My Shopping Habits As I Mature

This post on Paris B’s blog made me think about my attitude towards shopping.

She asks if we calculate our costs per wear while shopping. An interesting thought that has never ever gone through my mind! We all have some variation of judgement as to whether our purchase is going to stick around or be forgotten at the back of our wardrobes. Sometimes we regret our purchases and sometimes love it that we wear it so much to the point of embarrassment. *stares down at almost 4 years old Teva flip flops. To all my family and buddies, it is the green flip flops with the twisted strap that I wear all the time!*

I do feel that my attitude towards the things I buy maturing a little bit. I have made many foolish buys in the past. There was a time.. *deep breath*.. where I would be so happy to buy some random top just because it was like RM8. Yeah, RM8. This was in high school, don’t judge! As a result of this blind passion for bargains, I ended up with a wardrobe full of crap!

I could spend RM200 (this was a lot of money back in my college days) on a whole bunch of crappy tops and dresses just because it was cheap! I use to snub my nose at what I thought were branded stuff just because it was well, branded. And to me, back then, brands mean MNG, Zara, Topshop and Miss Selfridge. The only thing I ever bought from Miss Selfridge were some undies. To be honest, I still can’t afford it but I hope that one day, I will buy these things without thinking twice. And perhaps when that one day comes, I might not even want these brands anymore. But the point of my post is not about brands, it is about using a handsome sum of money to buy something that doesn’t look like crap!

Even if the skirt/dress is nice, it has to fit perfectly. I know this is a little bit of a no brainer, but when you are…between size 12-14 (I’m not sure)..you just don’t want to pass on the gorgeous top with buttons and ruffles in the front. The side zipper doesn’t go all the way up with one attempt, but it’s okay, you pull it to the front, suck in as hard as you can, huff and puff, pull and voila! The zipper is up! So your boobs are squashed to your chest.. but it’s a gorgeous top. Maybe just suck in your tummy when you sit down! Only RM40 for something so ..unique. Not quite awesome, because it doesn’t fit that well, but it is unique. And you buy it.

The one size too small top then sits in your cupboard and months later you wonder what were you thinking?? Multiply this scenario by another twenty or so times, I’m stuck with a cupboard full of shit that I can’t be bothered to wear. Losing weight is of course an option that I know of/have considered/on my New Year resolution list, so don’t lecture me about that. Shhh.

When I was in school, I remember thinking that a piece of clothing that was about RM30 was pricy! I’d trawl through the RM15-20 clothes rack and be so happy, picking out things that I think will suit me. Think tank tops that ends at my midriff with cartoon flowers printed on it, tops that are made from lycra, spaghetti tops that also barely cover my tummy, miniskirts with no cutting at all…. ughhh…what was I thinking?! I once bought knee length boots that I only wear in my room. I would have to sit down after 10 minutes because the heels were not made for walking. RM50 for a pair of Vincci boots! At 80% off!! I had to have it because it was CHEAP! Who cares if it was not practical?!

Great things don’t come cheap. Great pieces that actually look good are hardly found in the bargain racks of a random shop. Great bargains only come by once in a while and not everybody is blessed with that skill to hunt.

I have become so particular about material. Cotton shouldn’t feel like the texture of a hotel’s laundry bag. Satin should not crease. Chiffon should not be super scratchy. Stretchy material should NEVER feel like Lycra!

Oh and BAGS. I am so particular about them too! My criteria for a bag is usually 1) it has to be a big bag 2) the material should be suede. Most bags with no brands (my bags don’t come with brands… why must I pay a few thousand bucks for a bag?! I still don’t understand that universe!) that cost about RM20… I will stay clear of it. Unless I’m in Bangkok, it’s a whole different story. But bags that cost below RM30 will fall apart within a week. True story. Not only that, the material is so disgusting. The thinness of the ‘suede’ material is so disappointingly pathetic that I don’t even want to step into that shop. I would pay about RM50 to RM80 for a nicely built bag with a good thick suede material. I can’t waste anymore money on bags that are so cheap in texture to the point that it is disgusting! Sometimes you get those bags with super thin PVC that you can actually see your reflection in it! THOSE ARE THE GROSSEST BAGS OF THEM ALL! Only one rule: A bag must be made of a thick material, whatever material it is.

But speaking of bag, I seem to have the lousiest of luck with them! How do you stop a bag from tearing? 🙁 My bags have a life span of about 3 months tops. My heart always breaks when a great bag starts tearing.

While we’re on bags, I need to slot in a little commentary about designer bags. I respect girls who buy it with their own money though I can never understand why the love for a brown bag with a bunch of checkers on it or some hooked half rings printed all over it. I feel the love for Chanel though, but not enough to spend an entire month or two’s salary on a bag! But tell me, do designer bags break? If they really don’t, I might have to rethink my bag buying habits.

As for shoes, I don’t have to be particular picky about this one. A good pair of shoes has a certain weight to it. It cannot feel light as air. The heel or the wedge has to be made of something heavy, it shouldn’t feel like cardboard. Some shoes do feel like cardboard wrapped with fabric. I hate those.

I find myself touching the things at Diva longingly but I cannot justify spending RM30 on a pair of earrings! Or RM60 on a necklace that I know will be left to rust after wearing it once or never. It’s not about loving ‘branded stuff’ when you’re talking about Diva. They are a whole different ball game. You can, but it is hard to find such quirky/quaint jewelry. I know some blog shops sell such sweet pieces but the price is usually crazy. Like..RM80 for a necklace that will only tarnish in a couple of months kind of crazy. SIGH AM I TOO KIAM?

As I said, now that I am older, I seem to demand more of the things I want to buy. I’m choosing quality over quantity..though I need to curb my hairband addiction..but the thing is, I can’t settle for the below RM20 stuff anymore. Good quality things don’t come in that price range. I want to pool what money I have and get the nicer stuff! But until I have secured a job, I can’t even afford RM80-RM100 stuff on a regular basis. As a result, I don’t end up with anything. T_T