Month: July 2019

If there’s one thing that can be said about Europe—that isn’t related to its historic landmarks or architecture, of course—it’s that there’s a lot of walking. Between sightseeing and roaming the streets alone, you’ll probably max out on your steps each day, which means you’re going to want the best possible shoes for traveling to Europe. After all, nothing can put bring down a beautiful vacation like aching feet. 

As you’re packing your bags to head across the pond, it’s best to keep in mind specific styles of shoes that won’t end up giving you blisters. Of course, just because they’re comfortable doesn’t mean they can’t be chic. To illustrate our point, we’ve gathered the only shoes you’ll need when you’re gallivanting through your favorite European cities. Scroll down to see them below, and then add them to your bags before your flight takes off.

Next, check out the most comfortable white sneakers on the market.

Allow me to just come out and say it: Australians do it better. Is it just me, or is every successful swimwear brand, cute new influencer, or beautiful coastline coming straight out of the land Down Under? Is there something in the water or in the IG-ready, picture-perfect juices they all seem to be sipping on? Does the combination of year-round sun, brekkie boards, and surfing somehow breed ingenuity and a knack for all things fashion? I, for one, have not yet solved the mystery, but you can be sure I’ll continue to investigate as Australians have newly proved yet another thing they seem to be better at than the rest of the world: jewelry brands.

On their quest for global domination, Australian jewelry brands have been popping up faster than you can say “G’day, mate.” Each is more idyllic than the last, drawing on native Australian materials and themes for inspiration such as seashells, native ancestry, and vintage finds. There’s no use in pretending otherwise—we all want to be Australian, and while it’s difficult to mimic their charming accents, we can accessorize like them. To assist you in this valiant effort, we’ve rounded up the six hottest Australian jewelry brands so you too can feel like an Auzzie. 

F+H stands for Femme + Homme, representing the ideal balance between femininity and masculinity, an energetic harmony reflected in the universe itself—a sense of yin and yang, if you will. With edgy gold chain pieces accented by ladylike pearls and gemstones, F+H jewelry is made for the woman that embodies the primal strength of the divine feminine in both her style and her life. 

Fastening an Amber Sceats necklace around your neck is like slipping into a wearable piece of abstract expressionism art. Influenced by art and architecture, each piece of Sceats’s eponymous collection carries the same distinctions of spontaneity, individuality, and emotion that one might encounter in a Lichtenstein piece, for instance.

Inspired by the “art in every day,” YCL Jewels truly embodies the simple and practical beauty of day-to-day life. A reminder to notice, and take pleasure in, the little things, each piece of founder Fabienne’s is minimal and feminine in nature—from the Heirloom Necklace (a personal favorite) and beyond. 

Informed by the organic shapes that occur in nature, Sarah & Sebastian inspires images of a woman sipping wine, sitting on the back veranda of her Tuscan home overlooking a flourishing vineyard. Wearing a slip dress and an Hermès scarf wrapped haphazardly around her hair, she is perfectly accented by the refined, understated but luxurious Sarah & Sebastian ring on her finger and necklace strung around her neck. 

Reliquia, derived from the word “relic” and the Spanish term for “family heirloom,” is an ode to the vintage-inspired pieces that comprise the brand’s collection. The kind of jewelry you would come across whilst wandering through an antique market in Madrid, each piece is timeless and elegant, inspiring images of opulent decades past. 

If you’re looking to add a new piece to your collection, these are the top 10 jewelry trends this year.

Don’t get me wrong. I love Instagram, but I sometimes get overwhelmed by the growing number of sponsored posts on the platform. On one hand, it’s never been easier to discover brands and shop new products. But on the other, it feels like every other post on my feed is trying to get me to buy something.

As a fashion influencer, I know I play a part in this. For work (that I don’t consider work because it’s my passion), I do create sponsored posts promoting the products and brands I love. But I also try to connect with my audience in other ways, mainly by sharing organic content that either inspires, informs, or entertains them. That’s why I gravitate toward other fashion influencers who do the same in their own way. They are thought leaders with a point of view, serving daily inspiration with a side of thought-provoking comments and conversations.

If you go on Instagram for style ideas as well as motivation and interesting thoughts, follow these fashion influencers. They are the real deal.

