The 6 Best Things I've Ever, Ever Bought

What I relish most about about repeat-wearing an item is the warm, smug feeling it brings: How clever I was to have made such a wonderful purchase! How savvy! How thrifty! How impressed everyone around me should be! How much of a sustainability warrior and ecological icon I am! It's a particularly special and clearly inflated emotion because tbh, it's something that rarely happens. In fact, I'm the type of person to make a mistake and panic-purchase something (which is probably what I'm currently doing outside of writing this story; after all, fashion week is looming and I have nothing to wear).

But I'm trying to get better at following my gut and not be swayed by trends. I'm working towards building a forever wardrobe, but my personal style doesn't lend itself all too well to classics and basics. I'm more of a psychedelic-printed dress girl than a camel coat–wearing one. So when I do locate the items that magically work for an extended period of time, they become the unicorns of my wardrobe. They're neither so safe and standard that they lack joy, nor so outrageous that they can't look relevant or new season after season, year after year.

So with 2019 heralding a reboot moment for many of us (aka an opportunity to start again with our consumption habits and enjoy shopping from our own wardrobes), I thought it might be helpful for those of you who aren't minimalists to see what someone pulls out of the closet without hesitation. Here are the six best things I've ever bought. (What I mean by "best" here is that they make me just as happy now as they did when I bought them and that they're staples in my wardrobe.)

1. L'Autre Chose Boots in Two Different Colours

Year of Purchase: 2012

Why I Bought Them: It was a pre–London Fashion Week mad dash for footwear that felt comfortable (there's a lot of walking around and being on your feet from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.) but looked smart. I've never been much good at wearing flats or sneakers, so sturdy mid-heel boots or shoes are my go-to options.

What They Cost: I bought two pairs for £218. They were both reduced already by about 50% on Yoox.com (my secret source for shoe shopping).

Why They're So Good: I got them in both chocolate brown and beige suede because they're so versatile. My style has always leaned towards the 1970s, but at the time, it was so hard to find pull-on knee-high or over-the-knee suede boots that looked good and went with everything. And they had to be pull-on because I have bigger calves in comparison to my size 3 feet (zip-up boots are not an option!).

Although these are a bit battered now (see the toe-front), they just look vintage, which is no terrible thing. Everyone from Jeanne Damas to Rockins founder Jess Morris has asked me about them!

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(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)

On Hannah Almassi: Warehouse dress; Danse Lente bag; L'Autre Chose boots; Pascale James earrings; Celine necklace

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(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)

On Hannah Almassi: Vintage Daks jacket; H&M jumper; Samsoe & Samsoe skirt; L'Autre Chose boots; Celine necklace

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(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)

On Hannah Almassi: Harris Wharf London coat; H&M jumper; Obey trousers; L'Autre Chose boots

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2. Mango Trousers

Year of Purchase: 2017

Why I Bought Them: Paperbag-waist trousers with a bit of volume around the thighs are best for my chunkier legs. And no other pressing reason at the time other than I liked them…

What They Cost: £50

Why They're So Good: The buckle alone is enough to lure me in—such expensive-looking detailing is pretty rare at this price point. I had to take them up a little as all trousers are too long on me, but apart from that, the fit is just how I like my trousers to be: a little bit baggy with a flash of ankle. This silhouette might not be tempting for those of you with fab legs who like your pants to be tight-fitting, but they're still a work staple that I wear every month without fail, two years on.

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(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)

On Hannah Almassi: Massimo Dutti top; Mango trousers; Kalda shoes; Celine necklace

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(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)

On Hannah Almassi: Theory jumper; Mango trousers; Mango boots; vintage Gucci bag; Celine necklace

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(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)

On Hannah Almassi: Uniqlo jumper; Mango trousers; Yuul Yie shoes; Celine necklace

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3. Ghost Dress

Year of Purchase: 2018

Why I Bought It: I had been lucky enough to receive a Ghost dress as a gift from the brand's PR team, and was blown away by the fit and feel. Once I find something I love, I like to invest, so I bought another version for myself!

What It Cost: £120

Why It's So Good: I've said it before, but both the weight of the bias-cut fabric and the prints really do result in a quite flattering, easy frock. I love how this pattern and colourway kind of messes with your eyes—it's a statement that's surprisingly simple to throw on. I've worn this dress for everything from barbecues and fashion week to fancy dinners and office days.

