24 Feb Are Cheaper Clothes a Waste of Money?
I love a great cheap chic find but when you break down the cost per wear ratio, is it really a waste of money to buy a cheaper item? Cheaper can (but not always) equal lesser quality and not likely to be in your closet for more than a few seasons. Believe me, I know cheap doesn’t always mean crappy. My Payless shoes that lasted longer than my Manolos are a great example of that.
But let’s look at the boucle jackets above. The Forever 21 blazer (left) is $34.80 and the D&G jacket retails for $595 (ouch!). Forever 21 is great but their clothes aren’t meant to last a lifetime and designer duds can (or so I’m told). So lets say a woman gets a year or two usage out of the F21 piece before the chains start to fall off, it fades, tears, pills, etc. The D&G will be a constant companion in her closet and she won’t have to purchase a new boucle piece for years to come.
So what say you guys. Do you prefer to buy cheaper items that may not last as long or invest in the real deal? Or do you splurge on some items and save on others? And the prices at Forever 21 are steadily increasing, does this mean the quality is getting better also?
Christen
Posted at 08:17h, 24 FebruaryI think it depends on the item. If it’s something very trendy then I’m not going to spend a lot of money on it. Classic pieces, cocktail dresses, a great pair of shoes I may spend a bit more if I know it’s going to last and be timeless. I also look at how its made I have some dress slacks from old navy that have lasted far longer then some major brand pants I got from a dept. store. As far as the prices going up at F21 I’m not really sure if the quality is better some of their “lines” seem better then others in the store.
Nico
Posted at 12:19h, 24 FebruaryI LOOOOVEEEEEE F21. The only thing I don’t really get from there are shoes…although I’ve been rocking a pair of oxford booties from there lately. I like to mix high/low pieces together.
Alex
Posted at 13:02h, 24 FebruaryI agree with Christen. If something’s super trendy and I know it won’t last more than one season, best believe I’m heading to Forever 21. But for a classic item (black patent pump or trench coat) I’m more inclined to spend some serious cash since it’s worth it. And YES, F21 prices have been creeping up.
jessica
Posted at 20:57h, 25 FebruaryDefinitely depends on the item. I love to save just as much as anyone else, but there are some things that you just can’t be cheap about–like those certain basic items every woman should have in her closet. Besides, F21 is just not the same anymore. Years ago, that store was the best-kept secret for cute items at cheap prices, whether for casual weekends or for work… now it seems to be stuff for teens/tweens. And i have lots of their things from way back when that have stood the test of time, quality-wise. Ok, enough of my F21 rant.