What does “Esprit” mean anyway?April 13th, 2007 @ 7:01 am
Now that I’m an adult and have a real job, and a husband with a real job, I have more of a disposable income then I ever did growing up. Oh wait, I never had a disposable income growing up.
I like to say that I was very poor growing up. And I was. But not poor in the we don’t know where our next meal is coming from sense. It was more like Dad has a crappy job and is going to night school while Mom stays at home with the 4 kids and the handful of aunts and uncles that we are also raising sense. Not to mention that my mom eventually went to school to become a nurse and then my dad went back to school to get his masters degree. Oh yeah, and my dad taught in the public school system, so he made a little over minimum wage. I also mentioned we were raising some of my dad’s siblings, right? Yeah, that cost some money.
That all being said, we didn’t have a lot of extra money. I never had a birthday party at McDonalds. I never owned pretty barrettes for my hair. I never drove a nice car or owned a pair of Girbaud or Guess jeans. I got a new outfit every year for the first day of school. Once I got a little older my mom gave me $100 to buy new clothes with at the start of each school year. I had the things I needed, nothing more, nothing less.
Once I was about 12 I started to baby-sit for the kids in the neighborhood. The going rate was $1.00 an hour. It didn’t matter how many kids you watched, you got $1.00 an hour. This was the perfect job for me. I could get paid for doing the thing I was doing for my mom for free all those years. So basically I felt like this was free money. Money that I could spend any way I wanted. So I did.
Some of you may recognize this picture. Most of you probably owned one in every color. Not me. I only had one. And after much thought I chose to purchase it in royal blue. I remember my mom drove me to the fancy department store and I shelled out $12.00 for my first trendy accessory.
My mom knew how important this was to me. I’m sure she didn’t understand why, but she knew. She also knew they couldn’t afford frivolous items. That year for Christmas I got another bag. It was tan and would go with more of my (crappy) outfits. The only problem was that it didn’t say Esprit on the front pocket. Instead it said Mondo, whatever the crap that was. To lil’ Isabel this was worse then no bag at all. Don’t get me wrong, I used my Mondo bag. I just wore it backwards so that you couldn’t see the Mondo part. My friend Jamie was the only one who teased me about it. (Nice friend.)
As I got a little older I realized I shouldn’t bother being cool. I was never going to have the right clothes, shoes, or accessories, so yeah, why bother? I tried to act like I didn’t care about material things like that. Like I was above trying to be in style. The truth, of course, was that if we could have afforded those things I would have been flaunting them everyday at school.
Instead I wore crap like this:
Yes, that’s a Polo shirt. But it’s a knock off that one of my dad’s students made in his graphic arts class. (And also, those are totally the shorts I wanted to be buried in. I miss them.) (And also, why do I keep posting horrible pictures of me as a teenager for the world to see? Why?) (And what’s with the squinting? It’s like I’m a mole person and the sun is going to kill me.)
I always wished I could afford to dress better. I told myself that when I was grown up, I would buy myself name brand items. I said I wouldn’t have a kid until I could afford to dress him exclusively in Baby Gap apparel. While Babboo does own some Baby Gap, I would not say he dresses exclusively in their stuff. And while I think I have nice clothes, nothing I own is what I would consider name brand. (I have discussed this topic before.)
My birthday is coming up. And get this; it’s on Mothers Day this year. Double whammie, my friends. To me this means I get super-awesome gifts. Right? I’ve been thinking about what I want for the last 6 months. I decided I wanted a pair of designer jeans. I told The King this and he didn’t try to talk me out of it, he simply stated that the pair of jeans I own that look the best on me are a pair of $24.00 Old Navy jeans. So why do I need a pair of $200 jeans? Why not just get another paid of awesome (yet cheaper) jeans?
The King’s right, as always. Why do I need a pair of designer jeans when the cheaper ones look just fine on me? And is it bad that I want to be stylish? But why does being stylish equal the amount of money spent on the item? Will other adults really like me more (or like me less) based on whether or not I have designer labels on my jeans? Do I want people to like me because I spent $200 on a pair of jeans? Am I a bad person for even wanting something so extravagant?
Maybe I should just screw the new jeans and instead ask for a new camera to take to BlogHer. I mean the jeans will eventually go out of style, but pictures of my favorite bloggers will live on forever.
So tell me, what do you all think about buying name brand clothes and spending lots and lots of money?
Me · Back in the day
HollowSquirrel
said,
April 13, 2007 at 6:41 pm
First, I had that ESPRIT bag in kelly green and hot pink. I think they may still be at my parents’ house.
Here’s why I don’t buy very expensive clothing (such as designer jeans and snappy little tops): I’m a mess. I will spill bleach on the jeans, dribble blueberries or spaghetti sauce down the shirt, and stub my toe thereby scuffing the luscious leather shoes. Why bother disappointing myself?
