Everything You Need to Know About the Rolex Series

After a tee-throwing controversy and deluge in the desert that pushed the final round to Monday, Rory McIlroy eked out a win over Patrick Reed with a birdie on the 72nd hole of this year’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic. It was a dramatic finish to McIlroy’s first victory at the Rolex Series event on the DP World Tour. But  it might have you thinking: What exactly is the Rolex Series?

If you’re the kind of golf nut that records the overnight action from around the globe, you probably already know the answer. But for those who teeter into the less-obsessed camp, the short answer is: must-see TV.

The long answer is the Rolex Series is a collection of five elevated tournaments on the DP World Tour (aka the European Tour), which comprises the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Genesis Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship, and the season-ending DP World Tour. Each event in the quintet draws the world’s best, who are all taking a crack at juiced-up purses, as well as boosted Tour Championship and Ryder Cup points.

Along with the trophy, McIlroy rounded up 1,355 points and banked more than $1.5 million with the win of the second series event of the year. In contrast, the next regular stop on the calendar, Ras Al Khaimah Championship, features a total prize pool of $2 million and 2,750 Tour points, with roughly $320,000 and 460 points to the winner.

Starting the year in the right way

“It’s a great start to the year,” McIlroy said with a victor’s grin in a post-round interview. “This is probably sweeter than it should be or needs to be.”

Rory McIlroy with the Hero Dubai Desert Classic trophy
ALI HAIDER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

But it’s not just the purses and points that make the events special. The courses, event staging, plus the the content produced and delivered globally all elevate the tournaments’ status, according to Guy Kinnings, the DP World Tour’s deputy chief executive, Ryder Cup director, and chief commercial officer.

“While each of the five events has its own individual identity, whether you’re a fan, player, hospitality guest on-site, or a viewer watching at home, you know immediately that it’s part of the Rolex Series,” Kinnings says. “They’ve become unmissable occasions. Of course, top-class golf is central to everything we do at these events, and we’ve seen some wonderful spectacles in the Rolex Series since 2017, right up to our most recent finish.”

The pros certainly love the events with a shot at more money and points while playing on some of the world’s best courses.

“When you’re coming down the stretch on Sunday and you’re in contention to win a Rolex Series event, you know it’s massive and you’ve got to be ready for it,” says Tommy Fleetwood.

Jon Rahm, a three-time winner of the DP World Tour Championship, adds most of the European tournaments he plays are Rolex Series events. “I guess it brings the best out of me,” says Rahm. “They’re always great golf courses, great weeks..the environment is really, truly amazing.”

Rolex’s storied golf history

Rolex has a long history with golf dating back to 1967 and the brand’s partnership with Arnold Palmer. Today, along with the series, the iconic Swiss watchmaker sponsors the men’s and women’s US Opens, PGA Championship, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, Open, AIG Women’s Open, Masters, Ryder Cup, The Solheim Cup, and The Presidents Cup.

“Rolex has a unique relationship with the game of golf,” says Kinnings. “They’ve been committed to our sport for more than 50 years and we’re very proud they’re our Tour’s longest-standing partner, with an enduring relationship since 1997.”

For now, the Tour says there are no plans to expand the series. “At the moment, the five events we have as part of the Rolex Series work well,” Kinnings says. “We are delighted with them and will continue to enhance them. For example, this year all five are carbon neutral, leading the way as part of our pathway to net zero.”

The next Rolex Series stop is at the Genesis Scottish Open, hosted by the Renaissance Club in North Berwick on July 13, where another $9 million and 8,000 total points will be on the line. So, go ahead and clear your calendar now.

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Author: Nicholas Hegel McClelland

Snowmobile-accessed Ski Touring in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana

We spend a healthy portion of our winters seeking places to ski that are far removed from humanity. Sometimes we use pack horses, converted fishing boats, electric motorcycles, or even helicopters when we’re lucky. We treasure the solitude afforded when you go deep in the mountains—feeling small against a backdrop of rocky behemoths. That’s why we urge you to make your next great adventure snowmobile-accessed ski touring. With a few close friends and landscapes that stoke humility and self-reliance, it’s the Wild West like you’ve never experienced before.

Why you should try snowmobile-accessed ski touring

This winter, deciding to keep our travel domestic, we opted for snowmobiling. We already had the necessities—a midsize pickup, trailer, and two used sleds—but wanted to upgrade some of our gear and skills for more remote backcountry travel. In years past, we’ve used snowmobiles almost weekly to access the better ski terrain near home in central Oregon, but most of these places boast relatively flat, easy riding, and are well mapped out. We wanted to expand our horizons a bit, so we planned a three-week road trip to Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana.

Man riding a snowmobile off a mountainside.

