STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

ILoveChoo · Hermes

how much is too much?

kenzie · Chanel

I think it varies from item to item. For example, I'll spend more on pants than I would on most tops, unless the top is very special. My magic number for pants is usually $200. For tops, usually $100-150. For shoes, it's $200.

Edited for clarification:

I just wanted to add that the prices I listed above are not the average prices that I spend. That's just my cap off point. I like to get stuff for as cheap as possible but if I find something that I really, really like, I will consider splurging on it up to those price points. On average, though, I like to keep things under $100 (like someone else said about that 3-digit mark).

-- Edited by NylaBelle at 15:25, 2005-08-26

dot · Marc Jacobs

I'm with Nyla. It varies from item to item.. and even further what kind of item, where it comes from, and what kind of place it would have in my wardrobe... etc.

NCshopper · Hermes

I agree that it depends on the item.

Pants: $200
Jeans: $150 (max!!!)
Shoes and boots: $250
Tops: $100-150
Bags: $400-500

Prices above those are not out of the question, but the item would have to a) be REALLY well made b) go with several things in my closet c) timeless in style and d) totally original.

ETA: I should also mention that I think less is more in the closet. I don't buy trendy items, so the pieces I have for the most part are pieces that tend to get a lot of rotation and stay in my closet for years, which is how I justify the $$$.

-- Edited by NCshopper at 15:30, 2005-08-26

bex · Chanel

it varies by the item for me too:

pants: $200

tops: $100-150 (although I did once spend $200 on a top!)

shoes: $300

bags: $500

Grace · Dooney & Bourke

$50 would be a lot for me.

Elle · Hermes

Grace wrote:

$50 would be a lot for me.

Me, too!

laken1 · Hermes

I was thinking i'm not sure of the exact number, but $50 is more in my comfort level. The most i've even spent on shoes was $250ish (that was in my "old life" when I made lots of $$) - and I never spend a lot on a purse because I get bored with them very quickly - maybe $50-70ish is the most ever. I feel extreme guilt for paying more than $40 or $50 for one item of clothes, and i never pay full price - again, experience extreme guilt. I guess it just depends on your money situation. we are in the midst of paying off bills & saving for a house, so $300 shoes or bag is just out of the question.

I'd love to spend that much though.....

Renee · Kenneth Cole

I'm with Laken1. The most I spent on shoes was 100$, both times on discounted shoes and boots from Anthro, which I love. I am comfortable spending 20-30$ on an item of clothing, I can spend up to 50$ guilt-free if I think the item is worth it (say, a coat, or a cashmere sweater). I am slowly trying to change my shopping habits though, because I'd rather have less items I love and wear all the time, than more items that I wear only rarely. I found out though that wearability does not depend on the price. My favorite top of all times was 5$ at a vintage store, and my favorite boots came free from a friend. The sweater I love the most was expensive (for me) - 50$, same for my favorite skirt. My most expensive items get the least wear, because I am afraid to spoil them; they are more like pieces of art to be admired!

JoceyBaby23 · Gucci

I have several price points..

Seems like I fall somewhere in the middle - low end - with all of you.

Shirts - $60

Sweaters - $100

Jeans - $200

Pants - $100

Shoes - $100

Bags - $400

gingembre1 · Kate Spade

pants - $80

shirts - $30

shoes - $50 (I might be bumping this up to ~$150)

bags - $150

These are really upper limits. I REALLY like getting things for as cheap as possible. Normally shirts should be under $20, but as close to $10 and below as possible for me to consider them. Pants I'm willing to pay more for, but I don't think I'll ever pay full price for the designer denim, since I've bought two very nice pairs for $60 and $40 (Joe's and Blue Cult). Bags...well, I'm thinking about inching closer to an investment piece. But I almost died when I bought my first Coach bag, so we'll see.

Lilykind · Hermes

My price limits are all over the place! These are the ones I've always used when shopping.

Tops: $50 (though I did spend $140 on my Karen Millen one! )
Hoodies/Sweaters: $100 (any more than a full-price Juicy hoodie + tax)
Pants/Skirts: $150 (It is SO HARD to find good pants...I was so overjoyed about Alvin Valley that I actually bought one of my pairs full price at $220, but I was so happy to have found them! But now I know where to get them for less.)
Jeans: $100 (paid $172 for my True Religions and I'm never doing it again!)
Shoes: $300 (but they better be 'Lilykind' or that's not happening)
Boots: $500 (because if it fits my calves I'm buying them and making them my babies for the next 10-20 years )
Jewelry/Belts/Hats: $50
Purses: $300 (though I am happy to spend 1k once I make enough money at my job)

Now that I'm essentially on a ban, trying to pay off cc debt, these numbers don't apply. The limit at the moment is $50 for any one item.

