How much is too much for a top?

Trisher if YOU are in love with it (I only ever buy clothes now I am in love with), you can afford it, I say go with it. It’s lovely by the way. You can also wear it undone with a camisole underneath to get more wear out of it. I have previously bought 2 tops very similar to this in the past, one for a wedding and questioned myself on the expense but always justify it by thinking that they will not date, they will last me years which they have as I bought them 12 years ago and although my friend now possesses one the other one is hanging in my wardrobe as good as the day I bought it. I have recently bought a little sleeveless cami to go under it and have worn it as a jacket and it still looks lovely. I ignore the ‘dry clean only’ and put on machine handwash and lightly iron and it comes up lovely. I would rather splash out every few years on something decent and know it will probably outlive me than buy cheap and cheerful that looks like a rag next summer. You are only on this planet for such a short time....enjoy. By the way I don’t drink or smoke and rarely go out so if I have to justify it to myself that’s how I do it ?

I’d be more tempted to make do with what I’ve got for a little longer and give a huge donation of food to the food bank.

It’s pretty. And silk is expensive. I don’t know about you, but I rarely see things I like. I have an enormous wardrobe (a symptom of rarely chucking things out and a lot of charity shop shopping), so contemplating selling stuff on eBay. Perhaps, if you have stuff you feel you don’t need anymore and sell it, that could justify a spend? The other options are wait for a sale, or take up dressmaking. I had a friend who spent tens of thousands on clothing. She said always buy ‘outfits’. So don’t randomly buy something because it catches your eye. Always make sure you have shoes and accessories to go with it. Her theory was, you will need a quarter of the wardrobe most of us accumulate.

As other say if you can afford it and will get plenty of wear out of it to justify that price then treat yourself. But I certainly wouldn’t pay that for one top I could get few lovely pieces for that price. Even if it’s on sale I don’t feel it’s worth that investment.

Most I've ever paid for a top is £10. Recently bought 4 smart tops in TKMaxx for £5 each.

Cost per wear is the thing.

How much is too much?
£1 more than you have?.
If you like it, then do it.

I just don't buy special occasion clothes unless I know I'd wear them more than a couple of times. Sometimes something lovely can be "demoted" to every day, but too often you end up with a wardrobe of lovely things you've only worn once. Different of course if it is for a very special occasion like a son's wedding.
And of course so many of this type of clothes need to be dry cleaned

No!! No garment is worth that much. You are just paying to keep do called designers in luxury not the actual people that make them.
The people who make them get very little.

Miss adventure wow those bags.... but way way out of my budget !

I’d buy it with bells on!! The pleasure you’ll get is worth every penny! Will anyone else be affected? Miss out? Go hungry? No? Go for it girl!! Feel fab when you’re out xx???

If I wasn't a lump dump and I knew it would look fab on me, I would buy it. I think it's lovely.

I would never pay more than about £30 for a top, and rarely even that much. I don't go out much (even pre-Covid) and so I spend little on clothes. I have enough everyday tops, jeans and skirts to last for years so I'd save the money. But if you really love it, it would give you pleasure to wear it, and you can afford it without difficulty, then rock on. Why not? YOLO.

If you like it, it suits you, and you can see yourself wearing it and feeling good in it - why not? I would probably struggle to find something to wear with it - not quite sure which shade might make an elegant outfit, but if you have that sorted then I hope you enjoy it.

If you can afford it - go for it. The trouble is in these times, I never get the opportunity to ‘dress up’. It’s definitely smart casual if I DO go out. I have a lovely dark blue lacy sparkly evening dress which I would love to wear but it will never see the light of day. Another one for the charity shop.

This thread has me pondering, dare I go into my favourite store today and buy some new jeans or a new sweat shirt. I know, not very exciting but as I'm unlikely to be doing much outside the house than walking the dog, they will be wardrobe staples this autumn and winter. I have only one pair of decent jeans, the rest are all years and years old (and yes, a bit tight round the middle)

Yes if I loved it and would utilise it.
I still wear a 25 year old classic white shirt that cost £99
Every year I buy a new cashmere top and relegate an old one.
I also buy one pair of NYDJ each year.
I have a fairly fixed style particularly in Autumn and Winter so good boots, jeans, shirt or jumper with a Tusting bag always works.

Think of what you have NOT spent in the last few months.....it adds up, cinema trips, meals out, holidays etc.

It would look lovely for a night out or a wedding or a party (what are they ?!). I bought Jigsaw silky cardigan .....possibly 18 years ago. I still have it

trisher, the top is lovely. If you can afford it, go for it. Sometimes you see something and that wicked fairy whispers, buy it. But something tells me that you feel it's extravagant otherwise you would have bought it. That's why you are seeking approval. Treat yourself.

Mary I was tempted by the blue Seasalt jacket you have bought, but by that time I had already bought the other blue jacket which is slightly padded and rather snug.

Crikey trisher imagine if you read all our posts - decide that you will buy it - and then your size is sold out! What a let down that would be

Quick - go buy it now - and despite all the negative posts (me too - sorry ) - I am sure we will all be happy for you

Good Luck x

Oh I wish I could wear stripes Maw but I’d look like a barrel.
trisher if you love the top and wearing it will make you feel a million dollars then buy it and wear it with a big bright smile. We all need something to make us happy these days. It’s a top.

Trisher - it's machine washable silk... so if you have a silk wash on your machine... ?

I think it's lovely. And probably versatile.
Could also be worn instead of a cardigan/jacket/shawl on those not-so-warm summer evenings.

When I'm talking of clothes, I always remember the trouser suit I bought from Primark......it was greyish blue. I wore that for my divorce hearing. I did look good. The Judge was pretty fair when dealing out the settlement. He probably thought I needed enough money to keep me in Primark ?