to splurge, or not to splurge:  is that even a question?  in my dream world, i’d be dropping outrageously ridiculous stacks of cash on fashion (and perhaps continuing my bad ode to “hamlet” in the process).  this is the real world, however, so what’s a gal to do?  well, i’ve learned a few things in my years as a fashion maven.  i’ve bought high-end pieces; i’ve bought bargain-basement close-outs.  in true #mythursdaythreads style, we’re going to play everyone’s favorite fashion game, splurge or conserve.

splurge

nude patent leather pumps

they go with everything, and they are a timeless piece.  glitter and color are all the rage right now, but they’ll soon look dated, promise.  i bought the kate spade new york licorice pumps (left, $300) two years ago, and they have held up beautifully.  christian louboutin also makes some killer nude pumps, and they come in multiple interpretations of nude, which i adore because #inclusion.  whatever designer you choose, just remember to take them to your local shoe repair place for a quick clean and polish in the spring and fall.

 

winter coats

it gets cold in indiana (yeah, thanks, captain obvious).  you’ll be wearing your coat well into april, so you’ll want to rock something functional but also fun to wear (like the milly coat pictured left, $800).  i put on my brightly-colored peacoats and pretend i’m still in the south.  it… well, that is some straight-up kentucky windage right there.  no amount of delusional bullshit can make me forget the climate.  so i button up my coat, remind myself how awesome the 317 is (climate notwithstanding), and i grin and bear the cold.

 

handbags

handbags go with you everywhere, so why not choose a piece you’ll love calling your new bff (best find forever)?  brands like chloé, prada, and louis vuitton are glamorous and timeless.  want a stand-out-in-a-crowd clutch?  runway bags from designers like herve leger and prada are always a bold statement.  the queen of my closet is my louis vuitton neverfull mm in monogram signature ($1320).  every time i take it out of its dust bag, i swoon – reason enough to buy, in my opinion.  but designer handbags can also be an investment.  yeah.  life is full of beautiful surprises.

 

a fancy-ish dress you love

i drool over herve leger dresses; the iconic bandage dresses are just so unique and gorgeous.  thinking about splurging, but maybe not, you know, quite four figures?  check out the retro-inspired beauties on modcloth, or reese witherspoon’s southern charmers at draperjames.com .  you’ll love taking any one of these for a test-twirl.

 

 

a nice set of pearls

fine pearls are timeless, durable, and require little maintenance (just wipe them with a clean cloth after each wear, and have them restrung every 3-5 years).

 

conserve

the super-trendy “i’m seeing it everywhere” piece

look, if it’s going to be obviously dated in a couple of years, why spend too much of your hard-earned money on it?  try sites like thredup, tradesy, or poshmark to find some wardrobe bargains.  another option?  hit rent the runway to try a trend on for size before you commit.

 

denim

hey, i love the stella mccartneys and citizens of humanity, but i just feel like denim trends are ever-changing.  my favorite brand of denim is flying monkey (starting at an affordable $59).  you can find them in many boutiques, as well as macy’s and bloomingdale’s stores.  they fit like a dream, and won’t break the bank.  i recommend having clothing tailored anyway, so you can still get a fab fit for cheap.

 

costume jewelry

everyone needs one spectacular piece of fine jewelry, like pearls.  beyond that, consider something more along the lines of the $100 or lower mark like stella & dot (i know a fab consultant if you ever want to check out her wares), betsey johnson, or j. crew (above, $40) for your accent pieces.

 

trench jackets

thou must not spend thousands of dollars on a trench jacket.  besides, like i mentioned with the denim, tailoring is key, whatever trench you choose.  nice-quality, ultra-flattering trench jackets exist in reasonable price ranges.  take for instance the pink trench with black piping from new york & co. (above, $60).  check out factory stores like banana republic factory for great finds, as well.

 

the bottom line

some things in life are worth the sticker shock; others, not so much.  wear what makes you feel like a million bucks, even if it didn’t quite cost a million bucks.

 

 

hugs, y’all, and happy st. patty’s day!  order a nice kentucky bourbon, neat, for me 🙂
– stacey