There comes a time in every woman's life when the endless pile of clothes bought in high school and college no longer fits in with the rest of your wardrobe. For too many years, I've been a victim of ill-fated, short-lived trends that exploded in popularity when I was 16 or 17, only to buy a few of-the-moment pieces and never wear them again. No shame, though. It happens to the best of us.
Now that I've moved into my post-graduate life filled with electricity bills, taxes, and office happy hours, I've realized the importance of building a wardrobe that's meant to last. While I'm the first person to hop on a trendy style or ultra-cool garment, buying investment pieces just as I'm entering adulthood is one of the smarter moves I've made so far. Not only are they made of quality materials made to last, but they're also timeless. I won't need to swap them out every season, and I'll be saving money in the long run. As a fashion-obsessed editor who loves to spend her paycheck on cute clothing more than anything, these purchases were at the top of my list when I began upgrading my wardrobe after college.
Scroll through to see all the Gen Z–friendly pieces I've added to my closet that are sure to last me a lifetime.
Ever since the Super World puffer jackets exploded on TikTok last winter, I knew I needed a solid jacket to add to my repertoire. I'm a puffer-jacket purist, and after searching far and wide for the best one, the Super World puffer tops my list. Although I haven't snagged this one quite yet, a cozy puffer jacket was one of the first pieces I bought after moving to New York City for my first job. Growing up, I always valued a good watch. My mother always wore a watch from my grandmother, who also had it passed down from her mother. Although it isn't mine just yet, I've been obsessed with watches from an early age. They're the one accessory that truly goes with everything, no matter the occasion. Besides, carrying a chic, sophisticated timepiece always makes me feel incredibly cool at the office.I always joke that a girl turns into a woman when she buys her first pair of trousers. Thanks to the Matilda Djerf effect, oversize yet sleek tailored trousers are all anyone can talk about now. To be honest, though, straight-leg trousers were around long before today's style tastemakers decided they were cool. For one, they go with everything. I have two pairs of Reformation's signature Mason Pants, and I wear them at least once a week. When I began to build my post-collegiate wardrobe, there was one brand I knew I wanted to invest in right away: The Row. The label is celebrated by fashion people everywhere thanks to designers Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsens's commitment to high-quality, luxurious textiles and construction. I managed to get a cashmere-blend sweater from The Row on sale earlier in the fall, and I've been wearing it ever since. If you buy one sweater this year, let it be a cashmere one. Nothing is as timeless as medium-wash denim. I've always gravitated toward the neutral tone all throughout my life, but as I've gotten older, I've bought thicker, more durable denim that doesn't rip or snag after being worn more than five times. White sneakers are still my go-to now that I'm fully adulting, but instead, I've traded my overly chunky sneakers from 2017 for sleek, low-profile leather shoes like these from Saint Laurent. They're still comfortable and familiar but elevated to a point that I feel put-together when wearing them with a pair of slacks and a nice coat.Just because something is an investment piece doesn't mean it has to be boring. In the spirit of Gen Z, I've been obsessed with wearing fun, colorful sweaters alongside chic neutrals to spice up my outfit and revel in my youth. I love printed knitwear, and after buying this floral cardigan by Sandy Liang, I feel like the main character.
While I do love a fun night out, I'm really not a party girl. Yes, I love to sing and dance in front of the DJ booth, mix and mingle with my friends, and take mirror selfies in the bathroom, but honestly, I go to parties for the fashion. I spend weeks researching my looks, and it basically takes me a whole day to get ready. Once I'm there, I can't help but observe everyone's outfits. And the holiday season is the best time of year for partywear. Admittedly, I'm accepting every holiday party invite just for the opportunity to play dress-up and make mental notes of the trends.
