do you feel that the disparity in quality is not noticeable?

[maxroxxherhandbags]

I have a bit of a 'thing' for coats and jackets and living in the UK I feel I can never have enough coats (I had over 30 at one point..just as well we have a big enough house to store them in!) But I digress..
I really believe in investing in good outerwear..This may sound snobby and I really dont mean it to be but I saw a lady in Harrods with a beautiful Hermes bag wearing a recognisable High St coat (Its one thats been around for years and has a distinctive collar detail) in a very synthetic looking fabric and I just thought that coat cheapened the look of everything because the fabric just looked so ick.
I think the fabric and cut is everything when it comes to coats and jackets.
I'd rather buy a vintage coat in a fantastic quality wool from the 1970's in Portobello Market than spend the same sort of money on a new one from Ted Baker or Reiss.
But thats just how I roll..Its not about the cost its about the quality in the first place.

 

[duna]

I have a bit of a 'thing' for coats and jackets and living in the UK I feel I can never have enough coats (I had over 30 at one point..just as well we have a big enough house to store them in!) But I digress..
I really believe in investing in good outerwear..This may sound snobby and I really dont mean it to be but I saw a lady in Harrods with a beautiful Hermes bag wearing a recognisable High St coat (Its one thats been around for years and has a distinctive collar detail) in a very synthetic looking fabric and I just thought that coat cheapened the look of everything because the fabric just looked so ick.
I think the fabric and cut is everything when it comes to coats and jackets.
I'd rather buy a vintage coat in a fantastic quality wool from the 1970's in Portobello Market than spend the same sort of money on a new one from Ted Baker or Reiss.
But thats just how I roll..Its not about the cost its about the quality in the first place.

Yes, I forgot to add in my post that I buy vintage aswell: I have a Harris Tweed coat that I bought 50 years ago in a second hand shop, I had the inside re-lined at one point and it's still great! After all, King Charles wears Philip's old coats so why can't we, LOL?!?!

 

[WhiteBus]

I have a Burberry cashmere coat and a Burberry wool coat (I know Burberry is not as expensive as some other brands) both of them lasted maybe 2 seasons until both started to look bad. I drive car a lot. So I guess sitting in the coat and getting in and out of car was causing a lot of peeling and wrinkling. Same happened to Burberry cashmere jacket. So honestly I don’t know what to do because I like coats for winter, but I don’t want to spend such money on clothes that last 2 seasons. I do think that good tailored blazer totally elevates almost any outfit though. Also I noticed I receive often compliments on my H&M summer dresses when I wear them with expensive jacket, shoes, purse, and jewelry. For some reason people always give compliment to the h&m dress but not a blazer 😆

unless it is a very short journey, I take my coat off to drive

 

[880]

unless it is a very short journey, I take my coat off to drive

Agree. Sitting and wearing a shoulder or crossbody strap bag can do a lot of damage or at least significant wear and tear

 

[ladysarah]

I'm a believer in spending on coats (and jackets), at least if one lives in a place with spring/fall/winter temperatures. I think it finishes a look, and it's probably where I've sunk the most RTW/MTM money. But I'm just as happy…

Moi aussi!

Personally , I believe investing in clothing is always worth it. A better quality coat will drape better, be softer and have nicer fine details. Same goes for shoes,


Personally, if you don’t notice a difference then you might be blessed in a way. Because once you do, it becomes one heck of a slippery slope.

I happily mix high with low for many wardrobe categories, but always invest in good shoes and good coats. When my friends and I were at uni with limited funds, we always adhered to the principle of “good shoes and good bags” (although that certainly didn’t extend to Hermès in those days!). I think a cheaply made coat shows its flaws more than, say, a well-chosen high street dress.

I could not agree more!

I have a bit of a 'thing' for coats and jackets and living in the UK I feel I can never have enough coats (I had over 30 at one point..just as well we have a big enough house to store them in!) But I digress..
I really believe in investing in good outerwear..This may sound snobby and I really dont mean it to be but I saw a lady in Harrods with a beautiful Hermes bag wearing a recognisable High St coat (Its one thats been around for years and has a distinctive collar detail) in a very synthetic looking fabric and I just thought that coat cheapened the look of everything because the fabric just looked so ick.
I think the fabric and cut is everything when it comes to coats and jackets.
I'd rather buy a vintage coat in a fantastic quality wool from the 1970's in Portobello Market than spend the same sort of money on a new one from Ted Baker or Reiss.
But thats just how I roll..Its not about the cost its about the quality in the first place.

I hope this doesn’t come across the wrong way, but yes exactly what you said about cheap nasty fabric, it’s hard to live with. A cotton or linen dress can be found at lower price points, but a coat or a jacket? Very difficult if not impossible because the base cost is already high. I can tell synthetic coats even from a photo. ( not always in a photo but pretty much always in real life)
On another note - cashmere is not always a good option for those who like to wear their bags crossbody.

 

[880]

When my friends and I were at uni with limited funds, we always adhered to the principle of “good shoes and good bags” (although that certainly didn’t extend to Hermès in those days!)

