When I started reading YLF almost three years ago--and started setting aside MUCH more for clothing purchases--I was hyper focused on prices and what I was spending. That extreme awareness has (fortunately) relaxed a lot. In the past year, I've bought a few items that were around $150. For this former Goodwill shopper, that is quite a shift, and feels like high-end shopping. But I've given myself permission to buy what I like, as long as it's within my budget and I wear it. And I love feeling great in these more-expensive items. Which isn't to say I haven't also bought plenty of lower-end items in which I also feel great.

I spent a silly amount of time last fall looking at (for me) more expensive handbags, with the intention of purchasing one I loved. I found a few I loved but couldn't bring myself to buy any of them...yet. Maybe in another year or so, when the rest of my wardrobe is in even better shape.

So many thoughts and so much to say!

I think we all have different priorities, budgets and different needs and wants. I also know that having lots of money to spend on clothes does not equate to being stylish at all. And I am happy to have the right thing to wear, to look well put together and feel good rather than spend a lot without the desired end result.

I have a small budget and I do like nice clothes but I have been trying very hard to buy the best I can afford and that means shopping on sale. One of my local stores is having a 50% off the sale price and I found a pair of tailored cream jeans in my size. Just want I wanted and I will be able to wear them for years. I do buy clothes and my husband can't understand why someone needs so many shoes but you know, I don't drink much, I don't smoke or gamble. I do work hard and we live a simple life but I like to look as nice as I can and feel good about myself however much I spend on my clothes.

Looking through my closet, there are no high-end items. Probably not even any moderate items! I'm a budget shopper through and through. I love to scour clearance rack and stack coupons on top of sales prices. I d on't think I've ever felt that I didn't deserve nicer things. I just truly enjoy the hunt and the challenge. And lately I've felt pretty content with my closet. What's funny is, I can't even think of any high-end item I crave. I've always been happy to find a cute affordable bag at Target or a pretty summer dress at Kohl's.

BC, ha ha, yes! I so agree about swimsuits! WHY are they so expensive?

I've enjoyed reading the many perspectives here, and I agree with lisap that we are likely influenced by our environment and the attitudes of those around us.

For myself, I am not ready to focus on a few expensive, best-quality pieces. I did the frugal childhood thing, the college on $4K a year thing (including tuition!), and then the 10-years-of-grad-school thing, so I guess the novelty of being able to have a lot of stuff hasn't worn off yet. I think it will eventually. But for now, I'd rather by two or three middle-of-the road things (so I can have a variety of colors, usually! I love color!) than one fancy-pants thing. Which I would worry about ruining and never wear, probably.

When I do spend more, it's on purses (rare purchases, typically used a long time) and shoes (where I most appreciate the craftsmanship that becomes available at a higher price point).

It takes a lot of crafty work to get those suits to cover the important bits! And they know they have us..I mean, if you need one, you need it, right?

Kerlyn, I think if you are happy with your closet that is the main thing!

Shelly, that is so wise and true -- having lots of money to spend on clothes does not equate to true style.

Windchime, maybe we can start a "bag challenged" club. I keep thinking I will spring for a more expensive bag (not an "IT" bag, just a really nice bag) but I can't bring myself to do it! I did get a Le Pliage at NAS last year and definitely used it, but that is the closest I have come.

Brooklyn, it's interesting that you find it hard to pay as much for clothes that fit your dominant season. I think a lot of people feel this way about summer clothing for some reason -- maybe because we do go through it a bit quicker due to perspiration, etc? I wonder.

Runs with Scissors, your comment made me laugh out loud! Thanks!

Interesting discussion here...I relate to what many of you have said.

Our upbringing and childhood is such a strong influence - it can go both ways - I know adults who only buy the best because they feel they missed out as a child, and who love designer labels and expensive cars. Others stick with a frugal approach. My Mum and my MIL are both frugal as a result of their upbringing, yet their sisters are not....so some personality traits come to play.

