There comes a time in every woman’s life when the endless pile of clothes bought in high school and college no longer fits in with the rest of your wardrobe. For too many years, I’ve been a victim of ill-fated, short-lived trends that exploded in popularity when I was 16 or 17, only to buy a few of-the-moment pieces and never wear them again. No shame, though. It happens to the best of us.
Now that I’ve moved into my post-graduate life filled with electricity bills, taxes, and office happy hours, I’ve realized the importance of building a wardrobe that’s meant to last. While I’m the first person to hop on a trendy style or ultra-cool garment, buying investment pieces just as I’m entering adulthood is one of the smarter moves I’ve made so far. Not only are they made of quality materials made to last, but they’re also timeless. I won’t need to swap them out every season, and I’ll be saving money in the long run. As a fashion-obsessed editor who loves to spend her paycheck on cute clothing more than anything, these purchases were at the top of my list when I began upgrading my wardrobe after college.
Scroll through to see all the Gen Z–friendly pieces I’ve added to my closet that are sure to last me a lifetime.
Ever since the Super World puffer jackets exploded on TikTok last winter, I knew I needed a solid jacket to add to my repertoire. I’m a puffer-jacket purist, and after searching far and wide for the best one, the Super World puffer tops my list. Although I haven’t snagged this one quite yet, a cozy puffer jacket was one of the first pieces I bought after moving to New York City for my first job.
Growing up, I always valued a good watch. My mother always wore a watch from my grandmother, who also had it passed down from her mother. Although it isn’t mine just yet, I’ve been obsessed with watches from an early age. They’re the one accessory that truly goes with everything, no matter the occasion. Besides, carrying a chic, sophisticated timepiece always makes me feel incredibly cool at the office.
I always joke that a girl turns into a woman when she buys her first pair of trousers. Thanks to the Matilda Djerf effect, oversize yet sleek tailored trousers are all anyone can talk about now. To be honest, though, straight-leg trousers were around long before today’s style tastemakers decided they were cool. For one, they go with everything. I have two pairs of Reformation’s signature Mason Pants, and I wear them at least once a week.
When I began to build my post-collegiate wardrobe, there was one brand I knew I wanted to invest in right away: The Row. The label is celebrated by fashion people everywhere thanks to designers Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsens’s commitment to high-quality, luxurious textiles and construction. I managed to get a cashmere-blend sweater from The Row on sale earlier in the fall, and I’ve been wearing it ever since. If you buy one sweater this year, let it be a cashmere one.
Nothing is as timeless as medium-wash denim. I’ve always gravitated toward the neutral tone all throughout my life, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve bought thicker, more durable denim that doesn’t rip or snag after being worn more than five times.
White sneakers are still my go-to now that I’m fully adulting, but instead, I’ve traded my overly chunky sneakers from 2017 for sleek, low-profile leather shoes like these from Saint Laurent. They’re still comfortable and familiar but elevated to a point that I feel put-together when wearing them with a pair of slacks and a nice coat.
Just because something is an investment piece doesn’t mean it has to be boring. In the spirit of Gen Z, I’ve been obsessed with wearing fun, colorful sweaters alongside chic neutrals to spice up my outfit and revel in my youth. I love printed knitwear, and after buying this floral cardigan by Sandy Liang, I feel like the main character.
