Tips on how to afford Luxury Designer

Often times when we want to splurge on a luxury designer item we wonder how can I look rich without going broke? As someone who is pretty open about my weakness for designer handbags and shoes, I know a few tips on how to afford high end pieces. The most important thing to remember is that buying designer items is a luxury and not a need. Now it is perfectly fine to treat yourself, especially after an accomplishment or a life milestone but we have to remember to pay for our actual everyday needs first. Below are some tips to follow so that you can afford to buy designer without feeling guilty about it!

1. Save first

Make sure you are setting up a savings for the future before you invest on a designer piece. This means putting money aside for retirement, your long-term, and short-term goals and also paying all your monthly expenses. I like to balance between spending a big chunk of money and also saving a big chunk of money into my savings. I often times set a goal, for example if the bag I want is $2000, I have to at least have that amount in my savings after the bag is purchased. Always remember, your financial goals are more important than buying a designer handbag. 

2. Buy quality over quantity

Think about all the times you've purchased something cheap that after a few years fell apart or that looked like what you wanted but in reality did not. Completely not worth it right? It's better to buy the item you initially wanted than 5 items that kind of look like the item. Buying the designer style will actually save me money. rather than buying five look alike because in the end I will eventually splurge on the real deal. Additionally, designer will last longer than cheaply made items. Also keep in mind that many designer items if kept almost new count as investment pieces, that can be worn for years or resold. 

3. Wait for your "must-have" pieces to go on sale or buy from the resale market

Although classic pieces from designers rarely go on sale, if you are patient, you can find a lot of seasonal items with a classic vibe in the designer sales. Often times these sales will mark down the seasons colors that did not sell and you can achieve the look for less if you do not mind certain patterns, fabrics or color selections. 

 I am also a huge fan of buying gently used or pre-owned designer handbags from consignment sites like the RealReal, Fashionphile and Rebag. The resale market is much like buying stocks, when the "it" trend is tiny bags you can easily find totes at a cheaper resale price and vice versa. My first designer bag was a Celine luggage tote from the RealReal for half the price and in great condition, and though it is not an "it" bag right now I highly believe the style will come back and I still receive lots of compliments when I wear it. Also, consignment softens luxury’s impact on the environment, and I can approve of that. 

4. Save for the big-ticket items

For the past few years, I have started to take my time with my big buys, I often research and think about what I am going to buy for months. Not being such an impulsive buyer has actually saved me money and now I actually wear what I buy instead of having it in my closet for display.

5. Stay away from fast trends

Stay away from expensive things that are overly trendy. If you want to achieve the look but not invest in the item for long term use depend on stores like Zara and H&M. If you are going to spend a ton of money, it should be on timeless pieces with neutral colors to maximize the wear. 

6. It's not a competition

Buy what you like and what you can afford because you like it and not for anyone else. Don't get caught up keeping up with the Jones or with the social media influencers because they receive these products for marketing purposes and for free. You should always buy something because you love it not because of what anyone else thinks about it.

7. Mix it up

There's nothing wrong with wearing a $10 dollar tank top with a Chanel handbag. Absolutely nothing. Determine what your style is and mix it up. Not everything you wear has to be super expensive. I personally like to splurge on bags and shoes but will never pay more than $50 for a pair of jeans. It’s perfectly okay to have a mix of high end brands with pieces from Zara in your wardrobe, it's called balancing. 

In the end, when it comes to expensive handbags or other high-end fashion purchases, as long as you are doing it the right way, occasional splurges are allowed. Just be sure that the important stuff comes first.  There is nothing wrong with splurging from time to time as long as it doesn’t hinder your financial goals.

Why skinny jeans are dead

Recently, a Tik Tok trend went viral discussing how Gen Zs want to cancel the wear of skinny jeans, but as a Millennial, I might have to to agree with them. There is no doubt that when skinny jeans first grew popularity, they were a revelation. They accentuated the butt, elongated your legs, and were high-rise, so before you attack me, here are my reasons why. 

Yes, skinny jeans were once an outfit stable but let's be real, skinny jeans now just make me look lumpy, stuffed and overexposes my body's problem areas. Not to mention that skinny jeans have largely been non-existent on the runways for several seasons now, and no matter what I pair them with, the proportions somehow always just feel all wrong. Another factor that led to the demise of the skinny jeans is the dreaded jeggings. As soon as they started to mix the denim with too much stretch, it just became trashy. Yes, the fabric is extremely comfortable but, so are sweats. Not to mention, that the materials you find in your typical pair of skinny jeans or jeggings is unrecyclable and deeply bad for the planet. 

