8 Life-Changing Things Your Closet Needs ASAP

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Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

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1. A pair of ballet-ish flats to help you cheat the breaking-in period for new shoes.

Sarah Han / BuzzFeed

I’m not very diligent about shoe shopping, so I tend to wear the same one or two pairs of shoes throughout an entire season. The reason why shoe shopping is so stressful and dumb is because (besides the eternal struggle of finding shoes that are ~ACTUALLY~ the right size) the pain of breaking them in sets in immediately. Seeing them on the webpage = so cute! On my feet = burn them immediately! Obviously, there should come a time after X number of wears when the pain goes away, but my brain isn’t capable of thinking that far in advance.

But even I realize that walking around in cat flats (however cute!) with sizable holes on the bottoms for two months is probably not a smart idea. So, as much as I want to take my time and choose the prettiest shoes out there, I took to Amazon (Prime, because I'm impatient AF) with the mindset that I just needed *literally any* pair of flats that looked presentable and comfy enough enough for everyday wear. These black ballet-ish flats (with the “tie-up” situation I've been coveting, but one that will *actually* stay up on its own, unlike those weak manual tie-ups) totally fit the bill — simple but sophisticated, very secure thanks to the zippered back, and most importantly, very minimal breaking-in period (aka I needed only two bandages for about a day, which is WAY less than usual). They fit perfectly, neither too tight nor loose. I’m tempted to buy these in a bunch of different colors too, because true to my flats-loving lifestyle, I've been wearing them every single day since I got them. Maybe one day I'll invest in an expensive pair of flats, but these are pretty damn dependable for the price — and yes, I've even worn them in the rain and they're still doing just fine. *skips off into the distance* —Sarah Han

Get them from Amazon for $7.68+ (available in 13 colors, sizes 5.5–10). FYI, price does vary. Mine were $19.99 for black in size 6.5.

2. This on-trend swimsuit for a tropical lewk that costs less than a fancy frozen drink at a beach resort.

Elena Garcia / BuzzFeed / Via instagram.com

While scouring the pages of Amazon I came across this leafy-print one-piece and just fell in love. I was obsessed with everything about it — the cut, the print, the style. I went through the reviews, looked at customer pictures, and decided to trust the people of the internet and purchase it. I threw it in our shopping cart and my fiancé ordered it with our monthly supply of dog food and toilet paper. Obviously, I expected only the ~finest~ of swimsuit apparel to arrive, but the price was right and we were going on vacation so I needed something to wear while I did nothing but drink tropical cocktails.

Much to my surprise, though, this swimsuit was AMAZING. Like, better than most of the suits I’ve purchased from high-end boutiques and department stores. Plus, it was a fraction of a fraction of the price. It was so comfortable, fit perfectly, and kept my ladies (boobs) and babies (tummy) in check. I’m pretty conservative when it comes to showing cleavage in anything, but especially swimsuits. (Because my ladies are so big, I don’t have to do much to have cleavage, so when a suit emphasizes that...it’s just too much.) This one-piece, though, kept them secure and comfy while not putting them out on total display.

I just love it! I got so many comploments, and could I just threw some shorts over it when we walked into town to pig out on lunch. I’m just so obsessed with it! —Elena Garcia

Get it from Amazon for $6.35+ (available in sizes S–2XL, nine colors).

3. A pair of hella-comfy drawstring shorts to keep you looking cool during this sultry, sweaty summer.

Treye Green / BuzzFeed

Our current NYC summer snuck up on me while I still had the majority of my shorts packed away in storage. So I decided to make a quick trip to my fave Gap in hopes of giving my legs a much-needed reprieve.

While browsing the racks of jean shorts and predictable — but necessary — khaki shorts, I eyed a lightweight pair of drawstring shorts that looked hella comfy. I typically don't go for the drawstring styles unless I'm purchasing workout clothes or pajamas. But the sage color and soft fabric was all the motivation I needed to try them out. And several weeks later, I am damn glad I did.

