I've been following this thread with interest today. I, too, subscribe to the fewer, but better things club. However, this year, I've been spending a lot more than I usually do because I've been rebuilding my wardrobe and making up for several years of neglect. Once I have the basics of that wardrobe, though, I can just refresh, replace, and renew with individual pieces. I was also taught to take very good care of my clothes, so even the ones that aren't true "investment" pieces can last as long as possible.

I should probably know this, but what's PPP, Angie.

Wise planning, Jamie. And those exceptional years happen to us all. The game-plan is never fool-proof. And I'm glad I'm not the only one who doesn't know what PPP stands for in this context!

PPP = patient, picky.... uh, something else? I have a decent memory but I haven't been around YLF long enough (yet!) to memorize all the acronyms.

This is very interesting thread to follow. I lived in France for almost a decade and do have some of the same sensibilities as La Francaise (at least in theory)!
My husband is actually very supportive of my fashion shopping - I'm the more budget conscious one. However, I am also a work-from-home mom to a baby who enjoys putting her sticky hands all over my clothes...

Between my new-mom body (same weight, different distribution, one might say) and my new responsibilities (as well as a rather new interest in fashion after graduating form my "student-on-a-budget" lifestyle), I'm finding that I 'm rebuilding my wardrobe, alas, mostly out of cheaper "throw-away" items (Old Navy, etc) that do not require special care.

So my question is - when your children were little did you wear your "staple classics" while watching your little ones or did you have a separate wardrobe for those times? Did you just accept a higher rate of clothing loss/damage? I have a small capsule of business clothes (buttons downs, suits, etc.) that I save for conferences and in-person meetings, but I don't dare wear these clothes while tending my daughter!

N-Marie,

How nice to read a post from someone who has lived here!!

I was never a complete stay-at-home Mum, cos in medicine, and especially surgery, it's vital to keep one's 'hand-in'. But certainly when I was home with the kids, I wore jeans very regularly. But then, I still do! The only difference was I had more simple tees in my wardrobe than I do now, and the washing-machine turned far more often.

However, like I said up-thread, my YSL black tuxedo jacket gets worn with jeans, pretty often. I think, looking back that was more or less my formula when the boys were young. Yes, I probably dressed a bit more casually, and there may have been a few sartorial casualties along the way. But I've never deviated from the formula of only buying clothes that look 'put-together' (even if they were just jeans and tops). That meant it was fairly easy to throw something over them to look as if I'd made an effort for super-market trips and so-forth. Another fundamental with small children is simplicity. A semi-long bob is a chic and professional style, that can be fixed into a short pony-tale at home. No nail-polish to get chipped, just well-buffed finger-nails, and just enough make-up to look and feel confident, with a good supply of 'make-up remover wipes' for when my cheeks had sticky finger-prints all over them rather than blusher!! I've always worn oversize sunnies, even on a dull day. They frequently hid the fact that I'd been up half the night with a baby who simply refused to stop screaming, or that I hadn't had time to apply my mascara. PLUS, I've always worn ballet flats at home, and on the shopping run. Even now, on my daily walk to work, they're my staple. All-in-all I think it is possible to have a simple baby-friendly wardrobe. I just never based mine on trainers, track-suit bottoms and sweat-shirts! Oh, and even with minimal (or non-existant make-up) I never left home, or let my husband come home to find me, without perfume. That has always been an absolute must! But from the description you give of your capsule business clothes, I don't think you and I are so very different! I wouldn't have worn a business suit with a baby on my hip either!

N-Marie, your question reminded me of a recent thread on whether clothing should be consider an "investment" or a "consumable". In my mind, I think both terms are applicable.

Investment clothes are items that should last for several years. As LF points out, because these items are usually more costly, they ought to be chosen wisely. A good investment piece is well-made, fits our style and body, and should be versatile enough to work with other investment pieces.

On the other hand, consumable items are pieces that we purchase with the expectation that they will be "used up" fairly quickly because of frequent laundering or high usage. I'd place my workout wear in this category while you might choose to consider your "baby-care" outfits as consumables. I'd put most fashion trends in this category, especially items that you would want to wear for only a season or two.

In my opinion, it makes sense to consider both categories when building a wardrobe. Not every purchase needs to be an investment piece, but having a wardrobe that consists of only trendy, inexpensive, and impulse purchases can end up being both costly and unsatisfying.

Wow, this thread just gets better and more useful.

Something you said about re-wearing investment pieces through careful accessorizing made me realize why I can never have as small a wardrobe as some: I truly can't wear many accessories. Scarves are so popular and can change a look instantly, but the feel of them on my neck, tangling in my bag straps, fluttering about as I move drives me nutty. Same with statement jewelry. I think this is why I love jackets, bags and boots - they are my "accessories substitutes."

