“I think of fine clothes like furniture: a one-time expense that pays for itself over time. That said, I’m not one to redecorate often, and would limit such purchases both in furniture and wardrobe.”
That’s how I feel too - that’s how we furnished our house. We’ve never really “redone” any rooms except for one – we bought furniture we thought would be classic and long-lasting. Other people like to redo their homes, or at least add accessories – for me, clothing would be a higher priority than home furnishings (but obviously to each her own).
To my family, J Crew is already the high end. I do not think we have ever bought one from a store like that. (The highest end of store we bought our clothes is JC Penny. Is it still a high end store - do not laugh at this as I really have no clue. I have never shopped any of my clothes.)
Is there really some jacket or coat that is sold as uni-sex, i.e., they can be worn by either female or male? I heard of this from DS. A close relative of his GF bought something for her, and she lent it to DS to wear because its size turns out to be too large for her and I heard it is “uni-sex”. I do not know what brand it is (I have never seen it and I just heard about it; it could be bought in another country? But it seems unlikely because the relative was likely in NYC for his shopping shortly before he gave that coat to her. Not sure.) I also do not know there is really something called uni-sex or something for both genders. It is strange to me.
Well, the OP asked “why not” start a thread like this and so have I. You haven’t answered that question other than saying basically not to make a big deal about it. However, you are the one that said something unwelcoming.
conmama- I answered your irritating comments by saying “It’s just that if you said to yourself “Gee- I wonder what other women spend on clothes”- College Confidential, if you have never been here before, would not necessarily be where you would find to start a thread.” What more do you want? Normally when a poster is new to CC, it is because they have a student in the college process or are facing a financial or disciplinary issue and a search has led them to this forum. It is unusual to wind up in the Café as a new poster since the Café is secondary to the main purpose of the forum. Hence my comments. Do I have to spell it out more clearly for you? Is it 5:00 somewhere, perhaps?
My clothing ranges from simple t shirts and mostly jeans, to some nice classic sweaters.
After reading through this thread, I calculated what clothing I have bought in the last year. Not that much really. I did indulge in something that was for me, very expensive. And although I felt guilty about it, I do not regret it one bit . I am sure that I will wear it for at least a decade.
It was a Canada Goose parka. Hands down, the best coat I have ever worn.
I bought myself a couple of pretty blouses from Sundance clearance and a pair of Clark’s desert boots. Always wear Birkenstocks in the warm months and get two years out of a pair. I would rather have few nice things than lots of disposable pieces
Lje62, I saw a Canada goose parka at TJ Maxx earlier this year and knew nothing about them. Wondering how you like it? Is it very heavy? How warm?
I had a warm parka from lands end years ago. It was really heavy and too warm except in Sub zero weather. Now I have a north face transit coat which I like but have worn to death.
I would say how I spend money on clothes is how Abasket does. I like clothes and I like shopping but don’t spend a ton. If I find something I really like I’ll spend more but am pretty moderate even then.
What’s a coat? :)>- Oh…I remember.
Living in So Cal, I buy a coat maybe once every 6-8 years. And generally because I have a trip planned. So I have to buy a quality classic style that will last. My coat of the decade is a Loro Piana cashmere that I bought 7 years ago at a Nordie’s sale. $300 marked down from $1800. I go the same way with bags. I buy them to last. My current bag is a YSL that I knicked off of the REALREAL for only $450(list price $1500), ( it’s been going strong for four years). Good leather only seems to get better with care and use. The rest of the time , since I own my business, it’s almost always classic black jeans with quality wash and wear shirt waist or good quality T’s. With the California drought, non of the gear gets wet and I suppose it allows me keep the stuff a long long time.
deb922, it is a heavy coat…not too bulky but certainly not like some of the lightweight down and other technology winter wear I have researched. I would be suspicious of one found at a TJmax mostly because my research tells me that there are a lot of counterfeits out there.
