If you’re thinking of getting into sustainable fashion, one of the easiest ways to do start is to simply wear everything more. To help with that, I wanted to share the best investment pieces in my wardrobe. I’ve been actively curating my clothes with sustainable and second-hand garments for almost 10 years now, and these 12 items really are the items I wear over and over and over…
What Counts As Investment Pieces?
From the name, you might think an ‘investment piece’ is an expensive item that will hold its value in your wardrobe. And sure, maybe, if you’re in the 1% and want to buy a Birkin. And don’t let fashion marketers fool you! Many ads and advertorials will call certain garments ‘investment pieces’ because they’re a little pricier but will easy to wear regularly. This is not my definition.
To me, the true meaning of an investment piece is an item of clothing that you will wear religiously – one that becomes part of your base wardrobe rotation. Maybe even part of your identity.
The best thing about investing in investment pieces is that you’ll feel more confident in what you wear everyday, and conversely, you’ll stop feeling the pressure to shop. Now, you likely already have a few investment pieces. Maybe the pair of jeans you always reach for. Or the oversized blazer you throw on over everything. Before you start shopping, look to your wardrobe and think about what you’re already wearing on repeat. Then build from there.
I don’t prescribe to a capsule wardrobe, or even dictating that you buy the same items in this list. Instead, start by sussing out your style. What makes you feel confident when you wear it? What shapes do you love? How do you want your body to look and feel? And most of all – what feels easy to wear? Investment pieces are less about the money spent on them, and instead about the value you receive from them. Many of the items on my list have been worn 50-100 times, transcending trends and staying in rotation for years.
Put simply, investment pieces are the workhorses of our wardrobes. These are the items that cost pennies per wear.
The Best Investment Pieces In My Wardrobe
I originally wrote this post in 2021, and I’m back in 2025 to give it an update. Of the 10 items I shared last time, 9 of them are still in rotation! The one item I have switched out are my Chelsea boots – these have been replaced by my black Grenson boots, which are similar, but instead are now titled as black boots. I’ve also added two more items that I’ve worn over and over in the past few years.
1. Black Underwear
Ok, let’s start with the basics. Underwear doesn’t tend to be counted in capsule wardrobes and investment piece round-ups, but I really think it should be.
I prefer black underwear because it looks more flattering than the random peach tones of high street sets. As someone who tends to wear dark colours, I rarely need underwear that blends in. So, I go for black!
I tend to wear comfortable sets from Boody, Organic Basics*and mix and match depending on what’s easy to reach in my drawer. I also love this set from Wildness – it’s completely plastic free and provides comfort and support in equal measure.
2. Black T-shirts
Underwear on, I’ll usually grab a black t-shirt to throw on top. This is my uniform: a black t-shirt and jeans. As much as I enjoy dressing, I also like to have an easy formula to wear most days.
I have three black t-shirts that work on rotation – the best t-shirt has to be the one from Boyish Jeans*, which comes with a high price tag but also is made from 100% organic cotton and is made fairly. It’s lasted 5 years of weekly wears so far! Read my guide to sustainable t-shirts →
I’m also not opposed to buying t-shirts second-hand. One of my most worn black t-shirts was a simple Reiss tee that I found in a local charity shop. To ensure continued use, make sure it fits you across the shoulders, and check the fabric too.
3. Cashmere Jumper
Cashmere is my favourite textile, but it’s also incredibly carbon intensive. You’d think, as a sustainable fashion advocate, I wouldn’t tout it as an investment piece – but it’s incredibly wearable, and can be long-lasting if you take care of it. This black 100% cashmere jumper is from Everlane, and I’ve worn it for seven years now. I am so particular about hand-washing it and drying it flat, so it stays in perfect shape. I also own a few second-hand cashmere knits, and take just as good care of them too. Read my guide to sustainable knitwear for more →
4. Blue Jeans
Next, an everyday classic: blue jeans. This is not very inventive as an investment piece, but my jeans really are a wardrobe workhorse. Since turning 30, I’ve noticed my shape change, and I find my pair of flared Boyish Jeans* fit me so much better than skinnies or straight legs. These are going on five years now, and they’re as good as new.
5. Black Trousers
New in for 2025: my black trousers. For a few years now, I’ve tried to move away from only wearing jeans. Sometimes, a trouser is simply better. These wide leg suit pants* are handmade by independent designer Angelika Jozefczyk. They featured in my Conscious Staples Edit for Wolf & Badger last summer, and I haven’t stopped wearing them since then. Just like my jeans, these are a flattering fit, and I had them altered to be the perfect length with my Mary Janes.