So now my homework: if I plan to always have a variety of those three things on hand, where can I institute a volume limit to make up for it? Jeans? Tops? Dresses? Those are the areas I should focus on editing and purging. Thank you for the inspiration!

Gaylene,

That's it exactly! And it's why I said at the outset that part of my annual budget goes to replacing my 'investment' pieces on a cyclical basis, and part goes to buying the cheaper 'on-trend' items without which all the investment pieces would be boring.

However, even those on-trend items MUST, for me, work with at least two investment pieces. If they can't, they stay in the store. My Mum brought me up to believe that we were too poor to buy 'tat', and she was oh-so-right. I've done it: fallen for a trendy tee-shirt at rock-bottom price, only to find it twists, or loses it's colour in the first wash. That apparent 'bargain' ended up costing me, on a per wear basis, far more than my designer tuxedo!

rae,

You are an absolute DELIGHT!! You've been determined to stick with us, and a huge 'Thank You'. You remember that really cute yellow tote you wore yesterday? That WAS an accessory. So is a statement watch. A cute pair of shoes or boots. It doesn't have to be a scarf or a large piece of jewellery. For what it's worth, I'm allergic to any metal that isn't gold, so my jewellery consists of my wedding and engagement rings, an Omega white-and-yellow gold classic, but fairly sporty watch, a few pairs of earrings, a slim bracelet and a discreet gold necklace. Oh, and my Mum's pearls, restrung. That's it!

Oh, good - that means I'm not completely backward! I am excited to go into the closet and sort of reverse-engineer my list of things that *should* be low-volume investment pieces - i.e. whatever does NOT change up the look. It will be very helpful for the next closet clean-out.

Cost per wear is such an important concept. And that is why, in general, I buy cheap shoes for special occasions. They won't get worn very often and are often more trendy and therefore get dated so quickly. Everyday shoes I will spend a lot more time in, and I am more willing to buy quality.

In general, the trendier something is, the less I am prepared to pay a lot for it. A pair of simple black crepe pants can be worn with an almost infinite variety of dressy tops and are pretty well timeless, so they are worth spending more money on.

The same principle works for seasonal items: what is the cost per year? Cheap boots aren't much of a bargain if they fall apart after one year, unless of course, they were REALLY cheap.

ABSOLUTELY, JR!! In three short paragraphs, you've summarized everything that's been said on this thread!

As for you, rae, 'backward'??? Good heavens, when it comes to kooky chic, you'e way ahead of us oldies, and you're really 'getting' the message that less = more, huh?? You are very soon going to be one heck of a fashionista!!

I have been following this with interest. Clothes are an investment. Having investment pieces enhances your overall wardrobe and are building blocks in their own right. I like the strategy of budgeting for those pieces. The pieces that are of good quality are the ones that will stay in your wardrobe a long time.

Spot on, Debbie! Though we all need a few fun pieces to perk up our wardrobes! But yes, they are IMO secondary to the 'building blocks' as you so wisely describe them. Thanks for following us all this way!

What a great (and helpful) thread! For the first time in my life, I'm working toward establishing a budget. I am not shopping for the next month or two, but after that, I want to budget so that I can buy investment pieces.

And I completely relate to the heavier vs. lighter idea. Do you mind if it shows up on my blog sometime?

pastrygirl,

Of course we don't! And well done for your disciplined approach to style! It can be tough, when all around you others are sharing what they've bought, but you have the hallmark of true style wisdom, and once you start shopping again for quality rather than quantity, your bank-balance (in the longer term), and the way you look, will reward you. I can't wait to see your posts in a few months!!

Rae, I just wanted to echo your sentiment regarding not having a whole lot of accessories up your sleeve. I also rely on shoes and jackets to add the pizzazz to things. Maybe us with longer hair are more averse to scarves in general? I do necklaces, like you, and belts. I don't share your bag love, but I can see how it would change things up.
And, yes, where to cut back? I went (surprisingly easily) from over a dozen blue jeans to 4 pair. Tops I am still hoarding (but I blame my blazing beach vs freezing mtns dichotomy for that one). I seem to be doing fine with 6 skirts vs. a dozen, as well. Trying with the dresses, but it's still a work in progress.

As for the investment pieces vs consumable items, I must admit that half my items (mostly basics and casual wear) are Target or Old Navy or Beall's Outlet or Ross. And by and large, they have held up for season after season. I do love my investment pieces, and I expect them to last 5 to 10 years easily. I think a proper mix is a good thing!

