Now you all know that I love a bargain as much as the next girl! But I also think I’m a good judge of value for money.
I really do try to bring everyone different options, at different price points, as much as I can, but I have to say, sometimes I get a twinge of disappointment when after featuring something that isn’t as cheap as chips, comments come through from readers asking me for cheaper options, or telling me that it’s too expensive.
Chasing Cait isn’t a multi-million dollar business.. yet.. (good thing I love doing what I do right?), so believe me when I say I totally understand what living on a budget is like (I’m a bargain-hunter at heart), and I try to feature low-cost options like the post 5 under $50 posts on the blog….. BUT, I don’t believe that the cheap option is always the best option.
I don’t think that the cost of something should be the be-all-and-end-all reason why you buy something, but sometimes it feels like people ONLY want the cheapest when there is MUCH MORE to making a purchase decision than that.
What I’m saying is, all the things I talk about on the blog will always be things that I BELIEVE IN, and that I think are worth spending your hard earned money on(and I always try to have varying price point options), even if that means having to save a little more for some of them.
But WHY are some products more expensive than others?
I’m a HUGE supporter of home-grown labels, whether they are from Australia or NZ. (This is one of the big reasons why I’m writing this post – I believe in local brands and what they are doing).
Now i’ve worked for a few brands on both sides of the ditch and I’ve seen first hand the amount of time, effort, thought and creativity that goes into creating amazing pieces of clothing that FIT well, are GOOD quality and hence, are MADE TO LAST.
Often these garments aren’t super trend-driven, they use classic cuts and shapes that will fit into your wardrobe for years come, therefore the COST-PER-WEAR is really low.
Here are some examples of some amazing labels that are still MADE IN AUS and NZ -so when you buy these labels, you are supporting local jobs in a local industry.
Shop home-grown labels (l-r) Andrea Moore (made in NZ) | Sacha Drake (made in Aus) | Leina Broughton (made in Aus) | Obi (made in NZ)
Price is relative
As a personal stylist, I’m exposed to many different women’s wardrobes on a regular basis, and one thing that it has taught me is that “cheap” and “luxury” are relative.
Whilst $129 might seem a lot to spend on a top for some, for other people, this is the norm. So when I have my stylist hat on, I tailor my approach to each person’s individual budget, taking them to stores that work in with that budget.
For me, it’s more about cost-per-wear and value for money, and this has always been the message I try to promote both styling and on this blog.
You don’t have to shop all the time
For a lot of people, it seems that buying MORE is always the priority, so of course you are going to want to spend less on individual items.
But sometimes, it might actually pay to take the advice of my styling guru Gok, who says to SHOP LESS, WEAR MORE.
If you can’t afford to constantly update your wardrobe, (and lets be honest, we could shop every day couldn’t we ladies!) why not save that money up and instead invest in some good quality key pieces that are going to extend the wardrobe that you’ve got. (I’ve got a few examples of that here, here, and here)

Here is my Cost-Per_Wear summary
When to save
There is definitely a time and a place for grabbing that cheap and cheerful piece! Something that is really on-trend, that you know isn’t really going to be around next season, or something you just want to try to see if it suits you, by all means, give them a go.
Kmart, The Warehouse, Target, Number One Shoes(all personal faves of mine) are all amazing stores that are featuring more trend driven clothing nowadays, to get pieces that you want at a great price.
There is a place for these cheaper pieces in everyone’s wardrobe, I’m just saying to make sure you choose carefully.
When to splurge
Think about the KEY pieces in your wardrobe. These are the things that you get the most use out of (remember that everyone’s key pieces are going to be different!)
Ankle boots was a great example for me. When I moved to NZ, I bought a cute, cheap pair of black ankle boots and they were great! I loved them. But they lasted about 2 months. So I bought another pair to replace them… and so on, and so on…. for an entire winter.
With the amount of money I ended up spending on those boots, I could have bought just ONE PAIR of amazing quality, comfortable, versatile LEATHER ankle boots and got as much use (if not more use) out of them – which I did the following year. And I still have them 2 winter’s later and I still love them.
Final Word
So I guess what I am saying is TRUST ME. Chasing Cait will always have your back!
I’m always going to be thinking about YOU when I feature products on my blog.
EVERY. SINGLE. THING I feature is potentially something that I would buy for myself (and I often have, just ask the boy!).
