For some, figuring out how to spend your hard-earned money is just as hard as spending it. But if you’re anything like me, throwing your money at impulse purchases and fast fashion is easy.
What’s in your bank account right now might be able to get you those trendy pieces you’ll love for a season, but changing the direction of where those hard-earned dollars is what elevates your closet into something out of a Coveteur editorial.
Sometimes to have it all, you’ve got to go slow; you’ve got to save up for those collectors-worthy items — it just takes time, patience, and dedication. Easier said than done, I know. But you can get started with a few fashion classics that will never go out of style.
Here are 11 classic designer items worth splurging on:
Louis Vuitton Sarah Wallet
A Louis Vuitton wallet is a great classic designer investment piece for a couple of reasons. It’s much roomier than it looks and because it’s Louis Vuitton, you know you’ll use it forever. And for $810, it’s $970 cheaper than the iconic Neverfull GM – aka a steal (well not really, but you know what we mean).
Shop it here: Louis Vuitton, Sarah Wallet, $810
Chanel Earrings
A classic designer Chanel item that’s definitely worth investing in is their earrings. The earrings in their costume jewellery collection look much more expensive than they actually are, and wear just as well with a pair of jeans as they do an LBD.
Shop it here: Chanel, Gold, Pearly White & Crystal Earrings, $625
Burberry Trench Coat
A Burberry trench coat is probably one of the most timeless classic designer investment purchases you can make. This type of coat has been in style forever, and that does not appear to be changing any time soon. Also, if you live in a climate that has cold and rainy seasons, you’re guaranteed to get a ton of use out of it year after year.
Shop it here: Burberry, Kensington Heritage Trench Coat, $2,550
Cartier Love Bracelet
The Cartier love bracelet may have only become mainstream in recent years (thanks in part to Kylie Jenner who’s a huge fan), however, it’s actually been around since 1969. Famous for the unique way it’s put on (you have to lock it up with a mini screwdriver), this is a bracelet you can wear for the rest of your life – literally.
Shop it here: Cartier, Love Bracelet (Yellow Gold), $7,950
Gucci Loafers
Yes they cost a pretty penny, but a pair of Gucci loafers is a classic designer buy you’ll never regret. Whether you splurge on a pair of the backless mules or the classic closed-heel style, your feet will be so comfy (and look so good) you’ll never want to take them off.
Shop it here: Gucci, Princetown Embroidered Leather Slippers, $975
Tom Ford Sunglasses
Every girl needs a pair of classic black, Jackie-O style sunnies her collection. We love how these Tom Ford ones have a timeless look, but with a modern twist.
Buy it: Nordstrom, Tom Ford Alistair 56mm Gradient Sunglasses, $601.05
Chanel Double Flap Bag
If you want a big, tall glass of classic, a Chanel Double Flap Bag is it. The best investment would be the OG black caviar leather with gold hardware — it’ll last throughout your lifetime, well into your granddaughter’s. If you’re going to drop big bucks, get something you can wear through every season, with every outfit, for every occasion.
Luckily, you can almost always find it on sites like TheRealReal.com or Vestiaire Collective. Although the Chanel flap comes in a multitude of sizes, the medium is the most reliable. And not only will it exceed your cost-per-wear, but it will never lose its value.
Shop it here: The RealReal, Chanel Classic Double Flap Bags, $3,500 to $8,900
#OldCéline
Anyone with an appreciation for fashion knows getting your hands on any of Phoebe Philo’s designs for Céline is enough. As a collector, you know the adrenaline rush of scouting those #OldCéline wedges the Olsen Twins wore in the mid-2000s. With people seeking the resurgence of Bottega Venetta (#NewBottega) to maintain what is reminiscent of Philo’s palette, you can only truly attain it through her relics. Scour vintage shops, consignment stores, and qualified resellers to find your dream piece. I’ve set alerts for the Gourmette Bag in Green Suede from the Fall 2012 Collection and the Crystal Moon Hoops from one of her last collections. Or better yet, cop these studded beauties from a few years ago.
Shop it here: The RealReal, Céline Studded Pointed-Toe Mules, $608.21
AllSaints Moto Jacket
Whether it’s in brown suede or smooth black leather, the AllSaints Balfern is as necessary as ketchup on fries. This jacket will carry you through season after season, and like any good wine, gets better with age. Wear it in, age the leather, and soften its fit for a truly personal piece. This staple item can be scored during their end-of-season sales, but is worth paying full price. Plus, its ability to go with any look will guarantee your cost-per-wear ratio to be well worth it.
Shop it here: AllSaints, Balfern Leather Jacket, $615
Vintage Pucci
Like Old Céline, you can only truly appreciate Pucci’s designs by collecting his original designs. Although his gowns and swimwear are highly-coveted, all you need is a neck scarf to satiate your craving for his bright colourways and signature patterns. Add a little retro flare to any outfit with a subtle but significant accessory. The colourway in this classic neck scarf is both retro and wearable, so you get the perfect dosage.
