What's in your closet? Designer duds or comfy jeans? What's your style?
By anawar
@anawar (2404)
United States
May 3, 2008 12:11am CST
If you don't care about clothes, just tell me you don't care about clothes. That's fine. I'm not making judgement calls_ I just like to find out what other women think. I don't have any friends right now and I'm a bit lonely for girl talk.
I find that if I buy just a few basic quality items, I can build the rest of my wardrobe around them.
One year I bought a skirt from Ralph Lauren for $70.00. But I wore it for at least seven years. I could dress it up with high heels, or dress it down with sandals.
It didn't matter where I was, someone always stopped me and complimented me on that skirt. I finally wore it to tatters, and I had to let it go.
Sometimes all I need is a really nice handbag, and everything I wear looks nice because the purse is so pretty.
The rest of my clothes I only buy when they're on sale. I also shop consignment stores and Good Will stores. I made out like a bandit at the last Good Will store I went to.
I bought eleven really nice quality pieces of clothing and I only spent $30.00!
Oh, and shoes. Sometimes all I need is one pair of interesting shoes. One summer I bought lime green slip-ons from Payless and they went with everything. So, the main item doesn't always have to be expensive.
Okay, how do you build your wardrobe? Do you start with a few designer pieces when you can afford it?
Do you care about your clothes, or do you consider them pieces of fabric hanging in your closet to serve you for whatever you need them for? Tell me. Tell me.
1 person likes this
11 responses
@underthesun21 (58)
• Philippines
3 May 08
i don't really care that much for designer clothing, i'm a girl-next-door type who dresses mostly for comfort and then style. I still live with my parents so i can only buy clothes within our budget. i love buying clothes when the malls are on sale, because i love buying the basics of my wardrobe during that time (plain and printed tops, shorts, bags, flat shoes). I would pay more for nice skirts, tops, dresses, shoes and pants only if needed. i follow the trends for jeans and tops, but for shoes and dresses, i prefer the classic designs and cuts. there's this italian designer store in the mall that sells imported italian designer items like bags, shoes and clothes. the thing is, they're quite expensive, so we only shop there when the store is on sale. i bought 3 pairs of shoes for some $11 each on 70% markdown, when they would normally sell for around $70-$100. that's my favorite place to buy corporate-y type of shoes, so i keep tabs on when the next sale would be. I'd be working soon so i'm slowly building up my wardrobe..
@anawar (2404)
• United States
4 May 08
Great way to start of a professional look. Isn't it amazing when stores have those crazy sales? You have to wonder how much of a mark-up do they have, anyway?
One time, I was at a store when the girls were unpacking some new arrivals and hanging them up. Everything around those clothes was on sale, so I asked the girl if she knew when the new clothes will go on sale.
She looked at the invoice and said,'Oh, they come in at thirty percent off.'
Isn't that crazy?
I love DSW for shoes, but there isn't one in the last two states I have lived in.
Enjoy building your wardrobe, and remember, a few quality pieces for a bottom line price are the key to setting up your future.
@whittear (110)
• United States
4 May 08
I tend to dress very casual, jeans and t-shirts really. I buy good quality clothing but I don't care about the brand name. I like to shop sales and consigment shops as well. I tend to buy better clothing for my chilren than I do myself in all honesty! I guess I care more about what they look like than what I do.
@whittear (110)
• United States
7 May 08
That is exactly why I am so careful about how I dress my children. I go to consignment shops as well and I can always find designer clothes for them for much, much less than at the store. Since they are still pretty young it's really nice too because most of the clothes have hardly been worn and I can find some with the tags from the stores still on them. I love stores like that.
@anawar (2404)
• United States
4 May 08
I always took special care with my kids too. Adults understand people's motives for the things they say. We can deflect any negative comments.
But kids can be so cruel_ and if your kids don't fit in_
not so good.
There used to be this incredible consignment shop near me. One time I bought a two piece Christian Dior light pink jacket and skirt outfit, fully lined. It was stunning, and it only cost $50.00.
If you're not used to spending money on clothes, trust me. If you have to dress for a certain part, that suit was a steal and I wore it forever. I miss that suit_
I think jeans and t-shirts look really cute on women. It's not really my style, but it's the style where I live now.
