STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

gingembre1 · Kate Spade

How do you all afford great clothes?

Lilykind · Hermes

I'm an assistant to a commercial talent agent. Basically I deal with kids who want to be child stars. But assisstant pay blows and I'll be the first to admit I have a wee bit of CC debt on my hands.

I buy almost everything I own on sale, or at places like Marshalls/TJ Maxx/Loehmanns. Since I live in Los Angeles, I also have access to sample sales and the like.

rocky · Coach

I think there is a thread in general interest polls on what our jobs are. But I work in technology. The pay is pretty decent for a college grad I guess. I still hunt for bargains all the time though in outlets, ebay, and general sales. I can only justify paying retail for something if I truly love it and I think about it for more than 2 weeks.

Cortney1982 · Chanel

I don't have money to buy whatever I want, thats why you won't see me posting outfits on the threads here. All my stuff isn't fancy. I've only ever bought one Coach bag. The finer things in my closet is only Gap, Banana Republic, J Crew, Tommy, and Ralph. I also wouldn't be surprised if the ones here who gloat all about what they wear and have, actually have terrible credit card debt! I won't be going down that road ever!

shopgirl82 · Chanel

Cortney1982 wrote:

I don't have money to buy whatever I want, thats why you won't see me posting outfits on the threads here. All my stuff isn't fancy. I've only ever bought one Coach bag. The finer things in my closet is only Gap, Banana Republic, J Crew, Tommy, and Ralph. I also wouldn't be surprised if the ones here who gloat all about what they wear and have, actually have terrible credit card debt! I won't be going down that road ever!

i have expensive clothes and i have zero credit card debt, and put away 20% of my paycheck. i doubt that i'm the minority on here. based on previous posts, a lot of these members seem to be very financially stable. also, i don't see memebers gloating, i see them sharing and posting tips, etc...things that might be beneficial to other memebers.

i am a R.N. and if i want something that costs a lot, i will just cut spending in other places. i don't post in the weekend shopping every weekend cuz i don't shop every weekend. but when i do, it's usually more expensive. also, instead of buying three or four tops that are $20, i'll buy one that i really like. places like ebay, and other discount stores, sites are great resources. also, these girls are always posting coupon codes that you just can't refuse! since i am newly graduated from college, i kept my retail job so i work 1-2 days a week there just for the discount. it's worked out nice for me, and is less stressful than picking up shifts at the hospital.

hang in there gingembre1, you'll figure out what works for you. also, one great thing about this forum is that a lot of girls incorporate a ton of less expensive items with more expensive items. so you don't always have to spend a ton to get a great look.

hotcocoa · Kate Spade

i don't think it's so much what you do for a living or how much money you have/make, but how you choose to spend your money. anyway, it seems that the more one makes, the more one spends...

i never spend money i do not have and i have $0 in credit card debt

i really, truly do not own an excess of clothes (well in my own opinion anyway). i buy only things i truly love and if that means not spending for a few months to afford a really great bag or pair of shoes that's what i do. i also have been known to sell an item out of my closet on ebay so that i can buy something else "in exchange"

a few of my over-the-top expensive items have been purchased with an unexpected bonus checks or have been gifts. (i am usually quite responsible with my money otherwise!)

i love getting something for a great price, but i will pay full price for something if i know in my heart that it will not be left in my size when/if it goes on sale. also... for every "expensive" thing, there are two "cheap" things in my closet, but most of my things are middle of the road

i'd rather have one fabulous item than 10 less than fabulous items. i also know that the one fabulous item will get a ton of wear and the 10 less than fabulous items would end up at the bottom of a drawer and soon forgotten about

side note: i've never seen any "gloating" by this group of fabulous girls and i'd feel embarrassed if anyone thought i was "gloating" by posting a particular item. i post because it is truly fun to share ideas and get inspiration from others. cortney1982 - i'm sure you didn't mean it, but your comment came off a little sassy and i felt like a target for some reason!

-- Edited by hotcocoa at 19:59, 2005-06-07

-- Edited by hotcocoa at 08:03, 2005-06-08

Cortney1982 · Chanel

Okay, okay, maybe "gloating" is a little harsh! I am new to the board, and thought it was a little strange to take pictures of your outfit everyday, and take the time to post it including the brand and sometimes the price. I will let everybody know I always speak my mind! I never say anything just to be nice or make people like me. If you hear something from me, you know it's the truth! I'm one mean biotch!

<-----should that be my signature?

lynnie · Chanel

I dont think its hard to own nice things and not go in debt. I save for clothes the same way I save in general. My friends might think I am in huge debt because they are constantly amazed by some of the things I buy (they aren't much into fashion), but I am the only one with absolutely no debt and a huge amount of savings! I just don't drop $100 a night at the bar or carelessly rack up parking tickets. It is all in how you split up your earnings. I also hunt for deals, scour ebay, and only buy things I truly love. I would never drop $1000 on impulse- I don't have a Hilton sized bank account and I realize that. It's easy to build a nice wardrobe if you do it slowly and pick your favorite things or classic pieces.

