Hmmm . . . I bought only 7 items in 2012. I am really very happy with my three new gap supersoft layering tees, the ralph lauren turtleneck blouse I bought at Marshalls, and my two newest pair of jeans. The older pair of jeans and other two tees (more like gear) are good and functional but not quite as great.

My favourite was the dress I bought for my brother's wedding, but the most worn and versatile was a faded red ruffled cotton twill jacket with a action pleat at the back. Am wearing over everything in spring/ early summer!

Shannon, I had to really think about this, because I love most of my 2012 items.

But suddenly the clear winner dawned on me: my OGI eyeglasses. I've worn glasses my whole life, and this is the first pair I really love. I give YLF all the credit -- I put up four different batches of frames before you all helped me pick this pair. So worth the effort. I get compliments every time I wear them, my husband loves them, and they make me feel fierce!

Hmmm....I think footwear might have a slight lead in favourite items for 2012!

Ali - I LOVE that you chose your eyeglasses as your favourite!

I'm so enjoying reading about all of your wonderful choices and items. Didn't we all have fun shopping in 2012?!!

My green jeans were an impulse buy from the sale rack. I had been looking for colored jeans for ages so when I saw these and they fit, I grabbed them. I've worn them at least once week since summertime.

So many new things, so hard to decide! I have changed my style of dressing for work (casual is encouraged) and embraced a preppier, more colorful side of my personality lately. But so many items will most likely not make it over the "long haul" - say two years down the road.

I do love my spur of the moment ebay red boots although I don't wear more than once a month and I wouldn't' call them a "game changer".

The purchase that has made me feel good every time I wear them (once a week or so?) and they still look great and will for a long time to come is a pair of Jag dark wash jeans. Good fit, classic color, straight leg, hemmed for a low heel or flat. Practical and kind of boring but you can't go wrong when you don't have to worry about your outfit

I am inspired by so many of your choices - great leather jacket Shannon!

Burberry coat and Gidigio boots. The two priciest items I've ever bought. Sigh.

My Pikolino gray suede booties! I wear them all the time, & this purchase coincides with the beginning of my journey with YLF.

So, for 2013, I am looking forward to honing my warm weather wardrobe (my dominant season) & finding a purse that I am as satisfied with as several previous YLFers.

Well, I bought a lot in 2012, and I love a lot of what I bought. But no one particular item really stands out. This has convinced me that I need to focus on fewer, but more special, items in the future. That said, my best group of purchases would be my "collection" of Foxcroft blouses. One of my favorite looks is a crisp button-front, and I finally found a brand that actually fits me and stays crisp with no ironing. Yay!

I discovered dresses from the UK. Never going back to crummy north american stores. ever.

*GROWL*

Probably one of my flare twirly dresses!

I bought a lot in 2012; starting fall 2011 I replaced nearly all my wardrobe. [No weight loss; rather I finally figured out that just because something still fit and wasn't threadbare didn't mean I should still wear that 1980s/1990s/ 2000s whatever.] Nothing I bought was terribly spendy, so maybe that's why not too much stands out. But I went into a total panic when I thought I lost my Target (!) black with white polka dot scarf which has become a total workhorse for me. Of course, as soon as I arrived home with its identical replacement, I found the old scarf. I am a scarf person anyway, but find this scarf unusual in that it is not too hot to wear in warmer weather.

Others around me might say my bright, bright blue fake $28 suede booties from TJ Maxx were my best purchase. They certainly elicit comments every. time. I. wear. them. They have certainly taught me about *statement* footwear! My fussy, bunioned, arthritic feet rein in almost all purchases, however.

I'm going to have to join the fab ladies on the bench. I bought a lot and am overall quite pleased. I've added a ton of blazers (and thus ignored my cardigans) - faves are the Gap Academy (bought in 2 navy/black and black/white) and wore all my colorful Olivia Moon ponte blazers to death (camel the most). I already had BF jeans but have worn them more. I got 3 fabulous bargain pieces - Tori Burch silk layered tank ($28), Kate Spade silk blouse ($32) and my best (but I've only gotten to wear this once so far - below but I plan to wear it a lot and the quality is fantastic) my Exclusively Misook lace skirt for $19!!)
I think 2013 for me will be focusing more on less items (since I have a very large base)

Coming in late as usual, but I've enjoyed reading all the responses and the warm fuzzies of everyone thinking about their favorite items.

