I buy a lot of things to test for this site. Here are 6 items I have actually used this year, with honest reviews. Some I love. Some were a waste. Some are mid. No affiliate codes; I bought all of them.
1. Adidas Sambas — about 0
Verdict: Worth it.
What works: Genuinely cool, comfortable enough for all-day wear, work with everything from jeans to dresses. The trend is real because the shoe is good.
What does not: The black/white version is the right one; other colorways look too sneakerhead. Sole shows wear faster than I expected.
Bottom line: Buy the classic black/white. Skip the limited editions. Treats them like daily shoes.
2. The Reformation black wool blazer — about 0
Verdict: Worth it.
What works: Fit is excellent. Quality fabric. Versatile for work, dinner, over outfits. Looks expensive.
What does not: Reformation's tailoring runs slim through the shoulders. If you have broader shoulders, size up or look elsewhere.
Bottom line: The blazer that elevated half my outfits. Worth the cost.
3. AGOLDE wide-leg jeans — about 0
Verdict: Worth it.
What works: Best wide-leg jeans I have tried. Fit is great, denim quality is excellent, length works for me at 5'7" without alteration.
What does not: Expensive. Take longer to dry than skinny jeans (more fabric).
Bottom line: If you want to commit to wide-leg jeans, this is the brand. Buy on sale if possible.
4. Sezane silk blouse — about 0
Verdict: Wait for sale.
What works: Beautiful, fits well, real silk that drapes nicely. Looks polished.
What does not: $180 is a lot for a silk blouse that requires hand washing. The dry cleaning bills add up.
Bottom line: Beautiful piece. Worth $100. Wait for the seasonal sales.
5. The Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer — about
Verdict: Skip.
What works: The texture is genuinely lovely. Smells nice (which is also a problem; fragrance in skincare is generally bad).
What does not: Did not outperform my $21 La Roche-Posay moisturizer in any noticeable way. The marketing-to-product ratio is heavily marketing.
Bottom line: Drunk Elephant has good products. This is not one of the necessary ones. Skip.
6. The Polène Numéro Un Nano bag — about 0
Verdict: Worth it.
What works: Beautifully made, looks much more expensive than it is, holds shape well, the leather has aged nicely with use.
What does not: Limited capacity for the price. If you carry a lot, look at larger versions in the same line.
Bottom line: The bag I get the most compliments on. Worth the investment for an everyday bag.
What I am not buying again
Three other things I bought this year that I would not repeat:
- That viral Amazon dress. The cut was not as flattering as the influencer photos suggested. Returned.
- A trendy beauty product I will not name. Heavily marketed, did nothing measurable. Donated.
- Yet another pair of black heels. I already had three pairs. Did not need a fourth.
The pattern across what worked
The items I love share characteristics: classic shapes, quality materials, well-made by brands that have been around long enough to refine their products. The items that disappointed share characteristics too: high marketing-to-product ratios, trend-driven, items I bought because I saw them everywhere rather than because I needed them.
This is the real lesson from a year of testing: hype is uncorrelated with quality. The boring brand recommendations usually work. The viral items often do not.
How to evaluate before buying
A few questions I now ask myself before any purchase:
- Do I have a similar item already? (If yes, do I really need this?)
- Where will I actually wear this in the next month? (If I cannot answer specifically, I do not need it.)
- Is this from a brand that has been making this category for at least 5 years?
- If I look at this in 12 months, will I still like it?
- Could I find a similar item at a lower price point?
Not every purchase needs to pass all 5 questions. But "no" answers should give you pause.
The takeaway
Most of what gets hyped is not worth the money. Most of what is genuinely worth the money has been around long enough that you have probably heard of it from someone you trust.
Buy slowly. Buy the boring things. Skip the viral things. Your closet and your wallet will be happier in 12 months.
