style tips

Save vs. Splurge: Build a Quality Wardrobe on a Budget

July 11, 2018 by jessica 2 Comments

We’ve all been there. Somewhere in the glossy pages of the latest fashion magazine or displayed delicately at a boutique, we spot it. It’s effortless. It’s chic. It’s the pièce de résistance your wardrobe has been missing all these years.

Then you look at the price tag and your dreams of purchasing that special piece are dashed. No matter how many days you bring lunch to work or brew coffee at home, you’ll never save up enough from a few weeks of penny pinching to make that of-the-moment item your own. Don’t be discouraged, though. A quality, thoughtful wardrobe is accessible on a budget with a strategic approach to wardrobe building. Below, you’ll discover the key places to splurge and where to save.

And if you’re strapped for cash, a good rule of thumb is to go with budget-friendly pieces in classic shapes and neutral colors. Those can usually pass for a more expensive alternative in a pinch.

WHEN TO SPLURGE

The lion’s share of your budget should go toward the pieces you wear most often. While “cost per wear” can come off as a fashion lover’s rationalization for spending money, there’s value in the practice. For example, an ultra-trendy romper purchased for $200 and worn twice comes out to a $100 cost per wear. That’s a huge chunk of your budget for an item that didn’t get much love. On the other hand, spending $200 on a handbag you reach for three times a week throughout the year only comes out to $1.28 per wear. That’s the better investment for your dollar.

You’ll also want to spend more on these often-worn items because they are more likely to withstand the stress of regular use. A higher price tag doesn’t always mean better quality, but it usually does. Be sure to read product reviews and scour blogs to find testimonials about an item or brand.

The right splurge for you is dependent on your lifestyle and sartorial preferences. If you live in a warm climate, then a heavy wool coat obviously isn’t for you. If you’re like me, then dresses are a staple in your collection and spending more on a single dress that fits like a glove is worth every cent. Use the guidelines below as inspiration for creating your own splurge list.

Outerwear – No matter where you live, you need a quality piece of outerwear. It needs to keep you warm or dry (often both) and a budget find isn’t going to make the cut. Choose a coat that’s best for your climate and invest in a classic piece you’ll wear for years, like a wool coat, a trench, or peacoat. Opt for a wear-with-everything neutral like black or camel.
Cashmere – Cheap cashmere often feels, well, cheap. This is an area you don’t want to skimp because a good cashmere sweater or scarf will retain its shape and loft for years. You can find some good quality cashmere pieces at modest prices at retailers like Lands’ End or Garnet Hill, but you’ll want to feel them in person before committing.
Work Staples – I know this is a wishy-washy category because it’s so dependent on where you work and your personal style, so you’ll need to evaluate what types of pieces you reach for over and over again. Do you love your black pants because they go with many colorful tops? Is your a-line skirt the workhorse of your 9-to-5 wardrobe? Do you live in shift dresses? Do you need a quality suit? Once you identify the pieces you wear to the office just about every week, you can rest assured that spending money to upgrade your basics will be money well spent.
Shoes – Synthetic materials, thin soles, and shoddy stitching should be reasons enough to keep you far away from budget shoes. Your shoes take quite a beating outside and while you might be tempted by the trendy styles of cheaper pairs, expensive shoes are made to withstand that kind of wear. Good shoes will need some maintenance to keep them in good shape for as long as possible. Keep an eye on the sole and take them to a cobbler when it starts to look worn.
Handbags – A beautiful leather handbag elevates a budget outfit like nothing else. Splurge on a classic shape in a neutral color and you’ll reach for it again and again. Many designer bags hold their value. If you find that you didn’t use a bag as often as you would have liked, you can sell it and likely get a portion of your money back to put toward something you will use.

WHEN TO SAVE

The most stylish women know how to mix those high-end purchases with budget finds. Think of the “save” column as the icing on the cake. These are the updated, trendy items that might not capture your fancy for more than a season and that’s okay. However, this is precisely why only a small portion of your budget should be dedicated to these pieces. It goes back to that cost per wear. Spending $50 on a sundress you wear once a week for the summer will run you around $4 per wear June through August — much easier to stomach than a higher priced version.

