We're Luxury Experts, But Our Favorite Items This Year Were Under $100
As editors, it's our job to filter through all of the TikTok trends, runway inspiration, and on-sale items to find It items and hidden treasures that we'll actually test, try, and tell you to buy. While hundreds of products, both priced high and low, may flood your feeds (and our inboxes!) every single day, we have to admit, some of the best buys of the year are priced much lower than you'd think.
While, sure, we love our Bottega Veneta bags and are constantly chasing Prada miniskirts secondhand, there is a slew of can't-miss, under-$100 It products we couldn't live without in 2023. From universally flattering white tees to baggy, horseshoe-esque denim, these affordable, under-$100 items are some of the best buys of the year, hands down. Don't believe us? Just scroll and see for yourself— our editors gave these items tens across the board.
"It may be basic, but this fitted crewneck tee is by far one of the best pieces I bought in 2023. I have styled it with literally everything—from crewneck sweaters and cardigans to maxi skirts and tailored trousers. Simply put, this tee is superior. The fit is perfect, the quality is beautiful, it's sleek, streamlined, and looks luxe." — Judith Jones, senior market editor
"I bought a 4-pack of these hoops during the Black Friday sales last month and have already gotten so many compliments on them. Right now, I'm getting creative with styling one in my cartilage and one in my first and third piercings to space them out, but I also love the way they look as singles, too. They're super lightweight and comfy to wear so if, like me, you have a lot of ear piercings but don't always know how to style them, buy a few of these and thank me later." — Anna LaPlaca, fashion editor
"I wear fishnets with everything, under jeans, skirts, dresses—you name it. These are my favorites because of the price. Plus, Calzedonia always has a deal of some sort, so I can usually get them even cheaper." — Eliza Huber, editor
"It's hot for a good chunk of the year where I live, and shorts are essential. I liked this pair so much that I ordered them in three colors. They're the perfect length and I like that the finished hems give them a more tailored look than cut-offs." — Allyson Payer, senior editor
"I love my collection of white button-down shirts but this cropped one has been the ultimate game-changer. It's so much easier to tuck under a sweater or a vest without being seen at the bottom and is honestly a wardrobe staple year round." — Sierra Mayhew, associate fashion editor
Although I'm a sunglasses hoarder, if there's one pair I constantly reached for this year, it has to be my Le Specs oval-frame sunglasses, The smaller-than-usual frame gives it a cool-girl, retro feel while still remaining highly affordable and luxe-looking. So much so that scratches or slight bends don't even bother me at this point because the price-point on these means I don't have to be overly delicate with them. They're my favorite throw-and-go sunglasses, and, yep, I have to admit, if I could only chose one pair to take with me on a deserted island, these would be it.
"I was quick to jump on the Polo Ralph Lauren baseball cap train and acquired four of them throughout the year. Even though they're so subtle I always get compliments on them." — A.P.
"A classic black belt makes an outfit look more polished in an instant. I finally updated my old one this year with this chic and simple option from. I wear it almost daily, and it always makes my ensemble look chicer no matter what I'm wearing." — J.J.
"I know these aren't new or anything, but I hadn't bought a pair since probably high school and either I forgot how incredible they are or the formula's changed, because wow. I got one pair, and then a month later, ordered two more pairs. They're so soft and comfortable but also stay in place, a combination that's extremely rare in leggings. I've been wearing them constantly." — E.P.
"I've sung the praises of these jeans more times than I can count. They're really that good. If you want to be ahead of the curve for 2024, barrel-shape jeans are definitely the way to do it. I love that the denim here feels weighty and structured and they bring such a cool and forward feel to even a simple outfit—and for just shy of $100, I consider them a steal." — A.L.
More under-$100 end-of-year editor favorites to shop:
Ana Escalante is an award-winning journalist and Gen Z editor whose work ranges from dissecting size inclusivity at fashion week to discussing how American Girl Doll meme accounts are the the answer to society's collective spiral. She's covered it all: Queen Elizabeth II's corgis, Roe v. Wade frontline protests, and the emergence of jorts (or jean shorts for the uninitiated). At Who What Wear, Ana is responsible for delivering smart, insightful, personality-driven shopping guides and trend features for a digital-first generation.Before joining Who What Wear, Ana was Glamour magazine's editorial assistant, where she focused on daily news and special packages, including leading the brand's 2022 Met Gala coverage. For more than half a decade, she has covered style, beauty, and digital culture for publications such as Paper magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Japan, and Allure, among others. Ana has been called a rising star in media by publications such as Nylon and Teen Vogue. (Her mother, meanwhile, calls her "the coolest person" she knows.)