Savvy Tips: {Shopping} Picking the right High Street Retailers for your wardrobe

September 27, 2011
I love to talk about fashion.  I enjoy reporting on new collections, collaborations, and designers from Etsy to the large High Street brands.  I do this because I find fashion fascinating and the range of designs to be exciting.  But I’m not a girl with a new Chanel couture gown every season (how crazy cool would that be though?)  I’m just a girl that loves interesting clothing while maintaining a sensible budget.

I love that more and more people are pairing High Street items with a few choice designer items
I’ve been gravitating more and more towards designer brands, but will still shop at tried and true favorite High Street stores, including H&M, J. Crew, and Ann Taylor.  But the question is: how much of your wardrobe should be from high street brands?

That answer of course is that it’s totally up to you! Let your own wallet and preferences dictate what you choose to buy and wear.  But I like to keep a few things in mind when I am shopping:

1. Is the quality worth the price?
There can be huge disparities in the quality of even a single retailer’s collection.  Feel the fabric, try it on – do you think the quality is worth the price?  Sometimes you may find some gems at mass market retailers, but often times you will also find colors that will run easily and inferior materials.  Just remember that you get what you are paying for (though I would also say some designer clothing isn’t great quality, but that is another

Midi skirt with belt, ASOS, $65.86 – I love their extensive selection but their quality can be lacking (one beautiful scallop edge dress was completely see through!)  I’d still shop there though because I’ve gotten great skirts there!

2. Does it fit in with my ideal wardrobe?
I talked about planning and only shopping from my ideal wardrobe list here.  I practice what I preach and constantly look over my list before getting tempted to shop.  Remember to buy something because you love it and it fits with your style.  Your closet space and eventually wallet will appreciate your choices in the long run.

3. Am I buying it just because of the price?

Ok it’s $20.  Does that mean you have to buy it?  High Street stores are the most tempting places to spend money in small bursts.  But will you actually wear those pieces?  Are you just tempted to try it out because it’s on sale?  Remember to really think – are you buying it because you love the piece or because you love the price?  If you don’t love it or wear it, it’s the equivalent of having many $20 bills sitting in your closet.

4. Do I feel comfortable supporting this company?
Are all retailers created the same?  Not necessarily.  They all have different values and practices.  We  know that fast fashion stores do questionable things, like copy other designers. That already makes me slightly uncomfortable.  But do I need to keep on contributing money to a company that only lets people work for them if they submit full body shots and is headed by a CEO who has allegedly harassed his employees (American Apparel)?  Do I want to fatten the wallet of a corporation that pays its workers .12 to sew one vest and regularly pays off designers when they are caught stealing their designs (Forever 21)?  The beautiful thing about fast fashion retailers is that there are quite a few of them and every consumer has a choice about where to shop.  It is up to you who choose to support.

How do you choose what to buy at Fast Fashion stores?

little luxury list

All posts
  • Fashion, Art and other fancies September 27, 2011 at 07:48

    I adore quality regardless of price. I dont want a dress for 100 or one for 500 that will fall apart after a few washes, and lose its colour. I saw a beautiful red skirt yesterday here in Paris, but still deciding to get it or not.
    The skirt above looks very dashing indeed.

  • The Blonde Duck September 27, 2011 at 10:33

    I didn’t know that about Forever 21! I’d rather have quality, but I think there’s a definite line where it becomes more about the name/ designer than paying for what the piece is worth.

  • QueenDesi September 27, 2011 at 12:49

    totally a smart shopper!! tks for share girl 🙂

    THE SECRET LIFE OF “D”

    in Love&Light
    Queen D

  • Kim September 27, 2011 at 13:54

    Quality is king for me! I have been tempted to buy designer pieces that are affordable, so it’s good to ask myself if I’ll actually wear it, or whether I’m just forking over $ because I found a good deal. I do love stores like H&M, but the quality can be very hit or miss. I have tried on quite a few see-through dresses there, and now subject most pieces to the “light test” in the dressing room. I never shop at Forever 21. It’s a bit too trendy for my taste, and a little overwhelming for me. Great post!

