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I was the same way when this happened! Get yourself some well-made, dark wash jeans, great fitting button downs, solid loafers or flats, a solid pair of boots and a great warm coat. These are a foundation that will take you through years, while things like sweaters and cardigans and accessories will always go in and out of style.
Congratulations. How exciting. I would use pinterest and create boards to help you discover and catalog looks you like which can help you then find the stores you want to shop with. You can use those boards at stores to have the folks working there help you create the looks. (or you can even use them with stitchfix.com stylist. Google Capsule wardrobe and invest in staples. For work, I personally love Madewell, Anthropologie, Banana Republic and White House Black Market. Good luck, have fun!
Rising Star
Is there a Nordstrom near you? The sales associates are quite good and can help identify well-made, well-fitting pieces across many brands and styles. Going in for a consultation and telling them you’re aiming to build a strong capsule wardrobe as a starting point would set you up with a fantastic base!
Bring pictures of looks you like in magazines so they get a sense of your style
Most brands I saw listed here in the comments are pretty poor quality and lack design, just a tiny bit better than h&m bit with a bigger price tag. I would recommend investing in real designers that make timeless pieces.
But which ones are right for you will depend on the result you want, also your environment. If you’re in Kansas aritzia will probably woo people there, in NYC that is not considered a legit designer by anyone who is close to fashion. But wearing margiela in idaho probably is also a bit out of touch.
It also depends on your body type and age, I would suggest getting a stylist to really get you the basics you need at the price you want.
Send inspo photos of what you want to look like and I’ll point you in the right direction
I would check out another tomorrow. They are a luxury sustainable b corp that focuses on the capsule wardrobe concept/pieces. They’re expensive but their clothing will last you years
Vince has great timeless pieces. They’re my favorite. I’m always a fan of expensive black skinny jeans, cashmere cardigans and sweaters, a velvet blazer, a nice bag and Sabah flats. Not all at once. Just some things I drop money on. Also really well-made t-shirts.
They have great stuff but soooooo expensive. I just recently started making more money too and it's just so hard to spend it like that, even knowing that I can
No laughing here! Proud of you for working hard and making it happen 💕
Agree with starting a capsule wardrobe! There’s several online but I’ve seen lifewithjazz on Instagram recommended here before and started following her too. She gives visuals of a capsule wardrobe which I found so helpful!
Agree that her IG account is great!
Congrats! Check out Everlane. Quality stuff that will last you a long time and it’s not too trendy.
+1 to Everlane!
Congratulations on your success. You deserve it! Agree with the mentions above -- Vince, rag and bone, theory, Eileen fisher (trust me), everlane, cos, club Monaco, all have great basics and are decently well made. Pro tip -- find these (except the latter 3) on the realreal second hand. Stay away from synthetic blends. Find a palette and mix and match everything eg I'm basically all black, camel, and gray and basically everything goes with everything. I swear by black jumpsuits. I would also say find a great tailor -- it goes a LONG way.
Rising Star
Brilliant tips!
A mantra I’ve adopted from my husband’s yankee (aka cheap, old-fashioned wasp) family: when you buy ANYTHING - even clothes - buy the absolute best quality item you can find, and keep it for years. Obviously some clothes you’ll cycle thru as trends change, but if it’s a very classic item, buy the best. I have about a half dozen very very high quality Johnston’s of Elgin cashmere sweaters ($600 each or so), and a camel coat from brooks bros (closer to 1K) that I bought OVER 20 YEARS AGO. They still look incredible and are bullet proof. I could barely breathe when I bought them - $$$$!!!!$$$$ - but when I think about cost per wear and how much I truly value these clothes I’ve lived my life in, it’s an approach that makes so much sense.
Congratulations!!!
Even when investing in luxury items NEVER pay full price for clothing.
Try to find your items on sale at places like Saks Off Fifth, net-a-porter, OUTNET, Farfetch, intermix.
Also could peruse The Real Real (high end consignment), Poshmark, Grailed.