-- Edited by Lilykind at 18:37, 2005-08-26

FashionPrincess · Hermes

It depends on how versitile an item will be and what the quality is, but here is pretty much my cap:

Shirts: generally about $50 but if I really love it or it is versitile I'll occasionally splurge for about $90

Sweaters: about the same, maybe a little more than shirts

Jeans: $150

Pants: I like to keep it around $50-$90

Shoes: I like to keep them at $70 or under but am willing to pay a little more if I know I'll wear them all the time or if they're boots

Bags: generally about $50-$70 but I just bought that Tano for $165, possibly the most I've ever spent on any piece of clothing/accessories

I really have a hard time passing the 3-digit barrier on one item, which is why I only have two pair of jeans that I spent that much on and I wear them all the time. Most expensive stuff I wait for a sale or search ebay for.

rocky · Coach

shirts: $100

sweaters: $150

pants and jeans: $150

shoes: $100

Purses: $500

I also would go over if it was really a unique and well made item, and I obssess for more than 2 weeks over it.

TheLovelyLady71 · Hermes

I can relate to this; the most I've spent on a pair of shoes was $70.00, and I don't even wear them!! I spent $50.00 on a nice leather trench coat that I got ON SALE at JCP that was orig. $100.00. I LOVE to bargain shop, but the MOST I'd pay for a pr. of shoes would probably be about $150-$200.00, and that EVEN hurts! LOL Shirts/skirts - maybe $30.00; pants - same; purses is not a HUGE thing to me, so I'd say maybe $35.00. LOL

LMonet wrote:

Grace wrote: $50 would be a lot for me. Me, too!

ILoveChoo · Hermes

lol, thinking about it more it depends on the item for me too. $300 is usually for a bag/shoes. I start to feel guilty around $80 for a shirt and $150 for a skirt. I do tend to buy classic items though so I won't spend nearly that much on something I think will only last a season or two.

sfcaligirl · Dooney & Bourke

well, my tastes are unfortunately a little too expensive for my budget. someday when i get a decent-paying job, i'll splurge on expensive bags/shoes/etc, but for now, these are my limits...

shirts- $75

going out tops- $40

jeans- $150

pants/skirts $80

sweaters- $65 ish (used to be higher, but i can't justify that now that i live in CA)

jackets/coats- $150

shoes- $120

bags- $100 (although i bought my every-day bag from the gap for $40 two years ago! the CPW on that bad boy is probably < $0.01 by now)

jewelry/accessories- $50

what i wouldn't give for just one day of unlimited funds strictly for shopping purposes.... ahhh, a girl can dream, right?

lynnie · Chanel

It depends on how classic something is, how much I love it, how much i'd wear it, and what it is. If I love love soemthing, my prices are more flexible.

Shoes: $300- haven't broken this barrier yet, and won't probably until I get a good job, and then I'll still keep myself in check or else i'd go buck wild! I love shoes.

Bag: $500- this is in theory- none of my purses are over $150 (I returned the Coach bag) , but I would be willing to pay for the *perfect* bag. I don't like trendy it bags too much though and know I would tire of them, so its easy for me to find purses under $200

Jeans: $200 in theory, in reality, I've never spent over $100 for a pair of jeans. I have about 6 pairs of nice jeans, but all were with discount codes, ebay, etc. $200 is, i'm talking, PERFECT jeans.

Jackets: around $200, but I'd spend up to $500 if I found the perfect coat and had set aside some money for the purchase

Pants: Try not to spend more than $100, but I haven't exactly built a professional wardrobe yet. I'll probably live off of a couple of cheaper pants, until I find the perfect pair and splurge.

Basics: cheap. I have so many Velvet brand tops etc. and now I see they're just not worth it to me. I wear them but can find just as nice for around $20.

Going out tops: Most of mine are cheap- I feel better about spending $10 on something that may be exposed to red wine and smoke all night long. I have a terrible "going out" wardrobe though- I need to work on that. If I find a perfect go-to, totally hot shirt, I'd raise my price considerably, as long as it was somewhat durable.

Shirts: Eh, depends entirely on my personal attachment to the shirt. If I love it, I will spend, but I rarely do.

Sweaters: This is where I'm confused. I have bought $200 sweaters only to have them pill like cheapo sweaters. I want a $200 sweater that is NICE- I'm sick of paying for brand names. I need to research it better and find a nice line of knits that is good quality, somewhat funky or interesting but classic, and uses natural fibers. Perhaps I must invent this line myself Where is it?? So I will take this as it comes- maybe not even buying a single sweater this year until I find one that is worth the money. I would like some slouchy cardigans though in cashmere or wool, that I can funkify with accessories and scarves.

Jewelry: I don't usually spend too much here unless I find an awesome piece. I spent $180 on gold tentacle earrings, but I buy one piece of nice jewelry maybe twice a year.

Cortney1982 · Chanel

I have expensive tastes, but can only buy stuff on terrific deals. I need to find a better job so I can buy the stuff I really adore. The most I have spent on any one item (max willing at current time in parenthesis)...

Tops: $40. ($40)

Sweaters: $35 ($80)

Casual blazers: $100 ($100)

Jacket/coat: $80 ($150)

Jeans: $40 ($75)

Pants: $50 ($75)

Shoes: $60 ($150 for boots)

Purse: $120 ($200 cannot be trendy)

Hats: $25 ($25)

TexasGal · Kenneth Cole

I think I'm usually pretty reasonable when it comes to prices. But I will splurge every now and then.

My usual max (My max if I LOVED it)

Tops: 40(80)

Jackets: 100(200)

Jeans: 80(200)

Shoes: 70(100)

Purse: 200(400)...although my obssession is purses...and I see this max raising soon...

Jewelry: 20(150)