This is a guest post from Lucy Lazarony, a freelance writer based in Florida.
You know that wardrobe staple that every woman is supposed to have? The little black dress? Well, I’ve finally got mine! And I found mine on the sales rack at Target. The price $7.58! The regular retail price was $29.
The dress from Target’s own Merona brand is washable so there is no expensive dry cleaning needed. And I live in South Florida — we sweat here, especially in the summer. So whatever I wear has to be washable, breathable and affordable. My little black dress from Target fits the bill.
So far, I’ve worn that little black dress to a dinner party, a fundraiser for the local jazz and swing society, a mixer at the local Chamber of Commerce and two job interviews.
I’ve paired the dress with low heels, left over from my pre-freelancing days (as a freelancer, I like to write barefoot), and a tiny black canvas bag that I bought for 99 cents at a local Japanese museum and gardens.
The bag is the perfect mini-purse and it’s a great conversation starter! I can’t tell you how many people come up to me and say, “I love Morikami, too!”
And the total cost of my go-anywhere black dress and mini-purse is $8.48. That’s some bargain!
I must confess that after years of practicing yoga, my body won’t let me stand or walk in heels for more than a few minutes. I can make a lovely entrance into the room and then all I’m thinking is “When can I sit down?” So I decided to buy some flat sandals. Be your height, ladies. Your hips, toes, feet and lower back will thank you.
For flat sandals, I looked at Target — of course I did — but I ended up getting a pair of sandals by Mark Fisher at Macy’s for $25. The sandals were half-off. And while the computer said there were none in my size, a nice salesman checked in back anyway, and voila I’ve got the perfect sandals to go with my dress.
So I realize that my spectacular bargain of an outfit just went up to $35.48. But it’s still an incredible deal. And it was a surprise, too. I was in Target to score some deals in the food section. Finding my little black dress was a bonus.
And it wasn’t my only fashion bonus that day. I bought another washable, breathable, sleeveless, perfect summer dress, also from Target’s Merona brand. And this one is teeming with color.
Memory drives a purchase
The dress reminds of an Impressionist painting that I had the pleasure of seeing at Musee d’Orsay on a whirlwind trip to Paris in 1993. (I went to Paris for five days after spending the summer in London as an international intern. I earned my final 14 credits as a college student that summer in London. And rather than fly home to graduation in the States, I went to Paris instead.)
The official title of the painting is “Artist’s Garden at Giverny, 1900,” by Claude Monet. A print of this same painting hung in my room at college for four years. I remember buying it at an outdoor poster sale at the student union the first week of classes.
And seeing that very painting in Paris, on the top floor of a glass-roofed museum with the afternoon sun shining upon it, was a dazzling and thrilling moment for me. I’m 22! I’m in Paris! Who cares if I can only afford to eat at McDonald’s! I’m here. Life is good. Anything is possible!
My I-feel-like-I’m-wearing-a-Monet dress from Target is covered in beautiful dabbles of cream, soft pink, pale lavender and just a hint of dark brown. It also has a fun ruffle along the collar.
The price of all this loveliness is just $9.
This exuberant little dress is my go-to dress for art openings and events around Delray Beach, Fla. On a single day I wore it to a job interview with an arts editor at a coffeehouse in the morning and to half a dozen artist studios and galleries in the evening. Later that night, I interviewed a young singer/songwriter following his performance at The Beat Cup Cafe, where performances are appreciated by snaps rather than applause.
By the end of the day, I felt filled to the brim with great conversations, music and art. And all it cost me was a couple of cups of tea and another gem of a dress from Target.
Because summer never really ends in Florida I will be wearing this dress and my little black dress throughout the year. They’re great bargains, but more than anything I feel great when I put them on!
Shopping is the experience
The combination of loving an outfit and not paying close to full price has been instilled in me since I was a child. When shopping with my mom we always headed straight back to the clearance racks of any department store. And how low a price you paid was almost as important as how much you loved a top or skirt or pair of shoes. Plus, it was fun to look and try on clothes even if we came back empty-handed.
I know there are all kinds of ways to shop and save while shopping online but it’s just not for me. The fun of shopping is the going and the trying on. It’s the creative rush of looking at all the different styles of clothes and all the different colors and choosing one, two or three or four to wear, even if it’s only for a few minutes in a dressing room.
One balmy night this summer, I bought a pink-and-black T-shirt with an enormous print of a flower on it for $7 from a small shop near the beach that was stuffed full of touristy treasures. I was out for a walk and the fun, colorful T-shirts in the window pulled me in. The merchant was happy to see me and I was happy to make the purchase with some cash I had with me at the time.
You might think that I’m a fashionista or I have the makings of a shopaholic but I’m neither. I read Walden at 20. When it comes to material goods, I keep things simple. I donate clothes that no longer fit or fit my life. And right now, my entire wardrobe will fit in a single piece of carry-on luggage.
My friend Diane calls my new wardrobe “joyful.” And it is. Even my little black dress has splashes of orange and red flowers on it.
Joy, beauty, happiness — each is where you find it.
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How can we judge the value of this purchase without any pictures of it? Even if the writer did not want to model it, it could have at least been shown on the hanger.
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Tom: Given that everyone’s style sense is so different, and the fact that you can’t really judge quality in a snapshot, I don’t think a picture would add much here.
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i’m torn about this article, and about fast fashion in general, because although it’s good fun to find a dress for $8, it is in no way ecologically sustainable. where do all these $8 dresses go when, inevitably, the cheap fabric starts to pill, or a seam goes out? the average american purchases 60 items of clothing a year — even thrift stores can’t keep up with all of our discards.
this is a great book that explains everything that’s wrong with fast fashion, and lays out some alternatives to it.
http://www.amazon.com/Overdressed-Shockingly-High-Cheap-Fashion/dp/1591844614/ref=as_li_tf_sw?&linkCode=wsw&tag=belecr-20
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I totally agree. I have to dress up for work every day and used to buy clothes from Target or Kohl’s to save money. What I have found is that they fall apart quickly and then I feel guilty getting rid of them. Cheap clothes just don’t wear well.
