Advice: How to dress well for cheap and within your budget?

Please note, the objective of this article is not to spend as little as possible to end up obtaining poor quality parts . On the contrary, it aims to give you an idea of ​​the budget to invest for each type of room.

There is no miracle: if you want to dress well, you have to invest a minimum to have decent quality. And you will benefit because, as we often say, it is better to spend a minimum on a piece that will last you longer than to focus on quantity.

This way, you will avoid unrealistic expectations , such as thinking of finding a cashmere knit for less than €100, or a shirt with a hand-assembled shoulder for less than €150.

We will therefore summarize here what we can expect in terms of quality for each range of products and according to each budget . And also, some tips for finding parts at reduced prices!

DECRYPTING A SOMETIMES OPAQUE OFFER

This article will be used to:

• know what to expect according to your budget, that is to say, determine your level of requirements,
• better understand what you are going to buy (and spend better),
• see what you can demand from a piece... or not (some people sometimes have unrealistic expectations in relation to the price: you should never forget this fact).

I deliberately do not cite brands, because this is work that we have already done in the past. The goal here is really to focus on the quality aspect of the clothes according to your budget: “what can you get for €X?” .

This list gives budget ranges. It illustrates how the market is segmented, which is the average of what you get for a given price .

This does not mean: “flee any brand that does not offer the same price as the others”: special cases exist and are numerous (these are also the ones we like to talk about on BonneGueule).

Last point, we are talking here about unsold items. It is obvious that the quality/price ratio completely changes when a piece of clothing is 40% off. Although that doesn't necessarily mean you're getting a deal .

RANGES OF T-SHIRTS

• Less than €10 : welcome to the kingdom of t-shirts that disintegrate when washed, or at best, which become completely deformed. In addition, they are produced in a very unethical way, because to have a t-shirt at that price, certain actors must necessarily bear the costs .
• Between €10 and €20 : we are starting to find decent models, with ethics that are not necessarily always at the top. As with shirts or chinos, cotton clothes are those that allow you to dress well for cheap.
• Between €20 and €50 : good t-shirts made in Europe, sometimes with interesting work on the material.
• Between €50 and €100 : we move upmarket. You can find very beautiful creations in this budget, materials more noble than cotton, such as a blend with cashmere or a merino wool tee. If none of these elements are present, then the part is too expensive.
• More than €100 : t-shirt in very high-end cotton jerseys, mixed with noble materials such as cashmere, etc. It is also on this budget that we find t-shirts in 100% merino wool. But what often justifies such a high price is above all the cutting work.

WHAT BUDGET FOR A SHIRT?

• Between €40 and €90 : correct material, cut and collar. Here, favor brands that sell in short circuit , which are often specialized in one type of product, like Hast for example, because they thus reduce their costs. You will also find choice and decent shirts from entry-level brands, mostly made in Asia.
• Between €90 and €200 : more elaborate material, cross-sewn buttons, obviously perfect cut, English seams and buttons in natural material (sometimes).
• More than €200 : handmade details, thick mother-of-pearl buttons, creative work and very elaborate cut, more unique materials.

WHAT BUDGET FOR A POLO SHIRT?

• Between €45 and €80 : a decent jersey but without any fuss. No rich hue, no texture. It's the classic jersey you all know. The collar must hold, watch out for those that sag or buckle.
• Between €80 and €150 : work on the cut, details on the sleeves or collar and materials with beautiful reflections. This is really where the difference will be made, the texture will be richer.
• More than €150 : mother-of-pearl buttons on the collar, worked reinforcement swallows, mixtures with noble materials such as silk and a very regular, robust and dense knit. You will also find polo shirts in merino or with a high bias on this budget (for example at Scott Fraser Collection).

WHAT TO EXPECT FOR A FINE KNIT?

• Less than €50 : simple color, good cut, likely presence of synthetic. There are also softeners in wool which reduce the lifespan of the pieces.
• Between €60 and €120 : we find more natural materials, made in Europe. Not necessarily work on texture.
• Above €150 : extensive work on the texture and quality material. The mesh will be more dense and durable.

