33 Investment Pieces All the Cool Fashion Girls Are Buying
My personal approach to shopping is centered around the concept of building a wardrobe of items I can wear now but also far into the future. Instead of spending $100 on a fast-fashion piece that I’ll wear just once, I prefer to pool my dollars for bigger items that I can wear on repeat—not just for a season, but for years down the road.
That’s where the idea of investment pieces comes into play. I believe in quality over quantity and prefer to have a tight edit of clothes and accessories. Although the items may have a high price tag, they inevitably have a low cost per wear because they get so much mileage.
Curious to find out the investment pieces all the stylish fashion girls are buying right now, I reached out to find out what’s sitting in their closets and in their shopping carts. And their selects are sure to inspire some of your future purchases. From an iconic take on fall’s biggest boot trend and Phoebe Philo–era Celine to modern takes on heritage brands and the classic bag they’ll be mixing into their outfits for years to come, these are the pieces you’ll be seeing on our favorite fashion girls. Shop their picks ahead, and scroll to the end to see what’s on this editor’s list.
“I am here for the cowboy boot trend, and no one is doing it better than Fendi. I’ll wear these with jeans and dresses with a definite swagger in my step.” — Kerry Pieri
“I love a classic bag, and this one is just the right size. It will take me far, far beyond fashion week dressing.” — Kerry Pieri
“I adore a knit maxi dress. There’s part of me that will always gravitate toward a ’70s aesthetic. Jacquemus can do no wrong in my eyes.” — Kerry Pieri
“Fendi something. This monogram mini or anything else with the iconic F? Do it. Your grandkids will thank you.” — Kendall Sargeant
“A denim designer piece. The Loewe shape is so doable. It actually fits your things inside.” — Kendall Sargeant
“Giiiiiirl, get yourself a blazer dress. There’s nothing more flattering. Belt it, and boom, you’re done. This Isabel Marant baby is in my cart.” — Kendall Sargeant
“If you’re trying to save some dollar bills, Lovers & Friends has you covered.” — Kendall Sargeant
"For my birthday, I splurged on a navy and black Frame bag from Celine for two reasons: First, because I wanted to stock up on as many Phoebe Philo era pieces as my bank account could responsibly handle. And because navy + black is the best all-purpose color combination. It hangs at the perfect length when I wear it cross-body and fits everything from a mophie to a baseball hat to a really compact umbrella." — Emily Ferber
“These popped up in my Instagram feed a week ago, and now I can’t think about anything else. I’m feverishly stalking this brand online and plotting my first move. All their designs are interesting, but these boots feel like the most practical for the price. God, I love them so much.” — Emily Ferber
“Amina basically designed my dream shoe collection in her brand-new footwear line. These pretty heels are particularly at the top of my list. I love the idea of styling them with cropped jeans and a simple top.” — Michelle Scanga
“I think this is the perfect investment bag for fall that’s equally on trend and a staple. Obviously, croc or ‘croc effect’ is having a moment right now, but the structured silhouette lends a timeless feel, and I’m really into the top-handle option or chain-link strap look.” — Michelle Scanga
“If I had all the money in the world, I would’ve purchased this emerald necklace like months ago. Until then, it remains on my wish list.” — Michelle Scanga
“I missed out on Alessandra Rich’s crystal earrings last season and won’t be making the same mistake again. These dress up any outfit, day or night, and will be especially useful when I need to spruce up a jeans-and-tee combo that I’m throwing on in a hurry (which happens very, very often).” — Michelle Salem
“These shoes are painfully beautiful, and it has been years since I enjoyed the comfort of a wedge. I avoid wedges unless they look like this!” — Michelle Salem
“While it’s not necessarily a huge investment at $265, I just purchased a Susan Alexandra beaded handbag which I’m in love with. I now know I’ll be wearing cow print for seasons to come.” — Michelle Salem
Dior Slingback (price upon request)
“This purchase carries particularly sentimental value because I bought these heels at the Avenue Montaigne Dior boutique during my first trip to Paris working for the brand. I tend to ‘save’ them for moments I want to feel particularly Parisian.” — Daniela Dello Joio
“Very few people love cashmere as much as I do, and while I wouldn’t say this purchases broke the bank, it’s an absolute must for every international flight.” — Daniela Dello Joio
“A silk halterneck slip dress from The Row that will forever function as a sexy go-to for a (late) night out.” — Daniela Dello Joio
“As a Chloé devotee, I shot the brand’s new Tess bag right to the top of my wish list when I saw it on the S/S 19 runway. It will look just as good with a camel coat in winter as with my summer dresses.” — Victoria Berezhna
“I’ve been walking past the Joseph store every day on my way home, and this sheepskin coat caught my attention. It’s chic and will keep me warm when snowfall begins here in London.” — Victoria Berezhna
“Rosh, the Alighieri designer, makes the most beautiful jewelry, each inspired by a particular verse from Dante’s Divine Comedy. I envision these earrings worn with a top knot and a crisp white shirt, and the message behind them—to ‘roll the dice and take your chances’—are words to live by.” — Victoria Berezhna
“To be completely honest, I bought this immediately after seeing my mother-in-law wearing it recently. She reminded me that the material, logo, and even overall look are exactly like that of Prada bags from 10 and 15 years ago, so even if I get over this eventually, I’m fairly certain it will come back in style at least a few more times.” — Nicole Akhtarzad
“We recently welcomed Alexander Vauthier into the Bergdorf Goodman family, and I was so thrilled because this sophisticated yet sexy cocktail dress has been on my wish list since the moment I saw it! There are so many ways to style it—over a white T-shirt with pumps, under a blazer with boots, or even by itself with statement earrings.” — Taylor Hicks
“There are few things I love more in this world than black velvet. I just purchased these Balenciaga pumps, and they (unsurprisingly) fit seamlessly into my wardrobe. The heel height is perfect for taking on New York City streets.” — Taylor Hicks
“I’ve traditionally been a dresses-and-skirts type of woman when it comes to everyday wear, but these wide-leg trousers from Givenchy are exactly what I’ve been missing all these years. There is a chic photo of Christine Centenera I keep referencing where she’s wearing a white ribbed tank top with almost identical trousers, so I can’t wait to sport these for years to come.” — Taylor Hicks
“I love this version of the Loewe Gate bag. It’s the Loewe classic bag but with a tweed twist—perfect for fall.” — Adrienne Faurote
“The trench is timeless, and this season was all about the leather trench. I love this chic update to such a classic piece. It’s the perfect splurge because it’ll never go out of style, and you can style it a thousand ways!” — Adrienne Faurote
“Everyone knows I am the most loyal Magda follower—I pick up anything she puts down—and she nailed my two favorite trends of the season. Big ’80s shoulder pads and leopard? Yes, please.” — Courtney Grant
“As a denim buyer, I am always looking for what’s fresh and new for my California clients. I’m obsessed with everything Jean Atelier’s been doing, and the flip jeans are a fashion week must for me.” — Courtney Grant
“Hands down my favorite boots of the season. I can’t wait to get my hands on these puppies. My boss bought them in my size—should we just share???” — Courtney Grant
“I recently ordered these shoes and can’t think of a cooler pair of heels in my closet. Every time I wear them, the compliments just roll in.” — Kristen Nichols
“I tried this watch on years ago and promised myself I will one day buy to mark a special moment.” — Kristen Nichols
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury and runway content as well as wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, Tiffany & Co., and MyTheresa, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.
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