My best friend's father used to say this phrase all the time when we were growing up. While I wouldn't call him a wealthy man, he really thought long and hard about where his money was going.
With our wardrobes, it can be easy to get sucked in by designer names, sales, outlet stores and trends. So how do you know if something is worth your investment (big or small)?
There are some telltale signs of quality that I always keep in mind.
* You shouldn't be able to see the hem
This is a big one for me because so many times I can see the stitching of the hem on the outside of the garment and this immediately screams cheap (or bad tailoring). This can happen with a skirt, a dress or even a coat.
* Loose threads
This occurs a lot in fast fashion, but can happen at any price point when items are mass produced. While I wouldn't walk away from a garment with loose threads, I would consider what I'm buying --- I don't want to spend a lot of money on something I'm going to wear a lot (like a winter coat), only to have it fall apart or need to be fixed after a month of wear.
* Reinforced buttons
This is a sure sign of quality as I almost never see small, reinforced buttons on any inexpensive or mid-range items. Little, reinforced buttons don't need to be on everything - they're best on items you are wearing a lot like a winter coat, a trench coat, or a sport coat (they're usually buttons that are a bit smaller than the ones you see on the outside of the garment, that are sewn on the inside to make the outside button stronger).
All these little extras take time (and money), which is why you won't see them on very cheap clothing items.
* Matching patterns
I probably point this one out the most -- to men and women. Unless a pattern is truly random (like an animal print), it should always match at the seams. If it doesn't, this is another factor that we can easily spot and looks cheap.
Men -- stripes on polos or t-shirts should match at the sleeve. Sport coats and suits should also always match at the arm and at the seams. Make sure pinstripes line up.
Women -- patterns should match on the sides of dresses and skirts (and wherever there is a zipper sewn in).
* Zippers
Speaking of zippers, not only should they match the color of the garment (yes, in some women's fashions they are made to stand out), but they're more durable when they're metal and not plastic.
Most buttons nowadays are also plastic. For men, when you really want to look sharp and are spending a bit of money, a great sign of quality is horn or mother-of-pearl buttons -- this is a subtle little detail that can really finish off the right suit, shirt or coat.
* Avoid anything super shiny
Shiny buttons, jewelry and hardware on bags happens a lot in women's fashion (not so much with men). While things like buttons can be changed, I usually won't even buy the garment because I'm pretty sure the rest of it is going to be crap (itchy fabric, loose threads, uneven stitching).
Really cheap handbags and jewelry usually fall victim to the shininess factor and are waaaay too shiny to ever look good (or real). You don't have to opt for matte metals, but super shiny should be avoided.
* Country of origin
Lastly, but most importantly, you can tell a lot about a garment by where it's made. No surprise, but "Made in China" or "Made in the Philippines" is not the same as "Made in the USA" or "Made in Italy".
These finishing details require extra time, better materials, and skilled workers. This doesn't mean these things can't be found overseas, but items that cost a bit more and are worth your hard earned money, will usually be finished in places other than China or India.
If you're unsure, just ask. The sales associates should be knowledgeable about the garments on their sales floor and will be happy to answer your questions.
Hopefully this will shed some light on how to recognize quality when shopping for anything, anywhere -- at home, online or abroad!
I Can Eat My Deodorant!
Really! I can! I've been making my own deodorant for a few years now (actually my mom makes it and we split it), but this is a great thing to do for many reasons.
I opted to make my own because, well, I don't want them finding aluminum in my brain (linked to several illnesses).
It's also better for your clothes since it's a natural substance. It isn't as harsh on the fibers and, it really works! (Trust me, I do Cheerobix, which burns 600 calories/hour, and I don't stink after class :). It's also inexpensive and lasts for several months.
Here's the recipe. This calls for grapefruit essential oil, but you can add whatever you like - lavender, lemon, or leave it out completely.
And remember, coconut oil should be unrefined - not refined. Refined is processed and can be too hard on the liver. As for essential oil, make sure you're buying the good stuff, i.e. 100% pure. You don't want to be putting synthetics into your body, especially through the skin when there is no filter.
Just like the recipe states, I keep mine in a glass jar. It will get softer in the summer months, and in the winter, your body heat will help it melt and glide on easily.
This is a great deodorant recipe for both genders and if you're interested in how I've removed all the chemicals from my beauty routine, please subscribe to my blog, sign up for my free monthly newsletter (see the margin to the right :), or check back.
Men - you might not use as many "beauty products" as women, but it's still a good idea to remove chemical-filled products from your life. There's no way our bodies (and poor liver!), can filter everything! A good place to start is Dr. Bronner's. This is a picture I took of their shaving cream at Whole Foods. Their products are organic, certified fair trade and non-toxic.
I've spent 4 years figuring out what brands are easy to buy, find, and what I can make on my own that doesn't take up tons of time (or money).
From shampoo to laundry detergent to lotion, lipstick and more, it's been an interesting journey and I'm thrilled to help others live a healthy, toxic-free life!
Here's my favorite account to follow on Instagram regarding natural health, including a recipe for homemade laundry detergent (that last 1 year! - talk about inexpensive :) and other recommend brands. (And yes, washing soda is a thing -- that's not a typo :).
This girl really knows her stuff! The things she posts, blows my mind (be sure to check out the Instagram post about music - the vibration has been lowered from 432 hz to 440 hz!). Even if you're not on Instagram, you can still check out her blog (just Google, 'Organic Olivia').
Here's a blog post I wrote about toxic-free, 100% natural moisturizer, night cream, blush, foundation, mascara and more.
I'd love to know what products you use that are non-toxic and easy to find or make. I believe we can get back to how nature intended and away from so many chemicals. Our bodies, our planet and the future is depending on it. :)
Men: The Key to Happiness - Tucking In Your Shirt
Slim, barrel-chested, tummy or 6 pack abs, shirts for men look better tucked in. Why? A shirt hanging out makes you look bigger - ESPECIALLY if it covers the crotch. We can't see where your legs begin.
You never want to be more torso than legs --- it's always more flattering (for men AND women), to look more legs than torso. A longer leg line helps make you look taller.
However, it now seems that tucking in is also tied to something else for men - happiness.
There was a wonderful article in the Chicago Tribune the other week about a study done by Fruit of the Loom that asked 1,000 men, ages 25-60, about the quality of their lives in terms of happiness, optimism, social status, income and relationships.
The study found that 60% of men who tuck in their shirts at work, are happier. It also found that these men are 22% more likely to be optimistic about their future and also earn more money than the (sloppy) untuckers and have more dates! Woo hoo! These are a good things :)
Here's a video I did for women about leggings, but I also address the issue of looking like more torso than legs so you can see the difference.