Sporting white trainers fresh from the box may feel like a dangerous endeavor, but keeping a new pair pristine is an impossible dream. (Besides, any good sneaker will look way better scuffed up and bearing the battle scars of its adventures.) Our advice? Don’t fear the (white) sneaker — just click through to see all the pale-hued “tennies” we love, along with our picks across every category.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team, but if you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
The White Platform Sneaker
Part hiking boot, part raver attire, and entirely on-trend, the foot-swallowing chunky platform sneaker is quickly becoming a must-have. For style-conscious urban trekkers whose footwear must withstand both schlep-heavy day jobs followed by late-night warehouse dance parties, this trainer is the perfect combination of form and function.
Pretty Little Thing White Triple Sole Cleated Chunky Sneakers, $, available at Pretty Little Thing
& Other Stories Platform Leather Sneakers, $, available at & Other Stories
Superga 2790 Sneaker with Outsole Lettering, $, available at Superga
The Athletic White Sneaker
Bro: do you even lift… in white sneakers? If your gym look or running ‘fit feels incomplete without a pair of snow-colored kicks, check out one of these high-performance and workout-friendly pairs. They are called trainers, after all.
PUMA Prowl Alt Sweet Women’s Training Shoes Women Shoe T, $, available at eBay
Adidas Edge Lux 3 Running Shoe, $, available at Amazon
If you can’t deal with a single bell or whistle on your footwear, may we suggest the white slip-on sneaker? As a foot-cover lacking in frippery, it’s traditionally favored by skateboarding enthusiasts that require a sleek silhouette to prevent trips-up. However, as these things do, the style has seeped into everyday wear, and it’s now a must-have for weekend outings, travel, and if you’re lucky, the office.
Keds Double Decker Floral Eyelet, $, available at Keds
Vans Vans Unisex Classic Slip-On Skate Shoe, $, available at Vans
Ugg Bren Slip-On Sneaker, $, available at Nordstrom
The Classic White Sneaker
If you’re going to wear a classic color like white, you may want to choose an equally classic style — something recognizable from grainy pop-culture images circa 1987 (or, in the case of Chuck Taylors, 1917). This is a tremendously difficult category to narrow down, as the last few decades have seen scores of iconic styles from all around the globe. So consider this an edited sampling of some of our favorite throwback styles that are still very much of the moment.
Converse Chuck Taylor® All Star® Leather Hi Top, $, available at Zappos
Nike Women's Shoe Nike Classic Cortez, $, available at Nike
Reebok Classic Leather Sneaker, $, available at Nordstrom
With a low-cut ankle, a rounded toe, and pin-straight laces lined up in neat little rows, the “minimal” sneaker is favored by the fashion types that globe-trot among capitals of hipness like New York, Copenhagen, Paris, and Tokyo. Choose this style for your next gallery opening or natural wine tasting.
Need Supply Esplar Leather Sneaker in Extra White, $, available at VEJA
Cole Haan GrandPrø Tennis Sneaker, $, available at Cole Haan
The Designer White Sneaker
With sneakers fully part of the fashion canon, designer brands big and small are applying their unique point of views to the category. Whether it’s an eco-forward trainer almost entirely free of virgin plastic or a logo-ed Scarpa da tennis from a red-hot Italian heritage brand, fashion sneakers have never been more footloose or fancy-free.
In our seriesSalary Stories, women with long-term career experience open up about the most intimate details of their jobs: compensation. It’s an honest look at how real people navigate the complicated world of negotiating, raises, promotions, and job loss, with the hope it will give young women more insight into how to advocate for themselves — and maybe take a few risks along the way.
Been in the workforce for at least eight years and interested in contributing your salary story?Submit your information here.
Age: 43 Current Location: New York, NY Current Industry & Title: Human Resources, Founder/CEO Starting Salary: $28,000 Current Salary: $0 Number Of Years Employed: 22 (I’ve held a job since I was 13, so technically 30 years.) Biggest Salary Jump: $60,000 (from $150,000 to $210,000) in 2016 Biggest Salary Drop: $144,800 (from $150,000 to $100/week) in 2009
Biggest Salary Negotiation Regret: "I’m proud that I’ve always advocated for myself and was prepared for salary reviews. If I have any regrets, it was leaving companies when I was about to get equity. I wish I’d pushed for the paperwork to happen sooner.”
Best Salary-Related Advice: "Be confident talking about money. Inevitably, compensation will come up in job interviews, and you should be ready to talk about what you are looking for. You are not determining your salary in the first conversation, you are making sure that there is alignment on budgets. Speaking in ranges shows that you understand that salaries fluctuate between companies. There is always flexibility on budgets when a company loves a candidate. Focus on making them want you and nailing the courtship process.”
Britta Larsen is an HR expert whose mission is to make ‘work’ work better by improving the employee journey — candidate through alumni. As a thought leader in the areas of people, operations and wellness, she’s frequently turning assumptions about HR on their head — while believing deeply in HR as a tool for positive change. Her independent practice, It’s Britta HR, helps founder-led organizations strengthen their employer brand experience through HR strategies and counsel.
“I moved to NYC from Boston on a Monday and started temping on Tuesday. I was 21 and had at least one (but up to five) jobs since I was 13 years old. Within a couple weeks of temping, they offered me a full-time role. I accepted as I wanted experience, a steady paycheck, and benefits.
"But...I had moved to the Big Apple to get into fashion. I read Women's Wear Daily every day and spent a fair amount of my time at work sending out hard copies of my résumé in response to every ad I saw for a position in fashion (with a cover letter on ivory card stock via snail mail — it was 1997).”“I got a job in fashion in under a year of being in NYC! I took a pay cut, but I didn’t care. I would have paid them to work there! I was thrilled, and within three weeks was promoted from receptionist to showroom assistant.
"I think I was the happiest/best receptionist any company had seen. I greeted every guest like they were Anna Wintour, and I thought the young buyers from Bloomingdale’s and Barneys were C-suite level (they were probably only a year or two older than me). Sample sales filled me with pure joy (and ate up all my salary).
"I pretended I was Melanie Griffith in Working Girl — a movie I was obsessed with, as I had dreamt about moving/working in NYC. I can still hear the theme song and see the Staten Island Ferry making its way to lower Manhattan: 'Let the river run... We're coming to the edge... Running on the water... Coming through the fog…’
"But wow, I wasn’t prepared for the mean PR girls. I had no idea work bullying was a thing. But the difference between grade school and work was this: Hard work would always win. I could work my butt off and outpace them. Plus, I was living my dream (literally) on Fashion Avenue and walking through iconic Times Square on my daily commute.”“A résumé I had sent via snail mail two years before had been hanging out in an HR file cabinet, and I got a call from a MAJOR fashion house. When asked on the interview if I was interested in PR or creative services, I quickly said creative services. I had no idea what it meant, I just knew I didn’t want to work with the PR girls.
"I can joke now because I now know many PR girls I love — and I have to also thank the ones who bullied me. Without them I would have never landed in creative services — the perfect job for my social skills, my OCD, and my drive.
"I trafficked over 2,000 advertising and marketing projects a year for a female-founded brand. I went to fashion shows, opened up retail stores on Madison Avenue, typeset press releases, and made sure ads for Vogue had the logo in the right place (bottom left corner for left-hand pages). I worked crazy hours and loved every second of it.
"And I adored my team — every unbelievably talented creative, producer, media, and marketing person I worked with. I would end up working with this team for the next ten years, and it would be the job that had the most influence on the woman, leader, and person I am to date.”“My first promotion and salary bump was a couple months after I joined, and it was a fight. My direct boss was let go for poor performance (potentially as a result of my performance and ability to route more projects in a day than he could in a week). They didn’t replace him and wanted me to take over his responsibilities. I assumed that taking over his work would also mean taking over his title and compensation. I was wrong.
"I was making under $30K, and he’d been making over $60K. When they offered me just a few thousand dollars more, I was upset. I didn’t understand the politics and process of a 500+ employee company — one that can’t just give $30K increases to every 22-year-old who outworks their 27-year-old boss.
"Ultimately, I would be promoted one or two times each year between 1999 and 2002, increasing my salary from $28,000 to $65,000. I would learn a lot from those years of NOT getting the money or title as quickly as I thought I should. It would teach me a ton about proving/presenting my contributions to the work, the people, and the bottom line of P&L.
"I would also respect that exposure, responsibility, and training/development were just as important (if not more important in the long run) than money and title. I was invited on photo shoots, to fashion shows, and into high-level meetings (places I had no place being). I was also given bigger projects and sent to every class that the HR team had to offer in their development program. I would unconsciously be highly influenced by that strong HR team, and by the lessons I learned from not quickly getting the money in my direct deposit (I am not even sure if they had that then :).”
“It wouldn’t take long for all that hard work to pay off, literally. Just three years later, in 2002, I had THE big opportunity of my career (and it included a huge pay leap from $65,000 to $100,000).
"The head of our in-house creative department had decided to launch his own advertising agency. As part of the deal with the fashion house we both worked for, he was taking some key employees with him (the company we’d both worked for was now a client).
"He offered me the role of heading up creative services. Peers who were my friends became direct reports in an instant. These were people I’d had many a late night grinding out work with AND many a late night grinding at the clubs with — #awkward. I was now peers with other department heads much older than me.
"We set up shop in less than a week — something I now see as insanely remarkable. We were winging it, but it worked. I knew it was a BIG DEAL, but I also didn’t — because I was 26. I understand how people suffer from imposter syndrome, but I just didn’t have time. I was too busy managing a whole department, flying solo on client business trips, and making shit happen. It was thrilling.”
“Ten years to the month after moving to the Big Apple and my first EA job supporting a VP of HR, I was promoted to VP of HR. I tell this story often, because it was pivotal and hilariously ironic. I knew I was being promoted, and I knew I would be taking on more responsibility, but until they announced it to the whole company, I didn’t know my new title would include the words human resources.
"'HR?!?!' Everyone in the company-wide meeting laughed, including myself! I was laughing because it was not what I’d signed up for or what I’d ever imagined for myself.
"But here’s the thing...sometimes a great mentor knows what you should do in your career before you do. Thankfully, I had one of those mentors, and he’d recognized that I was an empathetic leader and an advocate for employees, and was (unknowingly) shaping our company culture. I’d already been the point person for almost all new company hires and had been mentoring staff for five years.
"I accepted the role (good thing, since it’d been announced to the company). Overnight, I saw that being HR now meant I was under more scrutiny as a leader. Everything — the way I spoke, how I acted, and how I was viewed — changed. Heading up creative services had been deemed cool and creative, and people instantly trusted my knowledge about the agency and the creative process. Internally, that didn’t change. But externally and with candidates, being 'HR' meant being viewed as someone who could just answer questions about 401(k) and health premiums (things I knew nothing about up to this point).
"I bought HR for Dummies and left it on my desk for the next year as I taught myself all about onboarding, succession planning, co-insurance, vesting, salary packages (people get signing bonuses and moving money?!), confidentiality agreements, and when to call an employment lawyer.
"I didn’t love the assumptions people made about HR, but I DID love the access I now had to the company’s numbers and profits. Thankfully, my focus on getting into fashion hadn’t stopped me from paying attention in college while I studied business and minored in organizational behavior. I knew my balance sheets and ledgers. Up to that point, I’d been managing a one-million-dollar freelance budget, but now I was looking at the company’s full P&L. That included the biggest line item — salaries and benefits.
"That’s right, as HR you get to know everyone’s compensation and salary history. I now knew what everyone made: from CEO to intern, plus their bonuses. I remember some big surprises. I could now see that some complainers were making more than all of their peers. And others were making less than they should based on their amazing contributions. I took it quite seriously that I could now be an advocate for those people who were making a huge impact, but who maybe weren’t as visible in the executive meetings.
"I was a part of the leadership team, dividing up the annual-bonus pool among the 60+ employees, and I fought for ALL of them, especially the unseen ones who made great impact but weren’t boasting about their contributions. I was proud that if that list were ever shown to all the employees, they would agree with the division as opposed to when I had first seen it. I also personally learned the value of base salary and big(ger) annual bonuses.”
“The 23-year-old girl who was so ambitious was now 33 years old and struggling to get pregnant with my husband. I’d spent four years trying, including three IUIs and one IVF — all unsuccessful. I was told I wouldn’t be able to conceive. I felt like I was the only person in Park Slope without a baby bump or a stroller, and there were days when I doubted I could get through it.
"During these difficult years, I found yoga and meditation and many more healing modalities (some more 'woo woo' than others). While ringing in New Year's 2009 at a seven-day silent meditation retreat, I found clarity that empowered me to resign from my VP gig.
