MY TOP 10 PURCHASES OF 2024

 

I like to think about my purchases at the end of the year. I thought about the things I wore on repeat, I reached for time and time again, so here are My Top 10 Purchases of 2024.

 

 

After all the money I’ve spent on things I’ve purchased, it’s important for me to take a moment and think about them. The goal is to spend money and get some serious wear and use out of items. I’m very honest in my reviews and these are truly the items that I was so impressed by, used and wore over and over again – if you follow me on Instagram you know.

If some of those things really interest you but they are currently sold out, make sure to check out the second-hand market on Poshmark, Vestiaire, The Real Real and many more – no one is paying me to say any of this. But the number of things I see on those platforms alone, is insane and prices are so good. It really is a buyers’ market out there and you can score some great deals.

I will go over my top 10 purchases of 2024 in the order they were purchased to make sure I don’t forget anything. I included luxury and high-street brands as long as they were good quality, well-made and felt like they were going to last in my closet for a while. Because at the end of the day that’s all that matters – quality>>>quantity. So let’s get to my top 10 purchases of 2024.

 

This blog post is my Top 10 Purchases of 2024. I hope you find it helpful, as I review each one briefly.

 

Left Clockwise: Toteme Signature Coat, Massimo Dutti Trench Coat, Madewell Denim, Gucci Jordaan Loafers, Toteme Rain Boots, Marni Fussbett Sandals.

 

#1 TOTEME SIGNATURE COAT

As a real fan of Toteme, I had seen this coat so many times online and in store but never really tried it on. I was at Toteme one day and decided to try it on, and I didn’t want to take it off. It is such a versatile coat, it’s crazy how it adapts to different temperatures. I can wear this in the fall and not feel so hot and I can wear this on a windy winter day and feel warm. There is something very playful about it as it has these large lapels that you can fold over and the side slits that give it such a chic element. The Fabric is of great quality and it shows when you wear it. I sometime think about getting this in a different color.

 

#2 MASSIMO DUTTI TRENCH COAT

I bought this at the tail end of 2023 when Massimo Dutti usually does its sales. I really needed a trench coat but hadn’t noticed this one before the sales, I also hadn’t thought about unconventional colors either (other than beige). But I remember seeing this and really liking the simplicity and most of all the color. It was labeled as Navy but it was greyish blue. I wore this all year; it traveled with me on a two-week trip to Europe, and it was still in great shape. The quality is great – for most Massimo Dutti items compared to other fast fashion brands. This was truly a great find for a steal price.

 

#3 MADEWELL BALLOON JEANS

Madewell discontinued this style, but of course they have plenty of new styles that you can pick and choose from. I find denim the most difficult thing to get based off of people’s recommendation. So, I always visit Madewell and have a one-hour long trial session. This was 100% cotton with zero elasticity, which I love. Madewell, If you’re reading this – make more of no stretch jeans please. The color was perfect and I wore this ad nauseam and after each wash it bounced back. I took this with me on all my travels last year. We know Madewell does denim so well, this is no surprise, but it’s their price point that’s unbelievable. I often wait for the sale on sale to buy a new pair.

 

#4 MARNI FUSSBETT SANDALS

I was introduced to Marni on a trip to Milan. It felt like everyone was wearing the Fussbett sandals in a multitude of colors and I just needed to know what they were. I bought a pair during that trip but it was half a size too big and wasn’t holding my foot properly, so I sold them on Poshmark. I finally found the black and white version of these sandals in the price point I was willing to pay and got them. They are so pretty, look so interesting and at the same time have arch support and a Birkenstocky comfort to them. I will wear these on repeat for years to come. The leather does take a while to break it, especially if you have sensitive skin, because it is so durable, and there are many layers of leather on top of your foot. So, it might take one wear or a few. But these are coming with me during all my summer travels.

 

#5 TOTEME RAIN BOOTS

I really wanted these and I didn’t get to them when Toteme had their seasonal sales. From my experience, rain boots almost always break down where the toes usually create crease in your shoes, so I didn’t want to pay full price as third-party stockists still carried these at the time. I found them heavily discounted at MyTheresa in the middle of summer. They are so stylish and cool. They are almost pointy and a bit square toed at the same time. Very Toteme coded, similar to their current leather boots. Toteme doesn’t do half sizes, so I went up a size. They are so comfy, especially for rain boots. I wear them on repeat on rainy days.

