YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Better, Fewer

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Better, Fewer https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 19 Apr 2026 21:08:47 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php gryffin on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305965 Thu, 17 Jul 2014 13:22:49 +0000 gryffin 1305965@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Gracie - I have come to this place in my style journey.  Like E, I really do expect my clothes to last, well indefinitely!!  If something pills or is worn in a season or two, I am very put out.  I am also trying to hold out for perfect in looks and in fit.  Since blazers are a huge part of my personal style, I bought 2 Helmut Lang blazers: a cropped tux jacket and a leather sleeve collarless jacket in black.  These two blazer are totally plumb in fit, so they feel divine on and they up the style quotient of any outfit.  But it was the first time that I noticed how the construction of the neckline and structure made my neck look swan like, how the cut and construction added elegance and structure.  That was kind of the aha, you get what you pay for moment- I could see where the money was well spent on fabric, finish, cut, design.  They look expensive and make me look great.  Also being simple but architectural, I do not think they will date.  As I move forward, I want to add more elements like this to my wardrobe. Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305861 Thu, 17 Jul 2014 07:10:16 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1305861@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Late night thought: I think this may come down to personal taste more than any sort of real right and wrong. Some people like fewer and longer lasting, and some people like more and more frequently changed. To me, the whole idea of investment dressing is disingenuous - clothes are a consumable good, and sometimes we kid ourselves into thinking buying certain things will solve all our wardrobe problems just so we can feel better about buying them. I'm not saying that all of us can't get better about making the best decisions for ourselves, our budget, and our lifestyle - I'm sure we can - but we're never going to get it perfect 100% of the time, and clothes are always going to wear out or not fit anymore or be hopelessly out of style. Neel on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305831 Thu, 17 Jul 2014 04:55:30 +0000 Neel 1305831@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am pondering the same things as you Gracie. Following this post with interest. Anonymous on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305824 Thu, 17 Jul 2014 04:41:21 +0000 Anonymous 1305824@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've read some of your replies and others have expressed many of my thoughts. I live in an area where trends may BR adopted 2 or even 3 years after they start on the coasts. If I see a trend that I think will work well for me, I try to jump in early and can expect to get 3 or even more years wear out of it then. Also, I hesitate to spend much on knits, finding that they just don't last like woven fabrics. They tend to lose their shape or pill no matter how much you spend. I like to have a pair of black Ponte pants, but need to replace them each year. Jeans and woven trousers that eat just as much wear last for years. Gracie on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305750 Thu, 17 Jul 2014 03:01:37 +0000 Gracie 1305750@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Donna, I'm the same way, in that if something is too classic I might just deem it boring. I need to keep "classics with a bit of punch" in mind for future purchases. How I will interpret that style is anybody's guess! Laura, I like both your principles, very smart! Since I have a moderate budget I do have some fear of spending on a pricey item and then, with time, finding out it was a mistake. No guarantees, I know. Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305729 Thu, 17 Jul 2014 02:42:09 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1305729@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm not sure I have a strategy for this, to be quite frank. We've talked about how price doesn't always correlate to quality, and it's hard to anticipate how trends will do or what pieces will last. I do have two principles I try to remember: first, never spend so much I'll regret it later, and second, never buy anything *just* because it's on sale. Somewhere in the middle of that I try to come up with a reasonable decision making process. DonnaF on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305674 Thu, 17 Jul 2014 01:30:44 +0000 DonnaF 1305674@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I agree with Claire re buying trendy items.  The lesson I've learned is not necessarily to buy better, but to avoid cheaping out and no sale blinders.  No cheap flimsy silk, just because it is breathable silk.  No F21 when DD is with me and egging me on, and being very, very careful at H&M and Target.  