Is it frowned upon when you build a wardrobe with cheap items?

[pskusa]

Being a college student (with no job), my budget is severely limited when it comes to everything.

I'm limiting myself to thrift shops, for now, on my search for good clothes. Most of the brands I come across, though, aren't acclaimed on SF. I assume the majority of what I see are the brands people really avoid on these forums (cole haan, haggar, boss, dickies).

This is what I come across, though. Do most people notice the difference between these and better quality clothes?

Either I wait to shell out money for single items, or I build a nice wardrobe now with second hands...thoughts?

 

[TheFoo]

Nah, it's never frowned upon to get a good deal! It's just a lot harder to do with less money.

When I was in college I was into t-shirts and denim jackets. Maybe just embrace your age and place until you're earning an income?

 

[YRR92]

I'm doing both. Learn to spot good stuff -- thrift stores are great equalizers. A decent jacket usually costs the same as one that's crap, so just don't buy crap. There are brands that get no love on here that are just fine -- I have an older Calvin Klein jacket that stacks up to today's BB, for example, and there are older Cole Haan shoes I'd love to find in a thrift store, but most of the Calvin Klein or Cole Haan I find in thrift stores isn't worth buying. Keep in mind: Fit, usefulness, material construction. Those are the elements you need to consider when building a wardrobe in thrift stores.

Who cares about what most people notice? My own standards for clothing are way higher than most people's. I will say this: you end up with a catch-as-catch-can type wardrobe if you only shop in thrift stores. After two years of thrifting, I have to admit that if I had left behind all the stuff I've purchased and wound up not wearing, I'd have enough to buy some of the essentials that have eluded me new.

 

[Rugger]

If it fits well, is coordinated and is within recent trends... most people will be very impressed regardless of construction quality.

 

[sparrow]

fit > price.
if you have a nice shirt thats 2 sizes to big or too long on you then it makes you look bad even if you paid $$

 

[TheFoo]

You could just slowly accumulate decent versions of staple garments. More quality, much less quantity. A blue blazer is a good start. Infinitely useful in college and beyond.

 

[pskusa]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[TiberiasUSA]

You could just slowly accumulate decent versions of staple garments. More quality, much less quantity. A blue blazer is a good start. Infinitely useful in college and beyond.

I would go this route too.

But you i think it could be beneficial to check thrift shops try on stuff etc, to figure out what you like, and how you like things to fit

 

[RDiaz]

If you want to dress in coat and tie immediately, get cheap staple items that fit well, until you have a basic rotation and you can get dressed everyday. Once you're there, you can focus on saving money and getting better quality stuff slowly, piece by piece. It may not be the optimal route, but that's what I'm trying to do. If you're lucky, you can find very nice stuff at thrift stores, though.

If you can wait, skip the first part and start saving

 

[pskusa]

Again, thanks for all the input.


What I'm deciding to do is build up my wardrobe slowly. I'll buy a few cheap (but decent quality) items from thrift stores (mainly trousers and possibly shirts), but everything else I'll have to save up for I'm thinking. Ebay looks like a promising place to start collecting; in fact, I have been looking at some loafers and oxfords (AE and Artioli so far) that I may invest in.

I do want to get a decent suit someday this semester. However, what I'm putting in my wardrobe is more of a preppy, fratty look.


SF is great! Glad I came across it

 

[chogall]

Unless you have the means, do not overspend and get yourself too much clothes. Chances are the way you dress will change drastically once you started working.

Stick with Uniqlo, made in China greatness at almost thrift store prices. Get a blazer and some interview ready items. Truth is you won't wear out your clothes/shoes that fast...

 

[Varmant]

If it fits well, is coordinated and is within recent trends... most people will be very impressed regardless of construction quality.

Nicely put and not one word wasted. I agree.

 

[Caustic Man]

eBay is a great place to find deals. I have found Brooks Brothers SCs for less than $20. Nothing wrong with spending carefully. The difference I try to make is that I attempt to find deals on quality stuff rather than less expensive low quality stuff. You definitely accumulate stuff more slowly in that way, but to me it's worth it.

 

[GBR]

Don't rush at it, you are still a student and should simply embrace that. There will be plenty time enough for more formal attire when you start earning money.

 

[Thomas]

good advice in this thread. The only thing I can add is the possibly obvious mention of keeping it simple. Nothing fancy or tricky - tough to coordinate and you'll seldom wear it anyway.