Despite all the new fall collections and autumn trends popping up already, we aren’t looking to speed through the rest of summer. In fact, we’re embracing warm-weather fashion for as long as possible while it’s still hot and sunny.
Read through our top summer fashion must-haves to see what we’ve been reaching for, and to pick pieces you want to add to your own arsenal.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
Lululemon Wunder Train Strappy Racer Bra & High-Rise Short 6"
“Hiking, hot yoga, spinning, running, you name it — I’m probably doing it in my tried-and-true Lululemon gear. I already own a lot of the core styles, but one that I had yet to test was the Wunder Train Strappy Race Bra and matching shorts. I love that the bra has the support of a much heftier, bulkier design with the sleek, stylish design of a bralette. I also appreciate that it comes in two cup sizes (I’m wearing size 6 in C/D cups). The shorts are similarly compressive but still really comfortable. I also loved that they have pockets on each side big enough for my phone.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
Lululemon Wunder Train Strappy Racer Bra Light Support, C/D Cup, $, available at Lululemon
Lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Short 6", $, available at LululemonPhoto: Courtesy of Karina Hoshikawa.
Stone And Strand Pivot Paperclip Chain
“Stone And Strand’s Pivot chain is for those who want a piece of high-quality jewelry that can do it all. The chain has two clasps, rather than one, allowing its wearers to adjust it in four different ways: as a necklace, a dangling lariat style, a bracelet (when wrapped around three times), or an anklet (when wrapped twice). I like this thick paperclip style especially because the links are large enough to hook the clasps (or fun charms). But there are daintier (and less expensive) cable chain and rolo chain styles, too. This chain hasn’t left my ankle all summer long, and I’m excited to wear it as a charm necklace and bracelet into the fall and winter seasons as my ankles start hiding away.” — Victoria Montalti, Associate Fashion Writer
Stone and Strand Pivot Paperclip Chain, $, available at Stone and StrandPhoto: Courtesy of Victoria Montalti.
Sister Jane Minnie Bow Cami Dress
“I don’t know how it happened but I’ve acquired quite a few bright red pieces recently… and turns out, it’s my new favorite color. Firetruck red has always felt far too ostentatious for me, but I was drawn to this Sister Jane midi dress because the hue perfectly contrasts its simple, timeless silhouette. While hyper-feminine bows and A-line skirts aren’t my normal go-to's, I expect to hold on to this dress for a long, long time.” — Ebony-Renee Baker, Fashion Editor
Sister Jane Minnie Bow Cami Dress, $, available at Sister JanePhoto: Courtesy of Ebony-Renee Baker.
Polly Pocket x Cider Plus & Curve A Polly Kinda Mood Set
“As someone who grew up with a Polly Pocket compact, I was intrigued by the toy brand’s collaboration with Cider. The rise of “doll fashion” in the last few years has been both unexpected and fun, and I’ve enjoyed incorporating it into my personal style. While I was most curious to try the tweed pieces from the collection, even after sizing up one size to 3XL, they were too small on me. (If you have a fuller bust, I'd recommend going up two sizes.) That said, this set from the line is a late summer must-have. The sweater has an adorable rounded collar and fabric-covered buttons and fits nicely in a size 3XL. The coordinating shorts were comfortable as well, though I might have preferred a little extra fabric for a more relaxed fit through the stomach area. I paired this look with pink patent Mary Janes and frilly ankle socks to lean into the doll vibes.” — Sarah Chiwaya, Contributing Plus-Size Columnist
Polly Pocket x Cider Curve & Plus A Polly Kinda Mood Set, $, available at CiderPhoto: Courtesy of Sarah Chiwaya.
Dr. Martens Zeb Zag Mule
“Before these, I thought mules would make my already large feet look even bigger, but actually, they’re no different to wearing, say, chunky sneakers, and they’re comfortable on days when an open-toe sandal feels too risky when there’s light rain showers. The tan color goes with everything and feels appropriate for the late summer. As with all Doc Martens, I suggest wearing them in a bit first before you commit to a full day out in them.” — Tanyel Mustafa, Senior Writer
Dr. Martens Zeb Zag Mule, $, available at ZapposPhoto: Courtesy of Tanyel Mustafa.
Skims Boyfriend T-Shirt
“I love the boxy loose fit of this Skims boyfriend tee and have worn it constantly in the summer because it’s breathable and unrestricting. Mostly, I throw it on with bike shorts and sneakers for low-intensity workouts or casual walks to the coffee shop, but because the fabric is also buttery-soft — almost cloud-like — I even wear it to sleep or lounge around my house. I own this tee in marble and light heather grey colorways, but I know I’ll be scooping up the black version next.” — Kate Spencer, Senior Affiliate Partnership Manager
Skims Boyfriend T-Shirt, $, available at SkimsPhoto: Courtesy of Kate Spencer.
Pandora ME Small-Link Chain Necklace
“When Pandora took me to Copenhagen Fashion Week this month, I realized how much their jewelry has evolved from the kitschy charm bracelets I used to dream about in grade school (and long since grown out of). This gold chain necklace feels sophisticated and is perfectly chunky for me (chains that are too thick make me feel like Mr. T.), so I’m delightfully surprised to be on the Pandora hype again. Bonus points for the fun mix-and-match charms like the sparkling bee and lock and key, which remind me that it’s OK to be a little childish when it comes to fashion.” — Ebony-Renee Baker, Fashion Editor
PANDORA ME Small-Link Chain Necklace, $, available at PANDORAPhoto: Courtesy of Ebony-Renee Baker.
Idyllwind Colt Volgo Leather Western Boots
"The idea that cowboy boots only work in certain climates is entirely ridiculous. Yes, London weather might be unpredictable, but that's exactly why you need a summer-suitable boot to wear come rain or shine. I can't get over how beautiful the hand-stitched embroidery is on these Idyllwind boots. Plus, unlike other snip-toe style boots I've worn in the past, these babies were comfortable from the first wear (a major win for anyone who has ever been through the pain of breaking in a stubborn pair)." — Alicia Lansom, Associate Editor
Idyllwind Colt Volgo Leather Western Boots, $, available at Boot Barn
Damson Madder Iris Bow Midi Dress
"A small, woman-led team runs Damson Madder in North London, releasing limited collections of around 15 to 35 pieces per drop. The brand never misses, but this might be the best dress I’ve seen it create. The dropped waist and midi length are perfect for my petite frame, as it’s full length on me. Made with 100% organic cotton, the dress is structured but hangs elegantly with bow detailing. I can already tell I’ll wear this wardrobe staple for many years to come." — Kelly Washington, Senior Social Editor
Damson Madder Iris Bow Midi Dress, $, available at Damson MadderPhoto: Courtesy of Kelly Washington.
Rails Paris Map Boyfriend T-Shirt
“I find myself popping on this graphic tee from Rails every time the weekend comes around. The cotton jersey is cozy, breathable, and gets softer with every wash. The Paris map motif is adorable and yet edgy enough to pass off as a band tee. I wore the shirt to a rock concert with a denim cutoff maxi skirt and felt so rock-n-roll. I plan on collecting other tees from the brand’s City Tees collection, such as Amsterdam, London, and New York. They all come in quirky illustrations and an oversized fit.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer
Rails Boyfriend T-Shirt, $, available at RailsPhoto: Courtesy of Venus Wong.
Reformation Sadey Linen Dress
“It’s linen season, and no dress has gotten more use in my closet this summer than this style from Reformation. The halter neckline is interesting enough to distinguish it from other linen midis in my wardrobe rotation, the slit looks equally appropriate at a party (with heels) as a vacation (with sandals), and the ruched bodice is just fitted enough to be form-fitting without being too tight on a hot summer day. I’ve been wearing it nonstop with the rose-tinted sunglasses from Reformation’s Jimmy Fairly collab.” — Irina Grechko, Fashion Director
Reformation Sadey Linen Dress, $, available at ReformationPhoto: Courtesy of Irina Grechko.
Jenny Bird Capri Anklet
“I love taking trends that were once popular in our youths and updating and styling them to be modern (hello, overalls). In the ankle department, no one’s offering more variety than Jenny Bird. This dainty silver chain has a tiny pearl at the end of the clasp, and a few different length settings, and it has been so fun to style now that my footwear wardrobe consists mostly of sandals and ballet flats.” — Kate Spencer, Senior Affiliate Partnerships Manager
Jenny Bird Capri Anklet, $, available at Jenny BirdPhoto: Courtesy of Kate Spencer.
FP Movement Quilted Carryall
“I haven’t stopped using this Free People carryall bag since I got it, and I have another color of it in my cart that I’m tempted to buy. It fits my laptop, gym gear, lunch, and tons more — all while still feeling comfortable slung across my body, thanks to the quilting and wide strap. It’s waterproof in a light rain shower, too, which is important in London. With all the internal and external zip pockets making it ultra-functional, it’s one of the best bags I own.” — Tanyel Mustafa, Senior Writer
FP Movement Quilted Carryall, $, available at Free PeoplePhoto: Courtesy of Tanyel Mustafa.
Saylor Chantae Dress
“Summer is all about the all-white uniform. I love this white dress with all of its cutesy little touches, like the smocked neck, rope-tie belt, fluttery sleeves, and striped detailing. It’s giving sipping wine in the French countryside, and I feel so put together but also comfortable in it. The dress is a little short, so I would recommend wearing shorts underneath.” — Becca Sax, Affiliate Coordinator
Saylor Chantae Dress, $, available at SaylorPhoto: Courtesy of Becca Sax.
Birkenstock Milano Sandals
“I’ll admit that I am rather late to the Birkenstock game. I’m used to the sense of security afforded by strappy sandals, so I wasn't sold on the idea of slides until I discovered Birkenstock’s Milano sandal. The EVA soles provide arch support, as all Birks do, and the back buckle straps keep my feet firmly in place. The fact that they are so versatile makes me completely sold on the hype: I have been wearing these shoes with sundresses, cut-off shorts, and leggings — and they will likely continue to be worn on repeat for the rest of summer.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer
Birkenstock Milano Oiled Leather Sandals, $, available at ZapposPhoto: Courtesy of Venus Wong.
Ace & Tate Oshin Tigerwood Sunglasses
“I love these sunglasses. The slight cat eye shape in dark tortoiseshell makes them timeless in my opinion (I was tempted to go for more rectangular ones, but I don’t think they’ll look cool in a few years), which is important for me as these have my prescription in them, so I want them to last me for ages. I’ve even had a few Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany’s comments when styled with a bun!” — Tanyel Mustafa, Senior Writer
Ace and Tate Oshin Sunglasses, $, available at Ace and TatePhoto: Courtesy of Tanyel Mustafa.
Marrow Fine White Diamond Seven Stars Nesting Ring
“I have a hexagon-shaped diamond engagement ring, which made figuring out a wedding band that could go on the same finger a puzzle. After I resigned to wearing a band on my other hand, I was introduced to the brand Marrow Fine, which has since become my favorite recommendation for untraditional engagement rings and bands (for proof, see this impossibly cool ‘Til Death’ enamel style). Two years after I got married and have complemented my engagement ring with the Quinn Wave Band (bottom ring in the photo), I’ve added a second band, the Seven Stars Nesting ring (top ring), for a three-piece stack.” — Irina Grechko, Fashion Director
Marrow Fine White Diamond Seven Stars Nesting Ring, $, available at Marrow Fine
Buck Mason Surplus Rib Scoop Neck Tank Dress
“Ever since the Skims long slip dress went viral on TikTok, I have been meaning to invest in a figure-hugging summer maxi dress. I finally found my chosen one in this Buck Mason ribbed number. The scoop neckline accentuates my figure in a lovely way, and the straps are wide enough to conceal my bra straps. I love how it feels like wearing a long cotton camisole. I will probably get the hemline shortened eventually (I am 5’1”), but for now, I’ve been enjoying wearing the dress as is with a pair of wedge espadrilles.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer
Buck Mason Surplus Rib Scoop Neck Tank Dress, $, available at Buck MasonPhoto: Courtesy of Venus Wong.
Aldo Spinella Sandals
“Ever since I’ve gotten these Aldo sandals, they’ve become my go-to summer shoe. I love that they look like a modern gladiator sandal and how easily I can wrap them around my leg. The soles are also super cushiony, making them comfortable to wear all day long. I picked the tan colorway because of how versatile it is; however, I also love the gold option, which could serve as an eveningwear shoe with the right styling.” — Victoria Montalti, Associate Fashion Writer
Aldo Spinella Strappy flat sandal, $, available at AldoPhoto: Courtesy of Victoria Montalti.
A. Kjaerbede Macy Smoke Transparent Sunglasses
“With summer finally here, so, too, is sunglasses season! I’ve been wanting a pair that is tinted and/or transparent, and these ones from A Kjaerbede were an instant yes. I love the ‘90s-inspired silhouette and feel like they go nicely with my hair.” — Kristine Romano, Associate Editor, Photo & Design
A.Kjaerbede Macy Smoke Transparent Sunglasses, $, available at A. KjaerbedePhoto: Courtesy of Kristine Romano.
Bandolier Tote Bag
“I’ve been looking far and wide for a leather carryall bag that looks expensive but without the designer-level price tag, and my search was finally over when I found this Bandolier tote. The pebbled leather material is sturdy without weighing down on my shoulders, and the gold-tone hardware and embossed logo have such an elegant, office-appropriate look (I’ve been tying my favorite skinny silk scarves to the handle for a splash of color). What sets it apart from other tote bags is the interior compartment design: Not only is there a generously spaced laptop sleeve, but there are also zip pockets galore, a space for your sunglasses, and an attachment for your keys.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer
Bandolier Tote Bag, $, available at BandolierPhoto: Courtesy of Venus Wong.
Astrid & Miyu Initial Bold Pendant Necklace
“I usually avoid initial necklaces with the letter ‘T’ as they can often look like a cross (I’m not religious). This necklace, however, thanks to the chunky lettering, is clearly a T — there’s no mistaking it. It layers nicely with other necklaces but also holds its own. My favorite jewelry pieces in general are from Astrid & Miyu, so I can attest to them not fading or discoloring.” — Tanyel Mustafa, Senior Writer
Astrid and Miyu T Initial Bold Pendant Necklace, $, available at Astrid and MiyuPhoto: Courtesy of Tanyel Mustafa.
MZ Wallace Micro Woven Box Tote
“Usually, I go through phases of purses, where I use one for a really long time, then get a different one. Right now, my purse of the year is the MZ Wallace Micro Woven Box Tote in Black Lacquer. This chic black patent ‘micro’ tote is more spacious than it looks, making it the perfect day-to-night purse for carrying everything from lip gloss to a toothbrush. I love how there are so many compartments, so I can organize all my essentials and know exactly where everything is. The option to use it as a crossbody bag or a tote bag makes it super convenient.” — Becca Sax, Affiliate Coordinator
MZ WALLACE Micro Woven Box Tote, $, available at MZ WallacePhoto: Courtesy of Becca Sax.
Meller Ayira Sunglasses
"At Glastonbury Festival, you couldn’t walk around without seeing Meller sunnies — and for good reason. Durable, affordable, and protective from UV rays, they’ve become a staple in many peoples' sunglasses collections. Meller is also ahead of the curve when it comes to what styles are about to trend. I love this olive green pair, which adds a perfect pop of color to a jet black or minimal outfit." — Kelly Washington, Senior Social Editor
Meller Ayira Sunglasses, $, available at MellerPhoto: Courtesy of Kelly Washington.
Naot Fiord Buffalo Leather Clogs
“I’m not usually one for comfort over style, but I am totally in love with my clogs. Yes, they are men’s shoes, and they are big and clunky, but they’re my big and clunky shoes. They are so comfortable and actually have a seal of approval from the American Podiatric Medical Association for promoting good foot health. Plus, I love the visible signs of wear on the leather, which makes them look pre-loved. I’ll have this pair for years to come.” — Becca Sax, Affiliate Coordinator
Naot Fiord Buffalo Leather Clogs, $, available at NaotPhoto: Courtesy of Becca Sax.
Ramy Brook Minnie Ruffle Halter Top
“This investment piece has become one of my favorite new additions to my summer wardrobe thanks to its vibrant hue. And while it’s such a statement blouse — from the tiered silhouette and halter neckline to the large 3-D rosette — it’s very wearable. I’ve worn it with matching yellow pants and white jeans, and plan on wearing it next with a satin skirt.” — Victoria Montalti, Associate Fashion Writer
Ramy Brook Minnie Ruffle Halter Top, $, available at Ramy BrookPhoto: Courtesy of Victoria Montalti.
Dynamite Daisy Tiered Maxi Skirt
“Maxi skirts scare me as I’ve always gravitated towards cropped bottoms, but I finally tried one out… and I don’t hate it. In fact, I lovehow breezy it is for swampy New York weather and how easy it is to style. I’ve worn the skirt with white and other bright-colored cropped tops paired with sneakers or sandals. This skirt really goes with everything. However, I would recommend sizing down as the skirt sits on my hips rather than on my waist.” — Becca Sax, Affiliate Coordinator
Dynamite Daisy Tiered Maxi Skirt, $, available at DynamitePhoto: Courtesy of Becca Sax.
J.Crew Leather Mary Jane Espadrilles
“I knew I needed these J.Crew shoes as soon as I saw them on the Instagram feed of the brand’s head of womenswear and kids design, Olympia Gayot. Part espadrille, part ballet flat, part Mary Jane, this style combines all the hottest footwear trends of the year.” — Irina Grechko, Fashion Director
J.Crew Made-in-Spain Mary Jane Espadrilles in Leather, $, available at J. CrewPhoto: Courtesy of Irina Grechko.
Pandora Essence Organically Shaped Circle & Freshwater Pearl Earrings
“I’ve had an arsenal of Pandora jewelry since I was a child, and my collection continues to expand. Most recently, I got to try several pieces from the new Pandora Essence collection, and while I know I’ll be wearing the stacking rings throughout the year, I’ll be reaching for these hoop earrings this season. The wavy shape and dangling freshwater pearls make for a great summer style. They complement the pearl rings I regularly wear and easily dress up any outfit.” — Victoria Montalti, Associate Fashion Writer
PANDORA Organically Shaped Circle & Freshwater Pearl Earrings, $, available at PANDORAPhoto: Courtesy of Victoria Montalti.
Missoma Ovate Hoop Earrings
“I love me a pair of hoop earrings, and this rectangular oval shape is so cool and unique. They look great stacked with other earrings and also on their own, and I tend to wear them as the ‘fancier’ versions of my everyday silver hoops.” — Ebony-Renee Baker, Fashion Editor
Missoma Ovate Hoop Earrings, $, available at MissomaPhoto: Courtesy of Ebony-Renee Baker
Frame Jetset Capri
“Love it or hate it, but capri pants are back. As someone who grew up in the ’00s, I scoffed at the idea last year when the trend started to pop up on the runways. This year, I’ve come around to the retro style, thanks to the many tailored and elevated options currently on the market (the baggy cargo versions are better left in the ’00s). This pair from Frame goes equally well with casual looks (polo shirts, button-downs, etc.) as with more formal looks (longline vests, blazers, etc.).” — Irina Grechko, Fashion Director
Frame Jetset Capri, $, available at FramePhoto: Courtesy of Irina Grechko.
