Everything You Loved, Wore, and Searched for in 2024
The results of Gumshoe's year-end survey.
At the beginning of December, I sent out a survey asking Gumshoe readers to reflect on their most-worn pieces, favorite outfits, top wishlist items, passionate recommendations, and the shopping quests that consumed them this year. There were 136 respondents, and their answers offered a fascinating snapshot of how personal style intertwines with the nuances of thoughtful consumption — from wearing a single pair of Levi’s until they fall apart to dreaming about splurging on a Max Mara coat. Below, I dive into some of the takeaways that stood out to me the most. I decided to package your passionate recommendations into a separate, standalone newsletter that will be published in the beginning of January. They were so good they deserved their own spotlight, and the contents of today’s newsletter were already meaty enough. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.
As 2024 comes to an end, I also want to express my infinite gratitude for your support of Gumshoe. This was the strange and exhilarating year I embarked on the (famously easy!) experiment of trying to balance work with motherhood, and I couldn’t have asked for better motivation than writing for people who make the very deliberate choice to let me take up space in their inboxes — not to mention the comments, emails, and testimonials you’ve been generous enough to share along the way. I hope the remainder of your holiday season delivers exactly what you need — whether that’s rest, great company, or the satisfaction of receiving something from your shopping wishlist. I’ll be back with a new letter on January 8th.
When I asked what single wardrobe item people wore the most this year, denim was the most commonly cited workhorse, with 23% of respondents calling out a specific pair of jeans as their most-worn item.
A selection of Holy Grail-worthy jeans with particularly convincing testimonials, courtesy of Gumshoe readers:
Rudy Jude Utility Jeans. “They unlocked my style and took me on a journey of self-discovery: I feel better in oversized, comfortable and durable clothes.” (Follow @rudyjudeco to keep tabs on the next preorder opportunity, or look out for secondhand pairs).
AG Kora High-Rise Wide Leg Jeans. “Pulling off a ‘cool girl’ sacky jean look (while also being 57) has been almost impossible these last couple of years. Cue these jean — I love them beyond compare!”
Roucha Domoto Jeans. “THE purchase for me this year. Incredibly comfortable but chic enough to wear to work (I’m a therapist) or out to dinner or a party!”
Rachel Comey Handy Jeans. “I bought them on sale last Black Friday from Shopbop at 25% off which was a SPLURGE in the hugest sense for me, but I had a feeling I would get a lot of use out of them — and boy did I.”
Weekday Ace Jeans. “I love the shape they create, with a slightly loose/wide leg that works for both sandals, sneakers and boots.
Levi’s XL Balloon Jeans. “They go with everything and make every outfit look cool and casual. Also very comfy.” (Sold out everywhere, so potentially a great secondhand search keyword to keep in mind).
Levi’s 501s. “I repurchased these because I wore my first pair until they fell apart.”
Levi’s Baggy Dad Jeans. “Just the best jean ever… They always FIT! They make me feel so good.”
Henne Gisella Jeans. “I don't understand people who wear jeans at home (how?! WHY?!) but I honestly could wear these all day — they're so darn comfortable.”
Still Here Walker Jeans. “They're comfortable, well made, and fit so much better than any other jean I've ever owned!”
Separately, there were THREE very specific items cited by multiple people as their most-worn wardrobe item in 2024.
Donni Rib Kick Flares, which multiple people said they’ve bought in multiple colors.
Nike P-6000 sneakers, touted as “the perfect way to make a more dressy outfit feel not as try-hard.” Also, notably, “They have girth, so they give balance to a lot of outfits.”
Reformation Clara Cashmere Crew Cardigan. One respondent said, “It strikes that elusive balance between relaxed but not oversized, so it’s comfortable but still makes me feel put-together.” Another commented, “I quite literally lived in the thing all year long.”
Based on your collective responses about what you wore the most, there were five brands that worked the hardest in your wardrobes this year.
Certain items stood out as wardrobe heroes specifically during pregnancy and postpartum, such as…
La Réunion Patchwork Dress. “While I didn’t love wearing some larger, flowy dresses that made me feel like a circus tent, I loved wearing my La Reunion dresses because the colors and textures of the fabric scraps do such a magical job of concealing or creating a different shape to your form when you wear them…And they always attract so many compliments!
A Nagnata merino wool top and bottom. “I put a lot of mileage on this set for exercise throughout my pregnancy”
Alex Mill Wool Jumpsuit. “Bought on sale for pregnancy, but still wear it postpartum... it is SO cozy, flattering, and you look put together even though it's essentially pajamas.”
Rudy Jude Pillowcase Pants. “They are sturdy yet comfortable and took me through the end of my pregnancy through postpartum and I still wear them now and can see myself wearing them for years to come! They look great with sweaters, dresses over top, summer tanks, etc. Super versatile and well-made.”
Gap Barrel Jeans. “I’m six months postpartum and living in these. The waistband is so forgiving, they feel like sweatpants, but make me feel put together.”
Anine Bing Billie Pants. “They fit me through pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. Can dress them up or down, comfy enough to wear with a crewneck working from home but with the right top can wear with heels to a fancy dinner. Most importantly for me, they are long enough (I'm 5'11).”
I received 52 photos of outfits people loved and wore repeatedly this year, and was struck by some of the common themes that emerged even in this relatively modest sample size.
