Layton Williams: Excluding property, what is the most expensive thing you have ever bought? — FLAPSS

The question

Excluding property, what is the most expensive thing you have ever bought?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

The Guardian's weekly The Q&A repeatedly uses this standing prompt, with minor contractions and word-order variation.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

LW

Layton Williams

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

A Vivienne Westwood & Burberry two-piece suit I bought for a press night. At the time I was: “Yeah, of course I’m going to be a 30-inch waist for the rest of my life.” Now the trousers don’t fit.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 December 2024 source ↗

Others on this question

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In 1992 I was in New York, and somebody showed me a work by Louise Bourgeois. I never realised that sculpture could move me, and I was so affected by this piece that I bought it. It was a lot of money.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 December 2024 source ↗

Hayley Atwell British American actress

Legal advice. It was worth it. Know your rights.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 December 2018 source ↗

A hand-painted beaded dress from New York. It weighs about 16lb and cost me £4,000, 30 years ago.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 August 2025 source ↗

Maya Jama British television and radio presenter

My Birkin bags, which I plan to pass on to my future children.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 June 2023 source ↗

More from Layton Williams

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Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

Bad personal hygiene.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 December 2024 source ↗

Question What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? Failure & regret

Racial and homophobic slurs – the F- and N-words. When I moved to London, people screamed the F-word from their cars, and that stings.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 December 2024 source ↗

Question What one change would most improve the quality of your daily life? Daily life

An extra day in the week when no one can contact you.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 December 2024 source ↗

Question How would you sum yourself up in three words? Identity & self

Fun, fab and fearless.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 December 2024 source ↗

Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

Falling flat on my face in Billy Elliot on Boxing Day when I was 14. I fell smack bang at the end of my number. I was mortified.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 December 2024 source ↗

Question What do you believe happens when we die? Death & what remains

I really hope there is a big pearly gate.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 December 2024 source ↗

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