Nothing really to add but I do agree with Gaylene and others that clothes are a consumables. And just as people will spend more or less on food for various reasons (taste, health, or convenience for example) people spend more or less on clothes depending on their priorities.

Garments are indeed consumables, not investments. Investments yield monetary returns. That said, I still believe in dressing nicely and in wearing clothing that's appropriate for the occasion and for one's occupation and lifestyle. Obviously, some people by necessity have to spend more on their clothing than others. So be it. Others like me simply like fashion and won't ever be happy with a minimal wardrobe, though I certainly don't desire a massive one. Somewhere in the middle of the two extremes is my happy place. Some have had the impression that I spend more on my clothing than I actually do because they're unaware of how much time I spend browsing and searching for the right pieces at the right prices. I have some clothing in my closet that I've had and worn for several years. They are wardrobe basics that I paid more for. I pay much less for the trendy pieces that I tire of and replace more often. That's the way I handle it; but no matter how low the CPW, I don't kid myself into thinking that clothing is an investment. It isn't.

I've always disliked the investment wording for clothes as well because I i think it can be used to rationalize spending more than is appropriate, by marketers. But the investment idea can also be turned on its head in the sense that for many of us (all of us?) clothes are an investment in our own projected self image, which can influence how much money we make and how successful we are. But the influence is not a clear one to one ratio where the more you spend on clothes the more successful you are in your career or anything, either.

Everyone else has already given wonderful advice. What helps me is to be exceptionally choosy and to know exactly what I'm looking for. If I don't see exactly what I want, I go without. But if I find exactly what I want, I may spend quite a bit of money on that one item if I think it will see a lot of use.

I think also that I tend to put more money into classic items (which, as you pointed out, helps with the dating issue but doesn't eliminate it) and items that are unusual enough that they will never date. For instance, I have some boho clothes that are a style unto themselves and should be outside of trends.

I also look for natural fibers for fabric content, as I have had much better luck with natural fibers looking good for some years. I find I get more bang for my buck that way. Oh, and I air dry my clothes, which I think helps them last.

Good fit and good construction trumps all. So whether the clothing comes from places like F21, Macy's, Nordies, or BCBG Max Azria, if it doesn't fit and/or isn't made well it stays in the store.

Higher-end clothing does tend to be made with better fabrics and with better, higher quality construction. However, those lines have been blurred in recent years, and I am finding nicely made items at places like F21. I have a few seamed pencil skirts from JCP that are fully lined, nice fabrications, and very well made. They cost me about $25 each.

If I put it on, and there just isn't anything better on planet Earth, it's coming home with me. I have two jackets from BCBG that cost, well, let's just say you could add a zero to that price above and it's still a little low - they are fully lined, gorgeous fabrications, very well made, and here's the clincher - the fit is perfect. It's like Max Azria himself came and measured me for them.

I do tend to keep my higher end clothing longer - like, a lot longer. Among other things, I still have a gorgeous wool fuschia suit that is several decades old. The skirt's a little snug, but the blazer fits beautifully and I still wear it from time to time.

E said it better than I did-- aside from " good quality" items that need a certain level to not be a wage of $ due to falling apart, expensive items for me may be best seen as "splurges" to keep in perspective that I don't NEED them; I could clothe myself for less. Yet they could be useful/ workhorses and often have a high fun factor. So a goal is to save room for them.

There are two things that I have noticed, is that, with regards to - and regardless of - perceived 'quality'...

The first is that, regardless of the brand name on the tag, if the item was made in Hong Kong, it inevitably seems to be better made (i.e., fabric is good quality, the seams are straight, and any patterns in the fabric are matched together, and the buttons are on firmly). But I don't see Hong Kong on many tags anymore.

The second - and bigger issue in having a garment last, regardless of who made it - is the laundering process. I am very careful about my laundering. (The BF tells me I am the Sheldon Cooper of clothes-washing). I use the BF's front-load washer whenever possible - using a slow spin, and warm or cold water, and a minimum of detergent. Any lingerie, delicate items, or favorites are bagged in mesh lingerie bags I get at Target. And I hang most things on a wooden sweater rack (Wal-mart has these for around $12-13), or I put them to dry in the dryer on a stationary rack.

I used to love Woolite Dark for dark clothing items, because I noticed over the course of several years that none of my black clothes had faded. But detergents with dyes or fragrance makes the BF itch badly, so I use the Kirkland brand detergent from Costco, and it seems to get stains out easily, and I haven't noticed any real issues with fading.

I don't dry anything in the dryer on a higher temperature setting than medium.

Torontogirl, i update my "Personal" classics all the time. For example, I just gave away a few tight cashmere sweaters and replaced them with more modern, fuller cut versions in the same colors. I don't buy anything to 'last forever' as I know no matter how high the quality of a particular garment, the cut will ebb out of the silhouette cycle. Even if it does return, it won't be in the same way. I count on replacing my personal classics as a matter of course and budget.

Just to add one thing. I was just talking to my dad about some rag & bone lace up boots I bought on sale this holiday season. Part of the reason I bought them, apart from loving the style and fit, is that they have a welted leather sole that can be replaced when it's time. It's a mark of quality I really appreciate. And it reminded me of the old days of banana republic when the quality was so much better. I had a pair of black leather riding boots from BR from 12 or so years ago with leather soles that I had resoled twice! They were gorgeous well made boots that really lasted; I even passed them onto my sister for her to use when I was done with them. And I still have a wool turtleneck from BR from that same era that has not pilled and is one of my most worn pieces of knitwear, even now! (And Just yesterday, I washed it as I usually do, in the washing machine on gentle cycle.) Although I am sad those days of BR quality are long past, this story does illustrate that true quality can be found in the most unexpected places and not for high prices.