https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 06 May 2026 21:11:46 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/3#post-748848 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 01:36:09 +0000 Thistle 748848@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just read Caro's post and wanted to agree wholeheartedly with her.</p> <p>I was going to treat myself to a new handbag and had really liked one from a designer who was known for making their bags in the US. I had never bought a $500 bag before, but it was a special treat after earning a bonus and I really, really liked the bag. Until I saw it was made in China. Sorry, not giving $500 for a designer item made in China. I expect craftsmanship for a $500 bag, not the lowest cost producer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/3#post-748842 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 01:28:48 +0000 Thistle 748842@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My family was very poor growing up, and my mom clothed us with garage sale purchases because most thrift stores were too expensive. When we were older and could afford new clothes, they always came from Target on sale. This is how I grew up. Even with food, we planned meals around what was on sale that week.</p> <p>Now that I am the breadwinner in the house, and make a decent living, I find it VERY hard to change that mentality. It doesn't help that so many retailers have trained us on sales. Several retailers I used to frequent would start discounting items after they had been in the store 3-4 weeks. Had to make room for the new items coming in. I have started to wonder if most retailers know they aren't going to get full price and just mark everything up 25%. That way, they can always run some special or promotion back down to what a fair price would have been. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/3#post-748828 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 01:10:27 +0000 Caro in Oz 748828@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I commented earlier but have come back &amp; read through all the posts. One extra thing to add to the mix is how concerned are you with ethical fashion? It is one reason why a lot of people in Australia thrift shop (or go op-shopping as we say). We used to have a strong manufacturing base in clothing &amp; footwear in Australia but our manufacturers have mostly gone overseas because they couldn't compete with the price of cheap imports. Do you think about where &amp; how things are made before you buy them? I know I try to but it is difficult when the price difference between ethically made &amp; everything else is so huge. I also know this is one reason people love Hermes.</p> <p><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/sustainable-ethical-fashion-business" rel="nofollow">http://www.guardian.co.uk/sust.....n-business</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/3#post-748808 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:45:46 +0000 rae 748808@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am not 100% sure if I am on the same page here, but I'm interpreting the question as whether or not clothing has the capacity to hold infinite worth - in other words, is there or isn't there a price at which an item can be considered "not worth the cost"? </p> <p>I don't think there is a one-size-fits-all answer for this one. I'm sure you can find some billionaire out there who would trade it all for X. And someone struggling with money who would still trade it all for X. But we aren't all going to go all "Rosebud" over a piece of clothing, no matter how awesome it is. You have to factor in enjoyment/emotional attachment as well as the "usefulness" of an item when considering pros, but you also have to consider a lack of particular bliss when evaluating cons - this is on top of the budget conversation, because I feel like this is more of a philosophical question, myself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/3#post-748805 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:40:07 +0000 Gaylene 748805@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>IK's question has made me aware of the complexity that is inherent in my decision to purchase, or not purchase, an item.</p> <p>Just a couple of the thoughts that might enter into the decision as to whether or not something was worth the price:</p> <p>Should I pay full price or is it more sensible to wait for a sale? What proportion of my income do I want (or can I) devote to clothing myself. How much variety do I need in my wardrobe? How big a wardrobe do I want (or need)? How important is it to me that I try new trends and experiment with new looks? Does my body shape tend to change or stay the same over a period of time? Do I feel I need to account to others when I spend money on myself? How do I determine something is "quality"--and when does it turn into "luxury" or "wastefulness"? Am I willing to investigate alternatives to traditional B&amp;M shopping such as thrift stores, online re-sellers, and craft sources? How much time do I want to spend sourcing out my clothing? And the list could go on...