Monday, May 11, 2009

Would I lie to you?

Would I lie to you? Perhaps. But I would call it a slight untruth. Sounds better right?

There was a time when I thought wearing inexpensive clothes was completely uncool. In junior high I was utterly ashamed that my white, canvas shoes didn't have that tiny blue "Keds" label on the back. I was the brat who always insisted on having a JanSport backpack and a Dooney and Bourke purse (even if my parents couldn't afford it). If it didn't have the name brand plastered across it, I deemed it simply no good. Looking back on that, I realize how foolish I was. I can see why my parents were so aggravated by it.

If someone asked me where I bought the skirt I was wearing, I would respond by shaking my head, flicking my hands and saying, "Oh, I just don't remember" -- hoping my wild gestures would throw them off the scent and perhaps make them forget their question. Sometimes I would lie and say I got it at Dillard's (even if it really came from Weiner's).

Now, years later, I take pride in telling people that the fantastic dress I'm wearing is from a consignment store, or the great heels you admire were bought on clearance at DSW. I have fun taking a $25 dress and building around it to create an outfit you would expect I spent more on. Of course there is a lot to be said for "investment" pieces -- clothing you will wear for years and years, clothing that is timeless and makes you feel good. For the sake of full disclosure, I will tell you that I do not own any "investment" pieces. For the amount of money I have spent on ten inexpensive, trendy tops, I could have bought a few quality, timeless blouses. But that's not me. I'm very fickle -- I like what I like when I like it.

Today's outfit is Merona dress from Target. The ad will say its berry colored and 100% cotton. I say it is a rich, vivid plum color made of luxurious sateen cotton. Sounds better right? Also, as with anything that comes "belt included," you have to switch it out. This dress came with a matching "sash" (fancy talk for "extra piece of fabric"), that did nothing for my figure. Also, I think wearing tone on tone can be boring, especially when dealing with such an unstructured dress.

Today I paired this dress with one of my (many) wide stretch belts. I think I got this particular belt at Kohl's, but I don't remember (and I'm not just saying that, I really don't remember). I wore the "Ebony Twilight" necklace and earrings and a gunmetal bangle bracelet from Cookie Lee (shocking, I know). The shoes are my Carlos Santana "Satisfaction." This is the most expensive part of the ensemble. While that little fact will probably not surprise most readers, I'm sure my husband will be less than thrilled when he sees this. Zappos has them on sale now. Unfortunately, I paid full price when I bought them last season at Macy's (I'm just sayin').

While I have learned to appreciate a bargain and relish telling people how little I paid for something, I still have not completely outgrown my desire to obtain high-priced, designer items. I want my sunglasses to say Fendi on the temples. I covet a Gucci bag that is so obviously Gucci and Christian Louboutin heels that scream "I'm Louboutin!!" with their noticeably red soles. Perhaps when my 90 day shopping moratorium is lifted, I will have saved enough money to "splurge" on a $800 pair of shoes, something I will wear for years and years. Although I'm fairly sure I'll stick to my $100 shoes. Then I can afford 28 more $25 dresses.

2 comments:

  1. You're right, you should've started blogging long ago. This, next to your eye for everything fashion, is your calling.

    Thanks for keeping me busy checking back all evening until the next post!

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  2. I knew we were Siamese twins joined at the brain! I thought of you when I bought a pair of red Marc Jacobs pumps at DSW a couple of weeks ago. Retail price $325, 80% off (plus my coupon), bought them for 57.99!!

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