tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post883333795545278320..comments2024-03-09T04:17:11.014-04:00Comments on One can't get over the habit of being a little girl all at once...: Style Question Wednesday: Investment DressingWendyMcLeodMacKnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-25083909976469405582013-06-12T09:18:23.280-03:002013-06-12T09:18:23.280-03:00About Crimson Lounge Located in the Sax Chicago h...About Crimson Lounge Located in the Sax Chicago hotel, Crimson Lounge <br />is an opulent vision of Victorian romance infused with new world energy.<br />Additionally, guitarists should learn as many songs as possible to build their repertoire.<br />Over-all, machinima is expected to carry on growing within its acceptance.<br /><br /><br />Feel free to surf to my website ... <a href="https://Facebook.com/BlitzDown/posts/546743558704815" rel="nofollow">Top 20 US UK Music</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-38280669054875850012013-06-10T06:56:13.633-03:002013-06-10T06:56:13.633-03:00This software helps you customize nutrition depend...This software helps you customize nutrition dependant on your real age, weight, <br />height, and metabolism. 5- The actuality about whenever and tips on <br />how to work with both of those dumbbells and equipments to place on high level of quality muscle quickly.<br />In his new program Kyle Leon offers high quality information and offers a <br />proven muscle building system that has been designed <br />by renowned fitness models from around the world that have been adjusted and tested for a long time in order to provide <br />the best results.<br /><br />Feel free to surf to my web page :: <a href="http://vintagevortexv.com/check-out-our-interview-with-uncle-earl-from-the-underground-experience/" rel="nofollow">muscle maximizer results</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-88264953510719362562013-05-24T03:25:50.784-03:002013-05-24T03:25:50.784-03:00Hi Gigi - great points! I am not even sure who J ...Hi Gigi - great points! I am not even sure who J Crew is making a lot of their clothing for anymore, as I see some of the little bitty folks looking large or ill-fitting in the clothes and I think "if they can't do it, no way I can!"WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-3996615602129859692013-05-24T03:24:12.517-03:002013-05-24T03:24:12.517-03:00HI Louise - I hear you - I realize that even when ...HI Louise - I hear you - I realize that even when I go back to work, I do not plan to work 9 to 5 monday to friday in the corporate world, so I really need less and less of that kind of thing, and benefit from casual pieces that can be "dressed up". WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-939575428967666062013-05-23T11:54:31.775-03:002013-05-23T11:54:31.775-03:00I agree w/ajc, Investment piece is a marketing sch...I agree w/ajc, Investment piece is a marketing scheme set forth by the fashion industry. It's a good one as I'm sure it has sold a ton of merchandise. When you drive a Harley off the lot, it increases in value according to an enthusiast I know. When I stroll my J Crew Collection yadda yadda out of the store, it absolutely does *not* increase in value. The best I can hope for is a good cost/wear. And, sadly, I have to hope the garment doesn't fail me. Things are made so much more cheaply these days and don't have lasting value in many cases. Good points were made about body shapes changing, the cut of items, etc... Another reason I don't believe in investment pieces and I'm all about cpw.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06119918515498248436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-41676510102475184202013-05-23T10:44:36.707-03:002013-05-23T10:44:36.707-03:00Great topic!! I have been thinking along the same ...Great topic!! I have been thinking along the same lines. Now that I am not working and no longer in a corporate environment, I have piles of "investment" pieces that I no longer wear. Now, I am quite cynical whenever I see that phrase in a magazine. It just seems like a marketing ploy to get people to spend more. At the same time, I have given up on cheap & chic items from H & M et al. because they always end up in the donate bin after only one or two wears. Instead, I have been trying to buy things that I think I will wear right now, and are of decent quality, and I have been going through my closet and wearing older pieces. I haven't bought much recently, as compared to when I was working, but I am a lot happier with the things that I have bought!<br /><br />Thanks for this post - I loved reading everyone's comments!!Louise @ INGREDIENTShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09883303245642039938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-41171598495710517572013-05-23T06:27:49.915-03:002013-05-23T06:27:49.915-03:00Abby - that is an interesting idea.