Shop it here: The RealReal, Emilio Pucci Printed Square Scarf, $82.01
Premium denim
We all love a good pair of Topshop Jamies, considering we have them in every cut and wash. But investing in a good pair of premium denim will last you a good decade and wear into your perfect shape. One of my favourite brands is J Brand, which integrates comfort with style within their brand philosophy and design execution. It’s also a a go-to for celebrities. Cut for the most flattering fit, you’ll find just the right wash and in-seam with J Brand. Being 4’11, my favourite cut is the Alana Cropped. When it comes to premium denim, the price is always worth the splurge — just make sure that you’re getting a classic wash, like a classic black or indigo.
Shop it here: J Brand, Alana High-Rise Cropped Super Skinny In Fix, $228
Featured Image: Instagram/@karlakazemi
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Some clothes end up in your closet. Some end up in consignment stores. Others make their way to landfills. And some perfectly good items are burned.
Last July, luxury British brand Burberry made headlines – and faced major backlash – when it announced that it had burned about $37 million dollars of unsold clothing and cosmetics. The reasoning behind it? They wanted to maintain the company’s brand value by preventing the items from being stolen or sold for vastly reduced prices.
In response to the backlash (#burnberry became a hashtag and people vowed to boycott the company), Burberry said at the time that all goods were burned in an ethical manner and that the energy created from the burning items was captured.
By September, however, the company said it would stop the practice immediately, becoming the first to publicly declare such a thing. “Modern luxury means being socially and environmentally responsible,” said Burberry chief executive Marco Gobbetti in a statement at the time. The company said it would shift to recycle, repair, or donate items that can’t be sold. In the same statement, the company also vowed to stop using real fur.
The thing is – unbeknownst to many – burning goods is a common practice in the retail world, it’s just not widely publicized, as brands are not obligated to disclose such information.
Luxury brands may feel like markdowns or messy sales racks will decrease the exclusivity factor that they so pride themselves on. Other major retail players who have been accused of burning stock include Louis Vuitton (a label that, like Chanel, never goes on sale) and Nike. A 2017 New York Times article called out Nike for slashing its shoes and attire before getting rid of them. Even brands like H&M and Urban Outfitters have allegedly burned its clothes.
Instagram/@jennylynnstyle
Last year, it was revealed that H&M burned 60 tonnes of goods since 2013, something the company denied at the time. In their defence, H&M claimed that the items burned contained unsafe chemicals or mold – something that has yet to be proven.
Recycling goods invites the possibility of them being stolen and sold on the black market, according to a piece by Forbes. An argument for the practice is that burning or destroying clothes prevents against counterfeiting, compromising the brand’s intellectual property. If the cheaply priced goods get in the wrong hands it can be easily replicated (especially designer handbags, for example), often in a manner where workers are exploited for their labour and forced to work in sub-par conditions. Fair enough. But problem is, of course, that burning clothes contributes to negative impact on the environment at a time when fast fashion is already dumping clothes in landfills at a disturbing rate.
An alarming 92-million tonnes of solid waste is dumped into landfills each year, according to the Copenhagen Fashion Summit.
Furthermore, the fashion industry is also the second-biggest consumer of water and a massive culprit when it comes to generating greenhouse gas emissions. Not to mention, supply chain logistics of creating clothing in the first place produces an incredible amount of waste. When you’re dealing with things like synthetic materials and plastics, there is no environmentally friendly way to burn clothes, let’s be honest.
So, what’s the solution?
In the Burberry backlash frenzy, the brand’s shareholders questioned why the unsold products weren’t offered to the company shareholders. While that’s one way of dealing with overstock, so is – wait for it – not producing so much in the first place, something that consumes an incredible amount of natural resources itself.
While the iconic British label may not burn anymore items, that doesn’t mean other brands will follow suit, especially when they are not required to disclose information related to the practice. To have a real impact, the entire clothes-burning practice needs to go up in smoke.
Featured image: pxhere
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As of today, Burberry will stop burning unsold stock immediately. The brand justified burning tens of millions of dollars of unsold goods to preserve its brand value by keeping undesirable items from being stolen or sold at significant markdowns. Since this practice was highly criticized by politicians, campaigners and others, the company was forced to act to preserve its reputation.
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The past year, Burberry burned 28.6 million pounds ($37-million) worth of clothing and cosmetics. The company is Britain’s largest luxury label by sales. Burberry was not alone in this practice. Many other companies in the retail and consumer industry, such as Louis Vuitton and Nike, also deliberately destroyed their inventory to prevent the devaluing of high-end price tags they can get in stores.
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According to Kirsten Brodde, head of the Detox My Fashion campaign at Greenpeace, “Burberry shows no respect for its own products and the hard work and natural resources that are used to make them.” As younger shoppers have become more ethically and environmentally aware, Burberry’s practice became more harmful to their image. Burberry also announced they would stop selling any product with real animal fur and would phase out existing fur products.
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This is not the first time that Burberry has faced a problem with their brand image, and declining sales in the 1990s and 2000s forced the company to rebuild. In 2017, Burberry announced a five-year “responsibility agenda” to reuse, donate, and recycle unsold products. Mr. Marco Gobbetti, who became CEO last year, vowed to overhaul company practices. Burberry is now in partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to prevent waste in the retail industry and with sustainable luxury organization Elvis & Kresse to reuse 120 tons of leather cut-offs into new products over the next five years. In addition, the company set up a research group at the Royal College of Art to invent sustainable materials.
