Welcome to the fourth edition of Who What Wear UK's Best Wardrobes in Britain. As the name suggests, we dive into the most remarkable, inspiring, and trend-setting closets across the nation. We spotlight women who draw street style photographers' cameras as well as those still flying under the radar with hidden, impressive clothing collections.
Today's focus is on Anna Vitiello and Florrie Thomas of the rising style platform and Instagram account &FINALLY. These charming Londoners became friends while working together on the fashion team at Harper's Bazaar. Bonding over a shared love (or obsession) for accessories, they launched &FINALLY to document their passion. Now you'll see them constantly snapped during Fashion Week, sparking envy among fellow editors for their incredible wardrobes, and above all, being delightful, upbeat, creative companions—we know this firsthand after spending a day exploring their closets for your pleasure.
Read on to step inside Anna and Florrie's wardrobes and pick up some excellent outfit ideas along the way.
Who What Wear UK: What was your first major purchase, and what did it signify for you?Anna Vitiello: Actually, it was a modest item—I wasn't earning much, so I had to be disciplined—a white diamond pavé ring from Greece after landing my first permanent magazine job. Later, my boyfriend bought the matching black diamond band to complete the set.
Florrie Thomas: A Prada bag I got at Bicester Village. It was still far beyond my budget and far from the typical “classic investment piece” (it's a turquoise plaid bowling bag…), but I had photographed it years earlier for a shoot and fallen for its eccentricity. I figured if I still loved it then, I'd love it forever, and so far, I do. It's a “non-classic” classic, which I think is the best kind of investment.
WWW UK: And what was your most recent purchase?AV: Loewe suede shearling-lined boots. I own many boots, but these are quite special.
FT: Some crystal earrings from & Other Stories. They're asymmetric and absolutely fabulous—I've been wearing them to every Christmas party with my favorite Racil tuxedo, following our styling guide for party dressing!
WWW UK: Do you ever regret anything you wear? Or have any vivid memories of fashion regret?AV: I never regret what I wear—I'd much rather have fun and make big mistakes. But sometimes I do shoots or show up to fashion week without thoroughly planning my outfit or after dressing in a hurry. Then I see the photos and think, good grief, Anna, check a mirror before you leave next time!FT: Oh absolutely! It's usually when you see a picture and think, what was I thinking? However, more often than not, I don't regret my choices and love experimenting with fashion, so I'd rather have the occasional regret than play it safe all the time. I also often regret wearing suede when it rains.
WWW UK: Where do you think your obsessions with accessories originated?FT: It's truly been lifelong. My family has always called me “the bag lady” because I'd bring multiple handbags to the playground and be covered in all my (plastic) jewelry while swinging. Once I started working in fashion, I quickly realized that while I couldn't afford many of the clothes I admired, all I truly needed were beautiful accessories to express myself.
AV: I remember walking down Via Condotti every summer with my family in Rome to choose my one summer gift, and all I wanted was a bag or a wallet. They were permanent purchases at a time when I was only allowed one item, and I still feel that way (even if I shop a bit more now) as much as I love clothes.
Up next, check out our guide to the key A/W 17 trends.
Opening Photos: Phill Taylor
WWW UK: What are your morning getting-ready routines?AV: I usually pick a color scheme. This serves two purposes: 1) outfits come together more easily, and 2) it helps me select items from my ever-growing wardrobe.
FT: I'd love to say I plan outfits the night before, but it's mostly quite chaotic! However, it typically starts with a particular piece I'm excited to wear, and then everything gets styled around it. Often shoes come first, and bags last.
WWW UK: Describe your personal styles in three words.AV: Classic, eclectic, and Italian.
FT: Colorful, feminine with a healthy dose of the '70s.
WWW UK: What are you both really into right now?FT: Ooh—so many things! I love mid-priced designers like Rixo, Rejina Pyo, Ganni, and Isa Arfen. I think it's fantastic that thanks to platforms like Instagram, such designers no longer have to rely on being stocked by big stores to build a following. Discovering new ones is my favorite pastime. The same goes for accessories designers. I adore many new brands like Aeyde, ByFar, Danse Lente, and Neous that create simple, unbranded accessories relying solely on impeccable, modern design. For jewelry, I'm into Jessie Thomas's pieces. She's an extremely talented goldsmith training with her father David Thomas (an incredible, established goldsmith), and her work is so classic yet creative and timeless. She's about to launch her first collection, which is beautiful, so stay tuned.
AV: Belting absolutely everything. When it's cold, it's easy to layer and feel like an overweight polar bear. But we recently did a piece on scarves to invest in, and it reminded me that belting them gives them new life.
WWW UK: Do you ever regret anything you wear? Or have any strong memories of fashion regret?AV: I don't regret anything I wear—I'd always rather have fun and make huge mistakes. But I do sometimes do shoots or show up to fashion week without thinking my outfit through or after dressing in a rush. Then I look at the pictures and think, good God, Anna, look in a mirror before you leave next time!
FT: Oh my gosh, yes! It's usually when you see a picture and think, what was I thinking? However, more often than not, I don't regret what I wear, and I love to experiment with fashion, so I'd prefer the occasional regret than playing it safe all the time. I also often regret wearing suede when it rains.
WWW UK: If your wardrobe were burning down (heaven forbid!), which single piece would you try to save?FT: A necklace my mum gave me for my 21st—it was hers, and she used to wear it when she was 21. It's not worth much financially, but it's very special to me. My mum is one of my greatest style inspirations; her love, creativity, and respect for clothes taught me to have the same, and she always looks impeccable no matter what she wears.
AV: My Sergio Rossi boots. I've had them for years, and they still look perfect. My dad says you can always tell an Italian by their shoes (because they're good, I assume), and I wouldn't want to let the side down.
WWW UK: How do you both like to shop? Alone? Together? Online or in physical stores?AV: I browse endlessly online—like window shopping for the lazy. But I still love shopping in places that feel special, especially at Christmas—Sloane Street, Bicester Village, or Kings Road, for example. Oh, and abroad—shopping in other European cities is one of my favorite activities.
FT: Always alone and ideally in brick-and-mortar shops. I obviously do shop online, but I always fall more in love with things in person, and I love being able to try them on and decide right there. I also love vintage shopping and the thrill of rummaging through a store full of potential treasures.
WWW UK: Is there anything you buy or wear on repeat?AV: I develop strange addictions, so it's seasonal for me. At the moment, berets and anything in a terra-cotta hue. But my handbags are always on repeat: right now I'm rotating my mini Fendi Peekaboo, The Kooples Emily bag, and the Chanel Gabrielle.
FT: I have a problem with buying floaty, floral, often vintage dresses. I have more than any lady needs, but I love them all like they're my babies.
WWW UK: What's your fashion outlook for 2018?FT: I think fashion's obsession with '90s minimalism will continue to grow (always with a 21st-century twist—we're not talking about a revival of the tattoo choker). I believe pieces that feel organic and natural will be big next summer, with shells, raffia, linen, and natural fabrics appearing on runways.
AV: It's going to be a slow burner for me: This shoot actually prompted me to really refine my wardrobe and stick to keeping the pieces I love (i.e., those in the pictures) rather than hoarding, so I'll mirror that in my buying. Jewelry is high on my agenda: I aim to curate a collection of special pieces that remind me of this time in my life.
