To be honest, I didn’t buy much this year when it comes to fashion and beauty. Chalk that up to the combo of COVID + working from home + being pregnant. There wasn’t anything to get dolled up for and if I really had to, it was leggings or nada. Truth be told, I spent 90% of the year in loungewear and I don’t think I wore a real outfit til September. As you can tell, I really put my best foot forward in 2020.
With that said, I did have a few standout purchases, ones that I wore and used over and over and over again. I guess you could say I unintentionally adopted the concept of a capsule wardrobe. You will notice below that almost every photo includes two or more of the items I’m highlighting which feels like a little pat on the back. They were good purchases.
Below are the best of my 2020 purchases in fashion, accessories, clean beauty, and fitness. And on top of these, I still stand by all of the items I listed last year in my Top Purchases of 2019 – those all came with me into the new year!
Fashion
Free People Easy Street Tunic
Legit one of three sweaters I wear in the Winter (I never said cold weather styling was my forte). This sweater is thick but you can layer a tee underneath for even more warmth (I love love love the bodysuit mentioned below), it works tucked into high rise jeans just as well as it does untucked with leggings, and it’s perfectly oversized. I’ve considered buying another one for backup – just in case. I went with my true size.
*Currently on sale here!
Yummie Shaping Thong Bodysuit
This bodysuit is the best for layering! What makes it so perfect is that the neckline is scooped a bit so you never have to worry about it peeking out from the top of your sweater over top. That may sound trivial, but I had the hardest time for years finding the perfect base layer for my Winter sweaters. I hate that coats cover up the outfit, so the combo of bodysuit + sweater allows the outfit to shine! Now, once the temps really dip, you’re gonna need to pull out the puffer coat, but this combo has gotten me many many more sweater days than ever before!
It can also be worn on its own and is very cute that way, I’m just typically an oversized girl so find myself layering it more often than not. I wear a 4/S but sized up to the M/L. I also bought the white but it is pretty sheer. Could work as a base layer but cannot be worn on its own, FYI.
Naadam Textured Crewneck Sweater
The newest sweater to join a place in my Winter rotation – which is saying a lot. I love everything about it – it’s soft enough to not need a layer underneath, it’s perfectly loose while still having some shape, and the ivory color is perfection (not too warm but also not pure white). I went up one size for a looser/slightly longer fit.
Botkier Boots
I get questions every time I wear these boots. And I get it because these are one of the only items I get legitimately excited to wear when the weather cools. They’re comfortable, really lightweight and make any outfit look cooler. I went true to size and can fit a wool sock.
True & Co. True Body V-Neck Bralette
If you are looking for the comfiest bra of your life that still offers a bit of support, look no further than this bralette. You feel totally contained while at the same time feeling like you’re not wearing anything. I don’t know the science, I just know it works.
Also, praise be that it is lightly lined; don’t even get me started on the fact that every bralette is always unlined. Like, I want to be comfortable but not nip out – is that too much to ask?!?! Well, apparently it’s not because True & Co did it with this one.
If you’re wanting a “real” bra, I’ve mentioned my love for the Natori bras before and I’ve tried almost all the styles – this one is THE best.
Paige Mayslie Joggers
After having my eye on these for over a year, I finally bit the bullet during one of the Shopbop “Buy More, Save More” sales (hot tip: those sales are the best for buying/justifying higher price tag items). They are even better than I had hoped! Super stretchy, soft, and flattering. I love the cinched ankle detail!
Zella Maternity Leggings
I had THE hardest time finding a pair of maternity leggings. I kid you not I think I ordered 10 pairs before finding *the one*. I tried everything from the Blanqi ones everyone raves about (they are seamless so the backside felt like wearing a diaper, no thanks) to cheap Amazon ones (saggy, thin, no compression). The hardest part is that I wanted ones I could work out in but also ones I could dress up with a sweater – and they needed to be stretchy enough to not suffocate but have enough compression to still smooth everything and suck me in. Yes, I am aware that I am picky. These were the only ones to fit the bill!
One thing to note is that these are for later in pregnancy. You will not like these or find any value in them until your belly is quite big; it needs to be able to hold up the panel! For the first half of pregnancy I would recommend these $25 Amazon ones for working out or the Lululemon Align leggings for lounging and sweaters.
