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Tag: expert tips

  • Yep, These Are the 7 Best Alexander McQueen Bags Money Can Buy

    Yep, These Are the 7 Best Alexander McQueen Bags Money Can Buy

    “When I’m dead and gone, people will know that the twenty-first century was started by Alexander McQueen,” no truer words were said by the late designer. In many ways, the legacy of Lee Alexander McQueen is one that still shapes the world to this very day, as his desire to push the boundaries of our imaginations has cemented him into our collective memory. McQueen heralded from the bustling streets of London, where he began working as a tailor at the humble age of sixteen until enrolling in Central Saint Martins. After graduating, he founded his eponymous label in 1992, which quickly caught the attention of fashion insiders because of his avant-garde approach to womenswear.

    Unlike other designers at the time, McQueen didn’t shy away from theatrics—his collections often featured highly technical craftsmanship paired with darkly romantic aesthetics and theatrical runway shows. Although there was a great deal of attention surrounding the designer’s rule-breaking ready-to-wear pieces (rightfully so), the brand’s accessories were, and continue to be, just as noteworthy. Under the direction of McQueen, followed by his successor Sarah Jane Burton, we’ve seen the luxury house turn out some of the most coveted handbags of the century. It might be easy to assume that the buzz surrounding the house’s bags concerns its popularity among stars like Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, but that’s far from the truth. 

    Alexander McQueen’s bags have continued to accrue value over time, making them the perfect item to invest in for the long haul. And while there’s no telling what buzzy new bags will come out of the house following the recent appointment of creative director Seán McGirr, there are a few iconic styles that remain solid investments. In an effort to identify them, we decided to reach out to a luxury resale expert to have them give us the full rundown—luckily for us, Landyn Tedrick, the Site Merchandising Specialist at Fashionphile, obliged. Ahead, you’ll hear from Tedrick about her career, what to know when shopping for a designer purse, and, of course, a compact list of the 7 best Alexander McQueen bags. Trust us when we say, these purses will captivate the collective imagination for centuries to come.

    Jasmine Fox-Suliaman

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  • 3 Steps to Identify Your Face Shape (It’s Actually So Easy)

    3 Steps to Identify Your Face Shape (It’s Actually So Easy)

    Obviously, our faces are not going to be exact replicas of geometric shapes we learned about in school. So it’s best to be less rigid with our expectations of conforming to an exact shape and leave room for other contributing factors. “The overall face shape takes into account the relative prominence of features and changes with age and weight,” says Anita Patel, MD, founder of her eponymous cosmetic surgery practice in Beverly Hills. “If looking at a triangle, a youthful face has the apex at the bottom, whereas an aged look has the triangle flipped upside down, with the base at the bottom,” she adds.

    In addition, Ourian recommends thinking about how we apply our makeup to help make us more cognizant of our facial structure. “As a rule of thumb, consider how and why you contour and highlight certain areas of the face using bronzer, blush, and highlighter. This bone structure you exaggerate shadows and highlights, contributing to your face shape,” he says. 

    Courtney Higgs

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  • Everyone on TikTok Is Talking About “Old Money Aesthetic”—Here’s What It Means

    Everyone on TikTok Is Talking About “Old Money Aesthetic”—Here’s What It Means


    Photo:

    Courtesy of Bottega Veneta; @bettinalooney; Courtesy of Saint Laurent; Courtesy of Chanel; David Russell/HBO; Courtesy of Ferragamo; @bettinalooney

    Raise your hand if you’ve ever cringed looking at your weekly screentime report (don’t worry, mine is abysmal too). While there’s no arguing that many of us would benefit from going out to “touch grass” more, occasionally, there’s something to gain from spending copious hours online—e.g., knowledge about global events, community building, and even a few cute outfit ideas. But possibly one of the best things about social media is that it allows us not only to create or follow but to contemplate. 

    On a larger scale, these platforms have played a pivotal role in giving marginalized communities the platform to speak up and question society’s power structures. And on a personal level, they’ve changed how we relate to every aspect of our lives, including clothing. When a fashion trend takes off on TikTok, it may seem trite, but it’s actually saying way more about society than we think. A prime example of this is the recent rise of the “old money” fashion aesthetic.

    Across Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, and various media publications (including our very own), we’ve seen an amalgamation of coverage centered around phrases like “quiet luxury,” “stealth wealth,” or “old money dressing.” While the terms may differ, make no mistake, this idea is centered on discerning how wealth is displayed through clothing. It’s a concept that has invoked strong emotions of contempt and approval. 