Depending on where you are TJMAXX had a luxe section and will sometimes get INSANE pieces in, you’ll need to be strategic about the location and go to ones in neighborhoods that are close to designer stores where they get offloaded inventory from.
If you’re in the city there will be invitation only sales for different designers, you can look at sites like the strategist for a heads up on good sales coming up.
If you’re traveling soon, buy overseas (for example if you’re in France buy Hermès there, a little bit less expensive and you can get the tax refunded back to you).
Rolex watches oddly enough hold their value and increase over time.
IMO below are must have wardrobe pieces to splurge on and they will last you a lifetime:
-Dress Coat
-Trench Coat
-Suit (pant and skirt)
-formal event outfit (gown/jumpsuit or similar)
-leather jacket
-leather pants
-leather gloves
-watch
-boots
-handbag (going out and work bag)
MOST IMPORTANTLY HAVE FUN AND FIGURE OUT WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL CONFIDENT.
Seriously so happy for you.
Rising Star
Thank you for some great tips!
Awesome! Congrats! Depending on your style and age, I like Anthropologie, Free People, Madwell, Topshop, NYDJ, Kut from the Kloth, Halogen, Rails and Lily Pulitzer. I have a bright pattern kind of boho vibe and I am in my late 40’s None of these are super, super high end brands but run between $75 to $300 a piece. Nordstrom is a good place to shop as someone else mentioned and caries most of the brands above. For shoes, I like Sorel and Dansko. I’ve also thought that Eileen Fisher has some pretty timeless pieces, but the demographic is mostly slightly older. Eileen Fisher is more expensive than the brands above like $300+ mostly.
Cos
I saved this pic the other day for my own inspiration. I cropped it and now I can’t remember where it was from though… 🤦♀️ But… I LOVE Vince, Anine Bing, DL1961 (for jeans), m.gemi (for boots). Have fun shopping!!!!
Congratulations. I would suggest splurging on a few timeless pieces. Then take all the brands people suggested here and shop on ThredUP to get the same name brand clothes for 1/4 of the price (you can return within 2 weeks). Repeat every 3-6 months or so. If you’re entering prime earning years try to make that $$$ stretch.
Rising Star
Hey all! I just wanted to say thank you all for your suggestions and for the kind words. I knew this bowl would help me out!
Congrats!! 🎉🎉🎉 I agree, a good pair of jeans can transform a look, and can last almost forever. Big fan of Lucky brand. Also, Aldo if you want a fab pair of quality boots. Treat yoself. You've earned it!!
Seconding Lucky Brand! Several times this year I’ve pulled out something I’ve had forever and thought “wow, I really love this, it’s still so comfortable” and it’s been Lucky Brand.
UNIQLO - classic and modern fits that are made well and don’t cost a lot so if you like a fit you can purchase in multiple colors
I wouldn't buy from uniqlo, they make use of forced labor in China and are known to be quite unethical in the production of their products.
Yes to Everlane! Seems like everyone has the staple pieces down. I really love Rent the Runway for special occasions or vacations. They have a great subscription service where you can rent up to eight items a month (amazing brands too). I’m guilty of wearing a dress once so this feels way more sustainable.
This also makes sense if you are still getting a feel for your style. Don’t pay hundreds or thousands for things you feel meh about. Even if they are lasting pieces if you aren’t loving them then it’s a waste.
And congrats!
Congrats! Agree with the above comments. Highly recommend madewell jeans. High quality and a reasonable price point considering the cost of denim. Also Black Friday sale right now! Love a good slightly oversized blazer for work and play. Highly encourage Vince for blouses. Biggest flex you can have that was said above - tailor. Using a tailor to fix little fitting imperfections will go a long way!
I was in the same place. I worked with Natalie at https://www.bu.style/ and she helped me pull together a great capsule wardrobe that suited me.
Since you mentioned you are in London’s check out Reiss, Liberty and Ted Baker