Can you REALLY Invest In Your Wardrobe? | why I stopped investing in clothes
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- Опубликовано: 16 мар 2021
- When you think of the word "invest", what do you think of? Usually I think of putting money or energy into something with the intention of getting a return on that investment. Think the stock market, or even a project you put a lot of time or energy into. My relationship with clothing and money has been a pretty turbulent one up until now, and I've learned a few things along the way. One being how I used to use the word "invest" when it came to my wardrobe.
This video is about when I think "investing" in your wardrobe can be a thing, and when I think it can't.
What do you think? Can clothing really be an investment? Let's discuss in the comments!
#minimalism #intentionality #investmentpiece
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I'm Christina, friendly neighbourhood human on the internet slash pharmacist, hence the "apothecary" theme in my name. I'm living in Toronto, Canada and on my channel you'll find me on my journey towards minimalism, being content with less, recovery from a shopping addiction, and my journey towards financial freedom from over $120,000 in student loan debt. Thank you SO much for watching and taking the time out of your day to support my channel. A little thumb always helps support me! 
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What do you think? Is clothing a good investment?
it is a case by case basis.
td;lr story time:
i needed dress pants for an interview & then the job i acquired. i was in a pinch, and had to find them in a day. I spent $20 and have worn them ~25 times & I'm sick of them (since being hired the palazzo style pant I had ordered way ahead of the interview finally came in). i alternate between the two & the palazzos (well-considered before purchasing, $30, have been worn at least 40 times) are way better the quick-buy. I am currently planning on getting rid of the quick buy & replacing with another palazzo. These $20 pants have now capped at their cost per wear, while the well-considered $30 pants will continue "appreciating" via cost per wear because I intend on wearing them as long as they last.
3 years ago i purchased $600 leather boots that i thought about for 6mo before buying. their cost per wear has to be down to 75¢ or less & i expect continued use for years to come!
Nope. It's a requirement...
Definitely not an investment, it’s meant to be used and then disposed of once it’s no longer usable.
@@lizasoliman723 amazing! I agree it’s quite individual!
It depends, I would probably invest in a good pair of shoes or a coat, but not on t shirts for example. I totally invest in accessories such as jewelry though, as I prefer real gold which I know for sure that it will last me a long time.
I used to think “investment pieces” were worthwhile. I was deep in the minimalist/no-buy/make everything last two hundred years mentality. But then my house burned down, and all my “investment pieces” burned with it.
Now I see clothing as a functional item and never spend a ton of money on anything.
So sorry to hear that your house burned down! But it's true, at the end of the day it's just stuff. You probably have a much healthier mindset about clothing than I do though. When it comes to shoes and winter coats, I definitely won't just buy something that's cheap. I don't think I'll get to the point where I won't see those items as important. I care too much about warmth and my foot (foundational) health lol
I’m sorry about your house! That sort of crisis must change your perspective on a lot of things, not just consumer/fashion culture. I think we could all do with more subtle reminders that clothing can and should be functional first and foremost
Ohh no so sorry 😔
Thanks for the comments. I didn’t mean for my post to seem as though I felt sorry for myself.. the fire was a difficult experience logistically, but it was also cleansing for us. I’ve never missed a thing that burned except for one photo of me and my Dad from when I was little. By some stroke of luck, however, I had just taken a photo of it and posted it on facebook two days before the fire, so at least I still have it digitally. Everything else I was fine saying goodbye to. No sympathy necessary. =) I just wanted to point out the flaw in my logic that I could spend hundreds on pieces because “oh, they’ll last forever!”
@@heidishmidi I had a very similar experience. Photos were the only thing I truly missed too. And my childhood teddy. After the fire, did you find that you actually felt more free? And also more in control over what objects you decided to bring into your life after?
You said it perfectly- “call it what it is, you bought an expensive piece”. 👏🏼 I also think they key word here is BOUGHT, I’m so tired of hearing from influencers “I picked up this piece” like the act itself is disposable and breezy, when it’s just code for the item being gifted by the brand. I’d have way more respect for those who either said “I bought” or “I was kindly gifted” as it would help viewers to put the transaction into perspective instead of normalising ‘running out and picking things up’ on a whim. Thanks for a thoughtful video Christina! ☺️
That’s true! I think there’s a lot of vocabulary that can potentially be used to minimize the financial impact of shopping and impulse buying. I should keep a list! Sometimes they’re appropriate but it’s def alllll about delivery and context!
The worst one is "I found"...
