WWYD - How to jazz up an outfit

[nw6675]

So I don't want to spend a fortune on a complete outfit. I bought some cute inexpensive dresses and told DH that now I want designer shoes and handbag(s) to match to make it all come together. I already have nice jewelry.

Am I silly for wanting to make my cheap outfit look upscale by spending $$$ on the shoes and purse? DH was all for it and was actually insistent I spend more on the clothes (which I didn't). This is a man who NEVER asks for anything and would never spend a dime if I didn't make him go on vacations

Should I bother? I don't really care what others think so it is more about just feeling nice and "put together". Thoughts? How do you feel about your wardrobe and approach?

 

[nw6675]

And I feel like this may have been posted recently - not just the typical wedding outfit thread - but one similar. If it is a duplicate, just let me know. Y'all know my feelings rarely get hurt except by a few ding-dongs.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

NOT AT ALL. My wife has been known to go to events wearing an inexpensive outfit with Louboutin shoes and an Issey Miyake bag. Nothing wrong with making your ensemble high end with a few choice pieces. I actually think that eclectic look is better than showing up like you just stepped off a runway from Milan. I always have to insist on my wife buying high end pieces for herself or I end up buying them for her. I think you need to treat yourself every so often. Life is too short.

 

[leebee]

Not my scene, I'd rather spend the money on travel, but whatever makes you feel good!

 

[fla4fun]

I don’t think you have to spend a fortune on accessories, as I have usually found some high quality knockoffs will give you the same look. But if you want to do it, go for it, especially if the items will be used for special occasions. The most important thing is that you like the bag and that the shoes feel good on your feet.

 

[ronandannette]

Well, I don't know about the "designer" part, but I'm all for having shoes and accessories to make an outfit look/feel put-together. If money isn't an issue for you, go ahead and get the $300 shoes. If it is, find a more affordable knock-off to complete your look.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

You don’t have to spend a lot on shoes, either! Amazon has some nice ones. I put together some similar outfits for an upcoming wedding and that’s where I got my shoes. All nice, and fit well. I’d rather spend my money on other things, too.

 

[nw6675]

Not my scene, I'd rather spend the money on travel, but whatever makes you feel good!

I think part of my problem is when the two of us go to Vegas in May we are going to live it up since it is our first major trip alone in YEARS. We are finally at the point where DD shrugged and said she'd just watch YouTube at Grandma and Grandpa's for the week.

We have some really nice plans while we are there so I think I want to feel the part even though the whole city is mostly a city of wannabes. HA HA!

 

[john7994]

Personally, I am pretty rough on my dress shoes - so I tend to go with good quality, stylish and yet on the affordability side of things .

 

[focusondisney]

Not silly at all. Get what makes you happy. The only advice I have is make sure the shoes are really, really comfortable. And that you can walk comfortably on different surfaces. I don’t wear dress shoes very often at all & I try to make sure I’ll be comfortable for hours in them. So many times I’ve bought shoes that seem fine on the rug in the store, but then I walk on tile floors or concrete parking lots & they’re terribly painful. I need Sketchers to make dress shoes, lol.

 

[AprilsZoo]

Well, I don't know about the "designer" part, but I'm all for having shoes and accessories to make an outfit look/feel put-together. If money isn't an issue for you, go ahead and get the $300 shoes. If it is, find a more affordable knock-off to complete your look.

One thing I’ve found is that the high end shoes, especially high heels , do tend to be much more comfortable, ime. Depends on the shoe, of course, but I’ve been surprised at how much more supple the leather is, for example, or how much more easily the shoe conforms to your foot, when you get shoes that cost $100-150+ as compared to those that are in the $50-75 range. I still have a hard time spending so much. It’s hardwired into my brain, apparently.

Idk if you get better return on investment with $300 shoes over $150 ones. I’ve never been able to bring myself to even try those on.

 

[TCRAIG]

Rather than ‘designer’ shoes per se, I’d go with good quality COMFORTABLE dress shoes but I would definitely jazz up my outfit with a snazzy purse…

 

[snowwite]

So I don't want to spend a fortune on a complete outfit. I bought some cute inexpensive dresses and told DH that now I want designer shoes and handbag(s) to match to make it all come together. I already have nice jewelry.

