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I am 61 and for 90% of my adult life, I barely made enough to pay my bills; and as recently as five years ago, I would never have dreamed of paying over $75.00 for ANY dress or over $25.00 for a pair of shoes or a pair of jeans. I bought my clothes at Sears and JCPenney (before they went downhill, imo) and at clearance sales at the "better" department stores, and I bought my shoes at Payless. However, although my entire annual clothing budget was probably about $600.00, I always managed to dress appropriately and actually received many compliments on how I dressed from employers, co-workers, friends, boyfriends, etc.
Now, however, with the kids gone and our income up (meaning that we have a lot more discretionary income) and I can afford to pay much more for clothing, I just think, "Why should I?" The more inexpensive stuff often (not always) looks just as good, imo, if I am choosy and/or stick to basics, and so I don't know why I should pay twice as much, or even five or ten times as much, for something when I don't really need to. I mean, for example, there are plenty of basic white tees that cost $15.00 that fit and look every bit as good, imo, as some that cost $50.00.
Does anyone other than wealthy society ladies and "fashionistas" REALLY notice and judge women -- especially older women -- by how expensive their clothing is?
Last edited by katharsis; 07-26-2015 at 12:56 PM..
I am 61 and for 90% of my adult life, I barely made enough to pay my bills; and as recently as five years ago, I would never have dreamed of paying over $75.00 for ANY dress or over $25.00 for a pair of shoes or a pair of jeans. I bought my clothes at Sears and JCPenney (before they went downhill, imo) and at clearance sales at the "better" department stores, and I bought my shoes at Payless. However, although my entire annual clothing budget was probably about $600.00, I always managed to dress appropriately and actually received many compliments on how I dressed from employers, co-workers, friends, boyfriends, etc.
Now, however, with the kids gone and our income up (meaning that we have a lot more discretionary income) and I can afford to pay much more for clothing, I just think, "Why should I?" The more inexpensive stuff often (not always) looks just as good, imo, if I am choosy and/or stick to basics, and so I don't know why I should pay twice as much, or even five or ten times as much, for something when I don't really need to. I mean, for example, there are plenty of basic white tees that cost $15.00 that fit and look every bit as good, imo, as some that cost $50.00.
Does anyone other than wealthy society ladies and "fashionistas" REALLY notice and judge women -- especially older women -- by how expensive their clothing is?
I doubt very much that very many people at all, outside of a few circles more interested in displays of opulence and status-chasing, care about the cost of other people's clothing, in-and-of-itself. And you are certainly right that it's possible to dress appropriately and even stylishly without spending a whole lot of money.
I'm speaking as an early-middle-aged man, not an older woman, but I have found that as far as cost goes, sometimes you get what you pay for, sometimes you get less than you pay for, and sometimes you get more. The key is figuring out which brands/lines work for you have good value. I spent $130 on a pair of chinos last week because they fit my gangly frame better than any other paid I've tried. A the same time, I have a bunch of $20 button-downs from Target that I love, fit well, and have held up really well. The point is that in neither case do I regret the purchase.
I am 61 and for 90% of my adult life, I barely made enough to pay my bills; and as recently as five years ago, I would never have dreamed of paying over $75.00 for ANY dress or over $25.00 for a pair of shoes or a pair of jeans. I bought my clothes at Sears and JCPenney (before they went downhill, imo) and at clearance sales at the "better" department stores, and I bought my shoes at Payless. However, although my entire annual clothing budget was probably about $600.00, I always managed to dress appropriately and actually received many compliments on how I dressed from employers, co-workers, friends, boyfriends, etc.
Now, however, with the kids gone and our income up (meaning that we have a lot more discretionary income) and I can afford to pay much more for clothing, I just think, "Why should I?" The more inexpensive stuff often (not always) looks just as good, imo, if I am choosy and/or stick to basics, and so I don't know why I should pay twice as much, or even five or ten times as much, for something when I don't really need to. I mean, for example, there are plenty of basic white tees that cost $15.00 that fit and look every bit as good, imo, as some that cost $50.00.
Does anyone other than wealthy society ladies and "fashionistas" REALLY notice and judge women -- especially older women -- by how expensive their clothing is?
No one cares....but at the same time....if you like something and it looks good and you can afford it....why would you not buy it?
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