Are Investment Pieces Worth It?
Two important things to consider when creating your wardrobe: value & versatility. It’s important for your wardrobe to be modern, fresh, and relevant, provide value, and be hard working. That’s when fashion investment pieces and the rule of three come into play.
Whenever you’re shopping whether it’s in-store, online, or in your closet, ask yourself how to style this one piece of clothing in three different ways. This will train your brain to create different outfits, and you’ll never be stuck with that phrase, “I’ve got nothing to wear.”
TL;DR
Today, I'm talking fashion investment pieces and the rule of three
I'm restyling a tweed shell and blazer I featured last week for a casual date night look
The OOTD is modeled and per usual, I pulled in two more alternative ways to wear the blazer
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Are Fashion Investment Pieces Really Worth It?
1. Fringe Tweed Shell
(Ann Taylor)
Last week I wore this tweed shell from Ann Taylor with black pants and black pumps. Today, I exchanged the pants and pumps for jeans and flats to create a casual chic look that’s perfect for date night. Next week, I will share how I styled this tweed shell one more way. Yep, I adhere to the rule of three too!
Last Week's OOTD
This Week: Captain's Blazer (Banana Republic) | Fringe Tweed Shell (Ann Taylor) | Raw Hem Slim Straight Jeans (Wit & Wisdom) | Arabella Faux Fur Flats (J.McLaughlin) | Lee Radziwill Petite Double Top-Handle Bag (Tory Burch) | Gold Link Necklace (Frances Valentine) | Love Letters Pendant Necklace (Tory Burch) Last Week: Fringe Tweed Shell (Ann Taylor) | The Straight Pant (Ann Taylor) | Captain's Blazer (Banana Republic) | Mabi Pointed-Toe Pumps (DKNY) | Lee Radziwill Petite Double Top-Handle Bag (Tory Burch) | Gold Link Necklace (Frances Valentine) | Love Letters Pendant Necklace (Tory Burch) | 57mm Square Sunglasses (Gucci) | Caviar Icon Beaded Bangle Bracelet (LAGOS) | Caviar Stainless Steel Apple Watch Band (LAGOS)
Shop the outfit
2. Lee Radziwill Bag
(Tory Burch)
This Week: Captain's Blazer (Banana Republic) | Fringe Tweed Shell (Ann Taylor) | Raw Hem Slim Straight Jeans (Wit & Wisdom) | Arabella Faux Fur Flats (J.McLaughlin) | Lee Radziwill Petite Double Top-Handle Bag (Tory Burch) | Gold Link Necklace (Frances Valentine) | Love Letters Pendant Necklace (Tory Burch) Last Week: Fringe Tweed Shell (Ann Taylor) | The Straight Pant (Ann Taylor) | Captain's Blazer (Banana Republic) | Mabi Pointed-Toe Pumps (DKNY) | Lee Radziwill Petite Double Top-Handle Bag (Tory Burch) | Gold Link Necklace (Frances Valentine) | Love Letters Pendant Necklace (Tory Burch) | 57mm Square Sunglasses (Gucci) | Caviar Icon Beaded Bangle Bracelet (LAGOS) | Caviar Stainless Steel Apple Watch Band (LAGOS)
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3. Captain's Blazer
(Banana Republic)
Nothing is more important than a hard-working wardrobe that gives you a bang for your buck. And that doesn’t necessarily mean buying fast fashion or cheaper clothing items.
My dad taught me the value of prorating years ago, which simply means finding the value of any item you purchase. Example: $500 investment blazer worn 1000 times over ten years. That’s .50 per wear. That’s right, .50 per wear. That’s a bargain.
Now, you're probably not gonna wear a blazer 100 times a year. But the point is clear. Not only can investment pieces be a true value in your wardrobe, but they're kinder to our environment since they're not tossed into the trash bin after a year’s worth of wear.
This Week: Captain's Blazer (Banana Republic) | Fringe Tweed Shell (Ann Taylor) | Raw Hem Slim Straight Jeans (Wit & Wisdom) | Arabella Faux Fur Flats (J.McLaughlin) | Lee Radziwill Petite Double Top-Handle Bag (Tory Burch) | Gold Link Necklace (Frances Valentine) | Love Letters Pendant Necklace (Tory Burch) Last Week: Fringe Tweed Shell (Ann Taylor) | The Straight Pant (Ann Taylor) | Captain's Blazer (Banana Republic) | Mabi Pointed-Toe Pumps (DKNY) | Lee Radziwill Petite Double Top-Handle Bag (Tory Burch) | Gold Link Necklace (Frances Valentine) | Love Letters Pendant Necklace (Tory Burch) | 57mm Square Sunglasses (Gucci) | Caviar Icon Beaded Bangle Bracelet (LAGOS) | Caviar Stainless Steel Apple Watch Band (LAGOS)
Shop the outfit
Alternative Stylings
Left Board: Captain's Blazer (Banana Republic) | The Belted Boot Cut Pant (Ann Taylor) | Non-Iron Perfect Shirt (Talbots) | Zala Block Heel Pump (Marc Fisher) Right Board: Captain's Blazer (Banana Republic) | Soft Terry Crewneck Pullover (Talbots) | Chuck Taylor Sneaker (Converse x Commes Des Garçons Play) | Jeggings (Talbots)
In Case You Missed It
Yesterday, I continued on with my look at monochromatic dressing. Click the title or image below to read the article.
When I retired from a very conservative office where I wore suits and heels for 30+ years I had to revamp my entire wardrobe with the emphasis on more casual items, travel, etc. I decided to invest in cashmere sweaters, blazers, shoes, and purses. Those items have been carefully planned, and I researched every item before purchasing. Last year’s purchases were a grey cashmere turtleneck, a cream color wool blazer, and lastly a navy blazer from J. Crew. I occasionally purchase Calvin Klein jeans, or other higher end manufacturers. But just yesterday I tried on 3 pairs of jeans at Old Navy and they look great. I think both higher end and budget prices deserve a place in our closet. Beth, I absolutely loved your article on the monochromatic look – fab.
If the Old Navy jeans last and last for years and years and still look great that’s what’s important. But in all honesty, they typically don’t. Thanks for stopping by!
In my opinion the black flats seem to be too big!? They do enlarge the feet – sorry. The rest of the outfit is wonderful.
Kindest regards
Christina
No, the flats are not too big.
In my book, twice a month calculates to 24 times a year. Did you mean twice a week to get to wearing a garment 100 times a year? I understand your point; just checking the math.
Thanks for pointing out the mistake, Jeanie! Yep, we’re human!
I’d love to read about sunglasses, Beth
I love the shell and your styling of it is just right of course; although it reminds me of more of a “for work” piece. I don’t go that many places where I would dress like that anymore. I do like both the alternate boards.
I’ve always been torn between buying investment pieces vs lower cost items. I do both. Still no conclusion on which is better. Sometimes pieces that are more expensive are disappointing. They shrink, pill, don’t launder well, just like some inexpensive versions.
But, when I buy “cheap” and don’t invest, I’ve found that I end up not liking the items faster. So, for this year I’m cutting down on what I’m buying and looking at making better investments on pieces that are really special, that I need, and that will enhance my wardrobe.
That’s why I’m an avid reader of your blog!
At first glance, this tweed shell can be written off for work only. But if we use the rule of three, we’ll start to think of casual ways to wear it as well. Thanks for stopping by today, Nancy!
I think this tweed shell would look adorable with white jeans/crops and a jean jacket. Add some red or hot pink sandals and it would make a cute outfit for lunch with girlfriends.
That sounds like a perfect casual chic outfit!
Love the outfit and the article.
Thanks for stopping by, Lisa!