Reef Water Vista Sandals
“These waterproof Reef sandals were my go-to travel shoes last summer, and that won’t be changing this time around. Unlike other plastic shoes I’ve owned, the velcro-secured straps are very bendy and don’t cut into the back of my feet. The footbed is so cushiony, with great arch support, and since they’re waterproof, you can just run the whole pair under the tap after a day at the beach. I also have them handy for torrential downpours.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer
Reef Water Vista Sandal, $, available at AmazonPhoto: Courtesy of Venus Wong.
Babaton Nouvelle Poplin Dress
“One of my favorite TikTok creators is @.marisamartins because she has the flowiest, most effortless collection of chic maxi and midi dresses. Now that summer’s here, I’m inspired to build my own roster of everyday dresses that can be dressed up or down and make for the perfect travel companions. I am positive that this low-cut maxi dress — with its ever-so-slightly cinched waist — will be a wardrobe staple for years to come. I expect to wear it with sneakers, summer sandals, and the occasional waist belt and boots.” — Ebony-Renee Baker, Fashion Editor
Babaton Nouvelle Poplin Dress, $, available at AritziaPhoto: Courtesy of Ebony-Renee Baker.
Vuori Volley Skirt
“Ever since I reviewed this Vuori tennis skort, it’s been my go-to on hot, activity-filled days. The material is buttery soft, the hidden mesh shorts help prevent thigh chafing, and this periwinkle color is so cheery. It’s also subtle and versatile enough that it doesn’t look like a kitschy tennis skirt if I don’t style it in a tenniscore outfit.” — Victoria Montalti, Associate Affiliate Writer
Vuori Volley Skirt, $, available at VuoriPhoto: Courtesy of Victoria Montalti.
Lucy & Yak Alfie Shirt
“I love the print on this — it’s so summery and fun, while looking like a retro bowling shirt. It’s light and airy without being at all see-through (which so much summer wear seems to be?). I pair this with jeans, shorts, and skirts; it works with just about anything. It’ll continue to get a lot of wear over the summer.” — Tanyel Mustafa, Senior Writer
Lucy and Yak Alfie Shirt, $, available at Lucy and YakPhoto: Courtesy of Tanyel Mustafa.
Keen Jasper Suede Sneakers in Year Of The Dragon
“All of my shoes are either black or white — but no more! I’ve been on the hunt for a pair of colorful shoes, and I couldn’t be happier with my choice. Not only are these Keens the most comfortable sneakers I now own, but this colorway pairs seamlessly with my wardrobe, making them very easy to style. I’ll be wearing these all summer long!” — Kristine Romano, Associate Editor, Photo & Design
KEEN Jasper Suede Sneakers, $, available at KeenPhoto: Courtesy of Kristine Romano.
Albaray Denim Midi Dress
“This is my first Albaray piece, and I’m so impressed with the quality. The denim is thick, so it’s not for hot sweaty days, but it’s perfect for cooler summer evenings and overcast weather. This makes it a great transitional piece, so I know I’ll wear it all year round, layered or by itself. It looks good with sandals, sneakers, and boots, and I've received compliments when I’ve worn it.” — Tanyel Mustafa, Senior Writer
Albaray Denim Collar Midi Dress, $, available at AlbarayPhoto: Courtesy of Tanyel Mustafa.
Munthe Lemon Omi Skirt
“During the summer, when it’s too hot to even think about what to wear, I rely on my collection of fancy-ish skirts, paired with a simple cotton T-shirt or tank top, for a foolproof outfit formula. My standout piece this season has been this floral sequin midi number from Copenhagen Fashion Week-approved brand Munthe. Based on the number of compliments I’ve gotten this past month alone, I am not the only one who agrees it’s a statement-maker.” — Irina Grechko, Fashion Director
“I often choose shopping on Etsy because it’s nice to know that everything is from a small business. As an entrepreneur myself, I have so much respect for independent designers and the hard work it takes to launch your own business,” Osaka said in a press release.
The curated Etsy collection includes Osaka’s top tennis, style, and home picks from Etsy sellers around the world, including Japan to celebrate her heritage. The pieces range from personalized tennis balls, sweat towels, and tote bags to green scrunchies, puffer bags, and slippers. There are also tennis-inspired home decor picks like candles, wall art, and rugs.
But the collection highlight is Osaka’s co-designed jewelry pieces, which she also modeled for the campaign. The tennis player teamed up with Mexican-American jewelry designer Krista Young of the Denver-based Etsy shop Gem & Blue on earrings and a necklace (which is quickly selling out!) made from tennis ball beads, freshwater pearls, and 14K gold.
“This collection with Etsy is a reflection of who I am: from the co-designed jewelry pieces to the items I’ve curated in my collection, every item in this collection resonates with me personally, whether it’s inspired by my heritage, by tennis, or reflective of my own personal style,” said Osaka.
Following this launch, Osaka isn’t wrapping up her work with Etsy just yet. She will be a guest judge for Etsy’s Design Awards on September 10, alongside fellow Etsy-lover Drew Barrymore and trend expert Dayna Isom Johnson.
Breakups. We’ve watched the movies. Read the books. Wept ugly tears at the songs. It's not new to us. The days of not being able to stomach food or close your eyes to fall asleep for fear that your mind will replay a highlights reel of everything that went wrong, of feeling like your heart has hardened into such a gnarled and twisted root that it will stay that way forever. Then a day passes, and another. And eventually, lying in bed one day, you realize it’s not the first thing you thought about when you woke up or the last thing you thought about before you fell asleep. A day passes when you don’t even think about them at all.
Time and introspection play a valuable role in helping us move on and heal from a decimated relationship. But knowing this doesn’t make it any easier when we're going through a breakup.
What can help (as well as an enraged group of supportive friends) are the experiences of other people, which have always served as a jumping-off point for our own epiphanies, realizations, and healing. We learn so much about life, love, and ourselves when a relationship ends. And it is comforting to think, there are other people who went through what I’m going through, and they are okay.
Refinery29 spoke to 12 women about the last breakup they had before they met their current partner, what it taught them, and what came next. How long ago was your last breakup and how long were you together? About two years. We were together for a little under a year.
When did you realize that things were ending? I knew things were ending when I could no longer tolerate the behaviors I made excuses for prior. When he stopped putting in effort to make things work and real effort to be present at all.
What did the breakup teach you? It taught me that even though I tried so hard to be relaxed about things, I do have non-negotiables in my relationships. A big one being I cannot be with someone who stays at home with their parents and relies on them financially and has no plans of moving out or pursuing a career to sustain their own life at 25+ years old. That breakup also taught me not to delay the cutting of ties and to trust my instincts. It taught me to listen to my wants and needs and move with those in mind first before overthinking how they might affect the other person.
How long afterwards did you meet your current partner and how long have you been together now? I actually met my current partner while I was still in my last relationship and we have been together going on two years now.
Advice for anyone going through a breakup right now? Advice that I would give to us twentysomethings navigating this tricky dating pool, especially those of us who haven't grown up around healthy relationships, is to first trust yourself. Feelings may not always be fact but the anxiety your body feels is very telling. Second, find hobbies and dedicate time to finding new things to love about life. The biggest advice that I can give is to understand that just because things don’t work out, does not mean that it is a failed relationship. Things sometimes just do not work out and that’s okay. Companionship and partnership will find you and embrace you in the ways you need most.
Alexis, 23How long ago was your last breakup and how long were you together?My last breakup was in 2013 and we were together for one year.
When did you realize that things were ending? I was in LA for two months during our relationship and he would purposely interact with women on Twitter he had been sexually involved with in the past to try to piss me off. I remember sitting under the beautiful morning sun in a stunning garden, surrounded by nature, and I was confronting him on video call about his behavior online and how it made me feel. His response was "I wanted you to miss me." That made me realize that I didn't need that shit in my life, especially when abroad for projects and self-development. I thought to myself, wait, why am I with someone who purposely makes me feel like this? I'm sitting in a beautiful country, having breakfast under the sun and I'm dealing with this drama that is so unnecessary.
What did the breakup teach you? I actually surprised myself with this breakup because I encouraged myself to move on from him (in 10 days to be exact). He ended up cheating on me towards the end of our relationship and that was a pivotal moment in my life where I learned to shift that energy and focus on myself. I remember waking up after my 10th day of crying and I jumped out of bed and said to myself, I'm done,I don't want to feel like this anymore.
How long afterwards did you meet your current partner and how long have you been together now? I met my current partner in 2009 when I first moved to London. This was way before I was involved in that previous relationship! We were friends first, but got together in 2017 when we had to train for a competition in Portugal, and everything just fell into place. We've been together six years now (two years engaged) and he is honestly my best friend.
Advice for anyone going through a breakup right now? Love yourself and take care of yourself first.
Lucy, 31How long ago was your last breakup and how long were you together? Two years ago. We were together for four years.
When did you realize that things were ending? As we got older, I realized I was never going to be happy in a marriage with this person.
What did the breakup teach you? A romantic relationship should not consume your life — friendships and family and work relationships should be important to you because love comes in many forms (and your partner should want you to nurture these other relationships).
How long afterwards did you meet your current partner and how long have you been together now? A year and a half after. We've been together for five months.
Advice for anyone going through a breakup right now? Be honest with yourself and the people around you about your feelings, and focus on yourself. Say yes to experiences with other people and new friends — it will help you realize there’s a lot more to life than this person and this relationship.
Kira, 26How long ago was your last breakup and how long were you together? About seven years ago and we were together for seven months.
When did you realize that things were ending? Honestly, I was completely blindsided by it but when I look back I can see the signs. It was her first real relationship with a woman and she had a lot to figure out about herself still. I should have known when four or so months in, I told her I loved her and instead of responding, she turned over, fell asleep, and then we didn't speak for 24 hours (she never said it back). Then, about a month before we broke up, she told me she wanted to try opening up our relationship. I'm a deeply monogamous person, but I loved her so I said I would try. I saw a sex therapist to discuss what I would want from an open relationship and I put together a whole document of how I could feel comfortable being open. I presented the document to her and she didn't like that I wanted to have rules for our open relationship. By the end of the conversation, she had broken up with me. Over the next month, I found out that she had already started seeing other people/hooking up with other people before she even broached the conversation of being open. Maybe I should have known when she constantly wanted to go out dancing with her friends and I wasn't invited, but I (very naively) trusted her.
What did the breakup teach you? I credit this shit show of a relationship for forcing me to be honest with myself about what I need in a relationship and also for teaching me that I really needed to stop being a doormat in my relationships. After this breakup, I took a few months to recuperate and then entered the dating world again, knowing I had a few non-negotiables for my next relationship. I needed my next partner to be emotionally intelligent, comfortable in their queerness, and excellent at communication. I also really needed to date someone monogamous.
How long afterwards did you meet your current partner and how long have you been together now? I met my now wife about six months after my last breakup and we've been together for six years.
Advice for anyone going through a breakup right now? My first piece of advice is to let yourself feel sad for as long as you need. Everyone heals at different speeds and there's no right answer for how long it takes to get over someone. My second piece of advice is to let every breakup be a lesson. Look at why the relationship didn't work and be brutally honest with yourself in every future relationship. If you're seeing a pattern in your partners that isn't working for you, then take a look inward. Don't settle for less than what you need; you deserve happiness.
Sadie, 30How long ago was your last breakup and how long were you together? My last breakup was my divorce. I was married for five years and it ended three years ago.
When did you realize that things were ending? I realized my relationship was ending when we were no longer aligned on anything. There were constant misunderstandings and arguments and then one day choosing not to fight became the more peaceful choice.
What did the breakup teach you? My breakup (divorce) isn’t what most would consider normal. We ended things quite peacefully and even had breakfast together after the divorce went through. What this taught me was that even though a chapter was closing for me, as sad as it seemed in the moment, there was also this understanding that when you know it’s time to let go, it’s okay to let go. Not comparing his life to mine, also helped me move on peacefully with time.
How long afterwards did you meet your current partner and how long have you been together now? I didn’t start dating until two and a half years later. My current partner and I are going nine months strong.
Advice for anyone going through a breakup right now? Please, please, please do not compare yourself and your healing to your ex-partner's. Your value is not diminished simply because your ex has moved on before you or vice versa, or by how whoever you think they’ve moved on with compares to you. Whether you are compared better or worse, when you stop looking at it that way, you gain peace by accepting that each person deserves just as much happiness as you do.
Kristina, 33How long ago was your last breakup and how long were you together? Three and a half years ago. We were together for two and a half years.
When did you realize that things were ending? I realized things were ending when I finally learned how to love myself and see our relationship for what it really was: toxic. I excused my partner's abusive behavior over and over again when really I should have walked away at the first signs of manipulation and abuse. When you’re brought up with unhealthy relationships at home, it makes you think that particular behaviors are normal. It took me a lot of time and therapy to see that all I really needed was to love myself to see that their behavior was so far from what I deserved.
What did the breakup teach you? Always trust your gut and trust your friends — they’re right 99% of the time. Most importantly, never settle for anything less than what you deserve.
How long afterwards did you meet your current partner and how long have you been together now? My current partner and I were friends in secondary school and dated previously, on and off. He was there for me as a friend when my ex and I broke up and something just clicked. It’s been three years now.
Advice for anyone going through a breakup right now? Every breakup is a lesson. You will go through feeling really low, feeling invincible and feeling nothing. You just have to feel it all. After all the hard work, you always come out of it as a stronger version of yourself.
Martha*, 28
*Name changed to protect their identityHow long ago was your last breakup and how long were you together? My last breakup was over five years ago. We were together for six months and had been friends for years before. I left my previous partner of five years to be with them. They told me that they wanted to be with me, even though I was in a relationship already. I had always found them so attractive and I was flattered by their attention.
When did you realize that things were ending? Things slowly turned as we started dating. They became critical of how I looked, my opinions, and my career. They never acted like this when we were friends, it was as if now I was their partner, I wasn’t good enough. It reached a peak when they started making plans to move abroad and said they didn’t want me to come with them. I ended the relationship and they asked if I would continue having sex with them until they moved abroad. Hard pass.
What did the breakup teach you? I stayed single for a long time and spent time learning about my self-worth and self-esteem. I also took a hard look at my own judgments and what I valued about other partners. I realized I had been chasing people who I felt were out of my league instead of respecting myself.
How long afterwards did you meet your current partner and how long have you been together now? I met my current partner last summer on Hinge (there is still hope on the apps!). They are supportive and remind me constantly of why they value me and our relationship. I find their excitement about life, their intelligence, and their respect for me so attractive. They are also physically attractive, but I now value more than just physical looks.
Advice for anyone going through a breakup right now? Be curious about what the breakup has taught you about yourself. It wasn’t my fault that my ex was so disrespectful, but I did stay longer than I should have.
Lindsay, 35How long ago was your last breakup and how long were you together? We were together for around nine months. It was way back in 2011 and honestly, I think I've blocked out most memories of that time from my brain.
When did you realize that things were ending? I remember one day I had diarrhea and I told my mom about it, and later that day she asked me how my tummy was feeling in front of him. I was mortified that he would judge me for that. My mom told me if I still feel uncomfortable talking about these types of things with my partner, it's not going to work out in the long run.
What did the breakup teach you? If your whole family and all of your friends don't like your boyfriend, it's probably because he's not a great guy.
How long afterwards did you meet your current partner and how long have you been together now? I met him around a year later (after a short hot girl era) and we have been together for 10 years now.
Advice for anyone going through a breakup right now? I'm a fan of the cold turkey — cut off all contact!
Abigail, 29How long ago was your last breakup and how long were you together? We broke up six years ago and we were together for nearly three years.
When did you realize that things were ending? It ended because I found out he was cheating on me. It’s actually the funniest way I’ve ever found out someone’s cheated on me. Basically, for months prior I was getting really anxious because he kept liking other girls' pictures on Instagram. He was totally gaslighting me by telling me that it was happening by accident when he was scrolling through Instagram and that I was being an idiot for even worrying.
Anyway, this guy was also a musician who played with some singer who had a live appearance on a BBC show. He was at the BBC, about to go on, and I was at home playing Sims on his laptop while he was out. A message came up on his laptop from a girl that I recognized as one of these girls whose photos he had sworn he’d only accidentally liked. I’m not one to pry but I kind of had to and so I clicked on it and it took me to his Facebook messages, where there were so many messages between him and hundreds of women.
He often went on tour for half of the year and he basically tried to pull every time he got off that tour bus. I called him and he was about three minutes from having to go live on TV and I just dropped that I’d read his Facebook and he must have shit a brick. He was trying to log me out while being ushered on stage. I called my best friend and tuned into BBC1 to watch him live on TV, knowing he wasn’t able to log me out of his Facebook before being forced on stage (his friends actually made a hilarious meme of a screenshot of him playing live, looking unwell). He came home and I’d already packed up my stuff, saved my Sims game to the cloud, gone home, and that was it!
What did it teach me? I only really realized how bad a boyfriend and friend he was when I met my current boyfriend. It's sad but I can’t say he was the first boyfriend that treated me terribly. It was a case of being really insecure from being hurt badly once before and then also being in my 20s. Don't get me wrong, this guy made me laugh, took me to lots of gigs, and had fun friends. It was a good time. But he wasn’t convincing me that he was the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with because, looking back, he was totally obsessed with himself. He never asked me how I was doing or how my day was. If I started to talk about something happening at work, his eyes would glaze over and he’d be glancing over at the game on the TV behind me. He didn't really care about me at all.
How long afterwards did you meet your current partner and how long have you been together now? I’ve been with my current boyfriend for about four years and we met a year and a half after my and I ex broke up. I found it incredibly uncomfortable at the beginning that he had a genuine interest in me — basic things like asking me how my day was and actually caring was really weird to me. He wanted to actually hang out with me on the weekends and go and do stuff together. I feel my current boyfriend taught me how to be treated properly. The way my ex treated me was up and down. It's often an addictive cycle, where you’re chasing the next high, and it’s pretty draining. I think I learned that just having a consistent treatment without these peaks and valleys is more sustainable for a relationship.
Advice for someone going through a breakup? After a breakup, you feel like it is the end of the world. I would always ask myself, in five years will I still feel like this? The answer has always been no. Even though five years sounds like a long time, it just gives clarity that what you’re feeling in that moment is not going to last forever, though it often feels that way. I also don’t think anyone will listen to advice and act on it. When has anyone had a friend that has a shitty boyfriend and listened to your advice that they should break up with them? Never going to happen. People need to go through it themselves and you just have to meet them on the other side. Going through a breakup sucks but week two is always better than week one and week three always better than week two. In a blink of an eye, it’s been a few months and you’re probably on to the next thing.