No thrift shops because items aren't returnable and I tend to make bad decisions there so I don't net out. I haven't really figured out what I will wear to death, so my better stuff is actually middle range stuff.  I mostly shop Petites, so nothing is terribly cutting edge.  But like Mo, I've learned that if something is *too* classic, I won't reach for it so CPW won't be that great. I mostly shop at Nordstrom and I've found that their own brands like Halogen always go on sale.  At full price they are decent, and marked down they are a bargain for the quality.  I put items that interest me on my Wish List and check it daily for markdowns.  This helps to avoid sales blinders. E on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305668 Thu, 17 Jul 2014 01:23:20 +0000 E 1305668@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Gracie, I can't pin down how many times in advance I'll wear something either! Unless it's a perfectly fitting pair of trousers in one of my favourite neutrals, then I know I'll wear it to death. Oh and I know I'll wear a pair of truly comfy neutral shoes a lot too. But other things? Doesn't work. (I've never tried tracking CPW either; I get why it works for others, but I just can't be bothered. I figure the money's gone either way.) Gracie on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305645 Thu, 17 Jul 2014 00:45:57 +0000 Gracie 1305645@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ shedev, rabbit – you're savvy shoppers. Stalking for a price drop on the higher end brands sounds like a good strategy that pays off. And yes, going shopping for classics doesn't sound like too much fun. cciele, I agree, shoes are not the area to be scrimping on, we owe it to our feet. E, with your experience thrifting, I see how you are getting pre-tested items. They already have passed time and laundering so they won't change. You have such a defined style that trends do not really affect it. I'm really bad at calculating how many times I will be wearing an item when I purchase it too, I know it will get worn, but to actually pin down how many times... I can't do it. Claire, your findings sound very reasonable - perhaps the other items are the icing on the cake, the passing-through-your-closet-hello-goodbye sartorial adventures. I do not thrift since the pickings are very slim where I live. I don't really worry about qualifying the items with years either – So 2013, So 2014 – for good or bad, because in my environment those attributes do not really get noticed. Reasonably current and flattering, yes. So I've picked up: Buy quality semi-trendy items (some classics with a punch too) that suit my style persona. And not necessarily full price. Thanks for all your wisdom, ladies. Anonymous on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305512 Wed, 16 Jul 2014 22:26:19 +0000 Anonymous 1305512@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just went to my closet to see what I've spent the most on and the verdict is: jeans, shoes, coats and bags. I don't think you necessarily need to spend a lot on these items to get them to last (they can certainly all be thrifted and can have years of life left in them) but I'm willing to spend more on items in these categories because they will typically last longer than your average knit top. I'm paying for the cut, materials and fit. Of course they don't have to be classic versions of those items either--I never should have used that word in my comment above. They can be whatever works for your style, and what you won't likely tire of for the next several years. As an aside, whenever I buy into a trend, I ask myself, "do I love this enough to continue wearing it if it's 'so last year' next year?" If not, it's probably not for me, even at a lower price point. Sometimes I just get caught up in all the excitement when everyone on YLF is buying it. E on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305482 Wed, 16 Jul 2014 22:02:16 +0000 E 1305482@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I budget for quality, ethically made shoes, because any short cuts in that area just don't work for me & I'm buying retail (vs secondhand). In fact, my annual shoe budget this year and last (the first time I had enough disposable income to *have* a shoe budget, lol) is bigger than my annual clothing budget and allows me to buy maybe 2-4 pairs a year, compared to who knows how many secondhand clothes. So I'm quality over quantity in that department, and I base that on personal experience, research via internet or friends/family, and company policy.  