I had to laugh at the "we're too poor to buy tat"-- those were exactly the words MY Mum used whenever I looked longingly at a cheap garment when I was a teenager!

I think, too, that your earlier comments on the addictive (and almost competitive) nature of North American shopping are quite accurate. My mother would have been horrified to mention the cost of something, even to a close friend. She was also wary of sales; to her mind, a sale was the merchant's way of unloading items that nobody would buy at a the regular price. She would also have been dubious of anyone who would want to buy an exact copy of another person's garment; her reasoning would be that, if it looked good on someone else, it probably wouldn't look as good on her.

Now that I reflect on it, I've obviously inherited many of her prejudices and values. I like the fit and feel of a quality garment. And, as an older woman, I also notice that spending money on a high-quality version is what separates my outfits from those worn by teenagers. A YSL tuxedo jacket looks VERY different than the H&M version. To me, dressing my age does not mean giving up certain silhouettes as much as it means giving up cheap, ill-fitting fashion.

My problem is that I'm so trendy and my style is such flux that I can't see investment pieces. I also have a very bad habit of falling for designer pieces and being impatient. I don't want to wait for trickle down effect.
I was also significantly overweight for all of my twenties and part of my early thirties. It is very hard to fashionable and trendy when you're forced to shop at Lane Bryant. I feel like I'm making up for lost time. I need to slow down I know, but I haven't figured it out yet.

This is a brilliant thread LF. Thank you for starting it. My DH and I work to an agreed budget and work hard to maintain it. My challenge is perhaps more about discipline and patience:) - having said that I am a humble community worker and do not have money to throw around so to speak). In the past I have weakened and bought items that were "close enough" to what I wanted only to ultimately be disappointed by the purchase. YLF has helped me to become more focussed and hold out for "exactly" what I want, even if it takes some time to find. Shopping is a wonderful recreational activity, however I have become more intentional with my shopping identifying specific pieces I would like to add to my wardrobe and actively seeking them out, rather than just collecting random items.

For my last birthday DH gifted me with a generous sum of money to do what ever I wanted with (of course he knew I would I spend at least most of it on my wardrobe) and it was a really interesting excercise and demonstrated to me how much YLF has taught me and how my approach to shopping has changed. I carefully sought out specific items that I felt very confident would add to my wardrobe and work with many items already in my wardrobe. For example on my wish list were light colored ankle boots, light colored long boots and a pair of red shoes for daily work wear (as my lovely Shoes of Prey red pumps are not 8 hour shoes). With time and care, I found these items. They were what I consider mid range as far as price goes and I am satisfied with the quality. I see these items lasting and not being one season wonders.

LF I find your approach very appealing, and "grown up" and I should like to be more like that. And I think its time I started to "save" my clothing budget and start working toward some good investment pieces and work harder to curb my desire for constantly having something "new". YLF has definitely helped with this but there is still the temptation to pick up a new item while out shopping just because it makes me feel good:)

And I'm totally with you on factoring in hair costs. I have my hair cut and colored every 6 weeks, no questions asked, as for me keeping my short bob looking good is a major part of maintaining a polished and stylish look.

LF thanks again for posting, and ladies for commenting. I'm inspired and challenged.

In my mind, my investment pieces are the ones I reach for again and again and again even with a full closet. Once I identify those pieces, if I need to replace them I spend money. I've never managed to whittle my wardrobe down to *only* investment pieces with key updates, however. I think I enjoy novelty too much.

I am completely on board with this philosophy. But I've come from a place where I REALLY had no money to "invest" for most of my life. I am a writer and was a part-time teacher and simply could not afford better quality items for many years, except if I could find them by thrifting. In fact, I actually had better quality items when I was a student than I was able to afford as a young adult. Not many, but at least one or two. And you can bet I wore them into the ground!

I'm all for re-wearing items again and again. I have no problem whatsoever repeating items or whole outfits. I don't get bored if something fits well and feels great.

Now that I finally have a bit more disposable income (not much, but more) I am enjoying the process of figuring out my own style. And I must admit, it is still a bit difficult for me to buy expensive pieces, simply because I am afraid they might turn out to be poor investments - not working with my evolving style persona (which is actually fairly classic but with a funky, artsy twist). I always ask myself whether each new item will work in at least two outfits (except perhaps for formal wear or gear) but even so, I'm finding that I sometimes make mistakes. I will THINK it's going to work...but then for whatever reason, it just won't. For that reason, I am still a bit leery of shelling out lots of cash for any particular item.

