Can you BUY style? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Can you BUY style?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I've been thinking about this issue for a while now and have hesitated posting about it because in no way, do I want to offend anyone. However, it is something on my mind and is related to fashion/style so hope it is ok to post.

Without going into too much personal detail, I have an extremely limited budget for clothing/accessories which is why you will often see my individual clothing items in WIW posts indicated as "thrifted". This has many times resulted in me having items that I like, but not love or that do not fit as well as I would want. I have also purchased items of inferior quality because they were affordable. I am trying to realize that if I were not to purchase thrifted items for quite a while, I could then maybe buy one higher end item (the old quality vs quantity discussion).

I am finding that YLF and all of your wonderful, beautiful, fashionable outfits are making me want to spend money I don't have. Angie's fantastic and always helpful list posts make me drool but so many of these items are not even in the realm of possibility for me financially. I do try and find similar styled items in less expensive brands that can work and have had some success with this.

I am envious of members who have been able to overhaul and purchase a completely new and large wardrobe over a span of 6-12 months and have multiple, fashionable outfits to choose from. This has set me to wondering if a person needs money to be stylish.

I would be very interested in your thoughts on this issue and welcome all comments. Again, my apologies if I have offended anyone - this was certainly not my intention.

General

48 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

No. I've seen great thrifted and low budget wardrobes. I've also seen horrific fashion on an expensive budget. It just may take more time on the lower budget.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, this is a very real concern for many. I am a bit of a bargain hunter that still loves to get new clothes. I can honestly say I've only spend over $100 on an item twice in my life - and both were birthday gifts. True Religion jeans that I still searched for at half price, and a pink chiffon dress the BF suggested I buy on the spot in Seattle for my 40th birthday.
I do, however still have some quality clothes in the mix of the 'expendable' cheapies. I have gorgeous Miz Mooz boots that retail for $275 found on Amazon at $78. Oh, and how could I forget the $595 retail red moto jeans for $60 NWT on eBay! I think those with a budget have to spend all that much more time hunting and researching and shopping off season. I don't want to look like my wardrobe is inexpensive just because it is!
But to your point, I think it is much easier to find great stuff when you can order 10 items from Nordstrom full price and just return what you don't like. You and I don't have that luxury, so we have to work a little harder at it - that's all. It's possible, but not as easy

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, I know how you feel.

While I don't think you NEED to have a lot of money to be stylish, I do think it helps. Money does help you buy better made clothes, in nicer fabrications and then pay for tailoring. It can also help speed up a transformation.

However, like Anna, I've seen amazing wardrobes created from shoestring budgets and some gawdawful wardrobes created entirely from designer lines.

Being stylish has a lot more to do with a certain attitude, confidence, artistry, an experimental and/or playful nature. I think you have all that and more!

RoseandJoan

Veteran

TS, there was a time when I could have written EVERY WORD of your post. I had two babies in two years, nothing in my wardrobe fit and I had a very small budget. I have learned to shop website outlets and to stick within my budget. My wardrobe is still very small and as a consequence my clothing wears out very fast but my situation is what it is. One day I hope to have the funds to shop with Angie and double the size of my wardrobe but until then I celebrate each bargain and the transforming powers of less expensive accessories such as a silk scarf from ebay or a new pair of hose.

BUT back to your actual question, money is a means to purchasing a wardrobe and no more.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

No offense at all! When I first came across YLF - Angie and some YLF'ers had posted a fabulous series of blog posts about "Mom on the Go" formulas. This was so eye-opening for me, and at the time - I was still very much in budget mode (still am to some degree). That said, it was FUN to look at these formulas and find things in Kohl's or JC Penney that would actually work with some of the formulas. I found a black "boyfriend" blazer on super-sale during a Black Friday sale at JC Penney, and a really neat "graphic tee" at Kohl's. These two items were less than $20 in total!

This is one of the reasons I love blog posts here that have a 'formula' to try - whether it's the updated sweater dress look or the MOTG formulas. The idea of the different components/pieces in the formulas tend to stick with me, and I can always find the various components at less expensive stores. For instance, with the updated sweater dress look, posted here on the blog:

http://youlookfab.com/2011/10/.....on-the-go/

You could opt for something like this from Kohl's (pic #1 - Apt.9 brand sweater dress) - it's currently on sale for $48.99, but I happen to have a coupon for an extra 30% off AND I have a $10 off coupon as well.

