I Just Tried a Bunch of Designer Cult Buys—Here's What's Actually Worth Investing In

Welcome to The Great Try-On. With spring well and truly in the air, we seized the opportunity to try on the best new-in pieces from some of our favourite brands, documenting the process along the way. We believe that the best way to shop online is to see an item IRL first and read candid reviews about fit, style and quality, so we hope our try-ons will lead you to your most successful purchases of the year.

The first lick of sun on my skin makes me think about what I’m going to wear once the down jackets, gloves and bonnets are no longer required. Does my handbag collection need a refresh? Is there a new jacket silhouette that will really work hard in my capsule wardrobe? What will I wear to work once the cashmere roll-necks have been prised from my body?

For me, spring is one of the most enjoyable times of year to shop, and it always feels like a great moment to make a few key investments. The last of the winter sale detritus has been cleared out and the stores are freshly stocked with new-season designer drops, showcasing high-fashion’s vision for how we’ll dress for the months ahead. And in terms of outfitting potential, spring and autumn are fashion’s favourite seasons for a reason: they allow us to flex our styling muscles by layering lightweight jackets, delicate knits and trending trousers, but without the cold-weather necessities of warmth and comfort. It’s all about lighter fabrics, bare ankles and fresh looks.

That said, whilst I relish the return of more playful dressing, whenever I’m looking at higher-ticket items, longevity is front of mind. Will I love this piece for years, or better yet, decades to come? Can I see myself mending it and passing it to a family member when it’s well-worn? Does the design have a timelessness I’m unlikely to tire of?

So, I hit the luxury stores on Sloane Street and Bond Street in London to try on everything from the spring collections I thought might fit the brief: excellent-quality items with considered designs that feel current but aren’t about to go out of style anytime soon. If I were about to make some investments—and make no mistake, these pieces come with price tags that require serious consideration—the following is what I would buy.

See My Favourite Pieces From My Luxury Spring 2025 Try-On

1. Saint Laurent Tailoring

My Review: Suits and ties have been bubbling away as a trend for several seasons now, but it was arguably the stellar spring/summer 2025 Saint Laurent collection Anthony Vaccarello showed back in September that really put “boyish” tailoring on our radars. The image of Bella Hadid sauntering the runway in a black, double-breasted wool suit, white shirt, black wide tie and tinted shades became one of the most-shared from the season and bumped Saint Laurent tailoring to the top of my wish list.

Just as Bottega Veneta is known for its leather and Chanel for its bouclé, Saint Laurent, the brand which invented tuxedos for women (with founder Yves Saint Laurent’s Le Smoking), is famous for its tailoring. And the suits you’ll find in Saint Laurent stores this spring are truly some of the best we’ve been treated to in years. The Bordeaux-coloured double-breasted wool suit I tried was look 19 from the S/S 25 runway, and the moment I put it on, I understood why people wax lyrical about Saint Laurent suiting.

The jacket is power-shouldered but there’s an ever-so-slight cinch at the waist to give it a softer, more “feminine” shape. I felt instantly confident and put-together without feeling swamped by fabric. The jacket is long enough that you could wear it over a black minidress for a date-night look, ensuring maximum cost-per-wear.

The trousers are my favourite part of the ensemble. They’re super wide and yet so expertly cut that they’re really flattering; the double-pleat front gathers into a nipped-in waist trim enough that you could also wear them separately with a bodysuit and heels for a dinner outfit. I am 5’9”, and they were a bit too long on me even when I tried them with 11cm heels, so I expect most would need a tailor to take some of the length off—a service Saint Laurent offers in-store, but you could do it more affordably elsewhere. The same suit also comes in grey, taupe and black, but the store I visited had just one sample as the pieces have only just launched.

In terms of the rest of the look, the shirt is lovely and soft but probably not worth its £860 price tag. I think with a bit of a trawl online you’d find something that would do equally as well for a fraction of the price. The colours of the tie go perfectly with the burgundy hue, and it’s made of beautiful silk. I’m sure you could style the suit just as well with a tie from your local charity shop, but if you’re looking for an easy full look, then I’d say the price of the tie is reasonable given the quality.

