Now before I go on blathering about it, let me just say that the ring I'm wearing today is not, in fact, the 'real' Arty ring, but rather, a pretty good dupe which I found on eBay for $17.
Normally, I don't advocate buying fakes or replicas of designer items. I think you have to examine the whole philosophy and intent behind the purchases you want to make, and this is especially important for spending money on luxury goods.
I've never really been into my personal style until a few years ago, though I've always enjoyed fashion as a visual art form. Since I love to draw and color, I appreciate the creativity and artistic expression that fashion design allows. Clothes and accessories can tell a story, create a whole new persona, make one feel more confident, and in general, when done right, can do many great things for a person.
It can also come at a high cost, whether you pursue luxury goods or not. Think about it. You can spend x amount of dollars per year on 'fast fashion,' pieces which aren't built to last and will necessitate replacement after a very short lifetime. Watch those dollars add up. Or you can blow a whole paycheck on a designer bag, shoes, etc, and if you're lucky enough to have more pocket change rattling around, you can buy even more luxury goods.
But let's step back and think a little more deeply about why we are consuming these goods. Are we doing it simply to follow a trend? Or we are trying to find pieces that truly reflect who we are, that add that special 'oomph' to our tried and true looks?
I think luxury has become diluted, as manufacturers and copiers become more tech-savvy to better replicate the real item, and as design houses move to save money by compromising on quality. I also personally think one shouldn't buy luxury goods for the purpose of 'showing off.' How much style will that LV monogram tote really add to your look? Status does not necessarily equate style. You can wear a Forever 21 piece in a way that makes your entire look seem put together and polished, or you can also totally destroy the aesthetic of a gorgeous designer top by what it is paired with.
To me, luxury is something that represents an ideal and something better to remind ourselves to always improve. I like the idea that it is always just a bit (or more!) out of reach. If it were always easily attainable, I think it loses its luster and meaning. Personally, I'm all about making my own way in the world. To me, there is something nice about the idea of working hard and accomplishing your goals, and as a bonus, being able to reward yourself with a beautiful bag or pair of fantastic shoes. It's a reminder of how far you've come, and also how much more you have to go, always improving and moving forward on your journey. When I finally buy that Chloe Paraty, or Chanel 2.55, I want to be able to pay for it in full, knowing that I've crossed one finish line and that this was just the cherry on top of a good, productive, successful year, rather than going into debt or being totally irresponsible about my money just to acquire what is essentially one more item.
I'm all about purchasing quality over quantity. I'll be up front and tell you that as a health care researcher, I'm not exactly bringing the big bucks home at the end of the day! I am also very careful with how I budget and spend my 'allowance' once necessities like rent, food, loan repayments, etc, are taken care of. I want my dollar to go as far possible and to get as much use out of my money as possible, especially if it's going to be spent on non-essentials. So fast, cheap fashion, which has never really appealed to me anyway, is definitely out. What's in, and what hopefully my closet reflects, is my love for beautiful pieces well-constructed with quality material, from which I will get a lot of use.
But wait, you say, doesn't that cost more money? It certainly can, but here's the thing - it doesn't have to! This is where my love for bargain hunting helps tremendously. Give me a good consignment or vintage store with thoughtfully chosen pieces anyday, or an eBay store stocked with treasures. When I'm set on acquiring a piece, whether it be a good cashmere sweater, silk blouse, or designer fashion jewelry like the aforementioned YSL Arty, I become a hunter. I'll stalk eBay and consignment for barely worn, gorgeous pieces that I know I'll be wearing for years to come. I'll take good care of my clothes, so as to not totally destroy them with terrible machine-drying and excessive dry-cleaning, and make sure my shoes are well taken care of so the leather stays supple and soft. When it comes to what I consider really big ticket items - the aforementioned bags, for example - I have them on a 5 and 10 year plan of saving. This wait period also ensures that I truly want and will use the bag, rather than just letting it sit around like a trophy piece.
So finally, we come to the YSL-inspired ring I've recently acquired. Although I've admired the authentic ring for a while on other people, I am not ready to pull the trigger on nearly $300 for a piece of jewelry made with base metal and not-precious stones. At least, not yet. Maybe in the future, I'll save it as a very special present to myself. However, I also love the look of this ring. The large oval stone that comes in a variety of gorgeous colors, the sculptural and yet almost-lacy setting, the duality of strength and romanticism that the design conveys - I love it all. So I'm essentially trying before I buy. This baby cost me a fraction of what the authentic piece would have been. I'm going to be wearing this every which way I can, so I can get used to the heft and the look. Hey, I could have received it and hated it, and said to myself 'nope, this isn't for me.' I'd much rather do that with a cheapie! And if I do buy the real thing, I'll have options, so if I know the good piece might get beaten up, I'll wear my backup for that particular occasion.
Here are some photos, the first is my own ring, the second is a shot of an actual YSL Arty.
My eBay Arty ;)
My photo - sorry for the phone photo quality!
Mine isn't bad, right? Obviously, the real ring's metal has a more yellowish tone, and the turquoise pops more vividly against the lapis, etc. I can appreciate the merits of both. Who knows, maybe one day the real thing will join my costume jewelry arsenal. For now, I'm liking what I have - it's becoming a mainstay, and for $17, that's not bad :)
Guys, this is the first time I've written what is essentially an opinion piece for mass consumption, so I would love to hear your thoughts and comments! I'm also writing and posting this as practice for getting back into writing more, so please take that into consideration when crafting your comments and feedback. I'm sure there are plenty of little inconsistencies in my 'arguments,' and perhaps my logic is not always clear, but I hope in general, it's given you an idea of my approach/philosophy to clothes shopping!
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