Last Updated on October 9, 2023 by Eve Dawes
Must have luxury items worth investing in to elevate any outfit | Designer items and styles that last
When it comes to luxury items worth investing in, there’s some designer fashion pieces that make it worthwhile when it comes down to CPW, how long they’ll last and stay in style. For most of us, having a wardrobe full of designer clothes is a stretch, but having a few key pieces is much more realistic. There’s so many luxury items for women, that I’ve narrowed it down to 8 designer items every woman should own if you’re looking for designer must haves (budget permitting). Not that there’s really must-haves (they’re a luxury not a necessity) but the ones that are the most practical and you’ll get the most use from.
This post contains affiliate links which do not affect the price in anyway.
If you only want to choose one thing from this list of designer must haves, start by what you’ll use the most. For me that’s bags, sunglasses and belts. Then add pieces as and when you can.
You can also find second hand designer pieces on The Real Real or rent them from somewhere like Rent The Runway or Vivrelle luxury jewelry and bag rentals.
It’s not about having everything or wearing all of your designer fashion pieces at once, but having a few key luxury pieces you can wear with pretty much anything and creating high low luxe looks.
Luxury items worth investing in | Designer Fashion
8 designer must haves if you’re looking for classic pieces to elevate your look. There’s so many luxury items for women, it can be hard to know where to start. So I’ve narrowed it down to the designer fashion pieces that you’ll get the most wear and use out of and that for the most part will hold or increase their value.
The 8 designer items every woman should own
Luxury items worth investing in from designer brands:
- Quilted Bag
- Luxury Belt
- Sunglasses
- Brooch Pin
- Black Pumps
- Statement Jewelry | Earrings, necklace, ring or bracelet. Chanel necklace, earrings, pic
- Watch
- Scarf
1. A Quilted Bag
When it comes to luxury items worth investing in and designer must haves, a classic everyday bag is top of the list. Chanel is the obvious choice when it comes to quilted bags. They’re not only iconic but also hold, if not increase, in value.
As much as the colors and newest styles are fun, if you’re only going to own 1 Chanel bag make it a black, classic shape bag that’s the right size to take you from day to night. You’ll get the most use out of it from season to season, it goes with everything and won’t date. This is the Chanel bag I have.
6 timeless options when it comes to classic Chanel bags:
- Chanel 2.55 released in February 1955 (hence the name) with the classic original Mademoiselle lock.
- Chanel Classic Flap 11.12, which is an updated version of the 2.55 released in the 1980’s with the instantly recognizable double CC lock and 7 functional pockets.
- Released in 2019, the Chanel 19 is the updated version of the 2.55, with a softer structure and double CC lock. Choose your leather wisely, lambskin is a lot more delicate and will scratch easier than caviar, goat skin or calf skin.
- The edgier bag and boxier style is the Chanel Boy which was released in 2011 by Karl Lagerfield.
- Grand Shopping Tote AKA GST for those that want a large tote bag, big enough to carry their entire life around. It’s discontinued but still in circulation.
- Chanel Classic Wallet on Chain is a more affordable option when it comes to investing in Chanel and also something you can use everyday.
Dior and Gucci are other designer brands that make great quilted bags with gold chain shoulder straps, like the Lady Dior and Gucci Marmont.
There are lots of other brands at various price points to find one that works for you but a classic bag is one of those designer items every woman should own.
This Gucci Marmont bag in particular is the perfect size and it also comes in black. It’s a classic style that’s unlikely to date.
2. Luxury Brand Belt
I blame my designer belt obsession on my Mum. She’s always been brilliant at styling and shown me how much a belt can change a look either by giving it shape, color or a bit of sparkle.
Belts are a designer must have that gives outfits more shape and shows some personality as there’s so many styles to choose from. It’s also a great luxury item for women for men or women looking for gifts.
A simple black leather logo belt from your favorite designer that can be worn with shorts, dresses, jeans, pants and over coats is a smart investment. It’s also a classic that’s less likely to date than some styles.
A reversible belt like Valentino Garavini’s reversible V Logo belt (use code RF-220X-D9218D at checkout to be entered to win $500) means 2 belts in one. Making it better value than just 1 belt and meaning it goes with more of your outfits. It comes in various color combinations like black and red or beige and white.
Here’s a styling video if you need some belt outfit inspiration to see if you’d wear it or not.
If you prefer dressier styles, the Chanel gold chain belt is one of my favorite belts but it tends to go in and out of fashion a lot more than a classic black leather belt. However, it’s a great luxury item worth investing in as it holds its value if you’re wanting to sell it later on.
3. Luxury items worth investing in | Statement Sunglasses
I live in Las Vegas so my sunglasses probably get the most wear out of any of my accessories and is definitely a designer must have for me. They’re also one of the more affordable luxury items that make any outfit look more expensive. So don’t be afraid to go for more of a fashion forward statement pair.
