Building A Closet You Love: Investment Pieces Worth the Splurge

Thanks to a fun Instagram story post recently, I will be doing a three part blog series about building a closet you love. I shared part one on Wednesday which was all about statement pieces you need. Today is part two which is all about investment pieces worth the splurge. Part three will be classic pieces that are the backbone in every closet. Between investment pieces, classic pieces, and more fun statement pieces, you can truly have everything you need to build a closet you really love. 

Let’s get started with invest pieces worth the splurge. Now, this will obviously vary by the individual budget, taste, and preferences. Below is what I have found to work for me and what has had staying power over the years in the closet of a very fickle, trend loving girl. 😉 

A Designer Bag

Designer bags are not for everyone nor are they in all budgets. I bought my first designer bag, a brown Chloe Mini Marcie, second hand through a reputable online site. After my experience, I highly recommend this option if you are interested in a designer bag without the full budget. I watched for exactly what I wanted in the price range I was comfortable with. You do have to be pretty patient to get one in good condition without paying almost full price. My second designer bag is my black Gucci Marmont which I saved for and bought on a very memorable New York fashion week trip with my mom. Lastly, I bought a LV Neverfull. All three bags are very different, and I love them.

Why Buy Designer Bags?

Together they have essentially replaced all my other purse collection. Where I used to have a plethora of other, less expensive bags that I bought throughout the year, I now no longer feel the need to buy bags. I have also sold most of my old bag collection. Though I cannot be certain, I think I have probably only spent a little more, or even less when you consider what I sold my old bags for. Plus, I have built up a closet of amazing bags I can one day pass on to Ivy Jean. I’ll have them forever. I have specifically picked bags that are timeless and also different from one another. 

Shop This Outfit

Quality Denim

The other main thing I consider an investment piece in my closet is my jeans! I don’t always buy designer jeans, but I rarely ever buy jeans at places like American Eagle, Abercrombie, Old Navy, etc. Though I do have some exceptions. I am tall and picky about my jeans. I find that there is a big difference in the quality of denim between an under $50 pair and a $75-$150 pair. Most of my jeans are Levi’s and Madewell with the occasional true designer jean in the mix. Levi’s and Madewell run around $98-$135. I personally find the denim to be better quality and last longer. 

Current Favorite Madewell Pair

New Favorite Levi’s Pair, Shop More Here – So good!

Good Shoes

Similar to being tall, I have a pretty narrow foot. As much as I want the adorable under $20 sandals Target puts out to fit my foot, they just never do. In the end, I always spend more on a good pair of shoes. I try to buy a pair that I know will be in style for a couple of seasons. The nice thing about buying a quality pair of shoes vs a less expensive one is that when you buy a style that will be around a couple of seasons due to the quality, they actually will be around a couple of seasons. Granted, you don’t want to spend a ton on all types of shoes depending on what you are going to wear them for. 

Marc Fisher Espadrilles – 3rd Season With These!

My First Ever Designer Purchase – Stuart Weitzman Boots (bought them fall 2016 and still obsessed!)

Sorel Winter Boots

Tory Burch Miller Sandals – 2nd Season with them!

Nice Winter Coat

Over the years I have realized the value in investing in a nice winter coat. This past year I bought an inexpensive one on a whim and boy did I regret it. It pilled and was much thinner, i.e. colder, than my quality ones. Such a learning lesson for me.

The nice thing about coats is that you can often find them on major sale at the end of the season and/or on Black Friday. My puffer coat pictured below was a major Black Friday sale, and I wore it all season long! It’s the perfect casual coat to throw on over everything. At the very end of the season, I scored my long coveted J.Crew classic wool coat for under $100! I don’t even have a photo of it to share because I bought it so late in the season. I am super excited about it!