https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:37:10 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2263635 Thu, 19 May 2022 02:06:24 +0000 Anonymous 2263635@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Generations before me had teeny tiny closets and someone made most of their clothes so they had very few. &nbsp;Also they were constantly altering their clothes, especially the length, to keep up with fashion. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2263572 Wed, 18 May 2022 10:54:31 +0000 Carol 2263572@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>JAileen--my boyfriend has 3 watches, all of which look expensive, none of which work. I call him a "New Yorker," even though we are in the West, because he always must look sharp. He also has Italian blood.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2263013 Fri, 13 May 2022 13:30:07 +0000 Janet 2263013@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It has to be a joke. Not eating, when in Italy?? Unthinkable!&nbsp;</p> <p>Simple math -- if you buy fewer pieces, more carefully and thoughtfully, you can afford more expensive things. Also, shopping secondhand can help.&nbsp;</p> <p>I also have found some very inexpensive pieces that look and feel quite luxe, while other pricey ones feel and look cheap. Quality and style are not always synonymous with "designer." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2263011 Fri, 13 May 2022 13:15:35 +0000 unfrumped 2263011@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lana , your point about closer tailoring is interesting to me. Whilst I hate clothing tgat is too tight or restrictive, I think I look better in “ barely fluid” fits. Just a bit over fluid and I start to look more frumpy and lost in my clothing. But for figure- flattery I also won’t wear fits or styles that hug in the wrong places.<br /> Hence the HEWI search for the right combination of fit, shape, and often fabrics with some stretch but not cling.<br /> I do get things tailored for stuff like waist fit, sleeve length.<br /> The most troublesome items are often jackets/ blazers. I think on me they look mych better with higher- cut armholes and sleeves not too full— and to your point, I think that gives the sharper or more “ luxe “ look. But that is the very thing that often feels too tight with movement of won’t fit well over a layering top . I don’t wear sleeveless shells and such, which would allow tighter jacket fits.<br /> Anyway, it’s something to keep in mind when shopping or editing wardrobe- those elements that give the right look and that might be reason why one style, or brand, or item in a category , might look better- quality. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2262997 Fri, 13 May 2022 10:10:54 +0000 Lana 2262997@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it was a joke too, possibly directed to how important our phones are to us in America. &nbsp;However, when I lived in Italy, tailoring came with clothes, so when you bought something, you automatically had it altered to fit. That could have changed with more fast fashion available, but I find generally Italian and Spanish people tend to wear more closely tailored clothing which adds to a more luxurious look.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2262965 Fri, 13 May 2022 02:47:25 +0000 Jaime 2262965@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Zaeobi</b> - My maternal grandmother had tons of clothes. Oh my goodness, I am so glad you asked. I had never thought of this before in connection to me, but she had a huge walk in closet full of outfits, tons of accessories, and several wigs. Will be pondering.</p> <p>As for the Italians, well that is meant as a joke, but I do think it reflects a different attitude toward the importance of appearance and what constitutes the minimal acceptable presentation. I once had a British boyfriend that would not leave the house without carefully ironing his shirt - no matter that he was going to be late for something very important. I couldn't get over it . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2262952 Fri, 13 May 2022 00:02:48 +0000 Sal 2262952@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>&nbsp;That makes me giggle - it's a bit sad about the pretending on the phone.</p> <p>I hope we are moving back to smaller wardrobes with higher quality pieces.&nbsp; I have seen this among my friends - but we still have a way to go.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2262932 Thu, 12 May 2022 16:53:00 +0000 cat2 2262932@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love Italian street style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2262928 Thu, 12 May 2022 16:35:54 +0000 JAileen 2262928@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Star, I think my son was in college at the time. &nbsp;He uses his phone for the time, whereas &nbsp;I wear a watch. &nbsp;My phone is often dead. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2262925 Thu, 12 May 2022 16:10:30 +0000 unfrumped 2262925@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well if it’s about “ good” clothes but not necessarily designer— I think it takes a lot of looking and FEELING and trying on to get an idea of the target construction, fit and fabric- and then it takes discipline, ( not for skipping eating!) but to avoid frittering away both wardrobe budget and making random purchases. So I do agree with your young man that some priority has to be set. As for achieving any goal.