I prefer companies that stand behind/guarantee/repair their shoes, as that tells me they think they've made something that'll last. Over the past couple of years I found a handful of companies whose shoes work for me (Aurora Shoe Co, Timberland, LL Bean for boots, Frye), and I'll just keep buying their stuff, even though I'm sometimes frustrated by their lack of grey options. lol As for clothing...well, as an inveterate secondhand shopper, my approach is more quality and quantity. When a beautifully seamed silk blouse costs the same as a wonky polyester one, the decision is easier. And a nice perk about secondhand shopping is that you can already see if the item is going to freak out early in the washing cycle and avoid pilly tees, twisted seams, etc. Since I have a large wardrobe, and wash only when necessary, my clothes don't really see much stress: nothing's getting worn every other day or washed one a week. Short of my dog's paws, sharp knitting needles, or woodsy walks, they don't have much to fear, and I don't seem to stain them either (I wear aprons whenever I'm in the kitchen). So I suppose subconsciously I buy my clothes expecting them to last indefinitely, which is silly of course as most of my closet dates from 2008 onwards. But I've never thought 'oh that should last at least 3 years.' I'm not on the cutting edge of trends, and my personal style is pretty well set (i.e. I'm not going through a major style transition anymore, just tweaks here and there), so the purging I've done for the past two years has been mainly for items that don't fit well enough vs ones that are no longer to my taste. Or 'upgrades' where I find a better quality/details (e.g. I'd cull a v-neck dress if I found a crew neck replacement) version. Anyway, instead of thinking 2-3 years, perhaps you should be thinking about how many wears? After all, if a pair of trousers spends 3 years in my closet, with its 18 companions, it's going to see far less wear than it would in Claire's 10 item one! So it wouldn't matter that the trendy item will feel dated sooner than the classic one if you wear the trendy item more frequently: you'll still be getting the same money's worth, just in a shorter period of time. <div> I'm willing to spend more for a piece of clothing that feels *wonderful* on me, that I love even without looking in a mirror, because of the way it fits and feels and moves. I'm also willing to spend more if it's a harder to fit item for me (trousers, jackets with waist definition, dresses), if it's a style I already know I wear all of the time in one of my key neutrals or colours, if it has a great fiber composition or fabric. I'll spend more in those cases, knowing that it means I'll be buying fewer items in the future, so in that sense I'm choosing quality over quantity. Basically, then, I suppose I'm willing to spend the most to get good fit in my wardrobe essentials, as Suz said.</div> cciele on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305475 Wed, 16 Jul 2014 21:55:10 +0000 cciele 1305475@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It seems to be a very personal decision, in the end, how much one wants to spend on a piece. Some people use longevity as a metric, others cost per wear. One thing to think about, though, is that price is not necessarily an indicator of quality. The only item I have no problem shelling out money for is well-fitting shoes. The health of my feet is very important! Otherwise, my closet is all over the place. For example, I have a designer special occasion dress I bought at a deep discount that I've worn only two or three times (so far). And I have a pair of high-end sweatpants that cost me as much as the dress but I wear almost every day. I love both of those pieces, but for different reasons. rabbit on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305468 Wed, 16 Jul 2014 21:49:57 +0000 rabbit 1305468@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think in some ways it's quite hard to predict which trends might have staying power and which will burn bright than flame out fast.   If you have a really strong sense of personal style though, I agree with Mo and lisap that you can often pick things that are more 'you' than 'trend' to invest more in regardless of whether they are classics or happen to be briefly trendy.     But for me investing more means looking for quality, but not necessarily paying high retail prices for that item.    So far the things I've invested the most in out of pocket are bags.  Partly because I only have about four and now carry one almost every day,  partly because I can still get them in 70-80% off range, so it makes sense in terms of cost per wear.    Shoes I go back and forth on and buy a range of prices and a quality that matches their intended use patterns.  For example a strappy heel really is only going to get worn once a month, so I'm not going to invest a lot, especially as heel and toe trends change.   A leather bootie that will get worn twice a week on the other hand in all seasons, is worth a bigger price tag. One thing I try not to do though is invest more in something that doesn't downright thrill me.    Most 'classics' I find kind of nice but bland, so unless it's a unique or unusual or brilliantly designed take on a classic, I just don't want to invest more.    Anonymous on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305464 Wed, 16 Jul 2014 21:48:08 +0000 Anonymous 1305464@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have to jump back in - the idea of buying better for pieces that fit your Style Persona - that hits a note with me. I bought 2 heather gray (my spell check did not like that) Current Elliot t's this summer at $90 a piece. I don't have a massive clothing budget but these two babies are just me. I feel like a million bucks in them, they wash and hang beautifully, and are worth every dollar.  