Help me drop my MSE default mode

Contessa

Grumpy_chap said:

Contessa said:

I retired some years ago and I'm stuck in the past as far as current prices of clothing and shoes are concerned. I've dropped a couple of dress sizes since I retired and needed new clothes. However when I look online or in shops now my immediate reaction is "How much-I'm not paying that much for...!" I wait for the sales to come round then find my size is sold out.

I don't think I'm mean. I'll buy nice gifts for friends and family but I begrudge spending on my wardrobe.

I'd appreciate it if people would say what they think are reasonable prices these days. Thank you.

It's a very broad question and "reasonable" depends on many things - purpose as well as disposable income.  

I think one approach you could try is to compare the prices of something that is totally "staple" today with what you might have purchased / paid in the past.  For me, that would be Levi 501s - I know it is a stock item that is unchanged apart from the price point.  Then compare the comparative value / price point of other items that you desire.

Grumpy_chap said:

Contessa said:

I retired some years ago and I'm stuck in the past as far as current prices of clothing and shoes are concerned. I've dropped a couple of dress sizes since I retired and needed new clothes. However when I look online or in shops now my immediate reaction is "How much-I'm not paying that much for...!" I wait for the sales to come round then find my size is sold out.

I don't think I'm mean. I'll buy nice gifts for friends and family but I begrudge spending on my wardrobe.

I'd appreciate it if people would say what they think are reasonable prices these days. Thank you.

It's a very broad question and "reasonable" depends on many things - purpose as well as disposable income.  

I think one approach you could try is to compare the prices of something that is totally "staple" today with what you might have purchased / paid in the past.  For me, that would be Levi 501s - I know it is a stock item that is unchanged apart from the price point.  Then compare the comparative value / price point of other items that you desire.

Thank you. Similar to the old Mars Bar test. I remember many high street shoe shops sold shoes for £4,19s and 11 pence- with inflation that's about £77. That makes today's prices seem realistic.

I'll go on a shopping spree!

Contessa

JJC1956 said:

As Polly said Charity shops, they sell new as well as used.
I personally buy a lot of what I would call expensive clothes and shoes on eBay, at a fraction of the shop cost, all new. 
As I am getting older, I find I am buying more long lasting and practical clothes such as Barbour Jackets, they will outlive anything you buy in M & S. 
If you like Jaegar why don’t you check out the online site Cudoni which sells top quality used items or Brandalley which sells new everything, with ever changing stock, Good Luck

JJC1956 said:

As Polly said Charity shops, they sell new as well as used.
I personally buy a lot of what I would call expensive clothes and shoes on eBay, at a fraction of the shop cost, all new. 
As I am getting older, I find I am buying more long lasting and practical clothes such as Barbour Jackets, they will outlive anything you buy in M & S. 
If you like Jaegar why don’t you check out the online site Cudoni which sells top quality used items or Brandalley which sells new everything, with ever changing stock, Good Luck

Thank you. I'm not familiar with those sites but will check them out. Although after lockdown I want to try clothes on again.

coffeehound

The Jaeger of today is not the same company it was in the past.

Contessa

coffeehound said:

The Jaeger of today is not the same company it was in the past.

I agree. It's now also sold in M&S.

coffeehound

Contessa said:

coffeehound said:

The Jaeger of today is not the same company it was in the past.

I agree. It's now also sold in M&S.

Apparently it went into administration in November, and M&S bought the brand (only) but none of the shops, in January

Grumpy_chap

Contessa said:

Thank you. Similar to the old Mars Bar test. 

Well, obviously, as we all know, chocolate bars get smaller.  If you apply that test, and order a ball gown, you'll likely get a mini-skirt

littlegreenparrot

Have you tried any of the online second hand buying options?

It can be worthwhile, especially if there are particular brands you like. Ebay, vinted, facebook marketplace. 
Of course there is not the option to try on, but you can always sell on again if it doesn't suit. 

Contessa

littlegreenparrot said:

Have you tried any of the online second hand buying options?

It can be worthwhile, especially if there are particular brands you like. Ebay, vinted, facebook marketplace. 
Of course there is not the option to try on, but you can always sell on again if it doesn't suit. 

Thanks. Hadn't heard of Vinted before.

I want to buy new clothes. It's not that I can't afford them just that I'm behind the times with the cost of new clothing nowadays.

Pollycat

If you want to buy new clothes, look online at prices of items in M&S, TKMaxx, John Lewis, Roman and any other shop that sells clothes.

That will give you an idea of prices and get you out of the 'I'm behind the times with prices' mindset.

Then you can either order online (checking returns policy first) or go into a shop and buy what you fancy.

Do you have a retail outlet near you?

And in my experience since covid, TKMaxx shops aren't 'a bit of a scrum'.

Contessa

Pollycat said:

If you want to buy new clothes, look online at prices of items in M&S, TKMaxx, John Lewis, Roman and any other shop that sells clothes.

That will give you an idea of prices and get you out of the 'I'm behind the times with prices' mindset.

Then you can either order online (checking returns policy first) or go into a shop and buy what you fancy.

Do you have a retail outlet near you?

And in my experience since covid, TKMaxx shops aren't 'a bit of a scrum'.

Pollycat said:

If you want to buy new clothes, look online at prices of items in M&S, TKMaxx, John Lewis, Roman and any other shop that sells clothes.

That will give you an idea of prices and get you out of the 'I'm behind the times with prices' mindset.

Then you can either order online (checking returns policy first) or go into a shop and buy what you fancy.

Do you have a retail outlet near you?

And in my experience since covid, TKMaxx shops aren't 'a bit of a scrum'.

I've looked online at those, except TKMaxx, and in store at M&S.

No retail outlet anwhere near me. I used to shop and buy in store at JL years ago. Two years ago I went into one when staying with friends. The prices of clothes shocked me then.

Thanks for your suggestions.