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Thursday, January 30, 2020

10 Basics I Wear to Death For Effortlessly Put-Together Looks

It may come as a surprise, but I'm a pretty lazy dresser. Most days, I rely heavily on basics to get myself out the door, but always with a twist to make my look feel slightly more inspired: think, a trendy pair of boots, a cool bag, a statement top, coat, or sweater, layered jewelry, and so forth. Somehow, the simplicity of a streamlined or minimal look makes me feel lighter and stress-free, which I much prefer to more complicated ideas that can become daunting.

For me, the best wardrobe essentials are those I completely wear to death, do laundry specifically for, or am photographed in almost to the point of feeling embarrassed (almost). Who can relate?! Whether it's a simple white t-shirt, comfortable pair of jeans, or tailored blazer, I count on these pieces not only for the sake of getting myself out the door in a speedy fashion, but because they are endlessly versatile, help me look put-together even if my outfit took me two seconds to throw on, and can be worn in pretty much any combination with one another and always look great. In other words, if it plays well with others, comes in a neutral hue, and errs on the side of timelessness in terms of silhouette, I am into it, wear it on repeat, need it in multiple colors, etc., etc.

If you can relate to this sentiment or are simply building your assortment of wardrobe essentials, ahead, see 10 basics I swear by for easy dressing. Shop my edit of pieces to ensure you have each one in your closet. Plus, witness some of my favorite outfits from Instagram to inspire a few ideas along the way.

Think You've Seen It All? Surprise! Here's a Popeyes Campaign Inspired by Beyoncé's Ivy Park

Does life imitate art? Or is it art that imitates life? Popeyes is addressing the philosophical query by selling its uniforms, which, it's been pointed out online, bear a striking resemblance to Beyoncé's recently released Ivy Park collection with Adidas. Given the response to the striking Ivy Park campaign imagery, the fast-food chain decided to produce a similar campaign for its That Look From Popeyes collection. Welcome to 2020.

So what exactly is Popeyes selling now, if not its perennially unavailable chicken sandwiches? There are half-zip tunics, sweatshirts, baseball caps, and more. Here's the kicker: it's expected that the majority of the Ivy Park collection would sell out within hours - which did indeed happen - but shoppers are apparently so enamored by that burgundy-and-orange color scheme that the Popeyes uniforms have also almost entirely sold out online. You cannot make this up.

If you're still in disbelief, check out the matching campaigns ahead. We don't know if that'll necessarily dispel any confusion, but it'll at least be funny.

Are You a Ross or a Rachel? Well, That Depends on Your Jeans

We all love to argue about which Friends character we are with our loved ones. I've heard the "No, I'm Monica and you're Rachel" whine one too many times. Instagram has even offered to settle the argument for us by blessing us with a handy filter to figure it out, thank the lawd. But if you really want to get down to the nitty gritty, it's not just about your personality: it's about your style, too. We're pretty much convinced that Monica, Chandler, Rachel, Ross, Joey, and Phoebe each have their own OG denim look that falls right in line with who they are.

Honestly, Rachel's mom jeans were just as classic and recognizable as her famous hairstyle, at least for us fashion gals, and it was so like Ross to show up in corduroys, wasn't it? Phoebe, on the other hand, was extremely original with her outfits, so her jean choice should come as no surprise. We're not disappointed by any of the denim that made its debut on Friends, and the fact that all the silhouettes here are still wearable today is all the convincing you'll need to shop. Yes, relax - after you finish this episode!

Kendall Jenner Sheds Half Her Pantsuit For a Navarro Cheer Crop Top, as One Does

Kendall Jenner paid a visit to The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where she revealed just how much she enjoyed watching Cheer on Netflix (didn't we all?). The supermodel initially strutted out to the couch in a tan pantsuit with military-inspired details and a metallic collar, but that very quickly changed once Morgan Simianer arrived on set to teach her some moves. Morgan gifted Kendall a crystal-encrusted Navarro cheer top, and off came the white pumps and button-down so Kendall could flex her cheer muscles. She pinned a white bow in her hair and climbed atop the pyramid like a pro, hoop earrings still intact.

To be honest, if I were Kendall, I'd probably be sad to shed such a good co-ord set for a new costume, but goodness knows she could've slipped back into it later. Leave it to Kendall to make a teeny, tiny spandex top look just right with tailored slacks - who would've thought?! If you're into Kendall's full set, I've got news for you: so am I. I shopped out some similar versions ahead, so track Kendall's fashion moment on Ellen from start to finish, then invest in a proper matching set.

