Deciding to spend money on clothing has always been a difficult affair for me. It seems frivolous to drop $100+ on a pair of jeans or a dress that I could buy for a much cheaper price at a different store. I always try to convince myself that the cost of an item does not correlate with quality or the way it looks on me. In most cases, it is true; many name brands markup their clothing that could be bought at a discount store for a fraction of the original price. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. There are a few articles of clothing I can justify splurging on and I’ve compiled a list of them below.
Jeans
I think everyone has tried on one pair of jeans and thought to themselves, “These are amazing!” Each brand has its own unique style when producing jeans and once you find the perfect pair, it is difficult to move on and convince yourself to not buy them — despite them being well above your normal budget. I am here to tell you: buy the pair! There is no bigger mistake than knowing that you could be confident in your body and are actively choosing not to be. Jeans are truly an investment; if you buy the right quality, they will be worn twice a week for up to a year, which is approximately 104 wears. When you divide the cost of jeans by 104, you’ll realize that each wear is relatively cheap compared to the overall cost.
Shoes
Although they are not ‘clothing,’ I felt shoes deserved a mention. Shoes are generally expensive, especially from brands such as Nike or Converse, where they can reach hundreds of dollars for popular product lines (such as Jordans). I know many people are probably thinking, “Who is looking at your shoes? They’re always on the ground anyway.” This is absolutely not true. Shoes are the most crucial accessory for an outfit; the right pair can make or break everything else you are wearing. Shoes boost your confidence and are worn so often that, just like jeans, each wear costs less than a dollar over time, depending on how you take care of them. Shoes are also a great conversation starter: people always notice interesting or innovative shoes since many people wear the same brands, so don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and find a pair that is unique to you.
Dresses
This one is my most recent revelation. I was an avid Windsor shopper, desperate to find any dress under $40, no matter if it was scratchy or the zipper was not functional. I would buy one dress a year trying to convince myself that I was saving money, despite the fact that I would never wear it because of how uncomfortable the fit was. I was unable to escape this cycle until I walked into pricier stores such as Macy’s and Nordstrom, where dresses were significantly more expensive but had the nicest material. They were classy and elegant; although the price tag was higher, they were timeless investments I could wear for many years into the future even as trends changed. Next time you’re out looking for a new dress, try independent dress stores that create pieces to last.
This is a small compilation of the few articles of clothing I personally believe are an investment; keeping these guidelines in mind, I try to purchase clothes that are sustainable and will be worn many times, no matter the cost. Overall, try to not restrict your clothing purchases too much. It is important to keep in mind that self-confidence is the key to any outfit, not the price tag.