19 Things I Don't Regret Buying in 2023

They say hindsight is 20/20, but I think it’s 11/10. Hahhahahahaha.

The day Spotify released everyone’s year-in-review reports, it made me think. Not about the music I played this year—an absurd amount of Disney soundtracks, courtesy of Wilder; younger me is cringing about the cliche I have become—but about everything I bought this year (or received as a present), and which pieces are complete 11/10, no-regrets purchases. A shopping state of the union, if you will?

So I did what any nerdy Virgo would do, and I started going through my receipts, looking at all the orders I placed over the past year, and examining the data. Some things surprised me, like the fact that I only placed 13 orders at Net-A-Porter since January. (For the record, 13 is a lot, but given my devotion, I thought it would be more.) Same for Sephora; turns out I only placed five orders this year, but somehow became a “Rouge” member, due to the amount I spent. The data on J.Crew is too embarrassing to share in full, but to give you a sense of how much I shopped the retailer this year, I stopped counting after I realized I purchased at least 11 cashmere sweaters. To be fair, some were gifts, but still! 

Long story long: While I made some questionable purchases this year (like these dead sexy Manolos, that are completely irrelevant to my current life), many of the things I was excited about when they first arrived are still getting a bonkers amount of wear today. Below, please find that list, and please please please consider sharing your best purchases of 2023 in the comments below.

As always,  if there’s an item you’re shopping for or you need help sorting through the zillions of options out there, please don’t hesitate to drop me a comment and I will add it to my to-do list. (And why am I prompting you to comment? Because while I love DMs and always try to answer you there, my inbox is messy, and comments here are much easier for me to find and use as source material as I’m working on new things. Also, I love comments; they make me feel seen.)

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CLOTHES

Gap Merino Crewneck Sweater ($70)

I have a longstanding fondness for all things Gap (I worked at the La Jolla store in high school and college), but that history makes me a tough critic. So trust me when I tell you that this super thin, really lovely wool sweater is an essential purchase. It’s beautifully lightweight, so you can wear it year round, and I love the slightly slouchy cut. I have it in black and bottle green, but all the colors are great. I took my normal sizes (small and medium). 

Gianvito Rossi Buckled Leather Boots ($1295)

I haven’t bought a pair of moto boots in over a decade, because I just couldn’t find the exact right pair. But then I saw this style from Gianvito Rossi, and I knew. Though expensive, they are going to be my go-to for at least another decade, as they are so well made. Every time I wear them, people literally stop me on the street because they are so perfect. Most boots are doing too much, but this style has just the right amount of buckle and detail. Plus they’re comfy. I took my normal size, 38. 

B Sides Sweatshirt ($165) in Gray Heather

I found this sweatshirt in a store in Santa Ynez, and it is truly one of my favorite pieces I own. I can’t tell if I think the vibes are classic ‘50s or slightly ‘70s, but either way it’s subtly retro and completely cozy and cool. I wear it with a black leather midi skirt to work during the week and with black straight jeans and leopard loafers on the weekend.

Sezane Andre Loafers ($225) in Leopard

This is a loafer that fit perfectly from the jump, never gave me a single blister, nor needed a moment of breaking in! If I had one complaint it’s that they only come in whole sizes, but that wasn’t actually a problem for me. I bought several sizes and ended up in the 7, and now it’s probably my most-worn shoe. I love them with jeans, cropped trousers, long black silk skirts, as they’re just cool and comfortable.

I wear them 24/7, no joke.

J.Crew Cashmere Sweaters ($118) 

I’d say I’m embarrassed to tell you how many J.Crew cashmere sweaters I own, but I started the newsletter with that confession. Here’s the thing: I own many different styles, but my favorite is the shrunken cropped crewneck, as it’s most versatile with the higher-waisted skirts and jeans I favor. (I started with black and navy before moving on to the camel and black striped iteration. The cableknit version is also nice.) I also have an oversized ribbed crewneck that is a cozy option primarily for the weekend, the relaxed V-neck in a vibrant green that everyone thinks is by The Row, and of course the classic crewneck (Jungle Green is the color!). Oh and I also own a slouchy men’s crewneck in the best dark olive green ever. My point is: J.Crew does many things well, but nothing as flawlessly as their cashmere IMHO. And yes, it holds up! 

PS: The brand’s pleated pull-on midi skirt is another one of my favorite purchases of the year, and the black one is currently on sale. Run, do not walk. I have black and navy, both in a small, and then a black in a medium too.)

This is a hat trick! J.Crew cashmere sweater around neck, The Great t-shirt, and J.Crew pleated skirt all in one outfit.

