Quality or variety? - YouLookFab Forum

Alicewonderland

Having tried both strategies, I would say quality in general. In certain categories like scarves and t-shirts I might go for more variety though.

5 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Honestly, it’s variety for me. I like change too much to be dropping big bucks on even the finest things. And also, I don’t find quality available like it used to be... nor the pricing acceptable these days. Not in the main. But every now and then I come across something I think is worth it.

5 years ago

Bonnie

Veteran

When I feel like I have enough variety, then I'll go for quality. Right now, I'm still finding wardrobe holes.

5 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Quality. And variety. Thus second hand.

5 years ago

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Quality for me. I am so much happier wearing higher quality clothes that the lack of variety bothers me less.

5 years ago

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Variety. I used to splurge on high quality but it was sooooo discouraging when an item no longer fit, or when my tastes changed.

5 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Probably quality at a price I am willing to pay. Quality usually means I will be able to wear an item longer. Over time that contributes to variety and wardrobe happiness.

5 years ago

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I have a quality threshold I usually don’t go below, and price ranges I don’t usually go above. And a fairly stable wardrobe size.

5 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What Barbara Diane said. It's a balance for me. I will prefer variety for certain items, and quality for others.

5 years ago

Sal

Veteran

Some of my best buys have been less than $20 (some heels, some sandals, thrifted jacket

Some of my worst buys have been over $200 (a cardigan, a dress)

Some of my worst buys have been under $20 (cream tee, dress that never worked)

Some of my best buys have been over $200 (ankle boots lasting 8 years, wool coat lasting 15 years)

So I don't know that it is either/or or either/and...... It does depend on where you are at in terms of wardrobe size, budget, location etc

I think the key thing is to not get placeholders - choose wisely. There are some gems at cheaper retailers or second hand stores.

5 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sal, you are so wise. I could have said exactly the same. Price is not a guarantee of a durable workhorse -- for better or for worse! It's up to us to examine each article in the context of our own needs, loves, and wear patterns.

5 years ago

kstewart

Active Member

quality + versatility

5 years ago

Gretchen

Veteran

Quality for things I expect to keep for a longer time, or to be workhorses - shoes, purses, classic work suits, jewelry

Variety for things I expect to have a shorter wear life - tops, tees, workout gear

5 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

I'm with Sal. I don't think price is a reliable indicator of quality at all. I've had items from Uniqlo and Gap wear like iron for years, and handmade/artisan items show defects after just a few wears. (The nice thing about artisans and independent designers is that they are often willing to repair/replace if it really is a defect or design flaw.)

My strategy has been that when I want to try something new that I'm not sure will work out, I shop at a lower price point. Sometimes those test items end up being perfect, and sometimes I reach for them a lot but find myself wishing for an upgraded version. If the latter, then I'll budget for a better quality replacement.

I'm not a uniform dresser as I play a lot of different roles throughout the week and I do like some variety in terms of both silhouette and colour. I have a small-to-moderate sized wardrobe and find that it only takes a small handful of statements and wild cards to inject enough variety that I don't get bored.

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

BD nailed it for me.

Quality for me doesn't mean the $240 dress, although I love it. It does mean trying on several $40-60 dresses until I find one that I like, including the quality, and hoping the expensive one goes on clearance (it's down to about $120 right now). La Ped pointed out to me 1.5 years ago that there will be another [whatever I'm looking at] so no need to sweat it if I can't get this one. She was right.

As others have said, quality and price don't always have a direct relationship. I got these shoes as "testers" of a concept, loved them and wore them nearly every day for almost 2 years. They are now slightly stretched out, so are better with a thin sock than barefoot, but that happened only at the very end of that time frame. I think I paid $20-25 for them.

ETA: just checked on the berry dress. Sold out! Waaaah!

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5 years ago

RobinF

Veteran

Agree with Gretchen - quality for things like shoes, bags and coats - variety for things that may go out of style or don't get worn as often. Also agree that more money doesn't necessarily mean it will become a favorite. I have learned that the hard way

5 years ago

Anonymous

I often buy low quality knitwear. Sigh. I know it’s not that great when I buy it, but the difference in price between high and low quality knitwear is astronomical. I actually think I cannot afford high quality knitwear. Or I need to build up a base of low quality knitwear, splitting wears to ensure it lasts a couple of seasons, and then slowly add on quality (read: thick) pieces, and make sure not to wear them too much.

For jeans, IMO, they are all high quality.
Ditto t-shirts.

The rest is up in the air.

Re price for low/high quality:

People will pay a premium to not have to bargain hunt, and to de-fluke their purchasing. I do. Not at designer prices, but at the mid-range. If I had more money, I would buy at an even higher price point, esp. for knitwear.

5 years ago

Helena

Veteran

What Joy said ... as much quality as I personally need/enjoy, within the range I'm willing to invest in clothing (vs. the opportunity cost of investing that money elsewhere)

I'm not a "buy the best you can afford", I must admit. That would be overkill for my needs and lifestyle.

5 years ago

Anonymous

Both, though definitely getting pickier about quality these days, within my miniscule budget. I've been very frustrated with fabrics that are not opaque, and clothes that don't fit well (the tight arm, loose body phenomenon). On the other hand, I dont want to spend so much that I limit wear because am terrified of the items getting ruined.
I'm always going to have my magpie side though!

5 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A very interesting thread. I'm nodding along with all of you.

To answer your question, Green Jeans: Quality.