That is one ...Abby - that is an interesting idea. <br /><br />That is one reason I won't ever abandon J Crew or some of the other brands - I do like the cuts and a lot of traditional brands fit boxy on me and trust me, I cannot do boxy!WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-580064980807289072013-05-23T06:26:11.977-03:002013-05-23T06:26:11.977-03:00HI Jenny! So glad you popped in! Your feelings a...HI Jenny! So glad you popped in! Your feelings about winter coats are the opposite about here in Canada - we really only have 3 months of warm weather and the rest can be less than ideal, so a coat is a good thing! I would be in trouble in Sydney - I would be buying more sandals than a person should ever have!! I agree on our style emerging and God, I hope by the time I am out of my 50s that I have it down pat!WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-18364589550704246742013-05-23T06:23:33.159-03:002013-05-23T06:23:33.159-03:00Merry Wife - I think you have me pegged quite well...Merry Wife - I think you have me pegged quite well!!! <br /><br />I think that 4 nice shirts that you get compliments on and that make you feel like a million bucks is indeed investment shopping!WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-43447967692438953582013-05-23T06:22:25.581-03:002013-05-23T06:22:25.581-03:00HI Ema! I agree - in the end, a coat is likely to...HI Ema! I agree - in the end, a coat is likely to last you longest and in our climate, is the thing that people see every single day or is the thing that keeps you warm when you are freezing your a$%$# off!<br /><br />weren't they interesting comments?WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-2891199260867992252013-05-23T05:46:40.765-03:002013-05-23T05:46:40.765-03:00Another thought -
I saw an interesting idea on a...Another thought - <br /><br />I saw an interesting idea on a blog - if you think an item might be a staple for you, find a lower cost version to "test" out. If it proves indispensable, you can buy a nicer version of it. I think this is a good idea. <br /><br />On the other hand, maybe by the time you buy the nicer one, the bloom will be off the rose, or the nicer one will be just different enough that it gets relegated to the back of the closet. <br /><br />I have a cheap black cashmere turtleneck that I find versatile and that is truly falling apart. Same thing for a zip up grey wool hoodie that I had to get rid of a long time ago, but still think about. I'm thinking about replacing both of them with higher quality products. But, I am finding that the nicer brands (e.g. Brora) have slightly different details that take the products from minimalist/hip to a little "older" and more proper looking, which is not the direction I want to go. I could try a "hip" nice brand, but then I don't know if the price would actually correlate with quality. Abbynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-19940302025094884912013-05-23T04:51:51.571-03:002013-05-23T04:51:51.571-03:00Hello... first time on your blog and am enjoying t...Hello... first time on your blog and am enjoying the humour and the content! I was saying to a friend the other day that it takes some girls a lifetime trying to work out what their "look" is!! I am still unsure!! I have spent too much money on coats I dont wear.. (I live in Sydney and the winters here are not really cold enough)... I have two pairs of Chanel flats - the ballet flat type - one black pair and then the nude and black pair. I have worn these hundreds of times and they still look amazing... they are classic and work with everything. I also used to buy too many bags - no more!! I think, as one gets older, that quality over quantity usually begins to emerge - especially that by my age - (61) that one needs to know what "Look" we are going for!! Jenny Jenny Rose-Inneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03238831480483296166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-23353521122558427642013-05-22T23:47:27.470-03:002013-05-22T23:47:27.470-03:00I broke down and bought 4 Brooks Brothers shirts t...I broke down and bought 4 Brooks Brothers shirts the other week. Not an investment, to be sure. I'll never be able to sell them for more than I paid. :) But I feel that they perked up my wardrobe. I look (and feel) more professional in them. And I've been getting a lot of compliments on them, which is always great for the ego. <br /><br />I could be completely wrong, but I picture you as a woman on the hunt when it comes to shopping. I can't imagine you being happy with just two purchases over a 6 month period. :)<br />Merry Wifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-2974769106878510642013-05-22T23:06:14.201-03:002013-05-22T23:06:14.201-03:00To me there is only one piece of clothing that can...To me there is only one piece of clothing that can be truly called "investment": a great coat. Coats don't go out of style as often as the other stuff and when you think about it they provide a fundamental need which is to keep you warm (for those of us who live in cold climates, of course). If I look back there is only one thing from more than ten years ago that I would buy again now, and that is my Moncler down coat. Granted, it feels a bit oversized because coats used to be oversized then but I still feel cozy and chic in the cold when I wear it. I guess it would be the same with a Max Mara coat or any other great coat that fits you well and keeps you warm. So good job on your coat ;-).