Agree with PP—it’s all about cost per wear.
Coats, jewelry, shoes, bags all are good cost per wear items. Although after decades of being a bag snob, I can no longer justify buying $3K+ bags. Those bags used to be $2K max, that was easier.

Anonymous wrote:Shoes in classic styles that fit well. With proper care, they can last more than ten years. If your feet hurt, nothing else matters. Also, nontrendy coats which can similarly be worn for years. I have gone as long as 20 years with both.

This.

I refuse to buy cashmere sweaters anymore. Even the $500 ones are garbage and lose their shape and never last more than 2 seasons.

I spend on high end shoes intended for special occasions or just more fashionable events and coats. I think cheap coats are the worst look.

DC women generally are so poorly put together. It doesn't take many high end items that will last year's to put together a respectable wardrobe. Instead everyone here wears $50 tjmaxx and Ann Taylor loft dresses thinking no one notices.

Tailoring

Wool sweaters. I have become obsessed with Babaa sweaters

Bras

Purses, apparently, from the $70,000 purse hoarder therapy thread.

I would say a nicely tailored, lined suit in some sort of silk.

Flattering glasses if you wear them. Worth paying more to get the best.

Minimize cost per use

Coats
Shoes
Cashmere sweaters
Bags

Anonymous wrote:Shoes in classic styles that fit well. With proper care, they can last more than ten years. If your feet hurt, nothing else matters. Also, nontrendy coats which can similarly be worn for years. I have gone as long as 20 years with both.

This! I have a black cashmere coat that I purchased at Harrods in London 22 years ago for 800 pounds, and it is still in immaculate condition, nothing stick to it, and every winter I am getting so many complements for it.

Anonymous wrote:Cashmere sweaters! Huge difference between a $100 sweater and a $500 sweater.

Was just going to say this. Note that you have to spend a lot to get over the hump though - $200 or $270 Vince sweater is just a rebranded $99 Quince.

Agree that ~$500 is a good rule of thumb for quality that will last decades

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shoes in classic styles that fit well. With proper care, they can last more than ten years. If your feet hurt, nothing else matters. Also, nontrendy coats which can similarly be worn for years. I have gone as long as 20 years with both.

What brands for the coats?

DP. Coat brands that I currently have that are 10+ years old: Marmot, Lole, Barbour, Fleurette.

I have a Patagonia straightforward down coat that is 15 yrs old and a Patagonia ski jacket also 15 years.

Boots and sneakers because they are workhorse shoes and bad ones can ruin your feet.