Top 10 Reader Purchases of 2021
If you follow other bloggers, you may have seen them round up the best sellers that their readers love, and I thought it would be fun to do the same for CCCH readers! One way that bloggers earn an income is from affiliate links, including those you’ll see from Shopstyle and LTK (formerly known as RewardStyle), among others. When you make a purchase through an affiliate link, the blogger earns a small percentage (usually 2-15%) of the sale at no additional cost to you; this is paid out by the retailer via the affiliate platform. Affiliate links are currently my main source of blog income, and every little bit is SO appreciated to help me offset the costs of running CCCH!
I really haven’t spent the time to go through my backend on the affiliate platforms to see which products resonated with you the most…until now. (I really should have done this way prior to now!) Far and away, the most popular retailer was Etsy, thanks to my blog post about the best Etsy and other online shops with fan-made Taylor Swift merch! Besides that post, there were a number of items that I’ve blogged this year that made the list. Here are the top 10 reader buys of 2021!
Is there anything you love that I influenced you to buy that didn’t make the cut? I’d love to know!
Top Reader Purchases of 2021
1. EVERLANE STRAIGHT LEG CROP
It surprised me to see these at the top of the list considering I haven’t shared them on the blog since fall 2020! This color is now sold out sadly.
I love that you love Everlane as much as I do. The Straight Leg Crop (read my review) is an excellent basic pant, with a high rise and cropped length (as the name suggests)! The short length works especially well for petites.
I like to style mine with fitted tops and layers! They work especially wear for work with a blazer, and I love ‘em with a heeled sandal.
How I’ve worn the Everlane Straight Leg Crop:
- with shades of brown
- with my Idaho tee
- in a summer workwear style sudoku
- with a striped tee and sandals
2. MADEWELL CURVY SKINNY JEANS
I have not been able to get enough of curvy skinny jeans ever since I finally tried the Madewell Curvy High-Rise Skinny Crop Jeans in Dalstrom Wash back in summer 2020, and it seems as though you agree with me! Two different Madewell curvy styles made the list.
What makes curvy styles different is they’re cut for people with a higher waist-to-hip ratio (i.e. their waist is around ~10” smaller than their hips/butt). They significantly reduce or even eliminate the dreaded waist gap!
Shop current Madewell curvy styles.
How I’ve worn Madewell curvy skinny jeans:
- with a sweater on a rainy day
- with a linen top and flatform sandals
- with a chambray shirt and cardigan
3. MADEWELL FIELD JACKET
This was another surprise favorite! Like the Everlane pants, I haven’t worn this on the blog since fall 2020, but this jacket has been a mainstay in my wardrobe for years now.
My exact jacket is no longer available, but y’all were loving the Madewell “Fleet” Jacket, which is a very similar style field jacket. Since that one is also sold out, check out this similar style (also available at Nordstrom in more sizes).
This is a perfect light jacket for spring and fall!
How I’ve worn a Madewell field jacket:
- with a flannel shirt and colorful boots
- with all black
- with a striped tee and gold flats
- in a spring style sudoku
- with a pink sweater and kitty flats
4. EVERLANE CURVY SKINNY JEANS
After finally trying and loving Madewell’s curvy skinny jeans, I gave Everlane’s curvy skinny jeans a try…and loved those too! I’m glad that you’re feeling the same way.
I started with a pair of the Curvy Authentic Stretch High-Rise Skinny Jeans in a dark wash and also added the white and vintage blue. (They’re now all on sale in limited sizes…gonna be sad if they’re discontinued forever!) I cannot do rigid denim so the authentic stretch has been the best! Out of all the colors I own, vintage blue is the softest. (Read my initial comparison and Everlane denim reviews!)
How I’ve worn Everlane curvy skinny jeans:
- with a shirt-jacket and ankle boots
- with a sweater and leather tote for work
- with a chambray shirt and cashmere cardigan
5. MADEWELL LUGSOLE BOOTS
I’m not one to jump into trends right away…unless I see one that speaks to me, like the lugsole boot trend! Comfy, cute, and practical? Sign me up! I’m guessing quite a few of you are like me in that respect since these boots were a top purchase this year!
