As someone who is entering their 10th—yes, 10th—year working at Who What Wear and who treated their own wardrobe like a job prior to that, I like to think I have a bit of experience when it comes to shopping. While a large part of my role here has been to decode trends and make them accessible for our readers, my personal goal has always been to invest in forever pieces as I find them. Of course, the fun and trendy finds have a place too, but whenever I’m deciding where to allocate my shopping budget, whether it's for an event, a vacation, or a season, the bulk of it is always reserved for items I hope will stay with me well beyond my immediate needs.
With that in mind, I thought I’d round up some of my favorite luxury buys for the upcoming season that I believe fit into the category of fashion "investments." From bags and belts to jackets, pants, and shoes, these are the fall-ready clothes and accessories I would choose if I were on the hunt for something to last me several or more years. Ready to see what made the cut? Simply keep scrolling.
This new-ish, celebrity-loved brand is quickly becoming one of my favorites for basics.
This stunning, versatile skirt can be worn with a white tank and Sambas or dressed up for formal events.
Time has shown that kitten heels are forever.
While Cartier's Baignoire watches are definitely having "a moment" right now, they're also instant heirlooms.
This coat is a classic.
Not all investments have to cost a fortune.
Shoe trends come and go, but these are a forever buy. Even if you find you stop wearing them for months, or even years at a time, I promise you'll come back to them.
This J.Crew jacket looks like it would be on Net-a-Porter.
You can wear this to every black-tie wedding you're invited to until the end of time.
This shape is so timeless.
I'm a big fan of this brand's knits lately.
This little skirt is special but simple enough that you can wear it over and over again.
These make any outfit instantly polished.
Toteme's outerwear strikes the perfect balance of classic and forward.
I wore these pants in white all summer and just ordered the black for fall.
Your future daughters, nieces, or grandaughters will be glad you bought these.
It's a top, it's a layering piece, it's a no-brainer.
A chic belt can make an outfit and will never go out of style.
These 100%-leather pants will stick with you for years.
Everyone needs a pair and Jennifer Fisher has perfected them.
I love the way this falls and you'll never get sick of a gray knit.
These slingbacks are so elegant, but the crystal-embellished buckle makes them fun, too. Wear them with anything from jeans to dresses.
I learned years ago that H&M's Premium Selection truly is premium.
I have this bag in an older color and it's one of my most-worn pieces. It's the perfect size and shape for using every day.
Nili Lotan's jackets have been so good lately—I want them all but especially this oversize blazer.
You'll always come back to a Chelsea boot, especially when it's been perfected by Toteme.
I can tell just by looking online that this jacket is buttery soft and, in camel, it's timeless.
This timeless and versatile bag has a detachable strap that converts it to a crossbody style, so you can wear it for anything.
This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.