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Stepping up in quality - anyone else been here?

jayne

Veteran

Hi all,

Boy has it been awhile since i posted myself. I have tried to keep up with you all in reading, but my new job means so much travel that I barely get home before I leave again. Sorry, I read more than I post now..

Anyway, I did get to a great place STYLE wise, right before things heated up...I found two uniforms and dumped efforts to keep on retaining my ingrained American business style in this oh so casual Scandinavian setting.

Since then I have been really good at using the clothes I have reusing most of it and trimming down to 40 key pieces of fall/winter clothing. I wear them all! What an accomplishment! Yeah for Angie!

Part of the 40 items are several much more (to me) expensive pieces and I must say, higher quality as well. But for experimenting with my uniform, and also trends like maroon and green and orange, I went ahead with cheaper H&M. Now after loving the look and hating the feel of these pieces, I am now starting to trade up for better ones. I have started with a blue shirt that cost much more than I ever thought I would pay for a shirt. And now I am a little fearful.

First where do I start? Like, which of the many many pieces I already have do i start replacing. I know now that I love them and want to keep wearing items like the 40 I have, but I do really appreciate the better feel and cut and little something extra of the better design of the few higher priced items I bought in early fall. I have done SYC since and kept myself good (easy when travelling so much). But now I am home for awhile, searching the internet and find myself just wanting to replace all the rest. I cannot afford that so I am needing inspiration on what items YOU would replace if you wanted to trade up.

Then comes another concern, where does it end? If I keep taking steps to trade up, will I come to a point where I am buying 600 dollar T-shirts? I feel I am taking a step off the edge, having dared to buy the first one, and it feels a little scary to think I might be turning myself into some kind of snob that cannot buy clothes at Target anymore. I don't really want to become that person. Anybody go through a similar process, teaching yourself to buy less, but better, and find it actually intimidating? I would love to hear your stories!

Thanks for letting me just express myself. It is hard to put into words and i never put so much thought into my choices before. ANgie has made me appreciate finding a style and that took lots of thought and trying. I assume this is my next step

Any help appreciated. Just making basket after basket online but have yet to pull any major triggers!

Shopping

18 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

bj1111

Veteran

we all decide what we are willing to pay for an item at different levels of quality, including a hard stop that we won't cross. plus, the gain in quality is highest from low to midlevel. for the same amount of money, the gain in quality will be less to go from midlevel to designer diffusion (or equivalent), much much less to go higher. plus the incremental happiness beomes less and less.

for me, the incremental gain in quality costs so much more at the upper level that it becomes not worth the money. so i have paid $100 for a great cowl neck tee because the design element, the material, the drape were all so well executed and gave me a lot of joy. the incremental joy to go to a 600$ tee is miniscule for me so i won't pay it.

bj1111

Veteran

ps...i use baskets to "shop" then i close the browser. if i still remember the contents in the morning i think about buying.

ZFMD

Oh, my. I do know what you mean. Rue La La, Gilt, and their ilk (as well as upscale consignment stores) have put things like Theory silk blouses within reach. Mind you, the prices are still more than I was used to paying, but once I started to have higher quality in my closet, my Target and Kohls finds started looking less appealing. Now I expect hems to be finished with lace, and stripes to line up at the seams. On the bright side, my wardrobe is looking more stylish than ever and I can see these pieces serving me for years. It is difficult to know where to draw the line, though. I have decided not to do any shopping at all for the first 3 months of 2013, just to try to give myself some perspective on what I truly need and return to spring shopping with more of a structured plan.

Anonymous

Hi Jayne! It's so good to hear how you're doing. I hope you like your new job. First, I'm dying to know what your "uniforms" consist of exactly. Are there more business-formal pieces that you just do not wear anymore, or are you just combining them with casual items for a more laid-back look? Do the 40 items get worn during your off time as well? Do tell!

As for upgrading, I'm doing a little bit of that too, and I certainly can't do it all at once, so I'm wearing the irritating, bad quality things either until they wear out and *have* to be replaced or until a suitable replacement sort of jumps into my lap (but one at a time for sure). Don't forget that it's chic to dress high-low so don't feel bad that you can't get in there and do all 40 items at once. That way you have some time to decide if you really love each piece in it's current version so much that it functions as an essential worthy of upgrading.

Gaylene

Veteran

I'm not sure that opting for quality automatically means spending more money. There are a lot of shoddy goods out there with designer names (and price tags).

I found this blog rather interesting because the writer attempts to dissect some of her pricier garments to see if they ultimately were worth the price she paid. Here's just one of her assessments:

http://emptyemptor.com/?p=206

She also, in my opinion, has some good tips on how to judge the quality of items:

http://emptyemptor.com/?p=2393
http://emptyemptor.com/?p=2385

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Hi Jayne! I do relate to your concerns. Buying second hand has spoiled me in terms of quality because it is hard to pay full price for a poorly made new item when I know with some patience I can get a much higher quality version for a lower price second hand. Even for tees - although I find there are high quality layering tees from a huge variety of brands with different price points. I think Gaylene is totally on target with her advice (I love empty emptor and wish she would start posting again). Now that you see the difference with quality items you will be able to find them at all sorts prices and places. And since you have identified your key pieces you are in a great position to follow Angie's rule and be Picky, Patient and Practical!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Jayne, it is so great to see you back here; I have often thought of you in the past month or two! Glad to know work is going well and that your wardrobe is working for you! Like Claire, I am dying to know how you've been using your 40 pieces and hope when you get time you will post about that.

