Sunday, February 21, 2010

Born-Again Cheapskate

Remember back in the day when Old Navy just started out, and it was all the rage because their clothes were cute yet affordable? It seemed like such a novelty back then that you could get fashionable clothing at on-sale prices. Yet today, stores like H&M, Forever 21 and Wet Seal almost put Old Navy to shame, because their clothing is practically half the price as Old Navy's, and well, ON can sometimes be kind of repetitive and/or boring in their styles.

And so I ask myself, with so many adorable things at such amazing prices, what's the point of buying designer clothes anymore? Especially when trends change so fast, it's kinda nice to have not paid a pretty penny for something that will go out of style in a few months. And sure it was one thing when I used to get a 20% discount on the already discounted stuff at Nordstrom Rack. So designer stuff was do-able. But nowadays I'm all about being cheap.

My very first purchase at Forever 21 was back in November. I bought some "cage shoes", or at least that's what the magazines call them. They are just fun heels, and they cost me a whole $23. Now, while the quality is not up to par to say, the shoes sold at Nordstrom, a similar shoe at Nordies would probably run me $100-150, easily. And since the shoe is trendy, if it goes out of style in a couple of months, at least I didn't lose out on $100. Plus, if the saying, you get what you pay for, is true, then I don't really care if they break after a couple wears (which btw they've been worn now 3 times without issue!).

So yea, I just decided the other day that I am done with expensive shoes, bags, jeans, etc. I am never again paying more than $60 for jeans, or $40 for shoes. In fact, if I stick to forever 21, my shoes will be $25. :) Well ok, I might be lying because if I do see a must-have pair of shoes at Nordstrom that is costly, I can't promise to resist. And I do love my Longchamps handbags (dawdy, old lady nylon bags that cost wayyyyy too much but are awesome). But I can't tell you how awesome it is to score at H&M with their $30 dresses (many of them are "modest" too which helps out), or Forever 21's jewelry department or whatever. They pretty much rock.

Oh and this is a little embarrassing but I am also a big fan of the Miley Cyrus- Max Azria collection at Wal-Mart. It actually appears to be designed for tweens (as I end up barely fitting into Large), but I love it- I have a couple chiffon-y shirts from this collection that I wear for work all the time- I paid $12 for one, $7 for another! It just makes so much cents. <-- hahaha I'm really funny aren't I? But for reals, every  sane designer has caught on to the "cheap" clothing collection thing, and I'm pretty proud to be a cheapskate!

But then again, I won't really succumb to being cheap with makeup. Most people know I love me some MAC, so I guess since I spend a good part of my money there, that's why I have to save elsewhere! :)

So how about you, what are your favorite cheap thrills? And when/where do you splurge?

2 comments:

Jules AF said...

I don't do trendy, so I feel okay with buying expensive things. A lot of my pieces never go out of style!

Abby Q. said...

I used to say that too, but then I was like, how many items do I have from 5 years ago that I still wear? And the answer is, not many!! So since most of my clothing's life span (as far as my interest in the item) is maybe 2 years, I am at peace with these stores. And actually, my H&M clothing, some of it is 3 years old and still going strong :)