear once. How often are you photographed in a dress and feel as though you can't wear again?! And, I'm not talking celeb status. It's just memorialized on Facebook and Instagram 
I have to admit i am more apt to shell out money towards a bag (or shoes) than clothes, this is likely because of my very basic style and just lack of interest in much beyond Jeans and tops...
For purses i hate cheap ones that fail to function ... drives me batty to have zippers break, seams tear and so forth(shoes, um, yeah.. i refuse to have sore feet either so will spend on those)
I think with clothes unless your in the position where you need to be dressed up, you can get away with more basic run of the mill stuff.. i like Old navy for instance.. simple stuff, and the clearance rack is super cheap lol
For purses i hate cheap ones that fail to function ... drives me batty to have zippers break, seams tear and so forth(shoes, um, yeah.. i refuse to have sore feet either so will spend on those)
I think with clothes unless your in the position where you need to be dressed up, you can get away with more basic run of the mill stuff.. i like Old navy for instance.. simple stuff, and the clearance rack is super cheap lol
For sure, being in a smaller town myself anything from the 'mall' is an upgrade lol
Most of my designer and high end pieces are bought for work. I've had good luck with consignment and buying gently used items. Before purchasing a new dress I think about what shoes, scarves, jackets, cardigans and jewelry I can wear with it.
For casual clothes, I buy mostly mid level. I do splurge on nice denim and coats but usually wait until a sale or clearance.
For casual clothes, I buy mostly mid level. I do splurge on nice denim and coats but usually wait until a sale or clearance.
I agree with you LuvDesignerBags- it's interesting how people will buy expensive bags because they love having good quality and associating with the brand, but dont require the same thing from their clothing. Perhaps its a laziness or impulse thing? I know that used to be me in the past. I also wonder why more people don't think of how their clothes and accessories are made. When you are buying for quality, you should always think of the process it took to make an item and if it came from an ethical production line. Too many people are willing to buy fast fashion and support sweat shops by not asking where it came from. I now dont let a price tag tell me if its good quality. I look for the story behind the product- that I'll wear and represent!
even my weight was the same all year round I would buy more expensive clothing.but at the moment I spend my money on accessories 
It's not as though I own any Chanel or LV, but even if I did I probably wouldn't spend any arms or legs on clothes. At least not now. I'm in the process of losing weight, and that means I refuse to invest too much money on clothes I will eventually not be able to fit (yay). I will only buy new clothes when I notice my current ones are getting just too shabby (happening now, ugh), and I'll try to get the best deal I can.
That said, I am really honestly over shopping at places like JCP for clothes. I've shopped there almost exclusively and well, all my clothes are basically shabby. So, yeah. I'd like to branch into those mid-range brands like Banana Republic, Zara, etc, but still only when I've gotten down to a lower weight (and tbh, when I learn to take better care of my clothes. I should probably be doing more than just washing and drying them...).
I will totally save up/invest in a good bag, though, because like someone else said I don't have to be a specific size to wear it, and I'll be able to get way more use out of a pricey leather bag than a $20 fabric/pleather bag. It'll also force me to really consider what I'm buying, and whether or not I'll still want it in my life 5, 10 or even 20 years from the day I buy it. I'm not spending big bucks on something I couldn't see myself carrying for more than a year, or a season.
That said, I am really honestly over shopping at places like JCP for clothes. I've shopped there almost exclusively and well, all my clothes are basically shabby. So, yeah. I'd like to branch into those mid-range brands like Banana Republic, Zara, etc, but still only when I've gotten down to a lower weight (and tbh, when I learn to take better care of my clothes. I should probably be doing more than just washing and drying them...).
I will totally save up/invest in a good bag, though, because like someone else said I don't have to be a specific size to wear it, and I'll be able to get way more use out of a pricey leather bag than a $20 fabric/pleather bag. It'll also force me to really consider what I'm buying, and whether or not I'll still want it in my life 5, 10 or even 20 years from the day I buy it. I'm not spending big bucks on something I couldn't see myself carrying for more than a year, or a season.
I agree that not supporting awful labor conditions makes me feel better about my clothes which is one of the reasons I buy second hand when I can. I feel like I'm doing the right thing for the environment too. When I do buy new clothes I try really hard to choose ones that are made in the USA, Europe or Japan or else are responsibly made. And I try to avoid polyester or poly blends because they don't biodegrade..
Why do you only buy from USA, Europe and Japan? I dont mind which country clothes or accessories come from. I care about the conditions they were made in, who benefits and if it is of good quality. Interested to hear what you have to say
Personally, I do own high end brand clothing like Givenchy, Dries Van Noten, Missoni, Andrea Pompilio and etc but in the same time I also own tons stuff from H&M, ASOS, ZARA, Gap, Club Monaco and Uniqlo. As much I like to spend more money on designer clothing it just not that cost effective especially if you are following the trend season. Unlike handbags, clothing don't have "staying power". I don't mind getting cheap clothing as long its well made and doesn't look cheap.
Last edited:
Why do you only buy from USA, Europe and Japan? I dont mind which country clothes or accessories come from. I care about the conditions they were made in, who benefits and if it is of good quality. Interested to hear what you have to say
Sorry I wasn't clear. I will buy from anywhere if the quality is good. & I know the workers are treated well. Boden, for example, manufactures in China but shows up on "ethical" lists, so am fine with that. I especially like buying from the US manufacturers because I live there & want to support my fellow workers. I am disgusted by manufacturers who produce in atrocious working conditions. The Rana Plaza disaster really brought that home for me.
Does that make sense? I don't want to sound sanctimonious, because the decision to buy second hand is also motivated by economic reasons.
Last edited:
Personally for me, I don't like clothes for long. So I do most of my shopping at Old Navy. I don't have to pay a lot so I don't feel bad when 3 months later I'm over it.
I do spend a little more on jeans. Being 5'1 it's important to find jeans that fit and fit good. I love Topshop's jeans and since they have a petite section it's perfect.
I do spend a little more on jeans. Being 5'1 it's important to find jeans that fit and fit good. I love Topshop's jeans and since they have a petite section it's perfect.
Love your avatar. ��. Totally agree. I usually shop at kohls for my clothes. And target and old navy have some nice things are well that are durable enough for me. Some of my target clothes and kohls ones have held up waaaaaay better than my Victoria's secrets ones I bought a few year back and a splurge for the holidays. But hand me the designer bags and accessories. They will always fit just right and always go with my styles. I like to change it up clothing wise as well.