How to Be a Minimalist: 5 Key Items Every Woman Should Have in Her Wardrobe

Minimalism is one of those things that seems inherently simple, but really, to pull off the look with aplomb requires more effort than you would think. I know, so frustrating. There are, however, five key wardrobe staples that serve as the ultimate foundation to a minimalist wardrobe. They're crisp, they're clean, they're so easy to wear. The versatility simply oozes out of these pieces, and even better? They're timeless! Before I give away the good stuff, there are a few basic things - or rules, if you will - to think about when shopping for classic or "minimal" items of clothing.

First up, color palette. Most minimalist wardrobes are rooted in neutral colors like beige, brown, white, black, gray, and navy. Why? Because these natural shades always match! They can be worn in any sort of combination and look well thought out and polished: black and gray, ivory and tan, brown and beige, even brown and black or black and navy (forget any "rules" you've heard that go against these color pairings!). You can even go for a tonal look and wear similar shades head-to-toe: a current favorite among fashion girls is taupe-y colors worn top-to-bottom. If you want to experiment with a little more color, give earthy green, rust, and ochre shades a try. That's a long-winded way of saying that for those building a minimalist wardrobe, it's best to make neutral colors a priority.

Second suggestion: keep it clean. Meaning, look for silhouettes that are classic and simple. Embellishments? Not so much. Yes, you can always go for a blazer with slightly puffed shoulders or a waist-cinching belt, but the main takeaway here is that the more uncomplicated the item is, the easier it will be to wear with maximum longevity in your wardrobe.

Third tip! Fit. It's utterly crucial when it comes to mastering the minimalist look and usually the secret weapon of expert minimalists. I know it's unsavory to some, but taking the time to try on pieces in person or taking it a step further and having them tailored once you purchase will go a long, long way. The more an item looks and feels perfectly fit to your frame, the more impact you'll see as a result. Plus, you'll be consistently motivated to wear and rewear a well-fitting item because you know it will look and feel great without all the effort spent figuring out something else. Think of all the time saved! The true appeal to minimalist dressing.

Now that I've talked tips, ahead, discover five key pieces that make for an easy (and very chic!) minimalist wardrobe.

Lana Condor Wants to be the "Every Girl," Not the "Fashion Girl" - and It's Why We Stan

I'll be the first to admit that I've seen To All the Boys I've Loved Before at least seven times so far. There was something about Lana Condor's performance as Lara Jean that seemed so relatable. (It also didn't hurt that the story was adorable, as is Noah Centineo, but I digress.) The second movie of the trilogy is set to hit Netflix soon, but that hasn't slowed Lana down from delving into other projects. I had the chance to interview the 22-year-old after she had been chosen to star in the latest #AerieREAL Role Model campaign alongside Beanie Feldstein, Iskra Lawrence, and Aly Raisman, to name a few.

One of the first things I told her was that I've seen the movie so many times and even forced both my husband Pat and my dad to watch it. "It's so funny that you say that because I always meet people who say, 'I'm going to make my boyfriend, husband, or my dad watch it.' And every single guy that I've met that has seen the movie said, "Oh yeah . . . it was really cute,' she said in a deep voice, pretending to be shy. "Every single time, without fail," she said while giggling. Throughout our interview, I not only got to learn what items she got to keep from the hit Netflix movies (more on that later), but I also got to talk to her about deeper issues like how she has learned to be confident, which is something Aerie stands by.

On being an #AerieREAL Role Model, Lana reveals, "It means being confident in yourself, taking up space, and owning your power. I think being an #AerieReal role model is really special because they don't just talk about making change, they actually do it. Aerie walks the walk and talks the talk." The brand has taken a stand against retouching their campaigns for a while now to help promote body positivity and self-love. "I don't know if I've actually ever done a shoot that hasn't done some sort of retouching. This was one of the first shoots that I've ever done without retouching. I was pretty nervous going in, but the entire Aerie team just created a space of so much positivity. Everyone was like, 'Great, it looks so good!' You leave feeling stronger and more confident about yourself. If any of us can even make the slightest impact on the community and if they can leave feeling as positive as I know I felt when I was shooting it, I think that was a job well done."