HeatherLynn · Gucci

How I am able to afford clothes is I am single and an Industrial Engineer. Since I do not have children or a husband and make decent money I able to buy what I want, within reason. With that said I do save my money, go out, and do normal 22 year old things. I also know things will change drastically once I have children (if that day ever comes ).

I also want to add that I have been part of the forum with some of these girls since I was 16 way back in the Lucky forum days. These girls are absolutely the nicest and best that I have ever encountered through fashion!! I look forward to seeing everyone's purchases as well as what the wore!!!

Escrime · Kate Spade

I work hard. I am self-employed, and you don't get overtime!

I like to shop sales, and I have curbed a lot of impulse buys on things I know I won't wear, but I also indulge myself. I work my ass off, why not?

We have no debt (besides our house), and we save quite a bit.

We also have no children, and that makes a big difference for us.

oliviacw · BCBG

I'm currently a grad student, so I don't buy a lot of new stuff that's not on sale or in a Ross or Marshalls or whatever. If you shop carefully, you can get a lot of nice things that way, though you'll never have the top name brands (or "anthro" anything).

berryahou35 · Dooney & Bourke

There's probably less than 5 things in my closet that were bought at the original price. Everything I have I either received as a gift or hand-me-down, or they were on sale. Every February and August I go to Dillards to check out their 75% off sale and again at the end of the month for the additional 50%. Sidewalk sales at a local upscale shopping center was fabulous with things over 90% off!! (Ex. $356 dress marked down to $5!!) Oh yeah, my favorite store is Target! Even there I buy things on sale. I get lots at random places including the cheap teen stores (gauchos for $7!) and Taiwanese market place. Then again, it's true that I probably have alot of clothes I don't wear often...

ejc423 · Coach

I probably will never be able to afford all the styles I want. I don't know many people who can. But in the past couple of years (since I graduated college), I have backed off from getting super cheap bargains on stuff that was just ok to getting much nicer stuff (but fewer items) either on sale or full price. My income hasn't changed--I'm in grad school now, but the way I choose to spend my money has changed. I don't have many clothes at all, but I do love all the clothes I have and wear each piece often and lovingly .

The great thing about the threadstyle section is seeing what all of the brilliant stylethread fashionistas do with clothing at all different price points. The point is not to show off flashy brands, but to share your "hobby" with others who have the same interest. I think we like having the brands posted so we know where to shop if we like someone's look on a certain day.

People have different jobs and different budgets and I hope everyone feels free to share their bargain buys and luxury treats! I know I do--that's what I love about stylethread!

kenzie · Chanel

Right now, I'm not working (except designing and selling jewelry, but that's not a full-time gig). I was working in retail (which surprisingly, paid me really well). Since I'm single, have minimal debt (the only debt I have is from college and I've paid way down on that in the past few years) and my rent is dirt cheap b/c I live with the bf, I have extra $$ to spend on clothes. I also make sure that I save more than I spend (I have five different savings/investment accounts).

That said, I still don't run out and shop, shop, shop. I have to really love something and be sure that it will work in my wardrobe. Over the past few years, I have streamlined my wardrobe so that most of the items can be worn in multiple ways (it makes me feel like I have more clothes). I rarely wear the exact same combo twice. Also, I used to feel that I needed a pair of shoes in every color of the rainbow, but I've realized that it isn't necessary for my wardrobe; I really only need gold, silver, aqua, pink, and brown (of course I have a few others but those are the colors I wear the most).

In my opinion, it isn't about wearing a bunch of designer gear, it's about how you mix everything together that makes a look work and finding a signature style and sticking with it. That makes everything look better and more pricey.

I love all the ladies on this forum and looking at their outfits in the threadstyle section. I will start posting as soon as I get a digital camera (hopefully, for my birthday). I've never felt that anyone was gloating or bragging. This is the nicest bunch of ladies. I've been hanging around since the Lucky forum and then FashionHag and now Stylethread. It's great to have this community of ladies, who are not only knowledgeable about fashion, but so many other things!!

Whew! That was long. Sorry about that.

Drew · Gucci

Cortney1982 wrote:

Okay, okay, maybe "gloating" is a little harsh! I am new to the board, and thought it was a little strange to take pictures of your outfit everyday, and take the time to post it including the brand and sometimes the price. I will let everybody know I always speak my mind! I never say anything just to be nice or make people like me. If you hear something from me, you know it's the truth! I'm one mean biotch! <-----should that be my signature?