What I have done the past couple of years is buy used high quality clothing from second hand business clothing stores. There is one I love in my area called Simply Chic and I get suits that were $200 or more new for sometimes as little as $20. They wear well and last forever and I believe it is helping me save more and be less wasteful.
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We don’t have Target yet where I live, but I am curious to check out the dresses. In Canada, there aren’t many months where it’s practical to wear them and most dresses I’ve bought only get worn once or twice. On a cost-per-use basis, it doesn’t make sense to spend a lot.
I am willing to spend more money on clothing that will last longer and that I’ll wear often.
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While I can appreciate some of the discussion about sustainable clothing, good employers and responsible purchases, part of me is screaming,
“Hey guys — you’re missing the point!!”
This editor is saying, in a very strong and memorable way, that our memories should be visible parts of our life — especially what’s on our walls, and on our backs. What better way to remember – and enjoy – those wonderful experiences.
The second point: doing this didn’t have to cost much. I, for one, have gotten several inexpensive items (yes, mostly at the thrift shop) that bring back many fond experiences — like the alpaca sweater that still makes me think of a long-planned-and-enjoyed trip to South America.
So lighten up. Not everything has to be 100% serious 100% of the time.
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@ Cindy Brick: I think *you* are missing the point. You comment that “it didn’t cost much” – but the whole point of discussing sustainability and “fast fashion” is that it DOES have a cost. It’s all well and good to save in the short term, but what’s the long term cost?
Also…you can usually tell when it’s an $8 dress. Sorry.
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I agree, Cindy. I was frankly amazed at all the criticism. I think people completely missed the author’s point. Or just couldn’t relate to the joy of finding a great piece of clothing for very little money.
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I completely agree. After reading that book, I can’t bring myself to buy fast fashion pieces no matter how great the deal is. For me, a $6 skirt at Forever 21 that will fall apart after 5 washings since it’s mainly made of plastic passing as fabric is not worth sustaining the industry that is leaving people poor and underpaid and creating waste at an alarming rate.
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Ditto this. I just got done reading that book. My husband worked for a division of LimitedBrands for 5 years and even their American office staff, they treat like crap. We got calls from Hong Kong at all hours of the day and night for a salary of barely more than $30k. He would have to fly out of state with 8 hours notice. He would work 12 hour days with no overtime. So glad he left that place! Needless to say, I don’t patronize their stores.
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Yes, and my thought was “Who worked in a factory with few exits, lots of fire hazards and very low pay to make that dress?” I’d rather hear about scoring a fabulous dress at Goodwill or paying more for ethically produced clothes but buying less (though since the author did say her entire wardrobe can fit in a carry-on bag, it doesn’t sound like she is someone who shops too much).
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I love hunting through Goodwill for great finds. Two of my best dresses, both little black dresses, I got for $8 each. Great condition, great fabric, and tons of compliments.
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I’m sure a lot of readers have similar stories about dresses, suits, jackets, shoes that have served them well. It’s great there are so many affordable clothing options out there that our wardrobes can take up very small portions of our budgets. This is especially true if you keep a limited wardrobe and must make each purchase thoughtfully. Given that, I’d like an article on how folks have gotten years of use out of something that was purchased with sustainability and factory conditions in mind. Recent headlines announce that hundreds were killed in a Pakistan garment factory fire last week. The economics of a $30 (original price) dress suggest it was not made in the US (please correct me if I’m wrong). Staying within budget does not mean it’s not possible to be socially responsible, right?
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Another ITA. I try to stick to classics and a unified wardrobe that will serve me for a long time. I’m concerned about the ecological and human costs of my clothing.
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I’ve never had good experiences with fast fashion. Though I love clothing and fashion in general, I’ve never been one to keep a full closet of clothes so my staples are worn frequently. The result is cheaper clothing generally don’t last for more than a season, if that.
I have had high quality work out clothes that’s worn and washed on a regular basis last longer (years) than day/night wear that’s worn less frequently.
Thanks for the book recommendation! I will see if my local county library has it…
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Thanks for using your library!
-a librarian
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As a WAHM seamstress, I’m heartened to hear this show of support for sustainable clothes! Thank you!
I can’t compete with cheap clothes made from China, but I *can* make new, quality, custom clothes that flatter my clients’ different shapes and sizes and that will last for years to come. I can also tailor existing clothes to fit better, and make repairs on old favorites that still have a lot of life left in them.
Although I price my work higher than imported, off-the-rack clothes, I know that I offer better value for the money. More importantly, my clients know this, too. None of them are particularly wealthy – indeed, I’d say they just view frugality in a different way.
(I also second the comments about finds from consignment shops – these are great places to find quality clothes for less, and because the clothes are second-hand they are more sustainable for the earth.)
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I have the solution to not overspending AND getting quality clothes:
One word: Ebay
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I’m really on the fence about this article. I’m not sure what we are supposed to learn other than the sale section of target can be really cheap. This article just recounts as a justification of recent purchases (which is fine, buy what you like) but fails to really connect us with the bigger picture. What would you like us to do? Buy cheap mass produced Target dresses & let ourselves feel good about it?
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Maybe the article is missing a bit of discussion about the role of spending/clothing money in the overall budget? I rather liked the article as a whole, but it was just a little bit discordant with what I’ve come to expect from GRS – probably because it was more a celebration of spending than advice on how to be frugal with our money.
But I think that spending and clothing money can be really important, and that dressing well and feeling good in your clothes can affect your outlook and your confidence.
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I got buy cheap things that will give a lot of use and a lot of joy.
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I find that I can relate to just about zero of this! Lol, but I can say this. My wife bought me these “go to” pair of pants and shirt from Target. I have worn those things to weddings, funerals, and holidays…its’ great. I hate shopping and I don’t care about looking nice, so in one fell swoop my wife took care of that for me for years!
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Me too– I have a pair of black dress pants from Target that have lasted for about 12 years.
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The author says “my entire wardrobe will fit in a single piece of carry-on luggage.” In other words, your wardrobe is comparable to a panhandler’s. Or your idea of a carry-on is vastly different than my own. Either way, this article was not helpful.
