Luxury Items- their not so obvious thriftiness! And why they are so valuable in your wardrobe/sartorial arsenal!

NO MATTER-

Your budget, any style maven worth her salt has at least a couple of high end treasures in her closet to lift both her look and her spirit. Think that you’re out of the luxury league when it comes to splurge purchases?Think you can’t afford it or it doesn’t enhance matters? Well you’d be incorrect on both counts! Read on for the irrefutable proof that luxury won’t sell you short and that-

EXPENSIVE ONLY HURTS ONCE!

( Well that’s what I tell my husband anyway)

In case you were wondering, the little bear is the cheeky Ted E Bear made famous by the ventriloquist Strassman, he travels with me and is my good luck charm .

WE ARE-

All on a budget when it comes to clothes, shoes and accessories ( sadly) . That’s why we have to aim to maximise our wardrobe and make every single piece work hard for us. I can tell you from experience, there’s cheap and there’s good and they rarely go together ( but if you DO find such a rarity, stock up in bulk). One thing to ask your fine self when out shopping, regardless of the price of the item-

Do I love it? NO- merely liking something’s not grounds enough for purchase, do something else if you’re just buying for the sake of it- walk or cuddle the pup, have a massage, make love to your special mate, take up skydiving ( just kidding’ on the last one, or am I?) Whilst most would think that any luxury item can be automatically coveted enough to purchase it, that’s not always true. Don’t be swayed by logos, the latest ad campaign with that girl who just oozes cool (that’s why they picked her, to better separate you from your cash) or your own low self esteem. Designer gear won’t mend mental health/ boredom issues, but it WILL stretch your wardrobe further and perform well lasting you years , perhaps a lifetime. For instance my Hermes Birkin is almost 30 years young ( see above), a bit battered around the edges but I like her like that, and still love her like the first day she was presented to me. Like a best friend, she never lets me down and doesn’t get old!

Little known truth- chosen well, luxury pieces never bore the wearer, they have timeless appeal, you do not ever get sick of an exquisitely cut/fabricated garment or accessory, even after many years of use. That is the truth about luxury goods, their value in your own life never wavers. Try wearing a “fast fashion” item for 30 years, inconceivable isn’t it?

As an example-

In the mid nineties I bought a Prada camel hair winter coat at a sample sale for $1000, reduced from $3000. It was a small fortune for me at the time as I was not only working full time but also supporting a student husband and saving for a house deposit. But that coat was a wise move. She has - been around the world with me many times, has weathered countless winters, ( even a bottle of red spilled carelessly on her by a recalcitrant waitress) and STILL looks like new, not as much as a button has loosened. She makes thriftier garments look high end, goes with pretty much any colour and, best of all, I still enjoy her after all these years. The cut, fabric and craftsmanship give me true pleasure. Interesting observation? I have received many compliments about that coat from both fashion folks and lays, but as there’s no logo, nobody has ever recognised that she is Prada. The garment speaks for itself with no need for fanfare. This where you should be aiming, at impeccable pieces that whisper provenance yet don’t scream.

NOW-

I am not going to tell you the old adage about cost per wear justifying a high price tag. Rather I will advise you regarding which key wardrobe pieces are worth spending on for timeless designer quality and comfort, and which you can easily skimp on , with the following list.

1-JEANS

Skimp in general, especially if you have an easy figure to dress. Jean fashion really does change regularly and you can buy really good quality in the low to mid price range, particularly for classic cuts/washes. If you really want to go super thrifty here, remember that cheaper stretch jeans always bag out so do size down.

Cotton On jean bought for $5 (!), high end Anne Fontaine white shirt and Jimmy Choo heels.

2- WHITE SHIRTS

Again there is so much available in the low to mid range, a classic cut that flatters need not be expensive.If you do decide to splurge on that special shirt, the French company Anne Fontaine does the best white shirts ever, she specialises in them! Money well spent, I have had the above shirt (gift from Dad) for over 25 years and she’s still going strong!

3- SWEATERS

Here I would spend more, two fine cashmere or cashmere/cotton sweaters ( one crew neck, one v, in black and navy, optional extra in cream or light grey) will last you a lifetime and are sensual and subtly sexy to wear. In my opinion Bruno Cucinelli does the best cashmere in the world but it’s prohibitive, check out discount luxury retailers for high end cashmere on sale, eg the Outnet. Then- look after it very well, invest in a pilling comb, and you will wear your fine knit forever.

This gorgeous cashmere jumper has been in my possession for nigh on 30 years, so so plush and in great condition. I bought her on sale for $500, down from $1500, all these years later, still LOVE her! Bonus? long enough to wear as a tunic dress with tights and booties.

4- BELTS

Here is where quality counts, every time. Cheaply made belts look clumsy around the waist and do not last or perform. You only need two decent belts, one tan, one black, optional extra? A sparkly evening belt to dress up a simple ensemble for going out. My two favourite belts are both from Hermes, the “ Collier de Chien”, and the classic “H”. These will stand you in good stead, are timeless and if you can’t afford them brand new , they are readily available second hand.