"I’d been working with my team for ten years and leaving was incredibly emotional, but I didn’t doubt my decision. I joked that if I couldn’t give birth to a baby, then I would give birth to myself.
"Not many people quit their six-figure job to get paid in yoga, but that’s what I did. On my last day at the company, I drove myself upstate to volunteer at a similar wellness retreat center to where I’d had my ‘epiphany.’ They took advantage of my ‘corporate’ skills in the office of their wellness center (aka, spa). I took advantage of all of the services they provided: Acutonics, shamanic healing, intuitive guidance, chakra balancing, handwriting analysis, Thai massage, sweat lodges, and more. Five weeks later, I found out I was pregnant.
"Nine months after leaving my VP job, I gave birth to my first child. Best byproduct of a steep salary reduction. Worth every hundo.”
“When my son was seven months old, I started freelancing for an advertising agency, and within a few months joined full-time. I didn’t have to negotiate that hard to get back to the salary where I’d left off. In those days you utilized what you were currently making to get that amount at a new company, and I hadn’t taken that long of a gap.
"At first, I was working ‘full-time’ four days a week and thus made 80% of my salary. The company grew, and so did my son. When I was ready to work five days a week, they were ready to have me.
"It was the same industry as the company I’d worked at for so long, but it was unique in every other way — from the leadership to the employees to the culture. Equally positive, but different. It was wonderful to realize that my talents easily translated. I’d always thrived from the connections I made and relationships I built — and that would be no different anywhere I went.
"After years of having amazing male mentors, I was at an agency that was led by a woman, and I learned an incredible amount through her directness, intelligence, and strength.”
“I got a call that the role of heading up People and Culture had opened at the wellness retreat center where I had volunteered and gotten pregnant. The person who had been in the role for nearly 15 years was leaving, and they wondered if I would be interested in interviewing. Of course. I’d been living in Brooklyn for over a decade and was done moving my couch to put away my stroller. I realized that I didn’t actually want to raise my son in a city. I thought it would be a great lifestyle change and a slower pace.
"The pay cut (and lower title, as there was no director and I was heading up the department of eight and reporting directly to the COO) did start to bother me — not so much the actual pay, but the lifestyle change I was sold on (9-to-5 job, with lots of perks/benefits...you can take a yoga class during the day and enjoy the healthy lunch offered to guests) just wasn’t true. The work was emotionally demanding (better suited for a social worker versus a NYC HR leader) and not doable in 40 hours a week. Not only was I not going to yoga classes, I wasn’t eating lunch or leaving at reasonable hours either. Managing a ‘campus culture,’ where staff lived on site for months of the year and which included more sex and drugs than the advertising industry in NYC, was a round-the-clock job, and I was beyond emotionally and spiritually drained.
"That...and I was actually working six days, because I kept freelancing for the agency I’d left in the city to help make up for the pay cut. And yet the self-care that I saw our customers/guests doing every day — massages, fitness, travel — were things I couldn’t afford."
“Soon I was back at work in the city at my old job (this time commuting in five days a week from the Hudson Valley). I continued to bring what I’d learned from my wellness experience to the workplace — in the form of weekly meditations, yoga, and mindfulness practices.
"It was nice to be back with the team, and the company was flourishing — winning new business, hiring talent, and moving to bigger offices. My family was growing, too. I happily found myself pregnant again, this time with a girl. I wasn’t employed during my first pregnancy, so this was my first time taking maternity leave. All those wellness modalities I’d embraced with my first pregnancy? Well, they went out the window. I wasn’t a very good role model of maternity leave, as I worked through most of it and found myself suffering from postpartum depression. A valuable HR experience — I have always cared about parental leaves, but now I have an even greater understanding of how a lack of maternity leave could have an effect on your mental health and your ability to bond with your child. I am proud to be an advocate for parental leave.”
“I saw the advertising industry changing, and I wanted to work at a company that was doing more impactful work upstream. I was interested in a few branding, strategy, and innovation companies, and I mentioned them to a former mentor/boss of mine. She was in an executive position at a holding company, and as luck would have it, one of those companies happened to be in her portfolio and they were looking for an HR executive.
"On my 40th birthday, I got my first job offer with a two in front of multiple zeros — $210,000. I had been making over $200K as a package (base and bonus) for a few years, but this was a starting base salary of over $200K. Plus, I had more provisions and benefits in my offer, with 'additional bonus at any point in my tenure' and a mutual termination agreement (I would have to give three months' notice if I were to leave, and they would have to pay me out three months if they wanted me to leave). I celebrated with a vacation to Hawaii to ring in my 40s.
"Sadly, the job would last under a year — I would build strong relationships, hire incredible talent, learn a ton about strategy with some of the best in the industry, and love the strong culture — but I wasn’t being treated kindly (or fairly) by my boss, and it made it untenable to be in a position to advocate and be an ambassador for the employees. I had to make the difficult decision to resign and was glad for that three-month exit clause, as rather than have me work through the notice period, they paid me out.”
“I was an HR executive and had been making over $200K for a couple of years. I had the experience and felt confident about being in that bracket. After years of seeing everyone’s salary at every company, and after negotiating and making offers to every candidate hired — including C-suite and other executives — I had no problem stating what I was looking for. And at an executive level, that means a full ‘package’: signing bonus, annual bonus, severance stipulations, better benefits, more PTO, etc.
"I also knew well enough that once I started, I would know if my deal was good or not (because I would see all of the other salaries and offer letters). I incorporated that into my conversations with whomever I was negotiating with (CEO/MD or CFO). That is a unique advantage of being HR.
"I was also working with executive recruiters who advocated on my behalf. It is an advantage of working with a strong recruiter — they will encourage you to ask for what you’re worth. The good ones (I know lots of them) do that for you, versus them just getting a bigger commission.”
“I have a notebook that sits on my bedside and says, ‘She packed up her potential and all she had learned, grabbed a cute pair of shoes and headed out to change a few things.’
"Both inspired and fed up, I launched my own HR practice in July of 2018. I say ‘fed up’ because I was frustrated by aspects of the corporate world — its politics, its slowness for change, and yes, sometimes its corruption. I say ‘inspired’ because I knew I could take everything I’d learned and, to use a favorite catchphrase, use it for 'good and not evil.'
"I now understood my own sweet spot: founder-led creative companies with less than 100 employees. And I realized this was also a white space. Most companies that size can’t afford an ‘executive-level’ HR person, but they still need executive-level help. I started my own company to help founders improve the employee journey — candidate through alumni — at their company, with HR tools and counsel.
"I’m not currently drawing a salary. I took a financial hit in order to invest in myself and my company. I work to pay my employees, freelancers, and benefits first — instead of taking a paycheck. I hope to draw a salary in year two of the business, and would love for it to be six figures. But I also value my freedom, want to be generous with my team, and know it’s important to re-invest in the company.
"It’s been the hardest and most rewarding year of my life. I’ve worked with founders for 20 years, and now that I’m one myself, I’m feeling all the pains and victories.
"I continue to leverage my salary storiesand the many stories of the people I hired or helped get promoted. I happily give advice to anyone who asks, because I love sharing the wealth (pun intended) of knowledge I have gained through the years. I love helping individuals to advocate for themselves, managers to navigate the system, and executives to manage compensation plans better."
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
While you were dusting off your black ankle booties, you were also sleeping on the true trend of fall: chunky and flat military-inspired boots. We love a little extra height as much as the next person, but when truly cold weather hits, we're leaning towards a look with a little more comfort. So when reimagined military boots sprang up this season, we were more than ready for something a bit more substantial.
And reimagined they are. While Dr. Martens have always been an option, this year's combat boots have stepped up their embellishments. From added hardware and faux fur details to tiger prints (yes, tiger!), you won't find any military grade sets of shoes here. Ahead are 18 boots that each carry a flair of their own.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Dr. Martens Leona Temperley Boot, $, available at Urban Outfitters
& Other Stories Canvas Platform Heeled Boots, $, available at & Other Stories
DailyShoes Pocket Combat Boots, $, available at Amazon
L'amour Des Pieds Fruma Lace-Up Boot, $, available at Nordstrom
Mango Lace-up leather boots, $, available at Mango
Frye Veronica Combat Boots, $, available at Shopbop
Kristin Shoes Leather Combat Boots, $, available at Etsy
ALL BLACK Camping Ankle Boots, $, available at Anthropologie
Universal Thread Kamryn Faux Leather Combat Boot, $, available at Target
Reformation Amelia Boot, $, available at Reformation
Cougar Danbury Iceland Waterproof Leather Boot, $, available at Nordstrom Rack
ASOS DESIGN Advantage Sporty Lace-Up Boot, $, available at ASOS
Steve Madden Latch Combat Boot, $, available at Zappos
Common Projects Combat suede ankle boots, $, available at Net-A-Porter
Circus by Sam Edelman Lambert Women's Combat Boots, $, available at Kohl's
FP Collection Santa Fe Lace-Up Boot, $, available at Free People
Topshop ALANIS Leather Lace Up Boots, $, available at Topshop
The Row Patty lace-up leather combat boots, $, available at MatchesFashion.com
Welcome to Money Diaries, where we’re tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We’re asking millennials how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar.
Today: a Policy Officer working in International Development And Humanitarian Aid who makes $47,892 per year and spends some of her money this week on Toms.
Editor’s Note: All currency has been converted to USD.
Occupation: Policy Officer Industry: International Development and Humanitarian Aid Age: 24 Location: Geneva, Switzerland Salary: $47,892 Paycheck Amount (1x/month): $3,279 Gender Identity: Woman
Monthly Expenses Rent: $748 (I sublet a bedroom in a two-bedroom apartment in the Red Light District. I haven’t had a good sleep in months. My roommate is also my landlady, a very nice woman in her mid-50s. No living room, only a shared kitchen.) Student Loans: $194 (After graduation I was $22,000 in debt; 10 months later I only have $16,500 thanks to a few lump sum payments from my savings) Transit Pass (monthly) $75 Pre-Paid Cell Phone Top-Up: $30 (For 1.5GB of data and unlimited calls/SMS in Switzerland) Health Insurance: $367 (For the most basic package I could find!) Personal Savings: $500 (My work is by six-month contract, so I squirrel some cash away in case the day comes I have a gap.) Dominican Republic Fund: $200 (My friends are getting married in just over a year and decided to do it on a Caribbean beach.) Netflix: $0 (I used to pay for the family account, but my mother forbade me from continuing to pay, so we transferred ownership.)
Day One
7:10 a.m. — As I wake up, I see a message from a guy who is subletting a studio apartment I viewed last week. I desperately want him to pick me, so I shoot him a message right away letting him know he can call.
8:32 a.m. — I stop in at the grocery store on the way to work to grab a gluten-free muffin for breakfast and pre-made lentil salad and apple for lunch (too lazy to prep something the night before, sue me). My potential landlord calls to tell me I got the apartment! As I get on the tram, I immediately send messages to my pub quiz team through the group chat, a few friends deeply invested in my house hunt, my immediate family, and a friend visiting in September to let them know they’ll be upgraded from air mattress to pull-out couch. $6.07
9:02 a.m. — I arrive at the office and find out my boss has decided to work from home thanks to jetlag from her last work trip. I settle in to check emails, eat my muffin, and drink my customary morning tea.
12:03 p.m. — Lunch time! I head to a nearby park to soak up some sun and read Bananas, Beaches & Bases by Cynthia Enloe while I eat my lentil salad. I also FaceTime my sister for a bit, but she’s finishing a night shift so can’t talk for long (the six hour time difference can be really difficult sometimes).
5:04 p.m. — I’m free! I close my laptop and get the hell out of dodge to head home and finish a job application for a position with a two-year contract. Mmm, temporary stability that would allow me to lease my own apartment — the Millennial Dream.
6:47 p.m. — Job app submitted, I cook myself some veggie mac and cheese with some 100% red lentil pasta, which I picked up out of curiosity (I give it a 7/10). A friend messages me to see if I want to go dancing, but I take a look at the raging thunderstorm outside and politely decline.
10:40 p.m. — After an evening reading and a few episodes of the US version of Shameless, I brush my teeth, wash my face (Cetaphil), and head to bed.
Daily Total: $6.07
Day Two
8:30 a.m. — My weekend alarm goes off — sleeping in any later messes me up for the whole work week. I lace up my running shoes and head out for my regular 5k running loop along the lake. I know the upcoming week will be hectic and I won’t have time for it in the evenings.
