This Is the MC 50

"It's no secret that I'm obsessed with the new Bally. Creative Director Simone Bellotti successfully melds Italian and Americana, creating new classics season after season. This crossbody bag falls into that category. I love its subtle "IYKYK" design."—Nikki Ogunnaike, Editor-in-Chief

"I love this scarf because it cleverly mimics the look of a sweater, perfectly recreating the sweater-over-jacket trend we see on editors everywhere in colder months. But unlike a draped sweater, it’s genuinely functional—offering extra warmth and insulation when I'm in transit. It’s the best of both worlds: stylish and practical."—Sara Holzman, Style Director

"I have never been much of a luxury watch wearer, that is, until I discovered this shimmering timepiece from Ferragamo. It stands apart from the rest with a rose gold dial and an emerald green leather strap. It has a modern edge, but there's also something inherently timeless about its sleek silhouette and sapphire glass surface. Needless to say, I'll be wearing it for years to come."—Lauren Tappan, Fashion Editor

"This is my holy grail necklace. It's one that will stand the test of time and I'll cherish it for many years to come."—Nikki Ogunnaike, Editor-in-Chief

"I'm not joking when I say that I walk miles in these shoes. The kitten heel is so incredibly comfortable and the burgundy suede is like a neutral against any wash of denim. Popping these on my feet instantly elevates even the most basic outfit."—Samantha Holender, Senior Beauty Editor

"This little cardigan is the MVP of my work wardrobe. I style it three ways: buttons-forward with a crewneck white T-shirt underneath, backward to create more of a bateau neckline, or tied around my shoulders over another solid knit. It’s the only item I own in three different colors. By Christmas, I’ll probably have four."—Halie LeSavage, Senior Fashion Beauty News Editor

"Ask me to describe my favorite blazer, and I'll wax poetic about this sleek double-breasted layer from A Day's March. Aside from its rich chocolate brown hue, I also love how it flaunts a slightly oversized construction. It's roomy enough to fit over my button-down shirts and knit sweaters. To create an office-friendly outfit that works overtime, I'll often wear this piece with the brand's matching trousers and a pair of dainty kitten heels."—Lauren Tappan, Fashion Editor

"These Agolde jeans are my new obsession. I'm 5'2, so they have a higher rise and a long, wide leg that looks more akin to a pair of trousers. The darker wash also feels versatile for day or nighttime. I even wore them to New York Fashion Week and on date nights. The longer length does mean I have to wear them with heels, but I appreciate having a more formal-feeling pair of denim in my collection. I already have my eye on the black pair."—Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Editor

"I'm a tiny human with a big love for oversized bags, and this cool napa leather shoulder bag is my new everything tote. It’s my go-to for work, the gym, and travel—so versatile and chic. Plus, it fits perfectly in the snug of your arm."—Sara Holzman, Style Director

"Every fashion editor, Substacker, and generally well-dressed person recommending Jamie Haller’s loafers was telling the truth: These are smooth like butter and mold to your foot. They’re several steps above slippers, being handmade in Italy and all. I expected there to be a catch when mine arrived, as there so often is with an Internet-famous product. Spoiler: There wasn’t one. Now I wear mine pretty much weekly—and suggest them to anyone who asks where they’re from."—Halie LeSavage, Senior Fashion Beauty News Editor

"I love a fancy end-of-day routine to unwind and that includes changing into these super comfy pajamas. The silk is pretty and soft, and the track pant style is just drape-y enough to feel both casual and elegant. I have them in cobalt, but am eyeing the light pink."—Andrea Stanley, Executive Editor

"These sinfully soft trousers have become such a staple in my wardrobe. The stretchy waist also means they're glorified sweatpants. Comfy and chic? Sign me up."—Hannah Baxter, Beauty Director

