issue #93: best and only's, spring 2025

Not that long ago

Kelly Williams

and

Irene Kim (김애린)

did a live here on Substack discussing their “best and only’s” and it has lived rent free in my head ever since.

I find myself thinking about it constantly. When I put on a pair of jeans - is this my best and only? A white tee - is this it? Test a new hand cream - could this be the one?

Of course these will change with time and life, but as I’m working on building a capsule-esque wardrobe for myself in this season of a new-ish/changing body, toddlerhood, and an increasingly demanding schedule, I felt called to start noting the things I have felt are my best and only’s (which could also just be construed as a list of my favorite things).

But it also made me get a little bit more analytical about my clothing and belongings and in thinking about how to choose these items. From the start, favoritism was always key. Did I find myself reaching for a single thing more than others? Did I feel better in one pair over another? That was test one. Test two, for me, was price point and accessibility. If it’s my best and only, is it of a price point that makes sense - if I need one, maybe it’s a little more expensive for the perfect fit. If I need multiples - say, a white tee - is it affordable enough I can keep going back for more without making myself broke. Does the item hold up to washing, wear, tear, toddler snot? Does it fit into my every day life, not necessarily every day, but often enough that I wouldn’t want to be without it? And, perhaps importantly, would I recommend it to a friend? A stranger? My sister? All of you?

And so as I started to think about these questions as I got dressed each day, shopped, went about my life, I wanted to start taking note of which items fell into this category. Maybe they’ll change next year, but hopefully not. If they really are the best and only, I should only have to write this post once, right??

APPAREL

White T Shirt: COS Clean Cut Tee

It was between this and the Everlane Box Cut Tee, but the thick material and perfectly long short sleeves of the COS tee gave it the top spot. The downside, however, is that not all colors are cut in the same fabric. The Clean Cut Tee is perfect in white, but would not make my number one in grey! (A really good dupe to the Clean Cut is this one from Gap)

Button Up: Gap Organic Poplin Big Shirt

You guys are probably sick of me talking about this shirt, but it really is that good. I love the fit and the fabric, but part of what makes this a best and only (where there are many other excellent white shirt options out there) is the price point. I go through white shirts like crazy, so I need my go-to to be affordable enough to replace on occasion.

Denim: Selvedge Levi’s 501 90’s

Can’t go wrong with a classic. Although I love a wider shape right now, if I could only wear one pair of jeans the rest of my life it would have to be the 501’s. They’re the OG for a reason.

Sweater: I’m sorry but I have to do this in three categories. There is no way to just have a single sweater!!!!

• Cashmere - Uniqlo Cashmere Crew Neck: I love a more oversized fit, generally, but this one is such a great price point and so classic I find myself reaching for it all the time. Size up.

• Cotton - Everlane Cotton Crew: In an ideal world this would be chunkier and bigger but I haven’t found one that checks all those boxes so for now, here we are. The best part about this one is that they have it pretty much every year.

• Merino - Soeur Pia Crew: Ok full disclosure I don’t actually own this but I have tried it on and seen it in person and I think about it every day. It’s next on my list of things to buy, as soon as I clear out some older things I no longer need.

Underwear: Skims Fits Everybody

I hate that I love them so much and I am so sorry they made this list!!!!

Bra: Cuup Plunge

My post baby tittes are flat pancakes, although they’ve never been anything to write home about. I am lucky in that I can get away with bralettes, but lately I’ve been loving an underwire because I just need that little something extra. I know you get it.

Leggings: Lululemon Align 25”

I’ve been wearing these for years and they’ve held up really well - they even got me through to the last day of my pregnancy. Whatever you think of Lululemon, they make a good legging.

Sports Bra: Nike Indy Light Support

As mentioned above, I am not well endowed in the chest department, so I don’t need a ton of support, even when I’m getting in a run or hard workout. I love the shape of this bra - I find it exceptionally flattering - and Nike really is still the GOAT.

Pajamas: J. Crew Cotton Pajama Set

I love a PJ set, and one in crisp cotton with classic piping is just the best. Also, the J Crew ones are pretty much always on sale, so it’s easy to stock up and replace them.

Note that I am still on the hunt for my best & only sweatshirt!! Although I have a few that I quite like (like this one from The Great, this one from Uniqlo, and an old one from Target), I haven’t found THE sweatshirt yet. Price point being key, for me, in this category. Give me your faves in the comments, please and thanks!

ACCESSORIES

Everyday sneakers: Converse Low Top Chuck Taylor

If I could only wear one sneaker for the rest of my life it would be these. They’re a classic for a reason.

