Splurgeworthy: Chloé "Filao" Sunglasses

You've probably heard this before, but it is totally true: when you're thinking about investing in a designer item, it's wise to choose something you can use almost every day. Think about it -- dropping a grand on a heart-stopping Miu Miu party frock is exciting, but every time you're not wearing it you're stuck in your old unstunning duds. And really, how often can you wear a Miu Miu cocktail dress? Even if you attend a staggeringly high amount of cocktail parties (in which case, lucky you, aren't you fabulous!), you clearly can't show up in the same outfit every time, no matter how much money you spent on it and how breathtaking it might be.

That's why when you decide to put real money into something real, an accessory is the way to go. A designer wallet, handbag, piece of statement jewelry, or pair of sunglasses can be used every single day. It makes the rest of your outfit look more high-end. And you get to do Fashion Math, which is the only type of math I think worth doing! (Fashion Math is when you divide the cost of the item by the amount of times you'll wear it, thus figuring out how much the item boils down to per wear.)

Take, for example, these absolutely thrilling Chloé "Filao" sunglasses (available at Net-A-Porter).

They retail for $330 -- steep for sunglasses if you're like me and typically get your eyewear at the 2-for-$10 stands at the swapmeet, but actually quite reasonable compared to most of the designer shades on the Net-A-Porter website. But look how perfect they are. The not-too-big, not-too-small squared-off shape is universally flattering; the reddish-brown color goes with absolutely everything; the cutout arms and rose-tinted lenses add a certain je ne sais quoi; and the subtle Chloé nameplate tells everyone that you are a woman of taste and style.

The greatest thing about them is that you can roll out of bed on a hungover Sunday to go get your morning coffee in jeans and a t-shirt with greasy hair, and just by having these sunglasses on your whole look will be elevated.

Now let's do the Fashion Math: if you wear sunglasses every day (like I do), the price-per-wear of this pair of shades will be down to less than $2 a day after six months and will cancel itself out completely before you've had them for a year. A pair of designer sunglasses never goes out of style, so if you take good care of them (invest in a hard case with a shammy, and ALWAYS use it!), they should be making your outfits look expensive and pulled together for years to come.

Further Inspiration:

Click for full-size.

Designer-inspired sunglasses for less than $20 a pop for those of you not quite ready to make the leap. From left to right: Forever 21, Sunglass Warehouse, Heritage 1981.

Chloé sunglasses on Ebay.
Cute handmade sunglasses cases at Etsy.