California Closet
After an unbelievably successful trip to the Barneys Warehouse sale yesterday, I decided I needed to clean up my closet in order to make room for my new purchases. At the sale, I didn’t even browse through the clothing section, but instead honed in on shoes and came away with three new pairs. I scored some Costume National fold-over booties, a pair of Marni Mary-Jane pumps and some studded Derek Lam heels. Though my savings were substantial, now that I’ve discovered the difference of more expensive shoes, I wonder if I’ll now abide to the mantra of quality versus quantity. What’s your take, dear readers…given today’s economy, is this your stance?
99 comments
oooh la la!!! i adore your closet!! so neat, colorful and it looks beautiful. thanks for sharing.
Your closet is so neat! I need to re-do my closet to make it more functional.
I always go for quality over quantity when it matters. If I’m getting a plain white shirt, quality isn’t as important. Hanes undershirts are awesome and cheap! I would never buy a white LNA shirt for $63.
High heel shoes like yours: definitely go for quality! It would not be fun to be stuck somewhere with a broken heel because you bought a cheap pair of pumps.
It’s a perfect closet! I’m on your blog for the first time and I love it- you’re so pretty and I love your style. It may sounds stupid, but you could play Serena in Gossip Girl:) I’m adding you to my blogroll!
Your closet is scarily clean and tidy!
Quality always precedes quantity. Great purchases xx
Your collections of shoes is impressing!
Well, it depends on the mood I’m in. If everything is okay, <hen I feel good, I tend to buy beautifuls basics, but when I’m down, then I buy a skirt or a chirt just for pleasure, and no matter if it won’t last very long, I just need something very fast!
Lately it’s been all about quality. Even if it’s on the pricey side, if I know I’m going to wear it a lot and through seasons then the purchase is worth it. Great finds you got this weekend, can’t wait for you to showcase them!
Ive been splurging on shoes for as long as I can remember. sigh.
I love being able to peep into fellow blogger’s closet, or atleast their shoe collections!
Congrats on the new shoes, and I’d love to see the newbies
um. can you please come over and organize my closet next? congrats on such a beautiful closet AND a steal of purchases! how i love shoes.
I’m more of a handbag person, so when it comes to shoes, I usually always stick with the basics and go for quality over quantity. When it comes to handbags, however, my mantra is usually “quality and quantity.”
But because of the economy, that has most definitely changed. P.S.- I LOVE that you use a teacup to hold your jewelry. Adorable idea!
Is this your closet? It’s gorgeous! Please come organize mine.
I love love love designer shoes, since I think you get what you pay for, in terms of quality. Plus, there are just so many gorgeous shoes that I love and can’t afford. But I have had a lot of success with the little guys, too…like this pair of Enzo Angiolini gladiators that I cannot wear without having five people stop me. And they were under $100. Your closet’s adorbs, btw:) xx
oh how i want to come play dress up in your closet! those little black shoes peeking out are stunning!
Your closet looks gorgeous! I feel like I should run upstairs and clean my up right now.
Oooh pics of the new shoes, s’il vous plaits!!!
definately QUALITY over Quantity… I’m going to take advantage of this year’s spring cleaning and do the same. I think haf of my closet is stuff I no longer wear…
:*
Hi there-your closet looks gorgeous!! I’m quality over quantity, thats why I love thrifting for designer items, they tend to be more stylish and classic in design and will last for years. Of course, I do get cheap basics, such as t shirts and some dresses-I call these my ‘disposables’, so I can just turn these over year in year out. But I also have my good quality stylish designer items that I’ll keep and will last me years.
Your closet is amazing! I wish I had something to keep my shoes nice and not all squished together.
Your closet looks so adorable, and that 2nd dress hanging (blue) I have it in red!
My whole thing is that I’ve been trying to find quality pieces at highly discounted prices. I am all about tj maxx, loehmanns, sample sales and anywhere where I can get designer goods for way cheap. But I still like to work in some h&m, forever 21 pieces when I need a quick fix.
Just look at that impeccably organized, fantastically colorful closet! Well done, lady. As for quality versus quantity, well, I’ve got mixed feelings, but am leaning toward careful quantity.
