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That makes sense. A lot of people just don’t feel they’re worth anything more than the leftovers on the sale rack. Then they impulse buy things because they’re on sale, buying 5, $20 shirts they only half like, and that don’t fit well when they could have had one really nice shirt they’re obsessed with. I used to be a sale / TJ Maxx shopper and hated my closet, which has led to this latest adventure!
It is quite thrilling to wait and get a piece that was on my list for major sale. All about intention.
swaysway, I'll check out some of those brands you mentioned in your OP! It's always fun looking at new brands I may not know about. I've worked remotely as well for the last 8.5 yrs, so I haven't needed anything new for a long time, but it's nice to buy a piece or two every once in a while! But, I was a clothes horse back in the day pre-being-remote! I literally have a total of 4 closests of clothing from my clothes-purchasing years: 2 closests that take up the length of a wall, 1 good-sized walk-in, & a good-sized portable one. Half of my clothes are at my apt & the other 1/2 are back at my parents' house.
Now, I'm the type of shopper who wants higher-quality over a whole bunch of cheap pieces. In fact, I didn't buy cheap pieces at all becaue you get what you pay for when it comes to laundering & looking good for a long time. Back then, I'd shop from Nordstrom, Macy's, sometimes Free People, Anthropologie. I also liked New York & Co. (style used to be cuter than their site nowadays) & The Limited (now part of the retailer Belk), in which both had all their physical store locations closed.
I'm curious, since you work at home, where are you wearing most of your clothes? Still for work, but you just like looking put-together...do you have to be on-camera/zoom often? Or mostly fancy, going out clothes? Or just casual running errands clothes?
Although I have a ton of clothes, I seem to only wear a small amount these days, so I wear what's most comfortable plus, I've developed a skin condition in which the looser & softer the fabric, the better!
Re: Athleta, which is kind of pricey to me (if you buy at full-price), I bought two tops of theirs, but for what they cost, I was disappointed after washing it for the 1st time. The fabric pilled up...not what I expcetd from Athleta.
I don't have a monthly budget. When I need or want something, I buy it. I can go months without buying anything. And then I may have a spree. But even when having a spree, I don't think I've ever spent $500 in one shot. I haven't heard of the brands you mentioned, so I'm guessing they're out of my general price point.
Since I'm working from home now, most of my wardrobe is coming from Athleta.
I'm similar to this poster...never had any clothing budget, but I think the most I spent at one time was $300-400 that I recall, but it sure wasn't monthly. I don't need new clothing that often in general, but since you're building your wardrobe, when do you feel you'll be satisfied & stop buying? After exactly 12 mos, 1.5 yrs, 2 yrs?
As for overpaying - Although you can definitely look put together and beautiful at any budget, and not everyone can afford high-dollar items - I certainty couldn’t for most of my life - there is a massive difference in quality at brands like Sezane versus a mall brand like Loft or Gap.
I have eight- or ten-year-old clothes from Ann Taylor that look like new. I'd buy more clothes there, but like others, I can't find anything I like.
I spend about $50 a year ad it feels as though I'll never finish goig through all of it discarding the unneccesary. I have never spent much on clothing-though$50 a year has only been the past 3 or 4 years- and it never seems that I'll ever get rid of all the excess, some of which are truly hideous.
Part of it, I think is my age. Though I try to make it clear that I have my own distinct style, people seem to want to gift me with brighly floral warm and cozy clothes. hate those kinds of clothes. I've been blue jeans, black top, small colorful jewelry and boots for over sixty years and don't plan to change...ever.
And though it doesn't sound like it, I DO love clothes.
I spend $0…. My shoes last me a couple years and I wear scrubs to work which last me at least 5 years. I don’t buy new outfits for myself especially since Covid since we didn’t go out much. We haven’t been on vacation since the beginning of 2020 and finally made plans to go on a nice one in 2023, so I’m saving up for that.
swaysway, I'll check out some of those brands you mentioned in your OP! It's always fun looking at new brands I may not know about. I've worked remotely as well for the last 8.5 yrs, so I haven't needed anything new for a long time, but it's nice to buy a piece or two every once in a while! But, I was a clothes horse back in the day pre-being-remote! I literally have a total of 4 closests of clothing from my clothes-purchasing years: 2 closests that take up the length of a wall, 1 good-sized walk-in, & a good-sized portable one. Half of my clothes are at my apt & the other 1/2 are back at my parents' house.
Now, I'm the type of shopper who wants higher-quality over a whole bunch of cheap pieces. In fact, I didn't buy cheap pieces at all becaue you get what you pay for when it comes to laundering & looking good for a long time. Back then, I'd shop from Nordstrom, Macy's, sometimes Free People, Anthropologie. I also liked New York & Co. (style used to be cuter than their site nowadays) & The Limited (now part of the retailer Belk), in which both had all their physical store locations closed.
I'm curious, since you work at home, where are you wearing most of your clothes? Still for work, but you just like looking put-together...do you have to be on-camera/zoom often? Or mostly fancy, going out clothes? Or just casual running errands clothes?
Although I have a ton of clothes, I seem to only wear a small amount these days, so I wear what's most comfortable plus, I've developed a skin condition in which the looser & softer the fabric, the better!
Re: Athleta, which is kind of pricey to me (if you buy at full-price), I bought two tops of theirs, but for what they cost, I was disappointed after washing it for the 1st time. The fabric pilled up...not what I expcetd from Athleta.
I'm similar to this poster...never had any clothing budget, but I think the most I spent at one time was $300-400 that I recall, but it sure wasn't monthly. I don't need new clothing that often in general, but since you're building your wardrobe, when do you feel you'll be satisfied & stop buying? After exactly 12 mos, 1.5 yrs, 2 yrs?
