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  • Why Feeling Fear Can Be So Much Fun, According to a Psychologist

    Why Feeling Fear Can Be So Much Fun, According to a Psychologist

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    Each Halloween season, people flip on horror movies, venture into haunted houses, dress up in scary Halloween costumes, and otherwise dare to expose themselves to various goose-bumps-inducing experiences. And of course, many of us, myself included, love a good horror movie no matter the time of year.

    But why do we go out of our way to experience fear — exposing our psyches to serial killers, demons, and death in the process? Why would we want to be shocked, terrified, bamboozled, or creeped up on, especially in a world that offers more than enough to be afraid of already?

    As it turns out, there are actually plenty of psychological and scientific reasons why many of us enjoy fear and horror. (For some of us, Halloween can even make us horny!) Ahead of the spooky holiday, we’re exploring why many of us yearn to get scared out of our minds instead of just popping on a rom-com and calling it a night.

    Experts Featured in This Article

    Robi Ludwig, PsyD, is a psychotherapist and regular contributor on Nightline, CNN, Headline News, and Fox.

    Why Do We Enjoy Feeling Scared?

    Fear Can Trigger Pleasure in Our Brains

    It turns out that brain chemistry may be at the heart of why fear is so appealing to some people. Fear is handled by our amygdalas, which are clusters of neurons tucked away in the center of our brains. When we feel afraid, the amygdala stimulates the hypothalamus, which triggers the sympathetic nervous system and our adrenal system, sending adrenaline and endorphins coursing through our bodies.

    All this leads to a physical rush. Our heart rates increase, we start breathing more heavily and sending more oxygen to our brains, glucose levels spike in our blood, and we generally feel stronger and more alert — a sensation some people might describe as “feeling alive.” Yet not all kinds of fear are created equal when it comes to how they play out in the brain and body, and there’s a big difference between the fear we feel when a threat is real versus when we know it’s not.

    “There is something enjoyable about being frightened and getting that adrenaline rush while simultaneously knowing at the same time, we’re safe,” Robi Ludwig, PsyD, tells PS. Multiple recent studies have found that while a rush of fear of any kind may initially register in the body as a sign of danger, as soon as we remember that the threat isn’t real, our brain may release floods of dopamine. This can trigger a sense of relief, dulling the intensity of our amygdala’s reaction and allowing us to feel a pleasant rush without the more unpleasant consequences fear can invoke.

    Fear Can Be a Learning Experience

    All of the above explains why some of us like feeling the physical sensations fear creates, but they don’t exactly explain why so many of us are so drawn to true crime, horror flicks, and other stories that focus on behavior we’d likely never want to come in contact with in real life. It also doesn’t explain why people who don’t enjoy adrenaline rushes often still seek out fear-inducing experiences. As it turns out, according to a series of recent studies conducted at Denmark’s Recreational Fear Lab at Aarhus University, many of us may be drawn to fear, scary movies, true crime, and the like because these things can subconsciously help us feel like we’re preparing and learning about ourselves and the world.

    By learning as much as we can about how our bodies react to fright and about how other people have fared in terrifying situations, our brains may feel like they’re studying what to do if anything bad actually happens to us. So the next time you go down a Wikipedia rabbit hole researching Jeffrey Dahmer, remember that your brain simply might be trying, in its strange and roundabout way, to protect you.

    We may also be drawn to fear and horror for evolutionary reasons. After all, we’ve been hardwired to focus on threats since tigers lurked on the edges of our caves. “Humans, broadly, are built to be intrigued by and alert to potentially dangerous situations,” Aarhus University researcher Coltan Scrivner, whose research largely focuses on the concept of “morbid curiosity” — which he describes as “a common psychological trait” in a 2021 study published in ScienceDirect — told Time. “We’re curious about threats in our environment. So anytime we get a hint that there might be information about danger out there, the attention mechanisms in our minds sort of kick on and guide us toward that information.”

    Fear Can Allow Us to Engage With Negative Emotions and Taboos

    Our fascination with horror, specifically, can actually extend even deeper than a love of adrenaline or a desire to protect ourselves, stretching all the way down to the shadowier sides of our psyches. According to Dr. Ludwig, yet another reason we may be drawn to disturbing and twisted tales is because they allow us to engage with suppressed and taboo aspects of ourselves.

    “There’s something vicariously thrilling about seeing somebody acting in a primal way, because these are thoughts and feelings that most people have had,” she explains. “When you’re really angry with somebody and you’d like to see them walk in front of a bus, the feeling may not be permanent; it may just be a fantasy about being able to harm somebody and feeling all-powerful and not vulnerable. But when we look to criminals or true crime shows, this allows us to look at very dark emotions and actions that we don’t have to own as our own.”

    Engaging with horror and fear can also be a way to process and cope with emotions that we normally suppress in our daily lives. On the other hand, it can also act as an escape from negative emotions. “Fear locks you into the present moment. It’s a distraction from other preoccupations that we might have in our life, especially when it’s for entertainment purposes,” Dr. Ludwig says. A good fright, she adds, can even sometimes “jolt us out of feeling depressed or out of depressive disorders.” Fear can also help some people on an existential level; there’s nothing like watching a victim in “Saw” undergo hours of torture to remind you that your life isn’t so bad after all.

    Fear Can Be Communally Cathartic

    I probably fall into each of the three above categories a little bit. I’ve gone bungee jumping to experience thrills, researched serial killers for hours in order to try to understand their motivations, and certainly felt very grateful for my own life after watching “Midsommar.”

    But in truth, the time I enjoy feeling fear (in safe contexts) the most is when I’m able to experience it with others. Growing up, I often watched horror films with my brother, cousins, or groups of friends, and I have fond memories of all of us screaming together, cracking jokes about their absurdity, or otherwise somehow managing to have a great time as we watched slashers, ghosts, and demons tear up the screen.

    There was always a kind of communal catharsis to those experiences, and strangely enough, nowadays, horror movies remind me of home — and by that I mean they remind me of good times spent daring each other to go into spooky basements, clinging to each other as we rode up and down roller coasters, or screaming “RUN!” at the TV while watching “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”

    Of course, everyone experiences fear differently, but one thing is clear: there’s nothing wrong with people who want to flip on “The Shining” and then hold a séance in an abandoned mansion, just as there’s nothing wrong with anyone who’d prefer to cozy up and watch “Hocus Pocus.” We’re all just humans trying our best to live in a scary world, and sometimes, a little fear in a safe container seems to be exactly what we need.

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    Eden Arielle Gordon

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  • This Breathable Shacket Is My Transitional Season Savior — I Wear It With Everything

    This Breathable Shacket Is My Transitional Season Savior — I Wear It With Everything

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    While each product featured is independently selected by our editors, we may include paid promotion. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission. Read more about our Product Review Guidelines here.

    It’s that time of year when the mornings and evenings are chilly, but the afternoons still feel like summer — especially for those of us who are in the Northeast. Although I love watching the leaves turn and getting into the fall spirit, I truly don’t know what to wear when any given day could feel like all four seasons in the course of 15 hours. That’s why I rely on layering. Cardigans, dusters, jean jackets, and leather jackets give me endless styling options and also help me seamlessly transition between summer and fall. However, sporting a shacket often feels most appropriate for autumn.

    A shacket, or a shirt jacket, combines the structure of a traditional flannel or button-down shirt with the heavier feel of a jacket. It keeps you warm and can be worn by itself or layered with other pieces, making it a versatile wardrobe essential. Being the shacket lover that I am, I tried out Vuori’s bestselling Mackenzie Shirt Jacket ($110, originally $138) to see if it’s worth the hype.

    Keep reading to see how I styled it and learn about the piece through my in-depth review.

    What I Like About the Vuori Mackenzie Shirt Jacket:

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    Although it has a flannel-inspired look, Vuori’s Mackenzie Shirt Jacket feels silky-soft rather than rigid or scratchy — as if it’s been through the wash a few times. It delivers the same comfort as an old college sweatshirt, but it doesn’t look worn out. This shirt jacket also feels breathable, yet it still keeps me warm in 60-degree weather.

    With its relaxed fit, the Mackenzie Shirt Jacket bodes well with a variety of outfits. It’s slightly oversize on me, but it’s not too big where the sleeves cover my hands. For a casual, yet put-together look, I layered the shirt jacket on top of a neutral bodysuit and teamed it with straight jeans and sneakers. I rolled up one sleeve for a more effortless look. I also wore the Mackenzie Shirt Jacket as loungewear, buttoned up and coordinated with Vuori’s bestselling Performance Joggers ($94). I can also style it over summer dresses or tie it around my waist or shoulders for convenience when it’s too hot.

    I love that it’s versatile enough for a wide range of activities, whether I’m going to the gym, hanging out with friends, running errands, or just relaxing at home.

    What’s Worth Noting About the Vuori Mackenzie Shirt Jacket:

    I’m 5’1″, and although I got the XS/S size, the shirt jacket is pretty long on me. If you want a shirt jacket that is not as lengthy, especially if you are petite, I suggest going for a cropped style like this Sycamore Short Shirt Jacket ($158). I also found it tricky to tuck in because the fabric is thicker.

    Who’s the Vuori Mackenzie Shirt Jacket Best For?

    If you’re looking for a perfect transitional piece you can throw on with casual outfits, I highly recommend the Mackenzie Shirt Jacket. Although it’s costly, it’s a wardrobe staple made with high-quality natural fibers that goes with nearly everything, can be used all year round, and actually keeps you warm.

    Additional Details:

    • It’s made from 100 percent heavyweight cotton.
    • It’s best to machine wash on cold with like colors and tumble dry on low.
    • It’s available in two colors: Black and Salt (off-white).
    • It comes in two sizes: XS/S and M/L.

    Where Is the Vuori Mackenzie Shirt Jacket Available?

    The Vuori Mackenzie Shirt Jacket is available to shop on the brand’s site.

    Rating:
    ★★★★★

    Anvita Reddy (she/her) is an assistant editor for PS Shopping. She has a passion for products and reviews home gadgets, cookware, tech, and more. Having dealt with acne as a teenager and into adulthood, her expertise lies in beauty. She tests skin care, makeup, and hair care, plus countless other beauty products.

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  • This Spacious Coach Bag Is the Epitome of Quiet Luxury — and I Wear It Every Day

    This Spacious Coach Bag Is the Epitome of Quiet Luxury — and I Wear It Every Day

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    While each product featured is independently selected by our editors, we may include paid promotion. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission. Read more about our Product Review Guidelines here.

    Finding the perfect everyday handbag isn’t as easy as it looks. Although the sheer number of options available can be overwhelming, I’m picky about every little thing. Since I intend to use it daily, my ideal handbag should combine style and practicality — a bag that can handle outings on the town while still holding all my essentials. I need a bag that’s durable enough to withstand my overpacking habits yet chic enough to elevate any outfit — including sweatpants.

    When I came across the Coach Times Square Tabby Shoulder Bag ($459), I immediately adored its timeless look. However, when I got my hands on the bag and started using it, I was more impressed by its functionality. Not only does the Times Square Tabby Shoulder Bag have unique, contemporary-style quilting, it also features several organizational pockets and comes with detachable straps.

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    Keep reading to see the Times Square Tabby Shoulder Bag in action and find out why I think the designer bag is worth it.

    What I Like About the Coach Times Square Tabby Shoulder Bag:

    I love handbags with a timeless design, and Coach bags are known for their high-quality leather and craftsmanship. I gravitate towards understated pieces that fall into the quiet luxury category, and the Times Square Tabby exudes that look, but with a modern twist. I’m obsessed with the nontraditional quilting that is simultaneously abstract and symmetrical. As a gold girl, I adore the brass hardware, which adds a luxurious touch to the piece. It comes in four colors, but the beautiful Merlot shade instantly captured my heart. Surprisingly, the deep burgundy hue goes with a wide range of outfits and tones — even though it’s not necessarily considered a neutral shade — and it’s such a perfect color for fall and winter.

    Beyond how it looks, I appreciate how spacious this bag is, especially since I cannot leave my apartment without carrying a mini CVS. The Times Square Tabby has a structured yet flexible silhouette that can fit pretty much everything I need for a day out, and a few extras. The bag has two open internal pockets, an internal zipper pocket, and an external snap pocket. I can fit my iPhone 13 Plus, my card holder wallet, a portable charger, several lip balms, hand cream, apartment keys, hand sanitizer, a tampon, gum, two wireless earbuds, cough drops, and more. It also has a snap closure that is very secure, so none of my belongings will fall out.

