February 27, 2019 at 09:09AM by CWC One day, as I was going through my usual getting-dressed routine—pulling everything out of my closet and then staring at the mess I’ve made until making myself 15 minutes late—I had the radical (ha) thought that maybe more clothing options aren’t better. “How many clothes do I need?” I pondered as I lie on my bed covered with errant clothing, silk blouses and sequins strewn across my duvet. (Okay, that was melodramatic—I really had this epiphany when I was doing laundry and I realized that now that I have to use a coin-op machine, washing all my clothes just became incredibly expensive. But the other image appealed to my sense of drama.) Like, isn’t there a magical number of clothes to own? Which is exactly what I ask Lisey Barela, Chicago head of sales and styling for Trunk Club, a subscription box service that pairs you with a stylist to help you “build a better wardrobe” i.e. one you’ll actually wear and that fits your fashion needs. “I don’t believe there is a magic number. Everybody is so unique in their preferences,” she tells me. (I take this as my cue to continue buying things—come here Dr. Martens currently in my cart.) “I think a specific number is very individual, but I do think having certain basics; however, will help ground your wardrobe.” She is also a proponent of investing in quality items over quantity. “I firmly believe in less is more when it comes
Category: Fashion
These giant Japanese oranges are the seedless citrus treat you and your immune system need right now
February 27, 2019 at 07:59AM by CWC Punxsutawney Phil is a liar: This is the winter that never ends. One week, it’s Polar Vortexing. Then the next, a beautiful sunny day turns into a straight-up ice storm. Since cozy coats can only do so much good in protecting you from the ridiculously cold weather, there’s another way you can ensure you and your immune system stay strong the rest of the season: eating giant, vitamin C-packed Sumo oranges. If you haven’t heard of Sumo oranges, Eva Chen has kind of become an unofficial spokesperson. The fashion editor and influencer recently shared her obsession of the fruit on her Instagram Stories, calling them her “new favorite.” People also started messaging her about the oranges (which she also documented on her Stories), sharing how much they loved them, too. Which gave me a major feeling of FOMOOC (Fear Of Missing Out On Citrus). According to Sumo Citrus—the prime grower of the oranges—Sumo oranges are a cross between mandarin oranges and California oranges (specially, the navel orange, per the New York Times), making them juicy, sweet, easy to peel, and seedless. They’re also a bit more expansive than your typical orange…like, $2.49 a pound at Trader Joe’s expensive…but most people seem to agree it’s totally worth it. (For comparison, the average cost of a navel orange in 2019 was $1.39 per pound.) The other thing about Sumo oranges: They’ve def got their own look. Per the New York Times, the Japanese-developed orange gets its name
The derm-approved, month-by-month guide to taking care of skin
February 26, 2019 at 12:50PM by CWC No matter how badly you want to see results, the truth is, committing to a skin-care game plan is just plain hard—even for beauty enthusiasts. Add in the need to swap things in and out seasonally, hormonal changes, or sporadic weather patterns, and it’s all a recipe for manic skin and a medicine cabinet full of barely used products. Since a glow up is top of mind no matter what the season, we asked a cohort of skin-care experts to help map out exactly what to use (and when!), for the most effective path to perfect skin all year long. Keep on scrolling for your month-by-month break down of how to take care of your skin. Graphic: Well+Good Creative January Now is the time to lay it on thick. Heavier creams, salves, and ointments are particularly helpful during dry winter months because they will do a better job of locking moisture into the skin. More moisture is lost from the skin when the humidity is low, so look for products that combine humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin with emollients like ceramides, petrolatum, and shea butter to draw in moisture and keep it there. You also want to layer on your skin care the same way that you do your clothing this time of year. “I highly recommend keeping at least three steps after cleansing: toning mist, serum, and a moisturizing cream to deeply hydrate your dry skin. For an extra boost, add
A guide to every sporty ’90s style trend you’ll see this spring
