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Expensive but ordinary looking

rachylou

Veteran

My thought for today: I have an aversion to buying anything expensive but ordinary looking. Like black quilted riding jackets. Or linen smocks. Should I change my attitude? It's a little bit interesting... I mean, I can get a quilted jacket at Kmart, but I've never actually seen a linen smock under $300...

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33 replies

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Staysfit

Veteran

I want whatever I purchase to be of high quality, to fit well, and be well made, so if I can get that type of quilted jacket from Walmart I would do it gladly. The barrier for me is typically fit and sometimes quality. I think you make a good point though.

Anonymous

My barrier is the feel of the fabric against my skin. If the Walmart jacket felt as nice as the more expensive version, then hell yes.

Author Linda

Veteran

When I buy something expensive, it can look unassuming but it cannot look cheap. A plain black pencil skirt, for example, or a pair of booties doesn't have to dazzle. Such a garment can look amazing because of superb fabric or leather, excellent craftsmanship, and perfect fit. If I can get that with less cost, great--but I'm willing to pay more to get it. This was more important for work than it is now for my casual lifestyle.

Traci

Veteran

What sort of linen smock are you talking about? In summer I see lots of inexpensive linen pieces, but maybe they're not qualifying for you based on some other character out of the gate? Are you looking at handmade linen items? I'm a bit linen obsessed right now since I finally bought myself linen sheets last year. Now I want to live in it all day. I'm even trying to force the kids to use linen napkins.

bella

(website)

Veteran

I am like you. If I am going to spend a lot of money on one thing, I want it to stand out.

Windchime

Veteran

Right, if you spend megabucks for something, it'd be nice to at least have people notice it! On the other hand, I would feel uncomfortable if people thought I'd spent an over-the-top amount for my clothing (or anything else), too.

Anonymous

I've always felt that way, and it's good to know that others do, too. A more expensive item needs to look and feel better. I drive a much better car than I used to, and I can feel the difference in quality when I see it, when I sit in it, and when I drive it. The same is true for clothing. It's not just the fabric that should be better. It's also the fit and the construction. I look at the seams, the hem allowance, the facings (my mother used to sew facings down using a blind stitch, so I'm a stickler about that), the way stripes and plaids are matched up, etc. I should be able to tell that the fabric is superior and that more workmanship went into making it. I don't want to feel like a manufacturer didn't match the stripes because of wanting to cut corners to save costs. Lining is also important, though I will buy an unlined dress for casual wear, but much prefer that dresses be lined. Back to stripes--it takes more fabric to match up stripes. These are the things I look at and consider.

Traci

Veteran

Thinking on this has made me realize I'm actually uncomfortable with expensive looking things. Sometimes I will fall for an expensive designer brand but I'll only consider buying the pieces that aren't marked up with logos. I may like it for its quality but it bugs me to think others will think I don't understand the quality and only own it for the status.

A few years ago I bought a wedding ring set I loved that had fake stones in it. I felt compelled to tell every stranger who complimented it that it was fake, lest they think I'm the kind of girl who can afford that kind of thing for every day grocery shopping. I definitely have some psychological issues with being perceived as hoity toity.

Another factor is that I like my quality pieces to last and while I love unique items, they make me hungry for the next unique item.

Long story short, I'd rather have quiet, understated luxury and inexpensive flash.

Beth

Veteran

Hm. I'm with Linda; I don't see an item as ordinary if the fit, fabric, and construction are high. These pieces can be workhorses and make me feel fab even if the style is ordinary. For example, a Halogen cashmere sweater may resemble a more expensive sweater in style, but the feel of slipping into a thicker, higher quality cashmere is fabulous, even if I'm the only one to enjoy it.

Anonymous

I underestimated the complexity of this question at first and had to kind of think about it because my natural inclination is to want the expensive one.
Maybe this is a true fashion question because if you were buying outdoor gear you would probably appreciate that the more expensive one might look the same but have technical advantages that would make it worth the price?
I buy things that will wash and wear very well for at least 1-2 seasons and that have some kind of detail, color, fabric, etc that I like enough to wear the item over and over.
But real fashion expression, as much as I love it, and intentionally and unconsciously incorporate an awareness of it in my choices is not the main motivator for my shopping. If it were, I think I'd be much more likely to spend anticipating shorter cycling of items and I can totally see why the really unusual items would seem like a better use of funds than buying expensive classics, which are always promoted as the foundation of style, but not necessarily fashion.

