Fitting Room Friday: Shopping Value Computations

To answer the ponderous question: should I buy it? We must enter into a series of complex computations outlined below. (actually it's simple addition, but why miss out on an opportunity to feel grandiose)

The elegant answer is, if you are able to accumulate a sum greater than 10, the item can come home with you.

1-3 pts How do I feel when I put it on?
Do you feel an irrepressible urge to twirl a bit. A full 360 degree pirouette is worthy of a 3. A 45 degree swishy deems a 2. A static glance garners a 1. But a 180 pausing grimace earns a well deserved 0.

1-3 pts How well is it going to hold up?

Here's a hint. Items on the sales floor wear similarly to items in your closet. If the cloth is snagged, or the buttons are hanging weakly, or the zipper is missing teeth, take caution. There's a reason why "cut from the same cloth" is a popular cliche. It doesn't matter if your item is flawless, if its friends are suffering, it won't be long before the item in your closet reaches the same state.

1-3 pts How many times am I going to wear it?

Is this item a hero in your core wardrobe (3)? Or a peripheral character making a cameo appearance (1)? Or is this item already fairly represented in your closet? Buying multiple closet stars leads to angst, jealousy, and possible mutiny. If it's a repeat, it better be a replacement.

1-3 pts How much does it cost?

Even though this category has a number associated with it, it is still one of the most subjective. In truth we're not evaluating straight forward cost, we're assessing value. A few hints: invest in things that have a complex function and buy simple services as cheaply as possible. Comfortable 4 inch heels have a complex function; comfortable flip flops have a simple function. Well fitted trousers - complex; stretchy camisole-simple. If something gets a low value value ranking (less than 2 pts) wait until it goes on sale and see if the item can redeem itself.

This strategy allows for trendy items that you only plan to wear for a season. And it allows for core pieces that require more of an investment. Buying items that are 10 ensure that your look will always rank in the double digits.

1 hundred 98 cents = your own Shopping Strategies fashion look book cheat sheet.

Procure your own empire constitution. Your personalized fashion look book can include your own shopping strategies and much more.

Now what are you even doing here? Go - enter to win your look book at Giveaway Today.

Shopping Strategies Exclusive

In response to a number of individual comments, I am granting my beloved audience an exclusive interview. And since I don't particularly like large groups, I am imagining just the two of us sitting together having afternoon italian sodas in tall tumblers with fresh fruit.

You: (reaching for a lemon tart) How come everything you feature is from one store?

Me: (wiping my mouth with a hand embroidered napkin) The superficial answer is: I work there. But the proper, more fundamental answer is: I adore the clothes - every structured stitch, every narrative detail.

You: Do you get paid to feature the clothes?

Me: No. I do, what I do for love of the pretties. I consider myself a wardrobe social worker. I acquaint myself with the details of each little piece, determine in which ensemble it might fit, and try to find it a proper home. Nothing makes me happier than to match a lovely owner with a lovely ensemble.

You: How come you don't showcase more sale items?

Me: I typically don't feature sale items on my blog because sales are usually short term, limited supply, only available at select stores, and often sold out before I finish my post. If you like an item, it is your responsibility to watch over it. Checking in on it day by day to see how it is doing, and if it is ripe for purchase. When a discount has bloomed, you must snatch it up without reserve. Sale racks are not the place to meet and evaluate purchases. It is merely an area to pick up purchases long since acquainted.

You: Will you ever feature items from other stores?

Me: Yes, when I encounter an item worth mentioning it will be broadcast on Cardigan Empire. And as part of our shopping strategies, we will include a shopping safari at a variety of exotic stores.

You: How big is your closet?

Me: 3 Ft Wide with one hanging rod. I really do believe in quality over quantity.

You: Is it bad to buy cheap clothes?

Me: Yes - buying cheap clothes is deplorable. But buying inexpensive, quality items is ethereal. There are few things more rewarding then getting exactly what you want, for exactly what you want to pay.

