Last Year’s Brand-Name Buys That Actually Made Sense
Including the heavy lifting no-namers, & a few 2025 predictions to throw you a bone
2024 was all about waiting with my finger on the trigger. Patience is no friend of a shopper, and I surely didn’t go down without a fight. I botched and amended my Rule of 5 late in the game, created at the top of the year to buy only 5 new garments and 10 or so odd secondhand. Counting activewear, accessories and one or two loungewear, I exceeded my limits, but overall found more concern with purchasing rampages rather than the overall quantity of acquisitions. Refusing to accept it as failure, I saw it as a learning curve of both my willingness to hold out for the real thing and what exactly is a “real thing” in the name of newness.
In pursuit of what is clean and green, brand-name products will often disappoint. I waver back and forth between outlawing them entirely and allowing capitalism to carry me away in its swell, and what I’ve found is that restrictions can very well be the thing that drives you ever stronger towards the addiction.
The right pieces, untethered to our notions of trend or volume, are worth waiting for. So be it if you had known it was right all along; we don’t have to race to be first, particularly if we know we’re committed to making the most of how our material goods are used. I waited a long time for some of these things, past the initial trend, to ensure when I finally came back around to them that I genuinely wanted a product from a brand that held up past its perceived expiration on the digital trail. No brand affiliations to be seen here, folks, just humble offerings that I hope you’ll relate if not enjoy.
I also wanted to throw in a makeup/skin category; while I dedicate many a newsletter issue to the topic of fashion, the cultures of these and wellness intersect as well as influence each other on the path toward (or away from) degrowth and ethical consumption. And I simply care to share.
Behold!!!
BRAND NAMES
MAKEUP + SKIN
This Kosas concealer made me stop in my tracks. Any previous drugstore tried-and-trues I had in my arsenal pale — or rather, yellow — in comparison. I had never before believed an exact color match was possible for me. Shit is SEAMLESS!
As an eczema and rosacea-prone, pink-faced woman, it was time I engaged in some stronger research on restoring my barrier and what ingredients are necessary for this transformation. I was between Tower28 and Rhode’s BRC and went with the latter. I can say nothing about Tower28’s formula, but Miss Hailey has done my skin so right I needn’t bother. It’s the only product I have from her range: I had been humming and hawing about indulging in a celebrity brand with such sublime marketing as the customer reviews all seemed too starry-eyed to hold any validity. Finally, in the throes of 32mph winter winds, I caved. From what I can tell after a month and a half I waited far too long to give it a go. I didn’t so much as break out from the new product once and it locks in my jojoba and primrose flower serum without it slipping off my face and onto my pillow at night. Bliss!
Also tacking on here the Rhode Blush in Piggy which I had sneaked into this order — it’s a nice gradual build for those with a heavy hand, and has a soft icy undertone that poses as a more concentrated version of my natural cold weather flush (that is, however, not covering my entire face).
I’ve been a Saie fan from afar, without taking the plunge until after I had used every last drop of my e.l.f. Halo Glow foundation… which took eons given the fact that I only ever use the tiniest dollops. I know it’s a CT Flawless Foundation riff but it was affordable and not half bad! However, values-based shopping remains paramount in my shopping choices, and the more I learn about the beauty industry the better equipped I am to enact said values. It follows, then, that a Saie crush would be born. If you like your skin to peek through and remain somewhat in your natural dimensions, and you prefer to support brands that lead on climate issues, might I suggest their Glowy Super Skin Foundation?
I cannot believe the Clinique Black Honey community caught me in their snares and brought out of me a sort of worship to this nourishing, chameleon berry hue lipstick, but they did. It makes my mouth look fresh, as if I had just come from drinking water out of a mountain spring, which is arguably the purest beauty there is in my book.
Still, I should be more disciplined about drinking larger volumes of water.
Don’t sleep on Aquaphor and Eucerin, guys.
CLOTHING
New
Flip flops have had a high fashion resurgence in the last two years, and while I benefit from still being choosy about when to wear a sandal, I have adored my brown thin strap Havianas. The squared off toe has been a nice twist to their classic silhouette.
Perhaps my purchases have spoken to a need to shuffle and slide around more. I waited two winters before biting the bullet on a pair of Ugg Tasman Slippers and can report back that while I seem to find rain any time I wear them out, I have no doubt been comforted by these fuzzy puppies. I’d even wager to say I don my Uggs more frequently than I did the last time I owned a pair, when I was 16 and dressing for school in little else than my basketball warmups and a Nike tie headband.
Everlane has proved their point with me when it comes to their jumpers. I have their organic cotton ribbed crew sweater which passes tests for both length (I’m 5’10 and prefer a sleeve to pass my wrist and then some) as well as weathering the seasons — it was decided early on to be my go-to for evenings at the beach. For colder weather, I have a heather grey mohair v-neck that is well insulated.
Secondhand
I hate to say that I got Adidas Spezials before it was cool, but my green ones from Depop were copped as the Sambas were taking the UK by storm. They give the same vibe different font, so I didn’t mind (clearly, others don’t either!). World domination was still a ways away, given that Americans have been more privy to Nike Dunks and AF1s until recently. Blame it on basketball, blame it on hip-hop: footy fashion in the US is here, but with a long road ahead still.
I’m all for sweaters slung over white tees and academia-lite dressing, but I’ve been slow to the cardi chase. However, who am I to refuse a $10 J.Crew cashmere cardigan when it presents itself to me? I swore it was twirling its hair and swaying from side to side, waiting to be pulled off Traverse City’s Goodwill racks and taken home. Midwest thrift stores in affluent neighborhoods will always pull through with the classics.
