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Where to invest: High vs. Low

Chris987

Veteran

Angie's blog topic today had me thinking about which types of garments seem to cost more or be good places to invest more. I tend to skew into lower price ranges for everything and I'm trying to open up my mind a bit about it so it helps me to think about what types of items are good places to invest. .

These are of course generalizations an just my opinions... would love you hear yours....

Things typically at higher pries or worth the spend. - designer items, shoes, boots, purses, sweaters especially cashmere, wool coats, some undergarments, tailored items, precious metal/gemstone jewelry

Often ok at lower price points - casual pants, sports gear, tops of all kinds, some undergarments, nightwear, costume jewelry, scarves, random finds of all kinds

Shopping

29 replies

Latest reply was from Jaime

Tanya

Veteran

I think that this is very individual, but here is what I spend on.
The most important items I invest in are bras and premium jeans - the first because they can make or brake the outfit, the second because I wear them all the time. Then, shoes and bags, those I mix - some are pricey and some are mid range. Outerwear/blazers too - I will invest in more classic shapes and spend less on trendier stuff.

RobinF

Veteran

Good question! I mostly agree with Tanya, I will pay top dollar for a good bra, but my jeans are cheaper because they are weekend wear for me. I will also pay more for shoes and bags and outerwear. I would also add that I am willing to spend a little more for pants because I am harder to fit so when I find ones that fit well price isn't as important a consideration. I am a bargain shopper though, so my price scale is pretty low overall.

always trying

Veteran

Cost per wear and longevity are the main factors for me. when it comes to footwear price seems to matter least except in athletic shoes as far as comfort goes. Some of the most expensive can be the biggest blister makers. My fav jeans right now are Bandalino, about $30.00. very soft comfy and as close to perfect fit as I can get. Fav sandals are leather made in Spain from TJMax., about $25.00. Also more expensive Dune London silver dressier sandals at around $100.00 are great. Very expensive tops still contain polyester, and cheaper can be cotton linen blends, and such.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

As Tanya said, it's very individual. For myself, I tend to put most money into certain key "wardrobe essentials" (such a blazers for me, and jeans) as well as footwear. I'm the kind of person who tends to buy simple, boring "background" items in greater abundance so it has helped me to learn to splurge a bit sometimes on "statement" items. They add impact and JPW to the wardrobe making up for their poor CPW. I used to spend a lot on bras but then I found a few styles that fit well and I order from NAS, thus saving myself a fair bit.

I will pay top dollar for haircuts since my hair is an essential part of my style.

I also know that belts, scarves, and some bags will get a huge amount of wear in my closet, so it is perfectly okay to pay more for them. It took me some time to learn this.

Angie has a great post on this, by the way: http://youlookfab.com/2016/02/.....ping-list/

MsMary

Veteran

I spend a fortune on my hair -- color every three weeks and regular cuts and occasional straightening. Bras, definitely.

Beyond that, everything a is a mix from Target to GAP to Banana Republic to the very occasional designer piece from Nordstrom or Saks.

Generally i'm most comfortable in the mid range for everything, I think.

deb

Veteran

I had to really think about this. Honestly, My closet is all mixed up. There is not a single category that does not have both high and low. Good question.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

For me it is a gown or leather one of a kind piece. I just really started to I nest in undergarments.

Diana

Veteran

Coats, suiting, jeans, handbags, fine jewelry. Basically things that last a long time and that benefit from having premium quality materials and craftsmanship.

To an extent, shoes (I don't go over around $200 (a bit more for boots) for shoes because I am hard on my shoes and they all end up destroyed, but I also absolutely won't go low end because of my fussy feet.)

And also fancy yarn for hand knit items.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm nodding along with Tanya and Suz. It's a personal thing where you choose to spend your money - and of course, it's relative.

Over the years, I have bought high-end items in EVERY wardrobe and grooming category. Some of it has been very worthwhile, and some of it has been a waste of money. Personally, I do not find high-end hosiery and skincare products worth the extra money.

I spend top dollar on:

Bras and knickers (I LOVE pretty lacey undies).
My Hair - cut, colour and products.
Eyewear (it is ridiculous how much my eye wear costs - but I wear it ALL THE TIME). My specs are signature.
Make-Up
Swimwear
Scent

(I used to buy high-end skincare products, but they very ironically worked against my skin! Inexpensice products are much better for me in every way).