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@Lincoln:
Have you *seen* some of the luggage that travelers try to cram into the plane’s overhead? They call it “carry-on”, but some of those pieces are bigger than my checked suitcase!
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Maybe if greedy airlines would stop trying to charge us $50 per checked bag (including the first one!), people will stop trying to pack all their clothes for their entire trip into a “carry on” bag.
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Kevin: That’s why I fly Southwest. First 2 checked bags: Free.
That still doesn’t stop people from still trying to cram huge bags into the overhead!
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Many of the stories here follow a similar pattern – connect with your readers, tell them your story, throw in some facts and suggestions, and end with a funny or cute moral. This story never makes it past the second one. What’s the takeaway?
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I felt like I was reading a show-and-tell article. I’m not saying it’s a bad post — I’m sure there are many readers who enjoy hearing about cheap fashion finds. Not my thing, and that’s okay.
I think the post was likely written for (and by?) someone much younger than myself so that’s why it didn’t resonate with me. Perhaps GRS is trying to speak to a younger audience? That’s not necessarily a bad thing.
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If you want to speak to the younger generation on GRS, bring back Tim Sullivan!
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I fall into the “younger” audience category and I didn’t find that this article spoke to me either. And how is shopping on the sale rack at Target advice for young people? I think the message was that you can justify the cost if you can get a lot of uses out of something. Which seems kind of obvious. And I agree with quite a few of the comments above that higher quality items that might be more expensive but will last the test of time are much better wiser ways to shop.
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Yikes! I hope I didn’t offend. It was the tone, not the content, I think lead me to that conclusion. The voice sounded young to me — light-hearted, care-free, “adorable” (as another commenter put it). Most of the voices on GRS are more mature as GRS tends to tackle a lot of serious subjects.
I agree with you that the best advice for young people ( and I still consider myself “young” in my 30s) is to buy good quality pieces you can mix and match, dress up or down — and buy to flatter your body type and colouring. (Though it is fun to throw in some inexpensive trendy items sometimes)
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No offense taken Elizabeth. I just wanted to point out that the benefits of buying higher quality that last longer is a good idea for anyone, young and old alike. I think we’re on the same page!
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And thinner! But, good for her! I know when I see a “happiness-making” garment, I feel joyful when I wear it, and good things happen from that feeling of joy.
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Maybe the takeaway is how many times the word “Target” can be repeated in this ad — oops, I mean blog post. I count 7 mentions of Target, plus two mentions of Merona (“Target’s Merona brand”). Ugh.
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I think this is more of a lifestyle article. Even if I didn’t get a cost/benefit analysis out of it, I can make a few connections. Maybe it’s easier because I’m already sold on the amazingness of the 3 Target dresses I have (which, by the way, I have had for 5 years and are still going strong).
-You can look just as good or better than people wearing clothes 10X as expensive as yours. And your bank account will thank you for it.
-Versatile, easy-to-care-for clothes save you not only money, but also time, which may be even more valuable to many of us.
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Agreed. Not every article on GRS needs to be part of some greater storyline or lesson. It’s ok to occasionally have a story that’s just about a clothing purchase. I like it when Kristin and Donna connect a point to the “big picture,” but it’s nice to have a cut-and-dry article like this one to add some variety to the site.
Besides, there are some salient points in the article:
-Do you need to spend big $$ to look good? Not really.
-How to modify a look for a number of occasions, instead of just buying something for a single occasion.
-While the OP only spent $8, is it really a “cheap” outfit?
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As a person who makes her living writing, I thought the article took about twice as many words as necessary to make its few points. Editing?
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Ugh, Target clothes are so unbelievably cheap, and they look it.
I prefer high quality clothes that I can purchase second hand.
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I agree with KT. Sorry to go there but I really doubt the author’s Target dress with “splashes of orange and red flowers” looks expensive. She didn’t post a picture so I could be wrong, but I really really doubt it. It is very hard for a retailer to put out a quality dress that they are only going to charge $29 for. The dresses I’ve seen at Target tend to be shapeless and have quality issues like uneven hems.
Sometimes it’s OK to pay more for quality, especially if it’s something you want to get a lot of wear out of. (And I would have gone for a solid black dress if I intended to wear it that often–a floral dress is very memorable and people will wonder why you are wearing it every other day. Everyone remember that Seinfeld episode?)
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I just glanced at the Target Merona section online and didn’t see anything that I would wear to a job interview or any other formal occasion. I can see wearing one of those dresses to the beach with a pair of flip-flops but that’s about it. http://www.target.com/s/merona+dresses
Being that I have an hourglass shape/figure, most off the rack clothing is not made for me anyway.
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I would like to see what would happen if you put some of Target’s clothes in Macy’s for a day. I wouldn’t be suprised if some of the same people who considered it cheap looking when they saw it at Target suddenly consider it fashionable and well made when sold at Macy’s. I went to Ann Taylor Loft the other day because I had heard they had nice clothing. Most of the clothing I saw looked as though it would fall apart very quickly in the wash. I didn’t mention it to anyone, but coincidentally I was talking to my sister about shopping just this morning and she said she had been in The Loft and the clothing looked like cheap junk to her. It reminded me of a TV clip I heard about yesterday where a few people were given a current model iPhone and told that it was the new model that is coming out this weekend. They played with it for a few minutes and oohed and aahed over the phone, commenting on how much quicker, brighter and better it was…not realizing it was the same phone they already owned. I think it is common for people to be dazzled by a label/store to the point where they can no longer objectively look at the item they are purchasing.
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Regardless if its Target clothes at Macy’s, I can tell the difference within seconds. I don’t look at the store, but I look at quality. Frankly I don’t think Macy’s is what I would consider “high fashion” anyway depending on the brand.
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Oh So Fla gal, I love Morikami as well.
When it comes to clothes, Target has some great buys for casual clothes. I especially like their designer collaborations.
When it comes to work, I normally buy expensive, well made classics. I look at the price per wear rather than the price, but I also try to never pay full price for anything. My go to stores are now J Crew and Talbots. I used to be a huge fan of Ann Taylor but they stopped lining their suit pants at some point and even this past weekend I noticed that a lot of their skirts and blazers are no longer lined as well. So AT is off my work list but I do still buy casual stuff there from time to time.