Wow! You have a lot of clothes. That’s awesome. Sounds like enough to last you a long time. I’ve been thinking a lot about that - how much is enough. I think for me, I want 4 to 5 pieces in every category. Tanks, nice tanks, t shirts, nice short sleeves, long sleeve t, nice long sleeve, sweater, sweatshirt.
And then for pants and shorts, black, cream, tan and a couple statement for each, including comfort / lounge, casual, and dressy.
I’m almost there. Still working on pants / shorts because the tops have been easier to find. Bottoms are more of what I’m focusing on now. And then after that, probably just a couple new pieces each season if I find something I really like.
As for where I wear clothes - I wear them when I leave the house! I love beautiful clothes - I feel like they’re wearable art - and I wear them out to dinner, the grocery store, Target, wherever.
I read a book that talked about how French women dress, and how they don’t save their best for special occasions; they wear it everyday. That really stuck with me, and I decided to wear what I want, when I want - even if that’s a cute slip dress to the grocery store.
I think many people commenting have unrealistic expectations for pricing. A designer closet cannot be built on $1k a month. Truly designer pieces cost that much individually, or sometimes much more.
I buy clothes in the $100 to $300 range per item, which leaves me with high quality, wearable basics manufactured ethically and sustainably, with beautiful details and fabrics that wash well.
With rising prices, that’s never been more important. I have old Target tanks that still look brand new, but companies are always cutting corners, and I find that now it’s much more difficult to find quality pieces at lower prices - especially ones not made in Chinese sweat shops.
I love supporting made in USA brands and I understand not everyone has the means to do that, but I think it’s important to consider where our clothes come from and how they’re made.
I see, thanks for replying. That's why I asked where do you where most of your clothes as in to what kind of occasions MOSTLY, but you answered me well enough.
Actually, 4 to 5 pieces in every category doesn't sound like a lot at all. I personally have the most of the following types of clothing:
- sweaters - I have a thing for sweaters. I even started a thread here about them 2 yrs ago ( https://www.city-data.com/forum/fash...-sweaters.html ). I must have 2-5 in each color imaginable (in various styles), except for tans, beiges, or browns because I don't care for those colors, but even then, I think I have 1 in 1-2 of those colors. Unfortunately, where I live, it doesn't even get that cold in the winter season, which is a shame. I wish it would rain more. So, there was a time I started buying a lot of cardigans, so at least I could wear it open w/ a short-sleeved top underneath & not be stuck w/ a sweater on & nothing underneath because there were a couple or so autumns & winters in a row where it wasn't cold enough to wear a sweater on even ONE day.
- jeans - I have so many styles, regular ones, 6-8 pairs w/ various-colored striping down the sides of the legs, numerous colored jeans, etc. However, I never had 1 pair of ripped jeans because I don't like them. My fave style, which I think is most flattering is the bootcut in a dark wash in a stretchy denim.
- black tops - I love black, it's chic & slimming, so I must have 20+ different styles of black tops alone. I actually love grey too, so I have quite a few grey tops.
Then, there was a period of time when I wanted all kinds of hot pink-colored clothing, but it had to be the right styles to my liking of course, so I bought agood little amount, especially sweaters.
What about accessories? I love genuine leather bags & boots (from ankle to knee-high). I have some bags in several colors too, even pink, teal, a melon color, grape purple, etc.
A couple of types of shoes I've wanted for a long time were these & during a season here & there (pre-COVID), I was dilligently on the hunt:
- metallic silver shoes
- leopard-print shoes w/ the actual hair/fur
COVID though really seemed to change my feeling about fashion. It's (meaning fashion) not quite as important to me anymore. I always still take pride in how I look, but I'm just more comfortable, but not sloppy.
Last edited by Forever Blue; 10-01-2022 at 06:39 PM..
That makes sense. A lot of people just don’t feel they’re worth anything more than the leftovers on the sale rack. Then they impulse buy things because they’re on sale, buying 5, $20 shirts they only half like, and that don’t fit well when they could have had one really nice shirt they’re obsessed with. I used to be a sale / TJ Maxx shopper and hated my closet, which has led to this latest adventure!
It is quite thrilling to wait and get a piece that was on my list for major sale. All about intention.
Ah yes, the L'Oreal argument - "spend more because you're worth it." Some people don't have a lot of money so they shop the sales. Maybe they have great self-esteem, who knows. Some people have a lot of fun shopping for bargains. Maybe their self-esteem gets boosted by being a smart shopper.
Ah yes, the L'Oreal argument - "spend more because you're worth it." Some people don't have a lot of money so they shop the sales. Maybe they have great self-esteem, who knows. Some people have a lot of fun shopping for bargains. Maybe their self-esteem gets boosted by being a smart shopper.
A lot of women feel guilty spending money on themselves. A lot of women don’t like their bodies and hide them in unflattering clothes. A lot of women ignore their appearance because they feel ugly, and don’t believe they can feel beautiful. Many women are deeply insecure and that reflects both in the clothes they wear and how they shop.
Must a woman spend a lot on clothes? No. But that doesn’t negate the truth of what I’m saying.
Even from a pure practical standpoint, many women who limit themselves to the sale rack make impulsive purchasing decisions, spend money on clothes they don’t like, and still end up with a wardrobe that doesn’t fully work for them or make them feel their best.
The sales rack is, quite literally, the leftovers nobody wanted. Can you find amazing pieces on sale? Absolutely. But often people buy the wrong size or color because it’s on sale, and they make do. That’s not smart. It’s sacrificial.
Lots of great brands at all price points. No need to limit yourself to the sales rack just ‘cause.
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