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Best Purchase of 2012

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I commented in my WIW post today http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....anta-scarf that my Danier Leather black blazer was my best purchase of 2012. Now I had a lot of great purchases this year - footwear, handbags, dresses, jackets, even a puffer or two. But my leather blazer makes me feel great EVERY time I wear it. I feel like it takes each outfit its paired with to a higher style quotient. So that's why I'm naming it 2012's best buy.

Interestingly enough, it was also the most expensive item I purchased in 2012.

Over to you....what was the best style item you purchased in 2012? Was it clothing? Footwear? Accessories?

Shopping

84 replies

Latest reply was from Sheila

Anonymous

I can't think of a best purchase, so I think it is a reminder to SYC and plan my purchases more carefully

But your jacket is awesome

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Fun question! I have also gotten several things I really enjoy this year but think I just got my favorite thing recently - this perfectly worn in, feminine leather studded belt from sundance that fits my casual lifestyle to a tee. I've been wearing it every day since it arrived since I live in jeans and cords in winter. I feel like I have jewelry on even when I don't! And DH loves it too which is always a big bonus.

http://www.sundancecatalog.com.....y=ourPicks

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Sara L.

Veteran

My best purchase was pair of white skinny jeans. I thrifted a pair of white Christopher Kane bootcut jeans that were too short and then modified them to become skinny jeans. They aren't tight skinny jeans, more of a slouchy skinny which makes them more comfortable. I wore them all spring and summer and even into the fall/winter, although I find the slouchiness a little harder to style with winter shoe styles than I did with summer sandals.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Great question, Shannon. And now let me follow it with one: what style number was that blazer again? (If you have the info handy, I mean....don't make a special search.) Just want to be sure I have the right one. I am strongly considering (if it is the same) in TAUPE! It might be my birthday present from hubs if I ask him nicely....

Now....considering....I made some really great purchases this year, thanks to Angie and YLF. Some of the best of my life so far. Which makes it awfully hard to choose.

Can I name more than one?

The first wasn't even a purchase, really. It was a "freebie" from consignment: a pair of classic trousers by Theory. So why do I name those pants? The quality of the fabrication made me feel so great that I immediately went in search of MORE products from the same maker and bought a sweater plus another pair of pants, and then found yet another sweater on consignment. (And was gifted with a lovely short trench by BJ!) I feel as if this has started me on the path towards buying higher quality, so it is significant.

My Stuart Weitzman booties, for the same reason...and they were the most expensive item I bought all year.

I would also add my Bleulab reversible legging jeans, because they are so comfortable and give me two looks in one!

Mochi

Veteran

I'm not sure....I made some very good purchases this year (almost entirely shoes, boots). I think last year I was figuring things out so much and made some questionable purchases, and this year I don't have second thoughts on what I bought, even though some items were rather pricey. So for me just knowing I've gotten better grips on shopping and my style persona is the prize.

rute

Veteran

My best purchases were 2 moto leather jackets a black and a grey. I've been wearing them a lot

Anonymous

It's this one, Suz (although Shannon got it in the black): http://www.danier.com/leather-.....colour=198|cab485&mc=yes

ironkurtin

Veteran

My Rick Owens jacket.

My Herff-Christiansen LS tops, because I wear them underneath EVERYTHING.

My new "slut dress" which I have yet to air on YLF.

Anonymous

I bought Monty (my python bag) at the beginning of 2012 and I think perhaps that was my best purchase. And I quite stumbled on him, since I was just looking for a bag that would look good with my taupe moto. I knew nothing about snake skin, or that it would be trending this year. I just thought the texture was interesting, the color looked good with my jacket and my hair, and the hobo style looked relaxed and casual. I think this bag upgrades any outfit I wear it with in an understated way. I wish I knew how to recreated the outcome of that shopping trip, but I think it was just serendipity.

I love that leather jacket on you Shannon, and I can see why it wins your MVP award.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great thread! Your jacket is KILLER, Shannon. And it's fun to recognize some of the favourites here from everyone else's WIWs.

It's like Sophie's choice trying to decide between my purchases (and the ones that were gifted to me that were sooooooo spot on). I am Team Bench. This is not a cop out because I just love ALL my new things so much!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

That's what I thought, Ceit! Thanks.

I had ruled out a blazer in leather, but I am beginning to reconsider. Hmmmm.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Good sleuthing Ceit - yes, that's the one!

Suz - that leather jacket in taupe would look STUNNING on you! They must have just come out with it in that colour. Definitely worth considering.

Love all your favourites ladies - such a great variety.

IK - so when you gonna debut your slut dress? Would love to see it.

Mochi - "style personal" is a fantastic prize!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!! Suz, Shannon *and* me posted at the same time. Cracks me up.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Angie - I would say that being on Team Bench is an excellent sign that you have great taste in your items!

Suz - FWIW, I find this blazer style far more versatile than a leather moto.