I like exceptional quality for most items. For some items I buy the best that I can afford: specs, bras, knickers, handbags, hosiery, slippers, and my haircut.

For other items, I'm happy to go much cheaper: $12 camisoles, $10 Gap yoga sweat tops. $3 drug store insoles - all of which happen to be great quality, btw.

For most wardrobe categories, my items are very high-low: From Burberry, Chanel, Prada, Smythe and Joseph, to Zara, Topshop and the Gap - and lots in-between.

As La Ped mentioned, a high price point is no longer an indication of great quality. My $11 Gap striped peplum top is one of the best quality items in my wardrobe - at eight years old and a million laundry cycles later - it looks new. My toffee Zara puffer jacket is extremely good quality too. A three years old workhorse, and still looks new.

I've bought designer items that looks like schmutters after one season.

And as Sal and Suz mentioned, an exquisite quality item may not be the workhorse, or give you as much joy and a lower quality piece. To some extent you have to be lucky with how it will all pan out!

5 years ago

Anonymous

I too perform a balancing act, although not always successful. I haven't achieved what I want in the essentials category and have been buying placeholders, which are only proving to be supremely unsatisfying. But I do agree with Helena's comment about how buying the best you can afford being overkill for my lifestyle and needs. I could technically afford to buy a luxury designer handbag if I really wanted to, but for what reason? I could buy $400 jeans too, but again, why? At some point, quality and what one needs from a piece reach an intersection where branching off into variety occurs. I'm sure that bit of poor writing will spin a few heads

At the end of the day, the perfect mix of having enough variety and having enough top-quality pieces for polish is the ideal.

5 years ago

Cardiff girl

Veteran

As has been said price these days does not always indicate quality.l m sure that most YLF ers are sufficiently au fait with clothing to spot dodgy seams and wonky top stitching and I think that it definitely pays to educate oneself to know what you are looking for in a garment in terms of quality .l have been known to turn garments completely inside out in the shop and do a full internal before buying!

5 years ago

Christina F.

Veteran

For me, it used to be variety, and it still is to some extent. I used to buy things, especially handbags and shoes, rampantly when I could get deals.

I'm moving more towards quality, though.I still want variety in my wardrobe, but I'm moving towards planning what to add more strategically, based on quality and how each item will fit with the others. I still look for deals where I can, though!

5 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I try to buy quality. I am a bargain hunter, though, especially for footwear, handbags, and outerwear, which tend to be expensive. So I will stalk things that catch my eye. But only quality things. And like Lisa, I could theoretically buy expensive jeans, etc., but my thrifty genes won’t let me.

5 years ago

gryffin

Veteran

Quality - but as others point out price does not always dictate quality. Gap girlfriend chinos, their old ribbed tanks - stellar price point and quality. OTOH I own EF washable silk tops which are spendy but feel divine and wear like iron. So finest quality with an eye to price point how much I can afford. VB scuba blazer, gap tank - both superb quality but one barely a tap and the other wow wallet hurt me. But over time, because the really good stuff lasts you end up with a great collection of super pieces.

5 years ago

anchie

Veteran

Quality variety:) Doesn’t necessary mean high price though.

5 years ago

Anonymous

Jaileen said: “I could buy expensive jeans, but my thrifty genes won’t let me”

A very pithy statement!

5 years ago

nemosmom

Veteran

Another vote for "high price does not equal quality".

I *will* spend more on jeans - I wear jeans all day, almost every day. I have specific brands and cuts that work for me and require very little, if any, tailoring. I stock up on them and will buy them secondhand when I can.

5 years ago

Greenjeans

Veteran

Don't you just love it when quality and low price overlap? Thank you, nemosmom, anchie, gryffin, Cardiff girl, FashIntern, Sal, Suz and La Pedestrienne for pointing out that this is sometimes the case.

Like you, Shevia, I've had good luck in the quality/value category with secondhand though don't thrift like I used to because I don't shop like I used to. (I shop online these days.)

JAileen! I can relate with your thrifty gene because I inherited one from my mom. An expert-level bargain shopper, she enjoys shopping bricks and mortar, and seems to lean toward variety. I learned a lot about shopping and value from her.

Unfortunately, prior to finding this site, I'd worked myself into a corner wardrobe-wise by only bargain shopping, having a VERY LOW spending threshold (thank you, Barbara Diane, for mentioning thresholds), and loving quality. What this looked like in real life was an odd wardrobe of impractical, oftentimes ill fitting, not-quite-right items I picked up because their quality drew me in, and they were a steal. Understanding I prefer quality over variety has really opened things up for me. I know I'm happier with one great pair of boots, or a coat I feel fab in than many of these things. I enjoy hunting for them and have become OK with spending more than rock-bottom. (Breakthrough! Seriously, understanding this about myself has healed a lot of mistakes and sad shopping feelings. )

Nice work, Alicewonderland, Gretchen and RobinF defining the different categories for where you prefer variety or quality. while my lean is mainly toward quality, I think I prefer variety in inexpensive items that get a lot of wear, like t-shirts. Great advice, too, from you, suntiger, Angie and lisa p re: the balancing act.

I hear you re: knitwear, smittie and definitely feel better when I choose quality, though have felt tempted by (and regretted) some less than stellar items in this category.

With you all the way, Jenn, kstewart, Joy and torontogirl re: quality, versatility and understanding that variety can happen over time when you choose quality.

Thank you, rachylou, bonnie, Jessikams,and Christina F. for representing variety! You each have, as Angie would say, "killer" style and I enjoy your forum posts and WIW's

5 years ago

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