My shorts have become one of my favorite pieces, and I've shamelessly bought a few more pairs. The fabric keeps me cooler than my jean shorts or khakis. And they are breathable without looking too casual. I prefer to wear them with sneakers, since I love the sporty look the pairing of the two gives. But I’ve also worn them with my brown Dr. Marten 1461 Smooth derbies, and they look equally amazing. The shorts even have a button-flap back pocket, so I can secure small items like my ID without worrying about them slipping out of my pocket.

So if you want a no-drama pair of shorts that are comfortable and stylish, you should def check these drawstring beauties out! —Treye Green

Get them from Gap for $20 (available in sizes XS–2XL, four colors).

4. Some cheap, badass sunnies that can survive your black hole of an enormous purse.

Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed

It's common knowledge that sunglasses possess superpowers to transform you into a badass — especially when you're feeling hungover, sick, or particularly get-off-my-lawn-y. I was reminded of this when researching the best sunglasses you can get on Amazon, with a visual onslaught of Amazon customer photos that were uh-mazing. That's when I snagged these mirrored cat-eye lookers as a kicking-around pair that even I — the destroyer of sunglasses — would feel comfortable tossing in my purse on the reg. I do own a pair of Kate Spade New York shades (sold out now, but similar to these), but the case is bulky and I don't like to take them everywhere.

I've been sporting these sunglasses for a few months, including during a sweltering pride parade when I was navigating these mean NYC sidewalks with a Dairy Queen cup full o' Coke Zero and vodka (left) and a random shindig at an outdoor hotel bar where I snagged a table (right). They haven't replaced my designer sunnies, but they're a solid supplement that I'd wear all the time if I didn't have the other pair already. —Elizabeth Lilly

Get them from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in a variety of color combos).

5. These pretty earrings won't bother sensitive skin and are fancy enough for weddings.

Claire de Louraille / BuzzFeed

I like jewelry. I mean, who doesn’t like shiny things? Yet I always end up wearing the same pieces every day: a set of sterling silver posts, two rings, and — if I’m feeling fancy — a bracelet and/or a necklace. I have one wedding-appropriate set that I bought from Zales (ZALES!!!) a million years ago, but I needed to step up my game this year and find some new jewelry for the four weddings I got invited to. Alas, cheaper jewelry is out of the question because any mixed metal turns my skin green and itchy, and my oily skin dissolves gold/silver plating (and clear nail polish :/ ) in a matter of hours. I guess I was born to enjoy the finer things in life??? I wanted to buy something from WWAKE (the New York cool-girl jewelry company of my dreams) but between the wedding gifts, bachelorette parties, and hotel stays, I just couldn’t spend $400+ on a pair of earrings.

After poking around on the wedding behemoth BHLDN, almost all the jewelry I liked was from Tai Jewelry, so I decided to check out the brand. While most of Tai Jewelry’s collections are gold-plated brass, the brand has a pleasant selection of WWAKE-ish and Catbird-esque gold-plated-sterling-silver (and plain sterling silver) pieces for not a million dollars! You'll have to search for "sterling silver" in the search bar to find the good stuff because they don't have a dedicated sterling-silver section. (Their earring backings, however, are not sterling silver, so you’ll have to buy those separately or use the little plastic stoppers they give you instead.) Tai Jewelry isn't dirt cheap, but I did get two pairs of earrings that I LOVE (and have become my official wedding set) for $125 total. —Claire de Louraille

Get them from Tai Jewelry: studs for $55 and crawlers for $70.

6. Some social media–famous swim trunks James Bond would wear.

Kevin Smith / BuzzFeed

Mack Weldon is a clothing company whose ads you might have seen all over Facebook and Instagram. They sell underwear, T-shirts, and a lot of other essential basics for men. A couple of weeks ago, the brand launched its new swim line — and I wanted to see if it lived up to Mack Weldon's promises of them being a near-perfect pair of swimwear. Typically I don't spend too much on my trunks — probably under $40 — but Mack Weldon's trunks retail for $88. I'd definitely consider them an investment piece. One cool thing to note is that they arrive in a reusable waterproof bag, meant to store all your valuables and keep them dry. Honestly, it was a nice touch.