Or "just got this in"
Omg yes!!!!! I hate when they say "picked up"
"I just picked this up" like they plucked it off the shelves of Target...cue immediate eye roll.
I have a rule: Spend your money where you spend your time.
Applicable to not only clothing.
The best tip out there!
Yes, spend money on quality bedding and a bed since you hopefully spend eight hours a day in it.
Since I spend time on everything in my life. I guess my money is being spent on everything 😂.
@@joyous2theworld I need to do this I'm bout to buy some nice bedding
A $5 mascara could be considered a good investment if you ended up wearing it every day for 3 month straight until it was empty..I feel it’s more about the value, purpose and cost per wear than the brand, status and cost
Absolutely ✅
In your example, that mascara is a good purchase, not an investment. An investment goes up in value or generates income. I think this is the issue. We're using the word "investment" to mean "good value." I wish there was a better word we can use for the $5 mascara examples instead of investment.
Yes not in the traditional sense an “investment” but money well spent! Why can’t this still be a good thing? Not that all really expensive clothes / anything equates quality sometimes but why buy the cheap item if you will just throw it away?
@@JanelOBrien - agree 100%. Quality items are a great purchase! Both eco-friendly and good value (price to usage ratio).
Yup! Material is material. Everything else is either, labor, sourcing, or marketing.
I think people often use the term investment in the sense that if you pay a bit more for it, it will pay off by being better quality and last longer, and in the long term, it pays off financially. One good coat vs. ten bad quality, flimsy coats. Etc. But for sure I think people overuse the word, and often it feels like the recommendation is to "invest" in every single thing. It's worth it in a coat, but also jeans, but also shoes, and also......
👏🏼
This is a good point. I've bought a lot of fast fashion pieces in the past and they have lasted for YEARS. More expensive definitely doesn't mean higher quality all the time.
I've "invested" more money in the past on more expensive pieces and they haven't been higher quality 😒 My Beau Coops "squeekers" are the first thing that comes to mind 😭
In a coat yes.. dresses too I'd rather have less and have them gorgeous. It works for capsule wardrobes
100% agree. Every time I hear a RUclips refer to a purchase as “an investment,” I cringe. Clothing or beauty purchases are not investments. Investments go up in value or generate income.
Also, wealthy people don’t call their clothing purchases investments, people trying to justify their overspending do.
You did a wonderful job articulating the topic. Thanks for the content!
I’ve just bought a pair of Birkenstock sandals, expensive shoes for me! I see them as an ‘investment’ in my health, as I have to wear orthopaedic inserts in my shoes and boots, and Birkenstock’s are the only sandals with the right sort of support. I’ve bought cheaper sandals in the past, and ended up in agony with knee pain, so I’m happy to pay a bit more for happy knees! But as I say, I see it as an investment in my joint health, rather than viewing the shoes themselves as an ‘investment’ piece.
Yes! The investment should be in yourself/your health, not necessarily the clothing item 🙌
I think barefoot shoes would be even a better Investment in your health - they were for me (Wildling) 🤩 Will never go back.
What a fantastic thought, invest in your health!
great example! knowing when and where to spend is key, and you're smart to put down a bigger chunk of money on an item that'll really work for you vs. trying over and over to buy multiple cheaper options to just have them fail. plus birks last a long time :D haha biased birk fan here
Totally agree, I "invest" only in comfortable shoes, which will be worn every day. It always bugs me when some youtubers try to shame you for bying so called "fast fasion" clothes. I live in Eastern Europe and the sallary here is very differend than in the US or in the west in general. I earn 600 euro per MONTH. Yes, thats right, how you see me bye a sustainable brand jacket for 1000, even for 500 euro? Here even HM is not so cheap, compared to the sallaries, and I need to pay my bills too.
So true!! People don't talk about this enough. For example, a white t-shirt....imagine spending $50 or more on a white t-shirt, only to get a stain on it. Or have it shrink in the wash. Or being conscious about how expensive this simple is whenever you wear it. No fun! You were better off buying a reasonably priced item that wouldn't break your bank (and your heart) should anything happen to it...it really does seem like a marketing gimmick these days
Agree! I think it’s great if you want to spend the $50 but me personally I’d do that for every piece I wanted = broke. I think budgeting for pieces, saving, and buying slowly over time is a good way to do it.
