11 Buy Once, Love Forever Investment Pieces
When it comes to building a great wardrobe, it pays to go back to basics. Good staple pieces – those bread and butter items you’ll buy once and keep and wear forever are essential. Think: leather ankle boots with the perfect heel (they look as good with jeans as they do with a day dress), a crisp white button-down shirt, a silk mid-length skirt (with an oversized knit in winter, a breezy vest in summer). These pieces are worth investing in, purely on a cost-per-wear basis. Opt for high quality materials in classic silhouettes, from brands like Camilla and Marc, Maje, and Coach. Here, we round up 11 wardrobe essentials from our favourite Chadstone brands, from perfectly tailored blazers to ribbed knits and everyday earrings.
THE BOOT
R.M. Williams Millicent Boot
$649
If you’re looking for the perfect day-to-day boot, you can’t do better than R.M. Williams. Icons of Australian design, R.M.’s are synonymous with everyday practicality (think: moulton leather that develops a beautiful natural patina over time) and serious style, thanks to chic elements like the Millicent’s 4.5cm cuban heel and sleek needle toe.
THE BLAZER
Camilla and Marc Mackinley Blazer
$750
Camilla and Marc are masters of tailoring. The beloved Australian brand know how to cut a good jacket, which is why their blazers are considered wardrobe staples by some of the country’s best-dressed women. We love the classic silhouette of the ‘Mackinley’ blazer, a fitted, single breasted style with subtle shoulder pads and a single button.
THE JEANS
Acne Studios Relaxed Fit Jeans
$690
Finding the perfect pair of jeans is no mean feat. Acne’s denim has a cult following for good reason, crafting everyday jeans that are stylish and comfortable. These Relaxed Fit Jeans are high-waisted with a longer leg, making for a universally flattering cut. We love the vintage-style wash of the ‘Vintage Black’ shade – just add a crisp white T-shirt and a great jacket, and you’ll look effortlessly cool every time you leave the house.
THE BAG
Coach Tabby
$955
A great everyday handbag can breathe new life into your wardrobe. Coach’s ‘Tabby’ is a timeless classic, a ‘70s-style from the brand’s archive that creative director Stuart Vevers has modernised and re-released to much aplomb (it’s been called the “Gen-Z Birkin bag”). It’s easy to see why – the size is perfect for day-to-day living, the top-flap and gold hardware are pure elegance, and the price-point is accessible in the world of luxury. What’s not to love?
THE TRENCH
Maje Long Trench Coat
$870
If you’re shopping with cost-per-wear in mind, you’d be hard pressed to find a better investment than a classic trench coat. Versatile and timeless, the trench is a masterful piece of transseasonal outerwear. We love the boxy silhouette of this iteration by Maje, which can be worn oversized or slim fitting, thanks to the adjustable leather straps at the back of the coat. Beige never looked so good.
THE EVERYDAY EARRINGS
Georg Jensen Offspring Hoops
$440
The world’s best-dressed women know that true style lies in the little details. A great pair of earrings can instantly elevate a look, and we love these everyday hoops by Georg Jensen. Showcasing the brand’s signature blend of architectural-chic, the ‘Offspring’ hoops are sterling silver, a petite hoop designed for everyday wear.
THE SHIRT
Incu Loulou Studios Shirt
$445
If you’ve ever tried to find a great button-down white shirt, you’ll know that it’s a tricky art. How to find a style that is oversized but doesn’t overwhelm you? How to make sure the end result is fashionable, not corporate? Chloé Harrouche, the French content creator better known by her moniker Loulou de Saison, has mastered the formula. With her brand, Loulou Studios, she has made the perfect white button-down, an elegant design made of 100% cotton and available at Incu.
THE KNIT
Aje Celine Fluffy Cardigan
$295
When it comes to the AW25 season, finding the perfect knits is essential. Aje are mastering the look this season, with their ‘Celine’ fluffy cardigan, in a heavenly mocha mousse tone and featuring statement-making gold hardware buttons. Wear yours with jeans or tucked into a mini skirt with thick tights and boots.
