I went to TJ MAXX yesterday in search of shoes (Jennine had on a pair of Aerosoles peep-toe mules that I LOVED that she got from there) and left with James Perse. Obviously. I got a double-v sleeveless dress in charcoal (the same color as my canvas pants) for about $65 all in. What a steal! I also found the faux wrap mini skirt in black for about $50 and while I loved it, it showed a bit too much of my legs (KNEES!!!) for me to be comfortable, and I could only get one thing, so I decided on the dress. Which covers my knees, thank you.
Generally I prefer to shop for James Perse on sale at Last Call or Off Fifth because they have much better selections and Last Call has frequent coupons (they’re offering 35% off everything right now), so I never buy anything there without one. TJ MAXX’s prices seem a bit higher most of the time, but not for the two items I found, so it’s just a matter of knowing what you’re willing to pay I guess, and how much is too much.
Which is another question entirely, because I am willing to pay full price for James Perse (because you know I’ll keep it forever, and wear it a ton), but if I don’t HAVE TO, I won’t. And then I’ll try to get it as cheaply as possible. If it’s not something I feel like I NEED RIGHT NOW, I’ll wait and try and find it on sale, and then I’ll probably wait even longer and get it for 50% off.
This kind of speaks to RJS’s comment yesterday about paying over $200 for a pair of jeans, and I want to make that into another post, but of course, it made me think about why I pay what I do for what I buy, and what’s worth full-price. Is anything worth full price?
I used to think not, but over the years I’ve gotten myself in trouble buying things that are on sale, just because they’re on sale. Which is never a reason to buy anything. So I’ve tried to step back a bit from buying on sale, unless it’s something that I’ve been looking for and have waited for it to go on sale. James Perse on sale always makes it into heavy rotation in my closet, but other things, not so much.
If I look through the piles and boxes of clothes I have waiting to give away, or see if I’ll wear them again, most of the items are things from H&M, or Zara or things I bought on super-sale. This is a pattern with me; I buy because the price is just too good to pass up, I even make myself think I need it, but then I don’t end up wearing the item much because it wasn’t the item itself that spoke to me, it was the PRICE.
Ah…and there’s the key. It doesn’t do me any good to spend money on things that are great prices, but never get worn – the cost per wear doesn’t add up.
How do you determine what’s worth full-price to you? Anything?
Oh, and here’s some great James Perse on sale from around the web – Saks has some particularly good prices right now…
How weird and a little ven diagramy….I just visited a Marshalls and tried on the same JP black skirt { I agree…too short} and the charcoal dress {Fabulous… it came home with me!} I have to say I’m rarely willing to pay full price unless I am convinced I will wear the item to death. Speaking of, have you ever shopped Athleta? They have two reversible dresses this season and I just bought both {for full price} and they are fabulous. One can even be worn backwards for more possibilities.
Wow, I bought a JP double-V sleeveless dress (in black) yesterday from a Canadian flash sale site! I paid $39. That will be my first JP dress and I can’t wait until it gets here. Wonder if it’s the same as yours.
I will pay for things full-price when their availability is low. So, I bought JP chinos at full-price at the JP store in Montreal because I don’t know where to buy his stuff on sale in Canada. That flash sale site where I got the dress yesterday has not had a JP item in over a year. Also, I will buy winter boots at full-price at the start of winter because they sell out quickly and aren’t replaced.
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um…so weird!! i bet it’s the same one, it’s a pretty old style. how exciting 🙂 and what a great price…
that’s a good point too – about things selling out quickly. that’s happened to me more than a few times, where i’ll wait and my size will sell out. usually if the item is gone, i forget about it, because i didn’t really NEED it in the first place, but there’s a few times i’ve been upset that i missed it. i do feel like i’m a pretty good judge most of the time of what’s going to sell out though. like the rag & bone “sweatpant jeans” that sold out so quickly. but those i would never pay full price for 😉
haha! soooo funny! i loved that skirt though, i keep thinking about it. maybe as a shorts alternative? or for wearing over leggings? ugh…i can talk myself into anything JP. but i think i’ll pass on it, the dress is so perfect that i’ll forget about the skirt i hope!!
i haven’t shopped athleta since i left austin; i haven’t found one here in my usual stomping grounds so i’d have to seek it out. but i did like a lot of their things when i did visit the store. but i was sort of put off by the fact that they don’t offer discounts very often – or at all. so it’s hard to pull the trigger if i’m not sure i’ll love something enough for full-price. but since you like them, i’ll give them a try now. and i LOVE the idea of reversible dresses!!! must check them out.
So I supposedly “shopped for the last time” yesterday for this season and because of you I have the black ruched mini in my shopping bag at last call :} My only hesitation [besides being done shopping} is that it is 18″ long. Do you know if that skirt is like the dress we all just bought, where its double layered? There are many features of that dress that make it fabulous but that double layer really works.
i’m pretty sure it’s double layered – i’ve never seen a ruched dress or skirt that ISN’T double-layered (my pencil skirt is double layered…) – is it longer than the one you tried on at marshall’s? i wonder if it’s worth my going to the last call nearby and seeing if they have it…did the one you tried on have sort of a faux wrap in the front? if so, then i think the one at last call IS longer. in which case i DEFINITELY need it!!! ugh.
I am trying to think of the last thing I paid full price for, and I cannot. I think part of my brain is still in weight loss mode, and even though I slowed down my thrift store/temporary wardrobe shopping, the more permanent replacement items in my wardrobe were still purchased on sale or at outlets or at thrift stores. I don’t ever need anything enough to pay full price. Which may be its own problem. But my preppy/boring/”classic” style means it’s much harder to tell if something is from this year or from 1962, and as long as I’ve been able to find the things I want on sale, I haven’t worried about the issue too much.
