Designer items that cost thousands of pounds are not really in many people’s budgets these days. Or you know, ever. However I think there are certain items that make sense to save up for and keep in your wardrobe forever. Think Chanel 2.55 quilted bag or the classic Burberry trench coat. I’ve rounded up 7 of my picks of designer pieces to invest in and that will never go out of style so you’ll have no regrets about shelling out that amount of money!
So is there such a thing as a so called “Investment” piece? Can you actually get back what you paid for it? Here are some of my top tips and tricks and what to invest in:
• Place your money in well-established, high end iconic brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Hermes, you can’t really go wrong. There are certain styles with the most resale value.
• The best return on investment definitely comes from accessories.
• You need to be careful with shoes. The nature of the wear and tear we put on shoes means that they’re not likely to recoup as much unless you’ve been incredibly careful or barely worn them. Your best bet is pretty much exactly who you’d suspect, the red sole! This is always a winner for resale value. Louboutins consistently command the highest return on investment in the shoe category.
• Keep EVERYTHING. The more of the original packaging and receipt you have when you resell, the more it sells for. For instance, keeping your dust bags for shoes and handbags increases the value. People want to make sure everything is there so if someone makes a purchase it feels like they are buying it new.
• Care is KEY. This is something I am obviously nuts about as you may well have gathered from previous articles; my wardrobe is like a shrine to my beloved pieces. I teach my clients how to care for their wardrobe, it’s a lot about organisation and storage skills. For shoes, this means making sure they don’t get scuffed, keeping them in their boxes, stuffing the toes with tissue paper and protecting the soles (especially for Louboutins). Handbags can have slight wear and tear on the bottom. It’s worth taking them to specialist places like the Handbag Spa in Harrogate to look after them and keep them in as good a condition as possible, especially if it’s leather.
With all this in mind these are my top 7 Designer pieces that every woman should or at least covet to own:
The Burberry Trench coat will last for years. The camel colour will never go out of style, it goes with all colour palettes such as black, navy, white, grey, and looks great on so many skin tones. It really will be in your wardrobe for years. The amount I find in clients closets that they’ve literally had for years, and I mean years! You can also try discounted outlets such as Bicester Village to try and get a saving.
Louis Vuitton classic Monogram won’t go out of fashion quickly. Go for an iconic style such as the speedy or Neverfull as they are the perfect tote for work, travel or daily use. Some of my clients use the Neverfull as a nappy or beach bag as they are generally very hard wearing canvas bags. Louis Vuitton luggage is also a fail safe investment and an incredibly chic and stylish way to travel with vintage pieces selling for more than brand new ones.
A Hermes scarf, Birkin bag or belt. Three fail safe classical investments a dream wardrobe would contain. If you like the sound of a silk Hermes scarf, id personally go for one in their signature orange colour. This will add a little pop of luxury to any outfit.
With regards to the Birkin bag, yes they are a fortune but luxury online retail platform Baghunter claims that if you are deciding between investing in gold, the S&P 500 (stocks) or a Birkin, go with the Birkin bag! They compared the three investments returns over the past 35 years and found that the value of the Hermes Birkin has increased in value more than 500% during that time. Unlike stocks and shares, which might have good and bad years, the value of the Birkin handbags has never decreased, even during times of recession and economic difficulty. The Birkin bag is the safest and least volatile investment market. Show that to your husband!
The secondary market for Birkin’s is at an all-time high, with many women who have been turned away from Hermes or are unwilling to wait years for a Birkin are instead buying from trusted re-sellers. If you think Birkin bags are pricey and impossible to get now? Baghunter is guessing that the value of the Hermes Birkin will double in 10 years!
If the bag is still way out of your reach then opt for the Hermes classic “H” buckle belt. I have had my black and tan reversible one for over 8 years, I wear it so much and could sell it now for pretty much what I paid for it even in a used condition.
Black quilted Chanel bag is the epitome of luxury, the classic black or cream will go with almost everything in your wardrobe. Like the Birkin, Chanel bags only ever increase in value and if you take good care of them you’ll be able to resell them (not that you’d ever really want to) for a good price. I would personally go for the classic quilted 2.55 with a gold chain. Breakfast at Tiffany’s eat your heart out!
Christian Louboutins, the red sole is the immediate giveaway that these shoes are not to be reckoned with. There are so many options within Louboutin to choose from, but since the black or nude pump will get the most lifetime wear you know those should be your first purchase (then watch the collection grow!) I’d suggest trying on as many styles as you can as sizing and comfort can vary massively depending upon which one you go for.
Roland Mouret or Victoria Beckham dress. There are many imitations but there is nothing truly like a beautifully tailored dress to make you feel immediately pulled together. Pick a colour and style that is more neutral and timeless will give you the most wear for your money. Roland Mouret was always my to go to for clients wanting something super special, however the very talented Victoria Beckham is giving them a run for their money and creating some truly beautiful, timeless and classical investment dresses you will have in your wardrobe for years.
Cartier Love Bangle is totally on my wish list. There’s not much better than a red and gold box! It is a timeless tribute to a passionate romance (it is fastened only by your love using a special screwdriver) designed to be worn for the rest of your life. It will age gracefully with you and become an air loom for future generations. If you so happen to part with the man with the screwdriver, then you can still sell them at extremely good prices.
So what do you think? Would you add any other pieces to the list? Or take any off? I’d love to hear from you, tweet me @cleolacey or find me on Facebook Demi Couture.Your Fairy Clothes Mother xx
