I’m starting a new series on CLOABB called “Building Your Wardrobe”, where each week I’ll share my tips and tricks on what staple items to buy, where to invest, and where to save to give you a good solid wardrobe foundation that will last you for years.
- The quality you get with a designer handbag is much greater. A well-made leather bag will last you for years. If something happens to it, you can bring it to a leather repair shop to have it fixed up. I might be wrong but I don’t think you can bring a pleather bag in to get fixed, and it wouldn’t be worth your money if you could.
- Designer bags will be worth something in years to come. I suggest investing in classic shapes and colors, and there is a good chance you will be able to re-sell it in the future.
- Tip: Higher-end bags such as Chanel will definitely be worth something in years to come as they typically only release a certain number of a style of bag and then they never release it again.
- A good designer bag, will make any outfit look expensive. I honestly think you could be wearing an outfit head to toe Forever21, pair it with a Celine, and tell everyone your outfit is DVF and no one would know the difference. (Unless say, you’re a DVF connoisseur). I’ve never looked at someone’s top and said “Omg that top is a $500 top” but I have looked at their bag and know what they spent and that they mean business.
2. Shoes: The next splurge spot goes to Shoes. This is a conflicting one for me because I think you should definitely have a good balance of BOTH cheap shoes and expensive shoes.
- Splurge:
- Heels (but reserve one or two cheap pairs for a night out dancing or a garden party where you know your heels are going to be either stepped on or stuck in grass).
- Boots. My last trip to NYC ended with me throwing away a pair of $30 over-the-knee boots. They were well loved and I got my $30 worth, but I couldn’t help but think I should have put that $30 towards a pair of $150 boots that would have lasted much longer.
- Save:
- Flat Sandals. Almost every designer flat has an imitator out there somewhere. Cough…Target…Cough. I don’t know about you but I wear my flat sandals to the ground during the summer, and by the time the next summer rolls around, I’m sick of the ones I wore last summer anyways.
- Flats. I’m not against a nice pair of Tory Burch flats or Chanel ballet slippers, but I do not trust myself with them. I think it might be the way I walk, but the sides of my flats always get the leather rubbed off. I’d rather use that money towards some classic pumps that will last.
3. Watches & Classic Jewelry: I think every wardrobe should consist of at least one nice watch and some nice classic jewelry. A watch is a good everyday expensive-wear item, and you never know when an event might pop up where you need to wear a nice dress and need some classic jewelry to pair with it. Some events are just not Forever21 jewelry approved.
4. Dresses: Every closet needs 3-4 nice dresses to wear to any occasion. Simple, classic, clean lines, solid colors. J.Crew is my favorite for classic dresses (make sure to catch them on sale!).
5.Outerwear: While one of my favorite peacoats is a Forever21 find for 13.99, I think you should mix in a few nice jackets here and there. I think a leather jacket is always a good staple item, and maybe one nice wool coat depending on the weather where you live. Most of my jackets are Forever21 or OldNavy.
6.Pants: I don’t think I’ll spend more than $200 on a pair of pants. I’d have to love them. Here’s why:
- Pants get worn out very easily. Even my cheapest pairs have held up the same as my expensive pairs. I don’t think there’s a huge difference in quality.
- They don’t scream “expensive”. I honestly cannot tell the difference between your J.Brand jeans and your F21 skinnies.
- My favorite pants, my white skinnies were $24.99. They look the same as every other Real Housewive of OC’s (the real, real ones) and I know they spent $200+ on theirs.
7. Tops: Like flat sandals, almost every good expensive top has an imitator counterpart. Forever21 is the queen of re-creating top-of-the-line designer tops that look almost identical to the naked eye.
- I will say it is a good idea to invest in a few good silk tops (not for every day use).
- For the rest, I would save. Forever21, H&M, Express, and Target are my favorite places to buy tops & blouses.
8. Costume Jewelry: Just don’t splurge on this stuff. Just don’t do it. There are plenty of affordable options out there. I wear costume jewelry in a lot of my fashion posts and they are almost always affordable, if you need some good sources. No one can tell if you spent $300 or $30 on your statement necklace, trust me.
