I always seem to get requests about once a year about investment pieces I recommend. I always think I make
these posts, but I don’t think I actually have made an extensive list. While I am still in the process of switching to investment pieces over trendy items (I mean Instagram really hurts my wallet on the daily), I think it’s incredibly important to base your wardrobe and style on a core selection of investment pieces. These don’t have to be wildly expensive, but if you find a nice version of a simple staple, you’ll take care of it better and most likely get more use out of it. (Fair warning- many of these pieces are probably found at J.Crew. Some wouldn’t consider J.Crew as high quality as other brands, but I really love my investment pieces from the brand. For my budget and lifestyle, they work for me!)
crisp button up top // straight leg jeans // boot cut flare jeans // white jeans // black sweater // black turtleneck sweater // pearl drop earrings // black work pants // pleated black cigarette pants // black pixie pants // tan wool coat // camel blazer // check blazer // navy blazer // cap toe heels // tortoiseshell block heel flat // black strappy heels // tortoiseshell sling backs // black block heels // nude heels // printed pjs
// investment pieces to splurge on //
// 1. sturdy white button up //
A staple in just about any wardrobe but especially a classic or preppy one, I highly recommend finding a sturdy and non-see through button up/down that works for you. Find one that fits properly, and even tailor it if needed. These can be worn in an endless amount of ways, you the cost per wear will be well worth it in the end.
// 2. black sweater or turtleneck //
I can’t tell you the number of times I have worn a black sweater, turtleneck, or basic top in general. I have a more expensive chunky turtleneck from J.Crew, several short sleeve turtlenecks, as well as a long-sleeve turtleneck. You will always have a chic outfit if you choose to put on a classic black top (uh hello Audrey Hepburn!). If you find one that is higher quality like cashmere or cotton, it will last you years and never go out of style.
// 3. well-fitted blazer //
It doesn’t matter what kind of blazer you have, but rather how well the fit is. I think blazers are so versatile- wear them over a nice blouse for a business meeting, wear them with jeans and sneakers for a jaunt around town, or wear them with a nice top underneath and heels for a night out. I most often reach for my herringbone/checked pattern one from Mango
// 4. good pair of jeans ///
While jean styles fade in and out of style, find a pair of jeans that are flatter you best and stick with them for years. This means you can go ahead and splurge on a pair that fits nicely and can go with a lot! The ones I find that fit the best are J.Crew. I update this post on my LTK fairly frequently with my faves.
//5. classic pair of heels //
Even if you don’t wear heels on a daily basis, it’s still so important to find a high qualtiy and comfortable pair of heels. They don’t have to be hundreds of dollars (J.Crew has a lot of nice ones). But if you’re willing to spend a bit more, check out my review of Sarah Flint. Her brand has luxury-quality shoes at a fraction of the cost, and your feet will notice the difference. You can use my code SARAHFLINT-BAMADISOND for $50 off.
// 6. wool coat //
So I have like 10 coats. Do I live in Savannah, GA where it’s mostly hot year round, yes. Do I still obsess over living somewhere cold? Absolutely. I think if you find that one wool or even just synthetic coat that you love, it’ll last years. I have a classic black coat from Mango, but I also invested in the city coat from J.Crew that retails around $300-$400. It’s one of the warmest coats I own, and the style is reminiscent of the 60s- which I personally think is one of the most classic decades of fashion!
// 7. pearl jewelry //
Jewelry trends come and go, so investing in them can sometimes be a waste. However, a nice pair of pearls or even a pearl necklace will last you a lifetime. Consider investing in a higher quality pair so you not only get a ton of use out of them, but also appreciate them even more.
// 8. bras/underwear you really love //
Very random, but your underwear and bras sets the tone for your outfit. Consider going to an actual bra store rather than Victoria’s Secret and get bras fitted to you. A place I really like is Soma, and I’ve found a good selection of bras I really like. This can also apply to shapewear- I don’t use shapewear except to stop friction between my thighs while wearing dresses in the summer, but I do really want to invest in a pair of Spanx at some point.
// 9. high quality pajama set //
I am a firm believer that being put together when falling asleep makes waking up in the morning even better. That’s why I’ve fallen trap to high-end sleep sets such as Printfresh. You don’t even have to get a Printfresh set, but finding a comfortable and pretty pair of pajamas will make you feel like you have your life a little bit together! Don’t forget you can use my code THECLASSICMADISON when you shop here for 15% off
// 10. work/cigarette dress pants //
Lastly, consider finding a high-quality and well-fitted pair of work pants. Not only does this apply to my working gals, but college girls you will need a pair of these if you intern somewhere that requires at least business casual. I used to swear by the J.Crew pixie pants in high school, but I haven’t really worn them much since COVID. However, I know I’ll look back to buy a pair when I am back in an office when I find a job!
Finally, I wanted to touch on a few things I think are worth investing in, but I personally haven’t taken the plunge in finding a high quality version. I won’t add my personal thoughts on them though!
// Things you probably should invest in but I don’t //
- Leather purse/handbag
- Watch
- Leather ballet flats
- Cap-toe slingbacks
- Polarized and classic sunglasses
- Neutral leather boots
I’ll keep working on posts like this to show you how I’ve built a fairly timeless and classic wardrobe. I don’t have a capsule wardrobe by any means, but I do like to really focus on pieces that are cohesive and classic rather than trendy and hard to wear with multiple items.
xoxo,
Madison
*DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I receive a small commission anytime you purchase through them. This comes at no cost to you. All opinions are my own.
