Embrace the death of cheap chic

[nqth]

The article obviously addresses ppl who can afford to buy a Armani jkt, maybe even after 1 or 2 month of saving, but still. If you can't save that much money, it's not really a choice. You go to Zara instead.

I wore my Zara coat for several years and nothing happened to it. I have a HM cardi for quite a while now and it still looks great. But I like my CdGH+ coat bc it has a great cut and exceptional fabric. I think I will wear it even when it will have holes:-)) I think I buy designer items bc they have certain "character", not just bc they look pretty.

Anyway, I think the point is to lower the speed:-) (of living and buying) Sb has noticed that the 80/20 rule also apply to the clothes.

80% of the time you wear 20% of your clothes.

Can you live without the remaining 80%? Maybe yes, if they are just pretty, and dam cheap clothes:-)

Ta-ta, I am not really sure about fashion ppl look different between themself. Look at the FW "street wear" and you could see most ppl take the same look. Maybe the acc are different, but it's not fashion, right:-P

As for buying second hand. It's really a problem here when secondhands have really bad selection. And it's very different for men to buy second hands. Maybe bc men will wear their trousers until they tear apart:-))

 

[Glittery_Bug]

^ I simply do not buy the argument that anyone doesn't have time to be ethical. I'm a pretty busy girl myself and I make the time because it's important to me.

I see a lot of people who don't have much money shopping second-hand, and I think they have the right idea. That was one of my strategies when I didn't have much money.

I definitely am not on the 'cutting/bleeding edge of fashion', as you put it, and never would consider myself to be. I don't aspire to that, either. My point was that it simply isn't feasible for everyone to shop in high end boutiques or at second hand shops. My nearest vintage shop is in the next city, which is an hour's drive away - I'm not going to make the effort to go there everytime I need to buy something, especially when the high street is so close at hand. Even if I did, the stock is pretty limited and it is getting more and more expensive as vintage becomes more popular. I could shop at charity shops, but I went to six of them on Saturday, and not one of them had anything I would want to buy. I live in a poor city, and it's not the sort of place you find decent garments second hand very often. In fact, most items of clothing were either clothing donated by very old people, e.g. beige slacks, Hush Puppies etc, or things from the high street itself, e.g. Primark, Adidas tracksuits and so on. Being on a limited income myself (I am a student), I don't know what other option there is, unless I travel 45 miles every time I need to go shopping. I can't afford to go that far with petrol costs (petrol is a lot more expensive in the UK than the USA), nor on the train, especially to purchase an overpriced garment that may not even be in stock.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I think you always have a choice. There's eBay & online shopping ... there's saving up and going shopping (perhaps at a distance) 2-4 times a year ... there's always a choice.

I've said before & I'll say again ... I definitely think you can find quality at a moderate price--i.e., quality separates and shoes for <$100. If you shop those same places on sale, you're getting very close to the "cheap" price range. As others have said, designer doesn't necessarily equal quality. You, as the person choosing what to buy, have an enormously important role. That's why online grocery shopping is dead ... If someone else chooses, you get the worst bunch of celery. If you choose, you get the best or one of the best--all for the same price. It's the same with shopping for clothes ...

 

[fashionista-ta]

Ta-ta, I am not really sure about fashion ppl look different between themself. Look at the FW "street wear" and you could see most ppl take the same look. Maybe the acc are different, but it's not fashion, right:-P

I agree, there is a "fashion look" ... one I don't happen to have I'm just saying, if you must catch trends on the ascendant, and then dump them when they become hot, then this may not work for you. I think if you wear the fashion editor uniform, it does work. If you're devoted to CdG or Rick Owens, or anything else avant garde that's timeless in its own way, it works. If, like me, it's not important to you where in its arc a trend is, as long as you love the trend-influenced item you bought, it works.

I hear you on the second hand thing. I happen to live in an area with lots of people who are flinging money around, so there's plenty to be had second hand around here. Where you are, people undoubtedly still remember (and will for decades to come) when things were harder, and act accordingly--no bad thing. I wish more people here remembered when things were different. We have a very short memory in this country, which is good, except when it's bad

 

[grayeyes043]

not everyone can afford designer pieces, though

So, true.
I know I can't afford top designer clothing and I don't like the idea of going into debt just so I can look good.
But, I won't buy clothes just b/c it's cheap...what's the point to buy something that you know will be crap later on down the line.
I'm totally going to give you karma...