"Keeping up in this world is hard. Every morning I look into the mirror and say, 'Okay, you are beautiful. You know this. You know this in your heart.'"

Whenever Lana is feeling a bit low, she has a couple of sayings she repeats to herself in the mirror. "I would say to anyone who needs a little extra boost of confidence . . . you're not alone in your feeling, which is important to remember because sometimes it's very isolating when you see these perfect photos on Instagram and Twitter. You're not alone in your feelings of anxiety or whatever it may be . . . Keeping up in this world is hard. Every morning I look into the mirror and say, 'Okay, you are beautiful. You know this. You know this in your heart. What's on the inside is what really counts.' I repeat, 'You are beautiful and don't listen to the noise.' I think it helps to reprogram that little voice in your head, that one that kind of nags you."

With the release of To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You just around the corner, I had to know if there were any pieces she got to keep after wrapping the movie. "During the first movie, I took a lot of stuff home which was so cool. The second movie was way more strict. We realized that a lot of the women that watch the movie went out and bought the pieces Lara Jean wore. We quickly realized that her style needs to be very wearable and available to the masses. Lara Jean's style is kind of the opposite of her personality - it's much bolder and louder with her style. I also got to keep the pink jacket at the end of the movie where she goes up to Peter and says, 'I want to be with you.' Oh, and I kept Peter Kavinsky's lacrosse shirt from the first movie. . . . and all of [Lara Jean's] scrunchies."

"I know this sounds silly, but I just want to be your every girl. Sometimes in fashion, it can become unattainable."

Much like Lara Jean, Lana's style IRL is just as relatable. While she isn't afraid of throwing on extravagant gowns for a major red carpet moment, her street style is way more attainable. "I know this sounds silly, but I just want to be your every girl. Sometimes in fashion, it can become unattainable. Even in my personal life, I can't even wear certain things that stylists want to throw on me. I still want girls out there to be able to wear pieces I do. That's why I love Aerie. Everything is so wearable." It's Lana's ability to be 'every girl' that pulls us in and has us cheering from the sidelines to see what amazing things she does next.

These Are the 8 Biggest Shoe Trends For Spring 2020

We're always here for the latest fashion trends from dresses to jeans, handbags to jewelry - heck, we even want to know the biggest color trends and must-have sunglasses each season! A category not to be excluded? Shoes! And while we've already broken down the biggest sneaker trends for 2020, there's a lot more in store for the new decade - think the latest in sandals, boots, flats, and heels.

After surveying the Spring/Summer 2020 runways, it became evident that shoe trends were a bit all over the map. But this is great news! It means there's a style to please every aesthetic.

For die-hard minimalists and those who err on the side of classic, modern loafers and thin and strappy sandals (otherwise known as the naked sandal) are two of the biggest trends you'll see splashed across your Instagram feed, sported on the streets, and on just about every fashion-focused woman you know for Spring. While we witnessed many an iteration of those so-thin-they're-nearly-dental-floss sandals in 2019, the new-decade update comes a little brighter in zippy shades like tangerine, yellow, and blue (of course, fail-safe neutral remains on deck).

Another carry-over trend from 2019? Square-toe shoes in just about every silhouette, heel height, and color you can imagine. With a '90s feel, they're the perfect shoe trend to try if you're all about nostalgia or seeking out a subtle update to boots, flats, heels, or mules. Speaking of subtle updates, slanted heels also rank high on our list of shoe trends to try for 2020. This look riffs off the sculptural heel trend we've seen bubble up over the past few seasons - however, it's one of those superwearable, less in-your-face type of trends that feels achingly fresh.

As for shoe trends we love for evening or simply making a statement, lace-up silhouettes and shoes with extra adornments top our list. When it comes to the former, don't be afraid to embrace the street-style-approved trend of tying them up over pants. As for the latter, I liken this trend a made-up term I call "shoe jewelry" - it includes heels, flats, and sandals with a built-in element like a chain-link or rhinestone strap for a fanciful touch. Fun, yes?

Not a heels girl? No problem. The "ugly" shoe movement continues in 2020, with hefty lug soles and futuristic sneakers as frontrunners. This trend is all about utility and nonchalance; almost as if you don't care at all (even though we totally know you do).

Ready to dive deeper into the biggest shoe trends for Spring? All eight lie ahead, plus my edit of shoes to shop at a range of price points.