Most of my closet is low -midrange level . I do go for a lot of fast fashion and try to choose better quality when availiable. I thrift quite a bit( third generation thrift shopper) and have scored some exceptional deals at times($1 leather jacket). Also working in a retail environment I get a (30-60%)discount on my purchases (original price usually $20-$150).
I'm learning to put more $$ towards the serious support stuff -Bras,shoes,and boots as finding my size in this area is difficult (40h bra,10ww-11w shoes,xxl calf&ankles). Coats are a good investment depending on climate (I grew up in the SeaTac area and relocated to Alabama when Dad got stationed here-Massive climate shift/dominant season! Must fight the urge to nab quality sweaters/blazers/coats at thriftstores .

Hm, I always thought of fast fashion as trendy stuff you wouldn't plan on wearing more than a season or two, so in that sense I feel like I own very little fast fashion because I like to keep my things as long as I can if I love them (I still love and wear most of the stuff I bought two years ago when I joined YLF). And in my previous wardrobe I kept things way past the freshness date because I had a poor filter for datedness. But if you are going by your price definition, then I do own a lot of fast fashion. Maybe 40% if I had to guess? And 50% mid-range and 10% high-end. My designer/expensive purchases have been pretty much all boots/shoes, purses and coats: Frye boots x2, Aquatalia and La Canadienne boots, Chie Mihara heels x2, Dooney & Bourke purse, Ms. Scarlet, Kate Spade trenches x2, Lafayette 148 leather jacket x2. I have two Kate Spade dresses that were around $200 and a few Kate Spade purses that were less than $200 on sale. Otherwise, most of my (admittedly huge) wardrobe was less than $200 per item. I don't really pay attention to price in determining closet longevity as much as I do happiness factor. Some of my most favorite bracelets are from Forever 21 and cost less than $10. Congrats on the weight loss and I would look at all places for your new wardrobe...I shop a lot at H&M, TJ Maxx, etc. If you are still losing weight, save your high end dollars for things like shoes and purses for now until your weight settles.

Interesting conversation!

My wardrobe is mostly low - mid range and I will admit that what I thought of as high end really fits into your mid-range in terms of $$ but that is just my skew perceptions

My weight has been a huge factor in all of this too - I am always hoping to be smaller by next season.

I am trying to move to a more mid-range wardrobe as I learn more about fashion and define my style and accept my body but there are some things where I just don't see the point in paying top money. I guess it depends on the item.

This ratio decreased with my age eh eh
We learn a lot and I used to be a good fast fashion good client but those items last no more than a season (the quality is poor also, they don't survive the washing machine) and I've learned that I prefer good basics:
A Karen Millen black pencil skirt
a Tahari black dress
a Burberry camel coat
I can always add statement fashion acessories like bold jewelery and a fast fashion top or two.

I rarely -actually- spend over $100 on a fashion item, but the retail prices are usually over $100, so I guess I have a fast fashion budget and a high end style? :p But I usually get all my anthro on second cut or third cut; or I buy used!

I have maybe 10 to 20% of my closet is truly regular price < $50 stuff. Maybe a few tops? T-shirts? Scarves?

My >$100 pieces that I actually paid that much for include my Theory shirt dress, my black leather jacket, my brown leather boots and that's it!

Whew, so glad I read this thread. Sometimes when I'm reading the posts here I feel like I'm the only one shopping at Target and Marshals. I'd love to shop for most of my clothes at high-end stores but at this stage in my life I have more important priorities (2 kids in college, a house that has been under construction for 10 years, etc). Plus, my lifestyle right now is 99% casual. Dress to impress? That would be my husband, kids, grocery store and Home Depot people. Oh, and the UPS guy, lol.

Hmm... If you count actually-paid costs, I own nothing high-end. However, I have a few really good quality pieces (in general, that I bought used). Right now I'm working toward getting pickier about fit and fabrication with everything (no matter what I paid or think it's worth). I'm developing my eye for what fits me and for what I like. So I'm not to the point of making major investments yet. And even when I am, I think I'll prefer to buy most things used.

Great conversation! It's fun to read!

If the definition of high-end fashion is $200+, then I might have one item - but then I bought it as a "second," so I paid much less. I used to buy a lot of fast fashion, but since joining YLF I have been concentrating on fit, fabrication, and styles that compliment my body type. I find that most of my purchases have now gravitated into the mid-range stores and price points, but I do still shop at stores like Target and Old Navy. And like most DIYers, I will often see expensive items and say, "I could make that!" Also like most DIYers, I never get around to actually making it!

