STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

smash · Dooney & Bourke

What would you buy?

tara t · Marc Jacobs

i say wait until the spring stuff is all out. i'm getting a bit bored with the winter stuff, and am already antsy about all the yellow and green and light pretty things out for spring.

i bet the spring stuff will spark your interest in shopping again and you will be able to spend your GC's very quickly.

Elle · Hermes

smash wrote:

Sheesh - this is free money to spend for shopping! Sometimes I have a harder time spending "free money" than I do spending my own.

I always have a harder time spending 'free' money - I feel like what I get really needs to be worth it so it's not wasted .

If you buy now, you could probably get some things on sale and therefore stretch the money a little bit. If you can't find anything you like right now, I say wait for the spring merch. Lots of other stores are getting theirs in already, so you shouldn't have to wait long .

ViViDogWear · Kate Spade

I would go with 1 or 2 really nice things - classic or something you would normally not spend for yourself. Maybe a really nice handbag or wallet, sunglasses. Or even something like a Burberry scarf. I think you would normally buy several smaller ticket items or sale items yourself, so gift cards are a great way to splurge on yourself.

$188 Elliot Lucca also in Black - $265 Via Spiga

Gucci $250D&G $195 (4 fun)

$325 Burberry

Or even a new Juicy set? I'm diggin this set $148 +$110

zeitgeist4 · Gucci

I would say invest in one or two quality items. Since there's nothing you really "want," you should take inventory of what you use the most in your closet and upgrade one or two of the items you love.

Do you always fall back on a v-neck sweater? Upgrade by getting a really nice cashmere one, or one with interesting details.

Is your first instinct to wear your favorite black pants? Take it to the next level and invest in a good quality pair that has a great fit (maybe the store even does free tailoring?).

sfclinevandy · Coach

Maybe a great pair of jeans? I just used a giftcard there and put it towards jeans.

tri_sarah_tops · Marc Jacobs

I also think you should put it toward a couple pairs of great jeans. Or something you would normally not buy for yourself.

Or, if there's REALLY nothing you want, or if you're saving for something else, you could always ebay them and just get cash. I did this with a $50 May's card and ended up getting $47 for it. I've also done this with restaurant gift cards and people will actually pay pretty close to value. I bet you could get at least $275 or $280 for them.

relrel · Marc Jacobs

i say wait...for the spring stuff and wait for the winter stuff to be marked down even more. i know girls on here have gotten off season cashmere so you might want to wait longer than just a couple of months. another thought of mine was that maybe not something for your body like clothes or shoes but what about something for your house/apt? do you need a down comforter? a really really nice set of pots and pans? a good luggage set?

added later....now that i reread your post im thinking that maybe the house stuff has already been covered in the wedding present stuff. so im gonna stick with my original thought of waiting for spring stuff and late late end of season sales on cashmere.

-- Edited by relrel at 12:31, 2006-01-04

Misty · Dooney & Bourke

I think this is the perfect opportunity for you to splurge. Like others have suggested, get something that you wouldn't normally buy for yourself. That I recall, you have tons of clothes and access., so be frivolous. Please post whatever you do end of buying. Have fun!

FashionPrincess · Hermes

I'd be all over a pair of Chanel sunglasses! I think you should splurge, either shoes, bag, designer sunglasses, DVF dress... something classic and that will instantly make you feel chic. You already have a pretty well rounded wardrobe, right? So splurge baby, slurge! And then post it in thread style for us all to drool over

scarlett · Marc Jacobs

I agree with the idea of splurging -- you're normally a frugal gal and deserve something very luxe with these gift cards! Waiting until the spring merchandise is out is a good idea. This is the time of year when all the winter merch looks boring and unappealing, and then the new spring stuff comes out and it's the most enchanting stuff you've ever seen. Or at least, that's what happens to me.