Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Practical vs Not-so-Practical Purchases


SABA Corinne Babywool Polo tops

I recently purchased these knits from SABA (Australian label, for whom Scott Schumann, aka 'The Sartorialist' is reportedly shooting a campaign for), in black, charcoal grey & marle soft grey. Not only are they Winter staples I always seem to lack each time this season comes, but they are beautifully cut, with panels at the waist for that perfect fit, and slightly puffed shoulders in an incredibly babysoft merino wool, and all at $50 off its rrp!

Despite all this, I was still reluctant to purchase these knits. Why? Because they are ‘practical’ items, the ones I am reluctant to spend my money on, often the staples or basic items I 'need' rather than 'want;, that don’t excite me terribly, along with underwear, gymwear, hosiery, pyjamas & clothes for work.

Why is it sometimes easier to buy something that may cost more, but will be worn less often?

Stella McCartney patent wedge heels (on my sad-looking grass) - the sculptural wood & metal wedge heel is incredible!

Dries Van Noten sequinned, beaded sandals (aka. my dream shoes, finally mine - please excuse the ugly pic)


Are you the same? Are there certain items you are more reluctant to spend your money on than others?

53 comments:

  1. both of those pairs of shoes are so cool, such great find. the stella wedges are my internet loves. maybe its the patent leather, but the wood looks so shiny! very futuristic. haha.

    i didn't know that sartorialist was shooting for saba? i like them, they're kind of like our answer to COS, although not as good. We really need to get a COS here, or at least a COS online store haha.

    ps. yay! i'm excited for it too, we should decide on times/meeting places haha.

    XXX

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  2. OMGawd your shoes!! Love both Stella and Dries - congrats on your fab purchys!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  3. the sandals are great, i think you can coordinate them with a lot of clothes.
    i wish i would get ones!

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  4. I've got some strrrrrrange spending patterns myself! I will not spare expense on: Winter coats, Shoes (most of the time)and Eveningwear (which is weird because you only get occasional use out of it), Sunglasses, Handbags definitely... I am cheap with printed trendy sundresses for summer, flat sandals for the beach, swimsuits in general, tee shirts (no designer tees for me).

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  5. Oh I love the Stella McCartney wedges! They look super comfy too. I'm the same with you, although, I like to indulge in investment pieces, I often persuade myself to buy everything I like because to me, they're all investment pieces.
    Sometimes, I do get amazing bargains at sales and such

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  6. I know exactly what you mean. I think it's because the impractical things are often the more fantastic looking items, like a ridiculously flimsy silk dress covered in beading! Useful items are everyday and boring, and also readily available so if you need a new one you can find it anywhere. However, I would spend more for a nice plain cashmere sweater, or a good pair of jeans. I guess it depends more on material, craftsmanship, and fit to determine price factors.

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  7. AHHHHHHHHHHH your sandals we can change for a day I give you my top and you give me your sandals, ja, ja, ja, thanks a lot for the comments, kisses PRECIOSAAAAAAAAAAAAA

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  8. the patent shoes are gorgeous !!!
    and as usual i love dries van noten.

    i am reluctant to purchase casual clothes, even if i need some, socks and pyjamas, i can't find pyjamas that are both elegant and confortable. i really feel it is a waste of money. i am cold in men elegant pyjamas and i prefer cotton jersey knits even if i think they look too casual.

    i missed "ensemble c'est tout" a few days ago on TV. but i saw the end and i knew the story. i love audrey tautou, she is so cute, she looks so sweet and fragile. and i also love guillaume canet she is in love with in the movie. it's a beautiful story and it is so moving when she comes to the train station to tell him to stay !!!

    the film was made by claude berri, the biggest french film producer, and a great film director.
    he made beautiful movies like "manon des sources" and "jean de florette". maybe you know them. he died a few months ago.

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  9. goodness gracious! congrats on the new babies! theyre beautiful.

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  10. My investment pieces = jeans, handbags, and shoes. :)

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  11. yes, totally agree - so boring to buy basics and underwear etc (and also stuff for the house). but when I finally do, i feel so much better. but i also keep rebuying the same things over and over again (even if they are 'exciting' pieces), so when i step out of my comfort zone and buy something quite different (can be in shape, colour, even type of garment), i also feel good:) !

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  12. I love ALL of your purchases but especially the Stella heels! They are like works of art. :)

    I'm sad to say that I haven't bought anything all year...this is what happens when you go back to being a student - no time and no money to shop!

    Re: shops in Sydney, the two that come to mind are Luxe Boutique (Shop 20G, Sydney Central Plaza off Pitt Street Mall) for beautiful vintage dresses and a few accessories/jewelry. Also, Di Nuovo (92 William Street, Paddington) for excellent condition second-hand international designer clothing, shoes, bags & jewelry. Seriously all their stuff is bargain quality!

    Check out www.missyconfidential.com.au for any designer sales that might be on while you're in town. Happy shopping! :)

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  13. ha ha, I can be the same way...although I do have a weakness for stocking up (in ridiculous amounts) of the basics...LOVING those purple wedges, by the way :-)

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  14. Those two pair of shoes are fabulous. I regret I did get Stellar one at Barney last call. LOve them!xoxo
    Hanh,
    www.life-in-travel.blogspot.com

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  15. Oh I totally agree with you...why we spent more on non practical things? and so reluctant to buy practical things? btw, I love your two pair of shoes..simply gorgeous!

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  16. I've been sitting at my little desk working hard on studying for my Accounting exam tomorrow and this post just made me so happy!! Both of your shoes are gorgeous in the photos. Thanks for sharing them and making my day!! :)

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  17. I die at those wedges.