Nazli, 30How long ago was your last breakup and how long were you together? My last breakup was six years ago and we'd been together for five years.
When did you realize that things were ending? We'd had a really rocky year beforehand when I'd found out I'd be moving to another country for medical school. I was so sure we'd be absolutely fine because we'd always thought we'd get married and had so many plans for the future. Plus I was only moving an hour (by plane) away so although I knew it would be hard, I thought we'd make loads of time for one another. That lead-up ended up revealing so many insecurities from him about our relationship and I started to realize we had very different ideas about what a relationship meant, different values, and different goals for the future. I think my taking a big step in my career made us strangely competitive and he never seemed proud of me. Sadly, all of the arguing just made us more distant and slowly I started to realize we weren't willing to put the same kind of effort in. Much to my surprise, one day we had a really silly argument (about breakfast) and that's when I ended it.
What did the breakup teach you? Between the breakup with the man I thought I'd marry and the stress of moving to another country and doing the most intense studying of my life, I decided to start therapy. This was genuinely the best decision I ever made.
I realized I actually really struggled with being emotionally vulnerable and honest with another person. What I thought was me being radically truthful, was actually defensiveness and anxiety. Because of the way we had argued, my self-esteem was so low after and I had internalized loads of ideas about not being good enough and not being able to maintain a serious relationship.
Therapy helped me spend time with my own internal world, quiet that negative voice, and really get to know myself. From that, I could understand what I wanted in a partner and how I could be more open to receiving love.
How long afterwards did you meet your current partner and how long have you been together now? I genuinely believe I manifested my current partner. It was about two years after my breakup and by writing down the aspects of myself I valued and loved, I was able to also think about these aspects in someone else. About three months later, we met (or more accurately, re-met as we'd been friends for about eight years prior) and we fell in love pretty quickly. We've been together three years now and although sometimes those same insecurities or fears of vulnerability come up in me, he's so understanding and reassuring that I feel so secure.
Advice for anyone going through a breakup right now? Spend time with yourself, let yourself feel the feelings when they come up, and grieve the loss. Once you're ready, think about why it ended and whether it was truly the right relationship for you. Reassess what you want your future to look like, and who would be the right person to join you for the journey.
The weird thing about breakups is even though they mostly suck, they re-expand your world. When you're with someone else you meld into each other's plans, but when you're single you get to dream big. You can take that new job, move to a new country, do that new thing! And because life is funny, the second you start to feel amazing again, some new person will come into your life that'll throw you off balance and make you think about taking that dive again. But this time you'll be well-equipped for the right person.
Caroline, 32How long ago was your last breakup and how long were you together?My last breakup was almost two years ago and we were together for five years.
When did you realize that things were ending? During lockdown, we took some time to visit our families separately. We went almost an entire week without speaking on the phone or texting. We would ultimately spend three months physically separated, only talking on the phone a handful of times. By the time we reunited, it was obvious that there was nothing between us anymore (mostly physically, as we still enjoyed being around each other as friends). We also weren't moving forward — we had no plans to move in together, spend quality time together, or take the next steps as partners.
What did the breakup teach you? My relationship had so many ups and downs, no communication, and major needs not being met. I learned that I can't make someone love me in the way I want to be loved. It needs to happen naturally. I was always bending over backward to mold to his way of being in a relationship, and in return, I was harsh to him and pushed him away. Looking back, it's so clear we should have just been friends but it's difficult to see that when you're attracted to the person and also invest so much emotional energy into something. After a few years, your lives become so intertwined and it's hard to break up so you just stay in it and wait for the spark to come back.
How long afterwards did you meet your current partner and how long have you been together now? I had told myself I was going to be single for a year. Famous last words. My current partner and I met about six months after my last breakup and have been together a year and a half and happily living together for a year.
Advice for anyone going through a breakup right now? Breakups teach you so much. It's a hard transition, of course, but after each one, you learn more about your needs, your boundaries, and your goals. It's totally fine to be a mess, to cry and be in pain, but eventually, it'll subside. For me, it became so clear that I wanted a house, I wanted a family, I wanted someone to build towards a future with me, and I found that in my current partner.
Nicole, 32How long ago was your last breakup and how long were you together? My last breakup was in 2019 and we were together for two years. I didn't intend on it lasting as long as it did to begin with, which was part of the problem.
When did you realise that things were ending? I knew my ex-boyfriend wasn’t the one, but I was too scared of hurting him that I didn’t help myself. That was worse.
It was college; we were having fun, and things felt light and easy; it wasn’t meant to be serious. And then his dad died in the middle of my senior year. By the end of senior year, I really knew I didn’t want to continue sliding into the future with him, but I also didn’t want to break his heart while he was already grieving. So I stayed.
I moved states after graduation to figured out my post-grad life and a post-grad job. I intended to go back, eventually. Maybe. A few days after I moved, I received a text message from one of my old roommates. It read something like, “I am so incredibly sorry, but I just found your boyfriend on Tinder.”
I was relieved. It was an easy out. I broke up with him. I stayed in my new state. I swore off dating.
What did the breakup teach you? My last breakup taught me that there’s never good timing to end a relationship, the best time is when you no longer want to be in it anymore. I was so worried about making things worse for him that I didn’t realise me staying with him even, though I didn’t want to be, was maybe the cruelest thing I could have done.
How long afterwards did you meet your current partner and how long have you been together now? A week or two later, I met a boy.
He had also just gotten out of a long-term relationship, and neither of us wanted anything serious. We were meant to be just friends but we couldn’t stop seeing each other.
This time, the non-relationship relationship felt light and easy in a different way. I never wanted to not be with him. Then we started dating. Then he moved states, and I moved to him. And then we got engaged, and now we’re getting married in the spring. It's been five years.
Advice for anyone going through a breakup right now? It’s easy to get lost in the mindset of “I’m never going to meet anyone else” or “I’ll be alone forever,” but that’s not true unless you want it to be. Focus your energy on loving yourself, getting into good routines, finding health and balance and real, kind, and supportive friendships, and the rest will fall into place. My mom always told me that true love comes when you’re not looking for it, to which I would always roll my eyes. She was right. As always.
Chloe, 28
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Congratulations! We are almost done with an extremely intense astrological season. The last month of summer is entering its “demure phase” as Virgo season commences. From August 22 to September 22, we’re here for positive vibes only (especially as Mercury retrograde comes to an end, too).
As we get closer to September (and pumpkin lattes filling our cups with goodness), we are considering implementing the lessons we learned in the earlier summer days to our lives. Projects are being completed, cuffing season is upon us, and back-to-school preparation begins.
Virgo is the brain of the zodiac, which means we will start analyzing matters with our head instead of with our hearts. The reason why is that Virgo is the analytical side of Mercury. You know, the voice in your head that rethinks every text sent to your boo and why they haven’t responded promptly. That’s right, it makes us ponder situations deeply that don’t need to be.
The flip side is that some things must be sussed out. Virgos investigate the details until the truth is found. Virgos require that energy to understand facets of life that go undetected by many. As a result, Virgo is the keeper of secrets and knower of truths.
Although the mutable earth sign is known for being picky and prissy, it only fusses when in a mood. On a regular day, Virgo is super chill and undramatic. But when pushed, Virgo pops off and can become demanding. Even when they’re not acting out, the refined palate of Virgo makes this sign a tastemaker. Virgo has a specific aesthetic that others copy.
This year, Virgo Season is pushing us to think past our own limits. With expensive Jupiter, karmic Saturn, and tender Neptune in aspect to the Virgo Sun, we are wanting to go above and beyond the expectations we’ve set for ourselves. Conversely, this means we may anticipate more TLC from others. The key is to be realistic and ground your energy — if you can.
Healing is another important aspect of Virgo Season. You can move past fears that have been holding you back by embracing your shadow side. Nurture this part of yourself. Give it love. Don’t deny its existence. Also, practice kindness and compassion. In order to receive the love we deserve, need, and want, it’s important to give the same sentiment to others and put it out into the universe.
September 1: Pluto retrograde re-enters Capricorn, taking us back to the end of 2023 and the first days of 2024. The next few months will bring changes to governmental structures, businesses, and financial matters.
September 2: The new moon in Virgo allows us to embrace a profound vision that will push us to grow.
September 4: Mars swims into Cancer, making us more temperamental and emotional. Check your energy and vibe before interacting with others; we all have sensitive reactions to matters.
September 9: Mercury moves into Virgo, ushering us into logical decisions and clear communication.
September 17: The lunar eclipse in Pisces shakes our lives by bringing beautiful and profound wisdom.
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Money Diaries will be running Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday this week in conjunction with our Money Diaries segments on Good Morning America! We will have a new diary for you Friday and will be back to our regularly scheduled programming next week.
Welcome to Money Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We’re asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar.
Today: an attorney who makes $82,000 per year and spends some of her money this week on M&M’s merchandise.
Occupation: Attorney Industry: Nonprofit Age: 29 Location: District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Salary: $82,000 Net worth: -$241,918 Debt: Student loans: $201,224; credit card: $10,917; car loan: $30,077. The interest rate on my credit card is 27.24%. I got it freshman year of undergrad — it was a student credit card. It got me through law school and periods of unemployment after law school and through the pandemic. The interest rate on my car is 5.49%. I got my car last year. My previous car was cheaper but was stolen as part of the Kia challenge, unfortunately. Paycheck amount (biweekly): $2,305.44 (this includes payment from my side job). Pronouns: She/her
Monthly Expenses
Rent: $1,720 Electricity: ~$160 Utilities: $80 Loan payments: My monthly car payment is $587 (but I pay $600). I pay about $1,000 a month towards credit card debt. Mobile phone provider: $170 (includes Netflix subscription, phone bill and internet). Pepco: $125 on average. Car insurance: $190 HYSA: $50 Tithes: $50
Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it? Absolutely. Getting a college degree was never optional. I have a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctorate. I had scholarships and grants for most of my undergraduate career and had to take out loans twice, for expenses and summer classes (it was required that we take classes at least one summer to graduate). I did have a scholarship for law school but it did not pay for all of my tuition and expenses. Loans covered the rest.
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent(s)/guardian(s) educate you about finances? My parents did not educate me about money. I was aware (to a certain degree) of how each of my parents were with money, and they complained about it a lot. They still do. At some point my dad lost his job for a while and that was a very difficult time for us.
What was your first job and why did you get it? My first job was during my freshman year of undergrad. I had to care for myself financially when I moved out of my parents’ house and it was much harder than I expected it to be. I was almost evicted from my apartment in the fall semester of my freshman year. I took out a small loan to help and got a job in the IT department of my university. I worked there until I graduated.
Did you worry about money growing up? Yes, constantly. My parents always complained about it, argued about it, or made comments that suggested they did not have money. In high school, I wanted to get a job but was not allowed to. I sold candy and snacks in school to help pay for things that I wanted. At some point I learned how to do hair and used the money I made from that to buy things for myself.
Do you worry about money now? Yes. I worry about my credit card debt a lot. I have a lot of school loans as well but that doesn’t worry me as much. I’d like to eliminate this credit card.
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net? Eighteen. I do not have a financial safety net. If worst comes to worst, I could move in with my older sibling or parents (which I would never want to do). I did have some money saved but I had to spend the majority of it on an important expense earlier this year.
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain. No, I have not.
Day One
8 a.m. — Wake up and decide to attend church virtually. My sister, brother-in-law and nephew are in town for my birthday and heading to my place. My breakfast is an Uncrustable, some other unfulfilling snack and water. My family arrives around 10 a.m.
11:30 a.m. — We leave for Cava and Cold Stone. Our meals come to $22.52 because I had a $9 off coupon for my birthday. We decide to eat in the car because my nephew fell asleep and we would be punishing ourselves by waking a sleeping toddler. My brother-in-law and I head to Cold Stone. He pays; such a gentleman. We head back to my place and I tell my family goodbye. We had such a good time this weekend and I appreciate them. $22.52
4 p.m. — Once home, I relax. I did a lot this weekend and am exhausted. I get hungry again so I cook some rice and heat up some veggies and chicken that I had in my fridge. I eat that and some tiramisu that a friend made me for my birthday. Then I clean my place.
8:30 p.m. — I head to the grocery store to buy something to meal prep for dinner this week because I know I won’t have the time or desire to go to the grocery store during the week. I buy salmon and two pre-prepared salad packs. I also buy some frozen fruit for smoothies. $50.17
9 p.m. — I spend the rest of my evening meal prepping fruit I already had and the leftover rice, chicken and veggies from earlier while talking to both of my sisters on the phone. Just can’t get enough of them. I order a refill of my medication ($7.52 with insurance). $7.52
12 a.m. — I go to bed around midnight, despite my plan to be in bed early. I really need to work on this because I’ve been tired and fatigued a lot more lately and I am trying not to solve that by drinking Starbucks. I’m hoping that easing up on coffee will save me money and be better for my health.
Daily Total: $80.21
Day Two
6:20 a.m. — I am out of bed and getting ready for the day. I don’t have to be at my full-time job early this morning because I have an interview with someone who I need to recommend me for admission to the state bar where I live. I am already licensed in another state but I am trying to get licensed in this state as well. My interview is at 10 a.m. I planned to work my side job from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. but end up working from 7:30 a.m. until 9:20 a.m. My breakfast is an Uncrustable, half a blueberry muffin and water. I am exhausted and don’t have the energy to make anything else. I have a bunch of Uncrustables because I bought a box for my nephew and he didn’t eat them all. The rest will be my breakfast for the week.
9:20 a.m. — I head to my interview. Traffic makes a 15-minute drive almost 30 minutes but I arrive early (so, on time) and the interview lasts around five minutes. It’s just a formality unless there is a red flag in my application. Afterwards I head to work and meet up with a client.
12 p.m. — I am struggling to stay awake. I break for lunch and eat the rest of my Cava and have a fruit cup, then I am back to work.
4 p.m. — Leave work and get home around 4:45 p.m.
5 p.m. — I continue to work my side job. I’ve also worked at it during the day when I’ve had free time.
6 p.m. — For dinner I have rice, chicken and veggies, and a little tiramisu. My friend made a lot and I wasn’t able to give much away so I’ll be eating it until I can’t eat anymore. I’m working on portion control so my dinner and dessert isn’t heavy at all. I drink water.
7 p.m. — I rest, talk to my sister and sign up for therapy. It’s free with my insurance.
8:30 p.m. — I head to my apartment gym and am back home by 9:45 p.m.
10:30 p.m. — Showered and ready for bed.
Daily Total: $0
Day Three
6:40 a.m. — My breakfast is an Uncrustable, a hard-boiled egg and tea. I briefly wonder if this counts as a balanced diet. Out of the house by 8:10 a.m.
11:30 a.m. — Spend the morning working on both my full-time and side job, then break for lunch. I have a fruit cup and my rice, chicken and veggies. After lunch I have to commute to a different courthouse for work. I am there for all of 45 minutes and then I go home to work remotely for the rest of the day. I stop by Target to pick up some things. $14.98
3 p.m. — I am really craving Nigerian food but choose not to indulge because I meal prepped. I season my salmon for dinner and eat a snack. I work my side job briefly but then have to stop because there is no more work. It’s a little disappointing because no work means no hours and less extra money for me. But I enjoy having time to do nothing. I spend the rest of the day reading, watching TV and talking to my sisters.
6 pm. — For dinner I have an Asian caesar salad with the salmon I seasoned. It’s delicious! I am at the gym by 8:30 p.m. and in bed by 11 p.m.
Daily Total: $14.98
Day Four
7:40 a.m. — Get out of bed. Breakfast is a smoothie and an Uncrustable. Today is a WFH day, except for a meeting that I have with my supervisor in the morning. I head out to meet with her; our meeting lasts about 30 minutes. All is well and I head back home. I anticipated working my side job but there is no work again today so I pretty much have nothing to do. I decide to get my adulting on. I make a dentist appointment and plan my brother-in-law’s Father’s Day gift. $74.90
12:30 p.m. — Eat lunch (of course I am having rice, veggies and chicken).
2:30 p.m. — Appointment with a nutritionist. I have thyroid issues (was diagnosed last year) and am wondering if there are dietary changes I need to make to help reduce the symptoms. We discuss my diet and the answer is, for the most part, no. (I don’t tell her about the Uncrustables. They aren’t a regular part of my diet.) The thyroid medication I take has stabilized my levels but the symptoms remain. We have a great conversation and talk about next steps.
5:30 p.m. — I watch Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal on Netflix, talk to my sisters, then have dinner — the same delicious salad from yesterday. I head to the gym around 8 p.m. and am in bed by 10:30 p.m.
Daily Total: $74.90
Day Five
8 a.m. — Get out of bed; today is a WFH day. Breakfast is a small omelet and an Uncrustable. I work a little but I don’t have much to do today: two phone calls to make and a meeting with a client.
12:30 p.m. — Lunch is the last of my chicken, rice and vegetables.
3 p.m. — Today is payday! I’m paid a total of $2,625.43 for my full-time and side jobs. I pay all my bills so I can use the rest for a day trip I am taking this weekend, then pay $900 towards rent, $300 towards my car note, $550 towards my credit card and $370 towards other expenses, including savings (all included in monthly outgoings). I was gifted $250 from different people for my birthday; I send $115 to my sister to buy something for me. I also spend $70 on hygiene products from a Black woman-owned business and another $70 on a birthday gift for a friend. $255
6 p.m. — Dinner is the last of my salad. I was feeling peckish through the day so I have fruit, crackers and finish off the tiramisu. Around 6:15 p.m. I head out for an acting class (already paid for using money from my side job). I started taking acting classes last year and have thoroughly enjoyed them. They help me relieve stress and let go. It’s been a while since I’ve taken one and I had A LOT of fun. Can’t wait for next week. It is a six-week course.
Daily Total: $255
Day Six
6:15 a.m. — I am up and out of bed early today! I had trouble sleeping. My apartment building is dealing with a millipede problem and unfortunately some of them have made their way into our apartments. I hate bugs and I do not want them in my place. I’ve had to evict several of them over the past two days and it’s given me some anxiety because I’m worried about stepping on them in the middle of the night or some other wild scenario I’ve created in my head. The anxiety affected my sleep so I am up early and decide to get a head start on some things I need to do to prepare for my day trip tomorrow. I head to the gas station to fill up. $32
8 a.m. — I get ready for the day. Breakfast is the last of my eggs and the last Uncrustable!