NO WAY!
your closet is A M A Z I N G
+ your new shoes.
perfect emily.
i agree. quality over quantity.( that is when i can afford it of course
)
have a beautiful start to your week
xx
Your closet is amazing, this has inspired me to finish cleaning out mine. As I get older I try and focus more on quality rather than quantity when I can
ugh, you know my life is too complicated when I miss the barneys sale!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
is that your closet? its dreamy
I’m so envious of your beautifully organized closet
I believe it buying quality items over quantity. And shoes are definitely a must for quality.
i myself am trying to shop in my own closet! i am finding tons but sometimes it just isnt as fun
ps i gave ya an award
Ahh… your closet is so clean!
Your closet is amazing! So organised
I wish that my closet looked more like that! I clothes just seem to disappear in there
I am a mix of both…I alternate between lots of cheap stuff and some high-end stuff and then wear them all together. I wouldn’t want to wear all designer head to toe cuz I would look like I was made of money. And I so am not.
I wish I had your closet – mine is dark and I can’t freakin see anything!
My question is, are more expensive shoes not only more durable but more comfortable? I have splurged on boots in the past and feel that it’s worth it, but never shoes. If I could find a pair of heels that were comfortable I would pay any amount of money.
PS…serious closet envy
I love the fact that you have your jewelry stored in a flower-adorned teacup – it doesn’t get any cuter than that!
Em, your closet is insane. It’s so perfect and everything in it looks like a showpiece.
Once you go quality it’s really hard to go back. And you can find some great deals on quality these days. Not paying retail any time soon. Very enviable closet, by the way.
so many gorgeous shoes in your wardrobe! the new pairs are fabulous too, I tend to spend more on bags really but think buying slightly more expensive shoes at the sale is the best way & just buy less when the sale is not on i suppose! x
I too abide by those standards, but sometimes I just can’t get the shoes or clothes I want for their regular prices. So, I hit up stores like DSW or Macy’s and get them there. I was able to find these Gorgeous Marc Fisher lace-up boots yesterday for only $45! That’s a steal in comparison to it’s original price of $180. But if there is something I really really want, I do splurge on it from time to time.
Wow! Your closet is sooo organized!! It’s just beautiful!! I’m very jealous
oh, i miss the barney’s warehouse sale!! sounds like you did well
can’t wait to see the new purchases!!
xoxol
I can’t believe how organized your closet is. I literally just bought a new wardrobe and organized my own…but now I feel like I need to take another pass at it
Can I come and live in your closet?
I love it, honey! Wow…My closet would be so embarrassed if she saw…:) Hi, My name is Meme….I would like to personally invite you to both of my blogs…Screaming Meme and Project:{Create A Home}….Screaming Meme is a decorating blog that I created to share my career as an Interior Decorator and Model Home Stager, as well as, share ideas and how to’s on decorating, faux painting and getting a professional look on a shoe string budget!…It is all about decorating over there! I then created Project:{ Create A Home}…I envisioned a blog that women could all share in…Where we could come together and learn everything from decorating our homes to stepping out and learning new things that we always wanted to learn but didn’t have the road map…Project: {Create A Home} is that road map! We have decorating, organizing, cooking, finance, technical/computer knowledge, family rearing, relationship advice, spirituality and uplifting wisdom…just to name a few…I hope you get a chance to stop in and look around…And if you have something that you want to share…Something that we could learn from you…Well, we would love to talk to you! 
I look forward to getting to know you! Meme
Love your closet!! You go girl
stunning! I wish I could have this layout of the closet:D
Ah the Barney’s Warehouse Sale–my bread and butter when I lived in NY! Definitely a smart idea to go for the shoes—always much better deals to be had, as you’ve proven! Can’t wait to see your new babies making their way into your fabulous outfits!
wow, that is one amazing closet: its absolutely gorgeous, congratulations!
about the quality-quantity debate, i used to think quantity (and fast turnover) but now im wondering (like maria) if more expensive shoes would be more comfortable and better for my feet – some of my cheaper shoes feel like torture devices!
love the blog x
Wow… beautiful. Reminds me of a special I’ve been wanting to do on my blog. I want to take pictures of random people’s closets. I think it would be interesting.