I must say that the item that gets my love is a gray and white leopard print cotton gauze scarf that I got at Kmart for $3 on the clearance rack. I have worn it with everything and on all occasions, it is soft but not flimsy, lowers the contrast in other outfit pieces, and is light enough for warm weather. It casualizes a work outfit and dresses up a knit top and jeans.

Second place is a gray with thin black striped sweater, bought at JCPenney for possibly $15? I like it for the same reasons, I think. It always looks nice, feels comfy, doesn't bag out during the day, washes well, and is more polished than a tshirt.

Have a good holiday, everyone! If you are receiving gifts, may they fit well, live long, and prosper.

THANK YOU all for your wonderful responses. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of your favourite/best items.

Here's hoping we have just as good luck in 2013!

Hi Shannon, I will enjoy reading this thread when I have more time.
Just wanted to add my 2012 best finds:
Boyfriend jeans- love their versatility, comfort and casual feel.
George Gross (thrifted) lightweight black wool skirt.
Heaps of jackets and scarfs-love them all!

I can't remember if I replied to this post but I'll do it again:

wine colored leather jacket from Nordstrom
Dr. Martin Marcy boots which I have lost on the subway - pooh!!
Gap BF jeans
Anthropologie green coat with pink stitching
Gap oversized white chunky sweater
Macy's black cowl neck top

My Gibson riding jacket has become a wardrobe workhorse. Although not a purchase, I am in love with the Joie oversized sweater that my husband gave me for Christmas.

Thanks for starting this, Shannon. It's been a really fun read.

For most of my life I carried a single purse until it wore out (or some might say long after...). This year, I purchased two summer bags from a local friend who has a popular etsy shop (blue calla). The first was a total whim bought in winter for summer use, yellow with white flower print fabric bag with wooden circle handles. I thought it would be near-impossible to wear and that I was surely making another dumb purchase - but had to have it - turned out it went beautifully with my boho looks and I learned a lot about pattern mixing and trying unexpected combos. Then there was the better thought-out colour blocked bag in orange and grey faux leather. I knew orange would be in and that I had the perfect grey shift dress. I framed the rest of my non-boho looks & purchases around this bag and it worked out great.
I learned the power of the bag and of special pieces via my beloved bags!
Edit: I just realized that what I did last summer was basically build a capsule around my bag, grey dress and a couple of other pieces I had (tangerine cardi). Previously I thought in terms of outfits, my bag was the bridge piece that helped me think in terms of mix and match capsule.

Gap BF jeans, Paige Hidden Hills straight leg jeans (so much that I went and bought a 2nd pair), calf hair leopard print loafers and an Andrew Marc olive green leather jacket.

SW 50/50 boots, the UK version... Slightly longer than the US version.
( I know, so after the fact, but they fixed so many boot holes)

As far as clothing, I am on the bench to pick just one. I have a few 9.5s: a happy yellow denim jacket, a beautiful orange/red silk scarf, and a soft and comfy cognac leather jacket.

Now that I think of it, my best purchase was splurging and getting my hair colored professionally with high lights and low lights. It is going on 4 months ago, and just now starting to look in need of a touch up.

My best purchases are the two Caslon cotton blazers I bought last spring in navy and taupe. They fit just right, go with jeans and my casual lifestyle and they don't look like office-wear.

Without a doubt it was my Classiques Entier white tuxedo jacket. I wore it at least once a week all summer long. I wish I could find a similar jacket in a winter fabric!

So many good buys were made this year for me, thanks to YLF!
I think about my yellow bomber jacket, my glasses, my heeled goretex boots...

But if I must choose, and on the basis of being a savior in moments of total cluelessness, with a fantastic result, then there are two for me, and they were bought the same (lucky) day.
My black slouchy pants (1) and my black city jacket(2). Both from Guess by Marciano, incidentally.

What a fun read! My best purchase of 2012 (cost per wear) is definitely my purple orchid Ansley Ugg slippers. When I'm home, that's what I'm wearing -- they are so warm and comfy!

http://shop.nordstrom.com/sr?k.....d=60136226

A close second is my blue chambray workshirt. I enjoy it under a sweater or vest, over a light t-shirt, and by itself. A real workhorse for my casual stay-at-home lifestyle.