These 20 Items Were My Best Fashion Buys of 2018

If you follow me on my Instagram, @kristenmarienichols, you know that I regularly post photos of the outfits I’m wearing and the new pieces that have landed in my closet. Yep, that means I’m snapping photos of the looks I’m wearing to the office, running around L.A. on the weekend in, and packing into my suitcase for travels overseas.

As 2018 is coming to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the best fashion buys I’ve made over the last year. You know, the items I’ve worn again and again and can’t imagine not owning. After thinking back on the pieces I’ve been revisiting constantly, I narrowed it down to my top 20 fashion buys. I’ve organized them by category so you can scroll down to see my top picks from dresses and skirts to bags and shoes—and everything in between. Ahead, see which pieces made the cut and landed on the list for my best fashion buys of 2018, and then shop them for yourself.

DRESSES

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Réalisation's pieces dominated my closet this year.

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Yes, another dress from Réalisation.

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Hello, feathers.

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

This affordable piece is the perfect LBD.

SKIRTS

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This Réalisation skirt proved to be the skirt of 2018.

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Can you tell I've been really into slip skirts?

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But also logo prints. How good is this Gucci skirt?

PANTS

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Leopard is one trend I was 100% behind this year.

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

I test out new denim all of the time, but these J Brand jeans were my favorite of the year.

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

I'm very into the high waist and wide leg.

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

These pants from I.Am.Gia were one of my most worn pieces this year. Since utility pants will be big in 2019, they'll carry me into the spring.

TOPS

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Yep, 2018 was the year of square necklines.

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My Jacquemus obsession hit a high this year.

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Ciao Lucia is another brand I fell in love with in 2018.

SHOES

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Everything By Far designs instantly lands on my wish list. These boots were one of my best recent purchases.

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

These shoes take classic pumps and make them feel 10 times cooler.

BAGS

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Dior re-released its iconic saddle bags, and I was quick to hop on the trend by ordering a vintage '90s version.

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

This Tory Burch bag became my new everyday bag.

SWIMSUITS

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

I live in L.A., so swimsuits are a wardrobe essential. Matteau designs beautiful pieces, and this high-waisted style is so timeless.

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I also love one-pieces, and Monday Swimwear designs the best minimal versions.

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Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.