AND A THICK MESH?

• Less than €100 : classic cut and color, entry-level synthetic and wool blend (short fibers), plastic buttons. In this price range, the knit will be much less beautiful, robust and will not really keep you warm: it is better to stick to small knits if you do not have the budget, and save money.
• Between €100 and €200 : a hybrid range: depending on the brand, you will find both uninteresting knits with a lot of synthetic material, but you will also start to find beautiful knits in natural material with a nice thickness and a European manufacturing
• More than €200 : high-end wool, abundant quantity of material, work on the buttons and the texture of the knitting for a very dense knit which fulfills its role of protection against the cold.
• Above €200 : mixtures with very high-end materials which offer robustness, softness or warmth such as alpaca, mohair, cashmere, etc.

KNOW THE PRICE OF A COAT

• Between €200 and €400 : you can find decent ones at these prices, but often with compromises: not very thick materials, mixed with synthetic, not impeccable construction. The woolen cloth will be more or less mixed with synthetic materials (be careful, beyond 30%, don't go there). Between €350 and €400, you will start to find good coats from certain specific brands.
• Between €400 and €600 : from €400, you start to get a real durable piece with a thick woolen cloth. But at this price, it's pure wool or nothing! Sometimes a lot of work on the material, and a certain number of functional details (ease slits, large lined pockets, interior pockets, etc.). The cut is also worked, the buttons can be in plastic or horn.
• More than €600 : a very beautiful piece in high-end pure wool. Potentially in a natural fabric mixed with mohair, camel or a little cashmere, or even a technical material. A design work will be noticed immediately as well as many functionalities.

WHAT ABOUT JACKETS?

• Between €100 and €400 : cotton or wool teddy or bomber jackets. Some of very good quality, others meh. In this price range, you will have to pay attention to the composition, the place of production or the quality of manufacture. No quality leather piece to that price !
• Between €400 and €600 : we find some honest leathers at that price . Apart from leather, there are good jackets made from natural materials.
• Between €600 and €900 : we arrive at a really interesting price range. In terms of leather, things are starting to look good (not always). For a jacket, it will be in a very nice material with pretty details. Linings generally in viscose or cupro .
• More than €900 : very good budget for a leather jacket: beautiful European leather, European (even French) manufacturing. For a non-leather jacket, we come across very luxurious models (for example Stoffà).

WHAT PRICE FOR WHAT RANGE OF JEANS?

• Between €50 and €110 : you can find decent models, at Uniqlo for a budget around €50, or Unbranded Brand around €100. There are also a lot of unattractive entry-level jeans.
• Between €110 and €190 : we arrive at a budget which allows us to have nice fabrics or even selvedge, with pretty details like chain stitch and a sophisticated cut.
• More than €190 : premium selvedge canvas which will age very nicely (sometimes even withnatural indigo ). Selvedge ticket pocket, rivets on the back pockets, lined or semi-lined back pockets, great work on the color of the jeans. In short, the best of the best.

THE CASE OF TROUSERS

• Between €50 and €100 : correct canvas and acceptable cut. Basic finishes and no particular work on the shape or volume of the pants. No acceptable wool pants in this price range (they all feature synthetic fibers).
• Between €100 and €200 : beautiful canvas, sometimes with pretty reflections and a particular texture. Thicker weights on winter pants. Cutting work and sometimes some nice little details. We will find good quality 100% wool pants
• More than €200 : pants with very good finishes, more elaborate and original fittings and cuts (high waist, pleats, tightening tabs). As for wool pants, we get very good value for money with beautiful materials.

HOW MUCH TO INVEST IN SNEAKERS?

