I’m not a scarf person, but. Purse? Yes, and wear it until it dies. I also notice it costs less to live inFL than 'MA, for clothing. MANY years ago, my sons dad bought me navy Burberry wool coat. I wore that a lot, with a leather jacket and fun colored car coats. I cannot get rid of the Burberry. It is a classic. My g/f bought my son a Burberry pea jacket, which he has worn for years. He also has a NS jacket from college years.
The only shoes I’ve bought in recent years is NB sneaks, to replace my 8. Year old NB sneaks. My feet don’t like cheap shoes. I was a regular for one time a year sale at a local shoe store.
OTOH, I just got a manicure, first time since 2007. I often trim and color my own hair. I do not like shopping, so I go with a close g/f. She has sisters and daughters. She is a black belt in shopping.
I have an incredible Loro Piana full length buff colored shearling that my husband gave me for Christmas about ten years ago. It is absolutely exquisite and will never go out of style. I only wear it four or five times a year - it has to be a sunny day! I don’t know exactly how much it cost, but I’m certain that it was more expensive than most full length mink coats.
I got a Loro Piana pumpkin colored scarf as a gift a few years back that in a fit of minimalism, I sold at an upscale resale shop!! It was lovely.
“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?”
People value different things and see differences in different areas. Clothing/shoes would be an area for me where I see/appreciate differences. Food isn’t - I had to smile at the “spice cabinet” thread because my response would be - I use garlic salt and Parmesan cheese, why would I bother with all those different spices, who cares? But we are all different, that’s all. Some people are highly into their clothing, others home furnishings , still others food/gourmet/wine.
Someone mentioned Burberry…one of my daughters sometimes jokes around with a fake British accent. SIt was Christmas a couple of years ago and all my girls were shopping together and went into Burberry to buy me some perfume ( probably the only thing any of us can afford in that store )
Jokester girl was in the midst of one of her faux accent conversations with her siblings saying " maybe daddy will but me one of these for Christmas " pointing to one of their pricey coats…she didn’t realize that the sales clerk overheard her and then she was all over my daughters , thinking they were rich, spoiled British girls ! They had a hard time escaping
Re: “Where I work in Asia, the young secretaries & office assts will blow MONTHS (plural!) of salary on a designer handbag.”
Sad to see this phenomenon. Not sure whether it is because they lack the self-esteem or it is because they do not have critical thinking skills and are “manipulated” by these marketers.
It seems there is a term called bean paste girls. Status - a pretended one!
I don’t know, mcat. I have LOVED clothes as far back as I can remember. Had favorite dresses in kindergarten. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t manipulated into liking certain things (and my mom has no interest in fashion).
I’m not all that interested in fashion trends or clothing in general. I’m far too cheap. I just can’t stand to pay full retail and shopping is something I do out of necessity not pleasure. That’s another reason that I buy a few quality things that can be used forever. My husband on the other hand LOVES clothing and could shop all day. It’s all I can do to keep him in check.
“Marketers can’t really manipulate. They can only tap into needs/desires that already exist.”
Exactly. Brilliant marketers sniff out trends and desires early, before the full-blown epidemic starts, and then lead the pack in offering the “fix.” When people think about marketing, they think of ads, sales pitches, etc. That is not what marketing is all about. Marketing is about predicting what, how much, where, when and at what price will sell.
FYI - both Farfetch and Mytheresa have their last call clearance marked down additional 15 and 20 % respectively. Those might be final sales, so do check the terms and conditions!
I’ve always been interested in clothes, too. I was a tomboy growing up, so it was about jeans and sneakers back then. I like nice colors, fun outfits and quality things. I like to be comfortable, too. It sounds like I spend more on a running bra or pair of shorts than many of you do on a coat. There are huge differences in what people think they need and in what they want. I lived in Dallas for almost 30 years and it is a community extremely focused on fashion, retail and appearance. There are exceptions, of course, but I believe this is an honest assessment. I loved the great shopping and spent more than I needed to on clothes, shoes, purses etc. I’ve been in Tennessee for over 8 years, and I found it to be much less brand-oriented, although since I’ve been here more of the major retailers and brand shops have moved in.
I work and make decent money and I like the way I look in my clothes. I think I spend too much, but I don’t tend to go to the really high end stuff.
@momofwildchild, In my opinion, Dallas has the BEST shopping! You are right, you can overspend there easily. Dallas has more retail per mile than any other major city, including NYC
“It sounds like I spend more on a running bra or pair of shorts than many of you do on a coat.”
Ha - the Lululemon sports bras are worth every penny - they keep everything in place, and they are cute too!
MOWC, you’ll appreciate this purchase I just made from Lululemon (in the black - the pleats on the back are adorable)
It’s waaaay cuter in the store than it is online, trust me. It was an impulse purchase when I was down in the city this weekend and walked by a Lululemon, so shoot me for being one of those who likes nice clothing and buys it :-).
I was taught by my mother to ALWAYS go to the sale first. I have been quite successful. I can wear only tthree brands of shoes…aerosoles (the original), Banana Republic and Chanel. Clothes: basics are St John with Saks, Bloomingdale and J crew. And yes, I love “good” purses.
My family will tell you that we always go to the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas, January 1st, and other majorspring/ holiday sales. Yes, I will purchase a few things full price.
Sales are tiring–I have to REALLY want or need something to venture there. I have purchased sale merchandise online from time to time and found it less tiring, especially if they have free delivery and we can return the items at no charge with no obligation. Searching through racks and racks of clothing tends to be exhausting to me and my family–we don’t have the stamina and really don’t need much more “stuff.”
Not a fan of browsing through racks of sale stuff either. This is how I shop online. I bookmark cute stuff that I like into a separate folder when I see it, and when the time of sales comes, I check the bookmarks from my iPhone while I commute. If something reached my price point, if I still like it, and if my size is still available, I buy it!
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