Am I silly for wanting to make my cheap outfit look upscale by spending $$$ on the shoes and purse? DH was all for it and was actually insistent I spend more on the clothes (which I didn't). This is a man who NEVER asks for anything and would never spend a dime if I didn't make him go on vacations

Should I bother? I don't really care what others think so it is more about just feeling nice and "put together". Thoughts? How do you feel about your wardrobe and approach?

I like to use scarves, statement jewelry add things like a ruana, wrap, bolero or new shoes or purse to jazz it up. I find a lot of nice stuff cheap at Nordstrom rack, Marshall’s and Talbots on clearance .

 

[ronandannette]

One thing I’ve found is that the high end shoes, especially high heels , do tend to be much more comfortable, ime. Depends on the shoe, of course, but I’ve been surprised at how much more supple the leather is, for example, or how much more easily the shoe conforms to your foot, when you get shoes that cost $100-150+ as compared to those that are in the $50-75 range. I still have a hard time spending so much. It’s hardwired into my brain, apparently.

Idk if you get better return on investment with $300 shoes over $150 ones. I’ve never been able to bring myself to even try those on.

I stopped buying expensive things when I became a mom (27 years ago), so I barely remember my last pair of Manolo's. Since then, I definitely have perfected the art of rocking an $11 dollar blouse or $25 dollar dress.

 

[snowwite]

NOT AT ALL. My wife has been known to go to events wearing an inexpensive outfit with Louboutin shoes and an Issey Miyake bag. Nothing wrong with making your ensemble high end with a few choice pieces. I actually think that eclectic look is better than showing up like you just stepped off a runway from Milan. I always have to insist on my wife buying high end pieces for herself or I end up buying them for her. I think you need to treat yourself every so often. Life is too short.

My husband would have a heart attack if I even tried on a pair of Loubaton!

 

[CdnCarrie]

I could never rationalize spending more than $50 on a pair shoes! I think I bought a pair of winter boots for $100 once and felt guilty and I wear them almost daily for a few months for years!

Designer anything would be lost on me.

Last thing I would do is spend money to dress for strangers in Vegas. Rather take that money and buy couple nice outfits for work.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

My husband would have a heart attack if I even tried on a pair of Loubaton!

lol! My wife is obsessed with some of his new sneakers so that’s what I’ll be buying her. Don’t ask how much they are. But she’s very frugal in other areas so it’s not a big deal. I have a hard time saying no to her!

But she doesn’t hesitate to mix formal with casual and that’s a thing now. When we got married, she had this gorgeous dress, on her feet? Pink Low top chuck Taylors!

 

[DVCjj]

I think it is very difficult nowadays to tell whether an outfit is real or a knockoff. Personally I like to wear a simple black dress to most nice occasions (unless obviously it's a hot summer wedding etc) and 'dressify' it up with nice jewelry I own (that now rarely wear) and dress(ier) shoes I buy at DSW (we have those in the Midwest and great prices for all ranges of shoes).

And yes, I have bought shoes and clothing on Amazon, HSN & QVC and usually am very satisfied. I worked in a 'dressy' office for years and years and now I don't, so no more Nordstrom shoes/outfits for me (that's as high end I allowed myself to spend money on). They were designer but never "DESIGNER", if you know what I mean.
Ever since Covid, my shopping has changed dramatically. Would honestly rather go on a warm vacation to get away from the freezing cold at home. My joints sincerely appreciate that.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Honestly I think that having a nice manicure and pedicure and being well put-together goes further than having designer anything. And it doesn’t have to be professionally done, either.

 

[AprilsZoo]

My husband would have a heart attack if I even tried on a pair of Loubaton!

Mine probably would too.

I stopped buying expensive things when I became a mom (27 years ago), so I barely remember my last pair of Manolo's. Since then, I definitely have perfected the art of rocking an $11 dollar blouse or $25 dollar dress.

That’s me too, except for a few very specific things…