Help me upgrade my wardrobe: key designer pieces?

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M

mary79

O.G.
Jun 17, 2011
790
71
#1
I have several designer bags, but very few designer clothes, and would like to start slowly adding more key pieces to "upgrade" my wardrobe and style.

My style and lifestyle are casual. I wear mostly jeans, a top or jumper, and flats (or sneakers! - I walk a lot). But I'd like to upgrade to "casual chic".

Where I live it is hot (beach weather) in summer but cold and rainy in winter (cold also indoors!)

What key pieces are worth investing in? Classic pieces I can wear a lot that will last a few years: a Burberry coat? Cashmere? What? (I really have no idea!)

I'm 35 and just starting this journey now.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated :smile1:
 
#3
Burberry trench, Equipment shirts/blouses, Levi's jeans.

For shoes- Chanel ballet flats Rag and Bone ankle boots, Stuart Weitzman knee high boots (5050 boots or the newer Lowland/ Highland depending on heel height

That's all I can think of for now :)
 
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#6
If you walk a lot I'd invest in really comfortable chic shoes. How about Ferragamo, Celine, Manolos, Nicolas Kirkwood. I believe in minimal but key pieces that you could mix and match. Cashmere tops are always a good idea. You could never go wrong with Cashmere/silk shawls 140 size from Hermès. It would be a nice accessory that you could wear for years to come. Nice leather jacket would also make a great addition to your closet.. Something from Helmet Lang, Iro or All Saints.

I hope this helps.
 
#7
For me, for tops it's kind of anything goes. I buy what I want based on what top I like, rather than it based on the brand. For coats, it's almost the same except Burberry is a pretty warm and stylish choice, and Canada Goose is pretty warm. I just paid a few hundred for a high quality Michael Kors coat that I love. (Where I live climate is warm in the summer and snow in the winter.) For cashmere I like TSE and Vince. I also bought some cashmere sweaters this year from the Lord & Taylor store brand and loved them, as well as a sweater from N.Pearl Cashmere that I really ended up liking too.) For jeans I like Joe's Jeans and J Brands, but this will vary based on your shape and size, and what fits and flatters you best.

Also, if your like me and you don't wear pumps 24/7 in the winter (for me, the snow gets inside the shoe and then it gets awkward. I wear them in the winter, just not all the time like most people.), it might be good to invest in a nice pair of boots, either flat or heeled. I tried Frye for the first time and ended up loving them, however I found a pair on sale and won't shell out full price for them.
Also, it might be a good idea to check out websites like Last Call-Neiman Marcus, Saks Off Fifth, and The Out Net. That way, even if you still pay a lot of money, at least you'll be able to get a good deal too, or some kind of percentage off what the item originally was.
 
#8
For me the staples are :chanel, jackets,I have 4, not enough! and wear them all the time,
I like wearing my black tweed one with double denim, and marant trainers or chanel espadrilles , depending on weather so chic yet, not formal

Cashmere, lots of good ones out there , from loro piana to Barrie, brunello cuccinelli, Jill sander cashmere is pretty good too, and can find good deals on net-a-porter,
 
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#9
Thanks everyone! Looks like cashmere and a good trench coat and good quality comfortable shoes would be good investments.

A Chanel jacket is in my future but too much for right now :)
 
#10
1. A Burberry trench or quilted jacket
2. Cashmere scarf (I'm partial to Burberry, but wouldn't wear the scarf with the trench/jacket at the same time)
3. Nude pumps (CL, Stuart Weitzman, LK Bennett for example)
4. Frye boots
5. Cashmere sweater
6. Flats (Chanel, Tory Burch, etc.)

That's what I can think of so far!
 
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#11
mary79 said:
Thanks everyone! Looks like cashmere and a good trench coat and good quality comfortable shoes would be good investments.

A Chanel jacket is in my future but too much for right now :)
Click to expand...

In fact I have been doing something similar- it's taken me years actually -it took me a while to work out the things I actually wear on a daily basis (duh!) and then of course the expense in buying them can be considerable. I wrote about it on my blog and posted photos.
 
#12
A black or camel leather skirt that falls just above the knee.. Can be dressed up or down, but definitely not too common and very chic

A few statement earrings in either a nice knot, or a large stud or something to add a little bit of interest to a simple outfit

A few dvf wrap dresses

A nice watch, you can start with Cartier

Some ankle-skimming pants in a dark green, blush pink, black and medium blue

Balenciaga Moto leather jacket in camel
 
#13
Jackets & outerwear: Max Mara Camel wool coat, Burberry trench coat, Chanel black tweed jacket, Balenciaga moto leather jacket
Shoes- Tod's driving shoes/loafer, Roger Vivier Chip/flats/45cm pump, Stuart Weitzman 50/50 in suede, Frye knee high boots, Chloe/Isabel Marrant ankle boots.
Jeans- AG, J Brand
Silk shirt - Equipment
Tops - Alexandra Wang
Scarf - Hermes
 
#14
A good leather jacket is always a good idea. I wear mine all the time, except in winter (it gets really cold and snow where I live).
And a black dress that fits you well. Brand doesn't matter, but if you find one with a good cut that suits you, you can wear it anywhere. It can be dressed up and down as you please :)
Good luck with the upgrade.
 
#15
Warm longer length coat to suit - Celine, Gucci, Max Mara etc
Shorter coat to suit - Miu Miu, Prada, Gucci etc
Trench coat length to suit - Burberry, Aquascutum etc
Long knitted cardigan Sonia Rykiel, Loro Piana etc
Short knitted cardigan - Bora, N. Peal, Elgin etc
Chanel (or Chanel style tweed) Jacket/skirt suit - Chanel, Moschino, Gucci
Trouser suit - Prada, Miu Miu, Celine
Leather or suede legging, slim pants - make sure the seems are not below or on the knee, as the leather tends to mis-shape
Longer length suede or leather skirt - make sure the leather is butter soft e.g. Joseph
Wide trousers - make sure the weight is heavy and silky smooth so they fall flatteringly
Silk blouse - make sure it's opaque and the buttons don't gape (pussy bow optional) eg Gucci
Floral or printed shirt - Libertys, Cordings etc
Slim Bretton top with slashed or high neck
Silk print dress - lots around this season
Poncho or blanket wrap, double faced cashmere or marino wool - Hermes, Loro Piana etc
 
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