Now I know, I am not the only one that feels this way either. The truth is, as we get older and our bodies change, showing off our curves or wearing tight clothes is no longer a big priority. I am now in my thirties, and I worry more about feeling sexy rather than showing too much. I prefer to invest in feeling comfortable rather than being in some tight jeans. Sadly, Millennials need to move on from their skinny jeans phase and begin to buy bootcuts, straight legs, wide legs and baggy styles which are classic alternatives to swap out your skinny jeans with. 

*See examples below

Let's talk shoes

Do you love shoes as much as I do? Then, let’s talk about it. I wanted to share my favorite shoes I have collected throughout the years, as well as mention what I personally believe are my worst buys, what brands to splurge on and when to find the look for less. For a person scared of heights, I tend to wear pretty tall heels, so my first honorable mention go to my holy grail shoes, the Yves Saint Laurent Tribute Sandals. I have them in various colors, heel heights, and textures. 

These beauties never disappoint or fail me, if my feet had soulmates these would definitely be it. If I could be the spokesperson for these shoes, I would do it for free. These are completely worth the splurge and a great investment to any shoe collection. Often times, you can find many of them on the resale market (I prefer The Real Real) for half the price. Even though, it may seem like I am being completely bias and opinionated on these shoes, I do have two disclaimers. I have found and so have many owners that the heel on the different textures vary in sturdiness. For example, my suede camo pair are super sturdy and I am 100% sure I can run a marathon in those, as compared to my patent leather navy pair. In that pair the heel feels loose and wobbly like it is going to break off, but, once tied tighter the problem is fixed. Another opinion is based on the wedged version of the shoes, although just as beautiful, they are extremely heavy and the sole is very flat and hard. None the less, if I could be a shoe it would hands down be these. 

My next opinion might be a controversial one but someone has to address the elephant in the shoe luxury world. Christian Louboutin are the most uncomfortable shoes I have ever bought, owned, and worn! I repeat, Christian Louboutin are the most uncomfortable shoes I have ever bought, owned, and worn! Has it stopped me from buying more pairs? No, but I have also begun to understand which styles are more comfortable and bearable. So I am going to share which I think are worth the buy and which to run from.

NOs!

New Very Prive

So Kate

Jonatina

All the shoes mentioned above for my foot, are too tight on the toes, too flat and just plain hurt like what I assume child labor feels like. The soles are also extremely slippery making the shoes even harder to walk in. In my personal opinion, the Jonatina are my biggest disappointment, even though my close friend swears by them. I find that the heel gets stuck and ruined very fast, the closure is a pain to close and the clear material has burned the side of my foot. 

*Now, I want to share one buying tip that I have learned to use and I want to share. When buying expensive shoes, yes try them on of course walk around, call your mom, and twirl all you want but most or even all shoe departments stores have carpet. When you try them on and walk on carpet, yes of course the shoes feel amazing but let's be real, we do not walk on red carpets for a living, therefore, the next time you are trying on shoes and you are about to buy them, try to find some bare floor. You'll thank me later. 

YES! YES! YES!

Highness

Loubi Queen

So Kate Booties

When it comes to these three, I believe not only are they classic and beautiful shoes but you get the best for what you spend. The highness may seem scary and though they do not make them anymore, the added height from the platform makes them painless. On the downside but the added height calls for a skilled walker. 

Next up is my favorite flats and sandals worth the splurge. Both the Gucci slides and the Chanel espadrilles are my go to when it comes to running errands. The Gucci slides are lightweight and feel like a dream, whether at the beach or going shopping, but when I want to look more put together, the Chanel espadrilles are a classic statement piece and worth every penny. 

So, when should you splurge or shop the look for less? Now I am no one to separate love at first shoe, but, when it comes to a fast fashion trends, shopping the look for less is your best bet. Most of my big splurges have either been classic statement pieces, things I have always dreamed of owning or things I have bought to celebrate milestones in my life. Fast fashion trends are things that are HOT HOT HOT but come and go faster than you can spell cold. For those instances places like ZARA and Lulus are your best bet for getting quality items for less that have the same aesthetic. I hope my opinions either help you or at least make you laugh. 

XO Mimosas and Pumps