When I Spend Less & When I Spend More On Clothing
Often, I get asked about which types of items in my wardrobe I spend more money on versus what I spend less on.
It’s not something that I’ve always put much thought into, but as I dove deeper into figuring this out, I noticed a big pattern when it came to my wardrobe. There are certain things I usually only buy cheaper alternatives of, but there are also certain things I’m more open to splashing the cash on. It took years of me essentially wasting money on things in order for me to find out what I truly appreciated. With some items, I’m fine with decent quality at a lower price, even if I have to replace it more often. Other items, I want to know that they’ll last me forever and I may want them to serve a longer, deeper purpose. Check out the breakdown below.
Let me also preface this by saying that I ALWAYS click on the Sale section first on any website, ALWAYS. I’m not crazy, now. :)
T-Shirts
There was a time when I wouldn’t think twice about spending about $50-80 on a simple, plain t-shirt. Nowadays, I usually keep it nice and simple and won’t even spend half of that unless it’s something special. I even wrote up a guide with some of my favorite white tees under $30, so check that out here. I started doing this because, for one, my body changes often with all of my dieting and workout routines throughout the year. It’s kinda lame to not be able to wear something expensive you recently got because you’re too big or small now. Secondly, whether I buy an expensive or lower priced tee, I’m probably gonna bang it up. I’ll spill some coffee, red wine, preworkout—something. It’s bound to happen, so I’ll stick with my $10 UNIQLO or $20 Everlane tees. Plus, that gives me a reason to keep buying more and more. :)
If you find the right brand, the lower priced items feel like money, too.
My examples: Everlane Cotton Crew, UNIQLO Supima Cotton Tee, COS Round-Neck Tee, Buck Mason Pima Tee
Footwear
When it comes to footwear, I don’t opt for cheaper alternatives often. While some of my favorite sneakers may be low in price, they’re far from cheap in terms of quality, comfort and style. To me, that’s the key. Some of my other favorites are a tad bit on the expensive side, but I trust the quality and those pairs haven’t let me down at all. With the right set of footwear, you’ll be set for years on years. Skip out on buying a few “just because” pairs you don’t really want; go ahead and save for that better pair you really like. It’s worth it.
My examples: Nike Epic React, Adidas Stan Smith, J. Crew Killshot, Common Projects, Red Wing boots, Allen Edmonds boots
Outerwear
God, I hate being cold, so I don’t skimp out on good outerwear. Fall and winter attire can be crazy expensive compared to other seasons anyway, but I really try to go ahead and get something nice that’ll last me. With outerwear, I’m not trying to keep buying the same things over and over again. My current winter jacket has lasted me about four or five seasons, so I’m happy with my return from it. I can honestly probably say the same for most of my sweaters, fleece jackets and more. Be on the lookout for a more detailed blog post profiling some of my favorite winter jackets soon, too. I’ll try to save you guys some money!
My examples: UNIQLO Fleece Zip Jacket, J. Crew Everyday Topcoat, UNIQLO Seamless Down Coat, Barbour Holmby Jacket, Everlane ReNew Short Parka
Bottoms
I’ve never been a big believer in spending too much money on pants. Pants never fit me well off the rack, so everything I buy ends up getting taken to a tailor. Since I need to get them altered, I stick to cheaper options that end up looking like more expensive options after a small amount of work. $20 worth of alterations will make a cheap pair of pants look like they’re really triple their worth. For those of you without those issues, it may be worth looking into some of the nicer lines out there.
My examples: UNIQLO Ezy Ankle-Length Pants, J. Crew 484 Slim Fit Chino, Carhartt WIP Club Corduroy Pant, Legends Hermosa Pants, American Eagle Flex Slim Jean, Acne Studios North Slim Fit Jeans
As you can see, it all varies when it comes to my closet. I have reasons for wanting to spend more or less, depending on what I’m getting and it really helps me when I shop. I may see things I want that fall outside of these guidelines, but often, I end up regretting the purchase. For me, going too cheap on shoes or jackets leaves me wanting more, but going too high on basic tees makes me wish I spent a little less. Find out what’s important to you with your clothing and you’ll find yourself being a much better shopper in your own eyes soon enough.
