But, holiday season aside, we noticed some practical buys sneak their way into the spotlight as usual. Nectar mattresses, pill organizers, and price-slashed coffee machines sold like hotcakes. Plus, Shay Mitchell's cult-favorite weekender bag made an impressive resurgence — but with a tiny twist on previous iterations. Even an R29 editor's favorite lap desk made its way into plenty of readers' carts. As a toast to surviving another year — and another annual holiday shop-a-palooza — you deserve to treat yourself to as many of these December R29 reader favorites as your wallet can handle.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
SouthLakeGifts Cereal Bowl Candle With Metal Spoon
A candle that smells just as sweet as it looks. While we definitely deemed this decor gift-worthy this month, we think it's a justifiable purchase any time of the year.
SouthLakeGifts Cereal Bowl Candle With Metal Spoon, $, available at Etsy
EpicMugsByTodd Harry Styles Coffee Mug
Although it's not quite the same as have a tea party with the one and only Harry Styles, it comes close(ish). And it made its way into plenty of readers' carts over the past month, too.
EpicMugsByTodd Harry Styles Coffee Mug, $, available at Etsy
Betife Cute Pill Organizer 7-Day
Apparently, R29 peeps went practical with their stocking stuffers this year. Amazon's cute and functional vitamin organizer was the most-purchased product in our roundup of 40-plus unique finds.
Bombas Women's Gripper Slipper, $, available at Bombas
Urban Outfitters Nirvana Smile Overdyed Sweatshirt
Perhaps it's the warm cotton fleece fabric or maybe it's the iconic Nirvana symbol that made this relaxed-fit sweatshirt a best-seller this December. Whatever the case, it's a worthwhile complement to your personal grunge era.
For just $7, this cleansing cream will, according to one satisfied Amazon reviewer, "remove product build up and [will] not make [your] hair feel dried out like other clarifying shampoos." And for those who could use a deep clean but don't want their tresses to feel fried, it's a must.
Redken Redken Detox Hair Cleansing Cream Clarifying Shampoo | For All Hair Types | Removes Buildup & Strengthens Hair Cuticle, $, available at Amazon
Zwilling Enfinigy 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker
We spotlighted this sleek coffee maker as the perfect gift for java lovers and found it on sale for $150 over at Nordstrom. Alas, it's now sold out on the retailer's site but fortunately, we found it for only $15 more over at Bed Bath & Beyond.
Zwilling Enfinigy 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker, $, available at Bed Bath & Beyond
Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
It's quite the task to surpass the R29 reader-favorite Saatva Classic Mattress in sales — but Nectar's Memory Foam Mattress managed to do just that this month. One reviewer declares this "the best mattress for guest rooms, back sleepers, someone who has a partner that moves around a lot, or someone who wants something on the firmer side but still needs good pressure relief and cares about quality."
Nectar Memory Foam Mattress, $, available at Nectar
Jenni Kayne Brooklyn Lug Boot
Until now, readers relied on Jenni Kayne for two holy grail items: the cashmere Cocoon Cardigan and the Topanga Candle. But for the last 30 days, these timeless oiled leather lug sole boots were total heartthrobs (and understandably so).
Jenni Kayne Brooklyn Lug Boot, $, available at Jenni Kayne
HUANUO Lap Desk
This cushy lap desk was a complete "game changer" for our travel writer Venus Wong in November. So much so, in fact, that she made it one of her MVPs. "I don't have to worry about my legs coming into direct contact with the heat and radiation from the laptop anymore," she wrote. "And, having a flat, anti-slip surface has made a difference to my posture."
Shine 24K Gold Rolling Papers, $, available at Amazon
MateStar iPhone Lightning Cable, 2Pack
Another editor's pick this month was our sex writer Charlotte Lewis' new favorite phone charger: the MateStar Lightning Cable. According to her, "I didn’t know that lightning-fast charging cables were even a thing, until my brother-in-law scoffed at me for toting out my OG during Thanksgiving dinner. It charged my phone from 0-100% in 30 mins."
MateStar iPhone Lightning Cable, 2Pack, $, available at Amazon
Alo Yoga Accolade Hoodie
Refinery29 readers carted this luxe sweatshirt aplenty in December. Whether they intended to give the gift of stylish comfort to a loved one or keep it for themselves, we think it's a stellar choice. (P.S., you can make it a set with the Accolade Sweatpant.)