THE LEATHER BELT
Louis Vuitton Reversible Monogram Belt
$745
Belts are seriously underrated on the accessories front. A great leather belt can transform endless outfits, instantly elevating a well-cut trouser or pair of jeans, or adding a flattering proportion to a chic mid-length dress. Louis Vuitton’s reversible monogram belt is the ultimate investment piece, finished in delicately stitched leather, available to be worn in classic black or the brand’s chic brown leather monogram, and affixed with a gold ‘LV’ logo.
THE MARY-JANE
Bally Ballyrina Ballet Flat
$1,190
The Mary-Jane has become a favourite shoe in the last couple of years, but fear not, this is a trend with staying power. This feminine silhouette works year-round and looks great with everything from simple blue jeans to romantic day dresses. We love this black leather take by Bally, made with the finest Italian leather and fastened with an elegant gold buckle.
THE SILK SKIRT
FENDI Champagne-coloured silk skirt
$3,460
A silk mid-length skirt is a wardrobe MVP – the kind of piece you’ll find yourself reaching for again and again. Style yours under a big, knitted sweater, with lug-soled boots during winter, then, in summer sub in a breezy cotton button-down shirt or fitted tee. Fendi’s long silhouette made with certified silk, featuring high-waisted cut with a flowing, flared line is our pick this season.
Timeless Beauty
Investment shopping isn’t only for fashion. Winter is the perfect time to invest in hard-working beauty products that will see you through the whole year. Case in point? A rich moisturiser by Augustinus Bader, available exclusively at Mecca. The brand’s cult-status The Rich Cream is endorsed by everyone from Victoria Beckham to Hailey Bieber, thanks to its luxurious formula and potent blend of evening primrose oil and palmitoyl tripeptide-8. Aesop’s Parsley Seed cleansing duo – the Cleansing Oil and Cleanser – is another investment worth making. Soft on the skin, with a gentle exfoliation from the lactic acid, this duo will keep your skin nourished and fresh through winter, and into summer. At Myer, SK-II’s Facial Treatment Essence has been shown to reduce pore visibility by 97% and boosts your complexion during those harsh autumn and winter days. At Tom Ford Beauty, the Soleil Eye Colour Quad in 01 Bronze Isle is a warm quartet of hues inspired crystalline island waters – it will add a subtle warmth on even the grimmest Melbourne winter day.
At Chanel Beauty, treat yourself with the Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour – we love the everyday wearability of 63 Essentielle. For hair, the ghd Chronos Max, available at Hairhouse, is a straightener with 85% wider plates, allowing you to straighten, curl, and style with ease. Finally, invest in a great new-season fragrance. We are addicted to Troye Sivan’s buzzy new Tsu Lange Yor range, available at Mecca. The ‘Luca’ eau de parfum features a delicious mix of bergamot, cedarwood and ambroxan – designed specifically to enhance your existing scent. Don't forget to keep your lips hydrated as we embrace the cooler months with Dior's Lip Glow Oil in Mahogany – a stunning deep shade that transitions effortlessly from summer to autumn and all the way into winter.
ROGUE ALLURE VELVET LIPSTICK | $75
GHD CHRONOS MAX HAIR STRAIGHTENER | $495
LUCA EAU DE PARFUM | $170
DIOR LIP GLOW OIL | $64
We enlisted fashion content creator Alexandra to show us how she incorporates a few key styles into her wardrobe this AW25. Her top picks include a great set of denim and black midi-skirt.
Look 1:
Jeans from Sandro
Shoes from Christian Louboutin
Styled here with Alexandra’s Zimmermann top
Look 2:
Jeans from Sandro
Shoes from Christian Louboutin
Jewellery from Tiffany & Co
Styled here with Alexandra’s Camilla and Marc body suit
Look 3:
Skirt from Saint Laurent
Tee from Saint Laurent
Shoes from Christian Louboutin
Styled here with Alexandra’s blazer from David Jones, own hosiery and shirt from Sandro
MORE THINGS TO LOVE...
- 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone VIC 3148
- Call (03) 9563 3355
- Get directions via Google
