My 20 Best Purchases of 2023
A materialistic reflection on the past year
Dear readers,
In the spirit of doing what strikes my fancy (and of being a capitalist pig! shout out to the Ride podcast), I am setting out to write about my favorite purchases of 2023. This will include items that have made my life richer, have made me feel extra good, and things that I’ve just plain adored. It’ll be a fun reflection exercise. I’m working on enjoying what I have (and shopping less), so this will also foster a feeling of gratitude for my possessions.
I’m going to number this list, but it’s not in order of preference or greatness, it’s just a way to divide the contents.
1. Short, black blouse-jacket
I was going through my closet with my mom late last winter, trying to figure out what to wear over my dress to the ballet. She said, “You don’t have a short black jacket?!” One of those moments when you recognize a hole in your closet for what it is. A few months later, at Cotélac in Paris, I bought a timeless, short, black blouse that buttons up to a collar. It works as a blouse, but is most flexible as a light coverup or jacket. I’d worn it several times by the time I returned from my vacation, and continue to adore it through all the seasons.
2. 20-denier tights in brown
This is a new one for me, but I can tell it’s a breakthrough. Getting into them for the first time can be tenuous, frightening, and requires patience. The result is your-legs-but-better sheerness. I like that it doesn’t overpower your clothing like more opaque black tights do.
3. Rust-colored trousers
From Etro from The RealReal. Why have these trousers have become such a go-to? I ask myself, “What would Amy Smilovic say?” Probably that they are a ring 3 color, or an “-ish” color. Truth be told, these pants aren’t rust colored. They are multi-colored. The green, magenta, gold strands of wool and cashmere that make up these pants create an effect that appears rust-ish to the eye. Ring 3 colors, or colors that can’t be defined, are the ones that Amy says work so well with brights and neutrals. They bring brights back down to earth and make them easier to wear, and they add some interest to your typical rotation of navy, black, grey, white…. These pants are also incredibly well cut and warm. I love them.
4. Chunky red cardigan
I accidentally wore all black on Valentine’s Day. It was fashion week, so I decided to leave work early and walk down to SoHo to see what was up. Well, everyone must’ve been in their pre-evening fittings or something, because the streets were deserted. I wandered into Sézane and out with this sweater. It was the color. I was torn between a pair of jeans I knew I could purchase in the future, or this sweater, which would likely sell out. Finally, it dawned on me. This color was special. Take the color and run, Liza! Said my intuition, finally breaking through. Totally, I responded. I’ve probably worn this sweater close to one hundred times since. Yeah, it’s a lot. No, I don’t regret a single wear. The chunky square shape, the flexibility provided by the bottons, and the je ne sais quoi feeling emphasized by the red color make it a head-turning piece. If you find one, get one.
5. A two-tone eyeshadow palette for smokey eyes
Oh, simplicity! I bought this Chantecaille palette because it happened to be named after the square I had stayed on in Milan a few weeks before. I didn’t expect to love it so much. But two colors that are meant for each other in one little compact can go further than you’d think. I could only take this on vacation and use it for day-to-night wear, including eyeliner from the charcoal shade (with the right brush). J’adore. If you’re looking to up your eyeshadow game, maybe don’t buy a giant compact. Perhaps two will serve you better.
6. Suede belt in powder blue
It came over me one day in Paris that I wanted a light blue belt. I can’t remember why. Maybe because I realized it would round out the outfit I had on in that moment — white wide-leg jeans with a white and blue t-shirt. I must’ve recognized that light blue would be a winning crossover between neutral and pop-of-color. I went to the Momoni door at Galleries Lafayette and there was a gorgeous suede belt in powder blue. “Merci!” I said. I paid and put it on. I’ve worn it more than any other belt I own since.
7. Ultra-thin merino turtleneck in sky blue
From Cos. Keeps you warm. Kind of sexy (the sheer thing). Perfect layering item. Adds brightness to grey winter days (and a wan complexion). It’s especially fun with my chunky red sweater. I should probably buy more colors, but if I had to choose again, I’d stick with the blue. For around $70, it’s such a good deal.
8. Cashmere long sleeve shirt
From Buck Mason. Stunning. Not too long, so works well untucked with mid-rise jeans but can tuck into high-rise pieces too. So warm, thin enough to layer without adding unwanted bulk, do not regret one bit. I should probably wash it, speaking of. It’s seen a lot of action.
9. Glowy, colorless highlight stick
Shade pärla from Westman Atelier. Glass skin can be faked! I LOVE this one. The tinted options are tempting, but the flexibility of this product can’t be matched. It’s not sticky. I put it on my cheekbones, my brow bone, the inner corners of my eyes, the top of my nose, and the end of my nose. Apply directly and tap with fingers or apply with your fingers for the smaller areas. GORGE!
10. Dry shampoo for brunettes
I finally gave dry shampoo a shot, and was finally sold because of the brunette option. No more weird white haze in my roots? I’m in. Why did it take me so long? Idk. I like to put it in my hair before bed after my first wash day to prevent oiliness instead of using it once my hair already appears dirty.
