Investments That Won’t Break The Bank
When the new High Gloss e-zine hit the web, I was just as excited as the rest of the blog community to get my grubby little keyboard on it. In so many ways, it did not disappoint. But like pretty much every other fashion and design mag (both hard and soft copy), it fails to give us suggestions for real, affordable style. Now, I realize that the word “affordable” means different things for different people, but the reality is that most of the nation is in the middle of a recession. Many people are facing foreclosure or downsizing their homes. Those of us who do make a good living but live in an outrageously expensive part of the country (ahem, that would be me) don’t want to drop thousands on a new wardrobe or room – even if we could. Hello, I spend $24k per year on daycare! That doesn’t leave room for a $7k Rolex, which is fine by me since my Citizen watch has been ticking along quite nicely for nearly ten years so far.
If you bought everything in the “Top 12 Investment Pieces” article (pg. 40), you’d spend $14,275. While I don’t think the editors mean to suggest that you run out and buy all twelve things, even the individual items are simply more than the average American can or should spend. The first real “investment piece” I purchased was a $375(ish) leather bag at the Furla store located at the bottom of the Spanish steps in Rome about six years ago. I used that bag every single day for a year, regardless of whether or not it coordinated with my outfit, simply to shed the Catholic guilt of spending so much money on a single item.
We all like nice things, and the staples that High Gloss shows in this article are wonderful ideas. But let’s get real, people, and turn some of those ideas into a reality.
First up are trench coats. I scored a Lily Pulitzer trench at TJ Maxx a few years ago for about $175 and it’s served me well ever since. For an even less expensive alternative, turn to London Fog, the originator of the rain coat. Buy it here.
Full disclosure: My husband bought me a Burberry scarf for my birthday a few years ago, so I’m not anti-Burberry by any means. Although I’d never have bought if for myself, I wear it almost every day during the winter. I’ll admit that it gives me a thrill to own something so indulgent.
Next up, two suggested must-have shoes: animal-print flats and nude pumps. Still pricey but much more reasonable flats can be purchased here, and those pretty nude heels can be found here.
Finally, watches and statement jewelry. The only way I would buy a Rolex is if I won the lottery or a wizard dumped a pile of cash on my house. Neither of these scenarios is likely. This Coach watch would be an upgrade to what’s currently on my wrist. As for the jewelry, there are so many options for great pieces – Etsy is a great place to look for unique stuff, but for somewhere mainstream, Banana Republic has a lot of cool pieces like this one out now.
I completely agree with High Gloss that it’s better to own high-quality classic pieces than throw money away on a bunch of stuff that you’ll hate next season. But remember that designer names aren’t the only mark of quality. There’s a lot of affordable quality out there, and if you treat it gently it will last a long time.
So now I issue a challenge to High Gloss, Lonny, and other mags out there: Can you introduce us to products that we can run out and buy tomorrow on a real-life, middle American budget?
Love this. I totally felt the same way with Rue. While I love the Mag and realize that not everything can be affordable, they did an article on the shops in my neighborhood- which are the most expensive shops in SF. (It’s a cheap area to rent, but impossible to buy area).
Anywho, I like to dream, but I am so happy that I am not the only one who wishes that articles are realistic too.
You are awesome. I spent that much on daycare, too. And would lurve a Rolex, but it’s not gonna happen as far as I can tell.
I couldn’t agree more. Price is not always an indicator of quality (sometimes, it’s just an indicator of a super-hot label) and there are lots of good quality items in the middle (and even lower) price ranges. For example, as a shoe addict, I have a good relationship with my local cobbler and he always says the best made shoes are Cole Haans. Yes, not cheap, but nothing akin to Louboutins or Jimmys.
PS – I bought a Furla at that very same store in Rome about 10 years ago! Was also my first big accessory purchase.
It’s so funny that you wrote this Laura, I scanned High Gloss last week and yesterday I finally sat down to read it. My first thought was similar to yours, quality, yes, but the average person has to pick and choose. My husband bought me a very expensive bag for Christmas three years ago. I use that purse almost every day from September through March and it has held up beautifully. When it comes to furniture I’m willing to splurge on neutral pieces that I’ll have with me for years. I won’t however, pay $325 for a single throw pillow when I could easily purchase the fabric of my choice and have a pillow made for me by a seamstress in our area for about $25 for a pillow with a zipper (fabric not included) or the local dry cleaner. (I asked, the seamstress at the cleaners quoted me $9.00 to sew the four sides together.)
Great article….whiel it is lovely to look at those very expensive items its a bit like looking at a beautiful model…we begin to feel that this is the only way to look. Fashion, whether it is for the home or the body is made beautiful b y the wearer, not by the price tag. spend your money where it matters, in your case daycare that it safe, loving and fun, not on a watch that will only be replaced by next year’s big trend whatever that may be. (something Princess Kate will be wearing no doubt)
I TOTALLY agree! I get really sick of seeing $10,000 couches and $1,500 articles of clothing in the magazines. My husband and I are both fortunately still employed, making a combined six figures, and don’t have kids – and I STILL wouldn’t spend that much money on any of their “investment” pieces.