https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-for-symbolism-vs-low-cpw Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 09 May 2026 13:37:49 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-for-symbolism-vs-low-cpw#post-657958 Sat, 30 Jun 2012 08:11:25 +0000 jayne 657958@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I find I cannot use CPW. Because it pushes me to worry about cost so much that I buy the cheap look alike that doesn't have the same vibe. I am trying to up my game and think long term, like 20 years, and buy things I will still love then. And if jewelry is the way you make your outfits special (like maitai uses scarves) and you love them, you wil stilll use them in 20 years also? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-for-symbolism-vs-low-cpw#post-657807 Sat, 30 Jun 2012 03:06:57 +0000 Keix 657807@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Swan - I suppose only time will tell! But I predict that my "classic" emotional pieces--like a delicate sterling silver necklace cut in a very special, symbolic shape--will perservere. I also have "statement" emotional pieces that will probably be retired into wall art or something in a few years. And I get a ton of jewelry as gifts from my extended family (small and portable is key when you're packing luggage to travel to the other side of the globe), so there are some things which aren't my style right now but I keep for sentiment--and maybe in 10 (or 30) years they will fit with my evolved style.</p> <p>That's a really great idea, to build an outfit around a piece of jewelry. I have just the piece in mind... a very large statement pendant that works only with certain necklines and colors. It will be a fun challenge to find the perfect clothes to "accessorize" it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-for-symbolism-vs-low-cpw#post-657801 Sat, 30 Jun 2012 02:48:57 +0000 goldenpig 657801@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't have much jewelry, but a lot of clothes. Well I know if a piece of clothing doesn't excite me, it ends up being a higher CPW because I don't reach for it! I'm always wearing the statement pieces! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-for-symbolism-vs-low-cpw#post-657800 Sat, 30 Jun 2012 02:48:37 +0000 qpswan 657800@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I find that my emotional purchases generally compliment the rest of my modern classic items, but I am 30 years ahead of you on this. I wonder how many of your pieces you will have when you reach 50...</p> <p>May I suggest that next time you shop for clothing start with inspiration from one of your favourite jewelry pieces. (A friend of mind started with a pair of earrings and bought an entire outfit including shoes that worked with them.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-for-symbolism-vs-low-cpw#post-657788 Sat, 30 Jun 2012 02:18:54 +0000 missvee 657788@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I suppose for me it's a bit of both - practical and emotional. Sometimes a piece just speaks to me and I buy it then and there. But these 'emotional' purchases often turn out to be practical too - because it's something I love, I wear it a lot. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/buying-for-symbolism-vs-low-cpw#post-657782 Sat, 30 Jun 2012 02:11:36 +0000 Keix 657782@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The dichotomy between symbolism and practicality struck me today when I fell in love (yet again) with a piece of jewelry for primarily emotional reasons. My jewelry collection is large but primarily comprised of emotional/sentimental pieces with high cost per wear because they only go with a few outfits (or else they're simple, dainty silver that goes with everything but doesn't add much either, so I forget). Some are gifts, but others I covet for their symbolism, because they remind me of something special or memorable or happy.</p> <p>This occurs with clothing--specifically dresses--to a lesser extent for me, but it's with jewelry that I find myself consistently attracted to emotional, rather than style quotient, payoff. My skin and ear piercings are sensitive to certain metals (I know copper for sure and suspect nickel), so I also try to stick with sterling silver, which of course costs more than plated or base metals. The end result is that my accessories CPW is unreasonably high from a pure fashion point of view... but when I think about the emotional value behind those pieces, in some ways it also seems like an OK investment.</p> <p>Do you find yourself buying things for emotional reasons, and -not- regretting the purchase? Or are practicality and wearability the most important factors? </p>