WHEN IS BUYING QUALITY CLOTHING WORTH THE MONEY
I’ve been guilty of buying quantity over quality, thinking I was saving money. Since I started blogging, I’ve tried different clothing in all price ranges, and I’m starting to revamp my wardrobe with more quality pieces. This change in mindset came about because I noticed that when I paid more for an item, it was because I LOVED it, and I knew that I would wear it for years.
Buying quality clothing at a discount is one reason I love the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and look forward to it all year. I always try to purchase several high-quality items at discounted prices to add to my wardrobe. I have a few criteria each item must pass before I buy it.
- The item has to be a classic piece that can be worn for years.
- I have to be able to wear the item in at least three different ways.
- I have to love the item and know I’ll wear it many times.
- If I can wear it for more than one season, it gets bonus points!
This Mauve Funnel Neck Wool Blend Sweater is a piece that I would have never bought in the past. Even on sale, this sweater is pricey, so I had to ask myself the questions above before I added it to my cart. The sweater passed all my criteria, and I thought I would share with you three ways I could wear this sweater. I’m wearing a size medium, and I love how the sweater fits. My big splurge purchase this year was this Michele Two-Tone Watch. This watch can be worn with dressy or casual outfits, so I know I’ll get my money’s worth since I’ll wear it all the time.
Here is the length of the sweater in the back. It hits me a little above my hips but doesn’t feel too short or cropped. The neutral Slingback Sandals I wore with this outfit are by Michael Kors. I’ve worn Michael Kors shoes for years, and the quality of these shoes is excellent. They are also extremely comfortable, which is why I keep purchasing from this brand. The asymmetrical strap is a nice modern touch to these heels. The sandals run TTS, and I’m wearing my usual size 9.
Coach handbags are also quality bags that I’ve purchased for years. Black handbags can be dressed up or down, so you can get a lot of wear for your money. I usually buy brown handbags, but I loved the C-shaped turnlock closure on this black Pebbled Leather Bag, and I thought it looked elegant. This bag can be worn as a shoulder tote or a crossbody, and it comes in a couple of other colors.
SPANX is another brand that has quality clothing that is worth spending the money on. These black Perfect Pant Skinny Pants are a prime example of their quality and style. SPANX is known for flattering a woman’s body with their clothing, and these skinny pants hold you in where needed. They have a seam that runs down the back and a tiny slit at the hem. The Ponte Knit fabric is thick, and even though these pants hold you in, they are comfortable. I’m wearing a medium that fits a tad snug, but they don’t feel too tight.
This next look is a dress/casual look. The black SPANX pants were dressy, and I wanted to be able to wear the sweater with something more casual.
This Plaid Suit Jacket is at a great price, and I can see myself wearing it several ways this fall. I am wild about green/olive this year, and this blazer will work well with all my other purchases. The pink stripe in the jacket works well with the mauve sweater, which lends a feminine touch to the blazer.
Here is the length of the blazer. I’m wearing a size 10, and I still have plenty of room even with the sweater underneath. The large Sycamore Leather Tote is THE bag for fall! I love everything about this tote, the color, the style, the size, and that it is a great neutral that will look great with all the colors of fall.
These Crop Stretch Chinos are deep Laurel Green that almost look brown. Chinos are perfect for when you want to look nice but don’t want to wear something dressy; they elevate your look to a dress/casual style. I love the length of these chinos, and the color is unique, but they are a bit too snug in the waist for me, so I’ll have to send these back. I’m wearing a size 8, and a 10 might have fit me better.
I don’t own many mule-style shoes, but these Pointy Toe Mules by Steve Madden have found a place in my closet. Actually, they’ve found two places in my closet since I also bought this shoe in the plaid version. The Cognac Suede mule with the matching chain detail is a perfect fall shoe. They look great with pants, dresses, and jeans, so I know I’ll wear them until snow falls.
My last outfit might be my favorite. This look is the most casual, and since that fits my lifestyle, I would probably wear something like this the most.
This Chocolate Faux Suede Moto Jacket is so lightweight and comfy. I love this moto jacket, I bought it last year in Buff, and I loved the Chocolate version so much that I bought it too. The jacket has style galore and plenty of give to the material so that you don’t feel confined. I’m wearing a medium, and the fit is perfect for me.
See how the Sycamore Leather Tote looks with the chocolate moto jacket? The tote will look great with almost everything fall.
Quality items don’t always have to cost more. These Kut From The Kloth Boyfriend Jeans are of great quality, but they are priced under $70 as part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I love the cuffed style that can also be worn uncuffed and the boyfriend fit that is relaxed but not sloppy. I’m wearing a size 8, and I think they fit me great.
These Western Style Ankle Boots are gorgeous! I love this look, and I’m a huge fan of pointy-toe shoes since they elongate your legs. These have a 3 1/2″ heel, so consider that when ordering. These run TTS, and I’m wearing my usual size 9.
