YouLookFab Forum » Topic: “Cheap as chips”?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: “Cheap as chips”? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:48:33 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Jenni NZ on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2313116 Sun, 12 Mar 2023 00:12:11 +0000 Jenni NZ 2313116@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you La Ped for such a thoughtful response. You are right about the anxiety I feel if I am not going to get the wear out of something! Never thought of it like that before. I think it has developed more gradually because of how big and out of control my wardrobe felt in those years 2008-16 when I had gained the weight as well as had more money from working more with kids being older, so was desperately shopping to try and feel better about my looks. Now I can feel more comfortable about the odd item that I may not wear that much (like wedding guest clothes) so long as I love them and am very happy at whatever the occasion is. What you and Kkards and Runcarla have said have been helpful in that regard. Such a lot of great responses on this thread yay. I will continue being mostly a utilitarian shopper but might allow a little bit of being more hedonistic (or as the article I found said, hedonic) on the very occasional purchase. Even then I will want to totally love it and plan to keep a long time hopefully. LaPed on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2312799 Thu, 09 Mar 2023 18:56:17 +0000 LaPed 2312799@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting thread! Short answer, no, I don't think $175 is cheap as chips. I'd give the SA the benefit of the doubt, though. Customer service is a rough job and it can hard to hit the right note all the time. I think I'd be slightly flattered that she perceived me as someone for whom $175 is trifling.  I think the important thing to remember about hedonistic vs utilitarian consumers is that those of us on the utilitarian end of the spectrum do (or can) derive a lot of pleasure from those practical, highly-considered purchases. Impulse shopping, spending money I didn't plan on spending, or buying things that don't serve a clearly defined purpose, typically results in a lot of anxiety for me, which in turn can make it harder to enjoy the item I've bought. When something catches me eye unexpectedly, it's much better for me to sit with it for a few days/weeks/months before I make the decision to buy. The exception to this is thrift stores, where prices are low enough that I am more tolerant of the occasional mistake and the chances are high that the thing I'm looking at will be long gone the next time I come in.  My per-item thresholds have gone up quite a bit over the past few years largely due to inflation, but also because I've gotten stricter about quality, longevity, and ethical business practices. I used to be be under triple-digits for everything except winter outerwear/footwear, but these days, even summer footwear is likely to be close to or over $100. Pants and knitwear, too. I'm well-stocked enough that at this point, I can usually hold out until I find a secondhand option, but for true essentials I'll shop retail if need be. CPW is a significant consideration for me. I am more comfortable and more likely to spend $$$ on gear than on formalwear, because the gear will be in heavy rotation, while dressy outfits will only see a few wears per year. (Really, I just don't buy dressy clothes right now. Unless my life changes dramatically, my current dressy capsule has the depth and seasonal variety to last me through at least a couple of years' worth of weddings, holiday parties, and memorial services before it needs updating.) Jenni NZ on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2312576 Wed, 08 Mar 2023 06:12:28 +0000 Jenni NZ 2312576@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I agree Carla and thank you. So long as we can afford it and it doesn’t put us in consumer debt and we don’t do it all the time to justify every single purchase (I really hate that L’Oreal Paris tagline of “Because you’re worth it”- I personally think that’s just an excuse to make women spend on overpriced products that won’t make them as beautiful as they may hope anyway). In my case looking back on 62 years of life it has only been a few purchases over time and they really have made me feel wonderful. The rest of the time I feel good knowing I am being sensible with my purchases for both my own financial benefit and now to help the planet too. Carla on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2312572 Wed, 08 Mar 2023 05:05:35 +0000 Carla 2312572@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ @ Jenni - I think you’ve got to honour that feeling you get when you splash out for something that makes you feel like a million bucks!  I knew when I went to a specialty bathing suit boutique, that I was going to pay $$$ for a vacation bikini or bathing suit, and that it probably wasn’t going to amortize down to a particularly low CPW.  On the other hand, I don’t think you can put a dollar value on the feeling of knowing you look your absolute best for an occasion - especially a  very special occasion.  