STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

pinkkitty · BCBG

Splurge vs. save

sydney · Kate Spade

Your categories are right on! I agree with the way you do it - except in the past year, I've started to go spendy on underwear and now i love it - I'd rather have a little less quantity and better quality on the sexy weekend stuff! wink

Kelly · Hermes

Splurge:

Lingerie (especially bras, I will never ever ever scrimp on a bra)
Tops/dresses that fit me well (my boobs make things difficult, so if it fits and I like it, I'm willing to spend a lot. That being said, I think my idea of "splurging" is a lower price tag than most women)
Concealer (I still haven't found one I like, so I keep spending more and more trying to find the perfect one)

Save:

Handbags (I barely ever carry one, and when I do it just sits somewhere mainly out of sight, so I don't see the point)
Jeans (I would be willing to keep spending a lot on them, but after a while I started noticing that when my boyfriend complimented how my jeans looked on me, I was in f21 jeans 99% of the time and never in my most expensive jeans. So I guess f21 is a good fit for me)
Shoes (I know I should spend more so my feet don't get jacked from years of wearing Payless and Target, but I can't ever seem to justify expensive shoes for some reason)
Skincare & cosmetics (other than conceler)
Skirts (I just get them from junior's departments and spend like $20 a piece. I've tried on more expensive skirts but I've never been impressed enough to spend the extra cash)

cahabo · Kate Spade

Hmmm, I plan on trying a few new spending habits when clothes shopping this fall and winter so this is what I think I will be doing:

Splurge:

*Shoes - I normally splurge on shoes, and still plan on doing so.

*Bags - I have always splurged on school bags, but now I plan on splurging on an everyday bag too.

*Outerwear - This is something I have always splurged on.

Save:

*Tops - Never really have spent too much, and don't plan on it either since I like a variety to choose from.

*Bottoms- Jeans and other pants are really kind of in the middle range for me. Not too much, but not super cheapies either.

*Pajamas- I'm going super cheap after finding my new favorite pajama pants and tee at Walmart recently! (Definitely staying away from their cartoon character stuff though! bleh

)

*Underwear- Never has been something I like to spend too much on. Not like everybody is going to see it!

*Jewelry/ Accessories - I never wear, so I don't bother spending very much.

Suasoria · Chanel

Splurge is such a relative term. Any amount of money I shudder to spend feels like a splurge, or any time I spend more than I expected to.

I feel our real splurges are food/restaurants/wine, home decor, and gifts. When it comes to clothes I'm mostly a saver across the board. (It helps that I've been collecting clothes for more than 20 years.) I guess I'll splurge on:

Cocktail/occasion dresses (because it's an occasion!)
Specialty undergarments and hoisery for said occasion
Good loungewear/PJs
Swimwear

But none of these I buy regularly. (My last splurge on a bikini was probably seven years ago, and at the beginning of every summer I put it on and say, "yep, this will work.")

I've become such a thrift store junkie lately that splurging on anything apparel-wise doesn't satisfy me on any level.

Cortney1982 · Chanel

I will save or splurge in any category. If I see something I really like, I get it (as long as it's in my budget!) Price tags are the last thing I look at, I don't want them to influence my decision whether I like something or not.

Kitty · Hermes

Splurge:

- Handbags
- Jeans
- Make-up
- Hair products and getting my hair done at good places
- Some jewelery
- Some clothing (if I love something, need an outfit for a special occasion, etc.)

Save:

- Shoes
- Trendy stuff
- Underwear/lingerie
- Gym clothes

lynnie · Chanel

I have most of what I need, so if I needdd something (a coat for example), then I'm willing to splurge for whats right. However, I can't bring myself to spend on going out pieces (will get ruined), summer clothing, tees/tanks, sandals usually..

I'm more likely to spend on jackets/coats, boots/oxfords, jewelry, makeup and housewares like candles, and statement pieces that I can get enough use out of. I don't really buy bags ever- I have a couple that I use a lot and they were mid-range.

wetbandit42 · Marc Jacobs

Splurge:

Handbags! I am addicted to purses, from Botkier to Chanel.
Bras. My favorite are by Chantelle.
Jeans. This could also go in the save category, since I buy both high end (Paige) and low end (Old Navy).
Sweaters
Nice jewelry
Sunglasses
Eyeglasses (I'm going to the eye dr this fall, and plan on getting Chanel frames)

Save:

Tops. I like to have a wide variety, so I buy cheaper ones from Target, Gap, ON, AE, etc.
Shampoo & conditioner
Skincare
Makeup
Shoes (especially heels, though I dream of Loubotins).
Underwear (I love AE undies)
Trendy jewelry, accessories

TheLovelyLady71 · Hermes

GOOD POLL! Maybe I'm Ms. Frugal, but I will SPLURGE on a few things, but I mostly SAVE.

I'll SPLURGE on a GOOD handbag. I haven't found one that I LOVE, but when I do, I'll pay more than $100/$200+ for it. I can NOT see paying $1000+ for a handbag.

I'll SPLURGE on a GREAT, SEXY PAIR of boots! It's too bad I don't get to wear them that often, as Texas really doesn't have winters. :(

I'll SAVE on underwear. Even tho' most of my unmentionables are from Vickie's or Freddie's, they last a LONG time!!

I'll SAVE on make-up, such as lipstick/gloss, eyeliners, and eyeshadow. I use a pretty good foundation, but it's only $8.00, so.... LOL

I MIGHT SPURGE on a god pair of shoes/heels, but they REALLY have to SPEAK to me! LOL

I def SAVE on accessories such as scarves, even tho' I have QUITE a few. I only have TWO, maybe THREE hats, so I will not spend too much money on them. :)

Elle · Hermes

I like to buy splurge items at savers prices, so that's usually my goal

. I inevitably like higher-end items than my budget allows, so I hunt around until I find what I want on sale or with a code.

