15 Items You Should Splurge On This Fall
Every woman is guilty of sometimes stocking up on fast fashion. Yes, we aspire to be the type of woman who buys three great pieces every season and create a perfectly curated capsule wardrobe. But at the end of the day, when we're browsing the boutiques (doing our cardio, as a certain Miss Carrie Bradshaw would say), it's so easy to get tempted by that $20 sweater. Sure, we know it'll probably only last a few months before the seams start to unravel. Sure, we know that it's probably smarter to invest in one expensive, quality piece of clothing rather than ten inexpensive, trendy pieces, but come on - sometimes, you just need that shiny new piece. Guilty as charged.
However, there is definitely something to be said for splurging on certain pieces. We're talking about the investment pieces, a term that every fashionista has heard before. Unless you have an unlimited clothing budget, it's probably not the smartest to blow thousands on a brightly patterned, avant garde cocktail dress that you'll never wear. An investment piece is something timeless, something that you can definitely splurge on because it'll last for years and years. Whether it's a great, classic bag or the perfect coat, there are some things that are just worth every penny.
Here are 15 items to splurge on for fall.
15 The Perfect Pair of Jeans
Jeans are every modern girl's staple, and for a good reason - they're incredibly versatile! You can pair a dark wash boot cut jean with a dressy top and great heels for a night out, and you can just as easily slip into some faded boyfriend jeans and a cozy t-shirt for weekend errands. However, every woman knows that shopping for jeans is pretty much the worst. From skinny jeans that suffocate your ankles to boot cuts that don't leave anywhere enough room in the hips and thighs, it's often hard to find jeans that fit like a glove. So, if you do manage to find a pair that makes your butt look incredible and your legs look ten miles long - splurge. Denim is pretty sturdy, and unless you're running marathons in your jeans, they'll probably last quite awhile. Plus, every time you slip them on you'll feel fabulous - and that's worth something.
14 Black or Camel Winter Coat
Every fall, there are new trends for outerwear - whether the biggest trend involves prints or materials or silhouettes, there's always a hot new coat to stay on trend when the temperatures drop. And sure, if you're really loving that blush pink pea coat and can't see your life without it, get it. However, if you're looking for an investment coat, there are two great colors to consider - black and camel. From a structured, belted coat to a retro chic duffel, you'll never go out of style in a black or camel winter coat made of quality materials in a classic silhouette.
13 A Classic Pump
Every woman knows the power that a high heel can have - the reason we put up with the pain is because they give us such an amazing confidence boost. Shoes come in every shape and style, from kitten heels to towering six inch stilettoes, from vibrant blue suede to shiny patent black. It can be easy to collect endless pairs that, thanks to their wild style or colors, can only match certain outfits. If you're going to spend a little bit extra on a pair of shoes, you should go for a classic pump, in a color like beige or black. A pump can look professional or sexy, it can transform both a pencil skirt and blouse and a killer cocktail dress. Sure, those twenty dollar heels might look cute, but we all know how much pain they cause a few hours in. Invest in quality shoes made with leather and good craftsmanship - you'll look great, and your feet will thank you.
12 A LBD
The little black dress is a fashion icon for a very good reason - every woman can find her own interpretation. While certain women look fantastic in certain colors, black is almost universally flattering, and always ultra chic. When it comes to the little black dress, it's completely up to what works for your body type. From sleeveless to long sleeves, from a mini to a modest knee-length skirt, from a sleek, slinky number to a full-skirted, retro delight… the possibilities are truly endless. Sure, you can collect a series of inexpensive black dresses that will look alright, but when you find that perfect one - it's worth spending a little extra. Every time you pull it on you'll feel gorgeous and super chic.
11 A Watch
In the age of smart phones, who on earth needs to wear a watch? After all, don't we just check the time on our phones nowadays? Well, true, but many underestimate the power that a watch has as an accessory. Sure, they're practical for making sure your busy schedule is kept. However, they also offer a lot of polish to an outfit. Even if you're wearing the simplest white t-shirt and jeans, a great watch will add that little something extra. And, for women who don't necessarily want to be wearing stacks and stacks of bangles or endless layered necklaces, it's a great way to accessorize without feeling overloaded. Splurge on a nice piece, because unless something completely unexpected happens to it, a watch will likely last for decades.
10 Leather Boots
It can be so easy to be tempted by materials like suede, but at the end of the day, the best choice for a great investment boot is leather. Leather can withstand the elements, whether you're wearing them in mulchy fall leaves or snow blizzards, and it often just looks better as it gets soft and broken in. The type of boot is entirely up to your preference, as long as it's something classic. Yeah, those Gaga wedges might seem really cool this season, but they'll look very dated, very quickly. Opt for something like a simple ankle bootie or a classic knee-high riding boot.
