What Shopping Editors Can't Resist: 22 Finds You Need to Check Out This October

Fashion, beauty and more

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Buck Mason/Sephora/SeaVees

Ah, October: It’s a month marked by changing leaves and cooler weather, loaded with cool family activities like visits to pumpkin patches and corn field mazes. It’s also when it hits you: The holiday season is coming up fast. So, whether you’re updating your wardrobe as sweater weather turns into puffer jacket weather or you’re getting a head start on finding that perfect gift for mom, I checked in with the PureWow team to see what they’re adding to their carts this month.

Scroll down to see a curated list of our October favorites, spanning from fashion to beauty to home.

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Associate Commerce Editor Natalie LaBarbera is stocking up on some new jeans this season. "Buck Mason seriously makes the *best* basics, and I needed a pair of jeans with a wider fit, so I picked up this pair and they're just *so* good. They fit perfectly, true to size, and come with free alterations to get your perfect inseam. I went into the store to have mine measured, but you can also choose between inseams of 28 through 32.5 online, so they're great no matter how tall you are."

I've been needing to replace my Swiffer mop, and with Wicked: For Good right around the corner, this Wicked-themed mop is a no-brainer. I absolutely can't get over the adorable pink colorway. Plus, it's designed as a 2-in-1 cleaning tool, meaning you get both a sweep and a mop in one go. And with a price tag of just $20, I definitely know what I'm treating myself to this fall.

A chic bench and shoe rack, this clever 2-in-1 piece features three storage compartments and is easy to assemble. While the brand doesn't list a maximum number of shoes you can stow, I reckon you can fit at least ten, depending on the type of shoes you're storing, which is plenty of space for me to get started.

VP of Editorial Content Candace Davison was recently given this sleek, stylish laptop bag from Calpak—and she can't stop raving about it. "I've been struggling to find a structured bag that can hold my laptop without getting too bulky to commute with. Calpak's Haven bucket bag has been a game-changer. It can stow everything from my planner to my 14-inch Macbook, with pockets and a key leash so I'm never rummaging to hunt down my credit card or gloss. It comes with a removable laptop sleeve that keeps my laptop protected but also acts as a divider to keep everything in its place. As an organization nerd, I love that."

Davison also just scooped up these popular eye patches for her husband. "I got these Papatui eye patches for my husband, but I've been stealing them because they're refreshing and stay put! No slipping around or readjusting, so I can wear them as I load the dishwasher or run around. Plus, they're pretty affordable, compared to other brands I've tried."

My sister is a huge fan of Stranger Things, so I'm going to make these suede boots from the Minnetonka x Stranger Things collection her Christmas gift this year. Not only does it have an 1980s-inspired silhouette, it will also be worn by one of the characters, Holly Wheeler, in a key scene for the show's final season. I can't wait to see her face once she makes the connection.

"Mom fail: I have zero cold-weather clothes for my almost five-month-old (summer baby problems)," says Executive Managing Editor Catrina Yohay. "Time to get this kid some adorable tiny jackets! Since he'll no doubt outgrow them by Christmas, I'm not spending a fortune. This sherpa jacket and corduroy coat ($30) will get us through daycare drop-offs and family dinners out—and they could not be cuter!!!"

8. Electactic Store Gas Grill

Electactic Store

My best friend and I recently grabbed this Electactic gas grill for our backyard, and we're in love. It's still relatively hot in Georgia, so we used it for a couple of birthday parties, and I have to say it works seamlessly. Not only does it deliver great food, it's portable and can be folded, which means you can take it with you on road trips, camping adventures or anywhere else you may want to bring it. We're thinking about planning a winter cabin trip, so this bad boy will definitely be coming with us.

LaBarbera is also refreshing her shoe closet ahead of the holidays: "I love SeaVees shoes, and I couldn't resist this pair of velvet Mary Janes ahead of the holiday season. I have a satin pair that are super comfy, so I know I'll get plenty of wear out of these, too." Available in sapphire (pictured), black, cotton candy and topaz. 

SEO and Audience Development Editor Marissa Wu says this body wash is a game-changer. "Normally, I am a bar soap gal, but I recently tried this body wash. It's pretty affordable - $13 for-18.5 ounces. It smells so lovely (though some might find it strong). It lingers into the next day! It's also pumped with plenty of skincare ingredients, including niacinamide, peptides and vitamin E."

Executive Editor Alexia Dellner has reminded us that, unfortunately, cold and flu season is right around the corner. That's exactly why she's buying these sore-throat-targeting organic lollipops. "T'is the season for sick kiddos!" she says. "I have one kid who refuses to take medicine when she's sick but she'll gobble these up happily, so I'm stocking up on these throat-soothing lollies to get us through winter. Bonus? They're flat shaped, so safer for littles."