In situations like that, you just have to plunk down the cash (or card) and say: “I’m worth it!” Jenni NZ on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2312569 Wed, 08 Mar 2023 04:42:55 +0000 Jenni NZ 2312569@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I know it’s 2 days later, but coming back to it as 2 more people to thank. Firstly, Zaeobi for the beautiful shots of your two wedding gowns. So pretty! Excellent choices. And secondly, Ms Maven for your comments. Your first Judy Hornby dress sounds like you felt really amazing in it and I agree that psychologically that can be worth a lot. I bought a full-length black evening dress when I was about 40 which was quite expensive but really made me feel amazing and as close to a movie star as I was ever likely to get. I wore it about 3 times but was also able to lend it to DD1 as a teenager for her to attend a dance, and she looked stunning too. I no longer have it because I gained weight but remember it fondly. It’s a bit like the wedding dress. The odd item in one’s life doesn’t need to meet a lower CPW standard! Jenni NZ on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2312162 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 00:29:32 +0000 Jenni NZ 2312162@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I wanted to thank some more contributors to this thread. Thank you Anchie, Tanya, Suntiger, Irina, CarolS and Runcarla for being willing to reveal some of the pricing you consider. It does help. I think what Tanya does with the Veronica Beard blazers is similar to what I do with good “bridge” brands like NZ brands Sabatini and Verge. I prefer to get them on sale if possible because the original prices are a bit steep for me but I like the quality and design. Kkards I also really appreciated your contribution. Maybe I need to rethink a bit. It’s true that it is way harder to get my CPW down on certain categories, like say dresses I buy to wear as a wedding guest, and my MOB dress for that matter, even though it happened to be on sale I did get it altered for a better fit and that added to the cost. I can probably cope if such things don’t necessarily hit #30 wears or reach a under-$5 CPW, since I have had a lot of pleasure out of being appropriately dressed for such events. Maybe my utilitarian approach can involve other considerations in such a case. Suz on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2312116 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 20:44:36 +0000 Suz 2312116@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have enjoyed this thread! Thanks, Jenni!  I have to add to the wedding dress story...on my first, I spent nothing -- except a few dollars for alterations. I wore my mother's dress. It was her dream that I would do so, and luckily, I liked it, and it more or less fit.  Alas, that marriage did not last (although I still have the dress!). For my second marriage I went to Banana Republic and got a very simple, off the rack maxi dress in white with pale grey large-scale modern floral pattern. I think I spent $60 or something. Maybe less. I don't have that dress any more. But I do have the marriage. :)  I was interested in this distinction between utilitarian and hedonistic shoppers. I'm sometimes one, and sometimes the other, and perhaps the blend of the two is what Angie calls "organized emotional" shopping.  Anonymous on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2312097 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 18:10:37 +0000 Anonymous 2312097@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, $175 certainly isn’t my idea of “cheap as chips” for a skirt which, while pretty, is maybe a little more trendy and short-lived than I would want to buy.  I have a snooty SA story, too. Many years ago we were shopping in Toronto, when my husband saw a zippered jacket in a window which he liked.  A cotton casual jacket.  When he asked about it, the SA said “it’s $175; is that all right?”  He said it certainly wasn’t and we left.  <div>Very different from a favorite boutique in my hometown. Petit Paris had lovely French accessories, lingerie and cosmetics.  The owner was always friendly to us as high school girls, so, once we were working, we went back there to buy shoes and handbags, not only the lipsticks we could afford at first.  She did it right, I think.</div> Olive Green on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2312027 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 10:38:02 +0000 Olive Green 2312027@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So appreciate hearing the process that people go through to acquire wants and needs.  I do love the occasional hedonistic splurge, but I found I seldom wore it.  I will spend a lot on comfortable gear and outwear. My karate gi was probably the most expensive thing I bought in ten years. And I passed it on to another lady when I left the sport. Same with many other items. I am finding a lot of happiness buying hella colourful, slightly elevated basics these days, and splashed out on a few things this last year.  Your cost per wear awareness makes it utilitarian, in my book.  Cheap as chips, hah. That is so very relative.  Sloper on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2312014 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 06:12:02 +0000 Sloper 2312014@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I do not have a set upper limit number.  The buy decision is based on factors like wearability, quality, personal financial goals and strictures, and, the ever-elusive “does it come in my size,” among other considerations. Jenni NZ on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2312010 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 05:47:33 +0000 Jenni NZ 2312010@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I’m back from my little rest. I appreciated OliveGreen’s idea of my being a utilitarian shopper. I remember that term from when my now 26 year old son was studying Economics at university, so I looked it up. I think I have gradually become one over time. I used to be more of a hedonic shopper before I found YLF. Now I am only a hedonic shopper on the Styletread site when I put lots of shoes on my Wishlist but not in my cart. I hope they don’t mind too much since I do convert those to an actual sale for them sometimes. Jenni NZ on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2311984 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 03:23:37 +0000 Jenni NZ 2311984@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you Jaime but I don’t think so! My hair was a little untidy (needs a cut soon) and a 2017 red tunic top over white jeans with little red crochet shoes. The silhouette was not the latest thing. I’m trying to up wears on the 2017 top Jaime on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2311980 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 03:18:29 +0000 Jaime 2311980@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well you never know if the sales person wasn't responding to her perception of you when she said the skirt was "cheap as chips". Maybe you look like you eat gilded chips Jenni!  