Cupcakes and Cashmere

California Closet

February 9th, 2009

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?

Allison
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!
http://brookandlyn.com Brook and Lyn
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.
http://www.rhapsodyinboots.blogspot.com esther
oooh your closet is lovely and so inspiring. i am in desperate need of a closet cleanse…i love all your shoes!
http://moderndreamer.blogspot.com S.Elisabeth
wow your closet is so nice and organized. everything is so bright and cheerful colored!
http://wunderbug.blogspot.com courtney
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?)
http://www.soloden.com jules
what a lovely closet!
http://www.cakewalkstyle.com Cakewalk
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!
http://nikymarie.blogspot.com Nicole Marie
your closet is beauitful. I need to get some wood hangers
http://katiecartersbeautybar.blogspot.com Katie
I could not be more jelous of what sound like amazing finds!!! You have a beautifully colorful closet.
http://thestylerules.com The Style Rules
dying to see those costume national fold over boots!!!
Mel
Love the shot of your closet- so wonderfully colorful!!
http://being-red.blogspot.com valerie
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.
http://something-just-happened.blogspot.com charm
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.)
http://www.pinkjellybaby.wordpress.com pinkjellybaby
Is that your closet?! I’m so jealous!
http://holldahl.blogspot.com holly
wow, your closet is so open and cheery! i love it. and He-llo lover……
http://www.najeema.blogspot.com najeema
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.
http://www.chicsensibility.blogspot.com CHIC Sensibility
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.
http://petit-cheri.blogspot.com Belle
Ahh it is amazing! Look at your shoes!!
My dream closet, congratulations
Have a fabulous day x
Wendy
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.
http://stylecherie.blogspot.com Dalya Benor
your closet is gorgeous. i am so jealous.
http://www.highsexyheels.net Brigitte
It’s definitely about quality. The older I get the lower my high heels get and the better quality too.
http://goldenmeans.wordpress.com anjali
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!
http://freshinfluence.blogspot.com/ Erin
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.
http://princessfoofoo.blogspot.com mary banzon
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!
http://heartbreakingenues.wordpress.com/ Chloe
Is that Petite Chérie? I’m in love with this perfume..
http://www.iamstyle-ish.com tiffany
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!
http://www.hudsonjeans.com/lifestyle HUdson
I need to get to that sale!! ps…your closet is amazing–so organized!
http://www.myspace.com/lisbeny Lisbeny
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.
http://thesweetestmess.blogspot.com Alanna
I am so jealous of your closet, so many wonderful pieces, so well organized!
Charlotte
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.
http://sequincat.blogspot.com Sequin Cat
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.
Vivian
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.
http://www.underapinkmoon.com Estelle
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!
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http://www.ourrockedworld.blogspot.com *c
can this really be your closet?!
ok, i’m inspired. must organize closet…
and must buy cute dresses to hang in said closet!
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http://meshandlace.typepad.com Mesh and Lace
I want all your shoes! I wish I even had the space in my closet to organize like this…
http://www.iheartkiwi.blogspot.com iheartkiwi
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
cee
Quality over quantity always…but like many other people these days, dropping several hundred dollars on shoes is not an option.
KRISTINA
That teacup jewelery holder is adorable~
http://www.ciaochessa.com Chessa!
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:)
http://haircuttinginhighheels.blogspot.com/ gina
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
shahrzad
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
http://www.andreadonovan.com matt’s little sister
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
*DoLL*
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.
fashion
whats are those grey ankle boots called? i love them!
http://visual-stimulation.blogspot.com Jenn
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.
http://www.moderngirlblog.com modern.girl
love your closet. well lit too!
http://www.abitoffashion.com melissa
what a beautiful and closet! I must do the same thing with mine!
http://www.abitoffashion.com