By: Esra Erdogan/Columnist
It is hard to be a college student who is obsessed with material things that she can’t afford. In fashion, the old adage “mo’ money, mo’ problems” does not apply.
In fact, I firmly believe that if I did have more money, my closet would be perfect. Okay, maybe not perfect, but definitely an improvement on what it is now. One day, I will be able to afford a few of those luxury items that I covet but, for now, I better stick to less expensive duds.
This is why designers created their more accessible little sister labels, like Marc by Marc Jacobs or T by Alexander Wang. These brands often offer a more “street style” vibe than their older siblings, but at a lower price point.
Unfortunately, even these labels end up costing an arm and a leg. The cheapest item available at www.revolveclothing.com from T by Alexander Wang is an $84 cotton tank top, which is not exactly a steal. Compare that style to a similar tank top at Urban Outfitters for $16 and you may question why you like fashion in the first place.
Of course, there are other things to take into account; the materials used, cost of labor and the value of the designer’s name on the label definitely increase the cost. Maybe it is because I am a college student, but I struggle with the notion that a tank top that costs more than $20 is worth it, even if it is a designer tank top. Thankfully, there are options for those of us who can’t stroll into Barney’s New York and buy a $2000 jacket, whether it is from the diffusion line or the real deal.
Contrary to the fabulous but unrealistic world depicted in Sex and the City, column writing does not pay well. I honestly have no idea how the writers of the show thought that Carrie Bradshaw could afford all the Manolo Blahnik heels that she owned. But, like Bradshaw, when I have any money to spare, I immediately spend it on clothes.
This has resulted in a lot of hit-and-miss shopping — like those strange suede boots that seemed like a good idea at a department store sale last year or the ill-fitting, high-waisted pants from American Apparel.
After countless closet cleanups, with a lot of stuff put in the donation pile, I have decided to stop my trigger-happy buying and shop in a more organized manner.
Since I love rules and guidelines, I created some to perfect my shopping technique. The first and most important thing to do is take inventory of your closet. Count what you have, what you like and what needs replacing. This is a good time to gift things that you don’t wear often to friends, or donate them.
Having a lot of stuff can be overwhelming, so streamlining your closet will not only help you visualize what you have but also force you to get more wear out of the things you keep. Then, make a list – this is where your smart phone comes in handy- of what you want and how much you are willing to pay for it. Some things I want right now include: a white blazer, bright red pants, black jeans, an anorak and more jewelry. I like to check out the prices of the things I want on retailer’s websites so I have an idea of how much the item will cost me beforehand so I can budget accordingly.
The great thing about planning ahead is that you have time to save up for the nicer items at higher price points. You can usually tell when a more expensive piece is worth it; the material will be of better quality and will be more durable, and the cut will be more precise in order to fit you better.
That doesn’t mean that all expensive clothing items are worth it, though. A $60 blazer from Armani Exchange may fit you and last as long as a much more expensive one by Elizabeth and James.
Planning also lets you keep track of when something goes on sale. I constantly check on the items on my wants list to make sure I find the best price.
While you’re in the shops, it is easy to get distracted by the millions of items surrounding you. Try to focus on the things you really want by picking them up and trying them on before straying to other items.
Now here is the scary part: the fitting room. Oftentimes, I buy something that convinced me I was Kate Moss in the fitting rooms, only to discover that it is terribly unflattering when I get home. When you’re trying things on, make sure to inspect yourself from every angle. Take advantage of the mirrors so you don’t put that $50 final sale dress on at home and break out into a fit of rage because it looks hideous. I had to learn this the hard way – several times.
After the fitting rooms, feel free to explore your other options. If you have extra cash laying around after your bigger buys, go ahead and try on the things that caught your eye when you entered the store. Since the pressure is off, you may find something indispensable that you did not think of when making your list.
The funny thing about shopping is you always seem to find what you like when you don’t need it. If you really love something and it looks amazing on you and will get a lot of wear, buy it – even if it was not on the list. You may regret not picking it up later.
Before you are ready to face the cashier, visualize how your new piece will be worn with your current possessions. If you can immediately think of things that you can match it with – including bags and shoes – you’ll probably get good wear out of it. If you’re at a loss, you should think again before you swipe your debit card.
Hopefully, with a little careful planning, I will soon be rid of my impulsive shopping habits and improve my closet by buying things that I can afford and will last me for a while. That is, until I become fabulously rich and don’t have to worry about petty things – like whether or not I have too many pairs of Prada pumps.
Haute Topic is a weekly fashion column. Look for it every Wednesday this Fall.
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