    I appreciate that it comes with two detachable straps so that I can wear it as a shoulder bag or as a crossbody bag — and both straps are adjustable. I can wear it long or short, depending on my mood or the vibe of my look.

    What’s Worth Noting About the Coach Times Square Tabby Shoulder Bag:

    I use the Times Square Tabby Shoulder Bag almost every day, but there are a few occasions when the bag is a bit too big for my liking. I don’t recommend bringing this bag to concerts, festivals, or places where you want to dance. Although it comes with a crossbody strap, I still feel that the size of the bag gets in the way of enjoying a night out dancing, and I’m certainly not about to ditch this gorgeous bag in a random corner.

    Who’s the Coach Times Square Tabby Shoulder Bag Best For?

    The Coach Times Square Tabby Shoulder Bag is ideal for those on the go who can’t live without their essentials. It’s understated enough to take to work, but it has glam elements that make it perfect for date night or dressier occasions. It’s the perfect size to use as a chic daily bag that can fit your necessities and keep them organized.

    Additional Details:

    • It is made from nappa leather with a fabric lining.
    • It comes with a detachable short strap with a 10.5″ drop and a detachable long strap with a 21.5″ drop for a crossbody style.
    • It’s available in four colors: Black, Chalk (white), Merlot (deep burgundy), and Dark Navy.
    • Dimensions: 7.75″ length x 6.75″ height x 2.5″ width.

    Where Is the Coach Times Square Tabby Shoulder Bag Available?

    The Coach Times Square Tabby Shoulder Bag is available to shop on the brand’s site.

    Rating:
    ★★★★★

    Anvita Reddy (she/her) is an assistant editor for PS Shopping. She has a passion for products and reviews home gadgets, cookware, tech, and more. Having dealt with acne as a teenager and into adulthood, her expertise lies in beauty. She tests skin care, makeup, and hair care, plus countless other beauty products.

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  • I Went to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show — in a Lace Catsuit From the Runway

    I Went to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show — in a Lace Catsuit From the Runway

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    While each product featured is independently selected by our editors, we may include paid promotion. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission. Read more about our Product Review Guidelines here.

    When I pulled out my Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show getting-ready outfit from the shopping bag delivered to my doorstep, I was stoked. To be honest, I’d always wondered what it felt like to be one of the Angels getting her makeup done backstage in the brand’s signature Satin Short Piped Robe ($60). Mine even came with the official VS merch emblem emblazoned in crystals on the back. Both the crystals and the matching baseball cap (which is sadly now sold out from the “Shop the Show” drop) made up for the fact that I had to do my own makeup before trekking it to Brooklyn’s Duggal Greenhouse for the return of the legendary VS runway.

    Still, it was the outfit I slipped on after wearing the pink robe, the one I would ultimately wear to the show, that made me the most nervous: the Very Sexy Rose Lace Balconette Catsuit ($130). It was far more daring than the loungewear I had been sporting before, and I nearly put my foot in my mouth when I saw just how see-through the material actually was.

    As it would turn out, model and former First Lady of France Carla Bruni wore the very same design on the runway as I looked on from my seat in the audience, admiring her confidence. Suddenly, I didn’t feel so eager to cover up in my oversize denim jacket anymore. In fact, seeing what my fellow showgoers were wearing also made me feel more liberated in my lingerie as we all watched a VS Fashion Show that was more body inclusive than ever before. Don’t get me wrong: the brand still has a long way to go, in my opinion — viewers all over the world expressed that same sentiment after the spectacle wrapped — but getting to wear lingerie that’s typically reserved for Angels made the runway fashion feel more accessible.

    Ahead, learn how I styled the VS Very Sexy Rose Lace Balconette Catsuit, worn by Bruni, and read my full review of the piece, which is still shoppable online.

    Carla Bruni on the Victoria’s Secret Runway

    BROOKLYN, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Carla Bruni walks the runway during the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2024 at Duggal Greenhouse on October 15, 2024 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by TheStewartofNY/FilmMagic)
    Getty | TheStewartofNY/FilmMagic

    Bruni, who celebrated getting her wings ahead of the show, wore the VS Very Sexy Rose Lace Balconette Catsuit with the Lace Lightly Lined Demi Bra and the Twinkle Strap Lace Corset Set. Her shimmering beaded wings, chunky stone hoops, and wraparound sparkling stilettos amplified the glitzy boning on her top, with the catsuit itself acting as the foundation of her whole look.

    How to Style a Lace Catsuit

    PS Photography | Sarah Wasilak

    As the wing-less spectator I am, I felt it appropriate to layer with an oversize denim jacket from Frame and opted for simple black pumps. I kept on my hat to add a sporty twist. Underneath, I was rocking the VS Shine Patch Lightly Lined Wireless Bra ($45) and VS Logo Cotton Shine Patch Hiphugger Panty ($15), a bra and underwear set I highly recommend for anyone who who prefers just a touch of glamour but favors comfort above all else. The wireless bra felt so smooth and lightweight, whereas the panties provided just enough coverage underneath the stocking-like bodysuit, without adding bulk.

    Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy Rose Lace Balconette Catsuit Review

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    As time went on, I grew to appreciate the catsuit more and more — and not just because I was inspired by Bruni’s confidence. It really does have a stretchy feel to it so that it fits like a second skin. I also appreciate design details such as the illusion front panty panel and vertical front seams, which add undeniable sex appeal but sophistication all the same. The back zipper is also easy to maneuver without any help; and from a style perspective, it really does look good with a pair of heels, regardless of how many layers you add up top.

    My only gripe is that the sweetheart neckline is very low cut and the chest area is wide open, so if you want to layer a bra beneath the built-in cups, it will definitely be visible and may not align exactly how you pictured it. My advice is to try it with a few different bra and panty sets underneath until you find the perfect match for your shape.

    Of course, just like with a pair of tights, you’ll want to pull up this bodysuit carefully because the lace embroidery is definitely delicate.

    Additional Details About the Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy Rose Lace Balconette Catsuit

    • The catsuit comes in sizes XS-XXL. I took my usual size, XS.
    • It’s unlined and partially made from recycled materials, including recycled polyamide and recycled elastane.
    • Since there’s no back coverage, you will see your bra band from behind (and it’ll likely peek out in the front, too).
    • The catsuit is hand wash only.

      • Rating:
      ★★★☆

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    Sarah Wasilak

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  • I Tried the Kacey Musgraves x Reformation Bunny Dress Everybody Wants

    I Tried the Kacey Musgraves x Reformation Bunny Dress Everybody Wants

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    While each product featured is independently selected by our editors, we may include paid promotion. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission. Read more about our Product Review Guidelines here.

    I won’t lie to you, the Kacey Musgraves x Reformation collection does not align with my typical aesthetic. But the 36-year-old singer, who is currently on tour promoting “Deeper Well” — which was just nominated for CMA’s album of the year — wears it well. The 17-piece capsule collection aims to showcase Musgraves’s personal style and music evolution. It has an English countryside feeling, composed of rich plaids, delicate lace, Victorian bows, equestrian boots, and vintage denim corsets. In a word, it’s romantic — which is not how you’d describe even a small chunk of my wardrobe.

    While I love avant-garde shapes and bold colors, and would even describe my fashion sensibility as ever-changing, I had yet to dabble in pouf sleeves and doily trims until I met the Bunny Dress ($248). Since the collaboration was dropped in stores and online on Sept. 16, this dress has quickly become one of the most popular silhouettes, largely thanks to Musgraves’s appearance on “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” The Bunny was the first item she wore from the line she helped design, teamed with a pair of simple black heeled mules.

    I had yet to dabble in pouf sleeves and doily trims until I met the Bunny Dress.

    “I got to curate every single detail of this whole line,” she told Meyers. “There’s denim, there’s headscarves, there’s boots, dresses — it’s very romantic and I’m really proud of it.” She continued, “It wasn’t something I just slapped my name on. I really wanted to bring the ‘Deeper Well’ aesthetic into a different dimension.” Musgraves went on to reveal that she worked with Reformation for a full year on production, and then shot the campaign in the Cotswolds in England, with her little sister Kelly Christine Sutton behind the camera.

    “I keep saying this is the perfect line for you to just frolic around in,” Musgraves said. And while I’ve never bought a dress that made me think of frolicking in the meadow (what meadow?), Musgraves’s on-screen look was so appealing, I knew I wanted to put my personal touch on it and try to make it my own. What happened when I actually got my hands on the Bunny mini and tried it on surprised me even more. Not only did I feel comfortable enough to embrace my girlier, dare I say demure-leaning, side, I also accessorized with frilly socks and Mary-Janes, a nod to Musgraves’s iconic campaign.

    Scroll to learn a bit more about the Kacey Musgraves x Reformation collaboration ahead, then read my full review of the Bunny Dress.

    What Are the Most Popular Pieces in the Kacey Musgraves x Reformation Collection?

    The Kacey Musgraves x Reformation collection is comprised of 17 pieces that range in price from $28 to $498. The Bunny dress is definitely one of the most popular pieces, likely because it was the first style Musgraves debuted when she paid a visit to Seth Meyers. The exact version she wore is still in stock in every size, except for in petite, where most sizes are currently waitlist only. According to Reformation, the collection sold very quickly, with the Deeper Well Denim Shirt and Dallas Denim Corset being first to sell through — although most sizes are currently restocked at this time. The Silver Lining Cashmere Two Piece also gets plenty of search, and it’s currently available in both gray, and almost every size in camel.

    PS Photography | Sarah Wasilak
    Kelly Christine Sutton For Reformation

    Is the Kacey Musgraves Reformation Collection Sustainable?

    Like all of Reformation‘s clothing, Kacey Musgraves x Ref prioritizes sustainability. You can read about the brand’s commitment to sustainable production methods here, but the 17-piece collection does incorporate deadstock fabrics, regenerative wool, and recycled cashmere, minimizing every shopper’s carbon footprint.

    About the Kacey Musgraves Reformation Bunny Dress

    • It comes in three different shades: Brown Plaid, Black, and Chianti (a wine red).
    • It’s available in sizes 0-12 and is designed to be fitted at the bodice with an A-line skirt that slightly fans out at the hemline.
    • It’s available in petite sizing in all three colorways.
    • You can visit any US Reformation store that offers hemming to have the dress altered for free.
    • The dress material is crafted from deadstock fabric that consists of polyester, rayon, wool, and spandex, and it is dry clean only.
    • Shipping is free, and you can finance your purchase in $62 increments.
    PS Photography | Sarah Wasilak
    Kelly Christine Sutton For Reformation

    What I Like About the Kacey Musgraves Reformation Bunny Dress

    The Kacey Musgraves x Reformation collection comes with a signature tag that suggests exclusivity, which is especially appealing for fans. Like most of Reformation’s clothing, the Bunny Dress feels well-made and isn’t too flimsy or thin. It comes lined and the scoop-neck is comfortable. Neither the elastic at the sleeves or the lace trim felt itchy against my skin during wear. But I think I discovered my favorite element of this dress before I even left the house: It’s actually very versatile.

    We saw Musgraves wear it with mules on the aforementioned talk show; I liked how it looked in the mirror with knee-high boots, my Steve Madden loafers, and the cranberry Mary-Janes and socks combination that Musgraves and I both successfully pulled off; and podcast host and author Tinx even wore it with the Franklin Boots that are part of the collection. Finally, the dress definitely fits true to size. I’m wearing a 0, which is my typical size, and it fit like a glove.

    What to Consider Before Buying the Kacey Musgraves Reformation Bunny Dress

    If you love a dress that’s machine washable, unfortunately, the Bunny is dry clean only to preserve all the delicate details. However, in my opinion, this is a year-round investment piece that works with tights and boots in the winter and bare legs and flats in the summer, so I think it’s worth the trip to the cleaners. Price-wise, this dress does err on the expensive side when it comes to a minidress, but, again, it can be dressed up or down and works for many different occasions. If you’re considered petite like me (I’m 5’1″), I would recommend trying out the shorter iteration, but I actually felt satisfied with the length of the regular size, which suggests a petite cut might have been too short for my liking.

