Katalina’s Journal: What Clothes Are Worth Spending More On?

When Should You Spend More on Clothes?

We love clothes.

Obviously. 😂

But that does NOT mean we think you need to spend a fortune on everything hanging in your closet.

Some pieces are fun for a season.

Some are basics you replace when they're worn out.

And then there are the pieces you buy once and find yourself reaching for over and over again.

So how do you know what's actually worth spending more on?

Welcome back to Katalina's Journal.

Today we're talking about where we'd invest a little more, where you don't necessarily need to, and the question we ask ourselves before buying almost anything:

How much am I actually going to wear this?

1. A Great Pair of Pants

Start here.

If you find pants that fit beautifully, feel comfortable AND work with several things you already own...

They're worth considering.

Because finding the right pants can be HARD.

We especially love a versatile wide-leg pant because you can completely change the look depending on what you put on top.

Tank + wide-leg pants.

Sweater + wide-leg pants.

Blouse + wide-leg pants.

Matching top + wide-leg pants.

Sneakers during the day.

Dressier shoes at night.

One pair of pants. A lot of outfits.

That's value.

SHOP: Milio Milano Made in Italy

2. Sweaters You Actually Want to Wear

There is a difference between owning twelve sweaters and having three sweaters you constantly reach for.

Give us the three.

A sweater may be worth spending more on when you love the feel, the fit works with your wardrobe and you can style it multiple ways.

With denim.

Over a dress.

With wide-leg pants.

Over a tank.

Draped over your shoulders.

The more ways you can wear it, the easier it is to justify.

And if it's itchy?

We don't care how cute it is.

We're probably not wearing it. 😂

SHOP: Women's Sweaters & Cardigans

3. Denim That Fits REALLY Well

You know that pair.

The jeans you reach for before all the others.

The ones you don't have to constantly pull up.

The ones that make every simple top look better.

THAT is where fit matters.

We're much more interested in owning denim you genuinely love than having a pile of jeans you tolerate.

When you find a great pair, think about how often you'll actually wear them.

If they're going to become a weekly staple, the cost per wear can become very different from something you wear once.

SHOP: Denim

4. Basics Are Worth It When You Wear Them Constantly

Basics aren't necessarily where you need to spend the MOST.

But they are where you need to pay attention.

Because if you're wearing something constantly, it needs to work.

This is one reason we love our Nikibiki basics.

A fitted tank can go underneath a cardigan, sweater or jacket.

Wear it with denim.

Wear it with wide-leg pants.

Wear it with a skirt.

Wear it alone.

One little tank can quietly become one of the hardest-working things in your closet.

SHOP: Nikibiki

5. Made in Italy Pieces That Feel Special

We carry Made in Italy clothing because we love the effortless silhouettes, fabrics, textures and details we find within many of these collections.

But here's something important:

A label saying “Made in Italy” doesn't automatically mean every piece is better than everything made somewhere else.

We still look at the individual garment.

How does it feel?

How does it drape?

What's the fabric?

How does it fit?

Would we wear it?

When all of those things come together, that's when a beautiful Italian piece can become something you keep reaching for.

SHOP: Made in Italy Clothing

6. A Handbag You'll Carry for Years

This is probably the easiest investment category for us.

A great handbag can be worn hundreds—or even thousands—of times.

You don't need a different bag every time you change outfits.

Find one you love and USE IT.

That's one of the reasons we're such fans of Hammitt handbags.

Beautiful leather, distinctive hardware, functional designs and styles that can move between everyday outfits, travel, dinner and events.

If you're going to carry something constantly, we'd rather have the bag you absolutely love than five bags you don't.

SHOP: Hammitt Handbags

7. The Dress That Can Go More Than One Place

Before buying a dress, ask:

Where am I actually going to wear this?

If the answer is one extremely specific event...

Think about it.

But if you can picture the same dress with sandals for lunch, sneakers for shopping, a cardigan for fall and different accessories for dinner?

Now we're interested.

Versatility matters.

SHOP: Dresses

The Cost-Per-Wear Trick

Here's one of the easiest ways to think about whether something is “expensive.”

Imagine two purchases.

One top costs $30 and you wear it once.

Another piece costs $100 and you wear it 30 times.

The $30 top cost you $30 per wear.

The $100 piece cost about $3.33 per wear after 30 wears.

That doesn't automatically mean you should buy the more expensive item.

It just means the price tag doesn't tell the entire story.

How often you're actually going to wear something matters.

What Isn't Worth Spending More On?

This is completely personal.

If you LOVE trends and get excited about wearing them, have fun.

But if you know you're going to wear something twice before you're over it, that's probably not where we'd put the biggest part of our clothing budget.

Spend according to your actual life.

Not your imaginary life.

If you work from home five days a week, maybe you don't need six cocktail dresses.

If you're constantly going to dinners and events?

Maybe you do.

Your closet should work for the person who actually lives in it.

Our Three-Outfit Rule

This is one of our favorite shopping tests.

Before buying something, ask:

Can I immediately think of three ways to wear this?

If the answer is yes, that's a very good sign.

That cardigan works with your jeans, dress and wide-leg pants.

That Nikibiki tank works under three sweaters.

That Hammitt bag works with basically your entire closet.

That Made in Italy top works casually AND dressed up.

Now we're getting somewhere.

Quality Doesn't Always Mean Expensive

This matters too.

Price and quality are not the same thing.

An expensive piece can disappoint you.

An affordable piece can become one of your favorites.

Look at the garment itself.

Check the fabric.

Look at the seams.

Feel it.

Try it on.

Think about how you'll care for it.

And most importantly:

Ask yourself whether you're actually going to wear it.

Shop a Little Differently

At Katalina's, we don't want your closet filled with things that still have tags on them a year from now.

We'd rather help you find the piece that makes you say:

“Wait... I can wear this with EVERYTHING.”

That's the good stuff.

Shop women's clothing, Made in Italy fashion, sweaters, denim, dresses, Nikibiki basics, matching sets, Hammitt handbags and New Arrivals at Katalina's Boutique online.

Or come shop with us in Capitola, California and at Katalina's Closet in Scottsdale, Arizona.

And if you're in Capitola for Beach Festival this weekend, come see us while you're exploring the Village.

We'll happily help you apply the three-outfit rule in person. 😉

Until next time,

Katalina's Journal