Must-Have Wardrobe Staples: Luxury Pieces Every Fashionista Needs
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Time to read 6 min
Whether you’re in the beginning stages of curating your luxury wardrobe or a seasoned designer collector for years, it’s true that picking your next piece will always be some sort of a journey. It can’t be just a random pick, especially if your goal is to curate a timeless luxury wardrobe. After all, luxury is more than just the price tag and the label — it’s a lifestyle and a mindset that commits you to timeless pieces that will also speak to your individuality.
Now, if we’re talking about building the foundation of your wardrobe, then it’s crucial to know where to begin — and it’s with your clothing staples. We’ll cover four luxury designer wardrobe staples that will make the base of your edit of essentials and at the same time, the brands that are worth your fashion investment.
The Iconic Trench Coat
Image: Burberry
Let’s start strong with the iconic transitional weather superstar: the Trench Coat. While most would easily assume that it’s just a seasonal piece, it’s still safe to say that it’s a year-round companion, especially for jetsetters who constantly need to adapt to variations of weather. Its sharp structure and distinctive details need no introduction, no logo. The way a trench coat is made just purely screams sophistication and luxury.
Trench coats typically come in neutral shades, making them even more versatile in terms of styling. A classic beige trench coat follows no trends, and it’s been proven throughout the decades that it’s been a relevant fashion piece in the menswear and womenswear scene. Burberry is the blueprint of trench coats, dating back to the early 20th century. This reason alone is the perfect justification for why you should start with a classic Burberry trench coat. Burberry boasts a wide array of trench coats in their recent collections, but if you’re curating a tightly edited luxury wardrobe, nothing will ever beat the classic Burberry Trench.
If you’d like to expand your trench coat collection, here are other very strong fashion contenders:
Your Signature Luxury Handbag
What even is a luxury wardrobe without an iconic signature designer bag? Without a doubt, designer handbags are pretty much considered one of the pillars of a timeless luxury wardrobe. It’s also one of the fashion pieces that usually appreciates in value, making them an excellent investment.
Choosing your signature bag isn’t simply about going after the latest trend. It’s not what everyone is talking about on social media or what your favorite celebrities are carrying, but what designer bags are valuable and timeless. Most importantly, going for your signature designer bag should speak to you on a whole new personal level. I’d like to emphasize the word “your” signature bag because the right designer bag will define your own style more than any other piece in your closet. Think of a classic design that can accompany you both in casual and formal settings — something like the metropolitan Balenciaga Bel Air bag or the minimalist Valentino Garavani Vain shoulder bag.
Of course, if you’d like to try something out of your comfort zone a little bit, you can definitely do so with these runner-ups:
The Edgy Power Suit
It’s the 21st century — suits are no longer confined to menswear or corporate attire. In the realm of modern luxury fashion, power suits speak loudly to create a statement without the presence of too many dramatic details. This is what makes a power suit the stunner of your luxury wardrobe, whether you’re a minimalist or not.
Power suits are meant to look commanding with their tailored structure, so for starters, you can first go for something sleek and simple, like a well-cut black suit. A well-cut designer suit is essential if you’d like to incorporate a versatile piece for semi-formal to formal events — may it be a business meeting or an evening gala. Saint Laurent is the leading pioneer of unisex suits so it’s a total power move to start with a Saint Laurent set.
Check out these power suits for your luxury wardrobe:
Image: Saint Laurent
Statement Designer Shoes
“A woman with good shoes is never ugly.”
I can’t agree more with these words from the icon herself, Coco Chanel. There’s no doubt that the perfect pair of designer shoes will always be a part of the fashion conversation, most particularly because no luxury wardrobe is ever complete without them. I’d say you can never have too many pairs of shoes, so assuming you already have the basics like a pair of skin-tone flats or white sneakers, then your next step is to go for that statement pair of designer shoes!
The goal for this wardrobe staple is to create an impact and set the tone of your entire look. Statement designer shoes don’t always have to be visually loud (although nothing should ever stop you if you’d like that!) — the key is to go for something that fits right and feels right.
Take a look at these stunning pairs of designer shoes that will easily amplify your fashionista wardrobe!
Image: Chanel
The Wrap Up
When we talk about wardrobe staples, it’s never really just a thing or two. At its core, every fashionista’s wardrobe should have pieces that truly embrace your character and personal tone. Editing your timeless luxury wardrobe with only the best designer pieces is not just a matter of what lasts for a long time, but also what matters in value in terms of investment and style.
Choose pieces that serve you and tell your story — now that’s what a “must-have” wardrobe staple should be!
Trench Coat: A classic, year-round layering piece that defines sophistication; the Burberry trench is the ultimate icon, with Bottega Veneta and Dolce & Gabbana as luxe alternatives.
Signature Designer Bag: A timeless handbag anchors your personal style and serves as both a fashion essential and a long-term investment.
Power Suit: Sharp, tailored suits—like those from Saint Laurent and The Row—bring structure, versatility, and modern confidence to any occasion.
Statement Shoes: Designer heels or standout sneakers elevate any outfit; they’re essential for impact and expressing your unique fashion energy.
Luxury Mindset: Building a staple wardrobe isn’t about trends—it’s about curating lasting pieces that reflect your individuality, lifestyle, and investment in quality.
What’s the first designer piece I should invest in when starting my luxury wardrobe?
Start with a classic trench coat. It’s timeless, seasonless, and instantly elevates your entire look. A Burberry trench, for example, blends heritage and versatility—making it the ultimate foundation piece.
How do I choose the right signature handbag?
Think beyond trends. Your signature bag should reflect you—your lifestyle, taste, and daily needs. Look for a timeless design that moves seamlessly between casual and formal.
Can a power suit really work outside of business settings?
Absolutely. Today’s power suit is anything but corporate-only. With the right tailoring, you can wear it to events, dinners, or even styled down with sneakers for a more relaxed luxury look.
How do I make statement shoes work with my everyday wardrobe?
Statement shoes don’t have to be flashy—just intentional. A bold heel, a sculptural mule, or even a luxe designer sneaker can transform simple pieces into standout looks. Choose what makes you feel elevated and wear them often.
Andrea Centeno
Andrea Centeno, Editorial Lead for Ellie Belle, brings over a decade of experience as a writer and editor specializing in beauty, fashion, and lifestyle. Beyond her professional role, she curates and styles clothing for personal fashion clients, teaches English to young children during school breaks, and creates handmade jewelry in her mini craft corner. Andrea also shares her passion for beauty, travel, and skincare on her personal blog, shimmerjjang.com, where she writes about her favorite lipsticks, eyeshadows, solo adventures, and her ongoing skincare journey.
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