Call me crazy, but I don't think you ever need to spend $500 to get a pair of perfect fitting jeans. Did you know that traditional denim is just composed of cotton? Occasionally, brands will add some elastane or lycra for a slight stretch, but this is usually under 5% of the fabric's composition. So what exactly are we paying for with these high jean prices?
Before I come across as judgy, I will (sheepishly) admit that a long time ago, I did spend over $500 when I splurged on a pair of True Religion jeans (the ones with the thick white stitching.) Help! What was I thinking? The funny thing was, I barely liked how they looked on me, and I ended up giving them away after only wearing them 3 times.
Thankfully, since then, I've gotten a lot smarter with my clothing purchases and have learned which investment wardrobe items are worth it to splurge on and when you just don't need to place all that stress on your poor credit cards.
✅ LEATHER BOOTS
We 👏 can 👏 tell 👏 your 👏 boots 👏 are 👏 plastic. That unnaturally shiny finish and way-too-vibrant brown? It's a dead giveaway. Yes, good leather boots for winter come with a higher price tag, but let's do the math—those $80 faux leather boots are going to fall apart after one season. A good pair of classic brown or black leather boots will be your go-to for years.
I learned this lesson the hard way a few winters ago when I had a last-minute mountain winter holiday coming up, and in a pinch, I grabbed a pair of plastic "leather" combat boots. In the middle of a snowy mountain walk, the soles of these boots literally came unglued, and I had to walk back with a wet frozen foot. I learned this lesson the cold way, and to add insult to injury, I was still out $100 when I could have put that money toward a better-quality boot instead. Don't figure this out the hard way like I did. Just trust me when I say that when shopping for long-lasting winter boots, don't sacrifice quality for price.
🚫 SUNGLASSES
Last year, I lost over a thousand dollars worth of sunglasses — including these beautiful limited edition Persols I still dream about. (RIP, wherever you are.) I used to stress about taking them off, always worried about scratching or breaking them, and when that (inevitably) happened, I'd kick myself. But even if I had found those Persols now, would I wear them? Probably not. The latest sunglasses trends change so fast, especially with social media running the show, and new sunglasses styles emerge multiple times a year.
The good news? So many affordable brands now use polarized lenses, offering the same quality for a fraction of the price. This really hit home for me when I lived in Shanghai and saw Ray-Ban's manufacturing floor produce two identical pairs of sunglasses — one with their logo and one without. The quality was perfect on both, and the only difference was the price. After seeing that and feeling the pain of throwing money away on lost sunglasses, I'm giving you permission to hit up Amazon and buy three of those trendy pairs of summer sunglasses without the price tag guilt.
✅ BLAZERS AND TRENCHCOATS
I have a slight obsession with how luxury wool outerwear falls and moves on its wearer, and 9/10 times; these jackets are made with high-quality wool. In fact, I feel so strongly about this that if I were in a position of power, I would ban all blazers and jackets that contain polyester. But it's for your own good, and you'll soon see why. (It's probably good I'm not running for president anytime soon.)
Why is wool better than polyester? Wool looks elegant and is durable, so you won't have to worry about it unravelling on you after a few wears. Beyond appearances, it's naturally breathable, making it an excellent choice for outerwear. It wicks moisture away from your body, ensuring you stay dry and comfortable while at the same time regulating body temperature and keeping you warm in cold weather without all the bulk. It's a complete win.
Wool is also sustainable. Unlike polyester, which takes years to break down, wool is biodegradable and a renewable resource. It leaves a much smaller environmental footprint, making it a far wiser choice for both you and the planet.
Lastly, if you're still thinking of those scratchy, thick horse blankets when you think of wool, DON'T. Wool has gone through a significant rebrand and can now be soft, luxurious, and feel fantastic against your skin.
I know that it's a bit of a bite-the-bullet situation when it comes to popping in your credit card info and checking out, but these investment pieces will last you years, maybe even generations. So, trust me when I say this one's worth it. As long as you stick with classic trench coat designs and colours, you will never look dated. If you need examples of what this looks like, look up Sashū's timeless camel trench coat. It's perfect for Canadian winters but still light enough for fall and spring. An investment jacket gets a yes from me, and don't feel guilty about it either. You can put the money you saved on sunglasses toward your purchase. You'll be thanking me for it until your future daughter starts stealing these jackets out of your closet years down the road.
🚫 T-SHIRTS
T-shirts can range anywhere from $10-$1,000 bucks, but they aren't that complicated of a garment. I love to look for quality cotton T-shirts that hold their shape during a wash cycle, but this doesn't mean you need to drop a fortune on them. You can find great cotton T-shirts at a place like Uniqlo for $20 that will look and feel the same as a more expensive brand.
✅ SWEATERS
Sweaters are on my splurge list because acrylic and polyester sweaters (typically cheaper options) kind of scare me. Polyester isn't a breathable fabric, which often causes rashes or irritation on your body. Plus, the polyester production process uses chemicals that can linger on the fabric and transfer to the skin during wear. I know this paragraph is such a downer, but lastly, every time you wash polyester fabric, it releases micro plastics into the ecosystem.
That's why I steer toward wool sweaters, and you can't always find these in the clearance bin. Since sweaters are worn directly on the skin, I look for extra-fine merino wool because it's softer and fluffier than regular wool and feels very cozy when you put it on. For those of you looking for your apreś ski sweater fits, wool is naturally antimicrobial, meaning it resists odour even after extended wear, meaning you stay fresh even after a day on the slopes. Don't know where to begin your hunt for sustainable wool sweaters? Sashū has a cute range of extra fine high-quality merino-wool sweaters for both men and women to take the guesswork out of sweater shopping.
🚫 Bikinis
You guys? Why are we still spending $200 on bikinis? There are a million different bikini brands out there, and the majority of their products are made with the exact same fabrics as all their competitors. And. If you've tried to purchase an appropriate-looking bikini lately for your family vacation, you'll know they aren't using a whole lot of that fabric either!
For me, this no comes down to quality: you're not getting anything better just because the price tag is higher, so it's just not worth it. Personally, I love a fellow Canadian clothing brand called Strawberry Milk Mob. They have cute bikinis for even cuter prices. Because let's be honest, you know you aren't just buying one. ;)
At the end of the day, Knowing what to splurge on (investment fashion staples) and where to save can make all the difference in building a wardrobe that lasts. Smart spending shouldn't mean you ever look cheap; it's just about knowing where quality truly counts and where it doesn't. By focusing on timeless, high-quality staples, you'll build a wardrobe that feels good, looks good, and lasts—without breaking the bank.