February 26, 2019 at 10:42AM by CWC Today’s retro athleisure style has me wishing I had kept all those long-lost favorites from the actual ’90s. (R.I.P. hot pink hoodie and matching bike shorts. Sigh) The silver lining to not having my old mainstays, however, is that it gives me a chance to scope out this season’s takes on ’90s style trends. To chat about the sporty styles that truly seem as though they’re here to stay—at least for a long time to come—I turned to stylist and street style pro Rachael Wang. Of the ‘90s style trends, she says, “I’m not a historian or an economist, but I do know that fashion trends reflect what’s happening in the world culturally, morally, technologically, and economically. Right now, fans of fashion are craving the rebellious authenticity of the ‘90s—a time when people really leaned into their interests and made it their lifestyle; whether that was hip hop, sports, grunge, or minimalism.” And, what’s more, these head-turning athleisure pieces and oversized silhouettes are effortlessly being woven into the wardrobes of all types of fashion-lovers once again. Wang shares that her favorite ways to mix the ‘90s into her own wardrobe is by “pairing a sporty item, like bike shorts, with something unexpected and of a different era, like a low kitten heel strappy sandal and a checked menswear blazer. It keeps the trend from being too literal.” For a full run-down on the ‘90s style trends expected to everywhere this spring, below are
As a queer woman who dates men, Miley Cyrus makes me feel seen—but she’s wrong about one important thing
February 26, 2019 at 08:01AM by CWC Miley Cyrus is queer—and her recent Vanity Fair cover story makes clear that she wants to everyone to know her recent marriage to Liam Hemsworth doesn’t change that. “A big part of my pride and identity is being a queer person,” says the artist, who came out as pansexual and then genderqueer several years ago. I, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, applaud Cyrus for the reminder—but she still has some work to do as a public ally. After identifying as a lesbian for the first quarter-century of my life, I fell for a cisgender man. From the outside looking in, we didn’t seem all that different from any other hetero duo. And as our relationship grew more serious, I felt like my previous experiences as a queer-identifying woman were getting erased. I wondered whether it possible to continue identifying as queer, even within my relationship, which felt very heterosexual in nature. At the time, the answer seemed like a clear, hard no. And as such, I felt an incredible sense of loss. But what Cyrus (rightfully) contends in the Vanity Fair piece is that your queerness doesn’t disintegrate just because your relationship looks heterosexual. Your sexual identity is not a reflection of your partner’s gender, but rather a reflection of how you define yourself. For both queer women like me (who do, have, or will date cisgender men) and a general society that glosses over the intricacies of desire and identity, that’s a powerful notion.
Of the dozens of thrift stores in NYC, these are the best places to shop for secondhand gems
February 26, 2019 at 05:15AM by CWC Despite its reputation for being pricey, New York has a deceptive abundance of thrift stores dotted throughout its five boroughs, making it an ideal spot to secondhand shop. Some of these places are the type where you need to (or should) dedicate at least a couple of hours to sift through the thousands of garments in search of sartorial gold. Others, aware of their space limitations, are a little bit pricier but more curated and easier to sort through—I like to think of them as thrifting lite. Regardless of where you choose to go, you should really save your time and energy for finding gems rather than finding thrift stores. Luckily the city’s best are rounded up below. And before you get shopping a little trade secret: All of the best slip dresses are in fact found in thrift stores. 1. L Train Vintage Finding an L Train Vintage store can be a little bit confusing. Technically it’s a chain of stores but certain locations go by different names—like the one in the East Village, which is called No Relation. But regardless, this is perhaps the most tried and true thrift store experience in New York City. It specializes in basics like shirts and plain dresses, priced at $7. (Things get incrementally for expensive depending on what exactly you’re looking for, though still definitely affordable.) In true thrift store fashion, you should expect to dedicate at least an hour to sifting through the
How one female Soldier trained for the “toughest training course” in the Army
February 25, 2019 at 10:00AM by CWC As the United States Army’s website puts it: “Ranger School is one of the toughest training courses for which a Soldier can volunteer.” It lasts for 56 days and involves three phases—starting with some hardcore fitness tests, followed by 20-straight days and nights of operating in rugged mountain conditions with full gear and very little food or water, and to finish, 16 days of learning how survive in a “jungle and swamp environment”. It’s mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting (in case you need quantifiable proof of just how exhausting: One estimation claims that only about 50 percent of the Soldiers who start in the program actually finish it out to graduate. Unlike many other areas of the Armed forces, women are held to the exact same physical standards as their male counterparts. Women actually weren’t allowed in Ranger School until 2015, and since they’ve been granted entry into the program, they haven’t been given any special treatment as far as the rules of requirement go. “I really liked that it was at one standard, because then no one can say: ‘Well, you only made it through because you’re a woman.’ And to me, that’s important,” says Lieutenant Emily Lilly, who graduated from Ranger School in 2018 at age 38—the first-ever female Army Guard Soldier to do so. Obviously, this undertaking is not for the faint of heart, and requires some major physical fitness to get in. Before a Solider even starts Ranger School, they need to complete the following: Ranger
