Best and Worst Purchases of 2024
It’s that time again! I took a hard look at all of my sartorial purchases from my clothing budget updates over 2024 and rounded up my best and worst purchases. I didn’t share really any outfits this past year besides what I wore to travel, but I still wore almost everything in my every day life (which is what I intend to do with every purchase).
Out of the 30+ items I added to my wardrobe in 2024, I selected five best purchases (plus three honorable mentions) and a handful of worst purchases, which includes the items I have yet to wear.
Previous Best and Worst Purchases: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 best/worst, 2016 best/worst, 2015 best/worst, 2014 best/worst
Best and Worst Sartorial Purchases of 2024
BEST PURCHASES OF 2024
Dagne Dover Dakota Backpack (purchased December 2023)
I’m cheating slightly because I purchased the Dagne Dover Dakota backpack (in large) way back in December 2023… but I didn’t get to use it until 2024, so here it is! Once I started using this backpack, I basically haven’t stopped. It’s been such a great travel backpack on shorter trips (for example, long weekend excursions). I’ve even taken this bag on its own for quick overnight trips. My laptop easily slides into the pocket at the very back. I carried it 20 times in 2024 for a cost per wear of $8.05! Read my review.
Abercrombie & Fitch Curve Love A&F Sloane Tailored Pant (purchased April 2024)
I don’t wear dressy pants to work all that often, so you might be surprised to see these included on the list, but the Sloane tailored pant (which appear to be called the Sloane tailored wide leg pant now) is a great pair of work pants that I’m glad to have around for conferences or other important meetings! I also wore them to see The Nutcracker ballet this past holiday season. They’re very comfortable for work pants. I’ve only worn them three times so far, but that’s fine. They are perfect for the right occasions when needed!
Uniqlo Ribbed Cropped Sleeveless Bra Top (purchased May 2024)
This top made my honorable mentions list in 2023, but I purchased more of them in 2024 and they deserve a proper spot on the best purchases list this time! I purchased five colors of the ribbed cropped sleeveless bra top from Uniqlo (in size medium this time) and have worn them constantly since then.
I wear tank tops frequently under cardigans, blazers, and fleece jackets to avoid the bunching that always happens when you wear a tee under another layer. The cropped length is perfect for short women like me! I don’t have to deal with tucking/untucking. Plus, the built in bra top is amazing! I’ve worn my new striped cropped bra tops a lot (the black stripes I’ve worn 21 times for a cost per wear of $1, and the white stripes I’ve worn 15 times for a cost per wear of $1.40).
Zella Renew Mélange Support Crop Tank (purchased July 2024)
In 2024, I started taking barre classes regularly, so I purchased quite a bit of workout gear to wear to classes. I purchased the Zella renew mélange support crop tank (along with the Zella bike shorts I’m wearing above) in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale back in July, and it’s quickly become one of my favorite sports bras. It’s supportive and soft, and I like the longline style. I’m not sure what the cost per wear is because I haven’t added this sports bra to my Stylebook app (I haven’t added a lot of my athletic wear to Stylebook and probably should!).
Good American Good Waist Raw Hem High Waist Crop Palazzo Jeans (purchased July 2024)
I wear lounge pants much more frequently than jeans or other “hard pants” these days, so it’s fun when I love a pair of jeans so much that I include it here! During the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, I ordered a couple of Good American Good Waist wide leg jeans, including these raw hem high waist crop palazzo jeans. The fit is perfect on a curvy frame, and the stretch through the waist makes them work even if your size fluctuates one or two sizes regularly. I’ve only worn them three times so far because of my own health issues, but I plan to wear them more once I’m feeling better!
Honorable Mentions
Honorable mentions go to my Vessi weekend court sneaker (purchased May 2024; last seen here), Nordstrom Miah water resistant chelsea lug boot (purchased July 2024), and Quince ultra-soft high-rise legging (purchased October 2024).
Shop My Best Purchases of 2024
WORST PURCHASES OF 2024
Mate the Label Sports Bras
There are a couple of sports bras I purchased and wore that were misses. They just didn’t fit me as well as I had hoped they would (too low-cut). Neither of those items were included in my clothing budget update, but I purchased them with my other MATE the Label item in May 2024. I generally LOVE MATE the Label garments and wish they fit me better!
Everything I Haven’t Worn Yet!
Overall, this was a very successful sartorial year. Looking back at my purchases, I’ve worn everything I purchased except for a handful of items, mostly due to fit because my weight fluctuated so much this year. I also didn’t purchase as many new items, and because of that, I didn’t have a lot of returns, either.
I promise that everything I buy and share in budget updates I do actually plan to wear regularly! I gave myself a pass for items I bought at the end of 2024 (but not the end of 2023). Here are the items I haven’t worn...yet!
I reached for this sweater recently and realized the tags were still on it! It’s because I want to photograph it for my affordable cashmere sweater reviews blog post. Hopefully I can get that done soon!
I love Zella leggings and purchased these in size medium because my other leggings in size XS and S were feeling a little snug, but I have yet to wear these. I was on the fence when I purchased them but ended up keeping them. I think they’d be too big at the moment due to some health issues I’m having, so I’m not sure whether to hold onto them for later or if I should try returning them…
I included the indigo version of these jeans in my best purchases, but I have yet to wear the grey version that I now own in two sizes because of my fluctuating weight and health issues. It feels silly to keep both pairs, but sometimes I find myself wishing I had other pairs of jeans I like in more than one size, so maybe it’s not so silly?
I’m not sure where this sports bra ended up…but I should probably try to find it because I’ve yet to wear it!