STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

bloomie · Marc Jacobs

quality vs quantity

Hedvig · Coach

I definitely value quality over quantity - and I'm trying to develop my wardrobe over time to reflect that even more. I do own stuff that I bought mainly because it was "such a bargain" - and those are usually the things I never wear. So it's worth it to me to invest in better quality pieces that I truly love.

kittenheels · Coach

I tend to like quality. I get really emotionally attached to my clothing and love having pieces that have been with me for a while. Like Hedvig, I have noticed that when I buy something because it's on sale (and not because I've been stalking it waiting for a sale), I sometimes end up with things that I don't really love. My new mantra is that things on sale still mean I'm spending, not saving, so I might as well buy things that aren't on sale and that I adore!

I can't say that I am perfect at sticking to it, but I've noticed that I have fewer unworn items in my closet these days than before!

halleybird · Hermes

I like to have a mix. I can't afford super-high quality, but there are some trendy items I have worn only a few times, and if I had paid "quality" prices for those, it would have been a waste.

I am also a big believer that cost doesn't necessarily equal quality. I have a couple of Nine West shoes that have lasted years and look great, whereas my MJ shoes broke after just a couple of wears.

I agree with the others about sale stuff -- if I wouldn't pay full price for it, I don't buy it on sale. Ever since I started doing this, I have been a lot happier with my stuff. I figure that just because it's a good deal doesn't mean it's *my* good deal.

cahabo · Kate Spade

I tend to get bored of the same clothes, so I rather get less expensive stuff more often. Stuff like jackets and coats I might spend a little more on compared to what I spend on things like shirts. I do however always try to find the best quality for the lowest price. Usually if the better quality item just cost a little more than the other, I'll go for the quality item.

Kelly · Hermes

I think more quantity. Getting three years out of something seems like a good lifespan to me, and by that time I may be aching for an updated style or silhouette. I don't wear all super trendy things, but I still feel that way. I know that once I get a job where I have to dress up more than my jeans and t-shirts, I'll invest in a few really nice pieces, like a black A-line skirt and black pumps. Just because those are things I know I'll wear for the rest of my life. But otherwise, I'd rather buy things that only last a couple years and have a variety, than save up for a sparse collection of really nice pieces.

erin · Chanel

ideally quality, but looking at my wardrobe feels overrun by quantity.

lynnie · Chanel

I think quality is subjective. I have a $10 tank top from Old Navy that is good quality and I can wear it very often. I also have seen expensive pieces with cheap finishes/fabrics that you can find at H & M and the like.

I was flipping through Elle Decor and they had an page on Francisco Costa- and he was quoted with, "editing is what makes life perfect." I agree 100%. I'd rather only have pieces I love and/or use a lot. So that comes down to a mixture of good quality low and high end. It depends on the piece and how much I can wear it. I tend to buy expensive jackets/coats/sweaters, mid-range bags/shoes/jewelry/layering tops (though I could get these dirt cheap- i wear them enough to justify paying $30-$40), and H&M/vintage for pieces I might wear out at night and spill all over or summer dresses I'll sweat all over. Pants are a mixture of J. Crew/Gap and expensive jeans (though I can find cheaper ones i like too).

atlgirl · Gucci

Definitely quality, as the budget permits. I love good-quality shoes and bags (though I don't necessarily think that "name brand" = quality - some name brands are just crap with the designer name on them). But for me, having one - two good bags in a silhouette or color is just fine. I have several slouchy-type bags, in different colors, and a couple of satchel-types (I'd have more of those but am picky about the shape and the colors). I don't change out my bags that often, so I buy them as I buy my clothes - to go with a variety of items in my wardrobe.

The items I buy in quantity are items that I know I will wear a ton and probably have to replace in a year or so - like tanks and tees, for layering. I buy a lot of Target / ON basic tops, or camis from places like Express or The Limited, for example, for this. But for real standout items, like dresses, skirts, sweaters - I will spend more and have fewer items. I like to have a very mix-and-match-able wardrobe, so I won't buy anything that doesn't go with at least two other items I already own. I work pretty much within two color palettes, and I don't buy things that are outside those palettes. And within them, I look for the best items I can find for the money.

I'm not the type of girl who has to wear something different every day. If I love something, I want to wear it a lot, because I feel good and look good in it (which is why I don't buy anything I don't love). And I want it to go with a lot of other items, so I can create different outfits.

I think another key is to buy things that are "you" - so you do have your own signature look. I have a good friend who always looks fabulous. Her closet is full of neutrals and she accents with pops of color (shoes, handbags, scarves). But all those neutrals work so well together that she could probably reach into her closet blindfolded and pull out items that she can wear together. And she doesn't have a lot of clothes. I was at her place recently and we were poking around in her closet, and I said, "where's everything else?" and she said, "that's it"...I am amazed at how she does so much with (relatively) so few items. She's inspired me to edit my own wardrobe even more because she always looks so effortless. And most of her items are not designer. She will spend on the bags - she's a big Ferragamo fan - and shoes - Gucci, and pricey European espadrilles / boots - but mostly, her clothes are not outrageously expensive. They come from her travels, and from boutique stores, but she shops very judiciously and she always, always buys what is "her" style.