Crazy maybe for a tshirt, but because it fits my look and my lifestyle, it is $ well spent in my mind .  A classic with a twist that will never be out of fashion. I know what you mean Mo about those certain classic pieces just sitting there too .  Classic is dangerous territory too. It all is!! shedev on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305445 Wed, 16 Jul 2014 21:32:00 +0000 shedev 1305445@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I buy all from a lot of different price points. I prefer my clothes to not be polyester or PU. Some of the cheap clothes just look cheap, especially for styles that are not modern classic. I do price stalk a lot of my higher end stuff. Gracie on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305438 Wed, 16 Jul 2014 21:19:09 +0000 Gracie 1305438@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ lisap, sorry about your experiences with your bag and the sweaters. I'm yet to own anything cashmere. I live in Texas so perhaps can do without it, but it is So Soft and Cuddly... and cheap cashmere wouldn't do. I like some bottoms from American Eagle too, because they fit me well. So glad you're having fun in the forum! Mo, thanks for your response. Trendy/Slightly Trendy/Classic, yup! different for everybody. Your gray tee looks like it will have a nice feel and drape, so I'm hoping the fit will be perfect and that you'll wear it often (and show us!). Gracie on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305434 Wed, 16 Jul 2014 21:08:44 +0000 Gracie 1305434@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Viva, I was thinking about premium denim... I do not have any yet. I've tried several pairs at Nordstrom before but they all are So Long that I really can't visualize them in their true form. I must try again. Purses too – those should have longevity. torontogirl, I also have classic black slacks from Express that have lasted several years. They were around $70 and don't need replacing just yet, they are holding well. And I'm really liking Astrid's description "slightly trendy" items... I might use that as my filter. Mo on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305432 Wed, 16 Jul 2014 21:05:06 +0000 Mo 1305432@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ In short, spend more on what you know you are going to wear more.  I don't believe classic vs trendy holds true for all of us.  I have a 3/4 wool coat, very classic, never worn at home in the Tahoe closet.  I have a crisp button front white shirt, worn twice.  I didn't pay full price for either of these, but if I had, I would not be getting my money's worth out of them.  Now, BF shorts and a drapey tee?  You bet!  I am actually planning on buying an $80 tee once No Buy July is over.  It might spring holes or twist in the wash, but I hope not.  I know by tracking that a neutral v neck tee is a lynch pin piece for my style right now.  Some might (and have on a thread where I mentioned wanting it) say that's too much for a tee, period.  Well, I've worn my 3 v-neck cheapy tees over a dozen times this last month and a half, far more than any other items.  I'm wearing one right now.  This more $$ tee will be money well spent; I'm certain of that.  A classic sheath dress?  No, not for me anyway.  A structured satchel?  Again, nope.  Just do you.   Anonymous on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305428 Wed, 16 Jul 2014 20:56:56 +0000 Anonymous 1305428@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like to think  that like Suz, I have never regretted any of my big-ticket purchases, but while reading these posts, I think of two things that do stand out in my mind :  a Prada bag (purchased on sale, but STILL!) whose lining ripped in several places in the first year . Holt Renfrew wanted nothing to do with it- told me I had to get it fixed myself. I was not impressed.  The other disappointments have been cashmere sweaters that still pill and look lousy after a few wears - especially my black ones.  It doesn't seem to matter if they are high-end ones or cheapies - they just don't wear well.  Anyways, I like to stick to the theory also mentioned by Suz (I sound like a stalker) :  the mid-range is the most unpredictable. I decided never to buy cheap things - especially accessories, shoes, and bags, because they just always look it.  I rarely regret my big ticket things (coats, boots, bags, jeans, costume jewellery) and just don't buy trendy things with an eye to having them last.  I find that I can get decent quality on trendier items at stores geared to juniors where they prices are lower, for example American Eagle, whose baggy army green chinos I am still wearing happily 4 summers later.  Trendier pieces as we get older are dicier anyways - I prefer to differentiate them as classics vs fashion pieces. Fashion pieces have a longer closet life, in my mind .  