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High/low wardrobes: what mix?

Dimity

I'm wondering about mixing high end garments with regular, everyday things. Do you get just a few really nice pieces each season to mix in with your lower end items?
And what do you normally go for with high end? Sweaters? Statement pieces? Jeans? Shoes? I'd be interested in your thoughts because I have done low/low (!) forever and want to now add some nicer pieces that will lift the average things up a bit. Thanks!

Dressing

42 replies

Latest reply was from DonnaF

rachylou

Veteran

I pay the big big money for shoes. I think shoes are hard to fake, cut corners on. Next comes coats - I wear them all the time and they're what people see most. Next come blouses and dresses and sweaters.

I tend not to spend the big money on pants. I have a hard time with them. A few pounds here and there, and suddenly they don't fit. I'm loathe to spend a lot on something that could be for the donation bag in just a few months.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Shoes, jackets/coats & bags in that order are the things that make a difference for me. It's hard for me to find bargains that are fab. Also when I'm looking for the cheaper pieces I won't settle for any fabric or fit that seem "off".

My wardrobe is in a good place right now & I want to start with a flexible one in one out system. So I'm only looking for replacements for things that wear out or really special items that I LOVE.

Jennifer

I agree with rachylou and caro re shoes. But I also tend to pay good money for quality sweaters and for tailored items - e.g. suits and jackets. I like to buy good quality sweaters because I am a bit of a sweater collector and know I will wear them a lot and want to keep them a long time, and because I look for good quality fibres and structure that you don't often get with cheaper knitwear. I also spend money on tailored items because you just can't fake good tailoring.

Dimity

rachylou, I understand about the pants! I'm developing a love of good shoes, too.
Caro, I'm finding just how much a good pair of shoes really make an outfit. I'm hoping to get to Sole Devotion next time I'm in Melbourne.
Jennifer, I love sweaters too! But I hate cheap scratchy ones, so this is a good area to go high end.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Dimity, this is a really great question. I think you might get as many answers as there are Fabbers, because we'll spend on what is most important for our climate/ lifestyle/ style persona.

I do think that Angie gives great advice, though, and I follow it. Not only are these things first on a style makeover, but they are things worth spending on:

Hair. (Great hair cut and regular upkeep)
Specs (if you wear them)
Foundation garments, esp. bras.

That is where I'd put my money first.

Next, for my climate (wintery) -- coats and boots. They cost a lot even if they are low end (relatively) but higher end will take you a whole lot farther.

After that, I start putting money into footwear. I do stalk sales for shoes, though, as well. I just never ever buy shoes that are cheap to start because they are never ever comfortable for me.

Around the same time in a wardrobe re-build, I would start adding a few pairs of premium jeans. But this is because I work from home, live a casual life, and wear jeans a lot. If I didn't, I wouldn't bother with that.

Then, tailored pieces like jackets. I love jackets, adore them -- but wear them a lot less than I might like due to weather/ lifestyle. However, a few higher end ones really give a good backbone to any wardrobe.

If you add higher end pieces a few per season, eventually, you have a wardrobe sprinkled with them from end to end. It is a process and one that takes some time. I'm now adding some higher end knits and shirts.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

(Thanks, Suz. You are a gem).

Dimity, having high-low style is a perpetual style goal. I have a high-end piece in every wardrobe category at this stage. Jackets, coats, knitwear, trousers, skirts, shirts, jeans, dresses, handbags, bras, knickers, scarves, hosiery and footwear. It has taken YEARS to get to this point, because my budget will only go so far.

I never buy a lot at once. At best I purchase 4 pieces at the NAS - mostly high-end. So I don't have the challenge of keeping the numbers of my wardrobe down because higher-end pieces eat up a lot more of my budget, which means I end up with fewer items all round.

I spend a fortune on my hair every 6 weeks - but my hair IS my style. My specs are high-end too.

As far as an outfit goes, I LOVE to wear a designer piece with something from the Gap or Zara (my low-enders). And I sprinkle the rest of my wardrobe with yummies from chain stores from all over the world. Patience is very necessary.

I adopt high-low style to grocery shopping, travel, home decor and restaurants too. The concept feels right for my soul.

Gaylene

Veteran

Shoes, definitely, unless it's a pair of flipflops that will be ditched at the end of a 2-week vacation. My husband has trained me to always use shoe trees after each wearing, to polish after couple of wears, and to re-sole before it's completely worn down. My good quality shoes last for several years with this treatment so the CPW is usually pennies when they are finally retired.