Absolutely. I unfollowed a "low-buy"/"minimalist" channel because the girl (who shall not be named) kept promoting luxury brands. I don't mind sustainable brands (which are usually more expensive) being promoted, but I draw the line at "luxury" brands such as Burberry being promoted with the argument that if you ever grow tired of an item the resale value is higher. Like, what? The biggest load of waffle I ever heard.
I can't even imagine spending 50$ on a white t-shirt only to get it stained sooner or later. Unfortunately my white t shirts tend to get yellow stains around the underarm area after a while, therefore it's not a good investment for me.
@@Bia-lm8it haha agree i have to oxy clean my pitties every time in the summer especially!
@@notjustirene4302 yes luxury brands are fun and I’ve desired much of those pieces, but re-framing the purchase as a % of my household income or monthly income really helps me think twice on the purchase. Burberry for some income levels may be no big deal to take a loss on, but it’s not a good purchase of ones financial ducks aren’t quite in order yet in my opinion!
I've noticed that talking about our "collection" is the same thing. It's not sexy to say "my hoard", so we will label it a trendy collection.
Interesting perspective!
💯 this!
Thank you Eveliina ! I don't like it when they call it collection... can't stand the word collection when it comes to clothes or make-up... I bought the stuff having in mind that I will wear it and not collect it. My wardrobe is not a collection and my make up drawer is not a collection either. Stop using the word collection... it is misleading and sometimes is a mean to justify hoard.
Omg THIS. So funny but also accurate.
Totally agree. The word “collection” is heard on almost every luxury youtuber’s channel. To me collection implies that you are always going to be buying more......that you are on a constant search for the next piece to add to your collection. I’ve never thought of my wardrobe, shoes or accessories as a collection.😊
totally agree - the word "investment" is used by the clothing industry to justify and persuade you to buy their crazy expensive pieces of cloth...LOL "Fashion" is just an illusion - what a person's style is may not be in current fashion but its an expression of themselves and that can't be purchased; its inherent...
Love that! Style can’t be bought - fashion can.
The psychology behind all this is so interesting. Like when I sell my old clothes, I get offended when people don't want to pay a certain price for it, but when I'm the buyer, I'm like this is way overpriced. >.
So much of what makes clothing look good above and beyond the label... is the fit. Tailoring is really where it's at. You're more likely to wear things that fit properly and they look far more luxurious than an expensive odd fitting item.
get something luxurious tailored and ur up
For me, the word 'investment' when it comes to clothing is 100% tied to cost per wear. I know I need to wash and wear the garment 1000 times a season so I'm looking for the quality of the stitching and fabrication to make sure I can wash it again and again without it dying on me. Cheap clothes can often be the most durable. Expensive can mean hard to wash and delicate.
That’s such a good point.
Thanks for the "tough love," Christina. There's really no need to go into debt for clothes, of all things. I only wish that I had learned this lesson earlier. But better late than never!
Same here my friend! We are always growing and that’s what counts! ❤️
Ahh... so refreshing to hear this. Me personally, Im a stainer, so buying really expensive items were really out of the picture.
A stainer 😅
This 👏 is 👏so 👏important! Instead of using the word invest, I instead try and think I'm making a wise or considered purchase. There is no point spending money you don't have! I'm ashamed its taken me so long to learn this, but I finally have.
I totally agree! The phrases “investment piece” and “treat myself” should be banned from RUclips! 😂
I hate that word. Vloggers in the Philippines always use that to justify their impractical spendings.
💯
Oh you pointed out such a pet peeve of mine in this video! Thank you. When I hear invest and clothing in the same sentence... eye roll. You’re right it’s a justification. I wish people would say they just bought something because they liked it/needed a replacement.
Definitely! For years “invest” was my fave shopping word LOL 🥲
I saw a style advice video that suggested spending 30% of your income on clothing. I was quite shocked, I don't even spend that on rent never mind clothing 😂 I only think of it as an investment if it's a warm coat or good shoes.
lol and also every month?!? thats ridiculous!
@@teddyhcuts I'm glad it's not just me! To be fair the advice was for "professional working women" probably doing top jobs so I had no business watching it really 😂 I assumed it was 30% of your income as you earn it. That would be a months wages per season 😱
@@EmmaLemmon Lol! but even as a professional working woman that seems very unnecessary! I think you can have a great professional wardrobe and not spend an exorbitant amount every month!
@@teddyhcuts I agree!
