How Does Everyone Afford All These Designer Items?

[Snow-White]

^I save... am a student.
I buy clothes ONLY on sales. Even if they are not designer items.
Often, they are gifts - my aunt gave me a Chloe bag, another aunt gave me a calvin klein bag, boyfriend gifted my sunglasses, dresses, etc etc
Sometimes I wrangle gifts from my brother

Sadly, there are no consignment stores/ factory outlets where I live. Else I would buy from those too.

 

[Lite_Brite]

personally i think that the debate of how IRresponsible it is to spend money on frivolous things when there are hungry people in this world is abit dated.

dated? more like eternal

 

[Grunged]

^I save... am a student.
I buy clothes ONLY on sales. Even if they are not designer items.
Often, they are gifts - my aunt gave me a Chloe bag, another aunt gave me a calvin klein bag, boyfriend gifted my sunglasses, dresses, etc etc
Sometimes I wrangle gifts from my brother

Sadly, there are no consignment stores/ factory outlets where I live. Else I would buy from those too.

I think that's the best way to do it, i think even if you have money you should be smart with it and the way you use it and not just splurge on crap.

 

[from: sophia]

I afford designer by thrift stores, second hand stores and having lovely friends that get rid of their clothes after a few seasons (I love having such a common shoe size). And if their is something I really want I save up and dont shop at all until I get that item. I have never had a credit card and it really works out fine unless you want things hot off the runway you can find good deals at sales and on ebay as well. Outlet malls are great as well I have found Prada Shoes from S/S 2008 for $80 so it is not that difficult to buy designer at all. It also helps to know people who own shops and boutiques you can get samples and things like that for a major discount.

 

[albany]

I am near broke at any given time thanks to my clothes/shoes/bags problem The only thing that helps is that I buy off eBay and from places like Marshalls and Century 21. Century 21 keeps me happy and broke, lol.

Oh! and thrift stores too!!!

 

[dumbfairy]

I'm not sure why my name was mentioned here, since my previous post was simply a fair question directed to dumbfairy. Given the current economic crisis, I cannot help but wonder why a person would choose to purchase designer clothing using their student loans. Now if that's being judgmental, then so be it - I'm just curious to know the reasons behind dumbfairy's economic decisions.

Late reply,apologies

Honestly,because very little in life worries me. So I don't have much money left over each month to go to the cinema or other activities,but those kind of things hold no interest to me,they never have. I've said it before,buying nice clothes or accessories is my only vice,I'm so clean cut I'm probably borderline on boring. With regards to my studies,my tution is paid on time,and my accomadation also fully paid for the year. I buy my books as early as possible so that I know how much money I'll have left to 'play with' for the semester,so the money I have left over,I feel is mine to do what I wish. Which is buy clothes usually. I also worked for 2 years before starting my studies,so the level of debt I'm in overall is incredibly tiny in the great scheme of things compared to other students. When I graduate in just under 4 years time, I'm not worried about finding a job,yes yes thats naive,but like I say,nothing worries me,life is too short.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I would agree that worrying never helped anyone. For me that doesn't equate to spending every last penny I have, but I realize it can be hard to think about the future in certain ways when you're very young. I have a wise person who advises me in times of difficulty, and the very first words out of his mouth are always, "Don't worry!"

To me, it's very important to do things for both myself and others. Sometimes doing things for others involves money, and sometimes it's effort. I like to be hands-on myself, rather than write a check (though I do that too). I put guilt in the same useless bucket as worry ... I have spent money before that I realized later was not well spent, and hopefully I haven't made the same mistake twice.

Personally I believe we live in a supportive & abundant universe, and it can be awfully hard to help people who refuse to believe that ... who instead believe that the world is a crummy place where bad things keep happening to them. Yes, it is true ... but it doesn't have to be. If you can find a way to give people a "hand up, rather than a handout" ... it is definitely the best thing all the way around.

 

[lmelanie]

with everything going on now I am not buying anything..I am switching to saving for holidays...

 

[eternitygoddess]

I too, am constantly surprised by how much tfs-ers spend. Every time I go into the shoe store, I see pictures of users posting their new Louboutins or Manolos.

Some have around 10-20 pairs...

That's like...in the 10,000-20,000 range for shoes...