Everything else depends on the item and its expected usage. I've found that $8 T's and Gap jeans work just as well as designer stuff for my needs because I can find a good fit fairly easily. As a matter of fact, a sales associate in a high-priced boutique complimented me on my BR Factory trouser jeans, smugly adding that she knew "high-end" denim when she saw it. I didn't have the heart to tell her the truth.

I've spent four figures on a coat that I've worn for almost a decade because it is so versatile and packable--and which still draws admiring comments. I've also spent $35 on a black nylon number in unusual cut that also gets the same kind of favorable attention when I wear it as an evening coverup. My favorite evening bag is made from re-cycled pop can rings by a women's cooperative in Brasil and my favorite day bag is a Mulberry. One is a fraction of the cost of the other, but both delight me.

My recommendation is to not depend on price or brand, but to look at the item itself and how it meets your requirements. A costly piece isn't costly if you use it almost every day for a decade. On the other hand, a less expensive item that ends up getting discarded after languishing in your closet, or after a single wearing, is the pricey one.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Low/low describes my habits pretty well too. It depends on your budget, too - some YLFers's low is my high and vice versa. And sales and buying stuff secondhand also muddies the waters - if you get something super-cheap that was originally quite expensive, what does that count as, high or low?

I've become increasingly willing to spend a little bit more on shoes, because totally cheap shoes just aren't cutting it for me anymore as I get older. I still have difficulty plonking down hundreds of bucks on shoes, though, because I haven't noticed that much difference between the performance of $50-100 shoes and $150-300 shoes. ($20 vs $50, sure.)

After I lost weight, I experimented with paying more for jeans since they are something I wear most days a week. The pairs I spent >$100 for have been really nice, but they're not noticeably more chic or longer lasting than the ones bought for half that. I suspect that's partially because of my size - I don't fit into a lot of the properly high-end denim anyway. Proper fit and length, and the vibe of the style, are a lot more important than brand. So I guess I'm willing to spend more on high quality basics like jeans or sweaters, because I will wear them a lot, but I haven't found it necessary to get a decent item.

If I lived in a place with more extreme weather, I would happily spend more on snow boots, down coats, etc., but I don't really need to. In fact, coats are one of the things I explictly don't buy much of anymore. You can find tons of great, barely worn wool coats in the thrift stores around here; I used to bring them home and then not wear them enough to justify all the coats I owned.

Anonymous

I'm about half and half . Or maybe 1/3 higher end and 2/3 mid priced. I won't skimp on bags or footwear. I'd rather not buy a bag at all than buy one that isn't up to whatever standards I set for myself. My experiments into lower price points there have NEVER worked. I've had success with coats at different price points though, I have a ton of coats. Jeans - I think I'm the oddball who doesn't see the difference between premium and Gap-priced jeans. I've seen and touched and tried on, but don't place a priority on that perceived value. Sweaters are worth spending on, leather jackets, and blouses.

I'm rambling. I'm with Angie in that my whole being is hi-low. My house and furnishings, food and entertaining, makeup, ......but never hair. Hair is a big , big deal.

Dimity

Suz, thanks for your thoughtful answer. I've been following this advice and can now say:

Hair - check. Went to a terrific hairdresser and got a cute textured, layered, spiky sort of short do. Not mumsy!
Specs - only wear them for reading but was waiting until the new year when my insurance renews and I can get a couple of pairs free. Now's the time!
Foundation garments - check. Replaced all mine and will get a few more things when my favourites go on sale as they are horribly expensive unless on sale.

Don't really use coats or wintery boot here, but regular boots are okay except I find knee high boots too hot even in winter here. I have several on my list and I'm waiting for the autumn collections to hit the stores (still summer sales here). Also have other shoes on my list. So looking forward to this! Caro and Deborah have put me on to some good brands here that I'm interested in. Already got three pairs of sandals, pointy toe flats and a pair of summer loafers.

I don't wear jackets much as I have a very casual lifestyle and feel a bit weird in them, but I LOVE sweaters and will make that a high end priority.

I have a question about premium denim. What is it that makes it worth it to you? Do they wear better? Are they more comfy? Are they cut better? Do they make you feel good? I never wore jeans at all until two years ago, and I simply don't understand much about jeans. Lots of people rave about them and I'm totally out of it. I like the jeans that I have, find them comfortable and versatile, but having never been into jeans much, I only bought cheap ones in case I didn't like them. I hope you don't mind me asking.

I'm excited about building up a wardrobe that really works. I've had a lot of good advice here and am incorporating it into my planning and shopping and I'm finding that I'm thinking completely differently now. I can see how it can all fall into place, whereas before clothes were a bit of a problem for me and I felt bad because it didn't seem to work easily.

rachylou

Veteran

In the '90s I had a pair of Giorgio Armani jeans (sp?) that I got from Saks, and they were my best pair ever. I was so sad when they died. Now, though, I don't feel premim denim is offering anything special enough (although Acne often comes very close). Currently my best jeans are from Target.

