My Year in Fashion 2025

Taking stock of allllll my purchases this past year, and considering how to change things up in 2026.

I know we’re already in mid-January (!) and that I’m late to the roundup game, but here I am, sleepy-eyed and swollen, ready to take stock of ~My Year in Fashion 2025~. Today, I’m rounding up all of my clothing purchases (deep breaths) to determine how to better shop in 2026, especially as my body will be in flux post-pregnancy.

I will caveat with the fact that…there’s a lot of stuff on this list. And it’s likely that I’ve forgotten to include some purchases here or there. One of my goals for 2026 is to pare down when possible (though I’m going to give myself some grace since I most likely need to invest in some postpartum clothing that fits better or can just simply get ruined by various bodily fluids). Bear with me, though! I basically only spend “fun money” on clothes, and I thrifted a lot more this year than in previous years. So, it’s not as bad as it looks… (she says to herself, while peeking at the list from behind her hands.) In fact, I made this little chart to see how my purchase methods shook out:

Overall, not bad! I thrifted a lot more this year than I have in previous years, as I’ve been more dedicated to sustainable fashion. This also means that I was on the hunt for 100% natural fibers, and that made shopping a lot easier…and harder at the same time. It was disappointing, actually, to visit somewhere like Madewell and see that most of what I would have bought in prior years was just polyester or rayon or something else made of plastic and petrochemicals. But, I was also able to just set those pieces back on the shelves and search for something that’s better quality and therefore more worth the price.

Basically all of what you’re about to see is made of those 100% fabrics (I’m talking cotton, wool, cashmere, etc.), unless otherwise stated. I’ll link what I can, but a lot of this is not on sale anymore. Let’s dive in.

1. Doên shoes. I bought these during Doên’s end-of-season sale kind of on a whim. I just loved the color and the style, and I’m always looking for slightly fancier shoes without heels. So far, I’ve loved them.

2. Flabelus shoes. This is a brand that has plagued me for years. I see their stuff all the time online, and I want every style they sell. I finally bought these when they did a sort of warehouse sale—and even though they were still a little pricier, I was and am thrilled that I now own them.

3. Portland Leather Goods tote. I bought this during one of their sales as well, thinking I could use it as an upscale diaper bag. Now that I have it, I think I might shift and use this tote for work, and my 10-year-old backpack (also from PLG, given to me by my parents as a graduation gift) for baby stuff.

4. Madewell pearl necklace. I “bought” this with a credit that was about to expire since I’m technically a Madewell Insider thanks to all my business with them. (To explain, they have a storefront within walking distance…so it’s really easy to shop there!) I really like it, I just need to remember to switch out my accessories more.

1. 100% cotton sweater from Quince. I bought this hoping for the best, but to be honest, it’s weirdly heavy and doesn’t really flatter me. I’ve kept it around because I can finagle it to look cropped and I have no other white sweaters. But I’d be down for an upgrade this year. Overall, I have not been thrilled with Quince purchases.

2. 100% cotton button-up. I thrifted this during the summer, and I wear it all the time. I love how oversized it is—it’s been great for pregnancy, and I’m excited to wear it as a shift dress postpartum.

3. Jacket from Madewell. I don’t remember this fabric makeup, but I doubt it’s 100% of anything. I’ve found that jackets are hard in that sense because the lining is often different from the shell. BUT it was on a crazy sale. I got it for like, $23 when it was originally $150ish. I love it (especially the corduroy collar) and wear it all the time.

4. 100% cotton Ralph Lauren half-zip. I thrifted this and wear it often. I think I may cut it to be a cropped fit, as I fold it up to make it look cropped any time I wear it anyway. Time will tell…

1. 100% leather (with polyester lining, I believe) jacket. I thrifted this right before Christmas at a random market with my friend. It was such an incredible find, I couldn’t leave it behind. I wear it all the time.

2. 100% cashmere sweater. I thrifted this while in my third trimester of pregnancy even though it’s technically my pre-pregnancy size. Crossing my fingers it’ll fit well someday…otherwise it’s someone else’s lucky day if I have to sell it.

3. 100% cotton button-down. I thrifted this at the same time as my blue button-down without trying it on. I’ve wanted an oversized white button-down for a while, and I’m actually glad I didn’t try it on, because normally I’m turned off by sleeves like this. But I actually love them? I’m very happy with this purchase.