Please don't be mean here. The girls are here because we love fashion and clothes so much. I mean so much that we had to go outside of our circle of friends and family to seek out others with our obsession. We get excited about clothes. Really excited. So excited that we just can't keep it to ourselves; we post our purchases and outfits to share our joy. We love fashion and clothes that much (hard for most of the people in our non-internet lives to understand). That's how we all found each other and how we understand why others post purchases and outfits. Oh, and we do gloat - but only on some purchase that was made at an outrageous discount! Fun stuff, that's all.

It's good you speak your mind, but I hope that you realize that what you have to say will be much better received if you say it in a respectful way.

RyanJ · Coach

I still live @ home and my parents pay for everything.

Another reason why I am never moving out.

Drew · Gucci

I can afford great clothes because I own my own business and make enough to spend well and save well.

There was a time (not so long ago - many girls from Lucky may well remember) when I thought A&F was the greatest thing. I never even considered anything with a price tag over $100 because why consider something I can't afford? I liked to look at designer stuff in the mags, but had the whole mind set that that kind of stuff wasn't reality (at least not mine).

As our business grew and we built a good customer base, our cash began to really flow too. We are still ultra conservative considering what we earn, so even though in theory I could buy just about anything I want when I want, I still put myself on shopping bans. I realize that it really is kind of foolish to spend thousands of dollars on clothes (especially considering the needs in the world and my own/kids that I haven't yet future needs) so I try to keep reality in perspective.

I have a good time with shopping, but keep it in check (most of the time). I never shop so that I would end up in debt, and never shop so that I can't save.

Also, you can look at shopping like a hobby. Some people think certain things are important and spend money on them - like electronics or going out to eat or traveling. Our group happens to spend our free cash on clothes. Of course there are the wealthy who have such a fortune and legacy they can spend like royalty -and more power to them- but that's not the norm!

gingembre1 · Kate Spade

Thank you to everyone who has responded so far...I think that perhaps it sounded like I thought everyone was buying all of their clothes full price, and nothing but designer labels. But I know that anyone who loves clothes enough to be on these forums would also be great bargain hunters. I say congratulations to us all for being smart shoppers who appreciate quality and beauty. I think we make the world a more beautiful place. :o)

Meow · Coach

My husband and I have been married 11 years, and when we first got married I did not have a full time job or any hope of one. I had always wanted to teach in a junior/community college and in the small town I live in (pop 6000) there are two community colleges within 45 minutes of me. Anyway, when we got married I was teaching on an adjuct basis at the college I am now full time at and was making basically no money. He had a good stable job so as you can imagine I did not shop. Well, only by God's grace did I get a full time job in 1996. I still did not shop because we were saving to build a house and then there was the issue of getting tenured. Well, in 1999 we built our house, I got tenured, and then I got interested in smocking children's clothing for a hobby. That was expensive so I still didn't shop. Finally about three years ago I got tired of the smocking (although I still do it occasionally) and gave into my desire to shop. We have no credit card debt, thank God, and our only payments are our house and vehicles. However, I do put myself on a budget because I have to. I have managed to build up my wardrobe over the past couple of years so that I have alot of the basics. Now I am getting to the point where I am going to only buy what I LOVE. We allot me a certain amount of money each month which I can spend like I want to. Now we do have a clothing allowance in our budget for necessities like stuff he needs and stuff I need, but for that extra clothing that I just want and that goes beyond our clothing budget, I spend my allowance on. He also has the same amount allowance each month to spend like he wants which usually goes to cd's and computer stuff. Now this allowance is not alot (under $100). I will save it some months to go on a shopping spree. He also gives me Christmas money as a gift to spend on clothing and every now and then when we are on vacation, he and I allow ourselves a certain amount of spending money from that which I usually spend on clothes, shoes, or a hanbags if we happen to go to a mall.

Basically, if I don't have the money, I don't spend it. It really makes me think about how badly I really want something. What I have started using lately as my gauge is "will it haunt me?" if I don't buy it. I do have to sacrifice some items for others, but I think that is good because it makes you appreciate it more. Now, I wish that I could buy anything I wanted whenever I wanted, but I am afraid if I had that luxury, I would probably be in debt because in theory there would be no limits, but, in reality, there always is one.

I try to buy stuff onsale, unless I know it will haunt me if it sells out. And I don't buy high end name brands like Marc Jacobs, BCBG, etc. I am not saying that I never will because MJ makes really cute shoes and shoes are my obsession, but it will have to be a situation where it would haunt me if i didn't have them. I usually shop at ON, AT, BR, Gap, and recently I am looking at anthro clothing and I bought my second item from there. The first one was a top that didn't fit so we will see how this skirt I ordered works.

We also don't have children which allows me to do more that I would with them.

-- Edited by Meow at 17:22, 2005-06-09

halleybird · Hermes

I don't own a lot of nice things -- I live in suburbia and have a teacher's salary, so mall brands are about all I have, but I post anyway. I actually like that this forum isn't snobby about brands. Most of the posts in thread style are from people who live on a budget, like me, or do a great job of mixing high-end items with budget and vintage stuff.