However, I'm not that big a fan of true denim. It's too casual for my life.

Dimity

I was writing my reply for Suz before I saw the other responses. Thanks, Angie, for being so realistic about the time it takes to build a good wardrobe on a budget. I need to keep that in mind this year. First up, I have to put a few essentials in place, but I was hoping to catch one or two really gorgeous things that I've found as I looked through designer sites recently.

Gaylene, I love your story about the jeans! And it makes so much sense about spending on the things you wear a lot. So important that it suits our lifetyle!

Laura, great to hear there's more than one low/low person around! I don't get the premium denim thing either, but I don't know much about it so am happy to learn more.

Lisa, I can relate about the bags. Cheap bags are so tacky. Even at my poorest, if I needed a new bag I would rather make a fabric tote out of denim or canvas than buy a cheap bag. Glad to hear your comments on premium denim too!

Dimity

rachylou - yay for Target! I love my Target jeans too.

Echo

Veteran

Denim of any variety is only worth paying for when it fits. Perfectly. I don't believe in buying names for the sake of the names unless they completely fit your body and your style.

As for higher-end pieces, I indulge in scarves, footwear, coats, bags and jewelry primarily. However, I also have a few high end pieces in other wardrobe departments. But I get the most mileage from the categories mentioned. I think that shoes and bags and jewelry (accessories in general) can have enormous impacts on outfits and elevate an entire look, so they give me the most bang for my money. In most other areas, I buy only high end pieces that make me really, really happy. Even if they are statement pieces, they get more wear than when I try to buy more expensive "basics" because I am motivated to wear things I love (YMMV, of course, and some people love wardrobe basics).

Gaylene

Veteran

Well, my BR trouser jeans made me re-think the whole premium denim thing. I really think it depends on easy--or difficult--it is for you to find a satisfactory fit. I find many brands of premium denim jeans too stretchy for my taste and the super soft feel also isn't to my liking. On top of that, premium denim cuts can sometimes fit oddly on my IT shape--baggy thighs and a droopy rear are common problems for my shape.

Jeans have always been a staple in my wardrobe because I wear them constantly and find it easy to get a good fit in the lower-priced end of the market. I'm choosey about the look of the denim and a fanatic about fit, but I seem to find lots of selection without venturing above $75 range. The few pairs of premium denim jeans ($250 and $350 pricepoints) I've owned were fine, but not worth the extra expense for me.

Dimity

Echo, that makes sense.
Gaylene, the baggy things thing is a problem for me too. So frustrating.

anne

Veteran

To some extent I am another low/low girl here and of course the usual caveat that one person's high is another low.
All my jeans (bar one pair from Jeanswest, 6 years old and currently too tight) are from Target and I do a lot of my shopping there and Valley Girl and similar.
But I have a few exceptions and hope to have a few more;
Like some others, shoes are where I spend.I usually buy pair a year of Kiera orthotic shoes (around $220) and this really puts a dent in my annual budget. Every few years I buy boots and they are similarly expensive.Even sandals I don't go bargain basement
I have a pricy suit from Ojay - 10 years old but still going strong - that I don't regret buying one bit.
in 2013 I branched out a bit and bought a $100 dress from Portmans. It can be winterized worn at work and outside work as well. I really like it and find their (woven) stuff lasts and lasts. I undertook to wear it every week, to justify the cost and it is a good FFBO.

Deborah

Veteran

Dimity this is a really good question. I agree really with all above comments.

Personally, I have found that climate and seasons have a bit to do with this for me. I have also done a lot of low/low in the past but YLF has set me on a better path lol.

Firstly, my 'low' items have to look like they are 'high'

In summer, my tops need to be good quality pieces, because in summer I rarely put a jacket on, so my top often kind of carries the outfit.

In winter, I wear jackets so they need to be top notch. I can pop a cheap Valley Girl blouse/top under a Metalicus Jacket and it can look "a million bucks" so to speak, whereas that top on it's own might not quite cut it.

Shoes and handbags for all seasons are worth spending on. There is something about a quality shoe and bag that I think really elevates an outfit. And IMHO bags don't need to be leather. Diana Ferrari and Sandler for example do some lovely non leather bags that are quite special.

I don't buy pricey jeans. My jeans are from Target, Suzanne Grae and (gasp) Kmart. They are very much a weekend staple in the winter but they are not star players, more a support act to a fab pair of boots and topper. Same with leggings. I buy my ponte leggings at Target for the winter. They do go to the office but again they are plain black, a nice substantial weight and support a fab top and/ or jacket.