    Where Can You Buy the Kacey Musgraves Bunny Dress From Reformation?

    The Kacey Musgraves x Reformation Bunny Dress is currently only available on the brand’s website.

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    ★★★★

    Sarah Wasilak is the associate director of Shopping at PS. With plenty of experience in the commerce market, a keen interest in SEO, and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing across the lifestyle and health-and-fitness categories. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in all her work.

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  • Confirmed: This Free People Jacket Is the Perfect All-Seasons Style

    Confirmed: This Free People Jacket Is the Perfect All-Seasons Style

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    While each product featured is independently selected by our editors, we may include paid promotion. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission. Read more about our Product Review Guidelines here.

    In my world, some things are inevitable come fall: cooler temperatures, pumpkin spice products consuming my local Trader Joe’s, my mom playing Christmas music in her car as early as September, and — perhaps most predictable of all — me buying a new Free People jacket that I’ll wear through the new year.

    While some people might kickstart their autumnal festivities with an apple-picking excursion, my fall doesn’t really begin until I’ve added a cozy, new Free People style to my closet. Last year’s elected favorite was none other than the Pippa Packable Puffer Jacket — which is still my go-to travel jacket. My style of choice this season, however, is the Free People Chloe Jacket ($198).

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    I’m far from the first person to fall in love with the comfy jacket; not only has it been bubbling up on TikTok, but the topper is also regarded as one of Free People’s bestselling styles. With its flattering fit, quilted composition, and wide array of pattern options, it’s not hard to see why this statement piece has garnered so much attention — along with a permanent spot in my wardrobe. Ahead, I break down what makes this Free People jacket one of fall 2024’s best coats.

    What I Like About Free People’s Chloe Jacket

    First and foremost, I love just how endlessly comfortable this jacket is. It’s made from a lightweight cotton and rayon material, with a polyester filling that’s plush and squishy; it’s like getting all the benefits of a cozy down jacket rolled into the structure of a chunky cardigan. The material isn’t so heavy that I feel overwhelmed or constricted, but it’s also just thick enough to where I can comfortably wear it in lower winter temperatures.

    This jacket’s styling versatility is also endless — whether I want to layer it with a basic T-shirt or team it with a bulky sweater, the product’s oversize fit makes it functional enough to work with so many different clothing types. And I appreciate that despite having a steeper price tag, I feel like I’m getting the most for my money with this Free People jacket. I’ve been wearing it nonstop already this fall (even in 70-degree temperatures) and I know that I’ll have no issue wearing it throughout the colder winter months, too. With its floral design, I could probably even get away with donning it throughout the spring season!

    Its lightweight build is so unique, I honestly forget that I’m often wearing a jacket at all. Plus, the style’s packable design makes it a great option for travel. Whether I’m embarking on a road trip or jet setting to another country, it’s a style that doesn’t take up too much packing space in my carry-on suitcase.

    What’s Worth Noting

    Unlike traditional zippered or button-down jackets, this style is fitted with hook closure accents, which keep both sides of the jacket pulled together for a more closed-in look. On occasion, the hooks will unlatch and I’ll have to reattach them; overall, I find myself fidgeting with this jacket more as opposed to standard zippered styles. Additionally, because of its dolman silhouette, the layer also has a boxier design. The looser fit gives the jacket a lived-in feel that I enjoy, but other reviewers noted it was a bit too oversize for their preferences. I recommend referencing Free People’s style guide to source your perfect size, and consider sizing down if you’re concerned about it being too large on you.

    Who Is Free People’s Chloe Jacket Best For?

    If you’re in the market for a style that you can comfortably wear through even the most confusing transitional weather — from chilled mornings to warm afternoons and cold nights — this Free People jacket will be your new go-to. It’s breathable enough that you won’t feel bogged down by heavy material, but its quilted design also ensures ample warmth and insulation in lower temperatures. With a wide variety of pattern and color options, you won’t have any trouble finding your dream style — or even stocking up on the jacket in multiple variations (because the more, the merrier!).

    Additional Details

    • The jacket is available in US women’s sizes XS through XL.
    • It comes in 12 different pattern and color options, including a checkered black and white style, striped red and brown variation, and a floral maroon combo (my print of choice).
    • This jacket is crafted from a quilted fabrication that’s plush and surprisingly warm, with an insulated design that’ll help users stay warm in brisk seasonal temperatures.

    Kyley Warren is an award-winning writer, editor, and affiliate strategist with more than four years of experience in the publishing space. She currently works as an assistant editor on PS Shopping and is an expert on all things related to shopping and fashion. She previously worked with Entertainment Tonight as a style commerce writer, and her byline has appeared in publications globally.

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  • Latine Celebs Are Flipping the Script on Code-Switching, and We’re All Following Suit

    Latine Celebs Are Flipping the Script on Code-Switching, and We’re All Following Suit

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    I had just sent a voice note to my friend when a curious feeling came over me. “Let me listen back to it,” I thought to myself. As I did, an even stranger feeling came over me, a lack of recognition of my own voice. You see, I’ve been code-switching so long that sometimes I’m unsure where the real me begins. Obviously, this was my friend, so I was being genuine in my language. However, as someone who has been a professional for many years, as well as an academic, the voice that I heard on playback was just one of many. And for a lot of modern-day Latines, this is another aspect of the identity politics we have to reconcile with. That’s why it’s refreshing to see that recently many Latine celebs have been more candid about the pressure they’ve felt to code-switch or “talk white” and are openly rejecting the practice to embrace their authentic selves.

    This is no doubt due to the current selling power Latines are enjoying on a global level. Buoyed by the popularity of reggaetón and Latin trap, Latin music as a whole is outpacing other markets with artists like Bad Bunny becoming global stars despite refusing to do music in English. For the past couple of years streaming services like Netflix have been investing heavily in dramas like “Casa de Papel,” “Narcos,” and, most recently, “Griselda,” starring Colombian actress Sofía Vergara. But you don’t have to go back too far to track down a time when this wasn’t the case.

    In the early 2000s, the idea that music sung predominantly in Spanish could be successful in the English-speaking market seemed absurd. During that time, you’d also have been hard-pressed to find shows featuring Latine leads or focused on issues in and around our communities. This meant that to have a shot at success, many up-and-coming stars had to approximate whiteness.

    Marc Anthony, Ricky Martin, and Thalia all released English-language crossover albums, catering to the US pop market. Puerto Rican actor Freddie Prinze Jr. has spoken about how rare leading roles written exclusively for Latines were at the time. Now, given the current acceptance of Latinidad, he’s more open than ever about how proud he is of his heritage. And to hear him talk today is to hear a more authentic person stripped down, complete with all the twangs and inflections code-switching so often tries to cover up. You can hear it in this interview he gave to “The Talk” while on a press tour.

    But it’s not just Prinze. Recently, a video of Mario Lopez eating some food with a friend went viral for the candid nature of his speech. When I was younger, my parents and I would watch the actor on “Access Hollywood,” and the way he talked always felt performative to me. Seeing this side of Lopez in this footage, however, was refreshing. It’s nice to know that deep down, at his most relaxed, he’s just another homie. Now, that’s not to say that code-switching is always performative. Personally, I’ve always thought of being able to code-switch as a resource, one that allows me not to blend in but to be understood by people who normally wouldn’t understand me.

    Over the years, I’ve developed a plurality of accents. I’ve got my Nuyorican accent that comes out when I’m around my family and cousins. Then there’s my Puerto Rican accent that comes out when I’m on the island, stretching the syllables of English-language words so that they fit into Spanish. And then there’s my academic side that comes to the table prepared with his $20 words. Years ago, I used to think that having these sides to me made me fake and that I wasn’t really Latine or Caribbean enough. But now I’m realizing that everyone’s authenticity is different and being Latine doesn’t mean being one thing. I’m reminded of the great Desi Arnaz, who never downplayed his heavy Cuban accent. For Arnaz, authenticity became an asset, and it’s no wonder that he was the first Latine to cohost an English-language television show in the US. I see parallels to him in Salma Hayek and Vergara, two amazing actors in their own rights who have always embraced their accents and whose stocks have risen because of it.

    On the opposite end of the spectrum you have Latines like John Leguizamo, whose heavy New York City accent made it easy for casting agents to offer him stereotypical roles like junkies and criminals. But rather than taking on those roles or code-switching, he simply owned it and carved his own path through Hollywood, even getting the chance to deliver Shakespearean prose in his trademark accent as Tybalt in Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet.”

    Today the groundwork that these Latine icons have laid has set the tone for many of us to reclaim our authenticity and do away with code-switching. Sometimes that looks like speaking with our true accents or using the vocabulary that comes most naturally to us. But we also see it in the way many of us have stopped anglicizing our names or are more willing to express ourselves in Spanish or Spanglish. For example, I love the way Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pronounces her name every time she introduces herself, even though Spanish isn’t her first language. I love the way Oscar Isaac and Pedro Pascal break down their full names in this interview with Wired because it shows that our Latinidad is something we always carry with us.

    At the end of the day, being Latine means being part of a group for which no one size fits all. And I’m glad to see that we’re no longer feeling as much pressure to squeeze ourselves inside boxes that strip us of our sazón, whatever flavor that may be.

    Miguel Machado is a journalist with expertise in the intersection of Latine identity and culture. He does everything from exclusive interviews with Latin music artists to opinion pieces on issues that are relevant to the community, personal essays tied to his Latinidad, and thought pieces and features relating to Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican culture.

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  • How I’m Navigating White Hollywood and the Pressure to Conform

    How I’m Navigating White Hollywood and the Pressure to Conform

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    Danny Martinez
    Danny Martinez

    I make a living acting in the machine known as Hollywood — an industry that commodifies me but isn’t for me. An industry where if I am using my hands too much on camera, the director shouts in all seriousness, “Not so much of the ethnic hands!” “White hands, Chris, white hands,” I whisper to myself while smiling.

    By the way — that is a true story.

    The essence of what I do is put myself in spaces where I must be chosen, where I must be selected as worthy enough to portray this thing. Beyond the ability to act, a large portion has to do with whether I am physically and aesthetically appealing, and pleasing enough to a certain gaze. When you make a living off your desirability, is the power of your body ever just yours? My body has been turned into an object of desire by whiteness, and as long as the main decision-makers and check signers in Hollywood are white bodies, then I must be desirable to and for them.

    This is why I always say that it is nice to receive fat checks (I have rent to pay), but nothing changes until I and people who look like me are signing them. In my opinion, this is the other side of the same coin of being seen as worthless. Because if I am not desirable in some way, then I am worthless. And I fear that if I am too radically different from what they have already deemed acceptable, then I might lose whatever status I have already worked so hard to achieve. I just might not survive.

    I made a film about this for The New York Times in 2020. The film was about the paradox of “making it” in Hollywood: to succeed, you need to stand out from the crowd while assimilating to whiteness. You have to strive to be yourself while fitting in. And if you aspire to be like one of those leading men you grew up watching on TV, well, you better look the part. Step one: calm those curls.

    This was in 2020 — the whispering of change was all around us. With the George Floyd protests, people seemed to have gotten the message: there’s a problem and the old ways are not working. Companies and Hollywood started talking about diversity and hiring DEI professionals, and guess what — it didn’t do much of anything.

    While there’s been a lot of talk, progress has been modest at best. According to a 2020 Pew Research report, Latines accounted for half the US population growth between 2010 and 2019 and made up 18 percent of the population (this has since increased). When will we get to see our nation’s diversity reflected on our screens?

    I guess until that happens we are forced to fit their model. I’d love to tell you I am 100 percent past caring what they think, but that itch of wondering if I am physically code-switching enough is always in me. I have been a series regular on a network television show. This is a difficult feat for a Dominican, Colombian Brown boy from Queens, and still, in the moments when I am not actively working, I question my own body before the system. I wonder whether I should take all those drug dealer, criminal, day player roles that are still so prominent on our screens.

    We live in a world where bodies of culture are constantly asked to give up parts of ourselves in order to move forward. This isn’t new information but it’s worth reiterating. Black and Latine actors are constantly forced to change themselves.

    This is our fight — the fight of loving and being ourselves.

