Recently I have been thinking about the quality and practicality of the clothes, shoes and accessories I’ve been buying. I know blogs are supposed to celebrate all the fabulous things in fashion, but I felt the need to share this topic and see what you think about my thinking….
It started off with jewellery. The ‘gold’ necklaces, rings, bangles, earrings that I have been buying in high street stores(most of them) and the sheer disappointment when they loose their colour; turning silver and red, within just a week or two of wearing them. Ok, you may say they only cost £10, what do you expect? Fast fashion right? They last as long as they stay in fashion, and then you move on. If they are half the price, than it doesn’t matter if they last half as long? Well it does to me. I buy items that I love the design of, items that I want to keep in my wardrobe for a lifetime, well at least a few years anyway. Sure it feels great to go for it and have these beautiful designs in your life, but it also sure is disappointing when that fav new gold necklace you’ve worn all week then has to go in the bin after turning copper. Or those lush black ankle boots, loose all their studs and the heels go wobbly. Not being able to wear these great garments is irritating...
What caused me to actually put this annoyance into words, is the recent parcel I received from a well known fashionable online retailer. I ordered a half price pair of grey suede, platform heeled ankle boots, some gorgeous classic, black platform courts and a pair of quirky, heart shaped earrings, that frankly looked so luscious you could eat them. So excited I was to receive them, (it’s like xmas every week), but I was soon disappointed when both pairs of shoes were so high, they would cause me pain within minutes, and the earrings so heavy the backs fell off and they fell out my ears; No exaggeration.
Fashion does not always equal practical or sensible. Man up? No pain no gain? Put up with these slight inconveniences for style and fashion darling? Ummm, nope. How can you look fabulous on a night out, when you shoes are so high you can’t even walk heel, toe, heel toe, or those statement earrings are pulling your earlobes to the floor?
 |
Heel height: 16.5 cm (6.8 inches)
Platform height: 4cm (1.1 inches) |
I know it’s not on the same scale as Lady Gaga donning a meat dress, or in shoes so high she needs assistance to walk, but I guess what I’m trying to say is, that I love design, but practicality and quality in fashion, are becoming more important to me. I hate the disappointment of throwing away worn and tired things that I still love, or avoiding wearing them altogether as you just can’t put up with their impractical nature. Prioritising quality and practicality is something I’m becoming more and more accustomed to. Is this the sign of a maturing consumer? A savvy shopper? Maybe! And why don’t I question why these items are being made this way? I might. But, there’s still a hell of a lot of consumers who part with their money for the ostentatious, yet poor quality and impractical goods on the high street. Which means retailers won’t be changing anytime soon. It calls in to question the idea of fast fashion. On-trend goods being churned out and then disposed of very quickly. Retailers are making money, and at the end of the day, that is really what is important.
It may seem that I’m taking all this a little too seriously, and I may well be. But I love fashion, design, dressing up and looking great, and sometimes feel restricted and limited, when I can’t wear the things that what I want to wear, due to their lack in durability or practicality. I know I’m not the only one. After discussion with friends, I’ve found they experience this too.
So at the end of all this debate? I’m favouring the idea of investment pieces. Well-made, durable and wearable. They may cost a little more, but wearing those beautiful pair of leather boots year in year out, are worth the investment.
What do you think? Would be great to hear you thoughts on this one.
Lots of love
L x