If you’re only going to invest in one pair of designer sunglasses, make it a classic shape with a subtle logo as logos tend to go in and out of fashion. The logo on the Chanel sunglasses above is the biggest logo I’ve worn on sunglasses but they were too pretty to resist.
Tortoiseshell or black sunglasses in classic shapes are a designer must have and timeless classic if you want a pair that you can wear year after year. Rather than a style that will date quickly. These Dior sunglasses come with 4 different lens color options.
I tend to keep coming back to Chanel, Dior and Jimmy Choo sunglasses as they have such great shapes that often includes a bit of sparkle and has more elegant and subtle logos and branding.
Sunglasses are one of those designer must haves that if you live somewhere sunny, get so much use.
If in doubt oversized or aviator sunglasses with dark lenses are more of a classic style that suit most faces. They’re an item worth shopping for in store so that you can try them on as everyone’s face size and shape is different.
4. Show your personality | Luxury Brooch or Pin
One of the more affordable luxury items worth investing in, especially if you wear blazers or jackets a lot is a brooch. This is a simple and elegant way to show your personality and make the look more polished. If your looks more casual, skip this one.
There are lots of designers who make these but I’m a Chanel girl and love their sparkling pins. I’ve worn it everywhere from on my blazers and dresses to the waistline of a dress.
5. Practical luxury items worth investing in | Black Pumps
Classic black pumps that you can wear for work and dinners, with jeans or dresses are a great investment and designer must have that you’ll get so much wear out of. Black may sound boring but you’ll get the most wear out of them as they go with most things for all seasons.
If you’re only getting one pair, choose leather pumps over suede as they’ll last longer and they’re more practical.
Go for stiletto heels as the shape will stay in fashion longer and look for something that sets them apart from your regular black pump that few others will have. Whether that’s the signature red sole, cutouts, elegant detailing or embellishments.
Find a pair of designer heels that you love, that aren’t painful and that you would regret not buying. There’s nothing worth than painful heels for killing joy! You’re investing in them, they should be beautiful and confident boosting not make you miserable.
Christian Louboutin is notoriously uncomfortable so be selective if shopping from this designer fashion brand.
6. Statement luxury items worth investing in | Jewelry
It doesn’t matter whether it’s earrings, a necklace, bracelet or ring, statement jewelry is one of those designer must haves that gives a luxe touch to any outfit.
Start with whatever you wear the most and then find a piece you fall in love with. Jewelries also a great gift, so if your partners stuck on what to gift you, lead them in the right direction.
I like to buy luxury brand jewelry when I travel as it always reminds me of that place. I think my very first piece of jewelry was an Hermes bracelet from St Barths, then a David Yurman ring in Aruba, Chanel earrings and necklace in Venice and Dior necklace and earrings at the Dior pop up boutique in Ibiza. Plus, you can claim back duty free.
I chose red, white and blue Chanel studs as they were slightly different from the regular crystal CC earrings and I hadn’t seen anyone else wearing them.
7. Designer Scarf
Another practical designer must have. The beauty of a scarf is that it can be used for so many things. On the planes which are always freezing and way more hygienic than using the airlines. As a Pareo or tied one of a hundred different ways.
Find a color that will go with most of your clothes and a material that’s warm enough for winter but lightweight enough for Summer. I’d avoid silk if you’re only going to invest in one scarf as they tend to get pulls and snags easier than cashmere, wool or blends, especially on chain bags, bracelets and rings.
While logos and names are in now, if you’re investing in the long term, go for a more low key, understated print.
8. Luxury Watch | Elegant timepieces
If you still wear watches and don’t just use your phone, this is a luxury item worth investing in. A stylish timepiece may depreciate but if it’s rare or ultra premium they often holds or increase in value so it’s worth doing some research before you make the investment.
When it comes to choosing a luxury watch brand I tend to prefer watch designers over fashion designers as the construction and movement tends to be far better.
Some of the best womens designer watch brands
There’s hundred of designers and I’m not a watch expert but these 10 watch designers are some of my favorites and a good place to start looking for your luxury timepiece. They have both quality and fashionable watches for all tastes.
When considering which of the designer items every woman should own, if you wear a watch everyday this is great for getting cost per wear. If you’re not a watch person, skip this luxury item.
- Jaeger-LeCoultre
- Tag Heuer
- Baume & Mercier
- Rolex
- Cartier
- Chanel
- Breitling
- Bvlgari
- Zenith
- Omega
Connect with me
Share your designer must haves with me on Instagram so that I can share them on my stores #glamourandgains
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This designer must haves, luxury items worth investing in and designer items every woman should own post contains affiliate links which don’t affect the price in anyway. I always hunt down the best prices for designer fashion and sales for everything.
