https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 03 Apr 2026 19:57:37 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes/page/2#post-362385 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 06:03:41 +0000 anne 362385@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do a bit of both. Like so many of you, when it is shoes I am willing to pay full price.</p> <p>with a lot of other things it comes partly down to timing. Like Elisabeth, I don't shop often - Like Steph I can go 6 months without buying anything. And I am not so in love with thrifting since it works better with frequent careful visiting.</p> <p>I definitely tend towards minimalism, and working out exactly what I want and just buying that. I do however leave a little in the budget for impulse buys which are often bargains.</p> <p>When it comes to my twice yearly shopping trips to the city, I pretty much buy what I c can get in that time. Last summer (Australian) it was in January and there were many after Christmas sales so almost nothing was full price. And some things were impulse buys. But there was nothing I was really hanging out to get specifically (just general stuff like "casual dress").</p> <p>This winter is a different matter. After 3 years of YLF I have some specific holes. I am buying some good heels, and a good coat if I can find one that is better than my current one. I expect at least 5 years out of these items and am willing to pay full price. That said, sometimes I mull over them for so long that the price comes down in the meantime, and that can help tip the balance into my buying them.</p> <p>When it comes to shopping in my home town, there is basically a Country target, a few chain stores and some boutiques and surf shops ( too expensive for me). I don't shop often, but will be more likely to go into the Target if there is a sale - and it is worth waiting for most items since they have sales really often. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes/page/2#post-362368 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 03:45:27 +0000 fathenry 362368@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have bought and cycled through a closet full of mistakes from discount and thrift stores over the last year, spending hundreds and wasting most of it. I'm not sure why, after so much time on the forum, I still have trouble picking things out.</p> <p>On the other side of the coin, I have 5 pairs of pants that I've been wearing for a minimum of 5-7 years that still look good. I'm going to try focusing on quality basics now. It seems like that is what I stick with, whether they were bought on sale or not.</p> <p>The only exception is knits. I will not spend full price on sweaters, they all end up looking bad after a season. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes/page/2#post-362310 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 01:45:00 +0000 Steph 362310@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't think I have seen anyone else on this board who shops the way I do. If I really love something, I buy it at full price. Then I let it sit in my closet with the receipt for awhile--sometimes months. I stalk it online to see if it goes on sale. If it does, I repurchase at the lower price and return the original item (assuming that the store has a generous return policy). If it doesn't go on sale (or is not available in my size), then I have had the item in my closet for long enough to decide if I really, really want it. I don't have a need to rip the tags off a wear something immediately, so the wait doesn't bother me. </p> <p>Since I am so patient with waiting, when I DO feel the need to wear an item before it goes on sale, I rarely regret it once it does go on sale. For me to wear it before the sale, it must mean that I really needed to wear it. </p> <p>(For me, shoes is a whole other story. I most often buy high end designer shoes at huge discounts from Yoox, so those are almost always out of season.)</p> <p>I am also a person who doesn't shop that often. I literally go months (sometimes six months or more) without purchasing a thing. Then there are times when I purchase a bunch of things in spurts. I have a pretty full wardrobe, so I pretty much only buy things when they truly tickle my fancy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes/page/2#post-362308 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 01:42:36 +0000 christy 362308@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There are a lot of posts about new clothes...who doesn't like showing off something new! But there are also a lot of WIW posts that don't include new items. I think one benefit of a site like this with such an involved and helpful (and tactful!) community is getting the inspiration to try something new with what you already own and then getting feedback on whether or not it worked. Someone else's post might give you the idea to try a combination that you never would have come up with on your own and - BAM! - you have a "new to you" outfit! That's what makes it fun! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes/page/2#post-362260 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:03:08 +0000 Aziraphale 362260@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"That's probably another reason I'm not as involved on here as some people are....I just don't have the means to buy things every week."</p> <p>I have wondered a bit about that too. We're doing OK financially (I don't think Vancouver was as hard hit by the recession as elsewhere), but I don't buy clothing all that often, except to replace camisoles and that sort of thing. I go out shopping for actual fashion items maybe once a season. It feels like a lot of you guys shop all the time! But maybe my perception is skewed because there are so many people writing in to show off new garments, and there are probably a lot more of you than I think there are. :-)</p> <p>I love fashion and clothing, but I could never go shopping that often. For me it's finding the time as much as finding the money. So I'm sort of living vicariously through everyone else. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes/page/2#post-362232 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 23:05:52 +0000 nicoleb 362232@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I enjoy the challenge of staying trendy with items i find in the thrift stores. But on that same note my brain thinks because i'm saving so much on a regular basis, when i see something i really love and "have to have" i'm allowed to splurge a little more than i would of allowed myself in the past before i started thrifting. </p> <p>I also get bored of wearing the same thing over and over. I don't think a blouse would of lasted 5 years in my closet and have been worn regularly but that's just how i am! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-362231 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 23:03:47 +0000 Anonymous 362231@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi ladies...I miss being on here!!! Our computer died, so for the time being we are borrowing one.... :(</p> <p>I am the queen of thrift nowadays. The economy hit us really hard a few years ago, hubby was real estate broker in hard hit Michigan. Now he is a pastor in Mississippi...so not much income right now, and 5 kids to care for! Clothing prices have gone through the roof in the retail sector, I find even Goodwill to be high on some things. I make do with what I have for as long as I can, adding bits and pieces when I can. That's probably another reason I'm not as involved on here as some people are....I just don't have the means to buy things every week. A lot of my friends here are in the same financial boat we are, still trying to recover from Hurricane Katrina. People are hurting everywhere and when it's a choice of new shoes or food on the table, well, the choice is obvious, at least for us. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-362186 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 21:39:45 +0000 Louise 362186@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it also depends on body weight. If you are in the process of losing weight there is no point spending a fortune on things which will never get enough wear out of. My weight is fairly stable so things last until they fall apart (or I get bored of them) x </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-362174 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 21:33:15 +0000 Lisa 362174@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I lean towards paying full price. I've found my sale priced items were often impulse purchases that I would not wear. And I'm often too lazy to thrift shop. If I do see an item in a thrift store or on sale that I want, I'm always super happy NOT to pay full price. I'm not as motivated by the price as I am on liking the item in question. And if it's too pricey for me, I may stalk it or save up hoping to it'll still be in stores. I've become a picky-er shopper since YLF. I also use the price idea as a criteria for purchases, if I am not willing to pay full price for it, then I don't really want it. This has helped me purchase less impulse sale items over time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-362132 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 20:33:11 +0000 Di 362132@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I should add: I also tend to pay full price for size reasons. I'm happy with vintage and thrifted items, but geographically, I'm just not the same size/shape as most of my neighbors. That tends to go for retail items, too-- stores don't stock enough of my size/shape for me to wait for sales. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-362131 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 20:32:16 +0000 Anonymous 362131@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to buy only deeply discounted, thrift or "Ross/TJMaxx" stuff and ended up with a closet FULL of duplicates and so-so stuff. And it wasn't even a matter of being on a budget. I just did it becuase I got some sort of thrill out of the hunt for bargains. Now, I have a really small closet and I am replacing everything over time with only stuff I LOVE and that has lead me down the path of buying full price. For example, I have replaced 3 cheap so-so black blazers with one AWESOME full price black blazer. And I wear it all the time. The so-so blazers I didn't wear as much because they didn't fit right or wrinkled or some other reason that annoyed me. If an item is perfect and makes you happy then the full price cost is worth it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-362126 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 20:23:50 +0000 qfbrenda 362126@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I mix is all that makes sense to me. I don't have the money to buy every thing new. And I don't have time to buy everything at a bargain. :P</p> <p>Like others, my major splurges tend to be shoes because of my very fussy feet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-362117 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 20:09:33 +0000 Cilleena 362117@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I need to add that I DO usually pay full retail for my shoes. If my feet aren't comfy, I'm I'm miserable. I've realized I really, really love shoes since joining YLF. Cute, comfortable shoes, they are a gem to me and I'll pay full price gladly. For some reason, the less expensive shoes found at discount stores just hurt my feet. I've found some really, really cute shoes at low, low prices, but I can't tolerate them. I'm jealous of people who don't have fussy feet and can wear all those cute shoes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-362110 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:49:54 +0000 Mo 362110@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I became a bargain hunter pretty much out of necessity. At 23, I forever moved away from any densely enough populated place to support a mall. Eventually, some 15+ years later, discount stores like Marshall's, Target and Ross sprung up within a 40 min drive.<br /> Anyway, due to my lack of retail dept. stores close, I started to shop online, and then eBay when I discovered it, and then the discount retailers once they opened up nearby. So I have been discount shopping not really out of conscious choice but because that's all there was. Eventually, it became what I was used to and full price seemed crazy and was hard to swallow. I still avoid it whenever I can, and I don't think I've traded currentness or trendiness for it. I recently bought very on trend, zipper red skinny moto jeans - but for $60 instead of $150 or more.