False Economy Fashion

GrammarGirl

crocodileteeth wrote: »

Yes, I agree with evans shoes - they always last really well and are comfortable. But drop 1 size down.
Also thinking about bad buys I have to mention ebay. Not often pleased and have put lots straight in the charity bag.

On the hair front i have to mention Paul Mitchell. Costs abit more but lasts me ages. If i'm feeling cheap I buy aussie shampoo & conditioner. still good but not quite great.

Aussie is my expensive buy! :rotfl:

Spain_Shopper

Sportswear, I find my Nike and adidas tops and bottoms last a couple of years and get worn at least three times a week whereas cheap ones go out of shape quickly.

MrsE_2

Totally agree with those of you who say buy good bras, knickers & jeans too.......

If you have big boobs, you need good scafolding;)

I like those M&S £4 knickers, I get them when on 3 for £10;)

Jeans I love per una, my NYDJ (£140:o) have worn at the crutch, now I know I wore them a lot, but for that money I expected too:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
Back to Per Una for me;)

tara747

goanmad wrote: »

I love quality clothing but hate paying for it - that's why I buy second hand or knock-down end of sale stuff. Our local M&S always reduces it's bras and pants to 50p at the end of the sale so I stock up for the year.

Cheap bras, pants, bikinis and shoes are definately false ecomony as is anything worn on a daily basis like coats, jeans and jackets.

Ooooh yes, I forgot! I love second hand and charity shops too, I would far rather buy second hand quality stuff than new cheap tat! And I occasionally see something in a CS which I wanted previously in X shop but which was sold out in my size. :beer:

Mrs_Ryan wrote: »

Cheap trainers for me. My mate thinks Im a snob cos I'll only wear Adidas, Nike or Reebok ...
QUOTE]

I forgot about this too. I do a fair bit of running so cheap trainers would be a total no-no. You really do get what you pay for, and your feet, joints and spine will thank you for wearing good shoes! Again, I stock up in the sales.

lostinrates wrote: »

I'll send her a pm with a link to this thread. She's one of those internet friends I think of as a real life friend too, she writes vividly and compellingly about her work (and life) and she's just lovely.

I am intrigued! Can't wait to hear from this person, she sounds fascinating.

Another few thoughts:

I will always take something back to the shop if it's not good quality, or if buttons/sequins/beads start falling off soon after I buy it. And I always get a refund, albeit sometimes after a lengthy stand-off!

Re shampoo and conditioner (and toiletries in general), I got my Aveda stuff with the Marie Claire vouchers and am thrilled - I would never spend that much on S&C. However, Semi Chem is brilliant for getting expensive stuff cheaply, as is TK Maxx. I've seen huuuuge Tigi S&Cs in there for less than half the RRP! If there are no offers on when I need a particular thing, I just buy the cheap stuff. Although I stock up on everything when there are offers in Boots/Superdrug, so I rarely run out of anything!

By the way - is it better to splurge on shampoo or conditioner?

minerva_windsong

It's all about cost per wear for me - if I'll wear it lots then it's worth it, if I won't then it isn't.

However, the stuff that I always spend a fair bit of money on are:

* Jeans - the only decent cheap ones I've ever found were Dorothy Perkins ones. Normally my jeans now come from Gap as they're by far and away the best fit and style for me.
* Bras - admittedly this is partly not out of choice because cheap shops don't do my size (the joys of having a slim back and massive boobs), but I'd much rather spend the money on something I'll wear on a daily basis. That said though it doesn't have to cost a fortune - most of my bras are £8 ones out of M&S.
* Skincare and make-up - again, for things like moisturiser and foundation I'm happy to spend more money on a good one that works for me, but things I don't wear/use a lot (eyeshadow etc) I won't spend much on because I don't think it's worth it.

Most stuff from Primark (with the exception of things like pants and socks) is a bit of a false economy to me. The quality's not good and the clothes have a bit of a tendency to lose their shape really quickly.

piratefairy

In my opinion, Tara, its better to splurge on conditioner. Shampoo is made of the same stuff, no matter what brand, so it doesn't really make a difference whether you go for supermarkets own or an expensive one, but I don't think the same is true for conditioner..

Katie-Kat-Kins

FelinePrincess wrote: »

I totally agree on all them points, especially the cheap shoes. I find new look shoes particularly bad, I have only ever brought about 2 or 3 pairs but they are so uncomfortable they only get worn once or twice making them about £10 per wear, where as nicer, better quality shoes will get lots of wears and work out cheaper.

- A pet hate of mine is fake leather goods, I think these are a false economy as they wear really badly and look cheap, where as a decent quality leather item will last forever and often look better with wear.

Couldn't agree more on the fake leather thing!!!

But I have had good shoes from new look and primark, the key is to check the labels, if they are leather go for it in not don't bother!

SugarSpun

Just a quickie for the people who buy Reebok trainers - halfcost.co.uk have ladies classics for £10 at the moment, with a 10% code available and free delivery if you spend over £25.

Edit: I'm not affiliated, but I have new trainers and want someone to get the good out of these

Katie-Kat-Kins

Hmmm better to spend on the following:

Coats, cheap ones normally look it and often aren't waterproof

Anything with a technical purpose such as trainers for sports rather than fashion, waterproofs, etc. Same for things like birkenstock shoes, why buy the cheap alternative they don't have the orthopaedic ergonomic sole?????

Knitwear, doesn't need to be expensive but does need to be wool or cotton, check the labels, better to buy a cotton cardie for £10 from primark than an acrylic one from next for £30 it will last so much better.

Leather, never never never buy fake leather, not worth it even if it is only £1!!!

Bras, generally you do get what you pay for a bit, the crucial thing is fit though. I have had george bras that have lasted years and years and years, sadly they have since stopped doing my size so I'm stuck with M&S.

Jeans, very cheap ones normally look it, no need to buy very expensive but it is often worth going for levis/wrangler/gap/ck. The outlet shops are brilliant though.

Fake jewellery isn't worth it, it is often as expensive as the real stuff. Obviously wooden beads and things are different and primark is great for that stuff but don't get why you would buy silver looking earrings for £12 from accessorize when you could get actual silver ones for less!!! Amazes me when I see costume jewellery with glass "stones" for over £100......

Suits - normally worth paying a bit more for, not necessarily expensive but next or wallis rather than primark, same with smart shirts (again check what they are made of).

flower24

We're really skint but I won't buy my kids clothes from primark, i have bought a few things from there for them a while ago and they've not lasted at all. I buy from tesco/asda, far better quality than primark, and also nicer stuff.

tara747 wrote: »

Re: children's clothes. Every parent I know thanks the Lord for the advent of Primark! They all say that children grow out of clothes so quickly they can't bear to spend £££s on them. It literally kills them when they have to give away something from Baby Gap which cost £50 just because the baba has outgrown it, and they rue the 'waste of money'. I think I would be the same myself if I had children.

Maybe their children grow more quickly than lindsaygalaxy's though! :rotfl: