What day is it?
My most-worn pieces of 2025 plus a few days in Carmel
Typing this with matcha in hand, wearing these jeans, this sweater, and this wrap coat—some of my most worn pieces of the year. As I was waiting for my order looking down at my sunnies and wristlet, it felt like the perfect segue to share the purchases I used and loved most in 2025.
Starting with outerwear, if I’m not in my black wrap coat^ like today, I’m almost always wearing it in brown b/c it works with everything and can fully be the outfit when I need it to.
I wore my denim jacket in beige so often that I recently added the dark blue wash to my mix and proceeded to wear it for a week straight even in December. The beige one has been sold out for months but this is a very chic alternative if you’re searching.
My barn jacket was an investment, but has proven itself to be season-less (and is currently on sale here).
No matter the season, my preference is pants. I consistently reached for these three over the course of the year regardless of my plans or the weather: my ideal black pants, 90s denim, and my beloved brown jeans. I’m leaning away from a wide leg lately, but these are the Gala pants reincarnated* and I acquired a third color this year, so do with that what you will. *Code HELENB10 if you’re curious!
I’ve said it before but ballet flats took over my life this year. The Awar style was my undisputed favorite, recently followed by this style^ which I can finally confirm was worth the pre-order wait. They’re effortless with every outfit including leggings, and infinitely more chic than a sneaker en route to your workout.
Sandals are my weakness but I still reached for these flip flops that I’ve had for years the most, followed by my Signum heels. They’re very hard to come by these days but I just got this similar pair on major sale. More sizes are available here.
These boots (in brown) won with the most day time wear, and these were my consistent go to for night.
My favorite thing to wear on top is a long-sleeve crewneck whether that’s in sweater, sweatshirt, or tee format. I love this and this long sleeve equally, and same for their short sleeve counterparts (1, 2). The cut of the sweater I am wearing today is so good that I was able to justifying owning it in multiple colors and wear it weekly as a top, tied around my waist, or as a scarf. On sale here.
I never expected to use my wristlet so much, and I’d be lost without this tote and this clutch, but year after year this grab and go bag still might be my favorite ever. I’m too old to be talking about Christmas presents but I can already tell this new bag is going to make it on my most used list next go around.
Spending time in Carmel is always special, but even more so during the holidays. We stayed at La Playa to celebrate my birthday and enjoy a very California Christmas.
People watching in a hotel lobby is one of my favorite activities, especially when it’s this chic and festive:
Speaking of, these were the most low-key but still festive pants. The straight leg felt more pulled together than a wide leg, but the fluid wool was still very relaxed and comfortable. I’m wearing the XXS in the regular length but my girlfriend (and co-founder of the brand), is working on a petite version coming in the new year which I’m very excited about. I wore them with this Toteme coat, these heels, and this bag—to which my husband literally asked, “what is that?”
I stand by the importance of a silly little bag, even if it held exactly one lip liner to dinner.
Otherwise I was either wearing a wrap sweater or these pajamas that have replaced every other pair I used to own. My favorite styles are the James and Leni sets, and I will be purchasing the Miller set as soon as it’s back in stock.
This letter is starting to feel like a run on sentence, but I wanted to share this incase it’s helpful for any closet decluttering heading into the new year. I’ve been using Mytheresa’s resale service powered by Vestiaire Collective to recoup from some of my not so great purchases and items that just don’t get enough use. I personally like that you have slightly more control over pricing unlike TheRealReal. I typically take a pause from shopping in January so it’s a nice way to plan for future spring buys with intention.
Ok, time to go wrap up here and use NYE as the perfect excuse to play with my new FH toys^.
See you next year!
SLB 4e&e!
This letter gave me the start of the year spark I needed to play in my wardrobe and start my 2026 wishlist !