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Morikami is beautiful. Love it!
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Funny…I just made a comment about AT above. I am glad to see that it wasn’t just me that has put their clothing on the junk list.
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Julie, I think above you mentioned Ann Taylor Loft, which is the lower quality of Ann Taylor. I don’t really use either since it seems to not fit taller women very well. I also noticed that their sizing is huge. Where I am typically an 8, in AT I am often a 4. I get suspicious of the mind games these stores play. I wouldn’t consider either to be that high quality but better than Target. I have some Ann Taylor clothes in which the linings ripped out pretty quickly. I’ve prefered Tahari for a while. I can sometimes find a nice suit on clearance online or in an outlet (although I am suspicious of outlet pricing as well).
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I loved the crap out of my discount sunglasses that I bought for $1.98/pair at a local department store. They were polarized and offered 100% UV protection – I bought three pairs figuring that they would fall apart or I’d lose them and not fret.
They lasted me many years, but life happens. I lost a pair to a river on a canoe trip, I sat on another pair crippling it for good and the last pair is scratch up pretty bad.
The optics were fantastic for such a bargain and I felt great wearing them because I thought that I pulled them off very well. They served their purpose and all for a tremendous value!
To the first commenter: I recently bought two pairs of sunglasses for $250 and find the same value in those as the three pairs before them that I bought for less than $6. The value of the item is subjective and really only for the purchaser to decide.
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Graceful Retirement had a funny post about why she only buys dollar store umbrellas.
http://gracefulretirement.blogspot.com/2012/09/when-buying-quality-doesnt-make-sense.html
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I loved the umbrella story. Thanks for sharing. I have actually been on the opposite side of this argument though. I studied in Paris for about 6 months when I was in college and it rained just about every day I was there. It was a cold sideways rain that rips right through you. I went through 6 umbrellas in only a couple of months before I finally splurged on a “wind-proof” one. What a difference! So, my point is that it makes sense for the blogger to buy dollar store umbrellas if she is using them sparingly and forgetting them often. On the other hand, if you have a cherished umbrella that gets lots of use like I did, you might be less likely to leave it somewhere.
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When I was a kid, our family optometrist warned us that those inexpensive sunglasses often don’t live up to their claims. He would let his clients bring in the sunglasses and he would test them just to be on the safe side. Over the years, we spent between $5 and $20 on sunglasses and they all checked out. Might be worth asking, just in case.
I wear glasses so I’m debating biting the bullet and ordering prescription sunglasses when a really good deal comes along. I keep breaking the clip ons!
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Have never regretted buying a pair of prescription sun glasses. I just wait until I find a good deal, and I’ll use them for several years. The clip ons never worked well.
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I posted this in reply to Laura, but you may benefit…
You should definitely check out zennioptical(.com)
They have unbranded designer frames; all you’d have to do is enter your prescription and they custom cut the lens for the frame(s) you choose. It helps if you know your frame dimensions.
They’re having a BOGO sale this week which is a steal. I use this offer to purchase non-prescription frames with polycarbonate lenses just to try them out because they’re so inexpensive. If I like them, I have them cut the lens for the frame.
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Four years ago I purchased a pair of used designer sunglasses on eBay for $25 ($250 new) out of frustration over cheaper sunglasses breaking after a couple of months of use. Today those glasses look and feel like the day I purchased them and the UV protection can’t be beat. I have optic neuritis so there are times when I need to wear sunglasses even in overcast weather.
It will be a sad day for me when I lose or break them.
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Carla, that is a wonderful tip. I’m light sensitive and need sunglasses and will try getting designer ones off eBay. The cheapies are, well, cheap. Thanks.
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You should definitely check out zennioptical(.com)
They have unbranded designer frames; all you’d have to do is enter your prescription and they custom cut the lens for the frame(s) you choose. It helps if you know your frame dimensions.
They’re having a BOGO sale this week which is a steal. I use this offer to purchase non-prescription frames with polycarbonate lenses just to try them out because they’re so inexpensive. If I like them, I have them cut the lens for the frame.
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Uhm…. I’m glad for your wardrobe success? This really just reads “I bought this… then I bought this! and I can wear it everywhere!” For a fashion article at least talk about styling – not that this is a fashion blog…
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Like others, I’m not quite sure what to make of this article. What was the point?
I thought it was going in an interesting direction: she was buying things on the cheap, but because she bought so many things it did not end up being cheap. The point would have been we’re not really saving if we’re spending.
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While I love a fashion deal as much as the next person, what was the point of this article? Was it an advertisement for Target?
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If we are talking fashion, while I like their kids clothes, I haven’t really found clothes at Target I like. I think it’s because 90% of their clothes are made of synthetic fabric that doesn’t breathe well, and most of the fabric is tissue thin or see through or some other thing a 40+ year old woman doesn’t want to deal with. Rather have a more expensive cotton shirt I can wear over and over.
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I agree. I gave up on Target clothes 5 years ago when I turned 30. They just don’t flatter my figure anymore, especially post-babies. I still buy their children’s clothes, mainly because (like you say) they don’t use the flimsy fabrics….yet. I did notice a boy’s shirt at Old Navy the other day that was that same awful fabric. Yuck. My boys will rip that on the first wear.
I am still waiting for thin fabrics to go out of style. They are just not flattering on anyone that has any skin on their bones or a curvy figure. For now, I buy what I can at Land’s End and just wait it out.
Of course, I said the same thing about Capris and they have had remarkable staying power. They look ridiculous on me, but some women can pull them off.
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Their maternity stuff is still pretty nice, IMO. Not that that gets used for long!
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Thin fabrics aren’t everywhere because they are fashionable.
They’re everywhere because they’re cheaper to produce than thick fabrics. Often these fabrics are too loosely woven, and have an unbalanced ratio of warp yarns to weft yarns, which is why they are prone to developing holes at the seams and falling apart too quickly.
Most off-the-rack clothes are shapeless for the same reason: it’s cheaper for factories to make shapeless patterns than tailored ones. It’s also cheaper to hire (relatively) unskilled laborers to sew from easy patterns than to hire skilled ones to sew more elaborate work involving french seams and darts. It’s easier to sew in straight lines than in curves! Even a child could do it…(UGH.)