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While this article isn’t a perfect playbook, it’s intended as a helpful resource for backcountry skiers who want to use snowmobiling as a tool for greater access—and have some fun along the way. In planning for the trip, we researched a dozen locations, followed avalanche reports, spoke with locals, and spent countless hours testing new gear. Below are our biggest takeaways for snowmobile-accessed ski touring.

SUV pulling a trailer with a snowmobile on a highway in mountain country.
Andy Cochrane

Where to go snowmobile-accessed ski touring

Many of the popular ski towns out west—Aspen, Telluride, Jackson, Park City, Truckee, and Bozeman, to name a few—have vast stretches of private land, protected wilderness areas, and very few sled access roads and routes. Despite being the shortlist of iconic ski destinations with world-class resorts, they surprisingly aren’t the best for sled-to-ski trips, like ours. So, we started a new list.

The places we visited were much farther off the beaten path. Our first destination was in Stanley, ID, on the edge of the Sawtooth Mountains. From there we traveled to Pinedale, WY, to visit the Wind Rivers, then to the sled mecca of Cooke City, MT, near the Beartooths. After, we drove north in Montana to Whitefish, just minutes from the Canadian border, before detouring to Halfway, OR, to visit an old stomping ground—the lesser-known Wallowa Range.

Hand displays navigation app on a phone with snowmobilers in the background.
Andy Cochrane

Upon reflection, there’s not much about our route we would change. Perhaps a little more time at each stop, if we could afford that time away from home. Each destination offered its own perks, from epic burned tree skiing in Idaho and pillows in Cooke to alpine lines in northern Montana.

When to go snowmobile-accessed ski touring

A big trip of this nature may appear to take months of planning, if not more. Between work, family obligations, birthdays, weddings, and holidays, PTO is at a premium for nearly all of us. Fortunately, a road trip offers an antidote: flexibility. Despite the copious time we spent researching the route, we left home with only half of our days planned in detail, leaving the rest to be decided by the weather gods.

Motorcyling through dirt path with jungle vegetation

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Most of these places have good snow from mid-December all the way to April, so the window to road trip is fairly large. We opted for January, but most of that decision was circumstantial, related to other commitments we already had. For tiny-yet-popular towns like Cooke City and Stanley, we knew we needed to book ahead. For other stops, we gave ourselves the leniency to wait and watch the snow.

Skier in red jacket in mid-jump.
Andy Cochrane

For example, only a few days before the trip we envisioned spending a week in British Columbia, but the snow was so good in Montana that we just stayed put. Every few days we’d make a loose plan for the next week, but hold off on booking places to stay until we were confident the skiing would be good. Ultimately, the weather forecast and avalanche report were our guiding lights in choosing when to go where.

What to bring snowmobile-accessed ski touring

Visiting new mountain ranges presented a bevy of challenges for us, the first of which was navigation. We wanted to stay safe, follow local rules and guidelines, and find zones that wouldn’t be tracked out. To do so, we opted for the OnX Offroad app, which has all the features a snowmobiler or skier needs to plan a safe, fun day out in the mountains—including 2D and 3D modes, satellite and topo overlays, slope aspects and slope angles, SNOTEL data, weather forecasts, snowmobile-specific routes, and integrated avalanche reports—making it the most important planning and decision-making tool we had on the trip.

Closeup of skier in red jacket skiing through powder.
Andy Cochrane

Safety-wise, it’s crucial to have both the necessary training and tools for the job. If you’re reading this, you’ve likely heard of AIRE avalanche education. It’s the U.S.-standard for snow-related safety and a self-imposed prerequisite for anyone we ski with. You’ll also want the right gear.

We love the Mammut Tour 40 Airbag Pack because it has space for extra layers, food, water, a repair kit, camera—and is comfortable to wear with everything crammed inside. The Mammut Barryvox Package—a beacon, shovel, and probe combo—is a great addition. We also highly recommend a BCA BC Link 2.0, because good communication is crucial in the backcountry.

You’re gonna want warm gloves for snowmobiling, like Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Mitts, which we’ve used extensively for Arctic ski trips and week-long dog sled excursions. Suffice to say, they’ve saved our hands from frostbite on more than one occasion. Pair them with the Hestra Ergo Grip Active, the best all-purpose outdoor gloves around.

We’re big fans of Smith’s Nexus Helmet for the added insurance it provides your noggin and the Smith 4D Goggles, because they have a massive field of view and the lenses are easy to swap in different light conditions.

Fat bikers wind single file along a snowy trail with a mountain backdrop in northeastern WA's Methow Valley

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The best upgrade made to our snowmobile before the trip was a ski-specific rack from Mo-Pros, which allowed us to carry multiple sets of skis and poles, all in a burly-yet-seamless design. Last but not least, after sampling beers across the four states we tripped through, we’ve come to the unanimous decision that the best après-ski brew is Ten Barrel Pub Beer (5% ABV)—because sometimes less is more.