In general though, I'm willing to spend a little more on:

* Shoes - cheap shoes are almost never comfortable to me.
* Bags - I carry the same bag everyday though, so cost-per-wear stays low.
* Sweaters - nothing acrylic will enter my closet ever ever again.

Save:

* Undies - cotton bikinis do fine by me.
* Ts & tanks - because even the expensive ones rarely last more than 2 years.
* Jeans - The high end brands don't seem to be made for short/curvy girls.
* Workout stuff
* Everything else

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

Elle wrote:

I like to buy splurge items at savers prices, so that's usually my goal . I inevitably like higher-end items than my budget allows, so I hunt around until I find what I want on sale or with a code.

DITTO!

I like to make a game of bargain shopping. I rarely pay full price for anything.

In general, I splurge on skincare/make up/hair stuff. Sweaters, shoes, purses, coats, jewelry and occasion dresses.

My bras cost a lot, but I don't consider them a splurge. I have a hard time finding ones that fit, let alone fit well. $80 is the norm there.

The rest of my clothing is either cheap or something that was formerly expensive and I found for cheap.

tara t · Marc Jacobs

oh how fun!! i'm going to put other random stuff on the list too, just to make me feel better about my spending...

splurge:

jeans - i have about 30 pairs of designer jeans. i love them and wear them all...

bags - i don't have a ton, and i like classic bags, so i spend

jewelery - i like what i like ( with an exception listed below )

wine - ever since i went to napa, stuff at the grocery store doesn't do it for me

travel - i usually go all out. super nice hotel, super nice dinners, etc.

makeup - it's not like i TRY to spend here, it just happens that way.

perfume - most of my perfumes are kinda expensive.

special occasions - my wedding i went all out. monique lhuiller dress, choo shoes (story below) judith leiber bag. but it was my wedding...

sunglasses - i don't break them or lose them, so i can get a good pair or 2 and make them last.

skin care - i get the good stuff

save:

shoes - i have a few pairs of expensive shoes ( choo, louboutin, prada) but when i wear them, i feel like i'm going to hurt them. and i wore a pair of choo's for my wedding had them on for 10 minutes, and the heel broke. i think they are too delicate for everyday wear.

undies - love old navys cotton thongs ( go for hanky panky on a special occasion )

jammies - either buttheads boxers and a tshirt or something from old navy. i do have some sexy stuff, but i like to be comfy while sleeping

mascara - i've tried a million kinds and i love the kind in the pink and green tube. it's 2 or 3 bucks.

eyeliner - same as mascara

shampoo & conditioner - i could wash my hair with laundry detergent and it would still be the same

everyday earrings - i sometimes lose them, so why spend

luggage - gets so beat up on the airlines, why bother. i just took a brand new medium sized suitcase on a trip with me, and it's already ripped to shreds. i wonder what they do back there?

jj · Kate Spade

I love this!

Splurge:

- handbags, because they can make an outfit
- shoes - I just bought my first pair of Cole Haan air pumps, and can never go back to cheap shoes
- bras
- jeans
- jewelry - I think it's why I have so few pieces. I have expensive taste.
- blazers/jackets - a really well made one can make an outfit. If I lived somewhere cold, I would splurge on a coat
- sweaters - I would rather buy 2 cashmere sweaters per season than 4-5 cheap ones

Save:

- pants - I could never spend more than $100 for a pair of basic pants or trousers
- workout clothes - I scour the sale racks at Lucy or go to Target
- skin and hair care - I heart Cetaphil and Burt's Bees!
- tees - I wait for a sale at JCrew

erin · Chanel

like elle, even on my "splurge" items i try to make them good deals!

splurge:
handbags - i don't buy very many (maybe 1-2 per year), so i have to REALLY love them to buy em!
jeans - if i found a HG pair of jeans that fit me well and i didn't have to hem, i'd spend a mint on them.
shoes - if they are really good quality, fit me well, and i can walk in them i am SOLD!
dresses - i do like a good dress!
lingerie - tired of crappy, unsupportive bras, i am hooked on HE lingerie

save:
tops, skirts, etc - i am cheap when it comes to "filler" items.
jewelry - i only wear costume, with exception of my wedding band.
hair/hair products - i get my hair cut every 4-5 months and thin it myself in-between cuts. i DO buy nice hair products (i like alterna, joico, pureology, etc) but i am able to get them at salon rates, so it's pretty cheap for me. (like drugstore cheap!)
makeup - i hardly ever wear makeup so i don't spend too much on this.

clothes_horse · Dooney & Bourke

here's my list...

spend:
-purses, since i carry one everyday and i rarely rotate.
-winter coats. i hate being cold so i spend more to make sure i'm not.
-swimsuits. i used to buy the cheapy target ones but once i tried a more expensive suit, i was hooked. they fit so much better and they last SO much longer.
-jeans, although if i can get a great fitting pair for cheaper, i will.

save:
-tops. forever 21, old navy, target, delias... etc.
-dresses. i usually find them cheap at places like tjmaxx, marshalls or kohls.
-underwear. VS pink undies and VS bras. i do have some more expensive bras, like wacoal and ck but i bought them from discount stores so i saved a bundle.
-beauty supplies. target all the way.
-shoes. i usually get them from a super sale or else marshalls, payless, etc.

i'm a major bargain shopper, though, and i hate paying full price for anything. i do a lot of shopping around before i make a desicion on a bigger ticket item.