London, UK
For many people, high-end fashion items sit on their wish lists or at the end of a very long saving regime. But yet for many others, it can become their monthly shopping. It was not until recently when I had passed my 21st birthday did I consider being an owner of some super expensive things. In a way it could be blamed on YouTube and other social media platforms (looking at you, Instagram!), but mainly it was to give myself a chance to be the adult I’ve always wanted to be. Just someone different from my younger self, someone who has grown a pair of wings and taken flight.
So after plenty of lusting and saving, I decided to take the plunge. However, this plunge did not happen without plenty of thought and common sense. But if you have ever been inside a beautiful store like
Selfridges, and you’re a fashion lover, you will know that common sense does not happen easily! Yet still I was not persuaded. I had put on the pair of blush coloured Valentino Rockstuds in Selfridges on my 21st birthday, and ended up walking up and down the carpeted hallway, in front in the mirror, trying to picture every different outfit I had with the gorgeous leather shoes, before I realised that I just had to take them.
But it can all be very daunting, £600 for a pair of shoes or £1000 for a bag. And the thing is, it doesn’t have to be. Buying your first designer item is supposed to be thrilling and you should be beside yourself with the fact that you would be able to show off at the following week with your friends, or even finally having a fashion item that would last you for years instead of months.
Get All Your Research In
Seen a new designer piece you like the look of? Now it’s time to take a look at a few more pictures of it and to see some reviews. Not only will that allow you to see all the colours available, you might also see another colour or style that you in fact like more. The likelihood is that in this day and age, you would find some form of review video on YouTube for a plethora of designer products, especially if it is a bag. It is definitely important that you are not basing this level of spending on one picture alone. From different angles, the product might look entirely different and suddenly won’t seem as flattering as you originally thought. If you have time, you could definitely go to the shop and have a little try on. That would go one of two ways; confirm your love for the product, or dissuade you from it. This seems like the obvious thing to do if you’re considering a high-end product, but you’ll be surprised just how easy and tempting it is to press that ‘buy now’ button online when you’re suffering through a case of severe lust.
Start Small
The world of fashion is a vast and endless space. It seems silly, but many people think that the 'plunge' has to be £1000 or higher. While that is the truth for 90% for designer items, there are many out there who are a lot cheaper and are no where near as steep but still have the high-end quality and longevity. An example of this would be the Tommy Hilfiger x Gigi Hadid Saddle Bag I have. (Currently just over half price!) and whilst I am aware that this is no necessarily 'designer', this is a good example of a starting point as it was just short of £150 - Still not particularly cheap by any means - but looking at it from the perspective of the designer market, it is a pretty good price for a medium-sized, genuine leather cross body bag with gold hardware.
Patience Really Is a Virtue
So, you have seen a beautiful designer item and it has gone right to the top of your wishlist. You absolutely cannot WAIT to get your hands on it and you're stalking it by looking at every picture and review possible on the big wide web. As your levels of want increases, the price starts to matter less and less and as I mentioned above, that 'Buy Now' button becomes more and more delicious-looking. However, you might only find that it would go on sale soon enough and you would just be kicking yourself over all the money you could have saved.
While I do understand the need to get something as soon as you want it, especially if you are a shopaholic like me. Or even if you are a complete fashionista and just want to keep up with the latest trends - in which case is completely fine because hey, I would too if I could afford to keep up with the trends! (normal student here). There are definitely more to designer bags as you have to consider the leather and finish etc. But all these are definitely things to consider when you are shopping for your first or your next high-end item!
I am currently lusting after the Diorama bag! What about you? What's next on your shopping hit list?
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