9:37 a.m. — I’m back, showered, and eating my breakfast of vanilla yogurt and muesli, mapping out my packing plan of attack. I’ll be moving into the new place in about a month, but I’m giving up my room in a week (end of the month) because I’ll be away on holiday for two weeks. My sublet agreement is super flexible and my landlady already said it is completely fine. However, it adds a little stress, since I need to have everything packed and stored in my friend’s cellar before I take off.
12:47 p.m. — I pack one of two suitcases and I’m already sick of sorting and purging my things. Moving always means getting rid of things I no longer need — mainly expired meds and clothes with holes. I take a break when my landlady’s sister drops by. She just spent two weeks on vacation in my homeland, Canada!
5:36 p.m. — All my stuff is now sorted and packed and I’ve squeezed in a few hours with my book for book club. My landlady knows I want to make fondue for my parents when they arrive for a vacation later in the week, so she picked up some cheese and dried meat for me at the discount grocery store while she was there. I pay her back with cash. I also realize I’ve completely forgotten about lunch, so I make a massive veggie stir fry and rice. $11.63
8:28 p.m. — I’d just made myself a mint tea when a friend messages me asking if I want to grab a drink before we go on our respective vacations. I’ve played Old Lady enough this weekend, so I abandon my tea, debate flats vs. heels (flats win), and throw on some makeup (CoverGirl mascara and BB cream). I grab the bus to meet her at a bar where I get two glasses of Pinot Grigio for myself and end up buying my friend one to celebrate her new job offer! $15
1:42 a.m. — After a late tram home (with a little additional walking), I brush my teeth, throw some micellar water on my face, and then it’s lights out.
Daily Total: $26.63
Day Three
8:30 a.m. — My alarm goes off again, but the two glasses of wine from the night before have me curling under the covers for another 30 minutes. I manage to drag myself out of bed to grab yogurt and muesli. I was planning on a run, but my mild headache has me reconsidering.
1:30 p.m. — I didn’t go for a run. I did manage to eat an apple, finish my book and binge Shameless. Unbelievably productive! I shoot my mom a message asking her to bring me a giant bottle of Advil. I hate buying painkillers in Switzerland because they’re crazy expensive. I spend the next three hours importing photos from my phone and organizing them into folders in order to free up space for my upcoming travels. It’s a fun trip down memory lane!
5:14 p.m. — I eat leftover veggie stir fry with an accompanying Babybel cheese for dessert. I chat with a friend back in Canada and jokingly ask him to make an Instagram account for his dog. He actually does. Then a friend that has recently moved back to England shoots me a message asking if I want to FaceTime. I haven’t spoken to her since before she went on a cruise and I went to Istanbul for a long weekend break, so we have a lot to catch up on!
11:41 p.m. — After a very, very long chat, I brush my teeth, wash my face (micellar water again), and head to bed.
Daily Total: $0
Day Four
7 a.m. — Up and at ’em! I check my email and see a draft sublease agreement from my new landlord. I read it over and add a few amendments that include mutual notice periods and a pre-move in inspection to protect myself from any liability for damages. I’m pretty proud of myself for functioning sans caffeine this early on a Monday.
8:27 a.m. — I pop into a grocery store to grab a muffin, lentil salad, and an apple again. I didn’t plan very well and my fridge is barren. Grocery stores in Switzerland are closed on Sunday (!) so I had to accept not preparing lunch. $6.07
2:12 p.m. — After lunch, I work at my desk for a bit while I wait for my boss who is running late for a meeting. I take the unexpected time to arrange Happy Hour tonight with a few friends — my usual weekly pub quiz is on summer hiatus so I’ve got an unexpected free night.
5:24 p.m. — I grab the suitcase I’m borrowing from a coworker to help with the move (I’m not renting a car, just wheeling my stuff over on foot — it’s less than a mile away) and head home. Freedom!
6:30 p.m. — After dropping the suitcase at home, I walk to a bar by the river near the banking district. I try not to think about the prices.
7:44 p.m. — A pigeon literally poops on my head. My friends and I collapse laughing. I order a second glass of wine and some napkins to wipe my tears away.
11:13 p.m. — Happy Hour turned into Happy Hours… oops! But we had a lot to catch up on. After three glasses of wine each, we reluctantly decide it’s time to head home and each pay for our own drinks. When I get home, I realize I never ate dinner the extended chat session ruined my plans to cook. I berate myself for the unhealthy liquid dinner, but ultimately decide I’m too tired to do anything about it and head to bed. $27.28
Daily Total: $33.35
Day Five
7:13 a.m. — I wake up two minutes before my alarm, panicked that I’ve missed it and am late to work. Wide awake now. I hop in the shower to do a proper hair wash (last night’s rinse wasn’t good enough). I hate morning showers because I don’t own a hair dryer, but this morning it is a must.
8:27 a.m. — I’m heading out the door when I realize Happy Hour also cut into my plans to go grocery shopping. I pick up my muffin, lentil salad, and an apple AGAIN on the way to work. $6.07
9:21 a.m. — I scarf down my muffin and tea before my first meeting in a long line of meetings with people from across the world. I take a quick break between calls to sign all the paperwork for a six-month extension of my work contract — they’ve decided to keep me. Huzzah for continued employment!
5:53 p.m. — I’ve been super productive with my day, so I’m happy when I leave work. I quickly change at home into more comfortable clothes before heading out to return the skis I borrowed from a friend last season.
7:39 p.m. — What should have been a 20-minute job turns into an hour due to a major transit delay, but a woman got onto the tram with the tiniest dog I’ve ever seen so I’m appeased. After dropping off the skis, I’m off on foot to a second friend’s place in order to borrow a fourth and final suitcase for the move.
7:53 p.m. — After sending a Snapchat, I get a text notifying me I’ve used all 1.5 GB of my high speed data. I refuse to pay $14.08 for another 1 GB, so I resign myself to painfully throttled speeds for the next week.
8:33 p.m. — Finally back at my place after a two-hour trek across the city, but no rest for the wicked — it’s my designated time slot with the single washing machine in the building and I need to wash almost all of my clothes before my upcoming holidays. $1.43
11:57 p.m. — I’ve cooked and eaten dinner (pasta made 100% out of green peas this time, absolutely disgusting, 2/10), hung up my clothes and left them to dry in the basement, and researched easyJet flights to London to visit friends.
Daily Total: $7.50
Day Six
5:33 a.m. — I head down to the basement to collect my laundry. The guy who has the room today needs it emptied by 6 a.m. and gets very angry when it’s not done. Kill me now.
6:02 a.m. — I can’t get back to sleep, so I lace up my running shoes and hit the road for a morning 5k. I get to witness a pretty spectacular sunrise over the lake — big win.
8:29 a.m. — After showering and dicking around on the internet (Instagram is now telling me when I’m all caught up on new posts, which I find aggressive and judgmental), I head out the door to catch the tram and buy my now-apparently-daily purchases of muffin, lentil salad, and an apple. I have GOT to pull it together! $6.07
1:34 p.m. — I finally manage to take a lunch break this week! I head to the mall near the office to buy some navy Toms for my upcoming vacation ($65.38). On the way through the mall I see The Body Shop is having a huge sale, so I pop in to pick up three gift kits to stash in my closet for future use as hostess/acquaintance/catch-all gifts ($25.75). It’s such a My Mom move. I guess we really do become our parents. $91.13
5:02 p.m. — I still have a ton of work to do, but have got to get to the grocery store before it closes. I’m buying food for my entire family and I want them to feel welcome, so I haven’t skimped on the shopping list. I head to the discount grocery chain to get what I can before popping across the street to the expensive chain to pick up a few additional items. I get bell peppers, mushrooms, bean sprouts, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, avocadoes, blueberries, apples, salami, bacon, shaved chicken breast, eggs, milk, sliced cheese, cream cheese, four yogurts, regular bread (for the rest of the family), gluten-free sliced bread and mini-baguettes (for the shared fondue), baby potatoes, two bottles of local wine (to welcome the family), four ciders (for my sister), and four beers (for my dad). My eyes practically bug out at the final total. $82.65
7:41 p.m. — I’m too sweaty and tired to even think about cooking, so I toast a slice of bread and crack open the cream cheese for dinner.
9:17 p.m. — A friend of a friend drops by to bring back my air mattress. She borrowed it when she last had to move and was without a bed for a week.
10:03 p.m. — Shoot! I forgot that a job application for a really great position was due at midnight. I’m absolutely exhausted, but crack open my laptop and do my best to draft a non-shit cover letter.
1:29 a.m. — After tossing and turning for an hour, I finally get to sleep.
Daily Total: $179.85
Day Seven
6:30 a.m. — Up and at ’em again! My family’s arriving today so I’ve arranged to work from home in the morning so I can pick them up. I sit down with my laptop pretty much immediately, after another slice of toast with cream cheese. I skip caffeine today.
10:37 a.m. — On my way to the airport via the train included in my monthly pass, I make a pit stop at the grocery store to pick up a few last-minute items: 50 SPF sunscreen and toothpaste for my parents ($20) and a welcome bar of Swiss Chocolate and dried mushrooms for tonight’s fondue ($7.89). $27.89
11:35 a.m. — They’re here! I meet them in Arrivals and we grab the train back into the city (tourists get one free ride). After many hugs, I leave them in my apartment and hurry to the office.
4 p.m. — I take off early — everyone understands because they know I haven’t seen my family since Christmas. I tram home, making a pit stop at the train station to activate our already-purchased Eurail passes, and meet my family at the apartment. They spent the afternoon hanging by the lake, trying to beat the heat. After a few post-work glasses of wine, I make fondue.
6:53 p.m. — Some of my family heads to bed — red-eye flights from North America are exhausting — but my dad and I set off for a walk by the lake. I take the chance to break in my new Toms a bit.
9 p.m. — We’re back and everyone’s in bed! I grab my laptop and hang out in the kitchen for a few hours before bed, catching up on a few work emails and watching a few more episodes of Shameless. Tomorrow’s my last day of work before two weeks traveling through Austria, Czech Republic, and Germany. I can hardly wait!
Daily Total: $27.89
Are you a Money Diary comment leader? We want to hear from you! Email us here with a brief description of yourself and a screenshot of your comment leader status for a chance to be featured in an upcoming story.
Money Diaries are meant to reflect individual women’s experiences and do not necessarily reflect Refinery29’s point of view. Refinery29 in no way encourages illegal activity or harmful behavior.
The first step to getting your financial life in order is tracking what you spend — to try on your own, check out our guide to managing your money every day. For more money diaries, click here.
Do you have a Money Diary you’d like to share? Submit it with us here.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Simon Biles, USA Olympics gold medallist, performs her floor routine at the Superstars of Gymnastics Event at the O2 Arena, Greenwich on Saturday 23rd March 2019. (Photo by Pat Scaasi/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
We live in a world where we tend to throw around the word ‘badass’ somewhat casually. But the true mark of badassery is having something officially named after you — be it a park bench, memorial theater, or a fancy gymnastics move. Simone Biles, 22, just moved into that terrific territory, as she performed at the world championships in Stuttgart, Germany this weekend.
USA Gymnastics announced on Twitter that her triple-double — a windy move involving a double backflip and three twists — would be officially dubbed the “Biles II.” This came after Biles successfully landed a triple-double during her floor routine and a double-double-dismount on the balance beam at the competition.
The Federation of International Gymnastics needs to give approval before the Biles II move is officially named after her, Good Morning America reports.
Biles has a history of breaking records. CNN reports that the famed gymnast already has multiple moves named after her. One is a floor move and the other is on a vault. GMA notes she has another eponymous move on the balance beam. She became the first ever female gymnast to land a clean triple-double at the USA Gymnastics Championship back in August. Don’t forget at the 2016 Olympics, she was part of the “final five” team that brought home gold.
Although it sounds like Biles is nothing short of a “superstar” gymnast, she doesn’t like to use that term, she revealed last week during a press conference right before the big competition, officially called the 2019 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships.
“If I were to label myself as a superstar, it would bring more expectations on me and I would feel pressured — more in the limelight,” she said, according to People Magazine. “I try to represent Simone… not ‘Simone Biles’ whenever I go out there, because at the end of the day, I’m still a human being before I’m ‘Simone Biles, the superstar.’”
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Beauty is gendered — more specifically, who gets to be seen as beautiful is defined by how we perceive their gender. At one end of the gender spectrum, you have men, who get to be “handsome.” At the other, you have women, who get to be “beautiful.” But what happens if you don’t follow society’s traditional binary ideals?
We inherit this idea from a beauty industry that thrives on a stringent gender divide. Take the fact that products for “men” and “women” come in completely different packaging and different scents, with different prices and different claims, while essentially being the same item. It has led to the idea that for women to be “beautiful” they must embody a strict set of rules derived from the traditional aesthetics of “womanhood” — rules that embrace makeup, certain silhouettes, and specific hairstyles.