I am happy to experiment with low end at the thrift store- I don't mind making a mistake here. But I dislike making mistakes with new clothes - it seems so wasteful. And I don't trust my eye as well in a cheaper retailer - I see some of the gorgeous pieces Deborah gets at a low price - but I get put off entering the store, or if I do, I become overwhelmed and miss the gems.

Suz . I am flying to Toronto and taking you bag shopping . I'll be there for a week at the beginning of August . Meet me at Holts on Bloor and hand me your credit card

Runs with Scissors, I think shoes are a great place to splurge a little because they do get a lot of wear as a rule and happy feet are worth a lot!!

Vix, I had a similar reaction to Carla's confession -- which makes me think it does come down to priorities in the end, and maybe when one's priorities begin to shift (in any direction) there will be a bit of a learning curve.

As for budget fashionistas, Carla, I think they are here and not here, if you know what I mean. Perhaps there are only a few here who shop exclusively at budget stores like K-mart. But I think there are a LOT of people who shop hi-low, in Angie's sense, so who have a pair of pants from Reitmans and a bag from Danier and a top from BR and maybe a relatively expensive coat. I'm in that group myself -- most of my stuff is mid-range, but much of it was bought on sale; I'll always have a few really inexpensive items (like those Canadian Tire belts -- yup!), and a few items are higher end -- not super expensive designer, but from a "better line" like Reiss or Elie Tahari.

Lisa, you're on. Except I am keeping my credit card on a leash, if that is okay.

Sally, that's a really great point about it going either way -- we can become like our environment or react against it.

My husband bought a belt at Canadian Tire while there to get some part or another for his car . He is quite pleased with himself .

Lisa! The belt referred to is white - LOL! Real leather, and I think $10. A few us did the lemming thing...

I totally know what you mean!

My WIWs are full of designer pieces but they almost all cost me less than if I bought the same item at full price from the Gap. I'm pretty happy with my current balance but it took a while to get here.

In grad school (20s) I was on a very tight budget. I only shopped at thrift stores. I was still refining my style and I was happier with used, nicer brands than disposable new clothes. Nicer at the time just meant Banana Republic or such.

As a postdoc, I was barely making more money, but I found higher end consignment things or deep discounts from nice stores. Around 2010 I got a lot more into fashion. When I showed up at YLF in 2013, I had started collecting much nicer things, but still always at a huge discount.

For a while I shifted to buying too much, but I still don't buy many things full price. I think I've honed my closet to a nice mix now and I'm being a lot more cautious about what I accumulate from consignment stores.

I'm not sure I'll ever let go of the hunt, waiting for something to drop in price before I'm willing to buy it. It's fun. But sometimes I realize I should identify what I need and what will be worth the money and just go for it!

I had to learn that sometimes one good piece is worth a multitude of less expensive pieces. I tend to spend more on fall/winter clothing and less on warm weather pieces. I have a reall problem spending more than $200 for a pair of shoes(more for boots). I have, but I almost had to force myself. And all footwear has to be leather except for tennis shoes. I can't wear higher heels due to several foot surgeries but if I could I would then I would splurge. I have been buying from a lot of different stores lately, but I tend to stick to Ann Taylor, J Crew and BR for work wear. I think a lot of it is wear you live. I live in Michigan and I have always worked for tech companies. Even the women with the really high up positions wear the same. I can recognize the really high end stuff but I just don't hang in the circles that wear it. That said, I love a bargain but my rule is would I wear it even if I had to pay full price? If the answer is yes, I buy it. I just got an amazing pale blue work dress that was $149 For $25.43. It fits perfectly and I love it so I would have paid full price. Getting on sale is just a bonus. At this point in my life I am experimenting with my style and don't want to buy really expensive pieces until I "get it" I have many, many, many coats and that has become my signature. I tend to spend more on them. I also spend more on my haircuts, hair color, hair products and don't get me started on skin products. I have some crazy expensive serums and creams. And like Angie, I mix high and low end. As she has taught us, style isn't a price. Wow, this was a really fun, Interesting topic.

