Details matter to the soft, subtle Type 2 woman—including in your closet.
As you continue to create your style, which details matter and which ones don’t? In other words, which items are worth investing in, and which ones aren’t worth the cost?
For a peek into Type 2 priorities, Dressing Your Truth Experts Anne and Michelle share their style spending habits. Their reasons for spending or saving can help you plan where to put your money.
So, ladies…
For each category 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
- Anne: SPEND. If I find a top I love, I know I’ll get a lot of wear out of it. I am willing to a pay a little more, especially if it has a pattern I love. But I will not compromise on fit. I am particular about the fit of my tops. If it’s a perfect fit I’ll spend—but rarely ever splurge.
- Michelle: SAVE. I usually go for less expensive tops since I like to have a lot of options.
Jackets, Blazers & Coats
- Anne: SAVE. I only have one blazer to my name, so I definitely don’t spend there. I really appreciate a good winter coat, and I am willing to spend a little more there. However, I found a great deal on my two favorite winter coats so I ended up saving and I haven’t had a need to purchase more since.
- Michelle: SPEND. I will spend more on a good jacket or coat that I know will last a long time. I don’t wear blazers.
Jeans & Pants
- Anne: SPLURGE. Since comfort is such a priority as a Type 2, I am willing to splurge in this area to get the perfect, comfortable fit. My favorite brand of jean (AG Brand) is more expensive. As I mentioned, I’m always looking for a deal and luckily I’ve been able to find them on eBay for about half the price. They are high quality and have lasted many wears and washes. The higher price is worth it to me.
- Michelle: SPEND. I will spend a decent amount of money on a good pair of jeans or pants since they are harder to find for my shape and height. I can wear them for many years and they can last a long time.
Skirts
- Anne: SPEND. I love skirts! I would rather wear a skirt or dress over pants. Since it’s easier to find a skirt that feels comfortable, I don’t need to splurge in this area. But I will definitely spend to get the design and pattern I am looking for.
- Michelle: SPEND. If I can find a really great, good quality skirt I will spend a reasonable amount for me. I love skirts that are a great color, comfortable with stretch, and can work with a lot of other items in my wardrobe.
Dresses
- Anne: SPEND. Just like skirts, I find dresses so comfortable! I will spend to find one that is higher quality and will last many wears.
- Michelle: SPEND. I will spend when I find a good dress. But I don’t have a lot of them. Because I’m so tall, they usually don’t fit me well.
Shoes
- Anne: SPLURGE. It feels like I’m constantly on the search for the perfect, comfortable shoe (*hint to my “shopping angels”). When I find the perfect pair, I am willing to spend. I definitely don’t save in this area. (If I try to shop cheap shoes I usually end up with sore feet and a pair of shoes I won’t wear again.) I’ve said it before: the $200 pair of boots that I was nervous to splurge on are my favorite cold-weather shoes and worth every penny. I’d rather have fewer expensive shoes that I love rather than a bunch of cheap shoes that hurt my feet. The right shoes can make or break your outfit.
- Michelle: SAVE + SPLURGE. I usually save on shoes since I love them and like a lot of options, but lately I’ve been splurging on some that are really comfortable that I know will last me for a very long time.
Bras & Underwear
- Anne: SPLURGE. After watching Anna K and Carol teach about the importance of a well-fitting bra, I measured myself and realized I needed a new one. I splurged on a more expensive bra and wow! A well-fitting bra feels so much better on! Definitely worth the investment.
- Michelle: SAVE. I choose less expensive bras. I like the way they fit and don’t feel like I need to buy the more expensive ones.
Exercise Clothes
- Anne: SAVE. I’ve shared before that I wear a cheap t-shirt and these pants to exercise and do housework.
- Michelle: SAVE. I choose inexpensive gym capris or tank tops. I don’t need the name brands and I just care about function.
Swimsuit
- Anne: SAVE. I’ve bought a lot of swimsuits over the years and I find that spending more doesn’t necessarily get you more. My favorite swimsuit right now was $21 at ShopKo! I’ve spent much more on a suit and it just wasn’t worth it to me. My cheaper suit fits and functions great and that’s what counts for me in this department. You can find a lot of Type 2 options out there.
- Michelle: SPEND. I don’t do a lot of swimming, but if it’s a swim suit that I love and fits me really well then I will spend full price.
Purses & Handbags
- Anne: SAVE. If you watch the Type 2 Purse video, you’ll find out I only own one purse and I’ve had my wallet for over 15 years. I’m just not really a purse gal.
- Michelle: SPEND. I just care about color and function, not name brand, so I usually don’t look at the more expensive purses.
Watches
- Anne: SAVE. I own three watches and have had them for years. I actually never wear them! I prefer bracelets over watches.
- Michelle: SAVE. I just buy the cheaper watches and buy a new one when the old one wears out or stops working.
Jewelry
- Anne: SPEND. Jewelry adds so much to an outfit and having pieces you love will add the perfect finishing touches to your look. I love the jewelry in the DYT Store
- Michelle: SAVE. I have so much jewelry that it’s hard to justify spending a lot on additional items right now.
Eyewear
- Anne: SAVE. I don’t wear eye glasses, but I do need to wear sunglasses, as I’m more sensitive to bright light (I’m sure you can relate). Check out the StyleFinder to find a great pair for you.
- Michelle: SPEND. I bought a good pair of sunglasses that I love, but probably would never splurge on more expensive ones since I lose them or they break or get scratched.
Where else in your lives do you ladies SAVE?
- Anne: Probably entertainment. I don’t spend much on music, movies, or TV. I do however have an Audible account ($14.95 for 1 audio book a month) and I have loved it! Budgeting $15 a month in this area was more than I was used to spending, but I have loved listening to a book each month. I am currently enjoying “The Boys in the Boat” (historical fiction is my favorite).
- Michelle: Entertainment, food, fitness, kids’ clothes.
Other places in your lives where you SPLURGE?
- Anne: Food and self-care. Good food is my love language! I spend money on good, healthy, organic food. I love to try local restaurants and splurge on new “healthy snacks” at the grocery store. (With that said, I do create a monthly food budget and get to be creative within that.) I am also willing to spend/splurge on self-care. I regularly get facials, massages, chiropractic treatments and spend on supplements and vitamins. I feel this money goes a long way as it makes me feel great.
- Michelle: I splurge on my self-care (natural doctors and health care). As a family we splurge on travel, as well.
What does all this mean for your Type 2 wardrobe?
Your Type 2 nature prioritizes certain details—and you intuitively know which ones matter to you most. Identify which categories you feel are worth investing in, so you can let go of extra details that don’t matter to you as much.
Let your spending habits support you in creating comfort and elegance in your style.
How do your spending habits compare? Where do you spend when the Type 2 Experts save? What kind of comfort is worth splurging on? Share a comment below so we can all see the details in the Type 2 experience.