9 A Great Blazer
A blazer is one of the most versatile pieces in any woman's wardrobe. It's an office staple, easy to toss over a blouse and pencil skirt. It's also great paired with a sexy outfit for a night with the girls. However, blazers can often go very boxy, very quickly. You want to find one that nips in at the waist and accentuates your curves, something that looks structured but not too much. It's tricky to find the perfect blazer, so if you do, it's worth it to spend a little bit extra. You can pick up fun blazers in hot pink and mint green from a less expensive store, but when it comes to a classic black or navy blazer, spend a bit extra for that impeccable investment piece.
8 Diamond Studs
The last thing you want is to spend too much money on a piece of jewelry that ends up being more trendy than timeless. Sure, it's nice to have some fun, inexpensive options like a trendy statement necklace, but you don't want to spend hundreds (or even thousands) on fine jewelry that you end up hating the next season. When it comes to jewelry, one of the most classic, elegant pieces is a simple diamond stud. They make a casual outfit look instantly more chic and polished, and they have just enough sparkle to make an evening outfit truly shine.
7 Quality Lingerie
Most women have pretty extensive lingerie collections. Now, when we say lingerie, we're not talking about sexy teddies that you wear for those special nights in. We just mean the basic bras and panties. Thongs, boy shorts, lace, cotton, black, red, full coverage, push up… women know that different outfits require different bases, so we pretty much have all our bases covered when it comes to under-the-outfit coverage. However, there's no doubt about it - sometimes spending a little bit extra on really good quality lingerie makes a world of difference. A quality piece that's well made and in a neutral color will serve you well for many seasons.
6 The Perfect Sunglasses
Okay, we're going to preface this one with a caveat - if you're the type of girl who seems to lose her sunglasses on a weekly basis, you probably shouldn't be shelling out hundreds on a pair of Chanel sunnies. If you generally manage to hold onto all your accessories, though, sunglasses are a perfect piece to splurge on. You can definitely pick up a new, cheap pair every season to satisfy the latest trend, but when it comes to your everyday sunny to carry you through all four seasons, you want a pair that's timeless. Plus, let's be honest - it'll make you feel that much more fabulous and chic to pull on a pair of designer sunnies, regardless of what outfit you're wearing.
5 Chic Black Trousers
When it comes to pants, every woman is different - some swear by skinny jeans, while others swear that skinny jeans make their legs look far too much like encased sausages. It all comes down to what works with your body type, but there's no doubting that a quality, well-made black pant will last you for season after season. So, what should you get? The silhouette depends on what works best for you and is most flattering to your figure. A perfectly cut wide leg trouser can look fantastic, as can an oh-so-Audrey Hepburn cigarette pant. Pair your black pant with a simple white button-down shirt, a chic cashmere sweater, an on-trend blouse… the options are endless.
4 A Trench Coat
When it comes to the winter chill, the best investment piece is a classic wool coat. However, on rainy days, or days when there's just a slight nip in the air, the classic trench coat is the perfect piece. It's the ultimate investment because it never goes out of style. Sure, every season the trench is reinvented in slightly different silhouettes, materials, or colors, but at the end of the day, you will absolutely never go wrong with a basic belted, khaki trench coat. There's a reason they keep showing up in stores season after season. Wear it with a dress or with pants, with ballet flats or towering heels, it's a wardrobe staple that you can definitely feel good about splurging on.
3 A Cashmere Sweater
Okay, so if you're going to be hiking outdoors or helping a toddler eat his spaghetti, a cashmere sweater might not be the most durable option. It's not about durability, though - it's about pure luxury. Every material has its perks, from ultra-thin cotton sweaters for summer nights to thick, oversized knits for the chilliest of winter days. Cashmere is simply a different category. Sure, you probably don't have the budget to own solely cashmere sweaters - they're pretty pricy. However, there's no doubting that you feel fabulous when you pull on that ultra-soft cashmere sweater. Pick a classic cut, take care of it, and you can wear it season after season to inject a bit of luxury into your wardrobe.
2 The Perfect Leather Jacket
As a material, leather is obviously incredibly durable - and durability is something you definitely want in an investment piece. Whereas some coats might become torn or damaged after endless seasons of wear, leather will generally just get softer and more comfortable with every passing year - a leather coat will get better and better the more you wear it, basically. There are always trendy new silhouettes for leather jackets, but if you get a classic leather jacket, it will never go out of style. It'll become a cherished piece in your wardrobe, improving with age and adding a little bit of edge to any outfit. Sure, you could spend significantly less on a pleather copycat, but why?
1 A Timeless Bag
This is probably the most well-known splurge piece when it comes to women's fashion. Let's just say it - good quality bags can be expensive. You're paying for great craftsmanship when you're opting for some of the higher end designer brands, but at the same time, you're paying a lot - so, unless your budget is unlimited, you probably don't want to blow hundreds and hundreds on a trendy style that will look dated within a matter of months. When it comes to an investment bag, you want something like a classic quilted Chanel bag with the iconic strap and double C's, a simple leather Prada tote, even - and this is stretching that budget to its limits - a Birkin bag. It is absolutely worth saving up and splurging on a great bag - if you pick a classic, timeless style and take care of it, it will last you decades and instantly elevate any outfit you pair it with.