Fashiometics
 
Define investment. Dictionary.com defines it as "the investing  of money or capital in order to gain profitable returns, as interest, income, or appreciation in value." Now answer this question: how many times have you heard or read, "Buying this is definitely an investment."? I have heard it many many times. What does that statement really mean? I've been studying financial management for 4 months now, and we've talked about investments: how much will be your expected return in n years, how to decide where you're going to invest your money, and calculating the risk of your return.

How are these related with us consumers? Simple. Every year, we spend a lot of money with clothing and/or accessories that we say are "investments": designer bags, an expensive LBD (Little Black Dress), cashmere sweaters, or wool coats. People say and believe, "this will be an investment." Let's face it, buying that Chanel bag or a Christian Louboutin shoe is not really an investment -- literally -- because it does not give you anything in return -- well, maybe a few envious look from your fellow fashionistas, but that's about it. We all know once you buy an item (e.g. car, laptop, or a dress) its value depreciates over time with the exception of stocks and bonds. Where did you see a merchandise increase its value after the owner used it?

In my opinion, using a keyword like "investment" is a marketing ploy to attract customers to buy their merchandise. I also think that the word "investment" could translate to the "cost-per-wear" attitude of the consumers. We, sometimes, calculate if one thing is worth it based on how many times we are going to use it. The cost-per-wear calculation only means that that huge purchase will be worth it in the end, but that does not guarantee a return on the money you spent initially; it only gives you an inside relief that you accumulated the cost of an item by using it everyday.

I am not, in any means, targeting any of the marketing or advertising people out there. I think in today's economy we, as consumers, should be more intelligent in choosing where and how we invest our money. We all know how hard it is to earn them, I suggest you splurge a little bit, but make sure every penny of it will be worth it.
 
If you looooooove watching Gossip Girl because of the fashion, the city, the guys, the FASHION. Ooh-la-la sister! :) We're already BFFs! I don't know what is it about Gossip Girl that makes me just want to move to NYC. Sure, I won't be living like them, but I don't mind living in New York even if it's just for a week.

Serena Van Der Woodsen (Blake Lively) is my favorite out of all the characters! She's carefree, lively, and does what she think is right. No more questions asked. They say her character was derived from English model Kate Moss -- effortlessly fashionable, which is true. Serena seems to dress like she just picked out whatever she wanted to wear that day, but still looks like she spent days trying to perfect an ensemble.

So here's an inspiration for all the Serena Van Der Woodsen fans out there! :)