These go in and out of stock all the time, so if you see them available in your size, act quickly! I went with my normal pre-pregnancy size.
Accessories
Lele Sadoughi Faux Leather Headband
Praise be that headbands are still in style – my postpartum hair regrowth is very grateful! In the cold weather, my hair always gets staticky and has no volume, so I’ve got to get creative. This headband adds some character to lackluster curls or a simple bun. I wear it at least 3 times a week with zero shame.
Nickel and Suede Beau Black Leather Earrings
Nickel & Suede is a local Kansas City brand that I was so happy to re-discover when we returned. They so kindly gifted me a pair of my choice of earrings when I attended the grand opening of their Plaza location (which is stunning BTW!) and I had to go for these. They are simple enough that I find myself wearing them ALL THE TIME. Oh, and they weigh nothing since they are made of leather!
Wonder Lint Sweater Shaver
I’m convinced everyone needs this pill remover in their home! I’ve tried cheaper ones before and they did nothing; this one is the real deal. Matt teases me how much I HATE pilling, but it grosses me out and I think it makes even high end sweaters look cheap. A minute or two with this magic tool and your clothes will look brand new! I also use on our upholstered bar stools.
Clean Beauty
Biossance Squalane + Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum
Initially I received a trial sized sample of this resurfacing serum with another order. It was enough to last 2 weeks and I kid you not, I had noticeable results in that timeframe! I immediately ordered a full size. It is gentle but powerful; evens skintone, smooths skin, and dissolves dead surface cells to reveal your most luminous skin.
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
Funny story: when I was in the hospital bed recovering after having Elle, looking like a train wreck, Matt turned to me and said “Hey, are there any new skincare items you want, I want to get you a little something” and I was like “Actually… there IS something I had on my wishlist!”
I’ve purchased this essence before but hadn’t restocked it in a few years because it is $$. That said, it is truly a miracle product and while pricey, it lasts a long time – it’s 100% worth it if you can swing it. Postpartum can do a number on your skin – particularly making it look really dry and dull. This combats that while also plumping skin and minimizing fine lines. My 2.5 oz bottle is just now running low after 7 months and I will absolutely be restocking.
It looks like the gift set I got is still available. It is the same price as the bottle alone but also comes with a trial size of the toner + a sheet mask!
Kosas Revealer Concealer
This clean undereye concealer rivals Tarte Shape Tape – but might be even better! What gives it the edge is that it feels so lightweight (whereas the Shape Tape is notoriously thick), doesn’t settle into fine lines, and is non-toxic! I wear shade 3.
Kosas The Sun Show Bronzer
Oohh, I can’t say enough good things about this bronzer! It gives the prettiest golden glow! Looks like a filter on your face how it blurs things and adds some color and sheen. It isn’t a full-on sparkle (I’m not into that), but more of a “glow from within”. I wear shade Light.
Ilia Limitless Lash Lengthening Mascara
Truthfully, I rarely wear mascara so I hadn’t switched to a clean version as I was still rocking a tube from two years ago. But when that ran out, I knew I wanted to replace it with a clean alternative. I’d heard rave reviews about this one and am so glad I gave it a try. I wasn’t obsessed the first time I used it, but by the second or third I was in love.
Fitness
APL TechLoom Breeze Sneakers
These sneakers aren’t for everyone – my husband always tells me they look weird but I personally love the look of APLs! This style is SO lightweight and comfortable, it’s like walking on a cloud. I wear them for all my fitness classes and strength training workouts (I don’t run, so can’t speak to that). Go with your normal size.
Lululemon Run Off Route Shorts
These shorts are sold out as far as I can tell but they are ones to keep an eye out for! I know the Tracker shorts have a cult following, but they aren’t high waisted enough for my taste. These are a true high-waist while still being incredibly comfortable and allowing for movement. Plus, the length is long enough to cover your booty while the slits in the sides are incredibly leg-lengthening. I went up one from my normal size (as I always do in Lululemon, their products tend to run small).
There you have it – my best purchases of 2020 for myself in fashion, clean beauty, and fitness! Coming later this week… the best of home, food, and kids!