I appreciate your acknowledgment of my jeans question, and I look forward to the post. I rarely pay full price for anything, but I might make an exception for an incredible cashmere sweater or a new pair of Frye boots. That being said, I’d search on eBay first before buying retail.
It’s a different style. I tried on the “faux wrap” one and it had almost a tulip hem (do you mnow what I mean) in front making it way short. The one at LC is 18″ long which would make it above the knee on me but with the hem straight across it might be better. And the double layer is a huge selling point. Thanks for being a JP expert! I’ll let you know if I pull the trigger. I AM supposed to be done shopping after all!
Darn it!…… I ordered it! My no shopping rule lasted less than 24 hours. I have a problem! I guess that’s the first step, to admit it.
um…i’m sorry?? 😉 you know you will love it though. i keep talking myself out of going to last call – so far i’ve made it, it helps that the rain is really unpredictable. one minute it’s stopped, the next there’s a deluge. not super-exciting to be out in. anyway, it’ll probably still be there tomorrow if it’s there today. and if it’s not, oh well…
and in reply to your other comment, yes, i know what you mean, i tried on the exact same one. and i really liked that tulip hem, but you’re right, that’s what made it really short. interesting, but short…
It’s become more and more difficult for me to pay full price for clothing, particularly when I see how low the markdowns can get. It really makes me stop and think about just how much we’re paying for an item, compared to how much it costs to produce it.
Similar to others, I have made many mistakes and wasted a lot of money buying something on sale just because the price seems great. Ugh. I also try to stick to paying full price only when something is *perfect*, or when I know that it will be something I reach for daily. It’s still hard, but I try to resist collections when they first come out, knowing pieces are likely to get marked down.
All that being said, you never know, and I’ve certainly lost out on great pieces because they sell out before they get marked down. Sigh…
You struck a nerve when you said that “it’s not the item itself that spoke to me, but rather the PRICE.” I often justify purchases at Target or Old a Navy because they are cheap. But it’s really that I just want a hit of instant gratification. And sure enough, most of those things end up unworn.
I will pay full-price if the item meets one of these criteria: 1) the item is something that I’ve had my eye on for awhile and can’t stop thinking about. 2) it’s on my “list” of items I need to fill-in holes in my wardrobe. 3) it’s unique and chances are I’m not going to be able to find it anywhere else.
I NEVER used to pay full-price for anything, but I made a lot of mistakes that way!
OK James Perse experts, I have a fit question for you. Can you tell me which top would have the roomiest fit in the body, THX!!!
http://www.lastcall.com/James-Perse-Raw-Edge-Terry-Pullover-Black-James-Perse/prod22490004_cat2320005__/p.prod?icid=&searchType=EndecaDrivenCat&rte=%252Fcategory.jsp%253FitemId%253Dcat2320005%2526pageSize%253D120%2526No%253D0%2526refinements%253D&eItemId=prod22490004&cmCat=product
http://www.lastcall.com/James-Perse-Soft-V-Neck-Slub-Tee-Black-James-Perse/prod20150010_cat2320005__/p.prod?icid=&searchType=EndecaDrivenCat&rte=%252Fcategory.jsp%253FitemId%253Dcat2320005%2526pageSize%253D120%2526No%253D0%2526refinements%253D&eItemId=prod20150010&cmCat=product
http://www.lastcall.com/James-Perse-Scoop-Neck-Boxy-Tee-Black/prod14890073___/p.prod?icid=&searchType=SEARCH&rte=%252Fcategory.service%253FNtt%253DJames%252BPerse%2526pageSize%253D120%2526No%253D0%2526refinements%253D&eItemId=prod14890073&cmCat=search#mycart
the scoop neck boxy tee – i have that one in a mauve-y color and it’s very roomy, but not thin and slubby like the second link. it’s the brushed jersey material so it’s more substantial (and warmer though – not great for summer). the raw edge terry pullover might have some room also, but it’s more fitted all around instead of “swingy” like the boxy tee. the slub tee is also roomy, but it’s very thin and doesn’t hang as well.
Thx, Grechen! I knew I could count on you! 🙂
I love the pics especially the charcoal grey top. You spot on about the buying things on sale. I couldn’t agree with you more.
I’m a coupon fanatic, and have found many wonderful online boutiques just by browsing for the lowest price (in my size) for an item I adore. I’m so bad, I look for an item on sale, then hunt for a coupon to get a deeper discount. After that, I’m ready to purchase!
I’ll only pay full price if an item is from a limited production clothing line, with maybe 50-100 pieces made, and not thousands. If I’ve coveted something for a long time, and it’s ready to sell out everywhere in my size, I’ll splurge. The last time was 2 yrs ago for a velvet dress sold out in the US, I found it in a little boutique in Canada.
As I’ve learned, most items I’ve missed when they were ‘in style’ come back again at discount stores as shelf pulls or close outs. I picked up a Brand New pair of Cynthia Vincent Jett wedges in Grey for $35 w/free ship last winter. Three years ago I came upon three fab Be&D bags. After much research found they retailed for $1000-$1200 each. A patent leather bag was listed as plastic, so it was less than $80; the others- lamb leather with killer silver hardware; got them all for $260 w/free ship and no sales tax online. Which might be a good topic for another day. Sales tax will certainly going to curb my online shopping & make my hubby happy!.
I picked up my first JP pieces post holiday after your strong commitment to the line. I now have three tops, all $39 or less, to get a feel for the cut and fabric. Very pleased, and a dress is next.
I loved this question. Just talking about a few of my favorite finds put a smile on my face. Thanks Grechen! Happy Friday everyone!