Featured Image: Instagram/ @burberry
Source: NYTimes.com
Just when Burberry was about to bring back the check plaid wool scarves that put them on the world map, big-box retailer Target started selling scarves with the same pattern at a fraction of the price. The British heritage fashion brand filed a suit last week in New York, accusing Target of “repeated, willful, and egregious misappropriation” of their famous trademark.
According to the lawsuit, Target’s copycat scarves are of inferior quality, but are visually indistinguishable from the genuine Burberry product. Burberry’s suit notes that “Target’s misuse of the Burberry Check Trademark…has significantly injured Burberry’s hard-earned reputation and goodwill, and has diluted the distinctiveness.”
This is not the first time that Target has tried to rip off Burberry’s plaid pattern. In 2017, Target sold products such as luggage, water bottles, and eyeglasses with the same pattern and Burberry sent them a cease-and-desist letter. Burberry has also had to sue J.C. Penney when they tried to use the pattern.
While fashion brands frequently copycat other brand’s designs, this is an unusual case as Burberry owns the trademark of the check pattern. Even though American copyright laws do not protect fashion, Burberry also has a trade dress with the pattern. This means their design is seen as so recognizable that any shopper would associate it with the Burberry name. Over time, the brand became associated with the British upper class.
The iconic brand started in the 1920s selling their famous water-resistant trench coats lined in the check pattern. Resembling the Scottish tartan design, Burberry trademarked the check design in 1921. Starting 1967, Burberry used the design in their scarves and umbrellas. In the 1990s era of logomania, the company used the check pattern in all their items, and by the 2000s, sold licenses to others to manufacture the pattern.
Even though fashion brands constantly sue each other over copyright infringement, it makes sense that Burberry is aggressively coming after Target now, as the fashion brand is starting to cash in once again on the pattern following a decade of using it in moderation. The pattern was so overused, it fell out of favour, and was only used in 10% of its products. With 1990s fashion making a comeback, Burberry reintroduced the classic pattern in 2017 in its fall ready-to-wear coats, vests, pants, and shoes.
Source: Racked.com
Featured Image: Instagram/@burberry
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‘Tis the season for gifting and giving, so why not shower your nearest and dearest with a few of our favourite beauty buys. These skin-saving serums will help brighten up their complexions, soften their skin and help them glow from the inside out – new year, new you, right? Check out our top 10 product picks that will suit every budget, you’re welcome. Happy shopping!
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Cosmic Lip Gloss Glitter in Glitter Finish, $24
Channel the 90’s with this super sleek and colourful gloss. Between the iridescent shimmer and the multidimensional sparkle, your pout will seriously look perfect with one swipe.
Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, $58
Give your skin a healthy dose of moisturization with this smart buy. This power-packed product also happens to be infused with hadasei-3 anti-aging complex, a trio of Japanese superfoods. Simply spritz throughout the day for major beauty benefits.
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay, $34
This multitasking hero product is chalk-full of skin goodness that will help you get glowing. Not only will your pores look noticeably smaller with regular and continued use, but the quality of your complexion will improve.
Urban Decay Naked Basics Eyeshadow Palette, $36
Your eyeshadow needs an upgrade, we can say that with certainty. Give the gift of a smokey eye with this easy-to-use cult product. The neutral shades will easily elevate any ordinary eye and add a splash of sophistication with its metallic and matte hues.
AQUIS Lisse Luxe Hair Turban in Cloudy Berry, $40
This luxurious hair towel will keep your strands out of harm’s way. Now you can prep your skin, slather your products and apply your makeup without woes. This product also cuts down your blow-drying time and helps fight frizz.
Ole Henriksen Truth Serum 100ml, $156
This cult classic brightening serum will help your skin turn over a new leaf. Packed with powerful anti-aging ingredients including collagen, gifting this generous product is a no-brainer. It’s time to hydrate and heal our skin with supercharged serums that deliver what they promise.
Burberry Festive Limited-Edition Fresh Glow – Luminous Fluid Base, $54
Give the gift of coverage with this time-honoured beauty buy. This foundation is 55% water and helps re-introduce a healthy dose of dewy hydration back into your complexion.
Guerlain Météorites Gold Pearls of Powder, $72
Bring your highlighting routine into 2018 with this luxe illuminating beauty buy. Complete with gold pearls to help add warmth and stardust technology to fight dullness, this product is perfect for anyone on your list.
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille, $262
This sumptuous scent created by Tom Ford was inspired by an English gentleman’s club. Steeped with spice, wood, ginger and vanilla Tonka bean, the price of perfection is steep but seriously worth it.
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, $499.99
This high-speed hair dryer will easily cut your prep time in half. Infused with intelligent heat control and shine, your hair will look silkier and softer than ever before.
Did we miss any great beauty buys? Let us know in the comments!
Featured image: Instagram/ @fentybeauty
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