"I rarely shop online, and, if I do, I almost never shop from an ad. But when these cherry chocolate Bombas slippers appeared on my Instagram stories, I was clicking the “place order” button no more than 10 minutes later. I’ve never heard a bad thing about Bombas, so the risk of said impulse purchase was low, and I wear slippers every day, so the practicality of them was high. I gravitated toward this pair because it had all the makings of a slipper that could withstand what my others couldn’t: creasing from crouching down all the time, stains from cooking spills, worn-down insoles from, well, wearing them down. The fuzzy sherpa, memory foam sole, and rubber outsole seemed promising, and I can now confirm I was correct. They fit great—I’d recommend sizing up if you’re a half size—and look so good."—Lucia Tonelli, Associate Director of Social Media

"With the fast change in weather this was probably my best purchase of the year. I love the embroidered bow detailing, it's sublte and a nice touch to make the jacket a bit different than other puffers out there. The sleeves are also detachable to turn the jacket into a vest and who doesn't love versatility!—Jonelle Afurong, Junior Visual Designer

"One of the most hardworking pieces in my wardrobe rings in at just under $30. I wear this belt at least three times a week!"—Nikki Ogunnaike, Editor-in-Chief

"I didn't know what my shoe collection was missing until I got these loafers. To me, they epitomize the concept of classic with a twist; the upper silhouette and smooth patent leather are timeless, but the lug sole gives them a bit of grunge. Pro tip: style these loafers with a bright sock for an unexpected peek-a-boo of color (I particularly love Comme Si's cherry red pair)."—Emma Childs, Fashion Features Editor

"I’m a firm believer that a pair of chunky hoop earrings complete any look, and I wear these at least twice a week. They add a little statement without overdoing it, plus they’re lightweight and feel more expensive than they actually are."—Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor

"I love this shoe because it molds perfectly to your foot—an absolute dream for someone like me who hates anything rigid. The heel is spot-on for comfort and has that chic kitten heel height. While it’s definitely an investment piece, a purchase from The Row is usually timeless, versatile, and worth every penny."—Sara Holzman, Style Director

"Every few years I hunt for a new everyday chain: something a little bit eye-catching, yet easy to wear and pair. This solid silver number from Silent Opus is the closest I’ve ever come to finding chain necklace perfection, and I love the smooth organic shape of the river stone-esque links that hold it together. Plus, it has a clasp that I can undo with one hand—a deeply underrated design perk."—Hanna Lustig, Staff Writer

"I had wanted a pair of black sneakers for a while, but could never find the right ones until these. I love that I can wear these Adidas Sambas with either trousers or jeans."—Nikki Ogunnaike, Editor-in-Chief

"To know me, is to know I like my skin so glowy that's it's just shy of being considered greasy. I'm constantly going for a see-your-reflection-in-my-forehead vibe. Good news: Sturm's Glow Cream, a combination of the brand's Face Cream and Glow Drops, makes that possible with one single product."—Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor

"This might be dramatic to say, but I wish I could put this product in my cereal it’s so good! Truly, the Rhode Glazing Milk is everything I want and need in a skincare product. It’s hydrating, never heavy, and leaves me with the perfect glow. Having sensitive skin is one thing, and in the winter it’s even worse. This is my holy grail product that I can’t live with out. "—Ashlyn Delaney, Associate Social Content Editor

"Once you hit your 30s, adding a product that prompts collagen production is a must for plump, glowy skin. This serum has been in my repitoire for years — it's a derm-founded brand and therefore expertly formulated — and my skin has never looked better. It's worth the splurge, I promise."—Hannah Baxter, Beauty Director

"As someone living in sunny California with rosacea, I rely on this sunscreen daily. It’s lightweight, breathable, and, most importantly, doesn’t irritate my skin like some other products do."—Haobin Ye, Interim Art Director

"You know that running joke about having a million different lip balms that you never manage to finish? Personally, I can’t relate. My arsenal of lip hydration products is substantial, constantly rotating, and never misplaced or wasted. But there’s only one product that has a permanent spot in my nightstand drawer—the top spot—and that’s the Ourself lip conditioner. It’s by far the most effective of all my lip products, and also the longest-lasting, least sticky, and best-feeling, formula that I’ve come across in my 28 years of life. I mean it!!"—Lucia Tonelli, Associate Director of Social Media

