November 06, 2018 at 02:30PM If you instantly had Harry-level googly eyes the second you saw the custom reception gown Stella McCartney made for Meghan Markle to wear after the royal wedding, you’re not alone. The entire world wanted to get their hands on it—and, unfortunately, that’s kind of impossible considering the designer is only making 46 replicas, costing upward of $4,600 a pop (not exactly budget-friendly). But your wardrobe prayers have been answered: There’s now a knockoff available for only $45. According to Page Six, the gown—called the “Royal Debut Dress“—is being sold on Fashion Nova’s website in sizes XS to 3X. Even though it’s currently completely out of stock, it’s worth the wait for it to come back again. The dress—which also looks a whole lot like the Alexander McQueen dress Tiffany Haddish has rocked multiple times in the past—has a silhouette that looks great on duchesses and hilarious actresses alike. “Often times, such a form-fitting dress can be tricky. This one, however, is universally flattering,” stylist Rachel Pincus tells me. She says that the magic lies in a trio of fit-factors—the high neck, the long hem, and the cinch in the middle—which elongate the silhouette and make it work for every body type. Because it’s so flattering, it should come with a warning: Once you put it on, you probably won’t ever want to take it off. And now you totally understand why Haddish isn’t letting her piece collect dust in the back of her closet. Patterned tights are the only things your
Category: Fashion
Five ways to stop the seasonal blues from taking over
November 06, 2018 at 12:00PM The days are short, the skies are dark… and it can be incredibly hard to keep your spirits up. But, says W+G Council member and Mama Glow founder Latham Thomas, the way to successfully cope is to embrace your feelings and nurture yourself. Tomorrow in Brooklyn, she will be be part of In My Feelings, a mental health and self-care circle featuring Claire Fountain and sponsored by Saje Wellness. Autumn is a magical time of year, but the chilly weather and lack of sun can take their toll. As the season changes and the days get shorter, it’s easy to feel lonely, down, and low-energy. Whether you call it seasonal affective disorder or just the seasonal blues, these feelings can be a lot to handle. But guess what: They’re not weird at all, and nothing is wrong with you. These are normal aspects of a person’s life as we move through seasons. This is why it’s so important to have hands-on tools that you can use to remind yourself to engage in a self-care practice. Here, I’m not talking about just yourself—I’m talking about the community around you. Whether it’s a sister, a friend, or someone you’ve just met, this is an opportunity to engage your community with intention. Look out for each other. Here are some ways to help yourself feel better when SAD is nipping at your heels. Photo: Stocksy/Marco Govel Listen to your body and mind I’m someone who’s always cold, so
What to do *instead of* taking deep breaths to treat an anxiety or panic attack
November 06, 2018 at 10:00AM Mental-health issues are becoming less stigmatized and easier to talk about by the day, especially with celebs getting real about their personal struggles. Still, articulating the experience of having conditions like depression or anxiety can seem confusing or even impossible, so larger scale conversations about defining, then researching and treating them can likewise suffer. A product of this plagues panic disorders, a condition that the Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports effects 2 to 3 percent of the national population each year, despite many of these people not even knowing what they’re battling is treatable. Both anxiety and panic attacks can feel like having a heart attack, says therapist and social worker Scott Dehorty, executive director of a mental-health treatment facility: They can bring about dizziness, loss of balance, increased heart rate, nausea, chest discomfort or pain, choking sensation, and sweating. If you find yourself experiencing this scary laundry list of no-fun symptoms, you’ve likely been told (maybe even by yourself!) to try to calm down and take deep breaths. But that might not be the only course of action. Psychologist and Mindsail expert Carder Stout, PhD, says the best breathing technique during these attacks is to “take medium, regulated breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling with your mouth” since both deep and shallow breaths pose their own issues. Deep breaths have been thought to exacerbate the problem by elongating the hyperventilation that commonly occurs during an attack. Alternatively, Dr. Stout says breathing too shallowly “can cause a feeling
Why do we love leggings so much? Let’s investigate
