As we are collectively evolving towards a higher state of consciousness, the disposable element of fashion is fast becoming un-chic, violent to society and our planet, but we need clothes – unless you live in a nudist colony, that is, so wardrobe investment pieces are crucial for longevity.
A wardrobe investment piece is often a closet staple that may come with a high price tag. Usually, a timeless design makes it worth the cost. Another way to look at investment pieces is something that isn’t season-specific (we know that “seasons” are over) or tied to one particular trend (everything has come and gone and we are reaching a new era of creative fusion).
Think classic items, like iconic boots, a specific dress or pair of pants and top, a cute time-piece maybe, a signature jacket and a timeless bag. Here are some elements to think about when considering your investment.
Cost Per Wear
Some of us are willing to part with larger sums for pieces we’ll only wear once or twice, like a great suit or dress for a black-tie dinner, but aren’t willing to pay anywhere near as much for the pieces we wear every day, like plain t-shirts or jeans.
If you’re considering an investment piece, but the cost is putting you off, think about the cost per wear. If you’re considering dropping thousands on a piece you know you’ll wear a lot, such as a beautiful coat, then it could actually come to a very reasonable cost per wear. For example, even the cheapest Patek Philippe watches on the market are still investment pieces, but if you love watches and know you’ll wear this one multiple times a week, the cost becomes a lot more reasonable. If, however, you live somewhere where you only need to wear a coat a handful of times a year, it’s probably not worth investing a large amount into a designer coat.
How often will you wear the piece you’re considering? Is the high price worth it to you?
Rewearing Options
How will the piece you’re considering fit into your existing wardrobe? There are lots of lists of classic wardrobe pieces, that people often think they ought to own – like Tom Ford suit. In fact, the best investment pieces are the ones that fit seamlessly into your wardrobe, not a list of basics a fashion magazine says you should own.
For example, a crisp white shirt appears on many of these lists. If you like shirts, this is great, and it’s well worth spending more on these to get the best quality. If you find shirts uncomfortable and dislike wearing them, then this isn’t worth it at all. If you love to wear statement pieces, then a bag in a vibrant color might slot much better into your wardrobe than the more classicly styled options.
Before buying, think about how you will the piece. Can you only think of a few options, or can you wear it with most of your wardrobe? It’s important that something you’re spending a lot on can be re-worn and restyled in lots of different ways.
Is the piece highly trend-driven, or can you see yourself wearing it for years to come? Will it go with everything in your wardrobe, or will you need to buy other pieces to make it work?
Fabric and Fit
Spend some time looking carefully at the quality of the fabric and the fit. If you’re going to spent a lot of money on a piece of clothing or an accessory, that you want to be sure it’s great quality. Don’t rely on brand name alone to confirm that a piece will last. What is it made of? How will that last?
With clothing, there are some things you can look out for that suggest that an item is of good quality. Look for things like metal zippers, natural fibers, spare buttons included, strong stitching in the seams, pattern-matching, quality buttons, good thread, and finished seams. These are all things that cost more and take time to do properly, so are good signs that a garment has been made with care and attention.
What is the piece made of? Is it sustainable? Does that matter to you?
Pay attention to the fit. There’s no point in buying something expensive that doesn’t fit you well or can’t be tailored to fit you perfectly. Is the piece comfortable to wear? Tailoring can be relatively inexpensive and can be very effective in elevating a good piece into a fantastic one.
Pay attention to things like where sleeves or legs end. Where does the shoulder seam hit you? Is it long enough? How does the waist fit? If the fit isn’t quite right, how far out is it? Seams can be taken in, but you can’t add very much ength to sleeves, so it’s important to consider what sort of changes could be made to a garment to make it fit correctly. Is the piece worth the extra cost of doing this? Ask a tailor for advice if you’re not sure if a garment can be adjusted for you.
Look at the fit of accessories too. Where does a necklace fall on your neckline? Do you need links removed from a watch? Is the strap on a bag the right length for your torso? As with clothing, some of these things can be easily adjusted, so take this into account. Removing links from a watch chain is simple and inexpensive, but changing the size of a ring is sightly more limited.
Care Requirements
If you’re spending a lot of money on a piece of clothing or an accessory, then you need to know how to properly care for it, so you can make sure it lasts and remains looking fantastic for as long as possible.
Start by looking at the care labels. Can the clothing be washed in a washing machine, or should it be hand-washed or dry-cleaned? If the answer is one of the latter two, are you willing to put in the time or money to do this to keep your garment at it’s best? Some people don’t mind making a regular trip to the dry cleaner’s, but for others, this may be too expensive, reducing the amount you’re able to wear any dry-clean-only items in your collection. Some people are also happy to spend the time hand-washing delicate garments, but others won’t have the time to spend on this, so an item that needs this is not worth the investment.
Are you able to properly store expensive clothing? Pieces like this should be stored safely, away from potential sunlight fading, or where moths may get at them. Garment bags may be a good idea.
Some fabrics require special attention to keep them looking at the best. Leather may need conditioning to keep it soft. Some fabrics, like wool or linen, should only be air-dried. Wool should be hand-washed. Are you willing to put the time in to keep fabrics looking their best? If you’re not, you may be better off sticking with cotton or polyester-based fabrics that are a lot more forgiving and easy to care for.
Learn how to properly clean jewelry, watches, and leather goods. Some cleaning products are not suitable for these items, as they could leave stains or damage the surface, but proper cleaning keeps jewelry bright and shiny, and leather soft and supple.
Items like this should also be stored correctly, so necklaces don’t become tangled together, shoes don’t become brushed, or watches don’t get scratched by other items stored alongside them. Do you have the space to do this properly?
What an investment piece actually is will mean different things to different people, as will the amount you spend before considering something an investment. Whatever your price point or style, paying attention to these factors when choosing an investment piece will help you to make the right choice, so you end up with an item that you love, enjoy wearing, and will continue to enjoy wearing for a very long time to come.
This is a contributed post.