Why am I always drawn to the most expensive choice?

catgirl

Perusing Angie's plaid post, I immediately loved the grey and black plaid shirt in the first pic. Well, lo and behold, it's $1,730! !!!

This happens to me all the time, and I don't think it's because I have impeccable taste, since I don't assume the costliest item is automatically the best.

Maybe my superpower is being drawn to the unaffordable?

11 years ago

Shopping

27 replies

Latest reply was from Deborah

Anonymous

Ha, Una, I was going to post the same thing

11 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, you and me both. When they have those "splurge or steal" features in magazines, even if I don't look at which is which, I always like the splurge versions better. :-/

11 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I'm the worst at this. When looking for a new cardigan I found a pretty nice one, but didn't buy it because it was far too expensive for a cardigan - something I proclaimed east and west: "Who pays xxx for a CARDIGAN??" Well, as it happens, my new long cardigan was even far more expensive than that one. Duh. But it was far better than all the rest in all respects, too.

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ha! I have this super power, too. Crazy.

11 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

Sometimes a higher price tag comes with innovative design and fabrics.

11 years ago

abc

Veteran

Cursed with the same superpower here.

11 years ago

Anonymous

For me, the higher priced items are much better designed. The differences are subtle, but very obvious to my eye.

11 years ago

deb

Veteran

I can walk into a store and the first thing I like is always the most expensive thing. Never fails.

11 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

For me it's the prints that really get me. I can kind of hand-wave or not get caught up in the differences of design for basics in pretty standard cuts (I tend to be flexible about fabrics and 'crossing fingers' have fairly non-picky feet, and if I don't pay much for something, am not super worried about longevity). But really interesting prints in sophisticated colors are hard for me to find at budget prices.

11 years ago

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Oh yeah, sign me up too....

11 years ago

Tessitura

Active Member

In my experience, the eye has a "magical" ability to detect feats of engineering and near-perfect geometry. With these expensive, exclusive designer pieces, I can only imagine how much engineering goes into them. When I first had a chance to try on a St. John suit, I was flabbergasted at how the lines of the pockets and such transformed my figure into something ten times better than normal. It's kind of like detecting the difference between counterfeit money and real money... once you've handled the real thing enough, the difference becomes obvious.

11 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I am like this too. When I go to the store, I might take 10 items into the dressing room, 9 of which are in my typical price range, and 1 that I take in "just for fun," because it's too expensive for me to consider. Well, guess which item is the ONLY one that fits and the ONLY one that looks good on me? The most expensive one, of course!

11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

So fascinating! I am not applying any sort of analysis or scrutiny when this happens - just clicking on the item that jumps out at me right away. It served me well in thrift stores, where I could quickly pick out the good stuff, but in retail it's not so budget-friendly!

And Gigi, that happens to me too. I think Tessitura is right that the expensive items do tend not to have flaws like an off seam or poor stitching, so that everything falls just so.

11 years ago

crutcher

Veteran

Being magnitized to seek the most expensive in the pile must be a YLF trait as all of the ladies who responded have it...I call it my millionaires gene...I certainly was given more than my share of this one...smile

11 years ago

K. Period.

Veteran

I think it is only magnified with pictures (versus items IRL). More expensive items have more expensive staging to make their photos look phenomenal. I think your eye picks up on that. I also agree that the quality of workmanship can sometimes show in little details. And (for me at least) I tend to forget the times that I pick the moderate/inexpensive item out of the line up and just remember picking the pricey ones!

11 years ago

Louise

Veteran

Me too! We need to win the lottery x

11 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Yup, same here--cursed/blessed with the same response.

K.Period.: bingo! I was thinking the same thing. The more expensive items are more artfully (and expensively, no doubt) presented.

11 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

Ahem, No comment!

11 years ago

Lyn D.

Veteran

I think our eyes have been well-trained, and it is a good thing, so long as we can seek-out the best quality within our own budget

11 years ago

gryffin

Veteran

Una - I think I posted something similiar. I bought two helmut lang jackets this year. I never really "understood" all the hoopla about tailoring until I tried them on. The neckline is so cleverly constructed that I look like I have a swan neck and it hits me perfectly - totally plumb. I am taller, more slender, more elegant and infinitely cooler!! I never spent that kind of money on blazers before but I have to say it was totally worth it. Tessitura said it so well! Counterfeit vs original.....wow!!

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11 years ago

Member

There is nothing better than having something that really fits perfectly. i always find that if something doesn't fit right, i can feel it pulling in all the wrong places... just makes you feel self conscious. So perhaps we are best not seeing a nicer garment as more expensive clothing, but also a boost in confidence (and reduction in self consciousness), that way it seems like better value!

http://www.elizascottclothing.co.uk/ladieswear/

11 years ago

Kat

Active Member

Heh, I hear you and I'm sometimes the same way. OTOH, I'm sometimes surprised when it's hit or miss. A few weeks ago, I ordered a pair of Oscar de la Renta obscenely expensive pants on deep discount at Nordstroms, figuring they must be ridiculously high quality to have been so expensive. Turns out, not so much -- the quality was not bad but very disappointing for the original price. And dear god, what I thought was a chic houndstooth print from the online photo -- my husband is still giggling at what he called used-car salesman pants. But sometimes high end really does make a difference in craftsmanship -- I'm increasingly feeling that way about shoes.

11 years ago

Dixie

Active Member

I wouldn't pay that much for a piece of clothing. That's way, way, too much. I think that would be actually repelling to me! haha. But I do like nice cuts and I understand that good design almost always means more $$$. So, in a more affordable range, let's say, Anthropology VS. H&M, the Anthropology clothing is going to fit me better. I have a tricky body so I understand this and don't get stress out if a tinny shirt with built up bra at H&M doesn't look good. The cheaper the clothes, the less good tailor/fitting is going to have (for me). Sometimes the more expensive clothes are just so worth it.

11 years ago

deb

Veteran

I find that if something is extremely discounted the quality is not there in the expensive items. The best stuff flies off the shelves or racks.

11 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

I'm sorry...is this a trick question?

11 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I think it just shows that sometimes designer clothing really is worth the price. Or worth a higher price anyway. I also have this power (which is why I love thrifting). Once in a while a lower priced garment is exceptionally well made, well designed whatever, but I will always look twice at certain designers because there really is a difference.

11 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

You clearly have a discerning eye.

11 years ago

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