Dress to the 9's : Quality vs. Quantity

It’s that time of year again… when the season has already changed in the world of retail! Sales are about to hit us in the face, scream our names, and call us into the stores! This is usually the time of year where we want lots and lots of new things to show off for the upcoming season. So of course we are all going to take full advantage of the sales that are hitting us in the face wherever we go!

But here is a thought… maybe we shouldn’t go sale crazy, step back, and think for a minute… do I really need this? Half way through the year we are going to think back to these first shopping experiences and do what we do best… regret. Regret putting down those perfect nude heels that were slightly above our budget, but perfect for our entire wardrobe!

We think about why we didn’t buy that perfect stupid shoe, and then we realize, oh yeah, I bought that cute top… wait I think that’s still in my closet with the tag on it, but I mean it was $10 how could I say no?! Oh yeah and I did buy those cute earrings 3 for $20, but I think I lost half of them by now… I am sure you get the point.

We tend to see the amount of things we can buy and get lost in the quantity and forget all about quality. Now a days shopping is so overwhelming because we can’t even walk into a store without being bombarded with SALE! We are humans, we like to save money, the world is an expensive place…trust me I get it! But I want you to try and beat your instincts and try to retrain your brain and do a little experiment.

Next time you go shopping instead of settling for three cheap items spend a little more time deciding on something that you might really want or need, but costs a little more! The other night my best friend came home with a big bag of goodies! She is notorious for buying lots and lots of lip makeup (lip liners, lipsticks, etc.). She was so excited to pull out her array of new matte lipsticks and see what all the colors looked like. As she applied she started making a pile of colors that did not suit her or had a funny quality to them.

I looked at her and said, “Ali why don’t you just figure out what colors you are looking for and instead of paying $4 for a bunch of slightly nice lips sticks? You always buy a bunch of cheap lipsticks or liners and you only end up liking two colors out of 10. Why don’t you just figure out what colors you want and spend a little more money on something you love vs. something you kinda like?”

She told me that she never thought of it that way before, and that is typically because it is a lot easier and more fun to buy a cheap pack of ten and try them on. But just like Ali half the time we end up hating half the pack, or even if we like the color you end up hating the quality.

This idea of Quality vs. Quantity can be applied to all forms of shopping, especially with shoes! Who doesn’t love to come home with five new pairs of shoes? But then you go to wear them ten minutes into the day and your feet are already bleeding, breaking, burning… you name it! I do know that shoes, especially heels need to be broken in, but most of the time you can tell when a shoe is going to hurt no matter what verses a shoe that just needs to stretch out a little bit.

Think before you spend, plan before you buy, and spend more money on items you love vs. buying just to buy! This season take on the sales instead of giving in to them, instead of over buying; see if the sales work to your advantage! Meaning instead of putting down those nude heels because they are too expensive see if there is a coupon or sale that discounts an item you have been waiting for!

Work with the sales instead of being consumed by them, and see if you don’t have to pardon with quality because they are much … look for those nude heels that were once $70.00 but our now $49.98! Quality is something that speaks for itself and the sooner you start spending more on items you will see that in the end you are actually saving yourself money!

Buckle Heels:

GirlTalk11m Black by Anne Michelle, High Heel Stiletto Dress S...

$29 AQUAPILLAR.COM

Women's Topshop Rosalie Ankle Strap Sandal

$68 NORDSTROM.COM

Pointed Toe Heels:

Yoins Black Suede Pointed Toe Lace-up High Heels

$35 YOINS.COM

Saks Fifth Avenue Catalina Pointed Toe D'Orsay Pumps

$50 SAKSOFF5TH.COM

Pink Purse:

Charlotte Russe Quilted Velvet Crossbody Bag