I have to disagree with you a bit on this point. Yes, the Jil Sander pieces I bought 20+ years ago are quite classic, but they remain the perfect foil for more creative /less classic pieces that keep them feeling fresh and modern. I mix older Dries pieces (that never look out of date because they never looked trendy) with newer Tibi fundamentals and they work. I also love a great piece of interesting jewelry or shoe. Just bought the Tibi aviator bomber at half price which was still an investment buy for me and I know it’s the last leather coat I’ll ever need. (I’m 65 so if I get 15-20 years, I’m the coolest senior citizen !)
I really enjoy your article and I totally agree that we should never think of purchasing fashion as an investment since their value depreciate like car. And even some Hermes bags don’t retain their resell value. My definition of “investment dressing” are…
1: Pieces I still cherish and wear/use often
2: They preserve their quality over time
One of my favorite jacket was from Dries Van Noten which I found on the sales rack at Louis Boston in the early 2000s. I still wear it from time to time. However, I couldn’t say the same for Gucci bags made from the same period. They just went on self destruction mode after a few years. To me, that was a waste of money.
I think you nailed it, Rachel. I'm actually terrified of spending a lot on a single item because I've made so many mistakes in the past. I've bought things thinking I'll wear the living daylights out of them and then I don't. My new strategy is to buy expensive items on sale but still give the matter a tremendous amount of thought. Guess I'm ignoring the advice to "buy it on sale only if you'd buy it at full price!" Depending on the price, the answer is usually no.
I have always bought what I loved and most of what I loved, and love, is a bit out there. I never would have guessed how many pieces I am wearing 20 ish years later. Going to an event tonight and think ( because sometimes there is that LMA!) a Tibi balloon pant with a pair if studded silver Prada slingbacks I got at Barneys at least 17 years ago, a 15 ish year old Sylvia Heisel top and an 18 ish year old Sonia Rykiel oversized graphic bracelet.
Buy what you love is simple but important advice! And I think as we get older and know ourselves better, this gets easier to do. I do tend to gravitate to neutral colors, but not for "investment" purposes; it's just my zone and where I feel most myself. And I do think it's a good idea to have some great pieces- bags, shoes, etc, that will work widely in your wardrobe, but again, you have to feel something- buy what speaks to your soul!
I'm getting to be a broken record, but I just love your posts and the way you write. Many make me laugh out loud b/c I adore your sense of humor and still many others are just darn helpful in terms of ideas and tips and options. This post is particularly thought-provoking. I both agree and disagree, though I'm not fond of those words. What I mean is, your post made me think and that is a very good thing! I have never thought of investment dressing as literally meaning that one might purchase an item of clothing or an accessory with the thought of reselling later given its level of luxury and long-term desirability. I agree that we are highly unlikely to ever recoup such an expense. But, it's important to note that I don't have the kind of cash to buy uber luxury pieces from Chanel or Balenciaga or Prada, for example, which is why I'd never think to do this. Tibi is definitely a luxury brand, but more entry- or med-level luxury, as far as I know. In any case, I *do* think I've made what I'd call investment purchases b/c I am hoping they will last me for many years, if not decades. Not just a CPW issue, but more of a holy grail attitude, like, I found IT! IT will last me forever! I even have a J Crew wool coat and a Reiss wool coat that, when I bought them, I thought and said, "I will have these for the rest of my life" and felt great about that. We'll see (they are slim, not oversized like everything is now, so...). In short, Thank You for this great post!
Darling, love your outfit with the pleated skirt. Could you make an IG story or a post about how you put it together? I’m especially intrigued by what you’re wearing above the belt 🙏🏻😇 thank you
Ooops lol talking about investment dressing I just bought a silver sequin slinky maxi skirt that will probably fall off the first and only time I'll wear it - cost $27 in Amazon- with a semi sheer tee from zara, under a iara pima cotton crop top and my new balance RC30 mustard suede sneakers! The joys of expressing myself through my costumes to face the world.
