Are you interested in finding out what my top purchases of 2025 were? You’ve come to the right place. I am going to share them with you. I would also love to hear about your list, please leave me a comment at the end!
As I sit here thinking about my top purchases of 2025, a few thoughts cross my mind. First, I made a few mistakes in purchasing some things on a whim this year. I normally take my time, 6 months to a year to buy investment pieces. I didn’t wait that long this year to pull the trigger on some of the items, but that’s for another day. Second, I stepped out of my black bags only bubble and I think of brown now as the new black. I still prefer the cooler undertone browns, but it’s still pretty impressive that I got here. Third, I bought some real good pieces that I had been wanting for a while, and I will wear these on repeat for years to come. And finally, some of the best pieces this year were not necessarily luxury purchases, I got some good quality affordable items.
Before it’s too late, I wanted to say that this list is very Toteme and The Row heavy. So I hope you enjoy those brands as much as I do. Let’s not drag this further and let’s get to my top purchases of 2025.
This blog post is all about my top purchases of 2025. I truly enjoy going over this list at the end of every year!
Left to right clockwise: Toteme Black Boots Flat, Birkenstock Boston, Mejuri Ear Cuff, Aritzia Poplin Blue Stripe set, Massimo Dutti Leather Jacket, Céline Trifold Clutch, Toteme Pull on Pants, and Mango Jacket.
#20 TOTEME BLACK BOOTS FLAT
I really wanted a pair of boots without heels that would look stylish. I wasn’t influenced to purchase these at all. I saw them at Toteme and I thought these would be perfect for every day. I wore them a lot this year. I think the long toe box yet square tip gives it such a cool vibe. Most Toteme boots or shoes have this shape to them. The heel is almost like a ballerina turned into boots. They are tight to get in at first, but loosen up eventually.
#19 BIRKENSTOCK BOSTON
I know what you’re thinking – what a basic style, what a basic item. Nothing exciting here, I agree. And while I am a big fan of the single strap style (the Madrid), I have owned two pairs of the Boston style in the past and had kind of forgotten how great of a shoe these are. So versatile, and so comfortable, they can also be worn year round. They are especially great for traveling. I think this style was revived for me since The Row released their Hugo style and I stayed right in my tax bracket and looked for dupes.
#18 MEJURI EAR CUFFS
I’m a bit conservative with my ear piercings, perhaps an unpopular opinion, but I only have one. I have never been tempted to get more, until this year. Though I still didn’t get an actual piercing, I have been mildly obsessed with ear cuffs. I waited for Mejuri’s sale and snagged the Duet Mixed Ear Cuff, which is a mixed metal ear cuff. I’m also normally not a big fan of mixing metals. I used it all summer and still do, it is still very shiny and looks brand new. The quality is great, especially for the price, add the discount code, and it’s basically free. #GirlMath
#17 ARITZIA BLUE POPLIN SET
Another super basic item, which you can probably find in many brands. I wanted a matching poplin material set in blue stripes. I love the color of this fabric, wore it quite a bit this summer, and I think it will be a staple in my wardrobe during warmer months, for brunches, and vacations to come.
#16 MANGO JACKET
I purchased this jacket right before a conference I was heading out to this fall. This jacket is very Khaite inspired in my opinion, it is a great statement piece on its own fully buttoned up or with a white shirt underneath.
‘First, I made a few mistakes in purchasing some things on a whim this year.’
#15 TOTEME BLACK PULL UP PANTS
I saw these pants online and didn’t really think much of them. Once I saw these in store, I realized the weight they have and how they hang. Unlike any pull up or drawstring type of pants, these drape so nicely because of the fabric, stripe design and their weight. They actually look very chic and put together for a basic style. If you follow me on instagram, I didn’t stop wearing them this summer and they are such a staple in my closet. I wouldn’t recommend these in the ecru color as they have a yellowish tint, kind of like an old fabric. Not my vibe at least. They are currently sold out if you want to buy them straight from Toteme, however as with most things from Toteme, you can find them at third party stockists.