I recently realized that I was spending about 10-20 percent on clothing and it's still too high
Hi for me clothing is definitely not a good investment - I don’t feel comfortable wearing expensive clothes or designer anything - I prefer practical & easy to maintain . Love your channel 💖💝
Me too! I thought I wanted all those things and when I got them my tendency was to avoid wearing them for some reason I still need to explore. Thank you for the support, Sharon! 🥰
Sharon Shmuel: I have no problem wearing cashmere when I spend $7.00 on it at a thrift store.
I spent the last decade justifying buying too much. I did budget for it but I rarely got enough use out of it ...Retail therapy, investment pieces, self care, I deserve this, girls shopping day out...the list goes on and on. Clothes are not investment pieces. Been learning to shop my own closet since 1/2020, while declutter has been an eye opener.
How do you humanly pump out so many high quality videos while working an exhausting full time job? 😍
I wonder this too! Amazing! ❤️
“Investment piece” seems to be a real buzz word right now. Appreciate your angle on this! xoxo
I think it is different these days. Clothes are so cheap now and everyone dresses so casually. But back when I was in the corporate world...you had to dress in quality clothes...every day and there were always all sorts of rules of what you could and could not wear. If you showed up in jeans...well, it just was not done, period. So you had to invest in good clothes...no choice. Was it a true investment? I think it was because I still have a black wool coat that I paid $$$ for 20 years ago and I still have it and I still get a lot of compliments on it because of course classic style...so yes, that was a good investment.
I agree totally. What doesn't feel good is spending money on something to have to always lint brush/cut threads or not feel good in it.
Not in my country, everything and the clothes are too expensive here....
Yes I honestly invest in my going out clothes . I want them to look good.. but these days I write down specific things that I'm lacking !!
@@christy7516 Absolutely!
"Investment in high quality" can unfortunately also be a misconcept: I thought - rightfully- that Cashmere/wool-pullover, organic cotton underwear and ethically produced plasticfree sneakers would be higher quality - which they are - and would therefore last longer - which they don't necessarily.
I have polyester and natural fibre garments in several states of distress but I have polyester underwear from a fast-fashion-label I've worn since shortly after middle school (I'm 22 now) vs new ethical organic cotton slips that ripped after 3 rounds of washing.
Same for pullovers: I have a favorite Zara pullover since 7th or 8th grade, but my recently bought wool/Cashmere pullovers started ripping under the arms after half a year of wear max.
Quality isn't in the price or even the greatness of intention and material price - it's found in every price range.
(Don't let me stop you from shopping sustainably, I'm happy with some things I acquired and still love supporting ethical/sustainable brands)
Also, expensive things are most of the time not hardy. I've had tshirts from Old Navy last me over a decade and still have their original colour and shape. Don't let these magazines and companies fool you.
Your truly right i bought an expensive purse only to not use it because i was afraid of ruin it and it hung in my closet for a year until i final sold it but at a loss. So i very much agree with you 1000%
I did the same with a pair of shoes. I was too scared I'd get them dirty. I had to sell them because of the guilt of spending so much money on something I rarely wore.
That is a personal problem not a problem with the actual product.
Totally agree. Especially realizing how much my body has changed over just the last 5 years, and will continue to change. My hubby is wearing the same clothes as when I met him without any problems, and probably will continue to 😅 but going from young adulthood into late 20s my body changed a lot. It’ll change again when I have kids, and again and again with age 🤷♀️ The most I can justify is ~maybe~ $50 for jeans if they fit really well and might last more than 3 years.
My boyfriend has one pair of jeans since 2011. 😅
Yes, I changed 2 sizes and had to replace all my bottoms. For now I don't buy more expensive jeans or trousers but can spend more on the shoes or bag ( not designer tho) because I can always wear them and have good quality.
Such a great video and thought process! You're very right about the financial appreciation/deprectiation aspect - clothing loses 50% of its value as soon as you take the tag off, and a friend of mine who runs a luxury consignment store once told me that the ONLY 2 designer bags that can actually gain value over time are Hermes and Chanel .. and then of course it depends on a specific style etc. and YES - some of the pieces that feel like more of an "investment" for me, are some of the really inexpensive finds I've got at the thrift store! I think "investment" is more about the intrinsic value we ascribe to it ... Definitely great food for thought as always in your videos! xx
Love this video! I agree with all the things you said. I used to have more expensive things in the past that I haven't wear because of the fear of ruining them. Now i love to thrift and i feel better.
I think it's an investment if you have good material and good craftmanship so that the clothing item could last longer. It's a plus if it's trying to be sustainable. I also think the act of thinking that your item is "an investment" help you to take care of the items better as well (no matter the price) instead of oh well it's cheap anyway I'll buy another one in h&m. You're right though, I see a lot of people using the word investment as a justification of their shopping addiction.
