Some Thoughts on Wardrobe Investments

In certain perspectives - not naming names here but .. my Husbands, investments are all about long-term thinking + what the market is doing over an extended timeframe. Here at HAUTE so FABULOUS it’s kiiiind of similar, ok less about shareholders + dividends or IPO’s + good ROI’s + more along the lines of CPW’s + capsule collections that make your girlfriends do a double take. Like a really stone androgynous look that serves up a vibe + dart placements that work just right. Quality over wuantity, when it comes to wardrobe investments, it is about the chic that will stand the test of time.

Taking a long-term vision when it comes to your wardrobe is key in building a long standing + well-established classic collection that works for you whatever the season, reason or your personal mood or style - all of which can evolve without restrictions. When it comes to building a really reliable wardrobe, I’m a huge believer in investment pieces that work within a vast array of situations + parts of your life; things that not only stand the test of what’s on trend at any given moment but pieces that serve up some major wows no matter how many times, occasions or seasons they may see or be spotted. And within the long-term vision of investments, it’s also about those pieces you trust will hold their value for when you may fall out of love with them or they simply aren’t your vibe anymore. Like I said, we evolve + so does our sense of self. Style isn’t a permanent thing. It’s transient + continues to flow as we progress into a more confident + content or perhaps just different place in ourselves; with that we don’t need to hold on to what no longer feels like us or brings us joy. I have always been selling pieces on consignment + preowned luxury platforms over the last few years with this philosophy in mind + the attitude that I don’t mind investing a little more in what I know I will wear a lot + that will be snapped up in a second within the pre-loved market.

Along with consignment stores or online pre-loved market, something to consider when building your wardrobe is the gift of great sample sales. Sample sales are the best. Earlier this year for instance, I bought two new pieces from a luxury coat label I love even though it was almost summer, I know they will be amazing come Winter. They did a one off sample sale + it was incredible to pick up new pieces I know I will have for life regardless. Websites to consider for luxury items with a discount too are GILT, where items can be found for 60% off. THE OUTNET is one I search on a lot; with up to 75% discounts on premium brands from the YOOX Net-A-Porter group.. what’s not to love!

But whether it’s a straight up new purchase, something with an irresistible discount, sample sales or a pre-loved purchase, some important questions to ask yourself when it’s an investment for you are:

• Is this “me” beyond this exact season or reason of purchase - will I wear it season on season +to many different events?

• Have I thought about it for a while or am I being impulsive? When it’s a big purchase I leave it for a while to make sure I keep coming back to it + am not simply lusting but truly in love.

• Is what I’m looking for available on any of the pre-loved websites + stores who all work incredibly hard to make fashion more sustainable? Do I really need to own it new? Like really!!

• Can I wear it day + night? Dress it up + down? Does it have scope beyond that initial love at first sight?

• Does it go with around 4-5 looks I wear often if it’s an every day item?

• If I do eventually fall out of love with it which is so possible, does it have a good resale market?

Check out some of my favourite ONLINE PRE-LOVED PLATFORMS

Danni Dance of The-Hosta, The Interview

Based in the UK, Danni Dance is the founder + director of - T H E - H O S T A . C O M. Here Danni shares with us her experience + expertise in the luxury market, from designer to entrepreneur as she shines a light on the importance of smart + considered purchasing + how her time in the product development sector led her to set up her own business + brand..

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HSF - Danni, tell us about your career to date, as a designer + entrepreneur..

DD - I worked for over 15 years as a bag Product Developer for brands such as COS, Hunter + Nanushka. Partnering with designers to establish Bag + Accessory collections for brands, manufacturing in Italy, Turkey + Vietnam. I loved my job + have met some of my closest friends during my career. I have so many amazing memories, a lot of travel, not only to the factories but also visiting Tokyo, NYC, Stockholm regularly for inspiration. I didn’t go to University, going straight into working for COS as the Accessory Buying Assistant when I was 21 years old, that was 15 years ago. When I joined COS it was pre launch + we didn’t even have a name. I learnt so much during that time. I have always collected vintage bags + had built up a network of specialist vintage dealers. When lockdown hit it made me pause + reassess. I was finding the constant need for newness in the fashion industry exhausting + unsustainable, the industry had gone from making two collections a year (S/S + A/W) to constant new drops. I also saw first hand the sustainability + ethical issues in the industry + wanted to make a change. I had always wanted to start my own business, so I set up The Hosta last year. 

HSF - You’ve sold a few of my own pieces through your service which worked a treat + I’ve also purchased one of my own bucket list bags from you recently, but explain, if you would for those who aren’t familiar with the concept of The Hosta, what exactly it is you do..

DD - I sell vintage + preowned bags via the website T H E - H O S T A . C O M. It is a curated collection of bags that will stand the test of time. There are some great market places to buy vintage + second hand goods, such as Vestiaire Collective, but sometimes the choice is overwhelming + you can spend hours searching, plus you can wait for weeks for items to be delivered. All of our stock is available for immediate shipping, in the UK we ship via DHL next day delivery. I buy my stock from specialist dealers worldwide + also offer consignment. Consignment means that you can sell your bags with us for a low set fee of 30%. We pay for the collection of your bag + obviously photograph it, market + then if it’s not sold we return the bag to you free of charge.

