I'm still in the process of culling, downsizing, getting more focused on best silhouettes, aka " uniforms" and some degree of increasing multi-season clothing( meaning, increasing the percent ).
I believe that I have found great items at all price points, not just expensive brands. And I don't feel I'm the classic EF target customer-- by that I mean, a lot of EF items are too casual for my work and a lot are not made for my body type. I need more structure, shoulder fit, higher necklines than a lot of EF and not as much any long flowy items. So I was a latecomer to even trying anything EF.

But, once I started browsing EF a couple of years ago, I was hooked on the possibilities, at least, for fabulous fabrics and rich colors or great neutrals. And, while I don't need super- long/ flowy, I do need to always have some longer top options that provide coverage when I don't feel like dealing with fitted waist and hip.

My problem, aside from the styles, has been the prices- yet I spend similar amounts in total on multiple other items( the ever- recurring theme) AND the sales. I will bypass the full price items and look just at the sale ( store rack or online), thereby severely limiting options.
So for example, EF makes relatively fewer tailored/ structured items BUT occasionally makes something fab in that vein. so they might not be on sale at the right time or place, and also smaller sizes sell out, and colors might be limited/featured, but those might be just the ones that would fit my style and needs. Whereas the sale racks might be filled with casual or short/ long/ boxy / scoop items and maybe one item that looks like it might have been great, but now only a wrong size is left.

This just sounds like the age- old, " buy what is fab not what is on sale, and love it enough to pay full price, but buy fewer items." I thought I was getting to where I am doing that, but maybe there is something about the EF pricing that puts me off? I mean, they're almost shocking to me considering most are not highly structured tailored items like a blazer, for example, or a finely made dress. Perhaps it's designer- name-branding; or the " organic" or specially sourced yarns, an aspect that , while I can appreciate it, I may not VALUE it.
Or the reverse-- I'm not actually shopping for the items that would be the " love" items if I covered up the price tag.

OR, EF, isn't even really for me and I need to find more new ( to me) brands entirely.

I'm fond of this cotton- silk knit I got last year ( the bone top in Finds) and found, yes on sale, a slightly structured button jacket in same color.
Then there's a new top -as shown, looks blue but IRL it has a definite teal cast that is quite good for me. NOT on sale but I LOVE how it looks on.
Then I'm trying this, (oops, on sale!) burgundy silk blouse because I like some band- collars and it can be worn untucked or as untucked when I feel like some camoflage. I'm not sure if I'm in love there or if I'm being pragmatic, so need to try ii on with things at home.

Long ramble, so over to you. Any stories of brands or early full- price purchases that spesk to some of these issues?