12 p.m. — For lunch I go out to buy food from a local Jamaican spot, since I’ve finished all my meal-prepped meals. $47.17
2 p.m. — My sister sends me money for my birthday and I spend it on an essential oil-based bug repellant spray and some hair products. $46.62
6 p.m. — Dinner is food from the Jamaican spot. I’ve got enough food for three meals. A friend of mine is in a play and I am going to see it tonight to support her (I’m very excited), so after dinner I go to Target to buy her flowers ($15.90). The play is wonderful! I get home and get ready for my day trip tomorrow. $15.90
Daily Total: $141.69
Day Seven
2 a.m. — Day trip to NY! A while ago I planned a day trip to NY for my birthday and the day has finally come. Me and two friends are heading to the city to get our (really my) nerd on. We meet up at 2 a.m. at my place and a friend drops us off at the Megabus spot in our city. At 3:20 a.m. we head out and arrive in NY at 8 a.m. We walk to a café called Paris Baguette for breakfast, where I get a quiche and a coffee. $10.91
9 a.m. — We go to the Harry Potter store. I don’t have words to describe how excited I am and how much I enjoy this experience. I do have numbers though! I spend $116.52 on things for myself and family and friends. $116.52
10 a.m. — We are done much earlier than expected. I thought we would spend two or three hours in the store but we only spent one. We decide to deviate from the itinerary and take a ferry to Brooklyn for lunch. Fancy, right? We spend $2.90 on a subway ride to the ferry and one of my friends buys the ferry tickets for the group. The ride is about five minutes, then we get off and head to a gorgeous food hall for lunch. $2.90
12 p.m. — After a walk around and some pictures, we eat lunch. I spend $22.87. I start to stress a little because my phone is already at 50% and my charging cord and portable charger are not working. We decide to stop by a store at some point so I can recharge. My friends don’t use the same kind of charger as me. $22.87
1:30 p.m. — After lunch, we plan to take the subway back to the NY, NY area to get back to the itinerary but we come across a bookstore and an open market. I resist the strong temptation to buy something from the beautiful bookstore but spend $28 on something for myself and a friend at the open market. $28
2 p.m. — We get back on the subway ($2.90) and head to the Lego store. I spend $114.24 on sets for myself and friends. $117.14
3 p.m. — We head to Best Buy for a break and a charger. We are simply exhausted and aching from lack of sleep and a not-so-comfortable bus ride, but we are powering through. A charger cord and box (I can’t remember the actual word for it) costs $42.44. We charge our phones and our bodies with a little break. I recycle my old cord and portable charger. $42.44
4 p.m. — Back on the subway. I pay for myself and one of my friends ($5.80). We head to the Nintendo Store in Times Square. While I go in and look around, my friends head to Starbucks across the street for a break and hydration. When I’m done, I head over and we charge up, relax and stretch. Afterwards we walk to our last attraction: the M&M’s store. We look around and I call up my sisters to see what they want. I end up spending $98 on things for myself and my family ($20 of that is a gift card I got for my birthday). $83.80
6 p.m. — We head to a pizza shop and spend $4.51 on a slice, then we walk to the subway and ride down to the Megabus stop ($2.90). We are back home by 12:30 a.m. A fun but tiring trip. I am so grateful my friends came with me. $7.41
Daily Total: $431.99
The Breakdown
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I’m a naturally nosy person. I enjoy eavesdropping on conversations in restaurants, stealing glances at WhatsApp messages on the Tube and eyeing up other people’s lunches in the office. But as R29’s deputy beauty director, I’m most intrigued by everyone’s beauty routines, specifically those that take place in the private moments before bed.
Lately it seems that “get ready with me” videos have made way for “get unready with me” versions, but it’s not just my FYP. Dermatologists have recently extolled the virtues of evening showers over morning ones, while beauty enthusiasts have popularized the concept of the “morning shed”: removing the skin, hair and other beauty products that they slept in the night before. (Heatless curls need to be unravelled, lip tints peeled off and fake tan rinsed away.)
Whether you consider yourself a minimalist or a maximalist, the self-care advantages of a bedtime beauty routine aren’t to be sniffed at. With that in mind, I asked R29 staffers to share theirs with me. From the benefits of an unctuous lip mask to the underrated appeal of a water flosser, here’s everything the team uses before bed.
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Jacqueline Kilikita, Deputy Beauty Director
I can’t get into bed without washing the day off. In a bid to be more eco-friendly, I shelved my plastic body puff (which should be changed frequently and only ends up in landfill) for a silicone loofah, which can be cleaned and reused time and time again. It’s also replaced my physical exfoliating scrub. When it comes to shower gel, nothing beats Dove Advanced Care Body Wash Pampering Shea Butter & Vanilla. The lather is rich and creamy and the smell is so comforting, I’m convinced it helps me fall asleep. If I’m washing my hair, I reach for Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic Acid Shampoo and Conditioner, which are excellent value for money and make my lengths so soft and shiny. Depending on my mood, I rough-dry my hair with the Shark FlexStyle, or style it using the round brush attachment. It’s so good, the next day people often ask me if I’ve had a professional blowdry.
I always double cleanse to remove every single scrap of makeup and sunscreen; I love The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, which is gentle on my reactive skin but cuts through even waterproof foundation and mascara. The evening is when I ramp up my skincare with retinoids to keep my hormonal skin in check. (I always floss and brush before applying my skincare so as not to accidentally rinse it away.) I’ve been using The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion but this week I’ve graduated to tretinoin (a stronger prescription retinoid), recommended by consultant dermatologist Dr. Alia Ahmed. I practice the sandwich method using a “bland” moisturizer: one layer of face cream followed by the retinoid and then another layer of face cream. Lastly, I apply a little cuticle oil to encourage stronger nails and turn out the light!
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Humeara Mohamed, SEO Writer
I am the worst kind of beauty journalist i.e. the kind that often falls asleep on the sofa with a full face of makeup intact. So if I’m being honest, my nighttime routine begins at 3 a.m. when I wake up with a start, peel my limbs from the sofa and migrate to my actual bed. Before I do that, though, I trudge to the bathroom and finally remove everything. I begin with a cleansing oil or balm — I’m not particularly fussy here. As long as it’s gentle and will remove makeup and SPF, I’m happy. Currently I’m using Medik8 Lipid Balance Cleansing Oil but I’m a big fan of The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm too. I double cleanse with the one product and wipe it off with a clean, damp flannel. Flannels, by the way, are not all made equal. Skin Rocks The Flannel is elite in terms of size, softness and durability.
Once my skin is completely dry, I apply a thin layer of my prescription retinoid to combat acne and scarring. It’s prescribed to me by an NHS dermatologist. To help prevent sensitization or dryness, I then opt for a nourishing formula to seal everything in. In the winter my go-to is Glossier After Baume — it’s like coating your skin in a cloud — and in the summer it’s REN Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm, which makes my skin look so healthy and happy. Three easy steps is all I need, though I do make sure to sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase to avoid irritation, like this Drowsy one. After that, I brush my teeth, brush my long hair with a Tangle Teezer, tie it into a plait and head straight to dream land.
After the shower, I dab a generous amount of Laneige Cream Skin Cerapeptide Toner on my face and neck; with ingredients like ceramides and peptides, the product keeps my skin hydrated while I moisturize the rest of my body. My hair is also wrapped in a towel to absorb moisture quickly before blow-drying. I like to do some body gua sha to help promote blood flow and ease up the tense knots in my shoulders and back. I lie a stone gua sha tool flat against my skin and scrape upwards from my ankles all the way to the roots of my thigh, and repeat this on my arms and along my neck (I’ve written in detail about my body gua sha routine if you want to learn more). It’s important to note that I lather on several pumps of body oil beforehand to eliminate friction. My favorite has been Irene Forte Pistachio Body Oil — it’s rich in omegas (a plant-derived ingredient that keeps my skin radiant and hydrated), it smells heavenly and it’s nourishing without making my skin greasy. On nights I’m feeling tired or lazy, I skip the gua sha routine and just spray Weleda Skin Food Ultra-Dry Oil all over my body; it’s a body mist that transforms into a non-greasy oil once it interacts with your skin. For the face, I like using a sleeping mask so I can wake up with supple skin without doing tons of work. My nightly staple is Aesop Sublime Replenishing Night Masque, rich in moisture-boosting vitamin E and F, plus vitamin C, for an even skin tone. Instead of using a pillow mist, I douse myself in Moroccanoil Hair & Body Fragrance Mist. The intoxicating amber and sweet floral notes never fail to put me straight to sleep.
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Tanyel Mustafa, Senior Writer
No matter what time I go to bed — whether it’s 10 p.m. after an evening at home or 4 a.m. after going to a club — I will always wash my face and body. There’s nothing better than climbing into a clean bed, also feeling clean. I go to the bathroom and brush my teeth, cleanse my face, then shower. I use Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm or Naturium Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm to remove my makeup. The Emma Hardie one is perfect for my dry skin as it cleanses without stripping moisture or irritating my eyes, but it is definitely a treat due to the price point. The Naturium one is a cheaper option that also works well with my skin. I’m not a double cleanser; I feel if a product can’t do it in one, it’s not a very good cleanser (controversial, I know).
If it’s a Sunday, I’ll apply a mask while in the shower. The two I currently have in rotation are The Outset Purifying Blue Clay Mask if my skin needs a deep cleanse and Tatcha Violet-C Radiance Mask for something a bit more gentle. Weekdays I skip the mask and go straight in with Nécessaire Eucalyptus The Body Wash, which has a relaxing scent and is gentle on skin. I go in with facial skincare immediately after drying off. First, it’ll be a serum of some kind, like The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% if I want gentle exfoliation, or a high-strength vitamin C. Sometimes I skip this step and go straight to moisturizer. My favorite nourishing one is Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream in the winter, and The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for warmer weather. Both give my skin what it needs without feeling heavy, oily or clogging. I’m not an oil fan. Post-shower, I need to moisturize my body, which I thoroughly hate doing as it’s so boring but it’s good for reducing my seasonal eczema flare-ups. Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion does the job. Then I slather my lips in Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Gloss Balm. Finally, it’s time for bed with a silk pillowcase, which is a recent investment I’ve made as it’s better for skin and hair!
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Ebony-Renee Baker, Fashion Editor
Over the last couple of years, I’ve naturally built up a nighttime routine that helps me properly wind down for the day. This involves a mix of cleansing, skincare, dental hygiene and hair protection. I will almost always shower before bed (even when I’m super exhausted) because not only do I feel better slipping into my bedsheets all clean and moisturized but it also acts as a self-regulating meditation. A couple of nights a week, I will wash my cropped, textured hair with SheaMoisture Strengthen & Restore Shampoo and Pattern Medium Conditioner. (Pro tip: I sometimes find this for half off at TJ Maxx!) Regardless of whether it’s a wash day, I will wrap my hair in a headscarf every night to keep it smooth and protected from breakage while I sleep.
Last but not least, dental hygiene shall never be forgotten! After brushing, I use dental floss or this H2ofloss water flosser that my mom sent me from Amazon. And for all the retainer girlies: This is your reminder to keep putting that sh*t in. Finally, I’m ready for bed. Not at all high maintenance.
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Kate Spencer, Senior Affiliate Partnerships Manager
I’ve always been a nighttime showerer — the thought of getting into my bed with the crust of New York City on my skin creeps me out. I’ll wash my hair with either Ouai Medium Hair Shampoo or Goop Salt Scalp Scrub Shampoo (my holy grail for a super clean scalp) and then I’ll follow up with Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner. For my body, I love Nécessaire The Body Wash in the Olibanum scent. If I want to exfoliate I’ll use Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Scrub, which smells so earthy and fresh and exfoliates without feeling harsh. I also always cleanse my face in the shower (my bathroom sink is so tiny, it’s just much more convenient this way). I’ve used Rhode Pineapple Refresh Cleanser since it was launched earlier this year and love it because it’s simple and doesn’t feel like it’s stripping my skin.
My nighttime routine always starts with a shower and while none of the steps is particularly out of the norm, I do like to occasionally throw in a lavender shower steamer tablet to help unwind from stressful days. Afterwards, I spray It’s A 10 Miracle Leave-In Lite onto my hair and comb it through with my fingers to serve as a heat protectant before I dry it. But first, while my skin is still moist, I spray Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Tanning Water all over my body! I’ve just started using Jergen’s Natural Glow Face Moisturizer on my face at night and in the morning, too, so I’m not two completely different shades. Next, I move on to drying my bob-length hair, which actually takes longer than you may think since I section it off for a nice blowdry (or else my hair will be super flat and get oilier quicker).
For my skincare routine, I typically keep it very minimal (a face mist and lip mask), but when I’m going all out, I’ll use Futurewise’s Slugging System (a three-step routine consisting of a hydrating face mist, barrier repair moisturizer, and moisture-locking slug balm). I just keep the slugging balm below my bangs so I don’t make them greasy. I finish off my routine with Laneige’s original Lip Sleeping Mask and Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask, which I use on my neck for some extra hydration. (And on the occasion that I have a stubborn breakout, I like using e.l.f’s Blemish Breakthrough Stick It to Zits Pimple Patches overnight, which is always super pleasing to remove the next morning.)
All that’s left to do is turn down for bed. I’ve been sleeping on satin pillowcases for years and I simply can’t turn back. They’re so silky smooth and cooling, and I find that I don’t wake up with crazy creases on my face, like you sometimes do with standard cotton pillowcases. To sweeten the deal, I spray ThisWorks Sleep Plus Pillow Spray onto my pillows, which makes them smell like lavender and chamomile and helps relax me even more for a good night’s rest.
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Welcome to Refinery29 Loves, the monthly news bulletin where you’ll find the best things to shop and see in fashion and beauty right now.
August is often defined by news of record-breaking heatwaves but this year it’s all about the record-breaking athletes who took over the Paris Olympics. Alongside the slew of career-defining sporting moments that have dominated headlines, there have been plenty of winning looks that we just couldn’t take our eyes off.
From Suni Lee’s braided bun to Jordan Chiles’ white graphic eyeliner, the Team USA gymnastics squad killed both their routines and their beauty looks. The most viral makeup moment was gold medallist Simone Biles touching up her face with her Fenty Invisimatte Instant Setting & Blotting Powder and a NYX lip liner. If nail art is more your bag, look no further than track star Sha'Carri Richardson, who continued her love affair with long acrylics, displaying red, white, and silver-jeweled nails at the opening ceremony.
There has been plenty of Olympic fan fashion to take note of, too. Kendall Jenner made waves as she arrived in Paris in a full ‘80s dad fit complete with a Ralph Lauren Team USA racing jacket, blue jeans, and loafers from The Row. Serena Williams kept things sporty and chic as she headed to the gymnastics event in a black knitted mini dress with cobalt blue Nike trainers while Lady Gaga brought her signature style to the city in sky-high patent stiletto boots paired with black leggings and a Team USA zip-up.
If you're ready for a fresh batch of gold medal-worthy fashion and beauty news, there are plenty of releases heading your way this month. To discover all the fashion and beauty launches available this August, click through the slideshow ahead.
H&M x Anamika Khanna
“I’ve always felt Indian fashion gets lost when interpreted by the rest of the world,” Indian designer Anamika Khanna said in a press release introducing her new collaboration with H&M. The creative is tackling that head-on with the new line, which channels her flair for eclecticism, glamour, and a keen eye for tailoring. The collab features vibrant draped skirts, asymmetrical caftans, luxe silk pajamas, and a selection of jewelry made in India using reclaimed metal. “Often, our fashion — in terms of the culture, the heritage of craft, and textile embroideries — is regarded as costume or not wearable or modern enough. Things have changed a lot, and this collection with H&M allows me to take something Indian and make it global and contemporary.” The collection will be available to shop online on September 5. H&M
TKEES x LoveShackFancy
Footwear brand TKEES is jumping in on the coquette aesthetic trend with its new collaboration with LoveShackFancy. The collection combines TKEES streamlined sandal styles with LoveShackFancy’s ultra-feminine whimsy, resulting in two silhouettes: Mini Bows, a take on TKEES’ classic flip-flop sandal with a metallic gold finish and adorned with small leather bows, and Oversized Bow, which is a pink flip-flop with a large soft satin bow detail. Both shoes are available for $150.
LoveShackFancy x Tkees Mini Bow Sandals, $, available at loveshackfancy
Naked Cashmere Launches Sibling Brand
Naked Cashmere — the brand known for its luxe, sustainably-minded cashmere wardrobe essentials — is launching a sibling company for those who like to stand out when getting dressed. NONAME is needed is described as “wearable art” for people “who treat their closet like a gallery,” and will debut with an array of gender-neutral cashmere pieces adorned with bold hues and patterns. Find chunky knits, matching sets, polka-dotted bottoms, and more.
NoName Is Needed Fluffy Mini Cardigan, $, available at NoName Is Needed
NoName Is Needed Pop Primary Sweater Tee, $, available at NoName Is Needed
Farm Rio x Nuuly
Farm Rio, the Brazilian brand known for its statement silhouettes and tropical prints, has just debuted a brand-new fall-ready collection on the fashion rental site Nuuly. The Farm Rio x Nuuly collab features 12 styles — knit mini dresses, matching skirt sets, puffed-sleeve denim jackets, embroidered jeans, and more — all available for Nuuly subscribers in both popular and exclusive Farm Rio signature prints.
Nuuly x Farm Rio Embroidered Denim Pants, $, available at Nuuly
Nuuly x Farm Rio Embroidered Denim Jacket, $, available at Nuuly
OUAI Hair Oil St. Barts
Celebrity stylist Jen Atkin’s hair care brand quickly made a name for itself with its destination-themed fragrances. Adding to the existing island-inspired product line, the St Barts hair oil is all about smoothing frizz and adding high-shine gloss to slicked back updos or tumbling waves. Acting as a heat protectant up to 232°C, the oil combines African galanga, ama and Asian borage oils for nourishment and softness. Plus, the beach-inspired oil (which contains notes of dragon fruit, orange blossom and musk) contains a UV filter, meaning it will protect your color even in high sun.
After dominating on the court, WNBA All-Star Angel Reese is expanding her reach with her a fashion collection. The athlete has teamed up with Reebok for a collection full of stylish performance wear, ranging from three styles of shoes (including sporty Premier Road VI runners, metallic silver basketball shoes, and leather runners) to athletic jumpsuits, cropped tops, and a graphic tee with her mantra: “When they sleep on you, tuck them in.” In a press release, Reese said, “I wanted to create a collection that allowed women and girls everywhere to embrace their femininity and power in whatever they’re doing. This collection is for HER to be stylish and fierce on all occasions.” Prices range from $50 to $120.
Reebok x Angel Reese Premier Road Plus Sneakers, $, available at Reebok
Rebag & Bloomingdale’s Join Forces
Luxury resale platform Rebag has teamed up with popular retailer Bloomingdale’s. Starting this month, a curated selection of pre-owned designer handbags, watches, and fine jewelry will be available via Rebag at select Bloomingdale’s stores and online, making it easier than ever to shop sustainably (and fashionably) and find vintage gems.