Wow, I have a l to say today. Forgive me, I am having SO much FUN on this forum! Gracie on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305421 Wed, 16 Jul 2014 20:51:26 +0000 Gracie 1305421@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz, I like your approach of adding a few needed items each season (except this summer of course:) ) and expecting them to last for a few years. You are so right in that I should focus on the everyday items – I do not have many special occasions dress needs and look for quality and even better, on sale. Meredith, YES! that makes total sense. If I buy high end for my style persona, then I should be reaching for that item often and it will also have a longer life. Lol, on the holey sweater, yeah, they are in! And high end! Elle, I'm with you on the silky track pants. I bought a pair at Zara, not cheap/not expensive but haven't worn them often... I got to try them on again and analize. Like you, I also don't compromise on the quality (and quantity, lol) of shoes and boots. I like good leather and don't mind paying for it. Leather jackets, leather belts. I really need to focus on a short list before heading to NAS. Helena on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305412 Wed, 16 Jul 2014 20:43:43 +0000 Helena 1305412@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Although I think everyone's points are great, for me personally, it's the classic vs. trendy issue ... if it's a good fitting classic (e.g. black boot cut dress pants, of which I have a pair going on 8 years that are perfect) then it will have longevity, if it's a trendier piece, it won't stand the test of time. Mind you, I'm a classic style persona, so that lines up with that viewpoint too, now that I think of it. That said, the classic doesn't need to be pricey - it needs to be decent quality and fit. My 8 year old pants, e.g. are from BR outlet and were probably 50 dollars; I have a black tunic top (the one in my avatar) that is probably almost as old and probably cost $30 at Jacob. It might be easier to find great fit and quality with a bigger budget, but it's not essential in my opinion. viva on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305406 Wed, 16 Jul 2014 20:34:25 +0000 viva 1305406@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ In the past, I was a sales hound and an outlet shopper, plus a big thrifter. I do almost no thrifting now and even less outlet shopping. I still like to find sales though -- but I look at and purchase better brands. I just want better quality clothing. I don't think too much about how long the clothes will excite me, because I do purge pretty frequently, but I also don't participate in really edgy trends, so most things last a while before being purged. Some of what I consider big-ticket may not be big-ticket to others, but here are some examples of purchases in the past year that reflected my conscious desire to upgrade.   - I bought my most expensive jeans yet (AG Nikkis) -- but got them on sale, which was nice. I love them and wore them so much, I pondered buying a second pair at full price. Even if I wear this style (slouchy skinny) for only one more season, they will get a ton of wear. - I also bought a higher-end jacket (the same one as Suz's!) which is the most I have paid for a single item maybe ever. It's a pretty classic style, and I may tire of it, but I imagine I will have and wear it for at least 4 years. - I bought a Tory Burch bag for my birthday (on sale) and love it still, and a Coach bag full retail price (not from the outlet) and I love that too. I bet I will have both for 3 years, maybe longer, before considering consigning. - And I am now contemplating Vince sneakers (trendy, on sale at NAS) and a knit jacket at full price.  I don't know how long my love for slip-on sneakers will last, so I am glad these are on sale.  I still have to decide if that jacket is worth such an investment for me. I'm honestly not sure. I'm really happy that I have upgraded my shopping overall. As Suz said, sometimes the better brands can be had for even less money -- but I'm now committed to the better brands, and that feels really good. ElleH on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305388 Wed, 16 Jul 2014 20:20:06 +0000 ElleH 1305388@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sometimes it is hard to know if a trendy item will stick around or if something that goes out of style comes in again (flares & bootlegs) but we do our best. It is safer to buy better quality basics or classics. You can also start with a cheaper item to see if you end up wearing it a lot. I did that with silky trackpants & even though I still wear them, I don't think I want to spend the $200 & up that a lot of them go for. I bought an inexpensive cropped sweater at NAS that is synthetic. It will probably pill, but so do my cashmere & wool ones. It is soft. It is probably not as warm as wool or cashmere but I'm not sure how much wear I would get out of a cropped sweater anyway. If it is cold enough for a chunky sweater I probably want a longer one. Just a cami covering my midriff won't be enough. Lightweight t-shirt fabric can wear out quite quickly, even when expensive so some folks never spend more on those items. I spent more on my Alexander Wang T-shirts because they fit how I like them to but I wash them in sweater bags on delicate cycle & dry flat. They are not that tissue-weight fabric that gets