HA HA HA HA - just did it again Angie!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Red skinny jeans --- and boy, were they a surprise. If you told me last year I'd be wearing skinnies, let alone bright RED ones, I'd have laughed my arse off!

But to be fair, thanks to a lot of help and nudging from YLF, I've had some very happy purchases this year --- new black shoes and bronze sandals, a black leather bag and a floral canvas one, an assortment of knit non-T-shirts and woven tunics and tops... It's been a long time since I was quite so satisfied with my shopping expenditure.

ETA: Oh! I want to see IK's 'slut' dress too!

Raisin

Veteran

For me it would be my new blazer, even though I don't have much chance to wear it yet, I am sure I will in the new year. I love the oxfords DH got me. And I can't wait to get my menswear shorts on this spring! The mustard Joie top was a surprise as I wasn't sure the color would be good on me, but I've loved it and worn it a lot so far.

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bj1111

Veteran

so many definitions of best...

...value, jrew tissue turtles in a handful of colors, theory blue moto and surprisingly, fur vest.
...source of a smile, vintage 2.55 purse, fur vest
...versatility, helmut lang printed dress--worn as a cocktail dress to a black tie event, sundress watching koalas, under an oversized sweater, over tnecks, under peplum/moto/dinner jackets.

really, the best thing i bought this year was satisfaction with my wardrobe--buying things that i love without making price the absolute measure, cleaning out the closet of things that make me less than fab and wearing everything instead of saving it for a special occasion.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

bj11111, you are Team Bench! But I love how you isolated that the best thing that you bought this year was satisfaction with your wardrobe. Very inspiring.

Shannon, I feel like hugging you.

Isabel

Veteran

WOW, that is a fab jacket !

I don't know...I bought tons of stuff this year in replacing my entire wardrobe. I love a red plaid wool LLBean short coat that I got as well as a rose wool blazer with piping from Boden. Yet, the most practical and useful ( and I am very happy with it ) is my grey trench with a removable lining from Nordstrom's. How is that for an answer ?

I can say, that because of YLF, I loved everything that I bought. I gave myself permission.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I've made some mistakes this year, as usual. Most notably buying three pairs of jeans that are too short. When will I learn that I have to be patient and mail order tall pants?

However, I did end up with one thing that always makes me feel good: my Mcginn sparkly tweed jacket. I LOVE it.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I had to think about it, but this year, probably my Improvd woven leather jacket.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Right back at ya Angie!!!

bj111 - you're so right that there are many definitions to "best". Love your items and your satisfaction with you closet.

Fantastic items Manidipa, Rae, Isabel, Amy and Anna!

Phoebe

Veteran

Best buy 2012 was a black lace pencil skirt plus black leather jacket that I wore nonstop.

Anonymous

Mine is my Frye 8Rs.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, this is hard. I am pretty sure I bought more clothes this year than any other year of my life, but I was adjusting to a new size, revamping and honing my style, and having a lot of fun taking advantage of having the disposable income to do it. I will be slowing way down in 2013.

I may have to be on the bench on this one, but right off the top of my head, I can tell you that the Zella quilted jacket, the burgundy Pliner booties (I'm wearing today), my blue leather IRO moto (my most expensive purchase probably ever), and my black Fossil booties are up there. Also my white Vince blouse, the burgundy Elizabeth & James blazer, the Clergerie spatter-patterned oxfords, and the blue oxfords. I also scored a simple black Vince boat neck top recently on one of the flash sale sites that is becoming a workhorse.

My closet is in great shape -- I'm happier with what I have to dress with than I have ever been before.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You are sooooooo benched, Janet

Smiling back @ Shannon.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I struggle to pick just one! SE python and Dave Tate animal print booties are on the list - they make any outfit look great. So are my summer purchases - FS nude cage sandals and Hush Puppies yellow and cream flat oxfords.
My first ever white trousers from Express and white cotton blazer from Melanie Lyne - I felt like a movie star when I wore them in summer! My first slouchy trousers from Long Tall Sally after my mom tapered the legs - I have to stop myself from wearing them every day. Burgundy Naya booties, MK animal print belt, JNY polka dot dress...
I will stop now - should go and sit on that bench I guess...:-)

rae

(website)

Veteran

Oh, wow, how to choose?? Gap BF jeans? Gidigio boots? Zella jacket??

I guess I am benched, too. I cannot decide!

Tina.b

Veteran

Have so enjoyed reading about everyone's favourite pieces and shopping successes this year! I'm agreeing with the difficulty narrowing down to a single favourite item.

For me the ultimate measure of the success of an item has to be how often I'm drawn to wear/use it. So my #1 pick is my black Balenciaga Velo bag. After eight or so months I have to force myself not to carry it everyday. Even when it doesn't match. It is so easy to use, perfect strap length. Looks right with all sorts of outfits and is totally me. Casual yet classic.

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