"I'm extremely picky when it comes to mascara—I have long, downward-facing lashes (once described by a Sephora staffer as "like a llama's"), and most formulas clog my lashes. This is the first mascara in a decade that's convinced me to swap out my beloved Lancôme Défencils. Armani Beauty's Eyes to Kill won't bunch your lashes together, no matter how much you apply, and it lengthens and fills out the hairs while still looking natural."—Jenny Hollander, Digital Director

"I've always been a longtime fan of the Augustinus Bader balm, but this collaboration with Sofia Coppola is simply heavenly. I've been using this tinted lip balm since it was first released, and it’s now a staple I can't go without."—Montse Tanús, Art Director

"I am in no way exaggerating when I say that this Saie illuminator has boosted my confidence like no other makeup product has. It creates a lit-from-within glow that makes my skin look dewy and refreshed, even when I've only slept for six hours. Plus, it's lightweight enough not to feel tacky under my following layers of sunscreen and tinted moisturizer."—Emma Childs, Fashion Features Editor

"This is the first and only designer lipstick I’ve tested for work and then splurged on my own refill when it ran out. First, because it’s the richest shade of burgundy red. (No, really, it looks expensive when it glides on.) (So does the gold and red bullet.) Second, because it’s the rare matte lipstick that doesn’t leave my lips flaking and dry by the end of the day. Trust that I’ll make it through another two tubes by the end of 2025."—Halie LeSavage, Senior Fashion Beauty News Editor

"Eye bags are my family's curse. Listen, as far as family curses go, things could be worse—but I'm forever annoyed by the bags that, around my thirtieth birthday, became a permanent fixture on my face. Enter Charlotte Tilbury's concealer, which is equal parts concealer, illuminator, and magic. I use it to brighten my entire eye area. One coat, and you'd never suspect about said curse!"—Jenny Hollander, Digital Director

"Whether I’m staying up past my bedtime to cover a red carpet or race to the end of my latest romantasy series obsession, slathering on this serum the next morning makes me look like I got all my beauty sleep. It’s packed with redness-reducing and depuffing ingredients that have a cooling effect the moment they hit my skin. Even better, the bottle has a built-in roller for a facial-at-home experience. I should work harder to get my 8 hours of sleep a night, but I'm glad I tracked down this shortcut to well-rested skin."—Halie LeSavage, Senior Fashion Beauty News Editor

"As someone who works out from home at least four times a week, I thought I had reached the limits of what I could accomplish. Then along came my pair of Bala Bangles and my workouts have never been the same. Whether I’m doing a pilates video or a boxing sesh, I’ll strap these on to my arms or legs and almost instantly I’m sweating to the max. And because they’re so comfortable, I never forget to wear them."—Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor

"I am finallllllly getting back to the gym! After four years of working out at home post-pandemic, I’m easing back into the groove of in-person fitness. I joined not just for the great workouts but for a little pampering too (it’s pretty fancy!). Plus, I’m gearing up for a race in March, so it’s the ideal place to get stronger and stay motivated."—Sara Holzman, Style Director

"No trip to London is complete without a visit to Fortnum Mason. During the winter, I’m never without a mug in hand, and their incredible tea selection makes those busy, cold days so much more enjoyable."—Montse Tanús, Art Director

"I am selective when it comes to my essential oils, but these ones are pretty perfect. They're all responsibly sourced and crafted with care. This set—which includes scents from some of the world's most special trees—smells like magic. And well, they kind of are! "—Andrea Stanley, Executive Editor

"Of the 50-plus books I read this year, this one was my favorite. I read an interview with author Lauren Groff recently and she said "I return to the work of others to feel drawn into a deeper, different conversation than the one my own mind has with itself. And I read to fill myself up with the necessary light that I need to create anything." For me, this book did exactly that."—Andrea Stanley, Executive Editor

