When it’s your job to shop for, test out, and review fashion pieces, new items are always hitting your doorstep. Dozens of new pieces come across our desks in the span of a month, so you can imagine that collectively, our entire fashion team has tried hundreds of pieces this year alone. Since it can be downright intimidating to peruse what’s out there in the hopes of making a little wardrobe update, we figured we’d do the hard work for you and dish on our fashion obsessions of the past year.
Seeing as we’re basically experts when it comes to shopping, we don’t take our favorites lightly. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that the tops, bags, shoes, and outerwear on our short lists are “it,” and once you see how our editors are styling each, I think you’ll agree. From the perfect button-down shirt that Kristen found to Jasmine’s stunning Jacquemus dress to the jeans everyone needs according to Eliza, here are the very best fashion items we tried in 2022.
First of all, everyone needs this dress. I’m not normally a dress person, but leave it to It girl–loved label Réalisation to change that. The Gia dress, a zebra-printed maxi dress with ’70s-style flared sleeves, is an absolute stunner and wildly flattering. Not only does it fit like a dream, but it’s also proved to be surprisingly versatile (so far I’ve worn mine with loafers, boots, and heels) and a magnet for compliments.
I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to test-drive the bag that the entire fashion world won’t shut up about: Balenciaga’s Le Cagole. I’m not just saying this since it’s the It bag of the moment, but I couldn’t stop reaching for it. The strap converts from shoulder to crossbody, and the hardware adds a cool edge to even simple outfits. Mine was the XS size, and I was surprised by how much I could fit in it.
Like most fashion obsessives, I too succumbed to the mega influence of Bella Hadid and found myself buying a pair of Adidas Sambas. I have to say they far exceeded my expectations, and I ended up wearing them on repeat.
“I’ll admit I wear this button-down a lot—with relaxed jeans, miniskirts, tailored trousers, you name it. It’s classic and timeless yet still feels fashion-forward.”
“Long, silky slip dresses are one of my favorite pieces I wear on heavy rotation these days. I like to dress them down with sneakers and sweaters and dress them up with knee-high boots and an oversize leather jacket. This one from Ref fits beautifully, and the color is divine.”
“These loose jeans have become a staple in my closet—they’re insanely comfortable, have a very flattering fit, and are altogether on-trend. Oh, the best part? They’re under $60.”
“I’m obsessed with sweaters, but I’m not into the feeling I get when wearing a super-warm, itchy wool one. For this reason, I gravitate toward cotton sweaters—especially in the fall. This one from Ciao Lucia has the perfect slightly cropped fit and is somehow both warm and cooling, depending on the weather. Highly recommend.”
“When I tell you that these Prada boots are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn, I’m not exaggerating. I don’t know how they do it, but I love them for it. I got the boots for less than the $1.4K price tag on the European site Atterley (they’re sold out now, unfortunately), but you can still find them elsewhere. They’re an investment that I predict you’ll wear for years. With the boots, I’m wearing the denim Khaite skirt that’s reached cult status, and I can see why. The fit is perfect, and as someone who’s on the short side, I find it’s surprisingly flattering.”
“The Frankie Shop is one of my most-worn brands, and this vest has become a wardrobe staple for me this year. I’ve worn it as a top and over T-shirts, and it always makes me feel put-together, even when the rest of my outfit consists of jeans and sneakers. It’s also the perfect shade of pink that I don’t think will ever go out of style.”
“I’m not sure that I’ve ever received something and worn it as many times in such a short amount of time as I have this coat from Mango. If I didn’t know better, I’d think it was designer given the quality and structure of it, and the number of questions I receive about it is wild. As an added bonus, I also own the matching miniskirt, which is equally amazing.”
“I own close to 50 pairs of jeans, but a majority of them are light wash, so when I went on the hunt for a new pair a few months ago, I decided to limit my search to just dark-wash pairs to add some variety. I found these almost immediately at Aritzia in Soho and fell hard. I wear them constantly and love how much more formal they look compared to lighter-wash styles.”
“If you haven’t tried the Aussie brand Dissh yet, you should, like, now. I saw Emily Ratajkowski wearing this ribbed muscle tank to the airport during Cannes Film Festival and decided on the spot that I had to have it. It’s so luxe and goes with everything.”
“I got this bag a while ago but didn’t really start using it until a few months ago, and I haven’t stopped since. It’s a very ’90s-inspired shape, which feels on-brand for me at the moment. I also love that it’s not super tiny, so it fits everything I need without being bulky.”
