I almost passed out when I found this darling pair of strappy sandals in our local Department Store. They had the "bottom" of the first pair and the strap of the second pair shown on the left. I turned the shoe over and the price tag was $380! I had to ask myself, "FOR WHAT?" I mean, there's hardly anything to them!
Then, I left that store and went to one of my other favorite stores to do some clothes shopping. I tried on a cute little skirt and wanted just a simple little tank and cardigan to go over it. The lady went out and brought me the set pictured at the right. Now, let me tell you this is nothing more than GAUZE. It's completely see-through and as light as you can imagine. The cost? Just the little flimsy cardigan is $138! The tank underneath it is $68!
I liked it. Truly I did. And even though I know my taste is expensive, there's NOT A SNOWBALL'S CHANCE IN (you know where) that I'd pay those prices for either one of these things.
I DO believe that you "get what you pay for" in some cases...but the more I thought about it today, the more I thought "My goodness, the Emperor is riding around our mall with NO CLOTHES." Can't anyone see the obvious here? There's nothing really special about either of these items. Someone somewhere thought his or her design was worth ridiculous prices and so they put the tag on it.
And someone with MUCH MORE expensive taste than I will walk into these stores and purchase these items because they can.
I've learned another "secret" though. In a few months when "she-with-ridiculously-expensive-taste" gets tired of her strappy sandals or gauzy cardigan, she will throw it into a bag and send it off to our local thrift stores. It is there that I "might" see it and spend a whopping $4.99 (or less) for it! And sometimes, I can go in there and find these designer items with store tags still attached because they've NEVER BEEN WORN.
So, yes, I KNOW I have expensive taste, but I know how to feed it. Because I also LOVE nothing more than a good bargain.
11 comments:
You are absolutely right! There is nothing better than feeding expensive taste with an excellent bargain.
I'm too frugal to spend the kind of money they want in the stores... I'd rather spend it on something that will last like 22 new windows.
xo
LBC
I'm with you, Susan.
Susan
Ain't that the truth!!! I do a lot of catalog shopping and I look for "expensive" looks but for far less!!
One of my favorite finds is going into Ross and finding a major brand name purse that retailed for $90 (or more in some places) and I looked at the price tag and it was $29!! I just had to get it....it is SOOO pretty!
I love to find bargains like that!!
My Mom always had a knack of finding 'designer' clothes at the thrift store with the tags still on them!!! For me, my wardrobe consists of a black t-shirt and jeans. Thank goodness neither job I do has a dress code ;) I couldn't afford to adhere to it ;)
That's why I love to shop at TJ Maxx or Marshalls; it feels so good to find a great prize! Also, I'm from the less is more mindset: a few good pieces are more than many cheap pieces any day of the week for me.
I hope you have a good week at school; we start tomorrow after Spring Break. It's always good to be back with the kids, isn't it?
I understand the sticker shock. We have some "Outlets" with ridiculously high prices. Even at 90% off I couldn't afford the stuff...
Amen Sister!! You know that is the ONLY way that i shop!! Always have always will!! I cannot see how people pay this kind of money but like you say ...BECAUSE THEY CAN!! Okay!! Great for them. I am sticking with sales and the thrift shop for sure.
Sandy
SO true Susan! It's amazing what people are willing to pay, especially for something that will get a little use and then get tossed. Count me among the bargain hunters!
We get a lot of donated items that still have the price tag on it. We shop at "the mission mall" from all the donated items. Everything has to be hand sorted so it's like a shopping trip.
That's just NUTS!!!!
Seems I never pay retail any more. If it's not on sale, I don't buy it.
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