When it comes to fashion, 20-something Kelly Waterman admits she likes to spend big.
She'll spurge on clothes, jewelry and, sometimes, even unnecessary stuff. You name it, and most likely the housewares manager for Urban Outfitters has it.
"My mom always says my lifestyle exceeds my income," she said.
But Waterman is not alone. Women between the ages of 20 and 29 spend 48.2 percent of their disposable income on accessories, beauty and fashion, according to a study released last month by Jane magazine.
Women today have done a complete turnaround on fashion spending compared with women 10 years ago, the study reported. One thousand women were surveyed through Greenfield Online, a consumer marketing and research firm.
"Our clothing becomes a nonverbal cue to those who will see us during the day," said Lori Faulkner, academic specialist for the MSU Human Environment and Design College. "Women spend more on their clothing because they see it as a reflection of themselves."
Scrunch boots, leg warmers and skinny jeans are among the demanded fashion trends for women. Spending $500 on a Louis Vuitton bag or on an expensive watch might seem like chump change to some.
Once they shop, some women never want to stop, Faulkner said. And, sometimes, the price won't even matter.
"Once you're hooked, you're hooked," she said. "You won't be able to go shopping and not recognize those trends you have just read about or seen."
Travis Rindlisbacher, 20, witnesses this when he shops with his girlfriend. Sometimes, he said they'll spend two hours in one store, as she decides on her purchases. When he was told about the study, all he could do was shake his head.
"It's more than that," Rindlisbacher said. "It's more than 50 percent of their earning because it's women's nature to like shopping."
Can the same be said for men?
"I like to shop," he admitted. "But I think it would be lower, probably 30 to 40 percent."
But trying to be young and stylish can become a problem. The study reported 84 percent of women are living beyond their means. Although the number of women in credit card debt has remained static since 1996, the amount of debt has risen on an average of 33 percent.
Taking the cheap route when it comes to fashion can save needed bucks, said 2005 MSU graduate Charice Mitchell, 23. She shops for bargains at the mall because she has other bills to pay — loans and utilities.
"I'm not going to spend $100 on clothes because they don't last long," she said.
Mitchell isn't into trends either. Well, at least not the popular skinny jeans. She saw them in a store for $300 but knew they weren't for her.
"I'm not going to buy those pencil jeans because I'm a big girl, and they won't fit me right," she said.
Faulkner said bargain hunters don't have to sacrifice trendiness.
"Today, fashionable clothing is available at high end prices as well as discount venues," she said. "You can look, and be, fashionable no matter how much you have to spend.
"The show, Project Runway, is a perfect example of this acceptance."