As you know, I am definitely in the same boat as you. I have just recently sunk more money into a couple of pieces, and also acquired a few as gifts or by chance at consignment. (Like the free Theory trousers that came home with me one day!!) And putting those clothes on makes me itch to get away from my cheap H&M jacket!

But..having said that...my H&M linen sweater may not be anything super special, but it is actually as nice as many I saw at a far higher price point. My LL Bean Breton style sweater may not be the real thing, but it looks darn good. And my Banana Republic sweater is nice quality for its medium price point, too.

I do wonder, where will it end? But I also know that while I love beautifully made clothes and enjoy them, I also want other things in my life. I think you already understand this, because what BJ said is so similar to the phrase you coined yourself (and that I'll be everlastingly grateful for) "happiness factor."

We will pay for quality as long as it makes our happiness factor go up. But we can seek it at different price points, and make smart decisions about where to save and where to spend.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Another request to hear/see more of your Final(ish?) Forty, please, Jayne!

I'm right there with you, meanwhile, wondering 'where do I start' and 'where does it stop'? I finally figured to focus at two ends of the spectrum, for my lifestyle --- the 'occasional use only' and the 'thrown on randomly when uninspired or too rushed to care'. At least as a start. This means the categories also translate as my 'least used' and 'most used', as life has been busy and full of late.

I find this handy because with the first category (occasional/least use), I feel better psychologically in the shopping --- a mistake doesn't stare me in the mirror and get me down as often, plus dressier fabrications and detailing being at a higher price point than everyday makes sense in terms of the quality-for-money equation.

At the other end, the 'default/frequent' category improving means I can feel better in the actual dressing for clothes I spend least thought on and spend most time in. It feels better, and reassures me that the quality was a worthwhile expenditure.

As for a ceiling, I guess it's arbitrary --- or perhaps based on your overall budget. If you find buying a T-shirt that costs $XYZ when you need say 7 T-shirts overall means you are exceeding your budget, then $XYZ is a ceiling for you.

lyn67

Veteran

Missed you, too-Jayne! Good thread, I think we all have this problem! One better quality piece is indeed just screaming about better quality items, in general...:-( It sucks. But you have to decide. Step by step...one item at a time:-)

jenanded

Veteran

Hi Jayne! Lovely to hear from you again... Not sure of my advice but I agree with your musings... I find that I need some really quality items, but I also need a mix of clothes which might be good quality but are cheaper price. You are right - alas a $200 pair of trousers looks better than the $35 target pair ... But I agree with others, you can find quality at various prices,...

RoseandJoan

Veteran

There are some general rules which can help to guide such as woven fabrics tend to last longer than knits.

With regards to your budget would it help to determine your budget for an item before you shop? For example, I would be willing to spend £x.xx on a woven blazer and then look for an item within this price range. This method would eliminate the worry of spending £££ on a tee shirt.

It is also important to look for those quality bargains, cashmere in sale or a local sample sale.

To answer your question, yes, I am trying to buy the best quality within budget but it does take time and patience to achieve.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I am also doing some replacing of low quality items with those of higher quality. I am tired of having to get rid of sweaters after one season (a few even during the season!) because of excessive pilling. Where is the value in spending $30 for a sweater, only having to replace it next year with another $30 sweater? Why not just buy the better quality to begin with, right?
I find that where I need better quality clothing is in my winter wardrobe. Think about the season of clothes you wear the most for work, etc, and start there. I am a teacher, and the winters are long here, so my fall through winter clothes are what get the most wear, and are the ones I am starting to replace with better quality.
Also, put yourself on a budget. Decide what you can afford to spend each month and stick to that. It might take you several months to save for an item, but you will appreciate it more when you can finally purchase it. I also will save items in a shopping basket on-line and come back to it the next day to see if I really want' or need it.

kkards

Veteran

first, i think its important to separate price from quality. this can be something that takes some time, but by shopping at all ends of the retail spectrum, and touching everything, you can begin to get a feel (pun intended) for this. for example, i find that target and jcrew tee feel the same, but the tees at target are about 1/2 the price, but sweaters and jackets are differently more substantial and better made at jcrew.
second, i try to determine if this is a one season, one year, or 2 year or longer purchase. if i think its a one season buy, then i'm less concerned about quality, and generally, i'm less willing to spend a lot of money on it. so for black trousers made of year round wool, i'll spend a lot, because i want to insure the best fit and fabric, but for red trousers, i don't want to spend a lot, because next year they may look dated.

jayne

Veteran

oh I just love you gals! Thanks for the warm thoughts. My daughter is pushing to get her hands on the pc...so I start with a quick answer and will come back

1. Claire, my 40 pieces are mostly used for work but since i live in a casual work environment that means I can and should wear these pieces on saturday shopping. I have usually kept after work as uber casual (thus yes sweats)..but now I am trying really hard to reuse the same clothes for after work if I go out and also to shopping trips. These are hard habits to change but I appreciate that I now love wearing some pieces so much that I get to wear them more this way!

