“There are many things TikTok has made me do—trying out a new recipe, testing out a new makeup hack, the list goes on. But this Abercrombie dress has to be the best thing the social media app has made me do,” says Joy. “Not to exaggerate but it was literally love at first sight when I saw the dress. It had all the components I look for in a dress: midi length, well-fitting and suitable for dressing up or down. I didn’t walk, I ran to the website to click add to basket, but of course, to my disappointment, it was sold out. It lived in my head rent-free, and every so often, I’d check to see if it was back in stock. I wanted the black but settled for the white, which, in hindsight, was a great decision. “Unsure of what size to get, I decided on a large...
Cast your mind back to summer 2020, and you might remember the pop-culture phenomenon that was Harry Styles’s “Watermelon Sugar” video. The clip featured Styles among a group of revellers on the beach eating fruit while clad in an array of brightly coloured, vintage-printed swim- and resortwear. The video also showcased an extensive collection of crochet, much of which Styles himself was wearing. Now, whether or not you like to believe in the power of the Harry Styles effect, it seems the popularity of crochet has risen exponentially ever since the on-trend video. In fact, according to fashion search engine Lyst, searches for crochet clothing rose by 85% in 2021, and specific searches for crochet dresses and shorts have seen an increase...
More recently, however, the angle of the questions that I’m receiving has changed. Whereas once upon a time, people wanted to know everything about it, now people are asking me what sort of perfumes they can wear instead. It seems that, for some, its popularity has all been a little too much. And I totally get it. No one wants to smell like every other person they meet. In fact, I think I’d run out of hands if I were to count on my fingers all the people, both male and female, in my immediate friendship group who own it. So if you’re looking for something similar to Santal 33 that isn’t Santal 33, I’ve got you. And no, I’m not talking about perfumes with similar notes, I’m talking more about scents with the vibe of Santal 33—the sort of perfumes ...
Lewis Hamilton is no wallflower, that’s for sure. The Formula One Mercedes champion is never afraid to push the boundaries when it comes to fashion, and his latest look proves he will always be a trend trailblazer. He was pictured taking a walk in Budapest, Hungary, on 28 July wearing a wonderfully colourful outfit ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. The 37-year-old, who is preparing for the last race before the summer break, wore an eye-catching outfit put together by his regular stylist, Law Roach. There’s no denying this is dopamine dressing at its finest. Wearing a white and green oversize T-shirt with spray-can green polka dots teamed with a knitted polka-dot bucket hat, the two items were both from the Moncler X JW Anderson collection as Hamilton continues to champion Brit...
Only I’m no makeup artist. In fact, I’d say my makeup skills are subpar. And brow pencils, I have learned, are tools that should be reserved exclusively for those with a moderate level of makeup know-how. After four years of trying to create a brow look that says natural fullness without appearing too bold or drawn-on, around 12 months ago, I finally gave up. One day, after spending 20 minutes trying to get my brows right, I threw every brow pencil I owned (all three of them) in the bin. And I’ll be honest; it felt totally liberating. Since then, I have embraced my natural brow shape every single day, simply fixing strands into place with a brow gel. And while at the time my makeup-artist friends thought that was a mistake, now there seems to be a chan...
Whether you’re heading to a wedding or simply looking for a stylish way to navigate the balmy summer days, dresses are at the fashion forefront right now, and there’s certainly no shortage of beautiful options to consider. However, when it comes to finding the best designer dresses, it always pays to stick to classic, never-date styles that will stand the test of time. The last thing you want to do is spend your hard-earned money on something that quickly begins to feel passé. That’s not to say that you need to stick to “safe” patterns and colours—so long as you have a proven track record of wearing them by way of more affordable clothes, there’s a good chance you’ll get sufficient wear and love out of a more premium option, too. But whi...
