As it's my job to sort through every clothing item, shoe style, and accessory on the market and dig out the best ones, gatekeeping isn't really an option. It would go against everything I was hired to do. But that doesn't mean I don't sometimes want to keep a very small (but mighty) number of items to myself—not only so that they don't sell out before I break myself down and buy them but also so that I know I'll be the first person to wear them. Alas, wanting to do something and actually doing it are two very different things, which is how this curation of should've-been-gatekept pieces came to be.
Below, you'll find a treasure trove of fashion finds that I've come across and considered hiding away in the last few weeks. I have high standards, so you know they're good. Whether it's an on-sale discovery that shouldn't be as cheap as it is or a soon-to-be-viral item that'll be gone in weeks or maybe even days, the pieces featured in the list below should not be slept on for one more day. Don't make me regret sharing them. It took a lot, so I expect all of you to react accordingly.
Whenever I want to splurge on The Row but my bank account says no, I go to Massimo Dutti. For proof that this method is successful, just see this camera bag.
Oh great, another pair of Levi's that I need.
Whenever I spot contrast piping, I fall hard and fast.
The second I saw these, I couldn't resist sending them to WWW's entire Slack group. Mesh ballet flats at J.Crew? Don't tempt me with a good time.
I've already thought of dozens of occasions to wear this dress to.
Hailey Bieber has been wearing Saint Laurent earrings just like these nonstop this summer.
I know it's an investment, but the cost per wear is low.
These sleeves belong in your wardrobe.
I promise you—putting these on will make you look and feel like a millionaire. It's practically a fact.
Is it just me, or is this dress right out of Meredith Blake's closet?
I'm weak over this dress.
This cuff bracelet has the ability to make every outfit, no matter how simple, look cool.
My jaw genuinely dropped when I saw this shade of green all over COS's website.
This one's already hanging in my closet.
I wanted these when they came in black, white, and pink, but now that they come in chocolate brown, I need them.
Every halter-neck item I've seen this month has made me do a double take.
Zara's new collection is wickedly chic.
If you buy these jeans, I can almost guarantee that you'll wear them at least three times a week.
This kind of heat calls for lots of AC, and when the air is blowing, these on-sale Uggs will seriously come in handy.
If you thought the snakeskin version of this belt was good, check out this brown suede alt. It's already selling out.
Would you believe me if I said that this top was from Walmart? Because it is.
This is one of those items that looks even better in movement than it does sitting still.
I keep checking on this dress to see if it's sold out because of how Alaïa-esque it is. So chic.
Some tank tops are simply superior to others.
These pieces of art are all over my Instagram feed.
This Tory Burch collection has had me in a chokehold ever since it debuted during NYFW last September.
Anthropologie's earring selection of late is truly irresistible.
If it's off the shoulder, I want it. It's as simple as that.
Vogue just called St. Agni the contemporary version of The Row.
Green with envy.
Tibi is the only designer brand I'll buy jeans from. I already own two pairs from it and can say from experience that they're entirely worth the price.
This dress is quickly making its way around the Who What Wear offices.
Summer's not complete without a pair of Sperrys.
Something about this tee just feels so much more luxurious than normal.
This one goes out to all the shoppers who like to think ahead and use summer to shop for fall.
This bag will still be chic in 50 years.
Next up: If Nordstrom Existed in Italy, These 29 Items Would Be the First to Sell Out