I was just in Chicago yesterday, N Michigan Ave. I was on a mission so had no time to go in, but did window shop a couple names you mentioned, Cole Haan and Burberry. I'll admire from afar, but can't/won't bring myself to pay $300 for a Burberry scarf, let alone more. But yes, in answer to your question, both stores were busy and people were walking out with bags. ;)

They wouldnÂt make them and market them if people didnÂt buy them. And isnÂt your daughter the one with the expensive shoe taste? LOL This shouldnÂt surprise you.

Most people canÂt buy them, but there is a percentage of the market who can and will. Strikes me as a huge waste of money, in part because much of it is often unattractive. You can dress ugly for WAY less money than that! LOL

Saks shoppers are often pretty easy to identify! We have a small boutique Saks here in my hometown. I walked in once, years ago, to look at winter gloves and I've never been back. As a child,I remember shopping at a different location with my mother on a few rare occasions and probably for something she knew she wouldn't find elsewhere. They've always been high end and maybe my memory is off, but I don't think Saks has always been quite as *out there* design and price wise.

I like to go to Saks and check out the trends and see what the designers are putting out. Neiman Marcus is also good for that. I've bought things there but nothing like what Faron is naming above.

I received the catalog last week and tossed. We have a large Saks here and you won't find most of the outlandish clothes shown in their catalogs on their racks. Have you ever watched a runway fashion show? Most of what is seen there - even the everyday clothing - is not what you see walking down the streets. Even in NYC, SF or BH - LA, yes. lol

I don't purchase clothing at Saks (I am a LRL gal), but I do buy my makeup and handbags there. My daughters shop Saks more than I do; shirts, jeans, sunglasses, every day clothing. Saw the new catalog was on DD2's coffee table. But she doesn't dress that way, even in her dreams.

Was the watch a white ceramic? The white ceramic is "in." DD1's boss (lady) was just gifted a timepiece. Cost - ten times the Chanel you listed. Don't recall who was the maker.

I haven't seen the green python Fendi bag at that price, but I've seen some around 3K. They are very well made. Time consuming to make. Fendi's will last a lifetime. So I'd have to say it's one of those 'you get what you pay for' items. I'm not saying ALL higher priced items are that way - Prada handbags, for example, tend to fall apart during the first few weeks of use. But, like a 150K Mercedes S600, you get what you pay for.

Until about a year ago, the Houston Chronicle used to have a section once a week where they'd photograph someone on the street who they thought looked rather fashionable. And then detail what the person did, where they got the outfit, who the designer was, and what the price was. Each time I'd see this section, I'd sit with my mouth hung open... "Blouse from Saks for $475, jeans from Nordstrom for $399, bracelet from a boutique for $550, etc." And now here's the kicker.... over and over again the people's occupations were listed as secretary, retail clerk, 20-something PR assistant, waitress, etc. Every now and then somebody would have a career that typically paid well, and what the heck it's their money. But how in the world can people dress this way when they are making under $30,000? I always found it to be the weirdest thing. Maybe it's just me though...

Be happy that she doesn't want a salt water alligator Birken bag from Hermes - that would set you back over $50,000 and you'd have to wait a year or two for them to craft it.

DH's ex drives an S600. Her DH bought it before they got married. He was so worried about it getting stolen that he had the emblems shaved off. I'm not at all sure he was getting any joy out of this car. So now she drives it and he drives his pickup.

And now, back to your regluarly scheduled programming.

That's crazy. My dad has owned his for about four years. A poor teenager rear ended him not that long ago. I felt bad for her dad who asked "what kind of car did you hit?" after he asked was she okay. The interior is spectacular and it drives/rides like a dream. The only downside, imo, it averages 4 mpg.

I'll tell you how those people "afford" that stuff - credit cards that used to be too easy to get. Most will never be able to pay the debt off, will go bankrupt, and you know the rest of the story.

I do like shopping at the Off Fifth outlet - it is Saks' outlet in San Marcos and DD and I have gotten some great stuff there. They have great deals on premium denim, but those Balenciaga and Yves St. Laurent bags are way out of my league.

Sometime around 16-17-18 years ago, I bought a cashmere wool winter overcoat at Saks. At the time, it was on sale and it set me back $476.00. I'll never forget that price. Anyway, I've worn and worn and worn that coat....and the darned thing won't wear out. It's a classic enough style that it's never gone out of style and, fortunately, although I go thru phases of being sick of it, I like that coat.

