As we’re all settling into the new year, we thought we’d do a round-up of our personal favorite purchases of 2025. Normally, we like to let you all know which products we suggested that sold best, or which blog post was most viewed from the previous year. This post idea is a bit more fun and personal, though, right?
Believe it or not, we don’t buy tons of new clothes every year. Kyle and Lani still have city closets to control their shopping impulses! So here is a mini, curated list of our favorite 2025 finds, which, hysterically, reflects each of our personalities perfectly!
Happy Shopping!
Kyle wearing one of her favorite purchases of 2025, her Réalisation The Gia dress, at her baby shower!
Lani’s Favorite Purchases
In 2025, I found the perfect business ensemble for myself. Personally, I don’t wear a ton of matching suits; I like to mix and match, but this whole suit checks all my boxes! It is my go-to for when I want to be dressed up, but don’t want to wear a dress, or need to wear something elegant to a “business dress” or after-work event. It makes me feel like a million dollars for a meeting, a luncheon, or a dinner. Most importantly, it’s comfortable and always fits!
Lucky for you, it’s all still available in various sizes and colors! The Emmy Top I got in the blossom color is almost sold out in every size; however, if you know your size (this top runs a size big!), you can shop it on the MM LaFleur Second Act site. Which, if you haven’t looked at it before, is a great resource for pre-owned MM LaFleur clothes at great prices. Just beware: items are not returnable from the Second Act!
MM LaFleur The O’Hara Boyfriend Blazer, $399
MM LaFleur The Bia Pleated Trouser, $299
MM LaFleur The Emmy Top – Eco Soft Wave, $249
Kyle’s Favorite Purchases
I spent all of 2025 either pregnant or postpartum, so I got to utilize all the maternity styling tricks I’ve learned over the years. In the first half of the year, I was almost always wearing a maternity tee, maternity jeans or pants, and a non-maternity oversized blazer. After Woods was born in June, I lived in two matching sets from Gap all summer, a pink “big shirt” with shorts and a gauze button down with barrel pants.
Since going back to work in the fall, I’ve been “lucky” enough to fit back into most of my old clothes (I use the word lucky loosely, because I attribute the lack of weight gain to my debilitating acid reflux, making it hard to eat). The main category that needed an overhaul was my t-shirts (breastfeeding will do that to you.) I found this Vintage Cotton Crew Neck T-Shirt at Banana Republic, of all places. It’s a super soft, opaque white with the perfect drapey looseness that feels intentional and not sloppy. I bought it in 3 colors!
On that same note, I’m obviously still relying heavily on elastic waist pants, but again, I don’t want to feel sloppy. Two pairs of pants that have been in my postpartum arsenal are the Gap Drawstring Horseshoe Jeans and the Athleta Lunar Sheen Utility Pants. These pants, sneakers, and a sweatshirt have been seen countless times at daycare drop-off.
I couldn’t leave out my ultimate favorite purchase of 2025, the dress for my baby shower! This Réalisation The Gia dress was not a maternity dress. However, it provided lots of stretch for my growing belly, and the colors are incredible. I look forward to wearing it to a wedding this spring, minus the baby belly!
One final note: as someone who loves new stuff (I mean, don’t we all) but has a hard time justifying purchases for a short season of life, I’ve been using Nuuly clothing rental service since Feb 2025 and really enjoying it. Nuuly has a great selection of extended sizing, from maternity to plus to petite/tall. I’ve been able to feel the thrill of wearing new clothing, from AGOLDE jeans to Donni track pants, without having to commit to a size or the drycleaning!
Banana Republic Vintage Cotton Crew Neck T-Shirt, $50
Gap Mid Rise Ultra Soft Denim Easy Horseshoe Jeans, $59
Athleta Lunar Sheen Utility Mid Rise Pant, $28
Sloane’s Favorite Purchases
My favorite purchases of 2025 are all pieces from what I’ve deemed my “daycare dropoff uniform.” I’m not a morning person, so I needed a formula of clothes to throw on every morning that simultaneously look pulled together and are so comfortable they could be pajamas! And last year I found it. These Vuori Halo Modern Pants have a tie inside the waistband, so they don’t look like sweatpants. Plus, they are obscenely soft.
I pair the pants with the Sorel Joan Now Boot (I have the tobacco/black color) and a big, chunky sweater. Unfortunately, the Joan Now Boot has limited size availability, but you might get lucky with the color and size you want in a quick internet search. My favorite chunky sweater is the Faherty Summit Sweater in bright magenta. They no longer have the magenta color, but this snow sprinkle design is a lot of fun! And my second-favorite sweater is this Porridge Jolene Pullover because it looks like my dog, Sally, on the front! How could I not love it?
Vuori Halo Modern Straight Leg Pant, $108
Sorel Joan Now Waterproof Chelsea Boot, $142.50
Faherty Superfine Alpaca Summit Sweater, $237
Porridge Jolene Pullover Sweater, $128
Let us know what your favorite purchases of 2025 were!
Real Life Style is a style consulting firm that teaches busy women to wear their power so they can live their lives fully and confidently. Lani Inlander, Kyle Dunphy and Sloane True are based in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and serve clients nationwide. We offer personal styling services, and an on-demand e-course.
Once in a while, you can find Lani Inlander and Real Life Style on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram. Mostly, they are happily busy serving their fabulous clients, not hanging out online!