Women’s Magazines Sell Faux Frugality
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Hi! I'm Mrs. Micah and I blog about all things personal finance at Finance for a Freelance Life. I also run a small blog consulting business and blog on blogging at BlogCrafted.
Last week, while I was waiting to work with a baby (as a newborn hearing screener), I picked up a copy of Marie Claire (August '08) that the nurses had left lying around. As I flipped through it, I came across a page titled "Splurge vs. Steal." It focused on how to get designer looks for less.
The center showed a model wearing a $550 blazer, a $230 top, a $275 skirt, a $295 scarf and a $125 blet. She was also carrying a $350 clutch. We didn't get a price or designer for her boots. This was obviously the splurge, coming in at over $1500.
Marie Claire had come up with three alternatives which you could piece together from places like Gap, H&M, Forever 21, Banana Republic, and even Walmart. These were the "steals."
Or were they?
"Steal" #1 cost $523.50, "steal" #2 cost $372.30, and "steal" #3 cost $348.70.
I think that by switching a few items between the three versions one could assemble the outfit for something closer to $250. If we knock out the clutch entirely, we can save another $35 (since we're taking the cheapest--but also ugliest--clutch).
Just as these outfits are an imitation look, their presentation imitates frugality without actually being frugal. This advice is frugal to a precious few, who can actually afford to spend that much on clothes and who use the money wisely to look good without paying out the nose.
It's not that there's anything wrong with buying this outfit if you have the money, it's just that these outfits aren't a "steal" for most American women. The magazine has created a new desire (since while we may have wanted clothes before, we probably didn't want this particular outfit) and given us the impression we're getting a bargain.
As J.D. says in the title of the article I just referenced, we're engaged in a never-ending war against advertising. It comes at us from all angles. I believe the most insidious advertising is the kind that makes us believe we're getting a bargain when we don't need to buy the item at all. It's a "faux frugality."
Generally, I don't read women's magazines because I've found most of them to be full of faux frugality---and I'm talking about the articles, not the ads. But they're so shiny and sometimes I can't resist picking up one that's been left lying around. Where do you run into it most often? How do you avoid it?
Want more like this post? Read on!
- An Inspiring Story of Frugality Today, I'd
- Saving Money on Magazines guest pos
- Cheerful Frugality Plans A Meal When it co
- Cheerful Frugality Adds It Up Recently a
- Cheerful Frugality Nurses Well It's later
14 Responses to “Women’s Magazines Sell Faux Frugality”
October 12th, 2008 at 6:34 am
I see this in home magazines too. They will break down room decor costs and talk about them like the people were “thrifty” in buying the $500 whatever it is. Forget that. Show me doing this stuff for $5 and I’ll listen.
October 12th, 2008 at 9:49 am
I agree. Show me someone putting together an outfit from $20 of thrift store finds (yes it is possible) and I will know that the article was written by someone who understands true honest-to-goodness frugality.
Not long ago one of my daughter’s fashion-maven friends was admiring my daughter’s name brand jeans (new price: $80). She was floored when my daughter told her we’d found them at a yard sale for $3.
If only people realized what is out there. You just don’t have to go broke to look fashionable.
Mary, mom to many
October 12th, 2008 at 10:36 am
I understand what you’re saying, but a lot of people want to look ‘in fashion.’ If they are tempted to buy the designer models, then these articles are a help. At the very least, you can’t blame Marie Claire- it’s still a help to some. While I won’t buy their ‘cheap’ versions, I will be on the lookout the next time I am at a discount or thrift store. I don’t know if I’m making sense. I just like looking for inspiration wherever I can find it.
October 12th, 2008 at 11:52 am
I love the freedom of shopping frugally – I shop at thrift stores – saving my fam of 4 thousands a year – I also shop ‘clearance’ at JC penny and Sears -off season… For exaple, I bought both my boy (3) and girl (7) coats this year from good will at $5.00 each – One is a ‘columbia sportswear’ and one is a london fog coat -
Isn’t that great? The savings are awesome enough for me to splurge on things for me home and the occasional coach purse for myself as reward — or curtains, at bundle of towels at target for .74 – 18 face towels for a great price!
I am a hard working ‘outside the home’ mom and looking professional is very important to me – so whenever I see a steal, I grab it – from scarves to heels to suits – My co-workers are always complimenting me on my clothes and want me to shop with them to coordinate fashion choices…
I get tickled at my name brand finds at thrift shops and good will, and those who paid reg. price at macy’s or nordstrom is another pat on my back… Those magazines that have the FAUX fashion sense like you’re ‘actually’ saving money is outrageous and ridiculous – I only look in those mags to get ideas – That’s why so many women are in debt – huge cc debt because they haven’t got our secret of shopping SMART – while looking FABULOUS and FRUGAL…
Thanks for the post! Latrice “working mama in the NW!”
October 12th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
I had the same thing happen while reading a decorating magazine this week. Their “simple” furniture items each cost more than most people spend for an entire room.
We live near a rather high income community which has a Goodwill. All three of us (me, hubby, college age son) will shop there first and get very high end clothing. Only when there is an absolute necessity (like someone’s jeans are no longer wearable) will we go to the mall.