The clothing I buy tends to be on sale from the Gap, Banana Republic, Express or J. Crew. Somewhat good quality, always on sale, and some accessory/trendy pieces from H&M and Target. Then I don’t feel so guilty when I inevitably ruin them.
If you get a new digital sweet ass camera for BlogHer I may mug you and steal it for myself. Fair warning.
HollowSquirrel
said,
April 13, 2007 at 6:41 pm
And um, where’s the King?
Frema
said,
April 13, 2007 at 6:42 pm
With five kids in our family and one stay-at-home mom, money was tight with us, too. I remember when Nikes were the “in” thing to have and I was sporting ten-dollar canvas shoes from Payless. I was so jealous, and I felt so out of place.
By my junior year in high school, I scored my first job and the money, it was glorious. I bought four-dollar cheeseburgers for lunch. I bought my junior prom outfit. I bought my senior pictures (though my mother denies this, out of guilt, I think). I paid for my senior prom limo. And CDs up the wazoo. (I didn’t give two craps about clothes. Yet.)
Great post, Isabel, as always! I love it when you take us “back in the day”!
Operation Pink Herring
said,
April 13, 2007 at 6:49 pm
I grew up in a similar situation — I never thought we were “poor” at the time, but there was NO money for extras. When I reached teenage-dom and got my first job, ALL my money went to buying Gap clothes. Anything on the Gap sale rack, I bought it. Even if it didn’t really fit or look good on me, even though no one else besides me knew it was from the Gap (which was my idea of designer at the time).
I have a pair of Seven jeans that I got at a thrift store (they were still $50!) and I love them. My personal philosophy is that if buying one or two designer things is going to make you happy — then go for it. It’s not about impressing other people (that’s just impossible, unless you have a movie star salary to keep up with the trends), it’s about feeling awesome when you wear jeans you love. If you feel awesome every time you wear them, they’re worth the splurge.
At least that’s how I justified spending $400 on a Coach purse to myself.
(Plus, seven jeans makes EVERYONE’S butt look awesome… it’s a proven fact).
Sadie
said,
April 13, 2007 at 7:11 pm
I also grew up pretty poor, and when the other kids had Reeboks, I had “Balloons” from Thom McCann. Once I got a job, at 14 (bussing tables at an Italian restaurant), I spent most of my money at the Gap clearance rack too. Even now, as a single adult with a lot of disposable income, I have a hard time paying full price for clothes.
THAT SAID, I have two pair of Seven jeans. One pair I got on eBay for $60, and the other pair I paid full price for ($150 at the time) at Nordstrom. I felt super-naughty about it, but let me tell you, I wear THE SHIT out of those jeans, and I’ve gotten my money’s worth. People who know nothing about designer labels COMPLIMENT me on my jeans when I wear them, and they really do make my ass look fantastic. Get a pair.
janet
said,
April 13, 2007 at 7:16 pm
those jean shorts remind me of Tobias on Arrested Development. He is a “nevernude” so he wears jean shorts all the time (even in the shower). Dang that show is funny.
I personally don’t own a pair of $200 jeans but everyone I know who does SWEARS by them. Maybe they really are worth it.
Rob
said,
April 13, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Two words:
Nordstrom Rack
Christar
said,
April 13, 2007 at 7:58 pm
My mom is a single mom trying to raise two kids on her own. So my brother and I went without a lot of nice things. When I got older, my mom worked up the ladder in her company and got enough money to buy me some nicer clothes. When I got to high school she made sure I had some nice things, and then I got a job my Junior year and started paying for things on my own. I know this is so cliche and superficial, but I love having nice clothes I buy from the mall, but then again, I have also gone without in my life so I know how to appreciate them. That’s probably why I enjoy them so much, is because I didn’t have them growing up, we had to make a lot of sacrafices.
Rachel
said,
April 13, 2007 at 8:01 pm
I don’t spend alot of money on clothes for several reasons.
First, I have 3 kids, something is always getting on my clothes. Baby spit up, drool, poop, milk, food, koolaid, you name it.
Second, I have 3 kids and they grow ALOT and seems like they always need new clothes or shoes, well, except for the little one, she’s never gonna grow.
Third, I have a hard time spending money on myself, period. I always think about what else the money could be spent on. A little more payment on the CC or just keeping it in the bank “just in case”.
I worry way too much about money and it drives my husband crazy, but, I think until we are at the point where, not only are the bills paid but we still have a pretty good amount left over, I will continue to worry about it.
But, it’s your birthday, so splurge!
Lizzy
said,
April 13, 2007 at 8:10 pm
Isabel, I could’ve written this post myself.
