Spending and Saving in New York City: Part Two
Editor’s Note: This is part two of Noel’s ongoing series honestly documenting her adventures budgeting, spending, and saving while attending college in NYC. Read part one here: Spending and Saving in New York City: Part One.
Okay, I cracked.
I bought two Hermès silk scarves at the Hermès sample sale last week. Yes, not just one — but two at $225 apiece.
You see, I was only planning to look around the Metropolitan Pavilion, admiring the equestrian saddles and well-chiseled men and women who would actually purchase these pieces. Security was so tight that I had to keep my belongings with an attendant (except for my Fendi wallet, of course). I waited in line for 30 minutes, standing amidst corporettes on their lunch breaks and grandmothers in cashmere sweaters, wondering where the younger people were.
I started off well. I admired some Birkins and fingered a few coats. I tried on a pair of pink sandals and promptly put them back on the shelf — after all, the rainy season has dawned upon New York City and I need more boots! I inhaled the signature cologne. I will not buy anything, I thought to myself.
Ah, but then I saw boxes and boxes of silk scarves in a rainbow spectrum of colors and designs. These 90 by 90 centimeter pieces of silk are hand-printed using silk screens and hand-stitched to perfection.
I stroked a few of them, but was not inclined to buy any until I saw it — a light blue and white one. (Of course, this was before I spotted the Indian rose and gold one as well.)
Why did I buy? Well, I tend to supplement my purchases with justifications on the side, which now alarms me to a comparison to Rebecca Bloomwood from the film Confessions of a Shopaholic. Especially because she, too, splurged on a scarf — except at least she was out of college and she only purchased one.
So, these are the reasons I used to convince myself to buy two Hermès silk scarves:
- The baby blue scarf would be perfect for sporting and spirit events at Columbia University! Never mind the fact that I have yet to attend a football game and that I skipped out on some organized activities for other fun excursions during New Student Orientation Week. I could be chic when I attend Homecoming. Who needs body paint when you have an Hermès scarf tied around your neck?
- The Indian rose and gold scarf would add color to my exceedingly dark wardrobe. I wear at least one piece in black every day, and I desperately need to add more bright colors in my ensembles.
- Hermès scarves can be worn in so many different ways — and not just around the neck. They could be tied into halter tops, skirts, headscarves, and more. I’m just purchasing a scarf; I’m practically purchasing a new wardrobe! Yes, I know I’m getting ludicrous.
- These are classic pieces that I won’t outgrow. If anything, my collection will probably grow throughout the years. I mean, Grace Kelly used an Hermes as an arm sling!
- Rebecca Bloomwood of Confessions of a Shopaholic splurged on a green scarf — and it eventually became her magazine column name: “the Girl in the Green Scarf”. Who’s to say my scarves won’t give me equal or greater success as a writer?
“Sorry dear, we only accept credit,” said the clerk at the cashier. I begrudgingly handed over my credit card.
Later that day, by some crazy stroke of fate, my dear father called me to tell me that I am paying my own taxes this year and that I should sign up for an accounting course — none of this had to do with the purchases I had made earlier, by the way.
He just wanted me to become completely financially independent by the time I graduated college. And as I told my father that accounting courses were out of the question this year because of my tight schedule, I glanced back at my new scarves.
I’m quite a lucky girl for having parents who are willing and able to support me, but I came to New York City to study and to build my future — not to increase my wardrobe size. Luckily, my parents reminded me that with independence comes great responsibility and sacrifices.
I’m keeping the scarves (they are non-refundable anyways) and I don’t regret buying them at all, but I’m not going to be a college student forever. Everyone should splurge once in a while, but as every college student fashionista knows, college is about working hard and playing hard — shopping hard is just another temptation when you happen to go to school in New York City.
What about you? Have you splurged on anything recently? What have your biggest impulse purchases or splurges been on? Tell us in the comments.
Posted on on October 6, 2009 / Filed Under: College Life / Tags: Budgeting, Hermes, Money, New York, Sample Sales, Scarves
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Cait
You’re pretty lucky that you can drop $200+ on a scarf and not feel guilty about it. I’m a college student; in my last year (across the river in Newark), and I’m financially independent as well. There’s not one thing that could justify buying an accessory over $30 for me, and that’s stretching it.
Lainey
While I’m probably on a smaller budget than Noel, I love this series because it’s honest (I’d be too scared to tell the internet about my splurges!) and it’s a look at a perspective that I don’t see in my daily life.