SOSUO Silicone Snail Tea Bag Holders, $, available at Amazon
Quince 100% Washable Silk Robe
A robe so silky smooth and luxurious, buying one counts as self-care. And, in addition to being as comfortable as it is glam, you can score this 100% washable silk garment for a rare under-$100 price tag at Quince.
Quince 100% Washable Silk Robe, $, available at Quince
KubikGe 2023-2024 Personalized Planner
Etsy has always been a one-stop-shop for the most unique, aesthetically-pleasing daily essentials on the market— and these top-rated personalized journals are no exception. Readers readied up for the new years with these customizable journals, for example.
Sakura Gelly Roll Metallic Gel Pens, $, available at Amazon
GrapgicDynamics Custom Pet Pillow
Nothing puts a smile on a person's face like a cushy replica of their beloved fur baby. These pillows were a top-bought treasure from our best gift ideas roundup this month — but they're a wise purchase no matter the occasion.
GrapgicDynamics Custom Pet Pillow, $, available at Etsy
Uncommon Goods Music Playing Cards
Uncommon Goods customers and R29 readers alike can't get enough of this music lover's card deck. Prepare for pretty pocket-sized playing cards adorned with portraits of Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston, David Bowie, and more icons.
Uncommon Goods Music Playing Cards, $, available at Uncommon Goods
Beautiful By Drew Barrymore 20-Piece Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware Set
Just when we thought Drew Barrymore couldn't top her $130 12-piece ceramic nonstick cookware set, the critically-acclaimed actress debuted a 20-piece ceramic nonstick cookware set for only $120. And, of course, a myriad of reader purchases followed suit.
Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 20pc Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware Set, $, available at Walmart
InGoodTaste Uncommon Grapes
According to our anonymous shopping data, many readers will be sipping on InGoodTaste's collection of award-winning wines all winter long. In general, people love the brand for its affordability, unique wine selection, and access to fun digital tasting rooms.
In Good Taste California Wine Mixer, $, available at In Good Taste
OmSom The Try 'Em All Set
Introducing: a sampler pack of Asian sauces that'll take your rice or noodle bowl to the absolute next level. The Try 'Em All Set gives you a taste of everything your heart could desire, including vegan Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Filipino flavors, just to name a few.
Frisco Multi-Cat Fresh Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter, $, available at Chewy
LELO Sona 2 Cruise
LELO's Sona 2 Cruise is where pleasure meets luxury. The best-selling clitoral vibe brings intense orgasms with its patented smart technology and wide suction. One on-site reviewer mentioned, "I have one of these already, and bought this one for a friend. We both had the same experience. Never have we ever seen the amount of orgasms and the intensity. Unbelievable."
Hero Cosmetics and its zit-zapping products continue to rescue complexions everywhere. This month, the brand launched a formidable new Mighty Patch crafted specifically for stubborn chin acne. According to our senior writer Karina Hoshikawa the strips are "truly game-changing for hormonal acne" and they "curb maskne."
Tower 28 BeachPlease Luminous Tinted Balm, $, available at Tower 28
Madewell Three-Piece Dotted Chain Necklace Set
Readers had their eyes on Madewell's jewelry section in December — especially this three-piece necklace that effortlessly completes any outfit in a flash.
Last year, Krystal Reynoso sent out a holiday card. Dressed in matching leopard-print cowboy hats, she and her dog posed together, just like Reynoso and her family had done for so many years before. “It was an old tradition that I was really happy to bring into my own family,” she says, recalling the many times her mom rallied the family together to get dressed in matching outfits during their Christmas celebrations for a photo.
This type of scene is one we’ve now all grown accustomed to. Come Christmas morning, our social media feeds become a rotation of matching family outfits. Last year, photos circulated of Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union in winter-themed pajamas; Diana Ross and her family in red onesies, and the Beckhams in white T-shirts.
While many families have been dressing in matching outfits for a long time, over the last few years, this trend has proliferated more widely on social media, with looks ranging from ugly festive sweaters to Christmas morning pajamas. On TikTok, searches for “Christmas pajamas” have over 44 billion views, while the hashtag #christmaspajamas has grown to 65 million views. Similarly, searches for “couples Christmas matching outfits” have nearly 17 million views.
An analysis of Google Trends data confirms that searches for Christmas pajamas have increased since 2020, with their annual rise beginning around October when families start making their holiday plans. “This is part of our environment now,” says psychotherapist Dr. Akua Boateng. “[We ask] what are other people doing and how can I assimilate and also speak the language and be a part of this social phenomenon.”
