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Fashion Investments on a Budget

How To Make Fashion Investments That Are Actually Worth the Money

Most advice surrounding fashion investments touts the same adage — buy expensive, plain-looking items that will last until the day you die. While this certainly has its appeal, it isn’t the only way to invest in your wardrobe. 


There are budget-friendly ways to procure pieces that are worth the money, regardless of how much is on the price tag. Whatever your spending limit may be, investment pieces offer numerous benefits in the form of: 


  • Sustainability; 
  • Offering solutions to fast fashion;
  • Long-lasting materials; 
  • Less waste;
  • Saving money;
  • Looking and feeling great.

Whether you’re looking to spend a large chunk of change upfront or you’re simply looking to get the best bang for your buck, it’s possible to invest in fashion in smart, responsible ways. The goal is to put money into items you’ll want to wear over and over. Investment fashion shouldn’t have to be boring to be effective.

Pick Personalisation

One of the easiest ways to instantly elevate the sophistication of an accessory is by personalising it. Often, personalised items are given extra care and attention during manufacturing. Not to mention, a personalised piece is one-of-a-kind, making this investment item unique to your wardrobe. 


According to the psychology of personalisation, you’re also catering to innate cravings for relevance and engagement. The sweetest sound might be your own name, but the same may be said about your initials adorning travel bags. There is something to be said about putting your stamp on an item.


Personalised items also provide a double-whammy for your purchase by protecting some of your valuables — saving you even more money in the long run. Try personal photos on an iPad case or your name scrawled across a laptop. By engraving and marking your identity on an item, your item will be less likely to be stolen and sold online. 


Beyond this practicality, personalising your accessories can give you something to cherish and shows off that extra bit of craftsmanship that went into each item.

Select Sustainability

Investment pieces can be sustainable in a myriad of ways. It’s worth it to ensure that at least one aspect of your fashion statement is sustainable. Sustainability, generally speaking, means “something that can be maintained indefinitely.” Show your support for ethical, long-term solutions by identifying sustainable manufacturers that: 


  • Reduce: Businesses can reduce waste in a variety of forms, from less water usage to changing packaging material;
  • Reuse: Programs to return used containers, repurpose old clothing, or other cyclical processes are key here;
  • Recycle: Sometimes products are made of recyclable materials and can also be recycled after use for other purposes. Even better, materials can be biodegradable;
  • Offset: These companies have eco-friendly initiatives that offset production impact.

Another implication of higher-quality fashion pieces is that you will use them for a lifetime. This means less clothing in landfills and fewer resources used to repurpose or resell items. 


Often, eco-conscious brands will display their dedication to eco-friendliness on their site or within their branding, so that you can feel proud to display their products in your day-to-day life.

Insure Investments

Day-to-day items — even when built to last — need protection from the elements and inevitable clumsy moments. For instance, your expensive smartphone could benefit from some added durability. This security doesn’t have to come at the expense of style. Ensuring the integrity of your investments can be incorporated into your wardrobe seamlessly in the form of stylish accessories. 


For that fragile phone, get a custom phone case that goes with all of your outfits. Slip your passport into a travel-chic passport holder. Make sure you don’t leave your keys behind by attaching an eye-catching keychain or even a sleek key finder gadget. Whatever your style is, customise your valuable items to fit your mould and increase their longevity at the same time.

Balance Budgeting 

Even if you have ample, there is still merit in spending wisely. Those that are used to budgeting know that it helps fund other areas of life from schooling to pet bills and beyond. 


The good news is that you can still embrace style on a budget and make worthwhile fashion choices while you’re at it. There are different tiers of pricing that still make an impact. Some budget-friendly style picks that stand the test of time includes:


    • Jewellery: Materials like stainless steel are long-lasting and cheaper than their finer counterparts; 
  • Shoes: Some vegan leather is just as tough as the real stuff and typically costs less;
  • Blazers: This wardrobe staple can be dressed up and down, making it versatile for a variety of events from work to play;
  • Hats: A solid-coloured hat can last you a lifetime, and it adds pizzazz to any outfit;
  • Scarves: Lightweight or woolly scarves that you can use year after year are a safer way to pay up for finer materials and still save money;
  • Handbags: Find a purse or bag that you like, and choose tough materials like nylon, leather, or canvas.

    • Your clothing and accessories will last longer if you take care of them. No matter the price tag, treat your fashion investments like they are staples in your wardrobe that you can’t live without — and you won’t have to for a long time coming.

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