Brought to you by Zebrano
Lost and Led Astray Tuck Hem Dress (4XL) and Oval Resin Necklace
Since spring cleaning my closet this year, I have tried to be more conscious of the things I’m adding in. Rather than spending small amounts of money often on things that will wear out quickly or will only last a season, I’m choosing things that will last a long time. Sometimes these things will cost a little bit more, and I need to save up for them – but trust me, the decision to invest in your wardrobe is one worth making.
Why should you invest in your wardrobe?
I can tell that some of you are thinking “but why, Meagan?” and I’m going to share why I think it’s worth it
1. Support local businesses and designers
Buying locally made clothes from boutique designers and local businesses means that your money goes back into the community. Rather than helping a CEO buy yet another holiday home or jet ski, you’re helping someone put food on the table for their family and save for their first home or pay their mortgage.
2. Ethical choices
After the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Dakha, Bangladesh I know I’m not the only one who has started thinking about where my clothes are made, how the people making them are treated and what circumstances they’re working in. There are a lot of designers here who either do everything themselves, employ local workers to make their clothes or make those same ethical choices when outsourcing work overseas. I don’t mind paying a little bit extra for a dress or a jacket if it means that I can be sure the people who made it have decent working conditions.
3. Quality
Lovely fabric that’s nice to wear, stitching that doesn’t unravel the first time you wash it, pieces that last more than a season … while I do have some cheaper clothes that have lasted well I find that it’s the ones I’ve spent a little more on that I keep wearing season after season.
Deeanne Hobbs Arrow Balloon Dress (4XL)
4.Tailoring
This is speaking purely from experience, but I find that brands that design specifically for plus sizes (rather than just upsizing straight sizes) fit better. They take into consideration things like body shape, where you might need extra fabric or support, and what fabrics work best for the figures they’re designing for.
5. Your wardrobe is more personal
When you’re spending more money on something you’re more likely to think twice before purchasing, right? Making a plan for your wardrobe that helps to reflect your style and choosing good quality pieces means that you’re more likely to buy things you’ll actually wear and less likely to get another black skirt that is almost identical to the other six already in your closet that you hardly ever wear. Yes, I am speaking from experience here.
6. Expression of style
There are some brands that feature quite heavily in my wardrobe, and there is a reason that I keep coming back to them. I really love the design aesthetic of those labels and think they’re a great expression of my style. I find that the designers I love have a sense of style that they carry across their clothes no matter what the seasonal trends, meaning that they will still fit well with what I like, as well as embracing what’s trending.
Cashews Printed Dress (24) and HSL Travellers Shrug (24)
Cashews Printed Dress and HSL Travellers Shrug
Where do I start?
Head in to your local Zebrano store (or check them out online). I like them because they carry a wide range of great brands (including some of my favourites like 17 Sundays Basic, Lost and Led Astray and Chocolat) in sizes 14-24 which means I get to check out some old faves and discover new brands. I definitely recommend looking through the clothes and finding things that you like. Honestly, the first time I visited a Zebrano store I spent about an hour there going through what felt like every single item of clothing in store feeling the fabric, seeing how the clothes were cut and finding things that when I looked at them I could picture myself in them straight away.
You don’t need to replace your entire wardrobe, just make those conscious decisions when you’re shopping. Let me know if you think it would be helpful to have a “what to save on and what to spend on” guide!
Lost and Led Astray Swing Dress (XL)
To help get you started with those investment pieces, Zebrano has a special treat especially for my readers – if you sign up to their email list you’ll get a $50 voucher to spend on your first purchase. Such a good incentive, don’t you think? All of the beautiful outfits I’ve featured here were loaned to me by Zebrano, and I have to say they made me feel like a princess! Which outfit was your favourite?
Do you invest in your wardrobe?
Let me know if it’s something you’d be interested in doing!
This post was brought to you by Zebrano. Please support the brands that support this blog.
Photos: Doug Peters / Ambient Light Photography
I know I am probably way to late because google seems to think I am but ….. Any chance of a link to the Cashew Printed Dress …I soooooo need one!
I can’t see any online, but if you contact Zebrano directly they might have one in one of their stores (the one I’m wearing was in the Newmarket store but may have since been sold)
I love these dresses,can’t wait to order.
