10 best purchases of 2024
Today I’m talking all about my favorite closet additions and purchases of 2024. This post is not sponsored but may contain affiliate links.
Happy New Year!
What a whirlwind. For me, 2024 meant two unexpected cross county moves (from California to Utah and then back to California 8 months later). I assume your year didn’t go quite as planned either?
Brands I have been shopping this year:
- Jenni Kayne: As a little “relocation” present to myself in March, I ordered a few cozy things from this Southern California designer. I have been living in these sweaters over the last 10 months and there is nothing better. I love that these are pieces I plan on owning + wearing for the next decade and beyond.
- Auction Ninja: This estate sale auction website has been a browsing favorite. I don’t love the added packaging and shipping costs (why didn’t I know about this when I lived on the East Coast so much closer to all of their estate sales?) …BUT some of my favorite additions to our Utah home were from this site.
- Quince: Multiple Quince pieces made the list and for good reason. If you haven’t tried Quince, let this be your sign. I’ve had a few misses from Quince but have also found some GEMS. This isn’t your standard “we make a dupe at half the price and 1/10th the quality” brand.
- Shopbop: This is my tried-and-true for good quality, on-trend pieces.
- Vivaia: I’ve been wearing Vivaia for the last year and a half and my love for this shoe brand just continues to grow. I also added a bag to my Vivaia collection this year, which quickly turned into my most used throw-everything-in-and-go bag.
- The Real Real: Have you tried this second-hand luxury shopping app? If your goal is having a higher quality closet full of things you love, shopping past seasons of designer pieces to find things that fit YOUR personal taste is a great place to start.
Shopping Resolutions for 2025:
- No spend January: We always do a January reset of pushing pause on purchasing non-consumables (anything besides food or toiletries). I haven’t quite wrapped up birthday shopping for our January birthday boy AND I have a black-tie event I don’t have a gown for yet so there will be a few exceptions.
- Pay attention to fabric: 2025 is the year I get serious about checking fabric composition. My goal is to NOT bring anything into my wardrobe that is not made from majority natural fibers (goodbye, polyester).
- 5 Year Rule: Only add things to my wardrobe I hope to wear for the next 5+ years. This means I’ll buy trendy pieces if I LOVE them.
- One piece, best piece: In an overall effort the reduce our household size (and thus reduce the amount of mental and physical work to run our household), I’m hoping to end 2025 with FEWER items in all of our closets. Instead of 4 pairs of sunglasses I kind of like, I would love to just have one pair I love.
*Best purchases and closet additions of 2024
Moved to Utah + back to California edition:
*I’m defining “best” by a combination of “favorite” and “most worn.”
1. Jenni Kayne Cashmere Coat
Thinking Utah was going to be a forever thing, I splurged on a long cashmere coat when we first arrived.
At first, I saved it for very special outings (a fancy dinner, a cold morning for church) but now I wear it regularly with jeans and loafers in addition to nice evening events. It is beautiful, cozy, and classic. This piece makes me feel like a 10 whenever I wear it.
It is also a splurge and Quince has some similar pieces at lower price points.
2. Dime Beauty Perfume
I tried Dime Beauty Perfume for the first time in 2023 but added a few more of these clean perfumes to my roster in 2024. I wear one every day, without fail.
My favorites are ILYSB and Lovely Sweet Dreams. I need a refill on Dans Les Bois because I layer it on almost everything.
You can read my full review and the ranking of all Dime’s scents.
3. Jenni Kayne Cashmere Cocoon
The perfect sweater doesn’t exi….
She is beauty and she’s grace. She is also the most comfortable thing you’ll wear. I have a handful of Jenni Kayne sweaters but the best of the best is the cashmere cocoon. You can wear this open with a white tee. You can wear it buttoned up with a pair of jeans. You can throw it over a dress. You can wear it with a skirt.
She is pricey and I’m planning to have her for years and years.
4. Quince Cream Leather Jacket
If you thought you aren’t a leather jacket girlie, is it possible you just haven’t tried the right leather jacket? “Edgy” is not in my style vocabulary and so I never felt like a leather jacket really worked for me. Until I tried this cropped cream leather jacket from Quince.
I didn’t get a ton of wear out of it but there were a few specific times where this was the perfect piece to wear. It filled a gap in my closet I didn’t know I had and it is something you can wear for the next decade.
Its beautiful, versatile, and 100% leather.