Even though I probably couldn’t afford a Hermes scarf, I think it’s interesting to see how all college students struggle with the same things. For some people, a splurge is a Hermes scarf, and for others, it’s a $50 dress. Dollar amounts aren’t the important thing – everyone, regardless of economic status, has to budget and think about money, and that’s what I think this series is saying.
Great article, Noel! Can’t wait to read more about your life in NYC! Sounds so glamorous.
Christie
I LOVE your posts, first of all :)
I definitely don’t have as big of a budget as Noel, but I splurge on myself at least once a month. It’s a temptation every girl faces in college, and I hate to say I give in a little too easily.
I totally justify my purchases to myself(and any of my friends who roll their eyes at my shopping bags as I come in the suite) all the time, haha.
I can’t wait to read more!
Jaylen Moore
I am guilty as charged. I just went on a shopping spree Saturday and I must say I am feeling the effects of my spending. Being a college student as well and only working a couple days a week at a not so good paying job, it is needless to say I don’t make a lot of money. I have way too many clothes (so many that i have countless storage boxes filled to the max with clothes and i say “maybe i’ll wear that one day”) Anyway the point of my comment is, I spent around $400 overall which is about half of my bank account; however. as Rebecca Bloomwood would say, all of my items were “investments.” I always try to get pieces that I can mix and match with several different things. Great article, I wish I had the budget to spend that much on a designer scarf!
Julie
a splurge for me would be $40, not $450. I mean, I can’t even imagine dropping that kind of money.
More power to ya for having money to spend like that, I’m jealous
Lauren
While it wasn’t a splurge purchase that I made, someone made it for me. My boyfriend bought me the $400 Coach Tote that I have been eying for some time now. OK, imagine nose prints all over the coach store windows; yes that was me. I would never drop that much on a bag, but he wanted to. Call me greedy, but who am I to say no? *bats eyelashes* but I love it and never go anywhere without it. I will wear this baby out!
Saf
Haha, love it. Had me entertained.
Yuki
The positive is that you now have two excellent scarves that, if the need be, you could sell on eBay if you’re low on cash. Can’t really sell that collection of t-shirts from H&M for much unless it’s been touched by some celebrity. If there’s the need to splurge, it’s best to buy a couple of investment pieces than an cart full of disposable junk. In the end, I always love the pieces I’ve searched for and paid a bit extra (or less in some cases) for exactly what I want.
Helvet
I bought an hermes scarf last year duty free at the airport in Vienna. It was my christmas splurge form my mom and I absolutely love it. It is the most beautiful scarf I have ever owned and I will never get tired of it. I wear it with cardigans, under peacots as a head wrap and even as a halter and its amazing. Its the prefect way to add some panache to an outfit. Especially when I have classes everyday and don’t have time to pick out a cute outfit all the time. But i agree that it is a bit excessive and you’ll probably need to cut back somewhere else for a couple of months.
Mimi
i have to say i probably would’ve been one of the first ones to buy WAY MORE than 2 scarves =)
i cant go anywhere near a store without buying something.
i love this series because i put myself on a budget not too long ago.
i cant wait to read about what happens next!!
Bizzy
LOL the school colors part really got me. I go to UNLV and our colors are red and black, and on Friday I bought a cashmere sweater in red. I justified it also by saying I would use it to go to a football game this fall!
You purchased 2 pieces that will be in your wardrobe FOREVER. If they were a trend piece I would have been like, “Girl, figure out a way to take that accounting course PRONTO!” but they are classic items that you really can use many different ways. If it’s a classic piece, it’s worth the splurge, like a trench coat or basic black heels.
P.S. I’m totally jealous, a Hermes scarf is totally on my “must buy eventually” list!
Molly
I know exactly how you feel – I spent $200 on a black sequined dress the other day, and I had to dip into my savings account to pay my rent as a result.
The worst part is I totally loove the dress – I wore it to the theater yesterday and felt fabulous.
But I totally feel like I’m right out of confessions of a shopaholic – the dolls in the store practically talk to me!
Emma
Wow. $225 on one scarf? I can’t even imagine… $225 is like, maaaybe a big month for clothing purchases for me. And I’m out of university and working full time.
