We've Collectively Tried Hundreds of Items in 2022—These Are Easily the 32 Best
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.
"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."
"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."
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"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."
"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."
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"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."
"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."
Next: The 17 Celebrity Outfits of 2022 That Will 100% Go Down in Fashion History
Anna is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who has been a member of theBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing team for over seven years, having begun her career in L.A. at brands like Michael Kors and A.L.C. As an editor, she has earned a reputation for her coverage of breaking trends, emerging brands, luxury shopping curations, fashion features, and more. Anna has penned a numberBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing cover interviews, including Megan Fox, Julia Garner, and Lilly Collins. She also leads the site’s emerging travel vertical that highlights all things travel and lifestyle through a fashion-person lens.
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