</p> <p>The thread has made me realize that my answers to these questions form the basis for deciding what I will be willing to pay for an item. And it is probably not a bad idea for me to realize that my responses are unique to my own background and experiences-- and are unlikely to be shared by the next person. Maybe this is an occasion where we need to agree to disagree instead of trying to convince others of the merit of our own approach? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/3#post-748749 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 23:21:27 +0000 Kari 748749@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also understand when someone balks at the price of an item, even if they could afford it in theory, if they know that buying the item would make it tricky to purchase many other pieces of clothing. For example, if someone loses/gains weight and has to replenish their wardrobe with a finite budget, or moves to a radically different climate and needs to add lots of new clothes at once, I see shopping for sales/deals as a smart way to get the most bang for your buck.<br /> Now, I get in trouble when I get excited BECAUSE something is on sale-I personally make way more mistakes that way! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/3#post-748641 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 19:29:11 +0000 Janet 748641@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>MaryK, great point. I only hesitated for a fraction of a second when my husband told me how much box-seat tickets for the Orioles-Yankees playoff games would cost, because this is the first time in 15 years I've had the opportunity to see such a thing, and the first time in my life I could afford such a thing. Were those hours in the rain delay, the crowds leaving the stadium, etc., all worth it? Oh my, yes, *to me* the entire experience was priceless. To someone who is not a lifelong Orioles fan (or a baseball fan at all), the price would have been one in a long list of reasons not to go to the game. </p> <p>I have spent nearly as much on an item to wear, and I anticipate it will serve me for years and years to come. I expect I'll get as much enjoyment out of that garment as I did out of our playoff tickets, just in a different way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/3#post-748633 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 19:14:22 +0000 rachylou 748633@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It <em>is</em> funny the way it works. Then again, our hearts lie in different places. I mean, what, am I gonna buy fish food when I have dog? </p> <p>But also funny... ya know, I do believe Americans pay less for food as a percentage of income than anyone else in the world. On the one hand that means we don't pay a fair price; food is subsidized for everyone. On the other, it's reflective of a social sentiment - a fair price means that everyone can pay it when they go to the store.</p> <p>Some goods are kinda universal. Some have select audiences. And some audiences are held hostage... which is bad, very bad. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/3#post-748584 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:27:39 +0000 MsMary 748584@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great points, rachylou! We all have our items for which we will splash out the big bucks. For example, I've spent $1,000 for a pair of theatre tickets and $1,500 for a pair of basketball tickets and was blissfully happy to have done so both times! Whereas I still can't imagine spending that much money for a single piece of clothing even though the piece of clothing would presumably last much longer than an evening at the entertainment venue.</p> <p>Crazy, huh? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/3#post-748577 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:13:12 +0000 rachylou 748577@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><em> Downside: Not to be all man about it, but sometimes it's nice to be first.</em></p> <p>Ok. That's funny (!)</p> <p>**<br /> I will try to keep a lid on my own fire. Money is always a hot issue, whether you've got it or not. I was raised spendy, but I was also raised not to be greedy. I've had to work on not getting on people's nerves with a reluctance to accept when they suggest buying something for me. Reject the gift, reject person - or so life has implied it to me.</p> <p>Anyways, continuing on about being raised spendy... This has been what my life's experience has suggested:</p> <p>There IS a point of diminishing returns. A threshold above which a dollar's increase in price brings less and less in terms of value to hang your hat on. The threshold, however, is not universal for all items. Different things have different thresholds. $1000 of food is not the same as $1000 in rent. $1000 dollars put towards food could last you several months. A $1000 put towards rent - I'm not sure you can even get into a place with only $1000, considering you need to put down deposits etc.