Snowmobilers on lit snowmobiles in the backcountry at night.
Andy Cochrane

Lessons learned on a 3-week snowmobile-accessed ski tour

Some background on me: I spent five years living out of my Toyota Tacoma and learned a few things along the way. While that chapter of my life ended two-plus years ago, a lot of those lessons and principles still define my day-to-day life today. I’m still frugal. Other than big trips, I still live modestly, am meticulously organized, and don’t mind a night or two of stealth camping at a truck stop.

Three snowmobilers parked outside of a pub in Oregon.
Andy Cochrane

My biggest lesson on this trip was being open to trusting strangers—from avalanche forecasters who keep you safe to small-town mechanics who’ll fix a sled late at night in exchange for a six-pack to friends of friends who let you crash on their couch. When we got home, we felt like we could trust strangers, half-baked plans, best intentions, and eye twinkles—even if we didn’t know where exactly they’d lead us.

This isn’t a common feeling in our polarized world, making it even more important. Our sled-to-ski road trip gave us a chance to get out of our local bubble and meet new people on their home turf. That’s a gift we’ll never take for granted.

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Author: Andy Cochrane

The 6 best things to do with kids at Everglades National Park

With critters basking in the sun, boats whizzing by and educational opportunities aplenty, Everglades National Park is a kid’s paradise. Its marshy landscape begs for exploration, with mangrove islands, carved-out canoe paths and a handful of modern visitor centers with interactive exhibits to check out.

The nice thing about the Everglades is that you can traverse its landscape via many modes – airboat, hiking, kayaking, driving and even a tram – so when you or the little ones need a breather, it’s seamless to shift gears while still taking it all in. Make sure everyone is layered in sunscreen, bug repellant and sun-protective gear, like hats, sunglasses and, if needed, long sleeves. Once ready, these are the six best things to do with kids in Everglades National Park.


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Blue skies are reflected in the still waters of the Everglades with tourists on an airboat seen in the distance
Airboat rides are a quintessential Everglades experience © allouphoto / Shutterstock

1. Zip around on an airboat

Airboat rides are a quintessential Everglades experience, where you glide along the marsh landscape on a flat boat with a giant fan-like propeller. It’s refreshing and scenic for kids and adults alike.

Everglades National Park has three authorized airboat businesses: Coopertown Airboats, Everglades Safari Park and Gator Park. All three are located closest to the park’s Shark Valley / Miami entrance along the historic Tamiami Trail. Most operators within the national park and beyond offer a children’s discount. Coopertown Airboats, for example, has discounts for children ages 6 to 11 and free rides for those under 6. 

It can be incredibly tempting to reach out to pet wading birds and even friendly seeming alligators, so if you have a particularly hands-on little one, it’s wise to sit toward the middle of the vessel to mitigate temptation. Plus, airboats are typically covered, making the center seats less prone to the often-beaming Florida sun.

An American alligator on rocks in the water with green plants behind
The Everglades’ Anhinga Trail is often loaded with sunbathing critters © Francisco Herrera / Shutterstock

2. Hike the Gumbo Limbo or Anhinga trails

Florida is about as flat as a US state can get, so for those seeking non-strenuous hikes, the Everglades is bliss. However, this 1.5-million-acre park only has 30 hiking trails. The majority of the land is freshwater and saltwater habitats. 

For kid-friendly hikes, head to the Royal Palm Visitor Center in Homestead. Once you’ve parked, the Gumbo Limbo and Anhinga trails are within 50ft of the visitor center. Just less than a half-mile round trip, the Gumbo Limbo Trail is paved for the stroller crowd and guides you through ferns, royal palms and, yes, large-limbed gumbo limbos.

The Anhinga Trail is a bit longer – 0.8 miles – and often loaded with sunbathing critters, like gators, herons and turtles. When you and yours need a bathroom or diaper break, the Royal Palm Visitor Center is well-equipped.

People biking on a paved trail through low scrubby-looking terrain on a cloudy day
Bring plenty of sunscreen when you tackle Shark Valley’s trail © Keith Draycott / Getty Images

3. Bike or tram the Shark Valley Tram Road

A 15-mile-long paved circular trail, the Shark Valley Tram Rd is surrounded by islands, with trees, tall grass and the sporadic bathing alligator. No matter how you tackle the trail – hiking, biking and tramming are all options – bring plenty of sunscreen and plan a pit stop at the midpoint: an observation tower with a ramp winding over a gator-dotted waterway.

On the lower-energy side, two-hour ranger-led tram tours start hourly from 9am to 4pm between mid-December and April. Otherwise, the tram has four departures daily, so check the schedule ahead.

