183: A complete list of everything I bought in 2023
With a cost-per-use analysis of what was worth it.
I woke up the other morning feeling especially year-end-y and proceeded to make a list. I wrote down every single item I bought or otherwise brought into my wardrobe in 2023, which was pretty straightforward seeing as I’ve logged my shopping in this newsletter nearly every week.
To ascertain the real value of these pieces beyond “liked it” / “didn’t like it,” I estimated the number of times I wore each item to the best of my ability and calculated the cost per use (CPU).
Methodology
This list includes items both personally purchased and gifted by brands. Regardless of origin, all items have been listed based on the best currently available price, or if unavailable, from memory. The number of times worn was estimated, with each outing or new outfit counting as a “wear.” Items I returned have been excluded. I’m sure there are other things I left off, and if you notice something missing, it wasn’t intentional.
Low-cost things like socks and flip-flops had the best values, closely followed by basics (tanks, tees, button-downs). Pieces that were categorically unique in my wardrobe—e.g. my one raincoat, my laptop-sized bag, my nicest sweatpants—were the hardest-working SKUs, achieving competitively low CPUs despite their high up-front costs.
I then took the most-worn items from each season and built them into outfits—it shouldn’t have surprised me in the slightest, and yet it did, to realize these were outfits I’d worn time and time again since the year began. Major mental note to self that my favorite pieces all work together, and by checking in with this visual language, I’ll avoid future purchases with dreaded can’t-divide-by-zero CPUs.
(Also, just to say, I know this is a lot of stuff! I buy things with resale value and sell them when they no longer serve me. I likely shop more than most people, not least of which because it’s my job. Always be sure to assess your own personal financial situation before making a purchase—big or small—as everyone’s circumstances are different.)
Key: $ Price / # of wears = $ CPU
The first purchases of 2023 filled very real gaps in my wardrobe: a Thomas Meier-era Bottega Veneta intrecciato hobo bag (more here) provided an all-in-one laptop, gym, and travel solution, becoming my most-worn single item of the year, and a Kassl Editions coat became the only raincoat I owned. Both items retail for over $1,000, but the frequency of wear made them great investments—$18 and $27 CPUs, respectively.
Lower-priced, high-wear items had even better CPUs, like my pop-of-blue MNZ Lara bag ($7), my Marni sunglasses ($11), and my many pairs of Colorful Standard socks ($0.60).
Jan
Thomas Meier-era Bottega bag $1,400 / 75 = $18.67
Chanel tweed dress $950 / 1 = $950
Kassl trench $1,100 / 40 = $27.50
Puppets and Puppets coat $400 / 5 = $80
MNZ Dance Pants $205 / 5 = $41
MNZ Lara bag $221 / 30 = $7.37
Gimaguas’ brown Rino belt bag $87 / 2 = $43.50
Esse Studios off-shoulder long-sleeve top $202 / 10 = $20.20
Margiela AW87 gloved top $300 / 1 = $300
vintage D&G logo bikini $350 / 5 = $70
Feb
Jil Sander Goji Mini Bamboo Bag $1,415 / 8 = $176.87
Coach Winnie Suede Kitten Heels $80 / 5 = $16
EDL Jeff Shirt $300 / 8 = $37.50
Attersee sculpted vest $495 / 10 = $49.50
Nicklas Skovgaard bolero $236 / 2 = $118
loose-and-low Agolde jeans $230 / 5 = $46
Toteme sunglasses $350 / 15 = $23.33
Khaite wool bustier top $476 / 2 = $238
Mar
Marni Black Rainbow Mountains Sunglasses $198 / 18 = $11
Everyday bag from Janessa Leone $530 / 20 = $26.50
Emily Dawn Long Black Kingsley Minidress $395 / 2 = $197.50
Colorful Standard Organic Cotton Socks $18 / 30 = $0.60
Realisation Par yellow dress $92 / 2 = $46
D&G dress from Club Vintage $139 / 1 = $139
High-low blending was the defining theme for spring, as with my rotation of black Gap tanks—which had the lowest CPU on this entire list of just $0.20—and Prada skirt, a luxury item with a $1,000+ initial cost splintered into a more digestible per-wear cost of $100ish.
A couple items in the mid-hundreds quickly justified their costs with CPUs under $20, as with the Charlotte Chesnais ear cuff, or even under $10, as with the Martiniano glove shoes, Deiji Studios dress, Flore Flore tee, Lido skirt, and Mouki Mou lace socks (a CPU under $4!).
