How Does Everyone Afford All These Designer Items?

[minstinguett]

Also I got a promotion, so that'll help to

Congratulations! Nice to hear some positive job related news in this horrible recession!

 

[timber]

I buy almost everything on sale racks at stores and on ebay. I also only buy one or two things a month so I can afford spending a little more on a single item. It helps to buy things a few seasons behind and focus more on classic 'forever' items, instead of trends.

A lot of people say they can't afford nice things, but it helps to look at what you're spending your income on. If you're buying your lunch at work five days a week you could be spending $200 a month on that alone...making sacrifices and taking a little time to save money is always worth it.

 

[rosalynn]

I totally agree timber, I'm really frugal with everything in my life but fashion - even with fashion I'm not completely frivolous either. I always buy an economical car, look at the prices of things I buy, make my own lunch etc - it honestly all really helps.

And thanks so much minstinguett

 

[anissa imane]

sale racks sale racks sale racks. if i really want something full price, i either wait and see if it's really meant to be and i still want it later, or i save. a lot. i'm a student so i only have a part time job... it's tough, but i go for quality over quantity!

 

[thehouseofdis]

Sales and a high credit card balance.

 

[zina]

I am a student so I have only bought designer shoes at sales with money I was gathering for a long time..I am really looking forward to making my own money to spend it all at fashion!!

I don't think ebay is an option for me yet because I don't live in the USA and I am afraid of buying something that won't fit me(returns must be difficult if you don't live in the USA)

 

[D A N A]

I have read quite a few threads about how some members of this board buy designer clothes, handbags, accessories etc but how the hell do you afford it? I can only dream of buying any designer stuff! Are you wealthy or just buy it and get broke?!

I'm lucky enough to have a kind father that supports my shopping habbit

 

[MsTulle85]

I'm a fashion buyer so I get most things i love at wholesale price - Very very dangerous!!

 

[MyLeftovers]

a very interesting thread!

 

[etceteraism]

Well, I'm a student-but I live at home so my expenses are only eating out, cell phone, and shopping basically (oh, and travelling). I'm pretty frugal with my money, I don't go out to eat THAT often. I save up and usually for a special occasion or when I'm on vacation and have access to brands I can never find at home I'll treat myself to something I've had my eye on for a long time. But I also don't have the impressive closets I'm sure many people have (part of that has to do with living in Vancouver and not having many shopping options )

 

[shopping247]

great thread!

i'm also a student, but a grad student so i get paid to do research (but not much). i do shop a lot, even from the expensive designers. what helps is that i am willing to let go of things so hot items that are a few years old (but still hot hopefully!), i will try to sell them on ebay just to generate additional income to feed my shopping addiction.

i also try to wait for sales. thus i stalk the item from all different stores and keep tabs on inventory. if i am not dying for the item, i then buy from ebay.

 

[eternitygoddess]

For example, I will always think that more than 200$ on a purse is absurd, because logically I know how much that purse actually cost to make. It's the ridiculous designer markups I hate. It's that point when you know the quality to price ratio just skyrocketed, and you are pretty much paying for the label. I'm not saying designer stuff isn't awesome, and unique etc, but I at least wait for that **** to drop below 50$ before I will even entertain it. At the end of the day, it's just a piece of clothing designed by some person who feels they can now charge millions because they "made it". How about I just make my own version for 1/5th of the price(if only I could sew). Quality/style doesn't have to cost hundreds/thousands.

Agree. I like for my money to be spent on the quality and design of the garment/item, not the label.

I'm not paying $300+ for a shirt when I can go to Goodwill and get a similar shirt for $10 without the label.

 

[FASHIONLOVA]

generous husbands, boyfriends and fathers i guess

 

[Zarina]

^Or just by having a job and giving a higher priority to fashion than travelling, electronics, cars etc.

 

[Desi]

generous husbands, boyfriends and fathers i guess

I don't have any of those three. I must be helpless.

For me I used to buy my designer pieces (two-three) with my debit online or on the rare NYC trip. Now I use my Credit Card. Nothing over two months payment. Need them travel trips rewards.

 

[hautechild]

generous husbands, boyfriends and fathers i guess

Oh please I hope your post was a joke

Some of us buy things by having jobs. Shocking I know.

 

[Karoline0305]

I'm sure there are many women whose gorgeous wardrobes are thanks to a generous husband, father, or boyfriend. There are also many women whose designer things are thanks to their own hard work and saving up. Both are neither here nor there, I think.

 

[FASHIONLOVA]

I'm sure there are many women whose gorgeous wardrobes are thanks to a generous husband, father, or boyfriend. There are also many women whose designer things are thanks to their own hard work and saving up. Both are neither here nor there, I think.

exactly

 

[kunk75]

I am married with 3 kids so I limit myself to 3 or 4 expensive purchases a year which probably costs no more than buying a ton of fast fashion every year.

 

[porkchopgirl]

I'm a benefactor-less person, and here are some ways that I do try to do it:

1. Get a job that pays you well enough, or try to make more money through freelancing, extra jobs, selling stuff, etc. I am actually working a freelance gig at night so I can pay for a really overpriced bag. I like to compartmentalize my funds and can't bring myself to make this purchase with my salary money. Which leads to me to...

2. Plan and prioritize your purchase. For example, I calculated that I would have to freelance for about 6 weeks to be able to afford said bag. Also, maybe get a mint.com account and set aside a clothing budget. It can be hard to get what you want if you don't have a master plan.

3. Cut down on other kinds of spending. Like others have said, it's all about priorities. There's no way I could afford clothes if I was also spending money to go out to restaurants all the time and buy the latest electronics.

4. Try not to shop so much. Since September I've been really busy after work and pretty much forgot about shopping. The money I've saved by not making little impulse buys can really add up, and I now have more money in my budget for better purchases.