For bike rentals, there is a shop attached to the Shark Valley Visitor Center with kids’ and adult bikes with child seats. The Shark Valley area of the park opens at 8:30am, and bike rentals can sell out quickly, so reserve ahead of time to prevent on-site disappointment. The shop also has helmets – it is Florida law for bicyclists under 16 to wear a helmet.  

4. Embark on a ranger-led journey (and have your kid become a junior ranger too)

Beyond the educational tram tour at Shark Valley, there are ranger-led adventures from the Royal Palm and Flamingo visitors’ centers in Homestead and the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City. Keep an eye on scheduling, as most tours only occur during the dry season (November through April).

Popular programs include a wildlife-centric stroll along the Anhinga Trail, a “Hidden History” journey on the Guy Bradley Trail and narrated boat tours focused on the geography of the Gulf Coast’s 10,000-plus islands. 

Select national parks have junior ranger programs. Kids (and adults) can snag an interactive booklet at a visitor center, complete educational activities within the park and earn a badge. The Everglades is one of these parks and has recently provided a bingo sheet for kids to spot certain wildlife – pelicans, raccoons and even mosquitos – to earn their badge. 

5. Canoe or kayak and gawk at more than 350 bird species

Okay, perhaps the Everglades Wilderness Waterway – a 99-mile recreational route connecting Everglades City and Flamingo – may not be the most kid-friendly option for a kayaking excursion. But there are plenty of spots to canoe and kayak in the Everglades for the whole family.

The Flamingo Visitor Center – located 38 miles southwest of the park entrance in Homestead – has an adjacent marina with boat tours of backcountry waters and the Florida Bay. Admission is half-off for kids 12 and under ($20 per child). You can also rent kayaks and canoes at the marina, meaning you’ll receive keys to unlock rentals at nearby ponds and waterways. 

Among the most popular nearby destinations for kayaking and canoeing is the Nine Mile Pond loop, which takes you through mangrove islands and grassy landscapes (though it’s actually 3.5 to 5 miles depending on your route). If a do-it-yourself rental is too much to coordinate, Everglades National Park Institute also has guided tours.

6. Learn about Everglades’ history at local museums and visitor centers

Each of the Everglades’ four visitor centers is very much a museum in its own right, with snippets of park history and wildlife exhibits.

For history-loving young ones, the Miccosukee Indian Village has a museum dedicated to the eponymous tribe and their centuries-old roots in the Everglades. The village also has airboat rides and ethical alligator demonstrations, shedding light on the tribe’s relationship with the critters, which has gone from using them for food to conservation.

Perhaps the most comprehensive museum on the Everglades is in Everglades City. The Museum of the Everglades covers over 2000 years of area history, with puzzles, coloring activities and educational crossword puzzles to keep kids entertained.

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We Have the Receipts—This Is Everyone’s Favorite It Bag

Recently, we’ve been seeing a shift in bag trends to low-key quiet-luxury styles that combine ease, subtlety, and quality craftsmanship. Essentially, they’re smart investment buys that can withstand the trend cycle and last in your closet for many years ahead. With that in mind, it is unsurprising that the Gucci Jackie 1961 bag is gaining momentum this year. Originally launched in 1961 and named after Jackie Kennedy, who was frequently photographed wearing the leather hobo, the bag was rereleased in a new iteration on the F/W 20 runway.

Though we’ve been seeing the bag on the fashion scene since its updated version dropped several years ago, it is more popular than ever and has been one of the most-photographed bags so far in 2023—a testament to its staying power that makes it a key investment buy. Ahead, see how celebrities and fashion insiders are wearing the Gucci Jackie 1961 bag and shop the style.

Celebrities such as Sienna Miller and Dua Lipa have been snapped recently wearing the Gucci Jackie 1961 bag. Styling it with everything from suiting to floral dresses, their looks prove it’s a piece that can be styled for practically any occasion.

Like celebs, fashion insiders have proven they are major fans of the Gucci Jackie 1961 bag in 2023. The fact that the bag is in such high demand 62 years after its launch and three years after its rerelease has cemented it as a timeless buy that only gets better with age.

No matter what your style is, Gucci has a strong collection of handbags to add to your spring wardrobe. Here, shop more styles our editors are eyeing—from cult classics to just-dropped spring pastels.

Next: Fashion People Told Me the Pieces They’re Buying First in 2023

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I Styled Rachel Bilson for a Week in NYC—5 Looks I Packed for Her 5’2″ Frame

As unfortunate as it is, most clothes weren’t designed with petite people in mind. Count the 5’10” and above models on the runway for proof. Yet many celebrities that err on the shorter side still manage to pull off incredible high-fashion looks on a regular basis. The “how” attached to that has one simple answer: stylists. 

