Investment dressing… the strategy… Is there such a thing?
When I hear the words investment, dressing and strategy in the same phrase, I am intrigued.
Do we consider fashion an investment?
It’s a complicated question and one that I don’t completely have the answer to.
For some, fashion is important… it is about passion and creativity… a love… something to invest in.
For others the fashion world would never enter their radar… let alone be considered an investment.
I do see dressing as an investment… it is an investment of time, of personality, of energy and of course, finance.
The rewards are many… looking fabulous, feeling great and an enhanced self-confidence. For rightly or wrongly a new addition to the wardrobe is often the greatest mood elevator of all.
If we feel en forme then others around us will be lifted.
My approach to investment dressing is simple.
I invest in costly pieces when they will provide the ‘cream on the top’.
Items that will enhance what I have in my wardrobe and enable me to stretch my wardrobe further.
They will be garments that I can co-ordinate with lesser pieces and they will be pieces that are timeless.
I will invest for a special ocassion but in general I prefer to shop when I find something that works for me…when it is not expected. There is nothing so frustrating as buying “something to wear” because we have to, not because we want to.
I have always loved these shots of Angelina Jolie, when she was the face of St John some years back.
Who wouldn’t want to wear these beautiful pieces?
Serious investment dressing but exquisitly stylish and guaranteed to make you feel your very best.
St John is not as widely available in Europe nor is it as well known as other high end designers.
They design very beautiful clothing and are one of my go to brands for elegance and femininity.
When I am travelling in the US a piece from St John is the one investment for my wardrobe that I try and make.
Nordstrom have asked me to curate their St John collection… and their stores have the most extensive range.
On the plus side, some of the dresses are on sale so that makes a difference.
The dress I would buy is a simple one.
If I am going to invest I want something that will take me everywhere and make me feel wonderful.
I want a piece that I can dress up or down with accessories… and wear with either heels, flats or boots. I want something that can look edgy in the right circumstances or something that I can sophisticate. I won’t buy if I will be tired of it in three months.
I don’t consider this philosophy boring or dull… but rather, smart and clever. Nothing makes me feel worse than a “bad” buy. That expensive mistake that challenges you each time you open the closet. Even trying the offender on from time to time never changes the story. A bad buy is a bad buy.
The fashion faux pas can be very costly.
Building a wardrobe is expensive, requires planning and is time consuming… and at this stage and age I know where I want to make my investment.
Do you have an investment strategy when it comes to dressing? xv