October 12th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Thank you for this post! I crack up when I read the “splurge vs steal” in any magazine. Obviously, they don’t deal with my budget! I can’t think of any outfit I own, let alone a day to day outfit, that is $250!! As for redecorating, I feel the same way…
Now, I must confess, we all buy almost all of our clothes new (except for the two youngest who are still “normal” size!) because we are tall people, but I still choke at spending $40 on a pair of jeans! I love clearance (which tall sizes do sometimes fall into!)…
October 12th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
As a young adult and newly married woman, I subscribed to a number of women’s magazines. I was finally convicted to drop the subscriptions since I found myself redefining myself according to the standards espoused in the magazines. That included fashion, beauty, home decorating and cooking.
We also have shopped at Goodwill stores in wealthy areas for outstanding gently used clothing. We have also saved a lot of money by shopping clearance racks at high-end stores, taking advantage of prices 75-90% off. We may only be able to wear the clothes the last few weeks of the season, but we have a brand new wardrobe for the following year.
October 12th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
I HATE this! I read magazines and the luxury purchase is $1,200 or so, so the $400 item is a “total steal.” Yeah, for who? Lindsey Lohan? It drives me crazy, especially because it makes regular people think that they’re supposed to be spending crazy amounts of money.
October 12th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
@Emily, whenever I pick up something like Real Simple I always end up admiring the rooms. But it’s not simple at all, it’s got a clean look but is very expensive. I love how much creativity your articles show. It gives me hope that I can have a beautiful home someday without being rich.
@Mary, that would be awesome but of course it wouldn’t go over well with advertisers. But if women’s magazines are writing primarily for advertisers, then who is writing for women? That’s one reason Ms. dropped advertisements for a while.
@Brenda, I live in a pretty poor county, but being around DC we do have access to places with richer people. I probably need to put in the distance and try out the thrift shops on the good side of town.
@Deb, I’ve found those kind of crushing. I’ll never be fashion magazine beautiful or a perfect cook or housekeeper. I’m glad I’m not the only one they make feel that way…
October 13th, 2008 at 11:41 am
$1500 for one outfit? Wow. I don’t think I’ve paid that for my entire wardrobe! lol
October 13th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Good piece! I was recently sized at Lane Bryant and bought two bras. I had ordered several online using their size calculators and none of them fit well. The lady at Lane Bryant helped me figure out what was going on and what size I need to be “today” as she said. (smile!) Well worth the money, and one of the bras was half off. I look so much better than before.
October 14th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I LOVE magazines but steer clear of glamour and most other traditional women’s magazines for exactly these reasons. I hate the hypocrisy (this is more Ladies’ Home Journal or Women’s Day or those types) of pages of gorgeous-looking food followed by the latest fad diet or exercise regimen. Oy. And, of course, these days all the mags have to have these “50 Ways to Save Money” type articles and they’re nothing new, just the recycled info that you can find all over the ‘net for free.
I prefer Taste of Home (all recipes, no hype), Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion (decorating/craft ideas), or Real Simple (except for the recipes full of expensive ingredients).
October 14th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Thank you!
Other than passing the time in the gynecologist’s waiting room, the only thing fashion magazines are good for, IMHO, is to give you a broad general idea of what’s in fashion. With that overview, you can (if you’re clever) buy or make clothes in the colors and styles that will make you feel au courant.
They’re good for getting ideas, but if you take them literally you’ll go nuts.
October 15th, 2008 at 11:43 am
When reading these I take it with a grain of salt; what they are trying to make you do is put your $ into THEIR hands; #1 rule is: to thine own self be true. I used to think that folks HATED women who made the “fashions”; the HUGE suitcases of purses look HORRID if you are a medium or small woman; CLUE! so DON”T BUY ONE even if it “says” somewhere that “THIS” is the thing to buy. Do not give up shopping; being frugal or thrifty is VOLUNTARILY choosing to use your brain the good Lord gave you! Don’t be “suckered” into the LINE “oh, you MUST get THIS to be “happy”. Only THEY will be happy as they laugh there way to the bank about yet another sucker falling for their sales pitch! The GAME is: EVERYONE wants your money; YOUR advantage is KNOWING this: and KEEPING your $! Yesterday at Goodwill I got a pair of Erika pants that I love they are 100% cotton for $2.99; look brand new; a beautiful lilac ribbed light sweater long sleeved with lace (looked like never even washed) for $2.99; I got a pair of life stride leather shoes that weigh no more than 3 ounces that had NO marks on the sole for $4.49; and I was ONLY looking for a pair of shoes! Don’t STOP shopping; just know WHERE to shop! SAW: 2 brand spanking new Denim & Co coats; reversable for $5.99 (as opposed to $50) if ordered thru QVC; beautiful dress $4.99 v neck with tiers of ruffles probably cost several hundred to buy new; I have found oodles of brand new shoes, purses, coats, jeans, sweaters etc all because some folks buy buy buy; hang in closet; put in closet; then clean out. I happily take the “cleaned out” closet remains for fractions & THAT folks is what “frugal” means; it may mean a lot of “looking” when on ways to other places; but always stop; I got a brand new $80 original price at thrift store, not from QVC, in wrapper in the summer; no one was looking for them then. I kept an eye on it; finally put on hanger & marked to $20; when it went on the 50 percent off rack I picked it up for daughter’s birthday for $10.00. Sure it was 100 degrees outside then: THAT is the time you get your best buys on winter things! Let others play the game of buying expensive: and you will thrive on saving!
Leave a Comment