Completely in agreement here--I think the use of the word "investment" to refer to clothes is just marketing trickery and self-justification for over-spending. (No shade--I've done it, too.) It's also *totally* a way to avoid the use of the word "expensive" much of the time. Seriously, no one I follow on social media has ever used "investment piece" to describe a super high-quality but cheap secondhand item. Also, I know there are going to be people in the comments saying, "Well, it's technically an investment because it's cheaper to spend more money on one really good coat or pair of shoes than five crappy coats/shoes" buuuuuut...the problem is that *so many people* never slow down their consumption enough for this to be true. The scenario I just quoted is not really cheaper if you buy a new coat within 5 years--which, lots of people do. (Also, while it's *generally* true that you get what you pay for, with clothing it's a lot trickier. With luxury brands in particular, you're usually paying for the label, not necessarily the quality.)
I feel much the same way about cost per wear--that phrase is brought up a lot in the ethical/minimalist fashion space to justify a higher price tag (like, "Oh, but if I wear this 100 times, the cost per wear is tiny!")...but then, like you said, the item feels too precious to wear, or you couldn't really afford it in the first place, or--as I've seen play out again and again--a newer, shinier item comes along and replaces the original piece. (With the same "it's an investment, I'm going to wear it TONS" justification, of course.)
Again, not trying to judge here, because I have done this myself! Your channel is helping me to keep myself from pulling the wool back down over my eyes..
Right on! ... I always thought you can use 'invest' ONLY if you are a re-seller. Otherwise, you BUY your clothes, lol.
The logic!! It kills me 😭haha, all these different terms made up through brand marketing that cling to our minds to make it feel like it’s the right thing to do!
This was so good. Thank you. Exactly what I needed to hear. I love the place you’re bringing to Chanel to.
My $200 parka is the most expensive piece of cloth I own, and it was 100% worth it. Best investment ever.
Totally agree! "Investment"=my excuse to depend a lot of money on a piece...that I'd never even use because I was afraid it might get dirty. For me, I found it better to spend less on something, and actually using it a lot. It was a total mindset shift when I'd ask myself if I was willing to use it as my "go to" from then on. If not, then I just didn't make the purchase because I knew it'd be a waste of money and would sit in my closet. Made lots of mistakes along the way, but I'm learning and doing better.
i think when we say "invest" in a clothing or in an item, it instead meant to mean that it will stay for so long and so i wont need to buy this item again anytime soon.
Still, it is probably not the right word to use, but then we need to find a replacement of this word. Maybe long term usage? Doesn't sound so appearing though XD
I myself love to buy higher clothing quality to last forever specially when it is a classic, but i am well aware a lot of people need to be more honest with their selves if they will actually use this item forever and regularly!
Yes finally someone cleared up this abused word "investment" when referring to clothes, shoes and even bags. 👍
I agree Christina! thank you for putting this in words!
I Love this!! I totally agree with you!
I really enjoyed this video. The way you layout your philosophy toward personal finances and retail shopping is very helpful to determining an authentic lifestyle. You've reminded me of when I first had what's dangerously called "disposable" income, after paying off student debt. Using all the same rationalization I started purchasing my new wardrobe. Since I was working at a bank I became aware of budgeting practices and took a hard look at my credit card expenditures. What a revelation! Like you I took this little epiphany and started a new habit. Averaging out my "disposable" monthly expenditure and putting into a savings account. This way I could decide what I really wanted to do with this money and have more options. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
What you said here really resonates with me. Thanks for it!
You're so good at this kind of critical look at assumptions, Christina! Your point is so we'll taken and something that I will definitely hold in mind!
So many amazing points here about the vocabulary and the psychology tied to clothing and money. Really made me think. Thank you Christina ❤️ xx
One of my favorite U tubers❤️
Just this morning I made a short list of what I need for spring/summer
When I go to the stores, I will try to find what’s on my list, and not browse for anything else. I have become a TJ Max shopper or vintage thrift store shopping, the items I have bought in these places I have gotten my money worth, and they have lasted, they are my staple pieces and I didn’t spend a lot
This is honestly one of the best videos I have ever watched, GREAT CONTENT Christina
I buy what I can afford, I am not going to spends $100 on a top, I won’t enjoy wearing it, and I can’t afford that, but hunting for quality clothing and paying a good price is for me the way I like to shop...