Neutral-toned pieces are natural material for repeat-worthy outfits, and I often find it helpful to remind myself exactly why. It’s not just their versatility, it’s the way they allow individual styling to dictate the terms of how you look, instead of a statement item. This is essentially the ethos behind my “stick of butter” approach to putting together an outfit — an invitation to flex your muscles a bit, to explore how the power of a great outfit can come from being deliberate instead of loud. I’ve found that thinking about getting dressed in these terms helps me get more mileage out of my wardrobe — with fewer “I have nothing to wear” moments.
Behold the beauty of an effective, schlep-friendly (and travel-friendly!) outfit template at work: baseball cap + comfortable pants + loose top + flat walking shoes + bag or necessary outerwear component of choice. My own current version of this features either these Sézane leopard pants (FYI not 100% natural fibers, but they feel and look like cotton) or Le Bon Shoppe sweats (depending on if I’m in the mood for a zipper or an elastic waistband), this white denim jacket from Still Here, a cashmere crewneck layered over a cotton tee, a baseball cap from my burgeoning collection, brown loafers, and a huge brown leather tote. Gets the job done every time.
If 2023 was the year that a bright, punchy pop of red proved itself as the ultimate outfit pick-me-up, then 2024 was the year that cemented it as something more than just a trend. Few things are more timeless than a truly useful and simple styling trick, especially one that can manifest across multiple different items and aesthetics. Personal favorite vehicles include: these socks, a necklace like this, and these shoes.
When I asked about what’s at the top of your wishlist as the year draws to a close, the most-cited category was footwear, with just over 20% of people pointing to a pair of shoes as the item they’re most tempted to buy right now.
Above, I’ve highlighted five pairs that are currently lingering in your shopping carts:
I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention the handful of things from your wish lists that are now on my wish list…
Iliada Olive Oil. 2025 is the year I would like to get into niche olive oil, so this inspiration came at the perfect time.
Beeswax Cherry Candles. Specifically to use on a birthday cake, as per one respondent’s idea.
Déhanche Belt. I wasn’t familiar with this brand until one reader mentioned it in her responses, and now I share her affinity for their simple yet intriguing belts.
Soft Goat Cashmere Headband. A chic and practical contender for cold winter days when I don’t want to mess up my hair with a hat, but I still want my ears to be warm — per an Australian reader who now lives in Scandinavia.
Addison Ross Bobbin Salt or Pepper Mill Grinder. The respondent who wrote in about these specified that she wanted a burgundy one to go with the pale blue one she already has, and I can’t get this combo out of my head.
I asked what you’ve spent way too long looking for on the internet, and there were six specific ongoing searches that at least two people have in common.
Veritable denim expert
recently shared with me that Meg at Jean Genie Vintage is really good at nailing the art of sizing vintage denim, so that’s a tip I’m passing along! Also, one of you should get this $157 chocolate brown vintage shearling jacket I recently bookmarked on Etsy. ALSO, if anyone has advice on where to score the perfect soft but not-too-shaggy rug, please tell us in the comments.In addition to your ongoing searches, it was just as interesting to hear what you successfully found and bought after a long internet rabbit hole. Notable triumphs include…
The perfect multi-functional robe. “I found a men’s vintage silk robe from the brand State-O-Maine while thrifting and became obsessed. The patterns are sophisticated and it makes me feel very luxurious. I wear it at home or as an inside layer to a longline wool jacket.”
The perfect throw pillows. “For over a year, I had been looking for the perfect throw pillows for my living room couch. The room is mostly neutrals so I knew I wanted some color/pattern, but I am SO afraid to commit! I finally ended up going with a mismatched collection of different prints in the same color scheme from the brand Soil to Studio and am obsessed. It's exactly what I was looking for, but for the longest time I didn't know the brand existed!”
The perfect pair of wool trousers under $200. “I’ve spent way too much time looking for the perfect pair of black or grey wool trousers, under $200. Ideally these pants would be 100% wool exterior and lined, they would have a mid or high rise, and a slightly oversized menswearish fit (probably pleats?). This probably doesn't sound like that hard a request, but I'm a size 12-14 in mall brands (like Banana Republic, J.Crew, etc.) which means usually a 16 in high-end brands (assuming they even make sizes that high). So, there's very few options in my size range/price range new or on sale, and the resale market rarely has options in my size. The closest thing I've found is the Banana Republic "Siena Wide-Leg Italian Wool Pant." I bought them on sale for $120, they meet my expectations in terms of material and fit. My only complaint is that they are unlined.”
The perfect high-waist bikini. “I was looking for something revealing yet elegant and the high-waist thing was non-negotiable. I finally found the perfect one from Belamer (red, high-waisted so I feel confident about my lower belly, but still giving Brazilian bikini vibes because the leg cut is kind of 90s).”
Thank you again for taking the time to share such thoughtful and thought-provoking responses to this survey. I really loved the way they painted a picture of how deeply personal, and occasionally unhinged, the pursuit of obsession-worthy style can be.
xo Harling
Oh, I absolutely loved this. The science of collecting all the data seemed so daunting and I’m so impressed with how it turned out and all the commonalities you found.
This was such a fun read! On a more serious note, a friendly FYI that Ballerina Farm is engaged in some stuff that I don’t think aligns with your values: https://www.reddit.com/r/FundieSnarkUncensored/s/iXD4le6qj4