    This is our fight — the fight of loving and being ourselves. We fight to love and embrace our curls, our skin tones, and our ethnic features in a world that sells us the idea that simply being ourselves is not good enough. It’s a world that sells us the NoseSecret tool, often advertised as “plastic surgery without the surgery.” It is a plastic tubing that you manually insert and force into your nose to create a narrower, thinner, and more pointed shape. At only $25, it’s a steal!

    We consider those who commit self-harm a danger to themselves and to society. We criminalize that act. But what about self-hate? Who is there to protect us from all the pretending we do for someone else’s gaze?

    When I told my pops I wanted to play pretend for a living, that I wanted to be an actor, that I wanted to go to Hollywood, he said, “It’s gonna be tough, but look the part. Pretend. Fake it till you make it.”

    I have pretended. But at what cost? I kept my hair short and I got the nose job my first manager told me to get. And it worked. I worked a lot more. That’s the sad part about all of this. What gets me is when I still hear white actors saying things like, “You’re so lucky. You’re Latin, everyone wants you right now. I’m just white. I got nothing.” Or the man I bought a piano bench from on Craigslist who said to me, “It’s great they’re looking for more minorities, but now I can’t get a role, you know?”

    I took a scriptwriting class, and what I learned is a bit disheartening. The longevity of a show is built on the idea that its characters can never really change. For the most part, lead characters need to remain self-sabotaging and can never truly grow because then the show would change. Execs don’t like change. This is what we are shoving into people’s brains — that we are meant to be stuck in cycles. That we are meant to be trapped by our delusions, poor habits, old stories, old clichés, old abuses, old dogmas, old oppressions, and that that’s OK. But it’s not.

    We must begin to ask ourselves: What images and stories have been placed deep into our minds around race and humanity, rights and fairness? What narratives have we been fed since the day we were born? For so long, Hollywood has denied people of color any depth, authenticity, and meaning because the only way you make a thousand movies a year is if you have a certain level of automation, and cliché stereotypes are part of that automation. Think about what would happen to the industry if it actually produced films that were nuanced, complex, and honest.

    Imagine if every script session started with: “Does this story help bring humanity into that space? Does this story marginalize an already marginalized community? Is this story true? Does this person have to be white? Does this story represent society and race and class in an honest way? Does this story help us see and imagine a new, more cooperative and loving world?”

    This reimagining must begin behind the camera first because we can’t be authentic in our storytelling if we’re not being honest about who is telling these stories. Casting up front will not change who is signing the checks.

    I need Hollywood to make it commonplace and ordinary, not extraordinary. I’d like to see a Brown “When Harry Met Sally,” or an Afro-Dominican futurist fantasy with a bachata score, an Indian and Puerto Rican bromance buddy comedy, two second-generation South Asian kids saving the planet, a meet-cute romance drama about two young Cambodian American kids in college, and all where the Brown leads are just hanging out and talking and not making everything about race. Imagine if that was just commonplace, not exceptional, not a big deal, not the reason to make the movie — it just was.

    William Blake called imagination the “divine vision.” It involves all the senses, it involves everything: the body, the speech, and the mind. I believe in the media’s power to start showing me something divinely different, so we can begin to imagine a new future. Television used to be a sign of everything that wanted to erase me, and now I have been a series regular on a Fox sitcom called “Call Me Kat” — curls and all. To be on TV, a medium I watched with so much awe as a child, feels pretty amazing. Though I must continue to ask: Am I just a guest who can be uninvited as quickly as he was brought in? Or am I an equal?

    My goal has always been to use Hollywood as a vehicle for getting to a place where I could create the art I wanted to create, say the things I wanted to say, and hopefully help uplift others in telling their stories. It’s nice to receive checks, but the real power is in being able to sign those checks, and nothing changes until the people signing checks begin to look a lot different, and a little less like old, straight, white males.

    It’s not about checking boxes and making sure people of color are cast. It’s about honoring the stories that allow these people to be so magnanimous and so worthy of being more than a device for your small-minded white stories.

    It’s not about checking boxes and making sure people of color are cast. It’s about honoring the stories that allow these people to be so magnanimous and so worthy of being more than a device for your small-minded white stories. If we looked beyond checking boxes and actually began telling stories that represent what culture is, we might begin to see that.

    Today, my relationship with code-switching has evolved significantly since that 2020 video. I’ve made a conscious decision to embrace and rock the natural texture of my curls unapologetically. Which is to say I have chosen and keep choosing to be myself. I need reminders of this, but it’s my baseline, where I come home to. If I change, it’s because a role that is honestly representative of society asks me to — not because some tired plotline needs another reformed gangbanger.

    To my fellow Latines and people of color in Hollywood: stay vocal and assertive about boundaries and the representation you wish to see. Create your own art and tell your own stories. Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter. This is why the lion must write.

    And try not to just talk about supporting each other and breaking down barriers; actually put your money where your mouth is (you know who you are). Just because there are Brown/Black bodies in the room does not mean we cannot perpetuate harmful systems of power as well, or that we are not capable of exclusion. Are we committed to anti-racist work in all the spaces, no matter how uncomfortable it may make us? By uplifting one another and evolving who signs the checks, we can create a more inclusive and truthful representation of us. We can pave the way for future generations to see themselves on screen without having to compromise who they are. And we all deserve spaces of belonging.

    The book of who we are is not a fixed text. It is flowing, it is fluid, it is expansive, we are shaping it, right here, right now.

    Christopher Rivas is the author of “Brown Enough,” an exploration of what it means to be Brown in a Black/white world. He also hosts two podcasts: “Brown Enough” and “Rubirosa.” On screen, Christopher is known for his work on the Fox series “Call Me Kat,” opposite Mayim Bialik. His latest book, “You’re a Good Swimmer,” is about the enchanting journey of conception without gendered terms and inclusive of all family dynamics.

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  • These $100 Loafers Solved All My Shoe Problems, From Slips to Blisters

    These $100 Loafers Solved All My Shoe Problems, From Slips to Blisters

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    While each product featured is independently selected by our editors, we may include paid promotion. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission. Read more about our Product Review Guidelines here.

    As someone who’s never had much luck with loafers — either my heels slip out, I get blisters, or my right bunion is rubbed raw against the interior — I was initially apprehensive about trying Steve Madden’s Lawsen shoe ($100). At the same time, I was equally sure that I needed a pair of platform loafers, both to give me a subtle boost of height and to help me transition smoothly from brat girl summer to demure fall. While a popular ’90s style move is to team these with socks (which would certainly help me avoid any foot injuries), I also desperately yearned for a pair that fit like a glove, sans socks and slippage. I ordered my usual size, 6.5, and hoped for the best.

    When I first took them out of the box, I had to squeeze my foot into the right one, twisting my arch over the edges of the loafer to loosen up the leather as much as possible. Once I finally had both shoes on, I couldn’t tell if they fit properly and honestly dreaded my first step forward. The act of walking would determine whether or not I’d been defeated by yet another pair of loafers. While I knew they were snug, I wasn’t in any pain. After about 30 seconds and a loud here-goes-nothing sigh, I mustered up the confidence to take the Steve Madden Lawsen for a spin.

    Ahead, read my full review of the $100 shoes that — spoiler — may just become your new fall staple, too.

    What I Love About Steve Madden’s Lawsen Black Leather Platform Loafers

    While these loafers do take some breaking in, they fit true to size and I experience zero slippage or blisters when styling them with or without socks. In fact, my first wear test was a full day out in New York City for Fashion Week, which involves plenty of running around. I’m particularly smitten by the design details of the shoe, especially since I’m a gold jewelry girl, so the hardware complements my go-to accessories nicely.

    The lug sole platform is one and a half inches, which provides a little lift without overdoing it in the heel department. I’m also a fan of matte leather over patent; I just feel like the patina develops nicer and adds character. Finally, I love that there’s a brown base lining on these shoes as it works to add dimension and break up the all-black materials, lending a casual touch.

    What’s Worth Noting About Steve Madden’s Lawsen Black Leather Platform Loafers

    If you prefer a loafer with extra breathing room, whether it’s because you want to layer socks or just because you tend to size up in dress shoes, the Lawsen may not be for you. There’s only one review on the brand’s site at the time of posting that suggests sizing up; however, I do prefer a snug fit as long as the leather gives with time.

    On that note, these shoes are not crafted entirely from synthetic materials, so if you prefer faux leather only, check out Steve Madden’s vegan options for alternatives. Also important to consider: these loafers are relatively casual when compared to all-black pairs with a sleeker and more sophisticated foundation. If you’re seeking a fancy loafer, my suggestion is to trade in the lug sole for a block heel silhouette.

    Who Are Steve Madden’s Lawsen Black Leather Platform Loafers Best For?

    These Steve Madden shoes are perfect for a ’90s-inspired fashion enthusiast who is looking for an affordable loafer that can be teamed with daytime and casual-leaning night-out looks.

    Additional Details About Steve Madden’s Lawsen Black Leather Platform Loafers

    • The shoes come in US Women’s sizes five through 12, with half sizes available.
    • The heel height is one and a half inches.
    • They’re made of a leather upper with gold hardware and a synthetic lining, sock, and sole.
    • SM Pass Insider accounts receive free standard shipping, while SM Pass VIP, Superstar, and Icon accounts receive free two-day shipping on orders over $50.
    • You can return the shoes within the first 30 days after purchase, but shipping charges are non-refundable and will cost $7.

    Where Are Steve Madden’s Lawsen Black Leather Platform Loafers Available?

    These loafers are available at Steve Madden.

    Rating:
    ★★★★

    Sarah Wasilak is the associate director of Shopping at PS. With plenty of experience in the commerce market, a keen interest in SEO, and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing across the lifestyle and health-and-fitness categories. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in all her work.

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  • Found: Buttery-Soft Ballet Flats I Didn’t Have to Break in

    Found: Buttery-Soft Ballet Flats I Didn’t Have to Break in

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    While each product featured is independently selected by our editors, we may include paid promotion. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission. Read more about our Product Review Guidelines here.

    The ballerina flats trend is having a renaissance, and I’ve officially succumbed. After spotting them on stylish celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Meghan Markle and watching them pop up on runways last spring, I suppose it was only a matter of time before I shopped for a pair. You can never have too many comfortable work shoe options, and I prefer flats over heels. The first ballet flats I bought years ago have a bow-adorned, round toe, so this time I wanted to try another take on the silhouette. I’ve been eyeing Madewell’s Greta Ballet Flats ($98) and love how they incorporate the Mary Jane strap — another shoe trend revival! — so I decided to give them a try.

    What I Love About Madewell’s Greta Ballet Flats

    I’d be remiss if I didn’t immediately dive into the buttery-soft feel of this shoe. The leather is so unbelievably supple that I actually couldn’t stop stroking the display shoe as I waited for the sales associate to find my size. I’ve tried on many iterations of this style of ballet flat from a variety of brands and immediately noticed how the elastic straps would cut into the tops of my feet, or the way the back of the shoes would dig into my heels. With this shoe, they immediately felt comfortable and I didn’t have to suffer through a breaking-in period.

    Aside from their blister-free fit, there are other small details in the shoe’s design that I really appreciate. The shoe features a squared toe with slightly rounded edges, so they simultaneously manage to feel fresh yet timeless. The toe is also elongated beyond where my toe naturally ends (very ballerina-like!), which keeps my feet from looking short and stubby. I can see the smallest bit of toe cleavage peeking out, which also tricks the eye, making my feet appear longer and somehow slimmer. These seemingly small features are what help set this style apart from other similar pairs I’ve tried and ultimately didn’t take home.

    What’s Worth Noting About Madewell’s Greta Ballet Flats

    The Greta Ballet Flats come in 15 different styles, ranging from open-weave leather to brightly-colored suede, so the flexibility and feel of the shoe varies depending on the material you choose. I went with the bestselling leather version of the flats, so I can’t speak to the comfort level of the other styles. Madewell also recommends ordering a half size smaller than your normal size to allow for the natural stretch that happens with genuine leather. I ended up going with my usual size because they felt most comfortable and I was too worried about blisters to risk it. I’ve worn them a handful of times and so far so good.

    Madewell also gives customers a heads up that “wrinkling and buckling may occur due to the unlined construction.” I actually don’t mind this — I think that the natural patina that develops in genuine leather is part of its charm, but if the thought of that scares you, you might want to go for a fully lined option. If you bought the first iteration of these flats and were unimpressed, Madewell published a note that “an early version of this shoe had a faulty lining that has been fixed for all new shipments.”