So, I'm getting used to jeans and t-shirts until my life changes again.
Thanks for dropping off your thoughts.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
4 May 08
I'm afraid I'm not fashion conscious at all. I have a few pairs of pants and some loose tops and that's about it. I have a pair of tennis shoes I've had for two years and one pair of black shoes that I wear to church. A couple of ratty old sweaters, too. In winter I wear sweats. I mostly shop at Walmart and Goodwill.
The one thing I'm indulgent about is socks. The brighter and whackier, the better! And nice earrings, I love those. Otherwise, I'm a dowdy old lady!
@anawar (2404)
• United States
4 May 08
Oh, that's so funny! I like funky socks as well. Earrings I'm not so good with. I love them, but right now they don't fit into my lifestyle.
So, between the distance from your toes to your head, you make a perfect fashion statement.
I'll see you later. Thanks for your comments. I always like to hear from you.
@anawar (2404)
• United States
4 May 08
I love all the different people who leave comments. Everyone has something a bit different to say. It's probably for the best you're happy with comfy, because it's much easier than trying to keep up with the fashion trends. (which are horrible right now)
Thanks for joining in.
@hcpoirot (1562)
• Indonesia
3 May 08
Usually I just bought comfy clothes and jeans to wear. i do have one and only one tuxedo to wear when member of my family got married or so. And oh yes, I only bought my clothes when they on sale too. Its much cheaper with good quality. and as a man, I don't mind if the style was last year or so. Practically, man clothes pretty much the same all this year.
@anawar (2404)
• United States
4 May 08
Yea! I was hoping another guy would join in. You're right. men's clothes do stay much the same.
The perfect combination is as you suggest, finding quality at an affordable price. I think guys are lucky because you only have to worry about how fat or skinny ties are for that year.
Of course, the teenagers have to wear the current trendy clothing and that is a bit tricky to find on sale.
But it's the same idea everywhere. It only takes one or two quality pieces to start building a wardrobe.
How often does that tux come in handy? Most of the weddings are over in my family. They can be really expensive!
Thanks again for joining in. You're welcome anytime.
@sisterjinx (1135)
• United States
3 May 08
I won't say I don't care about clothes but I don't really care they are expensive or designer. Mostly my closet is full of comfy clothes. I probably have 3 pairs of jeans, 2 or 3 pairs of black dressy slacks and 2 long skirts and a long summer dress. I own a few dressy short sleeve shirts and a couple of dressy long sleeve shirts.
My favorite clothing is my long skirts and I hope to get some more soon. My other favorite thing is turtle necks and sweaters. I don't like cold weather at all. But there are always colder days everywhere that I can where these. When we first started full time RVing I had to cut down on the amount of clothes I had. If I wasn't going to be able to use it very often it had to go. So I almsot cried as many of my sweaters went to charity. I still have 3 or 4 but I used to have about 20 and I loved them all.
And fabric hanging in my closet. lol I'm far to lazy to hang anything. It usually gets folded and thrown into the closet. Later I dig through to find what I want and then all the folding is for nothing. lol I do occasionally get tired of digging and get a burst of energy. I hang everything up and for a while I can find things easier but then it's laundry day again and the process starts all over. :)
@anawar (2404)
• United States
3 May 08
Oh, I'm so sorry your sweaters had to be given away.
That's really funny about not hanging up your clothes. One of my daughter's has the same habit.
I love the cold weather! I can't believe I missed my NY winter when I left in January.
I'm headed back to NY in a week or so and I'm not looking forward to hot sweaty days.
MY other daughter lives on a motor yacht,and she has to scale everything down to make room, same as you.
How are you doing with your year round RVing? Is it fun or too cramped?
Nice to see you again. Thanks for stopping by!
@sisterjinx (1135)
• United States
3 May 08
Oh we are loving it. There are days when we feel cramped but that is to be expected. We have adjusted to the limited space with relative ease. We love the ability to just get up and go if we want to.
