I Swear It's All Natural Fibers

[eggwards]

I had to go buy some new black shoes tonight. I'll tell you why later, but I was at DSW shoe warehouse tonight looking for a somewhat nice, but not super dressy pair of shoes that i could wear to work. I needed something that i could dress up in tomorrow, but that I'd still wear to work on normal days. i demand a lot from a pair of shoes.

Ever since we went to business casual, the wardrobe has continually gotten sloppier, and the shoes have gotten more casual. The black shoes I have now are a pair of four year old Sketchers that are falling apart and another sort of sneaker-slipper-loafer thing. I ended up buying some nicer loafers with a nice metal accent. much more tailored than anything I've worn in a while.

Sadly, my nice pair of shoes are in Chris' closet in Dallas awaiting some magical call for a job interview. Chris helped me pick those out. I could have used the help.

The problem is, I'm cheap when it comes to clothing. I was kind of balking at the price, $60. I know, many of you are thinking, damn, those are cheap shoes and they won't last. You could do better by spending more and getting something better that will last - especially shoes. personally I've never been big on paying a lot for clothing, mainly because I don't think it will last, and I rarely believe that a higher price on clothing makes it much better - unless you're talking about the beautiful kathy Lee collection at Wal*Mart. There are some standards.

I eschew fashionable brand names. Rarely do I see the value in purchasing something that costs more just because of a name. Still, I do tend to stay loyal to some small labels, I used to love Duck Head clothing when they had outlet stores in the area, and I love Big Dog's underwear. Still, the other day at Dillards, I was looking at some Ralph lauren shirts that were on clearance (my favorite price) and still thought it was too much for what I felt the real value of the shirt was - especially when a similar house brand shirt was a fraction of the cost.

I rarely go clothes shopping, but when I find something I like, I usually stick with it, so you might notice that I have the same shirt style in two or three colors. I'm terribly picky about what colors and what patterns I'll wear, so it's not the easiest thing to shop with me. I tend to know what I like, and I will go in, get it, and get out.

I've also rarely ever pay over $50 for any piece of clothing, ever - this includes jeans, sneakers, etc. I shop a lot of sales racks, and the internet.

Why is it so important to spend so much on such things? Am I just a penny pinching fool?

Comments

[nightfallcub.livejournal.com]

I agree with the clothing, and yeah, shoes? hello, I work at Payless! lol

what size of shoe do you wear, Michael? we have some really nice ones....check out Payless.com even our dressiest pair of all leather dress shoes are only 34.99. the only thing is that if you're a big footed beast like me, the selection is kinda bad. I wear a size 14, but if you're 13 and under, you should be fine.


/sales

[bendawg.livejournal.com]

Oh My, Larry has very big feet. *grin*

I still wear my Payless dress shoes to work - these were my choir shoes in high school and are vinyl (alas), but are actually VERY comfortable and have worked really well at staying water proof and not causing me to trip.

/ further sales LOL

[aadroma.livejournal.com]

Erm, 14s?

:: perverted grin ::

[nightfallcub.livejournal.com]

*gasp* are you a foot person, Roger?

[aadroma.livejournal.com]

Among other things, yes. ^o^

[nightfallcub.livejournal.com]

shocking!

[redgtbear.livejournal.com]

Best pair of black workboots I ever got were from payless at only 24 bucks!

[polomex.livejournal.com]

I've never understood why so many shoestores stop at that odd number. I could cram my feet into a pair of 13s, but I kinda like my toes to have some wiggling room.

if you're a big-footed beast like me, the selection is kinda bad

Argh! Yes! What is with that? It's like people with big feet aren't supposed to care what they look like. Big shoes are more often than not clunky and... brown. Ew. Why don't I wear a pair of clogs while you're at it.

[nightfallcub.livejournal.com]

I would actually KILL for a brown pair of casuals. it seems like payless only has black shoes in my size. and athletics, which we aren't allowed to wear to work.

oh yeah and workboots. *drool* I have a "thing" for boots.

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

Luckily I can buy off the rack, since I only wear a 10.5 EE or 11 D (I sold shoes for a while when I worked at Mervyn's). I've never been a big fan of Payless, though...not so sure why.

Big shoes, like Big and Tall clothing, are a racket, and really, there's a big enough market for them that they really shouldn't be so hard to find, nor priced so high.

[joshualore.livejournal.com]

i have a pair of black cloth vans that have lasted me 2 years and they are the most comfortable shoes ive ever had. i got them for 40 bucks and they are still in new condition. i think airwalks and vans are best for wide feet people like me. i heart them.

[bullneck.livejournal.com]

I've heard the "spend more for quality" line too regarding clothing, which I follow for big ticket/primary items like jackets, suits, boots, and formal shoes. Everything else is not viewed as meant to last that long; thus, unless it's something really cool, why waste the dough.

[aadroma.livejournal.com]

I actually feel the same way you do about clothing -- I want it to look decent but beyond $50, I think that it's such a waste for something that has such a relatively short lifespan. ESPECIALLY shoes -- I wear those out in a year easily.