I also shop once in a while at Saks Off Fifth, even though you can't always get boxes from them if you purchase something you wish to gift. And, the regular Saks won't give you boxes either because they are 2 different companies. Learned that after traipsing thru both stores trying to get a darned box. Off Fifth's goods are quite reasonable.

I've also purchased Waterford Crystal Christmas Tree toppers at Nieman Marcus for $20. The after Christmas mark down mark down...couldn't go wrong with that one...and I bought all they had.

Poke around and time it right - bargains can be had just about anywhere.

I'm sure some of "those people" do abuse charge cards, but that is mostly likely not the case with all of them. Also, the prices listed may not be the prices paid. I know when I write a shopping post for Atticmag I don't search the internet for the best price. Some of the things could be gifts or bought on sale (at outlets like Texanjana mentioned).

And some people make money and spend it. Faron--you need to get out more.

"Faron should get out more/make more $$".....

Don't I know it...I wish I could!!
;-)

If I do...most $$$ of it's gone anyway!!!

Gosh...even if I pulled-down 6 figures/yr., I wouldn't spend much on clothing!
...now the CAR dealerships may see me then...!!!
(would have to frequent Hawaii more too)
Faron

My nanny in ak used to carry three coach bags and wore coach boots...I know what she made :oP I never understood how she could afford that stuff. I could...and only use my coach purse and wallet which was a gift LOL From guess who :oP I adore the girl but I just couldn't understand the need for that many logo's on a diaper bag!

I do understand dropping some serious cash on a good bag or jewelry and even shoes, but not the really crazy trendy stuff unless you've got serious cash to blow. I suppose if I did I wouldn't bat an eye at it. I think most often you do get what you pay for and if you're prancing around in five or six inch heels better brands probably are more comfortable.

My mother is normally horrified at my son's wardrobe more than anything. I suppose I splurge for him (I love kids cloths). But even his true luxury products don't cost what they look like :) His True Religion jeans (so danged cute on a kid it's hard to imagine) were purchased at about 20% of retail (and for those who don't know retail...a toddlers jean can cost $150...I kid you not..rediculous unless you shop well LOL). But I've yet to spend as much as Faron did on his daughters shoes heh heh so I won't call him spoiled :oP

I suppose part of the horror of the prices you posted Faron are because you weren't brought up with millions to drop on "Stuff". I personally like the cool stuff, but I am too cheap to ever pay retail. I wouldn't buy knock offs (Don't believe in the practice) but I couldn't ever pay retail for something like a pair of designer jeans for a toddler etc. If I was raised "Paris Hilton" class, perhaps I just wouldn't notice that a grand is a lot to spend on a pair of shoes you wear once or twice....gad that might be nice LOL

Yeah....DD did pay for up to half of the shoes she has though. They weren't straight-out gifts. She doesn't wear-'em very often, and doesn't call attention to herself...she's pretty shy!

Bein' a Dad though, (aaaaaannd maybe my heart is softening over the years!) I think a young Lady should be able to wear a few things She'll treasure a long time. I know "the Shoes" mean a lot to her, and she doesn't have a flip attitude about them.

She did enjoy wearing her Prada's & Miu-Miu's at the 4S last year though! I was proud She could wear something like that...at a PLACE like that! I could tell She liked it!
(kinda lookin' backward with "misty Proud-Dad eyes" there!)

I enjoy nice things, and don't mind paying for quality.
....just wish I could do it more often!

Faron

Some things can't have a price tag hung on them Faron. Your relationship with your daughter is one of them. I'll say it again, you are such a cool dad. I got all choked up reading your post. ;)

The items mentioned above make my Tory Burch Scribble jeans I just ordered sound kinda cheap! Makes me feel a little better, because $225.00 for a pair of pants is my limit. Also, they were 25% off, if you bought $300.00 worth of merchandise during the labor day weekend, so I did. I have always been the person that has a few really nice outfits, instead of a lot of cheap ones. My mom dressed me that way growing up, too. Now in between the nice outfits, at home, I look like a total bum!!

igloo, I hear ya on dressing out DS's. I knew I would be one of those moms that dress their child in the latest things. If I had a girl, I would really be dangerous. You can only go so far with a boy! Ha! DS tried on his True Religion jeans from last year and they fit so good, but are just a tiny tad too short! I buy most of his stuff from JCrew/crewcuts, and he is really into Under Armour stuff also, which really isn't expensive. Like you, I just LOVE kids clothes! I have a little "jock" that likes his clothes!

