Save or Splurge
I’m often asked for advice about what’s worth investing in and what’s not when it comes to your wardrobe. Over the years I’ve come to form a solid opinion on this topic because I’ve made a few mistakes when it comes to saving versus splurging so let’s learn from them, shall we?
SAVE
#1 Sunglasses.
Some people might fight me on this one, but I have come to the conclusion that splurging on designer sunglasses isn’t worth it. Designer or not - the frames are pretty much plastic and probably all made in the same place so you are essentially paying for a logo. I love my Saint Laurent-looking sunnies from Amazon.
These are great for style but for longer wear consider opting for good UV protection. Finding a pair with good UV lenses still doesn’t mean you need to spend tons of money - even if you need prescription sunglasses. I recently discovered Zenni and bought the coolest mirrored aviator glasses and I love them! Mine are prescription and I did it all online and they are perfect and I think they were like 70% cheaper than the other prescription sunglasses I’ve purchased.
Le Spec Velodrome Sunglasses from Amazon
#2 Trendier Items.
If you want to try a trend, avoid buying an expensive version of it. This is when you turn to Zara, Mango, H&M and even J. Crew (especially with their frequent sales). Some trendy (“current” is the word I prefer) items that I have my eye on for fall are this cropped trench from H&M, this denim mini dress and leopard print dress from Zara, and this sequin pencil skirt from J. Crew - hello holidays and Vegas trip!
#3 Bold Patterns.
Similar to #2, I have learned that investing in a bold pattern piece is not a smart move because we can grow tired of patterns. Of course if you love something and can’t get it out of your head and it’s in your budget, by all means - go for it! Who am I to stop you. But if you’re on the fence then remember this tip - you probably won’t get much wear out of it.
#5 Jeans.
I will admit that I have spent a lot of money on jeans. Probably because I am constantly searching for the magic pair - you know exactly what I’m talking about. I feel like most women would pay a lot of money for jeans that magically fit perfectly and are flattering in every way. In my experience this has little to do with the price tag. Yes, the more expensive brands can make a difference and I do love Paige denim for this reason. And the Paige Genevieve better never be discontinued. That buttery fabric with the cute hem and the stretch are my go-too comfortable jeans.
But Gap and Banana Republic (and of course Levi’s) have this figured out. If you really want to nerd out on denim details check our this Levi’s tutorial. My current all time favorite jeans are these ones from Banana Republic (half the price of Paige). They are fitted in the hips and wide legged. They are flattering and have the perfect amount of bagginess in the right places so they don’t feel frumpy at all. Be warned, they are not stretchy (I like some of my jeans to have structure). Bottom line (pun intended), you don’t have to splurge for quality jeans.
#5 Bags.
For me, purses (or “bags” as they are called in the fashion world now) are actually a Splurge & Save item. If you like to change up your bags then I highly recommend taking this approach with bags. Like designer shoes, I made my first (and only) brand-new designer bag purchase just four years ago. It’s a brown Burberry bag and if I did the math on the cost-per-wear it would come to about $1.50. To me this is totally worth it. My other handbags are either from consignment shops (still kind of a splurge), or ones that simply catch my eye like this one from Mango that I just bought instead of splurging on The Iconic Top Handle Ferragamo. I love my $49.99 vegan Mango bag and have been using it nonstop
SPLURGE
#1 A Quality Belt.
It took me a long time to realize the value in having a beautiful, timeless belt. I probably talk about my reversible Ferragamo belt probably too often, but only because it’s become an anchor piece to my wardrobe that ties so many outfits together. Even the simplest top and pants will instantly turn into a “Wow” outfit with a gorgeous belt. I also love this more casual but absolutely beautifully crafted Nili Lotan belt.
#2 Beautifully Crafted Shoes.
It wasn’t until I was nearly 50 years old before I bought an expensive pair of beautiful shoes (mine were the classic Oasis Hermes sandals) and now, I get it. The moment you slip them on your feet you know the difference. They are “like butter” on the inside and you don’t even need to break them in. They are like a kind friend who would never hurt you and will always be there for you. OK that sounded over the top but I stand by it. Yes, I’ve purchased a few pairs brand new, but I’ve also searched high and low at consignment stores and on The Real Real for gently used designer shoes with great success. Some people think secondhand shoes are gross, but I just wipe them out with a Clorox wipe and feel totally fine about it.
A few recommendations to consider:
Ferragamo classic loafers that convert into mules!
Ally shoes. These are the most incredibly comfortable shoes crafted with the softest lambskin that come in various widths. I have the patent leather pumps and plan to get a pair of brown flats. They are designed by a woman who had a foot injury after hiking Mount Kilimanjaro and then worked with a podiatrist to design gorgeous flats, heels and boots that are totally pain-free. I’m such a fan because I have wide feet and normally pointy toe styles hurt my toes after a while - these do not!
By the way, I have a discount code to share: $40 off heels with DAISY40 and 10% off flats or boots with DAISY10!
#3 Sweaters.
If you fall in love with a quality sweater and it fits you perfectly, is the right weight and color, and it’s a timeless style, but the price tag is high - you have full permission to purchase it. You don’t have to feel guilty or have buyer’s remorse - you will be happy you did it. A fine, quality sweater from Vince or White + Warren is worth the little splurge. It’ll stand the test of time season after season if you get it dry cleaned and de-pill it from time to time. I learned this lesson by making the mistake of thinking I could purchase a classic camel sweater from Amazon for my Core Capsule. The quality just was not there and the neckline lost it’s shape. Apologies to those who I recommended this sweater to when I was just starting out as a stylist! I’ve come a long way. Learn from my mistakes and invest in good quality sweaters! And keep moths away by storing them in sweater cubes.
#4 Bras.
A good bra is 100% worth paying a little extra for. In my days as a stylist I noticed how many women settle for poorly made, worn out bras that didn’t fit correctly. Brands like Wacoal know what they are doing when it comes to constructing bras and your clothes will simply fit better with the right bra. And they are so much more comfortable! I have always thought I needed an underwire bra until I wore this Elevated Allure Wire Free Bra while traveling. It was totally supportive, create a great a shape for “the girls”, and I felt like I wasn’t wearing anything!
My goal is to have a balanced wardrobe that is small and curated while still providing me with enough variety and interest. I’m leaning on accessories to express my personal style more and using my core capsule as the base. Because of this, I feel good about spending a little more on these core capsule items and accessories that I wear on repeat.