For years, people have been fighting to challenge these expectations, attempting to broaden the narrow perimeters of mainstream beauty to include different races, genders, body types, and sexualities. It is an ongoing battle, but those perimeters have yet to widen enough to include those who renounce beauty standards entirely.
To be butch, we are led to believe, is to be the antithesis to “traditional” beauty. By appearing deliberately gender-nonconforming, butch women and people are seen to be rejecting traditional forms of femininity. But rejection of femininity is not a rejection of beauty. Nor is it a bid to “look like” or embody masculinity. The beauty of butchness is that it creates its own category, one that stands apart from patriarchal standards and celebrates new versions of womanhood and non-binary identity.
To learn more, we spoke to three butches about the beauty of being themselves in a world that “others” them. As these conversations show, solace comes with the freedom to feel comfortable presenting in the manner that women and assigned-female-at-birth non-binary people are taught not to. It’s a beauty that embodies same-sex and queer desire, is inescapably dyke camp, and is largely missing from mainstream media. “Society isn’t telling us that we’re beautiful,” said participant Xandice, “[so] we have to start telling each other.”
“‘Butch’ was a dirty word for me for years, I’d feel sick if I said it out loud. Whereas now I relish it. It’s synonymous with all of my favorite things: leather, denim, work boots, swagger, having an uncontrollable urge to wink. It’s a very specific and nuanced energy.
I came out later than most, at 25. About six months after I came out to my mum, I felt free to pick up where I left off at 14 with my gender presentation. I have a very inherent butchness that I really repressed, so it felt like stepping into my own body as I’d always been. My first short haircut felt like my inner magnetic field flipping over 180 degrees. That was the moment in my coming out when I became myself.
My family have largely come to terms with my sexuality, or at least understand what they can and can’t say about it. On the other hand, they feel it’s far more socially acceptable to critique my gender presentation than my sexuality itself. There’s far less pressure for people to pretend to be fine with you being butch. My uncle recently said to me, ‘Why do you want to look like a man?’ I don’t look like a man! I look like a butch woman, it’s not a choice — I’m butch because I can’t be anything other than that.
When I was more neutrally presenting I didn’t experience that much harassment, but now it’s basically daily. It’s so acceptable to see butch women as ‘other’ and see them as wrong, gross, even dirty. I’m doing everything you’re taught not to do as a woman, and the harassment seems like a more culturally acceptable homophobia. I appear very clearly as someone who is rejecting being sexualized by men and their gaze.
Butchness has a history tied to working-class women that’s very important to me. There’s a bit in Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg about the revolution around gay identities that happened in the ’70s and ’80s, which saw far more middle-class lesbians taking over the community and rejecting the butches and femmes. It’s part of the reason why I’ve leaned into the butch identity. Being from a working class background also compounds the homophobia and butchphobia you’re confronted with, and it felt like there was much more stigma and shame. I didn’t know anyone who was a lesbian, I didn’t think it was a thing you could be until I was at university. But that’s why there’s something so important about being butch and participating in that cultural history.
I have several older butch women in my life who are some of the most important people I think I’ve ever met. Coming out was a really difficult time for me and I was incredibly grateful to have those women in my life. While it certainly feels like there aren’t many of us, out on the street you’re quite visible to each other. A nod of recognition or a moment of eye contact can sustain me through a whole day of being called ‘sir,’ because I was seen for a second by somebody who understands what I am.
Even before I came out, ‘beauty’ was a term I hugely struggled with, but now I can see that of course I’m beautiful! I think women are beautiful, butch women are women, and therefore I am the most beautiful I’ve ever felt right now. I see my butchness as one kind of femininity on a three-dimensional spectrum of femininity. I don’t like being referred to as ‘masc-of-center’ or having female masculinity — after years of trying to understand myself, I’m extremely comfortable identifying as a woman through understanding myself as a butch woman. I can’t deal with it being this kind of line where I’m closer to the men than I am extremely femme women. I feel like I have far more in common with high femmes than I do any cis man.”
“Even though I never identified as lesbian (I came out as queer when I was 17), I’ve always felt aligned with butchness. When I see someone else who claims the word ‘butch,’ or presents in a way that you’d call a ‘traditional’ butch, I can relate to them immediately. Whether you’re a butch lesbian or masc-presenting woman, assigned-female-at-birth person or non-binary butch person, you’re hyper-visible. Even when you try to assimilate, people seem to see through that and pick you out. When I was at school, I’d wear the ‘girls’ uniform, but people would still ask, ‘Are you a boy or a girl?’ There’s something about the way you carry yourself, the way you act, that communicates that you’re not fitting into these traditional gender roles.
People feel like they can abuse masculine-presenting people for doing gender ‘wrong.’ It’s the homophobic, queerphobic, transphobic phenomenon of not respecting people that you’re not attracted to. Butches are not trying to fit into heteronormative societal ideals. We’re not trying to be desirable for men, we’re not trying to be anything; we’re just living authentically and doing what makes us feel good. A dangerous way to live, but it’s the only way I know how.
My gender and identity is a kind of soup: I identify as trans-masculine, masculine-of-center, masc, butch, and non-binary, which are all tied up together. I’ve always identified as genderqueer which manifests, for me, in being butch. It’s me pushing away who I was expected to be.
When I was a baby butch, ‘beauty’ was something that I never believed was for me, but my femme partner has really helped me to see the beauty in being butch. Instagram and Tumblr also helped me see people like me and see the inherent beauty we share. If I didn’t have that, I could easily be beaten down. I’m a black, butch, non-binary, trans-masculine person — that’s a specific niche you really have to seek out to be affirmed. Society isn’t telling us that we’re beautiful — we have to start telling each other.
We’ve come leaps and bounds in representation since I secretly watched Sugar Rush as a teenager, but people like me still aren’t included — largely because the creators and people with money are cis and straight. They’re still going to be catering toward a largely cis and straight audience that is open to mainly seeing the non-threatening forms of queerness we’ve been socialized to accept, like feminine lesbians and white, cis gay men. Seeing the people that you would abuse on the street as beautiful in the media would completely be destabilizing.
It affects you, because you see queer people on screen but they’re not like you, so you must not be desirable. We need to try to get more representation; we can’t just be having Shane from The L Word. It’s why seeing Lena Waithe being a butch-presenting, masculine-presenting beautiful black woman is huge! Watching Orange is the New Black and seeing different kinds of queer people expressing gender is huge. I want to see more of that. Let those young butches know that we’re out here and that you can live and be butch and be happy.”
“I’ve never been able to hide the fact that I am queer — people would look at me and know straight away. I’ve tried to hide my butchness in the past but I just can’t. Whenever I tried to be more feminine it felt… wrong. So I’ve always associated being butch with being comfortable and confident in myself. I’ve had to learn that confidence from a very early age, even if I didn’t always feel it.
It’s only very recently I started using the word about myself. Before then, I’d always felt a bit nervous to identify in that way, even though I have many friends that do and they wear it with pride. I feel a lot of solidarity when I use the word ‘butch’ now.
I literally never saw anyone anywhere that looked like me when I was younger. Now you occasionally see representation, like on Orange Is The New Black you have Big Boo, but it wasn’t always positive connotations. Her character was painted as sleazy, like it’s part of her butchness. It was only when I started working in Dr. Martens in 2014 that I seriously did change the way I present and felt way more comfortable. I go out of my way now to follow people on social media who look like me. It’s quite important to always remind myself that there are people out there that look like me who are surviving and thriving. (Though, to be honest, I still mainly follow animals.)
There are always so many expectations of how I’ll behave, and I’m not always as ‘butch’ as people think I am. I am sometimes quite feminine in my mannerisms — people act really confused when I giggle in a very high-pitched tone, which I don’t really understand. Because at the end of the day, I still identify as a cis woman. I wish straight people could be a bit more flexible in how they see and categorize things, because I don’t get this from other LGBTQ+ people. They can’t compute me.
Growing up, I wouldn’t say I really ever considered myself beautiful. I struggled a lot with that. I’ve always known I’m not straight, but I also liked guys in school, though I never got attention from them. Even when I started presenting in a more masculine way and my partner would call me beautiful, I’d feel really uncomfortable with it and I’d ask her to use something like ‘handsome’ instead. I think it’s a gendered thing. You wouldn’t typically call someone masculine of any gender ‘beautiful,’ you’d say handsome or something like that.
I also think [that] growing up, I have distanced myself from feeling beautiful. Sometimes I don’t know if that’s because I feel uncomfortable with the way I have presented in the past, or just because I have grown up quite insecure and I’ve never really been viewed in that way. It could also be a mix of both of those things. In school, I got no attention whatsoever, but when I started going out in queer spaces I was getting a lot of attention from people. At first I was really confused, I just wasn’t used to it — I thought people were taking the piss out of me or something. When I did start presenting in a more masculine way and started accepting who I am, I suddenly became a lot more confident and felt actually comfortable with myself and thought, Yeah! I actually look quite good, I do feel beautiful, I do feel good.“
This story was originally published on Refinery29 UK.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Update:Cara Santana’s size-inclusive, under-$100 Apt. 9 line for Kohl’s is now available to shop on Kohls.com.
This story was originally published on September 16, 2019.
It’s no secret that some retail behemoths love designer and celebrity collaborations. But while those limited edition launches are a success at just about any shopping destination, no brand has the practice down quite like Kohl’s.
At the moment, America’s largest department store chain has a roster unlike any of its competitors. Lauren Conrad’s line, LC Lauren Conrad is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Vera Wang’s label, Simply Vera Vera Wang, continues to bring in praise (and cash) after 12 years. And Popsugar’s millennial-focused collection for Kohl’s has been thriving since it launched in 2018.
Between you and me, though, the brand’s latest partnership is shaping up to be their best one yet.
Today, Kohl’s announces the first of many collaborations coming out of their design office over the next year: a 37-piece size-inclusive collection designed by Cara Santana. The Santa Clarita Diet actress, fashion influencer, and founder of the beauty app, The Glam App, has been shopping at Kohl’s ever since she was a little girl growing up in El Paso, Texas, and that’s precisely why she sought out the All-American brand for her first-ever dip in the design pool.
The limited-edition capsule, which will fall under their Apt. 9 line, incorporates all of today’s most popular trends, from oversized plaid suits to neon blazers — all available in sizes 00 to 22 and retailing for under $100. To get the lowdown on all things Cara Santana x Kohl’s, we sat down with the designer herself while she put the finishing touches on the collection at the Kohl’s Midtown office. Ahead, read all about her quintessential fall look, her affinity for shopping at department stores, and her decision to hand-select every model for the ad campaign.
Refinery29: When you were presented with this opportunity, what was your initial reaction and what were you looking forward to most?
Cara Santana: “So the honest to goodness truth is that I really didn’t have any desire to design a clothing line or be a fashion designer. It wasn’t on my radar, but I love fashion. I love how transformative it is. I love how you’re able to create your essence and your aesthetic and that it can evolve, even day-to-day. And that you can express yourself. “
“When the idea of designing a collection came to mind, to me, the only place I wanted it to be was Kohl’s. I fought really, really hard and basically begged Kohl’s to let me do it with their amazing team. I thought about me as a little girl, and what self-expression really meant to me, and given that I grew up in, you know, a small, rural town in Texas, we were really limited in what we had access to. I went to a private school and we were relegated to uniforms, so I felt sort of…”
Stifled.
CS: “Stifled. That’s a great word. I felt so stifled by it. And my mom, every Sunday, would take me to Kohl’s. It was the only outlet I had and we would spend hours there. That’s sort of when I first learned about fashion and how to be a smart shopper. If there was something I wanted, my mom would always be like, ‘Okay, we’ll hold it here. Walk around the store, and if you still can’t live without it then we’ll get it.'”
That’s still a shopping a rule that I still live by.
CS: “Do you?”
If you go home and you’re still thinking about it, then you need to go back and get it.
“Exactly. It was a time when I bonded with my mom. And for me, the idea of supporting, empowering, and uplifting women — young women, in particular, but all women — is so much a part of my brand. I think about it when I take projects in entertainment, I think about it when I do endorsements, and so, for me, I’m just like, ‘If this is gonna make sense for me to do, it has to be with Kohl’s. Like, is that an option?'”
If it’s not, make it one.
CS: “Make it one — and I did. It’ll be a year when the collection comes out, from when we started, which is crazy.”
How many times did you go back and forth on colors, silhouettes, styles, etc. throughout the process?
