If you have sensitive ears, you know that finding a pair of earrings that are cute and that you can wear all day long is an uphill battle. Though those trendy Zara earrings all of your friends are wearing at the moment will just never be for you (because green skin and sore ears just aren’t worth it, no matter how gorgeous they are), we’ve put in the research to track down pairs you’ll be able to wear all season—and all year—long.
The key here is to carefully read up on what that pair of hoops you are lusting after is made of before you pull the trigger. The most common irritator for sensitive ears is nickel, which is unfortunately used to make most of the affordable earrings out on the market and is often used to make piercing guns. (This is just one more reason why it’s worth going to an experienced piercer the next time you want to up your ear game.) So if you’re planning to pick a pair up from an affordable store, you’ll likely want to steer clear unless the packaging specifies a pair is nickel-free or is made of one of the five metals outlined below.
The following 29 pairs made of pure gold, sterling sliver, and more should all be safe for sensitive ears, so read on to shop earrings you’ll be able to mix and match to Instagrammable perfection.
No one can deny that every city has its distinct energy—history, art, food, music, and various cultural identities intertwine to lay the groundwork for each one’s unique personality. While no two cities are the same, the stylish people living there are no different. No matter the zip code, you can always spot the local fashion set donning a few similar things. The crossover you see reflected in street style can partly be attributed to the ever-expanding global fashion industry and a boom in social media. But what resonates globally isn’t just trends. More often than not, basic clothing is what you’ll see crossing borders more.
The universal appeal of staples is proof great style isn’t limited by geographical location. Instead, an arsenal of great basics determines it. And the girls that get that foundational truth can be found wearing their staples in the streets of Paris, London, New York, and beyond. But what exact pieces are making the cut? In search of the answer, I did hours of image research to identify 29 basic clothing items that women worldwide wear on repeat. Considering each item’s timelessness, functionality, seasonality, and popularity, these are undoubtedly the best foundational basics. So, without further ado, let’s get into it.
Just like what seems to ring true for most of our readers, I am a forever fan of the French-girl aesthetic. There’s just something so satisfying about seeing otherwise simple basics given the effortless treatment that Parisian’s are known for. It’s inspired many of my looks to say the least and sparked my avid interest in creating a wardrobe that is largely filled with the classic, elevated basics that stylish French women are known for.
One online store that never fails to offer a great selection of pieces that are essential to Parisian style is Nordstrom. During my latest perusal of the site, I was able to put together a roundup of 30 picks that are key for emulating the chicest French outfits that grace our social feeds. Best part is, most of the pieces come in at under $100. Keep scrolling to shop everything from striped tops to sleek dresses, practical jackets, and much more.
Nordstrom is often a go-to for its wide arrange of items to suit a variety of styles. On that note, it’s the brand’s assortment of affordable pieces that’s particularly noteworthy. If you cruise over to the site at any given time, you’re bound to uncover a smattering of under-$100 items. And that brings us to why we’re here today.
After scrolling through the under-$100 pieces at Nordstrom right now, it became apparent that there’s quite the offering of affordable items that are honestly quite timeless. Yep, said pieces are highly versatile and have those more classic yet modern silhouettes. Intrigued? Keep scrolling to check out an edit of closet staples that quite honestly probably won’t go out of style. Enjoy.
H&M is often a go-to shop for the brand’s wide array of items to suit a variety of styles. As I’m a fashion person who is quite often on a budget, it’s one of my first stops when I’m shopping online. My group chat of five other fashion-editor friends spanning across different ages and interests agrees: H&M is our shopping sanctuary when it comes to rebuilding our wardrobes, adding interesting pieces, and buying accessories to spruce up our closets.
While H&M is known for its low price point and trend-forward styles, I’ve been gravitating more and more toward the new-arrivals section. For some reason, it feels like the store is just getting it now more than ever, with an endless array of cute basics and summery silhouettes that have all been sitting pretty in my cart for weeks (if they haven’t gone viral and sold out already).
To showcase all of the items, I curated an edit of the pieces I think you might be most interested in below. Keep scrolling for shopping inspo.
I tend to go down rabbit holes when I shop online, opening up tab after tab until my laptop gets hot and starts humming, informing me that if I don’t go outside and take a breather, the spinning ball of death will arrive and never leave. Despite the potential threat, I’ve never learned to shop online any other way in my 27 years. Take my last full day of shopping, for instance. I spent roughly six hours scrolling and clicking on Nordstrom.com until my computer got so hot it nearly burned me.
