I got the best Fashion Friday question from a friend this week. So I threw my “Steal this Look” post out for next week and went to work on this completely fun question: If you got a bonus or tax refund which results in some “mad money” to spend on yourself, what item would you buy with $500-$1000 (the rest is going to do responsible things!).
This is when I love to shop for folks! The big budget item! There are four items I would consider spending up to $1,000 on (not personally, but as an investment piece for others): a timeless handbag, a classic pump,or a power suit. (My fourth is a winter coat, but since my friend and I live in Houston, I’m just going to skip that one here.) Let me start by saying that this is the absolute hardest price point out there. I can find plenty for you that runs less than $500. I can also find plenty for you, particularly with handbags and suits, that run more than $1,000. But trying to find something in that median price point is KILLER.
Here are my picks in each category – the key is TIMELESS!
1. The classic handbag:
For a work bag, your best option is black, and this Salvatore Ferragamo is a classic and comes in just over $1,000. However, it doesn’t feel that FUN for mad money!
This Marc Jacobs comes in at less than $900 and also comes in black, but this teal is just so rich. It’s less practical in color and in size but certainly timeless in quality and style.
Finally, this Kate Spade (a personal favorite) is a comparative steal at $468 and comes in black and this lovely ostrich egg color as well.
2. The timeless pump:
I’m sorry, here you have to shop for a pair of Christian Louboutin black heels. For me, there’s not a better option. They are so known for their classic black pump with red sole that they come in five different “styles,” including flat versus patent. They are all $625. This is the shoe to own.
If that doesn’t do it for you, both Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blanik have a classic black heel that comes in just under $600.
3. The power suit:
It’s going to blow the budget but we can’t talk suits without at least acknowledging that the mack daddy of all power suits is an Armani. This glorious black suit from Armani Collezioni at Saks will run you close to $2K though….sigh.
But Hugo Boss is no slouch in the suit department, and this gorgeous navy suit is more in budget at just over $800 for both pieces. I would DIE if I could get it in pinstripe because I think a navy pinstripe suit is the most classic suit of all time, but alas, in my meager search time, I could not find such a suit (if you’re spending this money though, it would be worth the hunt).
If you had $1000 in mad money and had to spend it on one item, what would you get?
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