You’ve heard that term right? Investment piece. So what comes to mind when you hear it….opening your cute purse, to spend alot of cash on ONE thing. But…..what is “alot of cash”?
INVESTMENT REFERS TO YOUR BUDGET FIRST, THEN THE PRICE TAG
Obviously, there are many different thresholds for budget. An investment piece is one that uses a large portion of your budget on one thing. I do believe there are times we can focus more on the brands than what we can actually afford. Please know….you DO NOT need to spend a ridiculous amount of money to look stylish and feel great about your style. Just because something is designer, and expensive, does not automatically make you stylish.
We don’t need a Gucci belt, or LV tote, or Valentino shoes to be stylish. NOW, if it fits in your budget, or you’ve been saving for it, then girl, get it! Do not go into debt, to look stylish or project success to the world.
I want to show you how your choice in clothing can speak for your personal style, BEFORE the brand does.
DON’T LET DESIGNER BRANDS DICTATE YOUR SPLURGE
I know, its so easy to see Influencers on social media flaunting ALL the brands. Heck, I just read an article talking about “must have” pieces and the jeans were $600+, the sweater was $1200 and, oh, the cute runners were $60. I mean…..GIRL….I want to help you look good; but budget is priority number ONE here.
If you feel like you have to be wearing crazy expensive brands, wait just a second. I want you to ask yourself….are you doing that for you, or for them. Them, as in….every one around you? So that they see it? It’s one thing if you can; but it’s heading down a dangerous road of credit card debt if you can’t. Stay in your financial lane sister.
SPLURGE ON CLASSIC PIECES, NOT TRENDING PIECES
So you can get the absolute most out of your high end pieces. And be sure to take extra special care of them. Hang up the jackets, blazers or suits. Wipe your shoes down and put them back in the closet, on their rack or even in their box. The less wear and tear you subject these pieces to, the longer they will look amazing. I really feel like these items deserve to be treated differently than our T-shirts from Target.
MY SPLURGES
This Haute Hippie dress, from 4 year ago, that I still love and wear today.
It’s proven to be a great investment because of the neutral tones, easy to wear print, v-neck, perfect to layer with blazer or leather jacket, skirt is higher in the front than the back and makes me feel like I’m floating when I walk. Can be accessorized about a hundred different ways….see where I’m going with this? Definitely not a “one hit wonder” piece.
This wool and cashmere blend trenchcoat from Aritzia, from 2007 was another splurge. And again, I still look forward to every opportunity I can wear it (which isn’t many after calling Houston and now Dubai home!).
CHAMPAGNE TASTE ON A BEER BUDGET?
Girl, you and me both! Once you start to realize the quality and care put into the creation on designer brands, it’s hard to want anything less; but for the vast majority of us, that’s just not realistic. ESPECIALLY if you are just starting out, or when your style is evolving.
Sooooo, watch for sales! For example, my favorite denim is Rag & Bone. Those jeans are about $300-$350 a pair. Do I pay that? NNNOOPPEEE. I wait for the Nordstrom Anniversary sale in the summer, and grab me a pair for almost half price. While $150 is still alot for jeans, you may notice in my Instagram feed, I wear mine pretty much daily. So I plan for that purchase. Not only that, I often browse the designer clearance racks to see what’s been marked down drastically.
THERE’S A COUPLE WAYS TO SPLURGE
THE “PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE” WAY
Go through your budget, pay all the bills and put money into savings FIRST, then see what is left over to play with.
Can you be patient enough to set aside tiny instant gratification moments? I mean, if you got yourself a $5 coffee on the way to work, that’s ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS A MONTH ON COFFEE each month! Going out to lunch can be 4x that much! If you eliminated those two things for the next 30 days, you could get yourself a gorgeous, versatile suit, or other work wear on your “Wardrobe Must Have” list. (Possibly due to a Style Board you created in Pinterest like I suggested a couple posts ago!)
THE “IMITATION IS THE BEST FORM OF FLATTERY” WAY
There are so many mid range brands out there that exist solely because they can offer you a much lower priced version of a designer look. Sure the quality will be different; but these options can STILL be valuable to your style for years to come. Just take care of them and choose them wisely!
And please, try not to buy something because “it’s cheap”. One of my clients had around $400 worth of “cheap” tops from Marshall’s or TJ Maxx, tags on, never worn. Why? Turned out, she just didn’t like them since since she didn’t try them on first, and didn’t have time for the return. And I know that story is not unique to her.
Alternatively, just because something is inexpensive, does NOT always mean it looks cheap!! Did you check out my article on Consignment Shopping by Method39’s guest author? My friend @forbesinferver has found some of the most high quality pieces for pennies, just be spending her time searching for them!
FIND A FASHION BLOGGER THAT HAS A STYLE YOU CAN RELATE TO
I’m all about giving you the tips and tricks you need on the technical side of style; but I currently can’t offer you links to shop specific pieces.
Insert Fashion Bloggers! There are so many that love to find you options in and around the under $50 and under $100 ranges! You don’t have to love everything they share; but once in a while you might notice a piece that speaks to you, is what you are looking for, and hallelujah, in your budget!!
THIS is when it’s great to know your spending threshold and what you need, so you can EXECUTE that purchase with confidence, knowing you can both afford it, and create more than one look with it.
Want to know my favorite ladies to follow for great style inspiration, fab deals, and consistent content?
- @skyenmclain (for Instagram & Facebook)Â www.skyemclain.com (Blog)
- @livinginyellow (For Instagram & Facebook)Â www.livinginyellow.com (Blog)
- @somethingnavy (for Instagram) www.somethingnavy.com (Blog) While she loves designer brands, she’s been at this blogging game for 10 solid years and has built up an amazing presence because she listens to her audience so well, she’s created her own clothing line for Nordstrom that has been the MOST successful clothing launch for the department store in recent history.
- @brightonkeller (for Instagram) and www.brightontheday.com (Blog)
- @dtkaustin (for Instagram) and www.DTKAustin.com (Blog)
I hope you like them as much as I do!! Stay tuned for my follow up post on my top suggestions for pieces TO splurge on!!
xoxo Taryn
Featured Photo credit to @atascocitaphoto, location @chateaupolonez – Houston, Texas
Dress photo by @breepair & @skyemclain, location @momentum.coffee
Trenchcoat photo by @leftloopstudio, location was my backyard!