Have you been shopping lately? Designer stuff? I haven’t (with the exception of a few goodies). It kind of seems like an overall thing, no? Like the Black Friday notices have been way less aggressive this year, though just now they’ve started to slowly ramp up. I’ve been hearing that there has been way too much designer buying (on the side of the stores that is, not that of the consumer), that stores are cutting back. A stylish friend recently told me that The Line’s New York location will be closing. Is this true, everything I’m hearing in whispers about the economic environment for fashion (and especially at the designer price point level)? Can anyone with knowledge shed light?
Nice for Max Mara, not nice on me
For me personally, I’ve cut back on my clothing purchasing for sure. I’m still buying, but mostly basics, things that I know will work (accessories, of course, are the exception). It also helps that a lot of the trends that I like this year are things that just look awful – like those adorable teddy coats like the one above! They just swamp me and even when I wear them there’s this simultaneous feeling that I’m already starting to get sick of the trend.
The other thing is – I can’t really recall the last time I bought designer clothing. When I do purchase clothes, it tends to be from retailers I feel have good quality and prices – Uniqlo is my current favorite for that, with Everlane close behind. And I still buy brands like Reformation, Theory, DVF (all which I try to get on sale). It’s interesting, recently I’ve gone back to a bunch of contemporary. And I know it’s totally unreasonable to say this, given that the same holds true for jewelry and bags, but I have trouble paying 10-30X for many clothing items when there are so many decent quality, sturdily constructed items for much less.
What I’m having trouble discerning is whether the way I feel is part of a general phenomenon or if it’s simply my own life stage – I’m at the point where I know a little bit more about what I like, what I feel that I look better in, and plus with kids and all of their associated costs I’m more picky. I never thought I would be more free spending in my twenties than my thirties but at least for clothing, that is definitely the case.
Of course sale season is coming up – this has always been when I do most of not all of my designer clothing purchasing, for the last few years.
So – I’d love to hear from you. Are you buying? Clothes in general? How about designer?
7 Comments
Anna
November 19, 2018 at 9:56 amI hear ya. I’m in a very similar spot. I shop less and quick and inexpensive when it comes to my clothes these days. It’s just that there are so many other things that cost far more than clothes in your thirties, like home, kids and travel. In a way I care less how much something I like cost but it also doesn’t bring me as much satisfaction like it used to be. What I start splurge more on though are good services: personal trainers, massages, house keeping etc.
Jaime
November 19, 2018 at 10:13 amAgreed. I spend most of my money on quality (not costume) jewelry and better handbags. I also no longer wash my hair myself, or very rarely, and have it professional blown out as needed.
B
November 19, 2018 at 8:05 pmHey Kat! I also have been on a consume less streak, driven by starting up a business and using all my free cash there. It is reinforced by a massive closet clean out and the realization that I could have paid off a mortgage with some of the stuff I bought but didn’t really use. Also I have started to realize that the clothes that attract me, I already have something like because I have a very specific look. Full disclosure I did order a pair of shoes from the NAP sale. Nothing else drew me in.
Diane W
November 20, 2018 at 11:24 pmYup….I’m shopping…..although not all together succcessfully. Between age & gravity, it’s not going as well as I’d hoped. At this point, I’m not seeking “wisdom that comes with age”. What I really want is to have my old a** back! I’m sorry to be so blunt, but it’s the brutal truth.
Sarah
November 22, 2018 at 7:13 amI don’t shop nearly as much as I used to. In fact I’ve been steadily cutting down over the past few years. I now prefer to spend on a good massage or a private yoga class. I feel so much better for it.
Lindsay
November 24, 2018 at 7:30 amI’m buying much less designer than previous, partly due to kids and partly due to my renewed focus on our financial wellbeing. In general, I used shopped in the handbag and shoe space for designers when I was in NY. Now I’m in the midwest and with two boys, so my things get beat up a lot more. I would rather spend the money on well made, sustainable pieces than just a name. I like Everlane, Cuyana, etc. It’s quality, so I feel good about the purchase, but it’s not too over the top where I feel like I wasted my money.
Mai
November 26, 2018 at 9:36 pmI’m in the same spot! I spend still on accessories in the luxe designer space but my clothes are contemporary like theory, Vince and less main stream brands like COS or Conptoir des Cotonniers (from france). And then I also really love everlane and you have turned me on to uniqlo!! Madewell for all my denim. I like functional well made pieces that are classic and don’t need to be fussed over.