I'm with Patser-I bought a pullover cashmere sweater at Saks years ago (15 at least) and it is still my favorite go-to when I want to be comfortable, but also look nice. can't remember what I paid, but I was a single parent at the time, so it wouldn't have been over the top price-wise. You can find bargains anywhere and I am pretty sure the sweater was on sale. Bloomingdales is another place with great sales.

That said, Faron, your list from the catalogue is for those with more money than they know what to do with (sorry, ending with preposition). If I had that kind of disposable income, I would retire and travel-ha!

This is hilarious.
According to this Urban Dictionary definition, I am poor.
I shop at Wal Mart (ALL the time, and occasionally go to Goodwill) and I do not have a Versace anything. I do know how to pronounce it now though.
Seriously, I hope I am never defined by what I wear, at the least, although I certainly enjoy nice things!

28. poor 20 up, 77 down

Low-class, underpriveleged people. You will find many poor people if you go to places such as Wal-Mart, as poor people seek discounted prices as they do not have much money. Poor people will wear brands such as Faded Glory, Wrangler, and other commonly available brands, and most likely will have no knowledge of brands such as Burberry, Armani, Gucci, Versace, and other nicer brands. They will often drive used cars, typically cheaper domestic cars or inferior foreign brands such as Hyundai, typically more than five years old. Severely poor people will have cars that are ten years or older and they might purchase second-hand clothes from stores such as Goodwill. Poor people will have inferior jobs and probably make less than $50,000 a year. The definition of poor varies by region. The poorest of people will live in trailers. With no means to live lavishly, poor people will often lead a simple lifestyle. Poor kids are often unpopular at school as they can not fit in with popular children. Sometimes also used by some people as a noun to refer to people they do not like.
Their clothes are not brand name, they must be poor.

Look at the poor people shopping at Wal-Mart!

Lol bumble that is the goofiest thing vie ever seen!

My car is over ten years old lol. Actually all of our cars are.....

Olliesmom. Want to sell those jeans lol. There should be a TR exchange forum heh heh.

I like that brand and polo because they run thin and long. Ds is still zero percentile for his age in weight but ten percentile for height. He can wear a 12 month waist but needs 4t length. (or some 3). Those two brands cater to starving models....even the toddler ones. He has worn his TR jeans for two years now so we definitely get our moneys worth out of them!

Faron.....you are a big softie heh heh. And dangerously handsome even when we cant see you. I find nothing more attractive than an adoring dad. You do dads proud!,,

igloo, they are a size 5, BUT, I got them out to look which style they were and they say Girl's Billy Super T! I had no idea they were girl's, no wonder they fit my skinny kid really well. I don't even know if it makes a difference or not. I bought them at a boutique in OKC named Funky Monkey. Anyway, I don't mind selling them if the girl thing doesn't bother you. If not, no worries, I'm sure one of my friends would want them.

LOL My son's are girls also (Same ones). Pop me an email and we'll make a deal :) He's worn his size 3 today for the last time!

Maybe that's the trick for my skinny mini....I'll buy him girls jeans until he figures it out LOL

Guess I'm one of the 'poor' too since I shop at GW! My mom used to be sooo frustrated with me as a child because I'd look at the price tag before I told her I liked something. She said I was always cheap. Not cheap, just can't stand paying a lot for something when I KNOW I can find it for less.

I do splurge..when I buy make up or have my hair cut (or get a massage or facial) I will spend the $$, but for jeans, I have a brand (mass merchant) that fits great and is less than $25. I am hard on clothes, so I buy a lot at Walmart or GW...but if I need NICE stuff, I'll go to Nordy's or the outlet stores.

I buy Coach purses on Ebay. I DO know designer brands, tho...just could never fathom wearing them because I'm such a tomboy! My younger DD is a true fan of designer, but she's also a super shopper. She got the dress her sister wore in her wedding on-line for $300 at a sample sale, and it retailed for over $2800. She won't wear anything but Chanel make up, but she also shops thrift stores for vintage, one-of-a-kind finds.

igloo, see your email!

pesky, I wear mostly Chanel makeup too. When I lived in California years ago, when I was around 26, I worked with a girl that wore Chanel base makeup, and I could just really tell a difference, so, she got me started. Her and I hit it off, since she was from Texas, and me from Oklahoma.

One of my first charge cards as a young woman was at Saks. They weren't as expensive then as they are now, even with the cost of living. I went not to long ago and I saw a belt I wanted, but not for $300.00.

Gosh they use to have some great sales and smashing clothes now they look plain odd for the most part.

No one I know wears this stuff. It's about priorities, I suppose. I don't know anyone with this kind of priority and I know some very wealthy people.