I am high-low is every other wardrobe category accept coats and workout wear. I refuse to spend top dollar on workout wear, and I can't bring myself to buy a budget coat.

Generally, it is easier for me to go high-end on jeans, jackets, coats, shoes, bags and knitwear.

kkards

Veteran

it is so personal, it's also a bit subjective, as one persons "mid" is another persons "low" etc....

but, here's what I'm always willing to spend on...shoes, bra's, socks. why these 3..because they are the 3 that must fit perfectly or I'm miserable all day.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Bras. I feel best when I look good, and a comfortable and supportive bra is worth the money.

Shoes. I am difficult to fit-like sometimes the Nordstroms salesperson gives up difficult. The specialty athletic shoe store spends an hour fitting me difficult. But this week I had a happy surprise-Van's lace ups fit me! At least the one and only pair I tried on. And they make me smile. On sale for 1/3 or less of what I usually pay. And much cuter. Looking at getting another.

I shop from TJMaxx to Nordstrom. And TJMaxx isn't necessarily inexpensive; I found the purse I'd been pining over at Nordstroms for the high end of what I spend, so it came home with me.
Although I shop the low to maybe mid? range of Nordstrom.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

As others have stated above, this is a very personal choice. My wardrobe is a good mix of high-end & low-end, like almost everything else in my life.

Here is what I splurge on more often:

1) Beautiful leather bags - they make a statement and last a lifetime because they have no fit issues!

2) Watches - again, they last a lifetime. I learned this long ago - if you're wearing a simple tshirt & jeans with a nice hair style, a smart bag and a designer watch, you instantly look classy.

3) Perfumes - I am a Chanel addict. Period.

4) Hair - Not just hair cuts but also hair products. I use only sulfate-free and paraben-free hair products and have to buy everything imported because we don't have any local brands in India who do this. I also spend money on hair spas and deep conditioning treatments.

5) Walking shoes - Need a very comfy pair because of foot problems. I wear off my shoes in 3-4 months tops, so it's not uncommon for me to go through 3 pairs a year.

6) Winter Outerwear - coats & jackets. I simply love winter wear and these also last for years & years. Our winter is not too long, but it can be cold. And we don't have central heating anywhere here....so your jacket/coat makes the look.

7) Bras - not by choice though. I'm not hung up on pretty underpinnings but my size is not available at cheaper brands! Indian brands rarely go over D cup, a couple make an E cup, but no one goes beyond that. As an F cup, I don't have an option at all.

I don't spend too much on other shoes, though I love shoes. I'm very hard on my shoes and seem to have amassed too many. I like other shoes to be mid-range.

I don't like to spend a lot on jeans, somehow. Even low-end jeans seem to last forever! I am more likely to spend extra on a dress than jeans...those are not easy to find! I think what I'm trying to say is that if something is 'hard to fit' for me, I will be willing to spend more to find the 'right' piece.

Anonymous

I'm another who is all over the place, and has both high and low things in every category. Consistently in the higher price category are blazers, workout wear , bags, shoes (that's relative though and may not be seen as higher to others here) makeup, fragrance and jewellery. I could not care less about jeans, underwear (mostly because it would mean a separate trip to a specialty retailer and who has time for one more of those?) , shorts, khakis , shampoo, or bath products. I am quite happy at the lower end of the spectrum for those things and never seem to have trouble finding what I need at GAP etc for basic stuff. I'm a department store underwear purchaser - I hate to admit it, and I know it's worth the investment, but I cannot bring myself to make a trip to a lingerie shop and try stuff on. Would rather mow the lawn

rachylou

Veteran

I put big money into coats, purses, eyeglasses, boots, and dress shoes. Visibility is one reason. With boots it's about fit. I DON'T put big money into other kinds of shoes because I walk so much that I reach that point where the punishment makes all equal.