I have worn it in really cold weather and I feel NO cold at all…mine is the Trillium and I got a slight discount from the authorized dealer I got it from…I heard that Nordstom’s sometimes has sales when they have leftover inventory , but it seems like they are generally hard to get
some clothes could be unisex, it would depend on your body type and how you like them to fit.
Boyfriend jeans are popular supposedly , and I have worn my Hs Patagonia fleece ( as has my daughter).
But even though we both wear 501’s. The women’s fit me better.
I know some people who wear men’s shoes, and although I did just buy a pair of Fila running shoes from Costco that are a men’s size, generally they are too long.
But mens coats generally will not fit women because their shoulders are bigger, however a womans coat may fit a man who is smaller. I have bought all of us, “children” size Patagonia down vests, as they are plenty big, and about $40 cheaper than adult. Plus they give you a name tag!
it has been a very mild winter here so far.I have no idea where I would get any use out of a Canada Goose Parka, outside of Calgary. My uniqlo coat and a fleece pullover, do me just fine, even in Eastern Wa. Temps barely went below 30.
Ive actually been wearing my Dansko sandals barefoot. Excited for my Birkenstocks to come on Friday, I guess I will have to hunt down matching socks.
Checking back in and glad to see the discussion goes on. This is certainly a fun forum, and I appreciate the invite to join in. Unfortunately, I have crazy work hours (just got home recently), but my excuse is that I do need to make money to pay for all this fancy clothing and I stick to it I am using my office laptop now, and several business emails just popped in as I am typing, but I’ll try my best to ignore it!
I really love the idea of pairing higher quality shoes, purses or accessories with less expensive basic outfits. I also love mixing up dressy and casual clothes. If done correctly, several classy pieces can completely transform the entire look, and I often use the same philosophy for house decorating. A beautiful chandelier, rug or window panels can completely transform most boring rooms with very basic and inexpensive furniture. Accessories do matter! I am not very good at putting together nice looking outfits (as they say you can’t buy taste or style). But I always admired women who can pull this off - I consider it another form of art.
BTW, I did use this college forum ages ago when my youngest was applying, and even made some infrequent posts. But it’s been so long, I cannot even retrieve my login information. But I always thought about this cafe as a unique forum for the like-minded people of relatively similar age group, interests and demographic. And then I suddenly remembered that while going through my closet on a slow snow day
Where I work in Asia, the young secretaries & office assts will blow MONTHS (plural!) of salary on a designer handbag. When someone is traveling to the States, these young women will give that person their savings to buy and bring back the handbag.
I’ve been to Japan once, and I’ve never seen so many beautiful young women with very unique dressing style. That’s exactly what I meant by the art of dressing. Evidently, it’s not easy (or inexpensive)
“My coat of the decade is a Loro Piana cashmere that I bought 7 years ago at a Nordie’s sale. $300 marked down from $1800.”
Musica! I guess I have the same coat… bought in 2008. It is too big for me now, unfortunately. Loro Piana fabric is heavenly.
GMT, eons ago I wrote a marketing paper on designer bags. I am not a bag person (buy one and wear it until it shreds), but the devotion of some young Asian customers and the brilliancy of Chanel marketing tactics were eye opening. Check the purse forum - there are some serious shoe- and bagaholics there. Yup, lots of young ladies from Asia frequent that forum. Boutiques in Honolulu hire Japanese-speaking staff to better serve the tourists who look for coveted Reissues etc.
"I don’t spend much money on clothes even though I have the means. It’s mainly because I just hate to go shopping and I haven’t had good luck with online shopping for clothes. And I hate returning stuff also.
Laziness is also a factor"
Exactly.
Can’t imagine spending $500 on a scarf or handbag that the OP’s friends seem to. First, I’ve never carried a purse. Plus, how much better an a $500 scarf look than a $10-$15 one? And who really cares?
I am using my office laptop now, and several business emails just popped in as I am typing, but I’ll try my best to ignore it!