Editor’s Note: This is part two of Noel’s ongoing series honestly documenting her adventures budgeting, spending, and saving while attending college in NYC. Read part one here: Spending and Saving in New York City: Part One.
Okay, I cracked.
I bought two Hermès silk scarves at the Hermès sample sale last week. Yes, not just one — but two at $225 apiece.
You see, I was only planning to look around the Metropolitan Pavilion, admiring the equestrian saddles and well-chiseled men and women who would actually purchase these pieces. Security was so tight that I had to keep my belongings with an attendant (except for my Fendi wallet, of course). I waited in line for 30 minutes, standing amidst corporettes on their lunch breaks and grandmothers in cashmere sweaters, wondering where the younger people were.
I started off well. I admired some Birkins and fingered a few coats. I tried on a pair of pink sandals and promptly put them back on the shelf — after all, the rainy season has dawned upon New York City and I need more boots! I inhaled the signature cologne. I will not buy anything, I thought to myself.
Ah, but then I saw boxes and boxes of silk scarves in a rainbow spectrum of colors and designs. These 90 by 90 centimeter pieces of silk are hand-printed using silk screens and hand-stitched to perfection.
I stroked a few of them, but was not inclined to buy any until I saw it — a light blue and white one. (Of course, this was before I spotted the Indian rose and gold one as well.)
Why did I buy? Well, I tend to supplement my purchases with justifications on the side, which now alarms me to a comparison to Rebecca Bloomwood from the film Confessions of a Shopaholic. Especially because she, too, splurged on a scarf — except at least she was out of college and she only purchased one.
So, these are the reasons I used to convince myself to buy two Hermès silk scarves:
- The baby blue scarf would be perfect for sporting and spirit events at Columbia University! Never mind the fact that I have yet to attend a football game and that I skipped out on some organized activities for other fun excursions during New Student Orientation Week. I could be chic when I attend Homecoming. Who needs body paint when you have an Hermès scarf tied around your neck?
- The Indian rose and gold scarf would add color to my exceedingly dark wardrobe. I wear at least one piece in black every day, and I desperately need to add more bright colors in my ensembles.
- Hermès scarves can be worn in so many different ways — and not just around the neck. They could be tied into halter tops, skirts, headscarves, and more. I’m just purchasing a scarf; I’m practically purchasing a new wardrobe! Yes, I know I’m getting ludicrous.
- These are classic pieces that I won’t outgrow. If anything, my collection will probably grow throughout the years. I mean, Grace Kelly used an Hermes as an arm sling!
- Rebecca Bloomwood of Confessions of a Shopaholic splurged on a green scarf — and it eventually became her magazine column name: “the Girl in the Green Scarf”. Who’s to say my scarves won’t give me equal or greater success as a writer?
“Sorry dear, we only accept credit,” said the clerk at the cashier. I begrudgingly handed over my credit card.
Later that day, by some crazy stroke of fate, my dear father called me to tell me that I am paying my own taxes this year and that I should sign up for an accounting course — none of this had to do with the purchases I had made earlier, by the way.
He just wanted me to become completely financially independent by the time I graduated college. And as I told my father that accounting courses were out of the question this year because of my tight schedule, I glanced back at my new scarves.
I’m quite a lucky girl for having parents who are willing and able to support me, but I came to New York City to study and to build my future — not to increase my wardrobe size. Luckily, my parents reminded me that with independence comes great responsibility and sacrifices.
I’m keeping the scarves (they are non-refundable anyways) and I don’t regret buying them at all, but I’m not going to be a college student forever. Everyone should splurge once in a while, but as every college student fashionista knows, college is about working hard and playing hard — shopping hard is just another temptation when you happen to go to school in New York City.
What about you? Have you splurged on anything recently? What have your biggest impulse purchases or splurges been on? Tell us in the comments.
Gah, I would never be able to spend that much.
The most I’ve ever personally spent was $40 of a jacket. 😛 I’m cheap.
My school uniform was $300 of the kilt and the blazer, but I didn’t buy that. My mom did.
I NEVER go on shopping splurgers. I just don’t feel so much of an attraction to clothes that I can’t control myself. Of course, I don’t live in New York………
I must agree, this is difficult to relate to. I guess it is about spending in NY too though.
I´m from Colombia and i absolutly love this site… I’m a law student n my school requires to wear officelike outfits for some exams… so my splurges are often justified on wearing smething that leaves a good impression on my proffesors…and here tht’s a really big deal!