    Who Are Madewell’s Greta Ballet Flats Best For?

    These flats are great for anyone who appreciates staying on top of trends but tends to hold onto classic silhouettes that never really go out of style. If you’re looking for a comfortable pair of soft leather flats you can style with everything from skirts to barrel jeans, give these a try.

    Additional Details About Madewell’s Greta Ballet Flats

    • Materials: leather upper and leather lining.
    • Leather is “sourced from a tannery that was certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG), an organization that works to promote sustainable environmental practices in the leather industry,” according to the brand.
    • Available in 15 styles.

    Where Are Madewell’s Greta Ballet Flats Available?

    These flats are available at Nordstrom and Madewell.

    Rating:
    ★★★★★

    Angela Elias is a contributing editor for PS Shopping. In her former roles at PS, she led the relaunch of its Latine identity and family-focused verticals, directed its Home vertical, and hosted shopping segments. She has nearly 15 years of experience working in the lifestyle space as a writer, editor, content strategist, director, on-camera talent, and publicist.

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  • These Wide-Leg Jeans Look Sophisticated but Feel Like Shapewear

    These Wide-Leg Jeans Look Sophisticated but Feel Like Shapewear

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    WomanWearingMadewellWide-LegJeans
    PS Photography | Angela Elias
    PS Photography | Angela Elias
    While each product featured is independently selected by our editors, we may include paid promotion. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission. Read more about our Product Review Guidelines here.

    I’m a sucker for wide-leg pants. I have superbaggy ’90s-era jeans that puddle at the heels, a cropped wide-leg pair in neon-hued cotton, wide-leg cargo pants with drawstrings at the hem, and the list goes on. The only thing missing in my collection was classic wide-leg denim. When I saw Madewell’s Emmett patch-pocket wide-leg jeans ($138), I was crossing my fingers they’d be a match. The darker wash, high-waisted cut, cute patch pockets, and subtle wide-leg was exactly what I was looking for. I grabbed them in my usual size and hoped for the best.

    What I Love About Madewell’s Emmett Patch-Pocket Wide-Leg Jeans

    The material is mostly cotton with a smidge of recycled polyester and elastane, so they feel especially soft and stretchy. The top of the jeans hit just above my belly button and almost feel like shapewear. As a mom of two, I prefer high-waisted jeans that offer plenty of belly support without feeling like I’m counting down the minutes until I can unbutton them. They mold to my curves and I can squat, bend over, and run around all day without the dreaded droopiness that sometimes happens towards the end of the day.

    The style comes in a light wash, a darker wash, and a slightly faded black. I chose the darker wash (aka the Allentown Wash), and I’m really happy with it. It’s incredibly flattering and not too saturated. The pants have subtle distressing that mimics the look of a beloved pair of vintage jeans. With the high waist, patch pockets, and body-hugging material, they even remind me of some of the jeans my mom wore in the ’70s, only with a straighter, more narrow leg.

    SideViewOfWomanWearingMadewellWide-LegJeansSideViewOfWomanWearingMadewellWide-LegJeans
    PS Photography | Angela Elias

    What’s Worth Noting About Madewell’s Emmett Patch-Pocket Wide-Leg Jeans

    While the soft, stretchy material and waist support offer a curve-hugging fit, they also feel tighter in the crotch compared to some of the looser cuts I have. It’s not visually detectable (no camel toe to report), but I noticed the feeling as soon as I pulled them on. That said, it bothered me less the longer I wore them. The closest thing I can compare it to is the way the first few minutes of wearing an underwire bra feel before you forget you’re even wearing one an hour later. As far as the style goes, it’s the slimmest wide-leg jean I’ve ever tried on, which I think makes it more classic and versatile.

    Who Are Madewell’s Emmett Patch-Pocket Wide-Leg Jeans Best For?

    These jeans feel sexy and casual; vintage-inspired yet classic all at the same time. They’re great for anyone who might just be dipping their toe into the wide-leg waters. In other words, if you’re drawn to wide-leg silhouettes but aren’t sure you want to invest in such a trendy style, this pair really does feel timeless.

    CloseUpOfMadewellWideLegJeansCloseUpOfMadewellWideLegJeans
    PS Photography | Angela Elias

    Additional Details About Madewell’s Emmett Patch-Pocket Wide-Leg Jeans

    • Zip fly with button closure.
    • Material: 91 percent cotton; six percent recycled polyester; three percent elastane.
    • Wash: Medium dark indigo with subtle distressing.
    • Fit: 10.75-inch rise; 19-inch leg opening; 30-inch inseam.

    Where Are Madewell’s Emmett Patch-Pocket Wide-Leg Jeans Available?

    These jeans are available at Nordstrom and Madewell.

    Rating:
    ★★★★☆

    Angela Elias is a contributing editor for PS Shopping. In her former roles at PS, she led the relaunch of its Latine identity and family-focused verticals, directed its Home vertical, and hosted shopping segments. She has nearly 15 years of experience working in the lifestyle space as a writer, editor, content strategist, director, on-camera talent, and publicist.

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  • Tell Me Más: Elsa y Elmar Gets Candid About Mental Health and How It Impacted Her Album “PALACIO”

    Tell Me Más: Elsa y Elmar Gets Candid About Mental Health and How It Impacted Her Album “PALACIO”

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    In our Q&A /feature series Tell Me Más, we ask some of our favorite Latine celebs to share some inside info about their lives and some of the ways they are prioritizing their mental health. This month, we spoke with Colombian rising star Elsa y Elmar about dealing with burnout, safeguarding her mental health, and how all this impacted the process of creating her latest album, “PALACIO.”

    Elsa Margarita Carvajal is no stranger to success. Better known by her stage name, Elsa y Elmar, the Latin Grammy-nominated singer has been making waves in the music scene for more than a decade. But with her latest album “PALACIO” releasing on August 30th, and on the brink of hitting the road for her biggest tour yet, Carvajal is poised to reach a whole new level. To reach that level once meant putting in many years on the indie circuit and playing solo in bars trying to connect to people who had never heard of her. And even though her unknown indie artist days are behind her, the singer admits that the pressure remains. Carvajal says that pressure can be both good and bad. On the one hand it can push artists to achieve bigger and better things, reaching the levels previously reached by their idols.

    But on the other hand, the constant pressure to push for more and compare oneself to their peers or those who came before can be detrimental from a mental health perspective. The songstress says that she sometimes found herself in a constant state of work, thinking about what more she can do. This led her to take a much needed break to recharge after her last album “Ya No Somos Los Mismos.” However, in the intervening two years, the singer-songwriter has learned valuable lessons about self-care, understanding when she needs to be “on” and when she needs to take time for herself. From this mentality and two years of no labels and A&Rs asking her for new music or what she was going to do next, Carvajal was able to bounce back from her bout of burnout with her new disc “PALACIO.” The album is the first to be released on her new label, Elmar Presenta, and tackles various challenges many of us deal with on a daily basis. In a recent interview, she sat down with PS to talk about mental health and creative pressures and dive into some of the sentiments behind the project.

    PS: You’re about to perform in your biggest venue ever. How does it feel getting to this point in your career?

    Elsa y Elmar: You know, it’s really interesting because all the odds were against me. I’m not from that generation of women in pop like Belenova, Julieta Venegas, and Natalia Lafourcade. And I’m also not an urbano artist. I’m an artist that, since day one, the people I’d work with would say, “I don’t know where you fit in. I don’t know how to explain [your sound], whether you’re indie or alternative.”

    PS: What are some things that might surprise people about the reality of being a professional musician?

    Elsa y Elmar: It’s physically and mentally taxing and requires a lot of patience . . . I feel like I’m always on.

    PS: How have you learned to balance the pressure to be creative with the need to turn off and indulge in self-care?

    Elsa y Elmar: I try to take maximum advantage of the periods when I’m feeling most creative and make as many ideas, songs, and videos as I can because I know at any given moment, there’s going to be a dry spell. But I also try to take advantage of that time when I’m not feeling as creative, and not stress, trusting that the creativity will return.

    PS: What were some of the factors that led to your two-year hiatus?

    Elsa y Elmar: I was tired of the bureaucracy, of the expectations, of working with the big labels, of just chasing the carrot. I decided that if I was going to chase any carrot, it was going to be my carrot.

    PS: The album is filled with songs that tackle real-life issues. But maybe the song that has attracted the most attention so far is “Entre Las Piernas,” a song celebrating menstruation. What inspired you to tackle a topic that, to some, is still considered taboo?

    Elsa y Elmar: Being honest, the subject hadn’t really crossed my mind as song-worthy, until one day it just hit me that half of the population of the planet bleeds once a month. And even today in 2024 it’s a subject that’s still taboo, that still grosses people out, and we’re not supposed to talk about…and I just thought “thousands of love songs have been written and no one’s written about this topic that’s so common?”

    PS: On another standout on the album, you apply incredible sensitivity to the “mini heartbreak” of being left on read with the song “Visto” — a uniquely digital problem that the singer manages to make feel timeless. Why did you think something as simple as being ignored via text can be so painful?

    Elsa y Elmar: I mean, obviously there are legitimate reasons that people get left on read . . . but what I’m talking about in the song is when you’re being vulnerable with someone and they leave you on read, and that feels horrible, to not understand why the other side of the conversation rather than communicate what they feel, eliminates the possibility of communication and leaves you with a mountain of questions and self-doubt.

    PS: Lastly, for those who might be going through what you’ve passed through in the last two years — heartbreak, pressure to create, being left on read — can you give them any advice on how you kept yourself centered?

    Elsa y Elmar: The other day I was listening to a little chat and [heard something] that struck me as very beautiful. If a problem has a solution, it’s no problem. And if it doesn’t have a solution, it’s no problem.

    Whether it’s her interviews or her work, Carvajal’s vulnerability comes across effortlessly. And yet, she also understands that for many of us, vulnerability is a challenge in these modern times. But if she’s learned anything over the past two years, it’s that in order to make space for love, work, or anything else, we first have to make space for ourselves, make space for ourselves in our “PALACIO.”

    “PALACIO” drops on August 30th.

    Miguel Machado is a journalist with expertise in the intersection of Latine identity and culture. He does everything from exclusive interviews with Latin music artists to opinion pieces on issues that are relevant to the community, personal essays tied to his Latinidad, and thought pieces and features relating to Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican culture.

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  • J Balvin Needed Time to Rest and Reinvent Himself — Then Came “Rayo”

    J Balvin Needed Time to Rest and Reinvent Himself — Then Came “Rayo”

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    About a year ago, J Balvin, whose full name is José Álvaro Osorio Balvín, told PS why he took a year to prioritize his wellness and focus on his family. The Colombian reggaetónero — who has become one of the biggest stars in musica urbano and the second most streamed Latin artist on Spotify — needed some time to recharge after the release of his 2021 album “JOSE.” And it looks like taking time to slow down and be present with his partner of six years, model Valentina Ferrer, and their 3-year-old son, Río, has paid off. His latest album, “Rayo,” reveals a newly energized Balvin. In this album, we see Balvin fall back in love with reggaetón, and reconnect with his younger self — the boy from Medellín who spearheaded the urbano sound in Colombia.

    In terms of taking time to shift gears, Balvin says, “I definitely think I needed it.” The artist has always been open about prioritizing his wellness and mental health and believes it’s exactly what he needed to feel ready to get back in the studio. “I needed to rest and focus on my family and my son,” he says. While Balvin might have paused in terms of working on a new album, he never stopped working altogether. “I was touring and doing festivals around the world. Not my own tour but I was touring in festivals, and it was great. It was beautiful,” he adds. “But now that we are officially back with an album, it’s a totally different vibe because I did this album without any pressure. I just went to the studio and had fun.”

    “I needed to rest and focus on my family and my son.”

    Balvin says that spending time with his family and just living life without the pressure of recording an album gave him a major creative boost. In just four months after returning to the studio, he recorded dozens of songs. “I was just going into the studio to do music. One day we were like, ‘Oh, we got like 40 songs — we might have an album,’” he says. “That was the beautiful thing about this album. I didn’t plan to make an album.”

