Fashion

[sandy53]

I think we are in the "I'll wear what I want" era of dressing.  That does not lead to investment dressing; it leads to casual comfort.  Women are not following fashion magazines for ideas on how to dress like we did years ago.  Our society is so much more casual now and our clothing certainly reflects that change.

I don't want my casual clothes to last forever.  If I get 2 or 3 seasons from my casual wear (especially spring/summer clothes that are laundered often), I am happy.  I'll pay reasonable prices, not cheap, for items I know I will love and wear often. 

I don't care how much you pay or how "classic" an item is, styles do change and often clothing looks dated before it wears out. 

[Shanus]

@On It   I "do" investment dressing for many decades...difficult to do online. Yes, prices have increased, but if you know the stores/designers you loved, their quality may be the same. I have cashmere sweaters from NM and J Crew that I purchased at least  15 yrs. ago. My black tailed blazer from Ralph Lauren (a splurge for sure) was purchased in 1995...worn at least once a week since then and earned it's price per wear status. 

I've purchased much less when I've not gone to the store to see the items in person. I have never defaulted to trends or inexpensive items just to shop/purchase. 

[Desert Lily]

I agree with @sandy53  .  During the Great Recession, cotton and other natural fabrics became more expensive and manufacturers turned to polyester and other alternatives. Fabrics also became thinner. At the same time, our lifestyles and work clothes were gradually becoming more casual. The pandemic intensified our casual lifestyle apparel.

When women hit the workforce in the late 1970's and the 1980's big time, they dressed in "investment" clothes just as men did. People "dressed for success" back then for work and other occasions.

Those natural fabrics required a lot of care, including dry cleaning. And then dry cleaning chemicals were found to be unhealthy (& smelly). I'm glad dry cleaning for me has been over for years.

Work locations and work apparel have changed. Maybe it's closer to "what we know" instead of "what we wear" in careers now.

Investment dressing evokes an image of likely outdated styles within our current fashions and lifestyles. But perhaps it will recycle in the future as so many things in fashion do.

I think we're fortunate to have plenty of fashion choices, and individuals can wear what appeals to them.