TIMELESS INVESTMENT PIECES FOR YOUR WARDROBE
With the new year and decade falling swiftly upon us, its time to take a fresh perspective on your closet. One of the best ways to achieve an update while avoiding an overabundance of dated clothing is to invest in True Fashionista pieces that will survive trends and hang on through your Konmari purges as well. Lately, trends are leaning toward sustainability and longevity in the clothes we buy, says Vogue Market editor Anny Choi, and the turn of a new year is always the perfect time to try something new when it comes to making decisions about your wardrobe. Invest in quality, pared-back pieces you can wear not only repeatedly within a season, but more importantly, for years to come. Clear out that closet and donate or recycle the fast fashion items you wore when it mattered, and replace them with timeless wardrobe staples that will continue to work even decades from now. Pay attention to end of year sales and holiday promotions, as well as your local True Fashionista designer resale store (hint, hint lol) to nab these pieces at a fraction of their original cost.
Elle recently polled 27 fashion leaders from PR reps to CEOs and their own staff members to compile a collection of essentials. Among the list is the striped tee, aka sailor t-shirt. It works for casual looks paired with jeans to more upscale events when matched with dress pants or a skirt. Your shoe tree needs a solid loafer classic, they say, like the Whitney Penny Loafer from Bass, says Emilie Fife of Fashion Partnerships via Instagram. Consider a floral print dress or two like the Laura Ashleys created by designer Batsheva Hay. “My floral dresses are always my go-to,” she says, “I literally started making them because I couldn’t find anything like the vintage Laura Ashley dresses I wore throughout my childhood. The fabric is meant for quilting but it feels so comfortable on the body.”
Swap out your dated button-ups for a crisp cotton poplin blouse from Khaite or a Longchamp caramel snap-button shirt in a soft, matches-just-about-anything brown, and while you’re at it, replace those once-trendy jackets from the back of your closet for a classic all-weather macintosh coat. Hanging beside your trusty LBD should be a gorgeous, sturdy leather skirt that just never gets old, and don’t forget to add some beautifully tailored wide-leg pants that can keep you looking impeccably chic for years to come. Moda Operandi’s Style & Content Director Caitlin Burke insists that a black, high-waisted trouser like the ones from Acne Studios are “insanely flattering and make anything you pair them with on top instantly a look.”
When it comes to your feet, a pair or two of trusty leather ankle boots like the ones loved by Elle Art Director Sonja Georgevich will go perfectly and permanently with practically anything. Black pumps are a must-have investment to dress up everything from jeans to office-wear, insists Jacqueline Curtis for MoneyCrashers.com. Classic Frye riding boots are a must as well.
Adding to their list of things your closet will cry for if they are not present are a trench coat (Burberry is a fave here), dark wash jeans by Calvin Klein, and a pencil skirt which works perfectly with blouses, sweaters and jackets alike. Have a few blazers ready to go, along with a neutral satchel by say, Kate Spade or Coach. Lastly, find yourself a perfect white t-shirt with a V-neck. Toss on a scarf and sunglasses for weekend shopping, or dress it up with a statement necklace and blazer for work, and your closet will love you for it.
While you’re on the hunt check out the new and improved True Fashionista Resale website and eBay shopping pages, making it easier than ever to find your wardrobe essentials for this season and beyond.