The sad thing is, clothes from higher-end labels are becoming cheaper, too. It’s simply that the price mark-up is higher on those labels. Hence why so many people can say – truthfully – that a garment they bought at Target is just as good as, or better than, one they bought at Nordstrom’s.
As more and more of the world’s fabric come from the same factories in the same places, which produce things the same way without controls or oversight, quality suffers across the board. Ditto the manufacturing process. The garment industries in NYC and SoCal have been decimated by competition in China, India, and elsewhere.
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This is fascinating information, Mamamia. Where can we find high-quality fabrics? Where do your customers find clothing items for you to tailor? Or do you sew…from scratch (is that the right term)?
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I would love to hear a guest post about sustainable fabrics and clothing from you MamaMia. As well as what brands would be good to spend more money on because of the quality of the garment.
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It’s still possible to find high-quality fabrics. However, they’re more expensive and not popular with the casual sewing crowd, so they’re not usually stocked by the local sewing stores. Independently run fabric stores are more likely to have them, especially the ones in major metropolitan areas.
For example, G Street Fabrics in the DC area regularly stocks 100% silk satin. It’s really expensive, but I rarely come across anyone that sells it. (G Street Fabrics is a 3-store chain.)
I’m sure that Mamamia knows even more about the subject than I do.
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I totally agree with Michelle. Britex in San Francisco is one of those higher end fabric stores that carry quality fabrics. These days the larger chains (Jo Ann’s – formerly NY Fabrics from back the day) seem to only carry very basic fabrics for crafts, baby clothes and nursing uniforms.
When shopping at the higher end places, I always browse though the discount sections where you’re able to score yards of leftovers from the ends of the bolts at a fraction of the regular price…
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@Megan wrote: “I would love to hear a guest post about sustainable fabrics and clothing from you MamaMia. As well as what brands would be good to spend more money on because of the quality of the garment.”
Hm, maybe I will have to submit a reader’s story now, Megan! Thanks for the interest!
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Agreed with much of the other posters. What’s the point of this article and why is it on this blog?
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I don’t think I’ve ever bought any clothes at
Target, and I’ve quit buying dresses because I like pants better. That said, I still enjoyed the article because she made a good buy that worked for her. Do all articles have to be profound? I don’t think so.
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Unlike other commenters, I thought this post was adorable – light-hearted, but with vivid evocation of the emotions around spending and clothing. I especially liked the part about how the “impressionist” dress reminds the author of her whirlwind trip to Paris. We all have special memories (it doesn’t have to be Paris at age 22) and enjoy wearing or using objects that connect us tangibly with those moments of happiness.
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Not the usual GRS type of post I relate too, but the general point of “low cost fashion is possible” is worthwhile. Months ago I bought a well made (been through more than a dozen washes since I’ve owned it) $8 plain black tank dress at a second-hand store – perfect for travel, no wrinkling. Although not always possible, I prefer to shop at local second-hand stores rather than the cheap mega-retailers, for reasons already described above.
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Does anyone else, especially those who hate clothes shopping like myself, drag themselves to the store (new store or thrift/goodwill types) to purchase a much needed item after previous items fall apart only to be burned by the new item? It seems like most of the “deals” I score turn out to have flaws. The one I can think of off the top of my head is smell. I practice good hygiene and wear deodorant, but many times I have purchased a shirt, worn it a few times only to find that as soon as it gets put on, it starts to smell like sweat and in turn makes me smell like sweat. What the heck?
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Pass on the synthetics and splurge on the good stuff like cotton. It’ll last longer, feel nicer, and smell better.
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I’m just at a loss on this one…reading GRS is the highlight of my morning, and this is the first time I’ve been straight up disappointed. I don’t always relate to stories here, but I usually find them to be well written and interesting regardless. Usually there’s something that I can take away from articles, or keep in mind for the future, or even just admire. This piece gave me nothing. I’m not saying every piece has to be “profound,” I’m just saying that reading about how this author just found out she can find a good deal on the clearance rack at a low-cost leader store only makes me think “How does a personal finance writer NOT know this??”
So here’s a tip for her: The best deals are outside the retail giants. Try asking Goodwill what days they put out new items so you get them before they get picked over. I got a White House/Black Market blazer with tags attached for $10 this way- if you know clothes, you know this is a real steal.
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I’m so glad other commenters have already brought up the wonderful book Overdressed, and have already echoed the same sentiments I felt when reading this article. I’d love it if we could stop bragging about how cheap something is, because in the case of clothing, the cheap cost has huge environmental, cultural, and political implications. I don’t think that paying for quality clothing produced ethically is out of line with the mission of this website. It may take quite a bit of adjustment, though.
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Love this. I think the same goes for cheap food and cheap ‘stuff’. YES, getting a dress for $8, picking up a family sized package of factory raised chicken parts on sale for less than a dollar a pound and buying a 50″ TV on sale is cheap TO YOU the consumer, but only from the perspective of your immediate budget. The true cost of those items is far more expensive, and you might be paying for that cost in other ways (agricultural subsidies that come from your tax dollars, medical bills that may come from bad eating habits, the overall movement of manufacturing and other production style jobs to other countries). You enjoy the low price now, but at what cost in the future? I think looking at the big picture and seeing how the item was produced is a worthwhile effort. You may see spending more on something that’s fairly, sustainably, and (dare I say it) ethically produced as more of a frugal (from a long term point of view) move afterall.
I am constantly challanged by this – pay very little up front for something of lower quality, or pay more for something that was produced in what I consider to be a good way, that may be of higher quality? It’s easy in my head to make the decision, but much harder when it comes to actually parting with my hard earned dollars!
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Maybe I’m just not in a good mood today because I prefer to be charitable…but I only scanned about 2/3 of this post before deciding it had to be one of the worst I have ever seen on GRS. I agree that not everything has to be profound, but it struck me as, “I bought this! And OMG, I bought that! So cute!” To my mind, it was too focused on the consumerist mentality that is the antithesis of get rich slowly.
