Why you shouldn’t make purchases based on the price tag

Hands up if you’ve ever made a shopping decision based on the price tag? Either something was marked down to ridiculously cheap so you had to buy it or you thought that because something was quite pricey meant you were making a good buy? It’s something we’ve all done and it can be easy to succumb to the allure of a bargain. I’m not saying that price isn’t a factor in purchasing something because it definitely is however it shouldn’t be the deciding factor. I think there’s more to take into account before buying anything than simply how much it costs.

What to look for

I always critically examine anything I’m considering buying. I will look at the fabrication as often delicate fabrics require a lot more specialised care which can be expensive in the long run and also labour intensive. I’d much rather be able to just throw something into the washing machine and know that it’s going to come out fine. I’ll take into account the style and how often I’ll get wear out of it and what it can work with in my existing wardrobe. Also I like to think of how trendy something is. If it’s a one season only type of purchase then I’m more likely to find the most economical version of it I can find. A classic staple on the other hand is something I’m more than willing to invest in because I know I’ll have it for seasons to come.

Style is more than how much money you spend

Once I’ve thought through my checklist the price either starts to seem reasonable or I’ll come to the conclusion I’m better off saving my fashion dollars for another buy. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve snapped up something at a sale in the past as I thought “this is such a good price” only to find that I actually didn’t end up wearing it. I’ve also invested in some quite expensive things to come to the same outcome. So I’ve learnt to examine things holistically rather than just making price-based decisions. Also it’s important to remember that price doesn’t always equal style. Wearing designer from head to toe doesn’t automatically make your style more superior to someone. And I can attest first hand that chain stores have given me some of my favourite outfits to date. It really is down to how you let your personality shine through your clothes and the confidence that you project when you’re wearing it. And that has nothing to do with price tags.

Photography: Artem Bali on Unsplash