One thing you should know about Who What Wear editors is that we love to shop. Thankfully, it's our job to spend hours scouring every corner of the internet and in-person sales racks to find the best deals. Often we'll stumble upon something so good we can't help but buy it ourselves before sending photos of our late-night impulse purchases and thoughtful buys to our Who What Wear Slack channel. (Listen, it's part of our job description! How could we not!)
But not every purchase is equal. Although some of what we buy slowly fades into the back of our closets, others become life-changing purchases that completely transform our lives, items we can't stop wearing, posting about, and sharing with everyone we know. Now that we're halfway through 2023, it's only fair to round up the best items our editors have bought this year. From under-$50 Zara tops that are perfect for a night on the town to party-stealing occasion bags with clay cookies, these are the finds Who What Wear editors would buy again in a heartbeat—and most likely, you will too.
"I'm obsessed with fiery chili pepper red, this year's dominant color trend. I've been wearing this chic red Zara top to lean into the trend with jeans and tailored trousers alike. I always get compliments when I wear it, and for $26, you really can't go wrong." —Judith Jones, senior market editor
"When it comes to denim, I can be a tough critic. I pretty much stick to the same denim brands that work for me and never go outside my comfort zone, and while I basically live in Reformation tops and dresses, I have not really worn many of their jeans or denim pieces. So I tried these Reformation jeans a month or two ago, and they quickly became my most worn, favorite pair of jeans. They look so elevated and feel so comfortable. I'm officially obsessed." —Grace O'Connell Joshua, assistant shopping editor
"These have to be one of the best purchases I've made this year, hands down. Although I'm partial to the hordes of designer sunglasses I've acquired over the years, I reach for my chic Outta Love frames if I'm in a rush. They're well under $100, meaning I feel so much safer throwing them in my bag or carrying them on the go rather than babying them out of fear that I'll damage or lose them. They're the purchase I recommend to people over and over again." — Ana Escalante, assistant shopping editor.
"If you're looking for a thin sweater that layers easily but will actually keep you warm, this lightweight cashmere knit from Éterne is it. It's no wonder Hailey Bieber wears hers in brown multiple times a week, and I have to say the same for how often I reach for mine in gray." — Anna LaPlaca, fashion editor
"I was a late bloomer of the 2022 Samba trend, but since buying them earlier this year to use as my commute shoes, I've never looked back. They go with everything, and they're Bella Hadid-approved. Can you ask for anything better?" — Escalante
"I can't believe I slept so long on buying a pair of Frankie Shop trousers. They're so modern and chic and can be dressed up or down. I've been living in this uniform featuring a T-shirt and sneakers." —Bobby Schuessler, market director
"I've never been a big dress girl, but after putting on this one from COS, I'm rethinking that choice entirely. I know the word chic is overused in fashion, but that's exactly how I felt when putting this on. It can be worn off or on the shoulder, but I opted for the latter. At first, I wasn't sure if it was a little out of my comfort zone, but I sent it to my friends immediately only to receive compliments, and one even replied, 'I literally want to buy it for myself.' Maybe it wasn't that I wasn't a dress girl, but I hadn't found the right one to fit my preferences, and this one checks all the boxes. I'm considering this a top purchase of the year so far." — Yusra Siddiqui, associate fashion editor��
"If we're talking about the most life-affirming and life-altering purchases of 2023, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention my beloved Puppets & Puppets cookie bag. While one may be dubious about the mindset that compels one to buy a small handbag with a resin cookie on it, I'm here to tell you that it's not meant to be a "rational" purchase. It's purely about le fashion, baby. Though it's not as "practical" as other purses, I've found myself turning to it any time I want to add a little flavor to my favorite staples. It adds an element of intrigue to all my ensembles. Plus, it always brings out the most visceral reactions in people, which is quite amusing in a city like New York. Strangers either strike up a conversation to talk about how much they love the bag, or I get serious side-eyes from people on the subway. Either way, the bag always livens things up and has become my best purchase of the year, no doubt." — Jasmine Fox-Suliaman, fashion editor
"This is my new favorite button-down, and I plan on purchasing more of them. The quality is so good. It's silky as opposed to stiff like some button-downs, and the fit is great. I've worn it too many times since I got it." — Allyson Payer, senior editor
"The earrings that single-handedly turned me from an 'all gold everything' to a mixed-metal person. I love how the sculptural shape is weighty but still wearable enough for every day. I truly wear them with everything from a T-shirt and jeans to a silk dress." — LaPlaca
