Here's What Should Be On Your Shopping Wishlist

“Variety is the spice of life.”
Although many luxury aficionados seemingly swore a lifetime allegiance to the Horseshoe and Coco clubs, one need only peek into closets to know the truth! Don’t get us wrong. For bags we seldom think beyond Hermès, Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton creations (maybe a splattering of Prada and YSL here and there). But dig deeper into the wardrobe and you’ll find a number of other luxury brands.

Not sure what we’re talking about? Below is a ‘shopping list’ of a few classic (new and old) luxury items from designer brands outside of the expected, that are a must have in every fashion savant’s wardrobe.

See how many you have… or covet:

Photo Credit: @aline_imaginyourself

The Burberry Trench Coat

The British luxury brand fashioned the much loved trench coat around 142 years back, when Thomas Burberry created a long gabardine coat that we now call the Trench. In the 1920’s, the brand added the now iconic beige and red checks as coat lining. Subsequently, the checkered design showed up on umbrellas and later on scarves, lifting the brand to a cult status still enjoyed. For many, the Burberry trench coat is the stepping stone into the world of luxury fashion.

Photo Credit: @thelipstickthegirlherwardrobe

Christian Louboutin’s Red Soled Stilettos

Who knew that painting a shoe sole with vivid red nail polish could lead to fashion history? But that’s what happened. Louboutin’s gorgeous stilettos do for the wearer precisely what the designer intended – make her feel empowered and confident. Perhaps one of the most widely recognized shoe brands in the world today, and of course boasting of a long list of celebrity patrons, Christian Louboutin’s red heels fare pretty high on the luxury must-have checklist.

Photo Credit: @engineeringinheels

Tom Ford Sunglasses

Even 007, can’t deny how chic a pair of Tom Ford sunglasses look!
Easily identifiable with the signature “T” engraved at the temple, Tom Ford sunglasses are bold yet minimal in design aesthetic. A classic pair, like the Anoushka Pilot design, are a closet must have. They look great on almost all face shapes and complete so many different ensembles.

Photo Credit: @oticakelenlenza

Tod’s Moccasins

Synonymous with comfort and luxury, a pair of this Italian brand’s hand crafted leather moccasins are perfect for our constantly ‘on-the-go’ lives! Luckily, they come in a plethora of trendy colors and a few classic styles that you’re sure to love. Rumor has it that Mr. Della Valle, Chairman of Tod’s, personally approves of every style for comfort before sending for production. It’s no wonder that Tod loyalists include the Princess Stéphanie of Monaco and Gwyneth Paltrow among other celebrity A-listers.

Photo Credit: @rivegauche35

Tiffany Charm bracelet

Tiffany & Co. clearly is one of, if not, the world’s most iconic jewelry brands. So much so that the details of LVMH’s on again/off again/ on again purchase of the company was front page business news. Often thought of for its diamond engagement rings, Tiffany also is known for its silver products. It brought the British standard 92% pure silver to America, known as sterling. As background, pure silver is an extremely malleable metal and needs to be mixed with minute amounts of other metals for increased strength and stability. Tiffany uses only sterling silver for its lustrous allure. The most coveted piece from its gorgeous collection is the silver charm bracelet with a dainty heart dangling.

Photo Credit: @lifetime.tiffany

Fendi Fur Scarf

Did you know that Fendi was actually launched as a fur and leather shop in Rome back in 1925? The brand grew from a single boutique in Italy to a mega fashion house panning the globe. Today, the FF insignia (which according to former designer Karl Lagerfeld stands for “Fun Fur”) is recognized in every corner of the world. The easiest way to don it is to drape one of the beautiful scarves around your shoulder. Available in many alluring colors and fabrics; from silks to cashmeres, you can have a dozen and still want one more!

Photo Credit: @jezicaa_whan

Tumi Luggage

The brand is a favorite of business travelers looking to be understated. The design philosophy revolves around providing maximum utility using only the most premium quality material. With simple and elegant designs, a piece of Tumi luggage is timeless and scores high on every checklist.

Photo Credit: @mdferreira

Valentino Red Dress

“For the Valentino maison, red is not just a colour; it is a non-fading mark, a logo, an iconic element of the brand, a value.” – Valentino Garavani
Valentino’s debut show, in 1959, showcased the magnificent red dress designed by Valentino himself, in a dramatic silhouette. Ever since, “Valentino red dress” refers to any red dress by the designer. Over the years, these red dresses came in assorted styles, donned by celebrities worldwide, including Emma Watson, Elizabeth Hurley and Penelope Cruz.
Valentino was also Jackie O’s favorite designer. In fact, the fashion icon typically wore his dresses for her appearances. Many still believe that no one knows how to create a flattering dress as well as Valentino!

Claudia Schiffer and Gisele Bündchen in Valentino. Photo Credit: @supermodelsfanatic

Saint Laurent Le Smoking

In 1966, YSL designed a tuxedo for women, dictating an entirely new fashion direction for women. This suit is a powerful take on the pantsuit for the modern day woman. It redefined “androgynous style” for the era, proving that a woman can look utterly bewitching in what is conventionally thought of as “menswear”. Indeed, Bianca Jagger wore a white version of the Le Smoking for her wedding to Mick Jagger. Shown without a blouse underneath, in the decades since it was introduced, YSL repeatedly returned to the Le Smoking in collections. It remains popular and coveted by bold trendsetters around the world.

Photo Credit: @fifivintage

Gucci Belt

Gucci’s iconic ‘GG’ insignia remains a luxury favorite since its debut in 1933. Today, the logo shines brightest and boldest on Gucci’s broad belts in a variety of colors and patterns. In fact, the belt, along with its bold logo, reached cult status. So whether you choose a belt with a bold gold buckle or a pearl encrusted one – you are bound to shine.