I Shop for a Living—9 Tasteful Finds That Defined My Year

Jalil Johnson is a Who What Wear editor in residence and New York–based writer, fashion authority, and media personality who began his career as a stylist and later spent three years at Saks Fifth Avenue refining his eye for trend reporting, emerging talent, and brand storytelling. He now brings his expertise to his newsletter, Consider Yourself Cultured, and has also been featured in The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar, The Wall Street Journal, and The Financial Times, and Vogue named him one of the “New Faces of Street Style.”

The blessing of a job that revolves around products is that I get to spend my days looking at, thinking about, and pursuing things. Wonderful things, useful things, and in some cases necessary things that not only resonate with my readers but also genuinely make sense for my own life.

As a way to reflect on the year that was, I thought it would be a worthwhile exercise to break down nine pieces spanning clothing, beauty, and home that stood out as my best finds of the year and that I hope will resonate with you as well.

The Linen Blazer

I’m a big fan of a white blazer. It breaks up the monotony of the usual black and navy rotation and feels especially right in warmer months. This was a summer and early fall staple for moments when I needed to dress up without overheating, and when I wanted to elevate otherwise-casual, summer-leaning outfits without feeling overdone.

The Luxe Black Pants

Finding the perfect pair of black pants that works year-round and across occasions is harder than it sounds. In the past, I relied on vintage designer slacks from resale sites and had them tailored, but toward the end of 2024, I booked an appointment with Saman Amel to create a made-to-measure pair that truly checked every box. While I technically purchased them in 2024, I didn’t start wearing them until early 2025, and I can confidently say they’ve more than earned their keep. When people talk about cost per wear, these are exactly the kinds of pieces they mean. You can book an appointment when they’re in your city, or explore ready-to-wear options on sites like MyTheresa and Mr. Porter.

Saman Amel

Amo wool straight-leg pants

The Corduroy-Pant Obsession

This has been the fall and winter of corduroy pants for me. I currently own seven pairs and counting. As I mentioned in my first article for WWW, corduroys are an excellent alternative to jeans during the colder months, and the texture alone adds depth and interest to even the simplest outfit.

Shopbop

Polo Ralph Lauren Corduroy Cropped Wide Leg Pants

The Perfect Denim Shorts

I practically lived in these shorts all summer, and even managed to stretch their lifespan into early fall. Jac Cameron, the founder of Rùadh, is also the mind behind many of your favorite jeans at places like Madewell, Alex Mill, and AYR, which she cofounded, and her own label is very much worth your attention. What made these shorts so special is how they softened and molded to my body over time. The boyish, baggy cut paired with the raw hem made them an easy, no-thought solution for beating the heat.