The animated Type 1 woman loves possibilities and variety.
And that includes in your closet!
So if you love switching things up, which items in your wardrobe are worth your investment and what can you get away with buying on the cheap?
For insight into the Type 1 world, we asked Dressing Your Truth Experts Jaleah and Marcy to tell us about their style spending habits. Their thoughts about what’s worth the money might help you make more supportive shopping choices for your Type 1 nature.
So, ladies…
For each kind of clothing in your closet, do you prefer to save, spend, or splurge?
- Save = You always choose the cheaper option.
- Spend = You spend a reasonable amount of money—not “breaking the bank,” but not skimping either.
- Splurge = You put your money here, even saving up extra to purchase this item.
Tops, Shirts & Blouses
- Jaleah: SAVE. I always like my money to go farther. And I know that I will be bored with the top in a season or so.
- Marcy: SAVE. Tops are my most challenging clothing items in terms of finding a good, flattering fit. I also like a variety of colors. My purchases are a combination of DYT Store tops and thrift store finds. I cycle through my tops and quickly eliminate those that don’t hold crispness after washing or require too much ironing maintenance. I don’t like to spend much on tops.
Jackets, Blazers & Coats
- Jaleah: SPEND. I don’t buy blazers. But I do usually spend on jackets and coats. I like to get a jacket at every new location I am in (ex: Disneyland). For coats I want them to last so I’ll spend more for one I love.
- Marcy: SPLURGE. I like the look of expensive, well-made jackets and coats. I have some great thrift store jackets but am also comfortable splurging on jackets with timeless design and quality.
(See examples of bright, fun Type 1 outerwear.)
Jeans & Pants
- Jaleah: SAVE. Just like with tops, I know I’ll get bored so I try to get the cheapest ones.
- Marcy: SPEND. Because of my apple shape I seldom tuck tops into my pants or jeans, so pocket and waistband details seldom show—no need to spend extra money there. I spend a moderate amount of money on basic pants and recycle to new ones when they seem tired and worn.
Skirts
- Jaleah: SPEND. I usually spend on skirts. They are a nicer item, and I like to have my Sunday best wardrobe be nice. And since I don’t wear them too often, they last longer.
- Marcy: SAVE. I buy most of my skirts at thrift stores or generic retail stores and recycle them often with seasonal prints. I occasionally invest in a better quality brown or navy skirt that is worn through all seasons.
Dresses
- Jaleah: SPEND. I usually spend on dresses. If there is a killer deal I’ll go with that first. But I am ok spending a reasonable amount for a dress.
- Marcy: SAVE. I seldom wear dresses but the few I have are mostly thrift store finds.
Shoes
- Jaleah: SAVE. I save on shoes. You wear them a lot, so they don’t stay nice. And with the tops and bottoms, I know I’ll want new ones soon, as I get bored!
- Marcy: SAVE + SPLURGE. This is a combo of save and splurge. I buy inexpensive ballet flats in many different colors and patterns to provide Type 1 “pop.” But I also invest in a few classic items like my Wellington boots, stylish walking shoes, and comfortable heels.
(See how shoes can make or break your Type 1 outfit.)
Bras & Underwear
- Jaleah: SAVE. I bought them from Victoria’s Secret. And then I realized they are just as good at other places. So now I save. I just bought a less expensive bra, and it is doing it’s job perfectly!
- Marcy: SPEND. I’m an underwear cheapskate but plan to upgrade and splurge on some more expensive bras.
(Get in-depth help to find the perfect bras and shapewear for your size.)
Exercise Clothes
- Jaleah: SAVE. I get my workout clothes at Old Navy on deep discount 🙂
- Marcy: SAVE. I don’t spend much time at a gym and don’t invest much in that type of clothing.
(See examples of bright Type 1 activewear.)
Swimsuit
- Jaleah: SPEND. I love swimsuits. I buy them often, and I usually don’t mind spending full prices on them.
- Marcy: SPEND. I never buy used swimsuits but I don’t spend much on them either. I invest more in swim coverups and accessories.
(Try these keys to finding the cutest Type 1 swimwear.)
Purses & Handbags
- Jaleah: SAVE. I hardly ever buy purses. Just not a big fan of them.
- Marcy: SPEND. I don’t buy designer purses but also rarely spend much money on them new. I like the fun of choosing new colors and styles seasonally.
(Get tips for choosing the most adorable Type 1 handbags here.)
Watches
- Jaleah: SAVE. I never buy watches.
- Marcy: SAVE. I don’t wear watches anymore but when I did wear them I didn’t spend much. I preferred to have several inexpensive watches on hand in different colors with a touch of bling.
Jewelry
- Jaleah: SAVE. Oh, it’s on sale? Perfect! I’ll not be wearing it in 6 months anyway!
- Marcy: SPEND + SPLURGE. Again, I buy most of my jewelry at the DYT store and cycle through it. I splurge on a few classic pieces: opera length real pearls, pearl earrings, real gold rings, simple gold necklace.
(Find jewelry hand-picked for your animated Type 1 beauty.)
Where else in your lives do you ladies SAVE?
- Jaleah: Entertainment. We hardly ever go to the movies, and we don’t have cable. Landscaping, we keep it to the bare minimum.