HSF - How do you oversee the acquiring of new pieces + of course the authentication process of each?

DD - Prior to listing any items for sale on T H E - H O S T A . C O M, each of our bags undergo a detailed authentication process; this includes methodically inspecting each + every element of the bag including the hardware, stitching, material, symmetry, label, code, stamp + overall craftsmanship. We maintain an extremely high bar to verify each of our pieces as legitimate, comparing what we find with the respective designer’s established standards. If, throughout this process, we identify that part of a bags has been repaired, modified or replaced (+ is no longer original), then this will be noted in the product description. We have zero tolerance for inauthentic items. I have worked with factories in Italy that make for most of the brands that I sell. So I know instinctively what to look out for - from the smallest details such as choice of threads + stitch count, to linings + the way the bag has been constructed. 

HSF - What inspired you to develop the brand?

DD - Lockdown forced me to pause + I realised I was physically + mentally exhausted. I was on a flight every other week and commuting from Sussex to London when in the UK. My son was about to start school + I wanted to be more present. I saved up to buy my first 10 bags + then it has just grown from there. I built the website myself, shoot all of the bags in a light box + then photograph each one on myself using tripods. This has enabled me to keep costs low so that I can focus on building stock. I am now up to 80 bags in stock, investing all profits back into the business. 

HSF - What made you chose this over designing your own collection - especially with so much time in bag development over your career?

DD - The fashion industry is almost completely linear, with large amounts of non-renewable resources used to produce products that ultimately end in landfill or incineration. Disposable fashion puts significant pressure on non-renewable + threatened resources, especially water, as well as producing large quantifies of waste, a large degree of which, again, ends up in landfill or for incineration. I didn’t want to add to this + I saw first hand the financial cost of developing collections + I didn’t have the financial backing to be able to do that properly. 

HSF - Famously, Chanel classics tend to increase about 3% year on year in value.. what other specific bags or brands tend to hold the most value over time?

DD - Chanel + Hermes are most definitely the brands to invest in. Always pick materials that last (leather) + neutral colours (black the most popular). The no brainer is always the Chanel Classic Double Flap, especially the earlier styles with 24k gold plated hardware. 

HSF - Obviously sustainability is such an important aspect of your brand, how do you maintain a standard of eco-friendly principles + sustainability in the day-to-day running of the business? 

DD - Our commitment extends beyond just the circular economy, + as part of our mission to further the cause of sustainability, we dispatch all of our orders in plastic free packaging made from recycled materials. This packaging can also be fully recycled. We don’t discount or participate in Black Friday sales. Fundamentally we believe that discounting is unsustainable as it encourages the purchase of items that people don’t need, we believe that this excessive consumption + overproduction significantly contributes to climate change. Instead, we price each of our items fairly, encouraging our customers to shop responsibly. We have fully offset our carbon footprint, including the footprint of the orders we dispatch + the full operation, through the planting of trees + contributions to climate crisis solutions via the company Ecologi.

HSF - Like you Danni, I’m a huge believer in buying better - investing in things that last + that stand the test of time - what advice would you give to anyone wanting to move toward a more sustainable wardrobe in general?

DD - Absolutely, if you can buy less + buy better. Not everyone can afford to do so though, so if on a budget then there are some great market places for second hand clothing. Ebay and Depop are perfect for this. I have a one in one out rule. So if I need or want something new then I will first sell an item from my wardrobe. 

HSF - If you were to curate the perfect bag wardrobe for a client, what would be in it? Of course taking into account their specific style preferences, focusing more on the types of bags..

DD - Good question! A Prada nylon tote or hobo for everyday, I used a Vintage Prada nylon hobo as my nappy bag as is the perfect chuck it all, wipe down bag that I still use today now that my son has grown up. Plus they come in loads of colours. A small crossbody bag for days that you need to be handsfree + can afford to carry less, the Phoebe Philo Céline trio would be ideal.  A summer tote - Loewe basket bag would be my ideal here, needs to fit a towel + summer essentials. Then one classic bag - such as the double flap Chanel - this bag can equally be worn as an evening bag or to dress up jeans. 

HSF - Do you source specific items for customers or do you just select what becomes available on the site?

DD - Yes we can source specific styles for sure, just let us know what you are after + your budget and we can keep an eye out for you. 

HSF - Your style + aesthetics on Instagram are stunning - so dreamy. Where are you most inspired + with/by whom?

DD - Thank you, that is very kind. I am very inspired at the moment by gardening + gardeners. I moved out of London 3 years ago + returned back to the countryside + have loved every minute. I want to turn my garden into a prairie style garden + have become obsessed. I have loved visiting all of the local plant nurseries + meeting the gardeners. I have found that a lot of these people are very stylish, minimal, artistic, care about the environment + this shows in how they dress. 

HSF - What is the one bag you’d never resell for love nor money..

DD - I would never sell a bag my husband + best friend (an amazing bag designer) designed + made for my birthday. I wish I could have kept any of the Chanel bags that we have sold recently!

HSF - And lastly Danni, what’s next for you at The Hosta? 

DD - I want to grow my Instagram following + as lockdowns lift I would love to shoot more + collaborate with others. Although I am an expert in bags I am a novice when it comes to social media + as ever the perfectionist I can always see areas to improve. 

Follow Danni @THE_HOSTA // T H E - H O S T A . C O M

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