Noel, if you’re going to be financially independent by the end of college… I don’t know. You might be in for a rude shock. Maybe I’m just coming from a different socioeconomic class but I have no idea how anyone just starting out their career could justify purchases like this. Good luck to you though! Keep to your budget if you can :) It’s definitely tough.
wendy
Noel, I’m with you. Thank goodness I have 2 great parents who make enough for me to go to school and spend and splurge. I literally feel horrible everything my parents buy me something, in my case, I buy myself something. I reason it out though like you and Rebecca, lol. I’m in my senior year of college and I have yet to learn how to budget myself. This is how I see it though, I buy expensive things like a chanel bag or hermes bag once every season that becomes classics. My parents always taught me to buy quality. I have nothing against lower end brands. Its a great way to mix and match $$$ with $. I personally think that Asian parents are less inclined to have their kids work. As long as we do well in school and follow their rules, pretty much the credit card is a reward. My mom always said that my only trouble is the amount of money I spend, lol. Plus, when you live in the fashion capital of the world, NYC, its hard not to splurge!
Lex
Whoa!
I couldn’t imagine spending 225 a piece on a scarf.
I have a hard enough time spending more than 100 on much needed boots for the winter.
I’d love to be able to spend that though!
Julia
Ha. I can totally relate to this! I’ve lived in NYC all my life and alway had an issue with overspending on items that I “need”. And I usually do get a lot of use out of them, so I never regret it. But I make sure that I cut back on something else later in the month!
Cara
Noel, I am sure you are a wonderful person, but any girl who buys $200+ scarves… is not on a budget. I had high hopes that this series would have pertinent, relevant tips for the normal American college student. Can we at least add a few articles for those of us who are allotted, oh, say three or four hundred dollars for all our needs in a month, including non-meal plan food, entertainment, gas, AND clothes? Because this isn’t the real worldof a limited budget.
Mae
Gah, I would never be able to spend that much.
The most I’ve ever personally spent was $40 of a jacket. :P I’m cheap.
My school uniform was $300 of the kilt and the blazer, but I didn’t buy that. My mom did.
Blaire
At first I thought, “Who would spend that much on scarves?”
And then I remembered, though I didn’t spend it on scarves, dropping $500-$1000 on a bag on a bad day isn’t totally unheard of. I always feel guilty afterward, and I have to reduce other expenses so my parents don’t notice the ridiculous credit card bill at the end of the month. I think everyone, regardless of their budget, has these vices–mine are bags (which are nearly impossible to fit in a dorm room btw)…
www.abbie-thewriter.blogspot.com
I agree with Cara, this is does not relate to the normal college girl I know. Most are not able to drop this kind of money on something like scarves. Not everyone has their parents supporting them. In this kind of economy talking about these sorts of things is almost like rubbing it in. I’m sorry if I sound harsh.
Shannon
While I would never be able to spend $225 on ANY item of clothing, it’s definitely fun hearing your stories and living vicariously through your high-end shopping adventures =]
And as for the previous comment about Asian parents–WHAT?!! My parents and practically every other Asian parent I know have conditioned their children to shop the outlets and head to the back of the store before even considering full-price items.
Quality, yes; bargains, yes; full-out splurges, definitely not.
Lucky you…
Lalalina
Hey Noel, I am label aware but I am wondering what the allure of the Hermes scarf is? They were mentioned in the Devil Wears Prada, but I am unsure why these scarves are anything special. I have pashminas from Morocco that cost $15 and they are just as beautiful and versitile. Don’t get me wrong I aspire to own iconic pieces such as a Burberry Trench or a pair of Jimmy Choo pumps in my future, but I am not sure they are very practical for my, or the average girl’s, college life style.
I agree with some of the other’s comments that this splurge is hard to relate to, but I like this series. I am excited to see what is coming next. I do hope it discusses topics more accessible to those who have a more limited budget. I work and go to school and I would be more interested in learning how to make less funds go further in the city. Thanks!
Luinae
I NEVER go on shopping splurgers. I just don’t feel so much of an attraction to clothes that I can’t control myself. Of course, I don’t live in New York………
Tamara
Wow, for a minute I thought spending that much in accesories was actually “normal” in the states (I live in South America). It’s not Noel’s fault, and noone should be hard on her for being in a better position; but I agree with Cara, I don’t see the link between “250 dollars scarves” and “shopping on a budget”.
Tammy
@ Shannon, agreed. I think it’s unfair to say one group of people are more inclined to let their children spend their money however they please.
I think Wendy doesn’t realize that a large number of Asians in the US now came over as refugees and don’t have that sort of excess money to spend, something she is obviously, and very luckily, oblivious to.