When it comes to dressing the petite population in Hollywood, celebrity stylist Nicole Chavez is one of the absolute best, with clients such as Jessica Simpson (5’3″), Kristen Bell (5’1″), and Rachel Bilson (5’2″). Knowing that, when Bilson’s looks from her New York City press tour for the Fox show Accused hit Instagram recently, it felt only right for us to get the inside scoop on each of her outfits from the trip. Keep scrolling for Chavez’s petite-styling tips, every detail surrounding Bilson’s NYC looks, and so much more.

“Rachel and I met almost 20 years ago working on The O.C. She was my first client, so my love for her runs very deep,” says Chavez, who worked in the show’s wardrobe department. When the stylist got the call that Bilson was headed to NYC to do press for her new role on Accused, she jumped at the chance to not only build her wardrobe for the trip but to also join her on it. “We used to travel all the time together, but now that we’re both moms, it’s a little more challenging,” she says. This time around, though, it felt imperative that she went. “I felt like this opportunity coming to NYC gave us another chance to be creative again,” she says.  According to Chavez, she and Bilson were initially drawn to each other because of their mutual love for fashion and similar aesthetics. “But in your 20s, your style is very different than it is now, so [with this trip], I wanted to make sure that we reflected her growth—not just personally but also in style,” she says. “When I think about the silhouettes that we used to do, we were very feminine with lots of prints and colors. This time, with Rachel in her early 40s and in this new phase in her life, there were definitely more sophisticated silhouettes—a stronger shoulder, a longer sleeve, a tailored trouser, and other suiting.” Chavez says that Bilson would have never worn suiting or anything oversize for events back in her O.C. days: “Everything was very fitted, short, and poofy.” For the Accused tour, the goal was to step away from that mood. “It’s been really nice to grow with her into this next phase of her style and reflect where she is in her life,” she says.

On Rachel Bilson: Paco Rabanne dress; Les Belles Opaque Tights ($24); Christian Louboutin heels; Jennifer Fisher Micro Samira Ear Cuff ($125); BY FAR bag; Oliver Peoples eyewear. “Rachel was part of The O.C., which was really her ingénue period, so now, we’re in a different phase of her life, and therefore, we’re dressing more elevated. That lends to stronger silhouettes and more dynamic proportions, which is what we were going for with this dress,” Chavez explains. “In terms of petite dressing, I’m also 5’3″, Rachel’s 5’2″, and I also work with Kristen Bell—who’s 5’1″ or 5’2″—so it’s an art form that we have mastered. I made sure that, with this dress, we paired it with some opaque black tights and black patent-leather heels to really elongate the leg. That’s really important: not to break up the leg. Instead, you want to make sure that it is one long visual.”

On Bilson: Aya Muse Eury Wool-Blend Jacket ($885) and Eury Wool-Blend Miniskirt ($465); Dorothee Schumacher trench; Charles & Keith platforms; Bera Design bag; Jennifer Fisher Kate Huggies ($225) and Micro Samira Ear Cuff ($125); Oliver Peoples eyewear. “Again, we were playing with proportion [with this look] in order for Rachel to feel more elegant and elevated,” Chavez says. According to the stylist, they paired the micro miniskirt with suiting as opposed to a cropped blouse to keep the look age appropriate and styled it with chunky platforms to ensure that it didn’t feel too romantic. “In the past, we tended to dress in more feminine looks—puff sleeves, florals, etc.—which we still love. But again, in this next phase for Rachel’s fashion, it’s definitely a little more streamlined. We paired it with black tights and chunky platforms on purpose to create visual length because she is so petite. Dressing monochromatically also helps with length, so a navy trench with the navy suit and then the black tights and black chunky platforms, it really gives a clean look.”

On Bilson: Camilla and Marc turtleneck; BY FAR Stevie 99 Metallic Over-the-Knee Boots ($463); Jennifer Fisher Ascending Ear Cuff ($295); Bera Design bag. “This was a last-minute look that we threw together for the evening,” says Chavez. “We weren’t really sure what was happening. I just knew there might be an evening event or appearance, so I had this as a backup plan.” According to the stylist, Bilson’s gold thigh-high boots were a must-bring on the trip, especially given the weather. (The material made them surprisingly practical.) “Because they are such a statement piece, I knew it was important that we pair them with something simple, like a black turtleneck, and since Rachel’s so petite, it became a turtleneck dress instead of a turtleneck sweater, which actually worked perfectly for the boots,” she says. “They were such a showstopper piece that, everywhere we went that night, people asked her what boots she was wearing.”

