Who really buys high end fashion items?

[dzsaigirl]

Not jewelry. Not handbags and luggage. Those things get more use. I mean like shoes and clothing that cost unbelievable amounts. I cannot even imagine getting a casual blouse for 300 dollars...but whenever I go to Saks for example, that stuff is all over the place. I can just imagine getting a huge stain on it!

Anyway, the most expensive clothes that I wear only come from like Banana and J Crew, but most of my stuff is Old Navy. So when I go into the higher end sections of the BIG stores with people I find it a bit excessive.

Just wondering.

Edited to add: I am not talking about special occasion stuff here. Just normal outfits.

[NinjaPoodle]

Come to San Franicsco sometime. Union Square shopping area to be exact. Grab a bench and sit back and watch the festivites. Chanel, Sacks, Neiman(mark-up) , Gucci, Prada, Coach, Celine, Max Azria, Louis V, Tiffany's, and a few others.

Come to my school sometime. We have a huge international student population and a lot rich kids. They sport this stuff all of the time. How does a 20 year old non-working college student be able to afford a complete Michael Kors ensemble( at least $1200 for the coat)? Dad, who happens to own lucrative vineyards in both the Napa and Sonama Valleys.

[ZTAngel]

People who live in Boca Raton and West Palm Beach, Florida.
When I worked at Bloomie's, these people would come in and buy these $700 shirts that weren't that nice and you could probably find a similar one at Charlotte Russe for $20 but they purchased it because the label said Versace or Donna Karan. I never understood it. But, these people have money so I guess blowing $700 is nothing to them.

[dzsaigirl]

I don't think I would know if someone's clothes were not the most current available. Then again, I am not a fashion risktaker...I won't buy something that I think will really go out of style. I like simple, clean, classic cuts and colors and I take good care of my clothes. God has also blessed me to be the same size all the time, so I don't outgrow my clothes either.

I know I am rambling, so I will get to the point. I know people with LOTS of money to burn who still don't buy the super expensive stuff. They travel and buy nice cars and have vacation homes, etc. but it's the ultra-high-end clothing that is NOT something they go for. I mean, I understand that a shirt from wal-mart and a shirt from Banana or another comprable store do differ greatly in quality, but beyond the upper end of affordable, is there really a reason to buy the high-end versions? Does the stuff get that much better?

Am I making sense? I am not a cheapskate, I just can't see the reason for paying a chunk of money for a top when I could have had 6 perfectly great tops for the same price!

[sororitygirl2]

Not daily... but I have.

[valkyrie]

I have (in the past) bought a few pretty expensive items, mostly cool blouses and shirts. I think it's a phase I went through and I'm really over it, although I will *always* be a handbag snob.

I do like decent quality clothing, of course, but I usually get sick of things way before they start to look worn.

[NinjaPoodle]

Originally posted by Tibi
Honestly, some of the stuff is better, but alot of it isn't if that makes any sense. Yes, the cashmere Burberry scarf may look the same as the acrylic copy, but in the long run the Burberry will probably last longer. Some items.....hmmm, depends, that Versace knockoff from Express will go through the wash once and in my experience, come out a bit worn looking, the original won't. The craftsmanship is different too. Stitching, zippers, buttons, snaps, attention to detail, better fabrics, etc. almost always come with a higher price tag.

Yes, I agree with you, Tibi. Cut is a big thing also. My figure is such that it is difficult for me to buy skirts and not get that damned bunching in the front.(I have a round shapely rear end) I found a designer who cuts her skirt in a flattering way that I can wear. Tracy Reese. She's based out of NY but (thank God!) Nordstroms carry her line out here in San Fran.

Color is another thing also. cheaper clothing lines tend to stick to easy basic colors. Higher end designers quite often use muted colors and other mixed colors that take time to create. I know because last semester I took a color and design class and had to create colors. It's difficult to re-create a shade of something just right. Thats one of the reasons why they charge so much. You're talking about one of a kind colors and the TIME it takes to create them.

[NinjaPoodle]

BTW, the Tracy Reese skirt I bought was originally around $300. I got it on sale for around $70. I think it was a great investmet because I know the material is not cheap and it will not fall apart after several [HAND] washings and I can wear it with other items in my wardrobe.