Shop the Look:

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Saint Lautent

Jacket in Bordeaux Wool Canvas

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Saint Laurent

Cassandre Shirt in Craie Et Noir Striped Cotton

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Saint Laurent

Wide-Leg Pants in Bordeaux Wool Chiné

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Saint Laurent

Wide Tie in Medallion Silk Twill

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YSL

Régine Pumps in Satin Crepe

2. Bottega Veneta Andiamo Tote

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My Review: When it comes to investing in a designer handbag, I am personally most interested in the pieces that will still feel relevant and beautiful 10, 20 or even 50 years from now. Designers produce several bag styles each season; some are Instagram catnip, some have more longevity and some you just know are destined to become a future classic. That’s exactly what happened when Matthieu Blazy debuted the Andiamo as part of his sophomore collection for Bottega in September 2022.

Meticulously crafted from fine calf leather in the Bottega Veneta atelier, the Andiamo—which means “let’s go” in Italian—uses the intrecciato leather technique (a brand signature) and is the perfect everyday bag. The original is similar in size to that of a Birkin, although much less rigid and it will fit a 13″ laptop, making it great for the occasional commute. I love that the boxy top-handle design is smart enough for meetings whilst the bag has a slouchy element that gives it a super-chic nonchalance. It’s also very versatile; the leather rope with knotted metal hardware that loops through several holes on the upper can be rejigged to make a shoulder strap or a crossbody, and can even be removed entirely to be worn as a belt.

The Andiamo now comes in a smaller and larger size, an east-west silhouette and a clutch, but I’m drawn to the proportions of the original, which feels timeless. I fell for the deep tobacco-brown colour because it’s deep and dark and thus will go with everything, but it feels more interesting and luxe than black. The brand has also just released the bag in an ecru colour that would be gorgeous with summer whites.

Shop the Look:

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Bottega Veneta

Small Andiamo in Fondant

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Bottega Veneta

Andiamo in Black

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Bottega Veneta

Andiamo in Ecru

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Bottega Veneta

Small Andiamo in Sapele

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Bottega Veneta

East-West Andiamo in Fondant

3. Toteme Jeans

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My Review: Okay, so this one is a recent discovery for me, but as a tall girl, the 34″ leg length of Toteme denim is an absolute game-changer. I am always struggling to find jeans long enough in the leg, with so many brands nailing everything about the fit but then flailing at my ankle. All of Toteme’s jeans are excellent; the denim is non-stretch, the fits are bang on the money, and I think the quality is exceptionally good compared to some other denim in the £250-300 price bracket. They come in regular lengths too, so it’s not just tall women who are catered for.

I already have a pair of Toteme’s classic-cut, full-length jeans in black (which I rarely take off), and I’ve just added this twisted-seam pair in raw denim to my wish list. I love that the dark, almost silvery-blue feels utilitarian but also quite polished and that the fit is baggy in the leg but tight-ish on the bum. The store assistant did warn me that the raw finish means the denim is untreated, so the indigo colour could transfer onto a pale top or coat, which is definitely something to bear in mind. If you’re worried, opt for the worn blue, grey or black wash instead. I’m also in the market for a low-rise, straight-cut pair to wear in summer with a white tank and ballet flats.

Shop the Look:

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Toteme

Twisted Seam Denim Full Length in Raw

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Toteme

Classic Cut Denim Full Length in Faded Black

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Toteme

Low Straight Denim in Indigo

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Toteme

Twisted Seam Denim Full Length in Worn Blue

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Toteme

Classic Cut Denim Full Length in Off-White

4. Chanel Ballet Flats

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My Review: The ballet-flat trend isn’t going anywhere, and when it comes to investing in a classic pair, it makes sense to turn to Chanel, whose cult ballet flats have been a go-to amongst everyone from editors to A-listers and endlessly chic older women, long before Miu Miu’s satin flats pirouetted onto the runway back in February 2022.

The shape of the Chanel ballet flat is dainty and classic, and the contrast-toe tip is a much-copied detail that’s become synonymous with the brand. I am personally drawn to the simpler black styles—this leather-and-patent-leather pair in particular. The all-black quilted style is also super chic, but I found the fabric was so much softer that it felt a little baggy at the sides of the foot. Lots of people say Chanel ballet flats are uncomfortable; I think it probably depends on your foot shape, so it’s best to try them in-store before you buy, and they definitely require a little breaking-in.

The ballet flats run small, so if you’re between sizes, take half a size up. Also, remember to try them on how you’re most likely to wear them; I initially tried them with pop socks and they kept slipping off, then once I lost the socks, the bigger size stayed on perfectly and was more comfortable.