I guess it balances out Donna Freedman’s excellent, excellent article from yesterday.
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Now see I thought much the same, far too consumerist etc., but I thought my opinion might have been slightly tainted by it being about clothes, about which I feel very little. And, being male, I thought that’s probably fairly typical.
However, mindful of the sexist connotations here, I am glad to see plenty of both genders sharing the same opinion.
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I do think there was a point here, or at least an implied one: If you are smart about what you buy, you don’t need to own a lot of clothes and you can still have all the outfits you need for a wide range of occasions. She has two dresses and they get her through all of her (relatively diverse) social needs. I hardly ever wear dresses, and I own at least four, so I appreciate the difficulty of creating a small and versatile wardrobe.
On the other hand, I’m with the other people who have commented on the sustainability aspect, and I would have enjoyed seeing a bit more discussion on that.
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I realize this is just my experience but I honestly don’t find the clothes that I have bought at Kohl’s or Penney’s have been of lesser quality than the few times I have splurged and paid more for so called “quality.” I think some like to simply buy expensive items and justify it.
I really enjoyed this post and as to people complaining about those clothes eventually going to a landfill, how about the latest electronics or eventually books???
It’s easy to point a finger at someone else but pretty much all of us are buying something.
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And she also doesn’t own much clothing, so how much damage could she be doing? It’s like people who talk superior about buying eco-versions of products even though they’re causing more waste than people who just go without.
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Hear, hear. I hope people criticizing the author for buying some new clothes don’t upgrade their phone, ipad, or computer when the new version comes out. That is far more wasteful. At least clothes in theory biodegrade. And even if you recycle your electronics, the environmental sense behind recycling plastic is somewhat dubious to start with.
My personal favorite is on HGTV when people rip out a perfectly good kitchen to put in a “greener” one. The more environmental choice would be to keep what you have.
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I couldn’t agree with you more. The show “Clean House” had one episode where the wife wanted everything to be “green.” So that somehow equated to a whole houseful of new stuff? Even though the new house looked great, keeping all the stuff they ALREADY OWNED would have been the obvious “green” choice.
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I also love the oxymoron of the 5000 square foot green home.
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You know what I love? Ranting
[self-righteous rant alert!]
And while we’re on the topic of oxymorons and hypocrisy, I’m tired of celebrities telling me to be more green. DiCaprio told me a few years ago to unplug my cell phone charger when I’m not using it. Others tell me to explore greener energy for my home.
How about this celebrities? I’ll try harder than I already am, if you stop tweeting every couple of days from a new destination (L.A. today, New York tomorrow, London next week). You do realize that your travel and your enormous houses in an area with not much water are a thousands times worse than my plugged in laptop or my gas furnace? Your jet setting lifestyle has a terrible impact on the environment. (Al Gore, I’m looking at you too).
[Smug sigh] – That felt good to say in an open forum.
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I think the article sparked a good discussion, and perhaps that was its only purpose; nothing wrong with that. It’s not like we’ve ever had issues taking off in discussion from an article before…we’re a very verbose bunch.
I’ve decided recently to only buy good quality, but I refuse to spend money so I shop at Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and other stores that sell overstock, out of season, or irregular quality brands at discount. Online shopping is also a good source.
*tip* go to Google.com, click on Google shopping, order from least expensive to most expensive, and search for the item you are looking for.
I’ve been able to maintain my clothes in general for an average of 10 + years. I keep my wardrobe pretty basic. I always make sure I have a couple good khakis, black dress, jeans, sneakers, flip flops, heels. I wear alot of beige, black, and white with accents in jewelry, shoes, hair and makeup.
I also find that dresses are MUCH cheaper to buy and they don’t wear as easily (they rarely have buttons, or zippers, or elbows and inner thighs to wear down). I usually spend under $30 on good quality dresses, vs $100 + on whole outfits (pants, belt, shirt).
I try to buy for the long-haul in everything (cars, house, clothes, shoes, furniture, electronics). It’s really made a difference in my finances vs those of my peers when I make the conscious decision in my purchases to make them last. I also tend to be more thoughtful of my purchases as I know I will be stuck with them for ages.
I have waaay too much I want to do with my finite earnings than spend it all on consumeables. Simple, classic, and quality, in everything, will get you very far.
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I’m not quite sure how reading Walden at a young age automatically means you’re not materialistic. I failed to see the logic of those two statements. I’ve read Walden and probably thousands of other books but I don’t automatically subscribe to the tenets of every single one.
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That line about Walden bothered me too.
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A little note to Miss Lucy. You write beautifully! It seems you have submitted a delightful piece to an audience less appreciative of your score. Is the dress sustainable? Yeah, it’s sustaining me just fine. Is the dress “green”—no, I said it was black. Was the dress made in a child sweatshop? Not sure, doesn’t say on the tag. Estoy en el saber. Reminiscent of my experience in asking how to lose a *quick* healthy 10 on a weight oriented site (to get back into my LBD)—when they flushed out that I wanted to get back to my 105 pound norm after snuffing out the cancer sticks. OUCH. Some are just not excited to accept or appreciate such conundrums when they’ve already bought and paid for a life of extreme one thing or another. So from me to you, good score—I hope you enjoy it for a long time (my LBD is turning 10 years old) and it’s more than okay, it’s awesome. LBD $8, drink at the party $9.50, feeling fantastic— PRICELESS.—- Now, if you want a “face punch” and an extreme counterpoint—a challenge all too irresistible and provoking, check out the MMM take from today: http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/09/18/is-it-convenient-would-i-enjoy-it-wrong-question/
That guy always makes me feel terrible in the best kind of way. Cheers!
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Since I had a chance to step away, I wanted to share some tips.
In my field, clothes are incredibly important. Your look is part of your brand, so having good quality clothes in flattering fabrics and cuts is essential.
I’m fairly early in my career, so I can’t afford the big name designers that my boss and coworkers wear.
One of the best stores I’ve found for me is White House Black Market. Their clothes are beautiful, very well-made, with good fabrics. Their colors are (obviously) mostly black and white (they have some other colors as well, but neutrals are their base), so I can mix and match without people recognizing individual pieces.
