Investing in designer or high end fashion pieces that will last you a few years is more economical than buying cheap throwaway fashion. With the nearly-new designer shop Retail Skills Academy opening in December, EMMA HARROWING takes a look at the type of clothing it will sell.

This season in the city it's all about investment dressing.

Investment dressing is all about spending a bit more on key items in your wardrobe such as a good winter coat, a leather handbag, a classic pair of shoes and boots, a crisp white shirt, a pair of good fitting jeans, a dress, a jacket that can be worn with anything, a skirt and a pair of 'wear for any occasion' trousers.

All should suit your body shape and colouring.

These items can then be worn with the latest passing fashion craze to hit the shops – that pair of harem trousers that can be worn with your luxury white shirt and shoes or that pair of sky high heels in a bright colour that can be worn with your good fitting jeans or your expensive dress.

These high fashion items can be cheap and cheerful. After all, you probably won't be wearing them in five years' time.

When these bargain basement pieces are worn with your investment pieces, you will look current, fashionable and importantly stylish.

The return of fashion labels such as Biba and the trend for leather indicate that fashion retailers are beginning to cash in on the idea of investment dressing.

Biba is as collectable now as it was back in the late 60s and early 70s, with classically beautiful pieces that you will want to wear forever.

Come December 18 it's predicted that the trend for investment dressing will reach an all time boom, when the Retail Skills Academy opens the doors of its shop in Chapelfield.

Not only will you be able to buy high-end fashion at competitive prices, you will also be able to earn money on your unwanted designer and high-end fashion items.

All you have to do is bring these unwanted clothes and accessories to Chapelfield customer services on the lower ground floor and tell them how much you want to sell your item for. Alternatively you can let the shop decide the selling price.

You will then receive a receipt for your items and will be asked to give your telephone number so that the shop can contact you when your item is sold.

When the shop opens on December 18 your items will be displayed in the shop for up to four weeks. When your items are sold or after four weeks the Retail Skills Academy will contact you so that you can collect your earnings.

The shop will share the sale price with you. You will pay 40pc plus VAT (at the moment this will be 47pc of the sale price) and you will keep the larger share of the sale. All profits will be donated to a nominated charity which will change every six months, starting with Help for Heroes.