"Romantic comedies usually follow strict genre conventions: the couple has their meet-cute, they fall in love (most often, reluctantly), they hit some kind of roadblock at the start of the third act, they quickly overcome it with a big, public declaration of their feelings and live happily ever after. Dolly Alderton’s Good Material takes all those tropes and turns them inside out and upside down, beginning with her flailing standup comic male narrator. There are big feelings in this book but none of them are what I expected; it’s also the only romantic comedy that made me laugh out loud out of the twenty-plus books I read in the genre this year. (Just ask my husband.) I agree with every reviewer who says Alderton is Nora Ephron’s heir apparent. And just like I already have an annual When Harry Met Sally streaming session, I will revisit this not-quite-a-love-story every year from here on out."—Halie LeSavage, Senior Fashion Beauty News Editor

"Nobody does nuanced, witty romance like Shirlene Obuobi. She followed up my favorite book of 2022, On Rotation, with Between Friends and Lovers—and Jo, her protagonist, stole my heart immediately. Between Friends and Lovers is about a love triangle, but it's also about joy and trauma, boundaries and freedom, and a complicated, dynamic woman you can't help but root for. I need the film version immediately."—Jenny Hollander, Digital Director

"Yasmin Zaher's debut novel about a wealthy Palestinian woman slowly losing her mind in New York City was among my most-anticipated book releases of 2024, and The Coin did not disappoint. The book swiftly pulled me in, as the unnamed narrator sunk deeper and deeper into her obsession with cleanliness in response to the moral complications of her job teaching underserved students, her side hustle reselling Birkin bags, and her lonely life adrift in the big city. In a year where the inherent mess and filthy chaos of society was on full display, The Coin was a timely, cathartic read."—Quinci LeGardye, Culture Editor

"If you're like me, you definitely watched the Martha Stewart documentary on Netflix. I’ve always admired Martha, but the film gave me a newfound respect for her as a powerhouse female in business—she’s truly a force! With this cookbook, I get to recreate all the incredible recipes she perfected at Turkey Hill."—Sara Holzman, Style Director

"As an Insecure stan, I was sold as soon as I heard that Kelly herself, Natasha Rothwell, would co-create and star in her own show. I knew that the series, billed as a workplace comedy following JFK airport attendant Mel's rebirth after a near-death experience, would have me laughing out loud with observational humor and low-stakes shenanigans. What I didn't expect was for the show to balance its levity with some real talk about regret, self-worth, and the danger of letting fear keep you from fully living life. This show now joins my list of go-to media when I need to remember an important lesson, which Mel beautifully summarizes in one line: “I’m worth putting myself first."—Quinci LeGardye, Culture Editor

"Luca Guadagnino's Challengers is the kind of bait-and-switch of a film that reviewers tend to hate (pick a lane!), but viewers love. I landed squarely on the latter side of the net (that's the one and only tennis pun I'll use). While the movie promises to be a high-octane sports ride (and its cinematography and electric score do help deliver on that), it's actually a fizzy match-up of romance, coming-of-age, friendship, and sexuality, centered around an unapologetic, at times highly-unlikeable, female lead (played captivatingly by Zendaya). It's a movie made for the meme age (just consider Loewe's I Told Ya T-shirt sales) but feels timeless in its character building, heartbreaking storytelling, and use of churros."—Neha Prakash, Entertainment Director

"Sean Baker has spent his career making movies that humanize sex workers and explore wealth disparity, and Anora may be his best. That’s thanks in large part to star Mikey Madison’s performance, as she emboldens her working-girl character who winds up in the most complicated love story Brighton Beach has ever seen. Baker balances humor and tragedy as seamlessly as the titular Anora dances in her pleasers, but it’s in heartbreaking close-up shots of her reactions while men speak to (or at) her where the film’s crux lies. Must all relationships between men and women, or in love, be transactional?"—Sadie Bell, Senior Culture Editor

"I'm a Bravo babe through and through and can confidently say no one is doing it like the SLC women."—Nikki Ogunnaike, Editor-in-Chief