Or, you could try this one from Bluefly for $200 (pic #2)

Or, you could try this grey one from Rag & Bone for $400 (pic#3)

I found one by browsing shopstyle for $640 as well. I don't think these sweaters look all that different from each other (well, except the grey is a different colour/style).

In the meantime, I am not someone who can overhaul my entire wardrobe in six months or a year. It takes me a bit longer to work up the nerve to try something new, and I'm often inclined to "try" something very inexpensive first, to see if I even like the idea. In fact, the 'best' graphic tee I have was less than $7 at Kohl's. I've since bought a couple more that were a bit more expensive ($20-ish) and they are not as nice-looking!

Anyway, without rambling on too much - I find that the best approach is to go looking for the formulas posted on the blog...there's nothing saying specifically *which* heeled bootie you buy, and nothing saying you can't get your slouchy boyfriend blazer from JC Penney on super sale.

What do you think? Go for the idea/formula, without thinking you need to get a specific item.

---> editing to add: another example is seeing Sarah's beautiful WIW today featuring a furry vest, a blush coloured blouse and skinny pants. In my mind, I think, "Furry vest, blush or light coloured blouse, skinny pants" and NOT necessarily wanting the specific/exact items. This helps me quite a bit. I'm not even going to go looking for these items either, it's just that if I happen to see a pretty blush or light coloured blouse and/or a neat looking furry vest somewhere on a great sale or what have you, I'll remember the inspiration in Sarah's WIW post.

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Jonesy

Veteran

I know what you are saying, Shannon. I agree with others that gorgeous, distinctive style can be had across all budgets, but I also agree that having some money certainly doesn't hurt. If money is very limited, then what one needs is a discerning eye, time, determination, and luck, to be able to score fab finds via second-hand shops, discount outlets, etc. It seems like it would make the most sense to have a very lean, small, perfectly functioning wardrobe in that case (so, quality over quantity).

There is definitely a wide spectrum here at YLF in terms of budget devoted to clothes and style. Really! The complete-wardrobe-overhaulers may be more high profile, but that doesn't mean that there aren't others with more limited discretionary income, plugging away at their style goals and doing it fabulously :). Have you looked at fashion bloggers who feature lots of thrifted treasures? They might be inspiring to you. I read My Edit (a Canadian woman who does lots of budget shopping and thrifting), and I know there are tons more.

MsMary

Veteran

I don't think there can be any serious question that the more money you have, the easier it is to be stylish, because it gives you more options. It also gives you the luxury of being able to engage in trial and error and learning from your mistakes and moving on. And yes, it's a lot easier to be able to order a whole bunch of stuff at once, try it all on, and return what doesn't work.

That having been said, you don't NEED a lot of money to be stylish. It just takes more time and effort to track down the fab pieces at great prices. And certainly all the money in the world won't make up for bad taste and lack of style.

HelenInCanada

Veteran

Important question! I think the short answer is Probably Not! Heaven knows there are trends filling the shelves/online sites that would look supremely unflattering on some, so even if one had the money to try them all, she wouldn't look her best. Even within great designers' offerings are some misses, perhaps experiments that didn't work out well - but unless you have a well-trained eye, you may buy the items because of the name! I think there are beautiful, quality pieces of clothing at different price ranges - and brilliant finds at thrift shops, too. The key is to understand what fabrics are good quality (I agree that some fab cotton basics can be had for 10 dollars or less at the 'budget' stores like Target and ON), knowing your body type and what cuts/silhouettes flatter it best, what colours enhance your own beauty, and what pieces just make you feel great - and in this competitive retail market, there is a wide selection to choose from at lower-priced retailers! I agree with the others that on a limited budget, it just takes more research & digging, but once you know what you should look out for, finding pieces you love within your budget gets easier!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Shannon, I'm going to tag onto what Amy, Julie (RoseandJoan), Jonesy and Mary said because their sentiments about this topic are spot on with my own feelings.

I remember my early fashion industry days (age 22 to 25) where I had very little money to spend on my wardrobe and had to look top notch in the fashion industry - or at least feel that I looked good enough to work in the fashion industry. I shopped at factory stores, altered buying samples so that they would fit, shopped at H&M till the cows came home, bought stuff off the side of the road on the streets of Hong Kong, and above all just wore my stuff over and over and over again. Birthdays and Xmas were a time to receive stuff that I could generally not afford.