I think you should keep in mind that even if your weight stays the same, if you continue to work out your body composition will change, which will effect your size and shape. So I agree with the many others, now may not be the best time to start "investing" in clothes. That doesn't mean you have to stick to entirely fast-fashion though, as many mid-level brands can be resold in good shape. Shopping consignment could also be a good way to pick up those things you want to wear to the office, since you want to look professional but that isn't the everyday for you. If you'd really like to invest in premium denim but don't want to pay $200 a pair for jeans that might not fit as you change, many ladies here find out what styles and fits and sizes suit them and then buy when they find a deal at places like the Rack or Ebay. It seems like you already know that quality shoes are a good value for you.

Most of my wardrobe is fairly inexpensive. I live a casual lifestyle and am working hard to establish myself in my career (and my budget tends to reflect that I am not yet truly established). I wear a lot of GAP, LOFT, middle of the road stuff bought at the Rack/Ross/Marshalls/Outlets and then some really inexpensive things. Still, I'm a stickler for nice fabrics and good fit, and will tailor if necessary.

The majority of my closet is mid range, mostly because these stores carry petite sizes (J Crew, Ann Taylor, Nordstrom Halogen, Banana Republic). I have 3 DVF wrap dresses, a Burburry trench coat, and a couple of designer brand blazers. That probably accounts for less than 5% of my wardrobe. For the most part, I don't buy high end items because they don't fit me - I'd have to have major alterations done on top of the premium prices. I do have things altered, but within reason. If I can find something I love that fits perfectly off the rack, why get a designer version of the item and get it altered? The jeans that fit me best are Levi's Curve ID - I'm not opposed to buying designer jeans, but they don't fit my small waist, muscular thighs. I have very few low end items - most of the stores that I consider "low end" either don't appeal to me - mostly due to the fabrics - or they don't carry petite sizes. Basically, I'm looking at fit and fabric and do I love it over price and most of the things that fit my criteria fall into the mid price range.

Interesting question. I haven't read anybody else's response yet, but here's what springs to my mind:

I'm not sure I agree with your definitions of higher-end and fast fashion. For example, my Brooks Brothers shirts, for which I paid quite a bit less than $200, are very nice quality and not at all what I'd call fast fashion. They have classic styling, good quality fabric, great construction, and I bought them with the intention of wearing them for a long time. You certainly can spend more than $200 on a good shirt, but still. You don't need to. But on the other hand, for something like a blazer, you're certainly going to spend more than $200 for higher-end.

Anyway, let's forget about the dollar threshold for high-end for a sec. I think we can all agree that a $7 pair of pants from the Gap counts as fast fashion. Do I have anything like that in my closet? No. I expect my jeans to last. I've got lots -- they're important wardrobe staple for me. I don't consider any of my jeans fast fashion.

I think, if we're looking at jeans, shoes, and coats and jackets, ALL my items qualify as higher-end (but not super-high end, designer wear). It always pays to spend more there (except maybe for jeans; you can probably get good ones for less than $100). With tops, it's more like 25% higher-end, 75% mid-range. I have nothing "cheap" at all, mainly because I'm too old to get away with cheap construction and flimsy fabrics, and also because I'm a careful, selective shopper. But I haven't had to replace an entire wardrobe all at once, like you do! To answer your question -- how to build an entirely new wardrobe by winter -- I would recommend spending more on nice footwear and outerwear/jackets/blazers, and buying good-enough stuff for the rest, which can then slowly be replaced as you see fit.

I'm a girl who knows quality, but would be jepoardizing my financial future and my kids' college fund if I purchased it often. I have noticed however, that durability is not directly linked to price or brand, particularly in knitwear. And some of my most durable pieces have been fast fashion pieces.

Since I'm a lapsed sewist, raised among great seamstresses, I'm trying to renew my attention to fibers and fabrications and construction. I've been able to make better "predictions" about which garments are likely to last longer. Using this criteria, I find that difference between quality is most notable in footwear, bags, coats and tailored pieces like jackets. Lining a pant, for example, improves it's drape and allows the fabric to hold it's shape. However, I often want to change the styling before the garment wears out. A high quality wool coat, though, could be in my closet for ever.

I'm feeling the clothes and looking at the seams before I check the label. I'm trying to upgrade footwear, bags and coats. Price still matters, though, particularly on trendy or casual summer items!

Oh --- and I wear Target and T.J. Maxx all the time, but I try to avoid buying more just because it's cheap. I also make each item fit my style goals!

I don't really quantify terribly much in this way, because so much of my closet is from thrift shops and I tend to go for super-classic or intensely quirky -- I don't do much in the way of trends, as a rule.

I have some things I've bought at retail that would fall into the lower end (F21, Wet Seal, Hot Topic, GoJane), and much in the range of mall quality (from Express to Banana Republic, with a little J. Crew/ DKNY-level stuff), and a wee bit of custom work from small unknown houses. When I am going to splurge on something expensive to me, I usually buy from an independant designer on etsy or similar. Probably 20/80/10, with about 85% across categories coming from thrifting.