“People are always asking me where I got this cape when I wear it, and for a while, I sadly had to tell them it’s sold out everywhere. That’s completely changed, as COS has restocked it, and I’m so excited. It’s the perfect transitional piece of outerwear that I wear in both fall and spring and absolutely love.”
“This just might be the most beautiful leather jacket to ever walk into my life. The quality is insane, and every single detail has me hooked. The oversize-leather-jacket moment that’s happening right now is fun, but sometimes it’s a bit too edgy for me. That’s why this polished piece is perfect, when I travel, I always bring it along.”
“I’m wearing these pants as we speak because they’re that good. They just might be the best cargo pants I’ve ever seen or worn, and I’m obsessed. Cargos may be very popular, but they haven’t peaked quite yet, so I’ll continue to buy into the trend for many months to come.”
“My bag wardrobe is where I invite maximalism, and this bag has quickly become my favorite. It is the perfect accent color for my neutral looks and has a fun texture guaranteed to liven up any outfit.”
“These jeans have quickly become the holy-grail piece in my closet. From the luxe denim to the relaxed fit, they are a certified staple for seasons to come.”
“When it comes to great tailored items, I always turn to The Frankie Shop. While I’ve been collecting plenty of pieces over the past few years, I’ve been telling everyone to get the Gelso suiting. These pants are so good that I own them in multiple shades.”
“I live for great staples that I can wear and rewear in a million different looks. The best one I’ve added to my wardrobe this year, by far, is this Hommegirls piece. It’s crisp so holds its shape better than any others in my closet and has the perfect slightly oversize fit.”
“I generally wear under-$100 Levi’s jeans, which I consider to be the gold standard in denim, so I don’t usually splurge on pricier pairs. That being said, Khaite’s Danielle jeans (a favorite of Kendall Jenner) deserve all of the hype.”
“I’m obsessed with this Veronica Beard army jacket. The shoulder pads give it a sharp look, and the gold buttons and cargo pockets are also beautifully done. It’s officially my new favorite thing to wear with my old reliable jeans-and-tee outfits.”
“In my opinion, a little white dress is just as important as a little black dress. I’m in love with my Waimari dress because it’s full of handmade, intricate lace details that make it really special. Plus, Waimari employs talented female artisans, enabling them to provide for their families in Colombia.”
“If you’re looking for a versatile outerwear investment this season, this pick is chic with a capital C. There’s a reason it is selling out quickly. The scarf coat is a major trend that somehow feels classic and current at the same time. Plus it’s removable, so you get two looks in one.”
“I wore this top for my rehearsal dinner before my wedding, and since then, I have found I wear it pretty frequently for an ‘occasion’ top. It’s expensive, but I’m glad I had the wedding as an excuse to splurge on it because it has become so utterly useful for dressy situations. It has quite an intense corset on the inside, so you feel quite sculpted and held in, and I love the puffy 3D element on the bust. Best of all, it is a true compliment magnet!”
“I got this top and bottom from Lunya at an Air Milkshake gifting suite. Despite having way too many pajamas already, it has secured the top slot as my favorite set for sleeping. The material is so crisp yet soft, which is perfect for keeping me cool as I sleep.”
“I own a ton of Staud pieces (way too many to count), but this suede shoulder bag is one of the best I’ve gotten all year. First, let me say that this bag is as beautiful in person as it is online. Everything about it, from the suede to the woven handle to the shape, is just divine. It’s become my new favorite everyday bag to wear with everything and is the perfect goldilocks size where it’s not too big nor too small.”
“I’ve been a simp for Jacquemus for a long time now, but it wasn’t until this year that I branched out of buying accessories and invested in a ready-to-wear piece from the brand. It was hard to decide which piece to buy, but I took a leap after finding this dress on sale, and I’m so grateful I did. While I was nervous about the sizing at first, once I slipped it on, I realized it was probably one of the most flattering dresses I’ve ever worn. From the hip cutout to the halter neckline, every inch of this dress is magnificent and was well worth every dollar.”
“My little Gucci bag was one of my splurges this year. I’m so obsessed with the shape and the navy print. I use it every single time I go out.”
“I basically live in Anine Bing sweatshirts. I probably wear my styles at least three times per week. They’re so comfortable and cool—always worth it.”
“I bought these black Saint Laurent loafers this year, and I’ve worn them so many times. They’re classic and chic. (I adore the shape.) I actually got them on sale on Italist (great designer discounts). While they were certainly an investment, the cost per wear is so strong.”
“The Abercrombie White Oversized Poplin Button-Up Shirt has easily become one of the most-worn items in my wardrobe. It’s a solid staple piece and pretty affordable as well.”