Bloomingdale's x Rebag Pre-Owned Hermes Sac Cordeliere Shoulder Bag Box Calf, $, available at Bloomingdale's
Debbie Harry x Wildfang
Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry has long been a punk-rock and fashion icon. Now, it just got a whole lot easier to channel her style. The star has teamed up with fashion brand Wildfang for her first-ever designed style collaboration, and the six-piece line is about as rocker-chic as you’d expect. The collection includes a take on suiting (a trademark for Harry on stage and for Wildfang) with cropped trousers and a blazer with chain detailing, plus a cropped button-up short-sleeved top, and a graphic T-shirt with a portrait of Harry that she picked herself. Harry even wore some of the pieces during the recent Blondie tour stop in Belfast. Prices range from $45 to $198.
Debbie Harry x Wildfang Double Breasted Blazer, $, available at Wildfang
Debbie Harry x Wildfang Cropped Button Up, $, available at Wildfang
Debbie Harry x Wildfang Slip Crop Pant, $, available at Wildfang
Victoria Beckham Posh Balm
If you like a more subtle wash of color in summer, look no further than Victoria Beckham’s latest lip venture: Posh Balm. Unlike a traditional lipstick, the balm is all about subtle, buildable coverage with murumuru seed butter and cucumber seed oil adding nourishing skincare effects to the formula. Available in four shades (the blackberry hue of Cassis is our personal favorite), the product is all about achieving a high-shine payoff with a comfortable and hydrating feel.
Hot on the heels of its recent collaboration with Uniqlo, Marimekko is back with a new category: denim. Incorporating the brand’s signature floral designs, the Maridenim collection combines classic jean shapes with bold patterns. The stand-out piece has to be the denim-on-denim set, featuring the brand’s famous Unikko flower printed across barrel jeans and a matching collared shirt. If you are looking for something more classic, the collection also has wide-leg, high-waisted jeans in dark washes and straight-leg jeans in light denim.
Marimekko Maridenim Barrel Unikko, $, available at Marimekko
Chlöe Bailey x YITTY's Nearly Naked Collection
There are many universal experiences with clothes but one of them has to be ordering a new outfit and realizing you don’t have the right underwear for it. Thankfully, the shapewear game has improved massively in the last few years. Lizzo has made waves in the industry with her size-inclusive line, YITTY, since 2022. This August, the performer Chlöe Bailey is teaming up with the brand for its new Nearly Naked collection. While you can still find seamless shorts and bodysuits in a range of neutral colorways, the new extension is all about adding boldness, with cherry-colored sculpting dresses, periwinkle high-waisted briefs, and hot pink bralettes.
Yitty Nearly Naked Shapewear Plunge Bra, $, available at Yitty
Sonos Ace x Sporty & Rich
Sonos and Sporty & Rich are starting the US Open festivities early. The brands' limited-run collaboration finds Sporty & Rich lending its tenniscore aesthetic to the audio-tech company's new headphones, the Sonos Ace. The special-edition noise-canceling headphones are equipped with branded earcups and a case, plus a white and green tote bag, and are available for $449.
Sonos Ace x Sporty & Rich Sonos Ace x Sporty & Rich Headphones, $, available at Sporty and Rich
Glossier Boy Brow Arch
If you’ve noticed a sway towards slimmer brows in the last few months, you’re not alone. From Gabbriette to Bella Hadid, the lean towards a ‘90s brow is in full effect, meaning a precise brow pencil is exactly what we need to avoid a tweezing disaster. Made with a custom tip, Glossier’s new brow product is ideal for shaping and sculpting brows; one side has a sharp edge for micro hair strokes and the other has a flat edge for those who prefer a bigger and fluffier brow. Featuring an all-important pencil sharpener in the lid, the pencil is designed to stay sharp while offering a soft and smooth texture that won’t tug at hairs. Available in nine shades, the product is about to be our new go-to for eyebrow experimenting.
Adidas Originals x Sporty & Rich Capsule Collection
Since their first collaboration, Adidas and Sporty & Rich have created consistent sell-out drops. Combining Adidas’ classic three stripes with Sporty & Rich’s elevated silhouettes, the collections have become a staple for celebs and internet It Girls alike. This time, the collection focuses on the tri-colorway of the US, French, and UK flags, featuring the Handball Spezial TJ and Samba trainers in new red, white, and blue designs. As for the clothes, the collab dives into nostalgia with long-sleeve football shirts, track shorts, and quarter zips on offer. There’s also a selection of classic sports tees and tapered joggers for the ultimate athlete-off-duty look.
Adidas x Sporty & Rich Adidas Track Short, $, available at Sporty & Rich
Le Labo Coriandre 39
Le Labo is known as an exclusive brand and its city exclusive collection is the epitome of that bougieness. Releasing fragrances exclusively in the cities they are named after, this year the perfumer has launched Coriandre 39, inspired by the vibrancy of Mexico City. Lucky for us, one month a year the brand allows the fragrance to be shopped globally, meaning we can now get our hands on the scent. Created using notes of zesty lime and fragrant coriander (sorry to those who have the soap gene), the perfume is herby, fresh and floral with a musky dry down scent. Perfect for an evening spent sipping spicy margaritas in the sun.
Irina Shayk x H&M Move
Timed perfectly with the arrival of the Olympics in Paris, H&M is bringing activewear to the masses inspired by the sporty stylings seen in the French capital. Fronted by supermodel Irina Shayk, the collection features buttery leggings, capri pants, and bike short styles. For those wanting to brighten up their gym day wardrobe, the drop also includes fire engine-red DryMove™ (fabric that helps to keep moisture away from skin while you work out) crop tops, vests, and sports bras. If you want to add some sparkle to your sport look, why not try the diamante wrist weights?
H&M SoftMove™ Sports Bike Shorts, $, available at H&M
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We’re slowly but surely slipping into fall, and with that, we’re excited to indulge in pumpkin spice lattes, Gilmore Girls re-runs, spooky season, and extra-cozy outfits. And luckily, Refinery29 reader-favorite brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, Everlane, and more have already released fall styles.
For those who miss back-to-school shopping, Everlane’s batch of new arrivals includes its “Preppycore” fall collection, which features oversized cardigans, statement stripes, and chunky loafers. The new drop also includes off-duty loungewear that you can wear around campus, to run errands, or cuddle up and watch Halloween movies. You’ll also find trending red (thecolor of 2024) styles across sweatsuit separates and midi dresses. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the brand’s utility barrel pants, which have gone viral on TikTok — and for a good reason.
Read on to peruse and shop Everlane’s fall arrivals, which you can start wearing now.
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Everlane Fall Preppycore Styles
If you want to feel and look like you stepped out of an ‘80s coming-of-age movie, look to Everlane’s “Preppycore” fall collection. From striped button-down shirts and polo tops to oversized blazers and cardigans, there are tons of nostalgic silhouettes and prints that make for tried-and-true fall styles. Wear the tops on their own or layer up button-downs with sweaters and jackets for an ultra-preppy look as the temperatures drop. You’ll also find trending denim, like vintage-inspired jeans and denim skirts to serve as the building blocks of your fall outfits.
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Everlane Off-Duty Loungewear
Fall is synonymous with cozy season, which means bundling up. Everlane has a new off-duty loungewear collection, full of sweatsuit staples like organic cotton half-zip sweaters, hoodies, and joggers to do just that. Wear these styles — which come in neutrals like black, navy, grey, bone, and beige — paired together as matching sets. Or: blend the colorways for a mismatched look or with jeans for a casual vibe.
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Everlane Trending Poppy Red Styles
Refinery29 editors love red, a color that’s bold yet wearable and versatile. Everlane currently has a section dedicated to the vibrant Poppy Red, which is a fun alternative to more typical fall hues like burgundy or rust orange. Add the hue to your fall wardrobe as a pop of color via a pair of knit ballet flats or go for a full-on red sweater dress.
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Everlane TikTok-Famous Pants
Everlane’s utility pants are all bestsellers and famous in their own right, with the Utility Barrel Pant — which has a 4.6-star rating courtesy of 1,402 customers — in particular, gaining a cult-status on TikTok for its statement stitching and flattering fit. This silhouette is also available in denim options. Or you can check out the popular utilitarian style in similar silhouettes, like wide-leg pants, straight-leg pants, or curve-leg pants.
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With 38.1K posts waxing lyrical about the topical skincare medication on TikTok, there’s simply no escaping it: Tretinoin is a skincare sensation. And with each scroll, we bet you’re asking yourself, Should I get in on the hype?
You can’t just go out and buy tretinoin; you need a prescription from a dermatologist. That said, if you’ve happened upon tretinoin online recently, you can infer that it’s more widely prescribed today than ever before. “I’ve been prescribing it for 15 years,” says NYC-based dermatologist Michelle Henry, MD, “but there’s been a constant uptick in interest as people have become more educated about it.”
Similar to a skincare medication like Accutane or spironolactone, tretinoin requires a doctor to write you a pharmacy prescription and teach you how to use it safely and accurately. But unlike Accutane or spironolactone (a diuretic used in the treatment of chronic hormonal acne), tretinoin is not an acne-specific medication. It treats acne in some people, but also helps treat fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and reduces hyperpigmentation by blocking tyrosinase (an enzyme that helps create skin pigment) — benefits that make it transformative for a wider range of people than just those with acute acne concerns.
However, tretinoin’s rise in popularity has divided opinion among skincare experts. “I don’t think tretinoin should have gone viral on TikTok,” says Alicia Lartey, a London-based esthetician. In fact, she feels it is “irresponsible of influencers” in particular (the majority of whom she says have no background in skincare) to promote it. Why? Well, not many people are educating about the downsides, like the fact that this stuff is really strong and of course, not accessible for everyone.
So here’s the real lowdown on prescription tretinoin — and the best alternative over-the-counter option if you want to avoid a copay.
What is tretinoin?
Tretinoin is topical retinoic acid, a vitamin A derivative that increases skin cell turnover. It’s the most potent topical retinoid (more on that below). It helps to shed dead skin cells and encourage the regrowth of newer, younger skin cells. In that process, it can do a number of things. “Tretinoin helps treat acne, signs of aging, skin texture, and pigmentation,” explains Lartey. It also stimulates collagen synthesis. Consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson Dr. Adil Sheraz adds that tretinoin can improve skin elasticity (making it smoother and more plump) and help to achieve an even skin tone.
What’s the difference between tretinoin, retinol, and retinal?
To understand exactly how tretinoin works, it pays to know about the pyramid in which it sits. Dr. Sheraz explains that tretinoin comes from the retinoid family, which includes a number of different forms, all widely available in topical skincare products. In order of potency it goes: retinoic acid (tretinoin), retinal, retinol, then retinyl palmitate.
Prescription tretinoin sits at the top of the pyramid. “It’s the most potent form of a topical retinoid,” explains Dr. Sheraz. Compared to retinal and retinol, tretinoin is stronger and more active right away, so it works faster. There are several different Rx brands of tretinoin that dermatologists prescribe; Altreno and Retin-A are two of the most popular, but it’s also common to receive the generic version.
Below tretinoin, there’s retinaldehyde, also known as retinal. This ingredient has become increasingly popular over the years and, unlike tretinoin, it’s available over the counter. For example, Peach & Lily, Youth To The People, and Naturium all offer over-the-counter versions of retinal. Without subjecting you to a science lesson, Dr. Sheraz explains that retinal is “converted” in your skin cells so that it becomes active and is able to perform its job. This means that “[retinal] is weaker than tretinoin but stronger than retinol,” explains Dr. Sheraz. Retinal is Lartey’s preferred over-the-counter retinoid. “It also has an antibacterial property,” she says, “which is great for those managing acne.”
Underneath retinal, you’ll find retinol. “This requires multiple conversions in the skin [for it to work] and is significantly weaker than tretinoin,” says Dr. Sheraz. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. “As it’s less potent, it’s less of an irritant, and it can be bought over the counter.”
At the bottom of the retinoid pyramid, you’ll find retinyl palmitate. This is the weakest form of retinoid and often the cheapest as well. Like retinal and retinol, retinyl palmitate is present in OTC skincare and while it’s less potent and effective, some people prefer it. “Some people get better results using a less effective form because it doesn’t irritate their skin as much, so they’re more likely to use it more often,” cosmetic chemist Randy Schueller of The Beauty Brains told R29.
Put simply, tretinoin is the most powerful of the four, though it’s available at different concentrations, some much stronger than others. “Tretinoin is available in various strengths, both as creams and gels,” explains Dr. Sheraz.
Who is tretinoin good for?
In her NYC practice, Dr. Henry prescribes tretinoin daily to a “wide range” of people. Some people use prescription tretinoin to treat adult-onset acne. “I have some patients who are oily, some who are acne prone,” explains Dr. Henry, “but some [tretinoin patients] don’t have acne at all. I have sensitive-skin patients who still want to derive those benefits who come to me for counsel on how to choose the right tretinoin formulation.”
For people who are using tretinoin for the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles, Dr. Henry says that their skin-care routine may be very simple. “If someone’s coming in for treatment of fine lines and wrinkles, they may just be on tretinoin and moisturizer and sunscreen and that’s it,” Dr. Henry explains, adding that it’s really a case-by-case conversation. “Some patients on tretinoin are looking for a more sophisticated regimen depending on their skin concerns.”
Where can you get tretinoin?
Don’t buy tretinoin online. You need to see a dermatologist or healthcare provider for a tretinoin prescription. “It’s a prescription because of the strength and the need for someone with more expertise to guide you in using it,” explains Dr. Henry. If you have access to a dermatologist, they will likely be able to prescribe you tretinoin if you’re a good candidate.
In Dr. Henry’s New York practice, she prescribes some form of tretinoin every day. The main reason someone might not be a good candidate is if they can’t tolerate any form of retinol. However, today there are more low-strength tretinoin options. “There are lower concentrations, made with ingredients like ceramides [and] hyaluronic acid, that really make it more tolerable so that it’s an option for more people,” explains Dr. Henry. The lowest prescription concentration of tretinoin is 0.01%, which could be just fine for someone with sensitive skin.
Getting to a dermatologist might not be feasible (which we’ll speak to, ahead). Some newer personalized online dermatologist services such as Skin Medicinals and Agency may prescribe tretinoin. However, an extensive digital consultation with a qualified dermatologist will always have to take place first. In some cases, it’s also recommended that you check in with your prescribing dermatologist on a regular basis.
How do you use tretinoin?
This is where you have to be careful. If you see someone on TikTok apply tretinoin like they would a moisturizer, that is wrong and dangerous. According to dermatologist, you only need a pea-sized amount to cover your entire face. Dr. Henry recommends the “sandwich method” of application: “You put moisturizer on first, then your medicine [tretinoin], then more moisturizer.” Use it sparingly and only at night, avoiding sensitive areas, like around your nose, lips, and under eyes. “Start out every other night, maybe twice a week, then slowly increase as you tolerate,” explains Dr. Henry.
In terms of the rest of your skin-care routine, Dr. Sheraz recommends that other “active” products be cut out for the time being. This includes any other retinol-based products and acids, as well as benzoyl peroxide.
Dr. Sheraz adds that when you are prescribed tretinoin, your dermatologist or doctor should always check that you have a good understanding of how to properly moisturize your skin. Though this may seem basic, retinoids can make skin feel dry, flaky, and uncomfortable, so getting your moisturizer right is a must. Look for gentle, hydrating, and soothing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, shea butter, and panthenol. Prescribers will also check that you’re using a broad-spectrum sunscreen in the daytime, as retinoids make skin extra sensitive to harmful UV rays.
What are the downsides of using tretinoin?
The biggest downside to tretinoin is, you probably guessed it, skin sensitivity and inflammation. “It can result in significant irritation, redness, peeling and inflammation in certain individuals,” explains Dr. Sheraz. If you’ve tried OTC retinol in the past and you’re sensitive to it, you can expect to be sensitive if you switch to tretinoin, because it’s even stronger. It’s also important to note that due to its drying effect, tretinoin can occasionally cause eczema flareups. “This is why a substantial moisturizer should always be used alongside it,” says Dr. Sheraz. Another disclaimer: Like retinol and retinal, tretinoin can’t be used if you’re pregnant.
Another obvious downside is the cost.
How much does tretinoin cost?
Dr. Henry explains that it’s tricky to generalize cost because it’s an individual insurance equation. “The range could be between zero dollars to $200 depending on the insurance plan, pharmacy insurance copay, and the type of tretinoin,” explains Dr. Henry. Moreover, we have to note that access to a dermatologist is not always possible, which is a barrier to entry with prescriptions like tretinoin.
What are the alternatives to tretinoin?
If you’re looking for what would be the closest alternative to tretinoin that you can get without a prescription, it’s Differin Gel. “Differin is probably one of the most robust options you can find over the counter,” explains Dr. Henry. “That’s what I recommend.” Differin was FDA-approved in 2016 for over-the-counter use. It’s 0.1% adapalene — adapalene is an active form of retinoic acid — which is widely considered a “game changer” in the topical skincare space.
According to the aforementioned pyramid, over-the-counter retinal would also be a good alternative — not as strong as retinoic acid, but stronger and faster than retinol. If you’re super sensitive, Dr. Henry says you could also try an alternative to retinol like bakuchiol, or a serum or cream rich in peptides. “Peptides are similarly going to help stimulate collagen, get rid of fine lines and wrinkles, and help to improve facial scarring,” explains Dr. Henry, who also quotes their side effects as serendipitously good for your skin. Ultimately, trying tretinoin is not a decision to be taken lightly — no matter what TikTok videos might suggest. Thanks to its side effects and potency, it’s always recommended to consult a doctor first and work your way up with other, weaker formulas.
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An overhead light — also infamously coined by TikTok user GeeOfDee as "the big light" — is some people's biggest nightmare. In fact, the National Headache Foundation writes, "Light and other visual stimuli also can trigger migraine attacks. Specifically, "flickering," "pulsing," "bright," and "fluorescent," fixtures. Plus, overwhelming gleams from the ceiling don't know how to set the mood without the help of a dimmer. So don't follow the light, follow the floor lamp.
Floor lamps come in an array of styles — modern, boho chic, mid-century, retro, and the like — and have a variety of functions. Whether you need it to relax after a long day beneath your office's work lights or your eyes require a little extra shine to read a book these days, there's a mood-boosting floor lamp for you out there. Bonus: they are the easiest way to elevate your space. Hooray for the internet — we found 13 floor lamps that have you and your sensitive and/or struggling eyes covered — at all kinds of price points and in an array of designs — ahead.
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What looks like a retro prop lamp from your favorite 1950s detective film is actually a gorgeous floor lamp with a metal shade and a hand blown glass diffuser that provides a great vibe to any space.
Schoolhouse Caldera Floor Lamp, $, available at Schoolhouse
Anthropologie Lourdes Floor Lamp
Forget the debate about white light vs. warm light in lightbulbs. We want this artisan lamp that is crafted out of brass; each lamp has a unique copper finish inspired by the dunes of the American Southwest.