For me, it was less to do with Esprit and more to do with Benneton (which, imagine my total DISMAY) when I walked down to our local shopping district and saw a Benneton–they still exist!
And the item of highest importance was the Benneton bag–the plastic one you got when you made a purchase from the store. Everyone had the Benneton Rugby shirt–I BEGGED AND BEGGED for the better part of 10 months before my mom bought me the blue one. AND SHE THREW THE BAG OUT. It was such a status symbol to carry your gym clothes in the Benneton bag.
I enjoy dressing Henry in some alterna-clothes. I find that Old Navy suits our needs. I also do a great deal of clothes-buying for Henry at resale shops. Cheap! And half of the stuff I buy still has the original tags on it.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting a pair of fancy jeans. I think it has more to do with how they make YOU FEEL as opposed to a label. There’s nothing wrong with wanting them. And there’s nothing wrong with receiving them. They are, afterall, a gift. Either from your hubby or for yourself. Regardless of whether or not the $24 Old Navy jeans are cheaper and fit well. (For the record: I heart Old Navy jeans, they just fit me better than any other brand.)
I have my fancy camera, so I’ll take a ton of photos for you! Of all your cool friends. I’ll be a hanger-on!
MK
said,
April 13, 2007 at 9:03 pm
I think that part of having a few really nice or expensive pieces is the way you feel in them. You feel good and confident. I do think in some cases there is also better quality, but it depends on the item.
I don;t know which is better - maybe you can talk the king into $100 jeans (down form the $200 you mentioned) and a camera! You know the baby has to get you a gift too! The jeans could be form him and the camera form the King.
Is the King not doing Fridays anymore? NOt that I don;t love to have you - I just like the King too and I am curious.
angela
said,
April 13, 2007 at 11:50 pm
I totally wish someone would turn me into What Not to Wear. I would LOVE a whole new fancy-pants wardrobe, because I have a really hard time buying things for myself. The guilt kills me.
So what to I have to do to get on this show? Wear stirrup pants? A fanny pack? I’ll do anything!
metalia
said,
April 15, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Hmm. I’m probably the wrong person to talk about designer jeans; I have a small fixation. I, like Sadie, wear the shit out of the (um, 6) pairs that I have. If you’re interested, I can give you the names of a couple of websites that often have great deals (think 50% off, in some cases).
That said, I COMPLETELY had the same childhood experience; my parents weren’t poor, but the highlight of my year, clothing wise, was when my “rich” aunt and uncle sent me an outfit from the Gap on my birthday. Ah, memories.
Chas
said,
April 15, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Isabel, as others have said, I feel like I could have written this myself. I had the Esprit bag, except I had the gigantic version, which is way less cool; it was navy blue with red letters. I got it at a Macy’s Closeout store. Get this, I remember getting $100 at the beginning of the school year for school clothes for me AND my brother. How much can you buy for fifty bucks?? Not much, even in 1989.
As for the designer jeans. You don’t need them. If the Old Navy aren’t good enough then go one step up and go to the Gap….and if that’s not expensive enough then get some Lucky jeans…but please don’t pay $200.00 for a pair of pants. You’ll feel like you can’t wear them out in public for fear of spilling coffee on them or something. I, for one, do not notice what brand of jeans other people wear, so the expense would be lost on me, and if for some reason I did find out you paid that much for your jeans I’d probably think you were dying for approval or something. Just say no to overpriced clothing.
ramblingmuse
said,
April 16, 2007 at 3:30 am
Oh my! I totally had an Esprit bag too. Mine was a bit different, but I used that bag ALL. THE. TIME. It wasn’t even a practical design or anything. The logo was all I needed to feel “cool”. I get what you mean, ‘tho about now wanting the designer stuff now when the non-name brands are just fine, if not better in a lot of cases. Be thankful that you’ve got Babboo and The King who love you whether or not you’re wearing designer or Old Navy jeans!
:)
Amy W
said,
April 16, 2007 at 1:08 pm
I went more without in childhood as well…I vividly remember owning a pair of knock-off Nikes called Soda Pops. Don’t ask.
As far as the designer jeans? Go for it. I have too heard they make your ass look great.
Lisa B
said,
April 16, 2007 at 1:32 pm
Money was tight at our house too. And my mom didn’t believe in “luxuries” like barettes, colored socks or candy. Babysitting was my ticket to clothes that weren’t hand-me downs. (And I got $1.00 an hour regardless of how many kids too!)
And it was the same thing… My mom buying knock-offs at Christmas and me feeling like that was worse than not getting anything. Isn’t it funny?
As for the jeans… If you wear them tons, and you enjoy wearing them, go for it. But yes, the camera is a super cool gift.
Oh and I signed up for BlogHer too! Squee. CAN’T WAIT TO MEET YOU.