2. Suz and Mandi, I will detail the wardrobe if I ever get enough time to transfer photos from phone to pC and give an overvew. Suffice to say it is about 4 pairs of jeans, 3 pairs of the super slouchy pleated trousers that I happen to love. then a slew of blouses in the rich tones that I love. And finally my standby of blazer and more blazers (waving at Suz!) To make it all click, I have plurged on some rockin belts, bling bling necklaces and bad XXX booties. I feel more and more fab. I have not acheived UWP but matbe a little touch of rocker ala janet. Color is my friend. I should just shoot a picture of the closet. A rainbow but not a pastel one!

3. Lyn, jen, rose, bj...shevia, gaylene...Yes I see your points. Shopping is possible to find quality at all price points. But I am generalizing that it really takes it up a notch when you spend more and I really have enjoyed those pieces that make me feel a touch special. However, I do feel that I am maybe not quite able to find better quality in a stack of lower price things. I don't, or maybe rather didn't, have the sense for what was better quality because I had never bought or worn it before. I did a blind test on a friend the other night and she could feel the quality of the material on one jacket over another. Which brought on my little epiphany and desire to replace and trade up on more key items. I guess I might actually need to try on more quality pieces and study them more, so I can recognize those signs you described (zfmd).

I want to comment on the last two also but daughter is annoying now....be back later.

jayne

Veteran

ah finally back,

Karie and KK you both mentioned specific items you feel worth the extra money to get the quality. That helps alot. I was feeling that if I replace it all, and I estimated at about 22 items to get up a level on the ones important to me, I would spend my yearly budget twice and not be able to buy anything else at all.

So I think I will focus on the things that maybe irritate me the most, like your piling sweater...and that might take time anyway.

Oh and Karie, I do that trick you do online, but i do it at the stores. I never buy the first time I see something, I leave and take the chance it may be gone. If I can 1. remember what it was easily, and 2. it pops into my mind again unasked....then I go back and get it. I found that really really helps me avoid the impulse and to be honest, cheap items. And although some have been cheaper, man do I wear the heck out of the items I buy this way!

TO put some details into my musings....

I looked through my 40 items again and decided to look for ..

a rockin pair of black jeans to replace my cheap ones I wear all the time
a replacement for my embarassingly tacky teen department ruffled shirt, just love the look
a pinstipe blue blazer for summer to replace the one I have too big
a cotton, or even silk, navy pinstripe shirt to replace my one that shrank

and to ADD in to my closet, not really replacements but justified by giant purges:
a white tux blazer with black lapels, to create a new look I have fallen for
wool slacks - just because I finally have grown up enough to want some!
bright color winter wool coat - finally brave enough to know I will wear it

I have a few other on my list that I feel should not cost a great deal
leopard jacket - to see if it suits my style
maroon waxed jeans - hey, it is a trend right?
leopard loafers - I braved gold ones and survived!

Do you all feel I have divided the items correctly? as in, spending the higher amounts on the right group? I guess the white tux blazer is the one I am most unsure about. But I hope to 'fall in love' when I find the right one. and not look like waiter with it on!

pil

Veteran

Just popping in to say "hi" and glad you're back posting!
I'm still In the preliminary stages of figuring out *what* to wear and am not yet to the point of moving up in quality.

ramya

Veteran

Jayne, I understand you better now:)...God, is it casual in here. I work for a bank and let me tell you, the guys in my team (in jeans and tee obviously), remove their shoes and walk in slippers and socks. Oh please dont be mistaken, we are not the people who greet you at bank, but more the technical team who keep the systems running
Boy is it casual here :D...

Well , I admire you for wearing trousers in the climate here :)...

But, I get your concern. I admit , I find it hard to get quality at lower price points here.
Probably , I would say you could try when you visit your mom in US or on your business trip.
I have resisted buying workhorses in clothes here, just because I cannot justify price to my Indian brain :D..

That said, I did buy a fab coat and some chic shoes :D... Or you wouldnt be talking to me now

ETA: Missed you Jayne

unfrumped

Veteran

I am having what may seem like a weird problem of not finding things at higher quality that I really love. Or not as often as I think others are. I'm just not finding good fits in lots of items like pants, skirts, sweaters.

Now, admittedly I've tended to stay away from our local boutique that carries Armani jackets for $2000 or whatever.

I was in Saks not long ago and did look at a number of somewhat high-dollar items, and even tried on dresses and skirts, which all looked horrible.

So while I'm not trying to find a way to throw more money at retailers, and I spend quite enough as it is, I tend to spend on things not instead of buying something better that's more expensive, but because I've not found something better.

If that makes sense. And still, I think it means I'm not being patient and persistent enough, to maybe do more window shopping and just not make any purchases until I get to some better quality/price point.