Bizzy
@Cara
Everyone splurges. Just because you can’t see yourself spending $200 on a scarf, doesn’t mean other people can’t justify the same purchase or a similar one, budget or not! It depends on your definition of “splurge” as well, and how much is that individual’s budget to begin with in order to justify a major purchase, clothing or otherwise. I am on a very fixed income but I splurged on a $300 Juicy trench that my friends think is insane, but you have to figure in cost-per-wear with things that you purchase. Those scarves can be worn every day, and if she wears one of them 225 days out of the year, that equals out to $1 per wear, which for her could be worth the money.
I can still see this fitting in a budget…. maybe not TWO of the scarves, but one. If you cut back on luxuries like going out or eating out, and riding a bike instead of a cab or using your car, etc., it is feasible. Some of us just HAVE to shop! I don’t think Noel is “rubbing it in” as a few of you are saying, I think she’s just letting us know that anyone can slip up with their allotted budget, splurge, and still make it work even with the occasional temptation.
By the way, this particular article is SPENDING and saving in NYC, it doesn’t have to be budget-conscious all the time!
Lalalina
Haha Bizzy, I have only met two other people in my 21 years on this earth that have the same philosophy for spending, how everytime you wear it is a dollar. My friends laugh at me because I think that way before I buy things. One of the biggest things have ever purchased was a $150 pair of Michael Kors sunglasses, but I have worn those things way more than 150 times, therefore they were worth the splurge!
Paula ♥
I must agree, this is difficult to relate to. I guess it is about spending in NY too though.
caitlin
i go to school RIGHT next to an hermes and a sonia rykiel among other AMAZING stores…it’s good to know i’m not the only one who struggles with spending 500+ on a given day!!
i like having somebody who writes from a perspective that i’m familiar with as opposed to the normal budgeting blog :)
jojo
Instead of an accounting class, take a personal finance class if your school offers it. It will be way more useful, and the material you’ll learn is probably more along the lines of what your dad was thinking about anyway.
wendy
I’m sorry if I offended anyone with my comment but thats my experience. LIving in NYC is expensive. There are cheap places to shop but its tempting. I am trying to relate to Noel. Its just that among my friends who are Asian, I see that as long as we follow our parents rules, they are okay with us spending money. It’s just my experience. If you live in NYC, you would know its expensive. Noel, keep up with the great articles!
Chelsea
I really wish these types of articles were written by someone who is a more typical college student. You are very lucky to be able to be able to afford things like this, and I’m glad you acknowledge that, but it’s not especially helpful to the majority of college students.
Brooke
From what I’ve gathered, this series is supposed to be humorous, and it is. Which account is more interesting, my splurge of a $20 t-shirt or hers of a couple $225 scarves? No need to vilify someone because they can afford more than the average person.
I would love to see more relevant posts relating to budgeting and spending, maybe from a poster for whom a $20 t-shirt is a splurge. But I really like your writing and am looking forward to your future posts.
Colleen
i totally try to do the price-per-wear of clothes too–if I know I’m going to get a lot of wear out of it and can picture it with multiple items from my closet, I’m definitely more likely to splurge!
I live in NYC too and it definitely is hard to be on a budget here. I’m currently saving for an apartment so I can’t make many clothing splurges, but I frequent the cheap vintage/thrift stores in my area way too much! Cute article, Noel, keep it up!
Vivi
Before I read the part about the confessions of a shopaholic, I was thinking oh…what you are writing about the scarfs remind me of rebecca bloomwood. haha! You are way funny with your rationalization on buying $450 worth of scarfs. I personally would never do it; I just don’t have the money!
Very entertaining article, but I was looking forward to an article on how to spend money logically in NYC.
Kim - Cal State
noel I really enjoyed this post, I totally envisioned myself in your shoes walking around in NYC soaking in the beautiful clothes. I can’t wait to one day visit, and when that day comes i’ll probably have to justify buying something equally as awesome as those scarves.
Ashley
Hey Noel,
I actually really liked your article. I personally am not a big spender (quite the bargain shopping queen), but my sister is. She currently lives in New York just like you and she only wears designer labels. Buying new Marc Jacobs bags every season, splurging on new designer shoes, Chloe sunglasses, designer clothes…you get the picture. But I can honestly say that splurging on something for me means buying something at full price. So, I can say the last thing I bought would be this giant awesome leather tote for $200. I use it everyday for school, so it was worth it.
