Top 10 Reader Purchases of 2022
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!
Like last year, by far 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, there were a number of items that I’ve blogged this year (or in recent years) that made the list. Below are the top 10 reader buys of 2022!
Is there anything you love that I influenced you to buy that didn’t make the cut? I’d love to know!
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Top Reader Purchases of 2022
1. Quince Luxe Baby Cashmere Sweater
One of your favorite blog posts of the year was my affordable cashmere sweater review roundup! I originally published the post fall 2021 and updated it in November 2022. Not surprisingly, most of those sweaters in that post made this list!
At the top is the Quince luxe baby cashmere crewneck sweater. It was one of the most expensive options I reviewed at $100, but it really is so luxe. It’s way softer than the $50 cashmere Quince also offers (more on that one below).
Shop all of Quince’s cashmere sweaters!
How I’ve worn my Quince Luxe Baby Cashmere Crewneck Sweater:
- with a black blazer and paperbag pants for a work travel outfit idea
2. Naadam Essential $75 Cashmere Sweater
I also reviewed the Naadam $75 cashmere sweater in my affordable cashmere sweater roundup. This is one of my favorite basic cashmere sweaters. For the price, it’s so soft and feels high quality. I also love how it fits me; the length is great if you’re petite and/or don’t like long sweaters!
Naadam also offers a $75 cashmere sweater for men!
How I’ve worn my Naadam Essential $75 Cashmere Sweater:
- with a camel topcoat and paperbag pants
- with dark wash denim and gold flats for work
- with a faux fur coat and lace-up winter boots
3. Quince $50 Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater
This Quince cashmere sweater was also featured in my affordable cashmere sweater review roundup. At the extremely reasonable $50 price point, it’s no wonder this sweater was a reader favorite! Mine is the crewneck style, but Quince also offers a $50 v-neck sweater.
If you want a cashmere sweater or two in your life and are looking for the nicest, most budget-friendly option possible, I definitely recommend this sweater by Quince. The longer length is perfect if you have a longer torso (or prefer long sweaters in general).
Shop all of Quince’s cashmere sweaters!
How I’ve worn my Quince $50 Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater:
- with a navy packable puffer and brown boots
4. Quince Baby Alpaca-wool Oversized Cardigan
After trying and loving Quince’s cashmere, I was intrigued by their baby alpaca-wool sweaters since they also got excellent reviews. Turns out I love the sweaters I got, including the baby alpaca-wool oversized cardigan, and you loved it, too!
I already owned a similar cardigan but was looking for an upgrade, and this one was perfect. All alpaca garments sort of already have that “lived-in” look that looks like pilling, and I notice it more now that I’ve worn it a few times but it’s not too bad. The oversized fit is exactly what I was looking for! (Read my Quince alpaca sweater reviews.)
Shop all of Quince’s alpaca sweaters!
How I’ve worn my Quince Baby Alpaca-wool Oversized Cardigan:
- with wide leg pants and lugsole boots
5. Black Kaftan Dress
One of my favorite purchases from 2021 (and possibly ever???) was the Two Days Off Jordan Dress in Jersey. It’s my go-to throw-on-and-go dress, and it also travels well. I love it so much and wear it constantly when the weathers is nice.
Earlier this year, I wrote a more personal post about how my body has changed since the pandemic started and how much I loved that this kaftan-style dress works no matter my size. My exact dress isn’t available anymore, but you all loved this super similar option: this H&M v-neck kaftan dress.
How I’ve worn my black kaftan dress from Two Days Off:
- with a straw hat and clog sandals
- with a leather jacket, belt bag, and ankle boots
6. Zella Restore Soft Pocket Leggings
One of my favorite pairs of Zella leggings, the Zella restore soft pocket legging, made the cut even though I didn’t wear them this year! I think it was because you were all loving my post on what to wear to hike Grand Teton and Yellowstone in the fall.
These leggings are one of my favorite purchases from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I purchased my first pair in 2020 and added a size up to my wardrobe this past summer. Unfortunately, they appear to be sold out for now, but check Nordstrom for an updated version in the future!
How I’ve worn my Zella Restore Soft Pocket Leggings:
- with a wubby pullover and lugsole boots
- with a wubby pullover for a winter hike
- with a cardigan and matching sports bra to hike Grand Teton in the fall
7. Everlane The Dream Pant
I resisted the Everlane Dream Pant for so long and finally ordered a pair to try earlier in 2022. I was immediately a convert and totally sold on them! They’re literally my most comfortable work pants; they look like work pants but feel more like sweatpants. Best. Work pants. Ever.
I first ordered these pants in dark forest and then ordered a second pair in navy. If there’s only one pair of work pants you get, make it these. They’re fantastic. (These pants by J.Crew Factory are similar!)
How I’ve worn my two pairs of Everlane Dream Pants:
- with a camel topcoat, brown boots, and burgundy beanie in a fall work outfit
- with a linen shell and backpack for a first day of grad school outfit idea
- with the Sarah Flint Natalie Flat in a casual summer outfit for the office
- with a blazer and leather jacket for a desk to dinner look
8. Universal Standard Essential Cashmere Crew
This past fall, I ordered another affordable cashmere sweater to try, this time the essential cashmere crew from Universal Standard! I added my review to my affordable cashmere sweaters roundup, and since then it’s been another reader favorite. It’s on the more expensive end at just under $100.
Universal Standard has—by far—the largest size inclusivity of all of the cashmere sweater brands I reviewed (and in general, they likely have the widest size range in the industry). It’s a wonderful basic cashmere sweater that isn’t sheer and that comes in lots of colors and also in a v-neck style!
How I wore my Universal Standard Cashmere Sweater:
- only in the review post, not yet in an outfit!
9. J.CREW Quilted Lightweight Lady Jacket
I’m a little surprised to see the J.Crew quilted lightweight lady jacket on the list! I haven’t featured mine on the blog in over a year, but y’all loved it, so here it is.
It’s really a great lightweight jacket for the transitional seasons (fall and spring). It’s not quite warm enough for the middle of winter in Idaho, but it’s perfect for the cooler fall and spring days. The collarless style looks great with a flannel shirt!
Even though my coat style is no longer available in green, it’s still available in other colors. Similar green options include this jacket, this jacket, and this jacket!
How I’ve worn my J.Crew Quilted Lightweight Lady Jacket:
- with a flannel shirt and ballet flats for fall
10. MADEWELL Medium TRANSPORT TOTE
Rounding out the top 10 is a bag that also made the list last year and that is 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 five 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 my Madewell Medium Transport Tote:
- with an oversized blazer and shorts in a first day of grad school outfit idea
- with the Sarah Flint Natalie Flat in a casual summer outfit for the office
- 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