Unfortunately, their clothes are still too expensive for me. Their jackets are in the $150-250 ranges, dresses are around $200, tops are $70 or $80. Too much for my entry level budget.
What I did was go int he store, and I tried on a bunch of different things, and made notes about what sizes I was, what cuts flattered, etc.
Then I went on eBay, and found WHBM pieces for a quarter of the price. Their clothes are extremely durable, so it’s fine if the pieces are a year or two old. Many of the pieces I’ve bought still had the tags on.
I buy things like suits, jackets, and dresses from WHBM on eBay, then mix in with cheap shells and tanks from places like Kohls.
I get so many compliments on my very polished wardrobe, and I don’t spend very much money.
If you find a particular brand or store works for you, look for pieces at consignment shops or eBay. You can get a fantastic, well-made wardrobe for a fraction of the price, and it’s more sustainable than buying cheap junk clothes that will barely last a season.
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I went to WHBM once because my sister wanted something specific from there for her Christmas present. To say the saleswoman was relieved that it wasn’t *me* I was shopping for is an understatement. (This was during a pudgy less kempt time in my life.) I suppose one avoids obnoxious sales people by buying things on ebay.
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Nothing from Target looks expensive or well made. Do I buy t-shirts from there to hang around the house or run errands…yes. Would I wear anything from there to a wedding? No. Not even the Jason Wu collection, which was cheaply made. Target has its place and time but I doubt you can build a wardrobe from there and look like an “adult”
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Huh? Why is this on GRS? This reads like a flowery college essay. If we’re going to read/talk about clothes, lets talk about what is going on in the comments – ‘cheap’ clothes vs. other options.
Unrelated, I love Target and my bridesmaids’ dresses were from there and looked fabulous!
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I love Target. Do most of my shopping there, including for groceries. On the topic of clothing, though, we really need to start manufacturing more clothes as well as many other goods here in the United States. It might raise prices a bit, but right now the price we are paying is the collapse of our economy through people not having jobs. A good manufacturing job is nothing to sneeze at.
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Ick. I assume this dreck was sponsored by Target?
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I agree, that this does NOT feel like a GRS worthy article at all. If I want fashion advice, wardrobe advice, I’d go somewhere else. The value of ‘fashion’ is subjective. You can’t expect the experience of $8 little black dress to teach anyone ANYTHING except you like cheap merona dress. that’s all the readers can take from this. GRS writers need to get back to writing practical advice and stories where readers can relate.
Personally, my favorite silk black dress is probably worth $100+ but I got it for $12 at a thrift store. It’s gorgeous and it makes me look like a million bucks. I’m not saying this is a great advice for everyone. Because in the end, there is no real ‘need’ for a fashionable dress anyway. Looking frumpy can be really frugal and there’s nothing morally wrong with dressing in frump if it makes more sense to you. To each their own!
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“Looking frumpy can be really frugal and there’s nothing morally wrong with dressing in frump if it makes more sense to you.”
Ha ha! I guess I’ve seen more moral judgments towards people who like to actually dress to look nice on here (and other PF blogs) than the other way around.
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Dressing in “frump” will hurt you, big time, economically. This is NOT “Frugal.” It is foolish. You get a reputation as being, well, not quite ready for prime time.
This is well-documented.
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I simply don’t see how an $8 dress from Target could possibly be the subject of an article about being both fiscally and fashionably savvy.
How did GRS go from yesterday’s spectacular article to this?
I would LOVE to hear from a grown-up woman who is balancing a budget and also wants to look like the fashionable professional she is. All while considering the ethical ramifications of her purchases. Why? Because that’s my situation, and I would bet a good deal of GRS’ readership’s also (gender aside, of course).
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Here is how I balance the ethical ramifications of the clothing industry – I buy only when absolutely neccesary – of course that means I’m not keeping anyone in business – so I don’t get to set the trends and minimum requirements (like whether or not thin fabric is ‘in style’) The people who buy a new wardrobe every season do. But I can live with myself. It’s still not ideal – but spending the time or money to purchase/make ethical clothing – and I could have probably solved world hunger before managing that.
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I actually like Target’s Merona collection, particularly because most of the items are either 100% cotton, or a cotton blend (can’t stand those slinky man-made fabrics).
I live finding a great deal, and even if you spent $25.00 on a pair of sandals, you still made a killing.
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That dress was $29 because someone on the other side of the planet was paid a dollar to make it.
If I were to make a dress (and I do), paying myself $15/hr and using inexpensive fabric, at standard retail markups it would cost $150-200.
I don’t fault people for having cheap mass-market clothes in their wardrobe. I do. Quality garments made by fairly-paid workers are expensive, sales are limited and thrifting is challenging if you’re an odd size. And I can’t sew a plain tee for the price that I can buy one from a place like Target. But I think it’s important to be cognizant of *why* you were able to purchase that dress for so little. As necessary as cheap clothes might be due to your particular circumstances, being thrifty on the backs of poorly-paid labourers isn’t something to brag about.
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I would love to see some well-written articles about clothes on GRS. The basics that most people should have, for instance, and ideas for where to get them at various price points. Thinking about my own wardrobe,and taking an honest look ahead at what I’ll likely be doing for the next 5 years or so, I can start to plan out things that I’ll need. I’ll always need one decent, dark-colored conservative suit for the handful of times I’ll have to speak in public and (unfortunately) it’s likely I’ll need something funeral appropriate in the next 6 months or so. I haven’t attended a single event worth of a little black dress in the last 5 years and that’s also unlikely to change. But knowing what I’ll (probably) need to have in my closet could save me some expensive last minute shopping trips, assuming I’m able to stay roughly the same size.
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I remember GRS had a post on buying quality furniture — I would love to see someone tackle that with clothing! For example: How can you tell if what you’re buying is going to last? What should you look for? There’s a former seamstress in my family, so what she’s taught me has saved me a lot of money over the years.
Also, what inexpensive fixes can you make to get a deal? I’ve found deals on clothing that was “damaged” but easily fixable. I think that info might be useful for someone too.