So the next time you go to comment and ask for a cheaper option, please trust me that I have chosen to feature that garment on it’s own value, and I wouldn’t recommend it if I didn’t think it was worth the price. That you can always count on.
Your thoughts? Do you have an example of when spending a little bit more ended up saving you a lot in the long run?
Until Next Time, In Style & Love Always,
Hi Cait,
THANK YOU!!!
I love reading your posts, and keeping up with the amazing options you so graciously share.
This post reminded me of when I met you, not long after the floods through Brisbane. Some of the beautiful Sascha Drake items you recommended are still staples in my wardrobe! Why? Because they are classics that haven’t dated, still make me feel awesome and glam, look amazing and are a cinch to care for!
When my Hubby was shopping for a tux/suit to wear for our recent wedding I directed him to ‘investing’ in his suit (he went with a tux and is now on the hunt for a suit) and go for quality over $$$. After a number of discussions with his ‘men’ and shop assistants, he came back and told me I was right…where’d I learn that? Please pat yourself on the back Cait…your advice works on the menfolk as well. 😉
I’m still guilty of grabbing a bargain buy often enough…like costume jewellery or shoes for a one off occassion that I really don’t expect to wear again…they look great in the collection though so still bringing pleasure. But I love ‘investing’ in classic pieces that I can then mix and match with cheapie, on trend add ons.
Please keep following your passion and sharing with the rest of us. You have such an impact on so many, love your ripple effect.
xxx
Thanks so much for your kind words Cari! So happy to hear that my advice is still going strong with all the family members haha
xx
Love this post Caitlyn, spend smarter is my motto xx
thanks lady xx
Hi, another Kate here. LOVE the post and I agree with both you and Kate who replied earlier re I love a good bargain but can also appreciate a more expensive piece of clothing I’ve invested in. Another tip is I love Adrian Hailwood and Maaike but the sales prices suit my budget more than full price and I don’t mind not having an item the minute it comes off the catwalk. I find I look after the expensive pieces and a better cost per wear ROI than the cheaper pieces, but then again they are fun for an immediate, short term fashion hit. Don’t you just love being a woman!!
haha we get the best of both worlds!!! thanks so much for popping over and having a read 🙂
Totally agree! You have to know when to spend and when it’s not worth it. I love love love staples, and splurging out on fabulous show pieces. I try to avoid trends and just develop my style 🙂
That’s a great way to go about style Leah – it’s pretty much how I work too xx
Completely agree! I have a post “in draft” along the same lines 🙂 After starting my career in high fashion houses I quickly learnt the value of well made “key” pieces that I still have to this day. Also if you did want to “upgrade” to the next season purchase, well made quality piece are easier to re-sell 😉
I LOVE where you’re going with the re-sell option (I do love me some Recycle Boutique haha!)
Hi Cait,
Such a great post! I agree with Gok about shopping less and wearing what we own. So many of us are caught in a bargain/sale shopping mentality that we are reluctant to pay full price and so we end up shopping the cheap end if the market all the time. I think shopping is a habit and a pass time for many of us and without it we can feel a bit lost. I loved reading this. Thanks so much. Bron
Thanks so much Bron, you are spot on – I think that is exactly what happens. And hey, I’m all for the cheap and cheerful, I just get really disheartened, when it’s ALL people want from me, that’s not what my blog is about – it’s about finding the best pieces out there full stop. Love your work, keep it up xx
Really great post I’m bargain hunter but can also appreciate the value of an item that I do decide to spend money on! Kate, Wondrous x
Thanks Kate! x
No, Cait, don’t feel down! I adore the way you mix high quality key items with cheap and cheerful on-trend items, and as a stay-at-home mum of several years, your blog has helped me justify some key purchases to myself ;-). Totally worth it: the black nubuck Styletread boots I copied from you, my Portmans cropped leather jacket, which is already my favourite thing – and, ha ha, the Bras ‘n’ Things chemise which is a splurge for me only because it’s technically unnecessary – but which my husband wants to thank you for!
I love the way you show your readers the key building blocks of a great wardrobe, but also demonstrate how to mix them up with things to suit a range of budgets, and how to wear them in different ways to increase their usefulness. Following your example, I’ve been enjoying wearing my leather biker, which is an expensive purchase for my budget, with a white lace fit’n’flare dress that I found for $20 through an online search of Ezibuy’s previous season’s styles, as well as with my basic tees, scarves and jeans. Yes, you sometimes feature items I couldn’t possibly afford or justify, but you often feature things I can afford – and have introduced me to the wonder that is Boohoo ;-). Plus, I love to see the more expensive things anyway – who doesn’t love a bit of clothing porn?! I like to pin things I love to a secret Pinterest board – you get a bit of the buzz of an actual purchase, create a valuable archive that helps you define and understand your own personal style, and, as I think you’ve mentioned before, you then have a whole lot of ideas to go back to if an event comes up that justifies a purchase.