When I want to feel glamorous, Net-a-Porter is the first place I go. The online retailer's selection of luxe, trend-focused pieces is pretty unbeatable, and its party edit is thriving right now. Of course, I couldn't resist the urge to comb through the many pages of party attire and create four on-trend holiday looks for you. Before you decline an invite because you don't know what to wear, take a scroll through this holiday lookbook for some exciting outfits to re-create.
Maxi hemlines have made a huge comeback this season, dominating Pinterest boards and runway shows with no sign of going away. The elongated style of this dress embodies the elegance of a gown without being too formal. For your next holiday party, pair this cutout maxi with textured heels that peek out from under the dress when you walk and a saturated purse that can be seen even in the darkest of rooms. Tie it all together with silver statement jewelry, and congratulate yourself for making it onto the "best dressed" list.
Hands down, the easiest way to take a rather simple look to new heights is to color-block. It gives the impression that you spent hours methodically planning your outfit when, in reality, it took no time at all. The combination of blue and purple is unexpected but effective. For the ultimate holiday vibe, take a collared, satin shirtdress and your favorite strappy heels for a spin with silver accessories.
What's a holiday party without a little (or a lot) of sequins? This iconic texture makes the rounds every year, and I'm not complaining. Put a trendy spin on your sequined garments by playing with length and color. This sequined micro-mini is the star of the show and requires very little styling to make a big splash. Opt for classic styles like a turtleneck and heeled sandals to tone down this bold, monochromatic ensemble while maintaining that festive element.
Black can be mistakenly labeled as boring when it comes to holiday dressing, and I'm here to dispel that myth. An all-black look will forever be the sleek and classic outfit recipe that anybody can pull off. Take your everyday blazer and trouser pairing, for example, and style it with a bead-embellished top as an ode to the season. Pro tip: The key to making an all-black outfit holiday ready is to experiment with textures and lengths that add a touch of sparkle.
Founded in 2014 by Charles Zhong, the online retailer Azazie introduced custom tailoring (in sizes 0-30) to its affordable bridal space just one year later. Taking a sustainable approach to wedding-dress design, the gowns are made to order and usually decided upon after the "try at home" option is utilized. The program invites brides, bridesmaids, or anyone in the wedding party to select three different looks to be shipped to their homes anywhere in the US. The in-app "try it on" feature, meanwhile, allows shoppers to adjust the skin tone and body type of the model they're viewing on the product page, so they can better imagine how it will look on them.
It's technology like this that helped the bridal retailer gain momentum, according to chief marketing officer Ranu Coleman. "We follow Fashion Week and bridal trends very closely in order to stay ahead of the trends. We also study customer behavior on our website and app for key terms that are gaining momentum," she explains to POPSUGAR. "In addition, we survey our customers before launching new styles and everything we do is data and trend driven."
Coleman revealed that for 2023, research led the team to invest largely in 3D embellishments, florals, and interesting surface textures - all of which you'll see reflected in the current top-selling gowns. Coleman says that the company typically notices a surge in sales and traffic immediately following Christmas, since the holiday is such a popular time to get engaged.
While the wedding dresses are so appealing because they can be ordered from the couch - and most of them are well below $1,000 - the bridesmaid offerings are also desirable, with Serena Williams memorably sporting the Kaleigh silhouette in candy pink for friend Hayley Schinault's special day in 2019.
Ahead, discover Azazie's all-time bestselling wedding dress, plus its most popular gowns of the year.
If there's anything that Elizabeth Sulcer is known for, it's her impeccable taste. The iconic stylist has dressed the likes of the Hadid sisters, Elsa Hosk, Stella Maxwell, and more throughout the years. As you might expect, her taste-making skills extend far beyond the realm of fashion. When it comes to beauty, she also, as one might expect, has her finger squarely on the pulse.
That's why Violet Grey tapped her to share the beauty products she's planning on gifting in 2022. Each of these products is as effective as it is chic. Keep reading for Sulcer's curated picks for this holiday season.