(I guess this is part of the reason I own no leather -- I can't justify the price mentally ^^;;;)

[xkot.livejournal.com]

There's nothing wrong with trying to find a good deal.

I sold Florshiem shoes for years and got into the mindset of "you get what you pay for" over time, but lately I've found some good shoes that are inexpensive. As long as you look for quality contstruction it's fine. The combat/tactical boots I got on a clearance rack at Wal-Mart 2 years ago are the most comfortable boots I own, much to my surprise.

[jdvsqz.livejournal.com]

Are you just a penny pinching fool? Nah.

It's hard for me to pay Big & Tall prices and "invest" in any larger clothing when my goal is to drop weight and be able to wear clothing (1-2 sizes smaller) that I have already.

[oakleycub.livejournal.com]

You unfortunately have the "You shop in big and tall sizes, now bend over" surcharge on your clothes, and I don't actually know what average prices are for your clothing. However, I can speak for myself. You have seen my closet, you know I have alot of clothes and a good bit of it is major labels like Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren. When I was with the felonious fucktard alot of that was bought at full price but now I am still buying the same clothes, but coming out of the store paying less than $50 for any one item, more often than not I'm keeping it under $30 for each item. This is all thanks to the wonder that is the clearance rack. Dillards is a particular favorite of mine, and a good number of Dillards do have Big and Tall sections with their very own clearance racks we can scavenge.

Now on to quality, I have noticed that my major label clothes have held up better than the off brand stuff I do still have. There is something to be said for buying the more well established labels. Notice, I said well established and not popular. Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Levi, etc. all make good sturdy products if you stick to the basics and stay away from their more trendy offerings. They also stand behind their products. You have a defect in a Polo shirt, take it back to the store or contact Ralph Lauren and they will make it right.

In short, I think it is about shopping smart more that it is about shopping cheap. Check out those sales and clearance racks and get truly good clothes for good prices.

Oh, and shoes don't count. Because I am a shoe whore. I will bite the bullet and pay through the nose once I find a pair of shoes that feel and look good. Even then, DSW is a saving grace.

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

Yes, the big and tall sizes are a big part of the problem. Everything rises in price some 20-30%, and a lot of the time, the quality, especially at places like that horrible Casual Male store, goes down. You think, with the size of the average American growing, that there would be a riot about this.

The thing is, I could use help in shopping, since I'm really kind of fashion-less. I know what i like, but I'm never sure if it really looks good on me. Of course, if you look at my closet, you'll notice it's full of Red, Blue and Black shirts - with a few Green shirts thrown in. Most from JC Penny.com

Shoes are a disaster. I never know what to get, and usually get something on clearance at Mervyns.

Shop till you drop! (then crawl!)

[mrh745i.livejournal.com]

I could use help in shopping

Oh dear; those words are music to my ears! Holler at me the next time you're up here, and we'll chat about various shopping strategies! Much like your beau; I am a self professed 'label whore', not so much for the name; but for the quality. Although I refuse to pay retail, I still want (and get) the quality without the hefty price tag.

I have quite a few tricks up my sleeve!

Re: Shop till you drop! (then crawl!)

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

I will have to take you up on that. I'm noticing that my casual workshirts are needing some refreshing.

[polomex.livejournal.com]

I can count on one hand the number of times I have spent more than $25 on an article of clothing: a designer jersey and urban designer jeans (I was splurging for my first b'day on my own) and a pair of sneakers I needed for a play (ordered off the Net).

To be honest, if a shirt is over $15, I cringe and try to justify why I 'need' to get it. If I can't, back on the rack it goes. Shoes and jeans have a slightly higher Cringe Limit, but the same applies. Nick has fortunately/unfortunately also been the victim of my Do-You-Really-Need-That-If-It-Has-That-Price-Tag look. The only thing I have bought by name is my underwear... because... well... I want whatever I buy to match the rest of my underwear. It makes sorting apart our laundry easier, and besides, my toosh knows what it likes. I know, I'm weird.

Shoes are the worst though. While I don't really consider myself a "Big & Tall" guy, I certainly have "Big & Tall" feet. At size 14, it's difficult to find shoes at all, and when I do find them, they're ugly and/or expensive. At $60, I'd be balking too.

[airbearma.livejournal.com]

Most of my clothing is pretty basic especially for work where I dress "engineering casual" year round. Other than multiple pairs of blue jeans (that I only buy on sale), I probably only have one other pair of dress slacks. For daily use shoes, I usually only get stealth (black) sneakers. Clothing starting to wear out becomes weekend work on the house or car wear.

[cubziz.livejournal.com]

I miss the days when I actually had a job which was not just business casual but plain-old casual. I miss it terribly.

I dressed better then than I do now. Probably because I ENJOYED it instead of despised.

But for shoes, I'm the same way. If it is over $30. No way. I can pick up a new pair every six months at Payless and still have money left over.

Course, I couldn't find ANY pair in Texas that fit properly. No one down there had ever heard of 13Wide. :P