some of my all time favorite accessories are shoes and handbags. people often come into my apartment and ask how many people live with me due to the number of shoes i have lined up in the front hallway. there are some serious brand names that i’m coveting after, but haven’t reached a point yet where i’m able to walk into any store and buy my hearts every desire (trust me, we may have a bigger problem if that were the case) so in the meantime, when i look for good investment pieces, i have to be savvy about it

The best thing to do when buying an investment piece is trying to find something you covet, at a discount. that way it’s something you’ll have forever but don’t feel as though you’ve spent more than a month’s rent on something you’re wearing on your feet. i’ve had amazing successes at Barney’s Coop on my trips to the states or at HR2 in Canada. you have to be patient, but when you find something worth is, grab it before it’s gone!

here are some tricks to buying investment pieces, but not breaking the bank

1. Basic doesn’t mean black: An investment piece doesn’t always need to be black. there are other basics in the color world that can be worn with just about any color. don’t be afraid of navy or a great burgundy bag- they’ll still match with everything and can even add a pop of color to an outfit. at the end of each season, you can often find classic shapes in designer bags in the seasons color that they haven’t been able to sell through. I was able to pick up an Alexander Wang Rocco Duffle in Burgundy for 70% off because of the color
2. Go online: There are a number of online sites that will send you customized sales for designers that you’re looking for. For example, the site Shop It To Me will email you daily sales on the brand names you’re looking for. They send you hits from various websites so you’re being redirected to sites like Nordstrom or Shopbop online as opposed to searching each individual website on your own.
3. Do you research: Don’t just buy brand name for the sake of buying brand name. Know what you’re looking for. if there’s a specific designer you’re interested in, look for different retailers within the city that carry the brand. go in to the different locations, compare prices and in store deals before making a commitment. depending on the retailer, there can be discounts that they can offer or incentives at different times of the year
4. Be patient. impulse buying when it comes to a big purchase is the worst way to go. you don’t end up enjoying your buy because you often spend too much and feel guilty about your purchase. wait until end of season, wait for holiday sales, those are the best times to look into buying designer because those are the times retailers are expecting their next collection. once things go on sale, the decision to buy in store or online are usually the only ones remaining

good luck and happy hunting!

xx- aboutthesmallthings