My clothing budget is somewhat elastic since it is self generating, but I don't think I have ever spent more than $200 (and that is very unusual) on any item, even shoes, which would be where I imagine I would spend more, if you know what I mean . Jenni NZ on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2311978 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 03:11:57 +0000 Jenni NZ 2311978@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks to everyone who has replied! Irina, I was talking NZ$ since that is what I earn my money in. I just put it into the XE.com app and it’s around $110 in US$ and $150 in Canadian$ and $160 in Australian$ and about 90GB pounds. Obviously the US$ is the strongest currency of all those. So you can compare across the world, if you are interested. We do pay a lot for clothing here or can do, because we are a small island in the South Pacific with only 5 million people. It takes a lot to ship stuff here. Thank you April for the term “bridge” brands. I never buy actual designer (like Prada or Gucci or Louis Vuitton) but I don’t usually buy the KMart level either (maybe socks or undies). I feel like I am in between. So a chain of boutiques may have brands that suit that level, but often there I prefer not to pay full price so am happy to look on the sale racks for the sort of things that may fill a hole. This small boutique was not part of a chain. I agree with Rachylou that so many people are paid low hourly rates that they would have to work so many hours to afford that skirt! Along with actual costs of living! Will have more thoughts but might need a wee rest first after an early start and big day today. Zaeobi on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2311966 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 01:54:43 +0000 Zaeobi 2311966@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ @Jenni Lol the things that 'just won't compute' vary so much from person to person, don't they?My parents' area STILL has a charity shop that sells clothing for £1.99 (accessories are 99p)! So you can imagine how badly that skewed my perception of 'reasonably' priced! If she's not a clothing designer first, I can see how the skirt might be overpriced just to match a pair of shoes. Quality & versatility do matter - even for £1.99! @April I'll join you in the minority there - with less than a month to execute our initial UK wedding, I paid £750 for my UK wedding dress because it fit off the rack (wanted to spent less but NO alterations on what was essentially a heavy chainmail suit of bling wasn't too bad going, lol!) For my HK wedding dress, it was £300-400 for a much simpler lace qipao/ cheongsam made from scratch (don't know exact ££ as we also made MrZ's suit there). I've been wanting to do a much less rushed UK wedding party (where I can invite everyone with enough notice) but COVID lol - think I'll go @Style Fan's route if I do though (or maybe rent?). @unfrumped Your strategy makes sense - I can spend more on the items that need to resist daily wear & tear (bar my wedding dresses lol). E.g. I bought a cheap sequin bag from ASOS (just for going out/ parties), but am still contemplating springing for that wool coat if I know I'll be wearing it for years to come... MsMaven on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2311956 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 00:16:05 +0000 MsMaven 2311956@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Normally I wouldn't pay $175 for this skirt for the reasons many of you have brought up.  One exception: if the skirt felt wonderful and silky and looked great on me, and I already had a beautiful top, shoes, and jewelry that would look wonderful with this very skirt. And if I had an important event to wear it to. Once I did pay $1200 for a dress at NM. It was a Judy Hornby dress (she now designs furniture--or was last time I checked.) I bought it for the very first Silicon Valley Charity Ball, which was a fabulous event. Within the next couple of years I wore it several times, bringing the CPW to $200. Well worth it. Then middle age started to catch up and my waistline grew.  I think it's a foolish strategy for sales people to act snooty. I bought another Judy Hornby dress a year or so later. Not as dressy or as expensive. Wore it many times as well.  unfrumped on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2311955 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 00:08:15 +0000 unfrumped 2311955@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I chalk that up to a person no knowing the right meaning and context for various expressions from an earlier time. It’s not a good fit for the situation. I used to buy so many work clothes and often looking for sales and got a lot of things sort of mid- range. I think I might be moving toward more potentially high- low. I’m in mostly casual clothes and not needing as many of any one category , not even as many casual or at home since it’s just me a lot I days, and being able to get by unless I find various things at reasonable prices, but being