Anthropologie Lourdes Floor Lamp, $, available at Anthropologie
Tala Alumina Lamp
Just like Burrow's couches, the DTC home brand's lamps will ship to you fast and free. While not quite a floor lamp, this lil cutie is perfect for a smaller space as you can move it wherever it's needed from floor to table to wall and back. The light is specially designed to reduce eye strain by starting dim and warming up.
These little bubbles will provide major light power to your room. This three-light lamp has each lamp positioned at different angles to make sure to get light into all the crevices of your room. Plus we love the sleek modern vibes with the black base and gold interior of the lampshades to really emphasize light.
West Elm Zigzag Floor Lamp, $, available at West Elm
Hay Neon Tube LED
This is half lamp, half art display. Lean it against the wall for a minimalist source of lighting that will still be striking, or get creative and hang it up.
There are lamps with shelves, then there's this multi-purpose beauty that not only can display your favorite plants and books, but it can also charge up to four devices at once.
Brookstone 5-Head Sunset Floor Lamp, $, available at Brookstone
Brightech Saturn Floor Lamp
Each loop on this intriguing lamp can be removed, and only lights up when placed on the lamp's stems. It's not only a conversation piece but also a means to further adjust how bright (or not) the lamp is.
Brightech Saturn Floor Lamp, $, available at Brightech
Design Within Reach Nelson Pear Lotus Floor Lamp
Design Within Reach is your source for the originators of many of yesterday and today's biggest design trends — and some iconic silhouettes you may not already be acquainted with, like this bold bubble lamp.
Design Within Reach Nelson Pear Lotus Floor Lamp, $, available at Design Within Reach
Goodee Pikul Floor Lamp
Another lamp that mixes organic materials with industrial shapes, the Pikul floor lamp is versatile enough to fit into a number of decor styles without blending in.
OYEARS Modern Arc Floor Lamp, $, available at Amazon
NOVAofCalifornia Luna Bella Mid Century Arc Lamp
An arc lamp is a perfect solution for a reading light without a side table. This supersized version is bold enough to light up the entire room as well.
Feeling negative about money? You’re not the only one: In a recent study, Money Moves, conducted by R29 Intelligence to explore how we think about money as we navigate the current cost-of-living crisis, it found that 62% of women feel overwhelmingly negative about finances, using “stressed,” “worried,” and “frustrated” as the top three words to describe their financial situation. In stark contrast, 69% of men say they feel positively when thinking about their finances, with the words “motivated,” “confident,” and “optimistic” coming to mind. This negativity directly impacts women’s self-esteem, with 43% of women saying their financial situation makes them feel badly about themselves.
To help us understand why we feel so bad about money, we spoke to two financial therapists — Aja Evans, a board-certified therapist who specializes in financial therapy; Lindsay Bryan-Podvin, a certified financial therapist and financial wellness speaker — who combine financial advice and emotional support to help others manage financial stress. Keep reading to learn about why we feel the way we feel — and ways we can build a better relationship with money.
Historically, women were told they weren’t “capable” of financial literacy
“There are a lot of times where women aren’t taught personal financial information or made to feel like they’re incapable of handling money or that they can’t understand the systems in place,” Evans says.
In fact, in the U.S., women weren’t even allowed to apply for their own credit card or loan without a male co-signer until 1974. “Women didn’t have access to credit cards or bank accounts until the 1970s without their husband’s or father’s written permission,” Bryan-Podvin says. “So when we think about how a person is learning about money, we only have one generation of women who can go to their parents for information about bank accounts or credit cards. Even our grandmothers didn’t necessarily have access to those things.”
There’s still a lack of financial education today
There’s a cultural perception that men should know more about money, so they tend to actively seek out education and knowledge on the topic. Women, in contrast, are often told to not even talk about it.
“[My female clients often say they] didn’t have access to financial education. It wasn’t talked about,” says Bryan-Podvin. “It was shameful if they innocently asked a question like ‘Can we afford to go on that vacation?’ or ‘Are we poor?’ as a kid. The response was often, ‘We don’t talk about money, it’s rude.’”
Which leads to feelings of insecurity about personal finance
“When you really need to know certain information and you don’t, you tend to feel like you should stay away, because you’re not feeling 100% confident in your ability to take the next step,” Evans says. “Unfortunately, that leads a lot of us to not be active in our financial lives, to put it on the back-burner, or to feel worried about it.”
Consequently, women are less likely to take risks
“For men, utilizing their credit card may not seem like a risky move. They’ll think, I’ll pay it back; it will be fine,” Evans says. “But women are taught to be more risk-averse, on top of feeling like they may not have the correct information or all the information they need. [So when faced with financial turmoil], women tend to dip into their emergency fund [instead of using a credit card].”
“There’s this additional layer of uncertainty: I really don’t understand how credit cards work. What if I actually make a mistake and don’t pay it back?What does that mean for me?” says Bryan-Podvin. “So that’s another reason why I think women might feel they should earn more money or just pull from the money in their savings account.”
Plus, there’s a greater fear of making a mistake
“Women may feel shame [if they make a financial mistake]. And it is very isolating, because it’s something that they keep quiet about. They’re not sharing, they’re not talking about it, they’re brushing it under the rug and hoping nobody finds out,” Evans says. “But from what I’ve seen, men who have made a financial mistake think, Okay, I’ve made a mistake, let’s move on from it.”
It’s not just in finance — in other areas of life, women feel the pressure to be perfect and experience shame if they don’t live up to these unrealistic expectations. Bryan-Podvin traces it back to the first wave of feminism when the goal was to open equal opportunities to women. “One of the first things to be like a man was to not mess up, to not make mistakes,” says Bryan-Podvin who uses the 2024 presidential candidates as an example. “We have a very qualified woman and we have a not-so-qualified man, and yet she has to defend her capability. Even at a smaller level, we experience this all the time: having to overperform to prove we’re deserving or worthy.”
We need to: Normalize talking about money
“I tell my clients that talking about money will help you. You are not the only one going through this. I promise you that having more conversations with your friends and the people you trust is only going to help,” Evans says.
And about money mistakes, too
“One piece of advice I share with my clients is that: It’s okay to make mistakes with money,” Bryan-Podvin says. “Normalizing money mistakes is important — it’s just a part of life.”
Seek out resources and support
“Find tools that feel empowering for you and use them in a way that works for you,” says Bryan-Podvin, who suggests pausing or blocking a particular merchant if they feel unsafe, or drafting financial goals (“I want to save X dollars in an emergency fund” and “I want to open a high-yield savings account”) as examples. “We were so limited 30 years ago when it came to financial education; now, we have such a plethora of content creators on social media who are willing to share. Don’t be turned off by the first talking head who’s talking to you about personal finance — you can shop around. Find a person or a group or an approach that really speaks to you.”
“If you’re not ready to talk to your friends about finances, that’s okay, but take some time to pick up a book or follow a few social media accounts who are talking about finances — but make sure that these people are credible and they know what they’re talking about,” Evans says. “I’m not shocked that so many women are worried about [money]. We just need to have conversations about it and learn about it — and once we do, I really believe we will be unstoppable.”
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There was one weekend after my divorce where I found myself utterly alone and without anything to do. I aimlessly scrolled through all the streaming platforms, but nothing piqued my interest. I called my friends, but no one picked up (yes, I’m aware of how sad that sounds). I browsed my collection of unread books, but there weren’t any titles that excited me. There was a palpable sense of ennui unlike anything I’d ever experienced. And then it struck me: I had no hobbies.
In the months that followed, it was the topic of conversation I had with my friends, my coworkers, my dentist, even my gyno. What did they do for fun? And, more importantly, could I co-opt it? As it turns out, anytime I lamented about my lack of interests outside of work and my social life, the sentiment was echoed back at me. One friend told me how much she hated it when dates asked her what her hobbies were — because she had none.
This hobbylessness, I realized, was something of an epidemic — and it’s most evident on social media, on which content creators suggest hobby after hobby while on their own personal quest to find hobbies that’ll stick. On TikTok, the hashtag #HobbyTok has accrued 82.6 million posts, and counting.
So, I resolved to find one: I started to learn a new language, I began training for a half marathon, I picked up new recipes to try. But those only consumed so much of my time. Outside of work, this unsettling, listless energy crept up on me. Until one day, I was invited to a crochet class, and with shaky, trepidatious, unsure fingers managed to haphazardly create a granny square — and I was hooked. I proceeded to crochet wool blankets, winter accessories, and amigurumi plush toys before venturing into clothing (shorts! tops! dresses!). I marveled at how a system of loops could transform a skein of yarn into a masterpiece. In many ways, it’s like writing: to create something from nothing. But I found immense joy in the differences — the way it forced me to slow down, to hone my skills, to revel in the craftsmanship, to work with my hands. I loved not being so tethered to screens.
But as months of crocheting went by, another feeling began to pull at the strings of my joy: guilt. I was investing so much of my time and energy into crocheting — and it was all…for fun. Shouldn’t I be monetizing this? Shouldn’t I be turning this into a side hustle?
In “Money Moves,” the most recent study conducted by R29 Intelligence to examine how women are responding to the cost-of-living crisis, our team of analysts found that 60% of women say money occupies over half of their mental space, that 62% say they feel negative emotions when thinking about their financial situation (with words like “stressed,” “worried,” and “frustrated” as top descriptors), and that when faced with financial turmoil, women tend to “insource” rather than “outsource.” In other words, when money is tight, women are more likely to increase their side hustle (32%) or sell some of the things they own (29%), as opposed to borrowing money from friends or taking out a loan.
My friend Emma Sarran Webster’s search-for-a-hobby journey paralleled mine, only that she ended up turning hers — muraling — into a side hustle. “Muraling is expensive, it takes a lot of time, and I only have so many walls, so it wasn’t really practical as a hobby. I couldn’t spend time on it without monetizing it,” she told me. “I had already monetized something I love doing — by being a writer — and I’ve become really burnt out by it. Muraling gets me outside and off my computer and it balances out my work as a writer. Like any job, muraling will, at times, be frustrating and hard, but I’m hopeful that it’ll still bring me joy as I go on.”
Financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin saw the hobby-turned-side-hustle trend skyrocket during the pandemic, as women began to show interest in entrepreneurship. “Oftentimes it’s women who are in caregiving roles and who leave traditional employment and find creative ways to generate income,” says Bryan-Podvin, who baked sourdough bread during the pandemic and at one point, baked 55 loaves in one month to give to friends and neighbors. But she made the conscious decision not to sell them, because baking was something that brought her joy. “It’s empowering [to have the opportunity to sell my goods], but also we need to think about the systems that push us to feel like our hobbies have to become side hustles.”
I recognize that the guilt I feel throws into sharp relief just how much we internalize the effects of living in a capitalist society — if you’re not hustling, if you’re not making the most of every minute, if you’re not participating in the rat race, then you’re not doing enough. To be entirely honest, I’m not sure what the solve is, but I do know that adulthood — and life — is excruciatingly hard, so if there’s something that brings me joy, perhaps I should just leave it at that.
Aja Evans, a board-certified therapist and coach who specializes in financial therapy, says it best: “If you take away that hobby because you’ve now monetized it, it’s no longer an outlet — it’s now another way you’ve added stress to yourself, because you’re thinking about growing it or scaling it on top of a 9-to-5 job. We cannot monetize everything — we need hobbies that bring us joy, the things that make us feel good in our bodies and our mental state.”
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When Aki Kim, 71, and Koichi Suzuki Kim, 73, began posting outfit videos to their Instagram and TikTok accounts (@akiandkoichi) in the spring of this year, neither the couple nor their daughter Yuri (who creates and posts content on their behalf) expected to gain 1 million followers before the end of the summer. While the outfits — from some of their favorite brands like Issey Miyake, Loewe, Comme des Garcons and APC — change from video to video, the format remains simple, featuring the couple in their California neighborhood.
“We never anticipated this level of attention and it still feels unreal to us,” the Kims told Refinery29 in a joint statement. “It’s difficult to pinpoint why we believe people are responding positively. We think people appreciate our style, but it might also be tied to the joy we convey.” Although the goal of their accounts has never been financial — “as 70-somethings starting a new adventure, we believe fashion can help everyone feel confident and true to themselves. Fashion is about feeling good no matter your age,” they say — in addition to followers, the Kims have since secured partnerships with brands like ASOS, Warby Parker and Uniqlo, catapulting them into the growing space of fashion influencer couples.
From Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake’s matching denim outfits in 2003 to Kourtney Kardashian’s Travis Barker-influenced style 20 years later, people have been obsessed with couples’ fashion for ages. In more recent years though, this has gone beyond celebrity pairings with internet duos like Aki and Koichi, Young Emperors and more gaining devoted followings and engaged virtual communities.
In June, Remi Alfallah and Erris Burke, 27 and 28 respectively, shared a video of themselves posing in their kitchen that received 11 million views and 431,000 likes and counting. In it, the LA- and London-based couple are seen wearing matching black outfits — Alfallah in a secondhand Roberto Cavalli dress, Burke in an AREA crop top and Zara mini skirt. The caption reads, “No one talks about the struggles of two femmes trying to find a non-cringe way to post.”
Burke, who has been creating fashion and lifestyle content for four years, met film producer Alfallah via Instagram in 2022, and began sharing videos of Alfallah a few months into their relationship. Fast forward to last summer: The couple created joint accounts on TikTok and Instagram (as @remianderris), sharing videos of their everyday outfits which range from baggy jeans and crop tops to mini skirts and boots. While Burke mostly wears loose-fitting streetwear, Alfallah likes to pair feminine silhouettes with masculine accessories like ties, flat caps and chunky shoes — though they also share their clothes and coordinate outfits that play to each other’s aesthetics. Now, a few hundred thousand followers later, the couple has been signed to a talent agency while their accounts continue to grow daily.
Just as the Kims hope to provide representation for seniors, Alfallah and Burke started their account to create a space for queer people and couples who dress like them.“There is a certain stereotype of more masculine queer women that’s often shown in pop culture, which is obviously valid and exists, but for people outside of that, [we’re] like, ‘Can I see somebody like me who dresses more feminine, or is more of a tomboy?’” Alfallah tells Refinery29.
Indiana-based couple Daniel Mirage and Shamaria Thomas, both 21, use Mirage’s account (@daniel_mirage) to showcase style trends. In their posts, they wear coordinated streetwear and Y2K-inspired outfits that include jorts, shrunken tops, matching Timberland boots and various secondhand finds. “We’re both in this weird, experimental phase where we know what we like and don’t, but we’re still trying to find things that we wouldn’t necessarily have worn a year ago,” Thomas tells Refinery29. “Most of the time we get ready together and decide on a theme for the day,” Mirage adds. Some of their recent themes included jersey dressing (where both wore thrifted sports tops and matching shorts) and Western-inspired cowboy boots and chunky loafers.
“It was a really positive response,” Mirage says about when he first started featuring Thomas on his account. “All my friends who see my page were really happy for me.” Mirage’s followers and engagement have grown with their increased couple content, which often features smooth transitions and outfit compilations. Comments on their videos range from “me and who?” and “ya’ll compliment each other so well,” to inquiries about outfit details.
While #FitPics isn’t a new format, the success that these couples are experiencing is further proof that users today are looking for more than just aspirational fashion content. In a recent Refinery29 survey that asked 82 readers to list the reasons they follow influencers, 56% said because they make creative content, 43% said because they’re relatable, and 33% said it was because “they showcase a lifestyle I admire or aspire to.”
“A lot of what we see online is someone speaking to the camera, so you miss out on that human interaction… And that’s what people love,” Deya Suresh tells Refinery29. “Like when TikTok came around, everything was so raw and relatable because it’s not carefully curated and people are just sitting down in their messy rooms.” On their travel-focused account @pipanddeya, Suresh alongside her partner Pip Puveendran, both 33 and based in Toronto, post fit checks, often on the street or on holiday, and meme videos that show their personality. In their videos, Suresh wears feminine silhouettes like milkmaid dresses, printed blouses, and A-line skirts, while Puveendran sports tailored pieces, matching sets, and activewear. “We wanted a place where we could just be us,” Suresh says of their account.
We can’t complain, this is our dream job… However, it’s not a vacation. We wake up, we film, we edit, we go on our emails.
Deya Suresh
While Suresh and Puveendran try to stay as authentic as possible, the two full-time creators also treat it like a business. This comes with cons. “We can’t complain — like this is our dream job and we get paid to travel — however, it’s not like a vacation. We wake up, we film, we edit while on vacation, we go on our emails, ” Suresh says. “One rule we’ve recently been implementing is we try to make our last day of vacation a [non-working] ‘us day.’” Alfallah and Burke also recognize the need to balance being present in their relationship while showcasing personal moments that their followers come to love them for. “If there’s a moment that goes by and you’re trying to be present, where you forget to film or you don’t want to, there’s this lingering guilt like, ‘that would have done so well,’” Alfallah says.
When asked what would happen to their content if they broke up, Puveendran says he’s not worried about that: “We do bicker and fight, but ultimately we have the same love for travel and content creation that, if I were to be with somebody else who wasn’t part of that world, I would have a nightmare existence with them. They wouldn’t understand why I want to take a nice drone shot at sunrise [laughs].” Mirage and Thomas agree that their social media journey so far “has been pretty easy.” With their audience and career opportunities growing alongside their relationship, according to the two, their hardest challenges are deciding on outfits and finding aesthetically pleasing locations to film.
As the world of fashion influencers continues to change, couples content gives us the wholesome vibes we deserve — and two times the outfit inspiration.
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The reality TV viewing experience hasn’t been the same since the final episode ofLove Island USA aired on Peacock in July. The popular reality dating show took the world by storm, and audiences couldn’t get enough of the drama from Season 6. On Monday night, TheLove Island USA reunion premiered and reunited the cast on television for the first time since they left the island last month. Hosted by Vanderpump Rules reality star Ariana Madix, the group delivered relationship updates, addressed lingering issues, and cleared the air among each other.
There hasn’t been a dull moment since the contestants left the villa nearly a month ago. From viral fan edits to viewers recreating several of the season’s most jaw-dropping moments, the presence of the beloved islanders has truly been missed. In a shocking ending, the final two couples were runners up Leah Kateb and Miguel Harichi, and winners Serena Page and Kordell Beckham. Page and Beckham earned a $100K cash prize. During the reunion, the pair confirmed their relationship status is now officially “boyfriend and girlfriend.” The adorable duo captivated viewers’ hearts as millions watched their budding romance develop on screen. Despite their ups and downs, Black love prevailed.