holes right away either. So far I don't have holes. I tend to take very good care of my clothes, especially pricey ones. My biggest offense  is not wearing them in case something bad happens to them. This greatly reduces their cost per wear, making them less value for money. I used to mostly buy expensive shoes because they tend to be more comfortable for my fussy feet. Not all expensive ones were/are comfortable for me because a lot are narrow or high but most cheap ones were uncomfortable due to cheaper materials. I have recently found some cheaper ones that are as comfortable as my higher end ones so I like to look for cheaper ones now, due to feeling the need for more variety. They still need to be leather upper & to not look too cheap to me. In fact that is something I look for in cheaper items. That they don't look cheap. There are plenty of cheaper items that look good enough. They don't look like Burberry or Louboutin but they don't look like crap either. Unfortunately I have an eye for detail & an eye for crap. I used to work as a quality controller in the clothing industry. I also think once you start to wear/own nicer things you really notice when something is poor quality. It is a curse.  One good coat is enough for me but not one good pair of shoes. I need many for different outfits, occasions etc. Your weather & location may give you different coat needs but you get the idea. I also like to do most of my shopping at places with good return policies, like Nordstrom. If the item falls apart too soon to be considered normal wear & tear I return it.  I have found BR to be good quality for not so trendy but not so expensive items & they always have promotions so that I never pay full price. Sometimes the blazers just don't cut it for me after owning Theory but the pants seem to be good enough, if the fit is right.  One way to own less items is to buy only what you love. Another way is to hone in on your style & choose only a few colors that you wear, that work together. I haven't mastered this but am working towards it. If I could settle on a single style & fewer colors I would need less shoes for sure. Maybe less jackets too. Is it the Gemini in me that won't do this? I'm not sure. Suz on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305384 Wed, 16 Jul 2014 20:11:42 +0000 Suz 1305384@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Meredith, that's a great additional point. I agree -- if something feels really true to your style persona it will have style longevity for you (and hopefully if you buy it in quality it will last).  Meredith on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305380 Wed, 16 Jul 2014 20:04:58 +0000 Meredith 1305380@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think you should invest in pieces that are true to your style preferences/persona.  Whether it's a "trendy" piece or a "classic" piece, if it fits into your Girly Tomboy and Urban Minimalist preferences it's going to have longevity in your closet.   I don't necessarily think quality and price go hand in hand, but I can tell you that about eight years ago I made a real effort to buy quality and not quantity.  My investment pieces from that year are all still in rotation in my closet except for two bottoms that no longer fit and a sweater that was attacked by moths (although after Anna's post about sweaters with holes I'm thinking I should have kept it)! I suppose I purchase my clothes wanting things to last indefinitely, but I figure they don't owe me anything after two years.  We can never really be sure how our clothes will hold up, but I think this forum can be helpful as people discuss brands they turn to year after year.  For example last season (before I found this forum) I decided to pass on a Halogen pencil skirt because I wasn't sure how it would hold up.  But I've seen MsMary in particular rock many Halogen pencil skirts, so I now I feel more confident that it would be a safe buy. Suz on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305379 Wed, 16 Jul 2014 20:04:10 +0000 Suz 1305379@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think a good guideline is to be willing to pay more for your personal wardrobe essentials -- whatever those are. And they are different for each person. Here's one of <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/2012/08/29/revisiting-your-personal-wardrobe-essentials/">Angie's posts.</a>  I have determined several categories of "essential" for my lifestyle and climate. First are the weather necessary items. In my first autumn at YLF, I therefore put my big $$ into winter coats. I'm still wearing these coats. And will probably be wearing them four years from now. Or even more. They're classic enough to go that distance.  My second winter, I bought another coat in a different style, and a really great pair of booties. Slightly pointed almond toe with a cuban heel. I got them on sale but they were still more than I had ever paid. Totally worth it for my climate and lifestyle. They will be on year three --- still going very strong. I expect to be wearing these happily for another two seasons after this year. At least.  