I always remember these times and count them as a blessing. It makes me appreciate the stuff that I now can afford. I also really take care of my things because I want them to last.

Back to your question, Shannon. We welcome ALL budgets at YLF and everyone has the ability to look stylish within their means. We learn from each other how to do this. There are no comparisons, just YOU and your glorious style!

ps. Julie, I would LOVE to meet you and go shopping one day.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Echoing everyone when I say you can definitely, definitely not buy style! You can hire a *stylist* but, even then, it doesn't always work (think of all the celebrity clones who all use the same stylist yet don't have a personal style).

Look, I live on the West Side in LA, and I work in Beverly Hills. I see a LOT of wealthy people on a regular basis. Some are definitely very stylish, but some could not care less about fashion, and others care very much but translate that into piling on designer goods indescriminately. Conversely, there's me and the rest of the service industry out here, and we can bring the style, too, if I do say so myself.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Wonderful, insightful comments ladies! It's interesting reading...keep them coming!

Angie, this comment in your reply has really hit me: "We welcome ALL budgets at YLF and everyone has the ability to look stylish within their means. We learn from each other how to do this. There are no comparisons, just YOU and your glorious style!"

kimlee

Veteran

Shannon - You have posed an interesting question - one that I thought often in my early days of YLF. The other ladies have made very valid points that I can only echo. Style is not indicative of the amount of money that you spend. Yes, it helps speed up the proccess...but it does not make it.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I don't think that you can buy style- it has to do with the way that you dress your body, what you convey through your appearance, and how you put things together. Those things are all free, although not always easy to learn.

Kim

Veteran

I personally think that you can only buy "style" when you are aware of what your own style IS. Isn't style just a reflection of who we are on the inside that we wish people to know about us before we even speak a word? Once you know that you will find items everywhere, high end to thrifted that meet your own personal requirements.

My other recommendation (since you are on a very tight budget) is to learn how to sew, if you don't already. It can make so-so things into really fab things, just check out some upcycling on the web!

I just bought a faux fur leopard coat on deep discount (Jacob Outlet) for 20 bucks. It looked pretty good, but I closed up the side pockets and added a couple of darts in the back and now it looks REALLY good! (Very "Housewifes of New Jersey" according to my teenagers...LOL)

Also, I shop everywhere I can afford, and places that I can't afford too. I get IDEAS from the places I can't afford and then head out to the places that I can afford to make those ideas come to pass. Some of my favorite things have come from Walmart! LOL

Style's currency is not money, but time and thought and effort.

rae

(website)

Veteran

"Style's currency is not money, but time and thought and effort. "

Simply fantabulous.

Isis

Veteran

TS-- I agree with others who have pointed out that money certainly helps, as it increases options......I mean a richer person can always thrift, but a more budget - conscious person may not be able to go high-end, or have as many pieces....

I do think budgets are important. Both time and money can be limiting, and it is important to know ones own limits.

BUT, what I really wanted to say, is that I would have never known that you were on a budget from your fantastic outfits! So you are doing a great job with your budget!

qfbrenda

Veteran

"Style's currency is not money, but time and thought and effort."

Wow. That sums it up very well.

Money makes it easier, but it won't buy you style because money doesn't tell you WHAT to buy. That's where the above quote comes in.

As someone who has been forced to update my closet in the last year, I have to say that it hasn't been as expensive as it may appear. Yes, I've spent more on clothes this year than any other. But I've also found tons of great deals. And my spending won't continue at this pace. We don't have a large income. We are just overall pretty frugal and this was the year's major financial priority.

HelenInCanada

Veteran

Great additional points! I wanted to pipe in again to agree you really can spice up thrift shop finds if you have some basic sewing ability - for example, replacing plastic and/or ugly buttons, taking in or letting out hemlines, etc. Creativity goes a long way!

Also, someone with an unlimited clothing budget CAN hire a stylist and let her/him do all the shopping, BUT the stylist can't force the client to actually WEAR what she selects, or in the combination she suggests. So...money didn't buy consistently great style there.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Yes, I think that money can buy clothing. And probably some really nice clothing, and help in selecting it. But true style? No way. You have style, Shannon. And no one can ever take that away from you!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

well, Stacey and Clinton think you can with $5000.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Money can buy fashion. It can't buy style. And Laura is right. You HAVE style.