Wow, what an interesting threat Suz!
I have quite a good income, but we decided to do a few other things e.g. we have a place by the coast and we do go on other holidays reasonably regularly. So I have a reasonable clothes budget but not excessive.
I tend to invest in watches, spectacles, shoes and coats (not so much need for them since we moved though!). Some of these I will have for many years too. Also swimmers and make-up, I tend to go higher end.

Most other things, I don't like to spend overly large amounts on. I love quite a few mid range brands such as Metalicus, but rarely buy it full price. Sometimes I will if I really love a piece, but most of the time, it's really just not "worth" it for me. I don't often buy really cheap clothes though,so I think it's all a balance.

Suz, I hope my comment above didn't sound judgmental. I really think everyone should buy whatever they love and their budget allows. I have very few high end stores in my smallish town, so I simply haven't had the chance to fondle the lovely leather handbags or try on the designer jeans. It's probably a good thing for my wallet!

I've found that I really enjoy trying to recreate some of my favorite looks both here on YLF and other blogs, but on my budget and with somewhat limited shopping options. It's a fun challenge.

kerlyn, not judgemental at all and I did not experience it that way! On the contrary, I think it is a mark of creativity to be able to do what you describe. I'm personally kind of allergic to "status" items (or those that call attention to themselves as such). I don't judge others for having them, but that kind of high end is definitely not a priority for me.

Nor am I saying that everyone should break through the budget mindset. Not at all. It's a great way to shop and some of the most stylish people on the forum do it!

So...I find it pretty hard right now to break thru the budget mindset. I did a walkabout last week, and I swear, from Ross to Nieman's, it was all the same swirly multi colour wrap dress. Maybe it was my attention blindness again, but I feel the field is flat.

There's another way of looking at this. I spend $ on clothing & accessories because I like to look as good as possible. I am able to spend more $ on this because I cut back in other ways. I drive home for lunch every day and eat something like a salad, sandwich or whatever. My DH & I eat out once a week. I cook from scratch the rest of the time. In contrast, some of my coworkers eat out a lot - breakfast & lunch every weekday; possibly more. I know because they bring the food back to work to eat at their desks. They also attend a lot of football games, etc. while my DH & I are home bodies. Yes, we take one or two really nice vacations per year, but the $ saved from not going places all the time helps us afford to do that. I'm not criticizing the way they eat & live. I'm just saying that we all choose our priorities & spend accordingly. Someone might look at me & think I'm rich (people have actually done that), not knowing how my DH & I budget our $. People make assumptions that are not always based on reality.

I own no designer or even high end stuff but don't really crave such items either. But I probably have more quantity, at least in the way of clothing and shoes, than I absolutely need. It is a huge deal to me if I buy something full price than at a discount. If I could be absolutely or at least 85% certain that an item would become a workhorse, then I would have no trouble spending more for it. I live in a mild climate so I never wear big ticket items like boots and coats. I have had more luck with cheapo footwear then more spendy (for me) footwear. Go figure.

But post-YLF, I think I have mostly put away my sales goggles. Does that count? I put tons of stuff that appeals to me in my Nordstom Wish List. Then, I wait for it to get marked down. Meanwhile, I ponder whether I really want/need it and how it fits in with the rest of my wardrobe. And sometimes when it gets marked down, I pounce. And other times I don't. And mostly I return it because it isn't a 10.

This means I don't go from store to store to shop the sales which can result in a lot of orphans, nor do I venture out with a particular list which can result in frustration. I live in a large metro area so lots of bricks'n'mortar stores are available, but I don't think I'd ever hit them unless DD were in town or if there were a YLF meetup.

In the event that DD ever gets married and has a wedding, I WILL hit the stores and would be willing to pay full price for the right dress. Just not a designer one because I have NO dress up activities.

Lol, DonnaF. I say "less to the dress" since wedding dresses only get worn once. Pay as little as possible to get something you love that's affordable. It.'a doable; just can take. a lot of shopping.