Jewelry is another thing I mix a little. There was a period where costume jewelry was all the rage and in some ways still is (think Equip, Lovissa etc) but I ended up culling my jewelry and keeping on a few pieces that looked a lot better than they actually were. I have been lucky enough to have been given some lovely jewelry over time and I now prefer to wear those.

I think this is quite a personal journey as you assess lifestyle and how you construct your outfits.

shipskitty

Veteran

Shoes (particularly for work) and bags (which for me at any one time are one leather tote for work and one leather cross body for MOTG I use for half of the year and are expected to to last for a couple of years) are probably where I think it is worth investing.

I am trying to cull my necklace habit to better quality more frequenty use pieces - I hate when a favourite statement necklace starts to turn green or copper after only one season. I am also trying to make them be more "me"overall. Better quality ones seem mostly, to not just be more interesting, but also to last much longer.

I'm also trying to work out what other items are worth spending the dollars on. Toppers (3rd piece jackets or jumpers) really seem to be the best for this as these make such a difference to an outfit and pass from year to year whereas individual tops (tshirts or blouses) might not last that long or seem to date faster. Coats I spend up on but I don't buy them very often so I want them to last for several years and to feel really awesome when I wear them.

I've never quite got my head around 'premium denim' as the sizing doesn't work for me and denim is a weekend MOTG thing so seems not worthwhile.

I am willing to pay more for work items because I am a consultant and there is a certain amount of truth to "dress for success". (So long as I am confident I'll get plenty of wear out of an item.)_

shipskitty

Veteran

I also confess to spending on a really good hair cut every six weeks. It is totally worth it because it is a foundation of my look before I even get dressed.

Anonymous

This is an interesting read Dimity, thanks for starting this thread. I hadn't really thought too much about this in my wardrobe, But it occurs to me that although I sew a lot of my own clothes I always buy really good quality fabric for things like coats and jackets, then I may buy cheaper remnants for tops perhaps. Shoes is where I will spend a lot. I do also spend money on my hair colour.

Dimity

Anne, I have a pair of jeans from Kmart too, but I bought them from the op shop! And they are some of my best fitting jeans, too. I've seen some Kiera shoes and they look wonderfully comfortable, like you could wear them all day and not feel a thing. I remember Ojay from many years ago. Are they out of business now? I used to like them but haven't seen them anywhere.

Deborah, I totally agree about how 'low' should look 'high'. And I love that we can share finds from everywhere and no one makes us feel uncomfortable. I was looking at the ponte leggings in Target the other day and wondered about getting a pair. I've never worn leggings but with a long tunic or something, it could work. Do they wear okay or do they pill? The majority of people seem to go lowish on jeans, which is interesting. I treat jeans much the same as you, they're a backdrop for other things. And it's interesting about the jewelry too, shipskitty and Deborah. I have some decent pieces that I've collected or been given over the years, and lots of inexpensive but pretty necklaces, but I don't see people wearing necklaces as much as they used to. Pearls, lockets, beads, they just aren't as visible as they once were. Is it the same where you are? I guess it's the trend to minimalism?

Diane, I enjoy sewing and I agree that good fabrics make all the difference to the finish of a garment. No matter how good you are, you can't get a nice product if the fabric isn't good to start with. I've been finding the quality pretty average in our chain store fabric places here, so I have to go to small high end importers to get quality cotton that isn't short fibres that wrinkle badly or prints that are cheap looking. And your hair colour is fabulous and totally worth it!

harmonica

Veteran

Great thread! Thanks Dimity. I haven't read through all reply's, but I know you've already got a lot of great info.

I put money into shoes (especially winter boots), winter coats and classic pieces. When first building a new wardrobe (after years of decay ;-)), I stalked classic items on sale (blazer, trousers, trench coat, white shirt, pencil skirt, dressy shoes, casual shoes, work shoes, LBD, leather jacket, booties). It has taken me about 4 years to round the circle for classics.

I've always loved thrifting so every time I get the chance (not often) I search for quality pieces at second hand stores. This summer I found a very well made wool skirt and belted jacket for only 5$. I also look for belts, scarfs and handbags. I'm very picky about having clothes with natural fibres (wool, cotton, silk, linen) and that makes it sometimes hard to find at Zara, H&M etc. My jeans are inexpensive because I found a few brands/models I like which happens to be cheap - especially on sale.I've also found inexpensive pencil skirts just as good as expensive ones. I agree that it has to look high end

K.M.

