Here’s a good read on Adina’s blog about lifestyle inflation. Or, more specifically, since hers is a clothes blog and so is mine: wardrobe inflation.
As you have gotten older and either earned more over the years or gotten more used to the idea of spending money on clothes in order to get quality, have your price points for various items changed?
I’ve pretty exclusively thrifted the bulk of my closet for 10 years now, so I wouldn’t say my price points have gone up – if you don’t count the fact that my local Goodwill’s prices have gone up a dollar or two in most every category. But my “quality point” has gone way up. I don’t buy crappily-made stuff anymore just because it’s a bargain, and I am buying less and less in general these days.
A few areas where I’m willing to spend more than I used to:
Shoes. I need narrow shoes with good arch support – and those ain’t cheap. About 40% of my shoes are retail (vs. thrifted); in the last few years I’ve spent $90-$100 on retail shoes when I previously wouldn’t have forked over more than $50. What changed? I decided that spending more on shoes I love and will wear for a long time is better than getting a “bargain” pair that are only so-so. (But I also ask for quality shoes as gifts so it’s not always my money… does that make it wishlist inflation?)
Sunglasses. All my sunglasses are currently from Goodwill, from a 5K swag bag, orrrrr I found them buried in the sand at the beach – classy. I am thinking about purchasing some high quality sunglasses secondhand (read: eBay or other e-consignment) because most of the ones that end up at Goodwill are flimsy and there’s no way to tell whether they have UV protection. I’ve read enough warnings on blogs by women a few decades older than I am to know that I don’t want UV-induced macular degeneration.
Winter boots. The last time I lived in the cold was 10 years ago and my footwear left over from that era is laughable. If I ever move somewhere cold again, I will invest in proper, water-proof, cold-weather boots. They may still be secondhand, but I’m gonna do it right.
Have you experience wardrobe inflation (or maybe deflation)? If so, in what areas, and what’s your reasoning behind it? Scroll down to share!
I have learned to avoid cheap, “fast-fashion” brands and concentrate on natural fibers (including good quality rayon/viscose and cashmere!). BUT even expensive “brand-name” garments do not guarantee high quality — often lesser known brands have better quality: good fibers and excellent tailoring/sewing. With thrifting, it is possible to find good quality, low price items especially if one focuses on classic styles rather than relatively recent trends.
Good points about quality, Carol, and skipping trends – if you think about it, brands don’t have much incentive to craft high quality trend items since they don’t need to last longer than the year or two the trend will be around.
Shoes I definitely splurge on as the quality affects the health of my back and feet. I really only thrift dress shoes as they are more lightly worn (usually) by their previous owner and will be worn as such by me. Cold weather clothing I splurge on also as I live in a snowy, cold state and like to be outdoors in almost any weather. Sometimes that time outdoors involves a shovel and a quick-as-I-can dash indoors for a hot drink but still…
Cold weather clothing splurge for sure. Even here in Atlanta the high-quality coats (too warm for our climate, really) are marked up considerably but they’re worth it when you need them!