I went to Bloomingdales and most shirts were $200 to $500. Jackets were $800.

[Kendo]

For any non-Americans, Bloomingdales is an upscale department store. The majority of people are middle class, many are lower class, and a very, very small percentage are rich. And yet when I walked through Bloomingdales, there were a ton of shoppers. Just going by the odds, I would have to imagine that the majority were middle class. How do these people afford $200 shirts and $800 jackets?

Do they simply spend above their means or are they trust fund babies? Basically my question is to anyone out there who enjoys designer clothing. BTW, before everyone jumps on people who like designer clothes, need I remind you that we are on an Apple forum where their products are considered high-end and roughly twice the price of their Windows counterparts? In other words, let's not judge people on what they like to spend their money on.

I haven't went shopping for clothes in 3 years and wanted to change my entire wardrobe. I normally buy from stores like Banana Republic but I wanted to treat myself to some upscale department stores since I am getting older and making more money. I just couldn't bring myself to buy a $200 dress shirt but I'm still thinking about doing so.

To those that buy designer clothes, do you simply save up until you have enough to buy 1 item and rinse and repeat? Or do you buy them on sale? How are there so many shoppers at these stores?

Also, I noticed a simple T-shirt would cost about $95 because it was from Burberry. Does it last longer or is the quality much better or is it $95 simply because of the brand?

 

[gsugolfer]

It's $95 because of the brand. If you truly purchase designer clothing, you already know this.

Banana Republic is NOT designer clothing.

 

[MacDawg]

You said it yourself, people make choices about how to spend their money
For some, this is important to them... image, status, quality
No different than the choices we make with computers, cars, appliances, food

 

[7254278]

Bloomingdales is far from high end. Bergdorff Goodman and Barneys, now thats high end. As far as $200 dress shirt, that not too crazy. Just a tip though. For around $150 you can get a fully bespoke and made by hand dress shirt from a decent fabric. Will fit 100X better then any off the rack crap, you can add all the little details you want and most will last years. All my shirts are custom made and some I have had over 8 or 9 years. They pay for themselves at that point.

Dont fall for spending $200+ off the rack on a shirt, find a good tailor!

 

[RainCityMacFan]

Spending is usually proportional to how much you make.

If you make $3,000 a month, then a $800 jacket is the last thing you should be thinking about. But if you make $10,000 or more, then why not? Sure, saving is a better option but if you save $5,000 a month and spend $3,000 on bills then you still got $2,000 to play with.

This is is very simplified but as a college student making $12,000, I would never in my right mind buy designer clothes. But when I do make more, why not?

 

[rockyroad55]

Brands like J. Crew and Polo won't out a dent on your wallet and can revamp a wardrobe well. Designer stuff is nice, I have a Burberry raincoat and tons of designer jeans. I buy them for their quality and reliability, same way I approach Apple products vs. PC. I stick to what I am comfortable with. However, I do not buy all designer and am aware that there are brands (J. Crew is my personal favorite) that can make you look twice as good as designer.

 

[ender land]

I will become quite wealthy in my life by consistently living below my means, and buying clothes below my income level is an easy way to help do this.

 

[samiwas]

Spending is usually proportional to how much you make.

If you make $3,000 a month, then a $800 jacket is the last thing you should be thinking about. But if you make $10,000 or more, then why not? Sure, saving is a better option but if you save $5,000 a month and spend $3,000 on bills then you still got $2,000 to play with.

This is is very simplified but as a college student making $12,000, I would never in my right mind buy designer clothes. But when I do make more, why not?

Even though I've made around $8,000 a month for the last couple of years, I still can't bring myself to buy anything above Old Navy. Most of my shirts and stuff come from Old Navy, my last pair of jeans came from Wal Mart, and my shorts I always got at Costco. And even at that, I might buy a new pair of shorts or a couple of tshirts once a year. I just have literally no interest in designer clothing, and I'm as comfortable as I can be, so I see no reason to spend hundreds on an outfit.

PS - I don't work in a corporate environment, so it's not necessary. If I did work in an office or other corporate environment, it might make a little bit of a difference. But I'm still pretty sure I wouldn't be wearing $200 shirts, certainly not $800 shirts.

 

[RainCityMacFan]

Even though I've made around $8,000 a month for the last couple of years, I still can't bring myself to buy anything above Old Navy. Most of my shirts and stuff come from Old Navy, my last pair of jeans came from Wal Mart, and my shorts I always got at Costco. And even at that, I might buy a new pair of shorts or a couple of tshirts once a year. I just have literally no interest in designer clothing, and I'm as comfortable as I can be, so I see no reason to spend hundreds on an outfit.