A.L.C. Juliet Pleated Blazer Dress ($595)

I’m one of A.L.C.’s biggest fans, and swear by their blazers and coats for pretty much everything. (The Chelsea Tailored Jacket, which is on sale now, is my favorite power blazer, while the Winslet Wool Coat is quite similar to my favorite coat of all time, which I got last year.) Knowing that, and all my backstory asides, it’s probably no surprise that I also like a blazer dress from the brand. This dress is not my usual length or silhouette, but I love her so much. Plus she’s classic enough to wear for years to come. Love her, just love. 

Just a really good dress. Period.

Yunoga Ultra Soft High Waist Seamless Yoga Capris ($23)

I have tried a million workout pants, and this is the style I come back to again and again. 

Inexpensive, but weirdly high quality, leggings that work for exercise or…throwing axes, as evidenced here.

Janessa Leone Tinsley Wide Brim Hat ($267)

I’m team Janessa Leone hats for life, and this year was no exception. My latest favorite—the Milton, seen below—is sold out, but my other favorite is the Tinsley, which is in stock in both natural and black. These hats are incredible, offer amazing sun protection, and last forever.

This is the Milton, which is worth the waitlist IMHO.

Dior J’Adior Slingback Pumps ($1150)

After acquiring these slingbacks in black last year, I purchased an olive green pair this year, and I still very much love them. The heel is comfortable for me, the style fits my foot well, and I wear them so so so often, it’s actually pretty astonishing. Plus, when you buy something you actually love and use all the time, the price-per-wear can be quite impressive. I have worn them at least three times a week this entire year, which if you do the math (and I did) results in approximately $7 per wear. If I keep it up at this rate in 2024, they will be down to $3.60 per wear next year. 

These heels, in every color, all day every day.

Gap Modal Pajama Joggers ($45) in Black

While I’m weird and don’t own sweatpants (never have, probs never will, at this point), I bought a pair of these joggers for a long-haul flight earlier this year, and I’m truly mad about them. They’re the absolute softest of the soft pants, and isn’t that what we all need sometimes? 

The Great The Slim Tee ($95)

Another year, another round of The Great t-shirts, and I’m completely thrilled. I honestly don’t think there’s a better t-shirt on the market, nor do I think you can go wrong with any of the styles. I’m personally a fan of The Slim Tee in Almost Black and True Navy because both are 100% cotton (which I like better than the gray, which has a little stretch). I take a 1, but it’s not that precise and you can size up or down with abandon. 

Reformation Tagliatelle Linen Dress ($278)

The dress I wore all spring and summer, and will probably do so again this year. 

The dress, in Paris this summer, when it was 1 million degrees.

BEAUTY

Ilia Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm ($28) in Runaway

Your lips, but better because they look like you’ve been making out for an hour. 

PillowTalk Derm Major Fade Solution System ($165)

I’m a big fan of Dr. Shareen Idriss, and her line PillowTalk Derm is the real deal. I worry about even skin tone more than wrinkles, as that’s actually what makes us look older (there are studies about this, I swear) and because I have dealt with melasma on and off for years. This three-part system (a serum I use every morning, a lightweight moisturizer, and a killer mask I use at least once a week) is excellent, and I recommend fully.

Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Awakening Concealer ($29)

TBH I love pretty much everything I’ve purchased from the line, but if I could only pick one product, it would be this magical concealer that never bunches or cakes in my fine lines. 

Shani Darden Signature Nourishing Facial Mask ($58)

We all know that I am Shani’s biggest fan, and I love that I can (almost) replicate a visit to her studio at home, thanks to her amazing products. This nourishing facial mask is like a moisturizing nap for your skin, and I just adore it.

Merit Solo Shadow Cream-to-Powder Soft Matte Eyeshadow ($24)

I hadn’t used eye shadow in years until I got hooked on these super soft, easy to use eyeshadows. My current trick is to use the dark gray/soft black shade Nelson as an eyeliner. It give you the perfect smoked out cat-eye effect, and has impressive staying power. 

HOME + OTHER

Aloha Collection Mid Pouch ($36)

My absolute favorite find for spring, summer, and beyond. These pouches are our go-to for swim dates, swim class, beach days, and travel. 

Lands’ End 400 Thread Count Premium Supima Cotton No Iron Sateen Sheets ($147 for a queen set, currently 30% off)

Bless Annie Meyers-Shyer aka @thisoakhouse for making these sheets a sensation this year. We have them on all our beds, and I absolutely love them.

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Okay friends, that’s it for now. If you want to follow me on @hillarykerr, I’d love it. And if you have anything to say or ask (preferably nothing terribly mean), please drop me a note either via DM or in the comments below.

As always, thank you for taking the time to read this post. I’m truly so glad you’re here. If you like what you’re reading, please consider sharing this newsletter. (And if you have the time to like it, that would mean a lot to me!) All products mentioned are independently chosen, and some may be affiliate links. Your support is appreciated.