Anonymous

Not everything expensive is top quality, and I don't even believe that you necessarily get what you pay for. It's one of those "it depends" things.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I think I'm the opposite of you. I want expensive things that are made impeccably, fit perfectly, feel high-end, and nobody knows, for sure, were expensive. Exactly what Author Linda said: it can look unassuming but it cannot look cheap

My last car was a BMW. I bought it new because I loved the feeling of driving it, loved the interior finish, loved the classic shape of the front grill. I kept it for thirteen years. I hated that, because of the brand, everyone knew how much it cost and assumed things about me because of it.

Anonymous

People do make assumptions about you based on what type of neighborhood you live in, what car you drive, what clothes you wear, etc. That said, my DH and I scrimped and saved for years and years and years, and put 2 DDs through college (still putting youngest DD through college) in addition to providing substantial financial assistance to his parents. Now we enjoy more and better vacations, drive much nicer cars (that we got for way under list price), etc. I don't feel bad anymore. People used to assume I was rich way back when my mother made my clothing for me. My father bought my first car for me, and people talked about that, too. The salesman who sold it to him went to our church, and spread the word around, so people assumed my dad was spoiling me. It didn't matter that I was expected to (and did) pay him back every penny before that car would be put in my name. People judge, and as far as I'm concerned, it's their problem. We don't live high on the hog in other ways, and actually live on less than half of what my DH and I make. I believe everyone chooses how to spend their money, and it's not fair to make judgments. I do not feel the least bit guilty about putting my best foot forward, so to speak, to look and feel nice. I also don't feel guilty if what I wear looks more expensive than what I actually paid.

Diana

Veteran

Well, you know it's that old money vs new money thing. Like, around here if you're *really* old money, like your ancestors signed the Declaration of Independence and your house *and* your guest house have names, you don't flaunt it. It's like all classic, preppy clothes all the time but impeccably made. Like Lilly Pulitzer is too flashy. Just like your car is a Volvo not a Mercedes and not the newest Volvo either....

Of course there is always the subset of old money that dresses only in ll bean and drives a Subaru....

personally I'll pay for impeccable quality or good fabrics. and you get to a point where you can recognize it.

Gaylene

Veteran

Interesting question, and I agree with Isabel that it's more complex than it might appear on the surface.

I think function and purpose are my main yardsticks when I open my wallet further. Like Isabel, I'm often drawn to the technical features of more expensive gear because those features can make a huge difference in harsh conditions when I'm depending on the item for comfort and safety.

Now that I reflect on it, I think I unconsciously apply the same thinking to my $$$$ fashion purchases. If an item combines good design, a high level of workmanship, functionality, and comfort, I'll happily pay a higher price. If the higher price is associated with mainly the "luxury" features--extra soft leather, designer/brand history, scarcity, or fashion-forwardness--I'm more likely to hesitate.

Getting back to your question, I'd say if that linen smock had a functionality that set it head and shoulders above the masses of linen smocks, then I'd be tempted. But, otherwise, it's just a another linen smock so why not buy at a price point which reflects the importance of linen smocks in my life.

celia

Veteran

My first reaction is " I don't like to buy cheap looking clothes no matter the price point."
People have been making assumptions all my life based on that fact.
However I also don't need that people identify my clothes as being from a certain brand, unless I am trying to fit into some group , which happens mostly for networking.

Anonymous

I don't like brands or logos on my clothing or accessories. I think if a company wants me to wear their name, they should pay me to do it. Seriously, I do believe that people with a trained eye are going to recognize quality when they see it, and some are going to make assumptions on how much was spent on those items.

celia

Veteran

BC I also feel kinda of used by the brand whenever the logo is all over the item , however I don't think that people who buy the brand for thw brand only are very aware ,or worried , about quality.
Also there are subtler ways of getting thw brand across. Everyone recognizes a Burberry print or Tommy Hillfinger mix of colors, for example.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

In my head I always think I can find that in the thrift. I am so frugal.

rachylou

Veteran

So...I'm talking about the kind of linen smock you'd see in Kinfolk magazine (kinfolk.com). Japanese/Scandanavian milkmaid hipster or artist. You wouldn't be afraid to paint walls in one, except that it cost so much. The material is usually finer than the sewing. I'd probably live in these, except I balk at the price.

I was thinking, reading your thoughts, - you know, I don't balk at laying out for cashmere or a purse or shoes or a snow puffy...but a non-topper garment, I feel different about. I want it to be fancy affair stuff. Not flashy mind; I'm not too good with logos and stuff. A suit would also be exempt from my rule, here...

