Basics to invest in
One thing I have learned over the past few years is that when you invest in something you can continually wear over and over again, you have no desire to keep purchasing less expensive things to fill that void.
For example, right before No.14's first year anniversary, I saved for a pair of nude Valentino Rockstud pumps to wear to our anniversary party. Ever since then, I have worn those pumps to almost every special event I've attended since then. Weddings, engagement parties, rehearsal dinners etc. Prior to my owning these, I'd purchase a new pair of nude/blush heels or stappy sandals for every event that was happening. The irony? I could've paid for the Valentinos multiple times over with the money I was spending on less expensive shoes over and over again. Now, when I am getting ready for an event, I never really stress over my shoes because I have a great pair of nude shoes that go with everything. Below I listed a few investment pieces worth saving for.
Basic Tees & Tanks:
We all have the tees from Target that end up being a wardrobe staple, but I think it is important to have invest in tees that are a bit nicer. Something lay on your body properly and come out of the wash looking good as new. These aren't a massive investment, but most of my tees come from Madewell and J.Crew. I especially love these crew neck tanks under all of my jackets and I wear these crew neck tees and V neck tees on repeat all the time. I especially wear the white and grey but also dabble in a few other colors when they come out with new ones!
Secondly, I love to layer a striped tee under my sweaters in the winter and I looove a striped tee under a denim jacket. I roll up the sleeves and have the striped cuffs pop out. This striped turtle neck is so adorable and such a great layering piece for the winter. I own this boatneck tee and wear it so much that I could use a second. I also love this flutter sleeve tee that just Madewell just released last week!
Basic Pumps:
I'll save you the re-hashing of my Valentino's story above but yes- I feel like the second you purchase your first pair of killer pumps, gone are the days of buying $98 heels each time you have an event. I truly love my Rockstud Pumps that come in both black and nude and plethora of other colors. For something a bit less loud- I always think Jimmy Choos are beautiful and a bit less expensive. I love these strappy pumps and these basic patent leather pumps.
I have gotten a lot of questions about Louboutins. I do not own a pair, simply because I cannot rationalize wearing a shoe that makes me want to cry when I wear it. I am on my feet all the time at No.14 so I am really protective of my feet and making sure they are taken care of. I had a louboutin on for 2 seconds at Nordstrom once and couldn't believe how uncomfortable they were. It kind of broke my heart because I had always wanted a pair but I really just couldn't last an evening in them.
Leather Jacket:
I feel like once you graduate college there are a few things that are great to save for and a real leather jacket is one of them. A black leather jacket never goes out of style and once you have it- you find yourself pulling for it every chance you get. A leather takes you from drinks to dinner and back out for drinks again. It is also is a killer transitional piece when the weather is changing. I love the BB Dakota real leathers, a lot of people didn't realize that they made faux leather and authentic leathers but I looove their real leathers. They are so incredibly soft and are not an insane price point for a authentic leather. I have this one in several colors and get so much use out of it (Seen in sage here and Parchment here) I also love this one, this moto, and this drape front.
Loafers:
The loafer/mule trend is not going anywhere. I bought these slides on buying trip last year. They are also the most comfortable pair of shoes I own. For Christmas I asked for these pink loafers (in a light pink slides here) they are just as comfortable and I cannot wait to wear them once the weather gets a bit better.
The loafer/mule trend is not going anywhere. I bought these slides on buying trip last year. They are also the most comfortable pair of shoes I own. For Christmas I asked for these pink loafers (in a light pink slides here) they are just as comfortable and I cannot wait to wear them once the weather gets a bit better.
Denim:
Denim is something that is quick and easy to invest in. Even though some denim can run at about $250, it is something you can save for pretty quickly. I recommend investing TIME trying on fits that work for your body. Denim is a really personal thing and not one body is the same as another. My favorite denim brands are Free People, Rag & Bone, Mother, & Madewell. My personal denim preferences:
-I love high waist (9 or 10 inch rise) like these and these
-Really into a button fly right now -like these and these
-I love cropped skinnies. I never like when they're too long and bunching at the ankle and I LOVE to show ankle in my denim. I have these in a few different washes and love them. Also love these
-The cropped kick flare is going to be a huuuuuuge trend this spring paired with slides and mules. Maybe go for a less expensive brand for these because it is a little more trendy.
Denim is something that is quick and easy to invest in. Even though some denim can run at about $250, it is something you can save for pretty quickly. I recommend investing TIME trying on fits that work for your body. Denim is a really personal thing and not one body is the same as another. My favorite denim brands are Free People, Rag & Bone, Mother, & Madewell. My personal denim preferences:
-I love high waist (9 or 10 inch rise) like these and these
-Really into a button fly right now -like these and these
-I love cropped skinnies. I never like when they're too long and bunching at the ankle and I LOVE to show ankle in my denim. I have these in a few different washes and love them. Also love these
-The cropped kick flare is going to be a huuuuuuge trend this spring paired with slides and mules. Maybe go for a less expensive brand for these because it is a little more trendy.
Tote:
My tote is my lifeline. When I am out and about, I love a cross body filled with just my wallet, lipstick and sunnies but during the day- I haul a tote everywhere with me. I need my laptop, notebooks, cosmetics- all of the things with me. I am a huge creature of comfort and I like to have everything with me at work. A great, timeless tote is a woman's right of passage (in my opinion ;). I carry a Louis Vuitton neverfull GM with me everyday and it is a great size for everything I need. I have also been really crushing on this black and blush tote that comes in a few other colors. This price point isn't too steep and the quality of this leather is unbelievable. I also know several people who swear by Tory Burch totes, especially this one this one that is said to hold its shape impeccably.
My tote is my lifeline. When I am out and about, I love a cross body filled with just my wallet, lipstick and sunnies but during the day- I haul a tote everywhere with me. I need my laptop, notebooks, cosmetics- all of the things with me. I am a huge creature of comfort and I like to have everything with me at work. A great, timeless tote is a woman's right of passage (in my opinion ;). I carry a Louis Vuitton neverfull GM with me everyday and it is a great size for everything I need. I have also been really crushing on this black and blush tote that comes in a few other colors. This price point isn't too steep and the quality of this leather is unbelievable. I also know several people who swear by Tory Burch totes, especially this one this one that is said to hold its shape impeccably.
Skin:
Your skin is the largest organ on your body and it is so important to take care of it. You can read all about my skin care routine's here, here and here. More than anything- make sure you are giving it the nutrients it needs, protecting it from the sun (I use this CC cream as my everyday foundation- it has SPF 50 and amazing coverage). Most importantly, make sure you're taking off your make up off every night and allowing your skin to breath at night and soak in the nutrients from your skincare.
Your skin is the largest organ on your body and it is so important to take care of it. You can read all about my skin care routine's here, here and here. More than anything- make sure you are giving it the nutrients it needs, protecting it from the sun (I use this CC cream as my everyday foundation- it has SPF 50 and amazing coverage). Most importantly, make sure you're taking off your make up off every night and allowing your skin to breath at night and soak in the nutrients from your skincare.
Brianne Conley