    Jasmine Fox-Suliaman

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  • The “Holy” Step in Your Skincare Routine That You’re Probably Doing Wrong

    The “Holy” Step in Your Skincare Routine That You’re Probably Doing Wrong

    Using the wrong cleanser is just as bad as not cleansing your skin effectively. Rouleau says if you don’t choose the right formula for your skin type, you can risk everything from irritation to dehydration and a compromised moisture barrier. In other words, you’re really rolling the dice, and no one wants to do that with their skin. 

    Luckily, Rouleau has tips for choosing the right cleanser for your skin type. Start by paying attention to the texture of the cleanser. “If you struggle with very oily skin, gel cleansers are the way to go,” she says. “If your skin is on the drier side, you can opt for a creamy cleanser (or, if you wear heavier makeup or lots of sunscreen, a balm for nighttime). For those with combination skin, I usually recommend a gel cleanser in the morning and a creamy lotion or balm cleanser at night.” 

    Just keep in mind the texture of the cleanser determines how it should be used. “Gel cleansers should be applied to wet skin, while cleansers with a cream, balm, or lotion texture should be applied to dry skin,” Rouleau says. “If you apply a cleanser to dry skin, start by massaging it for 30 seconds. Then, add water to emulsify and massage.” Once it’s dissolved sunscreen, makeup, dirt, and debris, wipe or rinse your skin clean.  

    Kaitlyn McLintock

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  • Keri Russell’s Facialist Gave Me a Skincare Routine—Here Are Her 7 Best Tips

    Keri Russell’s Facialist Gave Me a Skincare Routine—Here Are Her 7 Best Tips

    Vargas specializes in doing pre–red carpet facials for her celebrity clients. She says skin prep doesn’t always start the day of. In fact, it can start months out. “Last summer, for example, I had a client come to me, and her movie was going to get a big push from the studio. We weren’t really sure where it was going to go, but the idea was that it was possibly going to mean an Oscars nomination down the road or an active award season,” she says. “It’s not like people come to me and are like, ‘I’m going to win an Oscar this year.’ It’s more like, ‘I might have to do a lot of press, and that stresses me out.’ Or somebody has a big wedding or, more horribly, a high school reunion. … If you have six months and you want an anti-aging effect, I would do Morpheus8, LED, and hyperbaric oxygen treatments.” 

    For younger clients who just want their skin to look bright and dewy, Vargas would recommend something slightly different. “I would alternate between microcurrent, LED, and chemical peels—maybe dermaplaning, which is a new obsession of mine,” she says. “Dermaplaning gives you a glow like crazy, and it’s really good for pigment.”

    She also recommends investing in body treatments so the skin south of your neck gets just as much TLC as the skin on your face: “Certainly before big red carpets when I’m giving facials on Oscars morning, I have someone on my team exfoliating with the microdermabrasion on the body and then giving them what I call ‘the rub,’ which is like hot coconut balls that we moisturize the skin with. One thing that people don’t realize is that you’re not wearing a ton of makeup on the red carpet. People wear more makeup to get married than they do to walk a red carpet for the Oscars.” 

    Kaitlyn McLintock

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  • According To a Lingerie Expert, You Only Need To Own These 6 Types of Underwear

    According To a Lingerie Expert, You Only Need To Own These 6 Types of Underwear

    As someone who almost exclusively wears thongs, I have long been convinced I don’t need to update my lingerie drawers. That was until a recent conversation I had with the CEO of Journelle, Sapna Palep. She told me, “Just like you have a bra wardrobe, that has different types of bras that work for different activities and different occasions, you need a bottoms wardrobe too. It is okay to be a superfan of one style and have many of that style, but you should still have a few other styles as options. ” And she’s right.

    In order to look as polished and elevated as humanly possible, you need to have a good undergarment collection to match. Underwear is often overlooked and saved for last-minute Christmas gifts but it’s a must-have investment for anyone looking to scale up their wardrobe.

    Go on to see which types of underwear Journelle’s CEO thinks we should all own.

    Sierra Mayhew

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  • I Asked 3 Resale Experts for Luxury Items Worth Investing In—They Said These

    I Asked 3 Resale Experts for Luxury Items Worth Investing In—They Said These

    A lot goes into making a serious investment, no matter what it is. Just like you wouldn’t purchase a home or a car without proper planning and research, most people wouldn’t drop a significant amount of money on a designer bag, coat, or pair of shoes on a whim either. Knowing whether said item will lose its popularity in a season’s time, its resale value in the short and long term, and more are all variables to consider ahead of any type of financial exchange. Luckily, there are experts for that—and I just so happened to recently catch up with three of them. 