"Traitors kicked of 2024 with epic fanfare and cemented Peacock as a must-subscribe streaming service (thanks in part to its deeply unserious Clue-like format: famous people living in a Scottish castle sussing out the 'murderers' amongst them). However, Season 2 excelled in the highly-saturated reality space because of its pitch-perfect casting—which seemed to reward fans of the genre who have devoted years to following the Bravoverse, Bachelor Nation, and other competitions shows alike. But even if you don't have your degree in the Reality Arts and Sciences, Traitors was a standout because its premise is a microcosm of what makes reality shows so addicting: deceit, treachery, villains, heartwarming alliances, and underdogs. And, of course, campy fashion statements in the form of its perfect host, Alan Cumming."—Neha Prakash, Entertainment Director

"Every new Beyoncé release splits my life in half: There's the person I was before Cowboy Carter, and the person I am after. With her monumental album, the Houston superstar didn't just clap back at country's mainstream gatekeepers, and reclaimed the genre for its Black trailblazers and fans who were often excluded from the subculture. She went even further, testing the definition of the genre by combining folk, rock, Americana, RB, house, trap, and even Italian spaghetti western influences into a project reflecting the ultimate melting pot that is American culture. Before Cowboy Carter, I saw country as something outside of me (minus the occasional Carrie Underwood karaoke session). After, Cowboy Carter dominates my Spotify Wrapped as a constant reminder: No one tells me where I don't belong."—Quinci LeGardye, Culture Editor

"I could justify my slow-burn love for The Tortured Poets Department by the numbers (16 weeks at the top of the Billboard chart, 10.4 million copies sold worldwide, Spotify and Apple Music streaming records, 6 fresh Grammy nominations, bringing her to a total of 58). Or, I could bring up specific lyrics and couplets that so perfectly crystallize being a 30something woman who feels misunderstood and also like she doesn’t quite understand herself. (See the “Florida!!!” line “And my friends all smell like weed/or little babies. The specificity!) But it’s the way Taylor Swift worked her brand-new body of work into her already massive (and record-breaking) Eras Tour that really drove home just how singular she is. I sang her meta-anthem 'I Can Do It With a Broken Heart'—written on the tour, about soldiering through her personal dramas and disappointments onstage at the very same tour—along with 69,000 other people and felt like I had a theme song to amp me up on my own tough days. Swift has been putting words to my heart for over a decade now, but this album showed a level of self-awareness and introspection that’s unparalleled. And yet, it still works on the massive scale of a globe-spanning stadium tour. I want to say I can’t wait to see what she does next—but I also hope she takes a well-deserved break. I’ll have 31 new songs to keep streaming in the meantime."—Halie LeSavage, Senior Fashion Beauty News Editor

"A certain subset of music fiends have been saying for over a decade that Charli XCX is the 'future of pop,' and in 2024, the mainstream finally caught up with Brat. Beyond the genius roll-out that turned Brat into a lifestyle, color trend, and buzz word, the album itself is the British artist’s most vulnerable, electrifying LP, drawing from the techno club scene that raised her, her signature hyperpop sound, and no-holds-barred lyricism. It’s daring and resonant, exploring ceaseless insecurity, escapism, and holding onto but also shying away from being seen as “the party girl.” It’s an instant “club classic.”—Sadie Bell, Senior Culture Editor

"Clairo's Charm is a Hot-Girl album for those who want to hole up in the woods à la Henry David Thoreau. It's folksy without ever feeling sleepy and grounded in a sweeping, soft-rock sound that'll make you nostalgic for an era you weren't alive for. Take it from someone in the .005 percent of listeners for 'Sexy for Someone' (according to 2024 Spotify Wrapped); Charm is Clairo's best."—Emma Childs, Fashion Features Editor

"As a Maggie Rogers fan that has been there since she left Pharrell speechless with her song 'Alaska,' I think this might be her best album to date....or at least my favorite out of all of them. She's an incredble vocalist and such a strong singer-songwriter. This album has the perfect vibe for a laid-back afternoon—while it's a very emotional album, it's a chill listen."—Jonelle Afurong, Junior Visual Designer