Tops – Most people won’t notice if you wear the same pair of pants or jeans every day, but they will notice if you have your favorite blouse on repeat. Stock up on on-trend pieces with pretty patterns or updated silhouettes to keep your wardrobe fresh. (Need proof? How many people are actually wearing cold-shoulder silhouettes this year?)
Sundresses – Gauzy little sundresses shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. Few are tailored, so an inflated price tag doesn’t make sense for an oversize, flowing fit. Besides, your tastes will likely change next year, so you’ll be glad you went the cheap route.
[Some] Costume Jewelry – If you’re going to drop a small fortune on a piece of jewelry, it better be the real deal. However, I can’t recommend opting for the save version of all costume jewelry because you really can tell the difference between, say, a Target piece and a designer costume piece. The materials are better quality with the designer version, they rarely tarnish, the and the designs are more eye catching. However, if you can’t stomach spending a few hundred on costume gems, go vintage. Searching Etsy or eBay will rustle up great pieces at even better prices. Even better? You can smugly tell people it’s a vintage piece when they ask about.
Swimwear – A bathing suit will get sandy and salty in the ocean, or full of chlorine in the pool. The same goes for your cover-up. Save your dollars for items you’ll wear away from the surf.

I’d love to know what items you save and splurge on! Let me know in the comments!

You might also enjoy this post on how to find and identify your personal style.

–
Let’s keep in touch! Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Bloglovin’

How to Find Your Personal Style

March 8, 2018 by jessica 0 Comments

Even the most devout fashionistas can have trouble pinpointing exactly what they’d describe as their personal style. Oftentimes, we stumble upon it through trial and error, after trying different trends and different aesthetics until we find one that clicks. While the style journey can be a fun one, it’s also a frustrating experience wrought with unworn clothing and wasted money. The simplest solution, of course, is to identify your style early on and focus all of your purchases with that style in mind. It’ll streamline your closet, guaranteeing you’ll have a wardrobe of pieces that are so perfect for you that you’ll never grow tired of them. Below, you’ll find a few tips to pinpoint your personal style.

SEEK INSPIRATION

First and foremost, you need to figure out what outfits and styles you’re drawn to. Begin by creating a Pinterest board for outfits, textures, colors, and silhouettes that capture your attention. Pin items from blog, runway presentations, and stores. Don’t overthink this step. This is just the information gathering stage and the more images you collect, the better. After working on your Pinterest board for a week or two, take a few days off and return to your board with a fresh set of eyes. Do the images still speak to you? If not, delete the images that no longer resonate. You’ll likely begin to see themes between these images. Are the styles classic? Romantic? A version of a modern day hippie? Do you like loose, flowing silhouettes? Structure? This exercise will help you find the styles you’re naturally drawn to. I went through my own style board to determine some of the styles that clicked most with me, which included this, this, this, this, and this. This probably isn’t surprising, but my style isn’t overly feminine. I’m attracted to classic silhouettes, vintage-inspired designs, flats, and short hemlines. There are also a lot of prints that aren’t reflected in those pins that I love and I do think most of these outfits are in need of a piece of statement jewelry.

ANALYZE YOUR CLOSET

After you’ve spent time working on your Pinterest collection, it’s time to tackle your existing closet. You’re not making determinations here about what will stay or go, however. Simply take stock of what’s in your collection and the pieces you naturally gravitate to. What are the workhorses of your wardrobe? Do you always wear dresses? Are striped long-sleeve t-shirts the first thing you reach for every weekend? Additionally, what outfits do you feel the most beautiful wearing? For me, those items include little black dresses, a-line mini dresses, jackets and coats, my collection of Ferragamo flats and loafers, well-made handbags, and jewelry. By identifying your favorite pieces and most-often worn items, you’re getting closer to labeling your personal style.

LABEL IT

Here’s where the first two steps converge. What are the ties between your Pinterest board, the items that you wear regularly, and the outfits you feel the best in? You’ll likely notice similarities emerging. Grab a piece of paper and describe what this style looks like and the attributes of it. Words that might come to mind could be classic, feminine, ethereal, crisp, refined, or relaxed. Jot down all of the words that describe these pieces and narrow it down to two or three that best describe the items and the overall vibe you want to portray. Admittedly, this isn’t the easiest step and I’m having difficulty with it myself. My style is undoubtedly classic, but I ultimately want to portray “modern classic” or “updated classic” or “classic with a twist.”

PICK A SIGNATURE ITEM

It seems that all style icons have a signature piece or two that identifies their wardrobe. Audrey Hepburn had her ballet flats. Elizabeth Taylor was never far from her opulent fine jewels. And Twiggy rocked a short hemline better than anyone else could. Follow in the footsteps of these fashionable ladies and pick a signature item that falls in line with your style label. It can be one of your wardrobe MVPs as identified during your wardrobe analysis or you can reinvent yourself with a newly minted signature piece. Whatever you choose, it’s a great way to always feel like your style and outfits are true to yourself.