    And it’s true, “Rayo” is a reflection of how far Balvin has come. The word rayo translates to lightning, the name of his first car back when he lived in his hometown of Medellín as an emerging artist. Much like its title, the album is very much about Balvin returning to his essence. The artist says he went into it less concerned about streams and how it would perform and more dedicated to having fun in the studio, making music that excited him like in the early days of his career.

    As he explains it, the album’s name “reminds me of when I had my first car that my dad gave me with so much love and a lot of effort because we were going through a bad economic situation. But that car paved the way for me. We both paved the way in Colombia opening a new market of reggaetón. I used to sell my CDs in the truck and in the clubs and different concerts.”

    The album consists of songs like “Lobo” with Zion, which radiates 2010s reggaetón vibes. Tracks like “Swat, “Gangster, “Gaga” featuring Saiko, “Origami” with Ryan Castro and Blessd, and the hit single “Polvo de tu Vida” with Puerto Rican reggaetónero OG Chencho Corleone are sure to become club bangers this season. Balvin also included a few of his signature melodic tracks where he shows off his vocal skills, like “Cosa de Locos” and “3 Noches.”

    “It’s modern, but I didn’t lose my DNA,” Balvin says.

    One thing that’s also been a throughline of Balvin’s life is spearheading community initiatives. In 2022, he was honored at the United Nations Latino Impact Summit for his commitment to helping break the stigma around mental health issues that exists in the Latine community. He has also continued to dedicate himself to his Vibra en Alta foundation, which provides education and support for the Colombian youth. So it only makes sense that he recently partnered with Cheetos as their newest ambassador for their ongoing “Deja tu Huella” campaign, which supports young Latines in pursuing their career dreams.

    “We want to help the new generations to be better and guide them the right way, because there’s a lot of wasted talent that they just don’t know where to go,” he says. “And we’d like to super-serve them and tell them we’re going to help you with your dream, and that’s what we’re here for.”

    This October, Balvin will headline Billboard’s Latin Music Week while also introducing Cheetos’s latest Deja tu Huella ambassador. The ambassador will have the opportunity to hit the road on a three-stop community college tour and be provided with resources to support them throughout their studies and career.

    While Balvin might be returning to his own roots with this new album, empowering younger artists is always a key goal. “I’m happy to be there and share my point of view of music right now and what I think might be the future sound and, of course, keep introducing the new generation in music,” he says. “It’s been part of my DNA to work with new talent and if I can help them to have more exposure. I just do it with love and not thinking about someone [having] to give me back.”

    Balvin has clearly poured into himself, his family, and his community — an act that has revitalized him. Now, with his latest album, Balvin seems more alive and ready to reinvent himself than ever before. As one of the pioneers who paved the way for the reggaetón wave in Colombia, he has not only cemented his own legacy as a leyenda within the genre but also made room for the next generation.

    “I feel, of course, more mature and more connected with myself and really embracing and grateful for what we’ve done for the culture,” he says. “I know that I don’t have to prove myself anymore. It’s more about having fun.”

    Johanna Ferreira is the content director for PS Juntos. With more than 10 years of experience, Johanna focuses on how intersectional identities are a central part of Latine culture. Previously, she spent close to three years as the deputy editor at HipLatina, and she has freelanced for numerous outlets including Refinery29, Oprah magazine, Allure, InStyle, and Well+Good. She has also moderated and spoken on numerous panels on Latine identity.

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  • This Crochet Tote Makes Me Feel Like a Chic Parisian Mom

    This Crochet Tote Makes Me Feel Like a Chic Parisian Mom

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    PS Photography | Angela Elias
    PS Photography | Angela Elias
    While each product featured is independently selected by our editors, we may include paid promotion. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission. Read more about our Product Review Guidelines here.

    There are few things in my wardrobe that get more wear than the fanny pack that’s usually slung across my chest. Still, there are times when it’s necessary for me to bust out a mom bag that’s large enough to fit whatever the day is throwing at me — baby wipes, sunscreen, bags of goldfish, a bottle of bubbles, whatever it takes. While the cotton tote I usually grab for groceries has done the job more than once, I’ve decided that a better option is needed — one without loose strawberry stems and crumpled Trader Joe’s receipts at the bottom. Enter the Clare V. Michel Crochet Cotton Tote ($165), a cotton bag that accommodates more than the bare necessities and makes everything from a sweatsuit to jeans and a T-shirt look intentional and cool.

    Main ImageMain Image
    PS Photography | Angela Elias

    What I Love About the Clare V. Michel Crochet Cotton Tote

    While it’s technically the same material as my grocery store tote, it’s crafted from supersoft crochet cotton, which gives it the most amazing texture. Unlike some woven bags that can be a little rough and scratchy, this one feels great on bare shoulders if you’re wearing a tank top or against bare arms. The striped pattern and bold cobalt blue and poppy red colors make an eye-catching statement, but my favorite detail might be the “Le Vibe” text across the side of the bag. Maybe it’s the recent Paris-held olympics or my bon vivant aspirations, but I can’t help but feel a little more chic with it draped on my shoulder. Am I en route to Saint-Tropez or soccer practice? Definitely the latter, but no one needs to know. It has a small gold charm with the Clare V. logo on the side for subtle bling and an interior leather logo tag.

    PS Photography | Angela Elias

    What’s Worth Noting About the Clare V. Michel Crochet Cotton Tote

    While it’s large enough to hold my MacBook Air and my kids’ tablets, it’s not the sort of tote I’d want to weigh down with a bunch of heavy things. Ultimately, it’s best suited for fairly light items since it’s a simple crochet bag, not to be mistaken with your leather commuter. That said, you can definitely get away with carrying a Kindle or even a laptop in a pinch, but it really shines as a carrier for your wallet, keys, sunglasses, and any other slightly larger items you couldn’t cram into a typical crossbody, like a notebook — or in my case, a coloring book and box of crayons. It also doesn’t have any interior pockets, which might turn some folks off. The Clare V. bag comes with a cute cotton pouch with the words “Merci Beau Coup” for you to store the bag in, which is a nice bonus.

    PS Photography | Angela Elias

    Who is the Clare V. Michel Crochet Cotton Tote Best For?

    If you’re looking for a sporty-chic tote that exudes designer vibes and is more weekend than weekday, you’ll love this. It’s the type of bag people notice, so get ready for compliments. That said, if you’re looking for a tote with all the bells and whistles like interior pockets, a zippered closure, or a key leash, keep looking.

    Additional Details About the Clare V. Michel Crochet Cotton Tote

    • Dimensions: 14.5-inch width x 14-inch height x 1-inch diameter with a 10-inch strap drop.
    • Unlined and made from 100 percent cotton.
    • Hispanic and Latinx owned/founded.

    Where is the Clare V. Michel Crochet Cotton Tote Available?

    The tote is available at Nordstrom, Clare V., and Anthropologie.

    Rating:
    ★★★★☆

    Angela Elias is a contributing editor for PS Shopping. In her former roles at PS, she led the relaunch of its Latine identity and family-focused verticals, directed its Home vertical, and hosted shopping segments. She has nearly 15 years of experience working in the lifestyle space as a writer, editor, content strategist, director, on-camera talent, and publicist.

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  • Why the Staud Moon Bag Is My All-Time Favorite Accessory

    Why the Staud Moon Bag Is My All-Time Favorite Accessory

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    While each product featured is independently selected by our editors, we may include paid promotion. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission. Read more about our Product Review Guidelines here.

    One thing about me? My handbag collection boasts more traditional mall finds than designer labels — but I’m not mad about it. When it comes to my small but mighty lineup of investment pieces, I treat them like treasure, and that’s because I’m super intentional about every piece I add.

    Call it girl math, but I’ve worn my bigger bag splurges so much that they’ve practically paid for themselves — at least, that’s what I tell myself. Out of the few designer bags in my rotation, there’s one that’s seen the most action and has quite literally traveled the globe with me: the Staud Moon Bag ($295). Ahead, I break down all the reasons I love it, what to consider before you buy it, and more.

    Main Image
    • Staud is known for its high-quality pieces that hit the sweet spot between mass retailers and high-end designers.
    • The Staud Moon bag came out in 2019, four years after the brand was founded.
    • It’s known for its signature crescent shape and minimalist design.
    • It comes in a wide range of colors and materials and three different sizes.

    What I love about the Staud Moon Bag is that it manages to be both timeless and unique — a rare combination in the world of handbags. I have the black leather version, and it’s truly a chameleon piece. No matter what outfit I’m wearing, no matter the season, this bag complements it perfectly, adding a special touch without overpowering the look. I’ve probably worn it over 100 times by now and it never fails to spark compliments; I’ve had more than a few people ask where it’s from.

    Another thing I like about the Staud Moon Bag is its price — $295 is still an investment, but it’s way more accessible than your typical luxury designer bags. It’s also the perfect size for my essentials: phone, sunglasses, a few lip products, hand sanitizer, wallet, and keys — everything I need for a night out or a daytime errand run. Plus, it features two magnetic flaps inside that you can lift and place on top of each other for added security, so the top isn’t wide open at all times.

    I’m equally in love with its details, from the white contrast stitching that adds the perfect subtle pop of visual interest to the luxe suede lining and interior zipper compartment for small essentials. The top features a removable Staud-embossed accent that stays in place with snap buttons. I never take it off because it only adds to the bag’s vibe, in my opinion.

    I won’t lie — the Staud Moon Bag’s interior isn’t the most spacious due to its unique shape, so it doesn’t hold a ton. While its size works well for me, personally, it’s probably not ideal for those looking for a roomy purse that can fit essentials and then some.

    And while this bag has been my chic travel buddy for years, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for sightseeing in a new city since the top is relatively open. I’m the type to take risks (if you’re a criminal, I’m definitely lying), and I haven’t had any issues, but I can see how it might give others pause.

    Lastly, packing it can be a bit tricky. Its structured shape doesn’t compress easily, so you’ll want to be careful to avoid altering its form. That said, it generally fits into my suitcase as I fill it with soft items, like tank tops or T-shirts, to preserve the structure.

    Whether the Staud Moon Bag is worth the splurge ultimately comes down to personal preference. For me, it’s a definite yes. I’ve been a fan of Staud’s clothing for a while, and I can vouch that even after years of wear and my less-than-gentle packing habits, the bag still looks brand new. Plus, the black colorway pairs well with everything while adding a playful touch to my outfits, thanks to its crescent moon shape.

    The Staud Moon Bag is available on the brand’s website, as well as on Amazon with Prime delivery options as fast as one day.

    Rating:
    ★★★★★

    Marisa Petrarca is a contributing editor for PS Shopping and has more than five years of experience writing and editing beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Allure, and InStyle, among others.

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  • Back-to-School Fashion Taught Me an Important Lesson on Disrupting Stereotypes

    Back-to-School Fashion Taught Me an Important Lesson on Disrupting Stereotypes

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    Getty
    PS Photography | Jessica Andrews
    Getty
    PS Photography | Jessica Andrews

    On many a frantic morning in my teenage years, my mother would yell upstairs from the kitchen for me to get dressed faster. “School isn’t a fashion show,” she’d say. Little did she know, the hallowed halls of my high school were indeed a runway — and my getting-ready process simply could not be rushed. Each day had a sartorial theme that I had painstakingly planned for weeks, even months.

    One week, I embraced my newfound love for purple and wore a lavender-hued outfit each day. Another time, I discovered Baby Phat and wanted to be among the first to wear it to school. The cat pranced on the back of my bubble coat as I sauntered from class to class.

    This newfound hobby only intensified on the first day back to school. For me, back-to-school outfits set the tone for the entire year, serving as a visual marker of one’s evolution. With my first-day-of-school ‘fit, I was presenting a new me who was cooler and more put-together than the year before.

    After landing a job at Aldo, along with a 50-percent employee discount, I kicked off senior year with a deep-red handbag and matching knee-high boots paired with a cream sweater dress. I needed my outfit to signal maturity — I was 16 and had joined the workforce after all.

    On the first day of sophomore year, I added a feminine twist to the preppy trend that would go on to define my generation. I walked into homeroom wearing a purple wrap dress with a striped scarf casually tossed around my neck, matching with my three best friends of course. That outfit sent the message that I was tapped in enough to know the trends shaping the zeitgeist, but creative enough to make them my own. Meanwhile, my friends and I, pictured below at the homecoming dance, were cementing ourselves as fashion girls (a family member had even affectionately named us the “Glam Squad”).