One of the reasons why I’ve never been able to kick the habit is because the outcome is always worth it. And this last time was no exception. During those six hours, I put together a heavily curated shopping cart of 32 of the chicest finds I’ve discovered all summer, including everything from quiet-luxury staples to of-the-moment buys destined to bring forth compliments. So make my technical difficulties worth it by shopping the contents of my Nordstrom wishlist below.
I check Shopbop more than any other retailer, and I’m a shopping editor, so that’s saying something. They have everything. When new events require new outfits, I’ll run to Shopbop. If I have a trip coming up, I’ll check Shopbop every two seconds. If there’s a wedding coming up, you guessed it—I’ll scroll through the retailer. Shopbop houses so many of my favorite brands, so it has naturally made its way to the top of the list of retailers I frequent. But it’s not just me. My fellow editors and fashion fans can’t stop wearing or shopping at Shopbop. After seeing what brands my coworkers and other fashion people have been gravitating toward, I rounded up five absolutely crowd-pleasing brands on Shopbop.
Keep scrolling to see which five Shopbop brands made the cut and why.
There’s no denying Nordstrom has become one of the go-to online stores for fashion lovers. It’s no surprise since the retailer provides an endless selection of stylish pieces that satisfy a variety of personal styles and budgets. But this large offering can naturally be overwhelming when pursuing the site, especially to the untrained eye. That’s where one handy pro tip comes in: keep an eye on Nordstrom’s abundant review sections while you peruse different departments.
Nordstrom shoppers are notorious for taking advantage of the site’s review options, which helps create a more effective shopping experience for the rest of us. Thanks to reviews, I’ve avoided ordering pieces with a bad fit, wrong size, wrong color, etc. To give you a sense of how helpful reviews can be, keep scrolling to check out 31 of the best-reviewed pieces at Nordstrom right now. I found everything from stylish printed skirts and effortless dresses to chic ballet flats and other cool basics. You’re welcome.
One day in middle school, I wore the exact same checked, button-down shirt from Gap Kids as my friend that I shared pretty much every class with. (It was a very small school and yes, I wore Gap Kids until approximately age 15.) 25 years later, I still remember that day. This probably sounds ridiculous because it’s happened to all of us at one time or another, but who knows why we remember what we do.
My purpose in sharing this is that dressing like everyone else can be annoying for some, but it can also be hard to avoid when we all like to shop at the same stores—because they’re good. While I’m always fascinated by what the best-selling items from any given brand are, I also don’t want to show up wearing the same exact thing as my friend. So I’ve figured out a few simple tricks when shopping popular brands like Zara and Reformation. Read on to learn more and to shop pieces that you don’t have to worry about looking like everyone else in.
One of the hazards of being a fashion editor is the constant temptation to add all (and I mean all) the pieces I come across to my virtual cart. Such is the case every time I check the new arrivals section at Nordstrom—My latest perusal was no exception. It is no surprise, though, since Nordy consistently has a great selection of pieces land on their site every week that cater to a variety of personal styles at different price points.
This time around I was excited to find a range of lovely elevated basics including a French-girl worthy ribbed t-shirt, chic linen shorts, classic flats, and the perfect trench coat. I also came across some cool trendy pieces that are guaranteedconversation starters like a bright matching checkered set, rhinestone boots, baggy jeans, and a sleek corset top. Keep scrolling to check out all thirty-one of my top new Nordstrom picks to round out your wardrobe this season.
Occasionally, a colleague in the industry, an old acquaintance, or even a family member will ask me pointedly, “how did you get that handbag?” As an editor, I’m well aware that many can’t imagine forking over a pretty penny to purchase a purse, so the curiosity is understandable. Especially when the price tag of most luxury items can be equivalent to the average cost of a month’s rent in the United States. But what if I told you it is possible to find affordable designer handbags.
Hear me out on this: you don’t have to be rolling in dough to be able to afford a designer bag. The secret to finding luxury accessories for less all goes back to knowing the shopping hacks that the fashion set relies on. Candidly, the only reason I’ve been able to build a collection of luxury handbags is because of a series of tricks that I’ve learned over time; but I won’t make you wait years to acquire this shopping knowledge. Ahead, you’ll find my ultimate guidebook on how to buy a designer handbag for a discounted rate. Use one or multiple tips from this story, and securing your own bag will be well within your budget in no time.
As a market editor, it’s my job to know the ins and outs of the online retail world and share them with you. Lately, I’ve realized that many of my friends don’t know that Nordstrom has many of its own in-house brands. Yes, you heard right. Not only are these brands chic and fashion-forward, but they’re also surprisingly affordable. On one of my recent Nordstrom browsing sessions, I decided to curate a selection of pretty, expensive-looking styles from Nordstrom brands for under-$100.