Having said that, I am definitely getting better at figuring out what looks best and will truly be a workhorse. Jackets, for example. I almost can't go wrong with a high quality jacket, no matter what. I just love them and feel comfortable in them and wear them with jeans as well as dressier outfits. Lucky for me, I have found an amazing vintage store with high quality recent designer items at a fraction of the cost. Still expensive, but much reduced, and perfect for my semi-experimentation.

Shoes are also turning out to be a good investment. They change up a look so easily. I really love that.

And some "investment" pieces don't have to be super expensive. I think it's all about the fit and the workmanship. True, those are usually better in the higher ticket items, but not always. And smart sale shopping (as you seem to have done this year) will help mitigate the price. But only if one REALLY knows one's own needs.

Great thread!

" And some "investment" pieces don't have to be super expensive. I think it's all about the fit and the workmanship. True, those are usually better in the higher ticket items, but not always. "

^---- Suz, that's so perfectly stated! Everybody's idea of "investment" -- just like everybody's idea of "expensive" -- is different. The extremes are easier to point at (designer vs F21, say), but beyond that it's up to one's personal situation.

Totally agree that an investment piece doesnt need to be expensive. I have a few pieces that were not expensive and yet have stood the test of time and wear beautifully.

This has been an interesting thread to read, and I really admire the focus and discipline so many of you have. I confess, I lack that.

The last year has been quite an indulgent one for me. I lost weight, I started paying more attention to my style, and I had the extreme priviledge of not needing to worry about what I spent as I reworked my wardrobe (a blessing for which I'm very grateful, and I know I cannot take advantage of our situation this way forever!).

But even when I was a grad student with a tight budget, I've always been a recreational, emotional, impulsive shopper. My mom was too. I'm really trying to be more thoughtful and less impulsive in this area of my life, which is interesting because I am not an impulsive person in almost any other aspect of my personality. I am usually a planner: contemplative, analytical, a list-maker. I'm fiscally conservative. Yet, when it comes to fashion, I feel stifled if I think about applying those aspects to my practice too strictly. It's one way in which my artist self seems to manifest.

As I settle into my new body (still working on a few more pounds and general fitness goals) and hone my style further, I think I'll settle down. For months now, I think I've been in fashion overdrive. The pendulum has swung to one end after a few years of defaulting to bootcut jeans and tees, so I'm hoping I'll find more balance in the future.

Sorry to prattle on so. Thanks for bringing up this topic and making me think about it, LF!

Janet,

(Grossly OT), Intrigued, I visited your own web-site. WOW!! Your work, obviously, is spectacular in its own right, but to see the names of some of my favourite haunts when I was an impecunious student, and overwhelmed by my thirst for beauty and culture: Hoffberger Gallery, Halcyon Gallery! And to be working out of the Bromo Seltzer Tower, gosh, I'm in awe! Such a list of evocative names that brought to the surface a plethora of half-buried, but very happy, memories: picnics on the beach; swimming in Chesapeake Bay; flying in and out of Baltimore/Washington International. Hiring a car with friends and driving up to beautiful New England in Autumn. Even, and this is hard to believe, but true, applying to buy a house for $1.00!! And right alongside the former home of Edgar Allan Poe!! Are you old enough to remember that initiative of Mayor Schaefer? How different life would have turned out if I'd been successful!!! I've been sitting here day-dreaming about when I was well over twenty years younger, with fewer responsibilities, and literally 'lapping up' life on the Eastern Seaboard. Thanks for giving me a couple of hours of happy memories!!

LF, I'm so happy to have brought back those memories! I do remember the dollar house initiative, as well as Schaefer's dip in the aquarium seal pool! I love my hometown. The Bromo Tower converted into artist studios about 6 or so years ago, and I've been working there for the last two. It's been great for getting me out of the house, helping me focus, and get my work out in public more. In fact, we have an Open Studio day today.

If you ever return for a visit, you'll have to let me know so we can meet up!

I do return, regularly, only nowadays to lecture to poor unsuspecting post-grad students of public health! I'll DEFINITELY PM you next time I'm coming!! I hope you, too, enjoy Maryland crab-cakes?? It'd be fun to share some in a nice waterfront restaurant, huh???

Too funny, La Francaise and Janet! I grew up not far from Baltimore, in Arlington, Va. I was there in the mid 80's when you were.

On the subject of budgeting, I must groan, for you have called me to task. DS left for college yesterday and DD starts school Monday. Therefore DH and I need to make a new budget. In fact, I read your post first thing yesterday morning and couldn't think of a succinct reply!