November 05, 2018 at 12:31PM At this point, wearing leggings is no longer about fitness—it’s about function. Exhibit A: Sales of stretchy pants surpassed denim—the fabric of the people—for the first time this year. But until Business of Fashion published its long read on how America became a nation of yoga pants, it was hard to tell how many heart emojis (err: peach emojis?) the bottoms got. Let’s just say a lot. People currently spend $1 billion on leggings and active bottoms, according to BoF. It’s a massive figure, for sure, and it begs the question: Why do we love leggings so much? Obviously…the answer varies. But if we look at the different instances in which people purchase their beloved bottoms, we can more easily assess why they’ve become so valuable. As BoF notes, the dominance of athleisure in the fashion industry (it’s currently the fastest growing category) has made casual dressing apropos for work and leisure, and sure, working out. In other words, that leggings can “do all” is their real appeal. “Consumers expect a lot more,” Sun Choe, chief product officer at Lululemon, tells BoF. “They’re expecting some versatility in their product.” What BoF didn’t address in its article is this: Size inclusivity of ready-to-wear brands remains a problem. Many lines top out at between size 12 to 14, while the average American woman is a 16 to 18. Activewear brands were among the earliest in mainstream to introduce size inclusive collections—or, to offer extended sizes from the start. This allowed these brands to
Oh cool, jaw tension could be behind that mysterious breakout
November 05, 2018 at 09:58AM Until a few months ago, I had clear skin. Then one day, I woke up and my cheeks had exploded with blackheads. Despite a diligent skin-care regimen, it looked like I was perpetually forgetting to take off my makeup before I went to bed and sleeping on a pillowcase that hadn’t been washed in eight months. I pulled out my usual arsenal of products containing glycolic and lactic acids, but nevertheless these clogged pores persisted. They’d go away for a few days, then emerge again like the regenerated heads of the Hydra. I relayed my woeful tale of cheek acne to celebrity aesthetician and Take Care Spa founder Sadie Adams. She reached down, felt my face, and told me something that I honestly wasn’t expecting: I had tons of tension in my jaw from clenching it all the time. And that, she said, was probably what was causing my cheeks and jawline to break out. Curious to know more, I consulted other pros to figure out just how common this could actually be. More on that now. Photo: Getty Images/Hill Creek Pictures Jaw tension and the lymphatic system To understand the link between jaw tension and acne, it’s important to first understand a bit about the lymphatic system. “The lymphatic system is an important part of our immune system responsible for the differentiation of fluids, waste, nutrients, and other materials between the cells, tissues, and blood,” says David Amron, MD, a board-certified dermatologic surgeon and founder
Transgender clothing closets are a major win for self-expression—and mental health
November 05, 2018 at 06:32AM Clothing is a form of communication—it lets us share who we are without having to say a word. A black turtleneck bodysuit exudes a classic, fuss-free vibe, a vintage band tee flaunts an obsession with the ’70s punk scene, while sharply pointed heels that authoritatively click-clack between cubicles say “I’ve got this—and I’m ready for that promotion whenever you are.” And while many people take for granted that they can walk into a store and leave with a garment that reflects how they feel on the inside, it’s not so easy for those who identify as transgender or non-binary. Cost and sizing of clothes can be a barrier, as well as stares from other shoppers (or worse), and many dressing rooms are still labeled as strictly male or female, making it awkward to try on new things. With this in mind, a growing number of LGBTQ+ resource centers and universities are opening free clothing closets for trans and gender non-conforming people, giving them a place to explore and express their identities through fashion. Such programs are cropping up in all corners of the US, from Georgia (Kennesaw State University) and West Virginia (Marshall University) to Missouri (The Center Project), Pennsylvania (Penn State University), New Mexico (The Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico) and California (UC Santa Cruz), to name just a few. According to Aydin Olson-Kennedy, LCSW, clothing closets like these are super important for the wellness of the LGBTQ+ community. And these safe spaces are particularly important now,
Your A to Z guide for winter jacket styles and shopping
November 03, 2018 at 09:57AM We’re finally making that seasonal shift (no, not daylight saving time) from sweater weather to outerwear no longer being elective. It’s a wardrobe transition that confounds more than a few every year. Since your coat is essentially your outfit for an entire season, the sartorial stakes are pretty high. The market is completely oversaturated with more options than you could ever sift through—a problem which led to the creation of this glossary of winter jacket styles. Shopping for a coat comes down to picking the style that both fits your aesthetic and your cold weather requirements. But you can pretty much find every jacket style with different levels of insulation so what it’s really a matter of homing in on a silhouette and letting that filter down your options. “Brands that focus on material and construction quality are the same brands that are thinking about the longevity of their designs in the ever-changing, trend-driven fashion landscape.” —Jeff Johnson, co-founder and creative director of outerwear brand The Arrivals To help you do this, take some advice from Jeff Johnson, co-founder and creative director of outerwear brand The Arrivals. “Follow quality,” he says. “Brands that focus on material and construction quality are the same brands that are thinking about the longevity of their designs in the ever-changing, trend-driven fashion landscape.” When you’re looking for a jacket that’ll work this season (as well as for seasons to come), Johnson suggests asking yourself a few questions: “Does the product keep you warm and