You’ll have to let me know what you pick out! xo
Love all of these outfits! You look amazing!
Thanks Jana! xo
I love that Cashews dress on you! Looking gorgeous as always! Thanks for a great offer! xx
Thanks so much Sam! It’s so soft and light – perfect for summer 🙂
I’ve recently started investing in my wardrobe. It’s so good when you find a brand that you love (and then they have massive sales!!). I’m loving the lost and led astray swing dress. I’m wondering if I’ve been good enough for “Santa” to leave it under my Christmas tree…..😜
Yes, I love a good sale! And I think that if Santa knew about that $50 saving he’d be well keen – I know he loves a good bargain 😉
I love the dresses I have brought from Zabranos over the years, classic styles that can be worn year in year out, and the service is amazing with assistants willing to make suggestions.
That’s so great to hear Laura! Which store do you go in to?
Just dropping by again to say thank you! The link finally worked so I could hop on over and ‘invest’ in my wardrobe. Picked up a great classic top and a pair of sleeves as a way to extend my wardrobe to be able to wear more of my sleeveless tops when it’s colder rather than with something over them. The $50 voucher made it very affordable – thanks again!
Hurray, so glad to hear you found some things you like Julia! I’d love to see a picture when they arrive if you don’t mind sharing one on my facebook page!
Well written, but as a reader who loves colour and, by choice, choose not to wear black, i would love more designers and therefore shops to stock Colour!!!!!
Hey Justine, there are loads of gorgeous colours at Zebrano! I wear (mostly) black because I prefer it, which is why I’ve shown black outfits here, but two labels I think you should check out are Chocolat and Mela Purdie, both have some really beautiful colours in their collections this season xo
I love the cashews dress. I might need to get one as a Christmas present to myself. Actually I love all of the outfits in this post. I’m definitely going to remember the zebrano website
That’s a brilliant idea Mel! Make sure you sign up to the newsie to nab that $50 to put towards the dress! x
Love the Lost and Led Astray dress on you – perfect in every way 🙂 Just wondering if it’s me but none of your Zebrano links seem to be working?
Thanks Julia! All the links seem to be working fine for me, but give this one a go and fingers crossed it works! If not, let me know if you’re you trying to click through from a mobile or a computer and what browser you are using xx
Looks like it’s all behaving now – issue seemed to be with the website rather than your end 🙂
Phew! Glad that was sorted, it must have been a bit overwhelmed for a bit there 😉
I can’t get into the zebrano link😂😂
That’s weird Janne, it’s working okay for me? Try this one xx
Love the hem tuck dress the most.
They all look really great on you.
This is a really great post – I actually need to make an effort to dress better.
I would find a ‘what to splurge and what to save on’ article or guide really helpful.
What about an article of staple classic wardrobe items and a comparison of each showing the same or similar item as a splurge or save, to show everyone options for different budgets.
😊
Thanks Michelle! I don’t “dress up” all the time (I’m totally one of those people who does non-active things in their activewear!), but when I do it makes me feel so good! I think it helps to change my mindset, maybe? And thanks for the article ideas, I can definitely put those together! xo
I love this idea Michelle
I would love to support local shops but here in Rotorua we don’t really have a lot of choice. I don’t invest in clothes I change my style every season lol. I did love a skirt on the website but at over $250 I certainly couldn’t justify that price. I also try and purchase where I can, clothes that are not made in sweat shops, Old Navy in the States is one of the worse shops out there for sweat shops, and I cringe every time I see someone shop there on a vlog. Maybe if I take a trip to Hamilton in the holidays I might pop in and have a look at that skirt, might be on sale by then lol.
I think of anywhere in NZ as being “local”, because we’ve got such a small range to choose from here (as opposed to the huge selection available overseas). Interesting to know that you change your style every season, I wonder how many other people do that? I get way too attached to my favourite clothes I think, so I keep my personal style as a way to keep wearing them haha. Make sure you sign up to Zebrano’s email list – then you’ll know when sales happen *wink wink*
I haven’t invested in my wardrobe ever hahaha … I’m terrible.
Just wanted to say that I LOVE the Lost and Led Astray Tuck Hem Dress!!!!! <3
Never too late to start Maria! I love that one too, it’s so nice to wear