5. Vivaia Slouchy Bag
I love a gorgeous leather purse. I also love not having to worry about a gorgeous leather purse when I’m in the thick of four kids most days. I love the slouchy silhouette of this bag. I also love how I can set it on the ground at the park and it doesn’t show dirt (and it is easy enough to wipe or spot treat if needed). It holds everything (currently mine has two water bottles, some diapers, wipes, bars, a few board books, toy cars, and a months worth of miscellaneous items).
She’s functional, cute, and low maintenance.
6. Hey June “Here For The Drama” Huggies
If you could only own one pair of earrings, it should be these. They are light and easy to wear while still making a statement. They go with everything and look just as good with an up-do and a cocktail dress as they do with jeans and a white tee.
P.S. If you go order them from Hey June, I also recommend the Audrey Bow Huggies and this classic chain necklace I wear almost daily.
7. Nike Metcons
When I needed a new pair of workout shoes, I told the saleswoman I needed something I could run 2-3 miles in, wear for a HITT class, and learn to lift in. She recommended these and I’ve been very happy with them.
They are a big shoe compared to what I usually wear and come in so many fun colors. They’re not the most exciting purchase of 2024 but I wear them more than any other single shoe so here they are on the list.
8. Quince Cableknit Fisherman
This one has been in my closet longer than just 2024 but it is one of my most worn piece this year. You truly cannot beat this sweater when it comes to quality for the price. I don’t think there is a better quality $50 sweater on the market. Go one size up if you want it cozy and perfectly oversized. Don’t bother with the full priced Jenni Kayne version, Quince is the way to go here.
I own the cream and it is perfect. My sister just bought the brown and I want it. I also think the dusty blue is stunning.
9. Quince Long Sleeve White Tee
Maybe because I bought so many sweaters this year, but this is my most worn tee shirt. It goes under everything (I’ll wear it backward under crewneck sweaters if I want a little pop of a tee shirt).
The price is great and I love the boxy cut.
10. Madewell Darted Barrel Jeans
I bought two pair of jeans in 2024:
- Good American Wide Leg Crops (LOVE these)
- Madewell Darted Barrel Jeans
They are both very trendy, fun silhouettes that I didn’t have in my closet. They also both happen to be incredibly comfortable. The SLIGHT barrel silhouette of the Madewell jeans is subtle enough to be flattering and fun without being dramatic. 100% would recommend.
I’m convinced that if 90% of your wardrobe consists of classic, well-made pieces, that one pair of trendy jeans can make all your outfits look current.
Honorable Mentions:
- Ulla Johnson Wide Leg Velvet Pants: I found these on The Real Real in like new condition for $25 (they retail for over $500). They were a workhorse for holiday parties this season and manage to be more comfortable than sweatpants. I’ve only had them for two months and already worn them 5 or 6 times. I know buying velvet pants in January after holiday festivities isn’t quite so fun, but if you wished you’d had a pair for December, there are a lot of great options on sale right now!
Getting My Colors Done
I finally had my color analysis done in 2024 and it has been really helpful when deciding on what to purchase. I try to have bigger investment pieces and things I want to wear for the next 10 years be in colors that are flattering and look good on me without makeup.
If you’re thinking about it, I cannot recommend Raechel enough!
Hey June Audrey Bows + Necklace
These are SO FUN (and I can see some affiliate #s and they are the most purchased item I talked about in 2024).
P.S. Use code ELISABETH for 15% off your order.
Also, Hey June is one of the most fantastic women owned small businesses to support. I LOVE their products (Nordstrom quality jewelry at Target prices) and getting a glimpse at the behind-the-scenes on instagram.
Worst Purchases of 2024:
We’ll keep this brief but here are a few purchases from 2024 that I regret:
- Print I won from Auction Ninja. The piece said it was an original and if I had done a quick google image search I would have been able to tell that the original is hanging in a museum in Denmark. I did get a partial refund ($25 of the $50 I paid) but the most expensive part is always shipping. Lesson learned.
- Cheap outdoor sofa cushions from Amazon: I bought a Pottery Barn teak outdoor sofa frame from a local discount store. The cushions (JUST THE CUSHIONS) for this sofa from Pottery Barn cost $1000. I am still so indecisive when it comes to styling our outdoor space. I decided to get cheap cushions to hold us over until we’re ready to invest in the full patio. They are very uncomfortable and I think we’d get more use out of that sofa if we just bought the right cushions from the get-go. Lesson learned.
I’d love to hear, what are your favorite purchases this year?
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