On Bilson: Camilla and Marc tunic; Mother Tunnel Vision Pleated Faux Leather Straight-Leg Pants ($260); Chanel bag; Larroudé Dolly Boot ($475); Jennifer Fisher Micro Samira Ear Cuff ($125); Dorothee Schumacher Double-Breasted Coat ($821). For a talk show, Chavez put Bilson in a pair of faux-leather pants from Mother that she styled alongside a Camilla and Marc poplin tunic and a black Dorothee Schumacher trench. “I love her coats so much,” Chavez says. “It was perfect to have this black coat to sling over her shoulders—it was really important to me that we didn’t lose the look underneath the coat, so I didn’t have her put her arms in so you could see her frame. That’s another trick for us petite girls: When you’re wearing a long coat, throw it over your shoulders so you can still see your body.” This styling trick also ensured that the cutout on the back of the tunic remained visible. “I used the Chanel bag chain as a crossbody to break up that massive white space [of the shirt], and we paired it with a super-high platform ankle boot by Larroudé, again, to give her extra height,” she says. Chavez kept the pants and boots the same color to avoid breaking the line of her leg, thus giving her more visual length. “I felt like this was the biggest departure from Rachel’s previous style, as it was much more masculine and workwear inspired,” she says. “Fifteen years ago, Rachel probably would’ve just worn the shirt as a dress, but it felt like—because it was New York and we’re in a different phase [in her style]—the leather pants were the way to go. We were going for less girly and sweet and more elevated and sophisticated in her style.”

On Bilson: Magda Butrym Cropped Turtleneck Sweater ($1170) and Ruffled Knit Mini Skirt ($1500); Saint Laurent boots; Anine Bing bag; Jennifer Fisher Micro Samira Ear Cuff ($125). “I was obsessed with this [Magda Butrym] knit set when I pulled it. It felt so perfect for the trip, and I knew, again, that we were going to need knits, coats, and other warm pieces because the weather was quite cold there, so this was a great combination of chic and comfortable for a cold, rainy day,” Chavez explains. “I also made sure that the hairdresser put her hair back just to create length on the neck because she was wearing a turtleneck. Turtlenecks sometimes can be tricky, especially on camera, so that’s an important note for the petite girls out there.” The stylist went on to explain the importance of showing even a small amount of skin if you’re petite, which is the reason she had Bilson’s hair put up. “Seeing a little bit of skin always helps with portions and visuals with petites,” she says.  For shoes, Bilson wore her own Saint Laurent thigh-high boots that, according to Chavez, the actress bought “many, many years ago for another press tour” and has worn countless times since. “She’s a size 5 in shoes, so when it comes to samples, they’re few and far between unless we have time to order them in advance. Because of that, Rachel has an extensive shoe closet that we’ve been building over the last 20 years,” she says. “Overall, I love the proportions of the strong shoulder on the sweater with the miniskirt, and then the tall boots are very elongating and add visual length.”

Coming up: Rachel Zoe Has Confirmed These 3 Trends Will Look Good Years From Now

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The 5 best road trips to Everglades National Park

As Everglades National Park primarily consists of an intricate network of wetlands and canals, roads within and leading to the Florida preserve are few and far between. In fact, amid its mammoth 1.5 million acres of swampy terrain, there are only four total entrances and two principal roads serving motor vehicles.

So beyond cruising on the 39-mile-long Main Park Rd (Florida Rte 9336), which connects the Ernest F Coe Visitor Center and Cape Sable, or spotting alligators along the Tamiami Trail (US 41), the question becomes: in which Florida city should I begin my trek to Everglades National Park? 

Fortunately, in Florida you have road-trip options that touch cosmopolitan cities, additional national parks and orange-grove-draped country roads. Here are the five best ways to get to Everglades National Park. 


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1. The Tamiami Trail

Best road trip for history lovers
Miami-Everglades National Park; 64km (40 miles)

The closest major airport to Everglades National Park is Miami International Airport, some 35 miles east of the Shark Valley Visitor Center. Spend some time in Miami taking in the turquoise Atlantic vistas in Miami Beach, watching the boats zip around Biscayne Bay and snacking on croquetas and cafecitos (Cuban coffee) along Calle Ocho, Little Havana‘s main thoroughfare.  

After Miami, head west along the Tamiami Trail. As you visibly transition from suburbia to swampland, note the numerous attractions that the Miccosukee tribe operates along the trail, including airboat rides and the Miccosukee Indian Village museum. Within the museum, you can see beadwork, patchwork and photography that sheds life on the tribal community, dating back to the early 19th century.