And I bought two leather jackets that year as well. I expect to be wearing them for quite a few years.  Last year, I bought tall boots. That was a huge expense, because in order to get them to fit right, I had to buy expensive ones at full price (I'm not an easy fit in boots.)  Next we come to "life style essentials." That's the stuff you will wear almost every day. So...with that in mind.....I also invested in quite a lot of knitwear and in a few pairs of premium denim.  And I bought two dresses to wear for occasions. These were necessary (i.e. I had to have something for those occasions) and I luckily found them on sale -- but even so...it was an expensive year. :)  This year I bought a suit, and a beautiful, higher-end blazer.  I'm stocking up on undies at the NAS! I will also buy one or two special pieces -- a sweater and possibly another  jacket.  I have bought a lot of other stuff, too -- footwear, belts, tops, knits, etc. etc. etc. But most other purchases were mid to low range.  In some cases I actually paid less for the high end item than other items in my closet, because I was able to find it on sale --  but my point is, I wanted these particular items to be higher end. I knew they needed to be well made; either I'd be wearing them a lot for quite a few years, or they were important for special occasions. Or both.  You never know in advance if an item is going to work out, of course, but there are telltale signs. Construction, fabrication, the fit of it. I have not been disappointed by a single higher end item I've purchased, I don't think. And I haven't been sorry. Nor have I purged a single one of those items yet; I'm still wearing them three or two years later, and looking forward to more wears.  I have regretted some of my lower end purchases. And my consignment buys. Almost all the consignment and thrift purchases are gone, and many of my lower end items. But I do buy the lower end stuff deliberately to indulge in trends, so that makes sense.  Mid-range is the trickiest, to tell you the truth. Sometimes the stuff wears like iron and stays current, and sometimes you tire of it almost instantly or it falls apart.  Gracie on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305369 Wed, 16 Jul 2014 19:48:40 +0000 Gracie 1305369@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ cc, thank you for your insight... yes the trendy items are tricky as the nicer/pricier brands usually have the better versions of them. Astrid, thanks for the Cheat Sheet!  a nice reminder of what to pay attention to. I've tried on some good-brand T-shirts that, when I lift my arms up, the shoulders come up. My arms come down, the shoulders stay up, lol. Astrid on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305358 Wed, 16 Jul 2014 19:38:00 +0000 Astrid 1305358@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I guess you can never be sure about an higher priced item not having the same issues, but you can check some things yourself in the dressing room, across all price points: <a href="http://into-mind.com/2014/05/04/how-to-assess-the-quality-of-garments-a-beginners-guide-cheat-sheet/" rel="nofollow">http://into-mind.com/2014/05/0.....eat-sheet/</a> The only things I'm paying more for right now are outerwear and shoes. But I think I would generally pay more for classics or slightly trendy items and less for very trendy stuff that might not last longer than one season. But, I guess it depends also on how much you wear it. If you wear that one piece constantly for half a year until you're done with it, you could invest more in it after all. Anonymous on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305353 Wed, 16 Jul 2014 19:33:10 +0000 Anonymous 1305353@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ One rule of thumb that some people use is to spend more money on hard wearing classic or basic items that you can see yourself  wearing for several years, and spend less on the trends. I'm afraid I flipped that strategy around last F/W and now find myself ready to get rid of a few trendy items that were a bit pricey for me. Oh well. Live and learn, I guess! Gracie on "Better, Fewer" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/better-fewer#post-1305346 Wed, 16 Jul 2014 19:23:24 +0000 Gracie 1305346@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I’m pondering the fact that some fabbers are turning to buying higher quality but fewer items (which I’m all for, by the way). I’m thinking I might not necessarily keep an item longer just because it’s pricier or better made. Do you shop the better brands for trendy items (since they would have more edge/style), or classics, or something in between? What shelf-life are we aiming for, 2-3 years? Won’t a trendy item have a pretty short life by default?  And how does one know that a high-price/quality item is not going to soon develop an issue just like a moderate priced one could?  Static cling, sagging, twisting, sprouting holes, a detail that bothers us once we start wearing it...?  Is the investment on a pricier piece, in the end, a gamble?  I’m trying to assign/justify value for my future purchases and would appreciate your thoughts. Planning on checking the NAS this weekend.