"Don't buy clothes, save your money for jewelry"

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I think that lady is right. It has taken me three years of spending serious money on accessories that I barely wear to realise that if I could have held back and bought jewellery instead I would have the most beautiful collection.
 
It is really a question of what you can afford, isn't it?
As for me, I'm in my 50's..and all the investment pieces I bought way back when, don't exist in my closet.

I'm curious to know - did your investment pieces simply not last in terms of quality, or did your style change?

I've never really bought jewellery for myself as aside from my diamond studs & wedding rings, I don't usually wear any. However, the few special pieces that I do have, make me feel fabulous when I have the occasion to wear them. This thread has certainly made me think about spoiling myself with one nice piece every year - I think it would be wonderful to build up a collection of pieces that can still be worn in years to come.
 
This advice was given to me by the most elegant, polished woman I know. She's 52 and married to a hedge fund manager so I realize our lifestyles are somewhat different (understatement of the year). But she said that the biggest lesson she'd like to pass on is that when she was a working young woman, she should have saved her money for jewelry. She advises just a few very basic pieces worn over and over again, and putting the money you otherwise would have spent on clothes into her jewelry.

Does anyone follow this philosophy? Just curious. :heart:

ITA, clothes go out of fashion so easily. I just buy the basics, but make it special by adding my jewelry. Jewelry looks good no matter if you are pregnant, trying to lose a few pounds or just having a yucky day. It can really make you smile and buying/ saving for 1 good piece a year is an excellent idea which I follow as well.
 
looking back to when i was in my late 20s/early 30s (before i was pregnant), i wish i would have adhered to that philosophy. instead, i wasted money on too many designer items like clothes, handbags, etc. it was such a waste especially for the clothes because now that they're not only out of style, they no longer fit me since i had my daughter.

and none of that stuff appreciates in value (except maybe an LV or chanel bag) like jewelry does.

i think the only thing that will never go out of style are classic handbags like a chanel or louis vuitton, but otherwise, had i adhered to that many years ago instead of buying stupid clothes, i would have had some serious bling now.

i also don't have a problem buying my own jewelry either. my husband has purchased my e-ring/wedding ring, a pair of earrings and my cartier LOVE bangle, but i also received a gorgeous pear e-ring from my mom last year that i wear almost everyday. and i love going to pawn shops and finding a great deal on gorgeous jewelry that is pre-owned. i have this thing for pre-owned/estate jewelry for some reason, so i love that it's so much cheaper there.

one day i will inherit all of my mother's jewelry after she passes (which i hope is many many years from now) because she has a lot of jewelry from both my dad and heirlooms, so that alone just makes me appreciate the quality and emotional attachment to heirloom jewelry.
 
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Nice, timeless topic and discussion!

It takes me 1 year to save for diamond studs or two for a tennis bracelet (since I also save for my pension fund.

A wealthy elderly friend once said it is nice saving 3-4 months for a LV purse but it is not fun saving 1 year for a H-purse. It just takes too long. I think she is right.

Transferred to jewelery I would say it is nice saving 1 year, maybe even 2 for jewelery.

It is important to me that I also indulge myself by buying the Azur Pochette like I did this summer. Its 220 EUR and and joy lasts for a very long time.

Lucky me I am still decluttering at home and very very sceptical when it comes to hauling in new clothes.
At the moment I am more happy giving away clothes rather than getting new ones.

Lucky me, diamonds usually come in handy. :D

Only one thing I wonder: did any of you ever lose jewelery?
The cleaning maid from my office lost a diamond stud in the open see!
 
Only one thing I wonder: did any of you ever lose jewelery?
The cleaning maid from my office lost a diamond stud in the open see!

yes, which is why i have insurance on all of my pieces.

i lost my original wedding ring set a year and a half after we were married, but thankfully because it was insured, i was able to buy a new one!

a year after my daughter was born we were traveling and i took my TAG watch off (because it was always too snug and uncomfortable when it got too hot) and placed it in the cup holder of her stroller. while i forgot about it, i folded up the stroller and checked it through baggage claim only to remember halfway through the flight that my watch was most likely in the stroller.

nope, it wasn't. it was gone. again, because it was insured, it was replaced no questions asked.
 
ITA. Its better to put your money in jewelry than clothes that go out of style. I however am also having trouble following this as I absolutely love clothes but love diamonds a liitle bit more. :D
 
I don't think it has to be so black-and-white, where it's one or the other. I feel that being well-dressed, in a manner that is flattering to me, makes a greater overall impact than the jewelry I have on. Clothing should be of good quality, fit me well, and classic enough that it won't go out of style after one season....to meet all 3 requirements, I don't have to spend a boatload of money. Which means I should still have budget left for fine jewelry if I save and choose wisely. :smile1:

My point is, you CAN have the best of both worlds. :smile1: It's all about the balancing act and not being a slave to fashion trends.
 
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When you guys talk about jewelry...Does it have to be name brand?

I had lots of jewelry both from purchasing by myself or gifts from my DH. Most of them are not name brand like Tiffany, David Yurman.....

So I wonder if the jewelry bought from local jewelry boutique does hold its value overtime...any thought?
 
I only spend on good fitting pants which are classic and will last years. I believe in investing in jewelry and also love bags, but realize jewelry is a better investment. I have an awesome jewelry collection, mostly Yurman and Cartier (watches only). I do not have a DH and don't think I could have put together my collection, had I had one [I think he would have been horrorized (lol)] and I am glad I did not have to sneak in my purchases...
 
How did you find an insurance plan that worked for you? Is it lumped in with home owner's insurance?

I've been thinking about this for a while now. Thanks in advance for ideas!:smile1:

yes, which is why i have insurance on all of my pieces.

i lost my original wedding ring set a year and a half after we were married, but thankfully because it was insured, i was able to buy a new one!

a year after my daughter was born we were traveling and i took my TAG watch off (because it was always too snug and uncomfortable when it got too hot) and placed it in the cup holder of her stroller. while i forgot about it, i folded up the stroller and checked it through baggage claim only to remember halfway through the flight that my watch was most likely in the stroller.

nope, it wasn't. it was gone. again, because it was insured, it was replaced no questions asked.
 
imho jewelry settings go out of fashion too.

a healthy balance of both is lovely. the reason why i buy good clothes is because they are an incentive for me to keep up with my exercise. nothing tastes as good as fitting into and feeling wonderful in a lovely piece of clothing.

so while ita on investing in classic jewelry pieces, i also want fun with clothes too. especially when i'm still young. i know no matter how fit i am i will not look the same in clothes in 25 years' time.

ps. i remembered my mum asking me once in the car on the way to my brother's wedding why i am jewelry free. before i could answer dad said "she's young, she doesn't need jewelry for people to look at her":p
 
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