Definitely quality over quantity, although I do love F21. Your closet is so organized and lovely! Also, I nominated you for a blog award, so check out my page to receive it if you wish!
i prefer quality & quantity. i’ll just eat peanut butter & jelly sandwiches.
quality over quantity any day!
are you kidding me? your closet is amazing!!! i’m a quality over quantity gal. can you please, please tell me where you found you initial necklace? so adorable!!
I think the mantra -should- be quality over quantity, but I am too much of a shoe playa to commit to a few pairs! I gotta have’em often and cheap, even if they do fall apart… chances are by then my heart will be stolen by another pair!
your closet is almost pornographic! You’ve inspired me to go clean up my own…especially after my purchase of two new pairs of shoes today. Must have been a shoe weekend!
I was thinking of going to the NY warehouse sale but the last couple I went to was such a bust that I was not planning to attend this year. How were the shoes prices? What percentage were they? Also you’re a neat freak…wow.
oooh your closet is lovely and so inspiring. i am in desperate need of a closet cleanse…i love all your shoes!
wow your closet is so nice and organized. everything is so bright and cheerful colored!
dear god, it looks like you’ve had a visual merchandiser come in to set up your closet. way to go!
i definitely go for quality over quantity. when i was in university, it was the other way around, but i found that i was replacing the same black sweater year after year after year, only to discover that what i thought i was saving, was being dribbled away slowly because of poor quality. (yeah yeah, ditto everyone else’s story about the quality/quantity debate, right?)
what a lovely closet!
Well, I have to say that my Manolo Blahnik Pendon Pumps I got on sale at Barney’s are my favorite shoes ever! I promise they will last longer than the pumps they replaced. I just have to watch how I handle them. No more undershooting when I step up on a curb!
your closet is beauitful. I need to get some wood hangers
I could not be more jelous of what sound like amazing finds!!! You have a beautifully colorful closet.
dying to see those costume national fold over boots!!!
Love the shot of your closet- so wonderfully colorful!!
like you, i’m starting to realized that spending a little more on the higher quality is so much better. they last so much longer compared to, say, steve maddens, which i’ve found have the sorriest life span.
Nay! I would never ever sacrifice quality over quantity. I would just be a little more patient, perhaps, and more thrifty (i.e; waiting for sales, end of seasons, etc.)
Is that your closet?! I’m so jealous!
wow, your closet is so open and cheery! i love it. and He-llo lover……
Oh to have your closet! I have the tiniest closet, and it’s full to the point of everything flying out whenever I open the door.
I’ve found that a lot of less expensive items have surprised me in terms of quality. With a little care, I’ve maintained sweaters from H&M, Wet Seal (embarrassing, I know) and F21. Meanwhile, my Citizens of Humanity jeans have all been discarded after getting holes and rips from normal wear.
Your closet looks great. i love your shoe collection. I don’t know. I’m torn myself. I love quality high-end shoes, yet with the increase of inexpensive lines making replicas it’s kinda hard.
Ahh it is amazing! Look at your shoes!!
My dream closet, congratulations
Have a fabulous day x
Quality over quantity always sounds nice. But it does assume that you can actually afford quality or spend the time to find it at big discount.
A lot of times it is hard to know which non-quality items are going to be big hits and which ones are going to just be non-quality items. Ebay is a great option as long as you are ok with the some things not being what you expect. That said, I have won more than I have lost on my purchases.
your closet is gorgeous. i am so jealous.
It’s definitely about quality. The older I get the lower my high heels get and the better quality too.
aw, your closet looks beautiful!
i’ve been trying to buy quality over quantity for a while, but my problem is…i just keep buying more and more, so even though it’s quality, it ends up being quantity too — sigh
i haven’t really bought anything major the last two months though, hopefully i can keep that up!
this is one of the most beautiful closets i have ever seen! usually i get rid of the same amount of items that i add from shopping. now i’m just looking for more efficient ways of storing clothes for every season.
I love your closet! You’ve inspired me to fix my closet as well! And I also have a petite cherie perfume. I absolutely love the scent!
Is that Petite Chérie? I’m in love with this perfume..
adore your closet and how organized it is. also love how much color you have!
ever since I bought my first pair of Jimmy Choos I have not gone back to non-designer shoes. I can feel the difference and my feet don’t like it!
