Luxury fashion items featuring clothes, bags, shoes or accessories are *extremely* exciting, aren’t they? It’s definitely the feeling of accomplishment, the desire that something will make you happier and the feeling that you are included in a certain circle of people that make you want to own them.
And where’s the catch? There is absolutely no catch if you buy luxury fashion items after a certain thought process. But if you don’t, it is possible to purchase expensive things that don’t suit you, resulting in mixed emotions.
The goal here is to be happy and feel special when you use your pretty, well made, little -or bigger- things. But how you’ll actually use them? And how you won’t have any luxury regrets?
Today, I’m sharing my thought process that will help you make better choices and also help you start seeing fashion luxury items as investments, rather than more random pieces in your closet.
Why investments? Because anything that you buy could save you time -your best asset- and money from other useless purchases. Let’s begin!
Most Used Item
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Investing in expensive fashion items can be tricky as sometimes you end up purchasing flashy things that caught your eye -remember that fuchsia hooded jacket that you can’t style quickly in the morning?- rather than basic yet super helpful clothes that you wear all the time. Or your ultimate bag that will accompany you in every adventure.
The first hack is to think about your most used item. Is it a pair of tailored trousers? Is it a pair of pumps that you wear constantly to go to the office? Whatever it is, you could turn it into a luxury investment that you know it will be used 100%.
So next time you want to treat yourself to something amazing do it this way. Like your favorite black belt you wear daily. Switch it to something even slicker like this awesome one from SAINT LAURENT. You won’t regret it at all.
Easy To Style
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The next thing to keep in mind is how easy to style is the item of your dreams. For me there is nothing worse than having beautiful clothes, shoes or bags sitting in a corner and waiting to be worn. I always style my about-to-be purchase in my mind with everything I own, making sure it will smoothly be incorporated in my collection.
If I like a dress and can’t think of a quick & easy way to style it then it’s a no. Same goes with shoes. What’s the point of buying these high heeled pumps if you never wear heels and all your clothes are casual? Opt for the style you prefer and you’ll indeed enjoy wearing often. These simple flat ones, or these fancier flat ones that elevate your look will do the job.
As much as you like something, imagine styling it multiple ways and buy it only if you think it’s an absolute fit and really versatile. A clever tip if you don’t know how to style a certain item is to look how it is styled by the experts on Mytheresa, Net-A-Porter or any other website you love the vibe of.
Classic vs Trendy
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There is no better investment than buying things that have a classic feel. A snuggly wool coat that feels like velvet, a timeless trench coat, a well made pair of classic black pumps. They will never ever let you down.
I own my Burberry trench coat since 2006 -oh, yes!- and it still looks like brand new. It can be worn season in and season out without looking off. These are the pieces you are looking for. Impeccable quality and timelessness.
Trendy pieces on the other hand are definitely exciting but never look good in the long term. So why spend too much on something you’ll wear for 6 months? I’ve fallen a few times for this in the past but I’ve learnt my lesson for sure. Choose wisely.
Practicality Above All
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When you’re looking for your next luxury gem, don’t forget to think about the practical side of things. It is as important as all the other aspects. I won’t buy a bag with a super hard closure if I’m always rushing in the morning to add all my stuff in. You get the idea, right?
If I’m going to spend a certain amount of money, I want something amazing that can perform perfectly for my specific needs as well. Not something that only looks good. So, get as specific as you can and think about what will be easy for you to use and then make your choice.
For example I know that as much as I adore this blouse from KHAITE I can’t stand tops with this neckline, so I’ll opt for something like this instead and be totally happy with my choice.
Validation From Others
Last but certainly not least is the validation from others aspect. It’s a little food for thought for you that has two different meanings.
1. Don’t feel “pushed” to buy luxury fashion the same way other people in your life do. What works for them may not work for you. And vice versa. Make sure what you are going to purchase is absolutely within your personal style and taste.
2. Don’t feel that you have to own something just because you keep seeing it all over social media and magazines. Try staying true to yourself and your needs. You are cool just the way you are; you don’t need what everyone else is wearing to *become cool*. Always trust your own vision.
Conclusion
Having all these points in mind will help you make less mistakes, as well as make the whole buying process way more accurate and easy. Of course it will lead to a happier and more confident you which is the big picture, isn’t it?
The secret is to be able to separate your desires from your real needs and be completely honest with yourself. Will I enjoy it or I think it’s cool because someone said so? That’s the real question.
Of course we are talking about fashion so there’s no reason to beat yourself up. There is space for mistakes or something that you thought it will be your best suit and it wasn’t. That’s why websites like Vestiaire or Depop exist. Made a choice you don’t like? Sell your item and try again. Woo hoo!
Do you have any major fashion luxury regrets? If yes, don’t forget to let me know in the comments below or on Insta @tzinamak_