6. Gold Hoop Earrings
Now onto jewellery. My most worn earrings – in 2021, and still in 2025 – have to be my Little Chubbies Hoops from Monarc Jewellery. I fell in love with these when visiting the Sustainable Department Store pop-up in 2019, and my mum gifted them to me for Christmas that year. These are beautifully made, in a milky yellow gold, and they’re lightweight enough for all day wearing. They’re so good that I gifted a pair to my sister the following Christmas!
7. Lightweight Summer Coat
Another new edition, although in 2021 this coat was new into my wardrobe. Now, in 2025, I’m happy to say it was a fantastic investment: I’ve worn it almost daily for 6 months of every year!
(Where I can, I like to keep almost all of my seasonal clothes in my wardrobe. This helps with transitional dressing – see my recent post on dressing for Spring for more on that.)
I like to call this coat my trench coat, but it’s actually more of a linen car coat. It features a more relaxed silhouette, and feels like wearing a socially-appropriate dressing gown!
Made by Samsōe Samsōe, and purchased through influencer resale site Reliked*, it arrived in pristine condition, and I’ve tried to keep it that way. I take it for a dry clean at least once a year, and I’ve repaired it a few times now too.
8. Wool Winter Coat
In contrast, when it’s colder, I switch out my trench coat for this beautiful vintage winter coat. When it comes to sustainable outerwear, I have a few favourite coats, but my vintage wool coat is definitely my most worn. It’s super warm, super easy to wear with the waist belt, and was a steal at just £20 on eBay!
I’ve since had it altered to bring up the hemline a little (I’m a shorty) and I’ll be taking it back for a few minor repairs after lockdown. It’s definitely worth the additional costs of repairing though – it’s meant I feel much more comfortable wearing it, and will continue to do so for years to come.
9. Wool Scarf
To go with both my trench coat and my wool coat, I have a wool scarf! My boyfriend gave this black Johnstons of Elgin lambswool scarf to me a few years ago, and it sees daily use even now. It’s soft, warm, and versatile. Plus it’s so well made, it doesn’t malt or fluff!
10. Black Mini Bag
Onto bags, and my favourite mini bag, at that. Before getting my second-hand A.P.C. Demi-Lune Bag, I spent a good number of years coveting it. So it’s no surprise that as soon as I finally added one into my wardrobe, I’ve basically never taken it off! Whether I’m popping to the shops, or going on a night out with my friends, it’s the bag I’ll reach for. And in my opinion, a mini bag is a minimalist’s must-have: it’s big enough for everything I need, without being bulky. Plus it looks good slung across my coats, or with any of the above!
11. Black Boots
And finally, let’s not forget shoes. I tend to only really reach for two pairs of footwear, and if it’s a shoe kind of day, it’ll be my Grenson Nanette Boots. These were an upgrade on my Dr. Martens 1460 Boots, and I’ve worn them at least twice-weekly for the past five years. They require barely any maintenance – just a quick clean and polish every now and again – and I know I can easily replace the soles or laces when the time comes.
12. White Sneakers
…And if it’s not a shoes kind of day, it’s a sneakers kind of day. My trusty pair of plastic-free sneakers from Purified are my current pair. I’ve found over the years that I tend to get through one pair of sneakers a year, and I think that’s ok going. These are a fantastic change to my usual sustainable sneakers from Veja, as they are the world’s first plastic-free trainers, and they come with a similar price tag despite the innovative materials used.
Capsule Wardrobe vs. Investment Pieces
It’s taken me six ten years to curate this wardrobe, and I think it’s worth noting that over those years, my style has evolved and changed. And it continues to do so. But it all really started by curating my style – really thinking about it.
The book, The Curated Closet, helped me with this a lot. It’s a brilliant read if you’re looking to suss out your style and get to the point where you’re satisfied with your day-to-day clothes.
I’ve spoken on capsule wardrobes in the past, and I’ve found that even when you buy less, and view your wardrobe as a whole, they just don’t work. Instead, I’ve gone down the path of identifying styles, shapes, and colours that I truly love to wear, which have formed a base of investment pieces.
Either way, I don’t expect you to go out and fork out for everything on this list – instead, I’m hoping it inspires you to look at your wardrobe and discover what you wear the most too! What fits just perfect for you. What you feel great in, every time you wear them.
I’d love to know your thoughts on investment pieces – what’s the most worn item in your wardrobe?
