To Invest Or Not To Invest…that is the real question, and the answer is not as easy as one might think. Everyone says “splurge on black pumps a nice blazer, save on trendy items” but of course fashion likes to be difficult and you have to read between the lines. If we actually followed the typical investment rule, no one would be spending $700 on wedge sneakers (and yes I will continue to hate on this trend as long as I have to…and I will not apologize).
So what items should we put a decent amount of money towards? Think of me as your fashion financial advisor (except one who is really bad at math and happens to have expensive taste).
Seriously though…how do we go about this? I’m not perfect. I’ve definitely spent money on things that were trendy at the time but I was so obsessed with the item, I didn’t even care. A great example of this are the Fendi flatforms. They were one of those things I had my heart set on the moment I saw them on the runway and I didn’t stop until they were in my closet. Have I worn them? Yes, twice. I thought I was going to break my ankle both times (but it was totally worth it). Thankfully, there’s a good amount of shelf space in my office, so now they serve as decoration. But if you end up making the same mistake but can’t even bare to look at the item anymore, you can always sell it. You’ll never get close to full retail value (unless of course it’s Chanel, Hermes or Louis Vuitton) but a little money is better than no money, right?
So, enough about me. More about you. When people tell you exactly what you should invest in and what you shouldn’t…they don’t consider the fact that everyone has different tastes, lifestyles, etc. For example, everyone says invest in a neutral pencil skirt. When am I ever going to wear a pencil skirt? I don’t need to spend $5 or $500 on one…because pencil skirts are not part of my lifestyle. However, if you work in a corporate environment or if you just happen to adore pencil skirts, this is a perfectly acceptable thing to invest in. And in case you were wondering, if I had to invest in a pencil skirt, it would [obviously] be leather…or this one by Kenzo.
Another typical “investment suggestion” is a black pump. I wear black shoes all the time…heels, wedges, loafers, you name it. However, I very rarely wear a plain black pump. Why? I think they’re boring, that’s why. I understand you’re “supposed to” spend money on the classic items, but there is a way to keep your “classic” pieces interesting. For example, instead of investing in a black pump, I opted for black cage boots. These are my go to “classic black heels” in Fall/Winer, and I wear my Valentino rock studs (seen here and everywhere) for Spring/Summer. I realize studs have been quite the trend the last few seasons but whether studs are in or they’re out, these heels are going to be in my closet for a LONG time. So what should you do about your go-to black heels? Find something that speaks to you, ask yourself “if these are my only pair of heels for two years, can I live with that?” and if you say yes, then you’ve found your answer.
One thing I don’t suggest investing in (because I’ve made this mistake before) are flat sandals. I’ve given it a few tries this season and although I love my purchases, they are just not comfortable. The tough part about expensive shoes (whether they’re heels or flats) is that many times they are stiff and uncomfortable. Some take a little time to give, and once they do you’ll live in them but others will forever give you blisters…and you’ll resent them for it. I’ve come to the conclusion that the moderately priced shoes (typically between $200 and $400) seem to be the most comfortable. If I were do it all over again, I’d just get these Loeffler Randall sandals and be done with it. (hey, we all make mistakes…some are just more expensive than others).
Finally, where do we shop for these investment and non-investment pieces? For the good stuff, I’m all about Barneys, Net-a-Porter, Bergdorfs, The Corner, and SSENSE (who are all having fantastic sales right now by the way) and for the trendier items, I go to H&M, Topshop, ASOS and Zara (although I’m pretty partial to Zara). The funny thing is, some of the items I wear the most (and have had for at least a year, if not more) are from Zara and H&M. You’d think the less expensive items wouldn’t last as long but they’re holding up quite well. Thanks for asking.
So in conclusion, no one can tell you exactly what you should invest in and what you shouldn’t. You just need to ask yourself the right questions — 1. Will I wear this in a year from now? 2. How many trends are in this one piece? (if it’s more than one, I would pass) 3. Can I actually afford this (I highly suggest not going into credit card debt over a Celine bag…not worth it) 4. Can I live without it? And if that’s not enough you can always email me or tweet me…I got your back.
So if you’re thinking about investing…
And if not…
And for even more, I have some pretty great suggestions (if I do say so myself) of items under $100, as well as some pretty awesome unaffordable things.
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