Right now amid the COVID-19 crisis we are being forced to assess what is essential spending and really place an emphasis on the importance and value of quality. This idea of stripping back on excess and instead placing more value on what will bring the most value. Slowing down and operating more intentionally.
(Psst: for those of you who know me personally, you can bet the slowing down part is taking some getting used to!)
But if I think about it, what this situation is really forcing us to do is cultivate a “Quality Over Quantity” mindset, something I have intentionally been applying to my style, wardrobe and life for sometime.
So how do you cultivate a “Quality Over Quantity” mindset when it comes to style and shopping ?
For me it is about shopping less but spending more on pieces that i absolutely love and value which in turn stops the need to constantly shop for shiny new things! This is why I have 100% refrained from jumping on the “loungewear trend”! I think it is just giving people an excuse to spend money that would better be spent elsewhere or saved for something more valuable to your overall wardrobe. But more on that in another blog!
Back to my frame work for for a Quality Over Quantity mindset. It looks something like this:
SPEND MORE ON timeless wardrobe staples made well from good quality fabrics including cotton, wool, leather, denim, bamboo, silk, linen, polyester nylon and rayon. The weight of these fabrics will give you an indication of their quality. Some of the key wardrobe items I suggest spending a bit more on are blazers, a classic pair of blue jeans, the LBD, white shirt, basic tees in a few colours, leather pieces and interesting separates like skirts and trousers that add your personal flare. Often you will find when comparing the same items across different brands and price points other than fabrication, the finishes and details of the item is what will set each apart and play a factor in price.
Take note of the craftsmanship and construction of the pieces too, it should be consistent. Sometimes the problem with some of the less expensive mass market brands is the craftsmanship is not consistent and there is a lack of quality. In saying that don’t fall in the trap of necessarily thinking the most expensive equals the best quality. It is not always the case. The best way is to compare fabrication breakdown. I have a leather jacket from Zara which cost me $170 at the time (so relatively cheap for leather) that four years on is still my go-to biker style leather jacket.
A beautiful tailored blazer, classic blue jeans and a basic tee are just a few of the wardrobe staples worth spending a little extra on.
SPEND SOMETIMES ON “trend driven” fashion items to freshen up your timeless wardrobe staples and add some fun. This could be a clothing, shoes and accessories in new-season colours of silhouettes. I still believe the quality should still be a factor and that the pieces are in line with your Style ID. It’s more that you do not want to have a whole wardrobe full of “trend-driven” fashion. You will just become overwhelmed because nothing works together.
Still a great quality wool suit, but in a fun colour and paired with a statement shoe for a more daring look. These are both “sometimes” buys
INVEST IN SHOES & ACCESSORIES that can easily elevate a simple pieces like a white shirt and tailored trousers. I am a big believer to keep the outfit simple and let the the details do the talking. I will invest in a designer bag once every few years and add 1-2 pairs of designer shoes to my shoe-robe each season.
I understand like any new habit or mindset, it is a learned practice, so when I start working with a client the first thing we will chat about are their spending and shopping habits. In fact in the comprehensive Style Profile they complete when they book I ask them to to tell me how much they are willing to spend on individual categories from blazers, tops, pants, skirts to accessories and shoes, how often they shop and and their preferred brands too. Not so I can necessarily stick with what they know or stick to their prescribed budgets, but so I have some idea of their spending comfort zone and the areas they place value.
I was having a chat to a new client the other day and she mentioned to me that she had a horrific experience with a personal stylist in the past, because the stylist said she doesn’t work with anyone who wants to buy “fast fashion”.
While I think we need to be careful of not just buying cheaper clothing so we can shop more, I take issue with this ideology that we should all dress in designer brands only because it shows an elitist attitude that perpetuates the idea that personal styling is just for the wealthy. It is not.
The labels you wear do not make you any more or less worthy of working with a style expert, but how you feel in your clothes will have a massive effect on how you feel about yourself - the quality of the clothing is an important factor in how you feel in your clothes. Working with a styling expert to unlock how to dress for your shape and how to create a personal style that expresses your personal brand and what you value, is incredibly powerful and possible across varying budgets. I hope this has given you some food for thought about where to place value when you are shopping or at least made you rethink “fast shopping”. There is something gratifying about saving up for a really special piece and feeling equally as amazing and special when you wear it.