As far as actually wearing the trunks, I can say they were very comfortable. They're also quick to dry. One of my favorite features was the zippered side pockets, which make sure nothing falls out if you take a quick dip and have forgotten to empty them. The design is stylish and well thought-out. I got compliments almost instantly during a recent beach day. I liked how they didn't look like traditional swim trunks but more like normal shorts you can wear with anything. One thing I wanted from them was funkier color options, like bright hues, but maybe that'll come in season two? Compared with my other trunks, these were awesome and it's easy to tell the company put a lot of thought into the,.

The only real bummer in my eyes is the price, but how does the saying go? "You get what you pay for?" —Kevin Smith

Get these trunks from Mack Weldon for $88 (available in sizes S–2XL, four colors).

Mack Weldon sent me the trunks to try free of charge, but I wasn't obligated to positively review them.

7. These splurge-y jeans won't go breaking your heart by falling apart or stretching out on you.

AnaMaria Glavan / BuzzFeed

I love jeans. With my entire being. Sadly, they do not love me. Why? Every pair of jeans I’ve owned in the past 22 years of my life have either ripped at the thighs OR have decided to stretch out after a few wears OR change color after washing them once. I recently learned about a new company called DSTLD: a direct-to-consumer brand that makes jeans made from "powerstretch fabric." With my heart full of skepticism, I decided to try these ripped black jeans ($95) as well as this black coated pair ($125, shown here).

After wearing them twice, I fell in love. It seriously feels like I’m wearing a pair of leggings that happen to have pockets and a zipper. Plus, I’ve washed both pairs four times and the retention is amazing — they fit exactly like they did the first day I wore ‘em. The ripped black jeans add a subtle touch of I’m-in-a-punk-band to your look, while the black coated jeans look polished and are soft to the touch. Best part? They show absolutely no signs of wear and tear in the thigh area and are incredibly comfortable.

While the idea of spending $85+ on jeans is a splurge for me personally (for reference: I feel guilty for days if I buy myself iced coffee in the a.m. instead of drinking the free coffee our office provides), I genuinely think they’re worth it. —AnaMaria Glavan

Get these jeans from DSTLD for $95+ (available in sizes 24–32 in petite, regular, and ankle lengths and five colors).

DSTLD sent me the jeans to try free of charge, but I wasn't obligated to positively review them.

8. Some cute, wide-feet-friendly sandals from a brand our readers swear by for the ultimate in comfort.

Samantha Wieder / BuzzFeed

Let me start by saying that as someone who loves shopping for clothes more than anything, I absolutely HATE shoe shopping. I'm a size 11 in shoes, and my foot is pretty wide, so looking for cute, comfy shoes that fit that bill is pretty difficult.

So, when I did a post back in May, asking people which shoes were best for people who have to stand on their feet all day, I didn't take their suggestions lightly. One brand, in particular that was recommended was Vionic — they made slip-ons, sandals, sneakers, you name it, and they're apparently all super comfy. I was fortunate enough to be sent a free pair of their Sahara Backstrap sandals, as a thank you for including them in my article.

I will say, I didn't have super high expectations. It's not that I didn't trust Vionic, it's just that I've always had awful luck with shoes, especially a new pair. I got a cute pair with snake skin-print straps, and from the first day I started wearing them, I knew there was no turning back. These really are SO comfy. They're cushiony, great for someone with wide feet, like myself, and the fact that I've received compliments on my "pretty sandals" makes them that much better. I wear these all the time now, they're a great shoe for commuting around Manhattan, and I can tell they'll last for a long time. —Samantha Wieder

Get them from Amazon for $64.95+ or Vionic for $87.99 (available in size 5–11, four colors).

Vionic sent me the sandals to try free of charge, but I wasn't obligated to positively review them.

Want more? Check out our last edition of this post here.