How to Build an Investment Wardrobe According to a Celebrity Stylist

Celeb stylist **Tiffany Briseno** goofin’ at work!

03.17.2022 - By: Anastasia Barbuzzi

This blog post came at just the right time: spring cleaning season. As did my latest podcast episode on how to build an investment wardrobe with one of the hottest celebrity stylists in the biz, Tiffany Briseno.

You may have recognized Tiffany’s recent work on clients such as Euphoria’s Fez (a.k.a Angus Cloud), Jack Dylan Grazer, the cast of Schitt’s Creek, Canadian figure skating sensations Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue, country music star Kane Brown, and of course, Tiffany’s close pal Shawn Mendes.

Impressively, her red carpet moments have garnered numerous "best dressed" accolades in publications such as Vogue, GQ, Esquire, Vanity Fair, and Billboard Magazine. She has also designed looks in collaboration with Saint Laurent, Tommy Hilfiger, Paul Smith, Givenchy, The Kooples, Louis Vuitton, and Calvin Klein.

Thankfully, Tiffany and I were able to chat in-between trips to L.A., Toronto and New York, which seems to be her work rotation on the regular. Investing in a quality wardrobe is a lot like getting into real estate, and that’s why I enlisted the help of an expert like Tiff so that you can build yours cost effectively.

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How to Build an Investment Wardrobe

When you’re first starting to gather investment pieces for your wardrobe, the high price tags and number of options available may seem overwhelming. That’s why one of the best ways to start building an investment wardrobe is to base purchases off a mantra that she holds close to her heart: “If it makes you feel good, buy it.”

That said, even the best wardrobe investment pieces don’t need to be expensive, and sometimes, your wallet doesn’t allow for such splurges (even when the moment feels right). Here are some things to keep in mind when deciding between skipping the checkout line and *possibly* blowing your budget:

Is the item you’re interested in a statement piece or a work of art that you have to have?
Will you regret not buying the item later?
Does the item fit you like a glove? As Tiff likes to say, “fit is king”!
Is there potential for you to make a large profit off the sale of the item at a later date? Think: collector’s objects, limited edition articles, iconic models and silhouettes.

Investment Pieces Every Woman Should Own

Now, there’s investment fashion pieces that are “non-negotiable” according to Tiff, and you might’ve heard the following items being referred to as investment pieces once before:

1) A great pair of pants. Without a well-fitting pair, the basis of Tiff’s wardrobe would be incomplete. Whether they’re jeans or trousers, make sure they’re versatile, comfortable and fit so well that they look like they’re made for you.

Pssssst… 501s will forever live in both our closets.

2) A chic blazer. Boxy, oversized, or fitted, it doesn’t matter. Throw it over a vintage tee (Tiff’s fave) at a moment’s notice and you’ve got an outfit and a half.

3) A solid white tee. Nothing beats it, and what can’t you wear it with? Tiff’s a fan of John Elliot’s in particular.

4) A Little Black Dress (LBD). This might sound cliché to you but, it’s not. Pick a silhouette you feel most comfortable in. An LBD is still and LBD no matter if it’s a shift, a frock or even a nap dress that hits above the knee.

5) A classic suit. For both men and women, a matching suit that you can break up into separates is key to investment wardrobe success. Again, a silhouette you feel most comfortable and confident in is key here: oversized, extremely tailored, whatever.

6) Jewelry. Let’s not forget the accessories! In fact, one of Tiff’s favourite ways to breathe life into a look is to throw on some jewelry. Note: this also applies to the giant hoop earrings she pairs with any sweatsuit that comes her way.

Tiffany accessorizing singer Shawn Mendes.

Finally, Is Clothing A Good Investment?

To someone who truly believes that fashion is art and serves as a means of expression and individuality, this is a bothersome question. So if you’re wondering about Tiff’s answer, it’s a resounding YES! Clothing is a good investment. Plus, when you’re buying quality clothing, (which Tiffany considers to be the foundation of an investment wardrobe), you can expect a pretty lucrative future in the resale market.

To conclude, here’s some tips on how to get the most out of your investment wardrobe:

When buying jewelry, look at estate pieces that hold sentimental, cultural and historical value. Take for example, a Rolex watch. A pre-loved model you buy for under $5,000 may be worth over $25,000 one day.
Keep an eye on luxury brands (a.k.a heritage houses) that continue to increase in value. According to The RealReal, Goyard, Van Cleef & Arpels, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton prices rose 30% in 2021. These are the heritage brands that will earn you the most at the resale level.
Pay attention to up-and-comers too! Tiff has her eye on the one-of-a-kind Bode (we LOVE!).
Check out resale apps for all the best deals on gently-worn pieces. (The RealReal is one of Tiff’s faves.)
If you’re planning on selling an item, be sure to do your homework. Resale apps and sites like StockX (sneakerheads, unite) can be super helpful when it comes to comparing prices to models that are still on the market.

P.S: don’t forget the accessories 😉

Want to hear more from Tiff? Listen to EP. 57: How to Build an Investment Wardrobe, HERE.

Leave your most wanted investment wardrobe items in the comments! I’d love to hear what’s in your dream cart 💚