I personally have a tendency to buy things when they are at a really good bargain even if I don’t need them so its hard to put my credit cards away! Thanks for reminding us that splurging is good once in awhile to revitalize your system, but everyday becomes a problem.
Penelope
I love reading your posts about your own personal experiences, but I’d like to see more stuff on applicable things. Sure, there are people who can splurge large amounts of money on nice scarves, but the majority of people don’t or can’t. No offense, but when I read this, I felt like you were bragging about your scarves and your expensive designer taste.
elle
This is a great series!! I’m out of college and I’m still working on my budgeting. At first I honestly balked at the price of the scarves… but I realize Noel’s Hermes scarves are equivalent to my lust for Burberry trenches and Chanel 2.55s! Haha. I havn’t bought one of them yet but maybe in the (far) off future. :) I’m still a bargain hunter at heart but I’m trying to buy more quality items.
We all just have to realize that we love shopping but we just have to keep everything balanced. You can’t stop cold turkey but you can’t buy everything in sight, either.
CJ
You’re really lucky you have the $450 to spend on scarves… wow.
Angie Marie
I’m an English major, and I really appreciate your excellent writing style, Noel. I have been a fan of Miss Couturable for a long time precisely because of your witty and elegant writing! On the hand, while I garner many compliments on my look on a daily basis, I know how to bargain shop! While you are very blessed to be able to spend over 200 dollars on a single scarf, it is a little painful for us less-fortunate girls to read about you “budgeting.” And since I attend a very expensive private university and have a wardrobe that I like, I can ony imagine how insensitive your article must seem to girls who are not as fortunate. You seem like such an entirely lovely person, Noel, but please don’t fool yourself into believing that you are living the life of an average college student!
Laura
My biggest impulse buy was a $300 coach purse my freshman year. I had worked as a nanny all semester and hardly spent a dime of my hard-earned money. Though I had not anticipated buying the bag when I went shopping that day, particularly since I had never before purchased a designer item, I do not regret it one bit. Three years later the purse is still my favorite, mostly because I know how hard I worked to earn it. :)
Stephanie
Nice timing for the splurge post; I went shopping in Westwood just yesterday! I came back with a pair of tall, black, lace-up boots I’ve been eyeing for weeks, and two doors down, in a little one-of-a-kind boutique, I found the perfect dress. No, I’m serious. Black, flowy, exactly what I wanted and wasn’t sure I’d ever find, in my size and on sale. Now I’m just wondering if I can get away with wearing them together…
Iris
I liked this article, but I honestly found it somewhat weak at the same time, because I still feel a bit of denial that channels Confessions of a Shopaholic. I think what people took away from your ‘excuses’ is that you adequately tried to justify yourself in purchasing, but I don’t feel like any of those reasons are true reasons at all D:
Even if it is an investment piece, I don’t come away with a feeling like you completely understood the complete consequences of your actions. I don’t mind that you can drop $200 on a scarf, since monetary value can be arbitrary, but it’s the intention that bothered me a little. Although, I am very glad that you were very honest about explaining your true thoughts.
A way to strengthen this series is if you could try to set an example, and actively try to curb back on 1) justifying yourself on these purchases 2) targeting problem areas 3) Setting a TRUE budget for yourself. I’d definitely read about how you are trying to set an active example for yourself, because man, we all know that everyone falls prey to these vices, but part of budgeting to learning how to struggle and OVERCOME said vices. It would also be super helpful, since you are starting to break away from your parent’s cushioning, and there IS an aspect of trauma with it :3 This is my opinion, but thanks for writing this article.
Calli
I love this series! When I live in New York City (I plan on going to graduate school there!) I know I’m going to be tempted to splurge on things. As of now, with school it’s hard to work a lot of hours, therefore I don’t make an incredible amount of money. In order to have money to splurge on things, I put half of every paycheck into my savings account so that every season I will have money saved up to splurge on something. This summer, I splurged on a Juicy Couture laptop case, which was definitely worth it because I use it every day to bring my computer to class with me. I still haven’t decided what to splurge on for fall, but I’m sure it’ll be something great!
allison
I could never spend more than 30 dollars on a scarf. I don’t think this is pertinent to college students…if I wanted to read fiction, I would read gossip girl or something like that. I want to read real life stories of things that apply to college students on a budget. It seems like you’re not on a budget whatsoever…
MCR
Its funny that scarves were your weakness because I have a personal rule about scarves. I have found that the best scarves come from thrift stores. Hermes? Maybe not, but high quality and completely unique? More often than not!