open to a” splurge “ that might be in a different category from what’s commonly mentioned as what people treat themselves to or think of as splurge- worthy. Meaning, it might be something casual- ish or sporty but just a fab version, or it might be a dressier item that I could say I don’t wear “enough “ to justify a typical CPW analysis but I do need several times a year and then it’s perfect. However, “ perfect “ for less frequently-worn items has a high bar if expensive, because need to have that elusive longevity factor. Peri on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2311953 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 23:45:46 +0000 Peri 2311953@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Late to this and nothing smart to add, but sometimes I'm just amazed by these little boutiques and wonder how in the world they stay in business. It's seems for so many of them, at least in my area, their target market must be 20-somethings with trust funds. It's just hard to imagine there are enough of those to keep a store open. And no, that skirt was in no was cheap as chips.  Angie on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2311935 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 22:36:06 +0000 Angie 2311935@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Jenni, it's a lovely skirt! I can see you have fun with it! And not cheap as chips. At all! I'm with Jonesy on how odd - and I'll add hilarious! -  that was for the sales assistant to blurt out :) I'm also nodding along with Suz and Tanya. My wardrobe item purchasing strategies are similar.  Jonesy on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2311932 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 22:21:29 +0000 Jonesy 2311932@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think what that sales clerk said was absurd! Snooty sales people baffle me--why would they want to be offputting to potential customers and thus limit their sales? I mean, I get the whole idea of exclusivity and desirability with certain brands (not that I agree with it, but I do understand what they are trying to do), but a small neighborhood boutique should be welcoming and warm to everyone, and refrain from making ridiculous statements like that, IMHO. Style Fan on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2311888 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 18:25:17 +0000 Style Fan 2311888@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Jenni, I have been in similar boutiques.  It reminds me of the scene from the movie Pretty Woman.   The skirt is very nice, but I wouldn't call $150.00 cheap as chips.  Whether someone wants to pay that much is a personal decision. Suz's response is how I feel.  I have a set budget for clothing for the year.  I have spent a lot on footwear because it is orthopedic and all I can wear.  I have also spent a lot on a Burberry trench coat (15 + years ago), Jesse Kamm pants (6 or more years ago) and jeans.  I have worn these pieces for a long time and a lot.  The trench coat is still going strong.  I would wear the JK pants, but they are too big.  The jeans I buy fit me the best, and the denim feels nice against my skin.   I spent zero on my first wedding dress.  I got the fabric for free, and my sister-in-law made it for me.  My second wedding dress was on a sale rack and was $50.00.    Both dresses are stored in boxes with my wedding photos and other mementos.   Sal on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2311883 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 18:14:03 +0000 Sal 2311883@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What an interesting thread. I agree- $175 is not a cheap skirt. I know my spending has increased per item over the last few years - mostly by buying from NZ or Aussie labels. I watch my overall budget by also buying second hand or some budget retailers (Ezibuy) who seem to be in constant sale mode. The pieces I pay more for are shoes, coats (well only my one last year), pants or jeans snd dresses. I am cautious re knitwear, tee shirts, skirts and blouses. I am not a sales stalker - I am not good at it. I do buy on sale - my new 70s style dress was final sale and at 50% off - but I also buy early in the season at full price too like my two new pairs of pants which were both over $200. I do like that skirt Jenni - I think it’s the sort of piece that will turn up somewhere so bring patient and picky will work! Jenni NZ on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2311879 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 17:53:07 +0000 Jenni NZ 2311879@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You’re all awesome! I’m going out early today so will have to reply much later in more detail, but I feel vindicated. rachylou on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2311878 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 17:47:36 +0000 rachylou 2311878@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The skirt was pretty! I have a perennial goal of spending $1000 on a blouse or trousers - not coat, shoes or bag - but I can never bring myself to do it. I can’t see a blouse being 1K useful like a good coat or pair of shoes. Also, I think cheap as chips is $5 for a knit top, $7.99 for athletic leggings and $20 for sneakers. I also think those are rational, reasonable prices based on what people are actually willing to pay their employees working full time. I notice though you can’t get anything at those prices anymore even at Ross, the discount reseller. The public university in my town is charging students $2K for a bed. Two beds to a single room. It doesn’t pay for any of the city services it relies on and it’s charging students this. Off-campus, $900 for a room is *cheap*, which is also egregious. Jenni, you know, here, even