• Between 50 and 100 € : we are on the entry level, the sole will be glued but you can get away with a nice design and shape, varied colors. On the other hand, in these prices one cannot expect durability.
• Between €100 and €200 : good quality sole, sometimes sewn and glued, nice leathers, accomplished shape, research in material and design, leather lining (sometimes).
• Between 200 and 300€ : even a notch higher in terms of quality of materials. More polished, worked design.
• More than €300 : we arrive at fairly high-end sneakers. Creative work on design and materials, Italian manufacturing, closely spaced seams, lambskin lining, metal eyelets. In short, so many details that make it truly high-end/luxury.

HOW MUCH TO INVEST IN LEATHER SHOES

• Less than €150 : a range to avoid: high probability of leather which will wrinkle very quickly or which will be very corrected and therefore shiny, models often glued... In short, we do not recommend this price range for shoes in smooth leather .
• Between €150 and €200 : minimum price to invest for shoes in smooth leather which you really can't cheat on. Some specialized brands manage to offer decent ones at these prices. This is the case of Meermin or Ypson's for example.
• Between €200 and €400 : we move upmarket with really pretty leathers, quality assembly. This is often where we find the best quality/price ratio.
• Between €400 and €600 : the shapes are accomplished and timeless, the leathers are high-end.
• 600 € and more : we enter the tailor-made shoe with very high-end leathers (like cordovan), very worked colors, refined assembly, and the possibility of personalizing the patina.

JACKETS AND BLAZERS: WHAT TO EXPECT?

• Between €100 and €200 : good cut, correct color, but often, mixing with synthetic and inevitable heat-sealed assembly. Here again, cheap is a danger zone.
• Between €200 and €400 : in this price range, many heat-sealed jackets with average materials are overpriced. You can nevertheless find good jackets in this budget with a semi-canvass construction (especially since the arrival of Suitsupply on the market).
• Between €400 and €600 : well-cut jacket, semi-interlining, noble wool fabric or blend of fibers (with linen, silk, etc.)
• More than €600 : highly crafted and flattering cut, traditional interlining, exceptional materials, designer details (play on buttons, impeccable stitching, designed shoulder line, etc.).

EACH RANGE, ITS SUIT

• Between €150 and €300 : good cut, classic colors but synthetic material (little or no wool). Often heat-sealed assembly. Dangerous area where supply is generally average. A few exceptions may stand out around €300 (for example Mario Dessuti).
• Between €300 and €400 : little choice and most of them heat-sealed, often still too expensive. Effective for getting started in active life but without extra soul.
• Between €400 and €500 : correct assemblies, in standard and sometimes textured materials. That said, we are starting to find quality semi-interlining in this niche. And chosen well, this piece will last you.
• Between €500 and €900 : durable semi-canvassing, worked and original wool fabrics, variety of cuts and models. We are even starting to find certain sartorial details (Milanese, hand-sewn buttonholes, etc.).
• More than €1,000 : interlining, handmade details, travettos (typically Italian reinforcement stitches), traditional assembly, perfect cut, exceptional natural materials, Milanese on the left cuff. We are here at a very high end.

DRESS WELL FOR CHEAP, IS IT POSSIBLE?

As you have seen, small cotton items (t-shirts, shirts, chinos, etc.) allow you to dress cheaply and effectively. And the offer in small, very large mesh can allow you to make great savings.

Basically: dress with good, effective, quality basics that will make up 80% of your outfits, rather than with a bunch of bad, low-cost clothes that won't last.

It is important to invest in certain categories of clothing that do not tolerate poor quality (= poor appearance, low durability, which is ultimately expensive). This is particularly the case for high-end jeans, blazers, shoes and suits. If a high price is not necessarily synonymous with quality, it remains clear that below a certain price, it is impossible to find acceptable quality!

Finally, you can also turn to the second-hand market to try to find good deals, particularly on strong and sought-after pieces.

I hope you see things more clearly, and I wish you smart spending 🙂

PS This article is continuously updated based on your suggestions in the comments, so I am waiting for your ideas, suggestions, remarks, etc. !

MORE ARTICLES ON BUYING CLOTHES

• BonneGueule Podcast #4: What budget for your clothes?
• The Good Look #21: How to dress cheaply?