Serious investment dressing.

[MrsSeanBean]

I am thinking: LBD by Givenchy, Chanel 2.55 bag, Manaolo Blahnik classic black court shoes.

Am I mad?

I mean, I know it's a large outlay, but if I bought nothing else major for a year, I'm thinking it would all equal out. And possibly the investment things would last and still look good in 10 years time, whereas the cheaper things would have long since 'died'. Is this a new way to be green - splash out on a few selected things which won't date rather than 100s of more transitory things?

I do have 'form' in this area, as I bought myself a good watch 15 years ago and am still wearing it. It has worked out at about 16p per day, and I expect it to keep going for a while yet (the rest of my life hopefully, have never got bored of it .)

Are you good at keeping things in a good condition? (i.e. you don't throw your clothes on the floor at the end of the day)
and how fickle are you about whether you like something or not?
Does your weight fluctuate?

How about them new or gently used on ebay - lots of new stuff on there. Using it for a year and then upgrading gradually with each piece. The stuff you mention are classics so being a few seasons old on ebay would not make much difference.

And consider vintage - I adore my vintage stuff

Yes, especially if they cost a lot.
Not fickle, if I love it I will wear it to death, no matter who sniggers.
Weight only fluctuates when pregnant.

Ebay riddled with fakes though Laurie, otherwise that would be a great idea.

It depends how often you have a reason to wear such an outfit

If you go to a posh LBD type party once a month then I can see the logic. But then if you did, would you not be embarrassed to be seen in the same outfit everytime?

I go to such parties about 4 times a year and even though that is not often I would still worry about repeating my outfit for each party so I would probably wear it twice a year. Within 5 years I would probably have changed body shape and not be able to wear it. Or I would just be bored of it. So I would get approx 10 wears which is just not worth it IMO.

Fine in theory.
How often do you wear a LBD though? Can you really stick to the not buying much else part?

While all the above are good suggestions, how much wear would you get out of a LBD on a regular basis?

If money were no object, given my lifestyle requirements I would want a (probabably Mulberry) handbag, a pair of good day wear boots, an pair of designer jeans, some plain black trousers, cashmere everything and a fabulous coat. I don't work in formally dressed job though so LBD may be more applicable then. What do you tend to be most comfy in - I'd aim to buy the best quality of those?

MrsSeanBean

I don't know much about your lifestyle but Givenchy, Chanel and Manolo Blahnik are for a very certain sort of life that encompasses housekeepers, nannies, chauffeurs and large white stuccoed houses in ruinously expensive parts of London (and a few other metropolises of the over-developed world). You cannot possibly proclaim green credentials and wear that kind of clothing.

Watches last for ages; clothes just don't.

Are you thinking about how you are going to dress in your new working incarnation? I understand that if you have had a few years out of the workplace that you will need to spend a bit for the first year getting your wardrobe kitted out. But don't, don't, don't buy clothes that are supposed to last a long time. Buy a couple of fabulous outfits each season, wear to death and then throw them away and buy new, fashionable ones.

Drool in silver:

cgi.ebay.co.uk/CHANEL-SILVER-226-REISSUE-METALLIC-FLAP-PURSE-BAG-2-55_W0QQitemZ110346313741QQcmdZVie wItemQQptZUSCSAWHHandbags?hash=item110346313741&trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C 39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

lovely red :

cgi.ebay.co.uk/CHANEL-2-55-DOUBLE-SIDE-BAG-purse-handbag-NEW-authentic_W0QQitemZ380103060206QQcmdZVi ewItemQQptZUSCSAWHHandbags?hash=item380103060206&trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7 C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Yes I see your point artichokes. Unless you are rubbing shoulders with the same people all the time though, it's not a problem surely? And I think accessories could make quite a difference.

I long to own a Givenchy LBD. I love LBDs. I am a LBD kind of woman.

I bought a black Dries Van Noten dress last weekend. With a gold cardigan. Very nice .

That red number can't possibly be authentic?!

this is what I'm after.

I would definitely get the chanel bag and a great pair of shoes.

yes get the bag..that one!

Have Mulberry. Mulberry fine and good. But I feel there is nothing more classic and beautiful than the Chganel 2.55. I have admired since about 17. Now I will be working again I am tempted to treat myself. DH wastes spends almost as much money getting the car serviced.

I downsized my bag collection last year, sold loads off on ebay and used the procceds to buy an Anya Hindmarch which is my everyday winter bag, and gives me a lift every time I use it.

I held onto my Mulberry Bayswater, in a pale pinky lilac colour which is my everyday summer bag, and an Orla Kiely sling bag in a dusty pink and mulberry pattern which I use on rainy days.

Did something similar with my wardrobe, and now I only have things which I really LOVE. I'd much rather save for one really beautiful thing every season, than impluse buys which are eventually dumped.

I'd give my right arm for a Chanel 2.55, one of the mums in DDs preschool has one, and it is gorgeous, but I think I'll be saving a long time for that one {smile]

Not my taste but you obviously love the Chanel bag so i would so go for it and compromise on the rest.

(erm don't you have to get car serviced so it's not really a luxury! Or are you the poster whose DH came back with an audi R8 without consulting her?)

Yep, there is some of the boring original ones on ebay too, they restyled and funked up some of the 2.55 last year or the year before so they have a more expanded range now.

I personally hate gilt straps as I wear platinum/silver jewellery and the tone doesn't go with me.

Sounds like you really want one - go for it and post a picture with you posing

No it was a BMW.

Macherie, the Chanel 2.55 costs just over £1k - but a Bayswater is what - £500 these days? And I have lots of Mulberry (working my way through all the emoticons here...)

I feel I would like to invest in one. I feel I could still use it when I am old silver haired Granny.

If I could afford it (without feeling guility) I would probably buy the bag. But the dress and shoes can be bought much cheaper, though be just as stylish from other places imo.

Would you really get lots of wear out of the LBD and Manaolo Blahniks?

£1000 for a handbag?

Christ, scrap me saying I'd buy one. I'd take my family on a holiday instead.

Obviously lots of women in Paris shop at Chanel. But are you quite sure that you are that kind of woman? You know, fur coats, far too -much plastic surgery, diamonds at 9am?

Chanel is where DP and I shop for MOL's Christmas present.

Thanks, I do know how much they cost, that's why I said I'd be saving for one for a while.

I have a black 2.55 that used to belong to my mum and I use it all the time so I think the cost per wear can be justified if you can afford it without the dog/cat/kids going hungry.