CONSIDER YOUR LIFESTYLE

Your sartorial style should be in line with your lifestyle. Make a list of the places you typically go during the week and what you’re usually up to. Do you work in a conservative office? Do you attend a lot of evening cocktail outings? Do you spend weekends exploring nearby cities? You’ll want to make sure your personal style fits in with the lifestyle you actually have — not the one you daydream about. This will be the backbone to creating a wardrobe that will work for you.

Let’s say that you’ve identified that your personal style is feminine. This becomes your starting point when actually making purchases that fit your lifestyle. If your week is mostly spent going to a conservative workplace, curling up on the couch in the evening with a good book, and heading to brunch on the weekends, then you probably don’t need a myriad of flouncy dresses that you may not wear. Instead, incorporate femininity in ways that do work for you. Do you need a silk blouse in a pretty blush tone for the office? What about a floral-print scarf to tie to your tote bag? You could consider a playful romper with eyelet or ruffle details for your weekends out. Conversely, if you work in a creative office and you’re usually flitting from one social event to another at night, then you can enjoy all of the cocktail dresses your closet can handle!

–
Let’s keep in touch! Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Bloglovin’

Use Your Past Purchases to Stop Making Shopping Mistakes

August 17, 2017 by jessica 5 Comments

As I was reorganizing my closet the other day, I was struck by how many pieces I own that I don’t actually wear. Some I still like and will reach for occasionally, some are things I never wore again after their debuts, and others don’t fit and are taking up space until I lose those next ten pounds. If I’m being honest, my closet is a space that isn’t making me joyful and that’s because of the amount of stuff I have to sift through every morning. That got me thinking about the last two years of purchases. As you know, I keep a Pinterest board to record the majority of my sartorial additions each year (see the 2015, 2016, and 2017 boards). This allowed me the opportunity to walk down my shopping memory lane to see what things I still wore, what became wardrobe staples, and which pieces were a waste of money. Hopefully evaluating my own shopping mistakes will inspire you to make sure your money is well spent on pieces you’ll truly love and want to wear.

For this exercise, I only looked at 2015 and 2016 purchases. I’m mostly interested to see what sticks around in the long run. I put together a collage of nine items from the last two years that I don’t wear anymore or have already gotten rid of. Here’s where we’re at:

This isn’t exhaustive, but it’s close. It’s interesting to see these unworn pieces together — especially because I was really excited about each of them at one point — and perhaps a little disheartening to realize how much money was wasted! But that’s the point of this. I want to figure out what characteristics eventually lead to the donation pile so that I can cut down on wasteful spending:

Impulse purchases.
Inexpensive pieces from fast-fashion retailers.
Questionable quality.
Shorts. (I love how shorts look on other people and I used to wear them all the time when I was slimmer, but they just don’t work for me now.)
Didn’t fit well in the first place.
FOMO on pieces that looked cute on other bloggers, but didn’t work for me.
They don’t really seem to fit with my style.

I then picked nine of my most often worn items purchased in 2015 and 2016:

These are some of pieces that are in heavy rotation in my wardrobe. That dark floral dress (worn above) is something I grab just about every week and always makes me feel cute even on bad days. I yearn for fall just to wear that Tory Burch windowpane coat. The pink dress makes me feel bubbly whenever I slip it on. The little black dress is perfect for work events because it has pockets. And the Rebecca Minkoff white quilted bag is the perfect size for daily use. (It’s actually on its last legs because of how much I use it!) I can point to individual reasons about why these are all amazing for my lifestyle, but what do they have in common and how will that help future purchases?

I prefer a-line styles that are forgiving across my hips.
Classic cuts work best for me.
I love dresses more than separates.
I’m always going to wear flats more often than heels.
These are all purchases that I put thought into before pulling the trigger.
I’m more likely to fall in love with a designer piece and keep it in rotation, but I’ll embrace an affordable find if the quality is there.
Everything was flattering right away.
I actually wear prints quite often. It’s not well represented with these nine, but good prints are always a win with me.

I think it’s important to go through some sort of sartorial evaluation to help guide your future purchases. I have such a crush on this Gucci bag and actually pulling the trigger on something that expensive is a little scary! However, knowing how much use I already get out of my white quilted purse means that upgrading to a nice one is a smart decision.