Apr
Deiji Studios The Slip Dress $68 / 8 = $8.50
lace socks from Mouki Mou $38 / 10 = $3.80
wetlook top from Di Petsa $786 / 2 = $393
Christopher Esber dress $677 / 0 = $XX
suede Prada coat from eBay $495 / 2 = $247.50
MNZ belt from Bona Drag $56 / 1 = $56
Charlotte Chesnais Initial Cuff $370 / 20 = $18.50
Gemsun’s Prima Skirt Dress $200 / 8 = $25
Rus Ayame Dress $330 / 5 = $66
May
Puppets and Puppets leggings $248 / 0 = $XX
Jacquemus bralette $47 / 0 = $XX
linen mini dress from Posse $269 / 1 = $269
Wolf Circus necklace $325 / 10 = $32.50
Courrèges skirt with a satchel belt $281 / 5 = $56.20
Jean Paul Gaultier cropped sweater $134 / 2 = $67
“JPG” FW05 velvet jacket $325 / 1 = $325
Prada gabardine skirt $1,690 / 15 = $112.67
Beaufille bodysuit $192 / 8 = $24
vintage Louis Vuitton kitten heels $425 / 5 = $85
Pink Maryam Nassir Zadeh Olympia wedges $325 / 4 = $81.25
Flore Flore car tee $95 / 10 = $9.50
Gil Rodriguez tube top $48 / 0 = $XX
Esse Studios strapless top $110 / 10 = $11
air-blue Birrot cardigan $182 / 3 = $60.67
Martiniano High Gloves in silver $536 / 50 = $10.72
MDR blue-foil skirt set $400 / 2 = $200
Friends with Frank knit white skirt $239 / 5 = $47.80
Jagustaw lace bag ? / 5 = $XX
Toast military blazer $430 / 3 = $143.33
Prada nylon skirt suit $340 / 2 = $170
Jun
adidas' Adicolor Classics Wide Leg Pants $80 / 10 = $8
Birkenstock 1774 Bostons in Faded Khaki $160 / 5 = $32
black ribbed tanks from the Gap $9 / 45 = $0.20
Lido “swim” skirt $232 / 30 = $7.73
Amomento maxi skirt $208 / 0 = $XX
Maryam Nassir Zadeh's Apollo vest $200 / 10 = $20
Cerric track pants $118 / 10 = $11.80
ERL tee $60 / 2 = $30
Rick Owens brown denim skirt $397 / 1 = $397
Easy, elevated basics proved to be the best investments of summer. A Leset button-down I barely thought about at first became one of my most reached-for pieces (CPU of $5), often jumbled into a suitcase with other everyday essentials like Lemaire and Auralee tanks (CPUs: $10 each), Toteme trousers (CPU: $25), a Bourienne button-down (CPU: $10), a By Far bag (CPU: $30), and A.Emery sandals (CPU: $12).
My Lauren Manoogian base pants, whose current cost per wear is already down to $5, are only getting more valuable as winter creeps in.
Jul
Lemaire tank $84 / 8 = $10.50
Bless jeans $380 / 3 = $126.67
Auralee half-zip $220 / 3 = $73.33
Live the Process Tuxedo Cardigan $218 / 5 = $43.6
Deiji Studios Bias Skirt in Grandpa Check $143 / 5 = $28.6
Puppets and Puppets swirl polo $395 / 5 = $79
Belle the Label organza top $220 / 2 = $110
Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen trousers $610 / 0 = $XX
Leset button down shirt $113 / 20 = $5.65
Christopher Esber black tank $236 / 2 = $118
Aug
Auralee tank $140 / 15 = $9.33
Margiela loafer tabis $760 / 3 = $253.33
Toteme blazer $785 / 3 = $261.67
Loewe Anagram tank $430 / 5 = $86
Gemsun linen wrapped shorts $250 / 1 = $250
Aeron knit sweater $524 / 2 = $262
Paco Rabanne dress $425 / 1 = $425
Baum Und Pferdgarten coat $439 / 1 = $439
Acne jeans $259 / 2 = $129.50
Sep
Havaianas Slim Square flip-flops $34 / 5 = $6.80
Mark Kenly Domino Tan skirt $435 / 10 = $43.50
Pleats Pleats wide-leg pants $436 / 8 = $54.50
Belle the Label Vivir vest $210 / 1 = $210
Kye Intimates Form bra $49 / 2 = $24.50
Toteme double-pleated trousers $510 / 20 = 25.50
By Far Amber bag $605 / 20 = $30.25
Lauren Manoogian twill trousers $552 / 4 = $138
A. Emery sandals $180 / 15 = $12
Paid Actor scarf bindle bag $245 / 5 = $49
Toteme Country Jacket $930 / 4 = $232.50
Agolde low-slung baggy corduroy pants $250 / 6 = $41.67
vintage Alaia ballet boots $248 / 1 = $248
Mara Hoffman Popcorn dress $507 / 2 = $253.50
Remain Birger Christensen suiting skirt $196 / 1 = $196
Lauren Manoogian Base pants $258 / 50 = $5.16
SCHA scarf $100 / 2 = $50
Bourrienne Paris button down $85 / 8 = $10.63
G.H.Bass Mary Janes $185 / 3 = $61.67
Ciao Lucia blouse $189 / 2 = $94.50
I’ve worn this exact outfit, give or take a layer, probably 10 times in the last month. That frequency of wear is super-charging the CPUs of pieces that have only recently come into my possession. For instance, this Sezane cardigan-jacket has already managed a per-wear cost of only $8, and this $1,000+ Studio Nicholson coat feels like a particularly savvy investment at $73 a wear, even though it’s only December. A good sign these pieces will play a big role in the months to come!