Now, it wouldn’t be a proper reunion without drama. Expectations were high for the Love Island USA reunion, especially since several contestants admitted in post-show interviews that they had watched the season back in preparation for the taping. However, the reunion didn’t deliver on the promise that the reality stars returned to “spill it all.” It actually did quite the opposite. Between Craig and Page not receiving apologies from their male castmates about the microaggressions they faced (ahem, Connor), and Madix bypassing the significance of PPG’s (“Powerpuff Girls”, consisting of Kateb, Craig, and Page) sisterhood, viewers were robbed of what could’ve been a perfect ending to Season 6. Despite being one of the franchise’s best seasons, many fans were disappointed with the reunion.
i fear we’ve lost the plot.. serena & kordell are this seasons winners.. where is the unseen footage of them? the exchanging of the rings… the late night chats? #loveIslandusa#loveislandreunion
Even the islanders weren’t satisfied with how the reunion ended. Craig told Us Weekly in an interview that she didn’t believe the reunion “left off on a good note.”
“I don’t think we got closure from the reunion if I’m being honest,” Craig continued. “I personally don’t like the way it ended. Lots of emotion, lots of tears, lots of yelling, lots of hurt.” Although many things were left unsaid, there were key moments that the islanders did highlight.
The Final Four Couples Revealed Their Relationship Status
Since the final couples left the villa, fan speculations spread about the status of their relationships once they reentered the real world. From public appearances to participating in interviews, questions about where they stood with their partners flooded the Internet. Days before the reunion, Page and Beckham shared with supporters that they made things official. The same happened with JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez. The two confirmed their relationship status after she posted on Instagram holding a bouquet of red roses that read, “Do you want to be my girlfriend” across the assortment. While many were rooting for Craig and Rodriguez, one former islander publicly discredited their relationship. Coye Simmons, an original castmate (and one of Craig’s former love interests), was dumped from the island at the beginning of the competition. After he left, Simmons went to social media and shared his views on Craig and Rodriguez, claiming their relationship was “fake.” “I think it’s a fake relationship,” Simmons said in the video. “…She would not date him outside and in the real world. Let’s just be real.” Simmons addressed his comment at the reunion and apologized for downplaying the genuineness of their relationship.
Questions about the relationship status of the other islanders – Kateb, Harichi, Nicole Jacky, and Kendall Washington – still lingered. Each couple finally confirmed where they stood during the Love Island USA Reunion. One of the main hurdles Kateb and Harichi faced was building their relationship while on opposite sides of the world. Harichi lives in London and Kateb resides in Calabasas, California. But they didn’t let the long distance disrupt their brewing romance. Harichi told Madix that he surprised Kateb with a party for her 25th birthday in August. At her celebration, he made a special appearance and revealed at the reunion he asked Kateb to be his girlfriend on her birthday.
Nicole and Kendall Addressed The Video Leak
Fans finally received answers about where Jacky stood with Washington since his online scandal. After the reality show ended, an intimate video leaked of Washington without his consent and forced him to address the situation. In an Instagram story post, the islander wrote, “What a way to get my phone back y’all. I just want to address the content that came out from my past. That was something I shared to someone in confidence and trust.” A few weeks later, Jacky broke her silence about the situation on her Instagram story and admitted that “things have not been easy since leaving the villa.” She continued, “There’s much more to share on what has happened since coming home, and for now, I’ve been taking time to process — these are real feelings and my real life.”
Up until the reunion, Jacky remained pretty quiet about the situation. But on Monday night, she revealed that Washington lied about the incident, claiming he sent the video to someone he trusted years ago (“an ex-girlfriend”), but in reality he filmed it in his hotel room just before entering the villa and sent it to someone he met on a dating app. Jacky acknowledged that Washington didn’t deserve the humiliation and embarrassment that followed. “I was there for you,” Jacky said. “That’s why I haven’t spoken up. I haven’t said anything because it’s f—king awful what you’ve been through. But you also weren’t honest with me about it.”
Washington admitted he should have been honest with his partner but said he wasn’t ready to tell her the truth. “My life was turned upside down,” Washington said. “All I wanted to do was have you there. And that’s why I said that.” Although the two tried to move forward with their relationship, Jacky announced on Tuesday that Washington “called and ended things.”
“While I understand and respect his decision, it’s hard to process this one,” she penned on her Instagram story. “I opened up to him in the villa and still love and care for him now. I’m struggling mentally, and all I ask for is privacy during this time.”
Unseen Footage Of The Fire Pit Scene Aired
Another big moment from Season 6 was when the girls sent Andrea Carmona home despite her strong connection with Rob Rausch. After the decision, Kateb was caught in controversy. Kateb was matched with Rausch first, so the narrative depicted her as the ringleader behind Carmona’s exit as a ploy to get her relationship with Rausch back. Kateb relentlessly said that wasn’t the case, but the producers didn’t reveal the footage that supported her claims until the reunion. In the unedited version, the video proved that dumping Carmona from Fiji Island was a group decision.
In fact, the clip showed that Kateb also wasn’t pressed for Carmona to go home. However, she did expose an interesting revelation about Carmona’s intentions, which influenced the group’s final decision. “Certain things that Andrea has said to the girls have made her feel like she may or may not be here for the right reasons, as in the Love Island money,” Kateb said in the unedited clip.
The unedited fire pit scene shed light on a conversation involving Kateb, Rausch, and Olivia “Liv” Walker when Carmona was voted off the island. Kateb told Rausch that she “tried to take the backseat” because she “didn’t want to have a huge sway on it” while the girls tried to decide between sending Carmona or Jacky home.” It became a big deal when Raucsh confronted Walker “about what Kateb told him. Walker became upset with Kateb, saying she took a “backseat” in the decision. But Rausch left out Kateb saying she “tried” to take a backseat rather than saying she “took” it. Walker apologized to Kateb for not speaking with her first to clear up a clear case of miscommunication.
Kaylor Stood On Business About Aaron
Kaylor Martin and Aaron Evans’ relationship was one of the most talked about subjects of the show. Despite being one of the “strongest” connections in the villa, Evans changed the course of their relationship after sharing flirty and intimate moments in Casa Amor with another girl, former bombshell Daniela Rivera. It surprised many fans that Martin and Evans remained a couple and continued their relationship outside the villa despite the betrayal. But that all changed after Martin watched the show and saw what Evans did behind her back. More details about his wrongdoings (including his admission to putting “his hands down [Rivera’s] pants”) were revealed during the reunion, which caught Martin and their castmates off guard. Evans attempted to talk himself out of his confession, but Martin wasn’t letting him off the hook as quickly as she’d done before. Now single, she finally stood up for herself in front of Evans during the reunion.
“I’m tired of the f–cking excuses,” Martin said onstage. “Take accountability and be a f–cking man…Why do you keep f–cking lying to me? And quit love-bombing me. Literally, I cannot believe I wasted my entire f–cking summer on you, Aaron. I don’t want anything to do with you. I never want to speak to you again. You’re disgusting. And I do not deserve that.”
PPG Still Had Each Other’s Backs
In addition to the romantic connections formed, PPG’s sisterhood was a major part of this season. Yet, Madix completely glossed over the trio’s impact during the reunion. Thankfully, Craig and her four pages of “receipts” addressed the negative remarks from her castmates that were made during and after the show. Craig called out Carmona for calling Kateb “two-faced” on an “Aftersun” episode and pushed her to apologize to her bestie.
“You know what she [Leah] went through before she left,” Craig said. She went through a lot, so to call her two-faced of all people. She bit her tongue so many times…Because of your side comments, you should’ve put your own name. You know that for a fact. You can apologize now.”
“But to lie and sh–t like that, it bothers the sh–t out of a lot of people.”
After Madix asked the women what they needed to move forward, Craig’s final statement to Carmona was, “Keep Leah’s name out of your mouth.”
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The summer isn’t quite over yet, and neither are the summer sales. Just see: Reformation’s much-anticipated annual summer sale. The Refinery29 reader-favorite brand, known for its luxe sustainable clothing, recently discounted a large assortment of styles to 30% off. But now the brand has made the savings even sweeter, marking prices down to a whopping 50% off.
According to our shopping date, during last year’s Reformation summer sale, readers quickly carted up summer dresses and denim styles. So we obviously made sure to curate Reformation party dresses and jeans. And this time around, so far, readers have been copping versatile tops and matching sets to add to their wardrobe. Therefore, we included even more pieces that can serve as transitional wardrobe staples from now through fall… so you can get an even bigger bang for your buck! We also rounded up the best Reformation accessories like trendy shoes and statement handbags to complete your outfit.
But note that these final-sale items will only be marked down for a limited time (or while supplies last), so be sure to fill your virtual shopping carts and get to saving ASAP.
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Reformation Summer Sale Dresses
Still looking to add one or two more summer dresses to your wardrobe for last-minute getaways, remaining hot-weather weddings, or anything in between? Well, Reformation has many dresses on sale for all of those occasions — and more. Many of them are linen dresses in mini, midi, and maxi lengths as well as milkmaid dresses, which all make for especially great options as the weather teeters between warm and chilly in the fall.
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Reformation Summer Sale Denim
Reformation has several denim styles in select washes on sale right now. Celebrate the rest of summer with not-so-basic jorts or a chic denim skirt. And prepare for the fall with a new pair of wide-leg jeans that will continue to be the silhouette of the season or a dressy denim jumpsuit in place of standard overalls.
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Reformation Summer Sale Tops & Sweaters
There is no better time to stock up on everyday tops with elevated details, like a structured corset, open-back top, or shimmery long-sleeve tee. It’s also time to prepare for the cooler weather and curate your cardi collection. Luckily, Reformation has tons of knits on sale right now that can be worn on their own or layered over your other Reformation tops.
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Reformation Summer Sale Sets
We love matching sets — a core “European Summer” trend — because they can be worn together or as separates, making them super versatile. Currently, we’re eyeing Reformation’s skirt sets in fabrics ranging from lightweight linen to heavier cashmere and trendy gingham or denim. Style the crop tops for the rest of summer and save the skirts to wear year-round.
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Reformation Summer Sale Shoes & Handbags
The cherry on top of any summer or fall outfit is the accessories. In this case, you can style your looks with discounted leather handbags (think: chic crossbody bags and spacious bucket bags) and summer-to-fall shoes (ballet flats, kitten heels, and wedding guest shoes).
The tragic murder of three children — Alice Dasilva Aguiar, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Bebe King, — in the Southport stabbing attack should have been a moment of quiet reflection and unequivocal support for the grieving families who have suffered an unimaginable loss. Within less than 24 hours, their deaths had been exploited by far right groups spreading false information that the killer was a Muslim migrant in order to enact shocking levels of street violence, resulting in racist riots targeting Muslims and increasingly anyone of color. A quick snapshot of the violence is terrifying: a South Asian man was punched in the face in broad daylight as onlookers laughed and called him racial slurs, Mosques had bricks thrown at them, local resident’s houses had windows and doors smashed. A hotel housing asylum seekers in Tamworth was partially burned down, as the arsonists cheered. Nigerian student and care worker Brendan came back from his 12-hour shift to find his car had become a smoking wreckage. The trauma of it brought him to tears.
These stories sound like tales plucked from our parents or grandparents memories, but in 2024 we find ourselves still fighting the same fight. The stark reality for people of color — especially Muslims — has been spending the last several days warning each other not to leave the house, avoiding certain areas, or reconsidering whether to wear certain religious clothing in public. Those living in communities with low levels of racial diversity have been particularly vulnerable. So how has the far right become such a material threat in the UK, and what does the future of organizing against it look like?
The stark reality for people of color — especially Muslims — has been spending the last several days warning each other not to leave the house, avoiding certain areas, or reconsidering whether to wear certain religious clothing in public.
banseka kayembe
The past week has shown a worrying structural collusion between the state, traditional media, social media billionaires and hate influencers working symbiotically to dismiss, downplay or completely reframe this fascist violence, in a way that only stokes the flames of division and provides fertile ground for the far right to drip dangerous ideology to the wider public. Firstly, any lingering hopes that the UK state would respond well to these clear acts of racism and Islamophobia were extinguished in the days after the attacks began. The government avoided explicitly calling it “Islamophobia” for several days, choosing to lean heavily into police state language like “thuggery” without making it clear that the violence had racist motivations. Accurate terms such as “race riots”, “domestic terrorism” or “pogroms” have been rarely used within mainstream political discourse.
Other politicians and commentariat have gone to more explicit extremes, laundering fascistic behaviour by framing it as an inevitable backlash motivated by “legitimate” concerns about immigration and normalising Islamophobia. MP Robert Jenrick who is currently standing to be the next leader of the Conservative party told Sky News that shouting “Allahu Akhbar” should be an arrestable offence. MP Nigel Farage, a leading darling of the radical right eschewed himself from the violence, but peddled a baseless far right conspiracy theory that policing is much softer on anti-fascists, BLM or ethnic minorities in general. During the general election he questioned if some young Muslims shared “British values”.
It’s of course much harder for this political framework to become legitimised if not aided and abetted by mainstream media. The fight between racists and antiracists has been described as clashes, an unsubtle implication that this is a war of equals with both sides having legitimate concerns. Muslim MP Zarah Sultana was patronized on Good Morning Britain for saying naming the attacks as Islamophobic was important. A jaw dropping clip of the BBC shows one of their reporters calling racist rioters “pro-British protests” positing antiracists by definition as “anti-British”. As Toni Morrison said “oppressive language does more than represent violence; it is violence”. Language matters.
These acts of solidarity are not just symbolic; they are essential to the resilience of our movement. When our communities unite across lines of faith, ethnicity, and different backgrounds, we become a powerful force that can withstand and push back against hate.
The Advocacy Academy
Finally, the normalization within establishment channels of Islamophobia, racism and anti-migrant sentiments has facilitated rampant disinformation online, which has been seemingly encouraged by X owner Elon Musk. He tweeted “civil war is inevitable” in response to the race riots. Under the guise of free speech, he’s allowed Tommy Robinson, a key far right instigator back onto his platform. Misogynistic influencer Andrew Tate spread racist false information about the Southport murders, referring to migrants as “invaders”. Perversely, social media has also been the only place people of color can get some up to date information about where might be unsafe to go, with mainstream media and government failing to provide much practical guidance. Simply divesting from the poison online has been much more complex for racialized people. We are reliant on the very tools which are also putting us in danger.
This violence has a long history, with the far right having been mainstreamed in the UK for decades, from the top. From New Labour’s harsh asylum seeker policies, to David Cameron pledging to cut immigration down to the tens of thousands, former Home Secretary Theresa May launching mobile vans telling illegal migrants to “go home”, to initiatives by the last government to send migrants to Rwanda, there is a general consensus across most of the major political parties that migration is a significant problem. Rather than challenging that xenophobic ideology, many policy makers kowtow to it, helping to shift the political dial more to the right. This against the backdrop of economic austerity for fifteen years has fed the narrative that British white people are poorer because of racialised migrants, rather than because so much wealth is accumulating with the richest at the expense of everyone else. A recent example was the MP for Tamworth who called for her constituency to “have our hotel back” from asylum seekers just days before it was set alight. There is no excuse for the violence we’ve seen, but there’s no doubt economic austerity, twinned with scapegoating migrants has created a racial tinderbox ready to explode. It’s not rational to explain a man chasing a Muslim family with a hedge trimmer as someone not radicalized by racism, but a normal citizen simply concerned about “the numbers” of people coming here.
The threat of visceral material violence takes a huge toll on those it’s targeted at. Muslim women’s clothing has become symbolic of a “failure to integrate” or a sign of imminent danger to the public. They are not afforded the same vulnerabilities as white women; instead, they are viewed as a fair target for violent right wing men. Some Muslim women have had to rethink whether they should wear a scarf or hijab in public. Black and brown people, especially in more rural and suburban areas, are now operating with a level of hyper vigilance, having a justified paranoia that violence could descend on them at any time. Working class people of color, unable to choose to work from home were particularly vulnerable to street violence. Group chats are flooded with warnings to stay safe. A small minority of non-Muslims of color have suggested “this is not our fight”, failing to understand that the demonization of Muslims and asylum seekers is integral to white supremacy which harms all racialized communities. A threat to any of us is a threat to all of us. The question on many minds now is: “how safe am I here?” The bonds of belonging now feel frighteningly fragile, and things could get worse.
Amongst the devastation, there are small threads of hope. A representative from The Advocacy Academy, a UK based organization supporting young people to build their collective power and drive change in their communities and beyond, told Unbothered UK that “the history of anti-racist organizing teaches us that challenging the far right and fascism requires sustained, grassroots mobilization and the building of broad coalitions.” The benefits of looking to history for a blueprint to the challenges of today cannot be overstated. “The Black Power movement of the 1960s and 1970s, exemplified by organizations such as the Black Panther Party and the UK’s Black Unity and Freedom Party, demonstrated that a collective struggle is necessary. Their tactics included direct action, protests, and community education. The anti-fascist movements of the 1980s, like the Anti-Nazi League, successfully countered the National Front through large-scale demonstrations and grassroots organizing”. This week we saw a glimmer of this, with large scale antiracist counter protests taking place across the UK at locations rumoured to be a target of the far right.
The concept of the UK being “home” now feels much more tenuous when there are groups screaming that we don’t belong, but we aren’t going anywhere.
BANSEKA KAYEMBE
It’s also important to understand what has changed, namely the digital threats from fascism and new opportunities for coalition building. “We must continue to innovate—whether by leveraging our digital platforms, forming unexpected but crucial alliances, or finding new creative ways to challenge these oppressive systems… while staying grounded in grassroots action”. This includes using social media to spread practical information, blurring faces in photos or videos when posting about counter-protests, or using more private online channels to organize. The work of building movements of solidarity can be a messy, difficult business as friction emerges between different groups with different lived experiences and ideas about how to organize; but it’s a necessary process.
For people of color, the concept of the UK being “home” now feels much more tenuous when there are groups screaming that we don’t belong, but we aren’t going anywhere. It’s impossible to have blind faith in institutions to protect us, but faith in people is still possible. Advocacy Academy told us that “we have seen our communities come together to clean, rebuild, and support one another.” There is a beautiful activism in those who do such vital manual labour. “These acts of solidarity are not just symbolic; they are essential to the resilience of our movement. When our communities unite across lines of faith, ethnicity, and different backgrounds, we become a powerful force that can withstand and push back against hate.” We come from many cultures and backgrounds but this is our home. And we are prepared to fight for it.
This story was originally published in Unbothered’s UK edition.
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As Love Is Blind UK approaches this weekend’s season finale on Netflix, the question of whether Black women should participate in these kinds of programs persists. Historically, Black women have been receiving the short end of the stick on British reality dating shows for decades. From Take Me Out to Love Island, Black women must often contend with the possibility of being considered second-best compared to their lighter and/or whiter counterparts, even if this does not reflect the realities experienced in their personal lives. Despite “always having suitors” in her day-to-day life, ex-Take Me Out star Zoe Unankah, for instance, shared concerns about being perceived as undesirable due to her race as a contestant: “There were times when people came down the love lift, and I thought, ‘They’re probably not into Black girls,” and that’s something that I’ve had to deal with when other girls on the show didn’t have to deal with that thought.” With the premise of the Love Is Blind franchise based on removing appearance-based discrimination during each potential couple’s first encounters, are Black women finally getting a fair shot at finding love?