Everyday tote: Bags in Progress Carry All Beach Bag

I originally got this as a diaper bag because I was not that interested in anything marketed as a diaper bag, but it’s ended up being my daily everything tote now for a few years and despite always thinking I should upgrade, I can’t bring myself to do it. The pockets are aplenty, the straps are adjustable, it’s lightweight and washable, and it holds everything I need from baby stuff, to work stuff, to gym stuff - and often all three.

Sunglasses: Warby Parker

I need prescription sunglasses and I love how reliable Warby Parker is. I’m in the market for a new pair because Louisa has basically destroyed my current pair, but every time I go in I keep gravitating towards the Haskell time and again. I love the Durand for my eye glasses, as well.

Water Bottle: Purist Mover

Purist makes the best stuff, full stop. Next on my list of things to buy from them is this giant one.

Small Bag: Baggu Medium Crescent Cross Body

I’ve written about this bag a lot previously, but it really is that good. It holds so much and allows me to be hands free and prepared when meandering around the city with my toddler.

Weekender: Remember Travel Duffle

I bought this on a whim from the MoMA Store last year when I couldn’t find my regular weekender (LL Bean Zip Hunter Tote Bag in XL, which I still love). It’s super lightweight, holds a ton, has straps that are long enough to wear over the shoulder, and easily packs down to bring as a back up bag on longer trips.

Hat: Classic Yankees 47 Brand Cap

It’s the perfect hat.

BEAUTY/SKINCARE

Hand Cream: Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve

I keep one in my every day bag and one at my desk in my office. It’s the best.

Lip Gloss: Summer Fridays

Will remain my best and only until someone can convince me of trying something else.

Moisturizer: Innbeauty Extreme Cream

I rarely lean on the expertise of the sales people at Sephora because they give me a lot of anxiety, but I finally worked up the courage to ask one a question recently and she pointed me to this moisturizer and it’s really excellent.

Eye Cream: Innbeauty Bright & Tight

Because I loved the moisturizer so much, I tried their eye cream. Also excellent.

Cleanser: Ole Henricken Oil Control Cleanser

I really thought about putting Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser here, which has always been a favorite, but it just doesn’t remove makeup as well as the Ole Henricksen does, which is important.

Day Serum: Sunday Riley Vitamin C

I wear this nearly every morning for a little extra glow. It can be a little expensive, so I try to stock up during any sales since I know it’s a perennial fave I use to the last drop.

Night Serum: The Ordinary Lactic Acid

I balance a little bit of an expensive day serum with a very not expensive night one. I have tried quitting this and my skin just does not feel as good when I don’t use it so it’s now on my permanent rotation.

Toner: Laneige Cream Skin

This was going to be Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting Exfoliant but since trying the travel size of the Laneige on vacation, I’m hooked.

Sunscreen: Supergoop Glow Screen

Ok you guys I KNOW you’re supposed to use just sunscreen and that these glowy combo sunscreen/bronzer duos aren’t technically good enough for all day sun protection, it’s still my best & only because living in NYC I spend most of my day inside or with some sort of cover from the sun and don’t need a ton of SPF. So perhaps for my sun babies in warm climates this isn’t the one for you, but for my city ladies, I recommend. I often wear only this and no additional concealer and I love the little glow I get from it. Especially easy for drop off mornings when I’m strapped for time but don’t want to leave the house looking like a gremlin, you know? I know you know.

HOME

Bed Sheets: Brooklinen Classic Percale

I really wanted to be a linen sheet person, but there’s nothing quite as good as a classic cotton percale, in the end. Plus, it’s what both my husband and I can agree on, which is important. Quince makes a less spendy version as well, that I assume is probably just as good (I love the Clay).

Dish Towel: La Fontaine de Mars

I’m sorry to say that the only way to acquire this one is by stealing it, which I understand goes against my best and only’s needing to be easy to replace but I haven’t found a better one yet so it’s going on the list anyways!! La Fontaine de Mars is first and foremost a very excellent classic French restaurant in Paris, and if you find yourself in that magical city, I highly recommend. The first time I went I was on a work trip, and my boss took me and our buyer from The Webster at the time (who happened to be a good friend). As we were leaving, my boss instructed us to snag a few of the towels that covered the table - she said they were the best dish towels in the world. Although theft isn’t normally my jam, we were a few bottles of wine deep and I obliged. And you know what you guys, she wasn’t wrong, and now I direct any friends traveling to Paris to eat there and snag a towel. Sorry to them, but you’re welcome.

Notebook: Appointed

Although I’m considering becoming a Filofax girl?!

Cookbook:

Alison Roman

’s Nothing Fancy

Everything in here is delicious and easy to make and I think 85% of our week night meals come from here.

Candle: Brooklyn Candle Studio Italia

I actually always prefer a tomato candle, but since my favorite one was discontinued I haven’t found a good replacement. So it’s the Italia from Brooklyn Candle for now instead.

Drop your best & only’s in the comments below!

xx

jen

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