“Everything Augustinus Bader makes is exceptional–his products require no explanation at this point," Sulcer shared in a press release through Violet Grey. "Something everyone can benefit from during this dry time of year is The Rich Cream."This candle is an ode to the fig tree, and it will make your living space smell like summer-soaked paradise. “This beautiful shimmering body oil leaves you glowing in the sun–perfect for any vacations your loved ones have coming in the new year," said Sulcer. “Dr. Dennis Gross brings the spa to you with this face mask," said Sulcer. "Personally, I love the way it lifts and firms my skin."This buzzy sculpting bar is as chic-looking as it is effective. “I use this tool every day to sculpt and drain my face and give it some natural contour," said Sulcer. Sulcer shared that this iconic lipstick shade is an absolute must-have for everyone in the fashion set. This is one of those perfumes that just smells good on everyone. Airy and woodsy, it blends notes like violet, magnolia, and cedar for a truly tantalizing scent. This ultra-luxe body cream is truly self-care in a jar. For supremely hydrated and supple skin, Dr. Barbara Sturm's hyaluronic serum is tough to beat. With five wicks, a 190 hour burn time, and a svelte matte black vessel, Diptyque's coolest candle somehow got even cooler.
For the shoot, 25-year-old Biles slipped into a cherry-red silk minidress, accessorized with a chainlink necklace, a simple nose ring, and black strappy heels. Her look was finished with a red wide-brim hat, and she opted for shimmering white eyeshadow and her hair twisted into loose curls. Owens, meanwhile, sported his version of winter whites from head to toe, rocking fitted, ankle-length denim, Saint Laurent low-top sneakers, and a lightweight striped bomber over a classic tee. The duo posed in front of a clean backdrop, staging a "cocktails at home" theme with a green velvet couch and faux snow-covered trees acting as props. They held champagne flutes, walked arm-in-arm, and even practiced an adorable lift, which should come in handy during their upcoming wedding.
Though this is their first holiday photo shoot together, Taylor is the same photographer who recently captured the couple's official engagement photos, which saw them in matching ripped jeans and T-shirts. Here's hoping there's more outfit coordination to come, even after they tie the knot. After all, they already have their date night style on lock, and Biles is well-versed in creating custom apparel to cheer on Owens's football team.
Ahead, shop pieces inspired by Biles's festive look, then click through the seasonal photoshoot one more time.
Kate Middleton and Prince William are spending a quick three days in the United States for a tour that is focusing on the environment and climate change. Touching down in Boston, Massachusetts on Wednesday, Nov. 30, Middleton is already using her wardrobe to pay tribute to her late mother-in-law, Princes Diana. In a deep aubergine Alexander McQueen suit and coordinated turtleneck underneath, Middleton tucked her hair behind her ears to show off a pair of the late royal's iconic two-tier sapphire and diamond earrings.
The earrings feature a double sapphire and diamond cluster; one hanging from the other with a single diamond suspended between each. Each cluster is made up of a cabochon sapphire center stone and diamonds around the outside (the top boasts eight diamonds, white the bottoms are surrounded by nine).
This is not the first time that Middleton has worn these stunning drops. Back in June of this year, she was seen wearing the same pair at the annual Trooping the Colour event that stood as part of a birthday celebration for the late Queen Elizabeth II.
While Diana herself wore the earrings on multiple public occasions, she owned two pairs that looked remarkably similar. It has been widely mis-reported that these earrings Middleton took to Boston are the very same that the late princess chose for memorable appearances such as a 1985 dinner at the White House, where she famously danced with John Travolta. Though they have comparable features, those double clusters feature larger sapphires; additional diamonds around the sides; and the jewels graze each other edge-to-edge, without diamonds separating them.
As for the rest of Middleton's Boston wardrobe, she has continually leaned into the fall season, sporting a green tartan Burberry dress, forest-green Alexander McQueen coat, blue vintage tweed Chanel Blazer, and more. Ahead, see all of Middleton's looks from the US tour so far.
