Contrary to the Hall & Oates song, I am not a rich girl.

I like to imagine that when I’m older, I will live in a humble yet luxurious fashion. My home will be decorated modestly so that when people come to visit, they admire the comfort as well as the hand-carved Swiss kitchen table and the water view from the living room. (This will be my winter home.) My wardrobe will be composed of simple quality pieces that all match and my jewelry will be made of rose gold. In the garage will be a sleek imposing truck that contrasts my femininity.

I’ll openly admit I may have begun a downhill addiction to expensive items. A few years ago, it didn’t matter whether my shirt came from Target or if I had to buy fake $10.99 Ugg boots. I didn’t mind being budget-friendly and I knew that a hundred dollars went a lot farther at Kohl’s than American Eagle.

Possibly the result of joining shopping apps or exposure to so much fabulousness on Pinterest, I have recently recognized that I’m blowing a lot more money on a lot less items. I love my Urban Outfitters, my MAC makeup, my Calvin Klein (especially my Calvin Klein). I will easily buy anything if you stick an Adidas trefoil on it. When I first realized this, I was ashamed that I have become so superficial as to buy something simply for the brand name. After all, I used to laugh at all the kids in high school who bought expensive Hollister jeans and Northface jackets. I felt I had genuinely been sucked into this compulsive mainstream nature of buying something simply because others have it.

However, I find that there might be some just reasoning behind this. Although my wallet takes a heavy beating at the hands of one brand name shirt, that shirt is made to last me awhile. Since it was expensive, I will have put more thought and consideration into buying it, therefore making sure it is something that I will wear often. The reasoning behind why everyone has this shirt is because it is comfortable and guarantees high quality and, to me, one high quality shirt is better than two low grade shirts. The brand name on the shirt is a promise that it upholds the same trustworthiness you’ve seen in the company’s other items.

Of course, I am a lowly college student running on what my parents generously provide for me and we can’t all afford the wardrobe of a model, so it’s important to find a balance in when you can splurge and when the cheap version is just as effective. There are such things as “dupes” or items that are not brand name but are in actuality just as nice. Sometimes the difference between the brand name and the generic is so small that it’s not worth splurging. It all comes down to a judgment call on your part on whether or not it is worth it.

Calvin Klein is worth it.