An aerial view of cars on a highway cutting through turquoise water
The Overseas Highway is the only road leading through the Florida Keys to mainland Florida © Reese Lassman / EyeEm / Getty Images

2. The Overseas Highway

Best road trip for water vistas
Key West-Everglades National Park; 216km (134 miles)

Start this three-hour road trip by exploring the coral-reef-surrounded and party-filled downtown of Key West, which is the southernmost city in the continental US. Mallory Square is known for its daily sunset celebrations, but it’s really a place to gather all day, with the raucous Hog’s Breath Saloon and a nearby Ron Jon Surf Shop outpost.

From there, you’ll find only one road leading through the Florida Keys to mainland Florida: the Overseas Highway, which weaves through numerous cozy, art-gallery-draped confines, including Marathon, Islamorada and Key Largo. Along your drive, snag a reservation at the Fish House in Key Largo for regional delights, like fresh mahi mahi and conch salad.

For a bonus park en route to the Everglades, Bahia Honda State Park has the clearest of waters and rentable snorkeling equipment on-site.

Detour: Dry Tortugas National Park and Biscayne National Park are both detour options with this road trip. Book reservations months in advance, and note that you’ll need a boat – or access to one – to make the most of them.

Purple-pink sky at sunrise, seen over the front of a canoe in still water in Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, Florida, USA.
Pause at Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park on your way to the Everglades © Anish Patel / 500px

3. US Route 41

Best road trip for parks and wildlife in a small stretch
Naples-Everglades National Park; 117km (73 miles) 

It doesn’t get much easier than this. From Downtown Naples’ boutiques and upscale eateries, hop on US Rte 41 and take it directly to the Shark Valley Visitor Center for an Everglades adventure. But you’ll want to make some stops along the way.

Among them are the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, which has a 110,000-acre waterway with boat and kayak rentals for navigating the lush mangroves. Fakahatchee Strand Preserve makes for a nice pause as well. Its Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk spans more than half a mile and winds through a swamp, culminating in an alligator pond.

Planning tip: The Gulf Coast Visitor Center – located in Everglades City – is the closest Everglades visitor access area to Naples. Keep an eye on its reopening schedule, following damage sustained from Hurricane Ian.

People on a rollercoaster with their arms up, screaming and smiling, against a light blue cloudy sky
Get your thrills at Tampa’s Busch Gardens, then head to the Everglades © VIAVAL TOURS / Shutterstock

4. US Route 17

Best road trip for Central Florida charm
Tampa-Everglades National Park; 407km (253 miles)

With vast white-sand beaches and an increasingly hip bar and nightclub district in the form of Ybor City, Tampa is officially a place to be. After touring the Florida Aquarium or getting your thrills at Busch Gardens theme park, the easy way out of town and en route to Everglades National Park is the Interstate 75 straight-shot, but resist temptation and opt for a more rural trek south along US Route 17.

On your way to Shark Valley Visitor Center, make a pit stop in Haines City at Ridge Island Groves for some farm-grown oranges and blueberries. Wauchula has a quaint downtown that’s home to a handful of antique shops, like Heritage Park. Once Rte 17 connects with Interstate 74, Fort Myers and Naples are both seamless detours within 10 minutes of the highway. 

A gator lying in the middle of a dusty road as a car approaches, blurry in the background
Big Cypress National Preserve is on the way to the Everglades © William Silver / Shutterstock

5. Orlando to the Everglades

Best road trip for a bonus National Park experience 
Orlando-Everglades National Park; 410km (255 miles)

For those Walt Disney World–goers seeking a nature-infused reprieve, Everglades National Park is doable in approximately five hours. From Central Florida, the quickest route is Interstate 95 through West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale. However, traffic on I-95 is totally unpredictable, and the road gets particularly congested during snowbird season (October through April).

You’ll find a quieter way south via US Route 98/27. Memorable stops include Immokalee, which is home to the Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch. The operation sheds light on the cowmen, ranchers and pioneers who settled the swamp-adjacent farmland in the late 1800s. Before arriving at Shark Valley Visitor Center, Big Cypress National Preserve is also on the way, and it has swamp tours and eight campgrounds.

Planning tip: As this trip can easily evolve into a multi-day affair, consider lodging well in advance. If all else fails, you can try your luck in Everglades City, but you’ll find fewer than a dozen hotel options there.

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The Proof Is in the Data: The World’s 10 Favorite Beauty Brands

It feels like there are so many beauty brands out there that it’s impossible to keep track of them all. Every week, there’s a new brand, a celebrity launching a beauty line, or a makeup brand introducing skincare. Put simply, the beauty market is oversaturated. 

Because of this sheer volume of brands, it’s important to pay attention to the ones that are actually landing with their audiences. That’s why when Cosmetify released its 2022 Cosmetify Index, the industry immediately perked up its proverbial ears. This index measured the world’s biggest, most popular beauty brands of 2023 based on a wide variety of factors: Instagram followers, Instagram engagement, Instagram mentions, and Google searches and change in searches.

