Investment Pieces

Investment pieces are a topic that is covered with great frequency in the fashion industry. What is and is not considered an investment piece? If it's expensive, is it an investment piece? If it's cheap, is it trash fashion? What can and cannot be an investment piece? What are investment pieces? There are so many questions surrounding this topic, so I'm going to try to be as concise as possible while I answer some of these pressing questions regarding investment pieces. So here we go.

What is an investment piece? 

They are articles of clothing (a blouse, a skirt, a pair of shoes, a bag, and so on) that are classics. They will never go out of style, and usually (there are exceptions to every rule) they are seasonless or year-round staples. Examples of such pieces are: A perfectly tailored little black dress, or the perfect khaki trench coat.

If an article of clothing is expensive, does that make it an investment piece?

Not always. You have made an investment by buying an expensive piece, so by the literal definition you have an "investment piece". However, by the fashion definition, if you spend $2000 on a pair of flat, denim, Chanel Espadrilles with the white interlocking c's all over them-are those seasonless? No. Are those timeless? No. Are you going to tire of them after a period of time? Chances are likely that they will end up on your "worst buys" list.

If an article of clothing is cheap, is it trash fashion?

Now trash fashion is a cheap article of clothing that you wear once or twice, it may or may not fall apart in the washing machine afterwards, and you are okay with that fact. The reason you are seemingly okay with it fall apart is because you spent $15 on a shirt at a bargain store with the idea of each wear costing you about $5 a time. (The math: $5 x 3 wears = $15). However, you can also spend $28 on a white classic Michael Stars tank top, and chances are you could go a decade without needed to replace it. So, the price does not necessary equate to a investment article (although our hope is you would only invest your hard-earned money on true investment classics).

    

Above we put together five investment pieces that we will curate below with the hopes of explaining to you why these are investment pieces.

First, we have this collard, white button-down top (MinkPink, $80), and while the bell-sleeves err on the side of trendy, the white button-down top is a true classic. The reason we picked this top in particular is because it has the most flattering gathered waistline, a bit lower-than-usual neckline where the buttons start, and the bell sleeves draw attention to a thin wrist rather than arms that you might be trying to camouflage.

Secondly, we have this nude pump (Sergio Zelcer, $120), which is listed by Nina Garcia (fashion editor of Marie Claire magazine) as one of the 100 pieces every stylish woman should own. This nude pump is in a league of it's own. The lines and textures on this shoes are different than most, yet the silhouette and the pointed toe keep this heel extremely classic and ready to go with any outfit in every season.

Later on this week (on Friday), we will be showing you how to wear this vest (MinkPink, $130) four different ways. This vest isn't just versatile though, this vest makes a statement in a very classic way. The black color and the waist sash make this more of a trenchcoat/topper than a vest but as shown in the photo, you can also wear it as a little black wrap dress. (Multiple uses is always a winner in our book).

 

Next we have this western inspired belt (B-Low the Belt, $150). Belts are an often overlooked accessory (shoes and bags get all of the attention), but it can transform an outfit from a "meh" to a "wow" just like that. Belt a black dress or a long men's shirt and you have yourself a stylish outfit. This belt costs a little more than traditional, but it will garner you several compliments and it will pull together outfits in a pinch.

Lastly, we are lusting after this bison Italian leather handbag (Juan Antonio, $588). Now this by the literal and the fashion definition is an investment piece. There are so many great things about this bag, but one thing that really stands out to us is the quality of craftsmanship and the uniqueness of every single bag he makes. Each bag is bespoke, because it is hand-stitched, hand-distressed, and hand-dyed. There are only a few in the store so hurry in! This will be a piece that you can pass down that will only get better with wear and age.