2024 Top 10 Favorites
Your top 10 most-purchased finds over the past year, and a few of my personal MVPs that didn't make the list!
Every January I love pulling the numbers and seeing what styles and pieces this community favored throughout the prior year! This year’s list includes several great everyday staples that come back year after year, comfy practical shoes, and some of the most flattering jeans available in petite sizing.
For this roundup I also tried to include video fit reviews for each item, and added a few personal MVPs (that didn’t made the reader favorites list) to the bottom of this post!
2024 EP READERS TOP 10 FAVORITES
1. J. Crew slim wide jeans
In 2023 the Madewell wide crop jeans were at the top of the list, so I’m not surprised the J.Crew version earned a spot this time around. Both are similar, though the J.Crew jeans are cut slightly less wide through the legs, with more color options that have finished hems (compared to raw cut hems).
As someone who rarely wears anything beyond a kitten heel now, wide cropped denim has been one of the most flattering yet practical styles that pairs easily with flats, lower heels and booties. J.Crew jeans run a little big at the waist – I have 24 petite and there’s room, but I don’t mind it with my fluctuating weight. I also ended up getting this same cut in faux leather which is soft and comfy all day, tho runs bigger at the waist than the denim.
2. Ann Taylor Sailor Wide Leg Pants
These trousers were a wild hit that sold out quickly! Ann Taylor has a few similar wide leg pants currently available (most similar full length option and cropped option) that I plan on trying, in hopes that some of these will be pretty close.
3. SéZANE AMANCE CARDIGAN
Much of my wardrobe is made up of basic staples, so having a handful of more unique, intricately detailed pieces goes a long way in adding some spark to outfits. This is one of those winners with the prettiest cut, gently ballooning sleeves and tiny pearlized buttons. The fit is a looser cut on me with longer sleeves, so I usually wear it with the banded wrist folded once. You can see more photos of it on me in this blog post.
4. Quince Winners
Two items from Quince just about tied for bestsellers this year: 1) this linen midi dress with pockets (see on me) that’s classic and comfortable and accompanied me on several trips, and 2) this cashmere everyday staple that I own in nearly all the colors.
In my recent Quince sweater reviews I shared this little sweater has a more petite-friendly fit than their standard crewneck, and I only wish they’d make more colors! It has a banded bottom hem that’s easy to adjust and hike up a bit to wear shorter, without having to tuck in. See what I mean in this try-on video.
5. Madewell bucket bag
This bag checked off all the boxes! Chic quiet luxury look, roomy capacity (easily fits my laptop) to use as a work / mom / school bag, beautiful colors, and comfortable shoulder strap drop even with a thick coat on. It comes in two sizes as seen in my video – the medium is a really nice petite-friendly size, but I went with the full size to fit a laptop. The slouch keeps it from feeling too big on a petite frame.
I did have to modify mine by cutting the excess tail length of the leather strap, but it was a quick, simple cut and not noticeable afterward IMO.
6. Kenneth Cole Stretch shaft boots
Current still available at:
Note: this boot comes out in new iterations each year with a different style name (ie Emily, Ella, Elbert), but I’ve found them to all be extremely similar in construction and fit. My 3 pairs all have a different style name, but look and feel very close.
These were one of my personal MVPs last Fall / Winter, so I was happy to see them restocked and make this list! While I don’t find the shape of these boots to be the most fashion-forward, the comfort is unmatched. They’re are well cushioned and have little pads for arch support so I can wear them walking all around the city. The slim stretch ankle shaft also tucks easily into the leg opening of jeans and pants. These run a little narrow so I recommend sizing up if between sizes (I got 5.5).
7. ARITZIA SUPERPuff Down PUFFER
Although I’m a wool coat loyalist, puffers have always been more popular with the EP community. In prior years there’s been a lot of interest in my Mackage puffer reviews, so it’s no surprise this Aritzia look-for-less has become a best seller.
I’ve put mine to the test and it’s truly warm yet lightweight, and water-reisistant at least in lighter snow showers. It comes in either original or slim fit aka their “SuperSnug” fit. The original is looser with plenty of room to layer, while the SuperSnug is a close, slim fit through the torso and sleeves. If you’re a fan of the Mackage look, the SuperSnug mid length coats are most similar, esp ones with faux fur hoods.
