I take a lot of heat for showing expensive clothes on this blog, but I do it for aspirational and aesthetic reasons. At no time do I think you should EVER buy anything for which you can’t pay cash.
now go to this blog: http://cupcakecaramel.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-consumerism-can-ruin-your-life.html
Read every word. And thank the source of all blessings that there is someone out there writing these things that we all need to read, remember, and take to heart.
Thank you, Cupcake, for writing this post. I will always remember it, and always be grateful to you for writing it.
I appreciate that you show expensive clothes on your blog not that I will probably ever buy them. It helps me to train my eye for similar clothing that is in my price range.
Thanks also for sharing cupcake's post. Wise words indeed.
I made a request that you show some more affordable clothes, in addition to the gorgeous clothing that you had already been showing. But I sincerely hope that you did not view that as a criticism, which I assume what you meant by "taken a lot of heat." All the wardrobes you have done are beautiful regardless of price. I do appreciate that you took my request to heart, especially the great wardrobe you did for the graduating college student starting with the clothing she may already have.
Cupcakes post was great and a good lesson. I fall somewhere in between the two, and I suspect many people do too. For myself, I have no debt – mortgage, car loan, student loan, or credit card debt. However, I'm concerned about having enough for retirement in 20 years, wished I had started saving more twenty years ago, spend too much money on food and eating out, and probably spend too much on clothes sometimes. With the latter, you've been a help because I've been able to look at what I already have with a fresh eye and think about my future purchases a little more carefully. And Vivienne is right, you are a genius packer, which has been a help since I spend most every weekend away from home.
Dear Anonymous,
I wasn't thinking of you – I feel like you and I have reached some agreement on what I'm doing, and why, and I have tried to take your advice to heart. Intelligent differences of opinion, or different points of view, are an important part of adult life, and I appreciate your candor in stating perspective to me with the intelligence and respect that you demonstrated.
Sadly, I've heard other criticisms that weren't so constructive. And I've given them the attention that they deserve (i.e., they get deleted). I appreciate your follow-up comments, and look forward to hearing from you often.
warmest regards,
Vivienne
I was surprised that you were getting flak for posting expensive clothing. If I don't have $1,000 for a bag, I wouldn't (as in I *couldn't*) buy one. Isn't this just common sense?
I've been using your website as a guide on how to revamp my wardrobe. There are so many wonderful options out there that are approximates to what you're suggesting. I understand from this website that you're saying, "Buy one quality skirt for $____ instead of three cheap ones for $____ a piece." Make sure you love the skirt. Make sure it fits perfectly. Make sure it's flaterring for your shape and skin tone. Make sure you feel like a million bucks in it. Make sure it goes with every blouse/top in your closet so that when you put it on in the morning (maybe even a couple times a week) you think, "Man, I love this skirt" and not "I can't believe I paid this much for this thing."
Merci, cherie, for the link. This is a subject near and dear to my heart – having been a past victim of my own senseless choices.
Chic living choices that include an edited wardrobe of high-end basics that last forever are the bedrock of not being undone financially by an endless love of pretty things. I told my husband that I could easily find a way of spending $100k a year on clothing, accessories, jewelry, etc. I have endless wants. But the European approach to dressing keeps me accountable AND well-dressed at the same time. Imagine that…
A Gm's illustration above about laying out money for one high-quality skirt versus multiple cheapies is a concept that is lost on many of my friends. When someone asks me, "How can you afford to pay $400 for an Armani skirt?!" I usually reply that I can't afford not to. That skirt is worn over, and over, and over, and over…at least once per week; sometimes more. That skirt lasts me 3-5 years. Show me an Old Navy skirt that looks great after five years, and I'll consider a shopping trip there.
Rebecca, I've always heard the saying "I can't afford to buy cheap clothes!", and I think that makes sense. I don't want to invest the time (nor the damage to the landfills of the world!) in constantly re-purchasing low-quality basics. We're very on the same wave-length!
xo,
V
Ha! Ha! Yes, I can afford cheap clothes. Thanks for this post! I am loving your blog and reading through it (as you can tell) from the beginning to learn about style. I love the way you put together looks! However, my clothing budget has been non-existant for the last, I don't know, 6 or 7 years. My husband has finally said that I need to spend money on myself, but we just adopted our first child and are saving for the next adoption, and I have good quality purchases from years ago that are still serving me very well. I appreciate this because while my next few purchases may only be $25 basics at JC Penney; I will look nice, and I will be saving that money for the thing I want most in life– my family. However, I think your advice is beneficial for any price point. I can fill in some gaps now with cheaper things, but I can save for nicer things as they wear out. For me its all about baby steps.