    Currently, designer offerings are the priciest they’ve perhaps ever been and the most desirable, making it all the more important for us to do our homework beforehand. Knowing that, I called on Jessica Henderson, a senior curator at FASHIONPHILE; Kelly McSweeney, The RealReal’s senior merchandising manager; and a representative at Vestiaire Collective to teach all prospective investors about the designer items that pack the most punch financially speaking. Ahead, see and shop the items they think will best hold their value down the line.  

    Eliza Huber

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  • The 2023 Jewelry Trends Everyone’s About to Be Completely Obsessed With

    The 2023 Jewelry Trends Everyone’s About to Be Completely Obsessed With

    I never used to be a big jewelry person. For years, I wore small gold hoops and the occasional ring or simple pendant necklace, never bothering to experiment. But lately, I’ve begun to realize how doing so has hindered me sartorially and kept me from taking my outfits to their max potential. 

    My coming to that realization shouldn’t be shocking given how alluring this year’s jewelry offering is thus far. After minimalism’s long tenure left our necks, wrists, and fingers feeling lightweight and bare, fashion has taken a turn of late, especially in the bauble department. More and more, statement jewelry pieces like sculptural wrist cuffs and colorful costume chokers are making their way onto the runways and into our collections, knocking simple chains and hoops out of the top-shelf spot they’ve resided on all throughout the early ’20s. 

    But don’t just take my word for it—believe the experts. To help usher me back into the world of jewelry, I called on buyers from Nordstrom, Shopbop, and MatchesFashion to share their favorite trends in the genre for 2023. Read all about it below. 

    Eliza Huber

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  • We’re Resale Experts—This Is What You Should Be Parting With and Purchasing RN

    We’re Resale Experts—This Is What You Should Be Parting With and Purchasing RN

    Despite popular belief, even editors can succumb to one of the most common closet mistakes: lack of discernment. Though our jobs are about being able to sift through everything to find the best staples to add to our (and our dear readers) closets, it can, at times, be overwhelming. After all, we live to find things, so sometimes we go a little overboard—whether that means investing in far too many trends, not shopping as wisely as we can, or owning multiple versions of the same piece because they’re slightly “different.” Of course, this problem doesn’t solely plague editors; anyone can reach a point where they wake up one day, stare at their overstuffed closet, and profess, I have nothing to wear.

    In those moments, it’s more important than ever to not only do a closet clean-out but also have an internal check-in about your shopping habits. Deciding to ditch that once-viral trend after wearing it once for TikTok may seem harmless, but textile waste (and production) is one of the second biggest polluters in the world. The average American throws away 81.5 pounds of clothes yearly, and while you may be thinking, No, I donate it, what many don’t know is that most clothing that’s “donated” ends up being exported to impoverished countries where they’ll eventually be left in landfills and impact local agriculture and water supplies for those communities. 

    All of this is to say that it’s imperative to do everything we possibly can as consumers to shift to a circular economy, and the easiest way to do just that is through the secondhand resale market. We know that there are so many benefits to shopping secondhand, but reselling can feel a bit more challenging for many. So to make that process more accessible, we spoke with three experts from some of the biggest luxury resell platforms to have them share their wisdom.

    Ahead, you’ll hear from them about how they got into the luxury resale industry, why it’s imperative to shop (and sell) clothing secondhand, and what pieces you should be parting with and purchasing right now. 

    Jasmine Fox-Suliaman

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  • The Worst Shoes for Your Feet, According to a Doctor

    The Worst Shoes for Your Feet, According to a Doctor

    While Dr. Khorramian named ballet flats as the most common shoes to cause foot-related issues, he explained that other unsupportive or painful styles are also worth avoiding. “Flip-flops can cause a lot of injuries,” he stated. “Pointy shoes can also cause corns and blisters because of the lack of circulation to the toes.”

    Some of the most unsupportive shoes for your feet include classic ballet flats, flip-flops, pointed shoes, and precarious heels. So what are the best ways to protect your feet? “Always buy shoes that are cushiony underneath the soles of the feet and have enough toe room,” said Khorramian. And if you are planning to wear shoes with little support or high heels, he recommends carrying a larger bag where you can easily swap to comfortable shoes. “If you must wear heels, avoid wearing them while you’re driving, for long periods of time, and while walking.”

    Aemilia Madden

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