The tradition as we know it now dates back to the mid-20th century, when catalogs and department stores would portray families, in particular kids, engaging in holiday cheer in twinning outfits. Over the years, the hate-to-love phenomenon boomed, thanks to the expansion of mass retail and its offering of holiday-themed merchandise. Today, most brands and stores sell some type of holiday-ready outfit in every size option. For proof, see the 2022 holiday campaign from Kim Kardashian’s intimates brand Skims, which featured Snoop Dogg’s family wearing matching pajamas.
Dr. Boateng says there’s a wide range of reasons why people feel excited to participate in matching dressing at a time when shoppers are otherwise driven by the idea of having an individual style.
For some parents, it’s about unlearning toxic family dynamics: “That could be a generation of folks where parents worked quite a bit, and they may have not had a lot of ritual and tradition within their family, and so creating that becomes really important for themselves and their own children.” But, for families who have participated in this tradition for a long time, it may be about celebrating “a bond that’s already there,” according to Dr. Boateng. Ultimately, she says it’s a way to present and experience unity during the holidays, especially after the pandemic forced many to celebrate at a distance for the past two years: “Typically these moments are all about how we can do a thing together to show solidarity, to have a unified mission.”
Fashion editor and content creator Bella Gerard remembers the time she and her family bought custom matching pajamas featuring their dog, Poppy, as “a really fun bonding experience.” It started when some family members saw an ad for custom pajamas from Patricia’s Couture. “Typically, my sisters and I don matching pajamas on Christmas Eve, but this was the first time our whole family was included, as we got pairs for our parents as well,” Gerard says. “Our dog is definitely the love of our lives, so we were happy to wear her face instead of Christmas lights or Santa patterns.”
Like Reynoso, Michigan-based Kiana Gonzalez grew up with her mom dressing up her five kids in matching colors or outfits for the annual family holiday card. “It’s a really old family tradition,” she says. Years later, despite all the members being grown up and far away — Gonzalez lives in Michigan, while her mom is in Florida — they keep the twinning moments going. “We’ve made it a point that whenever we’re together we have to be matching at least once,” she says, adding that, in addition to Christmas morning, they often match on their annual fall vacation. “When we find ways to match, it’s all about expressing our love for one another.”
Now that’s a picture worth remembering.
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(EDITORIAL USE ONLY – For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) A model walks the runway during the Loewe Womenswear Fall/Winter 2022-2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 4, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Estrop/Getty Images)
Ahead of Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year announcement, I suspected pink was on the horizon. After Barbiecore dominated the better part of our lives and closets in 2022, there was an inkling that the color forecasting company would choose a rosy hue. Yet Viva Magenta, revealed on December 1 as the official choice, was still a surprise.
It’s not the baby pink of rose quartz crystals and the Millennial wellness industry, nor is it the shocking pink of Elsa Schiaparelli and Planned Parenthood that has taken over fashion as of late thanks to Valentino’s viral show. It is not as mauve as a true fuchsia, not as orange as scarlet, and not as primary as Pantone’s Period, a shade that looks more like a fire engine than actual menstrual blood. It’s much richer than the flat medicinal pink of Barbie’s dream house (a color now offered by pricey paint company Backdrop). Viva Magenta is more complicated than those hues. I’m not even sure if I think it’s pink.
“[Viva Magenta] is both powerful and empowering,” says Lee Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. According to the examples provided by the company during the virtual press preview — featuring runway shots from Loewe, Gucci, Thom Browne, and Dior fashion shows — the color is crimson red, hot pink, fuchsia, raspberry, and maroon, all at once. It’s flowery and natural, but it’s also slick and shiny, just as good for lipstick and clothing as sports cars and cell phones. (The latter is confirmed when, toward the end of the presentation, Pantone’s reps revealed that their brand partner Motorola is planning to release a Viva Magenta phone.)
It’s the color my lips turn when I slick on Lipstick Queen’s Frog Prince, a color-changing makeup that looks green but transforms (thanks to pH-reactive Red 27) into a raspberry popsicle stain upon contact. It’s part Rothko Red, part Moulin Rouge, well, rouge, a red that plays incredibly well with scarlet and fire engine and hot pink but also looks at home next to pastels like periwinkle, lilac, and baby blue due to the color’s cool purple undertones and slight transparency.
Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, says that cochineal beetles served as a historical source for this “hybrid color.” These small bugs, native to parts of North and South America, get their coloring from feeding on prickly pear cactuses. When ground into a paste, their bodies can be used to impart a vivid red pigment onto paper, canvas, or clothing. The dye was first used by the indigenous people of Mesoamerica (according to BCC, it dates back to 2000 BEC) who used the potent coloring for purposes both aesthetic (dyeing clothes, tinting teeth) and medicinal. According to accounts from Spanish conquistadors, the Aztec red was so impressive that some speculated it might have magical properties.
These days, the primary use for the bug-derived color is in food and makeup — it’s a substance you’ll ingest if you like cherry candy or tinted balms — though there are sought-after artisans who carry on the centuries-old practice of dyeing clothing using the traditional method. Vibrant color aside, what’s most interesting about cochineal is that, like all plant- and bug-derived colors, the color can change wildly based on the garment and the treatment. While it makes it hard to mass produce clothing — for his Spring 2022 show, Jason Wu hand-sponged cochineal extract onto the collection with the help of a fabric artist — it does create striking, one-of-a-kind pieces. (I’ve dabbled in natural dyeing myself, and the variation is precisely what I like about it.) There’s room for exploration with colors like this, space created for playful mistakes and happy accidents. There’s an intimacy to all handmade objects, a rich sense of specificity.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 10: A model walks the runway during the Jason Wu Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2022 fashion show as part of the New york Fashion Week on September 10, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 10: A model walks the runway during the Jason Wu Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2022 fashion show as part of the New york Fashion Week on September 10, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
Of course, you can achieve Viva Magenta through other, more insect-friendly means, with textiles created in every color of the rainbow thanks to our modern technology. In the early 20th century, Spanish-born designer Mariano Fortuny created the Delphos gown, a dress that draped across the body subtly and evocatively, inspired by ancient Greek garments. While it came in several shades, in 1968, it was the carmine version of the signature gown that got the silver screen treatment when Barbra Streisand wore it in Funny Girl. While the likes of Viva Magenta shine on silky or iridescent fabrics — like that Fortuny dress, mid-century Yves Saint Laurent gowns, and ‘80s party dresses — the color also goes well with the lushness of velvet and the opulence of satin. It’s a jewel tone, though perhaps a lesser value gem than the others, a tourmaline red rather than a prized ruby. It’s got an underdog charisma, not the va-va-voom red of the femme fatale. It’s softer and quieter, a little moodier, a little less demanding.
In fashion, these raspberry tones have never been as popular as scarlet or vermillion. Versace famously loved a chili pepper hot shade of red while Supreme has made its mark with clunky blocks of tomato red. While Emilio Pucci enjoyed and often employed a pinkish red in his knitwear and scarves, the reds at Gucci always leaned more Imperial, leathery, and loud. Marc Jacobs has always shown a fondness for tertiary colors, including off-beat purples and brown-tinted teals, and his 2011 collection was rich with cochineal-esque pink. Marni, Rodarte, and Sacai have all recently shown collections featuring magenta, and although Valentino’s collection is far more pink than Pantone’s magenta, the luxury label should get the credit for kicking off the trend that led the way for a rose-tinted takeover.
Pantone prides itself on responding to the zeitgeist, to translating our cultural vibe shifts into swatches of pigment and blocks of pixels. As such, over the past few years, the company has attempted to match its color forecasting to the chaos and sorrow of a pandemic-ravaged planet. In 2021, the two-toned selection — flat gray paired with highlighter yellow — appeared muddled and uninspired, much like how we felt after a year indoors. Last year, Pantone selected Very Peri, an uncertain but cautiously optimistic purply-blue, to match the melancholy mood of 2022.
According to Eiseman, there was little debate over this year’s color. The team knew that they needed a brighter color, something lively and warm. The Pantone representatives I talked to stressed the exuberance, lightness, and “fun” of the color, as well as its androgynous applications. While I would hesitate to call Viva Magenta entirely gender-neutral, it’s not saddled with too many pieces of cultural baggage. It’s an expressive color that draws the eye, and perhaps Pantone chose it because it felt like just the right amount of wild. Bright, but not bloody, pretty but not overly feminine or shockingly sexy, warm but definitely not hot. Pantone also described the 2023 choice as a “nuanced color,” more complicated than some of their previous selections, like the Classic Blue of 2020.
My strongest association with Viva Magenta is, I must admit, personal and perhaps not very relatable: that of seeing the Northern Lights for the very first time. With my neck craned back, I stared up from the frozen ground and into the Arctic sky, where green and white lights shimmered and danced. It was majestic, beautiful, moving. Yet I had expected more — purples, pinks, violets, fuchsias that I had seen in photographic depictions of the aurora. After I expressed this thought, a photographer friend and travel companion let me see the light show through his camera screen. Where my eye only picked up green and white, his lens was able to capture all these other colors, including those fugitive rays of magenta.