- Marcy: Household furnishings, transportation. I don’t like depreciating assets like expensive cars, but I DO like public transportation where available and chatting with people on buses, subways, and trains 🙂
Other places in your lives where you SPLURGE?
- Jaleah: If there was one, I would say food. But very rarely. And I usually feel a little guilty afterwards. $150 for dinner for 2 is fun sometimes, but then there is nothing to show for it.
- Marcy: I sometimes splurge on sheets/bedding, quality foods, hair treatments/products, travel experiences, and cards/stationary.
The bottom line for your Type 1 wardrobe?
The Type 1 world is full of newness. Let your spending habits support you in creating variety and freshness in your wardrobe!
If you get bored with a certain kind of item quickly, best to save. Then, when you find those timeless, high-quality items that speak to you, you can splurge!
How do your spending habits compare? What do you look for the best deals on when you spend? Where do you splurge when the Type 1 Experts save? Share a comment below. Let’s see how much variety is there in the Type 1 experience!
i save on most things. since i get tired of them fast,and i dont want to wearuse them more than 2 seasons. so i buy mostly when there are sales. and i throw old stuff couse i hate having too much stuff. i like to have a few itemes that i can put like on display.so i see all that i have.
Really fun and useful way of looking at things, I’ve just gone through my spending and am patting myself on the back, am more of a saver than I acknowledge! My big splurges are furniture, my kids and long distance holidays, we can’t do the latter at the moment for health reasons so am trying to make creative alternatives, and I think I’m going to add spa days as a new splurge, every now and again.. fun activity, and a big spend at DYT is still only spend/save even with the import taxes, yippee!
This is a really, really supportive article. I’d never even thought of looking at purchases this way, plus the links to images are really helpful too.
You have explained why I seldom buy pants and jackets and often find I”m uncomfortable with my purchase when I get these items home. I am a Save girl through and through and love thrift store shopping. But seldom find pants or jackets that fit or look right. Now I can see that being willing to Spend or Splurge on these might be the answer to finding the ‘right’ pants and jackets.
As well as that, I don’t have to avoid more expensive items (like a holiday or choice of skincare). If I think in terms of Save, Spend or Splurge I will be able to plan a budget without feeling caged in.
Thank you for this really creative way of presenting this way at looking at spending. 🙂
I buy most of my clothes in the “SAVE” category as well! I will spend money on slacks or skirts that fill well and are timeless, as I wear business attire most days. I love finding bargains on jewelry and scarves, as I like to have a lot to choose from. 🙂
I do spend/splurge on purses. I will also spend more on a good pair of shoes, as my feet are much happier when I do!
…and I love to save my splurge money for travelling!
Since finding DYT I am so satisfied with my clothing! Since I’ve only been doing it for a year I’m not tired of anything yet (that I loved when I got it). Have weeded out some newbie experiments. I revived my love of sewing and can sew just the T1 things I want–very SAVE. I have been buying shoes on eBay and painting them T1 colors–so inexpensive, so fun-SAVE!! I used to spend a lot on purses because it was all that gave me a thrill (my wardrobe was stuck in boring blackville). Now I don’t care so much–SAVE. I bought lots of vintage gold jewelry on eBay–SAVE. I will SPLURGE in the DYT store because the winners are real winners!! SPLURGE on: monthly facials, yoga, and eating out.
I am a saver– thrift store junkie all the way around, probably to a fault sometimes. I LOVE handbags and shoes!
Thank you brilliant and beautiful, Marcy and Jaleah! Have a great day!
Thank you so much for this, especially the links to other Type1 video content!
For me, I have decided to splurge on face products. With Type1 skin, even at 37 break outs are still a hormonal cycle regular. I want good quality make up and face/eye products.
Also, the longer I search for something the more likely I am to spend or splurge on it, because after I finally find it, the price mysteriously seems reasonable! 😉
Jaleah sounds like me right down the line!
Yep… I am all of this, but I agree with the save mentality for the most part because I too get tired of things quickly, even when I really like what I buy! I am also a type 3 secondary, so I really enjoy saving 🙂 That said, I will splurge it it is very necessary. I do most of my shopping at the sales rack and thrift stores, but like higher end name brands if I can! I believe that hair and good quality food/skin care/make-up are my most splurged on items. They are more important to my overall look and health.
This was helpful! I never thought about my spending habits in terms of these kinds of categories. I save on most categories as I shop sales, but will occasionally spend on 1-2 really nice jeans, or dress for special occasion. One thing I want to get out of the habit of is making “occasion” purchased. Invariably I WASTE money when I do this, never wearing the dress again as I was “making do” in a rush to get something. I usually shop sales, so I feel ok with spending. I save and splurge on shoes. I have a few pair that were sooo perfect for T1 and had to wait several seasons before I found the right boots and booties, so I HAD to to have them after waiting so long! T1 winter shoes are HARD to find as black seems to reign here. I save on tops because I dump them OFTEN tiring quickly. I save on jewelry and handbags too as I change them out often. I tend to wear the same jewelry as a S4. I spent on a pair of Michael Kors Whisper Thin big hoops though that I pray I NEVER lose as they are an every day wear because they are so light!! Oh my, reading back on my post I am definitely a T1! I thought I was pretty clear about how I spend but it sems I randomly do all 3! lol