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This is so specific to the individual that I don’t think the lists that pop up here and there (and there are so many that I don’t see the point in having GRS rehash it) are much use at all. It depends on your age, your lifestyle, your work environment, the climate where you live, your own preferences (some women wouldn’t be caught dead in dresses while others live in them), etc.
This list from Real Simple is one of the best I’ve seen, but still anyone will have to make dozens of adjustments to it.
For learning how to put together a basic wardrobe that works for you, and accessorize it, I recommend this blog, particularly going back to the archives and looking at the core four and not-so-crazy-eights tags.
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Yes, the Vivienne Files blog you cite is the best! Right now she is talking about and showcasing the 333 wardrobe: 33 items to make almost innumerable wonderful outfits of three items each. She is great with color and classic style; I read and drink in her posts regularly…it helps me see the things in my closet in a new light….shopping in the closet instead at [your favorite store here].
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Either April or Sierra wrote a couple of posts on the topic back in the day. Check out the archives.
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I’ve started following 2 blogs: Corporette and Capitol Hill Style. These are both aimed at professional women and feature a range of prices. While I haven’t bought any new clothes yet, in the last couple of months I’ve been reading the blog, my ‘eye’ for style has changed.
I dress higher business casual as a software consultant, and I’ve learned soo much. The big change in my life is that now I wear a watch! It’s much better than pulling out my cell phone in the middle of a meeting with a comptroller and her high level staff to check the time.
Interestingly enough, there was a big debate on “cheap” clothing and a lot of women weighed in on behalf of Target Merona!
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Once again…
J.D. Please come home!
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As far as clothing value goes (setting aside sustainability and human rights for a moment), I find it helpful to think about clothing on a cost-per-wear basis.
A plain tshirt for $10 might last a year before falling apart. A plain tshirt for $50 made with better fiber, better weave and better finishing might last 5 years. Wearing either tshirt once a week every week, they each work out to about 19 cents per wear. Same cost per wear value, even though on the surface it seems ridiculous to spend $50 on a plain tshirt. On the other hand, a party dress that you wear twice a year that costs $100 and lasts twenty years is $2.50 per wearing. Although most people tend to splurge for special occasion garments and cheap out on everyday essentials, it really ought to be the other way around to maximize the value of each piece.
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My cheap t-shirts seem to have had better longevity than my more expensive ones. I have Walmart t-shirts that I still wear from high school, but my Brooks Brothers t’s that I bought as a highly paid grown-up are not in as good condition, despite gentler care with them. (My BB pants are still amazing though.) Ann Taylor seems to be somewhere in between the two extremes. I’ve had very good luck with Land’s End quality. My JCrew t-shirt had to be retired after one season.
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Really? Where are you buying your T-shirts? What defines “falling apart?” Do you mean that literally? Or that it got stains on it?
When we were first married, we sent in box tops and got two Golden Grahams T-shirts.
Almost 35 years later, my husband still wears them. Not a rip or tear or hole in them. They are a bit faded, and, well, they don’t fit him quite the same…
Our best buy ever!
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There’s something else – vintage is in style! If your husband’s shirt just screams “1977,” then he might be the envy of your local hipsters.
I’m only saying this because my dad decided the other day to wear a t-shirt he bought in Walt Disney World waaaay back in the early 1980s. You can totally tell it was made then, too – the font, design, etc. Anyway, he wore it while he was running errands, and a bunch of college-age kids were like “AWESOME shirt! Where did you get that?” and were so disappointed when my dad said “My attic.”
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One thing that a couple of commenters have alluded to, but not said is that it is a lot easier to get away with cheap clothing when one is young & at a socially desirable weight.
Non-skinny people often need better quality items (in cut and fabric) so that they will drape & fall in ways that are reasonably flattering. And then there is the cost of the Spanx *wry*.
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Oh man! My best friend found my little black dress at White House Black Market on the sale rack. It wasn’t under $10 but I love it. Finding one that fits “you” that you can dress up or down is key. Congrats on your great find!
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Value? Hard to say. Did you get either of the jobs you interviewed for while wearing it?
I can safely say that if I’d worn it to my job interview, I would not have been hired.
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I go to the 99 cent tag sale at Value Village. I’ve gotten things that still had their tags and are beautiful for 99 cents.
I recently bought another 99 cent black dress. Super cute. I even bought two trench coats: one powder blue and the other purple.
Find a place where you can get a deal and go for it.
Goodwill has 50% off tag sales and $1.29 tag sales.
Buying new isn’t the only option.
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I liked reading your post, Lucy! You captured the excitement I feel when I find a great buy at Penneys. Kohls, Target, etc. I am thrilled to find a great piece of clothing, greatly reduced, just waiting for me. Like you, I like to try it on, so I’d much rather buy it in the store, but I have found some great pieces online.
My mother was an expert thrift shopper, and could make a few dollars go a long, long way. She was my inspiration. Great article, looking forward to reading more of your work!
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I’m not sure that this article is suited to this audience, although there are several ways of thinking of finance blogs and getting rich slowly. This author apparently likes “saving” on buying clothes on the cheap, but I would prefer to read about how “saving” is actually the opposite of spending.
I do personally have some staple, more expensive clothes that I invested in and throw in cheaper, trendy pieces to mix it up. I don’t think that the dresses the author describes sound like “me” or anything I would wear to my office, but I like the idea of having a few staple pieces and making them stretch to different occasions.
I find it interesting that so many commenters mentioned their personal views on human rights and sustainability while chastising the author about spending. Last I looked this was a blog out finances, not environmental concerns or human rights. So, to those folks I would say that articles addressing those topics would be similarly off topic. I understand that you view them to be interconnected and I don’t disagree, but I think they would also be better suited to a different audience. I’m sure there is a frugal green blog out there somewhere.
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Posts like these make me love MMM even more:
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/09/18/is-it-convenient-would-i-enjoy-it-wrong-question/
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I thoroughly enjoyed your post, if not some of the drudgery in the comments that followed. Your perspective is refreshing. Congratulations on finding your frugal LBD, and keep bringing on the verve!
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This article needs to take a Ritalin and come back in twenty years. The meandering, nonsensical babble reads like a squealing teenybopper telling her friends about a trip to the mall.
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