Ever heard of a 5-in-1 portable air fryer? Me neither, which is exactly why I had to give this a try myself. An innovative kitchen product, this air fryer comes with *five* cooking modes: roast, reroast, deep roast, broil and keep warm. On top of that, it features a 360-degree design and includes two stackable, high-borosilicate glass bowls with snap-lock, leakproof lids that you can store for leftovers or take with you on the go. And if that isn't enough, it's BPA, PFAS and Teflon-free.

Wu is also looking forward to purchasing this exfoliating scalp cleanser. "I've been wanting to try Joico's scalp vitality scrub," she tells me. "It's supposed to balance the oil in your scalp, and I've been looking for ways to keep my hair from looking greasy at the end of the day (despite me washing it daily!!)"

Not only does it have an 1980s-inspired silhouette, but word on the street is that these bad boys are worn by one of the characters, Holly Wheeler, in a key scene for the show's final season. I can't wait to see her face once she makes the connection.

This handy smart scale is also on Dellner's radar. "I used to be pretty anti-scales in my house, but I have now reached the age where I worry about things like muscle mass and bone density, so here we are!" she notes. "This one comes highly-rated and measures things like BMI, body fat, muscle mass and more in an easy-to-read display that syncs with health apps like Apple Health and Fitbit. My husband and I can both set up profiles on it, and I have a sneaking suspicion that we'll both be using it quite a bit in the lead up to the holidays...."

16. Honey Pot Herbal Pads

The Honey Pot

These herbal pads have totally transformed that time of the month for me, and let me tell you why. First of all, they are made with natural cooling properties that can help you relax just a little more (especially at night), and they are built for maximum absorbency, which is something I personally need as I have a heavier cycle. Since switching to Honey Pot, my flow has been more controlled, and I haven't had any leakage or accidents. These are the types of pads I've been searching for since my teens, and I find it hard to see myself using anything else.

"I know it's cozy season, but don't @ me: I hate gourmand scents. So instead, I'm putting Ellis Brooklyn's Florist perfume on my vanity to remind me of spring (and ward off the sad vibes)." says Wu. "It's got all the flowers I love: jasmine, honeysuckle, tuberose, gardenia...if that's not spring in a bottle, I don't know what is."

Cold weather can have a way of drying out your skin, which is exactly why Wu is stocking up on Maelove's hydrating facial serum. "I really love SkinCeuticals B5 gel, but it's pushing $100. I've found Maelove's hyaluronic acid B5 serum to be not just similar in both ingredients and consistency, but also only $33. As dry winter weather approaches, I will be stocking up!"

Don't underestimate this little guy...he has a way of totally taking a kitchen or dining room to the next level. Handcrafted with white oak wood, the twisted leg design is unique, and you can use it as either a small side table or a stool. Or as one buyer writes, "Absolutely gorgeous! It's a small item, but it makes a big statement in the room. The color is beautiful and it's very well made...great attention to detail."

Once you've had an insulated jacket during the winter, you don't go back. Made from nylon and spandex, this one gives you all of the protection and coverage necessary, as it's waterproof and features the brand's STRETCH VOYAGR technology for breathability. It's also equipped with two front pockets that can be used for storing smaller essentials like your gloves, keys and keycards. Best of all, it comes in multiple colors, including black, raisin and winter sky.

I have two cats and one dog, which means the pet hair around my place is never-ending. I am finally investing in a wet-dry mop, and this one has great reviews. Per the brand, it absorbs six times more water than the average wet-dry mop, and leaves nine times less residue, equaling a faster drying time and *zero* streaking. Plus, it's only 8lbs, so I will be able to easily move it around from room to room without breaking a sweat.

22. Glossier x WNBA Hoodie

Glossier x WNBA

As a huge fan of the WNBA, I'm definitely going to be wearing this hoodie for fall and winter. Made from a blend of cotton and polyester, it features both the WNBA and Glossier logos, and it has a really cool basketball design in the back that is sure to have people asking where you got it from. Even better, it's quite toasty, so it will keep you warm when the temps really start dropping.


Screenshot 2024 03 04 at 4.32.14 PM

Associate Commerce Strategist

  • Covers all things commerce and entertainment
  • Has over a decade of editorial experience in both fashion and entertainment, and was previously with ONE37pm before joining the PureWow team in March 2024
  • Studied journalism and marketing at Columbus State University in Georgia

Why You Should Trust Us

PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.