While I’m not a gal who is big on resolutions, I am a gal who is pretty stoked when the new year rolls around and I can think about the previous year’s accomplishments and successes.

As someone who typically lives in the future, I appreciate how this time of year invites me to take a look back. And as a Stylist/Fashion-Writer/Fashion Lover, looking back often leads to me reviewing my favorite outfits in order to narrow down the clothing items I really loved and will wear into the new year.

For 2023, I settled on 5 clothing pieces (OK, 5 categories…for a couple of these picks) that I got a lot of great wear out of in 2022. What can I say, I’m not a minimalist and I need my options, friends. Haha. What I did realize in making this list was that all five pieces together would combine into a really great outfit honestly! My categories are…

• The Best Sweaters: Quince Fisherman Sweaters can’t be beat. I both a cotton and a cashmere sweater from Quince.
• The Best Pants: Frame’s Jet Set Crop Mini Boot are my go-to travel pants.
• The Best Jacket: The AllSaints denim shirt dress = one of my favorite purchases, ever.
• The Best Shoes: You’ve probably heard me rave about these Veronica Beard Leeland boots. Walkable, just dressy enough & COMFY. (This fab dupe pair is still in stock!)
• The Best Bags: See By Chloe & Clare V. are my 2022 winners. The Hana crossbody bag is structured and the Moyen messenger bag is soft.

I’ll have to try all my Best Of’s together soon and pop it up somewhere here. But without further ado, let’s get into my choices.

Heading Into 2023 Fashion With My Top 5 (OK, 7) Investment Pieces

Let’s be clear, as a creative Aquarius with a Taurus rising: I’m not a minimalist. Heh. I want to be, I kinda want to be, but I get bored. I need a huge palette to play with when it comes to my closet, my home decor, my table settings…even when it comes to my hobbies and the art I make. I also definitely overpack for every single trip.

BUT, I will say, I appreciate narrowing it down sometimes, at least in thought and writing, to learn from past purchases and move forward with intention. I realize there is a responsibility with things we own and I do want to honor that. This process helps me realize not only what I definitely want to keep, but also what I didn’t get much wear out of and should donate or resell.

I do love a good closet purge…just don’t make me do one of those style challenges where you only wear 15 items for a month or something, haha. I will fail. And I’m learning to be OK with that.

1. The Best Sweaters: Quince Fisherman Sweaters

Sweater (M) | Jeans (29) | Sneakers | Bag

In my book, these Quince sweaters can’t be beat, in my book. Shana has done a few comparisons (this being the most recent) of these to Jenni Kayne fisherman sweaters and she has a great breakdown of the differences. I’m tough on my sweaters (ahem maayybe I sleep in them) so I hate the thought of shelling out the dough needed for a Jenni Kayne (even though I’ve gone to her site a bazillion times considering it.)

I’m so happy with the Quince fisherman sweaters I’ve now stopped looking at the Jenni Kayne. I’ll spend my $ on shoes and bags instead! The cotton sweater is just $39 and the cashmere just $89, you cannot beat the prices. The above in blue is the cotton fisherman, which I now have in two colors and is perfect to wear much of the year. They’re from a heavy cotton yarn and the stitch definition is gorgeous and holds up well.

Sweater (M) | Jeans (29) | Shoes

The cashmere fisherman in Oatmeal is what I have on in these two photos and it’s my most-worn of the winter, for sure. It’s lighter in weight than the cotton version but nice and warm and so airy to wear.

I love wearing it as a scarf over a tee, too (thanks, Amy from Tibi!) which is perfect for the airplane where temps change a ton. I’m wearing a M in both sweaters and they’re just loose enough that I can half-tuck them and feel comfy with a tee layered underneath. (I’m a 34D and between a S/M in most tops these days.)

Sweater (M) | Similar Jacket

2. The Best Pants: Frame’s The Jetset Crop Mini Boot

Similar Sweater | Pants (1) | Similar Boots | Similar Coat | Tote Bag (or this) | Suitcase

Frame’s advertising got me on these ‘perfect travel pants’ a few months ago. Well. They were right. I adore these pants. They are pull-on style with really structured stretch cotton twill that has the look of denim, but doesn’t have the dig-in waist factor of traditional zip or button-fly pairs.

These have a nice tall waistband and a super cute/mod-cropped bootcut shape. I’ve worn them with quite a few different shoes, but my favorite shoe to pair is a black lug sole boot tall enough to come up under the pant hem for a chic combo, obviously inspired by Frame’s outfit you can see below in the product image. Hey, if it ain’t broke…

Moto Jacket (6) | Similar Tee | Pants (1) | Similar Boots

Sizing info on these Frame Jetset pants? Their sizing fits a range of sizes and I’m on the upper end (29) of the size 1 and they fit just right. These aren’t thin and stretchy so your true size should be spot-on. They’re nice and thick and don’t lose their shape. Love. Because these pants do tend to go in and out of stock, I’m linking to a few similarly cut pants and jeans below.