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 03: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY – For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) A model walks the runway during the Thom Browne Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week at Palais Garnier on October 03, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Richard Bord/Getty Images)
I have no doubt that I will, at some point in 2023, find myself purchasing a Viva Magenta product. (I hope it’s these shoes by The Row, though I am guessing it will be something much more affordable.) I’m looking forward to wearing around the honored hue and thinking about how funny it is that light plays such tricks. Like my Frog Prince, colors change and shift in our perception. Sometimes we’ll see red, other times we’ll get pink. That’s perhaps a good way to look at the coming year: an unknown time, shaded with both promise and risk.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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“The classic Western boot takes on new forms, reinvented into modern, sleek shapes, and a more novel return of this signature look,” Caroline Maguire, fashion director at Shopbop, told Refinery29 in September. “Some of my favorite styles are the Paris Texas Vegas boots, in a stunningly chic white, and Annie Bing‘s toned-down take on the trend. Also, I love Isabel Marant’s Dahope boots, which add some variety to the silhouette I typically like to go for.”
Indeed, cowboy boots now come in various colors, materials, and heights, making them versatile enough to pair with everything from mini dresses and cut-offs in the summer to midi skirts, jeans, and slouchy sweaters in the colder months. So much so that Refinery29 editors consider them a wardrobe staple.
Whether you’re ready to blow the dust off of a vintage pair or are looking to add a dash of futuristic drama with a metallic style (another big footwear trend!), here is how four R29 staffers are styling their favorite pairs of cowboy boots this winter.
“What I love about a good pair of Western boots is that you can wear them with anything. You can dress them up or down; wear them to the office or out on the town. They’re a closet staple! Since it’s getting cold in New York City, I paired my new favorite pair with an oversized black sweater and a maxi jean skirt with a cute little slit. The look is both comfy and stylish and can easily transform from day to night.
The silvery blue color makes the boot stand out but goes well with just about anything. They’re the perfect length, hitting right at that mid-calf height, and the heel is low enough to walk around all day in but also high enough to really elevate a look. The best part about these boots is that they were only $60!” — Cortni Spearman, Social Director
“I am such a fan of cowboy boots — I even have a little tattoo of one on my arm! While many people think they’re more of a summer item, I wear mine throughout fall and winter with maxi skirts, dresses, and a Penny Lane coat for a glam, ’70s ‘rockstar girlfriend’ vibe.
These boots, from Depop, are vintage. There’s just something romantic about a pair that has been well worn in (not to mention, they’re often a lot comfier!). If you’re struggling to find the perfect fit secondhand, another of my cowboy boot go-tos is Free People. They’re always top in terms of quality and often offer designs with unique colorways and fun patterns. Their blue butterfly design boots, by Jeffrey Campbell, are one of my most complimented fashion items.” — Esther Newman, UK Affiliate Writer
“Ask my parents — I have *always* loved cowboy boots. Ever since I was little, I would sneak into my dad’s closet to borrow his boots, which I obviously did not fit. While my love for the footwear staple hasn’t changed, the way that I style them has.
This winter, I’m treating the cowboy boot the way I would my black Chelsea boots or my camel ankle booties. In other words, instead of making the boot the focal point of my outfit, I’m pairing it with more casual ensembles like jeans and a sweater or a simple dress. I used to build my outfit around the cowboy boot, which inevitably always made my outfit look more Western, but I find that the cowboy boot is just as much of a classic shoe as the rest of my fall boots and can be paired with just about any look. This way, I get to wear them more often, too.” — Sara Tan, Beauty Director (pictured left)
“Having first dabbled with Western boots (of the printed Ed Hardy variety; I know, I know!) in the mid-’00s, I thought I retired the look for good in favor of more versatile footwear. But, after seeing Ganni’s Spring 2023 show at Copenhagen Fashion Week — which featured a range of styles paired with cargo pants, colorful denim, and mini skirts — this black-and-white pair instantly shot to the top of my shopping wishlist.
While I’ve recreated this exact look using the denim pieces from the Danish brand’s collaboration with Levi’s and worn the boots with midi skirts and knit dresses, I’ve been also leaning into equestrian styling by wearing the shoes with a tight-fitting pant (even better if it has stirrups!) and a plaid blazer.” — Irina Grechko, Fashion Director
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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