NiniTip: Investing In Timeless Pieces
Investing in Fashion: What is your priority?
We all shop according to our budget and lifestyle. There are some shoppers who only invest in accessories and buy inexpensive clothes. There are some who only invest in expensive clothes and don’t care much about accessories. Still others buy ‘throw-away’ basics and spend the balance of their budget on buying and maintaining vintage clothing and accessories. But each type of shopper has priorities and knows what they want to invest money in. There is a balance for everything. We just need to know what’s worth investing in and what’s not. Although often this is based on your own style and wardrobe choices, I believe that there are some items we should all invest in.
Sometimes, saving money to buy an expensive item seems excessive but buying less items that cost more money each rather than buying more, cheaper items will save you a TON of money and space in the future. Our world is changing very quickly and although ‘fast fashion’ makes a large assortment of products available to the consumer at at lower price points, this can often be a trap that forces us to spend more money! Be careful about buying many items for cheap because you don’t know how long they will last and what the cut or quality is like. A less expensive piece can often shift or even come apart at the seams over time and although you didn’t spend much on the item, that money is still wasted. Instead of buying 4 different styles of dresses, save that money and buy yourself one nice dress that is guaranteed to fit well, to make you feel sexy and last several years.
Here are the top three items that I believe are worthy of investment and that will last you a lifetime if you take proper care of them.
1. A classic sheath dress that you can wear on any occasion – to a friends wedding, to a dinner date at your favorite restaurant or to meet up with friends for lunch. This item can be dressed up for formal occasions or dressed down for less formal ones. The accessories (sunglasses, jewelry, scarf, shoes and bag) change the look and other items (jackets, fur stoles, tights or leggings, sweaters or cardigans, etc.) can be added or removed to completely transform the outfit.
2. A classic pair of pumps. Look for a pair that has a significant heel but also has a visible or hidden platform. This way, you can use the shoes for all occasions: the heel makes any outfit pop and the platform will provide comfort so that you can wear the shoes anytime, anywhere. The pumps can be styled with jeans or worn with your favorite dress for a head turning outfit. In my opinion, a pair of shoes that can take any outfit from everyday chic to evening sparkle is something worth investing in!
3. A nice bag that can turn into a clutch. You want something that you wear during the day with jeans and T’s but still be able to dress up for evening outfits. I’ve written about this before but the main suggestion I have about buying a bag (new or vintage) is to make sure that the style and hardware is a good match for your other accessories. If your bags work with your shoe collection and your jewelry, you’ll be able to create more outfit options by rearranging what you already own.
What is your opinion? What items do you own that you consider as great investments?
Wearing: vintage Azzedine Alaia dress, Christian Louboutin Lady Daf, Hermes scarf, Chanel bag
American country pop singer, Leann Rimes, wore NINI green circle dress to attend the Trevor Project gala last night and she looks absolutely amazing!
PS: I did not style her look, credit to her stylist.
This outfit and post TOPS anything I have ever seen!!! EVER!!!! Leann is also rocking that green dress. Where can we get the dress?
gorgeous textures!
Bises,
monkeyshines
http://monkeyshines-monkeyshines.blogspot.com/
OMG! First, congrats that LeAnne Rimes is wearing your dress! She looks amazing! (I still think you wore it better lol). Second, this post was kind of a fashion wake-up call for me. I am always complaining because my shoes are falling apart or are cheaply made. That’s probably because they are cheaply made. Maybe if I invested in one great pair, rather than 3 cheap pairs, I won’t have so many complaints (Duh!). Thanks for the post! I’ll take it as a sign that I need to get my shopping self together
xo
I agree about heels with a platform, it lessens the angle that one’s foot is at so they end up being more comfortable despite their height. I buy clothes/accessories at all price points, it really depends–since quality and crap can be found at all levels. I have things from F21 and Express that I have been wearing for the last 7 years, and designer things that have been disappointments. It’s not practical for my lifestyle to own things that are too “precious” so I usually go for things that can be machine washed. Though I am willing to “invest” in jackets/blazers. You can throw a nice blazer over a ratty t-shirt and it will elevate the whole look.
beautiful!
http://style-societe.com
I agree with you – to a certain point. My struggle is what do I define as an investment? I bought a coat from J.Crew last year for $135 on sale. It was absolutely an investment to me and I love it, but I know there are lots of folks out there who consider only luxury brands as investments.
AMAZING DRESS and you look gorgeous !!! I have to say shoes and jackets are my investments as I still have some from 5-7 years ago!