What kind of shopping mistakes have you made? How have they informed future purchases?

Does Your Wardrobe Spark Joy?

January 23, 2015 by jessica 10 Comments

I’m due for another closet cleanout soon. It’s a daunting annual task and a humbling come-to-Jesus moment when I try on almost every item and ask myself three questions:

Does it fit?
Is it flattering?
Is it right for my lifestyle?

I recently discovered that I was missing one crucial question: Does it spark joy?

Last week, I came across an article that described the organization secret of Marie Kondo, the author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. She suggests cleansing your home–in this case, wardrobe–by asking one simple question: Does it spark joy? If it doesn’t, simply thank the item for the role it has played in your life and move on.

Yes, it does seem pretty hokey at first blush. However, the more I thought about it over the past week, the more I found myself using it as a litmus test for purchases. And you know what? It has been freeing. Take the striped DVF dress, for instance. It had all the hallmarks of something I’d love. It’s striped. It’s by my favorite designer. It’s a dress. It’s well made. It fit well. However, something about it didn’t spark joy for me. I tried on another dress I ordered from Shopbop (which is sadly sold out, but you can find the maxi dress version here) and I was over the moon. I was giddy and I couldn’t wait to show Dave.

It sparked joy.

What I love most about this process is that it doesn’t suggest giving items the heave-ho if they haven’t been worn in a year (the usual closet cleaning mantra). If an item resonates with you, you’ll wear it again eventually. Maybe last year wasn’t the right time. Maybe the year prior wasn’t even the right time. Maybe this year will be.

It’s really about getting rid of the items that feel like an emotional burden, allowing your closet to be a joyful space. It brings emotion back to clothing. I don’t want to “curate” a closet (and God forbid I ever have a capsule wardrobe). I want my purchases to be joyful. If that means a hot pink dress one month and a boyish button down the next, so be it.

Wardrobe Workhorses

November 11, 2014 by jessica 8 Comments

[dropcap custom_class=”normal”]A[/dropcap]fter looking for my outfit posts this season, it has become painfully obvious that I have a few piece in my wardrobe that get a lot of use–and if they’re this prominent on that blog, I’d hate to admit how often I wear them the rest of the time! I suspect we all have pieces like that, though. They’re our favorites that we reach for when we proclaim there’s nothing to wear, pieces that still fit when we’re bloated, and staples that look great no matter how they’re styled. The following four items are my wardrobe workhorses:

[spacer]

GREY SHIFT DRESS

I bought my grey shift dress from J.Crew around six years ago and it still makes the rounds, which you’ve probably noticed, given that I’ve worn it frequently on the blog this season. It’s a lightweight wool that doesn’t wrinkle and the loose shape fits no matter how much I’ve indulged.

[spacer]

OVERSIZE CATEYE SUNGLASSES

Nothing hides tired eyes better than a pair of oversize sunglasses. A cateye shape lends the right amount of vintage charm.

[spacer]

BLACK CROSSBODY SATCHEL

I’d bring a clutch everywhere if it were up to me, but there are plenty of times I need to carry more than what fits in the palm of my hand. That’s where my crossbody satchel comes in. It’s a manageable size, yet holds more than you’d expect (I carried our DSLR in it on our trip to Belgium). I’m fond of the water-resistant Saffiano leather.

[spacer]

BLACK POINTED TOE FLATS

A simple black flat, devoid of embellishments mixes and matches with just about everything in my closet. A pointed toe elongates the leg and elevates the standard-issue ballet flat into an elegant, work-appropriate shoe that’s just as pretty on the weekend.

[spacer]

SHOPPING TIPS

It’s almost impossible to predict which pieces will get the most love, but there are a few guidelines that increase the likelihood that your new purchases will become the items you reach for year after year:

Use your past purchases and your current wardrobe habits to guide new purchases. If you’re like me and you wear black pointed flats almost exclusively, try a pair in an unexpected color or pattern. Chances are that you’re smitten with the shape of the item and just a small change will update your look.
Plan your purchases. I say this all the time, but carefully considering your purchases ensures each piece has a place in your wardrobe and lifestyle. None of my wardrobe workhorses were impulse purchases.
Pick an item that’s versatile, but not boring. How many simple white shirts or basic black sweaters do you truly love? Probably not many. You’ll be more likely to get jazzed about an item that’s interesting. Even the smallest of details can pull at your heartstrings and make you fall in love with it each time you pull it out.

What are your wardrobe workhorses?