Do you spend a lot on trendy items?

Ok, so 'a lot' is very subjective and it depends on every person's budget, but let's say that out of my 100% budget for clothes, I'd spend a 10 or maybe a 20% on trendy items -like green jeans or patterned baggy pants, or a purple bag.

I have this feeling that tells me they are not going to be around for more than two years, and that I'll get bored of them, which is a bit weird taking into account the fact that I don't get easily bored with my wardrobe. If something works for me, I'll wear it forever. That doesn't mean that everything I buy gets worn -but that's another story.

But, I don't know, how long are green jeans going to stay around? And what do you wear them with? How many times are you actually going to wear them (for real)? All these doubts take me either to not buy the item at all, or to find the cheapest version of the trend, even if it doesn't fit me that well or the fabric is not that good.

I'm actually an expensive buyer only when it comes to shoes and outerwear.
So what do you do? I see that many of you are really into joining new trends, which is great, but don't fear that moment when they will actually look too funny to wear out of the house?

14 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

I have to say I'm not actively searching for certain trendy items when I shop, it's more that I see something I like that works and then I buy it. And I since I do the Keep or Return posts here I have to say that I wear all the things I keep regularly. So for me it's more about how much of my budget I want to spend on a certain category like shoes, tops and so on.

Meredith1953

I try not to spend too much on trends. That is as much because most of the shapes of the clothing I prefer are fairly classic or have moved from trendy to classic by becoming more mainstream. Cutting edge I am definitely not. I like trends for adding color and pattern to classic shapes. I don't adopt trendy shapes like slouchy pants unless they go mainstream and are going to be around for quite awhile.

Kirti

(website)

I usually pick up trendier items on sale, so that even if they don't last long I won't feel bad about spending on them. And even then, I'm not too adventurous. I may experiment with different colours, but I rarely buy trendy prints or experiment with silhouettes My investments in the past few months have been bags and shoes!

But to be honest, if I had a larger budget, I'd try atleast one or two trends per season!

Aida

I think it will depend on what stage you are at with your wardrobe. I focused on spending the majority of my budget on staples while initially rebuilding, and spending less on trendy items. With each year that goes by, my core basic wardrobe gets more complete so I've started to spend more on trendy items because I don't need to fill holes. Also as you get a better idea of your style, you can make better decisions about which trends you'll wear longer and therefore can spend more on

Sylvie

I won't buy any trendy item that I don't think I won't get down to a reasonable cost per wear.

I will wear bright colors even if they aren't in style, so I will stock up on bright tops, skirts, outerwear, accessories and shoes while they are trendy.

I am still on the fence about red jeans because I wouldn't wear them if they aren't in style and I might not wear them out while the trend window is open.

I just can't see spending a lot of money for something I only wear a few times.

Anonymous

Not if I'm not crazy about the trend. My favorite trends are usually just classics that are enjoying a moment in the sun (like ballet flats or loafers). I just bought a high-low skirt which is more of a trendy item in my book, but it was only $5.

bj1111

I bought royal blue twill skinnies at full price. I plan to wear them out. I got red jeans at tjmaxx for a few dollars, but they bagged so much, I got only 1 wear out of them. Paid full prove for a blue fur vest. Wore that puppy 2x a week since I got it, once I wore it every day for the whole week.

I plan to keep these items for another 10 yes, like all the other items that I love and still wear today.

ManidipaM

Depends. I'm not a trendy person, really --- so if the 'trend' feels 'me' enough to wear, it's probably only that the garment is a good fit for my taste and the current trends happen to make it available to me.

How much I spend typically depends more on the time of garment and where, for what activities I'll wear it. More outlay for a good bra or a topper in leather or water-resistant material, or boots that are watertight; just a bit less for a great pencil skirt or dress pants or jeans or woollies, and indeed any shoes (fussy feet is why); quite a bit less for tops and casual pants or skirts.

Back in the 90s, I bought pink jeans that I wore for 10 years and finally discarded when my waistline expanded rather than because they wore out!

I don't actively search for the on-trend when shopping --- or at least I didn't till YLF. Now I sometimes wonder if all the talk of trends is subliminally influencing my WIW choices. Today I wore a top with dolman sleeves --- five years old, but as CocoLion pointed out, on-trend because it's now 'trendy' to wear dolman sleeves. It was expensive, but bought at 75% off.

My giraffe-print ballet shoes are more than seven years old --- maybe I'll might wear them more this year because I'm *aware* of the animal-print trend; but I've always liked them anyway. They came free with another pair of shoes I bought!

I've had my asymmetrical hemline formal skirt for nearly a decade! It gets a lot of wear. Some seasons it looks on-trend, like now; others it just looks quirkily individual (I hope). It was an expensive purchase but I'll probably wear it into rags yet!

What I'm noticing, though, is that garment that combine MULTIPLE trends together look dated fast, and I'll avoid those unless ALL those trends are long-term loves of mine. An kelly-green eyelet shirt might give me pause, as green is not a favourite colour --- it has to be really a tempting price for me to pick it up. But the same thing in the 'it' blue I'll pick up in a heartbeat because I love and wear a lot of blue.

DragonflyJane

Active Member

I'm concentrating on building best quality basics for a work capsule at the moment and I'm paying more for these items. I'm buying a lot less but better quality. I'll pick up trends with cheaper tops I think.

I'm still at the "figuring out what suits me" stage so I'm concentrating on finding my own style that suits at the moment!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

For sure I spend money on trends! Things stay fashionable for much longer these days. Fads are few and far between.

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