Ahead you’ll find the handpicked selection of Nordstrom-brand goods I’d buy right now from Open Edit, Treasure & Bond, Halogen, and more. Keep scrolling to uncover styles from staple pieces like a luxe pair of black trousers and a stunning evening blouse with cutouts.
I’ll let you in on a little secret: Shopbop may have some of the best plus-size clothing I’ve seen in a while. As a shopping editor, my job consists of trying and buying clothing I spend looking at for hours every day—some of which may not fit me the way I want them to. As a plus-size fashion lover, finding fun, out-of-the-box statement pieces can be challenging, but after spending 4 hours scrolling through Shopbop’s inclusive size section, I’ve added more things to my cart than I care to admit.
While the online retailer’s focus is straight sizes, mid-size and plus-size fashion people won’t walk away empty-handed. For every delicate knit sweater or cute midi dress that’s available in a straight size, you can find an equally comparable garment in Shopbop‘s inclusive size tab. While the number of garments available on other retailers can vastly outweigh what’s available on Shopbop, the trend-focused online platform’s offerings veer more on the high-end side, providing a unique price point and perspective on plus-size fashion. Although I’m sure more and more designers will add larger sizes to Shopbop in time (finger’s crossed!), the current roster with pieces going up to 4XL isn’t anything to scoff at.
Below are some of Shopbop’s best plus-size clothing and inclusive finds you need to add to your cart RN before they sell out. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
While I love perusing the new arrivals section at Zara (both on the job and off), there are a few items I tend to avoid at the retailer. Shopping among the thousands of products can be a tad overwhelming so my personal breakdown can make it a lot easier. I’m not saying to never buy the items below because some of my don’ts might be your favorite section to shop at, and that’s okay. But as an editor who’s tried out my fair share of Zara items and has chatted with my coworkers on the subject plenty, I’ve taken note of the items that have upheld their quality over time.
Ahead, take a look at the items that I will always buy from Zara and the items that I tend to pass on. The dos on my list include items that I feel always look expensive, have great quality, and grant me the most compliments out of any other Zara purchases (and trust me—I have many). Keep scrolling to see and shop the items I think are worth the purchase.
Deciding to take the plunge and invest in a designer bag is kind of a big deal, as far as fashion purchases go. And whether it’s your first one or your fifteenth, it’s still pretty thrilling. That said, there’s a lot to take into account when making such a significant purchase, and if you want it to be one you can wear for years to come, the purchase carries even more weight.
Since I live in a city that’s devoid of many places to purchase a designer bag in person, the majority of my bag purchases have been made online. For that reason, I’ve really honed my bag-shopping skills and have a list of things I look for when considering a bag. I’ve found that there are certain aspects of a handbag that may not initially come to mind but that you may find cumbersome once you’ve lived with it for awhile.
Below, I’ve compiled my shortlist of bag-buying mistakes that are surprisingly easy to make so perhaps they can help to inform your next bag purchase. Read on for the list and to shop designer bags that definitely aren’t mistakes in my book.
As a self-proclaimed expert shopper (hey, it’s literally my job!), I’m willing to go to great lengths when it comes to finding an item I simply need. Whether it’s an amazing pair of jeans, the perfect summer sandals, or an Instagram-famous dress, if an item is sold out, I look at it as an obstacle rather than the end of a journey. With that in mind, today I’ll be sharing five of my best tricks for finding these seemingly out-of-reach pieces since, more often than not, they have worked for me. Plus, as they say, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!
Scroll through for my top tips and to shop some of my favorite basic (that I’m betting will sell out soon) along the way. Below, five insider tricks on where to find sold-out clothing.
No matter how hard I work to ensure that I’m always prepared for whatever life throws at me (sartorially speaking, at least), without fail, occasions often arise in which I realize that I need something I don’t have. But I’m also an online-shopping devotee who isn’t fond of visiting brick-and-mortar stores. Because of these reasons, over the years, I’ve figured out which sites won’t let me down when I need something—and fast. I’m talking wide selection, quick and affordable shipping, and great customer service.
Something that I’ve realized after moving from the West Coast to the East Coast a few years ago is that some of the sites that I used to rely on for quick shipping have changed, due to where they ship from. (Not that this stops me from ordering from them—I just have to plan ahead a little more.)
Ready to bookmark these sites the next time you’re in a wardrobe-induced panic? Keep scrolling for my recommendations and shop my current picks from each.