doctors are treated like hourly wage workers. A doctor here has to be one of those people who rents out a room for $900 to make it themselves. It’s a bad negative feedback loop. Basically, I think the zombie apocalypse is here and no one has faced up to it yet. Also it’s March and we have had roofs collapse from snow in California! I think I’ll start saving my soda can tabs and weaving armour from them Roberta on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d/page/2#post-2311866 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 17:17:29 +0000 Roberta 2311866@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The FABRIC in that skirt is lovely, the construction, not so much. I think the sales person needs to rethink her vocabulary. I was one of the folks who commented that $100 was pretty much my limit. Many, many years of shopping on a monthly budget and knowing that one expensive item would lock me out quickly. That said, I will look at a higher price point for shoes. And this year, as I am limiting by number of items instead of $, I note that I am willing to pay more. That navy Cos vest makes me so happy! And my orange Docs! Both well over my magic number, even though the Docs were on sale. Carla on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d#post-2311865 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 17:15:47 +0000 Carla 2311865@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Team budget fashionista here! - and $175 for a poly skirt is not cheap as chips - in any country’s currency!   <div>I tend to go without, and shop hard to get a ‘decent price’ for the things I want.  I tend to pay higher prices for underwear, footwear, and outerwear.  I just picked up a pair of white jeans after being without any in my closet since summer 2022.  They are Lucky Brand in a looser cropped ‘Mom jean’ cut that fit me  perfectly.  99% cotton, 1% Lycra.  Not made in China.  Label says S/S 2022.  Original asking price $99 CAD and being sold at Winners for $39.99 (+ taxes at 13%). On my shopping list.  I consider these a ‘good deal’.  Knowing I wore my last pair of white jeans 68 times, and will do likewise with these, I should amortize them to under $1 CPW in their lifetime.  </div><div> </div><div>I go through this kind of evaluation/thought process with just about everything I buy! </div> Helena on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d#post-2311862 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 17:07:05 +0000 Helena 2311862@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Irina completely agree!! I'm like that with shoes. What used to be good enough for me no longer is, and I will pay more for the comfort factor. Bottom line: if something doesn't work for someone, it's not a deal, no matter how cheap is was! CarolS on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d#post-2311856 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 16:54:25 +0000 CarolS 2311856@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Another tightwad here. I started my career in retail where I was able to buy good quality "bridge brands" (just learned that term on the forum today) for 40% off (even on sale). And I've never really adapted to paying full price. I am willing to spend more on my "practical" shoes than anything else -- sneakers, Blundstones, etc - because I can't compromise on foot comfort if I want to do any kind of walking. MANY years ago now I splurged on a couple of very expensive suits. -- which for me meant I probably spent close to $500 on each suit -- over 15 yers ago.  I was at a weight that felt good, I was making decent money, and I worked in an environment where they would get lots of use, so it seemed like a good idea at the time... Well, the damn things barely got worn. In fact, I think one got worn maybe three times and one might never have been worn at all. My place of employment had gotten very toxic, and I was one of many managers who was  suddenly and without cause "disappeared". (One former colleague tried calling me several months later, not knowing I was long gone!) After that I was in no rush to jump back into the corporate soup, and by the time I did, I had to admit I was unlikely to ever fit those suits again -- either physically or mentally! So, today I stick to sale racks and off price for the most part, and am delving a bit into the possibilities of thrifting.  kkards on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d#post-2311846 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 16:25:14 +0000 kkards 2311846@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Food for thought-most retailers that will do some reverse engineering of products-so if they know the targeted customer will only spend $X on jeans, they will figure out how to make jeans for that.  Which is what leads to situations of chasing lower wage workers and places where manufacturing has less regulations that would add costs.   Irina on "“Cheap as chips”?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9ccheap-as-chips%e2%80%9d#post-2311834 Sat, 04 Mar 2023 16:06:54 +0000 Irina 2311834@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Helena, I think with jeans it is all about the cut. I had a few high end jeans bought on sale, they were from a same brand and that model fit me. Other, more expensive or on sale, didn’t. So, if Gap works for you - awesome! Never worked for me but I bought some from Massimo Dutti a few years back for $50 on sale. This year, their styles don’t work for me. I bought my first ever COS jeans that miraculously fit, never before their jeans fit me. And I paid $130 plus tax, a full price because I just tired of trying so many jeans. Would I pay $300 for a good fitted pair of jeans? No. But I know others that would. And maybe they will have only one or two pair of jeans.