I love this post! very well written with great ideas! I agree on splurging on a bag, i have been wearing the same one for years and years and they still havent worn out. also agree on costume jewelry part. if you must splurge, do it on REAL ones, it wouldn't hurt to invest in nice diamond studs for everyday use 🙂
i totally agree with you – handbags and shoes are my top 2 choices for splurging. along with david yurman jewelry 🙂
xoamy
http://www.cupcakesncouture.com
This is by far my favorite post! It's to the point, very honest and true! I definitely agree handbags are a must splurge! I think I only have one bag that's not designer and I use it when I go to Stagecoach or somewhere where it's very dirty and dusty and don't want to sacrifice my designer bag.
The only jewelry I wouldn't mind splurging on is Tiffany's or MK; although all my current T&Co was gifted to me.
xo Showered With Design
Great post – so true about what to save and what to splurge on. Far too often I spend way too much on dresses because they are my weakness!
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Hey nice post..
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I completely agree on splurging on handbags, shoes, and a classic watch. I never wear heels, so for me I always spend big bucks on flats because I wear them constantly!
AKB
asouthernbrunette.blogspot.com
great post and wonderful tips!
xo Danai
Life in My Fab Lane
I'm totally with you here Hannah! Target also has some awesome pleather jackets for cheap and so many times I've been asked where I got them (and they're nice to wear out, because if they get lost or anything, you didn't overly spend!)
Okay, seriously, this is a GREAT post…I just read it twice! 🙂
Handbag and shoe splurge, for sure!
Loving this post and I completely agree on spending more on handbags and shoes!
XO,
http://sororitygirlintherealworld.blogspot.com/
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Hannah! What a great post. Super helpful and I totally agree with you on everything! 🙂
It's very tough to say where you should splurge and where you should spend. Handbags don't have to be designer, but definitely leather. I'm over plastic bags. For good.
Jewelry is something I want to invest in, but it is just SOOO expensive. Meanwhile my cheap stuff turns funky colors and rhinestones fall out and and it looks cheap, which I hate.
Chic on the Cheap
LyddieGal – thanks for your input! To clarify, the reason I say buy designer handbags is because they are an investment piece and much easier to re-sell than a non-recognizable brand. Even if it is real leather. However if you never have any intention of re-selling your bags, there's no reason it would have to be designer. I just like to have the security of having the option to sell it if I need to.
i totally agree with all your tips and fully abide by them myself! Ooh especially the splurging on shoes and purses!
xo's
-teeney
http://christeeney.blogspot.com
instagram: @christeeney
I love this post and completely agree with you on the handbags and shoes!! Those are always two essential pieces to totally splurge on!
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To prevent your costume/cheap jewelry from turning, fading ..Please SPRAY IT w/Polyurethane or Lacquer from the craft store or hardware store in the spray paint section. Your f21 pieces will last for years!!
I do agree with building a wardrobe but definitely do not agree with the sentiment that a person means business based on the appearance of having splurged on a designer handbag or any other statement piece. Using the price of an item or a designer label to bestow a positive attribute on someone is deeply superficial and erroneous.
Hi Sugar+Spice,
Thanks for your input! I have heard of clear nail polish on jewelry but not the lacquer spray. I will have to try that.
As far as saying someone "means business" I mean it in the utmost literal sense. By splurging on a designer handbag, you give yourself the opportunity to re-sell it at face-value or even on some occasions, at a higher price than what you paid for it. It has absolutely nothing to do with "LABELS" making one person better than the other and everything to do with spending your money in a smart manner. You can buy 20 F21 shirts at $17.50 for a total of $350…how much of that $350 are you going to get back if you try to resell the shirts after many uses? Not much. You can buy a designer handbag for the same price and re-sell it for close to the same amount.
I never intended for that to come off as superficial. I do not think any less of someone for owning a non-designer bag and I do not think any more highly of someone for owning a designer bag. I have quite a few of both, and actually have never paid more than $180 for one. It is my PERSONAL opinion that it is worth splurging on designer handbags… (Designer does not mean it has to scream a label by the way) and that is why I disclaimed that in the second paragraph of the post.
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