There’s no doubt about it—people are clearly prioritizing factors like efficacy, sustainability, and simplicity in their beauty buys. Keep reading for the world’s most popular beauty brands of 2022, which are sure to keep gaining momentum this year. 

Millie Bobby Brown’s “clean” brand clocks in at number one on the list. Free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances, the products are also effective and reasonably priced, which has earned the brand an explosive rise in Instagram follows and Google searches. 

There’s a reason CeraVe is your dermatologist’s favorite skincare brand: It works. It’s also affordable and available in most drugstores, which is a major win. The brand has garnered 18.4 million searches in the last 12 months alone. 

This cool-person brand is back on everyone’s vanities, and for good reason—its affordable products don’t just look aesthetically pleasing, but they also really work. 

This beloved skin and bodycare brand is also having a major renaissance—it clocked over 40 million Google searches this year. 

It only makes sense that Estée Lauder would be on this list since its products are sold in 150 countries and territories. The brand name is recognized around the world, and it only keeps growing. 

This is the first time that UK-based beauty brand Revolution has been on Cosmetify’s Index. The brand has 3.4 million Instagram followers and an incredibly reasonable price point for products that work so well. 

This brand is a mainstay in Europe and garnered 30 million searches this year. 

It’s no surprise that haircare brand Olaplex is on this list, as it’s a major cult-favorite. With 18.5 million searches this year, it’s clear the brand is just getting started. 

Rihanna remains the queen. With nearly 12 million Instagram followers and products that people absolutely love, Fenty has shown major staying power in the world of celebrity beauty brands. 

This French-girl favorite has one of the higher Instagram engagement rates out there and based on how beloved its products are, it’s no surprise. 

Next: We ID’d the Latest Injectable du Jour—Why Everyone’s About to Be Asking for It

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Model Gustav Magnar Witzøe Takes on Men’s Fashion Week and Paris Couture

Phew! We’re still catching our breath from the whirlwind month that has been January. The top of the year not only marks the beginning of the annual award season marathon—and our extensive red carpet coverage—but it’s also the start of a months-long fashion week trek, kicking off with the men’s F/W 2023 shows in Milan and Paris and Couture Week. Not that we’re complaining! The four-week stretch offers up a delightful sartorial platter of noteworthy style moments. And taking us behind the scenes of all the action this year is Norwegian model Gustav Magnar Witzøe.

If you are not familiar with Witzøe yet, you’re going to want to take note. An emerging talent in the fashion space, the 30-year-old has caught the eye of some of the industry’s biggest brands and designers, landing him front-row seating at the likes of Loewe, Louis Vuitton, Rick Owens, Armani, and Schiaparelli, to name a few. And then there’s the not-so-insignificant fact that he’s been working with image architect Law Roach, one of the industry’s most influential stylists. Attending the shows together, the two curated a portfolio of dapper looks that showcased the many sides of Witzøe’s personal style—think drapey suits, acid-wash denim, and avant-garde footwear. With a photographer in tow, Witzøe documented some of the highlights from his trip abroad. And lucky us, we have the exclusive. 

“Can you ever have enough shoes for Fashion Week? First stop: Celine.”

“The most interesting aspect of fashion week, for me, is being able to get a glimpse into the maddening processes and unique approaches that each designer takes in order to express their creativity that inevitably leads to a collection. It’s important to me to absorb it all.”

“It’s all about the backdrop.”

“Big Mac diet.”

“Leaving the Giorgio Armani show in a classic double-breasted suit. Love it!”

“I would like to think that I wouldn’t break my ankles in these…”

“Rick Owens, everyone. Bravo on a breathtaking show that highlighted the genius that has made you a legend.”

“Ready, set, action! It’s time for some Louis Vuitton entertainment and my last show in Milan before Paris Couture Week. The show was a spectacle; it became apparent instantly that we were going to be paying homage to classic styles and patterns from Y2K decades past. All packaged beautifully with a performance by the one and only Rosalía who exploded onto the runway in a custom LV yellow car. I think I may have to look into purchasing for my own collection.”

“It’s not shoes, it’s art!”

“Law [Roach] and I doing some serious damage together.”

“Fittings are essential, especially when you are investing in a good suit. A big thank you to my extended fashion family here at the ateliers who had me looking and feeling my best.”

“KidSuper, watch the space… I bet my money on him.”

“For me, fashion is a way of escapism from my everyday life. I relish in the opportunities afforded to me during fashion week(s) to meet so many young, interesting, and eccentric people. It’s the best form of education and experience. It’s not just dress up for me.”

“Matrix meets Mercedes for my final night out in Paris this season. Cheers!”

Next, Apple Martin made her official debut at the Chanel Couture show

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