Michelle
When I first got my debit card, I had a lot of money in my bank account from my Bat-Mitzvah, and I decided to start collecting comics, one became so many and I learned internet shopping is not my friend. Later, I (and my parents because I was hiding my bank statements from them), learned that I had spent $795 in a year on comics alone! Ouch! My parents withdrew money from my account and left me with $500 to control my spending, and since I’ve reached college, I have been very stingy, working on only a $40-50 budget a month. So far, it has been working.
Noel, I understand what you’re going through, but are you stressed lately? You may want to ask yourself this as stress and impulse purchases tend to go hand in hand.
Good luck!
Cait
I’m glad someone else agrees with me — from what you’ve written, it doesn’t really sound like you’re on a budget.
If you were financially independent, that $400+ would be your food/clothes/fun budget for the next three months… I can’t imagine any first-year college student being able to make that money on her own.
Kelsey
The story was a great read, however, I agree with others that this article hardly relates to the average college girl’s budget. When I initially read the title of part one of the articles I was really excited to read about different ways of spending and saving while being financially independent. But now, as an independent fashionista college girl, I hardly feel as if I can relate, and isn’t that the whole point of this blog?
Louisa
Noel-you inspired me! Years ago I bought a beautiful bright blue silk scarf by Louis Vuitton and only wore it once and after reading your article I decided to pull it out of my closet and I wore it this week!
Kristina
I go to school in the upper east side in Manhattan, and trust me, while I would definitely like to look and feel rich very often by splurging on designer bags and scarves and shoes, I feel like I look just as nice and possibly even just as well-off in knock-offs from Forever 21 and H&M. Anyone saying they can’t justify this purchase just because they don’t live in NYC, listen up – I do live in NYC, and I can not justify this purchase at all. I make minimum wage working retail and spending 22 dollars on a t-shirt had me squirming. I’m a HUGE shopaholic and I absolutely adore spending my money, but just one of your scarves was my whole paycheck. I’d much rather stretch the meager money that I get by buying a lot of clothes, rather than just one expensive item. Lucky you though, those scarves are nice. I just could never relate to someone who can drop that kind of money on an accessory.
Jen
LOL, I can’t… Are you really learning anything? Maybe your parents should cut you off completely and make you work for your own money. Then maybe this series would be relevant to this blog. If you had to spend your own money, you would learn some self-control and to be fashionable without splurging on big-name things. You would learn the value of thrifting and other ways of finding quality alternatives for less.
Bizzy
Maybe it’s just me, but it seems a lot of you are really mad for no apparent reason.
Yes, Noel is quite lucky to have her parents support her while in college, and it seems like a majority of you aren’t that lucky, including myself for the most part (I get rent paid, everything else is up to me – I’ve paid for my classes completely on my own, so far no credit card debt or student loans, w00t!). Is that why you are upset? This isn’t supposed to be a series for everyone, it’s documenting HER personal journey being a student in NYC. Obviously everyone cannot relate on the same level, but at some level. I can tell a few of you are missing the mark – this is not a how-to guide, it’s more like a diary. She did give some tips in her first article, but if you notice, they were rules for herself to follow, and things she was doing to be more budget-conscious.
I think what we can take from Noel’s series is that everyone tries to stay fashionable no matter what obstacles lie in the way.
Keep up the good work, I adored this entry!
Julia
First of all, I really like your writing style.
But I think this serie is bit disapointing. I understant that buying a Hermes scarve is a great investment but I do hope that you understand that you are probably not a regular college student and that most of the Collegefashion readers are not like you.
I really think the difference between you and the other writers is that most of the readers can relate to the other girls but not to you. When you talk about being on a budget but buying 2 Hermes scarves, it just doesn’t make any sence. Many people will NEVER be able to buy a Hermes scarve and you, being a student and being on a ‘budget’ just bought 2. Unintentionally, I think you offended a lot of girls.
I like your posts but PLEASE keep in mind that we are not all like you and that you are a lucky person.
meantforthestage
I think it would be possible to buy close to a whole wardrobe for $550. Now wouldn’t that article be a lot more interesting to most college girls?