 

#6 GUCCI JORDAAN LOAFERS

I wanted these for the longest time but couldn’t justify the price. I bought them when I was in Europe this past year. These are such a classic pair of loafers, I have seen vintage ones on people and they are always in great shape. There is so much class and depth to them, and something very masculine that other loafers don’t necessarily offer. The big push for me was when the new creative director, Sabato De Sarno, made these in a lighter brown and rumor had it, he was going to phase out the darker shade. Frankly, it was harder to find in Europe, I shopped in three countries and finally found them in Vienna – so maybe some of that is true. The other bonus point was that everyone who owned these always said that they are very comfortable and I can attest to that – it is 100% true. Despite the almond toe, sort of elongated toe box, I can walk 40 blocks in these shoes with no issues. The leather is thick and substantial, they will last you for years if you take care of them. They are truly well made. For someone who requires an extensive time to break into shoes, this did not require any time to break in at all.

 

Left to Right: The Row Dhanila Coat, Phoebe Philo Small Kit Cabas, The Row Lady Bag.

 

#7 THE ROW DHANILA COAT

I love this coat so much. I wore it for a while in December on repeat as soon as the weather got a bit cold. That one year I impatiently waited for temperatures to drop – it was truly warm, thank you New York. The broad shoulder, the fabric and color are so unique. It gives such a masculine vibe. If I had to pick one thing that The Row does so well, it would be outerwear, ok bags too. They really nailed this one out of the park. Not sure how this once didn’t sell out and made it to the heavy discounts at Bergdorf. Thank you, B! The fabric composition, and color are so unique.

 

#8 PHOEBE PHILO SMALL KIT CABAS BAG

I reviewed this bag briefly in my bags in and out for 2024 blog post. It was the bag I never thought I would find at the price I did on the second-hand market. I bought this at a steal price on Vestiaire. The bag is made super well with the softest leather. I love that it’s a cool tone brown, with silver hardware, I’ve been loving that combo lately. I never jumped on the E/W bandwagon this past year. I didn’t like The Row’s Idaho because of the exaggerated shape (it’s too wife imo), and the handles that aren’t stable. I eyed this style at Bergdorf Goodman and played with the small and medium size, I knew I wanted this small size and in this brown color. Lastly, it’s the bag that I get a lot of compliments on from people who know and love Phoebe Philo and from those who don’t. It’s a gem.

 

#9 THE ROW LADY BAG

I also reviewed this bag as I had a separate post on my bags I bought and sold in 2024 as I mentioned above. This was such a surprise find on The Real Real website. I got it for almost half price. I have always liked this style and shape but wasn’t a fan of Hermes’ Bolide or Celine’s version, and I, maybe much like you, have seen Ashley holding her exotic version of this bag over and over again. I wanted this bag for so long.

The Row was bringing this bag in a smaller size, and slouchier style – both of which were not enticing to me personally. I don’t have many navy bags and I wanted to have more options. I love that boxy leather and bags that have more shape and structure to them. And I definitely got so much use out of this bag; it was really surprising to find out that I don’t mind bags that are top handle only and don’t have a crossbody or shoulder strap.

 

 

#10 ARITZIA ½ ZIP SWEATSHIRT

One of my rules before I make a purchase is to pause if I’m buying more than one of the same items. I have three of those sweatshirts, that’s how much I love them. Aritzia’s fleece collection is truly of great quality and holds well after being washed. I love the ½ zip style because there is so much flexibility and ease in not having to worry about a jacket or full-zip style. You can open the zipper if it gets warm and close it if it’s cold. The amount of fleece is midweight, which makes it very versatile. It’s great for flying, hitting the gym, or running errands. I had it in black and admiral (navy), and just added the heather charcoal to my collection which I had been eyeing for almost a year and was waiting for a discount. Pick your color, and make a set with the coordinated pants if you want to.

 

 

This blog post is My Top 10 Purchases of 2024. I hope you find it helpful, as I review each one briefly.

 

 

As always, thank you for stopping by and reading. Click here if you’d like to see & follow my Instagram page @girlontheues.

 

Until next time,

Girl on the Upper East Side

Xx

 

If this interests you, you might enjoy reading my blog post on Bags I Bought & Sold in 2024, The Ultimate Guide to Your First Designer Bag Purchase, and Underconsumption Core.