I hang out for your posts each day. As a busy mum whose life revolves around littlies, Chasing Cait provides a precious few moments that help me reconnect with ME each day. Thanks for that! I just wish the posts would come into my email daily rather than all in a clump in the weekend, so I didn’t have to keep sneaking to the blog to see if it’s been updated, hee hee ;-). Hmm, have just spotted the “notify me of new posts” button. Keep up the great work!
First of all -BEST COMMENT EVER!!
thank you so much for your amazing words, Monica, you are the reason I write my blog!!! It makes me so happy to hear that you get use out of my ramblings haha
xx
PS. I blog every Monday, Wednesday and Friday religiously so you can always check back then – or there is a button on the right of the blog that you can pop your email into to get every post directly to your inbox 😉
Definitely agree with quality over quantity. Iv slowly started adding key pieces to my wardrobe. I like you am a bargain shopper I often walk back 2/3 times into a shop before committing to buying something I’ve had my eye on. Some items Iv brought include leather jacket had for 5+ years dresses brown leather boots.
You’re a very considered shopper and you always get pieces you’re going to get a lot of use out of – keep up the good work girl 😉
Love this post!!! Right on point for me at the moment, my Mum has been telling me for years “quality over quantity” and it’s only now that I’m starting to take that advice on board. Really enjoyed reading your previous posts about key pieces, keep them coming! I’m after more inspiration of staple items to add to my wardrobe! Thanks x
Hey Jess, so glad that you could relate. (it took me a while to get the quality over quantity thing too haha!) I’ll keep them coming!! x
Totally agree. Just got an amazing jacket from Kilt yhat os going to get soo much love and will last
Sounds like a great piece! And well worth it 🙂
couldnt agree more boots,jeans and coats and knitwear I always look for quality items,some I’ve had for many years,I often pick up a bargain at the end of season but they were originally expensive,I have champagne tastes on a cheap cask of wine budget keep up the good work Xx
haha I TOTALLY have champagne taste on a beer budget too 😉
Hi Cait – I love reading your blog – I love your style and your recommendations. Also love (lotta love!) that you give us so many choices and make us think about style vs fashion vs trends and value for money. Just got myself a denim jacket cos you said I gotta have one ;-)thought it would be for Spring, but already been worn at least once a week and got it on a $20 sales rack at Glassons! It’s good to have a list so you can spot a real bargain. Appreciate you – have a great week.
Hey Lynette, thanks so much for your lovely words! So happy to hear that you appreciate the blog 🙂 That means so much to me xx
I agree too that sometimes you need to spend a little extra on a garment that you will wear for more than one season. Or shoes. I have bought a pair of expensive leather boots that are comfortable, a great fit and look amazing, knowing that I will still be pulling them out of the cupboard for years. Meanwhile, the cheaper pair of ankle boots that I also bought this season that have become uncomfortable, have not worn well and look like I’ve dragged them through a hedge backwards (which I haven’t!) will be going in the bin. Moral of the story? Assess what you need and ask yourself a few key questions – where will I wear this? How often will I wear this? What do I want from this purchase? If you want something classic which you can wear and wear and look elegant, then spend a little extra to get what you want. I love the fact that we have diversity through Cait’s blog. It allows us to ask those questions and make informed choices. I’m very happy you have our back – keep up the good work xxx
Great advice Julie, I love those questions 🙂
xx
Hi Cait. I 100% agree with you – cheap is not necessarily the best option for a whole range of reasons you have outlined. I too love supporting local businesses – I think having a small business helps understand why this is so important. However the more expensive option is not always better one too. Some of the more expensive brands (and when I say this it is generally not smaller retailers like the ones you have mentioned that are the problem) just sell cheap crap for an expensive price. That frustrates the living daylights out of me. Anyway … quality over quantity is a very solid idea and yeah it takes a bit of time but definitely worth it in the end.
oh TOTALLY agree!
that’s why I always talk about value for money and don’t always feature either JUST the cheapest, or the most expensive.
thanks for taking the time to join the discussion lovely xx