The 32 Best Things We Bought on Amazon in 2021
It's no secret that we're big fans of Amazon. Whether we're looking for home goods, beauty essentials, fashion finds, or the random who-knew-I-needed-this hidden gem, we're always scooping up something on the site. And once we know a product is worth the hype, we can't help but share it with you. Now that 2021 is officially coming to a close, we figured it was time to take a little trip down memory lane by browsing our Amazon order histories and naming our best buys of the year. And not to sound dramatic, but I really hope you're ready. I thought my own picks were good, but the list only got better as my colleagues' recommendations started pouring in. It's safe to say my wish list is longer than ever, but enough about me. To see all 32 items that made the cut, just keep scrolling.
"After seeing this little mushroom lamp in one of Lauren Eggertsen's stories, I snagged it, and it was the cutest addition to my bedroom dresser." — Nicole Eshaghpour, Senior Market Editor
"I needed a neutral but interesting decorative book for one of my shelves, and this $16 find saved the day." — Nicole Eshaghpour, Senior Market Editor
"My bra, sock, and underwear drawer is finally organized in an easy-to-maintain way thanks to these genius dividers." — Nicole Eshaghpour, Senior Market Editor
"If you like looking chic and cool while feeling comfortable, then you absolutely need this matching set in your life." — Nicole Eshaghpour, Senior Market Editor
Shop the matching Catalina Pull-On Rib Sweater Pant ($45).
"I finally found the perfect organic hand sanitizer that I feel comfortable using for the whole family. (Plus, it smells amazing.) Now I keep one of these little bottles in all my bags." — Nicole Eshaghpour, Senior Market Editor
"People keep talking about Dazzle Dry, so I decided it was time to try it. Amazon made it easy to do so with these sets that include everything you need. I can't get over how quickly it dries and how long it lasts." — Allyson Payer, Senior Editor
"I buy a new pair of Ugg slippers basically every year. (They get pretty tired since I wear them constantly.) I ordered this pair as soon as it started getting cold. I like that they have a slim sole because I always trip over the ones with thick soles, and I love the open toe, which allows for some breathability." — Allyson Payer, Senior Editor
"Having something that sets your suitcase apart from the hundreds of others is essential. I order these for all of my luggage, and I can spot my bags from practically a mile away." — Allyson Payer, Senior Editor
"Right now, I only want to wear ribbed tube socks with my sneakers. I love that this style from Ralph Lauren is finished with the polo logo." — Kristen Nichols, Senior Editor
"I discovered this chemical exfoliant on Instagram and was skeptical that it would actually transform my skin as promised, but now I'm telling everyone to buy it. My skin has never looked more clear or bright—and some pesky forehead bumps are finally gone. If you need more proof that this stuff is basically skin magic, there are over 47,000 reviews to convince you." — Kristen Nichols, Senior Editor
"While I originally purchased these sneakers a few years back, I just ordered a fresh pair and can't recommend them enough." — Kristen Nichols, Senior Editor
"There's a good reason why this workout tank has thousands of glowing reviews on Amazon, and that's because it's legit. The material is thick and supportive, so it's good for both working out and lounging. I happen to think it looks way more expensive than its $24 price tag." — Anna LaPlaca, Editor
"I'm a big fan of all things Sakara. (If you saw inside my kitchen cabinets, this would be obvious.) The one thing I always end up ordering over and over again is the Digestive Tea. The blend of peppermint, fennel, and other digestion-friendly herbs is the perfect pick-me-up after a meal." — Anna LaPlaca, Editor
"I go through this insanely good-smelling body wash so quickly that I should probably just set up a recurring subscription so I never run out. It's made with clean ingredients and has been the only thing that doesn't dry out my skin, even in the winter. Plus, it makes the shower experience downright spa-like." — Anna LaPlaca, Editor
"There wasn't a summer day this year that didn't include snapping on this anklet. It's the perfect finishing touch, and I'm starting to wear it again with tights and a good loafer in colder weather." — Sierra Mayhew, Associate Editor
"I picked up journaling about a year ago, and it's been one of the most rewarding habits I've ever formed. I filled my first one up from cover to cover, and now I've repurchased it in this mint-green color to hold all of my latest secrets." — Sierra Mayhew, Associate Editor
"I can't even begin to count how many times I've reordered this micellar water. A few viral TikToks in 2020 introduced us, and we've been together ever since. I'll certainly be carrying this budget-friendly beauty product into 2022. You know it's real when you order two bottles at once." — Sierra Mayhew, Associate Editor
"I recently moved to a new apartment, and what I gained in closet space, I lost in bathroom shelves. Since tiny bathrooms are the norm in NYC, I already knew to turn to Amazon for quick storage solutions. The first item on my list was a set of sturdy suction-cup shower caddies. I stuck one inside my shower to hold my face wash, razor, and body oil and put another on the tile above my sink for more face wash, toner, and toothpaste. They adhere surprisingly well, so I'll be purchasing the larger size to keep my shampoo, conditioner, and body wash off the shower floor." — Drew Elovitz, Director of Content Strategy