It all depends on what you value I guess.

If I make a lot of money, would I blow it all on designer clothes? No. I don't value clothing or cars, etc. But I do value technology. My friends ask me why I invest in iPhones when I could do just as well with an Android. It's because I value technology that works well. Others would rather spend their money on clothes that look good.

I'm sure some one out there is making a post wondering why anyone would buy a high end Macbook Pro when they could supposedly buy a cheaper computer from a different brand.

EDIT: But I do agree I think an $800 shirt is extremely excessive. I could justify an $800 jacket or a suit though.

 

[snberk103]

I think there is some serious stereotyping going on here.

Just because of where we live, and who we know, we happen to know - both casually, and as friends - a number of people of would be classed as "upper class". Some very "upper". Generally speaking, and in our experience only, they have the money because they don't spend it frivolous things.

Yes, they have a nice house. And yes they can wear to an expensive shirt or dress when they go out fancy. But for the most part they are buying just regular clothes. Though they probably don't shop the sales. We've seen them in jeans, and regular denim shirts. Shorts and t-shirts.

I think the ones you see shopping at Bloomingdales are the 'wanna be' rich. Or people who have an opportunity to make an impression at a social or work event.

The one thing I've noticed though, about people who have money and are comfortable with it. Regardless of the ragged-ness of their pants or shirt, they almost always have nice shoes. That's the marker when you meet someone... check out their shoes.

 

[NZed]

Hey, I walked into Armani Exchange and their clothing are already at least 800 dollars.

And its lowend Armani! Think about highend Armani!

 

[neiltc13]

Every item of clothing you wear has a designer, whether you get it at Wal Mart or Bloomingdales. Don't understand the term "designer clothing".

 

[entatlrg]

$95.00 for a T-shirt that's made in Asia for under $2.00 is stupid.

 

[barkomatic]

Spending that much money on clothing is foolish in my opinion unless you are truly well off--but most aren't. The majority of people who buy that overpriced crap can't afford it and are striver types who want to impress.

If you care about your appearance, than go to the gym. A cheap t-shirt on a fit body looks much better than a $200 one on someone who is out of shape.

 

[senseless]

That $800 jacket will be at Kohls next year for $149.

 

[Eidorian]

That $800 jacket will be at Kohls next year for $149.

Second, the discounts can be outrageous.

 

[leftywamumonkey]

That $800 jacket will be at Kohls next year for $149.

Really? I don't think Kohls sells high-end brands. Places like Marshals do have things that come from department stores at a discounted price though.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Spending is usually proportional to how much you make.

If you make $3,000 a month, then a $800 jacket is the last thing you should be thinking about. But if you make $10,000 or more, then why not? Sure, saving is a better option but if you save $5,000 a month and spend $3,000 on bills then you still got $2,000 to play with.

This is is very simplified but as a college student making $12,000, I would never in my right mind buy designer clothes. But when I do make more, why not?

Even as a college student I would recommend have at least a few sets of really nice and pretty costly clothing.
I am not talking about a weeks worth but maybe a few days worth. Mostly so you can wear something different for 2-3 rounds of interviews.

 

[Huntn]

It's $95 because of the brand. If you truly purchase designer clothing, you already know this.

Banana Republic is NOT designer clothing.

Neither is Old Navy.

There is absolutely no reason to purchase $200 shirts and $800 jackets, except possibly for business. Otherwise I'm shopping at Steinmart, Kohl's, Michaels, Sears, Pennys.

 

[snowydog]

I'm in the UK but when I was in New York I went to Bloomies ( ) and I bought...a bloomingdales bag (not the little brown one, a diff one) and a little brown mug .. although I was only 19 and with my little sister, one of the perfume guys tried to sell me perfume to buy my mom for mother's day .... spent about 5 mins talking to me ... but I didn't wanna spend that much money!

When in New York with my Fiance at Christmas (2010) he bought me a nice Tiffany's necklace that cost a few bob ... very nice of him!

I wouldn't spend that much on clothes though because I just have no need for it ..... but I am partial to the odd designer handbag ...

If I had the money, I'd be spending it on technology (gadgets), new car, the house and holidays - but I'm only starting my first big job in September so a while to go yet before I have a nice income

 

[puma1552]

Most people can't afford it. This is a country of people who live far, far beyond their means, and can't TRULY afford most of what they buy. Most people in this country are swimming in debt. I've learned as I've gotten older that many people with a star on the hood and a 4,000 sq. ft. house are a job loss and paycheck away from bankruptcy.

