Investment Wardrobe: Solid Gold Sense

Last week, we touched upon a quick and easy (not to mention F-U-N) way to de-stress and de-clutter your wardrobe for 2024 (yikes, does that number sound big).

So, now that we tackled de-stress and de-clutter, here’s de-next step!

But, before we “attack” our shopping, let’s be thoughtful about our game plan.

Along with the words, “capsule collection,” you may also recognize the words… investment pieces. Investment pieces are how you can pull off a capsule collection or wardrobe that will last for years and years.

Before we do a deep dive into actually building your most timeless wardrobe yet, filled with beautiful quality ingredients (which, if you’re interested, you can find by joining my Club). Let's look at how to build it, one investment piece at a time.

via GIPHY

Trust me. We can’t play this game without (quite) knowing our game plan!

Here’s my recommendation:

1. Pick a category. What categories do you want your wardrobe to focus on? Casual jeans and T-shirts? Feminine dresses? Workwear? Of course, it can be a combination of all three, but most find it easiest to start out with a primary focus on what their typical daily life looks and feels like.

2. Zero in. Decide what type of style you’re going for and focus on it. Building a Mood Board is super important here. It’s like making a nice dinner, but going to the store to shop for it without knowing the recipes!

3. Make a list. Literally. Right down to what you want to add to your wardrobe. Be descriptive! For instance, a camel blazer that hits your hipline. And (to further those food analogies), you don’t shop to fill a recipe without the list! So… you must write it down and be precise!

4. Give it time. Let your wardrobe evolve. Give your “recipe” time to “simmer.” If you add too much at once, you risk less thoughtful decisions, without a real reason for why you’re choosing that piece. And... we will end up regretting it. So allow yourself a year – yes, all four seasons – to build your wardrobe out. Good things come to those who wait (and they come… on sale)! Speaking of…

5. Keep your eye on off-season sales. Since this will be a timeless, chic wardrobe,there’s no harm in buying off-season. This will allow you to get GREAT deals on timeless pieces. Always walk straight to the back of the store and check those sale and clearance sections first — there’s simply no reason to pay full price! (And yes, filters are your best friends!)

Here are a few stores I think are great for finding investment pieces. They are likely to be more on the classic side and will offer a great opportunity for you to find something of real quality on sale, since you’re going after timeless, chic pieces rather than chasing transitory trends:

1. Saks OFF Fifth

2. Last Call at Neiman Marcus

3. The RealReal

4. Nordstrom Rack®

5. Second-hand and consignment shops

Here are a few great investment pieces!