Hair is tricky. I don't really put the big money there anymore. I used to see a master stylist. You have to be in a big city - or willing to go into one - to find a master stylist. You won't get your money's worth else wise. Women's cuts are generally overpriced as is. However, hair has a big impact, so I'd go for the best a town has to offer - so long as they're not trying to charge me master stylist prices.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Maneera makes a great point about spending on those hard to fit items. Me, too. For me, tall boots are another super hard to fit item and I ive in a winter predominating climate, so I will spend.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Resident cheapskate reporting for duty! I have splurged in every category at some point in my life, but I'm generally looking for the highest ratio of quality to price I can find. Being cusp-sized and tall, I'm limited in what brands fit me, so high-end designer wear wouldn't be an option anyway. I no longer buy super-cheap shoes; the resulting pain just isn't worth it and I'm not young enough to get away with it anymore. But I haven't found that much difference between a $75 shoe and a $200 shoe, so I tend to stick with the former unless I totally fall in love with something. I enjoy having a varied wardrobe so being able to afford to buy multiple options within my budget is important to me.

My years of being on YLF have helped me realize that when I up my average per-piece budget from 'thrift/consignment/discount store' to 'mid-range mall store' it takes a lot less time to shop, because I don't have to do as much searching and I can afford to buy exactly what I need even if it's not on sale. I try to spend the highest per item on workhorses, which for me are things like jeans, flat shoes, smart casual tops and lightweight sweaters and cardigans. I've been experimenting with higher-end jeans recently, and I've bought a couple pair I like but I don't know if I like them three times as much as the Loft ones I can get on sale for less than fifty bucks.

I'm not big on jewelry and I don't think I've bought any fine jewelry since my wedding ring, and I've been married 13 years. I don't like the looks of most expensive handbags, and I've found a bra style that works for me that's available at a department store. It doesn't get that cold here so outerwear lasts forever.

I have found that I have to spend more than I would prefer on haircuts and coloring - living in a HCOL area means that the cheap options really aren't good enough. It's still not that much compared to what other people spend on hair, facials, manicures, etc.

Recently I've been spending tons on outfitting myself for my half marathon training. Gear for a specific sport can quickly get prohibitively expensive; there's always more doodads and new shoes to buy!

Echo

Veteran

I absolutely agree that it is very individual, I will generally spend more for handbags, shoes, scarves (I have a "thing" for high end silk scarves), coats, blazers, and fine jewelry. I won't spend for jeans because I hardly wear them; likewise with cashmere/most sweaters. I don't spend much on workout wear unless the design is something I cannot live without. I do spend more on skincare that I'd like to, but I cannot find lower priced options that work as well.

Greyscale

Veteran

As a jeans girl, that's my first priority. I do own a few excellent Gap jeans, but they've been hit or miss and for the most part, I am happiest with premium brands.

Shoes, too. My feet are much happier in soft leather shoes with leather lining, so I always seek out higher-end shoes (though some mid-range brands are great too - Jeffrey Campbell and Dr Martens are both excellent).

Since my style relies a lot on basics combined in interesting layers, I have a lot of lower-end wardrobe staples that work really well. My only rule is that things have to be all natural fibers (a weird personal texture quirk that does limit me). T-shirts, I always buy at the Gap or Uniqlo, if I can find a cut I like. And my sweaters and shirts are a mix of high and low.

The category I tend to avoid is fancy but inexpensive items. If my style included more flair, Zara and the like would be a great place for trendy things at affordable prices. But since I go more for basics, fabric quality makes a bigger difference to me. (And this is not to knock Zara at all - I have found so many really excellent items there and their quality can be great. But it varies.)

retailgirl

Veteran

I'll spend on shoes, I wear a 11 N and they're hard to find. Also tailored jackets. I love fine jewelry and have amassed a large but relatively modest per piece collection over the years; I'm done now. (Lots of pieces; not too many really expensive ones.) I love silk scarves and this is where quality, and price really matter. I don't have any Hermes scarves, although I wish I did, but I do have some lovely silks by other designers. And that's about it. I get most of my pants from Talbots. Shirts, blouses, Brooks Brothers or Talbots. Bags are in the Coach, Kate Spade, Brahmin range. I'm a classic dresser and keep things for a long time.

DonnaF

Veteran

I buy mostly medium - low vs. high - low. I've learned that some of my cheapo pleather footwear is just as or even more comfortable than my close to $200 footwear. Not that much premium denim is available in Petite sizes, and I've been happy with lower end denim which probably suits my shape better. I live in a mild climate so I rarely wear true outerwear so it doesn't make a lot of sense to spend a lot in that category. I'm hard on my bags and they tend to sit on dirty floors, so I am experimenting with pleather since I'm not getting the longevity I want with leather.

