DSLR Cameras- body or lens?

I have a Nikon d3200 which I love. I'm looking to upgrade though. I have been mostly using a 55-105mm lens for my portraits. So instead of getting a new body, I was thinking about getting a 50mm 1.4 lens instead. My question is, how much would a lens like that help the quality of my pictures on my Nikon d3200?

The only thing the f/1.4 lens will give you is a shallower depth of field. As for image quality, if you are a pixel-peeper, you might see an advantage. Otherwise, you might be disappointed that you can't tell the difference between the two lenses at 50 and 55mm. The exception is if you are trying to rationalize the cost of the new lens. In that case, you'll see all sorts of ways that it's better. Be aware that If you start taking photos of faces at f/1.4, some stuff is not going to be in focus. Like the ears, or the eyes if the camera decided that the tip of the nose was more important.

Three really is no reason to upgrade your Nikon D3200. It is perfectly capable of producing amazing images using your current lens.

Using a 50 mm lens, two stops down will probably produce better portraits, if you understand how to light a portrait (using a key, fill, rim and background lights). The 50 mm f/1.4 or 60 mm f/2.8 macro will produce excellent portraits, since they do not distort a persons face

If I did not have the necessary lighting to shoot portraits, just buying a 50 mm lens will not do much, but maybe allow you to control depth of field.

I still use a Nikon D300 and D3, both cameras are over six years old and are quite capable of producing marketable images.

Upgrading your D3200 to say a Nikon D7100 or even a Nikon D610 would of course be an upgrade, but usually not necessary if your goal is to continue to learn the fundamentals of photography and are concentrating on learning how to light portraits and compose compelling shots of your subjects.

Your D3200 should be a perfect camera for you while you continue to enhance your photographic skills. This process can take many years and until you are using your camera intuitively, there's really not necessary to upgrade your camera (or add another body to your system)

You haven't had the body long enough to " upgrade ".
Buy new glass. Even a 50mm 1.8 would probably be okay.
Quality usually depends on the photographer, not the lens. I've had photos published using my standard 18-55mm VR lens.

You shouldn't look necessarily look at the 50 f/1.4 as improving the image quality. Instead look at a piece of equipment in terms of how it will further your photography. How will a f/1.4 lens enable you to express your vision? Will it allow you to express your vision in new and dynamic ways that your current lens can't?

You said you want to upgrade. Why? Because you've got some cash burning a hole in your pocket? Or is there a legitimate reason as to why your current gear isn't allowing you to do what you need to do? We've all been in your shoes: wanting to get better gear. But things are changing so fast in this digital world, that you'd be better off learning how to best use what you already have while the stuff that you want today get's discontinued and replaced tomorrow.