"Similarly, this affordable bathroom storage cart isn't much to look at, but it gets the job done. It fits perfectly in the sliver of space between the toilet and sink and holds everything from bathroom cleaners and tampons to tall bottles of moisturizer, dry shampoo, and everyday makeup products. Since I didn't have a ton of time to shop around for small-space storage solutions, I really appreciate that this cart had high user ratings and was delivered to my door in just two days." — Drew Elovitz, Director of Content Strategy
"I wanted a simple, French linen–inspired tablecloth for my new place. But since I knew it was bound to get stained, I didn't want to spend a ton of money. The first tablecloth I bought did not survive the washing machine, but this one is actually incredible. It has seen more than its fair share of hot-sauce stains and still manages to look good even though I wash it at least once a week." — Drew Elovitz, Director of Content Strategy
"Finally, one of the perks of moving was gaining an office/workout space. I knew I wanted something a bit more stylish than the standard black floor mat, so I was delighted to discover this soft, patterned micro-suede mat by Tribe West. Sure, it's billed as a playmat for babies, but I find it works just as well for post-Peloton stretching and other floor exercises. Plus, it's super easy to clean and does double duty as an office rug, which is essential for a multi-use space." — Drew Elovitz, Director of Content Strategy
"I'm all about a cable-knit sweater right now, and this one from the Amazon Essentials line is great. I bought a larger size for a slouchy silhouette, and I wear it with my go-to relaxed jeans." — Bobby Schuessler, Market Director
"I'm all about a logo baseball hat, so you can imagine my reaction when I stumbled across this chic pick." — Bobby Schuessler, Market Director
"Hanes makes such comfy loungewear products, including this stellar crewneck sweatshirt. I live in it." — Bobby Schuessler, Market Director
"I bought this basic crewneck sweatshirt earlier this year and have worn it at least twice a week since. I wash it so often that I honestly should get a new one, but that's truly how much I wear it. Sometimes I wear it to work from home, and sometimes I layer it underneath a leather blazer and pair it with slouchy trousers. It's the most shockingly versatile piece in my wardrobe, hands down." — Lauren Eggertsen, Editorial Director
"This white button-down is a piece I wear almost as much as that black sweatshirt. Thanks to the menswear fit, it's perfectly oversize and has that casual yet polished feel I try to go for on a daily basis." — Lauren Eggertsen, Editorial Director
"I have long, thick hair, and these are the only claw clips that actually hold my hair up. That's all." — Lauren Eggertsen, Editorial Director
"We've been in masks for a long time now, and I wish I had known about the Halo mask earlier! It's so comfortable because it has adjustable ear loops and little foam pads along the nose. My ears usually ache after wearing a mask for several hours, and it's much less noticeable with the Halo mask. My fiancé, who has a larger nose, says the pads at the bridge of the nose really help with his mask pain point. You have to change out the filter, but it's a small con for so many pros!" — Kat Collings, Editor in Chief
"I saw on social media that a vintage clothing seller recommends this spot remover for her toughest stains. Vintage stains are likely pretty set, so I bought this immediately after reading her positive review. After many uses, I agree it works like a charm!" — Kat Collings, Editor in Chief
"Am I the last person to know about the magic of Olaplex? This product, in particular, is magic for an air dry. Frizz and spots that dry weirdly will honestly become a thing of the past. I smooth on some while trying not to disrupt my natural curl pattern and leave it alone to let a gorgeous air dry develop. I'll also note that when I used this product in conjunction with the Olaplex shampoo and conditioner, I had the best hair day of my life. I was legit confused about how good my hair looked, and the products continue to impress me." — Kat Collings, Editor in Chief
"I picked up running during the pandemic (something I never thought I would do), but I kept getting annoyed by my phone on long runs. I only have a few pairs of leggings and shorts with pockets that work for my phone. I got this armband, and it's such a game changer. It even has a pocket for your keys, so I no longer have to worry about a place to put my keys, either. (I used to chaotically attach them to my hair tie.)" — Katie Berohn, Associate Beauty Editor
"I have historically hated strapless bras so much that I used to avoid wearing clothes that require one. I have a larger chest, and most strapless bras either fall down, look weird, or dig into my back. This strapless bra is the only one I've tried that I actually like—I even bought a second one. It holds everything up and never falls down. I wore strapless tops all summer thanks to this bra." — Katie Berohn, Associate Beauty Editor
Next, I'm a picky shopper, and this is what I want from Nordstrom for winter.
Since starting as an intern back in 2013, Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour has held several roles here at Who What Wear, and she is currently Editor-at-Large. It was a less expected route, seeing as she was graduating from business school at USC when this all began, but it has turned out to be the best one for her. Fast-forward to 2024, and she's moved to NYC from her hometown of Beverly Hills and spends her workdays a little differently from when she was an intern starting out. Currently, she focuses on a weekly mélange of shopping content. As far as her personal style goes, she's largely drawn to classic pieces and neutral basics but will always make an exception for something colorful, printed, or bejeweled as long as it's deemed worthy enough. After all, the only thing she loves more than a good party is dressing up for one. On weekdays, she can usually be found at home eating something delicious for dinner and trying to force her husband to watch Summer House.
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