5- OUTERWEAR

Here’s where you can either go high or mid range, if money is super tight vintage is a good option. There are many passable coats at the thriftier end of the spectrum. I will say this- if you can’t afford a whole designer outfit, you will better get away with a lower end ensemble if the outerwear is good. Lifts the whole look! 3 pieces only are necessary, a timeless leather biker in black ( Barbara Bui does the best), a trench to throw over just about anything, here Burberry rules, and for good reason, lastly a cashmere/ cashmere blend, or if you can afford it, camel hair ( like my Prada ) coat that covers all sins and renders you the elegant goddess that you are! Camel is also the most flattering and versatile colour, a dark chocolate is also beautiful. Black is indeed smart but it can appear sombre in such a large silhouette, ie it can overwhelm, and it shows every speck of fluff, you have been warned.

Barbara Bui leather, cami NY camisole, Iceberg jean, Louboutin stiletto

5-CAMISOLES

These utterly versatile staples don’t need to be expensive, silk is always lovely but the main objective is a cut that suits your proportions and which can be worn out or tucked into jeans, trousers, skirts etc. Camis look wonderful under structured blazers and are sexy paired with oversized soft knits for easy date nights. Pay attention to the width of the straps, if you can’t get away with a strapless bra, ditto if you’re upper body is a bit puny ie mine (!) - a wider strap will give balance to the look.

6- DRESSES

Now here’s a surprising one, I have frocks ranging from Lanvin to St Vinnies in my wardrobe and truly believe that the most important consideration is the shape of the dress and how it suits you. There are sooooo many options that there is absolutely no need to spend much at all. Know and love your shape, know which area you want to showcase and go for it!

Vintage Zandra Rhodes dress, in my wardrobe for years and so so good!

7- HANDBAGS

Like belts they are high use , high performance items and therefore the more you can afford to spend, the better! Not only does cheap hardware look cheap, it will dull and break over time, probably just when you need it to perform eg when travelling! Must say, of all my designer bags, although I probably love my tan BIrkin the best, BY FAR the sturdiest and most practical bag I have ever owned is the YSL “ KATE” bag in mock croc with gold tassel embellishment. It beats my Chanel 2.55 hands down at a third of the price new. The reason it’s sooo good? The size is just large enough to stow all your bits for every day, , but just small enough to double as a clutch for evening therefore great for travelling light! the structure of the bag is extremely strong and has not become misshapen even when stuffed into a suitcase, and the mock croc leather shows no marks after years of devoted use, I even dropped her in the snow in a NYC winter! Sooooo- moral of the story? Buy a quality bag or two, one structured in black, tan or another neutral, and one larger tote type bag for travel. Louis Vuitton does the best totes and they are an affordable luxury.

8-SUITS/BLAZERS

Here is where you can go either high or medium end. In my view the best blazers in the high end are from Balmain, Chanel and Rag n Bone, but awesome suiting is also available at Zara, Witchery and Banana Republic. If purchasing suiting for work from a high street shop, do the scrunch test of the fabric in the store, if it creases easily it will make you look sloppy by days end ie not so professional. As you don’t wear these pieces close to the skin, generally you can seriously consider some synthetics or blends, eg a wool/poly combo can work surprisingly well. Word to the wiser: blazers? If purchasing a thriftier number, remember to always fit your largest part perfectly then tailor to suit and give a bespoke look. Another tip to make a cheapie jacket look expensive? Take the sleeve in until you have a slim line and true demarcation between the waistline and the arm, also look at getting a tailor to add impeccably shaped shoulder pads, gives you sharpness and chic!

My much adored Rag n Bone camel blazer, the details are pure Saville Row!

9-SHOES

With footwear it depends on the type of shoe you are buying. As a general rule, the more you plan on wearing the shoe, the more expensive it should be. For example, a day shoe like a loafer or ballerina will give you sooo much milage and constant style points, spend here!( I recommend Todds for loafers and Chanel for ballerinas.) An evening shoe can however be skimped on, let’s face it most high heels are uncomfortable at some stage of the soiree, and as folks don’t get that close to your feet, they won’t know those bling heels are $80, not $800. As you don’t wear them often they don’t need to be built to last. One shoe worth considering?A classic riding boot in durable black leather, always stunning and actually quite sexy. No riding crop needed though!. One last word re: shoes- sneakers! Designer kicks are great and a huge trend just now, if you want to spend up big here just go for it! However- I think there is always something clean and classy about a pristine white tennis sneaker, as long as you can throw them in the wash they will always look higher end than they are. Available at every price point. One super brand that I love? Bensimon from Paris, purchase them online, they cost between $50-$75 depending on the style, I love the half high top, super flattering on the foot. I am still wearing mine, have washed them countless times and I bought them in France in 2005!

SOOOOOO-

If you have read this far you really ARE interested in fashion and style, where to spend and where not. Trust I’ve given you some food for thought and some ideas to help you find, refine and afford your style!

Seeya,

Les xx

AKA The champagne diva