Sometimes when people ask me why I impulsively buy items online, I simply respond by saying, "It's an investment piece." Does it matter that what I bought was more than likely just a trendy, marked-down item from ASOS. No? No one questions the "investment piece" line, so I just go with it. But what exactly is an investment piece? Is having a high-end designer label enough? Or does it need to be something more? And does the word "investment" really accurately apply?
Tyler McCall of Fashionista addressed the real investment value of these designer pieces that we all casually call investment pieces, because, let's face it – that sounds better than saying "I just spent $2,000 on a pair of shoes that may or may not go out of style in two years."
Are you really ever going to re-sell those Louboutins and make any money at all? Well, according to McCall's article, it seems like the answer is maybe, if you go about it in the right way, anyway. And if not? Well, having a closet full of designer goods for the rest of your life will at least look good on Instagram, even if your bank account suffers.
Here are 11 items that are usually universally regarded as investment pieces in the fashion world....and 11 options of things you could buy with all that money instead.
1. Chanel Boy Bag
Chanel Le Boy Leather Shoulder Bag, $4,580, tradesy.com
Or...
Roughly 732 Chipotle Burritos
That's like two years of burritos guys. Two years of happiness. Tough decisions.
2. Classic Louboutins
Christian Louboutin Pigalle Pumps 100 Patent-Leather Pumps, $625, net-a-porter.com
Or...
416 Diet Cokes
Think about how much calorie-free carbonated fun you would be missing out on if you chose the shoes.
3. Celine Trapeze Bag
Celine Grey Calf Hair And Black Leather Trapeze Bag, $2,800, bluefly.com
Or....
758 containers of Trader Joe's Cookie Butter
Think long and hard about this one, guys.
4. Burberry Trench Coat
Burberry London Cotton-Twill Trench Coat, $1,495, net-a-porter.com
Or...
One teacup pig.
5. A Watch
Ballon Bleu de Cartier Watch, 28 MM, $23,500, cartier.com
Or...
8 Celine Trapeze Bags.
A TWIST.
6. A Pair of Manolos
Manolo Blahnik Suede BB Pumps, $595, barneys.com
Or...
143 Grande Caramel Macchiatos
Mmmm. Caffeine.
7. Little Black Dress
Hervé Léger Bandage Dress, $1,490, net-a-porter.com
Or...
7 Pairs of Madewell Booties
8. Hermes Wallet
Bearne Wallet, $2,525, hermes.com
Or...
22 bouquets of peonies
That's a lot of pretty flowers.
9. Balenciaga Moto Jacket
Balenciaga Classic Moto Jacket, $2,745, barneys.com
Or...
About 9 Dannijo Statement Necklaces
10. Classic Louis Vuitton Anything
Neverfull MM, $1,050, us.louisvuitton.com
Or...
19 NARS Brushes
11. Saint Laurent Clutch
Saint Laurent Monogrammed Leather Clutch, $1,390, net-a-porter.com
Or...
398 Steak N' Shake Peanut Butter and Banana Milkshakes
The choice is clear. Milkshakes always win. I think.
Images: Giphy (5); PurseBlog.com, vintage-traffic.com; Just Jenni, HochFun F /Tumblr; @narsisst/Instagram; Steak N Shake