This is a great video, thank you for sharing your thoughts!!
Thanks for making this video! Very thoughtful and thought provoking at the same time.
Yes and no. I find having well made shoes that fit properly a great investment. Sometimes it's a $50 pair of Nikes, other times I splurge a little to buy what suits the purpose. I don't really use the word investment though when it comes to clothes.
I agree completely. Well said. thank you!
Bravo! Great Message. Concise and right on point.
Wow! I totally agree with your points in this video. I got caught up in the “investment “ game for awhile as well.
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏😃👌. Finally someone addresses this. “Investment piece, treat myself”, etc. Just be real. You wanted the expensive thing. You bought the thing. Period. Only fooling yourself (and maybe young or naive people who hear this) into believing that actually makes a purchase you can’t really afford valid and wise. Bravo for telling it like it is.
I love the topic. This just woke me up today. Lol. Thank you for saving me from an almost unnecessary "investment "
“Investment” in a non-monetary sense means the amount of energy/thought/time I spend/“invest” in my purchases. So when in comes to clothing, I consider that I “invested” in finding a particular piece that was on my wishlist. This means I a) did my research on the type of fit/style I want b) thought about a price range I would be willing to pay if I found the “perfect” version of that item c) the amount of time I waited to come across that item thrifted or used before I caved and bought it new.
So in that sense, I “invest” in my wardrobe/other material items, but for me that definitely still means GETTING IT CHEAP and as sustainably as possible.
This also means that should my “investment” not work out, (not fit, not end up being my style after all, etc) I didn’t waste a ton of $ or contribute too much to environmental waste. All I did was waste my own time? But not really, because through that extensive research process I learned what NOT to look for next time while shopping.
💯 agreed! Btw, love your hair style 👍
WONDERFUL Wonderful video. We have been suckered into spending. Great insights.
Great video! Love your point of view.
I love this SO much! Spending a tonne of clothing doesn’t jive well with me because there’s no guarantee whether things will last. I’ve had expensive items fall apart on me and cheapy ones last. I would rather “invest” in accessories.
Me too!
Yes, tell the truth! Absolutely right! Thank you!
never thought about this - but really a good point - no excuses! clothing is trendy :)
thank you for saying this! I feel like is important to look for nicer and better quality but if you can't afford something then to love what it is (what you already own and pay with your hard earned money) is a good place to start
Great video , I feel like I use an the term investment item as something I love wearing and want to keep in my wardrobe as long as possible. I invest my time in looking after the items and the return I get it is being able to wear and keep that item for longer .
Really good. Thank you!
Great video and I completely agree. The best clothing investment for me is the one that I use or wear for many, many years that I feel amazing in and is never based on how expensive it was.
Yes! I've recently unsubscribed from the idea that expensive always = best. I've "invested" large sums of money into pricey luxury pieces that sometimes take as long to wear out as more affordable pieces that I have purchased, even when both are loved and used evenly. I've spent so much of my life feeling pressured to buy luxury products whenever possible under the guise that it's somehow a better "investment" long term, but that just isn't always the case, and that mentality just drains our pockets. But of course on the flip side, it's important to avoid falling into the trap of buying more simply because the item is more affordable, but that's a whole other thing.
I completely agree, I've done the same!
Reason #5 - Clothes get damaged and worn out. Just noticed holes in a sweater I paid a lot for a few years ago. Quality is important and I pay more for that, but I have decided there is only so much I am willing to pay for items like tops and bottoms. They will wear out eventually and I don’t want my clothes to be so precious that I can’t play with my kids in them.
Totally agree with every word! Nothing to add.
I totally agree! Clothing in general is not a good investment (monetary sense) unless you buy, not use and then sell at a higher price, which is not the case for most of us. When I bought my Chanel bag the sales associate did use the word “investment”. I would always justify the price because “Chanel bags are a great investment” right? With time I began to learn from other luxury owners that even for classic luxury items like Chanel bags for example, it is not easy to get your money back. There is a lot that goes into choosing what to get, when and how to sell to maybe get most of your money back.
Now, i only buy expensive items after careful planning, never go in debt to get them, and make sure I can use them for years to come. That is how they can be an investment in my style and appearance, but not actual investment. I may not have a big luxury collection, but what use are those luxury items to me if I can’t feed my kids or pay my bills? Luxury items are not investment, they are just really nice toys.