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(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)

On Hannah Almassi: Ghost dress; vintage belt; vintage Fendi bag; Yuul Yie shoes; Celine necklace

Related: 13 Pieces That Reached True Cult Status This Month

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(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)

On Hannah Almassi: COS sweater; Anderson's belt; Mango boots

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(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)

On Hannah Almassi: Ghost dress; Diadora trainers

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4. Wolford's Crazy-Flattering Bodysuit

Year of Purchase: 2018

Why I Bought It: I wear a lot of high-waisted trousers and skirts, and often find that regular jumpers are too bulky and/or too long to be tucked into things smoothly.

What It Cost: £160, but I had a £100 voucher for Harvey Nichols, so it came out to £60.

Why It's So Good: I was reluctant to invest in a bodysuit (the memories of discomfort in the '90s still feel fresh), but one cannot compare Wolford's high-tech fabrics and pattern cutting to the cheap bodies I was wearing back then. This is made of a fabric that resembles thick, stretchy hosiery. It's super-sculpting and flattering, and the lower part stays in place.

Celebrity stylist and Who What Wear UK columnist Avigail Collins has always recommended Wolford to me, and now I understand why. I would 100% buy another one of these in the future for the full price.

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(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)

On Hannah Almassi: Woldford bodysuit; & Other Stories trousers; Anderson's belt; vintage Fendi bag; Miu Miu sandals

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(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)

On Hannah Almassi: Woldford bodysuit; Topshop skirt; Kalda shoes

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(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)

On Hannah Almassi: Woldford bodysuit; Citizens of Humanity dungarees; Aeyde shoes

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5. $15 Vintage Suit

Year of Purchase: Maybe 2014.

Why I Bought It: I was in a thrift store in Brooklyn and fell in love.

What It Cost: $15, so approximately £12.

Why It's So Good: This 1970s handmade trouser suit won't appeal to all tastes, I know, but it makes me so happy. There's almost nothing more to it. It just sparks joy.

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(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)

On Hannah Almassi: Vintage suit; Miu Miu sandals

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(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)

On Hannah Almassi: Vintage suit and belt; H&M jumper; Miu Miu sandals

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(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)

On Hannah Almassi: Vintage suit; M&S top; Manu Atelier bag; Miu Miu sandals

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6. Sonia Rykiel Coat

Year of Purchase: 2009

Why I Bought It: I've been a huge Sonia Rykiel fan for a long time and went into the store on a whim just to have a nosey around. As a junior on a magazine salary, it was completely insane that I bought this coat (or anything from the luxury brand) at the time. It was in the sale and I had a moment of madness, encouraged by my then-boyfriend, now-husband, Phill.

What It Cost: It was around the £600. I know. And that was also in the Christmas sale. I was brassic for some time after.

Why It's So Good: Being both navy and black, it ticked a lot of versatility boxes. It's a fairly relaxed coat but still quite fabulous with the asymmetric Mongolian lambswool collar, which is also detachable. It's a good length on me (I'm rather short) and doesn't drown my frame, however, it's still cosy and warm enough to wear on the coldest of days. It doesn't look like it's tied to any particular trend, so therefore, it will last as long as I continue to look after it!

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(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)

On Hannah Almassi: Sonia Rykiel coat; Anderson's belt; Citizens of Humanity dungarees; Wolford bodysuit; Aeyde shoes

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(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)

On Hannah Almassi: Sonia Rykiel coat; Rixo dress; Ganni bag; Topshop earrings; Kalda shoes

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(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)

On Hannah Almassi: Sonia Rykiel coat; Ba&sh T-shirt; M.i.h jeans; Mango boots; Rejina Pyo x Projekt Produkt sunglasses

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Hannah Almassi
Editor in Chief

Hannah Almassi is the Editor in Chief of Who What Wear UK. Hannah has been part of the the Who What Wear brand since 2015, when she was headhunted to launch the UK sister site and social channels, implement a localised content strategy and build out the editorial team. She joined following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine, where she led front-of-book news, fashion features and shopping specials as fashion news and features editor. With experience in both print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 16 years in the field as a journalist, editor, content strategist and brand consultant. Hannah has interviewed industry heavyweights such as designers including Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Anderson through to arbiters of taste including Katie Grand and Anna Dello Russo. A skilled moderator and lecturer specialising in the shift to digital media and e-commerce, Hannah’s opinion and work has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com, among many others. Hannah is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits. Hannah currently resides in Eastbourne with her photographer husband, incredibly busy son and highly Instagrammable cat.