CS: “When I took my first meeting with the design team, we ended up designing pretty much the entire collection within four hours. I felt so inspired. When I started thinking about women, what women need, what isn’t out there and the exclusivity that the fashion industry is often synonymous with, I just got really excited to be able to offer something new for them. So yeah, we did it in one fell swoop. And then I kept coming back to play with colors and fabrics and, to be honest, you know, we had to work really hard to get this done.”
“Also, we did it all before Kohl’s had agreed to sign on. So to finish in time to show them, I ended up shooting the collection. My team and I, we went out in -20 degree weather, and shot the collection. Thankfully, they liked it.”
Besides your personal connection with the brand, are there other reasons why you chose to work with Kohl’s?
CS: “They have such a great reach, so this collection that I feel is so inclusive and affordable, yet fashionable and diverse, is gonna reach so many young girls.”
Speaking of your own style, how would you describe your own personal style?
“I would say that I’m classic, but with a modern twist. I tend to be a little bit edgier. Very eclectic. So some days, I’m like, ‘I wanna wear an oversized men’s suit with tennis shoes and walk through New York City and feel powerful.’ And then, you know, tonight, I’ll be like, ‘I wanna wear a sequin outfit with heels and be super glam.’ I define my style based on how I’m feeling every day, which I feel is true for most women.”
If we looked at ads and saw a genuine reflection of what women look like, then we wouldn’t be comparing ourselves, we’d be identifying. That’s what I wanted this collection to do.”
– Cara Santana
Can you describe your quintessential fall fashion look?
CS: “Well I would probably start with a good pant, a.k.a. the leather pants from Apt. 9 that I feel any woman can wear. Then I’d add a nice knit sweater, so probably my white sweater with the cool detailing up the sleeve. And then I would throw on a great piece of outerwear: my neon coat.”
What about shoes?
CS: “That depends on where I am and where I’m going. But I would either wear a good sneaker or a nice pump.”
Do you have a favorite piece from the collection?
“I mean, I really do love the entire collection. I think the pieces that I was like, ‘I can’t live without’ are the sequin set, the navy pajama set, the trench, and the plaid suit. That’s like asking me to pick between my favorite dogs though. I love them all.”
When you spend nine months with something, you’re likely to get attached.
CS: “It’s like having a baby, yes. I birthed a collection for Kohl’s.”
What about the collection really makes it special?
“The thing that makes this collection the most special is the campaign. I really wanted to create, again, a feeling of inclusivity and diversity. The campaign is so special to me because that’s when I first saw the collection come to life — I saw my vision realized. We created a campaign that is age-inclusive. The oldest model is my mom, and she’s, well, let’s just say she’s over 60. We also have a gender non-binary model, a Muslim woman who, up until a year ago, was fully covered, making this her first opportunity to be in a campaign where she was showing herself in clothing, a feat that was very emotional for her and for all of us. We have women of color. We have size inclusivity, with models going up to size 22.”
“I wanted to show this collection on every shape, every size, every height — every woman. For me, that’s what this collection is all about. Society, in general, is shifting. We’re coming out of that mindset of style over substance. We are yearning for substance with style and I feel like this collection and this campaign really showcases that.”
“This was not about doing a fashion line because I wanted to design clothes. This was about creating wearable, functional and fashionable options for young women all over the country so that they could look and feel their best.”
A handful of brands are making these changes, but in the grand scheme of things, the fashion industry still isn’t very inclusive.
CS: “It’s not. Or a brand has its token something. Which, I mean, I guess any step in that direction is a positive step, but it’s just not enough. Female shoppers need to see themselves. One of the most important topics that I discussed with Kohl’s for the collection was shattering the comparison culture. The reason that we have a culture of comparison is that we can’t identify with what we see, so we look at what we do see and reflect back to ourselves. If we looked at ads in magazines and saw a genuine reflection of what women look like then we wouldn’t be comparing ourselves, we’d be identifying. That’s what I wanted this collection to do.”
How did you go about casting models?
“All of the women in my campaign are either women that I am close to or women that I admire. So, Najwa is a poet and author. She grew up in Lebanon. She has an incredible story. She talks a lot about overcoming obstacles. She is Muslim and was covered until a year ago, so she felt a lot of backlash when she started taking off her clothing and dressing for herself. I was so inspired by her and what she’s done and the positivity that she really emanates.
“And then Stephanie Shepherd is one of my closest friends. She’s curvy, she’s mixed race, she’s Japanese and Caucasian, and she’s had such an incredible trajectory from being, you know, a dancer for the Cavaliers to the CEO of all Kardashian-West brands. She’s since left and is now doing her own thing and I was like, ‘That is empowerment.’ You know? So I knew that I wanted to have her in the campaign.”
“My mother was always there at the dinner table and stayed up all night with us to do our homework, but still got up and went to the office to be a powerhouse attorney. On top of that, she’s feminine, kind, loving, strong and powerful. So I was like, ‘I have to have my mom in the campaign.’ Every woman spoke to me in a different way, but what they all share in common is that they’re women of empowerment.”
Moms, they’re the best. So before we sign off, is there anything else that you want our readers to know about the collection?
CS: “Well, I think it’s important for customers to know that the collection is all under $100, it’s affordable. We as women shouldn’t have to give up looking good to save money. That’s not fun. Why can’t I have clothing that looks and feels good that also won’t hinder me from being able to pay my rent or my mortgage or care for my children? That, and the fact that the collection will be available both online and in (most) stores, so if you go to your local store and something’s sold out, fingers crossed, you can buy it online.”
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Refinery29 is partnering with Girls Who Code for the #MarchForSisterhood on International Day of the Girl. This is the first-ever all-digital global march. Come back each day this week to learn about why different young women are participating, and join us as we #MarchForSisterhood on any of your social media channels this Friday, October 11, 2019.
Three years into the computer science major, I’ve long gotten used to seeing that an overwhelming amount of my professors, teaching assistants, and classmates are male. It has, unfortunately, become normal for me to be pleasantly surprised when I find out that a professor or teaching assistant is female. You’ve probably heard this story before, perhaps so much that it’s become repetitive. But I’ll repeat it again: It is 2019, 70 years since the invention of programming, and a huge gender gap in the tech industry still exists.
Every business is now a software business. The daily use of computer-programmed tools in business workflows heavily contributes to the shaping of our communities, industries, and our world. The lack of women in tech consequently means the lack of opportunity for women to impact our rapidly growing world. As each day passes where software is developed without contributions of diverse perspectives, the gaps widen between us and the multiple efforts we’re marching for.
Research shows that this gender imbalance in tech stems from the different ways in which children are raised. Young boys are given computers, gaming consoles, and tech-related toys, while girls are given household-themed toys. At an early age, girls are already taught the idea that they do not belong in tech, when really, their contributions are significant. This is why I believe so strongly in the #MarchForSisterhood movement and the efforts of Girls Who Code — showing girls what they’re capable of, the existence of the communities in which they belong, and how they can learn to code to work on projects they believe in. These efforts go way beyond the computer screen — they change the world.
I’ve always had a great interest in tech. I grew up with a desktop computer, playing early 2000’s games and making digital paintings, and I participated in the Girls Who Code and 3D printing clubs later in high school. Interestingly, I hadn’t thought about a role in tech until I watched a TED Talk, where Danielle Feinberg from Pixar presented the immersion of tech and art behind animation. This inspiration, along with the skills I learned in the clubs, led me to switch out of the pre-medicine path and apply directly for Computer Science tracks at universities, before I had even taken any CS courses.
Sisterhood and the sense of community are two of the key ways I juggled chasing my dreams and imposter syndrome. For the past three years, I’ve dreamed of working as a technical director for the animation industry to foster the collaborative work of artists and engineers. I remember as a freshman girl in my CS courses feeling small and incompetent of ever achieving such a dream. However, once I spoke to more women in tech and Girls Who Code alumni at hackathons and conferences, I faced my fears, felt motivated to seize opportunity, and became more confident. Sophomore year I went on to network with amazing industry professionals, became secretary of my university’s CS club, and co-found my university’s first on-campus hackathon. This year, I began attending larger, intimidating conferences and taking more rigorous computing courses — all with excitement rather than fear. Moreover, the confidence I gained from this community and as a computer scientist started influencing my personal life, making me more confident and self-loving in areas that I had low self esteem for a long time. Becoming a software engineer and being part of the women in tech community changed my life and my mindset.
How can we foster sisterhood? We march for it! As a Girls Who Code alum, working with the team to support other alumni is one way I contribute to the community I’ve gained so much from. Seeing the act of raising each other up, reminding each other of our worth, and sharing advice and my experiences with younger women aspiring to go into tech are large contributors to creating impactful sisterhood communities. To always listen to other’s perspectives and pass on our own, we create an ongoing, sturdy chain of support. Here’s to marching for sisterhood, fostering growth, and supporting women in the tech industry.
Kamile Demir is a senior Computer Science major and Digital Arts minor at Stony Brook University, as well as the Girls Who Code Alumni Team intern. Hobbies include traveling, painting, and bedazzling her Instagram pictures.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Refinery29 is proud to team up with the LYCRA® Brand to celebrate denim made with LYCRA® dualFX® technology, designedto provide women forging their own paths as mother, mentors, and entrepreneurs with the comfort and support they need from their jeans.
The mentor-mentee relationship is a complicated one. It’s nuanced — perpetually in flux. For plenty of us, it comes inside of a strictly academic or professional template. But for Latham Thomas and MaryAnn Elizabeth, the notion of mentorship is much broader and more colorful than that.
Latham, founder of Mama Glow — an agency supporting women in a number of holistic ways through pregnancy, birthing, and maternity — works as both an acting doula and the figurehead for a full network of other doulas and birth partners. MaryAnn is among the first models over the age of 50 to start booking major label campaigns, carving a space in the industry for women with gray hair and creased skin to see themselves reflected in ads for face creams and clothing lines.
Both women are mothers, entrepreneurs, and models of independent success — and while their days often call for outfit changes, photo shoots, business meetings, and children’s sports games, the one thing they don’t have to worry about is what to wear. No matter the occasion, they each swear by their NYDJ jeans, made with LYCRA® dualFX® technology to help their denim retain its shape, while offering all the stretch they need to tackle their hectic, eclectic schedules.
We sat down with both Latham and MaryAnn for an open, candid discussion about motherhood, vulnerability, great denim, and how we ought to be framing mentorship in 2019.
How would you define mentorship as it exists in your own life?
Latham Thomas: “When I think about mentorship, I first think about the work of a doula. Essentially, we hold people’s hands as they navigate the uncharted waters of giving birth. Whether or not birth is involved, mentorship is all about that hand-holding. It doesn’t matter if you both bring entirely different things to the table or if your personal and professional goals align. Either way, it’s someone crossing those waters with you, holding your hand. There’s no hierarchy to it — it’s definitely not an I’m the boss of you sort of relationship. Instead, it’s a what can we both bring to the table sort of situation.”
MaryAnn Elizabeth: “When I was in my early 40s, I went back to school to get an MFA in visual art. In my program, we would fill out these forms to request that other artists be our mentors. The funny thing was, I never really learned anything from these people. Their whole job was to mentor me, but so much more of my inspiration and support and guidance was coming from my friends, my children, and my husband. I think mentorship is just all about keeping your eyes open to the people who might really impact you.”
How do you dress yourself for your hectic, busy days?
LM: “My first go-to outfit is a jumpsuit, with a scarf and booties or sneakers. This is both chic and practical for days filled with movement. My second go-to is anything that incorporates my NYDJ jeans. When you’re constantly on the go like I am, you need to be able to move in your denim, and LYCRA® dualFX® technology makes that possible, even in jeans. I want to wear jeans that I can meditate in, step into a birth and do my doula work in, and also pair with a blazer for a meeting. Versatility is key for the modern woman.”
ME: “What I wear definitely influences my mood, and I know that feeling confident is key! My days are jam-packed and involve a lot of hustle, so comfort is essential, but all the same, style is still critical. NYDJ’s ultra-stretch, shape-retaining denim with LYCRA® dualFX® technology is the perfect base to any outfit. I can add a structured blazer and pumps for a classic look or go for a bold denim-on-denim pairing. I even prefer cropped, NYDJ denim in place of tights or leggings for layering under a springy dress or a boxy knit sweater. Honestly, it’s amazing what I can conquer in a great pair of jeans!”
Who has served as your greatest professional mentor?
LT: “Unfortunately, when I first got started as a doula, I didn’t necessarily have a role model or mentor in the industry. But one thing that I think is so important for everyone to think about when they’re considering mentorship is the idea that someone in a completely different field with a completely different approach to life might be your greatest source of inspiration.
“One of my biggest mentors and supporters is actually a florist. She’s a good friend and somebody who was incredibly helpful in introducing me to clients, talking through some of my ideas, and just being an excellent listener and source of support when I was starting my business.”
