Love this thread!! My contributions are; a thick leather backpack (hand stitched with removable felt-lined straps and brass fittings, and it is just such good quality. It is the only handbag I have, and will ever have).
Oxo kitchen stuff makes me realise how crap the old stuff was (jug mentioned upthread, whisk, any of their stuff tbf, it just efficiently does what it should).
Some ambidextrous kitchen scissors, made in Japan, unbeatable perfection.
Merino wool items and vintage/second hand good quality cashmere- it isnt bulky, it lasts for ever if you look after it, it actually does what it's supposed to (properly regulates your temperature).
I had a perfect dog lead custom made by a guy who makes leads for police dogs, it's thick bridle leather but also very slim in width and has lovely plaited ends and brass fittings. It will outlast me and the dog for sure! I had it made slightly longer than average. I enjoy using it on a daily basis, it feels lovely and gets better with age.
Good shoes that don't hurt. I've finally realised two perfect pairs are better than loads of prettier pairs which aren't quite right. For me it's Birkenstock, not the best quality but finally something that suits my terrible feet.
Old furniture. If you're picky you can get some astoundingly good things, solid, functional.
Pure linen bedding (bought heavily discounted in a sale) or brushed cotton at a push. The linen doesn't seem to come in the prettiest colours due to how it takes dye, but fuck me it's amazing to sleep on, and gets softer and better over the years. Wool duvet and pillow. Wool mattress. Extra wool blankets :-) My bed is a special place now, ugh I love it.
Miele hoover works very well but it is hard to clear blockages so I have mixed feelings...certainly great suction though.
Zinsser primer/sealer paint. I don't want to do endless coats, I just want things covered.
Seamless wool socks, or better quality socks in general. Make a surprising difference to how I feel about walking!
A proper sieve. Four crap sieves going in the bin over a few years, may as well get the good one and buy it once. Same for charger cables, the cheap ones are worse.
Things I have slightly regretted- getting better quality coats and shoes for kids, purely because of the intention to be passed down, but younger siblings invariably fit different/don't like the style 🙄
Also, buying anything thinking it can be sold on if I don't like it... Yeah, nah. I've lost money that way! Now I have to be sure it's right for me before buying it, no vague intention to eBay it and then be disappointed at the price. This used to make me justify buying crap I don't need ("oh I can just sell it on"...)