Most artists know that constraints improve the work. Perhaps the same might be said for our wardrobes. For example, when I think of your signature looks, I think of that vintage element—an element derived, in part, from your need to economize! It started as necessity, but has become a core element of your style persona, and seems absolutely right for you.

I, too, am building a wardrobe on a budget. I can't deny that sometimes I envy members of the forum who are able to buy a lot of high quality clothing at once. That would be so much fun! But the great thing about YLF is that I get to benefit from their experience. Even if I can't buy a closetful of clothes from Nordstrom's all in one go, I get to see what those clothes look like and I get to hear about how they hold up and perform. If I DO decide to splurge on an item, I get the benefit of Angie's and others' wise counsel on whether it will work with my body type, whether it is worth the money, and so on.

At the moment, like Angie in her younger days (and although I'm twice the age she was then!) I wear most of my clothes again and again and again. Example: This week I have worn my denim jacket twice, my grey skirt twice, my blue patterned skirt twice. Granted, I'm travelling and on an even more limited travel capsule, but this is actually pretty typical for me. I save and strategize and search the sales for key basics, but at times pay full price because I'm not an easy size to find. I also pay for alterations—not big stuff (I won't buy it if it's an expensive alteration) but easier stuff, like cuffs and sleeves. I consider fit absolutely crucial and I would rather have fewer pieces that fit brilliantly than lots that only fit so-so.

And I continue to buy some of my clothes at thrift stores and consignment and discount stores, with the difference that I no longer settle for less than fab. In other words, just because I'm at Winner's and it is cheap and it fits doesn't mean I'm going to buy it. If it isn't what I've determined I need and/or doesn't fit perfectly or seem as if it will play well with the rest of the wardrobe, I leave it on the hanger.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

On a serious note; my dear Shannon - we should definitely meet and go budget shopping together! I am definitely drawn to nice shiny things; but I definitely shop on a budget - there is a book I am reading currently - "Shoe String Chic" - it makes me less bitter :p

PS: I wear my flabbest things multiple times - I have worn one particularly fab midi three times in one week. Shh. don't tell.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful responses to this thread. It is the exchange of information and ideas in this kind of discussion that make YLF the great place it is! I learn every day from all of you.

And I'm glad to see so many comments on style being more than what you buy - it's how you wear what you have, your confidence in wearing those items, how you put things together, and figuring out what works for us each individually.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

lyn - we posted at the same time!
Should we let the other YLF members know that we found out not only do we live in the same city, but know the same neighbourhood, work in the same health care industry, and in fact, know many common doctors, and have probably been in the same Tim Horton's line???!!!

(did I sound bitter? Gosh...I hope not)

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

So much fab-ness should not be allowed to exist in the same space at the same time

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

LOL lyn!!!

Lantana

Veteran

As another sewer I heartily support the suggestion that you explore this avenue as part of your style journey. To see if it might be your cup of tea, try unpicking/deconstructing an old but tired RTW, to get an insight into the engineering of a garment. A simple skirt would be a good start. There are some excellent teaching blogs for beginners too.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Just wanted to add that I thought that what Suz said about 'constraints' is very intuitive:

"Most artists know that constraints improve the work. Perhaps the same might be said for our wardrobes."

Interestingly, I was just reading this oddball book the week before Christmas, something about "Innovator's DNA" or what have you...and this very same idea came up...let me see if I can find it...

Here it is:

"Creativity loves constraint. People often think of it in terms of artistic work - unbridled, unguided effort that leads to beautiful effect. If you look deeper, however, you'll find that some of the most inspiring art forms - haikus, sonatas, religious paintings - are fraught with constraints. They're beautiful because creativity triumphed over the rules...Creativity, in fact, thrives best when constrained. "

and...

"Questions that artificially impose constraints can trigger unexpected insight by forcing people to think around the constraint."

~ Jeff Dyer, Hal Gregersen, Clayton M. Christensen, in "The Innovator's DNA: Mastering the Five Skills of Disruptive Innovators"

Kind of neat, don't you think?

MsMary

Veteran

I will also say that having been on a post-major-weight-loss ginormous clothes shopping binge for more than a year now, I have begun to feel like I have so many pretty clothes that I can't wear them as much as I'd like. So that's a drawback of a larger budget if you just buy everything in sight! I am really going to try and concentrate on "one in, one out" from now on so that I have only awesome clothes and get to wear them enough to do them justice.

12