Minimalist Wardrobe Part 2: Investment Pieces

 Over the holidays, my boyfriend got me a leather trench coat. But not just any leather trench, a spitting image of the leather trench worn by Zoe Kravitz in the Hulu series High Fidelity, pink lining and all. I couldn’t contain my excitement, jumping up and down like a lunatic unable to form a coherent sentence to thank him. I knew from the second I saw it that it would be a coat I’d have for the rest of my life. I was quickly imagining how worn and broken in it would eventually get, and how hip I’ll look wearing it around in my 60s and 70s. It was the kind of coat that would grow old with me and eventually become part of me, and in that moment I couldn’t ever imagine replacing it.

From Nylon

  This got me thinking about other pieces in my wardrobe that I intend to have for the rest of my life. My black wire-rim hexagonal Ray-Bans, my light wash Levi’s cutoff overalls, my La Canadienne lace up boots, to name a few. These are all things I couldn’t even think of getting rid of, and never intend to.

  While each of these items was expensive upon initial purchase, not having to worry about rebuying or getting alternatives makes the splurge worth it. These are staple pieces that I wear almost every day and have such an essential place in my closet that I know the expense was justifiable. I am a big believer in getting your money’s worth, and with staple investment pieces, you definitely do. That is, as the pieces have central spots in your day-to-day wardrobe.

  Now, I’m not saying to go drop hundreds of dollars on some obscure designer gown that you’ll only maybe get to wear if you ever get invited to some random black-tie event. What I’m talking about are pieces you will wear or use upwards of 3 days out of the week. I can tell you (and my roommates can confirm) that I rarely leave my apartment without my Ray-Bans, my overalls are my uniform in the warmer months, and my boots pretty much never leave my feet in the winter. 

  You can apply this philosophy to any area of your wardrobe; it is not exclusive to coats or sunglasses. It can be as simple as a really nice cashmere cardigan, or a sturdy and comfortable pair of jeans. Combining this outlook on shopping with basics helps ensure that you will get use out of your pieces, and whatever you choose to splurge on won’t just sit in the back of your closet. It also allows you to explore a different kind of creativity in finding different ways to combine your looks; you can’t imagine the number of outfits I’ve made with the same pair of jeans as the focal point. 

  This minimalist approach to your clothes also makes you a more sustainable shopper. Only buying and keeping one item of good quality ensures that you produce less waste in throwing away items that broke or fell apart and became unwearable. Sustainable fashion prioritizes quality over quantity when producing and manufacturing their products. The fabrics and materials the items are made from are intended to last, so while prices are higher, you’ll essentially never have to repurchase your items. In the long run, you will save money and produce less waste by owning only one of a certain item and never throwing it out or needing a new one. 

  I’m aware that I probably sound incredibly privileged and close minded suggesting that everyone opt for more expensive clothes. I know that a major appeal to fast fashion is that it doesn't put as much of a dent in your wallet as its sustainable counterparts. While this is all true, there are ways to work around the expense. For example, many of these staple items of mine were gifts, and oftentimes gifts a group of my friends went in on together and split the cost of. Also, a good deal of these sustainable lines now incorporate payment plans for their items. This allows you to split up the expense so that your bank account doesn’t take as much of a ding. 

  Looking for good quality, long lasting items is also the perfect opportunity to take yourself to your favorite thrift store or vintage shop to look for second hand, high quality pieces. This takes your sustainable shopping practices even further. Oftentimes, you will find insane price reductions. While I was abroad, I bought a vintage Burberry jacket at a shop in Milan at a price I could’ve never imagined paying for anything Burberry, and I know it’s a piece that will have a permanent place in my closet. 

  Investment pieces are a great way to implement both economically smart and environmentally sustainable practices into your shopping routine. If you need further inspiration for what should make your next splurge, blazers, jewelry, purses or a good pair of heels are other great places to start. 

This isn’t to say that you should only own one of every single clothing item or accessory in your closet, but everyone has to start somewhere! Everyone’s style, closet, and shopping routines are different, so I encourage you to utilize these practices in ways that work for you. At the end of the day, one of the most important steps you can take to a more sustainable style is being mindful of your habits and routines, so take this opportunity to take stock of your wardrobe and see how you can implement these changes.

Cassidy Sollazzo