#14 CELINE TRIFOLD BAG
I think I have liked most of the Old Celine bags by Phoebe Philo and wanted to have them at some point. This summer I was really considering getting the trifold bag in medium size in preparation for school, while I searched for that size, I came across this bag on The Real Real and it was in near perfect condition and the best part – 90% off the original price. I couldn’t resist and I’m glad it’s part of my collection. I think it’s such an authentically Phoebe piece with the side straps that hang, and the dainty gold chain.
#13 MASSIMO LEATHER JACKET
Ok, this is a very Phoebe coded leather jacket. I can’t afford her RTW (yet), so when I saw this leather jacket from Massimo Dutti made out of real leather, I was sold. It’s brown and the leather has a vintage feel to it, win-win. I wore this quite a bit this fall and it is in pristine condition. Sorry can’t find a single link for this item as it is sold out.
Left to Right Clockwise: The Row Lonan Pants, Toteme City Boots, The Row Milla Mule, Toteme Buckled Pants, Oliver Peoples x Khaite 1978RX, YSL Sunnies, Toteme Signature Trench, Chanel Slingbacks, and Tiffany & Co Bean Necklace.
#12 THE ROW LONAN PANTS
I have wanted these pants since it was part of The Row’s lookbook for Fall 2024 (someone correct me if I’m wrong). But I vividly remember seeing Kendall Jenner in these with a black tee and the City Flip Flops, and I really wanted them, but of course couldn’t justify the price. I got these during the sample sale 75% off (eeeek). The fabric is 60% mohair and 40% wool, and the color is so unique, with what seems to be darker stripes. It runs a bit large, I’m usually a size 8 in classic pants, I needed to size down and they are still a bit loose. The legs are wide, and a bit exaggerated.
#11 TOTEME CITY BOOTS
I really needed Chelsea boots this year, so these were the second pair I picked up. The sales associates wear these often in the store, so I thought they must be comfortable. I was absolutely right, I have walked more than 14K steps in these and never got a blister. They are also tough to get in and out of at first, but loosen over time. Though I prefer the older style in soft leather, these look very put together because of the added sheen.
‘Second, I stepped out of my black bags only bubble and I think of brown now as the new black. I still prefer the cooler undertone browns, but it’s still pretty impressive that I got here.’
#10 THE ROW MILLA MULE
This was another win at the sample sale I was not expecting to find. I always wanted to have a black mule with heels, I was surprised to find these as they are such a chic pair of shoes, very The Row coded. Who left them behind for me? Thank you! I have yet to wear them, come Spring/ Summer, we will get there.
#9 TOTEME BUCKLED PANTS
I purchased these in January this year, also during their winter sales at a steal price. The fabric is 40% wool, which makes them such a great pair of pants for winter. I love to pair them with my Toteme City Boots.
#8 TIFFANY’S BEAN NECKLACE
Well, not quite the necklace, but I made it into one. If you follow my blog or instagram account you know that I purchased the keychain and turned it into a necklace. It was a great idea and I ended up saving a lot of money. I wore this necklace all summer long and as I write this I’m thinking it looks just as good over knits and sweaters in winter.
#7 CHANEL SLINGBACK
Ok, this is the type of damage that you need to do once (hopefully). I have these in the flat style, and I really really think the heeled version of these slingbacks are so different and special. Before I pulled the trigger, I really tried to see other slingbacks first (Prada, Fendi…), but none of them came close. This is an iconic style and the heel is so comfortable. In my opinion, without sounding too prescriptive, this is a shoe style that everyone needs.