I saw the dress on twitter, it looked amazing, you are an amazing artist! And I’d have to agree that versatile items like black pumps are a god send sometimes!
mango
mangotatoes.blogspot.com
WOW ! love it ! amazing boots
<3
pia
everlightly.blogspot.com
I thought I recognized that dress when I saw her.
http://www.justpatience.com
WOW WOW WOW. This is such a classic look! LOVE!!!!!!!!!
I recognized the dress when I saw it on her. Well done
.
http://www.justpatience.com
BEAUTIFUL outfit! you look like a hollywood star from the 50’s!
xx
http://theparallelmagazine.blogspot.com/
What a great post Nini!!
First, congratulations on Leann Rimes wearing your dress!! You really have such an eye for style and design!
Secondly, thank you for the tips on investment pieces. I think I would be categorized in the first group, investment accessories and inexpensive clothes, until recently. I’ve found that I’m trying to invest in nicer quality clothing that will stand the test of time. I’m tired of certain wardrobe items, like a Target blazer, falling apart even if I’m in love with the design. It just takes time to find the right items!
i could not agree more! i once wrote an article about a neon birkin bag i spotted, first of all people don’t read articles because they thought it was my birkin bag! my point was that if you buy a birkin bag, buy one in a neutral color, unless you are the princess of Bahrain. I only buy pretty expensive bags and shoes, but every time i definitely know what i am buying! PS i love love the way you are wearing the scarf, i was thinking the other day: we should start wearing scarfs like that again
Congrats!! Leann looked gorgeous!
wow, that dress is gorgeous
http://www.vasilievablog.com/
x
Nini, I am in love with your chanel sunglasses… sooo cute!! And, your total outfit is stunning! <3
xx Devi
http://www.10K10Q.com
Absolutely Smokin
CONGRATULATIONS NINI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! …..BUT I PREFER THE GREEN CIRCLE DRESS ON YOU ♥♥
PS…LOVE THIS ’60 LOOK…PEFECT with chanel sunnies
LOVE LOVE LOVE FROM ITALY
Maria Onorio
http://www.thelastillusion.blogspot.com
wow Nini great job, you look really amazing. little bit of retro mixed with modern ideas – it’s perfect combination
I fall into category number one. In the past two years I have been cautiously spending my money on items that are timeless and has no expiration date. It all started with a Burberry winter coat that I have been eyeing for years and finally bit the bullet went to saks and got it. Now dropping 800 on a coat was terrifying. I knew I could afford it but i had such buyers remorse. That purchase opened my eyes that’s it’s ok to buy nice things within your means. After that I made my list of must haves and slowly started to cross things off. and this is what I have acquired
Jumbo Chanel flap bag
Goyard gm tote
Cl pigalle spike flats
David yurman bracelet
Fendi bracelet
And most recently the Kelly double tour bracelet
The important thing for me is making the right choices so buying on sale is key and I love consignment shops!
Great post!
Stunning shots…gorgeous outfit!!!
DROP DEAD GORGEOUS!!!! Love everything about this outfit!!! You rock NINI!!!!
I love this look!! And a great post idea, I’ve revently been thinking I need to buy more timeless pieces rather than trendy.xoxo
itsCG.blogspot.com ; check me out <3
Congratulations on having your green circle dress appear in the celebrity spotlight! Gorgeous dress, gorgeous girl. The look was casual but urban edgey.
Looking at the photo saw how she could make it even more red carpet dressy (the green silk circle dress is perfect for that) –her hair up in a simple chignon would have been an elegant, simple, slightly retro (a la Hepburn) look especially with those earrings. Love the Alexander McQueen wedges–but I still like the clean line version that you wear. Sparkly pumps, sparkly clutch for another holiday look.
Good work Nini!!
aw congrats Nini!!! your dress is awesome because of its simplicity!!!
where did you get those sunnies?!
Amazing look!
http://sugarmagnoliamargaret.blogspot.com/
Love your style!! Congrats!!
Danielatabois.com
NINI!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Leann Rimes looks fabulous in your dress! What a milestone for you and your career! You definitely are going to have many more moments like this to come. You are far too talented for this to be your peak. Happy Holidays!
Thanks everyone for your kind words. Have a lovely day. xoxo
@Lizzie Lo
Hi Lizzie, the sunnies came from Vintage Martini.
amazing pics!!! and love the NINI dress, great job!
xoxo
P&P
I love the outfit, the scarf is divine, as for investments, i completely agree with you, I usually buy affordable clothes, and they dont last and fade out, so i finally decided this year to shop a little better quality, and its really working out well, places like Zara, Asos, and Top shop are really good! i shop in those places now, and my clothes dont fade ! good post love
nice tips…I LOVE the Alaia dress!!!
You absolutely gorgeous! Lovely dress and where can someone get the green dress?
Congrats!
xoxo
Stella
wow love the sunglasses by chanel where u have buy them ???