Veteran

Dimity, I'm another fellow low/low wardrober here. Not by choice, of course. And I realize that what I consider the higher-quality pieces in my closet are at best middling for others.

On high-end jeans: Several years ago I went, for the first time, to a store specializing in designer jeans, and I tried them. And I DID see the difference. The fit was amazing compared to mass-brands such as Gap, J Crew, etc. It also meant trying on a zillion pairs; most didn't fit, but a few did--because they were all cut so differently as opposed to the generic average cut of mass retailers.

I invested into a couple of pairs (one half off) and they looked so much dressier, so much more tailored and better fitting, so much classier than anything else I owned. They kept their shape. They didn't sag, didn't bulge at the knees, didn't stretch at the waist...

(Then, I got pregnant, and tho I returned to my previous weight, my hips are too wide for those jeans... I've kept them in a box anyway, I don't have the heart to give them away!)

I also agree on the recommendations not to go low-end in bags. I've had fake leather ones, and the material is so obviously fake... and the seams come unthreaded... and the zippers break, and metals come apart etc.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Dimity, my denim wardrobe is itself hi/low. I buy both. I wear a lot of jeans simply because they fit my work-at-home lifestyle and climate in winter/ fall/ spring. So I own a lot. Everything from GAP (bought on sale, so very inexpensive) to Kut from the Kloth (a sort of slightly-higher-than-GAP-level brand), to Banana Republic to J. Crew to Citizens of Humanity, Rag&Bone, and True Religion.

I am with those who say that fit is #1, and if you can get a great fit from a lower end brand of denim, go for it!

I will happily try on just about any type and don't discriminate!

I will say that my 4 absolute favourite jeans are:

Citizens of Humanity (premium) skinnies. Why? The fading is "just so" making me look a lot better, the length is perfect on me, the stretch and "hand" of the fabric is ideal. They never bind, bother, bag. They work with everything.

Rag&Bone slim BF jeans. Why? Again, cut and fading is perfect. Gives me a longer leg line. Fabric is heavier weight (good for my climate) and substantial. These jeans are not going to wear out fast!

Kut from the Kloth Diana skinnies in white. Why? Because 3 years in, they still look as good as new, they are substantial, and the cut is a good one for me. Flattering.

True Religion Cameron BF: 100% cotton cannot be beat. Also, careful whiskering and fading.

I think if jeans are not a keystone of your style and/or you are an easy fit in denim, there is no reason to buy high end. But I have found that in every category we wear frequently, it is great to have at least one higher end item, as Angie says.

Deb

Veteran

I like mid to high on everything I buy but I have always been a quality over quantity gal. I don't even look at low end....most cheap clothes, shoes and bags look cheap and have inferior fabrics and finishes. Often these clothes work better for a younger woman or those with a lower budget. The cheap clothes don't generally wash and wear as well either and I expect my clothes and shoes to look great for far longer than a season or two. Since I'm a modern classic dresser, I can get five plus years, sometimes much longer, out of my items, so this works for me. I probably wouldn't go with my method if you like high trend items that are designed for this seasons use and will be 'out' next year. Lower end would probably suffice. A lot depends on how big a turnover you want from your clothes and how confident you are with your selections and style, and if you want them to stand the test of time. Generally speaking, as we age, our clothes, shoes and bags should be the best quality our budgets will allow, to look fully polished.
The belt below has no relevance whatsoever....I accidentally attached it.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

ETA: I guess my thoughts boil down to: what do you wear most or what "makes" an outfit most in your climate. What are the key essentials of your outfits? I go high (er) end on those first, and then add higher end statements where possible. And since you are in a warmer climate, yours will differ from mine for sure. Debs gives really good advice.

kkards

Veteran

i just want to add, one of the questions that i ask myself is how long do i think i want to own this item, and how often do i think i'm going to wear it? if i think its a "short time" piece, then i'll usually buy low. also, if i'm trying a new trend, or buying something that i think may date quickly i also tend to buy low.
i can say that some of the best pants "statement" pants i've gotten have come from target and the gap. being prints, i know that i wouldn't wear them that often, so the price/value worked for me.

K.M.

Veteran

Another thing that came to mind. I've gotten surprisingly high-quality pieces from mass retailers. Perhaps because these retailers outsource to so many different makers, sometimes a piece will actually be well made and of high quality. I've had a tweed skirt from MNG for over ten years. It's real wool, it's lined, and it's survived a lot of wear-and-tear and many washes in perfect condition. It also looks unique, artsy, and is very well cut. Ditto for a skirt from H&M.
I think if you sift through enough, you can find gems that are good beyond what their brand name might suggest.

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