11. Shortsleeved sweater
In August, I was reading Becky Malinsky’s Substack, 5 Things You Should Buy, in which she said, “A good short sleeve knit can be the whole shebang. It looks feminine, conservative, appropriate in so many settings. Yet also has personality, because it creates just the slightest amount of slouch.” What really got me was the line: “Or layer it over a tricky waistband that you just can’t figure out how to pair.” Oh my. I could think of a few. I went on The RealReal and searched, “short sleeve sweater.” I found a black cotton knit from St. John’s that has an elasticated waist about 2.5 inches thick. Suddenly, I can wear trousers with thin or non-existent waistbands! It makes me look slight, feminine, adorable, and like I know what I’m doing all at the same time. Highly, highly recommend.
12. Buttermilk pancake mix from King Arthur Flour
Okay, random but critical addition to the list. I bought a bag of buttermilk pancake mix on a visit to the King Arthur Flour store in October. A week after returning to New York, I discarded the empty bag. The pancakes had become an obsession. These are the first pancakes I’ve had that are better without chocolate chips. The flavor is divine. A little butter, honey, and cinnamon and you are in for an ecstatic eating experience. I didn’t even bother with the extra ingredient options — the mix plus water already tasted so good. I bought them as stocking stuffers for Christmas, and threw one in for myself, too.
13. Skims fits everybody triangle bralette in medium
Once upon a time, I had this bralette in a size small. I wore it all the time, but it was a little too compressive and made me look flat. Then, I left it in a boutique’s changing room in the West Village, forgetting altogether that I’d been wearing a bra that day. After some months without, I repurchased it, this time in a medium. It is perfect and I basically wear it every single day. I’m so happy to have it back. Don’t size down, I don’t know why people recommend that.
14. Gigantic wool sweater in purple
I bought this sweater from The RealReal partly because it’s Tibi and I’m such a fan of Amy Smilovic. I put it on and looked in the mirror. I wasn’t sold. It didn’t accentuate my waist at all, so I wasn’t sure if I looked bad. Of course, Amy would say putting an outfit together is not about looking as close to a supermodel as possible but about feeling good about how you’re portraying your identity to the world. Away from the mirror, I looked down at myself. I was immediately struck by an understanding that this is not a normal purple. It’s a pure color, leaning blue, but distinct, that can’t really be seen if not in person. I felt myself existing inside of this purple. Or maybe more accurately, I felt the privilege of living inside it. Of being enrobed in it, almost held by it. Like something magical was hanging over my shoulders, around my whole torso, down to my butt. It dawned on me that I would be keeping the sweater. On one of my first wears, a woman and I were waiting for the elevator in my building. I could feel her staring at me, so I looked back. She told me that she couldn’t stop looking at the purple. That it had relieved all of the stress she’d been feeling that morning. I’ll also add, more practically, that having a longer, bigger sweater has opened up some outfit options for me that weren’t previously possible. I recently wore it over a short denim dress with burgundy tights and black heeled Chelsea boots. I called it my “27-year-old NYU student” look. It was fun to cover almost the entire dress with the sweater. I’ve also enjoyed tucking it into the side of a pair of pants on cold days, so it drapes in a diagonal along the front.
15. Boxy, shortsleeved, blue & white striped tee
From Everlane. I could not have expected how much I’d love this shirt. Stripes and polka dots are bringing me a lot of joy lately. This shirt makes me feel like myself; the part of myself that is both a little boy and a rebellious girl and a naive observer and someone who’s ready to get a little dirty at a moment’s notice. This shirt can go anywhere and do anything. I am at home in this shirt.
16. Square-neck cotton day dress in tangerine
I bought this at the Staud store. It was too pretty and practical at the same time not to. It may look a little boring online. Don’t be fooled. I would recommend it highly to absolutely anyone. I sized down to a 2.
17. Blue & white striped button down
I had been looking for this shirt. In Paris, I visited a couple of Sézane stores, but they were all out of a similar style. Finally, on one of my last days, I wandered into a thrift shop selling mostly denim. There it was. The perfect blue and white striped button down. It has some armpit stains, but it’s also softly worn in and otherwise spotless. It’s the perfect summer over shirt and looks classic buttoned up, standing on its own.
18. T-Max 400 Film (black & white)
They were out of the Ilford rolls I usually use when I went to buy film in Paris last May. I’ve realized it’s so much easier to buy it once you’re there instead of living in fear of the scans and the possibility of an ungenerous security agent during travel. I ended up with this high-contrast black and white roll. It lands on this list because it changed my life, since it added such depth, nostalgia, and a hint of mystery to those photos. Speaking of, I just ordered myself two rolls.
19. Perricone MD sheer lipstick with mineral SPF 15
Pretty, buildable, stains your lips in a lovely way, protects them from the sun. What’s not to love? All the colors are good.
20. Fabric shaver
Do you stop wearing things because they’re pilling? Do you not buy things because you’re afraid they’ll pill? Fear not — buy yourself a fabric shaver and wear everything. So satisfying, sooo helpful. I should’ve done this much earlier.
Well, that was entertaining! I hope you enjoyed and maybe even got some ideas! I’m going to do something else now. xoxo <3 and happy New Year!!!!
P.S. Above and beyond this list, the best purchases I made this year were the trips I went on with my friends.