Our Favorite Investment Pieces for Chic Fall Work Outfits

As we continue to work from home and weather the pandemic, investing in several timeless pieces is worthy of consideration. You will be able to wear these stand-out outfits and accessories for a lifetime. Whether on Zoom, video calls, or in person, these pieces will always have your back and you will feel like your chic self. Take your pick: whether it’s a handbag, vintage watch, or a pair of sunglasses that make you feel like you belong on the cover of Vanity Fair, the quality of one of these classics will transcend all trends in fashion and be a foundation of your wardrobe for years. Just be sure your purchase will bring you a return on your investment either emotionally, from the pleasure you derive from it, or economically, in the resale market.

This is not necessarily a big-ticket item, but if you have ever lusted after an iconic handbag, make sure it’s something you will love, and that it fits your body type and coloring palette. You also want to ensure that it will maintain its value: choose a bag that can be worn in most seasons and styled in different ways for different occasions.

If you covet a bag that is out of your price range, worry not. Investment pieces often get better with age, so you can always check out designer resale sites The RealReal or Tradesy for gently used ones that are in amazingly great shape.

Some of our favorite, timeless bags:

One can never have too many coats, but for an investment piece, we want to choose one that can be worn all through fall and winter with our favorite dress or jeans. Look for one made of material that will last a long time and keep you warm. (A polyester coat will not be warm in 45-degree weather!) Make sure there’s enough room to wear an extra layer underneath, too.

These are the classic coats we have in our closets:

Our favorite investment watch is the Cartier Tank that can easily be found in vintage shops for more than half off. Like many classic watches, it is a piece you can pass down through generations––and where there is a big resale market.  So, if you feel your watch is not you anymore, trade it in for another one! Similar to a car, the resale value of a great timepiece often depends on its condition, make, and model. Some vintage pieces are always going up in value and some may depreciate sooner. No matter what you buy, though, research your purchase and buy within your budget so you’ll love it forever.

Our favorite pieces to decorate our wrists:

Eye Chic: that’s our new term for finding a gorgeous pair of frames to wear for fun or just as helpful readers. Why invest in frames or sunglass? They may add color to your face and overall look, will stand out in a crowd, and a good pair will last forever if they fit well and suit your coloring.

Here are the frames we have our eyes on:

At Image Intelligence, we think a well-rounded wardrobe consists of pieces you can mix-and-match for different occasions. Owning a variety of chic staples, from classically tailored blazers to beautifully flowing dresses, is the easiest way to have fun in your closet and be able to get dressed in a snap. No matter if you’re beginning to commute again or staying home to work, there is a lot of fresh fashion your work and play days ahead.

For fall, think about adding both layering pieces and some lighter-weight options to your wardrobe, such as a chunky cardigan to wear with textured fabrics and warm colors. This season, we’re especially loving leather and dresses and skirts. Here’s why:

Leather Anything

A leather piece in your wardrobe is one of the best investments you can make. This classic texture makes it easy to shop your closet in the morning: simply choose a leather pair of pants or a dress that will take you from morning right into evening. These are the styles on our radar:

One-and-Done Dresses and Skirts

This fall, to make dressing as uncomplicated as possible, it is essential to focus on comfortable, stylish outfits that draw the eye towards one item. A statement dress or skirt fits that bill nicely. Quite often, you can easily wear them from day to night with a simple change of sneakers, flats or boots in between. If you feel more comfortable in longer hemlines, then fall maxi skirts and dresses are made for you. We’ve added these to our wardrobes:

Featured photo: Burberry Fall/Winter 2014 advertisement. Courtesy of HBS.