For those who like more coverage for warmth, my MIL loves her classic fit long superpuff (sized down)!
8. GAP WIDE LEG STRIDE JEANS
The super flattering trouser jean that instantly lengthens! While a wide cropped style (see #1 above) is more practical with lower shoes, the elongating effect of these is worth wearing heels for once in a while.
Typical of Gap sizing, the waist of the 24 petite is a little loose on me. I saw a very petite friend wearing her Stride jeans with sneakers, and turns out, she successfully shrunk them machine washing & drying on high but I’ve yet to try that.
9. Abercrombie tailored topcoat
I don’t know why it’s a challenge every single year to find wool coats in actual petite sizing! A lot of brands ran oversized this winter or sold out quickly, but this AF one has been a trusty staple for several years now. It’s a no-frills, straighter cut coat that can be worn casually or professionally, and comes in several colors (herringbone was the favorite this year) and Petite / Standard / Tall sizing so we can actually get sleeve lengths that fit! It’s also decently warm and fully lined – my usual xxs petite has room to layer.
10. adidas Spezial Sneakers
Restocked at Foot Locker. I lived in sneakers this year, and while I wore my Sambas in both black and white SO much, the Spezials in this colorway were a clear favorite.
This versatile “Earth strata” color sells out quickly, but gets restocked every once in a while. The Spezials have a little more arch support than Sambas but do run large (half to a full size). I’m typically a 5 or 5.5 in other brands, and my Spezials in 5 has some room on me.
Honorable Mention: BABYZEN YOYO STROLLER
Our tried and true compact stroller – we’ve used it on nearly every trip since Nori was born 6 years ago! This is also the stroller I choose to use on a day-to-day basis if I’m heading out the door on my own, since it’s so lightweight and more manageable for me than our regular stroller. In prior years it rarely got marked down, but became a best seller this year due to a pretty good sale (25% off)!
Honorable mention: CASLON WATER RESISTANT BOOTS
Another very old purchase that continues to be a reader favorite! These were a hit with you guys years ago, became discontinued, and then seemingly popped back at Nordstrom Rack for a steal at under $50. If you prefer a little more lift, I also own the newer Miah boot with block heel (Miah runs half size big).
a few more Personal MVPs
Noteworthy additions that didn’t make the list above, but bring me joy while getting dressed!
1. Varley doublesoft set
Influenced by friends, I placed my first Varley order a while back and their Double Soft fabric truly lived up to the hype. I wanted a full set but the shorter 25″ cuffed jogger in xxs was always sold out – I only recently snagged one and it’s honestly more petite-friendly than I expected! The medium weight is also fantastic and something I can wear for at least 3 seasons in Boston.
I’d suggest getting a darker color if possible since the pocket outlines show through a bit on lighter, but when enveloped in the luxuriously soft fabric, I’m willing to overlook this. I spend a good amount of time in “comfies” so putting on an elevated set makes a big difference for my mindset!
2. Aritzia Regal Vest
This has minimal stretch and won’t suit everyone, but I absolutely love mine and reached for it often before it got chilly. Whenever I was stuck on an outfit for a meeting or event, this vest felt polished and on trend without trying too hard. Looks chic with wide leg jeans, a midi skirt, or the matching trousers! It fits narrow across the chest so I sized up to a 0.
3. Levi’s Ribcage Ankle jeans
I wore a lot of flats & sneakers this year and LIVED in my Levi Ribcage jeans. I particularly like this cut since it fully covers my ankles when it’s cold out, and I don’t need to worry about what socks to wear with which sneakers. Although it’s called “ankle” length, the 27″ inseam is perfectly full length for me. These do have a very high rise, which is why I think they’re hit or miss for others.
4. ETSY SUEDE HOBO BAG
I fell in love with the Khaite suede hobo last year, so when my search turned up this handmade version for under 1/10th the price, it was a no brainer. Shipping takes a little while since it’s custom made but I’m very happy with everything – the quality, color, slouch, capacity, durable zipper… The only thing I’d do differently is maybe request a zipper pull with a matching suede tab instead of metal.
The seller was also very helpful with all my Qs and expressed how appreciative he is of this community’s support for his small biz! He even gave code JEANHOBOBAGS30 for an extra discount this month. You can also see a peek of this bag worn with my Varley tracksuit above.
Did any of these favorites find their way into your wardrobe this year?
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