</p> <p>So I would fly to another city for a meal prepared under the auspices of one specific chef in this world, but I will not spend more than $30 bucks on a suitcase ever again. Suitcases used weekly will need replacing at the same rate, whether $30 or $300. And, frankly, when the monkey back in baggage handling is done jumping on it, you will feel less distraught over the loss of the $30 one. No beauty has been destroyed. </p> <p>But you know, go to Vegas and have this one meal - and honey, you're done. Life is complete ;&gt; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/3#post-748429 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:23:33 +0000 ironkurtin 748429@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hope no one feels attacked by me starting this conversation. I guess money conversations are always loaded. For the record, 90% of my wardrobe is used off ebay. I remember the day I realized I didn't have a single pair of shoes that hadn't been worn by someone else first. Upside: they were $500 shoes, and I paid maybe $50 plus shipping. Downside: Not to be all man about it, but sometimes it's nice to be first.</p> <p>MPJ: I am finding it interesting how different people come to your equation.</p> <p>Anne, I like your point that beauty comes from the inside. That is always true! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/3#post-748408 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:55:01 +0000 Anonymous 748408@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm sure that no matter what my budget is, I will continue to be a bargain hunter. However, I don't feel that everything I buy has to be a bargain. As long as what I pay for meets all my pre-set criteria, and as long as I get a lot of use out of what I buy, I don't think it matters. All that matters is that I'm actually using what I buy and that I'm not going over budget to do it. My mom taught me that there's no economy in buying cheap stuff that doesn't hold up, but that it's also foolish not to hunt for bargains. I also make sure that what's in my closet actually works for my lifestyle. For example, I paid full price for a cocktail dress to wear on my 25th wedding anniversary cruise because (1) I don't have a cocktail dress and (2) the dress I bought can be worn for other occasions. I refuse to buy a long evening gown for such an occasion, even though many women wear such dresses for the ship's formal night, but I can't see me ever wearing that type of dress for any other occasion in my life. The cost of such a dress, even on sale, would be high because I'd only wear it once. This is but one example of how I rationalize what to splurge on. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/3#post-748407 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:52:03 +0000 anne 748407@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is SUCH an interesting discussion!! I have been following every development!!</p> <p>Not sure I have much to add though.I guess I think of my budget in yearly terms, work out what needs replacing and what new things I might add, and divide it up. I wear orthotics, and buy special shoes for that every two years - bang goes $200+. If I spend say $1000 a year (and I often spend a fair bit less than that) I have to spend only a certain amount on every item. I can't afford to spend it all on a coat even if it does last 20 years! (although I have learnt a lot from Gaylene and am now trying to follow her buy "fewer items with better quality" example) I do have a dress which I bought for $40 about 11 years ago which is still going strong.</p> <p>I do think that I draw the line at what I consider "expensive clothing" for reasons related to my beliefs - my beauty is not supposed to come from that (but you might not want me to mention that, IK) I have to admit that what I consider NOT expensive clothing has moved up a bit in price tag since I joined YLF and since I realized how historically cheap clothing is! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/3#post-748405 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:49:21 +0000 Transcona Shannon 748405@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'll be honest - I thought long and hard about whether or not I wanted to comment on this thread. As a die-hard thrifter/consignment store shopper, I obviously do not pay full price for many items in my wardrobe (probably half of my wardrobe). This is due to a couple of reasons.</p> <p>First and foremost is my budget. Even with shopping bargains, I have spent more on my wardrobe in the last year than ever, including when I went through 5 clothing sizes. I'm pleased with my closet when I look in it but I do have some guilt in that I have taken money away from things that could have benefited my entire family as opposed to just me. This is something I am thinking on. Even with my NAS purchases (which I am absolutely THRILLED with), there is no way I could have afforded to purchase those items at full cost. The bargain of them being on mark down meant I could buy 8 items versus 1-2 items had they been at full price. To me this isn't being afraid of full price, it's smart shopping.</p> <p>I also purchase items through thrifting when I'm wanting to test out a new silhouette or item for me. It's something I'm not sure of in terms of my personal style so I am not going to spend more on it until I'm sure it's something that is going to work. This equates to the expensive mistake issue.