Sun you solar calculators in preparation for tomorrow. I look forward to shopping with you soon.

1 hundred 98 cents = your own Shopping Strategies fashion look book cheat sheet.

Procure your own empire constitution. Your personalized fashion look book can include your own shopping strategies and much more.

Goody Goody Video

Thanks to Emily, the lovely wizard behind the curtain of Giveaway Today, who showcased her Cardigan Empire Look Book on Monday's episode of Good Things Utah.



Make sure to enter to win your own Fashion Look Book this Friday (March 13th) at Giveaway Today.

Cost Per Wear

Before we can go shopping, we need to understand the first cardinal quotient of purchase evaluation.

Cost per wear = Cost of the item/# of times you will wear it

Imagine you and I at the clearance rack. Cutting our way through closely stacked hangers in search of wardrobe recruits. Suddenly you spot a $10 price tag on a jersey skirt that is only one size too small. You ask me is this $10 cute? A small tear will fall from my eye as I look at this lazy, excuse for a skirt. $10 is more than I would pay for torture. That skirt's primary purpose in life is to turn bottoms into lumpy potato sacks? I assume you will only be able to endure the pain once, but should you attempt to wear it again, don't worry it will lose color and ball up in the wash.

Then as we persevere on, you hold up a $99.95 jacket and ask me if I think it is overpriced. My fingers will quickly dart to examine the double stitching on the princess seamed structure. The little bit of detail that speaks to your unique personality. I'll imagine you pulling it out of your closet at least 100 times over the next three years. Enclosing your midsection in svelte confidence. $1.00 or less per wear for an industrious blazer that goes with everything? No I don't think that's overpriced.

The question is not, how much does it cost, but how valuable do I feel when I put it on. Clothes are just a cloak for the confidence beneath, but they are an easy way to amplify your best self.

We'll get into more math tomorrow, but start wrapping your mind around this fundamental truth today.

1 hundred 98 cents = your own Shopping Strategies fashion look book cheat sheet.

Procure your own empire constitution. Your personalized fashion look book can include your own shopping strategies and much more.

Shopping with Barbie

For 50 years, this girl has always had the right outfit whether she was flying to the moon or running for president. But try buying off the rack when your bust is 200% of your waist. This extreme hourglass has been limited to custom made creations for her 11.5 inch frame from the likes of Dior, Vera Wang, Gucci, Versace, Bob Mackie, Anna Sui, Carolina Herrera, Badgley Mischka, and more.

It's a good thing Barbie has had hundreds of professions from art teacher to surgeon to UNICEF diplomat to Canadian Mountie and McDonald's cashier to pay down her exorbitant wardrobe bills.

Fortunately the rest of us don't have to extend our budgets to the same extremes as this fashion icon. This week, we'll focus on how we can make the most of our fashion investments. Click on back soon for the Empire Rules of shopping. In the mean time, eat some pink frosted cupcakes and kiss your Ken.

1 hundred 98 cents = your own Shopping Strategies fashion look book cheat sheet.

Procure your own empire constitution. Your personalized fashion look book can include your own shopping strategies and much more.

Giveaway Today: Win a Free Look Book

Win a Cardigan Empire Fashion Look Book on Friday, March 13th at Giveaway Today. Haven't ever visited Giveaway Today before? Preposterous! Follow your mouse there today and win won of the lovelies distributed daily.

And to my sister citizens in the Beehive State, tune in to Channel 4 Monday morning at 10 am as Giveaway Today will be featured on Good Things Utah.

Procure your own empire constitution. Your personalized fashion look book can includes body type, complexion colors, signature style, shopping strategies, and more.

Spring Satchel Winnter

Dr. Excel generated random number 27 (between 1 and 163). This cold number translates into the warm and lovely Shawnna S. at Small Samples of Shawnna.

Congrats Shawnna! Enjoy this fetching satchel with all your spring ensembles.