How much do you spend on your clothes and accessories, on average? Is a new t-shirt just a drop in your budget, or do you prefer to spend a bit more than most people? Many of us pay hardly anything for our clothes and accessories. Sometimes, this is out of necessity, but in other cases, it’s just because you can spend less. After all, why spend $100 when you can spend $10? And yet, there is a strong case for spending more on many of the things you buy to wear. Your average cheap item could fall apart in a matter of months, whereas a more expensive purchase could last for years. If you’re wondering what’s worth the cost, check out some of these items you should be spending more on.
The Main Benefits of Spending More –
Before we take a look at some of the best items to invest in, it’s a good idea to have a better understanding of the benefits of spending more on fashion. One benefit is that you get to hold onto the things you love for longer. It’s horrible when one of your favorite items of jewelry or clothing starts to fall apart. You’ve had good times with it, but now you have to throw it out and replace it. If you spend more on quality items, they will last longer – hopefully for years and years. Another benefit of spending more is that it could actually save you money. If something lasts longer, you won’t have to spend money replacing it. A $100 pair of shoes that lasts three years is better value than a new pair of $20 shoes every six months.
Another reason to invest in better clothes and jewelry is to ease your conscience. If you want to buy things with a socially responsible and eco-friendly mindset, you should aim to spend a little more on your things. However, even then it’s best to try and find out about a label’s practices. Even designer fashion houses often lack transparency on who makes their clothes and where they source their materials.
Shoes – If there’s one thing that’s definitely worth paying a higher cost, it’s shoes. While a pair of shoes won’t last forever, a decent pair can remain wearable for a long time. And if you look after them, doing things like waterproofing them or replacing the heels, they can last even longer. If you’re thinking about which shoes to spend money on, choose the ones you wear the most. If you have a pair of nice heels that you wear once a month, they don’t need to be excellent quality to last a while. But if you have shoes you wear every day to work or the gym, they should fit well, be comfortable, and last you a long time.
Bags –Like a good pair of shoes, the right bag can also be your constant companion. You need bags to carry a variety of things, from documents for work to money, makeup, and even your gym kit. There are some bags you might not be too worried about spending a lot of money on. The bag you keep your swimming things in when you go to the gym doesn’t have to be very fashionable or last you a long time. But some bags are more important, from briefcases to luggage. A good luggage set is one of the marks of being an adult, and a decent leather bag can serve you for a range of occasions.
Formal Clothes – It’s not all the time that you get to dress up and wear something smart, unless you have a very particular lifestyle. When you do have the chance to dress somewhat formally, in a suit, a cocktail dress, or a ballgown, you certainly don’t want to skimp on what you spend. Your formalwear should last for a long time, and it should fit you well. It’s one of the things that can be worth tailoring. Of course, if you don’t wear something often, it won’t wear out as quickly. However, you want something to be good quality when you’re attending an event that requires dressing up.
Jewelry – There’s a lot of cheaper jewelry you can get your hands on, which can be great if you love to mix things up and wear different things every day. But sometimes you need some special pieces that you can treasure for a long time. If you invest in a piece of jewelry and take care of it, it could even end up being passed down through generations after you. One thing to spend more on is gold jewelry. You can go for cheaper gold-plated or 9k gold items, but it’s definitely worth investing in something of better quality. For example, the 14k gold chains at Frost NYC come in a range of options so you can choose exactly what you want. If you want something to last a lifetime, like an engagement or wedding ring, it’s definitely a good idea to invest some extra money in it.
Coats and Jackets – Staying warm, whether it’s in a blizzard or just on a breezy day, is important. And looking good when you do it is important too. A lot of people end up buying a new coat or jacket at least every year, or every couple of years. While that’s not too bad, if you want to replace coats and jackets less often, spending more on them is a good idea. You also don’t have to stick to just one. Some people replace their coat regularly because they get bored of the same one. If that sounds like you, invest in a couple of good quality coats so that you can switch them around and keep things exciting.
Underwear – When it come to everyday undies, a lot of people don’t bother to spend much. Maybe you might step up your spending a little so that your undergarments last a little longer, but you don’t necessarily want to buy designer things. However, your underwear can be the foundation to your outfit, and it’s worth investing in items that could last. In particular, spending a little more on your bras is a great idea. A bra needs to fit well, feel comfortable and make you feel good. If you only buy cheap ones, you might not be getting what you want from them. Plus, they might be poorly made and start to fall apart before long.
Jeans – Sometimes you want to wear a pretty dress, but many women spend a lot of time wearing jeans. They can be a comfortable option, and they’re suitable for wearing day-to-day as part of practical but stylish outfits. Finding a good pair of jeans is a bit like the Holy Grail for some women. Different clothing labels use different sizes, and finding a pair that fits you in all the right places can be tough. That’s one of the reasons it can be a good idea to spend more money. It makes it a bit easier to find those super comfortable but stylish jeans.
Clothes Tailoring – Although it’s not technically a single fashion item, tailored clothes are bound to fit much better than anything off-the-rack. It’s worth spending money on having your clothes tailored, from skirts and shirts to jackets and dresses. Even basic items like t-shirts can look and feel better if you pay to have them tailored.
Sometimes spending more is the right choice.