The queen of colorful, maximalist outfits, Paola Mathé knows how to create stunning imagery. “I just want to share my colors with the world,” she often says. With her artistic shots and impeccable style, she not only nails it, but she also manages to engage us beyond the visuals with equally compelling captions. 

From speaking up about her pregnancy journey to dispelling negative stereotypes about her nappy hair, Paola goes past surface-level to empower us with candid conversations. In a recent post, she confessed that in 2019, she is still the only black person in many rooms she goes to, speaking out against the lack of diversity in the industry and boldly embracing who she is, her blackness. “Black and proud. Black is beautiful. Black lives matter,” the post reads. It’s truly inspiring to see bloggers with a large platform give voice to these major issues and become, in some way, part of the solution.

Lyn Slater is doing away with ageism in fashion, and I’m so here for it! The 65-year-old professor is not your average social worker. She is also a style influencer who graces feeds with modelesque snapshots of her urban, editorial style. Lyn rocks everything from a wide-leg pair of J Brand jeans to a BreeLayne black bustier leather dress. And she doesn’t hide anything while she’s at it: not her wrinkles, not her body or gray hair. She fully embraces who she is, and it’s that carefree attitude that resonates so well with women of all ages.

What further sets her apart is the way she discusses clothes on her blog. She doesn’t just talk about them; she raises questions about politics, society, and being a woman. “It’s time for a new outlook on what it means to be an older woman,” Lyn once said.

Whether she’s looking chic in a miniskirt or a two-piece bathing suit, Kellie wears whatever she wants, and she’s not afraid to show her curves. In a retail space that hasn’t historically been size-inclusive, Kelly is always discovering fresh brands and inspiring women to love their bodies. “One of the most liberating things you can do in this life is to love yourself unapologetically. … I just wanted to remind you that there is more than one way to be beautiful,” she wrote in a recent post featuring her in a one-piece bathing suit. Kellie is leading the way for plus-size women in fashion, and her confidence is refreshing.

As a fashion influencer, the founder of Friend of a Friend, and a Forbes contributor, Olivia Perez serves style and career inspiration on Instagram daily. A look at her page will tell you she’s a savvy businesswoman who’s leaving her mark on the world while wearing the most covetable designer looks. 

Did I mention she’s also an entrepreneurial activist? Olivia launched System of Service in 2017 to provide impactful service opportunities to underserved communities. She has since partnered with brands like Nike to distribute food to people in need. She’s leading by example and doing it in style.

While her main focus is fitness, Hannah’s closet sure gives us serious closet envy. She makes the most intricate dresses look effortless. But what I find most inspiring is her willingness to share vulnerable parts of her life to encourage other women to tell their stories and come together in a safe space. She recently opened up about her difficult pregnancy journey, and one would only need to read the comments to get a sense of the positive impact this courageous act has had on her community. Style and substance meet on Hannah’s corner of Instagram.

You can always count on Tamu for her unique spin on the current trends. She is the queen of street style glamour, always layering unique pieces and mixing eye-catching prints to create powerful outfits. You’ll find not only photo-ready outfits on her feed but also informative reports of what’s on the runway. As a street style photographer, fashion editor, and luxury brand consultant, Tamu is a force to be reckoned with. 

Melanie Elturk combines her signature hijabs with statement trousers and ruffled high-neck blouses to create head-turning looks that send a positive affirmation to Muslim women around the world. You can feel Melanie’s pride in her cultural heritage throughout her posts. As the founder of Haute Hijab, she’s on a mission to showcase the stylish side of wearing hijabs and change the narrative about the women who wear them.

Leggings are probably one of the best items of clothing to become a staple in our wardrobes. Not only do they serve as a chic alternative to looser sweatpants and joggers, but they’re also unparalleled in comfort for any sort of activity—whether it’s working out, running errands, or lounging at home. On top of all that, they happen to give your legs an extra lift and added shape—and who doesn’t love that?

If you want to take the shaping effect to the next level, you can always opt for tummy-control leggings. Between high-waisted styles for every day and actual shapewear, these form-fitting bottoms are perfect for the moments you feel your middle section could use an added tuck or extra support.

Below, we’ve gathered the best styles that’ll give your center a little more control. Scroll down to shop them all and add a few pairs to your wardrobe.

Now, see the cool athleisure brand fashion lovers can’t stop wearing.