If it’s anything that my mother has taught me, it’s the value of money. Everything expensive does not always look stylish.
Take a Louis Vuitton Bag for instance: One Speedy Bandouliere for $3,050.00. Now, don’t get the wrong idea, they’re certified beauties and most definitely shows status. But how about character? It is a 3 out of a 10 with the LV logo plastered every centimeter or two on the bodice of the purse. Walking into an unknown boutique in Downtown New York and finding a purse for $50.00 not necessarily having a brand stapled on it, but perhaps richer in character would make that more valuable: The bodice handwoven with different prints, the handle a little faded from travelling too much. No one else in the world will have this purse.
It is also how you wear them. You can go ahead and purchase a $200.00 sweater, not exactly even knowing its designer’s history and why that sweater was even created in the first place. You probably even merely bought it for the fact of its brand or that it is as what they say , the “hype” in today’s fashion. Wearing it with jeans and it would probably look the same as that sweater hanging at H&M.
I remember going to Fashion Week in New York City in 2008 wearing a ruffled violet dress and having had a good number of people ask me if it was from Donna Karan’s new collection. I recall responding “No, It’s a $30.00 dress from Forever 21”, with a smile.
Want to know a secret? The most expensive apparel that I own – whether it be jeans, a blouse, a jacket, skirts, dresses or what have you, is a multi colored sequined dress I purchased form Townhouse for $90.00. I own nothing Madison Avenue expensive in my closet although it’s funny that most people think I do.
Another secret: It is how you pair things, it’s how you walk in them . That $9.99 blouse from Target will not look it’s pricetag as long as you wear it gracefully. YOU add that value to your outfit, and not the other way around.
Top: Ruby and Jenna $15.00, Bottoms: Dor L Dor $10.00, Shoes: $30.00 = $55.00
Thank you Teban for the Lovely photos.
xo,JG