Investment Dress: 2 Ways

Helmut Lang Dress

A few weeks ago I was feeling really good but really lacking in the transitional dress department. I wanted to spend my hard-earned money on something classic that I could wear multiple ways, to multiple different events, and could be styled for all seasons. Here’s my transitional dress, styled once before over shorts, and here in two additional ways. What should you look for when you’re trying to decide whether to shell out for an expensive dress? Why, the Three C’s, of course!

  • Color. It’s important to select a color that you know you wear a lot already, or can mix into your wardrobe easily. I wouldn’t purchase this dress in pastel pink, for instance, because it wouldn’t go with my wardrobe’s mix of brighter, more rich reds, mustards, plums, and navies.
  • Cut. I go for unfussy, simple lines when I buy a pricey dress because I want to be able to wear it lots of different ways. This dress is not too tight, not too loose, which makes it a perfect summer dressy option by itself with a sparkly necklace and flats, but also easy to layer over or under other pieces. I unbuttoned the dress and wore it cape-style over a tank and high-waisted jeans for a more casual look. What makes it all possible is the fact that there aren’t any pleats or pockets to get in the way of my layering desires.
  • Classic-ity. Or classicism perhaps? This dress is clean and simple and therefore classic. Despite the twist of it’s asymmetrical hemline, a black shirt-dress draped to perfection is not likely going out of style anytime soon. It’s also the perfect weight and color for any season, so therefore it can be worn all year, for years to come.
 So stay tuned for more tips on looking for other specific investment pieces! I am making my list of things to buy for fall, as well as shopping with clients to spice up their cool-weather closets, and will share my findings over the next few weeks!

Helmut Lang Dress

Helmut Lang Dress

Dress: Helmut Lang, Flats: Chanel, Necklace: Forever 21

Helmut Lang Dress
Helmut Lang Dress

Dress: Helmut Lang, Tank: Splendid, Jeans: J-Brand, Shoes: BC, Necklace: KouklaMou Design

August 1, 2011

8 Responses to Investment Dress: 2 Ways

  1. Jennifer K. says:

    That’s such a cool/classic dress. I love how you’re wearing it in this post and over the shorts in the previous post.

  2. Jess says:

    It’s a great dress. I like that it can be worn so many ways.

  3. Tanvi says:

    That is a great dress. I love the F21 necklace too!

    ♡ from © tanvii.com

  4. Lyddiegal says:

    That is a cute dress, and some good criteria for an investment dress.
    Usually I try to keep my investment pieces to bags and shoes so I know I’ll be getting my money’s worth.

  5. Chelsea says:

    I love it when people share their investment pieces! Fall is all about coordinates, and I just love playing with things from my closet with new stuff. Can’t wait to see what other tips ya got. Take care!

  6. Jamie Rose says:

    I’m loving this remix post. That dress is so cute on it’s own, but it looks great as a vest/top too!

  7. Senta says:

    I’m really impressed by the variety of this piece!

  8. Pingback: Investment Pieces and Vests — Trophy Boutique

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