How Designer Labels Elevate the Everyday Staples

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A smart woman once said that it is best to invest in the basics. I think that woman was my mother; I can’t tell because this advice has been repeated in every other style guide I’ve come across. As trends change faster than the next iPhone upgrade, good basics stay with us. With every mood and wardrobe change, basics remain and help us get through a lot.

The reliability of everyday pieces are what makes them worth the money. Last year, luxury basics became the buzzword as fashion veered away from being flashy. As the seasons progressed, luxury basics went into overdrive. The simplest item became the biggest luxury find. How did it happen? Let’s chalk it up to branding. Let’s chalk it up to the need to show off how the ultimate luxury is the ability to drop big cash on something that’s so basic.

Louis Vuitton Eye-Trunk Phone Case

Hoarding cute phone cases is just what some of us love to do. With the different designs out there, it’s a treat to get one and it doesn’t hurt how they help your phone be scratch-free. Louis Vuitton caught on to this with their Eye-Trunk cases. By incorporating their signature cases and designs to the phone case, they didn’t hesitate to put a $5,500 price tag.

Gucci embellished printed cotton T-shirt

It’s made of 100 percent cotton, which makes for a good t-shirt. Other than that, it’s a $1,750 shirt. I think you can make a downpayment for a house with that money. The magic trick of Gucci was how it brought back a vintage print. It feeds on the fascination that the rebirth of the brand has enjoyed under Alessandro Michele.

Vetements x Champion Cotton Sweatshirt

Nostalgia plays a part on why Vetements’ collab with Champion justified a 409 Euro price tag. As a kid, I saw my dad sport Champion sweatshirts whenever he could. They were comfortable and you didn’t care if they got stained. I wonder where that shirt could be and if I can still revive it for use.

Christian Louboutin Bip Bap Strass

When the shoe brand known for pretty but very uncomfortable shoes makes sneakers, you pay attention. The contradiction these sneakers provide against the Loubotin stilettos is what makes them unique. With crystal embellishments, it’s been described perfect for an off-duty style. Off-duty supermodel, I guess, as you have to drop around $1,600.

Supreme Brick

This isn’t a clothing item but it is a basic when you need to make a house. How did Supreme get away with selling a brick with just a logo on it? “It’s become a bit of a running joke in the streetwear community, and it’s a great way for Supreme to mock (and validate) haters’ claims that people will buy anything with a Box Logo on it,” HighSnobiety writes about the brick. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is.

 

Art by Dorothy Guya

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