Recently I started looking at classic wardrobe pieces that never go out of style.
After a long research, I narrowed down a list of 9 items worth investing your hard-earned money because these pieces will make you stylish and fabulous always!
#1 Burberry trench coat
Burberry trench coat is one the most iconic pieces in the history of fashion. This timeless coat dates back almost 200 years and it was first designed in 1823 by Aquascutum.
However, it was Thomas Burberry who invented the gabardine, breathable yet waterproof fabric, in 1879 and introduced it to the British army officers. The coat proved to be of a great use to WWI soldiers fighting in wet and muddy trenches – hence, the name of the coat.
However, it was Hollywood that helped the coat rise to its glory. During the interwar period and beyond, Hollywood stars, both men and women, could be seen wearing trench coats in iconic movies like Casablanca.
The coat would give a character an effortlessly flawless look and would help create somewhat mysterious and cool persona.
Today Burberry is the largest trench coat producer. The classic women coat associated with impeccable taste and style goes for $1,990.
#2 Birkin Bag
The story of Birkin bag couldn’t be more fascinating. This iconic bag was created in 1984 after France-based British actress Jane Birkin boarded a flight and ended up sitting next to then Hermes chief executive Jean-Louis Duma.
After spilling the content of her bag, the Hermes executive suggested that Ms. Birkin needed a bag with pockets and so a discussion about bags began. Jane Birkin painted a picture of a perfect bag which would be bigger than then popular Hermes bag Kelly but smaller than Serge Gainsbourg’s suitcase. A while later, Ms. Birkin received an unexpected gift – Hermes new bag, named after her.
Today the Birkin not only serves as a beautiful accessory but is an inarguable status symbol. Associated with celebrities and the super-rich, the bag’s price starts at about $5,000. However, it appears to be quite difficult to purchase the bag even with funds on your disposal. The waitlist for the bag has reportedly become more of a wish-list.
The rarity of the bag and its value will make the Birkin the crown jewel of your accessories.
#3 Louboutin heels
Christian Louboutin pumps are as a status symbol as the Birkin. Did you know that the iconic design owns its glory to a lucky chance?
Christian Louboutin started his business in the nineties. In 1994, while preparing a collection inspired by Andie Warhol, Mr. Louboutin was finishing the design of his heel shoes. He saw that something was missing as it didn’t quite reflect the pop inspired paintings of Warhol. Louboutin at that moment saw an assistant doing her nails. He took the nail polish, which coincidentally was red, and painted it all over the bottoms. And that’s how the red soled shoes were born.
Irresistible to celebrities, A-listers and any fashion addicts, the red-soled Louboutin heels start at $695.
#4 Lady Dior bag
Dior designs are nothing less than manifestation of elegance and so is its iconic handbag.
Created in 1994, it was first named “Chouchou”- “favorite” in French. According to the story, upon her visit to France Lady Diana, the Princess of Wales, was gifted the new Dior bag by the French first lady. Lady Diana was mesmerized with the bag and it instantly became one of her favorites. Having used it on many occasions, Diana in no time elevated this bag to the pedestal of iconic items.
Consequently, the bag was renamed Lady Dior, in honor of Lady Diana. This timeless piece of wardrobe starts at a price of $3,950.
#5 Chanel classic flap bag
Gabriel “Coco” Chanel was a true visionary that changed women’s fashion. Same applies to the fashion of handbags. One of the most recognizable pieces of wardrobe, Chanel’s signature flap bag was said to be designed by Coco when she got tired carrying her purse on opera and theatre nights. The story tells that having too little hands to hold a program, a drink and a purse all together, so she incorporated a strap that would allow carry a purse on her shoulder. Like many other of her designs, it proved to be empowering, practical and feminine all at once.
Even though the legend reasonably explains the birth of the bag, it wasn’t until 1980s, when Karl Lagerfeld became Chanel’s Creative Director, that it came to the design as we know it. The classic mini flap bags start selling at around $4,000.
#6 Little black dress
Books can be written about the birth, evolution and significance of the Little Black Dress. Symbol of a working woman, it crossed borders, generations and social classes to become an essential element of fashion and our wardrobes.
Even though Coco Chanel is often bestowed with the LBD’s inventor’s title, the origins of the dress can be traced back centuries. Aristocrats were wearing plain black in the 15th century, however, by the 1860s simple black design became a symbol of working and middle classes. Previously associated with a tasteful lady, simple black designs became uniforms of maids.
After rapid industrialization, working class women, perhaps for the first time in history, had disposable income. Inventions, such as sewing machine and fabric dyes, made it possible for them to look just as fashionable as the upper-class ladies. After many started mistaken maids for their mistresses, such an embarrassing situation had to be eliminated. Hence, servants and, basically all working women, were required to wear a simple black dress design.
Nevertheless, the LBD managed to cross social classes, and for that, in fact we should thank Ms. Chanel. She did popularize the design in the 1920s. When Vogue printed a story calling the LBD “Chanel’s Ford”, it was referencing to the Ford’s T car model, which was for the first time available to everyone and, hence, equalitarian.
Little Black Dress is the queen of wardrobe. It’s elegance, class and versatility will never fail you. You can acquire his timeless design for various prices.
#7 Chanel tweed suit
Yet another iconic Chanel design tops the list of our timeless pieces. Her tweed suit was introduced in the 1920s. Coco Chanel wanted to liberate women from corsets and instead provide them with something comfortable, yet elegant. She was inspired by the Scottish tweed fabric and sportswear of her then companion, Duke of Westminster. Chanel introduced different colors and details to the Scottish tweed and so innovated not only with the design but also with the material.
In time, the suit became a classic, especially loved by iconic personalities, like Jackie Kennedy and royals, like Kate Middleton.
Chanel tweed jacket price starts at about $3,000.
#8 Max Mara camel coat
Created in 1981 by French couturier Anne Marie Beretta, the iconic coat is an all-time classic that will serve for generations. The design hasn’t changed since its establishment, and yet it is the most sold model in Max Mara’s collection.
This top-notch coat is everything you need and want: iconic and comfortable design blended with everlasting cashmere wool quality.
Any Max Mara coat is worth investing for these reasons. Not only you will be able to wear it all the time as it fits any style, but the quality of the coat will quite possibly serve you infinitely.
It is truly one of the all-time favorites of everyone who values excellence. You could buy of the beautiful Max Mara coats for a starting price of $3,000. My personal favorite is the Manuela.
#9 Chanel sling backs
We inherit yet another icon from Madame Chanel with her two-tone shoe design. Created in 1957, they instantly became a hit among celebrities and were dubbed a new “Cinderella slipper”.
More recently, Karl Lagerfield proved yet again to be a master of restoring the classics and they climbed to the top of the popular demand charts. Within the last few years, Chanel sling back shoe has become the most favorite street style footwear of celebrities and fashion icons.
It was, in fact, Madame Chanel’s intent for women to wear these shoes round the clock. The versatility of the sling backs was fascinating, as they were elegant enough for the evening and comfortable enough for the day. Not to mention the two classic colors, black and nude, which not only go well with everything, but also lengthen the leg and narrow the feet.
You could buy the two-tone Chanel sling backs at $875.