We are hoping to upgrade to a larger RV next year so that we will have more storage underneath. That will be a huge help. We went from a 4 bedroom home to a 30' tagalong camper. Hopefully we will be going from this to a 32' to 36' class A RV with lots of underneath storage. Then I will have room for all of our arts and crafts stuff as well as things I would like to have. Like I had to get rid of my slow cooker because I had no room to store it nor to wash it when used.
@anawar (2404)
• United States
4 May 08
hello. The upgrade sounds nice and the squishing down is tough. I had to squish down a number of times. I'm kind of getting used to it, but I wish I was the artsy-crafty type. I would love to make something with my hands, but my mind thinks letters, not things.
My daughter is hauling up anchor and sailing back to northern Florida next week. I think their yacht is a forty foot one.
She doesn't worry about clothes because she doesn't need much. Between her sister and I, we all trade clothes back and forth. It's really comical.
'Mom. didn't Jenn have that shirt before you did?'
'Um, no. Its mine and I let Jenn borrow it. Now its back to me again. Why, do you want to use it for awhile?'
@SunnySkies (93)
•
3 May 08
What an interesting disuccion, thank you for starting this.
I used to be a bit of a formal dresser but then we moved from the big city lights to a small island...and now it is just summer clothes and swimming clothes and sarongs and shorts the whole day. It is great to be so casual but I do find that when I go back to the big city lights...I am totally underdressed for the occasion...lol! Never thought I would be like this, but also do think it is because we don't have a big selection of anything in this part of the world.
@anawar (2404)
• United States
4 May 08
You're welcome for starting this. Thanks for joining our little group.
Do you miss your formal dressing? I love high heels and pretty skirts, but not many people dress that way anymore, so I kind of stand out.
I just came back from the Keyes and casual is the total look for every occassion. Just bring a suntan and a bathing suit and you're all set to go.
It's limiting when there isn't much to buy in your general area, but it also saves on money! Personally, I'd rather save money somewhere else_
@photodream (178)
• United States
3 May 08
I love clothes that look good. I don't really shop by name brand i shop by what fits good and looks good. I am a big maurice's girl especially in the sales racks. if i do go designer i wait for the huge sales and that is when i stock up. but i love clothes and shoes of course. i of course hit dsw and hit the clearance racks that way i get the style and quality for half the price. plus seasonal shopping saves you so much. but i love to shop so it is more about quantity for me.
Cass
@whittby (3072)
• United States
3 May 08
Well, according to all those woman's magazine articles, you have the right idea. Get a quality basic item and build around it. Don't you truly enjoy having one nice item in the closet that makes whatever you put with it look good?
Right now since I'm between sizes, I don't have that much in the closet. I got rid of all the larger size stuff and haven't grown into the size below what I'm at. I have a few pairs of black, navy and dark green slacks that I pair with tops for work. I gave everything I don't love to Goodwill and that emptied out the closet even more.
I have some stuff I got on sale that I don't love and I'm not doing that again - you know the it's so cheap I should get it item.
@anawar (2404)
• United States
3 May 08
Yes, I always have one or two pieces of designer clothing.
I used to keep two closets when my weight fluctuated.
Having those basic colours for your slacks is another great way to set up your wardrobe.
My general rule of thumb when I buy clothes_ if the clothes don't 'rock my world' when I try them on, I don't buy them. Even if the price is really cheap, like you said, it's never worth it, because like you, I never wear them.
Nice to see you again. Thanks for dropping in!
1 person likes this
@bowtieguy (5915)
• United States
3 May 08
Mostly designer duds. All of my clothes are name brand, I work in a accounting firm so I have mostly suits, ties and dress shirts hanging in my closet. I do have a few casual things like polos and khakis also some sweaters and stuff but that is really about it. Everything else I keep in my dressers.
@anawar (2404)
• United States
3 May 08
Hi! I was hoping some guys would check in here and leave comments. I always wondered about a man's take on this.
So, basically, your career determines your clothes. Designer clothes, although expensive, always have a way of fitting just right. When a suit falls perfectly on a man's frame, I know I'm looking at designer clothes.
Thanks for stopping by. I was wondering where all the guys were.
1 person likes this
@blush_blush (307)
• Philippines
3 May 08
I care bout clothes, I don't go for clothes that are not in good quality. I build my wardrobe by starting with the basic and the must haves.
