Last week I wrote about wanting to buy less cheap, fast fashion and more quality pieces, and that this year I am going to focus on building what I like to call an investment wardrobe. Today I’m going to explain what I mean by an investment wardrobe and why I think it’s something every woman should consider, and next week I’ll walk you through how to build one for yourself. To begin, here’s my definition of an investment wardrobe:
‘A wardrobe comprising versatile, good quality pieces that can be worn in different ways, and for longer than just one season. It is a wardrobe where pieces don’t get left at the back for months, because you simply can’t bear to stop wearing them. It’s a wardrobe carefully selected to suit your style and your budget’
I, like many women out there, am a victim of fast and cheap fashion. I love the thrill of buying a funky item from Primark or H&M, but more often than not I’ll fill my wardrobe with those pieces and end up with a cupboard full of misshapen (after a couple of washes) items that don’t go together, and without the staple items I really want, but this year I intend to change that. I’ve made a list of the essentials I believe my wardrobe needs, and I won’t be deviating from that list. Once I have a good foundation, I can then buy those cheap and funky pieces to jazz up the classics…but for now, I’ll forgo them for the reward of a well-balanced wardrobe that suits my body shape and that will survive season after season.
Why you should consider building an investment wardrobe:
Take a look at what is currently in your closet. Now ask yourself how many pieces look fabulous on you, make you feel great, aren’t falling apart and transcend ever-changing trends? If you have a wardrobe full of items that tick all of those boxes, then congratulations! You have an investment wardrobe. If, like me, you can only identify a few pieces that meet those requirements…wouldn’t you love to have a whole wardrobe full of more items like that?!
You may be wondering how I think I can afford to sacrifice the cheap stores in favour of better quality, and the answer is simply: quality over quantity. I may buy just one piece a month for the year. But 12 great, long-lasting items of clothing will be much more valuable in the end than 45 poor-quality ones. Besides, I’m not talking about designer goods here. I can’t afford to shop at Selfridges or Harrods, but I can be selective about the fabrics I buy and ensure the piece is well-crafted. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to meet these requirements. Next week I’ll go through some tips on how to buy investment pieces (without breaking the bank), so stay tuned!
The above image shows a few pieces that are on my list:
1. Shorts for winter or summer that can be smart or casual 2. Colourful silk shirt 3. Pastel blazer 4. Crisp, white shirt 5. Black pencil skirt 6. Brightly coloured skinny jeans 7. Leather ballet flats (not plain black) 8. Alex Monroe hummingbird necklace
What would be in your investment wardrobe? Do you already buy investment pieces?