I fell in love immediately with the Madewell Citywalk Lugsole Lace-Up Boot in the gorgeous burgundy color (this color is currently available at Zappos and Nordstrom). The burgundy color is a nice addition to my closet (and my second pair of burgundy boots), and I love that the lugsole trend is approachable and easy to wear no matter your age or generation!
How I’ve worn Madewell lugsole lace-up boots:
- with a wubby pullover and leggings
- with a leather jacket and demi-boot jeans
6. EVERLANE WIDE LEG CROP PANT
We continued the love for Everlane with the Wide Leg Crop Pant! This pant has been a reader staple since I first shared them over three years ago (read my review).
They’re more versatile than you think: check out these 7 outfit ideas! I especially love wearing mine with boots. Everlane is phasing out this pant so grab them while you can.
How I’ve worn the Wide Leg Crop Pant:
- with brown and black
- with a blue plaid flannel shirt
- with a feminine blouse and sandals
- with an ivory sweater and boots
- with bright colors for work
- with a sweater and tall boots
- with a boxy sweater and ankle boots
- with a striped tee and leather jacket
7. MAISON MIRU STUD EARRINGS
If you’re looking for the perfect everyday stud earring, look no further than the Maison Miru Tiny Crystal Stud Earring! I basically haven’t taken mine off since I got them in 2020 (they made my best purchases of 2020 list!).
These earrings feature a high-quality CZ crystal surrounded by 14k gold plated brass. They would make the perfect companion to other earrings if you have multiple piercings! I just love the hint of sparkle they add to any outfit.
How I’ve worn the Maison Miru stud earrings:
- with a tropical shirt and gold flats
- with straight leg crop pants and a blazer
- with an ivory cardigan and sandals
- with a linen top and white jeans
- with my Idaho tee and denim shorts
8. PARKS PROJECT CROPPED TEE
You also loved my fun Parks Project Cropped Tee! The version I linked to was the “Arches” Boxy Crop Graphic Tee via Nordstrom, which is unfortunately no longer available. AND the tee I’m wearing is also no longer available… but maybe something similar will be released in the spring! Fingers crossed.
This tee ended up being way more cropped than I was expecting, but it worked well for hiking at Arches National Park! I wore mine with bike shorts, and it was light enough that I didn’t overheat in the sun (and the extra sun protection was much appreciated!).
Check out the other Parks Project products!
How I wore my Parks Project cropped tee:
- with bike shorts to hike Arches NP!
9. J.CREW SWEATER BLAZER
A true workhorse in my wardrobe, I know own the J.Crew Sophie Sweater Blazer in three colors: heather grey was the first and then I added heather khaki and this gorgeous heather fern! J.Crew is now discontinuing the Sophie and replacing it with a style called Eloise.
You know by now how much I adore mine, and I love that you love the sweater blazer, too! Anne, Molly, and Jessica also praised the sweater blazer in their Working Woman Style posts from earlier this year. It really does dress up any outfit and is the epitome of “casual workwear”! Check out these outfit ideas!
How I’ve worn the J.Crew sweater blazer:
- with a striped tee and sweatpants
- with stretchy skinny jeans for work travel
- with paperbag pants for the office
10. MADEWELL TRANSPORT TOTE
Rounding out the top 10 is a bag that I declared one of only two work bags you need: the Madewell Medium Transport Tote!
I purchased mine as a birthday/new job gift to myself over four years ago, and it’s still going strong. I carry it every time I go to the office!
Since I bought mine, Madewell has released a zip-top version—perfect if you commute via public transportation! The medium size is great if you are short like I am (or don’t carry much!).
How I’ve worn the Madewell Transport Tote:
- with a sweater and dark denim for work
- with a tropical shirt and gold flats
- with a zero-waste top and sandals
- in an all-Madewell outfit
- with an ivory cardigan for spring