39 Comments

These are great ideas! I bought a Marmot brand winter puffer down coat years ago - they have a lifetime warranty, so when the zipper broke this past year, they sent me a credit to purchase a new one!

Expand full comment

Love that - thanks for the rec! x

Expand full comment

Yes! Great customer service! My mom and I purchased raincoats from Marmot in 2007. The lining started flaking and they sent credits for new purchases 😊

Expand full comment

I love your generosity in sharing practical, durable, and beautiful goods for us to ogle over—and without a paywall. You're a welcome visitor in my inbox!

Expand full comment

It is my absolute pleasure - thanks for reading! x

Expand full comment

This post really got me thinking! Like you and others, lots of love for All Clad and Calphalon stainless steel pans, Lodge cast iron and Kitchen Aid (although I hear the old ones are made with more reliable parts than the new)

Wustoff Trident (Classic Series) and Zwilling JA Henckels (Original Series) chef knives: I'm a big knife nut because I prefer to do all my chopping by hand. I have had these two models in various sizes for 30 years now. They are the few styles that continued to be manufactured with a bolster and the balance in hand is extremely good. Like all knives, they still need to be sharpened but mine look and perform like new. Note: I would not pay this much for a serrated knife as those can't be sharpened.

Dexter Russell 6x3 Hamburger Flipper with wood handle: I bought this (now) $20 tool randomly about 15 years ago and use it for everything from fried eggs to moving baked cookies to stir fry. No wonder line cooks have a million of them. The wood handle stays cool and it's strong enough to scrape off the stuck, burnt bits from your pan. It's better than any regular spatula I own plus it's made in the USA.

MAC Brushes: I'm hesitant to recommend this. Most (not all) of my original MAC brushes are still in excellent shape even though it's been 25 years. I gently wash them. I don't know if the new ones are made as well and I'm sure it depends on the different manufacturers they contract.

Salvatore Ferragamo Pebbled Leather goods: I realize this is a luxury item and not affordable. However I feel the need to give a review particularly if one spends this much on an item. I received a hobo shoulder bag made of their Pebbled Leather as a gift. I embarrassingly confess that I took absolutely horrendous care of it. I dragged it everywhere, every single day for years with little kids. Took it in the rain. Spilled on it. Slammed it in my car door by accident - 3 times!! To this day, without any conditioning or cleaning besides a quick wipe, it looks brand new. Even the door slams didn't leave a single mark. Ferragamo Pebbled Leather has performed eons better than any other luxury bag I own, even my LVs, Gucci, Dior, Bulgari etc. It's not even close.

Expand full comment

When my husband and I were married in 1995, we were both 23 and excited to register at C&B for our new home essentials. I chose very basic white stoneware plates, bowls et al, a set of glasses in various sizes, and a lovely basic (but still chic) flatware and serving piece set, as well as other necessities like sheets, towels and a few home decor items & furnishings. I've always been a firm believer in "care & repair" so I lovingly washed and dried my dinnerware and made sure to launder the towels & sheets gently. The towels were in our regular rotation until about 2012 before being demoted to muddy dog duty. We are celebrating our 29th anniversary this September and we are still using our dinnerware, flatware & glasses daily. The glasses are pretty cloudy thanks to our dishwasher, but the plates and silverware still look great and it makes me smile when I think of how long we have had them. I have no plans to swap them out for something new anytime soon.

Expand full comment

Love this SO MUCH. So smart to pick timeless classics that can last a lifetime! x

Expand full comment

Things that last is something of an obsession that I seem to have inherited from my pragmatic Midwestern family 😂 LOVE this post!!!! Saving it for sure!!

Patagonia anything tops my list. They have been great about repairs when needed and my fave hiking pants and jacket are going strong after 10 years.

We just traveled with Samsonite luggage my husband and I got in college (20+ years ago). I have come close to replacing it for vanity reasons over the years, but now take pride in its age.

I would love more writing about the things we keep! How beautiful to celebrate our old, reliable stuff!

Expand full comment

Yay! And yes - Patagonia is such a hero company. Hope other brands will take note of their commitment to sustainability and well crafted goods! x

Expand full comment

I have an Eagle Creek 30 year old carry on rolling bag that turns into a backpack if needed. It has a zip off daypack also. On my last trip the rubber on the rolling wheels finally came off. I called Eagle Creek and I was able to take it to a local travel store where they replaced the wheels for free! This bag has held up amazingly well and now it will last another 30 years, hopefully. It's my favorite travel bag.

Expand full comment

Great rec - thanks for sharing! x

Expand full comment

Love these suggestions! My only thing is that I do not support Amazon, so it would be nice to have alternative links to products that only have a link to Amazon.

Expand full comment

So glad! Nearly all of the links provided go directly to the retailer (not Amazon). x

Expand full comment

I appreciate that Shira.

Expand full comment

Love this post! I have had my white Kitchen Aid mixer for about 24 years. Still going strong! I have had my 360 skillet for about four years and can’t wait to buy my next pot. 360 is also made in the USA.

What is your preference between The Container Store wooden hangers and the other wooden hangers?

Expand full comment

I personally have the Container Store wooden hangers and they have held up for 10+ years. The others I linked are much slimmer though which is a perk! x

Expand full comment

My Kitchen Aid was a gift from my mom when I moved out after college. It weighs a ton, but still runs. My kiddo had to adjust the speed mechanism, but it made many birthday cakes over the years.

Expand full comment

LOVING this. I share your rage at the planned obsolescence. Thank you for this amazing list of items. I look forward to adding them to my collection. 😀

Expand full comment

Glad to hear! x

Expand full comment

My OG Faberware pots and pans from my grandmother’s kitchen are still going strong.

Also, Muji doesn’t offer any guarantees, but I’ve had their travel containers for 10 years running. Still the only containers that let me travel with safflower oil (the best oil cleanser!!!) with zero leaks. They hold my sunscreen, face wash, serums, shampoo, curl products, you name it. Recently added a couple of their mini spray bottles to decant my setting sprays into, too.

Expand full comment

Wow! Good to know about Muji :)

Expand full comment

Damn. The pill case. I hate the idea of spending over $100 on a pill case. And yet... It looks perfect. I'm taking the plunge. Thank you. And yes to the skillets and mixer. I've had mine for decades.

Expand full comment

I know. It's insane, but also, it makes me happy every day and I will never need to replace it. Cost per use will be pennies eventually ;)

Expand full comment

We just had to replace a three year old dishwasher. Previously, we thought replacing the last one at seven years was too soon.

Expand full comment

Gah! I hate that!

Expand full comment

I've been looking for a new pill case - can't wait to try the Ikigai!

Expand full comment

My Ikigai pill case set just arrived today - love them! They look beautiful, fit everything I need and take up less space in my purse and suitcase.

Expand full comment

This makes me so happy! It's the little things - mine makes me happy every time I use it! x

Expand full comment

Thank you for the wonderful resources. Certain things are worn out and need to be replaced. I purchase rarely, so I appreciate the products that last.

Expand full comment

I have the Rimowa suitcase, which was £700 in London when I bought it 7 years ago. It was one of the best investments ever. That, and the All Clad stainless steel cookware I got 35 years ago as a wedding present. The marriage didn’t last, but the pots are like new! The Kitchen Aid mixer came with wedding no 2, so only 16 years old. All doing fine 😉

Expand full comment

Great roundup! I have the velvet hangers that snap so will switch to wooden when I need to re-up

Expand full comment

Yes - those velvet ones got so popular but were not built to last!

Expand full comment