  • Heather September 27, 2011 at 14:29

    Great tips! I especially like the advice about not feeling pressured to buy something just because of the price. I fell prey to that issue when I bought my first wedding dress that I ended up swapping.

  • THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE September 27, 2011 at 14:50

    Love this post! I’m getting pretty good at not feeling like I have to buy just because it’s cheap. And so agree with you about having to be comfortable about suporting the company. DOn’t even get me started about AA 🙂

  • Oh to Be a Muse September 27, 2011 at 16:54

    i basically bought a lot of F21 stuff because it looked cute and the price was right. but i’m pretty much over that now. my high street fashion now relies on Asos and sometimes H&M. i feel better about myself when i shop those brands.

  • bridechic September 27, 2011 at 17:22

    It’s always great to see a post like this! I do think saving for some true quality pieces that withstand the test of time is smart. I do have those Forever 21 pieces as fad-chic fillers but I ask you, what can take the place of a Chanel bag or pair of Loubatins?

  • Elle Sees September 27, 2011 at 19:57

    Truly excellent tips!
    Ps I’ve got a giveaway!

  • Kristin H September 27, 2011 at 20:11

    My decision is to rather pay a little extra for something I really want then to buy the High Street versions, that are usually very often impulse buys…
    Have a great evening!

  • The PvdH Journal September 27, 2011 at 21:20

    When I buy clothes I look towards quality (and fit of course) above all else. In the end when I purchase something I want it to last for more than one wash!

  • Bonnie September 27, 2011 at 21:31

    You, my dear, are a genius. I think you need your own fashion talk show.

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

  • FashionJazz September 27, 2011 at 22:16

    Love this! Happy Tuesday babe xx

  • Midnight Cowgirl September 27, 2011 at 23:48

    Great tips! Quality is one of the most important factors in shopping.

  • Ashleigh September 28, 2011 at 02:19

    I think about this subject quite frequently since we consumers are so bombarded with choices, it can be quite overwhelming at times! My closet is quite a mix of everything and I pick up tons from consignment stores. I change my mind/get bored too often to spend too much on any one item!

  • A Heel in Mint September 28, 2011 at 02:26

    Interesting post. I do shop a lot at H & M and Zara. Topshop just opened up in Chicago so I can add that to my list. I love etsy! 🙂

  • skippysays September 28, 2011 at 02:43

    Just found your lovely blog! Thanks for the thoughtful post. I know I like to really invest in pieces I know I’ll be using a ton, and then shop at cheaper stores for trends and things I’m not sure I’ll want to wear for more than just the next season/ year

  • Dirt On The Rocks September 28, 2011 at 05:08

    you always have such great shopping tips!!!

  • Wander.Lust September 28, 2011 at 05:42

    i really like these tips, i really have to practice on #2…sometimes buying just because the price is tempting is just not smart!

  • Carly September 28, 2011 at 16:44

    I didn’t know that about Amer. App? Wow, that is crazy.
    As for the others..I NEVER shop Forever 21 or H&M for that exact reason..they rip off designers and they are SO cheaply made when you really put it to the test the cost per wear (once usually) makes it NOT that inexpensive, no?
    That being said…you have to plump up your wardrobe with some inexpensive items (I like designer collabs and Old Navy, Gap) and invest in classic items like black suiting, great jeans, the perfect jacket from places that have great craftmenship and quality.
    Ah, the eternal fashion battle, lol.
    Great post.
    C

  • Sabina October 2, 2011 at 15:27

    All excellent tips! 1 and 2) Because we should strive to dress better in general with each new acquisition. 3) Because as you pointed out just because something’s cheap doesn’t mean it’s a bargain if it doesn’t get used and 4) Because it DOES matter how people at companies get treated and maybe if more consumers point that out there’ll be fewer jobs given based on looks and sweatshop environments.

  • Kristina October 3, 2011 at 05:07

    Great tips for us divas on a budget.

    Slow Strut, Rouge Lips – Not Just a Fashion Blog

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