<br /> It's true that there is a time to plunk down retail price, but quite often you don't have to if you have the time to hunt around a bit, even just a week or two. Surely, you haven't missed out on a trend in that timeframe!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-362102 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:22:00 +0000 Charmian 362102@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I aspire to be like Di ("it has to make me do a little dance"). However, I'm pretty early in my style journey and I know that I tend to mis-hear the voice that sings to me.</p> <p>I only allow myself to buy full-priced items in categories where I feel like I can clearly hear when an item sings. At the moment, that's tees, casual tops, and casual shoes; all other categories must come from sales or thrift stores. Just this Saturday I went to the mall, and after 2 hours of trying on items I left with exactly one tank top at full price. Saying no to the sales rack and assorted-cute-but-poor-fitting items was strangely empowering.</p> <p>( here's the geeky part of my reply: ) I grow that list of categories by shopping at thrift stores with specific "homework assignments". This has helped me understand my style and my body without the guilt of paying for a full-priced mistake. My current assignment is to figure out scarves and statement necklaces; I get to play with styles in AND outside my comfort zone at thrift stores for however long it takes until I can distinguish between true love and a temporary want. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-362097 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:12:05 +0000 catgirl 362097@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am another one who mixes it up. Some of my best finds have been thrifted or from consignment. My outfit today consists of expensive full-price shoes, Gap pants on sale, an F21 top ($6.99 on sale), and a thrifted jacket. So there you have the whole gamut! </p> <p>I tend to be cheap about basics now, and splurge on statement pieces (like my Ted Baker dress). I've learned to snatch things up at full price if they make my heart skip a beat, and more importantly, I'm also learning to walk away from things that will not work for me, no matter how much I love them or how cheap they are. A huge part of the process was doing the "Aida list" and learning to apply it to my purchases, whether for pennies or big bucks. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-362094 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:05:18 +0000 Aziraphale 362094@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's true what Rosee says, that with shoes you often have to pay full price or your size will have gone. This is also true for smaller sizes of clothing, so I find myself paying full price most of the time. Every now and then I'll get a good deal, but mostly, if it fits and flatters and I really like it, I just buy it. Like Louise, I simply don't shop in stores I can't afford! </p> <p>The other bonus of paying full price is that you get to wear the item in the season it came out, so you feel like you're part of a trend at the start, as opposed to getting on the bandwagon a season late. I understand that "trendy" is not a word most people view positively, but hear me out. It's true that I would prefer to be labeled "stylish" rather than "trendy" myself, but I suppose I do follow trends, at least to a degree. I don't jump on a bandwagon if the trend doesn't suit my figure or my personality, but if it does, I'd rather get on at the front end than be trailing behind by a season or two. If you at least somewhat keep up with trends, I believe it makes you seem more stylish. Or, at least, it's one component of style. </p> <p>So, when you ask if you should have bought your thrift store blouse new and enjoyed it for several years, rather than buying it late, I would have to say yes, you should have (providing it was in your price range). But, did you see it new in the stores several years ago? Maybe not. And, if it's so over-the-top gorgeous, it's still great that you snagged it, even if it's late. Better late than never! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-362068 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 18:24:36 +0000 Jonesy 362068@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with others who say they do a mix. I shop a lot, and I enjoy mixing up stuff that is more expensive with items that were bargains, so I need to cover a lot of retail ground :). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-362067 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 18:24:05 +0000 Heather 362067@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>MG, I have nothing to add, but I am psyched to see this awesome blouse. What a sweet comment from your little girl! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-362066 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 18:22:35 +0000 patti 362066@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think a mix makes sense for most women - some items I just can't wait to own, like a certain purse or pair of shoes, and they might not go on sale for a long time. Most "everyday" clothes, I like to wait for major sales, or I buy at consignment/thrift. I carry some guilt if I pay a lot for clothing and don't "wear it to death"! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-361979 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:08:56 +0000 Cilleena 361979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>At this point in my life, with young children to care for, in a state of body shape changes due to having a baby a year and a half ago and living in a rural setting, I tend to always look for a bargain, even at the expense of losing an item I really like. Too often have I bought things full priced and just not gotten enough wear out of them before either they don't fit me appropriately or they have gotten damaged in some way or another. Or they just hang in my closet looking pretty because I don't have enough opportunities to wear them that are either appropriate or when they won't get damaged/stained. Plus, I'm just learning what I really like and feel comfortable in besides jeans and a tee. I can't afford to pay full price for a new look and discover I don't really