I have to disagree with you a bit on this point. Yes, the Jil Sander pieces I bought 20+ years ago are quite classic, but they remain the perfect foil for more creative /less classic pieces that keep them feeling fresh and modern. I mix older Dries pieces (that never look out of date because they never looked trendy) with newer Tibi fundamentals and they work. I also love a great piece of interesting jewelry or shoe. Just bought the Tibi aviator bomber at half price which was still an investment buy for me and I know it’s the last leather coat I’ll ever need. (I’m 65 so if I get 15-20 years, I’m the coolest senior citizen !)
I really enjoy your article and I totally agree that we should never think of purchasing fashion as an investment since their value depreciate like car. And even some Hermes bags don’t retain their resell value. My definition of “investment dressing” are…
1: Pieces I still cherish and wear/use often
2: They preserve their quality over time
One of my favorite jacket was from Dries Van Noten which I found on the sales rack at Louis Boston in the early 2000s. I still wear it from time to time. However, I couldn’t say the same for Gucci bags made from the same period. They just went on self destruction mode after a few years. To me, that was a waste of money.
I think you nailed it, Rachel. I'm actually terrified of spending a lot on a single item because I've made so many mistakes in the past. I've bought things thinking I'll wear the living daylights out of them and then I don't. My new strategy is to buy expensive items on sale but still give the matter a tremendous amount of thought. Guess I'm ignoring the advice to "buy it on sale only if you'd buy it at full price!" Depending on the price, the answer is usually no.
I have always bought what I loved and most of what I loved, and love, is a bit out there. I never would have guessed how many pieces I am wearing 20 ish years later. Going to an event tonight and think ( because sometimes there is that LMA!) a Tibi balloon pant with a pair if studded silver Prada slingbacks I got at Barneys at least 17 years ago, a 15 ish year old Sylvia Heisel top and an 18 ish year old Sonia Rykiel oversized graphic bracelet.
Buy what you love is simple but important advice! And I think as we get older and know ourselves better, this gets easier to do. I do tend to gravitate to neutral colors, but not for "investment" purposes; it's just my zone and where I feel most myself. And I do think it's a good idea to have some great pieces- bags, shoes, etc, that will work widely in your wardrobe, but again, you have to feel something- buy what speaks to your soul!
I'm getting to be a broken record, but I just love your posts and the way you write. Many make me laugh out loud b/c I adore your sense of humor and still many others are just darn helpful in terms of ideas and tips and options. This post is particularly thought-provoking. I both agree and disagree, though I'm not fond of those words. What I mean is, your post made me think and that is a very good thing! I have never thought of investment dressing as literally meaning that one might purchase an item of clothing or an accessory with the thought of reselling later given its level of luxury and long-term desirability. I agree that we are highly unlikely to ever recoup such an expense. But, it's important to note that I don't have the kind of cash to buy uber luxury pieces from Chanel or Balenciaga or Prada, for example, which is why I'd never think to do this. Tibi is definitely a luxury brand, but more entry- or med-level luxury, as far as I know. In any case, I *do* think I've made what I'd call investment purchases b/c I am hoping they will last me for many years, if not decades. Not just a CPW issue, but more of a holy grail attitude, like, I found IT! IT will last me forever! I even have a J Crew wool coat and a Reiss wool coat that, when I bought them, I thought and said, "I will have these for the rest of my life" and felt great about that. We'll see (they are slim, not oversized like everything is now, so...). In short, Thank You for this great post!
Darling, love your outfit with the pleated skirt. Could you make an IG story or a post about how you put it together? I’m especially intrigued by what you’re wearing above the belt 🙏🏻😇 thank you
Ooops lol talking about investment dressing I just bought a silver sequin slinky maxi skirt that will probably fall off the first and only time I'll wear it - cost $27 in Amazon- with a semi sheer tee from zara, under a iara pima cotton crop top and my new balance RC30 mustard suede sneakers! The joys of expressing myself through my costumes to face the world.