I need to get to that sale!! ps…your closet is amazing–so organized!
well, the way things are going now, i’d definitely say quality over quantity, bc if you have to repurchase a pair of black pumps over and over bc you shop at payless, it ends up running more than if you went all out and bought a good pair that’ll last you longer… however, if its a trend piece you’re going for, like the latest cut of dress or t-shirt, i’d say go ahead and get a cheaper version at charlotte russe or forever 21… you won’t wear it more than 2 seasons, and you won’t feel guilt if its stuffed into your dresser and never worn again, rather than dragging it out to try and squeeze it’s money’s worth… basic staple pieces like a great coat, good trousers, awesome blouses and sturdy shoes are a must for quality.
I am so jealous of your closet, so many wonderful pieces, so well organized!
your closet is so pretty! i’m doing a little reorganizing. any ideas for how to store handbags so their visible? i tend to forget what i have if it’s not in front of me.
Your wardrobe is gorgeous! Puts my wardrobe reorganisation post to shame: http://sequincat.blogspot.com/2009/02/wardrobe-organisation.html
At the moment I am still quantity over quality as I shop mostly in op shops and am still playing with my personal style. That and I have no job where it is necessary to dress up.
oh my… ur closet is breathtaking! it’s so sunny cali! i have transitioned almost all my hangers to the J.M. velvet thin hangers too. dunno why i didn’t think like u to do the blonde color since it mixes better with the wooden hangers than my black ones do.
as for quality vs. qty – i think for shoes – better to get the best quality you can afford. they feel sooo much better and do last longer. but seeing from ur closet – looks like ur already abiding by that thought.
I am so inspired by your closet and your style. Just discovered your blog and I love it. Can’t wait to read more and now I need to go home and re-imagine my closet and my wardrobe. Keep up the good work!
[...] Your Closet: Retro-inspired pieces By stylepill Photo via Cupcakes and Cashmere (This is Emily’s fabulous [...]
can this really be your closet?!
ok, i’m inspired. must organize closet…
and must buy cute dresses to hang in said closet!
[...] California Closet | cupcakesandcashmere.com/california-closet – view page – cached After an unbelievably successful trip to the Barneys Warehouse sale yesterday, I decided I needed to clean up my closet in order to make room for my new purchases. At the sale, I didn’t even browse through the clothing section, but instead honed in on shoes and came away with three new pairs. [...]
I want all your shoes! I wish I even had the space in my closet to organize like this…
closet. envy.
you know me, i’m a quality over quantity type of girl… i’m in the process of a closet clean out right now. my little sister is going to be inheriting quite a few new pieces! ha ha
Quality over quantity always…but like many other people these days, dropping several hundred dollars on shoes is not an option.
That teacup jewelery holder is adorable~
my closet is such a disaster that I’m embarrassed about it even looking at yours! It’s fabulous!
Re: shoes and quality over quantity…I prefer to have quality over quantity when it comes to certain shoes. Certain shoes you can buy inexpensively bc you can replace them over seasons…scoring stuff like you did will always be worth it in my view. Shoes like basic black pumps or certain sandals I’d rather spend the money bc those are timeless and if you take care of them, they will last forever (that and if you have a good cobbler:)
Love the organized closet. I also have adapted the less is more and quality over quantity. I do love to mix it up thought a little tip from Cindy. Wear something new with something timeless!
xo
3 pairs from barney’s in a day? that’s quality and QUANTITY. you’re a lucky girl! i’m guessing there’s another half of that closet
Definately quality over quanity. It has to be in this day and age – That should also apply to clothes. Gorgeous wardrobe…Feeling very inspired to go and thin mine down at the moment. x
I love the closet and LOVE the blog! All so inspiring! I would say quality over quantity when it comes to things worn repeatedly (shoes, bags, jeans, coats), but quantity over quality over trend pieces. But I imagine it would be very difficult to have a closet as nice as yours if there is too much quantity.
whats are those grey ankle boots called? i love them!
Get job on the closet organization, I love a clean/tidy closet. I agree that it is better to have fewer items of better quality. I have been trying to go this way for a few years and then supplement with cheaper trendy or basic pieces that will wear out quicker.
love your closet. well lit too!
what a beautiful and closet! I must do the same thing with mine!
http://www.abitoffashion.com
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