Oh and I nominated you for Hottest Mom in the Blogger’s Choice award. Go to www.bloggerschoice.com to git ch’our button, hottie!
Fraulein N
said,
April 16, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Aww. I was so That Girl. The one with the not-quite-right clothing. I would be terrified to wear $200 jeans, but if you feel like you’ll actually get some wear out of them, and if it IS a gift, I say go for it. You only live once.
Julie
said,
April 16, 2007 at 3:48 pm
I had it in kelly green. I loved that bag!
Carrisa
said,
April 16, 2007 at 8:16 pm
GIRL. FRIEND. I just bought me a new digital camera this weekend for that exact reason. I love our Canon Rebel, but it’s a big boy and small was what I wanted for traveling. I got the Fuji Finepix A610 I believe and it was like $129 + tax.
I’m with you on name brand sometimes. When it comes to things like Coach purses. But The King is right (just this once). Skip the $200 jeans and get a $200 camera instead!
Lindsey
said,
April 16, 2007 at 10:27 pm
I’m in the same boat as you. For almost 3 years now I have told myself that I’d spend $100+ on a pair of jeans to reward myself for losing my “college weight” and keeping it off. I still haven’t spent the money. I just can’t bring myself to do it. I mean, I have trouble spending over $50 on a pair of jeans! I don’t know what to tell you…
SJ
said,
April 16, 2007 at 11:13 pm
You totally just described me growing up - how I longed for the designer clothes, and the stylish shoes. I saved up every penny I had when I started working to buy whatever I wanted. And now that I think about it? I have no idea why it was so important to me. I could totally care less now.
If you want to splurge, then splurge! If not, don’t. It is your birthday though! Have a great one.
LaLa
said,
April 17, 2007 at 10:48 am
It’s kind of hard for me to comment as we have different labels in Australia, however Esprit T-shirts were extremely big here. I never had one, but I really WANTED one.
Now, as an adult, I don’t tend to be driven by brands, but I LOVE a bargain. I love second hand stuff too, I have heaps of scarves that I wear around my neck with a suit and people will always comment on the scarf… Hahaha. Cost me $1!
As for your teen photos, it’s not that you were unfashionable… I think it was just the era.
CPA Mom
said,
April 17, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Personally, now, as an adult, I think spending money on a brand name is assine. Growing up, I was devastated to never have those labels. We were like you, not without essentials but not rolling in dough either. We had 2 pairs of shoes each (no name $2 sneakers and one pair of dress shoes) and all our clothes were no-name. Lord, the teasing I got. Being without what the cool kids were wearing, made me an easy target. That’s one reason I’m putting them in private school (there are other bigger reasons but the uniforms are a nice bonus).
I do not buy myself clothing very much now anyway. I prefer to buy for the kids. But when I do, it is normally K-mart or Wal-Mart brand. I just cannot justify spending that kind of money on clothing when I can put it to better use with my charities.
hope this doesn’t sound too snobby or know it all. it’s all my personal opinion.
velocibadgergirl
said,
April 17, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Totally go for the camera!
Personally, I could never spend $200 on one pair of jeans. I can’t even bring myself to spend $50. When I was a kid and being denied Nikes and Guess, I always thought I’d buy them for myself when I got older. Now that I’m older, I just look at brand names as a huge waste of money, especially now that you can get in-style clothes at much cheaper prices as long as you’re okay with not having someone’s name on your jeans tag.
All Hip Hop Gear » Girbaud April 14, 2007 11:22 am
said,
April 19, 2007 at 2:49 am
[…] What People Are Saying ??????????????GIRBAUD LADIES FW ??????070413?10? ???????????????GIRBAUD LADIES FW ??????070413?10?… ???????What does ?Esprit? mean anyway? I never drove a nice car or owned a pair of Girbaud or Guess jeans. I got a new outfit every year for the first day of school. Once I got a little older my mom gave me $100 to buy new clothes with at the start of each school year. …The right pants on the case of the The choice varies from person to person, whether you will probably be the rise of brands like Seven Jeans Cleaning Tips Hidden front pockets and avoid those quick hem jobs, and clean in the jeans daily is color of white girbaud jeans …Hustlers Eye With his ghetto golds ghetto language and his oh so ghetto name His boys His gang Talking bout crips and bloods Claiming different hood and sets They all dieingbut that still doesnt wake them up His Js His jewelry And his Girbaud outfit …Corporate Decades Suck … just outside the square containing a healthy stack of Spin and Rolling Stone issues from 1990 through 1992, padded with advertisements for Girbaud jeans and Hypercolor t-shirts, all featuring guys who looked like Color Me Badd. … […]
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April 19, 2007 at 6:21 pm
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