5 Things I Don’t Regret Buying In 2024 and 4 Wish List Finds for the New Year

Friends! Welcome to the last Self Checkout of the year. It’s going to be a quick one as I wrap things up and head out on PTO. During these last few weeks of 2024, I’m thinking a lot about my list of Ins and Outs from 2023 (I still stand by all of them!), how the discourse around personal style really reached a fever pitch this year, and what that means for the way I’ll approach fashion in 2025. Not much will change, but I hope that by revisiting my key purchases, I’ll have a guide for shopping in the future.

If you feel like you’ll miss me before I’m back in your inboxes in January, be sure to listen to the latest episodes of Nice Talk. This week’s episode with beauty content creator Golloria George felt like chatting with an incredibly influential little sister. She’s wise beyond her years, sharing her thoughts on cancel culture and why she took a social media hiatus after amassing an audience of three million TikTok followers.

J. Crew Cotton Poplin Shirt

This one is interesting because while I don’t regret buying it, I do regret buying so many. I really didn’t need them in every color because I find myself reaching for the solid red and solid blue versions most. Note: If I could do it all over again, I’d go down one size so it wasn’t quite so oversized.

Carhartt Chore Coat

Was there a more popular coat than the chore coat this year? When Miuccia Prada shared her version on the runway, I considered it. Then I saw my boyfriend un-ironically wearing a Carhartt version, and knew I’d be better off saving my money for a classic Prada bag and getting the OG chore coat instead.

Chocolate Brown Suede Boots

I bought these Tabi boots in Paris in March and absolutely adore them. The Tabi shape is not for everyone, but chocolate brown should be. The color, especially in suede, is so supple and rich-looking and works with jeans of pretty much any color. If you haven’t hopped on this trend yet, check out the options below

Black Partlow Cowboy Boots

I’d wanted these for a while and finally took the plunge. They were expensive, no doubt about it, but worth the money to me. A personal classic I’m sure I’ll wear for many seasons to come.

Alex Mill Holiday Things Claes Anorak in Taffeta

Admittedly, I did not buy this. I was gifted it by my friend and unexpected style twin Becky Malinsky. If you aren’t familiar with Becky, she’s a former fashion editor and current stylist (and newsletter writer) with impeccable taste. We were junior editors together back at Glamour in the mid 2000s and always showed up to the office wearing similar pieces, styled in completely different ways. When presented with the opportunity to choose a piece from her collab with Alex Mill, I went with this sporty anorak, imagining the ways I could dress it up and down. 10/10 recommend.

Plus, Four Things on My Wish List

Remember how I mentioned saving for a Prada bag earlier? This roomy shoulder bag is the sort of all-time classic I know I’ll carry constantly.

Buying sunglasses is habitual at this point! I must be stopped—but not before I order this Miu Miu pair.

When I want a handbag that feels a little more special, I’ll reach for this sleek half-moon mini.

Do I need another pair of Sambas? Probably not. But am I going to wear them on repeat next year? Only time will tell!

First time reading Self Checkout? Catch up on the past few weeks.