How much is too much for a top?

I’m going to have to work on that “cost per wear” thing. I’ve way too many things where cost per wear = actual cost. All bought ages ago though. I’m now buying very little and adapting what I have.

On the other hand I’m currently sporting an old favourite top that I’ve had for at least 15 years and still wear at least once a month. It probably cost a tenner in the January sales.

In answer to the question, I wouldn’t buy it, and the most I’ve paid is around £40. But if you can afford it, love it, and it would make you happy, why not?

I always think the decision should include consideration of ‘cost per wear’. A cheap £20 item is expensive if it’s only worn twice. A £100 item is much cheaper if its worn 10 times. If you love it, you are more likely to wear it lots! It’s also about what you can afford. You only live once.

I could t afford it....but obviously you can ... and you love it, buy it and don’t let anybody tell you you shouldn’t.

What kind of people would think "she's wearing that again"
The kind of people you wouldn't want to see again, so they'd never know how many times you wore it.

Just buy it! If you love it you won't regret it. I bet you have saved money in the Pandemic. Come on, life is for living

My beauty/fashion mantra is "flaunt your assets and let your liabilities look after themselves". If this top will look stunning on you, that is what people will remember and you can get away with spending as little as possible on the trousers and accessories that go with it - it's all a balancing act. I would buy it and enjoy it!

Thanks to everyone who has given me an opinion and advice. I still haven't decided, but I'm still watching it. I do think the huge variety of what we like, how much we spend, what our priorities are and all the other little differences, show that we are not (as some organisations seem to think) all the same as we grow older, but we keep our individuality. I never expected so many responses. I've loved reading them.

Don't watch for too long, or else those dreaded words "Out of Stock" will appear.

MawB2

I don’t like it so £2.50 in the charity shop would be too much for me.
On the other hand I have just spent £22.95 on this (reduced from £45) and see myself getting a lot of wear out of it.

Love it MawB2 - being nosy is it from Seasalt?

It looks fabulous, if you want it, and will wear it and can afford it, then get it. Lovely top, will look good over trousers, a long slim dress or a skirt, anything! ?✅

I've stopped buying clothes and started buying plants instead I think the lockdowns getting to me x

It is Tallulah - their sale is still on too! Go for it ?

If you like it that much and can afford it then just buy it. Life is too short!!

Never in a million years, would I pay 165 for any item of clothing let alone a top, but it’s up to the individual isn’t it, we are all different aren’t we, I’d pay a lot for certain items in my house, but never on clothes, the maximum I’d pay for a top would probably be 60 pounds,

I'm not a top sort of person so I wouldn't buy it but I do love dresses and am addicted to Bombshell! I watch out for the sales although they're not exactly cheap then. The styles are so flattering, the materials of the best quality and they're made in England. I don't care what they cost- I'm lucky enough to be able to buy them and I definitely feel if you like the top and it's in the budget, just get it! I will add that I'm just as happy to buy from Peacocks - they do great linen dresses for around £20 - and my daytime dress of choice through lockdown was a very pretty blue & white number from Primark.

Quite agree Calli. I don’t go out to be part of a fashion show. If someone notices I am wearing the same outfit yet again...lucky them ??‍♀️?

Katy1950

I keep buying plants and yarn. I'll never use all this yarn!

I never do the ‘cost per wear‘ sums. If it’s something you really like and can afford it then why not? I agonised over paying £270 for a dress recently but my DH told me to get it if I think I’d wear it,which I agreed with. Why not? You can’t take your money with you, as they say. And all my ‘dry clean only’ and ‘hand wash’ go in the machine. Most new machines actually have a hand wash option these days. Get it and enjoy it.

Loobs. There was nothing under £20.000 in that shop. Mary Berry always looks very smart and now we know why.

£165 is a lot of money to spend on a top you could only wear a few times before everyone noticed!. I would prefer to spend that money on something I was going to get a lot of wear out of.

Like many anything that needs dry cleaned is a definite no from me.If its your style and you can afford it ,why not .When I was 18 I saw a Donegal tweed skirt suit in a shop window and watched it for two weeks .My boss heard me talking about it and told me to take the cash out of the till ...and enough for a nice blouse to go with it .It was two whole months wages in 1972 .He told me to pay it back whenever I could,even a couple of pounds a week would do .I never forgot how nice he was and how fantastic I felt in the calf length skirt and green tie neck blouse ..the jacket lived for decades after the skirt went out of fashion.I would always say if you love it ,buy it .

I agree with the if you love it and can afford it then go for it brigade.

I was seduced by a nightie from Toast
a few years back. It cost about £80 but truly, I have hardly had it off. It is supremely comfortable
www.toa.st/uk/category/womens+nightwear/womens+nightwear.htm

On the other hand, I paid, I don't remember but, lots for a dress and jacket for my DD's wedding. It was slightly too small, too short and although I wore it on the day I have given it to charity long-since.

I have my eye on some beautiful wool and a knitting pattern. Together they cost £100 and I'd still have to knit it!

Loobs

I caught the end of the Mary Berry programme last night and she tried on an absolutely beautiful dress - it looked stunning. It was in Paris and I can imagine it would have cost a small fortune but it was lovely - I would have been tempted.

I definitely agree. It was exquisite and suited her frame and colouring. I bet she bought it.

i bet she bought it. I bet she didn't. I bet it was given to her.
Advertising ? But on a different level.

It depends how much disposable cash you have. To some people it would be a snip; to others completely unaffordable.

It would reach down to my knees, and over my fingertips so No, I wouldn’t buy it. Being a shorty is a pain when you see something nice, but know that it would never fit properly.
For that reason I have always hated shopping for clothes