I don't necessarily worry about a new silhouette because I tend to buy what works for my body instead of trends...for example, I have a lot of a-line skirts. They never go "out" of style and they always work for my curves. I buy a lot of drapey-type dresses and tops because those suit my curves best. Boxy styles and things that are big / loose on top never work for my body shape. Like this whole obsession with volume that's happening last fall and now - I haven't bought anything that speaks to that trend at all. And that's okay - because I will look silly in it. But my standard wardrobe items, while not being on the forefront of trends, will still look good on me in five years. And that's just the way I like it. :)

athomemeljo · Nine West

atlgirl: I'm curious--what 2 color palettes do you work with?? How do you do this?? Do you make sure your pants and jackets are within the color palettes and add color accents with shoes, belts, and tops?

bloomie · Marc Jacobs

halleybird wrote:

I agree with the others about sale stuff -- if I wouldn't pay full price for it, I don't buy it on sale. Ever since I started doing this, I have been a lot happier with my stuff. I figure that just because it's a good deal doesn't mean it's *my* good deal.

I have been applying that same rule lately and I am so happy when I didn't give in.

atlgirl · Gucci

atlgirl: I'm curious--what 2 color palettes do you work with?? How do you do this?? Do you make sure your pants and jackets are within the color palettes and add color accents with shoes, belts, and tops

I essentially work with black or brown as my base colors. :)

With black, I use emerald green, true red and garnet red, brown, and blues (light blue, and richer, royal-ish blues, teal) as accents. "Accents" could mean shoes, bags, or jewelry. So for example, jeans and a white cami/tank under a black v-neck sweater, with emerald green ballet flats and a brown bag (not chocolate though - a lighter brown. Almost a mustard yellow, but not quite that bright. Mustard yellow, or red shoes, would work as accents with this combo as well. I might put on a green necklace or earrings...or maybe a blue one (I love blue and green together).

Or, blue v-neck sweater (I am a big fan of v-necks) with a lighter blue tank / cami, black skirt, black tights, and brown boots - the brown is hard to describe, but it's darker than tan (but again, not chocolate brown). Adding the brown boots is a nice, unexpected contrast with all the black. Then I might throw on a red necklace. Or carry a red bag.

I actually wear the brown palette more often, because I find it easier to work with than black. Chocolate brown, ivory/cream (I don't look great in pure white, so don't wear it very much), rust/dark orange, olive/sage green, rose pink (I can't wear pastel or light pinks), teal/turquoise. Occasionally plum (usually as an accent). I find olive and chocolate to be fabulous neutrals for me to work with and I usually have a few print tops that include those colors (like an ivory, teal, choc. brown print, for example), so I'm not wearing solids all the time. Brown is so easy - wood bangles, or a smoky quartz / amazonite necklace, for example, will add points of interest and personalize an outfit.

I don't look good in pastels (except for mint green - I can wear almost any shade of green), so I stick to bright or jewel tones. I would work mustard yellow and plum in more, but they're hard to find - often clothing in those colors is "muddy" (for lack of a better word) and I need clear colors. Also I'm trying to add in more charcoal gray, as I find it - it works really well with the brown / red / teal-y palette.

So yeah, I keep to the same color combos, but spread them out over different items. For example, I have a lot of items in sage/olive - a cami, a print top that has sage, rust, ivory, three pairs of pants (one dress, one casual, one cargo), two print skirts that have that green mixed in with other colors, two pairs of shoes, one bag, one dress. And two scarves. Not to mention how much jewelry I have with green in it. These items will go with brown, black, orange/rust, red, pink, plum, mustard, ivory...you get the idea.

I also love bright / different colored shoes - I have 3 pair of red shoes, one silver, one rust/orange, one black with several colors embroidered on it...you get the idea. Those are great accent items. Even with brown shoes (I have a lot of brown shoes), I have several that have great details, like laser cuts or lace overlay or contrast stitching. I like to play with texture and weights (i.e. light, floaty layers with heavier, textured ones), even within the same color family. And I have a LOT of jewelry and use that often as accents to add touches of color.

Hope that helps!

Kitty · Hermes

I have quality stuff AND I have cheapy stuff. I think there's a time and place for both and I agree with the other girls that said quality doesn't necessarily mean more money.

I think cheapy stuff has it's place - sometimes it's nice to buy something that was only $15 and not have to worry about whether or not you ruin it, or don't end up wearing it that often. It also means you can try things out and take a lot more risks than you might not have if you buying something more expensive (with assumed better quality).

TheLovelyLady71 · Hermes

Looking at my wardrobe, I'd def. have to say quantity, as I have SO MUCH! BUT! I am getting better, like most of you have said, just b/c something's on sale, doesn't mean it'll work for me. I'm trying to do more quality now, now that I'm able to. I still buy AFFORDABLE things, but I make them last a long time.

dangergirl · Kate Spade

at the moment, i think i'm a bit fickle and don't always have the best judgement. that combined with a student budget means at the moment i don't buy particularly good quality clothes. when i figure out my style a bit more and when i'm earning, hopefully i'll be able to invest in better quality things that really suit me

luckylily · Gucci

I like quality over quantity generally. However, you mention lower quality as being something that last three years or so. I think three years is a decent life span for a clothing item, I probably get tired of most items after that long anyway.

The only things I'd really want to last longer than three years are a nicer coat, classic shoes and bags, and maybe cashmere sweaters.

jacks435 · Kenneth Cole

A mix. I like to experiment with cheaper pieces, but if I'm going to invest in something, it'll always be a classic item like a coat, a sweater, or boots. I tend to buy the most inexpensive and trendy (therefore, usually lower-quality) pieces in summer.

athomemeljo · Nine West

Thanks, atlgirl. You really gave me some ideas on how to mix and match. I find I do the same old thing--same top with same bottom each time. Now I know how to do it... thanks for the tips.

atlgirl · Gucci

happy to help! :)