Oct
Lauren Manoogian High-Waist Crewneck sweater $450 / 15 = $30
Rouje Abella heels $320 / 20 = $16
Janessa Leone Crossbody bag $597 / 10 = $59.7
Lemaire Housse dress $787 / 3 = $262.33
Fane Bra bag $524 / 40 = $13.10
Loretta Caponi dress $297 / 1 = $297
Attersee Sculpted Mini Dress $895 / 1 = $895
Linnea Lund Ingrid cashmere t-shirt $345 / 5 = $69
open-knit Co top $276 / 2 = $138
trompe l’oeil Lemaire knit $240 / 2 = $120
Emme Parsons Ernest fisherman sandals $550 / 10 = $55
Everlane leather boots $350 / 2 = $175
eBayed Escada pants $47 / 5 = $9.40
Auralee darkwash straight jeans $221 / 3 = $73.67
Toteme's double-wool top $820 / 12 = $68.33
LoQ Camila in Hueso $225 / 20 = $11.25
Silk Laundry bias-cut pants $415 / 10 = $41.50
Maryam Nassir Zadeh Julien bag in Suede Rust $587 / 20 = $29.35
Nov
Extreme Cashmere Navy N°304 Air $975 / 2 = $487.5
Lucille Thièvre Second Skin Glass Cardigan $620 / 1 = $620
Maribaudi The Broken Heart Bag $450 / 4 = $112.50
Lauren Manoogian Belted cardigan $570 / 5 = $114
High Sport’s Kick Flare pants $860 / 3 = $286.67
St. Agni Tied Leather Sandals $210 / 1 = $210
Tibi silk hooded top $445 / 2 = $222.50
adidas Goletto VII Cleats $18 / 1 = $18
Róhe merino turtleneck $180 / 3 = $60
Skims boxers $36 / 2 = $18
Beaufille Black Vela Midi Skirt $229 / 3 = $76.33
Gap Men’s Mac Coat $118 / 3 = $39.33
Soeur Sapphire Shirt $164 / 2 = $82
Alex Mill Men’s Wright Cardigan in Chunky Cotton $165 / 5 = $33
Dion Lee Interloop Tailored Pant $763 / 1 = $763
Veilance Black Tenia Blazer $350 / 1 = $350
Veilance Black Khara Trousers $245 / 1 = $245
Deiji Studios Beige 'The Knit' Vest $245 / 4 = $61.25
Jamie Haller The Penny Loafer in Black Patent $565 / 15 = $37.67
Sophie Buhai Silver Medium Everyday Hoop Earrings $225 / 20 = $11.25
Prada petal pink suede blazer $8,100 / 2 = $4,050
Still Here Cool Jeans $260 / 5 = $52
Dec
Esse Studios strapless top $65 / 0 = $XX
A.Emery silk pants $330 / 8 = $41.25
dress from La Collection $750 / 1 = 750
Liberowe Velvet Trimmed Wool Coat $3,000 / 5 = $600
Soeur Vertue Jumper $255 / 1 = $255
One Of x Khaore Mini Pillow Bag $495 / 1 = $495
Santangelo Silver & Brown Bepe Earrings $182 / 4 = $45.50
By Malene Birger Sandras Shearling Coat $3,200 / 1 = $3,200
Alex Mill Taylor Striped Cardigan $175 / 1 = $175
Aeron Forum Knitted Midi Skirt $453 / 1 = $453
Studio Nicholson Ria Coat $1,100 / 15 = $73.33
Dissh Tilly Longline Vest $129 / 1 = $129
Marséll Arsella Slipper $750 / 2 = $375
Agmes Large Astrid Cuff $680 / 15 = $45.33
burgundy Reformation heels $278 / 8 = $34.75
Tibi pocket shoes $595 / 1 = $595
Ayllon pouch bag ? / 4 = $XX
A–Company shirt + tie $650 / 15 = $43.33
Sezane Nathael Jacket $240 / 30 = $8
I may earn some money if you make a purchase through one of the links above.
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interesting to include gifted items without differentiation, and to use the best available price instead of what you paid (if you paid)...feel like this skews the data a bit! methodology aside, it's fascinating to see what's filled someone else's cart over this past year.
This is just so interesting and so thoughtful! Once upon a time when there were print magazines, I remember this feature on three women of different financial brackets that showed, laid out, every single thing they bought in a year; it’s still implanted in my brain. I would love to know what goes into your decision-making when it comes to splurge purchases like the pink Prada jacket!