This "want" mentality is easily observed on car forums, of which I'm a member of many. Literally probably half the people on any given car forum bought their car on impulse or with little planning/research, trade in cars that are 1-2 years old and take massive losses, and/or are upside down on their cars and roll negative equity into the next car they can't afford because "it was too good of a deal to pass up."

Based on the poor decisions I see on car forums with $30k-$50k cars, I can only imagine those are the same people who think a $200 shirt or $800 jacket is something they need/can afford.

 

[avro707]

For any non-Americans, Bloomingdales is an upscale department store. The majority of people are middle class, many are lower class, and a very, very small percentage are rich. And yet when I walked through Bloomingdales, there were a ton of shoppers. Just going by the odds, I would have to imagine that the majority were middle class. How do these people afford $200 shirts and $800 jackets?

Do they simply spend above their means or are they trust fund babies? Basically my question is to anyone out there who enjoys designer clothing. BTW, before everyone jumps on people who like designer clothes, need I remind you that we are on an Apple forum where their products are considered high-end and roughly twice the price of their Windows counterparts? In other words, let's not judge people on what they like to spend their money on.

I haven't went shopping for clothes in 3 years and wanted to change my entire wardrobe. I normally buy from stores like Banana Republic but I wanted to treat myself to some upscale department stores since I am getting older and making more money. I just couldn't bring myself to buy a $200 dress shirt but I'm still thinking about doing so.

To those that buy designer clothes, do you simply save up until you have enough to buy 1 item and rinse and repeat? Or do you buy them on sale? How are there so many shoppers at these stores?

Also, I noticed a simple T-shirt would cost about $95 because it was from Burberry. Does it last longer or is the quality much better or is it $95 simply because of the brand?

Only $800 for a jacket? You should come to Australia and visit Henry Bucks of Collins Street! They are what you call upscale. A coat for $3000!!!! A shirt for $500.

I won't buy anything from them - my business goes to other boutique retailers with somewhat more affordable prices.

My shopping for that kind of clothing is at places like Val Parks in Sydney (for shirts) or Anthony Squires (for suits). For a very top-line brand, Anthony Squires has quite reasonable prices.

I also have a strategy, in that when I buy a suit, I'll have them make 2 more pairs of trousers for the suit, my last lot were at $1000 for the 2 extra ones, but they last - and the jackets almost never wear out.

 

[twietee]

I find it funny how people say "Ridiculous, you just pay way too much for the brand!" on MacRumors. There is a general rule, which says quality has its price. Of course you can save money e.g. by finding a good tailor youself (trial and error) but that can take a lot of time.

Not being dependend on very exquisit clothing businesswise, I can wait for sales if I want to. Got a really fine Jil Sander suit for half the price last month (still outrageous though). In the end, I just prefer a good cut with quality materials produced by dedicated people who earn a fair wage..that normally is expensive. And lasts a lot longer if one doesn't simply buy what's fashionable. I'm not talking about the cheap Armani or Tom Ford lines here..that's just about wasting money imho.

 

[maflynn]

For some, this is important to them... image, status, quality

True, but in the case of 95 dollar shirts, I don't think the quality is going to be that much different then a 20 or 40 dollar shirt.

I used to work at a men's suit reseller. I remember him buying suits from the manufacturer, and sewing different labels on. For a group of suits, they went to a retailer that sold the suits for 99 dollars. The same group of suits that went to another retailer but with a different label sold for 200, so on and so forth.

In many things you're paying for the label. There are exceptions, like Apple computers. You're paying for the label, the design and (hopefully) the quality.

 

[thekev]

Really? I don't think Kohls sells high-end brands. Places like Marshals do have things that come from department stores at a discounted price though.

Loehmann's carries some of it. I hate bloomingdales. I wouldn't shop there regardless of pricing. I've been through it. I had to exchange a couple things there in the past. Some jeans are $400+ at the one here, yet they're still boring and contrived designs. Even if the price barrier was removed (I won't spend that on jeans), I wouldn't shop there. They're boring. I've seen plenty of others wear things that are from there. I've seen designer clothing that actually looks good. Most of it is not carried there, and prices go all over the place. It's just very commercial and sort of an upper mid range mass market kind of store with easily recognizable brands, yet it's completely tacky. It's a terrible combination of bland and expensive.