Recently, a girlfriend of mine posted a picture of a dress she loved on Facebook – it was stunning, in fact I may have actually bought the dress myself as it was designed by one of my favourite Australian designers, Sacha Drake. Someone else thought it was a nice dress too, but also thought, and I quote ” Nice but a ridiculous price, keep searching eBay and get the same thing for a 1/4 that price.”
Well this made me mad, to start because you won’t see this dress on eBay any time soon as no one in their right mind would sell it, but also because I know how much work goes into making a Sacha Drake dress, or any other designer garment that is designer AND manufacture here in Aus or NZ and to be honest, I thought the price AUS$275 was actually a steal for this amazing dress.
The dress in question…. what do you think it’s worth?
But when I relayed the situation to The Boy, he was, as always, more philosophical about the whole thing (you can tell I’m a Sagittarius = hot-headed and he’s a Gemini = level-headed, can’t you!) and suggested that maybe different people put different values on things, not just in fashion, but in life too…
So it go me thinking, what do you value when it comes to fashion and style? Do you value looking ‘trendy’ at all costs or do you think it’s important to spend money on ‘the classics’? Are expensive shoes and bags important to you or do you think chain-store shoes and bags are just fine?
Here’s a few things, style-wise, that I value.
Confidence:
Giving women back their confidence is the number one reason I do what I do for a living. Most women who come to me for personal styling services are stuck in some sort of rut and want to get out of it. They’ve lost their mojo somehow and style can be a really good way to get that back.
Having confidence in what you wear (and who you are) is waaaay more important that wearing the latest trends, or the most expensive labels. Fashion can be such a fun way
A good frock:
I would pay good money for a dress that fits me well! (See exhibit A above, and exhibit B below) I think that finding garments that FIT you well is really important and unfortunately, with the body shape I have, most of the time, the cheap and cheerful frocks don’t fit me (too short, not enough room in the hip is usually the case).
A good frock: This Trelise Cooper dress was not cheap – but it fits me like a glove and the detail is DIVINE! I will have this dress for years to come
Dresses like the one above are those pieces that you will have in your wardrobe for a long time – they are not trend-driven so they will last more than one season, they are made well, with good quality fabrics – so they will last more than one season, and because you probably have to think twice about buying it (rather than just on impulse), if you do buy it, you will LOVE it – so it will last for more than one season…..see what I’m getting at?
A classic handbag:
Unlike clothes and shoes that you change every day (well hopefully you do…..) a handbag is something that you have with you EVERY DAY. The same thing, every day – it has to be something you love then doesn’t it!
Practicality comes into this equation too – how much do you need to fit into it? Do you walk to work or drive a car? Are you more of a black or brown kinda girl (we’re talking leather here….)
As much as I impulse buy clothes and shoes – I’m VERY tempered about buying handbags. I’m SUPER-picky as I want to find just the right one that goes with all the crazy colours and prints I wear.
I’m happy to pay more for quality, and get something that is classic, and beautiful and that will last….which is why I recently ordered this bag of US site Madewell…..
Madewell Transport Tote US$168
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So there are just a few things that I think have value when it comes to style – do you agree? Or do you think we are all being ripped off by greedy stores and designers? Would you put a price on style? I’d love to know – tell me in the comment section below!
Love & Style Always
Cait xox0
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Hi Cait
Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge!
Could you please recommend a black tote for me. I’ve looked at the Madewell one on your blog however it has brown straps and I’m wanting a complete classic black one.
I live in Oz if that helps with your suggestions? Would love to have a style session/package with you one day when I’m back home in NZ for a holiday..it’s on my wish list!!
Thanks so much,
Kind regards,
Angela
Hey Angela!
There is a Madewell one with the black handles too (I have it!) You can get it directly on their website here https://www.madewell.com/nz/browse/single_product_detail.jsp?color_name=true-black&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441769448&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302026059&bmUID=l4jSwoW&bmLocale=en_NZ
Or give this one a go from Decjuba (http://www.decjuba.com.au/accessories/tanzy-zip-tote)
I’d love to see you when you come home!!
Quality is really important to me – not wanting to be a downer but the environmental impact of growing cotton mean we should buy fewer but much better clothes! Not that I always walk my talk!
Haha don’t worry, I often don’t walk my talk either but I totally agree with what you say! Buy few, buy better (or just buy nothing if you are on a spending ban like me haha!)
x
Like most ladies, I LOVE a great bargain.
But I also believe in investing in my style and fabulous handbags are my total weakness, I think these are pieces which I will use for years to come. I also have this opinion on beautiful designer clothing and feel that if I love it, spending more money is absolutely worth it.
Totally with you on the bargains! I have to admit, I’m late to the handbag game, used to be happy with cheap and cheerful, but I’ve had one too many fall apart on me know so I think it’s time to start investing in quality on that front!