THE NO-NAMERS
MAKEUP + SKIN
My dermatologist prescriptions. Cystic acne has never been a mf joke for me! I stay on top of my SPF, and aside from that these keep me afloat and painful, hormonal acne at bay without being excessively dry or peel-inducing. I have a roughly three-step skincare routine focused primarily on hydration, thanks to these bad boys!
Dousing glycerin and rose water after a shower and ahead of lotion or body oil is unreal. I’m amazed at how fast my skin drinks it up each time.
CLOTHING
New
Having a more casual, large tote to supplement those days I head to the gym from the office and vice versa has been top of mind for some time… and my Trader Joe’s reusable bag no longer cuts it. Enter Spanish label Olend, a water-resistant, playful bag with adjustable straps and small, sustainable production lines to boot.
Signet rings that I purchased from Brighton Silver the last time I visited my beloved Sussex seaside town. I cry! It started as a way to boss up on these British men and their family heirloom pinky rings that more often than not scream chavvy, but has now resulted in my own demented power play in line with Cher’s famed “I am a rich man” quote. I’ll let you wonder what that could mean in the grand scheme of gender politics.
A custom forest green baseball cap that says “SERENITY NOW”. I made one for my brother that says “HEY, FROST THIS!”, one of our favorite lines from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and couldn’t resist the opportunity to have my own IYKYK memorabilia. It never hit in London quite like it does in the US, but nevertheless has become a point of conversation with each wear.
A fitted black short sleeve has done me as many, if not more, wonders than any PWT I’ve owned. Their functionality as layer may not overlap 100% of the time, but it’s proved to weather any storm (ie pant, skirt, jacket and button up) throughout the seasons. I throw it on when I don’t know what else to do, further proving my dad’s theory upon visiting me in London that all he has to do to blend in is wear as much black as possible.
A youth XL graphic tee from Glen Arbor, Michigan that I purchased over Labor Day weekend. It crops just so, in ways sometimes a crop top cannot, and is this worn in shade of red that feels so soft and cozy, like a hat you’ve worn for 20 years.
Secondhand
A hand-embroidered tie front vest I found on Depop has become a tender piece in my wardrobe, a first foray into my fixation with embroidery and the ounce of romance and whimsy I injected into many a spring and summer look.
I’m quite inexperienced on the belt front, but the one that’s really made my heart flutter is a reddish brown braided belt. So far, it hasn’t felt out of place no matter what denim or pant I’ve slapped it on. With more casual outfits, it makes me feel more put-together (while avoiding a sense of appearing over-polished) with minimal effort.
On my last day in east London before returning back to the US, I happened upon a rail of expertly-sourced French chore coats for no more than £30 a piece. The best finds have always presented themselves before me this way, as if in an apparition, after giving way to the notion that it’s never to be found. It’s cobalt, it’s lightweight, and yet it holds its form deceivingly well. That coat is a surge of energy flowing through me each time, and perhaps too the smug feeling of such effortless discovery carries me on my merry way.
A few years ago I finally got over any weird predispositions about wearing secondhand shoes and these burgundy loafers I got this summer were just the right amount of worn-in. Having just donated a pair of black platform ones that I finally admitted were too large for me, I’ve even surprised myself with how complementary, how neutral this shade of red has become for my closet. I still have yet to replace my black pair and haven’t found a need for it while these have filled an exciting new gap in my day to day style.
Misc
Am I mistaken in claiming we all got bobs last year? I say this as I am growing it out, but cutting ten inches of hair into a blunt bob at my jawline was like stepping into a new power. I was tired of shaggy, long layers, and the new look brought about an altered state of femininity for me. Some days I was the c*ntiest bitch you couldn’t catch up with if you tried; others, a more approachable, pure of heart, girl next door. It’s been fun!
THINGS I’VE BEEN SAYING, IN CASE WE SEE IT HAPPEN
And now, let me hurriedly spit out my 2025 predictions — I fear they may already be old hat by the time I hit send!
SS25 will see a scarf and tank combo rivaling that of AW23/24’s scarf coats. Will they be attached, or just matching?
Clutches are rushing back into the main frame. Here and there we witness celebrities and fashion’s elite carrying bags of all shapes and sizes as if they were a clutch, so it’s only a matter of time. Bottega, are you listening?
Another OG trainer will see the light of day. I can’t imagine adidas will be pushed out anytime soon, but if anyone else enters the ring I think it’ll be Puma Speedcats.
Calvin Klein is returning to the runway, and no matter what they show I sense their 90s slip dresses are crawling back into our consciousness.
Mini shorts + tights will continue to outdo mini skirts. Will this be the winter that it bleeds into American secondary cities? Will the jeans and a cute top girls in Chicago and Boston be switching it up???
What is canvas will be corduroy. That is, when it comes to workwear, totes, and any other facet of LL Bean/Eddie Bauer/Carhartt Americana.
Overalls.
André Leon Talley’s legacy will loom heavily over the Met Gala’s Black Dandyism theme. In the leadup, might we see more men in shorts and knee-high socks as a nod in awards season? Thom Browne will surely lead the pack.
& Coleman Domingo better be wearing capes!!!!
Sheer mohair tops. More soft, sexy sweaters, please!
Rhode or Reformation to host a pop up in an LA mall. I don’t claim to want malls brought back into existence, but nostalgia will find its nose here someday soon. Crown Affair, with Dianna Cohen’s reveal of their 70s-leaning office interiors, could maybe also fit the bill.
More ties, but from alternative materials and/or in monochromatic pairings. I loved Paul Mescal’s undone white bow tie, Doechii’s neutrals on Tiny Desk, Ayo Edebiri’s oxblood leather.. hell, as I was writing this Selena just popped up on my feed in a tie!
ICYMI