I spend on haircuts because my super coarse super thick is difficult to cut, and I spend on bras because I am a rare size, but I still try to avoid paying full price. Getting glasses to work with my flat nose bridge is difficult, so I am willing to splurge on frames; having the thinnest progressive non-glare lenses adds up to close to $500. That being said, I only have one pair (plus readers and sunglasses), but I would like a second pair.

shedev

Veteran

I have a little high and low in all areas. I'll spend to get details that aren't available in lower end pieces. More of my shoes are high and more tops are low.

I do the 5 piece French wardrobe, which is 5 investment pieces and some basics to go with them. It has been working pretty well for me.

Keix

Veteran

My investment categories:
- coats and jackets
- jeans, which are my most worn wardrobe piece
- shoes, because I have fussy feet and wear a specialty size
- jewelry, due to a nickel allergy

I'm willing to buy inexpensive jeans that fit well/are a passing trend and sometimes shoes, if one considers $60 BP shoes from Nordstrom to be "low."

Surprisingly, I don't invest in bras--my size is relatively common and the Natori Feathers bra, which Nordstrom puts on sale for $45 at every NAS, fits me perfectly. It's way more comfortable than the admittedly gorgeous French lingerie that I've tried on.

I also buy mid-range handbags because I hate shopping for them so they need to last several years. Right now I just use a Longchamp Le Pliage 100% of the time--so, a splurge--but it's due for a second corner refinishing.

Chris987

Veteran

Very interesting comments. There seems to be a theme of investing in jeans if they are a frequent-wear item, and shoes/bags - no surprise there. And investing in long term keepers as opposed to trendy items.

The big common theme is that you all think carefully about where you want to invest..

Runcarla

Veteran

Gah! The body angst posts leave me non-plused. But this thread touches a sensitive spot! I feel it is my penny pinching ways that are holding me back style wise. I have no need to be parsimonious, but I keep falling into budget fashionista role. Sometimes there is a great score like my Calvin Klein finds or the Longchamps Neo, but other times what I think is an awesome find or close approximation of an on trend find, turns out to be a fail.

A quick look through my closet reveals nothing really 'high end' or expensive, and hardly anything a full price! How do I break through this mind set?

(On the other hand, I have no trouble splashing out on gear for my sport.)

BrieN

Veteran

I am a budget shopper with higher end sensibilities

My superpower is the ability to gravitate to and select the most expensive item in any store.

And then I put it back on the rack.

I'll splash out for jeans and shoes but even then it's nothing hugely expensive. I think that Anthro dress is probably the most expensive single item I've purchased in a really long time.

eta: I do spend a lot on hair upkeep. hmmm

Chris987

Veteran

Runcarla I think I have a LOT in common with you in this area. I grew up in a huge family and lived mostly on hand-me-downs we swapped back and forth with some cousins, plus stuff I made myself or the occasional splurge at a Marshalls. I, like you, have a hard time getting out of that mindset. I don't think it's a bad thing but it does seem limiting. I do buy shoes at full price fairly often because I've learned the hard way that waiting for a sale usually means being sold out in my size...same for winter coats. Just about 2 years ago I forced myself to walk into a Neiman Marcus to look around. It was good therapy although I didn't find much that interested me.

LOL BrieN....Love it!! Quite an amazing superpower, especially for a member of the YLF community!

Anonymous

I like to spend on shoes! I really like leather-lined shoes to wear barefoot.
Could I justify the added expense by saying I save on socks?

Anonymous

I spend the most on shoes, followed by handbags (though I only have a few), makeup and now hair. I can't think of any low-end items I have, but I do try to buy dresses on sale because they don't get worn as much as my tops and pants. Most of my stuff is mid priced.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Interesting - I spend far and away the most on shoes - even consignment shoes can be pricey and I overindulge in shoes in a probably pathological way. My bras are on repeat and I get them for a reasonable price new on ebay, but they are Chantelle and not cheap even there. I spend virtually nothing on house and exercise clothes because I can always find what I need at the thrift store. I have also been lucky finding higher end jeans at thrift stores, although I will occasionally spend on a moderately priced new pair of jeans. Everything else is pretty haphazard.