    And I am the same exact way!

    Bisous,
    La C.

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  18. You're definitely right! Those sandals are incredible..;D

    http://www.soloden.com

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  19. Love those Stella's!!!
    XOXOXO
    Libby
    http://fashionconfectionairy.weebly.com

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  20. I need to buy clothes for yoga, and other exercise activities but I really don't like to spend money in that department, even though I teach yoga.

    I need a lot of leggings, which are practical and a bridge, so that I can layer, and not look like I am in yoga clothes all the time.

    I would much rather buy great shoes or an interesting piece of clothing.

    I love those Stella's very much.

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  21. How sweet you are!
    Thanks for your lovely comment!

    HOLY MOLY!
    Your Dries van Noten beaded heels are 2die4!
    I simply can imagine how happy you are when you finally got your DREAMTICKET!

    Always wanted to tell you but always forget..;)
    Happy to add you to my blog list!

    Enjoy the day!!!

    Martina

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  22. Hey Brigs :)
    OMG those Stella wedges are amazing!

    I'm sort of the same... but lately there has been a shift in my spending habits. I use to buy loads of evening-y going out type dresses and then never wear them (or just wear them once if lucky). Slowly I've been selling them off on ebay and I have started to buy more "practical" dresses. It actually feels really good to open my wardrobe and to see things that I can wear to work, rather than sequinned and tulle pieces that do not get worn. I think you will find that you will enjoy wearing your knits and you will wonder what the hell it was that you wore before you owned them!!!

    Karolina
    xx

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  23. Love those shoes.;D

    http://www.solofoodtrip.com

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  24. "Why is it sometimes easier to buy something that may cost more, but will be worn less often?". This hit very close to home, I can't explain it but I find myself doing the same thing.
    Omg those marni wedges are too beautiful, we need a modelling shot!

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  25. Those shoes are insane! Love both :)

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  26. your stella my carteny shoes are more than insane!!!! your blog is freakin cool
    j'adore


    xx



    bonne nuit
    la chauve-souris

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  27. I'm so with you. I'm absolutely cheap when it comes to undies and the things I actually need, but I will blow a paycheck on more vintage dresses!

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  28. Oui! I hate spending on basics and practical underwear which is why all my practical cotton panties are threadbare and falling apart at the seams. You'll never hear someone complimenting you about a basic, "Wow I love your black turtleneck!" "Wow I love your white tank top!" They go un-noticed and unappreciated, unlike a new dress or sexy SM wedges ;)

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  29. those beaded dries are absolutely to die. i'm sort of the opposite of you. i need things that excite but also that are practical in the sense that they can get a lot of wear.

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  30. I love the wedges I want I want
    www.fashiontoast.blogspot.com

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  31. WONDERFUL BLOG! THE MCCARTNEY WEDGES just waaaaooouuuhhh!^^
    see you!
    xo

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  32. wow, the shoes are simply great!

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  33. great shoes! i am def more willing to spend more money on a great pair of shoes!

    http://natalieinboots.blogspot.com/

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  34. Ah, her Chanel was in fact sooo purdy!

    I want ;]

    Bisous,
    La C.

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  35. ohmygoodness! those beaded dries are AMAZING.
    love all the rest too, nice buys
    x

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  36. in love with ur stella shoes........ah.. i wanted them so bad and when bebe came out with a copy i wanted them too....

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  37. I know the feeling. The stuff I pay a lot for but wear less often are usually fairly unique or well-tailored (mainly shoes and jackets), things to wear for those special occasions when I have to look extra-sharp. I'm not willing to spend much with some practical things like t-shirts, tights, and things that I wear all the time because I have I need clothes that I can throw into the washing machine and dryer without worry; I don't have time to handle clothes with kid gloves, and I can't bear subject expensive clothes to the washer, even on the delicate cycle. However, if there are basics in a particular style, color, etc. that I really, really like, I'd be willing to pay a little more for them so that they will last longer. Kind of a convoluted formula, I know.

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  38. OMG those shoes are to-die-for! I really love the marni. those are just plain amazing <3

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  39. The Stella shoes are so so so so pretty. I love them.

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  40. both shoes are absolutely amazing!!! in love with them both :)

    xx

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  41. i love the stella shoes!
    and im the same way - although when i buy the "not so practical" pieces i tend to wear it more often because i feel a tad guilty about the purchase

    http://fashionhandglide.blogspot.com

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  42. beautiful shoes!!

    wow they are gorgeous

    http://www.airsflairsandstyleaffairs.blogspot.com/

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  43. The Dries Van Noten sandals are amazing! Enjoy them lucky girl.

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  44. omg, the wedges are fantastic!

    btw, I am just like you. buying basics is always boring and tiring to me *lol*

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  45. I am loving those purchases! Those Stella Heels are amazing, I couldn't agree more with you! I have the knee high boots and they are 2die4 too. I would love to see your Stella's on, they are going to look SICK on u.

    Besos,

    Maurenice
    http://heightsoffashion.typepad.com/

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  46. The Stella ones are AHHHHHMAZING...Still lusting after those after all this time

    http://delikaterayne.blogspot.com/

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  47. loving the turtle necks and i never tire of those shoes! the structure is amazing.
    muah x
    marian

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  48. I wish I could own those shoes !
    Lucky girl - enjoy!

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  49. Stella McCartney patent wedge heels

    how can do to buy they?
    i can pay wth paypal
    please email me to
    kyerem.smith@hotmail.com
    thnk you

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  50. hey, consider ever buying those stella mccartney wedges? drop me a message :)

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