Hi girlies! Happy Thursday! Today is a crazy day for me, I have tomorrow off to get ready for our vacation, so work is a bit crazy but that’s okay because it’s my Dad’s birthday, so I am looking forward to celebrating with him later tonight! He’s truly the best and does so much for me, my Mom, and my sister.
For today’s post I wanted to do something a bit different and talk about items I usually invest in and items I tend to look for at more affordable price points. Recently I have had a few of you reach out asking about items I spend my money on, so ladies, this post is for you!
So first off, I have a question, what does affordable mean to you? What about invest? Is it a $ amount? Brand? For me, I always look for quality when investing, obviously price does not always go hand in hand with quality, but for the most part, when something is cheap = the product is mostly made cheaply.
So you’ve no doubt heard me talk about investment piece here on the blog and on my Instagram. But are they really worth the splurge? In one word: Yes. And the reason why really comes down to cost per wear.
Cost per wear is basically the cost of an item divided by the number of times you wear it. The more you wear it the cheaper it becomes. I’ve always tried to save and invest in my wardrobe staples that I know I will wear season after season.
So what items do I invest in? Classics and closet staples!
Blazers & Jackets- The thing with blazers and jackets are you can really tell the quality of them based on the fabric and fit. I am always willing to spend more for the perfect fit. Look for something classic and timeless.
Denim- To me, why have 20 pairs of average jeans when you can have 5 pairs of luxury jeans that are made from the best fabric, designed to last, and fit like a glove. Look for a pair that has style, comfort, and attention to detail.
Bags- I got my first designer hand bag in 2008 (thanks Mom & Dad) it was a Dooney & Burk shoulder bag, and I wore the thing to death. Fast forward to today, I’ve accumulated many designer bags. Why? Because if you have the extra money or save up (like I do) then it’s totally worth it. Designer bags are much more durable and last for YEARS (again, think cost to wear). I like to rotate my bags out seasonally. My ‘go-to’ designer bags have been Kate Spade, Tory Burch, Madewell (leather bags), and Pamela Munson. Many of these designers also have sales, so that’s a great time to snag an amazing bag at a discount!
Shoes- Shoes are my kryptonite, like seriously. The reason I like investing in shoes is because when I fall in love with something, I want it to last. Quality designer shoes offer so much for durability, comfort quality, and the level of detail that ‘dupes’ or cheaper options just cannot achieve. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love my on-trend shoes from Target and Old Navy but they don’t hold a candle to the quality of my Tory Burch, Rag & Bone, or Frye shoes for example.
Other items I am willing to invest in: Jewelry, Some Accessories (like sunglasses, hats, gym clothes).
A lot of my investment pieces come from a local store called Twigs (they also have an online store). I also love shopping at ShopBop and Revolve because they have free (& really fast) shipping and the return process is a breeze.
With all of that said, there is definitely a place for quick affordable fashion. When I’m looking for these types of items, they are trendy and have a short shelf life, I am expecting them to get me through one season. Things like trendy jewelry, graphic tees (except for my Unfortunate Portrait Tees- Those are an investment but so worth the $), holiday pieces, and trendy shoes.
Here are some items I’ve invested in and on-trend cheaper items I’ve recently bought-
Investment Items:
Rag & Bone Sandals– I bought these last weekend at a local store, Shop Twigs, I own a pair of Rag & Bone black leather booties, and they are by far the nicest and most comfortable shoes I own, so it made this purchase a little easier because I knew what I was paying for, extremely high quality and untouchable comfort. The details these sandals have are unlike anything in my closet but the colors are classic, making them the perfect addition to my wardrobe. These have a slight ‘heel’ so I sized down to the 37.5 or (7.5 US sizing).
Tory Burch Tote- I had been saving for a new Spring tote for a while. I used (and still have and love) a hot coral bag from Kate Spade that I’ve used for about three years now, so I wanted to switch it up. This bag was the perfect addition because I don’t have anything that looks like it and its neutral colors so it will match the majority of my Spring and early Summer wardrobe.
Scotch & Soda Blazer– So while this blazer is not as classic as your navy, tan, and black blazers, the gingham print has been popular for decades. I have a few pieces from Scotch & Soda and they fit me like a glove and are some of my favorite pieces in my closet. It took me about two seconds of having this on to know it was coming home with me.
Talbots Blazer– I love a good striped blazer. This one is navy and white, which will be so perfect with all my spring items (cannot wait to wear this with pink loafers & white denim) I actually snagged this during their sale, so that was a bonus!
Agolde Parker & Dee Denim Short– while I usually only invest in denim pants, this year I decided I was over buying cheap shorts that didn’t fit me well and were not comfortable to wear. I bought two Agolde styles; the Parker and the Dee. I did a full review on the Parker, here. It’s more of a mid-rise where the Dee is very high rise and a bit longer in length.
On-Trend Items:
Tan Wedge Sandal– I do not wear a lot of heels so didn’t need to invest in a pair solely because I will only wear these every so often. The quality for the price is amazing and they are comfortable!
Daisy Crew Neck Sweater– this sweater is an example of something seasonal I wanted. I get cold all of the time, so I wanted something fun to throw on for our vacation and during the spring time. The little daisies make my heart happy. I also bought this during a sale, making it under $25!
I think wardrobes are all about balance. I love mixing higher-end pieces with on-trend items I get from Target or Old Navy, for example. My approach is to buy the best quality I can for pieces and then skimp on the items that are more of a fun/seasonal add to my wardrobe. I think that balance gives me the best of both worlds in that I can always be adding current cheaper finds with those pricier investment pieces that have been in my wardrobe for years.
Product Details: Items pictured above!
Sandals: These are the Rag & Bone Sandals I mentioned above. I bought these in a 37.5 (Italian sizing). You will not ever regret investing in Rag & Bone shoes.
Straw Bag: An investment, but so beautiful, and extremely well made. Like I mentioned above, I waited for last seasons to go on sale before purchasing.
Hat: Again, and investment, the quality is amazing. But I also own this and this hat, and they too are amazing!
Sunglasses: An on-trend item. Love this retailers sunglasses, so comfortable!
Flower Hoop Earrings: I also love this retailers jewelry, great quality for a reasonable price!
Tell me—what are some investment pieces in your wardrobe that been worth the splurge?
Xo,
The Taylor(ed) Style Blog 