ME: “To be honest, I don’t think I had a professional mentor. In art school, most of my fellow students and professors were men, and I felt like there were a lot of really traditional stereotypes in place that I had to push back against. When I got into the modeling industry, I was an older woman, and I was a mom. I’m 51 now, and at the time I was 47. I wasn’t meeting anyone who was doing the same thing as I was.”
What has your experience been like, acting as a professional mentor?
LT: “With Mama Glow, all my doulas do these monthly mentor calls. They all call in from across the country and they ask me questions, and I give them my best possible answers, but the important part is that everyone’s on the line — that we’re all learning from each other’s questions and vulnerabilities. The idea is that we’re all mentors and mentees at the same time.”
ME: “The most gratifying part of being in this field is definitely being able to make women my age — or honestly [women] over the age of 30 — feel seen. I get a lot of messages on Instagram or even comments in person like, ‘I just really love that you’re representing how women are aging — that it’s okay to age, and we have permission.’ I mean, it’s just a natural part of life, and men have been allowed to do it for a long time, and it’s such an honor to be a figurehead for graceful, prideful aging. I think this is the most important form of mentorship I’ve been a part of to date.”
How has motherhood changed your relationship to mentorship?
ME: “As a parent, I often think mentorship is kind of subconscious. It doesn’t have to be this thing you do with intention. When I went back to school, it was something I did for me, not necessarily for my children. But when my oldest son wrote his college essay, I read it and got totally choked up. He talked about how that time in my life — the choice to go back to school — really impacted his choices. He wrote about how much that taught him about self-motivation and education. Of course, as mothers, we all want to have the opportunity to be good role models, but the reality is that we have no idea what will truly land with our kids — what will stick with them.”
LT: “In all honesty, my son is my greatest mentor. Children are so fearless and perceptive — they have so much to teach us. Yes, I’m his parent, but I’ve always felt like we’re here to guide each other. He has a lot to learn from me, sure, but I’m learning from him all the time. He’s really into music — and he’s been incredibly successful as a DJ. He’s done some major events and played at some major venues, and he’s only 16. I’m so inspired by that passion and that drive and that self-awareness. He taught me that you can be any age and go after what you want. You don’t have to wait until you get older. You have agency today.”
What advice would you give other women about building and maintaining powerful mentor-mentee networks in their lives?
LT: “When people approach this idea of mentorship, they treat it like this formal thing. Like, you have to go over to someone and say, ‘Hi, will you be my mentor?’ I think that people who are seeking mentorship need to understand that you already have gifts and knowledge yourself. Allowing someone to mentor you doesn’t mean they’re better than you — it just means that you have different things to teach one another.”
ME: “When I was teaching art in a classroom, after I got my MFA, I would always tell my students to take some risks — to be a little vulnerable. I would see kids who were so afraid to make mistakes — terrified even — and it would restrict them from their creativity. They would be so cautious. I would just say: Fall flat on your face. Make mistakes. Make a ton of them. Make as many as possible as fast as you can because as soon as you do, you’ll stop being so terrified of vulnerability — and all the best mentoring and guidance comes from allowing yourself to be vulnerable and open to what other people have to offer.”
As both women make clear in their remarkable journeys towards entrepreneurship, motherhood, and personal success, these things don’t happen alone. Fortunately, both MaryAnn and Latham have remarkable mentors and mentees in their lives. They find support in friends, family, and of course, reliable, shape-retaining denim like NYDJ jeans with LYCRA® dualFX® technology.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Summer was all about bright nail polish, from sunny yellow to baby blue, but fall is bringing us a toned-down color palette. This turn towards muted shades might feel unexpectedly soft, but it's the opposite of vanilla. The look is extremely nuanced, with tones like Scottish-highland moss, beige with terracotta undertones, and a minimalist spin on your classic jet black. For mid-October, brown is edging out the rest as the neutral shade. Case in point: Hailey Bieber, who just swapped her bridal lavender polish for a monochrome mahogany manicure.
Ahead, find an up-close peek of Bieber's chic chocolate nails, plus the best brown polishes ever created — from glazed expresso to khaki — to cop the budding fall trend at home.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.According to a Hailey Bieber fan account, the newlywed sported a deep brown manicure post-wedding. The chic, oval shape and fall tone came courtesy of celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik.
Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture in Marron Sulfureux
This rich brown is a dead ringer for the manicure Bachik created on Bieber.
Yves Saint Laurent Beauty YSL La Laque Couture Fall Look 2019 in Marron Sulfureux, $, available at Yves Saint Laurent
Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Opulence
This polish might present as a classic brown hue, but you can expect a khalidescope of rose, green, and gold when the light hits.
Chanel Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Opulence, $, available at Chanel
As much as we live for a drugstore beauty steal, there's nothing more luxe than treating ourselves to a brand new curling iron, or an LED face mask that's begging to be Instagrammed. However, the high-tech skin and hair tools you'll see here aren't just pretty; whether at an aesthetician's fancy spa facial or backstage at fashion week, they're what the pros themselves are actually using to get the job done. (In other words, they're legit.)
With gifting season fast approaching, we've rounded up 11 devices that are actually worth the splurge. (We suggest you start dropping subtle hints now.)
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Halfway between a curling iron and an objet d'art, T3's signature white and rose gold tools don't just look cute on your vanity. They're a favorite of pro hairstylists, so you can be sure that it's an investment that'll last you a long time.
T3 SinglePass Curl 1.25 Inch Professional Curling Iron, $, available at Amazon
LED masks have skyrocketed in popularity due to their lofty claims and the fact that they also make for a fun selfie opp. However, Dr. Dennis Gross' high-tech mask has won a legion of fans due to the fact that it helps boost your skin's natural glow, keep acne at bay, and brighten your overall tone over time.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare SpectraLite™ FaceWare Pro, $, available at DermStore
Foreo's silicone cleansing brush has earned cult status several times over (maybe there's one in your shower right now!) but as we enter the holiday season, we're all about the tiny but mighty Luna Play Plus; it takes up very little precious real estate in your travel makeup bag, yet delivers the same sonic pulses and deep-cleansing action you know and love.
Certain fancy facials will round out a treatment with some red or blue (or both) LED light therapy, which helps kill bacteria and boost collagen, among other skin benefits. Get similar results at-home with a handheld device like the LightStim, which helps reduce acne-related inflammation on face and body. (Make sure you always use the included goggles for eye protection!)
LightStim LightStim for Acne, $, available at DermStore
Quite possibly the fanciest hair dryer in existence, Dyson's souped-up device creates a small-scale wind tunnel of air to smooth and blow out strands while using minimal heat. As they say, "often imitated, never duplicated."
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, $, available at Nordstrom
Yes, these are still around — and they've only gotten better since your teen years. Clarisonic's Mia Prima cleanses, exfoliates, and even applies your foundation (with a separate brush head).
Clarisonic Mia Prima 1-Speed Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush, $, available at Amazon
The soft, rounded bristles on Clarisonic's acne cleansing brush heads were made for sensitive, breakout-prone types, but are perfect for anyone who wants to rid pores of dirt and oil without irritation.
Clarisonic Acne Facial Cleansing Brush Head Replacement, $, available at Amazon
The PMD is basically what you would get if the Foreo were attached to a magic wand. In addition to treating your face to a facial massage, the Clean gently rids pores of dirt and oil, leaving skin feeling baby-soft.
Yes, $500 is a lot to spend on a tiny device that looks like a U.F.O. However, take it from someone who's experienced a facial from founder Melanie Simon herself: The ZIIP uses nano-current to address everything from hyperpigmentation to fine lines to acne, allowing you to get the benefits of high-tech facial from the comfort of your bathroom.
ZIIP Device & Golden Gel Kit, $, available at Need Supply
We know what you're thinking: How does this tiny T-bar face massager cost $200? Well, for starters, it's plated in 24-karat magic gold and is made in Japan. However, it's the micro vibrations that make this the ultimate luxe beauty tool; the targeted motions help stimulate blood flow and lymphatic drainage, in addition to relaxing and sculpting facial muscles, mimicking the results of an in-depth facial massage.
Jillian Dempsey Gold Sculpting Bar, $, available at Sephora
If you're comfortable with dermaplaning (and have double-checked with your dermatologist for good measure), then you might want to invest in a vibrating exfoliating device like the Dermaflash, which helps remove dead skin cells for brighter skin that more readily absorbs your skin-care products.
Dermaflash Luxe Facial Exfoliating Device, $, available at Nordstrom
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
It didn’t happen when Christopher Kane tried back in 2016, and it didn’t happen when Balenciaga tried again in 2017. But three tries make a trend, and thanks to a resurrection by Maria Grazia Chiuri at Dior, where the style reappeared on the house’s runway in 2018 — for the first time since 1954 — we are officially entering the era of the clog. (Again.) If this news doesn’t get your heart racing, don’t worry. Clogs have been lumped into the category of “ugly” footwear whose appeal takes a bit longer to sink in, which is why we see fall 2019 as the shoe's big chance to finally breakthrough into the mainstream. And guess what? Clog season is officially here.
The #cloglife gained momentum at Dior, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. Designers like Salvatore Ferragamo, Jacquemus, and Isabel Marant have all shown them in recent seasons. The shoes have been given a modern spin and are being paired with everything from slouchy suits to shearling jackets and knee-grazing stockings. Still, it’s not just a runway look — elsewhere, cult clog brands are still producing handmade classics in materials both unexpected and understated. Click through to see all of our favorite pairs for autumn, styled with sparkly tights to wool socks and bare toes.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Don’t give up on a sandal just yet! There’s still time to wear these open-toe clogs — just pair them with chunky wool socks or a pair of sparkly tights.
Give your feet a dose of motorcycle-country-chic this fall — this studded black clogs pair of clogs come complete with a slingback strap and big ol' chunky heel.
Just because we've been busy dashing from one fashion capital to the next over the last month doesn't mean that we've forgotten about what's really important. That is, Target's annual fall fashion drop. The beloved retailer behind Wild Fable and Prologue is an integral part of our fall routine, whether we’re back-to-school shopping, post-summer apartment organizing, or just living our typical day-to-day life. But on top of supplying us with a lifetime supply of college-ruled notebooks and extra strong Command Strips, we're also taking advantage of the retailer's unbeatable eye for affordable andon-trend clothing.
If you haven't already noticed, Target's seriously stepped up their fashion game. Not only did they just celebrate 20 years of partnerships with notable fashion brands like Rodarte, Altuzarra, Missoni and more, Target also found time during their busiest time of year to announce the launch of over 1,800 new fashion items. Think: under-$50 animal prints and under-$40 faux leather from in-house labels, A New Day, Universal Thread, Wild Fable and more.
But that's not even the best news. Somewhere mid-flight between Charles De Gaulle and JFK, we decided to scour all 1,800+ items and hand-select the best that this drop has to offer — after all, you know how boring plane rides can be. So before you waste a day (or two) clicking through the hundreds of new items on target.com, take a look at the Sparknotes version featured in the slideshow ahead.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Wild Fable Sleeveless Square Neck Side Button Faux Leather Pinafor, $, available at Target
Who What Wear Plus Size Long Sleeve Open Front Jacket, $, available at Target
Who What Wear Plus Size Mid-Rise Relaxed Pants, $, available at Target
Wild Fable Plus Size Animal Print Oversized Sweater, $, available at Target
Who What Wear Short Sleeve V-Neck Wrap Front A Line Midi Dress, $, available at Target
A New Day Floral Print Long Sleeve High Neck Pleated Midi Dress, $, available at Target
Prologue Plus Size Long Sleeve Open Front Ribbed Cardigan, $, available at Target
Who What Wear Puff Elbow Sleeve Scoop Neck Cropped Blouse, $, available at Target
Who What Wear Plus Size Plaid Elbow Sleeve Crewneck Pullover Sweater, $, available at Target
Who What Wear Plus Size Plaid Mid Rise A-Line Midi Skirt, $, available at Target
Prologue Wrap Tied Midi Skirt, $, available at Target
Wild Fable Sleeveless V-Neck Tie Dye Slip Midi Dress, $, available at Target
Who What Wear Floral Print Sleeveless Halter Neck A-Line Midi Dress, $, available at Target
Wild Fable Faux Leather A-Line Skirt, $, available at Target
Prologue Plus Size Printed Short Sleeve Crew Neck Midi Dress, $, available at Target
A New Day Leopard Print Short Sleeve V-Neck Blouse, $, available at Target
Prologue Long Sleeve Crewneck Wrap Tie A Line Midi Dress, $, available at Target
Prologue 3/4 Sleeve Turtleneck Pullover Sweater, $, available at Target
Wild Fable Long Sleeve Collared Zip-Front Utility Jumpsuit, $, available at Target
Who What Wear Plus Size Puff Long Sleeve Open Front Cardigan, $, available at Target
Who What Wear Floral Print Sleeveless Ruffle V-Neck A Line Midi Dress, $, available at Target
Wild Fable Leopard Print High-Rise Bike Shorts, $, available at Target
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Whether you’re jumping for joy at summer’s official passing or grasping onto these last few weeks of extreme heat for dear life, there's just no denying that the sunny season is on its way out. But, like summer, fall is equally full of lovable clichés: cooler weather, the yearly swap from iced-to-hot coffee, and exchanging those colorful slides for some chunky, often black, boots. While there's no sin in holding onto pastels and neon hues throughout autumn, lime green and soft yellow aren't quite as good at transitioning when it comes to fall footwear.