I don't work (for pay) outside the home and DH is a flight attendant. You can do the math yourself! Most of the time there is always something that has priority over my style, lol! I have spent the last year (my first with YLF) getting a pretty decent wardrobe together (for my life anyway) for very little money. I can only think of two investment purchases, a moto jacket (and that was not even real leather) and a python-embossed bag.

I have often pondered why so many women seem to buy lots of cheap *tat* items instead of investing in fewer, quality, more expensive pieces. Along with the thrill of a great sale and wanting the latest trend, another reason (for me anyway) is the knowledge that if that $20 isn't spent, but rather is saved towards a more costly purchase, something more important will just eat it up, like a trip to the doctor with it's accompanying prescription or a car repair or what have you. It's not so much a lack of discipline in our case--we've lived frugally for 20 years and have no debt-- but a matter of priorities. It sounds like your priorities are perfectly in order too, we are just in different places.

Your wardrobe and life sound so glamorous, so thank you for letting me live vicariously through you! I hope we will get to see some pictures of your WIWs soon!

Actually, LF, I enjoyed my first steamed crabs of the summer last night! Cantlers in Annapolis -- yum! One of the many things I do love about this area -- all things crab!

Claire, I didn't realize you were from around here too!

(sorry to keep derailing the topic...)

Claire,

Another East Coaster, huh?? That's great!!

On the other hand, with regards to my clothes budget, the whole point of posting so much personal detail about how we as a family budget, was to show that just like everybody else, and contrary to a misconception here on YLF, I have to watch my clothes and beauty spending carefully.

I too, am just your average middle-class wife and mother, with adolescents to educate, and a very expensive house to finish paying for (if I were to tell you that a single-room studio in Paris costs between 600,000-1,000,000$, you'd begin to get the picture). It is PRECISELY because neither I, nor the average Parisian can afford to impulse buy that we 'investment dress'. We save hard to look good, believe me!!

On average, we earn probably considerably less than the average American, so we have to make our clothes last. We also have to take very good care of them during their life-span, which means regular dry-cleaning, tailoring, and shoe-repairing. As I have repeatedly said, I cannot afford to buy cheap clothes!! They seldom hang properly, and certainly do not have a 5-20 year life span. I have been overwhelmed more than once on YLF to see posters boast of their NAS hauls! Far more clothes in one fell swoop than I have in my closet. I get the distinct impression there is a rush to outdo one another in sheer volume of (dubious) bargains!!

My trusty Burberry trench which I replaced at the NAS was expensive, certainly. But it had given me pleasure, and won me compliments, over a 20-year period. It was as on-trend when I donated it last month to charity as the day I bought it. Now, work out the cost-per-wear ratio, and you'll see that it actually cost far less than here-today-gone-tomorrow tat! Idem my Yves St Laurent tuxedo jacket. Now ten years old, I wore it this morning over jeans and a Breton top, but it also gets worn with palazzo pants, a long straight evening skirt, a slim on-the-knee business skirt, and I even took it to London last weekend to wear over my cobalt-and-black silk dress at the opening ceremony of the Olympics!! Once again. on a cost-per-wear basis, who is the thrifty one?? I'd argue it's me, and I have the added bonus of knowing these clothes always remain chic and their quality instantly recognisable. I hope this helps you understand a bit better!

I'm working on filling my wardrobe with investment pieces. I've noticed a huge shift in my closet since I have begun to come to terms with my body, what it is, what it isn't, and what it will never be. I'm finally to a point where I do feel like I can invest in my clothing because I'm accepting that my body is not going to be drastically different in 6 months time.

On the other hand, I find clothing shopping to be a little bit like gambling. I never know with 100% certainty which item will work. Even duplicating a well loved item has resulted in a wardrobe orphan in the past. This definitely holds me back from the investments. As others have said, I've bought inexpensive items that should have been "tat" that turned out to be dependable well built items. At the same time, I've bought "high quality" items that should be classics that just don't ever quite mesh with me and my wardrobe. I think it's easier to stomach a $10 pair of shoes that only get worn once than it is to bear the thought that the $500 pumps turn out to be less comfortable than you'd thought. I think that many of us would buy the YSL jacket if we knew without a doubt that it would be a 10 year investment. I've been burned by that way of thinking too many times to feel confident in my decision making abilities.

Rae's point about resale is a revelatory one. I've built up quite a collection of investment pieces that just don't quite work for me. I decided yesterday that rather than let these items collect dust in my closet, I'm going to give them to my daughter, who is starting high school this year, for her to prep them and sell them in an upcoming local consignment sale. She'll get the proceeds to start her school wardrobe with, and hopefully a few lessons about value along the way.