Bijou

Veteran

I like to buy at all price points and enjoy my cheaper purchases as much as my more expensive ones. My main exception is in relation to shoes, which I really like to make sure are of good quality and do not mind if they look "ordinary" if the quality and comfort is there. Beautiful yet uncomfortable shoes just languish in my closet, so I limit buying them to one or two pairs that will work for the occasional formal event and then these are just formal enough - I don't have any stiletto heels because frankly I just cannot walk in them.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Isn't that the whole aesthetic of the Olsen twins line, The Row. I remember when they first came out many proclaimed their white t-shirt was perfect.

Anonymous

My mom always said that if you spend $, you need to have something to show for it. IOW, don't splurge on something that doesn't look like it was worth the $. I think there's some truth in that.

rachylou

Veteran

Bijou, it's funny about shoes. I'm ok spending on shoes...

Anna - Och, you are so right. And frankly, I love The Row - well, looking at collection pics. But I remember getting that first email way back when for the t-shirts... and this is probably when this *issue* started fomenting for me. I was yes no yes no...never did pull the trigger. I'm sorta back there with my new MJ sweatshirt. If it hadn't been on deep discount, I'd doubt I'd have bought it because it's a sweatshirt. Everything is in the concept - the colours really. There's nothing materially special. However, it's turned out to be a Best Buy. So, I don't know...

BC - I think my instinct is as per your mom. I wonder if my new sweatshirt meets the standard or not. It certainly gets compliments that my other sweatshirts don't...

Minnie

.

rabbit

Veteran

Kinfolk cracks me up, I gotta say.

My thought is that the cost above the cost of materials, manufacturing and distribution is made up of a social fiction, in which lots of things come into play, and that participating in that fiction is the whole appeal of luxury goods. I mean civilization is a social fiction too, right? So luxury to some means the logo doesn't show, and to others means the logo must show.

For me uniqueness is something I would pay more for. Ordinary looking isn't, unless something about the source, materials or manufacture made the cost of creation exceptional. (hand loomed linen? Custom made shoes?)

Cost is all relative I'm thinking. Rather than a dollar amount, I'm wondering if I should ask myself if I'd spend a months work on something, or a weeks, or a days. How much life energy is it worth? How much life energy did it cost the people who made it?

I'd actually pay a lot of money right now for a really comfortable light extremely durable zip up hoodie with a chest pocket and channel for my ipod cord because I would wear that sucker every day. True confession I sewed a pocket out of part of a wool sock onto my old hoodie so it would be in the exactly right place where the cord wouldn't catch while I was working.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

It depends on how well it's made. I get a lot of pleasure at looking at something simple, but impeccably constructed. I don't WANT to spend a lot of money on anything, but the type of labor and materials that goes into a nice garment is usually expensive. Also, I am not too keen on the idea of a lot of people in sweat shops churning out disposable fashion, so I'd pay more to help pay the laborers, reduce waste, etc.

Anonymous

My mother is gone now, but I guarantee you I would be able to tell her quality workmanship vs. something available at a department store. She added so many extra touches to my clothing that I haven't seen anywhere else, and the fabric was always top quality. Granted, I've never been in a store that sells luxury goods, so maybe they're equivalent to what she used to make, but I haven't seen anything in any of the stores I shop at that could compare.

Gaylene

Veteran

I've been mulling this over since "simple" can be deceptive. Living in a time where $5 T-shirts are commonplace and $100+ designer T-shirts can fall apart after one wearing, figuring out if a price is reasonable isn't always easy.

I stopped sewing because it seemed ridiculous to spend my time making a shirt, when the raw materials alone could add up to over $70, especially if I could find a similar shirt for $60 in a shop--with a 30% discount thrown in for good measure! True, my shirt would have lasted for a decade, while the shop one would probably expire in a few years, but did I want a 10-year-old, perfectly wearable, shirt in my closet?

I do know that I bought a linen smock apron in France which I paid dearly for because I fell hard for its simple, sturdy construction. The elderly lady who owned the shop sewed the aprons in a back cubbyhole and insisted on altering the straps until they were were exactly the right length for me. After three years of constant wearing and washing, the linen feels soft but thick and the indigo has faded to a perfect blue. I love the style, the pockets, the crisis-crossed straps--everything about that apron still pleases my senses. It's the only apron I own and I feel happy thinking I could still be wearing it decades from now. Expensive, but ordinary, and worth every penny.

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