<br />For everything else I agree with ajc, personal tastes change, styles and cuts change, fires, baggage loss and moths happen, and there is no guarantee that splurging on something that you think you will wear forever will actually pass the test of time. I would almost say that one should buy for the here and now more than the long term. One of the biggest mistakes IMO is buying something with the "I will wear it forever" in mind. What about tomorrow? We are used to think the cost per wear in terms of long term but a pair of jeans that you wear almost everyday for a year and then you toss are a better "investment" than something you wear once or twice a year (even assuming that you will wear it literally to your deathbed). <br />Fun topic, I enjoyed reading everybody's comments!Emahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08331051805268660458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-36162511647846254182013-05-22T21:31:00.633-03:002013-05-22T21:31:00.633-03:00Hmmm - max Mara - love...
How bad was the markup?...Hmmm - max Mara - love...<br /><br />How bad was the markup? I've always wondered what the markup was for prada etc?WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-30723735543895504382013-05-22T21:05:50.861-03:002013-05-22T21:05:50.861-03:00Wow this thread has gone crazy while I was asleep!...Wow this thread has gone crazy while I was asleep! <br />Such interesting comments and thought on this.<br />I agree that clothes and shoes can't be 'investments' in the true sense of the word, but I do believe that a beautiful, classic coat or jacket in gorgeous fabric that fits perfectly is an investment in self-confidence and joy!<br /><br />I also agree that price and/or designer labels are no guarantee of quality. However, I do think that some labels can be worth the $$ if the price isn't too out of one's budget.<br />Think Max Mara coats, some Prada, Loro Piano pieces.<br /><br />I was lucky enough to work in a very high end retail store in my 20's, and I think that gave me an insight into what was worth the price and not, for my own personal style. I still have pieces from that time that I do wear from time to time. Dani is right that styles do change, but eventually, they come around again!<br />I've also had a couple of old pieces tailored to make them more current - this can be a good idea if fabric and colour are divine and a few alterations will give the item more life.<br /><br />I also want to expand on my rule of not buying expensive summer items. I think it's a hangover from being a Brit. It's rarely warm for long in the UK, so there's no point at all in shelling out for a summer wardrobe that will get little wear unless one goes on hols to warmer climates. Now, of course, I live in a country where it's very warm for a good 6 months of the year, but I still baulk at paying $$$ for summer duds, as its too sweaty for them to last long! I do buy a couple of posh bits every summer, but most of my big spends are more trans-seasonal and suitable for autumn/winter.<br /><br />Anyway, thanks everyone for such an interesting take on quality/price and fashion.ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04081478322678615146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-21113467323866843902013-05-22T20:49:45.580-03:002013-05-22T20:49:45.580-03:00Hey shopping celle! Never fear! I hear you on th...Hey shopping celle! Never fear! I hear you on the shopping thing - buy yay on the weight loss and congrats! Classic clothing that fits well is the dream!WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-76350541658364011972013-05-22T20:44:09.882-03:002013-05-22T20:44:09.882-03:00Oooh I hope there isn't a fancy pants limit. I...Oooh I hope there isn't a fancy pants limit. I have purchased so much clothing in the last year, more than ever before. There are several reasons. The bad: blogs, and a feeling that I can somehow but more satisfied with my life if ( fill in the blank) is in it. The good: weight loss and a need to wear classic clothing that fits well. I'm trying to cull out the so so and bring in only the fabulous. I definitely need to donate, consign, ebay this summer. Shopping Cellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08609287005914939866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-47895595741893562272013-05-22T19:19:27.539-03:002013-05-22T19:19:27.539-03:00Margaret - great comment! Clothing is wonderful, ...Margaret - great comment! Clothing is wonderful, but not an investment unless it is an investment in one's sense of self! WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-20622372757939116552013-05-22T19:10:23.115-03:002013-05-22T19:10:23.115-03:00Margaret - you are so right! I have some things t...Margaret - you are so right! I have some things that were expensive that just fell apart!WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-3800102259508370442013-05-22T19:06:07.334-03:002013-05-22T19:06:07.334-03:00Thank you for correcting the terminology, which I ...Thank you for correcting the terminology, which I think is derived from marketing and adopted by consumers: "investment" dressing or buying. Of course, it is never really an investment to buy expensive clothing and accessories. (OK ignore for one moment, a Birkin or something). If we are talking cost per wear, the some items may have a better "return" for cost. But the items aren't increasing in value at all, we are just getting more use out of them. In any event, the term irks me so much and gets tossed about a lot in the fashion blogosphere. I agree with the other commenter above who notes that many people who buy "investment" pieces ie expensive clothes and accessories are also in the same position as others (shop, get rid of things, etc.) but at a different income level or with more disposable income.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16327909184795545590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-90457661187805886622013-05-22T18:54:31.514-03:002013-05-22T18:54:31.514-03:00Thank you for challenging the equation of "hi...Thank you for challenging the equation of "high price = quality" or "quality = high price". Quality is quality, in and of itself, and found at all price points. Many people are not able to evaluate quality across all product types and use price as the marker. I cannot determine quality of every fiber, every gem, every type of leather. Sometimes knowing the manufacturer helps, sometimes not. But price alone is not determinative.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16327909184795545590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-70149906194334416652013-05-22T18:04:02.687-03:002013-05-22T18:04:02.687-03:00J Crew JD - our comments passed each on the ethern...J Crew JD - our comments passed each on the ethernet! I was going to say - so few people really look at each other's clothes is my experience. Except all of us! But my SIL wouldn't have a clue or care and she is fairly typical of folks around here!WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-41781643330220115772013-05-22T18:01:59.887-03:002013-05-22T18:01:59.887-03:00GF - you are so right - I am convinced that there ...GF - you are so right - I am convinced that there is a way for every person to be stylish at every price point. I think of some of the great deals I have gotten on Ebay or at Joe Fresh (hanging head in only semi-mock-shame) and at the Crew on sale! I just wish our Janet wasn't away as she is my Queen of Thrifting! I can only imagine what she will bring back from Jolly Old England and the marche puce!WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-18744885563026627342013-05-22T18:01:07.880-03:002013-05-22T18:01:07.880-03:00WMM, I am doing that too. I am wearing a dress tod...WMM, I am doing that too. I am wearing a dress today that is really gorgeous, old school J.Crew, but it is a wrap dress, and today I realized it's too low cut, so I will not be putting it back in the closet, and will buy no more wrap dresses. Sometimes ruthlessness is good when it comes to clothes... no wavering on things that aren't exactly right!<br /><br />GF, binge and purge is right. Yikes! One of my favorite blogs is <a href="http://www.practicalparalegalism.com/" rel="nofollow">Lynne's</a>. I found it because we are in the same field and was intrigued by her ability to always look professional but spend hardly any money. <br /><br />And it all comes down to being comfortable and stylish! Hire-ability too, tell me about it, I agonized for over a week on what to wear to a job interview. That was a waste of time, because clearly as long as I wear a suit that fits, I think no one will notice what color my blouse is or whether I wore pearls or not! So easy to get caught up in it... but yes we all just need to be true to our selves. <br /><br />Oh, and glad you enjoy my Penelopes, they are my all time favorite J.Crew shoe :)J.CrewJDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07464373354705821248noreply@blogger.com