Love this video and super happy you covered this topic. I don’t think the word investment should be used for any type of clothing unless it’s considered a collectible piece, known to increase in value, and has appraisal worth. Certain luxury items fall in this category but not many. Fine jewelry can fall in this category as well depending on what it’s purchased for. Investments are considered assets that have potential to grow in value over a period of time and/or generate an income. Articles of clothing do not fall into that category. My philosophy... if I can’t pay for it with cash then I can’t afford it.
I'm glad you made this video. I woke up this morning and a thought popped into my head: "how is 'trickle down' economics actually helping me today? Has capitalism kept its 'promise' to us little people about what it claims to offer?" As a way to consider all the stuff I have, consequence of a post industrial globalized society where consumption is used as the balm for overwork and life dissatisfaction. I have decided that I better get out of "trickle down" what it claims to promise, by using up what I have before buying something new, with makeup, skincare, and clothes, to the amount of value that only I alone (besides maybe cost per wear) can define.
A great point to add to this discussion ^^^
i'm so glad you brought this up, because i've seen so many people throw the term around so frivolously. i personally don't think there's anything wrong with saying "investment" for clothing, but i think part of it is because i never considered clothing as an investment (like you said, it doesn't appreciate in value), until i thought about it in terms of "return on investment" based on how much use and wear i would get out of an item. i only started thinking of my clothing in terms of "investment" fairly recently when i wanted to be more conscious of what i buy and wear (if you think fast fashion is a problem in the West, ooh boy, it was worse when i was living in Hong Kong ~ i ended up accumulating so much junk). i think it is important to consider what you're spending and where your spending, but like you mentioned, don't delude yourself into spending money you shouldn't.
Very well-said!
You are absolutely right. Clothes are not an investment, they are a cost of living. Clothes don't hold value or appreciate, with the exceptions you mentioned however they are no longer clothes are they? You don't wear or use investment pieces for fear of reducing the value. I definitely have way too many clothes but I like variety and wearing new pieces. I also have the same issue where now that I'm working from home, I've only worn about 10% of my wardrobe. It's hard to break the habit and stop buying nicer clothes "to wear out of the house". I won't wear my "nice" clothes if no one is going to see me. I will probably cull some of my wardrobe after the world goes back to normal, if it ever does. I have so many brand new pieces with tags still on I haven't worn just waiting for me to do something.
What an eye opener this is!
I agree, what we need to focus on is good cost per wear. A garment is worth the money if you get plenty of wear out of it, is ethically made, and does not cost a lot of time and money to maintain. Or the number of wears justify the cost of maintenance. And no matter how much you wear it, if you have to go into debt for it, it’s not worth it.
yes and no. It depends on the items. I will spend more on some durable items like coat, but not a white basic Tee :)
You are speaking the hard things. Thank you
Great advice and so true. When an item is wanted badly enough almost any excuse is given to justify the purchase. An investment can be many things such as collectible items, antiques, jewlery and things of that nature. Clothing is more often than not not an investment item. It is more of a I want it. When we say that often enough we fill our closets and empty our wallets.
Somebody with common sense, congratulations!
finally someone exposes that phrase for what it is!
I really like the portion you put in about clothes for work. Clothing serves us beyond simply covering our body and recognizing when we are using it to do our work (or even make our lives easier - I will dress a certain way to change the way others perceive me in different circumstances) is important. Clothing can be a tool which helps me earn money; if resources are tight putting more money into my work clothes makes more sense than splashing out on leisure clothes.
Another great video thanks Christina. I agree with you wholeheartedly. Another point I would make is that people often also assume that ‘investment pieces’ must be good quality because they are expensive- which often isn’t the case. I would much rather focus on buying good quality secondhand than being obsessed with spending lots of money on perceived luxury items, that in reality may not be that well made. ☺️
Bit late to the party but I really enjoyed your vid as I’m of a similar mind set. I don’t particularly like to assign a cash value to my clothes as let’s be honest their only bits of material which ensure you don’t walk around butt naked. However I do appreciate the craftsmanship involved and I’m thankful for what I have.
I agree luxury is most often not an investment. BUT, you can invest in your wardrobe, in the sense that sustainable fashion is an investment in a better future for your kids, the next generation, shopping local, supporting small businesses, although "wardrobe" and "solidarity" are not connected terms in our fragmented world, yet.
Agreed. I’d never use the word invest because I know I’d just be bull-shitting myself. Who’s jumping in a BMW wearing £450 Chanel sunglasses, head to toe in the latest co-ord, lightning white trainers and my car’s service was due Nov 2019? Yeah me 🙋🏻♀️ I know I’m an addict and people can dress up shopping whichever way they like. It’s not an investment, it’s not retail therapy, it’s addiction.