</p> <p>Thirdly, I have been every size between a 6 and size 22 and I know myself to know that I struggle to maintain the same size for any length of time. I would absolutely hate purchasing a $400 pair of Theory trousers and find 9 months down the line I can no longer fit them. Not only is that a waste of my hard earned dollars, but the trousers would then sit there making me feel horrible about my weight and mess with my self esteem. </p> <p>I've made a lot of purchasing mistakes through thrifting, it's true, and I'm getting better at knowing what fits well and works for me whether it be a Value Village find or a Nordstrom purchase. </p> <p>I've learned the value of a good handbag and good shoes and those I'm more likely to pay more for because I want them to last and they will always fit. Other than that, I intend on remaining a bargain hunter. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/3#post-748402 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:37:24 +0000 ramya 748402@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am from India and clothes arent so expensive there.<br /> I can get the best of fabrics and still get it stitched to my size in what would still be considered inexpensive.<br /> Now in Norway where I am currently unemployed its still difficult for me to buy anything thats not on sale because I immediately think why would it cost so much!!!!</p> <p>So thats my story... India plus currently unemployed:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/3#post-748398 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:27:36 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 748398@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just read through the entire thread and am finding this discussion very interesting.<br /> If I am shopping for a specific item (example black ankle boots), I will decide what attributes the item must have in order to be considered. Once I have narrowed it down to a few choices, price may be a factor if there is a significant variation between the contenders. I do evaluate somewhat based on price. If the boots are equally comfortable, stylish, and comparable in terms of fabrication, I am more likely to buy the pair that is $150 over the pair that is $250. That makes perfect sense to me.</p> <p>I am far from a fashion mecca in mid-Canada. If another fashionista buys a pair of boots that are the current season and pays $500 and I buy them at the end of the season for $200 and we both wear them for 5 years, have I forgone anything? I would likely enjoy them as much as the other owner and it wouldn't matter to me if there was a newer slightly different version on the market when I purchased mine. I would also hazard a guess that no one would know that I had spent less - not that I would care. I am actually quite proud of making the best use of the money I have.</p> <p>I also recognize the value of a quality bra. In Canada, authorized distributors seem to control the price of the items being sold so a bra that sells at Nordstrom for $60-70 will cost $120-150 in Canada. I would prefer to order my favorite bra which I know fits me well from a U.S. online retailer for $60. I still frequent the local shop and do buy from them (both of my panache sports bras) but only when it makes sense to me.</p> <p>I live in a climate where winter is long and harsh so I value the time I spend away. I have rented a beautiful condo on a beach in Mexico for the entire month of January to escape from -30-40C weather. I consider this to be essential to my health and well-being. I was also able to give my son a significant sum of money to enable him to buy his first home. We all have priorities - they just differ. That is what makes life fun. We are all different but also the same.</p> <p>Excellent discussion. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/3#post-748358 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 12:09:54 +0000 Anonymous 748358@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is in interesting thread, to say the least. My problem with paying full price has been a combination of sticking to a budget and knowing the stores have a comfortable profit margin in which to operate. WIth a mother making my clothing for the first 27 years of my life, I knew that the cost of making something was far below the cost of buying it retail. That said, I have somewhat changed over the years, and now have certain price points I'm willing to pay for certain items. For example, I sometimes pay full price for really comfortable shoes, but really bargain hunt for knit tops, tees or tanks. I still love clearance sales, and doubt I'll ever get that out of my system--not with a mom that went through the Great Depression and taught me how to be frugal! Still, there's the rational part of my brain that says good quality clothing lasts and is therefore worth paying more for; that quality trumps quantity. And with a seamstress mom, I learned how to spot quality. I know my fabrics, know how to take care of those fabrics, and know what quality workmanship looks like. This knowledge has helped me avoid many a shopping mistake. The bottom line is that my present shopping habits are such that I get enough bargains on certain items to make up for the few items I pay full price for. It all balances out in the end, and I stay within my budget. Hope all this rambling makes sense! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/3#post-748348 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 11:42:55 +0000 lyn* 748348@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I strongly believe that I am too poor to afford to buy cheap clothing - but I try to be reasonable in my choices. I recently made a big mistake (spending $70 on a dress to have a pill like no one's business by wear #3) and I am definitely kicking myself in the bum-bum for that.</p> <p>I am contemplating making a big purchase, so I bought a similar item ($30) to see how much I'd actually use the more expensive item. I can afford to make a $30 mistake. I cannot afford to make a $1200 mistake! Whenever I splurge on an item (lets say, &gt;$50) I make sure it's returnable, or that I have tried something similar so I know for sure it will work on me (fit and flare dresses, usually!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/3#post-748342 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 11:29:30 +0000 Mamapicklejuice 748342@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>IK, so you are looking at why people dismiss above a certain price point? I know some have volunteered reasons in this thread, but I think for most it's not such a mystery. Below a certain price point, quality becomes an issue, and above a certain price point, quality becomes a moot point. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/2#post-748179 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 01:37:27 +0000 Echo 748179@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kristine said, "Splurges (whether worth it in quality or not) are no fun if you'll have to pay for them later in other ways." I agree. However, there have been a number of threads on the forum where people lament their eagerness to buy at thrift shops or on sale. A number of people (though not all by any means) have said that the items they spent more on or did not buy on sale are more likely to be closet favorites. So when we consider paying for something later in other ways, perhaps we need to consider the time, the thought, the doubt, the returns (or sometimes inability to return at some stores) and the orphans sometimes created by thrifting or clearance shopping. </p> <p>I would never fault someone for finding a great price on something they really want, but I think we sometimes fool ourselves into thinking we really want something simply because it is on sale. A guideline I use for myself is asking myself if I would EVER have considered the item at full price. If the answer is not a resounding yes, then perhaps I am being influenced by the tag instead of the item itself. </p> <p>There is an old saying that goes something like, "Buy the best and cry once. Buy cheap and cry forever." The basic idea is that sometimes those "deals" we think we are getting sometimes aren't as great as we convince ourselves they are. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/2#post-748172 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 01:25:13 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 748172@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's an interesting question, and I appreciate hearing everyone's take on it from different backgrounds and areas around the world. My parents were bargain hunters par excellence and a lot of my shopping behavior comes from those habits I learned as a kid. Part of me does enjoy 'the hunt' and feeling like I got a good deal. But it's a trade-off that you make, because you spend more time looking, and you may have to settle for a color or silhouette you wouldn't have picked if you didn't care as much about prices and sales.</p> <p>Angie remarked about the constant sales cycle as a fairly new and American thing. I sew and Joann's, the chain fabric store, is notorious for sales practically every week. If you wait a month, the brand of pattern you want will be on sale for 30% of its usual price, and there are regular fabric and notion sales as well. Basically, if you are paying 'list' price for anything you're getting taken advantage of. Now, is it all a head-game? Probably. Joann's has to know what the 'real price' that most customers are paying is, and I'm sure that their margins are still there even at the sale price, or they wouldn't stay in business. If any of you shop at Kohl's you'll know they're very similar. I think on any given day, it would be hard to find something at Kohl's that's not on some sort of discount sale. It's a psychological play, like gas prices with the hidden .9 cents at the end. </p> <p>I would be OK, I think, with a more European model where sales are less frequent and you could feel all right spending full price on something most of the time, because the prices are pretty stable. But the way it is in my local stores, I would feel foolish paying full price because there are so many sales and discounts. </p> <p>I kinda wish I had had the experience of a more expensive item being "worth it" as far as quality and longevity goes, but generally I haven't. Take shoes, for example - I can tell the difference between a $20 shoe and a $50 shoe, sure, and I will