11 Stylish Shoppers Share Their Latest Purchases

The urge for something new, a boot to reshape your walk or a cardigan to make dinner dates on Zoom more merry, doesn’t diminish because of a pandemic. In fact, our work from home reality might only heighten our desires. As my colleague Lynn Yaeger, a hall of fame shopper if ever there were one, wrote in Vogue’s December issue, “It may seem silly and frivolous and maybe even a little brain-dead to put on party clothes at the end of a year like this, amid a tragedy of almost biblical proportions. But there is nothing to be ashamed of. Regardless of circumstances, the human penchant for adornment, the impulse to decorate ourselves, is as old as civilization itself.”

The proof is in the group of stylish and adventurous dressers Vogue Runway polled about their last fashion purchases. For photographer Acielle from Style Du Monde, the ghost of a Junya Watanabe trench coat haunted her. “It stayed in the back of my mind, so I bought it online a few months later during lockdown,” she tells Vogue. Designer Lawrence Steele lived out Al Pacino in Scarface dreams with new Carrera sunglasses, while Michelle Elie-Meiré scored some new Camper sandals, telling us, “They bring me joy and I’m so looking ahead for better and brighter days ahead soon.”

Even Yaeger has made a perfect new purchase: the blue sibling to a pink fair isle cardigan she already owned from Molly Goddard. “Because I am a very greedy person, I wanted the blue as well!” Yaeger writes. And in fashion, it’s OK to be a little greedy sometimes. 

Here, 11 stylish shoppers weigh in on what they are buying and wearing this year.

Acielle, Photographer of Style Du Monde, Belgium

“The last fashion item I purchased is a Junya Watanabe reversible pleated trench coat. I fell in love with it at Dover Street Market but at that moment I bought a Junya motorbike jacket, that I loved just as much, instead. It stayed in the back of my mind, so I bought it online a few months later during lockdown.”

Antoine Gregory, Stylist and Founder of Black Fashion Fair, New York

“The last purchase I made was a custom look from Theophilio by Edvin Thompson. Edvin Thompson is one of my favorite emerging designers right now, and I really wanted to own something from his label. We worked together on perfecting the pant slit specifically for my boots! I also had the idea of having the pieces embroidered with my initials. I love that the pieces work great together or as separates. This is actually my second set I’ve purchased from the label. I wore this look to my friend Symphony’s baby shower—She’s here! Hi Nova! We were asked to wear brown, I wore Theophilio.”

Brandice Daniel, CEO and Founder of Harlem’s Fashion Row / ICON360, New York

“The last item I purchased was the pear green Raffe dress from Andrea Iyamah. I had a video shoot coming up for a new project and wanted something that felt unique and luxe. Now that I’m sharing it here, I’ll have to find a new piece to wear for the shoot. I love purchasing from Black designers. About 80% of my closet is by black designers; however, I had never shopped Andrea Iyamah. I love the dress, and the fabric is beautiful.”

Michelle Elie-Meiré, Designer, Koln

“The last thing I bought are two pairs of Camper Lab bright sandals with matching socks. I bought them at Camper Milan shop. I need a bit of summer and spring feelings during this winter and current world crisis. They bring me joy and so looking ahead for better and brighter days ahead soon. My third item [I bought recently] is the ‘Wig Necklace’ from the Comme des Garçons Hommes collection. I love them so much that I am waiting to get two other colors, such as purple and blonde. This necklace is such a fun and humorous piece that everyone has a comment or reaction to it. It brings definitely a smile to everyone but especially me.”

Lawrence Steele, Designer and Creative Director of Apesi, Milan