"I'm in love with the oversize pockets on these wide-leg jeans. Not to mention they are so comfortable, and they're under $100. On top of that, Warp + Weft is a cute sustainable brand, so this pair of denim really hits all the marks." — Chichi Offor, associate shopping editor
"Okay, so I bought this, but not for myself: I gifted my mother a pair of Margaux slides for Mother's Day, and since then, she's texted me at least five times thanking me because they're that comfortable. There's nothing better than getting a gift for someone you love, especially when it completely changes their life. I haven't bit the bullet on getting a pair for myself yet, but I'm eyeing nearly every single style on the website. Ringing in at under $250, nearly all of their ballet-style flats are high on my wish list. If I don't steal my mom's pair when I'm visiting her next (highly likely!), I'll have to get my own." — Escalante
"This is the jewelry brand every Who What Wear editor is obsessed with. This sculptural pair of earrings has become my go-to when I want to feel a little dressed up. They're the gift that keeps on giving." — Sierra Mayhew, associate fashion editor
"I love a versatile and classic black dress I can wear year-round. I've been wearing this ribbed short-sleeve polo dress on repeat this season with chic slides and kitten heel mules. Lately, I've been layering a sheer midi skirt underneath it to take my look from day to night. The styling possibilities are endless!" — Jones
"I work from home, so I'm always on the hunt for comfy yet chic staples. I can't get enough of my cozy sweatshirts from Anine Bing. They are definitely a favorite of mine." — Schuessler
"These are the puddle pants to end them all. I'm not kidding when I say that multiple people have bought these Gap trousers on the spot after inquiring about where I got mine. They're the perfect amount of slouchy, and the fabric is buttery soft. I could seriously live in them (and honestly, I do)." — LaPlaca
"If I had to choose one item in my closet as my 'must-have' for the year, it's this cashmere sweater from J.Crew. I got it while it was on sale, and I think it's the best purchase I've ever made. It's incredibly soft and versatile. I wore it throughout the winter and now always have it thrown on my shoulders for those chillier summer nights." — Siddiqui
"It's not surprising this bag is sold out almost everywhere. It fits the quiet-luxury aesthetic to a T. There's a larger version as well, which is also beautiful, but I find the clutch version (it comes with a strap) to be the perfect size for everything I need to carry around daily." — Payer
"I got these earlier this year, and based on how much I've worn them, I have zero regrets. They're as comfortable and easy to wear as your favorite sneakers, but a bit fancier." — Payer
"Every time a girl gets a Chopova Lowena skirt, I feel like an angel gets their wings. I got my first skirt from the British brand a few months ago, and although the price-tag on the higher side, it's well-worth it: being a sustainable brand, making size-inclusive designer ready-to-wear clothing, and supporting an independent label is nothing to scoff at. Although I got the traditional midi-length option, I'm eyeing this mini as soon as that direct deposit hits." — Escalante
"While this may seem like a boring shopping pick, it really has been a game-changer in my wardrobe. After all, basics are the most important pieces of them all. I found it through TikTok and now own it in three different colors. It's extremely soft on the skin, fits onto the body like a glove, and is easy to wear as-is or as a layering piece. I didn't see shopping from Gap on my 2023 bingo card, but here we are, and I'm impressed." — Siddiqui
"I love the fit of this denim vest—not too loose and not too fitted. I was wearing it with black jeans and trousers this winter and am excited to pair it with skirts this summer." — Payer
"I originally got this rancher hat for a trip to Miami, but you will see me wearing it all over the Hamptons and New York City this summer. I've always loved a good wide-brim rancher or cowboy hat for summer, and this one feels so fashionable. Definitely one of my favorite accessories I've purchased for summer." — O'Connell Joshua
"I just might have found the perfect top for summer. The off-the-shoulder silhouette, the puff-sleeve, the bow—for me, it's absolute perfection. I got this top and wore it during my most recent trip to L.A., and it ended up being the perfect piece for summer." — Mayhew
"While I usually veer toward timeless silhouettes for my handbags, something primal in me came out when I saw this little Rimowa suitcase. I've been leaning into untraditional handbag shapes and funky styles in 2023, and for some reason, it felt appropriate to get a pink trunk-style mini bag to carry around while in the city. I've gotten stopped not once but twice wearing the Rimowa cross-body because people were so fascinated with it. If you're looking to embrace your main character energy, look no further." — Escalante
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