 

[PerfectPerfect]

I totally agree about the steady decline of the quality of clothes. Shoot, even places like forever 21 keep getting worse and worse. But there is nothing to guarantee you that your high priced clothes will not get ruined quickly too - unless you guard yourself from all situations that could possibly ruin your clothes (that includes sitting and eating).

They are raising prices because as inflation ensues, they need to raise their prices because people are in fact buying less, and they have to keep their profits the same. Does Giorgio Armani really need my help? no. I mostly shop second hand. And that is fine with me. I know what I can and cant afford. But sometimes I see myself thinking "hey thats not so expensive" when I truly know it is. I know that I am being brainwashed into wanting something I dont want to pay for.

How can she blame packing too much for a vacation the end of cheap chic? She overpacked, maybe she needs to reevaluate how shes doing that. Because shes at one end of the spectrum. She can afford to not shop cheap, but chooses to. So she overindulges. Whereas most people have to shop cheap out of necessity. The only way to end cheap chic is to close all malls.

 

[seanutbutter]

I don't suppose my Kate Moss-inspired Topshop tank-tops will feature in the stories I tell my grandchildren, but that Hermès handbag just might.

And why is that? If you truly love a piece, does it really matter what the tag reads?

This is just another article written by someone who believes everyone has the money to blow on designer pieces. Even if you're only purchasing one jacket here, a dress there, the money adds up. Most designer items go for over $400, depending on the actual piece, and many people just don't have that kind of money.

I buy from "cheaper" stores because that's all I can honestly afford. True, I could go out and buy a pair of Prada heels for $300 and be left with $0, but the more reasonable option is going to Payless or Target, purchasing a pair of shoes I love for $20, and being left with $280.

I'm thinking the author of this article doesn't realize this, but most people have a family to care for. We can't all afford designer clothing, period. That $500 would be better off being put towards food and other necessities for the things that really matter: The people we love. At the end of the day, it's not about the number of designer duds you own, it's about if you put your money in the right place.

 

[bismarck]

If I won't buy for 60 dollars, then I shouldn't buy it for ten.

I agree Bella_Lass334; that's a great quote and I think I'll even use it next time I go shopping.

I'm a student, and I earn a little above minimum wage at my summer job. I do get most of my clothes from the mall but most of my clothes have lasted me for years since I'm picky, stick to basics, and take care of my clothes. Any character or uniqueness in my wardrobe comes from splurges (for me this is $100 or more), clothes and accessories handed down to me, and gifts. I'm generally satisfied with my wardrobe, and also save lots of time since I don't go shopping at Forever 21 every weekend. I've gotten in the habit of just dropping cash if I see something I want since I don't want a whole lot, and since I just started shopping online, this has gotten me in trouble a bit, since I really can't afford right now to waste $50.

 

[modelbehavior228]

Cheap Chic has gone really overboard and I LOATHE it.

Maybe this is just the end of fashion, when fashion isn't worth much $$ anymore.

exactly

 

[toddiot]

If I won't buy for 60 dollars, then I shouldn't buy it for ten.

If I went by that logic, I don't think I'd ever buy anything. Depends on what the article of clothing is, though. Know what I mean? Your quote is kind of vague. There's no way I'd buy a $60 shirt, but a $60 pair of jeans is more than reasonable.

I hope someone understands what I'm struggling to say.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ The point of the quote is that something being on sale doesn't suddenly make it useful, when it wasn't useful at full price ... the $$ figures are just examples

 

[toddiot]

^ The point of the quote is that something being on sale doesn't suddenly make it useful, when it wasn't useful at full price ... the $$ figures are just examples

Oh... haha, I guess that makes sense. So basically if you wouldn't buy something at full price, you shouldn't when it's on sale. It's actually a really good quote now that I understand it

Thanks for the clarification!

 

[pavement]

So she overindulges. Whereas most people have to shop cheap out of necessity.

Exactly what I was thinking. It's not so much about spending all that's in your wallet as it is about carefully choosing what you buy. If you find a top that suits your needs, then stop. You don't need to keep going until all your money is gone.

Quality over quantity has always made more sense to me, but the problem is I can never catch up. While I'm saving up for an expensive coat, my pants fall apart or I need a dress. I don't ever have enough money to hurry up and replace them, so I buy a cheap version and then have to start over with saving up for that expensive thing I wanted.