Mauve Funnel Neck Wool Blend Sweater // Perfect Pant Skinny Pants // Pebbled Leather Bag // Slingback Sandals // Michele Two-Tone Watch
Mauve Funnel Neck Wool Blend Sweater // Plaid Suit Jacket // Crop Stretch Chinos // Pointy Toe Mules by Steve Madden // Sycamore Leather Tote // Michele Two-Tone Watch
Mauve Funnel Neck Wool Blend Sweater // Chocolate Faux Suede Moto Jacket // Kut From The Kloth Boyfriend Jeans // Western Style Ankle Boots // Sycamore Leather Tote // Michele Two-Tone Watch
So, which look is your favorite? All these outfits are from Nordstrom and are on sale until July 31st, or under they sell out.
Nordstrom offers free shipping and free returns; it is super convenient. I love trying on clothing in the privacy of my home, but I hate paying for shipping and returns. That is one reason I love shopping at Nordstrom; it never costs me anything to try new clothing styles. Nordstrom offers BOPUS (Buy Online Pick Up in Store) and contactless curbside pickup options.
Nordstrom and ShopStyle Collective sponsored this post, and I will receive compensation, but the opinions expressed are my own.
I love all of these outfits, especially the moto jacket. Could you describe or show a picture of how you would style the moto jacket in buff?
I love number 3 outfit.
That sweater sure is versatile! It’s a tie for me between the first and third outfits as my favorites!
I agree – It was a miss with the jumpsuit the other day and it still is….I love the rest of the outfits and of course we can’t all love everything…but I think it either needs to be a size smaller or altered. It overwhelms your lovely new size. And you should be very proud of your new size. You look marvelous.
All three outfits you created with the mauve sweater look so nice. Because I live a very lifestyle, the 3rd outfit is my favorite.
I love all the outfits. I really love the blazer and jacket. and love all your shoes but unfortunately my foot is wide so I cry a little when I see all the great ones you model. LOL
Tania, love all the outfits! Like the others my favorite is the last one with jeans and moto jacket! It’s perfect for fall!
I love your fashions today, especially the pink sweater.
I’m not looking for fall clothes yet as it is 33 everyday up here in Canada.
I’m using your weight loss as a gauge for myself to lose weight. When you’re 150 I work toward that. I don’t follow a program. I just have cut out all snacking and can lose weight that way.
I’ve been having problems with the site too. I can’t get to the newer comments page so just give up as it keeps taking me back to the main page.
My comment is not about your fashions today, which are lovely. When I look at your site on my phone so many ads pop up (including one for your site, which I don’t need, since I’m already on your site) that the viewing area is reduced to about 2 inches. It’s very frustrating. Can anything be done to improve this? I really enjoy your site otherwise.
Hi Tania,
Let me start first by saying I LOVE ❤️ your blog & wit. I’m soon to be 59 next week and I love your fashion styles. It helps with put together items I have in my closet and wear them new combo ways. My favorite outfit is the moto jacket, jeans & booties. Keep up the great blogging work.
Take care…. Lori
My favorite outfit is also the last one. I love moto jackets and I’m a jean gal.
I love the moto jacket too, and I live in jeans during the fall.
Please work with your website developers to make your blog more iPhone friendly. I love reading the comments, but it is almost impossible to do so on your blog as getting to the next page of comments forces me back to the top and I have to scroll all the way to the bottom to get back to the comments. Sometimes it never even does that, and instead throws a webpage error. I don’t have that trouble on any other blogs I enjoy. Thank you!
Love all the outfits…..favorite is brown suede jacket and jeans with boots.
Isn’t that outfit great for fall?
Love the last outfit!!! The jacket, jeans, sweater combo will be perfect for this Chicago girl in the fall!!!
YES! That outfit is perfect for fall!
Good points! I like the first outfit best, but they all look great on you.
I’m glad you liked the post.
Love love love the denim outfit!!! Looks great on you. Just not a fan of the plaid jacket, it just seems to overwhelm you; however that sweater is gorgeous!!!
I love the denim outfit also! I’m surprised that I liked the sweater so much, I thought the color would wash me out.
The last outfit you style is my favorite. The criteria list is exactly what I need to use from now on when purchasing any clothing or accessories. Thanks for all your hard work bringing us these posts.
Yay! I’m glad this list is helpful. Another bonus point is when the item is on sale!!!
The last outfit is my favorite. Looks great!!
I loved all of them, but the last one is my favorite too.
Love them all. You look so beautiful. What’s your weight loss secret?
Jan, it is no secret, at least not the program I used. Here is where I wrote about it: https://50isnotold.com/losing-weight-over-50/
I love all the outfits but the 3rd is my favourite.
Great tips for buying clothes.
Mine too, Fiona!
I like the third outfit best. I do like the black leggings. I would style them differently. I wear sneakers daily.
I LOVE the 3rd look, and I’ll recreate it a lot this fall.
I loved all the outfits here. One thing: I would have the sleeves in the plaid blazer hemmed. That was it! Good job!!!
Dena, I wore it out to eat the other night, and I rolled the sleeves up, mostly because it was warm outside.
I spied your Michele watch in the first picture. I’ve had my Deco one for years and still love it! Wear it practically every day. Enjoy!
Elizabeth, I have looked at this watch for two years, and I finally decided to buy myself a nice gift. Lol!