Cheryl Shops

For the last few years, I've been trying to practice the French philosophy of shopping: Invest in the best items you can afford. In other words, quality over quantity. I decided to start doing this after my twice-yearly closet cleanings yielded piles of cheap synthetic clothes from H&M, Target, and the like, many of which I'd worn only once or twice. Add those up and I could've bought one nice dress or blazer that I'd probably still be wearing to this day. For the most part, I've been pretty well-behaved; I allow myself one or two pieces per season at Zara, which I believe has the best quality of all the fast-fashion stores, or ASOS, which often has items so trendy, I can't find them anywhere else. But every once in awhile I slip up, but I'm human and these things happen. My latest cheap thrill: this open-front blazer from Forever 21. I wanted a hot-pink jacket, and while there are many luxe options out there, like this gorgeous Rag & Bone tuxedo jacket ($500, ouch!), I decided I didn't want to invest in something that could potentially have a short shelf-life. All things considered, it's a pretty nice jacket for $30: For polyester, it's rather light and airy, with a fluid fit, and, perhaps most shocking, it's fully lined. The color is bright (it also comes in a more subdued pink), but it makes me happy and totally perks up whatever you're wearing, whether it's a dress or a T-shirt and cutoffs. I've gotten my fix, but instead of going on a bender, I'll appreciate this jacket for what it is: a fleeting high.