There’s so much to consider when cultivating your wardrobe. There’s the latest trends (hello, floral prints), style propensities (like my decision to occasionally wear leggings, no matter what the runway says), and then there’s classic outfit staples and investment pieces. Common sense dictates that you shouldn’t spend too much on trendy items, because when they go out of style, you’ll inevitably want to replace them with the newest hot trend. However, there are certain articles that are a must-have for any wardrobe, no matter what year it is, and are more worthy of investment. I’ll be discussing these as my blog continues, but to kick it off, here are the first two examples of such items.
Example 1: the cocktail dress. This is something you’ll always need to have hanging in your closet. When a wedding or impromptu dressy event arises, you’ll be glad it’s there. And while there’s so many different styles available, this is one area where classic trumps trend. Case in point: my strapless, beaded Adrianna Papell dress. This is actually one of the few items in my closet that hasn’t been thrifted or bought at TJ Maxx or Marshall’s. I actually got it from a local boutique - I wore it when I modeled it in a local fashion show, and liked it so much, I ended up buying it (I did get a model’s discount, so score!) The reason I liked it so much was because it was a classic silhouette (strapless), the perfect length (classy mini), and the construction was excellent (hand beaded with beautiful gold beads). It’s just as beautiful as it is timeless, and will enhance my wardrobe for decades to come. Definitely worth the investment.
Example 2: the classic handbag. I’ve always loved handbags; how they can bring personality and uniqueness to an outfit. From when I was a teenager, I’ve been a handbag connoisseur. I’ve had everything from the Polo Sport bag (that was popular in the 2000’s), to the velour Juicy Couture zip-ups, to the monogram Coach mini shoulder bag. The Polo Sport bag is a good example of a trend that you shouldn’t break the bank for. I spent a decent amount on it at the time, and it’s clunky astethic wouldn’t pair well with much these days. However, the monogram Coach purse is just as classic today as it was back then. Just like one of the holy grail of handbags - the monogrammed Louis Vuitton Speedy - it’s classic and will always be in style.
What I ended up doing with all those outdated purses was list them on Poshmark, and used the money from their sale to put toward a few classic handbags that would always be in style. I ended up investing in two Kate Spade bags - one black, slightly shimmery shoulder bag with gold chain straps, and another black satchel/crossbody
bag. Again, one of the few times I shopped straight up retail (although I did get them both on sale). Those two bags covered a wide swath of wardrobe options. Whether out and about running errands, taking a day trip to New York City, or out to dinner with friends, either of those bags are both practical and stylish options. I have gotten such a good use out of both of them. Handbags are one area where I rarely go trendy. I tend to have upscale taste, so if I’m going to spend money on a purse, I’m going to make sure it’s classic and will stand the test of time.
Again, these are just two examples of outfit staples, and I will discuss more of them, and how to organize your wardrobe, in entries to come. Stay tuned!
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