I'm aware that stores like F21 are really crappy, but I still scour around for something that seems of decent quality. I don't think it's impossible to find something great for less. But ideally I like to shop the middleground. I don't want to spend a whole lot on something that's going to get dirty or I just fall out of love with. And if I really love it, as a previous poster stated, I'll wear it when it has holes in it.

In the end it's about carefully choosing your wardrobe. You don't have to go out and buy more just because you have some money left. See how far you can go on that $20 shirt or whatever. Treat it like a little puppy. You should love it to death before taking it home or you're not doing any good.

 

[lalablossoms]

i find myself constantly learning about how to get the most for my money fashion wise, i'm not "dirt poor" but not quite "comfortable" either and my taste is settling into my own personal classic style though i do like to keep with a few trends, but i am tired of constantly replacing, but on a budget it is hard even to establish that nice wardrobe of staples

i buy most of my handbags vintage from ebay because they are unique and the same quality as the designer ones and better quality than the cheap ones that are just knocking off vintage designs

tees and tanks from american apparel or banana republic because these are pretty good quality and i wouldnt spend any more or less on them

i always find fantastic skirts at second hand shops, maybe because i like my skirts to look really classic and i'm sure i'm always scoring what a secretary cast off for charity, trade, or consignment

coats i usually either make a mid price investment in or buy vintage, although i have found a few at teeny bopper stores

blouses and dresses are tricky, i think i will start sewing more nice blouses and dresses, good quality vintage ones are hard to find cheap in natural materials and i like really good tailoring

cheap sweaters i will never buy again, i think i will try to invest more in them not designer but maybe j crew or something

pants i almost can never find anywhere that are what i'm looking for so these i may start sewing too or have made by a design student or seamstress

not into jewelry so much anymore but i do get stuff like faux pearls and clear bangles from cheap trendy stores

lingerie i buy vintage and new from ebay since i like betty page like styles that are hard to find or expensive elsewhere

i was lucky to work at a designer shoe boutique and get tons for free now i am spoiled, but i do notice a difference in handmade shoes and will start trying to invest more in quality footwear because comfort and long wear are vital

 

[misstarshine]

I think there is a very big difference between cheap and good quality. I bought a dress 2 years ago for $20. It was made from nice cotton and still looks great. I've got friends that only buy designer labels and their stuff doesn't always last. This is because at the end of the day when your buying clothes no matter the price its the cut and quality of the fabric which will determine whether its good quality.

 

[misssakura]

I have a confession to make...before I left for New Zealand 2 years ago, I went to Primark and stocked up on clothes.

I'm still wearing them. I have been every day for the past 2 years.

However the difference when I compare it to my more expensive clothes is noticeable.

Edit: By the way for those who don't know...Primark is a British chain store. I lived in Reading where the second store was. Anyway, as far as I know there aren't any clothes over £15. Most t-shirts are £5 or under.

 

[toddiot]

Primark makes me really sad, as does Wal-Mart.

Those 5-pound tees come at a price that goes beyond money.

 

[misssakura]

It's true...I haven't bought any clothes since I bought those ones because the ethical cost is too high and I can't bear it on my conscience anymore.

 

[gomtik]

I never buy something just because it's cheap. That being said, I do have a pretty strict budget that I must stick to. Money is not unlimited.
The whole cheap and chic debate, I think, is pretty silly. There is a demand for disposable clothes because trends change so frequently. And since nobody can afford to buy designer but still wants to be fashionable: in steps H&M, Zara, Mango... As long as fashion changes at the speed of sound, these places will have a large following. Regardless of whether the items fall apart in 5 minutes.
To me quality is of utmost importance, that is why I purchase good quality fabrics and sew myself. This way, my items come out pretty cheap and I am left to splurge on the few items that I just cannot make. Like shoes!!

 

[Kawari]

Thank you! As much as I too am a believer of quality over quantity, the fact of the matter is, my life does not work that way. Other things I have are going to fall apart-I have to replace them with other things, not always related with the fashion world.

So I end up shopping at places that might never be found in an upscale store. For me, it's a matter of deciding what I can spend more money on. Am I going to love this item forever? Will I only wear it once? I've bought dresses from places like Target because I know I'll only wear it once, but I've also spent more money on other things because I can use them over and over again. It's a matter of budgeting with what you want vs. what you need at any given time period.

It sometimes seems as if we're forced to chose one side or the other, when in fact many people can fall into that middle ground. A lot of us can't afford the more expensive items and maybe never will-life happens and we have to make changes and adjust. Do we need to chose sides?

Great thread and wonderful posts all around!