Cupcakes and Cashmere

Crave or Save

October 3rd, 2008

Every year, I thumb through the pages of magazines and tear out all of the wonderful heaps of winter coats, blazers and jackets that I hope to eventually own.  While some things are worth spending on, like a classic trench in a khaki color or a black pea coat, I have a hard time justifying trendy pieces that come at a costly price.  So began my dilemma with Sonia Rykiel’s crest embroiderd blazer, that completely fulfills my need for prepster schoolgirl attire but for way too much money.  When I came across Forever 21′s satin trim blazer with pin, I knew that the adorable crest and gold tone buttons were way too similar to pass up.   What do you think, crave or save?

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  • http://rantingsofafashionaddict.blogspot.com Ashleigh

    for over $600 savings…F21 is looking GOOOOD to me!

  • Allison

    oh for sure save!

  • http://www.pinkoclock.blogspot.com megan

    definitely save–i like the forever 21 option better, anyway! love these jackets–they’re so gossip girl.

  • http://fashionherald.blogspot.com fashionherald

    these days? Save! the forever 21 is close, although i love the rykiel!

  • mary

    SAVE! Buy the f21 and switch out the buttons to the flat gold.

  • http://fiveblondes.com Micaela

    Save for sure! Good find.

  • http://www.joannagoddard.blogspot.com joanna goddard

    all right! i love these kinds of splurge vs. steals.

    save! :)

  • http://www.stylediscovery.com.au songy

    difficult one this one. Can you try it on before you buy it? Does F21 have offline shops? F21 looks good but you will have to try on I think. It has to fit right, right ;) ?

  • http://www.sharonrosepixie.blogspot.com sharon rose

    Hi there-the forever 21 option is great for the price, but how about thrifting one-I’m sure you could get a high quality option for maybe less than this price!! Thanks for your lovely comment!

  • http://www.thebudgetbabe.com Budget Babe

    gotta say SAVE! i’ve gotten some great blazers at f21, they look sharp and people are always surprised by where i bought them :)

  • http://savvymode.com savvymode sg

    sonya b/c it’s a classic piece.

  • http://www.heart-of-light.blogspot.com/ Rachel

    Definitely save! They’re both cute, but I don’t think the crest is going to fit into your wardrobe as a timeless piece, so it should be a fun (not so expensive) indulgence.

  • http://daisychaindreams.blogspot.com Laura

    I’d go for save, especially right now.
    I wish we had forever 21 here!

  • http://wewearthings.blogspot.com we wear things

    i’m in total agreement with you…i don’t mind spending a little more on “classic” pieces and hesitate to invest a lot of money on trendier items. while i do think the rykiel blazer is one that would last through several seasons, i actually like the F21 blazer just a little bit more, designwise (though i’m sure the rykiel trumps on quality).

    i think you have such a great eye for finding unique and special pieces. i was on the F21 site earlier looking at their outerwear, and i totally passed this blazer up. its definitely on my radar now.

    - roz

  • http://www.siljesfashion.com silje

    Gotta love F21!!

  • http://couturecarrie.blogspot.com/ Couture Carrie

    Love this! Great F21 find; I think it’s okay to splurge on classic pieces like the Sonia Rykiel, but good to know there is an alternative!

    xoxox,
    CC

  • http://www.leeselooks.blogspot.com Lisa

    save my love !
    600 can buy you 20 different blazers.
    i am all for quality but with some trendier pieces i don’t think its worth it !

    x.

  • Pam

    I have to agree. Save. I’m all for investing in quality pieces, but something about a pricetag over $600 for an item that in a couple years you’re not craving that much anymore…ouch. The F21 jacket is cute.

  • http://reLYME.net Beka

    Oh my goodness! Such a remarkable price different. I almost like the Forever 21 version better. Save wherever you can!

  • Faith

    i actually like the Forever 21 blazer more. SAVE!

  • http://www.lovemaegan.com …loveMaegan

    I totally agree …I will spend more on classic pieces that I can wear for years and go to forever21 for the trendy stuff. Vintage is always a great way to go to but you have to really be prepared to SEARCH and not mind the smell :) Great finds! as usual!

  • Nikki

    love the f21 … Just something about the other coat doesn’t sit well…. Love love love ur site

  • http://amandabrookes.blogspot.com/ Gypsy Soul

    save save save OR you could buy twenty (20) of the F21 blazers for the price of 1 of the Rykiel’s =)

  • http://itsbecauseithinktoomuch.com Adiel

    Yeah, I’m down for the save option. I like the smaller buttons on F21′s blazer. Great post!

  • http://urple.blogspot.com Katlin

    I’d say save! But if you really do love the Sonia one and can see yourself wearing it for a long time, maybe you could think of it as an investment? Or maybe there’s a jacket out there with better quality that F21, but cheaper than the Sonia one!

  • http://observationmode.blogspot.com/ enc

    I’m surprised to say, I think I prefer the cut of the F21!

    But it depends on you, and what height stance you like. Both are superb.

  • http://kokostiletto.blogspot.com koko

    holy crap SAVE FOR SURE!!!!!!!!

  • http://thelilbee.com The Lil Bee

    Most definitely save! And let me know when you’re wearing it, will you, because I’m completely copying you and buying one myself! You’re actually becoming my personal shopper…I just bookmark your finds and go online. So you’re not just a fave blog, but an expensive habit! This will look lovely with my new yellow/grey scarf.

  • http://www.beauty-box-online.com astrorainfall

    Save! I heart forever 21. The smaller buttons look more chic ;-)

  • http://dresseduplikealady.blogspot.com Cammila

    These posts are always so much fun!

    After years of practice and plenty of buyer’s remorse, I have to say that when something is kind of trendy like this, it’s all about the cheap knock off. However, if the trend just happens to be something you like and have always searched for, then go for the good one if you can afford it.

  • Vivian

    it’s a tough one… i adore the Sonia Rykiel design, but the price is just so high. i’d go for the F21 one, it looks great as well, and it’s a bit easier on the wallet :)

  • http://www.jointhegossip.blogspot.com Leeann

    SAVE! Thanks for finding that coat, I will be taking my butt to Forever 21, stat! =)

  • http://leblogdemademoiselleb.blogspot.com Mademoiselle B.

    Save ! It looks very cute !

  • http://wewearthings.blogspot.com issa

    that f21 coat is perfect!!!

  • http://anniespandex.com Annie Spandex

    Get that F21 coat! It’s very similar.

  • http://flowerprintedmind.blogspot.com Claudia

    Go get the F21! Why should you spend over 600 dollars on something like that, I mean, it’s not that it’s a classic piece or something, and the f21 one is so.. Gorgeous too.

  • http://www.dailystyleguide.com Daily Style Guide

    F21 all the way!! That kind of item is not type of thing you’ll get loads and loads of wear out of so I couldn’t justify the higher price tag.

    http://www.dailystyleguide.com

  • http://secondcitypennypincher.blogspot.com s

    save for sure!!!

  • http://kittykatekins.blogspot.com kitty

    this makes me want to make a trip to forever immediately! xx,kitty

    stop by, i am up and posting again :)

  • http://modana.blogspot.com Dana

    SAVE!
    Wish we had F21 here.

  • http://www.misscavendish.blogspot.com Miss Cavendish

    I prefer the buttons on the less expensive one. But–ohh–I wore one of those in red for years and would feel like such a schoolgirl again!

  • http://alwaysinstylenyc.blogspot.com/ Always In Style

    Yet one more reason to love Forever 21 — great find!

  • Patsy

    saw this http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16881047 on etsy thought u might b interested. ;)