What do you think of when someone talks about investment pieces? Probably a classic trench coat, Chanel flats, a Hermes Kelly or Birkin.
News flash: These are not investments.
An investment is something that MAKES MONEY FOR YOU. These pieces are only investments if you have a consignment or eBay shop and can find them at good prices, wait until they are worth more, and sell them, and even this could be called speculation.
If you actually plan on wearing or using your items, they are going to get messed up over time. Once they are messed up, they get closer and closer to being worth nothing. If you bought them new, they are worth significantly less as soon as you buy them (unless you are buying items you think will sell out and be worth more later, which, like I said, speculation.)
Think about putting cash into a 401k, Roth IRA or Vangaurd index funds before thinking about putting it Louboutins, because no matter how much it is repeated, they are NOT an investment. They are a depreciating consumer item.
Do not let blogs and listicles convince you that you need a certain amount of “investment items” or that you are taking care of your future or investment portfolio by purchasing them.
lesslessyes 
So true!!
Your blog is refreshing.
🙂
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I agree. And how often do these fashionistas even WEAR these “investment pieces”–5 times? Multiply that out to cost per wear folks…
Start saving. Money. For retirement. Or for when the * hits the fan. So we don’t have to bail your leboutains out.
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Well said. The term “investment” dressing was coined to help justify making expensive purchases. But hopefully no one is fooled into thinking these are actual investments—except maybe a Birkin bag, but then again one must be decently wealthy to make that kind of investment and to hope that it will pay off down the line if they never use the bag—but like you said its speculation. I’ve made my share of “investment” purchases (also known as expensive mistakes)—Chanel jackets, etc… utterly destroyed since I don’t have quite that kind of life.
I’m grateful that I had somewhat learned some kind of sense to put aside money into making actual investments: real estate, mutual funds, 401k, education. My shopping sense may not thank me, but my aging self will.
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You are right. It is just to justify expensive purchases. People just throw around the term to mean any expensive purchase. “Invest in the capitalist economy” is what it really means. People say it is an investment if it makes your life happier/easier but unless it makes you money IT IS NOT! You can’t live off dividends from your Chanel suit! Much smarter to invest in real estate, 401k, education, HSA, etc. like you said. I wish bloggers would talk about that! Outside of insufferable assholes like early retirement extreme.
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Ugh yes!! I’m so sick of hearing people say they “invested” in this or that – its just a way of saying “I spent a lot of money on this” while trying to sound like they’re not bad with money. Its so annoying. If you want to spend a month’s paycheque on a piece of clothing – fine. Just don’t call it an investment!!
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People might feel a little more embarrassed to say they spent 1/12 of their salary on one item instead of “making an investment”. And they should!!! It’s NOT normal! I wish I could put this thought in a banner ad so people could get a little ping in their head when they feel jealous or left out of the “everyday luxury” mindset. You should NOT have a luxury every day! Otherwise it’s just normal and you spend a lot of money on everything…!
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