Where to spend it

I'm often bemused and amused in equal measures by the FT's How to Spend it magazine. The most recent was an outstanding issue with gorgeous dresses made of wallpaper made especially for the home and garden edition it was. The amount items cost in How to Spend it are huge bucks.

Actually it was the wallpapers, nothing under £43 per roll (although £43 was cheapest price I've ever seen in the mag) which made me think about where to spend ones money. I'm always thinking about the how and why of where to buy clothes and is a good reason etc. It is one of my obsessions. Recently I reverted back to my age old mantra of buy quality for shoes, jewellery and bags, knits, t-shirts and trousers and everything else doesn't matter.

My reasoning is thus, these items need to be of quality to look good with ease. For some reason trousers only truly last and work well if they are cut well. And good cuts cost. I'd rather buy one really good white t-shirt than lots of substandard ones. I'm only likely to wear it once a week if that, so better to spend more for something that lasts longer. You don't have to go bonkers the Isabella Oliver 365 Perfect Tee for £35 is fantastic quality and a perfectly respectable nonchalant cut.



The same is true of shoes. I bought a pair of Tods loafers in Rome nearly 5 years ago and they are still going strong.

I think where you spend your money is a better choice to making things last. The amount of money I wasted on tat, or quantity of goods, means I could have easily had a 2.55 Chanel bag ages ago and the same is true of my now curbed high st costume jewellery splurges. Why I could have had this instead! A wonderful unusual - not worn by Alexa Chung (although I'm sure WendyB would be happy if she did) - Tortoise locket ($2,800.00)





It could be all a case of growing up or being wiser but if I have spare coffers again then I know I will wait to spend it where I will get the best returns and greatest pleasure.