This year, we're predicting a return to comfort — Chelsea boots, sporty hiker boots, lace-up boots, and, of course, the holy grail of autumn: the chunky heeled boot. Sure, a few outliers will always make an appearance each year (a fanciful croc-effect or an actual Croc), but for the most part, these traditional favorites are the name of the game. So start dreaming about a cool, crisp breeze because these 15 new fall boot options are already hitting the digital shelves of some of our favorites retailers. Now, all we need is for these heatwaves to take a hint...and a hike.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Circus by Sam Edelman Hiltin Knee High Boot, $, available at Nordstrom
Everlane The Square Toe Chelsea Boot, $, available at Everlane
SOREL Harlow Lace Up Booties, $, available at Shopbop
Cool Lulu Patent Leather Lace Up Ankle Boots , $, available at Amazon
Seychelles Depth Faux Leather Bootie, $, available at ModCloth
Kelsi Dagger Brooklyn Woodland, $, available at Zappos
Zara Flat Leather Moto Ankle Boots, $, available at Zara
Charles & Keith Kitten Cone Heel Leather Ankle Boots, $, available at Charles & Keith
Dr. Martens Jadon Platform 8-Eye Boot, $, available at Urban Outfitters
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – SEPTEMBER 17: Rihanna attends an event for ‘FENTY BEAUTY’ artistry beauty talk with Rihanna at Lotte World Tower on September 17, 2019 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/WireImage)
Ugh, Rihanna. At this point we’re not even surprised by her vision, her mind, or her team’s flawless execution. That Rihanna reign just will not let up. Between the boundary-breaking makeup shades and her history-making luxury line backed by LVMH, Rihanna still found time to kill the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show at New York Fashion Week last month. Now, our gracious queen saw fit to bless us with a coffee table book of all her most iconic looks.
“Over 5 years in the making… happy to finally share this collection of incredible memories,” Rihanna wrote on Instagram. “Thank you to all of the photographers and artists that contributed and to @phaidonsnaps for working with me to publish my first piece of art in a new industry! Make sure you pre-order the book now on therihannabook.com.”
If the clip she shared on Instagram is any indication, Rihanna’s fans are in for a treat in the form of never-before-seen outfit photos. We spotted her turquoise feathered Cropover look from Barbados’ annual festival, her 2015 Met Gala look designed by Chinese couturier Guo Pei, and her Dior Haute Couture gown (and matching sunglasses) from the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. The book also includes never before seen photos of fashion’s elite including Anna Wintour, Cara Delevingne, Edward Enninful, Karl Lagerfeld, Donatella Versace, and more. Quite obviously the Internet rejoiced. “I need the Rihanna coffee table book. I don’t have a coffee table to put it on but I’ll go buy one. Just for that,” one user tweeted. “I’m really about to text this white man back so I can finesse Rihanna’s coffee table book out his wallet…yall I’m getting that damn book idc,” shared another.
You can pre-order a few different versions of the tome now, though at the time this story was published, the “Rihanna: Ultra Luxury Supreme” version, was already sold out. The “Rihanna: Luxury Supreme” version is still available $5500 and includes a custom cast-resin tabletop bookstand. Finally, there is a “Rihanna: Fenty x Phaidon version that includes “This Sh*t Is Heavy,” a custom steel tabletop bookstand and retails for $175.
No, you haven't time traveled to 1989: Neon nails are just making a huge comeback. Earlier this year, bright and bold nails emerged for a renaissance on Instagram, with retro Memphis Milano designs taking over our feeds. Soon enough, popular brands like Essie, Le Chat, and Smith & Cult made the look easy to DIY by launching whole collections of neon nail polish. Now, one color is standing out among the rest: lime green.
Green has been one of those unexpected color trends to hit almost every beauty category this year. Celebrities love green hair almost as much as they like dyeing their hair pink, and green eyeshadow is still one of the most popular makeup trends on the red carpet.
Naturally, neon-green nails are next, and they're a lot more wearable than you'd think — even Taylor Swift thinks so. The "Lover" singer was spotted this weekend attending an after-party for Saturday Night Live, not just with her actual lover Joe Alwyn in tow, but a set of lime-green nails, too.
Want to try the lime-green manicure for yourself? Get some inspiration ahead.Somehow, Swift and Alwyn holding hands in public isn't the most exciting part of this picture: For us, it's all about Swift's lime nails. The bold color is begging for attention next to the couple's matching all-black ensembles after making an appearance during her performances of "Lover" and "False God" on SNL (the color even matched the stage design for the former).Photo: JosiahWPhotos / BACKGRID.Rihanna gets slime-green fingertips, and now all we can think about is getting neon-green nails before our next vacation.The best part about this slimy color is that neon green comes in a variety of shades — and levels of brightness. You can go with something a bit more fluorescent, like this...Or ask for a polish that's reminiscent of a Shamrock Shake.Even better, this look doesn't require intricate nail art to be cool. An opaque wash of polish does the trick.It's also one of the rare colors that looks cool in both glossy and matte finishes.Double up on the '80s callback by painting your slime-green polish in Saved By The Bell-inspired squiggles and lines.Ease into the neon nail look by combining bright green with a softer pastel, like this manicure from New York salon Paintbox.Try two trends at once by layering two green polishes to create an animal-print design.Regular French tips feel outdated? Swap out the milky-white polish for lime green.This is also the perfect time to revive last summer's jelly-nail trend.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 24: Lisa Hahnbueck is seen wearing Burberry trench coat, Sportmax dress, Furla bag on Day 5 Milan Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2019/20 on February 24, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Christian Vierig/Getty Images)
During London Fashion Week, Burberry introduced its idea of evolution, going carbon neutral to help the Amazon rain forest. With the climate crisis at the forefront of everyone’s minds right now, Burberry’s carbon-neutral pledge is just one of many signs that the brand is committed to reflecting our current culture — both on and off the catwalk. On Monday, Burberry announced its next chapter: an official partnership with TheRealReal, encouraging customers to cosign pieces with the resale company.
“The RealReal shares our ambition to promote the circular economy and keep clothing in use for longer. We know that the enduring quality of Burberry pieces means their appeal and value is long-lasting,” Pam Batty, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at Burberry, said in a release. “Through this new partnership we hope to not only champion a more circular future but encourage consumers to consider all the options available to them when they’re looking to refresh their wardrobes.”
While Burberry isn’t opening its archives or selling any of its stock pieces, according to WWD, it will give customers the chance to “shop the brand via an exclusive personal shopping experience in one of its 18 stores across the U.S.” as a reward for their part in making fashion more circular.
Burberry is following in Stella McCartney’s footsteps, as she was the first designer to collaborate with TheRealReal in 2018 when McCartney’s U.S. boutiques offering information and programs to facilitate consigning. This shift signals a growing trend in the fashion industry where brands are committing to a more sustainable and truly circular business model via resale. In this case, it helps that online resale sites like The RealReal, Depop, and Poshmark, all of which launched in 2011, have made buying used clothing as simple and appealing as ordering groceries on FreshDirect.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Inthe self-described chaotic life of chef Tara Thomas, there’s no such thing as “stopping for an outfit change.” During the day, she might go from the office to a community farm to source ingredients for a pop-up event or food installation. At night, she might start out julienning and plating in a sweltering kitchen, then end up hobnobbing with patrons at a formal dinner. These are the unpredictable situations the Portland native has learned to dress for — with plenty of style.
“My work isn’t just in the kitchen,” Thomas says. “It’s running around the city, having lots of tasks, maybe sitting in the office for a few hours of the day, then last-minute having to run and cook something or put together an event. So it’s really important for me to be versatile.”
Earlier this month, Thomas helped open Che, a desert-inspired restaurant in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood with a seasonal, plant-based menu rooted in African and West Indian cuisine. On the eve of the space’s introduction to the world, we tagged along as Thomas made her pre-launch rounds, wearing SOREL, the maker of stylish footwear for women on the go.
DashDividers_1_500x100
While her quietly elegant aesthetic has to adapt to a variety of environments, both rugged and refined, Thomas’ main objective when getting dressed — and the building blocks used to achieve it — remain consistent. “The key factors in chefs’ clothing are comfort and protection of your body from any conditions in the kitchen,” she says. At work, she relies on staples like painless shoes she can spend hours on her feet in (like the SOREL boots pictured here), wide-leg trousers, bodysuits, and other layerable pieces that let her easily move from the back to the front of the house at Che or from her desk to a vegetable patch — sometimes all in a matter of hours.
Equally crucial to Thomas is challenging the idea of what a chef looks like, beyond the classical white-coat-and-toque uniform. “There’s still so much masculinity in chefs’ clothes,” she says. “With [clothing marketing] that’s like, ‘This is a sporty material, it’s going to resist all this stuff,’ it’s so targeted towards men, and there’s nothing gentle.” To bring a sense of softness and individuality to the kitchen, Thomas chooses natural textiles “that grow with you,” splashes of color with a well-placed sock or scarf, and thrifted pants not of the industry-standard chalk-striped variety. “Women really identify with expressive style, so it’s nice for those of us in the kitchen to [show] our femininity.”
There’s still so much masculinity in chefs’ clothes.
Wherever her ever-changing career takes her, Thomas says preemptive dressing is “crucial to your success,” as a form of mental and creative readiness. “I want to feel inspired when I’m looking at a piece, but it should also be a reflection of me, because your closet is a repertoire for how you’re going to prepare for the day. Having an option for every situation means I’m capable of doing anything.”
And as she grows and diversifies her business, Thomas’ portfolio of ready-for-it-all looks will also likely expand. But for now, as this restaurant project comes to fruition,Thomas says she’s content to take a rare pause to bask in the moment.
“I’m such a motivator, and I’m always trying to push positivity and good energy,” she says. “It’s not unusual to have fear along with [the restaurant opening], because, wow, this thing is really happening, it’s really here. The mood is to have a positive experience and be happy with how far we’ve come… It’s so easy for me to get caught up in everything I have [going on], so it’s really important to be thankful.”
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Searching for a fresh trend before it catches fire (and subsequently sells out) is, as Cher Horowitz put it, like searching for meaning in a Pauly Shore movie...aka impossible. While we can't always predict the next big thing to buy, we can catalog the best big things that are actually shoppable now. With a little help from our weekly column, The Sell-Out, we pulled together the top-selling products from the past year that are no longer sold out.
Instead of suggesting purchase alternatives, ahead we're delivering the real-deal trends that you can finally get your hands on — no restocks or waitlists necessary. Scroll on to shop the fire-catching finds from the most fall-essential bucket bags and tunic dresses to viral rainbow-flecked rings, Cardi B's lipstick shade, the comfiest pair of French-girl heels, Meghan Markle's favorite ballet flats, commuter backpacks, and more — along with the reasons why they sold out in the first place.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
This dreamy tunic dress flew off the shelves as a fast Anthropologie fall favorite — and now it's back in three different autumn-essential prints and standard to petite or plus sizes.
Maeve Anthropologie Amber Tiered Tunic, $, available at Anthropologie
Summer may be over, but sun protection is a year-round priority — and this little miracle bottle covers that base for your scalp while also providing a dry shampoo styling boost to boot. And lucky for us, since the summer hype has died down, we can now get our hands on its previously sold-out stock.
Supergoop! Poof 100% Mineral Part and Scalp Powder SPF 45, $, available at Sephora
Workout-wear or loungewear? The two are no longer mutually exclusive, and this stylish faux-leather pair with 2,000+ gleaming reviews and a prior sell-out history proves it.
SPANX Faux Leather Leggings, $, available at Nordstrom
After quietly launching rollerballs in 2017 (which sold out), followed by a collection of full-size perfumes (which sold out, again, after just three days), Ouai’s signature eau de parfum is finally back — for good. We’ll take two, please!