And then the bag thread. All this discussion about buying Chanel bags or LV bags.

O_O

 

[hautechild]

Well, I don't spend huge amounts, but what I try to do is rather than buying 10 things every month from the high street I'll buy one really nice piece a month instead. And big purchases I'll save for (I have a savings account especially for this! (And yes, I do have regular savings too) No debts for me!).

I'm building a smaller, but hopefully less trendy and more time-resistant, wardrobe of things that I'll love and keep for longer.

 

[sofialuv]

personally i think that the debate of how IRresponsible it is to spend money on frivolous things when there are hungry people in this world is abit dated.

usually, no matter how much money you have, spending a ridiculous amount of money on clothes will alaways remain irresponsible... but darn, sometimes it can be so wonderfully therapeutic

Buying for therapy doesn´t require expensive items, because if one buys and can´t afford it will soon need some real therapy!

 

[kiwanja]

There's a spectrum to fashion expense. If you spend hundreds of thousands to millions a year, and you're not a celebrity--maybe you should be thinking a little more about the big picture in the world. Maybe. It's still your prerogative.

But a few thousand, even up to tens of thousands? I have spent thousands--in my mind that is all right. My parents have worked very hard to put us where we are, and once you're at a good economic spot why should you still dress and eat as if you were as poor as before? And in order for my parents to agree to buy me things I sacrifice many things in return--I rarely go out, I must maintain very high grades, I have to follow a lot of my parents' advice. Which I'm happy to do, because they're wise people.

And the tens of thousand is my way of being open-minded. I personally would not do it, but you have to respect that everyone has different conceptions of money. We all think differently about those extra 0s.

I have a lot of wealthy friends--girls much richer than me--and I used to get jealous a lot at their Chanel J12 watches and Vertu phones and private helicopters and designer gowns. But now I don't sweat it at all. Because fashion is something on the side for me: the most important thing is to be smart and have a great career. The main goal is to be accomplished and respected, and being fashionable along the way is just a great, great plus.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ And remember ... helicopters just aren't all that safe

Dion was supposed to be on the flight (I believe it was chartered) that Buddy Holly and others didn't survive. He didn't take it because the cost of his ticket was the exact amount his family had paid for rent when he was a kid, and in the end he just couldn't do it.

You couldn't ask for a better example of how having a conscience about money can literally be a lifesaver ...

 

[Lovin_It]

I earn a good salary and I have a 'fairly' famous friend (can't name) who hands me down some stuff )))

 

[daryl870]

i guess many young adults work their *** off just to buy designer items. i admit i was one of them. however i stopped buying so often as i came to realise we should save our money for rainy days.

 

[Guessgirl96]

A good chunk of my wardrobe is from ebay. If you know how to spot the fakes, you can get some great deals.

 

[Deleted member 106803]

^ And remember ... helicopters just aren't all that safe

Dion was supposed to be on the flight (I believe it was chartered) that Buddy Holly and others didn't survive. He didn't take it because the cost of his ticket was the exact amount his family had paid for rent when he was a kid, and in the end he just couldn't do it.

You couldn't ask for a better example of how having a conscience about money can literally be a lifesaver ...

Amazing.

 

[haksare]

My parents are my main source of income Not really too worried about the economy, since my parents have stable jobs in health care; and so for that I am very grateful.
I usually buy designer, more sturdy and long lasting pieces like pea coats, jackets, gowns, day dresses and save a little on accessories which can easily be replaces like necklaces, earrings, hats, etc etc.
I do tend to have Impulse Buying Syndrome, as I usually call it, and I find it hard to save; but I'm kind of learned that saving is always better for the future and adding more to my collection of 107 pairs of shoes can always wait til later

 

[yael]

A good chunk of my wardrobe is from ebay. If you know how to spot the fakes, you can get some great deals.

I totally agree. Another way to get designer duds on a dime is to go to secondhand stores. They are everywhere and for those who buy "IT" items every season they usually get rid of them within a year or two. I like to pick up a great handbag or jacket at a second hand store. If I really liked it the first time around, I know I will wear it even though the moment has passed.

 

[kbella]

A good chunk of my wardrobe is from ebay. If you know how to spot the fakes, you can get some great deals.

any tips for spotting fakes?