Handbags. Coats. Shoes. Premium denim. Jewelry.

This is not to say that I don't have low end versions of these things (except for shoes, where I need at the very least real leather for comfort reasons) or high end items in other categories but the above are the categories that I'm most comfortable spending a lot of money on a single item. Basically they are things that are likely to last a while.

I also have a lot of hand knit sweaters that would probably be considered "high end" just because of the (expensive) materials, never mind the labor. I am definitely a sweater snob although I don't buy finished sweaters very often.

Oh, I will be STUDYING this thread!! I have been mostly low/low for a long time although, I flirted occasionally with being more low/high. It is a struggle, for me. I need variety and change, and I know that's not always a good thing.-- it leads to waay too many clothes in my closet.

For me, jeans are my daily uniform, so I spend more, these days, on them, than on anything else (remember, I'm gloriously retired and serve as a volunteer). I don't have a "perfect" pair, yet, in straight or skinny cut, but I love NYDJ for their boot cuts! I'll also spend more on some workout clothes, especially tech fabrics when I'm running regularly. I spend on undergarments, too, mainly because I love something lacy or slinky, next to my skin. Lately I am also moving up with jewelry choices. I find that heavier, more substantial pieces look better now, and often they are more costly.

Other than that I am largely low/low because since nothing I do keeps bugs entirely at bay. Oh, I tried cashmere and I do love it, but unfolding a sweater to find a hole eaten in the center front convinced me that good-quality synthetics are just fine for me. When I lived in a suburban development, I didn't have this issue, but with a lot of land around our house, here, the good stuff seems to just draw them out.

I was was just reading Betty Helbreich's book "Secrets of a Fashion Therapist" last night and one section seemed to fit this discussion. Basically, her thought was that the biggest difference between high and low fashion is in fabric and construction. If the material is important, then go high. For example, if you love the look and feel of real leather, then it makes sense to spend your dollars on a good leather bag. On the other hand, if you are fine with a waterproof nylon for your tote, then buy nylon instead of leather. Same goes for construction. If the construction of a high-end garment flatters your shape significantly better then the low-end version, then buy the premium denim or the EIleen Fisher skirted legging. If, on the other hand, you are happy with the look of the $10 skirted legging and don't see the item as something you'll necessarily want to keep for several seasons, then low is fine. Her thoughts made sense to me.

And, by the way, the book is a good read. Nothing revolutionary, but several good reminders.

http://www.amazon.ca/Secrets-O.....0062701878

Low/ low-mid is probably me. I have no high end items but I love H&M and New Look for low end garments and M&S and BHS for lower mid items. I do spend on shoes though as I hate having unhappy feet. Most of my shoes are Clarks and Reiker x

I'm learning a lot from this, and it's great to read all the shared wisdom. Thank you for your thoughtful posts.
Harmonica, great find at the thrift store! I got two great trench coats last year and they are great brands and look terrific so they'll last me a long time.
KM, I'm glad to hear your experience with the high end jeans. And I agree about the high quality items from mass retailers. Sometimes they just surprise you!
Suz, yes, I have to agree that premium denim has really nice fading and whiskering. I've never tried on premium denim but I'll have to one day. It's not a priority at the moment when I have to fill gaps, but it will be fun to try.
DEB, quality over quantity is so key. I don't need high turnover.
Kkards, good point about not investing too much in what might be a passing fad.
Gaylene, I'm thinking that fabrication is key to this discussion, so thanks for the recommendation of this book.
Linda, ugh to moth holes in cashmere!
Diana, your hand knits sound wonderful. Nothing is like a hand knit. I picked up a cream wool V neck sweater from the thrift store last year and I weep for the person who spent so much time on making it just for it to be donated. At least, it's getting lots of love from me!

This thread has been really interesting. I have bought a few high-end pieces this year, for the first time, and the thing that has really struck me about them has been the fabric. The fabrics are just beautiful! They have a body and substance that I haven't seen in the mid-range stuff I usually buy.

I appreciated Rachy's points about pants and weight changes - it has really clarified some thoughts for me. Finding tops that are the right shape and coverage for me is always more difficult than finding bottoms, and tops are usually my statement pieces, so it makes sense to spend my money on high end for tops, rather than bottoms.

Coats are really only needed for a short period, so I don't think it is worthwhile to buy high-end. I think, for me, shoes are the same. I buy good mid-range shoes, but I like to update them every season as I think having trendy shoes modernises an outfit.

I suppose the other consideration is longevity, and if I see a trend that I think will become an essential for me (I'm looking at you, cropped tops!) it is probably worth buying a higher end version.

Thanks for this thread, it has been very helpful in clarifying my purchasing choices.

Sharon, this has been helpful to me, too. A few people have said tops were important, so it does help to clarify things.

I spend the most on leather jackets (I have one), shoes, coats, and bags.

That said... even the terms "high" and "low" are relative. My $150 towards a pair of shoes seems crazy high to a local friend of mine but probably doesn't phase some who might drop $300-500 on a pair.

On premium denim, I'm afraid to try a pair. I've been very happy with Gap and Levi jeans and don't want to know what I'm missing! LOL

Hmm, my low end things often cost me more out of pocket than my high end things. All my higher end stuff is bought second hand, and most of my lower end stuff is Zara (often on sale). I do occasionally splurge on local designer shoes (usually end of season clearance) and a few times have indulged in an Angie Nordstrom pick (and would probably be tempted more often if I had free shipping and returns). Although I would have no trouble completely dressing myself with second hand clothing, I do like the touches of uber-current Zara adds to my wardrobe. So I guess I am not much of an example because I spend more on my lower end stuff!

Many of my high end pieces are day dresses in either an amazing print or fabric or with a quirkiness to them that makes me feel great every single time I wear them. I like to team them with high street store accessories and footwear, dressing them up or down as I feel.

Dignity, Target leggings are the best :). No pilling, and I wear mine a lot. Throw them on the machine to wash and they are good to go. I highly recommend them. They are a nice weight and substantial so they work well with tunics or dresses and long tops:)

qfbrenda, I'm kinda afraid of falling in love with premium denim too! Maybe a Pandora's box that shouldn't be opened.
Shevia, that's pretty funny to spend more on the low end, but it's probably true for a lot of my stuff too.
NicVine, it's nice to get high end prints because with the low end ones it can be a little too easy to bump into someone else wearing the same thing.
Thanks, Deborah. Sounds like I'll have to grab some. They'll be great for really casual days and they will fill a wardrobe hole.

How low is *low* and how high is *high*? To me, low is Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, and the junior departments at many department stores -- the places where I'm trying to wean off my DD because so much is so thin and sleazy and falls apart almost immediately unless one has a sharp eye. Medium to me is mall stores and department stores. And high is designer stuff?

I guess I am mostly M/M since most high end stuff isn't cut in Petite sizes. Or does EF and Nic & Zoe count as high end? Well, I don't buy them either.

In general, I've found that more expensive lines tend to be more forgiving of weight fluctuations that cheaper stuff. Sometimes, the greater expense is for greater style, but not necessarily greater quality.

Where I live, I would not pay a lot for a coat or tall boots because my weather is mild so neither of these categories would get much wear.

I pay a lot for my hair, but a friend pays about 1/3 of what I do and she has a GREAT cut. I am chicken to leave my guy after so many years, however.