I’ve agreed with this for most of my life But, I’ve had to have ankle cartilage replacement surgery in 2018, and I find no one really looks twice if I wear a ton of Birkenstocks. And even the leather covered sole birks are considerably less expensive than designer footwear. My chanel SA also just asked me about my Bloch two tone Mary Jane’s. She thought they were Chanel, and was very interested when I told her that I found them more comfy. So, I can definitely understand if some of us have favorite Zara pieces or mix other high low combos. I will say that when I was heavier, less structured, less expensive clothing was not as flattering. When you are slimmer, you have more options.

Re coats, DH has many premier designer and MtM or bespoke options, but he adores a moderately priced brand called Norwegian rain for rain coats. They are extremely functional and well designed. When we were at his MtM Hermes appt, we discovered the head of RTW, a woman, visiting from Paris also was a Norwegian rain aficionado.

Note: I personally find NR coats too bulky and heavy for travel, so have not bought any, but I am not exactly a practical person lol

These days, people should wear whatever they love. If the contrast in quality is jarring, oftentimes it’s intentional.agree it’s more about one’s preference and personal aesthetic that counts

 

[Madam Bijoux]

The only coat I wear is a beige Burberry trench coat. I don't wear jackets or blazers at all.

 

[ladysarah]

These days, people should wear whatever they love. If the contrast in quality is jarring, oftentimes it’s intentional.agree it’s more about one’s preference and personal aesthetic that counts

Absolutely true, however what I am trying to find out is if people who have ‘high’ handbag standards (as in Hermes) also have high clothing standards in general. Or are they only particular about bags

 

[Veritybelle]

Absolutely true, however what I am trying to find out is if people who have ‘high’ handbag standards (as in Hermes) also have high clothing standards in general. Or are they only particular about bags

If this is the question then I’d say overall I have high clothing standards in general. It’s definitely not only about the bags.

 

[880]

If this is the question then I’d say overall I have high clothing standards in general. It’s definitely not only about the bags.

Agree with this. In fact, IMO only, bags are the afterthought. RTW is more important to me

 

[tinkerbell68]

If this is the question then I’d say overall I have high clothing standards in general. It’s definitely not only about the bags.

Yes I'd agree that I have high clothing standards in general. But to me 'high' does not necessarily equal luxury designer. Most of my clothing is purchased from mid-level designers who tend to be a little less traditional/conservative though the clothing is high quality and well-made.

 

[Veritybelle]

Yes I'd agree that I have high clothing standards in general. But to me 'high' does not necessarily equal luxury designer. Most of my clothing is purchased from mid-level designers who tend to be a little less traditional/conservative though the clothing is high quality and well-made.

I agree with this too. Material, fabrication and design POV are key factors in what is “high quality.” I have a lot of my clothes made for me by my favourite Australian designer who sources superb fabrics from the same mills as the leading European RTW makers. I get one-off pieces perfectly tailored and hand finished this way, for much less than luxury RTW costs. But I also love to support smaller designers doing interesting things at a lower price point.

In fact, IMO only, bags are the afterthought. RTW is more important to me

Bags are not an afterthought for me! I usually plan my outfits around what bag I want to carry that day.

 

[papertiger]

I love my coats as much as my bags and have as many. No disparity. My favourite jackets and coats come from Saint Laurent and Gucci, both new, old and vintage. McQueen used to do good jackets and coats, but SB made everything so hourglass or princess-line, I only looked good in very few things. Interesting (for me at least) I have a black 1970s Rive Gauche Le Smoking and a newer one from SS23. The more recent one is better made and better quality all round.

There are some very nice jackets and coats around on the online or in the stores, I don't think it has to cost a fortune. I don't have any Cos or Jigsaw coats but I have a couple of jackets from each, every one pure wool or pure cotton. Sometimes even Marks and Spencer. Brora stock Harris Tweed and Cordings stock British and Spanish brands. In the UK we have lots of traditional outerwear specialists that sell tweed/worsted wool/linen/cotton jackets and coats. Ireland does too.

On another note, I had to go to several Saville Row tailors for work, a few are doing bespoke women's wear. I was surprised how reasonable they sounded compared to Hermes. I know H will do alterations, but bespoke or custom is a whole other level IMO.

 

[Love Of My Life]

Absolutely true, however what I am trying to ,out is if people who have ‘high’ handbag standards (as in Hermes) also have high clothing standards in general. Or are they only particular about bags

I love a beautiful well made handbag but loving RTW for many years, high quality, well made,
well fitting clothes are important.
I will also add that I do enjoy for example a classic inexpensive
t shirt to mix with my clothing, but key pieces in my wardrobe have to be well made with really
good fabrics & have a sense of luxury to them.

 

[luckylove]

One of my dear friends has a great eye for detail and flawlessly pulls off mixing high and low together. She has exquisite taste in accessories including bags and jewelry, but she refuses to splurge on clothing. Her ability to put a gorgeous cohesive look together is enviable.
On the question regarding outerwear, I love a chic coat and nice handbag combo.... even if the outfit beneath is rather simple.