TOP 25 from 2025
a note about buying for long term value
The 25 Things I Actually Wore in 2025
The below subtack is not a list of trends. It’s a list of proof.
Every year, I pay attention to what I actually wear, not what I love in theory, not what looks good on Instagram, but what I reach for without thinking. The pieces that survive real life: workdays, travel, dinners, errands, long days that need to turn into nights.
I’m a big outfit repeater, and I live by an item’s ability to earn its price per wear. If something costs enough to make my husband question my judgment, it better earn its keep.
Price per wear and how well a piece plays with others, is how I judge everything. I have a harder time spending money (even small amounts) on trend items. I also have a problem with “indulgences” but I focus those lapses of judgement on classics only. I’m sharing my top 25 most-worn pieces of 2025.
A few of my repeat offenders I’ve had in my closet for over 15 years. Others you can buy right now. Usually, the pieces I wear most throughout a year are ones I’ve been wearing for years prior. They are tried and true. Sometimes, they get replaced by a newer and less beat up version, but the through-line is the same: classic silhouettes, neutral colors (except for sweaters), timeless cuts. Pieces you can dress up, dress down, and wear a hundred different ways.
Utility is always the deciding factor for me. I love a leather jacket you can throw on with jeans, but also wear over a black-tie dress. Pieces that work across occasions, that don’t scream on their own, but instead support a look rather than needing to be the star. Those are the things worth investing in.
Below is what actually stayed in rotation. The stuff I reached for without thinking and wore enough times to feel very good about my spending problem in the first place.
The Best Pants
FFORME Fara Straight-Leg Trousers
My default pant. Meetings, dinners, travel, errands, work. They make everything look so good high waited, flattering, perfect weight and drape. I wore these once on a house install day and my client commented “you look too nice for a moving day” when I explained that I prefer trousers over jeans on days I need to be comfortable, something clicked on her face, and after I said that, I saw her wearing. more pants too :)
Vintage Levi’s 505s (from Jean Jeanie)
If you know, you know. Nothing beats the 505’s high waist, zip fly, straight / tapered leg.
The Row Bartelle Long Pencil Skirt
This skirt did a lot of heavy lifting. Pretty much carried the weight for all skirts. Easy with knits, tees, button-downs.Longer than a typical pencil skirt. It hits just above the ankle. Try this Khaite alt or this Rohe column skirt
High Sport Kick Pants
Basically a uniform. Comfortable but still pulled together. Compact knit that does almost as much for your body as a spanx.
Vintage 1940s Cargo Pants
No notes. as soft and worn in as my cotton pajamas.
Old Céline Back slit beige Slacks
Sharp tailoring, the sickest lines, a cut that still holds up… My most complimented pant
Accessories:
The Row Margaux 10 (Black Leather)
Carries a lot, never looks like it’s trying. It’s the new heritage bag. Feels like The Row’s version of the Birkin or Kelly, Which is why it works. The 10 is big enough to fit everything you need in a day, but small enought to work for evenings and fanicer looks. Here are some options from TRR here and here
1960s Hermès 32 Kelly
Forever. Looks better the more you use it. The link above is for a black one. This one here is in oxblood.
The Row Classic Leather Belt
Quiet, simple, works with literally everything.
SHOES:
The Row Gold Square-Toe Mary Janes (if you’re a 36.5, today is your lucky day, last one left)
Dressy flats that don’t feel precious. Wore these constantly.
Saint Laurent Mami flat
slightly more demure shape, different mood a little more refined.
The Row Liisa Satin Pumps
Chic point toe distressed satin pump with a microscopic heel. Don’t call it a kitten, it might be smaller. Good for nights and daytime.
The Row Shrimpton Ankle Boots (on resale sites here, and here)
Worn into the ground. Will eventually replace with the Row Mona boot.
Saint Laurent Slides
Easy, sharp, dependable.
Nike V2Ks (Black & White)
The sneaker that takes me from the gym, to work, to friend’s houses and wakes up and does it all over again.
Sherman Field Silk coard necklace with pearl and medallion
This was my hands down most worn and most favorite necklace of 2025
TOPS
The Row Double Breasted Black Coat
Everything looks better under it. End of story. I bought it 2 winters ago, you can find great ones that are similar from the brand on Vestiare or the real real. Here are some great alts from x Loro , Ludovic De Saint Sernin and LESET
Loewe Leather Jacket
Investment piece, fully justified. Cost per wear is excellent at this point. got it 3 years ago and it is my most used and loved jacket. You can still find these out there for new and if you dig hard enough, used (although I cant imagine who would get rid of this classic)
FFORME Rosa V-Neck Sweater
Soft, easy, works on its own or layered. No overthinking required. High neck V, dolman sleeves.
Leset Cropped Cardigan
Perfect for layering over jeans and slip dresses. 90’s vibes. Lightweight and easy. Holds its shape, doesn’t get sloppy.
The Row Button-Down
Crisp but not stiff. Always useful.
Céline 2016 Ivory Runway Sample Long Coat
Special but still wearable — rare. Have never found anything similar in fabric or cut.
Leset Margot (perfect) White Tee
The base layer for half this list. Fit matters more than branding.
Red Layering Sweater
The one color moment. Easy to layer, adds just enough life. The one I wear daily is from Eric Bombadier. It’s truly the one piece I need in life. Thin enough to not be too clunky, perfect pantone red, and slightly oversized. I found one here, but you can also find good alts by SPRWM and Leset
My vintage tee shirt collection
Collected over time, cherished and irreplaceable.
That’s it. No big trend items, just things that earned their place in my closet by playing well with others. If you like this idea and want to know more about how pieces can play well with others and how to style them, let me know in the comments section! I want to hear what you have that plays well with others, as well as items in your closet that need a class in collaborating.
xo, Simone
The Kelly! The Celine pants! Gah so many great pieces here Simone