Seeing a new hairstylist? Here’s Jonathan Van Ness’ top tip for nailing the consultation
November 01, 2018 at 01:00PM Hairstylist and celeb Jonathan Van Ness‘ mane is the stuff of beauty legends. (I mean, has the grooming guru with the shiniest strands had a bad hair day in his life? Ever?) Since the Queer Eye star has gained notoriety for refashioning even the most unkempt of manes into Patrick Dempsey-level hairdos, I couldn’t resist asking him about the best strategies for collaborating successfully with a new hairstylist. Because entrusting someone new with your tresses can totally elicit some feelings of stranger danger. “I’m most off put by a new client who sits down and immediately says ‘no hairdresser gets it right.’ Don’t open new relationship by explaining why the last one didn’t work,” Van Ness straight-up preaches. After all, you wouldn’t (or rather shouldn’t) start a first date by agonizing over your last S.O.’s shortcomings. So, the same logic applies here. “Don’t say ‘do whatever you want!’ You have a baseline understanding of what you’re looking for—collaboration is what you’re looking for.” —Jonathan Van Ness Once you sit down, great attitude and all, set into motion Van Ness’ next tip for making the most magic happen: Bring lots of pictures and show your new hair guru. “Don’t say ‘do whatever you want!’ You have a baseline understanding of what you’re looking for—collaboration is what you’re looking for,” he says. In other words: Own that haircut, honey! Walking out with a fresh snip that makes you feel effervescent starts with asking for exactly what you want. When you’re picking
Why every woman should own a pair of seamless leggings—whether she works out or not
November 01, 2018 at 12:35PM From pastel colors to leopard print, certain activewear trends hold the spotlight only for a season or two. Then, there are those with staying power such as seamless. (No, I’m not talking about the delivery food app.) Whether they advertise it or not, many top workout labels like Varley, Alala, Alo, and more create leggings, bras, and tops from seamless textiles. In technical terms, that equates to a fabric that is knitted in a circular fashion before the pattern is cut and stitched together. “Seamless doesn’t mean ‘no seams’, it means fewer seams because of this production process,” explains Andrew O’Sullivan, chief marketing officer of the Swedish activewear brand, Casall. “Seamless garments are really flexible, both in the fabric and styling.” —Andrew O’Sullivan, chief marketing officer of the Swedish activewear brand, Casall “Seamless garments are really flexible, both in the fabric and styling,” O’Sullivan adds. “The fabric is figure hugging and moves in harmony with the body, providing the opportunity to style across the day from wake up, to work, to work out, to wind down.” Alissa Benishai, founder and chief executive officer of Phat Buddha, started her line seven years ago and has been a leader in the seamless space ever since. “The consumer is more educated now than ever before and has discovered the pure luxury and comfort of wearing a seamless garment.” As the boundaries between work wear, streetwear, activewear, and loungewear continue to blur, seamless pieces fit in across all categories from
Don’t be scared to admit you hate dad sneakers and boyfriend jeans—Chrissy Teigen is with you
November 01, 2018 at 11:23AM Boyfriend jeans and dad sneakers are a #lewk for sure, but that doesn’t mean they’re everyone‘s look. Just ask Chrissy Teigen, who recently told Byrdie that she’s not clamoring for those cult-beloved Filas or pillaging denim racks for a loose, laid-back cut. In fact, she wouldn’t be too upset if both trends disappeared into fashion obscurity. “Those horrible sneakers are killing me,” she says, clarifying that she means the “high-fashion orthopedic” variety that have pretty much dominated 2018’s streetwear scene. “But maybe I’m just personally offended because I look so stupid in them. I walk differently. I’ve tried to wear them, and everyone’s just like, can’t you walk normally?” And while she can totally appreciate boyfriend jeans on others, she certainly wouldn’t seek out a pair for herself, she says. Cute, floral headbands—or HBOTD—that flawlessly disguise her gym hair are more her speed. “Those horrible sneakers are killing me…. I walk differently. I’ve tried to wear them, and everyone’s just like, can’t you walk normally?” —Chrissy Teigen, on dad sneakers She feels the same way about boyfriend jeans, which she says she loves on other people. The takeaway? Fashion is a take-it-or-leave-it (or take it sometimes, and leave it others) kind of thing. So just because folks line up for clunky designer kicks or spend months frequenting vintage shops on the prowl for slouchy Levi’s, it doesn’t mean you have to do the same. Speaking of trends you may (or may not) want to be part of, these are our editors’ favorite white tees,