    PS Photography | Jessica Andrews

    Still, my mother was right: I was in school to learn. My priority should’ve been classes like Creative Writing, Spanish, and (to my dismay) Algebra. I was not there to show off my latest purchases from the local mall. But style was a lesson of sorts for me.

    As fate would have it, I’d fall deeply in love with fashion during that time and go on to work as a fashion editor at women’s lifestyle magazines. In fact, my current getting-ready process for New York Fashion Week closely resembles those frenzied mornings as a teenager, down to the weeks of outfit planning and last-minute, day-of changes.

    Trends have shifted, faded, and returned, but what’s endured is my personal approach to style. As a teen, I knew intrinsically that fashion was deeply intertwined with identity. I was still discovering myself, yet at every turn, I was met with labels: my peers saw me as fun and friendly but very much a nerd; my teachers saw a talented writer and dancer with insurmountable stage fright; my guidance counselor saw a Black girl who was “overly ambitious” and wouldn’t get into a top college — and said as much.

    Yet I knew who I was and yearned to define myself on my own terms. Fashion helped.

    When I put on my back-to-school outfit, it was a way to broadcast my self image to the world. I wasn’t the anxious girl who was fighting doubts being projected onto me — I was powerful and chic and full of creativity and promise.

    Years later, I settled into that grand vision of myself. I made it into a great college and worked my way up the ranks in fashion; I finally overcame my fear of public speaking; and though I am still very much a nerd, for the first time in my life, I kind of like it.

    But long before I became this person, I dressed the part.

    NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 16: A guest is seen wearing multi colored button up top, black leather skirt, white coat, orange black bag, knee high boots outside Collina Strada during New York Fashion Week on February 16, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 16: A guest is seen wearing multi colored button up top, black leather skirt, white coat, orange black bag, knee high boots outside Collina Strada during New York Fashion Week on February 16, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by
    Getty Images | Christian Vierig

    I continue to use fashion as a tool of self expression — and as a Black woman, it serves me well. When I put on a bright color, and it pops against my complexion, I’m showing my love for my deep skin tone despite beauty standards that still worship whiteness.

    When I slip on a floral-print, puff-shouldered dress and sparkling metallic heels, I’m leaning into a soft, feminine aesthetic as a Black, career woman who is often branded as “strong” and “hard” when frankly, I don’t want to be.

    When I step out to the Met Gala or the CFDA Awards with braids cascading down my back, I’m disrupting the myth that box braids are somehow not fancy enough for formal events. How can a style that’s such a sacred part of my culture, that’s so intricate and innovative not warrant a place on the red carpet?

    Those days getting ready for school taught me a valuable style — and life — lesson about identity. Now, years later, I’m still dressing in a way that feels authentic to me with no regard for society’s labels. And I’m still taking way too long to get ready.

    Jessica C. Andrews (she/her) is the senior content director of Shopping and PS UK. With more than 15 years of experience, her areas of expertise include fashion, shopping, and travel. Prior to joining PS, Jessica held senior roles at Teen Vogue, Refinery29, and Bustle and contributed to The New York Times, Elle, Vanity Fair, and Essence. She’s appeared on “Good Morning America,” NBC, and Fox 5 New York and spoken on various panels about fashion, hair, and Black culture.

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  • My Vintage-Inspired Aviators Look Expensive, but Are Less Than $40

    My Vintage-Inspired Aviators Look Expensive, but Are Less Than $40

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    While each product featured is independently selected by our editors, we may include paid promotion. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission. Read more about our Product Review Guidelines here.

    A pair of chunky, retro-inspired aviator sunglasses were at the top of my summer shopping list. My requirements were specific: they needed to have a good tortoiseshell pattern, a lighter lens that would show my eyes, and a low enough price tag to keep them from becoming a stress liability — keeping track of my Apple AirPods is hard enough. After trying on a few pairs of cheap-looking plastic versions while also passing up options I loved that were way out of my price range, I found these Aire Whirlpool 53mm Aviator Sunglasses ($39).

    Main Image

    What I Love About the Aire Whirlpool 53mm Aviator Sunglasses

    When people compliment them, I’m almost giddy to share the price.

    The thicker frames, subtle tortoiseshell, and light khaki-tinted lenses capture the vintage vibe I was after. I love that the lenses are light enough that I can wear them inside and still see if I have to run a quick errand, but they also offer full UV protection. They have enough weight to feel substantial but are comfortable enough to wear for hours. I like that the tortoiseshell gives the frames more dimension without creating a high contrast pattern. The frames have a slight square shape to them, which helps them veer more ’70s than early 2000s. I’ve tried on pairs of aviator sunglasses under $20 that definitely looked their price — I blame the high-gloss shine of the plastic, the thin frames, and the all-wrong lens shapes — but these look much more expensive than they are. When people compliment them, I’m almost giddy to share the price. At less than $40, I honestly consider them a steal.

    What’s Worth Noting About the Aire Whirlpool 53mm Aviator Sunglasses

    These sunglasses come in several colors, including black frames with tan, tinted lenses; vintage tortoiseshell with brown gradient lenses; and tortoiseshell with khaki-tinted lenses, the latter being what I chose. I love my pair so much that I’m considering ordering the other colors to try on too. The frames are also made from recycled polycarbonate, which I appreciate. I purchased them from Nordstrom and they came with a slim, leather case that has an easy-snap opening, so I can throw them in my purse without worrying about them getting scratched.

    Who Are the Aire Whirlpool 53mm Aviator Sunglasses Best For?

    These sunglasses are perfect for anyone looking for a pair of vintage-inspired aviator shades that only look expensive. They have lighter lenses, so they’re also ideal for anyone who doesn’t mind their eyes showing.

    Additional Details About the Aire Whirlpool 53mm Aviator Sunglasses

    • 53mm lens width; 21mm bridge width; 142mm temple length
    • 100 percent UV protection
    • Made from recycled polycarbonate
    • Three color options

    Where Are the Aire Whirlpool 53mm Aviator Sunglasses Available?

    These sunglasses are available at Nordstrom, Revolve, and Amazon.

    Rating:
    ★★★★★

    Angela Elias is a contributing editor for PS Shopping. In her former roles at PS, she led the relaunch of its Latine identity and family-focused verticals, directed its Home vertical, and hosted shopping segments. She has nearly 15 years of experience working in the lifestyle space as a writer, editor, content strategist, director, on-camera talent, and publicist.

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  • I Put Cole Haan’s Loafers to the Test — and They’re My New Go-To Shoes

    I Put Cole Haan’s Loafers to the Test — and They’re My New Go-To Shoes

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    While each product featured is independently selected by our editors, we may include paid promotion. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission. Read more about our Product Review Guidelines here.

    A good pair of penny loafers are a closet staple. You can wear them from winter to summer, and from work to dinner with friends. But finding the right pair of loafers can be a challenge. Some are too stiff for everyday wear, others are too trendy to be a favorite for years to come.

    That’s where Cole Haan’s Lux Pinch Penny Loafers ($158) come in. These shoes feature a classic penny silhouette, one that’s been around for centuries, in a soft-grain leather. I’ve always been a fan of Cole Haan shoes, so when I came across this style, I was eager to test them out and see if they would become part of my everyday shoe rotation. Read my full review of the Lux Pinch Penny Loafers, ahead.

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    What’s the Criteria For a Good Pair of Loafers?

    Living in New York City means that proper footwear is an essential. My shoes need to work for my life, enduring eight-plus miles a day, bringing me from the office to the park to a bike ride through the streets. Because I’m constantly on-the-go, the shoes that I reach for are the ones that don’t leave me with blisters or aching feet at the end of a long day. Beyond practicality and comfort, I want stylish loafers that I can wear with a range of outfits. These parameters often leave me with a limited selection of shoes to choose from — beyond my trusty Salomon sneakers and my Proenza Schouler x Birkenstock sandals. But the Lux Pinch Penny Loafers fit the bill.

    What I Like About the Lux Pinch Penny Loafers

    Coming in well under $200, the Cole Haan loafers are rather affordable compared to similar styles made with real leather. My other leather loafers are pretty rigid, but this pair is soft and flexible, while still maintaining its structure. They also didn’t have a breaking-in period; I was able to wear them throughout the entire day, blister-free, immediately after taking them out of the box.

    To really put the loafers to the test, I wore them biking from Williamsburg to Prospect Park, which is about eight miles roundtrip. I usually have to compromise on my outfit when it comes to biking, and opt for a pair of sneakers instead. On the product listing, Cole Haan says that loafers feature the brand’s “3D Lux Comfort,” an innovative technology that helps with shock absorption and arch support, while cushioning the heel. Stepping into the shoes, I immediately felt the cushioning effect. It added a nice padding throughout my bike ride, making the loafers practically as comfortable as a running shoe. Not to mention, the loafers complemented my outfit more than my everyday pair of sneakers.

    Beyond fit and comfort, the shoe itself is timeless. The grain on the leather is soft and shiny, making it feel quite luxurious. But the classic penny shape can easily be dressed up or down. I’ve worn these loafers with a long dress for a Friday night dinner and with a tennis skirt and an oversized T-shirt while running errands. No matter the occasion, I just slide my feet into these loafers and wear them all day, issue-free. It’s safe to say these Cole Haan loafers have become one of the most worn pairs of shoes in my closet.

    What to Consider Before Buying These Loafers

    Though the product listing recommends sizing down by a half size for those with narrow feet, I actually found the opposite to be true. I’m a US women’s size seven and my feet are about medium width. Initially, I ordered a size seven, but the loafers were too tight. I decided to go up a half size, and they fit perfectly. Since the loafers come in standard width, I’d suggest going up a half size if you have wider feet.

    Another factor to consider is that the soles do not have a strong grip, mainly the upper part of the sole. My feet occasionally slipped while walking around, more specifically on the ramp of the city’s street curbs. If you’re someone who prefers more traction, you can always bring the loafers to the cobbler and add a rubber grip to the sole.

    Additional Details About the Loafers

    The Cole Haan Lux Pinch Penny Loafers ($158) are available in four different colors. Women’s sizes range from 5 US to 11 US, in half-size increments, and come in standard (medium) width.

    Where Are These Loafers Available?

    You can purchase a pair on the brand’s website, Zappos, and Amazon.

    Rating: ★★★★☆

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    Rayna Rossitto

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  • El Teteo Is Creating Unity Amongst Latines While Celebrating Our Culture

    El Teteo Is Creating Unity Amongst Latines While Celebrating Our Culture

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    I have a deep yearning for uniting people. I believe that one of my purposes in this life is to bring people together in a way that transcends status, class, and occupation, creating a space where everyone feels truly united and understood. That’s why in 2022, I decided to launch my first El Teteo party in Los Angeles, driven by a longing for something that reminded me of my home in NYC.

    I was feeling homesick and needed to feel connected to my roots and my community. El Teteo serves as an extension of what I was taught: to find moments of joy through pain, troubles, and hard work. For me, community is about gathering with the people you love and care for, no matter where you are — whether that’s getting together with beach chairs in front of a building or plastic chairs at a park under a bridge. Teteo, which is a Dominican slang word for partying and gathering anywhere, suggests that when it comes to community, all you need is good music, good company, and some beers — and, in some cases, food. It’s all about sharing moments that aren’t guaranteed tomorrow, and it’s something that’s very much embedded in Latine culture.

    As a New Yorker, I found myself missing my city and its vibrant club scenes and dance parties. At almost every party and club I’d been to in Los Angeles, people stood around with a drink in hand instead of getting on the dance floor. Through El Teteo, I wanted to bring the East Coast vibe to the West Coast, raise awareness about Latine Caribbean culture, and foster community. As New Yorkers, we experience different cultures like a melting pot. Not only do I get to share other people’s cultures, but I also introduce others to mine.

    As an unapologetically proud Dominican American, I yearned for our presence to be felt here in Los Angeles, where it felt like there weren’t many of us. Moving to LA made me acutely aware of the lack of representation of Dominicans and Caribbean Latines. It was a culture shock. People were often shocked when I spoke in Spanish. Not many folks in Los Angeles were familiar with the Dominican community or Dominican culture overall.