#6 TOTEME TRENCH COAT
I adore this trench coat so much and it is the first piece that got me interested in Toteme as a brand. I couldn’t justify the price and went on for years trying to convince myself that I didn’t need it. I even bought an H&M dupe for this trench coat. There are so many cool trench coats out on the market (cough cough, Burberry, The Row, Khaite…), but this is truly my favorite. It has a swedish code (I can’t quite explain it), the detailing on the cuffs with the double loop with the leather piece is special, and it has no belt – how very cool and liberating. I love wearing this over dresses.
‘Third, I bought some real good pieces that I had been wanting for a while. I will wear these on repeat for years to come.’
#5 OLIVER PEOPLES x KHAITE & YSL SUNNIES
I really needed to upgrade my sunglasses collection. I purchased the Oliver Peoples x Khaite 1978RX, and I truly love this pair as well as the quality. One of the arms had a small crack when I came from a trip to Europe in Spring, they replaced the pair and gave me a new one – hard to forget gestures that show that companies stand behind their products.
I also really wanted the iconic pair of sunglasses from Phoebe Philo, but the proportions weren’t right on my face. So I tried the Saint Laurent Sunglasses that have a similar frame, and I haven’t stopped wearing them. They look a little less exaggerated from Phoebe’s version, almost like if The Wayfarer and Phoebe’s pair had a kid, it would be this.
Left to Right: Toteme Shearling Coat, The Row 90’s Bag, The Row Terrasse Bag, and The Row Margaux Bag 17.
#4 TOTEME SHEARLING COAT
This was my Birthday gift to myself. I have always wanted a shearling coat but the high quality ones on the market have always been very popular and easy to identify. Walk down on 5th avenue on Sunday and everyone’s in their MaxMara shearling coat in camel. Just not my vibe. Toteme usually extends their winter sales to January and I don’t think I had given these a thought before finding them during the sale period. They had one in my size at the store, and of course once I tried it on, handed my credit card and left with a ginormous bag, my height. They are probably my favorite winter coat and keep me super warm. If you find this on the second hand market, they are TTS. They are sold out, so I am unable to link them, sorry.
#3 THE ROW 90’s
I was really late to the game when I started liking this bag. At first I thought it’s just a pencil case, but I then loved the simplicity of it. I’m glad I waited a bit, the new version is made with a small grained leather, I think it looks very chic. Anytime I have a few things to carry, I lean towards this bag, it’s so good. Again, everyone needs one of these bags. The colors and leather types are endless. I would be down to getting another one, that’s how much I love it.
#2 THE ROW TERRASSE
For a very long time I had this odd love hate relationship with this bag. I don’t know what it was, the very casual look, or perhaps the more grainy leather it used to be made with… Then the small grain version came out this year in Spring in both black and brown. I saw it in person in brown and thought it was so luxe but the price went up by a thousand dollars for an already expensive bag with a simple style. So I needed a minute. I bought and sold the black grain leather version of this bag with a profit and landed on the small grained leather version through Neiman Marcus with a 15% discount, kind of crazy. So all in all, I paid significantly less than I would have paid had I purchased it in store when it first came out. It makes me like the bag and want to use it even more.
#1 THE ROW MARGAUX 17
The hype is still there, just not as crazy, especially since the Marlo came out and some of the attention was redirected towards the newbie. While I don’t go for super recognizable pieces, everything The Row creates is now super recognizable and the Margaux more than any other bag, but I really love this bag. It has an old classic feel to it. I walked into the store one day in late summer, and they had every possible color in the size 17 – like what? So I tried the ones I wanted in smooth leather, and I couldn’t stop thinking about the brown and here we are. I am planning a trip to Paris in January and I may or may not be the chicest traveler at Charles de Gaulle – self-proclaimed, of course.
This blog post is all about my top purchases of 2025. I truly enjoy going over this list at the end of every year!
As always, thank you for stopping by and reading. If this content interested you, you might want to follow my Instagram account @girlontheues
See you next time,
Girl on the Upper East Side
Xx
If this interests you, you might enjoy reading my blog post on The guide to your first designer handbag, Best Lip Balms, and my 2025 Wishlist.
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