Is elegance really about price? This question has long puzzled many of us as women. Why do we spend so much on clothes? Is it just about quality or about what those clothes represent to us? Add to that the pressure of societal perception—we often feel validated holding a luxury handbag or wearing an iconic jacket.
Today, I want to speak from personal experience. Living in a world overflowing with fashion that tells stories through styling and craftsmanship is undoubtedly exciting, but it has also created new demands—what used to be luxuries have now become perceived necessities.
Shopping Can Be a Dream, But Shouldn’t Be the Goal
Shopping can feel like living a dream, but it shouldn’t be the goal. It should be a reflection of your lifestyle—something spontaneous and aligned with your needs. That’s what I’ve learned after years working as a fashion editor.
The moment a trend emerges, especially one embraced by celebrities, it spreads across social media like wildfire. Suddenly, it feels essential. I’d find myself cutting down on other expenses just to buy that piece, believing it would help me fit into a consumerist society I never asked to be part of.
What Does Fitness Have to Do with Fashion?
No doubt, life experiences—and especially crises like the COVID-19 pandemic—forced many of us, myself included, to reprioritize. I started focusing more on fitness and regular sleep. I subscribed to a Pilates wall workout app and took on its daily challenges.
Days passed, and I began to change. I wasn’t just losing weight—I was reshaping my body. I lost inches from my waist and hips, and more importantly, I started to feel comfortable in my own clothes. Not perfect—just confident.
After the pandemic, I joined a gym. And interestingly, I began to buy sportswear from affordable brands that suited my budget, yet still looked stylish. Local designers and smaller labels became my go-to. That’s when I truly realized:
Elegance starts with the person—not the label.
How Fitness Helped Me Cut Down on My Clothing Budget
Over time, I realized something deeper: many of us suffer from an identity crisis, trying to define ourselves through clothes that may not even fit our real lives. We wear what’s trending to fit in. But fitness changed that for me.
Before, I used to spend a fortune on dresses, choosing expensive fabrics and well-known brands that would "hide" my flaws—my tummy, hips, etc. Now, fitness gave me something those clothes never could: natural confidence.
My toned body meant I could wear simpler, more affordable clothes without worrying about “flaws.”
A healthy body made me spend less, feel better, and be more confident.
I also embraced online shopping, something I hesitated about pre-COVID. Now, I confidently buy online because I know my size, and with a healthier body, I rarely return items.
From Fashion Splurges to Smart Budgeting
Can I Be Stylish on a Budget? Yes!
Absolutely. Even if you care about quality designs, look for discounts, off-season sales, or outlet stores. You don’t need to fake a luxury lifestyle. In fact, many wealthy people now embrace quiet luxury—opting for minimal pieces with no logos, but made with fine fabrics and tailored finishes.
What I Learned from Working in Fashion
Over the years, I’ve refined my shopping mindset:
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When I shop (in-store or online), I look for well-designed pieces at reasonable prices.
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I don’t buy fake designer items. I’d rather have fewer pieces that reflect my reality than pretend with knock-offs.
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My closet is filled with essentials: a white shirt, great jeans, a timeless sneaker, and a cozy sweater I can restyle often.
In the end, I’ve learned that fashion is less about labels and more about authenticity:
Elegance is a lifestyle, not a credit card.
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