These elegant hoops (at a sweet under $100 price point) are infamous customer favorites — crafted from brass with 14K-gold plating and toting the hype of once selling out a whopping three times.
The beautifully-designed vitamins you’ve been seeing all over Instagram? Ritual. While the brand’s Essential for Women multivitamin remains a top seller, the prenatal formula amassed a waitlist of reportedly 10,000 people after selling out upon launch. To many people’s delight, it returned to stock this September.
The utility of a bucket bag meets the style-ability of a wristlet in this sleek black number from Charles & Keith that once generated an over a 2,000+ person waitlist — and now it's back in stock for fall.
Charles & Keith Wristlet Handle Bucket Bag, $, available at Charles & Keith
Something we would be willing to withstand a waitlist for, but no longer need to? This luminous, rose-gold container filled with magical depuffing AND brightening formula for our tired under eyes.
GlamGlow, write a review BRIGHTEYES, $, available at GlamGlow
This under-$30 pair of 70s-style jeans by the vivacious Sofia Vergara was and still is a true Walmart hidden gem — the fringed denim was so coveted by customers (garnering over 2,000 rave reviews) that it sold out within a month of its initial drop.
Sofia by Sofia Vergara Rosa Curvy High Waist Fringed Hem Ankle Jean, $, available at Walmart
For beauty-fanatics who handle their hair with professional care, Dyson's most hyped product drop over the last year is back in stock (after selling out and accumulating a 133,000-person waitlist). The ever-popular Airwrap puts Dyson's legendary digital power a multi-range of styling abilities — including everything from standard blowouts to curling wands and smoothing brushes.
Dyson Airwrap™ Complete Styler, $, available at Nordstrom
If you — like 25,000+ other people — are looking to radiate royal style this season, then look no further than this (currently restocked) pair of Meghan Markle's go-to, leather ballet flats.
Sarah Flint Natalie Flats, $, available at Sarah Flint
Hyaluronic acid is a complicated term that essentially means a naturally-occurring compound that attracts moisture to dry, winter-weary skin — and beauty brand The Ordinary crafted an under $7 serum blended with B5 that understandably sold out liquidity-quick, but has finally returned to digital-shelves.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum, $, available at Sephora
This best-selling rainbow ring is a stackable statement piece with bright accessorizing power — and with hundreds of purchase approvals across Instagram and the brand's site, it's no wonder the piece originally sold out in three days time.
The hunt for the perfect mascara can end here, because Smith & Cult's iconic Lash Dance — with its hourglass-shaped brush, fluffy bristles, and promise of full-feathered lashes that won't flake — is back in stock, baby.
Smith & Cult Lash Dance Mascara - Radio Silence (0.5 fl oz.), $, available at DermStore
Lifestyle brand Ban.do not only delivers on affirmational planners, but it also brilliantly touches mental health support too — its nameplate-necklace (that originally sold out in 12 hours flat) is a Jen Gotch x Iconery collab, with 100% of its proceeds going to Bring Change to Mind, a non-profit organization that serves to end mental illness stigmas and discrimination. Gotch hopes that the piece will serve as a conversation starter and as a step towards normalizing the dialogue around asking for and receiving help.
A face-mask that sells out in minutes must work complexion miracles — and that's exactly what Peach & Lily's back-in-stock resurfacing product is reported to do with its soothing, lightweight jelly-like formula that smoothes, brightens, and rids skin of clogged pores after one use.
Peach and Lily Super Reboot Resurfacing Mask, $, available at Ulta Beauty
The answer to your in-between season styling conundrums is now shoppable with Wildfang's universally-flattering and chic coveralls that once generated a 300-plus waitlist.
Wildfang Workwear Coverall, $, available at Wildfang
The secret to a sun-kissed glow sans actual sun-damage? This best-selling sunset glow oil that sold out within an astonishing eight hours of its pre-sale — Sol de Janeiro's popular product delivers a tropical shimmer with a hint of fig, pomelo, and Brazilian gardenia fragrance.
Sol de Janeiro Glow Oil - Copacabana Bronze (2.5 fl oz.), $, available at DermStore
Having sold out twice since its initial debut on the luxury bedding and home site, Snowe's ultra-plush bathrobe is not only back in stock but also available in additional spa-vibe-y colors.
Emulsifying balms are the beauty world's caviar — and Pestle & Mortar's formerly sold-out cleansing balm infused with rich grape seed, prickly pear, and pumpkin seed oils is the big Beluga.
Pestle & Mortar Pestle & Mortar Erase Balm Cleanser, $, available at Anthropologie
We imagine that these are the heels a French girl would wear: effortlessly chic and comfy at the same damn time — and because of that, these almond-shaped 2.5-inch beauties well a sell-out success that have gloriously returned to stock.
The iconic collab between lipstick legend Tom Ford and musical master Cardi B brought us this cool-blue, custom shade that originally sold out within three hours time — but, lucky for us fans, the sleek shade is now back in stock.
Tom Ford Boys & Girls Lip Color - The Girls (Cardi/Sheer), $, available at Sephora
Looking for a pair of underwear you can (and actually want) to live in? Look no further than Richer Poorer's Femme Boxers and Bralette — the super-soft 100% cotton blend set originally sold out in just ten days' time, reportedly tripling the site's average weekly sales.
Richer Poorer Bralette & Boxer Set, $, available at Nordstrom
Riding the cream-based makeup train, Hourglass's former Sephora sell-out shadow has a crease-resistant and micro-fine glitter finish that comes in five separate potted shades perfect for fall.
Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eye Shadow, $, available at Sephora
Whether you're sporting it for work, weekend, or vacation, the newest version of Everlane's ever-popular commuter backpack for under $100 has you covered on both fashion and functions fronts.
Everlane The Nylon Commuter Backpack, $, available at Everlane
Combat unexpected humidity fronts with an anti-frizz shampoo that went down in Sephora sell-out history — Amika's Velveteen Dream is formulated to protect your strands from breakage and split ends while also smoothing fly-away frizzes.
Amika Velveteen Dream Smoothing Shampoo, $, available at Birchbox
End your search for the classic white button-down here and now with ADAY's back-in-stock, Something Borrowed shirt — since its initial brand launch, the stretchy, sweat-wicking, and wrinkle-resistant good sold out a total of 12 times.
ADAY Something Borrowed Shirt, $, available at ADAY
Sensing a trend? Oil-based beauty goods make for fire-fast sell-outs — and Milk Makeup's once elusive oil-based lip stain with its sheer color and vitamin-rich formula proves it.
Milk Makeup Oil Lip Stain, $, available at Birchbox
Let's all just admit it: strapless bras suck. Unless, of course, it's Harper Wilde's 6,000 person waitlist and rave-reviewed Flex-model that offers a wide range of cushy support.
Harper Wilde The Flex, $, available at Harper Wilde
This makeup selling-sensation was once completely wiped clean from drugstore shelves for two major reasons: it's a luminous highlighter and it's under $5.
Essence Pure Nude Cosmolighter, $, available at Ulta Beauty
Jeans are polarizing, period — so the fact that this cropped, flared, and ruffled Eloquii pair caused a multi-sell-out frenzy means one thing and one thing only: they're magic pants.
Eloquii Drama Ruffle Jean, $, available at Eloquii
Just in time for welcoming the warm weather, this hit cream-based blush with its dreamy marshmallow-like texture is fully stocked and ready for the taking after completely selling out last summer.
By Terry Cellularose® Blush Glacé - Frozen Petal 3, $, available at Net-A-Porter
With spring comes summer and then sun, which means we need to stock up on the 'screen — thankfully, Supergoop!'s travel-friendly glow stick with its unique non-greasy dry oil formula in SPF 50 is no longer sold out across the world-wide-web.
Supergoop! Glow Stick Sunscreen SPF 50 (1.23 oz.), $, available at DermStore
Leave it to Bauble Bar to drop not one, but two sell-out accessories — these perfect for spring and summer super-light resin drop earrings have sold out a total of four times since their initial debut.
BaubleBar Faidra Resin Drop Earrings, $, available at BaubleBar
And speaking of warmer weather, Summersalt's famously figure-flattering suit that once boasted an over 7,000-person waitlist is now shoppable in a wide variety of vibrant spring to summer shades.
Summersalt The Sidestroke, $, available at Summersalt
The viral drop on these star-studded workout leggings made from 8-way stretch, silky-soft compression fabric initially caused an over 500-person waitlist ruckus.
UltraCor Ultra High Lux Knockout Leggings, $, available at Shopbop
Another celeb and makeup brand collab that the shop-fans just couldn't resist — Ashley Graham's cherry-red Revlon lip kit went out of stock in 3 hours flat, but now it's back.
Revlon Ashley Graham Never Enough Lip Lip Kit in Worship, $, available at Amazon
Summer's bag mascot is a simple but painfully chic gingham tote that Trademark couldn't seem to keep in stock last season — but lucky for us and our sundresses, this machine-washable and picnic-friendly bag is back for last hurrah. If you fancy this one, you better scoop it up fast — Trademark designers Pookie and Louisa Burch have decided this season would be their last.
Trademark Small Gingham Grocery Tote, $, available at Need Supply Co
Never underestimate the timeless style-power of a classic pair of Italian-leather shoes — especially when Everlane is involved. The brand's wildly popular Modern Oxford's once boasted a waitlist of 6,500 people. And since a smart, well-made Oxford will never go out of style, good on you for finding them now.
Everlane The Modern Oxford - Cognac, $, available at Everlane
It's hard to believe a body scrub could generate a buzz big enough to motivate 5,000 beauty-hungry shoppers to wait in line (or online) to purchase — but Frank Body did just that with its limited-edition Green Tease scrub made from caffeine and antioxidant-infused green tea, honey, avocado oil, ginger, licorice root, and energizing coffee-seed oil.
Frank Body Green Tease Body Scrub, $, available at Ulta Beauty
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Today, Hulu announced that it’s introducing Downloads, a new feature on its iOS app that lets you download shows and movies for offline viewing. Which means, friends, that your flights will never again be the same. You heard me. No more relying on Gogo Inflight or [insert airline name here]’s shoddy on-flight entertainment service to keep you occupied while airborne.
Here’s how it works: If you have the Hulu plan with no ads, which costs either $11.99/month or $50.99/year, you’ll now have access to a Downloads tab within the iOS app (available on the iPhone and iPad). From here, you can click “See What’s Downloadable,” where there are thousands of titles available to be downloaded to your device for offline watch, free of additional charge. It’s worth noting that the entire Hulu catalog isn’t available for download, though favorites like The Handmaid’s Tale, Shrill, and How I Met Your Mother are. You can download up to 25 shows or movies across five devices, though after 30 days, your download will expire (but you can always renew it). This new feature will also be coming to Android soon, according to the press release.
But Hulu isn’t the only one that offers downloadable content. Netflix released its own Downloads feature in 2016, and has since taken it a step further with Smart Downloads, a feature that automatically deletes an episode once you’ve finished watching it and downloads the next one (only when your device is connected to wifi). Netflix’s downloads work just like Hulu’s — in the Downloads tab, you can click Find More To Download and go to town. All you need is an internet connection at the time of downloading (as you do with Hulu) as well as a Netflix account, and you can store up to 100 titles at a time. As far as what’s available to download, almost all the good stuff is — including all Netflix Originals — but according to Netflix’s website, sometimes Netflix doesn’t have the rights to offer another studio’s content for download, which explains the few gaps.
And there’s yet another streaming giant whose content was recently made available for offline viewing. HBO, which joins basically every other streaming service and channel (besides Netflix) on Apple’s new Apple TV Channels, has also made offline downloads available for the first time ever. The new Channels offering on Apple’s redesigned TV app (available on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV) is basically like a home base for all of your subscriptions — including HBO, Starz, Showtime, Smithsonian Channel, EPIX, Tastemade, CBS All-Access, and MTV Hits — except you don’t need separate log-in credentials for each one. And all of the content is available for offline download — including HBO’s entire catalog. Which means you can watch Kendall Roy rap on Succession over and over again, regardless of whether you have wifi or a cellular connection. And also, once Apple TV+, Apple’s original content streaming service, comes out on November 1 (for $4.99/month or free for a year with purchase of a new iPhone, Mac, or Apple TV), you can download all those shows and movies as well for offline viewing — including The Morning Show, which I honestly cannot wait for.
But if you’d like to opt into the new Apple TV Channels service and already subscribe to any of its included streaming services or channels, you’ll have to end your subscriptions and re-subscribe through Apple TV Channels. Sounds like a pain, I know, but ultimately it’s worth it for ability to sign in with just your Apple ID.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