When I buy clothes, I do so with versatility in mind. I’ve always been tentative with money, so although my job as a fashion editor certainly makes shopping regularly a tempting prospect, I only invest in something when it truly warrants it. This season, I decided to treat myself to a linen shirt-and-shorts set, as, like so many others, I hadn’t updated my holiday wares in a few years. I opted for a two-piece from Deiji Studios, thinking I could maximise its wearability by splitting the top and shorts up to create new looks. Although the shorts have come in handy, it’s the oversized, slouchy shirt that I’ve really gotten the best cost per wear out of. I wear a lot of fitted pieces, as I find they tend to suit my curvy frame better, but this oversize shirt has been a godsend—parti...
The greatest part of TikTok, at least for us, is how its content creators are able to spot a cult item, and make it go viral overnight. With Instagram showing more curated styles, TikTok presents more real-time videos of the fashion crowd’s newest finds. There’s a weight that comes with a TikTok review, with try-ons and honest opinions shared by customers as well as influencers, leading to fashion pieces selling out in record time. Right now, there’s one particular dress that keeps cropping up on our FYP—you guessed it, that Skims dress. And lucky for us (and you), it’s just been restocked. There’s a lot of trends and ”hacks” that come out of TikTok, so what makes a viral item a worthwhile investment? Well, there’s a few things...
My favourite pieces in August tend to be dresses, preferably with a puff sleeve, which has become an essential part of my uniform. Midi dresses are my most-worn style throughout the year. Dôen, in particular, executes the whimsical cottagecore aesthetic that best describes my style. However, I’ve also been intrigued by the new shapes available this season, as they have a timeless appeal—from bandeau silhouettes to sculpting shirred-panel waists on dresses. Accessories are worth mentioning, and my, have we been spoilt with options. For the first time in a while, I’m excited about the intriguing shapes and textures on offer. Organic-shaped jewels have taken preference, dented studs with dangling pearls are becoming highly sought-after, and belts that were once lacklustre are n...
There’s a real art to dressing well in a heatwave. With the humid air, sticky skin and that increasing halo of frizz, it’s easy to scrap any form of ‘a look’, and go for the first loose item of clothing in your wardrobe. But how does that feel past the obvious? If you’re anything like me, your clothing is an extension of your personality, and it would be a shame to hide that for the next couple of weeks whilst the weather continues to be changeable. What actually needs to happen is pretty simple, you need to go back to basics. Think simple silk midi dresses, with open linen shirts. Loose jumpsuits and oversized basket bags. Flowy trousers and sleeveless blouses. No need to overthink any of this, minimal is extremely effective in the summer. Keep scrolling for my ho...
Toner I rarely use toner. It’s usually recommended for removing any dirt from the skin, but if you’re cleansing properly, you shouldn’t need to do this. If you do opt to add BHAs or AHAs to your routine though, the toner formulas are often quick and easy to use. MistsRefreshing? Yes. Necessary? No. I’ll use a mist as an SPF top-up or sometimes if I’ve left it long between cleansing and moisturising to re-dampen my skin, but other than that, they’ll often sit unloved on my shelf. Masks I see masks as a fun and indulgent way to treat my skin, but they are by no means vital to a good skincare regimen. If I use them, I’ll do a pre-night-out hydration or brightening mask, or, as someone lucky enough to own an LED mask, I will use this to treat the hyperpigmentation afte...
Despite being loose-fitting, this style isn’t dowdy. These billowing dresses create their own silhouette, and their ease and comfort are perfect for warm summer days. In this edit, you’ll find classic loose styles along with designs that feature shirred tops, cinched pleating or carefully placed cut-outs for those easing into this exaggerated style. Not only is this dress style immensely wearable, but it will also be a versatile addition to your wardrobe. Dress up for wedding guest outfits, or style simply for relaxed picnics in the park. Smarter styles will take you from office to evening, whilst cotton and linen dresses can be thrown over beachwear on your next holiday. Keep reading to discover the best loose-fitting dresses f...