I like your honesty. Also, what’s co-ord?
@@simoneymone89 where the top and bottoms are matching x
@@TanzaniteHayley ohhhh duh lol never seen it abbreviated like that before. Thanks.
i agree with the comments that investment, most of the time in my own world when it comes to articles of clothing, tends to mean... quality items that are beneficial to me in comfort & health & will last. for instance, i'd rather spend the money to buy a good pair of shoes when it comes to my job, because i spend most of my work day on my feet, which is painful in and of itself, but i also have a blood circulation health issue so my feet & knees are in pain quite rapidly. i'm a constant up and down person. but that means a shoe that is comfortable and supportive, and i don't want it to fall apart too quickly because frankly... i'm not paid enough to have to constantly replace shoes, haha. and then i live in a seasonal climate that gets extremely cold, and i also enjoy winter sports, so i have a burton snowboard jacket, that honestly i've had for probably... five years at this point? and it barely looks damaged, the quality is there, it's so warm, the function is incredible. that is worth it to me. but buying those tank tops i wear under my shirts that are maybe a bit too see-through for my taste, and are inevitably going to get armpit staining in a year or two is just... not worth spending money on. and personally i've never understood most luxury items, i have never cared about a bag, they have rarely aesthetically even appealed to me. i've had multiple decent bags that have lasted years, so to each their own, none of them were 'up there' in price.
it's important for us all to look at what pieces are important for us in our day to day life and where we live (in regards to climate), and think accordingly about where finances should go in that regard.
An investment IMO is when you invest in something and get something back in return. Not just money but other things such as time and a decluttered mind. There are a few clothing items that I feel are an investment not monetarily but they’ve bought me time. About 12 years ago I bought a trench coat. Living in Virginia our springs, summers and falls are relatively mild. That coat is worn constantly. It saves a lot of mental energy because I put it on and off I go. So it’s a time and energy investment for me.
Thank you, exactly what I needed to hear! I might need to return the coat that is arriving tomorrow, it was heavily discounted at the end of the season but now I question whether I will make a good use out of it to justify how much it was lol
If it helps you make money 💰 it’s an investment. Thanks for sharing this thoughtful video 🙂
Great video. The only 2 things I have in my closet are my 2 LV bags that I bought one new and one secondhand and I can recoup the cost because of the price increases. I’m currently decluttering my wardrobe and downsizing and I have made money and loss money. I’m being very selective now and buying a few luxury pieces that I will wear until they can’t be fixed anymore and just thrift everything else.
In general I do agree, though I think only the individual will ever know what is truly an investment for them. Value is not only measured by money. If a piece of clothing makes someone deliriously happy every time they wear it, I'd consider that a great return on investment. I do think we've gotten away from wearing clothing in a practical way, which makes it harder to truly appreciate the clothing you have. Example is when I first got into hiking and I hiked in jeans 😆. When I finally went and bought hiking pants, my appreciation for then went far beyond what I paid for them. Even what might be considered less practical at least in some ways, I bought a dress to wear for formal occasions. Even though I don't wear it often, it's appropriate and fits well, and gives me piece of mind to know I won't have to scramble around trying to find something decent to wear when things come up.
I think some clothing can be an investment. For example, a warm coat for the Canadian winters, accessories to enjoy de-stressing activities such as garden gloves, etc. All of these items can improve the quality of your life or the enjoyment of your activity.
Yes! Thank you!!,
I love calculating my cost per wear. I keep track of it sort of. Just a mental note. My absolute favourite piece that I own, like the piece that I would die for lol was $30 on Depop. I’ve worn it probably about 130 times. I wear it almost every day
You are absolutely on point! I've noticed that too. Investment piece is overused when it comes to clothing and accessories. And I'm there like, "Oh really? 🤔" whilst watching these youtube "influencers" trying to convince themselves and their viewers that they purchased something worthwhile with their money like this, "Classic Chanel bag made of lamb skin with gold hardware, etc." Ooops my bad mouth. 🙊😂
Bang on!
Geesh this is the absolute truth 🙌🏾
Thank you for the video and going in to so much depth on the topic!
I have never been able to get my head around every luxury piece being called an investment. Those two terms are very separate in my opinion.
I do think that in the long run buying one good quality piece rather than several poor quality pieces can be a good financial decision, but even then - should it really be called an investment?