Meet HIIPA, which is pretty much HIIT set to the tune of your everyday life
February 25, 2019 at 09:36AM by CWC HIIT—or high-intensity interval training—seems to be the workout style designed specifically to accommodate our modern-day hustling lives. In just 20 minutes of work, you can expect satisfyingly sweat-soaked gym attire and a healthy spike in your heart rate. But a brand-new paper published Saturday argues that you can reap the benefits of HIIT even when you’re not wearing your leggings with HIIPA. High-intensity incidental physical activity or HIIPA is the stuff that you regularly do throughout the day that gets your heart rate up, but that you wouldn’t technically classify as “fitness” on its own. Think of it like this: Rather than (or in addition to) blocking off time in your Google Cal to head to the gym, you treat the quotidien strenuous activities you do—like walking up the stairs to work or vacuuming while dancing—as bite-sized servings of exercise. Then, you consider your “active recovery” whatever else is on your TDL for the day. In order to get the “best bang for buck for time unit”, as the researchers put it, attempt to do those everyday circuits at 80 percent or above your VO2max. So, instead of taking the escalator to the top floor at the mall, think about high-kneeing your way to the top. (But be safe, please!) “Our paper, published today in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, shows this type of regular, incidental activity that gets you huffing and puffing is likely to produce health benefits, even if you do it in
5 ways to pull off the Oscar’s pink fashion trend IRL—from feminine to sporty styles
February 25, 2019 at 09:20AM by CWC Without a doubt, pink was one of the standout trends of the evening at the 2019 Academy Awards on Sunday. In all tones, silhouettes, trends, and styles, celebrities hit the red carpet in pink looks that wowed. While you might not exactly be in the market for a ballgown (though, who knows!), it’s time to take this unmistakable trend and translate it into your own wardrobe for spring. Take cues from some of the chicest ladies on the Oscars carpet who wore the powerful color with style, strength, and poise, mixing in your current everyday wardrobe staples to create a seasonal uniform you won’t be able to wait to wear. Channel Julia Roberts’ one-shoulder silhouette, Gemma Chan’s neon statement, Kacey Musgraves’ pale pink hue and more as you build your spring 2019 wardrobe with a color that will transition from ultra-feminine to sporty chic with ease. Check out the best pink looks of the night, below, and what to shop to make the trend your own this season. Ruffles Linda Cardellini in Schiaparelli Haute Couture. Photo: Getty Images/Frazer Harrison Lina Cardellini’s Schiaparelli look might have elicited a love-it-or-hate-it response from all, but the ruffled gown brought a whimsical life to the red carpet that you’re going to want—no, need—in your everyday wardrobe, asap. Perhaps you add the subtle detail to a bag or sneaker or maybe hunt for the most statement-making top that you plan to pair with a classic like high-waisted jeans.
How to know when it’s time to break up, based on your Myers-Briggs personality type
February 25, 2019 at 08:34AM by CWC People don’t usually decide to break up with their partners suddenly. I mean, let’s be real: It’s rare for the state of a relationship to go from wonderful to terrible overnight. Usually, the decision sort of creeps up on you. And depending on your unique list of priorities, you might have your own unique reasons for needing to leave a partnership. Your Myers-Briggs personality type can both illuminate your needs in a relationship and also which qualities are absolutely not negotiable—whether that’s control or trust or something else entirely. So, what exactly is your breaking point for knowing when to call it quits? Read on. (Don’t know what your MBTI is? Read this first!) Check out how to know when to break up, based on your Myers-Briggs personality type. Graphic by Well+Good Creative ISFJ: When you feel the relationship is unstable You thrive on stability and like knowing your partner is going to be there for you know matter what. When your relationship seems to be a roller-coaster, and you’re hitting more rough patches than bursts of good times, it’s time to end it. You’ll have near-constant anxiety with an absentee significant other. ESFJ: When you’re working harder for it than they are You’re incredibly giving, but that generosity is also your Achilles’ heel. You tend to work very hard to maintain relationships once committed, even if your partner isn’t reciprocating in equal measure. By the time you actually feel that your partner