feel comfortable in it after a few wears. </p> <p>So, I think I'll eventually really enjoy grabbing up those full priced, once in a lifetime, to die/live for pieces. But for now, I try to duplicate the "trends" I'm attracted to in a bargain way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-361973 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:56:20 +0000 NK 361973@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As much as I love to find a good bargain, there are definitely things worth paying full price for, but it's taken me a long time to learn that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-361965 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:29:52 +0000 modgrl 361965@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good point @3Style - I'm pretty sure I would have picked this blouse up in the store if I was shopping back then. I basically haven't shopped at all in the last 10 years. On a side note, I don't buy thrift store shoes unless they are new old stock. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-361960 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:15:59 +0000 3style 361960@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi modgirl,</p> <p>Newbie here. Questions for you. Would that blouse have been to your taste or lifestyle five years ago? Would you have been the exact same size/shape five years ago? For me those are all definite "no" answers.</p> <p>I like to thrift items outside of my "style comfort zone," as a way to see if I like something before I consider buying a similar item again, later, at a higher price. For example, I just scored a pair of like-new red patent Elie Tahari wedges for $39. I don't tend to like wearing wedges in straw, cork soles etc. because of a lack of cushioning, but I thought I'd give these ones, with a stacked leather heel, a whirl. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-361946 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:25:04 +0000 Diana 361946@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am like Rosee, in that I rarely pay full price for clothes but will do it for shoes. I also do not thrift clothing or shoes. For me, this is because I have a LOT of clothes that are nice and comfortable and that I enjoy wearing, so I very rarely NEED anything (wanting things is of course a different store); shoes, on the other hand, are much more difficult for me as I have very fussy feet and relatively fewer pairs of eight-hour shoes, so I'm willing to pay full price for something that is truly comfy and wearable. I do love a good bargain on shoes too though!</p> <p>I dont' really feel that I am missing out by not buying full price items immediately when they appear in stores - I am not the type of person who wants every trendy item the minute it appears and I hate when I am wearing the same thing as someone else. This may sound odd, but when things are on sale, they are often rarer and more unique - in any case, I almost always wear things for far longer than a single season so I don't worry about things being out of date or missing out on prime wearing time.</p> <p>Though I am sure that I will always be a serious bargain shopper, I am slowly training myself away from the mentality of checking the price tag FIRST before I even look at the item. I still always go for the sale rack first in a store though! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-361923 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:20:59 +0000 MsMary 361923@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do a mix. Some of my favorite wardrobe workhorses are thrift or sale finds. But I have to admit I've been buying more at full price because I didn't want to lose them, and I have no regrets.</p> <p>For example, I bought my beloved pink Kate Spade pumps at full price (and a whopping full price it was!) and they make me happy every single time I wear them, or even see them in my closet. And it's not just "full price vs sale." It's also "paying a lot (for me)" vs. "paying a little (for me)." Over the weekend I bought a fantastic Kate Spade blazer that was marked down to less than half price, but still was more than I would normally spend for a jacket. But it was perfect so I grabbed it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-361916 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:05:58 +0000 rae 361916@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I came around to this school of thought as well. I still try to find it for cheaper elsewhere but, if I really love something (a rare event), then I'll just get it and find a way to raise cash to offset the price. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-361915 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:01:00 +0000 Anonymous 361915@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you can do a mix of sale/secondhand shop/full price. When losing weight I bought a whole wardrobe at thrift and consignment shops. Many of those pieces wee fine but not great. However, some of the favorite pieces in my wardrobe came from those shops. On the other hand, I usually think much more about an item when paying full price and have yet to regret any full price purchases since joining YLF. I too often regret impluse buys at sales when the price seduces. Often something is off just a bit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-361910 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 13:48:52 +0000 Lavinia 361910@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it makes no sense to wonder what would have been if you bought the blouse 5 years earlier. I'm sure your life was great without it too!<br /> If you have the funds to buy full price - go for it! If the item in question fills a wardrobe hole - go for it! However, if it's a trendy cute piece I'd wait for it to go on sale. </p> <p>But hey, I'm trying to rescue a dress I bought because it was cheap so take my words carefully </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-we-talk-about-paying-full-price-for-clothes#post-361907 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 13:47:01 +0000 Di 361907@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a rule: whether or not it's on sale, it has to make me do a little dance. Believe it or not, I save a LOT of money in the long run by not buying anything that's just "ok." </p>