Edited to add: One other thing. This skirt is classic and modern in design. I can wear it for years (provided I stay the same weight!)

[Hootie]

You can call me cheap, but I like to think of myself as thrifty. I was stunned when my exfiancee bought me a Kenneth Cole skirt for almost $90 bucks. No, it's not that I'm not aware of who Kenneth Cole is...but I'd rather buy 4 skirts for the price of his one! I just can't justify that sort of spending!

[Peaches-n-Cream]

My bf is a clotheshorse. He has purchased Versace shirts for $500 and a jacket for $1500. I think that is overindulgent. My sister's ex has Gucci shoes and Hugo Boss everything. Personally, I can't afford that. I shop the sales at department stores, and I usually do well. I'm not a fashion plate, but I look cute.

[josh8o]

doesnt anyone wear abercrombie anymore??? i guess i'm one of the few college students left who likes to look like a real preppy kid--the kind who cares one day, but not the next. who looks good in anything. who is down to have fun ane not care what the lables says...
i know i go to sdsu where everyday is a fashion show, and the sorority girls look like they steped out of a magazine, but a majority of us are real. the only over priced euro-trash purchase i made was for my sunglasses--i needed something dope for spring break last year.

Neiman Marcus has the Last Call sale twice a year and I've been fortunate enough to find a lot of stuff there 'on sale'. D&G pants that were originally $400 were marked down to $80. I know, $80 is kinda steep for a pair of pants, but I couldn't put it back on the rack.

I have a Burberry's two-piece that I haven't even worn yet. It was a birthday present from a cousin last year. I'm too afraid that the salt water's going to cause it to fall apart or something.

I don't shop at Neiman or any other high-end store regularly. I tend to find everything I want at Ross.

[AngelPhiSig]

Okay, you are all making me feel really poor. I cant even afford to shop at Abercrombie! (not that I would fit in their clothes anyway...) Growing up I had designer clothes, but that was because I had wealthy grandparents who spoiled me. But my family went through hard times in the past few years moving from upper middle class to lower middle class (note the fact that I am alumna of my sorority, and not active, I cant afford the 500 a year for it)

Eh, Im not really complaining, but I really dont see WHY there is a need to buy expensive clothing when you can get basically the same thing cheaper, and yea... "but it wont wear the same, it will start to fall apart... blah blah blah" are you really going to wear it that many times? Ive noticed that the people who buy expensive clothes are the ones who get a whole new line every season.

I just dont get it.

I would be happy to have some money to go to my workplace (yea, Kohls... ) and buy a few new items with my discount... ha.

Again... there are people who cant afford the expesive stuff, and if I could, I woudnt buy it because the money would be going somewhere its needed, like providing a better life for my parents, and other people less fortunate than myself.

[33girl]

The most expensive thing I've ever bought is a pair of Ralph Lauren sandals...they're fairly timeless and I know they will last forever. Same with the Lauren dress I just bought (marked down 80%). If I had the $$ to buy a Chanel something, I would because I know it's a classic. I can see making "investments" but $1000 for the shirt that will only be in style for a season, I do not get.

What I want to scream at people - what my mother drilled into me - is take care of your clothes and they will last longer!!! The cheap sweater still needs washed in Woolite. If it says dry clean, dry clean it. You'd be surprised at what a difference it makes.

[Jadey28]

I hear you AngelPhiSig!!! I love to shop for clothing, but my favorite stores are Express, American Eagle, and Abercrombie. I always find wonderful clothes at Kohl's and in the department stores. I have a lot of clothing, none of which is of the highly priced namebrand. I think it's the person that makes the clothes, not the clothes that make the person.
I personally would rather spend my money on more material things, such as my car or items for my apartment. And yes, I said MY MONEY . I am a 22 year old female, who graduated colllege May 2002 and I have been independent from my parents since the age of 18. So many of my friends are still reaching for mommy and daddy's wallets when it comes to anything dealing with money. I can't wait to see these same people live the lives they have when mommy and daddy cut the cash flow off! Unless they marry into money or find an incredible job, they are going to be knocked on their A$$es