STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Kitty · Hermes

Do you find..

FashionPrincess · Hermes

Yup. Although I also appreciate good quality more, where as a few years ago it was more about what was trendy and cheap.

Kitty · Hermes

FashionPrincess wrote:

Yup. Although I also appreciate good quality more, where as a few years ago it was more about what was trendy and cheap.

Yeah, I think that's the case with me, as well.

halleybird · Hermes

me too -- I am also keeping stuff longer, though.

Collette · Chanel

OMG yes, I never would have dreamed of paying more than $50 on a pair of shoes, and that was alot. Now I'm Louboutin obsessed. I blame the media, oh and video games. Not sure why just cause it's fun to blame video games.

NCshopper · Hermes

Same thing here. I've found that although my taste gets more expensive, I generally buy less now than I used to and so now I try to hang on to things longer.

boobaby · Kate Spade

I would rather go without than buy a cheap handbag, but that has been a very gradual trend. I went from thrift store finds to spending what I thought was an astronomical $80 for a leather bag from the gap to now, where the stiff leathers at the gap do nothing for me. I need buttery softness.

I'm still a bargain shopper, though. My most recent handbag purchase was originally around $600 and I got it for $175. As far as clothing and shoes, I buy higher quality but I try and wait for sales if I can stand to. If it's something that I know will haunt me if I miss out, I go ahead and splurge.

Mitz · BCBG

Absolutely! However, I also try to find a good bargain. I get such satisfaction when I buy something at a fab price...it's like a mini triumph smile

-- Edited by Mitz at 22:36, 2007-12-10

jessjoy · Kenneth Cole

NCshopper wrote:

Same thing here. I've found that although my taste gets more expensive, I generally buy less now than I used to and so now I try to hang on to things longer.

that is my feeling exactly, i would so much rather have something that is unique and special that maybe costs a little more, than something that looks like what everyone else has...plus i also love to do more basic clothes then do really fun shoes with the outfit to make it extra special!

sfclinevandy · Coach

I must be in the minority... but no. When I was in college I was such a snot. I think it had to do with where I went to school but I was much more concerned with pricey, fashionable brands. I would have never shopped at "cheap" places but now I'm always picking up cute things at Forever 21 or Target or even Payless. Don't get me wrong though, I still have my champagne tastes... I'm just not ashamed to buy bargain.

-- Edited by sfclinevandy at 23:49, 2007-12-10

littlebean · Kate Spade

Yes. Our society has gotten re-obsessed by luxury brands lately. But I also think that I get used to a certain price point ($50 shirt) and then I splurge ($70 shirt), then I get used to that price point after a while and splurge, and so on. I hate to think what this might lead to! I absolutely love getting a great deal on something and I still love my cheapie finds (in fact, I think I love Target more than ever)... However, I find myself getting worse and worse -- sometimes I feel like unless it's from Target or by a nice designer, I don't want it. I need to stop that.

cahabo · Kate Spade

My taste is way more expensive than I can afford! But, for what I can buy, just slightly.

Cortney1982 · Chanel

Only because I'm older and have a job to pay for my own things. Plus, I'm picky and hard to fit, so when I find something I really like, I buy it.

Suasoria · Chanel

Collette wrote:

I blame the media, oh and video games. Not sure why just cause it's fun to blame video games.

LOL.
But I've become less into clothes and more into my house over the last 7 years, so my spending has shifted a lot. I have enough nice clothes that are 5-10+ years old, luckily. Now when I augment my wardrobe, it's piddly little amounts, department store clearances, thrifting, web sites with two thousand percent off coupons, etc.

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

Yes. I definitely feel like my tastes are getting more expensive. Also, labels have become more important to me even though I never have and I still don't wear any logo clothing or carry logo bags. I look for quality first when I can, but sometimes I feel like I'm attracted to expensive things just for the fact that they are expensive. I don't like that.

wetbandit42 · Marc Jacobs

Yes, I totally do this too. I think my tastes have gotten more expensive since I went away to college (I had a really snotty roommate, but she had super-cute expensive clothes). I have started buying more quality pieces as well, stuff that will last longer.

My friends can't understand why I like expensive bags so much, but I think pricier things *generally* tend to be better quality. I went from $20 purses at TJ Maxx to a Chloe bag (and I've asked for a Chanel for Christmas - fingers crossed!).

Don't get me wrong, I still love shopping at Target, Payless, AE , etc. & looking for bargains, but I generally prefer to have nicer things.

ETA: Oh, and lingerie! Seeng all of Ttara's posts made me want to buy nice stuff. I never would have paid $70 for a bra in high school.

-- Edited by wetbandit42 at 11:33, 2007-12-13

Kelly · Hermes

wetbandit42 wrote:
Oh, and lingerie! Seeng all of Ttara's posts made me want to buy nice stuff. I never would have paid $70 for a bra in high school.

haha, my lingerie collection is actually one of the most valuable things I own. it's a little ridiculous. But I do think it is infinitely worth it with the bras!

erin · Chanel

my taste has gotten a lot more expensive but in some ways it's good. i balk at a $50 sweater at the limited because i know it will pill and look like crap in a year or so, but if i just spend a bit more i can buy a sweater that will last me years.

travelgirl · Kate Spade

Ummm yes! This year alone I bought Louboutin, Gucci, LV, Burberry (mostly bags and shoes)...BUT, I feel like I can spend less on clothes (I buy most of my stuff on super-sale at Banana or Ann Taylor) because my accessories are nice.

Lilykind · Hermes

Yes and no.

I have definitely gotten more high end with my taste over the years, but I appreciate a good deal even more. Part of it was going to college and having roommates who were shopaholics with amazing taste and part is from the influence of moving to LA from the boonies.

I still rarely buy items at full-price, but the pieces I'm buying on sale tend to be high quality classics that will take me years to wear into the ground. However, I know it could be much worse. It makes very little sense for my to invest in most HE shoes like Louboutins because my lifestyle is so casual.

That said, some things have remained constant. For example, I still shop at J. Crew and H&M like I did in HS/College. I have also developed a taste for cheaper places like American Apparel and Threadless tess as of late because they suit my current lifestyle.