<br /> So I do think there are some mainstream brands that do better on some things , and sometimes unexpectedly higher- quality items showing up in their collections ( Angie shouts out these at times) , but not necessarily when you need it. And often people catch on quickly and such items sell out. In my town we don’t have a great selection of thrift stores carrying hidden gems, and I’m not good at online second- hand buying, but I agree that’s a good potential source— again not limited to “ designer “ items but to include items that are sold out at retail, or items from a previous year or decade that just had that great intersection of quality and style.<br /> But if it’s a status thing— certain designers, head to toe designer wear, It bags, very current or trending things all the time- that would be pretty spendy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2262922 Thu, 12 May 2022 15:41:07 +0000 BlueJay 2262922@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>haha! I guess it is like wearing glasses without a prescription and just glass to look "smart."</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2262921 Thu, 12 May 2022 15:40:45 +0000 Star (Lise) 2262921@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Jaileen&nbsp;</b>that made me laugh :)&nbsp; I used to own many watches and used them for telling time and as accessories.&nbsp; I have not worn a watch for 7 years. What age is your son? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2262920 Thu, 12 May 2022 15:35:34 +0000 JAileen 2262920@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My son was going to a party where they were going to be really dressed up, and he wanted to wear a watch. &nbsp;It didn’t matter if it worked on not. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2262899 Thu, 12 May 2022 13:44:58 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2262899@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lol! </p> <p>RL, that sounds like the practice in many traditional pubs of regulars bringing their own mugs and having a cubby to store them in.</p> <p>Quite a bit of Italian clothing is available here. Some of it is expensive and well made. Other things, like the felted wool vest I picked up at a market a few years ago or the viscose skirt I was just looking at at a different market, not so much. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2262894 Thu, 12 May 2022 13:33:47 +0000 BlueJay 2262894@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Funny Carol! Perhaps they have designer clothes, but less of them and take care of their clothes and wear them for decades.&nbsp;</p> <p>Interesting Vildy. I Googled "La Bella Figura" and found this article. Very interesting reading.&nbsp;<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.lagazzettaitaliana.com/history-culture/9151-la-bella-figura-the-italian-way">https://www.lagazzettaitaliana.....talian-way</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2262893 Thu, 12 May 2022 13:29:44 +0000 Star (Lise) 2262893@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gosh I love the cut of Italian clothes.&nbsp; I find them for a few euros in our thrift shops.&nbsp; We are so lucky as we get a lot of Italy's pre-loved stock. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2262892 Thu, 12 May 2022 13:28:10 +0000 Zaeobi 2262892@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, I suppose it depends on your definition of 'good' clothing... </p> <p>@Aquamarine<br /> Isn't that the case for most generations worldwide, though (before the invention of 'fast' fashion?) </p> <p>Edit: I don't mean to dissent here, just wondering whether anyone has experienced the opposite (that the generations before them had a lot of clothes)? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2262889 Thu, 12 May 2022 12:56:27 +0000 Aquamarine 2262889@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Vildy, yes.</p> <p>I have family in Italy, and in my experience, they buy fewer but better clothes…at least the people in my generation and older.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2262888 Thu, 12 May 2022 12:38:21 +0000 Vildy 2262888@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>La Bella Figura </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2262885 Thu, 12 May 2022 12:07:49 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 2262885@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am chuckling at this, but my chuckles are tinged with uncertainty. I can’t imagine pretending to be occupied by staring at a broken phone, in order to wear designer clothes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2262884 Thu, 12 May 2022 12:05:08 +0000 rachylou 2262884@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok, but now I’m thinking about how my one uncle LOVES Italy because he found this restaurant that saves his dirtied napkin for him to use the next time he comes in… which reminds me of the brothers of a monastery near me… everyone gets a napkin and a napkin ring because the nuns only launder them once a week… </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-afford-good-clothes#post-2262878 Thu, 12 May 2022 11:41:14 +0000 Carol 2262878@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It has been awhile since I've been on the forum. I thought I'd share a thought I heard recently:</p> <p>I met a young Milanese man who was living in the U.S. I asked him:</p> <p>It really does seem like Italians are always wearing designer clothes. That can't be. It's too expensive! How do you do it?</p> <p>Well, he said, we don't eat. And we buy phones, but we just pretend we're looking at them, because we don't buy a data plan. Sometimes they are broken. We just want to look like we are doing something.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p>