1. 100% linen shorts from Quince. They’re just blah on me. I could see myself selling them this spring.

2. 100% cotton pants from Cos. I’ve wanted something from Cos for so long. Randomly, my husband and I walked past the storefront in Georgetown when they were having an end-of-season sale, and I found these amazing pants. I wore them for a few months of my pregnancy, and I’m excited to do more with them postpartum!

3. 100% cotton mini skirt from Madewell. I bought this on a sale, and I don’t know that I love it. The stretch at the top is great for pregnancy, but the way it lays on me just makes me look like a picnic table. I may sell it, unless it somehow looks good postpartum.

4. I don’t know the fabric content on this thrifted skirt. But I bought it with my sister while visiting her in Oregon, and it’s probably been my most-worn piece since then. It fits perfectly now, but will likely be too big postpartum. I will have to see…

1. 100% cotton skirt from Anthropologie. I tried this on the same day we went to Cos, but didn’t end up buying it because it was like, $100. Luckily, it went on a big sale a couple months later, and my husband bought it for me for Christmas. :)

2. Not sure of the fabric content on these thrifted overalls. I bought them on a whim while thrifting with my sisters and I’ve worn them quite a bit! They’re too tight right now, but I’m excited to wear them more as spring rolls around.

3. This picture is awful and it makes me laugh. But I thrifted these pants the same day as the two button-downs, and they’ve been great for pregnancy. If I style them right, they don’t look like pajamas, but it’s a fine line. I’m not sure that I’ll keep them long-term!

1. 100% cotton dress. I thrifted this with a friend, but I was on the fence even when I bought it. I do like it on, but it’s quite large, even while pregnant. So, I’m worried about what it will look like postpartum, though it does have buttons on the side a la overalls, so I may be able to alter it and make it fit better later on.

2. Doên dress. One of my biggest splurges this year. I can’t remember the fabric, but it was an unfamiliar word to me. I bought it in a larger size than I normally wear so it would fit me during pregnancy and I’ve loved wearing it. I will likely have to take it in later if I want to keep it, but overall, I’m pleased with it.

3. Afends dress. This one is a blend of fabrics, if I’m remembering correctly, but mostly the hemp that Afends is known for. I do like it…but I just have a hard time with bodycon in general. I may end up selling this year.

4. 100% cotton dress from Madewell. This one has fit throughout different stages of pregnancy because of the stretchy top, and I am sure it will work afterwards as well. I love it and wear it all the time.

1. Sézane dress bought off of Depop. I believe it’s 100% cotton. I really love this mini dress—I’ve layered it and worn it on its own. It’s really quite short, and a little more form-fitting than I usually like, but it’s so light and easy to wear, I’ll probably keep it.

2. Sézane dress found while thrifting, not sure of the fabric content. I didn’t even try this on—just took it home with me. Sadly, when I did try it on, the shoulders were a little tight. I’m going to keep it and try it post-pregnancy, but it might be going straight to Depop!

3. 100% cotton dress from Gap. I bought this specifically for pregnancy in a couple sizes larger than I normally wear, and I’ve loved having it for a bunch of different outfits. It layers well, and it’s a good length. I’m just not sure it’s worth altering afterwards. We’ll see.

1. 100% cotton nightgown from Gap. I love this so much. I wear it to sleep and I wear it out. It’s so light and airy and weirdly flattering. I even bought it in white as well.

2. 100% cotton pajamas from Anthropologie. Another Christmas gift from my husband! I love them and feel super cute every time I have them on.

3. Some-sort-of-fabric-blend pajama set from Quince. I just wanted cozy pajamas back in the summer for my ever-changing pregnant form. These are…fine. Heavier fabric than I was hoping for. Again, I’m just not thrilled with any Quince purchases! I think I’ll just avoid them from now on, to be honest.

---

OH MY GOSH, that was crazy. I’m out of breath from simply typing. But before we wrap up, let’s talk goals for ~My Year in Fashion 2026.~

• I will continue to search for only 100% natural fiber fabrics.

• I will continue to thrift as much of my clothing as possible.

• I will try to buy less this year and shop my own closet more.

And that’s about all I’m going to hold myself to at this moment. Things are about to look so different in my life, that I don’t even know how I’m going to view clothes and style going forward. For now, I’m just dreaming of soft pajamas…for myself and for the tiny baby I’m going to be holding in T-minus two weeks. CrAzY.

More soon,

Abi