Question of the Day Nov 7th

tierre0

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Morning All!!

Today's question is this:

When shopping for clothes/shoes/accessories do you buy items just because you like them or do you need more reasons then that?

When I am cloths or shoe shopping I generally look for items that I not only like but most of the time have to be on sale as well. With the price of clothing and shoes I think any bargain helps.
A prime example of this is I was looking at a sweater a few weeks ago at one of the little specialty shops here in town. I admit it was a beautiful sweater but at the cost of $90 it was just a little to steep for my budget. A few days later I found a sweater the same color and style for $20 in Walmart. Now granted they weren't of the same quality but for me it was close enough.

Accessories are a little different since I don't buy to many of them I am more likely to buy them just because I like them.
 

momofmany

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For many years I bought things that I found on sale because I liked them. These days I tend to buy things that I need at the moment, and will try very hard to find things on sale or use a coupon.
 

larussa

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The main reason I buy clothes is how they look on me. I may see something I really love but if after trying it on it looks terible on me, it goes back on the rack. Same thing with shoes altho the main thing is that the shoes are comfortable no matter how nice they look, I think we all want comfortable shoes. As far as accessories, yep I buy them for the look of them.
 

strange_wings

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What are accessories, exactly?

I hate shopping, as I've said before, and I hate spending money. I'll replace stuff when needed but only if it's on sale. Even then it takes me a while to actually decide whether I want to purchase any item - often I won't. Shoes are functional - that's it.
The only clothing items I'll buy and spend full price for (often too much, but for a good cause) is band shirts at concerts.
 

ixi

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What are accessories, exactly?
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Accessories are things like belts, scarves, bags, jewelry, etc




Usually I buy clothes that I need. At the beginning of every season, I get rid of old clothes that don't fit anymore or look horrible on me, then I look at what I have left, and go shopping based on what I need. I got rid of a lot of sweaters the other week, so I need to go shopping soon to replace them.

But of course, I do splurge on really cute things that I love during that moment. I usually regret these spendings though because after i get over the initial cuteness of it, I find that I don't need/want it anymore

I LOVE shopping though
 

strange_wings

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Originally Posted by ixi

What are accessories, exactly?
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Accessories are things like belts, scarves, bags, jewelry, etc
So - with the exception of a belt - useless things.
I make jewelry, I don't buy it.


Those that shop a lot/replace wardrobes - do you donate your old clothes?
 

libby74

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I'm a picky shopper, and rarely buy anything at full price. Very seldom will I buy something just because I like it. I buy a lot of my tops/sweaters/t-shirts at thrift stores or off of sale racks. Even if I need new jeans or sneakers I won't pay full price for them. It may take me weeks to find the size I wear in those 2 items. As I tell my DH, there must be an awful lot of women out there that are my size.
The most important thing to me is how the item fits.
 

ixi

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Originally Posted by strange_wings

Those that shop a lot/replace wardrobes - do you donate your old clothes?
We do. Every so often, the cancer society will give us a notice that they will be in our neighborhood and we put our clothes, toys, and other things on our doorstep and they collect them.
 

ut0pia

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As far as clothes- I just buy stuff from Forever 21, H&M, Kohls..pretty cheap stuff and i like how they look. I think I look at the value of things and compare things at the high end stores and then cheaper stores, and if I think they are comparable enough I buy the cheaper item, even if I don't like it as much. It all depends on how much I'm willing to compromise.
As far as purses- I buy both designer and knock offs but again definitely not just because I like it without looking at price...I buy designer bags rarely and I make sure I like it a lot and I know I'll use it a lot, so I buy really "safe" ones, in a sense that they can be worn on an everyday basis - for example I'd buy an Ed Hardy tote bag that I can wear to class every day. When it comes to more fun purses that are different colors and changed with outfits- I get the knock offs. And the same goes with shoes...
And I avoid getting things I don't need, like if I have a lot of tops I don't buy anymore even if there is one I really like...unless it's an extremely special one..

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Those that shop a lot/replace wardrobes - do you donate your old clothes?
Yup. I am also trying to shop at thrift stores but not having success finding things i like...and I have a friend who shops there and I dunno how she finds the stuff but it's awesome!
 

ldg

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I can't remember the last time I was shopping for clothes or shoes in a store. I buy stuff only because I need it. The last time I bought a pair of shoes was about 10 years ago.
Ballys last forever. Do take them to a shoe repair guy for cleaning about every year. My MIL did send me two pairs of beautiful boots two years ago.

I have some khakis I bought online at LL Bean I think it was about 4 years ago - they're still in excellent shape.

I don't remember the last time I bought a belt. I have one black and one brown, they're in excellent condition, and they go with either suit dress-up or khaki dress-down.

I could use a few new suits (these days I only wear pants suits), and I've been looking for stuff for sale on ebay. I think I'm about to buy a beautiful new Ralph Lauren suit that would normally cost $200 - $300 for $49. Cross your fingers.
I just bought Gary a new Fendi suit that would normally be several thousand dollars for $99. It is used, but is in pristine condition. He is SO excited!
 

starryeyedtiger

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When I buy something it has to fit into my little "mental list"

1. Is this in my budget?/ Can I afford it?
2. How durable is it? Is this something that I can wear/use for a long time, or will it break/wear out within a week?
3. Is it multi-functional? Will it go with what I already have from season to season? Can I wear it with more than one outfit?
4. Do I LOVE it?? Not like, but LOVE it
5. Can I find it somewhere else at a lower cost?

That little "mental list" usually keeps me in check if I'm out shopping, and helps me keep cost/function into perspective so I don't impulse buy!
 

trouts mom

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We have a clothing budget and I love it because then we don't feel bad for spending on clothing because we have already saved and paid off debt.

I just buy what I need usually, and wait for a good price. We certainly can't afford to just see things we like and buy them on the spot.
 

missymotus

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Originally Posted by StarryEyedTiGeR

1. Is this in my budget?/ Can I afford it?
2. How durable is it? Is this something that I can wear/use for a long time, or will it break/wear out within a week?
3. Is it multi-functional? Will it go with what I already have from season to season? Can I wear it with more than one outfit?
4. Do I LOVE it?? Not like, but LOVE it
5. Can I find it somewhere else at a lower cost?
Pretty much the same list I run through
I don't like shopping, so only go out if I really need something and pretty much stick to my list - if something does catch my eye I go through the check list.
 

rapunzel47

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I shop for clothes/shoes when I need something. Sometimes that's more than one something, but usually not.

For footwear, I never buy cheap, because my feet would make sure I regretted it. If I get lucky, and there are sales when I need them, I get a better price, but I don't begrudge the prices necessary to get decent shoes. The payoff is comfort and durability. That which is acceptable to these feet seldom qualifies as cute, but I don't dress cute either, so that's OK.


For other clothing, I gravitate to places that don't feature the brand names, which to my mind are all overpriced, and often not made particularly well. If I luck into a clearance, so much the better. I never minded a bargain.
 
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