Wardrobe Essentials To Invest In

Are you putting together your luxury wish list or taking a strategic look at your wardrobe to determine what you want to invest in for 2022 and beyond? I’ve put together items that I would recommend investing in, designer or high-end brands, if possible, to wear for a lifetime and pair with your more seasonal trend-based pieces for flawless outfits. These wardrobe essentials will form the basis for your long-term capsule wardrobe as they’ll never go out of style (just think of the cost per wear!). When shopping or researching each item, make sure to do your best to find the suitable shape to enhance your silhouette and invest in alterations if required to make sure they fit perfectly, that will also make your clothing look more expensive.

Outerwear like Jackets, Blazers and Coats

Outerwear is a fantastic wardrobe essential to invest in as you can wear them for many different occasions and there is no need to fear outfit repeating. I recommend opting for a neutral tone that will style well with both neutral outfits and over a colorful dress or look with more minimalistic hardware or buttons that way it won’t date. Choose a heavy coat or lightweight outerwear option like a trench coat dependent on the climate of where you live or where you travel often. Outerwear like duster coats, leather jackets, blazers and pea coats are a great way to dress up both your basics like jeans and a t-shirt and your eveningwear to suit your aesthetic and keep you warm. Some of my favorite designers for outwear include Max Mara, Saint Laurent, Burberry, and Balenciaga. They are all very well known for coats, trench coats and oversized blazers that are crafted to perfection!

Leather Pants

Leather pants are an incredibly versatile wardrobe essential. Investing in real leather is a great option as leather ages beautifully and will also soften to fit your figure perfectly. I personally love a straight leg for leather pants as that way you can dress them up or down with sneakers, heels or boots with your blouses, knitwear, shirts, and blazers. Depending on your climate, cropped leather pants look fabulous with a pair of heels, it really gives you the space to show them off! Or alternatively, if you’re someone who loves to wear knee-high or thigh-high boots, go for a skinnier legged version. If you want to venture into something other than the standard black, I really love the look of brown, tan and colored leather pants like a deep green or purple color. I feel like they are perfect for the cooler months to inject some subtle color into your wardrobe.

Evening Dress

Have you ever been invited to a fancy event with little notice and then find yourself stressing trying to find the perfect dress quickly? The best way to combat this is to have festive and party dresses in your arsenal so you never get caught out. You can’t go wrong with a classic little black dress with luxury details. It’s so easy to style differently depending on the occasion with simple matching accessories or kick things up a notch with a colorful pair of heels or a statement handbag. I also love slip dresses, there are so many designer or vintage designer slip dresses that give you a hint of sexy to your eveningwear. A slip dress is also a versatile wardrobe essential as you can dress it down with knitwear or a denim jacket if you want to maximize your cost per wear. By investing in amazing dresses that complement your shape, you’ll be excited when the invites start rolling in.

Statement Evening Bag

By now, we all have our favorite handbag for our work week and casual weekends, but have you invested in an evening bag that takes your outfit to the next level? A glamorous clutch, cross-body bag or sequined bag is the easiest way to jazz up a simple outfit and it’s also a great conversation starter that you can put on the table at dinner or events. I love creating outfits around my evening bags, to make sure they’re the star of the show. Some of my favorite designers for evening bags include Chanel, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton. They all have such delicate and immaculate small handbags with classy embellishments that deserve to be stored in prime position in your wardrobe. I also love to invest in colored evening bags, rather than always going for the classic black, as it’s a fun way to express your personal style and individuality.

Knockout Heels

“Life is too short, buy the shoes.” When it comes to completing an outfit, attention must be given to your shoes. A pair of knockout heels are a wardrobe essential as they make you feel like you can take on the world. Investing in timeless and high-end heels, and of course taking good care of them, will mean you have eye candy for a lifetime. Designers like Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, Chanel, Dior and Aquazzura know shoes! Similar to evening handbags, I also feel investing in a fun-colored pair of heels is a must. The great thing about heels is that, as long as they aren’t too high, you can also style them casually with your favorite trousers or jeans to add an extra element of glamour.

As always, for more luxury fashion and lifestyle content, make sure to follow me on Instagram at Angie Chandiramani, TikTok at Angie Chandiramani, and YouTube at Angie Chandiramani, I will be posting more unboxing videos, my personal style, and my thoughts on the latest trends.