Welcome to Let’s Get a Room, a series where editor Eliza Huber heads to the dressing room to try on pieces from your favorite retailers, buzzy items, and new collections. Think of this column as a detailed guide to the pieces that are actually worth buying and the ones that, unfortunately, looked better online—no returns necessary.
If you know me, you’re probably already aware of my slight obsession with Zara. Ever since a store opened at my mall in the Chicago suburbs back in high school, I’ve been hooked. So, of course, now that I live in New York City’s biggest shopping hub, I frequent Zara’s SoHo store on a frequent basis. And this last time, I decided to document it.
With a new season approaching, I couldn’t resist popping in to see and try on all the fresh arrivals I’d already bookmarked in the Zara app. And I must say, this latest drop is one of the brand’s best—no question. From tube tops fit for fall and winter to moto boots that are destined to garner you compliments galore, see all the pieces I test-drove at Zara during my most recent post-work drop-in. I have a feeling you’ll like them as much as I did.
Body inclusivity is no longer an extra asset that brands throw on their marketing techniques. It’s a default—a prerequisite for fashion brands to expand their sizes to ensure that all people have the opportunity to feel stylish, beautiful, and at their best. A clothing store without plus-size options is reminiscent of a makeup brand without foundation that caters to different skin tones. And even though fashion continues to exhibit signs of progression, there is obviously still so much more work to do. However, there is more than meets the eye when it comes to shopping for plus sizes. Most people are unaware of the unseen labor that goes into it. Contrary to their straight-size counterparts, those above a 14 don’t necessarily have the option of just popping into a Zara to find a last-minute outfit. There is a ton more research, online browsing, added-on shipping prices, and annoying returns that go into shopping for plus-size options. And if you’re looking for trendy, fashion-forward brands, the task is even harder. On top of everything, brands will oftentimes slap the “plus-size” label on a few pieces that seem to be the crumbs of what’s usually offered. But beyond these obstacles are clothing stores that are catering to these needs—with flying colors! To ease this particular shopping woe, we’ve created a list of the best plus-size stores that offer high-quality and chic products. Prepare to be pleasantly surprised.
Whether you’re looking for a staple piece or a statement piece, Dia & Co. has you covered. Not only does the brand offer quality pieces at a fair price point, but it also offers the Dia Box, which is your own personal set of clothing picked out by an in-house stylist.
ASOS continues to prove that it stands for fashion for all. The brand caters to plus-size fits seamlessly and offers a wide range of fashion-forward garments.
Whether you want to look sophisticated or add a touch of glamour into your look, Eloquii has you covered.
Finding plus-size athleticwear feels like a rarity, but thankfully, Fabletics has it covered. Its sleek designs make sure it’s known that athleticism isn’t defined by size.
So long to the days when plus-size clothing would seemingly cost more. Torrid offers affordable clothing without sacrificing great design.
I’m not sure if there’s much more needed to say about luxury boutique shopping that specializes in plus sizes. How can one even resist a bit of luxury?
If you’re looking to invest in some quality, high-end brands, Nordstrom’s plus-size division is the place to go. From Vince to Michael Kors, you’ll surely find a hit.
No other plus-size store is leading the way in size inclusivity like Universal Standard. With sizes ranging from 00 to 40, rest assured you’ll be able to find any wardrobe essential in your size here.
The best plus-size fashion brands understand that stylish pieces should be accessible to everyone—which is exactly what Good American is all about. Whether you’re searching for a trend-forward piece or something on this sultry side, it’s got you covered.
Now more than ever, there’s a growing desire among us consumers to be more conscious about what types of businesses we support for clothing and everything else. Sure, the word “sustainability” has been a buzzword for some time now, but we can’t let it lose its impact. A way to do that is to personalize the aspect of sustainability, so we reached out to someone who can speak to it better than almost anyone: Amy Yeung.
Yeung is the Diné (Navajo) founder of 4kinship (formerly Orenda Tribe), which sells pieces made of upcycled textiles, restored and repurposed vintage clothing, and items crafted by her fellow Diné Tribe members and artisans around the world. Sustainability is at the company’s core, and Yeung is constantly coming up with ways to support her community, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic has taken such a toll. With all this in mind, it’s easy to see why Yeung was the perfect person to tell us how to feel good about shopping, and once you see how beautiful 4kinship’s pieces are for yourself, you won’t soon forget them.
Keep scrolling for Amy Yeung’s best shopping advice and to shop some of 4kinship’s truly stunning pieces.
