Best and Worst Sartorial Purchases of 2019

It’s January…so that means it’s time to reflect on all of my purchases from the last year! I’ve been rounding up my best and worst purchases since I started tracking my clothing purchases and spending five years ago (jeeze), and it’s always a mixture of fun and terror to reflect on the good buys and the bad buys. Thankfully, I’ve gotten a lot better at preventing the bad buys before they even happen!

Out of the 49 purchases I made last year (I added 56 items total but seven of those were received as part of collaborations), I picked six best purchases and only two “worst” purchases (and really, they weren’t that bad…I just probably wouldn’t purchase them again). If you’re interested in specific outfit details, just click on the photo of interest to be taken to the original post. :)

BEST PURCHASES

Best purchase: ABLE hammered circle earrings — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

ABLE Hammered Circle Earrings (purchased March 2019)

I blogged these versatile gold earrings 15 times since I purchased them in March 2019 and, according to my Stylebook app, I wore them 38 times total! They truly were one of my best purchases—ever. They’re one of my new go-to pairs of earrings (as you can tell, haha). I can never go wrong with simple and understated yet interesting earrings that can be worn everyday! The cost per wear is already under $1—it’s now at $0.59 per wear and dropping almost daily. ;)

Best purchase: Everlane authentic stretch high-rise skinny button fly — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

Everlane Authentic Stretch High-Rise Skinny Button Fly (purchased March 2019)

I honestly didn’t really think washed black denim was my thing…until I ordered these jeans (reviewed here). I didn’t think they would fill a hole in my closet that my regular grey denim or black denim didn’t already fill, but it turns out that they do and I’m a huge fan of washed black denim! They are way more versatile than I thought they would be and work especially well with all-black outfits to add a little texture. It definitely helps that the button-fly jeans are my favorite style of the authentic stretch denim. The denim is softer than my authentic stretch solid black denim. In these, I sized up for a more comfortable fit in the waist and hips. I have my eyes peeled for new washes in this style. I’m really hoping a dark indigo is released eventually! I wore these jeans 23 times for a cost per wear of $3.59.

Best purchase: Minnie & George oversized circle crossbody bag — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

Minnie & George Oversized Circle Crossbody Bag (purchased April 2019)

Whew, receiving this bag was quite the ordeal (no longer available; similar by Madewell). After ordering it at the end of December 2018 from a small business that was closing, and waiting months for it to be handmade, I finally received it in April! It was absolutely worth the wait. The bag is beautiful, and it’s basically become my new everyday bag even though it’s super simple and doesn’t have any interior pockets or other extras. I’m glad I was able to snag it and sad it’s no longer available! I carried it 25 days in 2019 for a cost per wear of $4.80.

Best purchase: Everlane day crossover sandals — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

Everlane Day Crossover Sandals (purchased July 2019)

These sandals were the favorites of many bloggers this summer—and for good reason. I didn’t want to give in, but I caved and I am thrilled I did, haha. These sandals really do feel like butter! They were my favorite shoe purchase of the summer by far. I picked the rose color because it blends with my skin tone really well and acts as a neutral (people have commented that they didn’t realize I even had shoes on, haha). I’m excited to wear them again this upcoming spring and summer! I wore them 25 times in 2019 for a cost per wear of $3.72.

Best purchase: Madewell Cali demi-boot jeans in Preston wash — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

Madewell Cali Demi-Boot Jeans in Preston Wash (purchased September 2019)

When I bought these jeans, I had no idea that I would wear them as much as I have so far! I absolutely love them: the wash is dark—perfect for fall and winter but versatile year-round—and not too blue, the fit is perfect (and the waistband isn’t tight at all, even when I sit down), and the raw hem adds a little edge. I have to force myself to wear other bottoms, haha! They are so good. I definitely am looking at adding another wash in this style at some point in the future. I wore them 17 times in 2019 for a cost per wear of $6.74.

Best purchase: Everlane ReNew fleece raglan sweatshirt — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

Everlane ReNew Fleece Raglan Sweatshirt (purchased October 2019)

I’ve worn this sweatshirt at least once or twice weekly since I received it back in October. Similar to the jeans above, I have to force myself to wear my other tops and sweaters! It’s not the most “flattering” cut, but I don’t even care…it’s the perfect cozy teddy sweatshirt. I reviewed it in size XS but ended up preferring the fit of the small. In 2019, I wore it 13 times for a cost per wear of $3.92. Also, Everlane released matching sweatpants…which I may or may not have ordered. ;) I will note that hair sticks to it like crazy—the oat color masks it pretty well but if you get up close, there is so much cat hair on it and washing it didn’t really help at all…would not recommend a dark color if you have pets with light hair!

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Honorable mentions go to my Madewell high-rise denim shorts: cutoff edition (purchased March 2019; last seen here), Everlane ReDown puffy puff (purchased October 2019; last seen here) and Aquatalia ‘Tilly’ weatherproof booties (purchased December 2019; last seen here).

WORST PURCHASES

Everlane baseball cap (off-white) — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

Everlane Baseball Cap (off-white) (purchased August 2019)

I purchased this cap along with the same cap in (light) olive. I wear the olive cap more often I think because this off-white color is so stark in comparison. It really stands out and takes over whatever outfit it’s worn with, and that’s usually not the look I’m going for. It’s not a bad cap otherwise…I just probably should have stuck with the one cap in olive or maybe tried it in black instead of off-white. I didn’t buy it in black because I assumed it would be covered in lint and cat hair in no time! ;)

Madewell crewneck bodysuit — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

Madewell Crewneck Bodysuit (purchased September 2019)

It pains me a little bit to stick this bodysuit under my worst purchases because I really like this in theory. I purchased this in September along with the tank bodysuit, both in my usual size XS. They fit but they were both quite tight. I was a little wishy-washy about the fit but never returned them, thinking I could make them work. I wore this long-sleeved bodysuit to work one day (shown above), and it was just a little too uncomfortable to sit in. I definitely wish I had sized up to a small! Madewell let me return the tank bodysuit after the return window closed since I hadn’t worn it yet, thank goodness. Lesson learned: ALWAYS return if I’m unsure about the fit!