As a young (slightly gothic) girl, I often envy my friends when they tell me about their recent splurges. £50 on a skirt? Not for me! Every time it’s my mum’s payday, we go to the charity shops just outside london (I live in Essex, and if you have seen TOWIE, then I have shame on you and convinve you that life is NOTHING like this dumb show). I just found a chanel cocktail dress for £5.50! I forced my mother to buy it, but now it’s just the case of having nowhere to wear the dress! British Bombshell Daisy
I am having trouble believing some of your reasons for your scarf purchase. However, I know how you feel. Although I don’t drop over $400 on scarves on a single day (at least not yet so far..) I do the same thing on a smaller scale.
Just don’t keep on telling yourself you won’t spend crazily. Actually stop going to crazy shopping places (meaning, avoid stores, except grocery, altogether. And yes, I realize that is so much easier said than done.
I hope we both get better in our crazy semi addiction to nice clothes (and scarves)!
I liked this article, but I honestly found it somewhat weak at the same time, because I still feel a bit of denial that channels Confessions of a Shopaholic. I think what people took away from your ‘excuses’ is that you adequately tried to justify yourself in purchasing, but I don’t feel like any of those reasons are true reasons at all D:
Even if it is an investment piece, I don’t come away with a feeling like you completely understood the complete consequences of your actions. I don’t mind that you can drop $200 on a scarf, since monetary value can be arbitrary, but it’s the intention that bothered me a little. Although, I am very glad that you were very honest about explaining your true thoughts.
A way to strengthen this series is if you could try to set an example, and actively try to curb back on 1) justifying yourself on these purchases 2) targeting problem areas 3) Setting a TRUE budget for yourself. I’d definitely read about how you are trying to set an active example for yourself, because man, we all know that everyone falls prey to these vices, but part of budgeting to learning how to struggle and OVERCOME said vices. It would also be super helpful, since you are starting to break away from your parent’s cushioning, and there IS an aspect of trauma with it :3 This is my opinion, but thanks for writing this article.
My biggest impulse buy was a $300 coach purse my freshman year. I had worked as a nanny all semester and hardly spent a dime of my hard-earned money. Though I had not anticipated buying the bag when I went shopping that day, particularly since I had never before purchased a designer item, I do not regret it one bit. Three years later the purse is still my favorite, mostly because I know how hard I worked to earn it. 🙂
I’m an English major, and I really appreciate your excellent writing style, Noel. I have been a fan of Miss Couturable for a long time precisely because of your witty and elegant writing! On the hand, while I garner many compliments on my look on a daily basis, I know how to bargain shop! While you are very blessed to be able to spend over 200 dollars on a single scarf, it is a little painful for us less-fortunate girls to read about you “budgeting.” And since I attend a very expensive private university and have a wardrobe that I like, I can ony imagine how insensitive your article must seem to girls who are not as fortunate. You seem like such an entirely lovely person, Noel, but please don’t fool yourself into believing that you are living the life of an average college student!
i go to school RIGHT next to an hermes and a sonia rykiel among other AMAZING stores…it’s good to know i’m not the only one who struggles with spending 500+ on a given day!!
i like having somebody who writes from a perspective that i’m familiar with as opposed to the normal budgeting blog 🙂
@ Shannon, agreed. I think it’s unfair to say one group of people are more inclined to let their children spend their money however they please.
I think Wendy doesn’t realize that a large number of Asians in the US now came over as refugees and don’t have that sort of excess money to spend, something she is obviously, and very luckily, oblivious to.
I agree with Cara, this is does not relate to the normal college girl I know. Most are not able to drop this kind of money on something like scarves. Not everyone has their parents supporting them. In this kind of economy talking about these sorts of things is almost like rubbing it in. I’m sorry if I sound harsh.
At first I thought, “Who would spend that much on scarves?”
And then I remembered, though I didn’t spend it on scarves, dropping $500-$1000 on a bag on a bad day isn’t totally unheard of. I always feel guilty afterward, and I have to reduce other expenses so my parents don’t notice the ridiculous credit card bill at the end of the month. I think everyone, regardless of their budget, has these vices–mine are bags (which are nearly impossible to fit in a dorm room btw)…
Noel, I am sure you are a wonderful person, but any girl who buys $200+ scarves… is not on a budget. I had high hopes that this series would have pertinent, relevant tips for the normal American college student. Can we at least add a few articles for those of us who are allotted, oh, say three or four hundred dollars for all our needs in a month, including non-meal plan food, entertainment, gas, AND clothes? Because this isn’t the real worldof a limited budget.
Whoa!
I couldn’t imagine spending 225 a piece on a scarf.
I have a hard enough time spending more than 100 on much needed boots for the winter.
I’d love to be able to spend that though!
i have to say i probably would’ve been one of the first ones to buy WAY MORE than 2 scarves =)
i cant go anywhere near a store without buying something.
i love this series because i put myself on a budget not too long ago.
i cant wait to read about what happens next!!