Margo
Okay, first of all i would like to say that a little bit ago I would have thought that you were spoiled and whatever, but honestly, after I moved I made a realization of how much clothes I really need. It’s not a lot compared to my two closets that I had to leave behind. Really, when you can–it’s better to spend money on the best It is really no big deal, if you’re still responsible.
theothersemishopaholic
I am having trouble believing some of your reasons for your scarf purchase. However, I know how you feel. Although I don’t drop over $400 on scarves on a single day (at least not yet so far..) I do the same thing on a smaller scale.
Just don’t keep on telling yourself you won’t spend crazily. Actually stop going to crazy shopping places (meaning, avoid stores, except grocery, altogether. And yes, I realize that is so much easier said than done.
I hope we both get better in our crazy semi addiction to nice clothes (and scarves)!
T
Hi,
I was viewing Miss Couturable (a fashion blog) the other day, and I realized I saw the same post somewhere…
and I remembered I read it at College Fashion!
here’s the post at Miss Couturable
http://www.misscouturable.com/2009/09/suit-up-in-hermes-scarves.html
So, I was wondering are you Miss Couturable?
Or did you just chose the same picture?
Zephyr - CF Editor
T – You’re correct! Check out Noel’s profile here for the info. Her personal blog is Miss Couturable, but we’re psyched she’s writing for CF too this semester.
Jordan
Noel, we are so alike.
A lot of people are saying you’re going to be in for a rude shock when you’re parents are no longer supporting you, and I agree, you will…BUT SO WILL I!
Unlike you, I am not yet in college, my parents support me, and we’re somewhat of an upper middle class family. I’m looking to attend fashion school in NYC (Congrats on Columbia by the way! That’s major!) So this series is perfect for me. I have no idea how I’m going to support myself. I cringe thinking about it!
My mother already has me on a budget, and it’s working pretty well. I still want more, but I think, to some degree, everyone does at some point, even the most saintly, “I don’t need material things” people. The reason this budget is working for me, however, is that, like most of my life, it has been planned out FOR ME. I’m a terrible decision maker. I applaud you for creating this plan for yourself.
I don’t blame you for slipping up. Even with my planned budget I slip up all the time! To me, a Hermes scarf…let alone TWO, will never happen till I am 30… or find a boyfriend or incredibly, overtly generous relative. But even then I’d feel guilty. I’m glad you don’t, however, because I understand your reasoning about the scarf (so like Rebecca Bloomwood, it’s scary. Haha.) Those are investment pieces. I believe strongly in mixing $ with $$$. It makes for the best outfits!
I couldn’t imagine dropping that kind of money without my mother losing it. One, MAYBE, and if it was $100. My grandmother bought me a Nanette Lepore dress for a semi formal last year that was in the $300-$400 dollar range, plus gorgeous Theory t strap pumps at CHICK Downtown. I was so grateful, of course, but I had a friend give me a really hard time about it.
Afterward, I didn’t feel as pretty in the dress. It wasn’t just the comment that stung, but it was that AND looking at her whole life, the way she gave to charity, and selflessly went about her days. I knew I’d never be that girl, and that’s what hurt the most.
With you, I assume, since you go to Columbia that you worked hard to get there. To some degree, you deserve these scarves as long as it’s not a regular thing. If I lived in NYC (I aspire to) sample sales would call to me, mannequins would talk…it will be a nightmare. I can feel it. And I’m not ready. But you ARE, and that’s what matters.
People shouldn’t get angry with you for this. A splurge is different for everyone. Plus, I read your UNIQLO post, so I know you’re Spending AND SAVING in New York like the series suggests.
Keep up the good work!
monica
I´m from Colombia and i absolutly love this site… I’m a law student n my school requires to wear officelike outfits for some exams… so my splurges are often justified on wearing smething that leaves a good impression on my proffesors…and here tht’s a really big deal!
sha
Different strokes forr different folks. The girl spent hella on designer scarves. Ok… Now wat. While I do support myself entirely ranging from tuiton to living to eating maybe ill get sent 50 buks to fly home when my tiket is 400 I gota say we can’t beat her up. We all hav diff economic bakgrounds n tho we can’t relate to that splurge we can take the moral n apply it to a personal stand point. I feel that’s the reason of the post. Noel budget n lifestyle is diff from sum of us. But situational is the same. We shud uplift eachother n giv helpin hands not down her for her blessd lifestyle. So I say unto u noel. Girl do wat u do jus keep a set budget in mind n yes u live in a very expensive city but know u won’t hav financialy backing for long. Look at the long run in things and weigh the pros and cons. But do what is best for u and at the end of the day u will no what the rite choice is