FASHION - Before You Buy Something Expensive …
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Summary -
You’ve got your eyes on a handbag but it happens to cost a small fortune … how do you know though if the price you’ve found is the best, that the investment will be worthwhile and that you’ll use this bag as often as you think to justify the price tag? This episode includes answers to all of these questions + so much more. So if you’re looking to shop within the mid to high price range, have a listen to this episode first.
Things I Mention -
How to ensure you invest in timeless pieces and avoid one-season wonders.
Why your motivation to purchase could be could causing financial strain.
How to know if an expensive purchase will be a worthwhile purchase.
PLUS, I share one website that is a must-visit if you’re wanting to invest in designer clothes & accessories.
Links & Helpful Resources -
Join FEEL BE LOOK to improve the way you feel, be & look!
Join my Daily Pep Talks.
Download your FREE preview of my eBook - ‘The A to Z of Confidence’
Improve your personal style with my individual Body Shape eBooks
Think it’s impossible to improve the way you feel, be & look in just 30 days? Download my FREE 30 Day Challenge
Follow me on Instagram - @elishacasagrande
Cull & organise your wardrobe with my new digital course - Cull Your Wardrobe Like A Stylist
Shop pre-owned designer clothes & accessories from Vestiaire Collective.
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on any of my practical tips & tricks and if you enjoyed this episode, please leave me a rating and a review? Thanks!
In today’s fashion episode, I want to chat a bit about expensive clothes & accessories. This doesn’t necessarily mean ‘designer’ brands or labels but it is safe to say that most designer clothes & accessories do come with a hefty price tag so you want to make sure that you’re 110% confident and comfortable with the decision to buy such expensive pieces unless of course you’re swimming in cash which unfortunately, a lot of us are not.
You may recall the episode where I shared some of the questions that I like to ask myself before I add any items to my online shopping cart. This episode is similar but this time, the questions are more centered around the cost of the item given that we are talking about expensive items this time.
I would say when it comes to price points that I have a very balanced wardrobe. I like to mix high end (meaning designer brands) with high-street (meaning brands/ stores that are readily available and therefore usually cost less). You could probably draw a line down the centre and 50% of my wardrobe would consist of investment items that I’ve thought long and hard about and usually purchased overseas and the remaining 50% would sit within that low to mid-range. In saying this, I do try and support local brands/ stores and aim to practice quality over quantity and I find that to do that, the majority of my purchases tend to fall in that mid price bracket.
Alright, let’s say you’ve had your eyes on something special for a little while now but it costs just as much as 3-4 monthly mortgage repayments. Before buying any expensive items, ask yourself the following -
DO YOU ALREADY OWN SOMETHING SIMILAR?
Is it really necessary to own multiple leather jackets? In reality, a huge portion of us would reluctantly answer no and for good reason, it makes no sense to splurge on an item that you already own, unless of course you are replacing an old item. The cost per wear plus the fact that you won’t wear it nearly as often as you should, simply isn’t worth the splurge.
IS IT AN INVESTMENT PIECE OR A ONE-SEASON WONDER?
Investment pieces don’t need to be ‘classics’, they must however compliment your defined personal style and your lifestyle and as a result, be an item you would wear for many years. Would I splurge on a pair of designer look-alike “Birkenstocks” (aka Celine/ Givenchy) given that I’ve never found a place for actual Birkenstocks in my wardrobe? Definitely not!
IF IT WASN’T A DESIGNER BRAND/ LABEL, WOULD I STILL WANT IT?
Close your eyes and imagine the item you’re wanting to purchase. If it had ‘Target’ written as the brand, would you still want it?
WHAT IS MY MOTIVATION FOR WANTING TO PURCHASE?
It’s completely pointless purchasing something because either “all your friends have it” or because “beyonce was seen wearing it”. Ask yourself if you truly love the item and if you can imagine it working with most items in your existing wardrobe?
HOW OFTEN WILL YOU USE IT?
As above, if you can’t imagine the item being worn with at least 5 or more outfits, is it worth the splurge? Will it go with everything else you already own? Is it useful? Is it needed? Will the cost per wear make it worth the hefty price tag?
CAN YOU FIND IT FOR LESS?
Once you’ve worked through the above and have come to the decision that yes, you need this time in your wardrobe … it’s time to do your research! Browse the internet to find the best price guaranteed. You might surprise yourself with just how different pricing on big ticket items can be. Another one of my favourite things to do (honestly, I could spend all day on this website), is to search Vestiaire Collective for the item you have your eyes on. Vestiaire Collective is the absolute best place to find pre-owned fashion at 30 to 70% off original retail price. Most of the items are in incredibly good condition, worn once or twice and are ready to move onto a new owner for whatever the reason might be. Vestiare’s policy is super strict. They have a team of in-house experts that curate, control and authenticate all items to ensure that they are legit and that no counterfeiting is allowed.
If after doing your research, you can still justify the price, then it gets the big tick of approval from me.