Love Is Blind UK: Nicole, Sam & Benaiah
In series one of the UK edition, we follow brand and marketing head Nicole, 29, and her love triangle between product design manager Sam, 31, and structural landscaper Benaiah, 33. The visual dynamic of two men fighting for a Black woman’s affections to an audience of millions is a relative rarity within the British reality TV world. With Black British women’s journeys on these programs overwhelmingly shaped by Black and mixed-race men — not a single Black woman on Love Island UK has left partnered with a man not of Black heritage, for example — this interchange proves even more uncommon.
Of course, we can reference dating statistics to further understand this idea. Both Black women and men are routinely reported to receive fewer matches on dating sites compared to their non-Black counterparts, with the now infamous 2014 OkCupid data on racial preferences revealing that Black women, Black men, and Asian men face the most negative bias. All of these groups, particularly Black women and Asian men have habitually been deprioritized in favor of contestants representing other demographics in British reality TV dating. This year’s only Asian male (and contestant) on Love Island, Munveer Jabbal, failed to find love and exited the villa in just the second week, for example. Online dating researcher Giulia Ranzini argues that this type of selection bias in favor of whiter and lighter people in image-focused environments is informed by an emphasis on race. In situations that lack the same social cues that influence attraction in the real world, potential suitors may revert to stereotypes to fill in knowledge gaps. We saw this phenomenon unfold in Love Island’s original format, where pairing solely based on appearance disadvantages Black women. Despite being as attractive as, or arguably more attractive than, non-Black women on the show, they must also navigate racial prejudices that other Islanders either don’t face or encounter to a lesser degree. How “laid” a Black female contestant’s wig or weave is — often worn to assimilate to the beauty standard of straight or loosely curled hair — dominates much of the discourse surrounding specifically Black women on the show, for example.
On Love Is Blind, the starting barrier of looks is removed, allowing people who may not have closely interacted in alternative scenarios to find each other. With that being said, race typically informs culture and the challenges associated with these factors still often eventually arise…
Though this process has been replaced with a public vote to decide initial pairings, similar sentiments crop up, with the white and of color Islanders never being matched together — almost as though it’s a “forbidden pairing”. On Love Is Blind, the starting barrier of looks is removed, allowing people who may not have closely interacted in alternative scenarios to find each other. With that being said, race typically informs culture, and the challenges associated with these factors still often eventually arise once the couples spend time together without the dividing screen. Quoting Sam’s reaction to first seeing Nicole, one viewer wrote on Twitter, “Sam was NOT expecting Nicole to be Black. ‘I don’t care what anyone else thinks, to me she’s freaking gorgeous.’” Although a seemingly benign comment, those familiar with how Black women are often perceived and received on dating shows may interpret Sam’s reaction as implying surprise or even suggesting that others might not find Nicole attractive due to her race. Additionally, PR and advertising consultant Tom, 38, and makeup artist Maria, 30, faced a culture clash that, although hinted at during the blind dating phase, has become more and more apparent as the series progresses. Coming from a Muslim, Moroccan background, Maria indicates on several occasions that she would like a “traditional” setup, with her husband being the “provider”. These values counteract Tom’s Western ideal of a relationship where both partners work and contribute significantly financially to the household.
Black British women are increasingly having more complex narratives on reality TV dating shows that diverge from the “single Black female” and “Black best friend” tropes.
Ultimately, both couples fail to end in marriage, with Nicole returning to her connection with Benaiah (who she eventually married) and Tom saying no to Maria at the altar. These outcomes mirror the dynamics frequently seen in the US series. For example, viewers of season three noted multiple instances of microaggressions from Cole, who is white, towards Zanab, who is South Asian, concluding that Cole was not expecting Zanab to be a woman of color, and this leading to a breakdown in their relationship once they could both see each other. Comments from Cole towards Zanab, like “You look different from anyone I’ve dated” and “I wouldn’t normally go after girls like you,” though much more blunt than Sam’s, can be interpreted to echo the same sentiments of shock, unfamiliarity, and even disappointment.
Love Is Blind UK: Demi & Ollie
Though love is not truly as blind as the show’s title suggests, and race and culture continue to be factors affecting compatibility even when physical appearances are de-emphasized, this focus can still play out positively. Speaking on the relationship between software salesman Ollie, 33, and safeguarding and attendance manager Demi, 30, one Twitter user said, “Watching Love is Blind UK and I realized that the Black people always se[em] to find each other.” Although not ending in marriage, the trials and tribulations of their love story have kept Black viewers engaged throughout the series, helping audiences of color connect through community in-jokes, which we also see regarding Black and mixed-race couples on Love Island. In turn, Love Island history was made on 29th July, with Mimi Ngulube and Josh Oyinsan becoming the first Black couple and first Black individual contestants to win the UK series. The pair joined Love Island USA’s Serena Page and Kordell Beckham, who were crowned winners on 21st July, and Love Island Malta’s Clinton King and Tamika Ross, who won on 31st June, making the victory a Black Twitter clean sweep.
Overall, Black British women are having increasingly more complex narratives on reality TV dating shows that diverge from the “single Black female” and “Black best friend” tropes. This year, both Nicole and Mimi got their fairytale endings, an outcome that could not have prevailed without the Black women that came before them, but their rides there have not been without a few potholes. The diverse obstacles faced by Black women in this arena illustrate a slow but crucial evolution in how Black women in the mainstream are perceived and portrayed regarding love and desirability.
This article was originally published on Unbothered UK
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As we bid farewell to the sweaty chaos of summer, it’s time to dive headfirst into 2024’s best fall fashion trends. The runways from New York to Paris have served up a lineup that’s as distinctive as it is wearable — think: everything from dainty to downright daring. This season is all about finding those standout pieces that make you feel effortlessly stylish, whether you’re channeling your inner trendsetter or indulging in a bit of nostalgia.
So, what’s on the fashion menu? Picture buttery, soft shades of yellow bringing a little sunshine into those inevitable gray autumn days. Or, if you’re more about making a statement, asymmetrical angles and draped silhouettes are ready to snag you compliments from every direction. And let’s not forget the revival of prep-school cool — only this time, it’s got a rebellious streak that’s anything but uniform.
For those who live for a tactile experience, this season’s textural trends will have you reaching out to touch everything from fluffy trims to plush knits. And if you’re all about that high-femme drama, the season’s curved silhouettes are here to give your wardrobe a feminine edge that’s both polished and powerful. As for those clinging to girlhood vibes? Good news: bows, ruffles, and rosettes are sticking around, but with a cold-weather twist that’s far from saccharine.
But that’s just the start. Get ready for full skirts that are anything but basic, dark denim with major ’90s energy, and the kind of sexy, subversive pieces that will have you turning heads for all the right reasons. Ahead, we’re breaking down all the must-know trends for fall 2024, so you can shop them now.
Fall 2024 Trend: Mellow Yellow
Just when you thought fall was all about cozy neutrals and rich, moody tones, along comes pale yellow to shake things up. This unexpectedly delightful hue is here to brighten your wardrobe in the most charming way possible. See: soft, buttery tones and banana accents that are as refreshing as they are stylish, offering a welcome break from the deep burgundies and earthy browns we’ve come to expect (and love) this season. Whether it’s a tailored trench, a chic sweater, or a flowy evening dress, these shades are proving that fall doesn’t have to be all about playing it safe.
Fall 2024 Trend: Angling For Compliments
Tired of your wardrobe being as predictable as your morning coffee order the minute the temperatures dip down? Enter asymmetry, where every angle is designed to keep people guessing — and complimenting. Whether it’s fluid draping or sharp, spliced tailoring, this trend is all about unexpected angles.
Fall 2024 Trend: Back-to-School
Even if you’re a fully-fledged adult gearing up for your 20-year college reunion, you never stop feeling nostalgic for the days of back-to-school shopping. This season, this trend manifests in sharp staples like shirting and oversized blazers that scoff at uniform vibes, letterman jackets, and bold plaids that say, “Detention? I think not.” And let’s talk about the cutesy polo knits — spotted everywhere, from the streets of NYFW to the runways in Copenhagen. These are the perfect (and easy) entry point into the trend, combining preppy with just enough drama to make them anything but basic.
Fall 2024 Trend: Personal Touch
This fall, fashion is feeling touchy-feely, and we’re here for it. Fluffy trims, shaggy coats, and plush knits are basically begging to be caressed. Even fall dresses are getting in on the texture game, making your wardrobe a sensory playground. If you’ve ever wanted your outfit to double as a conversation starter, this is your moment.
Fall 2024 Trend: Security Blanket
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 08: A model walks the runway during the Christian Siriano Fall/Winter 2024 Fashion Show at The Plaza Hotel on February 08, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images for Christian Siriano)
This season, it’s all about outerwear that’s as easygoing as your weekend plans (read: effortless but still on point). Picture soft cape and scarf silhouettes that you can casually toss over one shoulder. Or shawls that feel like a cozy hug. Plus, unstructured wool that makes you look pulled together without even trying. It’s comfort meets style in the best possible way. Honestly, why bother with stiff fabrics when you can look and feel like you’re wrapped in your favorite blanket?
Fall 2024 Trend: Curves Of Your Body
Fall 2024 is all about curves — not just yours, but those of your clothes. From rounded shoulders to nipped waists, these high-femme silhouettes are designed to flaunt every angle and make a statement. Whether you’re drawn to polished suiting that hugs your figure in all the right places or edgy, armor-inspired dresses that add a fierce twist to your wardrobe, these pieces are all about power dressing with a feminine touch.
Fall 2024 Trend: Girly Girls
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Forget the frills of your childhood — this season’s bows, ruffles, and rosettes have evolved into something entirely new. Ranging from ultra-sweet femininity to a near bad-girls-club edge, these details have been reimagined with a sharp, modern twist. A bow tied around the waist of a cream tweed suit at Chanel and a fully ribbon-adorned pink shift dress at Prada show that these accents are more than darling — they’re striking. On the dark romance end of the spectrum, black, sheer, and lace skin-baring iterations deliver charm without the nauseating sweetness, adding just the right amount of attitude. Even bubble hems play into this look for a whimsically nostalgic take.
Fall 2024 Trend: Clear Eyes, Full Skirts, Can’t Loose
LUAR, Fall 2024, New York City, February 13, 2024
Full, voluminous skirts are making a grand, sweeping return. Picture knee- to tea-length shapes billowing gracefully as they take over the runways: Marc Jacobs’ dramatic pleats that ripple with every step, Valentino’s sleek, ultra-minimalist creations that exude quiet luxury, and Dries Van Noten’s richly detailed designs that invite a closer look with their intricate textures. As fashion shifts towards a more polished and dressier direction, these skirts are your ticket to elevating your wardrobe with a touch of runway-inspired elegance that’s as captivating in motion as it is standing still.
Fall 2024 Trend: Fully Inked
This season’s denim is taking a darker turn this season, with deep, inky blue hues dominating the runways. From McQueen by Seán McGirr’s ultra-slim flares to Miu Miu’s low-rise skinnies and Bally’s sleek maxi skirt, it’s clear that the moodier the denim, the more impactful the look. This trend is all about turning up the intensity and attitude of your denim, with a nostalgic twist.
Fall 2024 Trend: Get One’s Pulse Racing
Ready to turn up the heat? This trend is all about sexy, subversive pieces that blur the line between lingerie and going-out wear. From lace-up details to sheer fabrics, these looks are designed to make hearts race. But don’t worry, you can dial it up or down depending on your mood — take Michael Kors’ see-through lace skirt, paired with a chunky knit, or Tory Burch’s curved skirt set with a subtle peekaboo lace bust. Either way, you’re bound to turn heads.
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When you watch Pachinko, it’s immediately clear that you’ve come across something special. Adapted from Min Jin Lee’s acclaimed novel of the same name, the sweeping multilingual drama is set across multiple timelines that follow four generations of a Korean family who immigrate to Japan while their home country is under colonial rule in the early 20th century. The story is fictional, but I wouldn’t blame you if you got so caught up in the tale that you forgot that it wasn’t. At the same time, there is also something almost universal about the series. It’s grounded in a history that Korean families around the world deeply understand, yet you don’t have to be Korean (or even an immigrant) to find something in the show to relate to on some level.
That’s because, at its core, Pachinko is about survival — and not just survival, but finding a way to thrive regardless of the circumstances. In Season 2, which begins streaming weekly on Apple TV+ on August 23, it’s a theme that becomes even more central to the show’s identity. As Sunja (played by Minha Kim as a young woman in earlier timelines and in the 1980s by Oscar winner Youn Yuh-jung) builds a life for her and her family in spite of the extreme discrimination leveled at Korean immigrants in Japan while facing the challenges of World War II, each character is given the room and grace to come into their own. As they do, one thing becomes clear: “thriving” means something different for everyone.
“It’s [an issue] that really does define the heart and soul of our show,” showrunner Soo Hugh tells Refinery29. “We always try to make a distinction between what survival is and what it means to endure. I know that those two words feel like they’ve very similar, but we always thought in the writers’ room that there was a difference. Survival is just about your basic needs — whether you have food to put on the table, whether you have enough oxygen to breathe. It seems that when you say, ‘she endured,’ there’s also a moral clause to it, which I thought was really important to Sunja’s character.”
Sunja is driven by one thing: protecting and providing for her family, something that is especially evident in the 1940s timeline as her two sons enter their adolescent years. Her sense of right or wrong is dictated by her motherhood and whether something will ultimately benefit her children. For her, that may mean defying gender norms by selling food to make a living while her husband is imprisoned (going against her brother-in-law’s wishes), or taking a risk by offering goods at the black market. Even when it seems like she’s considering going after something for herself — say, finding romance — she always stops herself when she remembers her kids and her dreams for them.
“My mother always told me when I was little: ‘Without you, I cannot live.’ Back then I couldn’t understand it — why wasn’t she living her own life? But I realized that living for me, surviving for me, is her life,” says star Minha Kim, adding that her character, Sunja, is very much the same way. “Sunja doesn’t think she has sacrificed things — it’s just her life, it’s natural for her to do these things, and she’s happy to do it. Making [her] sons dreams come true is also making [her] dreams come true. That’s where she gets confidence and joy.”
While Sunja’s idea of thriving — or enduring, as showrunner Hugh emphasizes — crystalizes from the moment she learns she is pregnant in Season 1, other characters are still trying to figure out what a full life looks like to them. Sunja’s brother-in-law is away from the family for work, allowing her sister-in-law, Kyunghee (Jung Eun-chae), to think about her identity as an individual. Sunja’s oldest son, Noa, attempts to define what his goals are beyond the expectations of the adults in his life, while her youngest, Mozasu, searches for a way out of his brother’s brilliant shadow.
Then there’s Koh Hansu (Lee Min-ho), Sunja’s first love who is also secretly Noa’s father. The only way Hansu can possibly conceive of thriving is through access to money, power and influence — things he wants so desperately that he suppresses his Korean identity, even as his Japanese colleagues treat him as less than because of where he is from. But there are few lines he won’t cross, resorting to fear and violence to gain more power. “Hansu is a character who wants more and more as he achieves more and more. In that sense, I feel sorry for him — as he achieves more, he feels emptier … so ultimately he has no choice but to pursue [it further],” Lee tells Refinery29 through an interpreter. “I personally believe that, in the end, Hansu will be confined by his own way of survival and the limitations of the time.”
The quest to thrive continues throughout each generation of Sunja’s family. In the ’80s, her grandson, Solomon (Jin Ha), flounders as he chases his version of thriving, seeking success in his career while disregarding personal relationships. Working in the finance world, he, like Hansu in some ways, is defined by his work and his access to wealth — something his grandmother doesn’t quite approve of, but won’t interfere with. Still, the more he continues down this path, the further it seems like he gets from actually thriving. “Hansu says, ‘Always look forward,’ and that seems to be [Solomon’s] motto. I think that’s such a strong and powerful way to survive and endure — maybe more survive than endure,” Ha says, explaining that all his character has ever heard in his life was that his family wants him to find success. “What’s interesting about that mentality — which is so well intended — is that it actually creates a disconnect and divide between Solomon and his past, which then leaves him incredibly untethered and with this feeling of ‘Who am I? Where do I belong?’”
Part of what makes Pachinko one of the best shows on TV is that it doesn’t pretend to have answers to any of these quandaries. Just as each character has to figure things out for themselves, so too do we the viewer. Is thriving driven by ambition and a successful career? Is it living for your loved ones? Something entirely different? They’re questions everyone can relate to and will ask themselves at some point, and Pachinko understands that inherently.
It’s something the cast grapples with in their own lives as well. “Thriving is such an aggressive word — it’s so active,” Ha says. “I suppose the place I’m at in my life at the moment feels very present. What’s most important to me is the day to day. When I was a young man, I had so much drive for whatever goal or thing that might be attained, and [now] I feel almost none of that now. I feel deeply grateful for what I’m able to do and the life that I have at the moment. Outside of that, I don’t really know what else there is. I’m happy right now. I’m peaceful, I’m content.”
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Thanks to some stellar weather, a summer full of sports (from the 2024 Olympics to the US Open), the rise of run clubs, and one new sneaker collaboration, it’s no wonder we feel like moving our bodies more. Free People’s activewear brand, FP Movement, which we know and love for its performance-ready and fashion-forward activewear, is teaming up with the on-trend sneaker brand: On. And we couldn’t be more excited to slip them on.
“Rooted in a shared mission to support fitness and wellness for all, FP Movement and On are proud to announce a two-style footwear collaboration designed to encourage their communities to discover just how simple and freeing it can be to make movement a regular part of everyday life,” reads the press release.
“This project was our chance to bring [FP Movement’s] perspective on color and graphic that is completely different to On’s, while maintaining the innovation, sensation, and performance that everyone expects from an On product,” says Max Smith, global commercial lead of special projects at On.
Both the Cloudmonster (a running sneaker) and Cloudnova Form 2 (a lifestyle sneaker) feature an exclusive floral-printed insole, FP Movement’s signature neon pops of color (this time in 2024’s hottest color: red), and both brands’ logos.
“As FP Movement continues to expand into the run category, we are thrilled to have the incredible opportunity to collaborate with the experts at On to create exclusive versions of two of our favorite On styles,” says Courtney Weis, managing director of brand marketing at FP Movement.
Whether you’re looking to take a run in the springy-soled and rocker-shaped Cloudmonster sneaker or take on your daily errands and walks in the sleek and stabilizing Cloudnova Form 2 sneaker, these FP Movement x On styles will motivate you to move, while looking stylish.
The FP Movement x On collaboration is available exclusively at FPMovement.com and in select FP Movement store locations in the US.
