‘Investment pieces’: real, or a means to justify luxury consumption?

I think many of us have, at some point, made the case for and bought something we’ve classed as an ‘investment piece’ – something expensive, likely from a luxury fashion house, that we’ve argued is definitely worth the price tag because of how much it’ll get worn. But, as a whole, do we actually get the return on ‘cost per wear’? Or do some pieces end up sitting in the back of our wardrobes, unused because we’re either scared to damage them, or ultimately end up as a justified impulse buy because it’s supposedly good quality? There’s a number of things to consider when thinking about spending a higher amount on a piece of clothing, in order to minimise your risk of luxury overconsumption.

First, and foremost – do you actually like the item? A number of trendy clothing pieces these days come with higher price tags due to influencer content consumption and social media, so you need to make sure that if you’re going to spend the money, it’s because you like it and not because everyone else does. You don’t need to blow all your money on something just because you need to keep up with a trend anyway – I think the trendiest people I know, or see out and about, always have a unique style.

Secondly, are you buying it just because it’s expensive, or from a luxury brand? Just because something is branded, doesn’t mean you couldn’t find something similar from a cheaper retailer. I think this is something to consider most when you’re also factoring how often you’ll wear something – if you’re looking for a new winter coat to wear every day: then yes, an ‘investment piece’ can be real - it may be better to spend the money on a pricier brand like The North Face or invest in a wool overcoat. If you’re wearing something often like a coat or shoes, luxury brands have the advantage in that their higher price tags do often come with a hallmark of better lasting quality. But, if it’s something like a summer dress or new t-shirt that you may not end up wearing once the next year rolls around, it might be better to look for cheaper options and save yourself money in the long run.

But even then, why not focus on trying to use charity shops or sites like Vinted? There’s often no need to spend on high street brands (and definitely not fast fashion!) when millions of items head to landfill every year. Even in some charity shops, and everywhere on Vinted, you can also find brand new luxury items for cheaper if you really are set on a brand. So, no need to overconsume and overspend on your wardrobe: if you really are asking yourself the tough questions, you can satisfy your style cravings on a budget.