    So I kicked off my first El Teteo party on February 26, 2022, to celebrate Dominican Independence Day in Los Angeles. I partnered with Angela Carrasco, a Dominican American realtor in Los Angeles, and Dominican American actress and host Katherine Castro, who both had ties to a venue. Our event reached new heights of success as 600 people gathered to participate. People even traveled from New York to be part of the unforgettable experience.

    These parties have been more than just a big fun event; they’ve become a place for Latine creatives, particularly those in media and entertainment, to network and build community. The success of the parties is measured by the joy and connection they bring. It’s a space where Latindad looks different from what the West Coast is used to.

    As a Dominican American, I’ve faced challenges in auditions because Hollywood often expects Latinas to be light-skinned mestizas with straight dark hair, overlooking the diversity within our community. Afro-Latina Caribbeans are still considered “other” or “not Latina enough” in Hollywood. But these events feature Dominican music, artists, and cultural elements like hookah, creating a cultural hub in LA that showcases our rich heritage and fosters representation in a city that often overlooks us.

    At the first Teteo, we had Latines in entertainment from TV shows like “Insecure,” “On My Block,” “Gentefied,” “Station 19 “and “How I Met Your Father” attend. It was a dream come true because people who look like us don’t move to Hollywood often, and for Latines, being engaged in community plays a big part when it comes to our mental health. I often hear stories of Caribbean actors, directors, producers, and screenwriters who leave Los Angeles because they can’t find community. I wanted to bridge that gap within the Latine diaspora, from Mexicans to Dominicans. My goal was to foster the representation lacking in Hollywood, making our voices heard in the actual city of Hollywood.

    The pain of Hollywood has been constantly trying to fit into a mold that asks you to erase parts of yourself, only to be rejected. Despite this pain and uncertainty, one thing they can’t take away from me is joy. That’s why Teteo was born, out of a desire to challenge the narrative that we don’t exist and to celebrate every facet of who we are, including our humanity and the gift of life. Dominican culture is often celebrated without proper recognition, from viral dembow songs to James Bond being inspired by Porfirio Rubirosa, to bachata being sung in different languages across the globe. Yet, despite these cultural contributions, we are often overlooked in the larger Latine conversation. Executives often don’t invest in us because they don’t believe we exist. However, seeing diverse crowds at Juan Luis Guerra and Romeo Santos concerts made me question why we aren’t part of the broader conversation.

    I see El Teteo as a moment and a movement that has inspired a new Caribbean ecosystem in LA. It puts Caribbean and Afro-Latino culture at the forefront without relying on executives and investors who aren’t interested in us. I wanted to create a space where our presence and culture is acknowledged and celebrated. El Teteo has carved its path by spreading joy and awareness of our vibrant culture, created by us for all to enjoy.

    This summer, I’m inspired to bring El Teteo to NYC and make it a global event in an effort to elevate Latine culture and put Dominicans on the map worldwide. I also wanted to use El Teteo as an opportunity to give back to the Dominican community. We are partnering with the Dream Project to support educational opportunities for Dominican youth. It was important for us to create something that not only brings joy but also gives back to people in need.

    The Dominican spirit is more than just NYC and my island. It’s a way of life and a subculture celebrated by many. It’s about taking the positive parts of my culture and sharing them with the world. Like my father says, you never know when God will call you, so enjoy the life you have today. My hope is to bring this joy worldwide through my culture, to elevate and celebrate the community, and to create the representation we’re not seeing — all through community gatherings.

    Sasha Merci is a first-generation Dominican American actor, comedian, and viral digital creator. She showcases over a decade of diverse experience in entertainment with roles in films like “Righteous Thieves” and “De Lo Mio,” along with collaborations with renowned brands such as Target and Bumble. She shares her Bronx roots and passion for Latine culture by being vocal about mental health and navigating comedy.

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    Sasha Merci

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  • Tell Me Más: Moffa Shares How Being Adopted Has Influenced His Identity and His Music

    Tell Me Más: Moffa Shares How Being Adopted Has Influenced His Identity and His Music

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    In our Q&A /feature series Tell Me Más, we ask some of our favorite Latine celebs to share some inside info about their lives and some of the ways they are prioritizing their mental health. This month, we spoke with reggaetón artist Moffa on how being adopted by his Puerto Rican parents impacted his music, identity and the way he navigates the world.

    It’s impossible to talk about rising acts of reggaetón in 2024 without mentioning Moffa. The 22-year-old Puerto Rican artist has seen his star power grow at lightspeed over the last two years. In 2022, he was one of the lucky three young acts — along with Alejo and Jotaerre — who teamed up with megastar Karol G on the hit song “Un Viaje,” where he was personally flown out to Colombia to work on the track. Since then, he’s been dropping music nonstop with bangers like “Bentley Remix,” “Sussy,” “DAMMN,” and “0 Millas,” all surpassing millions in combined streams. His versatile flow and catchy lyricism have made other artists flock to him as well, from established stars like Manuel Turizo and paopao to O.G.s like Ñengo Flow.

    On July 18th, Moffa’s debut album finally made its debut. Titled “Playground,” the project reflects his unbridled enthusiasm and curiosity. As he puts it: “Even as an adult, I still feel like a child in lots of ways,” which in part inspired the LP’s name. Not only are the feelings and experiences he explores over its tracks his own personal playground of emotions, but as an artist, so is the variety of sounds he experiments with. The recording studio, and life itself are both his playground.

    For a long time, Moffa has been a person who keeps his cards close to his chest, never delving too much into his personal life. While he’s hinted in the past at his roots, he’s never spoken out about his backstory in great detail.

    Though born and raised in Puerto Rico, he is, in fact, adopted. Moffa is the Afro-Latino son of a Brazilian mother and Dominican father. His mother tragically passed away when he was still an infant, and he and his twin sister were taken in by his Puerto Rican godparents, whom he now considers his parents in full.

    In an exclusive chat with PS, Moffa talks about what it felt like to learn he was adopted, the struggle to reconcile with family members from his biological parent’s side, if he’s ever questioned his identity, how he taps into his roots, and more.

    The following quotes have been translated, edited, and condensed for clarity.

    PS: Where were you born and raised?

    Moffa: I was born in Puerto Rico, in Bayamón. I was raised in the metro area, but I traveled a lot to Isabela and Aguada because my family was from there, from the west side [of the island.] We’d go every weekend or every other weekend, so that’s why I feel I was raised on both sides.

    PS: When did you find out you and your sister were adopted?

    Moffa: I’ve known since I was little. My biological mother passed away when I was nine months old, from cancer, and I never met my biological father. And so, once she passed, [my godparents] adopted us and became my parents.They were friends with my mom since they were kids. They were all friends together. It wasn’t something that was hidden from us, thank God. They let us know that, yeah, we’re adopted. And people would’ve asked us anyway once they saw my mom and dad because we’re not the same color at all [laughs]. It would be very hard to convince anyone they’re my biological parents.

    PS: You said you became aware you were adopted from an early age. How would you describe the way you and your sister were raised by your parents; did they make sure this knowledge never weighed on you or affected you?

    Moffa: I think they were always transparent and never hid anything from us, at all. They were always straightforward about our background and history — our roots. And if we ever wanted to travel to those places and get to know them, they would support us and in fact encourage us to explore all the corners and spaces of our family that we didn’t know.

    PS: I know children can be cruel; were you ever bullied as a child because you looked different from your parents? How did you manage that, if so?

    Moffa: I wasn’t bullied, actually. Here in Puerto Rico, I feel like that kind of discrimination exists, but it’s not as strong these days. I think we should all be aware we’re all the same. I’m not and never will be different just because I’m adopted or have a different family.

    PS: Do you know anything about your biological parent’s family now? Have you had any contact or interaction with them? If so, how does it make you feel?

    Moffa: To this day, my family from Brazil has always kept an eye on me. They write to me over DMs sometimes, but it’s hard to communicate because I don’t speak [Portuguese,] so I’m using [translator apps] to write them back.

    I haven’t mentioned this publicly before, but a few days ago, my biological father actually ‘liked’ one of my social media posts. And it was, like, “Oh shit” because I’ve never met him. […] I’ve heard I might have seven siblings on my father’s side. It’s a difficult situation. You don’t want to look down on that person because you [exist] because of them. But since there’s no relationship there — no affection, no love — then you don’t know how to react or what to do. [They say] “We’re here if you need anything,” but the feeling isn’t there. It’s strange.

    PS: Do you have any curiosity about meeting them or any of your extended family members from that side?

    Moffa: Ehhh… for me, you’re really focused on your own things, y’know? You discover all this stuff, which thankfully was revealed to me when I was much younger. But I haven’t had that curiosity because you sort of feel like you’re cheating on your present family — people who dedicated their lives to me, who gave me a roof over my head. I don’t have a problem meeting [them,] that would be actually cool, but my family also deserves some respect.

    PS: When it comes to your identity, what kind of conversations have you had with other people or with yourself, for that matter? Now that you’re older, is that something you’ve grappled with?

    Moffa: Unfortunately, I don’t know a lot about Brazilian culture. I do know a bit about the history, but I’ve never visited to get to know the country fully. Neither the Dominican Republic nor Brazil. But to me, I am Puerto Rican, just with Brazilian and Dominican blood. I have a ton of family in Brazil, but I’m clear about my identity.

    PS: The last few years have heated up the conversation around cultural appropriation, even amongst Hispanics and Latinos, and whether they can make songs in genres that are historically and culturally associated with specific countries. You’re in a unique spot where you kind of have a hall pass for multiple genres. Have you ever considered doing a Brazilian funk or Dominican dembow?

    Moffa: Last year, I came out with my first Brazilian funk, produced by Young Martino and Hokage. It’s called “TOKO,” and I remember thinking exactly that. Like, “Can I really do this? Am I allowed?” I never felt like, “Oh, this is my birthright, and I must do it,” y’know? I wanted to experiment with it, and I love that sound. I can’t wait to go to one of their carnivals. I think that’s one of my biggest goals, to be able to go to a carnival in Brazil. It’s not just one of Brazil’s most popular events, but it’s famous worldwide, too.

    PS: Since your parents knew your mother for so long, I’m sure they’ve talked to you about her. Is there anything about her personality you think you have? Have you thought about how your life might have been different if she’d raised you?

    Moffa: From what I’ve been told, if she were still here, I probably wouldn’t [have the success] I have now in music. Both because of resources available [to her,] but also her character. I probably wouldn’t be in music. I probably would have been raised to be more studious and work in something more “proper” like a doctor or engineer. I’m sure I could’ve followed my dreams, but I think it would’ve been more difficult.
    And also, she looked way more like my sister, [laughs]

    PS: There still seems to be a stigma or shock when people find out a person is adopted, in part because of this dated societal idea that “ideal” families conceive their children. I don’t agree with that; in my own case, my dad wasn’t my biological father, but he was my dad all the same. What would you tell people who find out they’re adopted — or anyone who, for any reason, feels like an “other” in their group?

    Moffa: Don’t pity yourself or feel different. You’re a normal person just like all the other people who achieved their dreams, and you can do the same thing. Sometimes, these things will come up in life, in your personal life, at work, or in conversation with people close to you, but you just have to engage with it head-on. Don’t feel bad about it. Be yourself, follow your dreams, and live your life as it’s happening. Don’t pretend it’s not real, of course, because it’s a part of you. But don’t hide it. Be proud of it, even. Don’t run from it.

    I’m happy and proud of where I came from. I don’t think being adopted puts me in a fence or anything. I’m a normal person, just like any other guy… I can do anything I want if I put my mind to it.

    PS: What have you learned about mental health that you apply today — not necessarily in regards to your identity, but even within your career? How do you manage anxiety and things of that nature? What advice have you received?

    Moffa: In this fast-moving industry, you have to stay grounded above all and be aware of your station in life. You [have to] be patient about what’s happening around you and not rush yourself. At times, I find myself asking thousands of questions in my head, but then I have to stop and center myself and my thoughts, and ease up. Sometimes, you simply have to shed tears to release all that anger or anxiety that we feel when faced with adversity in this world where there are many ups and downs. It helps to get it all out and not let emotions get the best of you.

    Juan J. Arroyo is a Puerto Rican freelance music journalist. Since 2018, he’s written for PS, Remezcla, Rolling Stone, and Pitchfork. His focus is on expanding the canvas of Latin stories and making Latin culture — especially Caribbean Latin culture — more visible in the mainstream.

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    Juan Arroyo

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