Fashion is fleeting and style is forever. No doubt you’ve already heard this adage, but in the age of fast fashion, how many of us really follow this credo? It’s so easy to get caught up in affordable trends and end up drowning in a closet that’s full of fashion time bombs. There is something about how a fabric feels to the touch, how a pair of pants fits over the course of a long day at work, that translates to how we feel about the day, the season, our job, even ourselves.
As you’re making your fall spending budget, don’t get stuck in a rut that leaves you to start your wardrobe from scratch year after year. Consider cutting back on “the trendy” and instead, investing in one of these classics that will define your signature style for years to come.
The Bag
Cheap bags are the worst. Their sub-par lining gets gummed up with who knows what, they’re tough to clean, even tougher to keep looking nice, and near impossible to repair. Once you’re done buying half a dozen bags every season just to end up throwing them away within a few months, you’re ready to invest in a bag that will stick with you for a while. It’s a big commitment, and you’re going to want to get your money’s worth of wear. Opt for a luxurious satchel that will hold its shape and age gracefully. You’ll use it every day, but it won’t show its wear the same way as those cheap, shapeless totes by the end of the season. And since it’s timeless, it’ll never go out of style.
The Jacket
Leather is one of the best fabrics you can invest in, and a classic, leather jacket is the epitome of effortless cool. It can make a basic pair of black skinnies look like a Debbie Harry or Joan Jett throwback. Or you can embrace your inner-Lauren Conrad and pair your tough leather topper with sweet prints and unexpected pastels.
It’s tough to pick just one style leather jacket, let alone one color. But if you keep buying cheap ones, you’ll be more tempted to keep replacing them every season. Just take it from Vogue Market Editor Chelsea Zalopany, who claims that even spilling coffee on and getting caught in the rain in her favorite leather moto couldn’t ruin its gorgeous patina and broken-in appeal. If you really want to dive deep, do your homework on the different kinds of leather and patina processes your favorite designers use to help you choose a jacket that will fit your lifestyle best.
Stick with black or brown leather, as they will age the most gracefully. If you’re having trouble deciding which color, take a look at your jewelry box. Do you own more silver and diamonds? Go with black. If you accessorize with gold, tortoise shell and colored gemstones, stick to rich brown or burgundy leather.
The Boots
While we can all drool at Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid in their thigh-high suede perfection, the same style might not be your best bet for that classic pair of investment boots. Investment boots are all about your lifestyle, your level of girliness versus the strength of your inner biker babe, and your winter wardrobe hemlines. Sounds like a lot of factors to take into account doesn’t it? That’s because it is. And more importantly, it’s worth searching for these perfect investment boots because you will wear them everywhere all winter long. Strappy summer sandals are a dime a dozen, but good boots will keep you functional and fashionable for the entire winter. You may also want to wear them with a summer dress and oversized cardigan for fall.
The secret to finding the right boots is to try on a million of them. Think you’ve found the winner? Not yet. You’ve only just begun the courtship process. Don’t try to take your boots home on the first date. Take pics to remember your boots, and return soon in a different outfit with a different hemline. This is date number two with your prospective investment boots. It’s up to you when you want to seal the deal. Just don’t make any hasty decisions and don’t be afraid to be picky. Love doesn’t come cheap.