3. The Best Jacket: AllSaints Denim Shirt Jacket

Shirt Dress (6 or here on sale!) | Jeans (1) | Similar Boots

This AllSaints oversized denim shirtdress/shacket/jacket (a few sizes on sale here!) has been one of my very favorite purchases. I got tired of the traditional denim jacket for this year and got this to replace it and haven’t looked back.

I’m loving the oversized fit for something new, especially the giant pockets and generous sleeve sizing. I also love that it works as both a great jacket OR a shirt OR a dress. My exact shirtdress goes in and out of stock, too, so I’ll link to a few similar items below. The AllSaints version is a heavier weight than most other examples I’ve seen and for me that is a real plus in my book. I love the structure of the heavier fabric versus something light and drapey.

Shirt Dress (6) | Knee Boots | Bag // Similar Tee | Cargo Pants (S) | Similar Short Boots

4. The Best Shoes: Veronica Beard Pointed-Toe Chelsea Boots

Similar Blazer | Similar Pants | Boots (or similar) | Bag

You’ve probably heard me rave about these Veronica Beard Leeland boots many times this fall. I got them during the Nordstrom sale and they’ve been the best color to mix into my wardrobe of cooler neutrals. The pretty caramel shade has warmed up my outfits and added just the right pop of color and texture…AND these babies are comfy. The heel isn’t high and there was no break-in period.

I wear them with thin socks and live my life in what looks like a dressy heel but feels good enough to bop around in for a night out, etc. They’ve really just been an outfit-maker and I honestly didn’t know how much I’d grab them for so many looks.

Tee | Jeans (same fit) | Boots

Similar Jacket | Sweater | Jeans (29) | Boots (or similar)

I do realize their price point is an investment, even on sale, but they are so worth it. I’ll link to some similar styles below, too, but can’t speak to the comfort factor on those as much, but this Sam Edelman pair is my top alternate pick.

Sidenote: Shoutout to my favorite Poshmark purchase of 2022 — the Free People faux-snake oversized moto jacket above. I was eyeing up a $1K brown leather jacket by Tibi, but instead went to Poshmark searching for similar…and ran across this lovely for just under $200. I sized up to get a little bit more of that oversized vibe I was looking for and hooray! I’ve been wearing the heck out of it.

5. The Best Bags: See by Chloe Hana Crossbody Bag + Clare V Moyen Messenger

Sweater (S) | Jeans | Similar Boots | Bag // Similar Tee | Similar Skirt | Bag | Similar Boots

See By Chloe Hana Crossbody Bag in Medium: I have adored this Saks purchase SO much. Again, like the boots above, I didn’t realize how outfit-making this piece would be. I love the gorgeous details, the color and the size of this bag. I’ve not owned a See by Chloe bag before, but now I’m hooked. It’s just a real statement piece. I get a ton of compliments on it and kiiinda want in all the other colors now.

This bag is semi-stocked in other shades, at Saks and some at Nordstrom…ooh and some gorgeous options at Revolve. Linzi and Shana both love the mini version, which I’ll include below, too. It’s the details and the structure on this lovely that are so so stunning.

Hat  | Trench Coat (6) | Similar Hoodie | Bag

Clare V Moyen Messenger Bag: It’s no secret we love Clare V bags around here (I love everything Clare V honestly…as you can probably tell from the hat.) But this Moyen Messenger is hands down my favorite I’ve had from them.

It’s soft, like a baby. It feels like carrying a baby that doesn’t scream at you. It’s kinda like an emotional support purse. And I love the shape, the size and most of all using both handles on it. The shoulder strap is nice and wide and convenient for grabbing. The crossbody strap makes it super comfy to carry for longer stretches. The non-woven black is currently sold out, but it has come in and out of stock before, as have the other colors. It will return! And I’ve linked to a few places below that carry different shades, but Clare V’s site has the most in stock at the moment.

There is also a Petit Moyen that I am now obsessed with trying (say Petit Moyen in your head — in Julian’s French accent from Emily In Paris — it’s fun). It looks like a lovely smaller version I probably need to have on hand.

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I’m curious to know what some of your favorite, most-worn fashion finds of 2022 were! Leave them in the comments below and here’s to fun with style in 2023, too. Thanks for being here, friends.

xo,

L

Want to keep up with everything else I’m into? Pop over to my Instagram @laurajansenstyle where I love talking about food, sharing OOTDs, posting travel pics and chatting everyday mom-life-stuff from Portland, Oregon. Oh, and lots of funny memes and pet videos because what is social media without plenty of those. xoxo

Photo credit to my pal Posy Quarterman Photography