be more likely to buy the latter because the former will tend to be less comfortable and fall apart faster. But I have not found any notable difference between a $50 shoe and a $100 shoe - my $50 shoes are often more comfortable and durable than my splurge shoes. Maybe my amounts just aren't high enough - if I tried $300 shoes and $200 jeans perhaps I would find them that much nicer than my normal price range items. </p> <p>I know that throwing thrift/secondhand in there muddies the waters because then you're talking about items that may have been pricey on the first go-round but now are inexpensive to purchase. But that's where a lot of my purchases come from, which allows me the best of both sides - quality and low price. The trade-off is that I have to spend more time looking and I may not find what I want. </p> <p>I think about this a lot, actually, because there are a lot of wealthy people where I live, and they are able to not even worry about how much they spend on clothes. Then there are people that are barely scraping by and thrift shop because they can't even afford Target and Walmart prices. Most of us are somewhere in-between, and we have to decide what we do with our income, and implicitly with our time. It's easy to say that you want to shop in line with your values and priorities, but it's hard to figure out what exactly that means. Do I want to optimize my time so I can do other things? Do I want to limit my budget so I don't have to work as much or work in a job I don't like but that pays well? Do I want to prioritize a hobby or traveling over clothes, or clothes over other things? The questions can go on and on (just like I am, so I'll stop). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/2#post-748148 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 00:57:46 +0000 Kristine 748148@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's a very interesting discussion. I think it does have to do with upbringing to some extent. My grandma lived through the depression, then raised four children on her own after her husband passed away. She would occasionally take us shopping which always meant thrift stores or discount stores. My mom was the same way and still loves thrifted or sale items. </p> <p>Maybe that's why I used to view clothing as an optional expense. I also love to save, so it was initially kind of hard for me to give myself a clothing budget of any kind. When I found this board I probably hadn't shopped for clothes in over a year. Things have changed a lot in the last few years though and I now have a nice wardrobe and almost no guilt over shopping. In fact, I enjoy it quite a bit! </p> <p>Like anything in life, it's all about balance. I'm if I'm in doubt, sometimes I consult with my 80 year old self. Sometimes she says to go for it and other times to save it instead. You absolutely have to have your emergency savings and retirement on track first. Splurges (whether worth it in quality or not) are no fun if you'll have to pay for them later in other ways. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/2#post-748146 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 00:56:43 +0000 ironkurtin 748146@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>MPJ - Sure. That price point varies from person to person though, I think. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/2#post-748144 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 00:53:59 +0000 Mamapicklejuice 748144@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>IK, my take is that above a certain price point, items become just too large a percentage of the overall wardrobe budget for some folks (myself included). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/2#post-748140 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 00:48:36 +0000 ironkurtin 748140@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>MPJ, neither one is better. To be more specific, I think there is a difference in evaluating item by item, and deciding if it is worth it to you, versus deciding only on the basis of price point.</p> <p>I started this thread because I noticed that there was a YLF trend of saying items at a certain (usually higher) price point are simply not worth it, based on price alone. I feel this is much the same as dismissing things *below* a certain price point, based on point price alone. </p> <p>Essentially I believe in an evaluation process, which many members have shared. Since "value" depends from person to person, the evaluation process is different from person to person. But it's interesting to see WHY someone will decide something is/isn't worth money. Does that make sense? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/2#post-748120 Sun, 14 Oct 2012 23:58:41 +0000 Mamapicklejuice 748120@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think Traci said it perfectly...if you never balk at a price tag, you are obviously already shopping within your budget. If you do balk, perhaps you are pushing the limits of your budget. </p> <p>IK, to me it seems like you're debating semantics. How is saying, "I cannot afford that or I wouldn't get my money's worth from that" better than "refusing to consider a high-priced item because of the price." Isn't it the same thing? I am baffled as to why you're baffled. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/2#post-748112 Sun, 14 Oct 2012 23:53:34 +0000 Mo 748112@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I totally agree it is interesting to see all viewpoints and all ways of building and buying a wardrobe. Not to stir the pot, but I must say "buying a $20 pair of booties that lasts one season vs. an $800 winter coat that lasts 8" is sort of supporting my point about batting for a position! Not to point to you individually, it is just an easy sentence to take and analyze. I bought a pair of Doc Martens oxblood boots at Ross for $39.99 at least 15 years ago, maybe 20. My point being, that bargain hunting does not necessarily go hand in hand with fast fashion, poor quality, or fear of mistake making. Again, I really don't mean to 'pick on' anyone and I hope it doesn't come across that way! Just raising some points I also am happy to see my BF buy his chukka boots last month for full $269 price from Nordstrom to wear with me at the Florence and the Machine concert. He only had Birkenstock sandals and dress wingtips here in FL, neither of which would do. So he needed his pair at that moment. We were both happy with our buys! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/2#post-748092 Sun, 14 Oct 2012 23:31:17 +0000 Gaylene 748092@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree, Mo, that how one chooses to spend one's money is a totally personal choice. But I think IK original point was the number of YLF threads that reflected "a desire to spend as little as possible on an item - or more specifically, to dismiss or agonize over certain items based on price." and her interest in finding out if she was in a minority if price was not always her primary consideration.</p> <p>Often it seems that those of us who willingly spend more on a single item get categorized as "big spenders" on their wardrobes. I'll be honest when I say that this assumption bugs me since I think my yearly clothing budget is probably quite a bit smaller than some of the bargain hunters. To me, buying a $20 pair of trendy booties that will be worn for only a season is a luxury that I can't afford. On the other hand, spending $800 on a winter coat that I'll happily wear for next eight winters is a frugal choice for me. </p> <p>As far as 'batting for a position", I think we all can rationalize our personal choices on how big a wardrobe we need, how much variety we desire, how closely we follow trends, and, ultimately, how much of our income we choose to spend on ourselves and our wardrobes. It's interesting, however, to see how much variation there can be even in a smallish group and everyone's reasons for why they do what they do. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/2#post-748012 Sun, 14 Oct 2012 22:02:31 +0000 Mo 748012@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm also wondering if some, on both sides of the issue, are putting 'good' and 'bad' associations on either spending or saving? I see it as a totally personal issue and choice, and neither is either better or worse in my book, but perhaps some are (maybe subconsciously) 'batting' for their position? Maybe I'm reading more into it . . . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-reluctance-to-spend-money/page/2#post-747998 Sun, 14 Oct 2012 21:55:33 +0000 ironkurtin 747998@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for all the thoughtful responses! Obviously, everyone has their own definition of quality in clothing, and their own algorithm for determining the value of an item in their life. And just as obviously, wanting or needing to spend your money outside your closet is an important consideration! IMO, these (and more) are all valid factors to keep in mind when we shop for clothing, or anything else.</p> <p>But, I'm just going to say it, Bagaline - I think your mathematical breakdown on quality doesn't work. That's a whole new conversation, but emotional experiences don't break down that way. Think of it like this. Going to your local chain restaurant costs X. Going to a fabulous restaurant in Paris costs 100 times X. Both of them serve food that, when wisely chosen from the menu, nourishes the body. Is there an exponential increase in quality between the two? Here's another example. A trip to the local fair costs X. Going to Tibet costs 1,000 times X. Both are enjoyable cultural experiences. What's the quality breakdown there? It will be different to different people, right? Thus, the situation is not really quite so simple as saying, I can get a good purse for X, and the value stops there. I can get a nutritious meal here in Austin for $7. Or for $70 and up. The two are both good, but are very different experiences.</p> <p>Also, I'm seeing quite a few comments that some are afraid of making "mistakes" when they buy. I just want to ask, how do you learn how to do anything, even how to comfortably and flatteringly dress a changing body, WITHOUT making mistakes? Lord knows I've made dozens and keep making them. The nice thing about clothing, unlike a bad trip or a terrible meal, is that I can resell it or give it to someone else and make them happy. At least, that's how I think of it! </p>