Cowboy boots are a thing yet again. Street style, Instagram, and the new shoe arrivals on every cool shopping site are proof positive of this. That said, the Western boots that fashion girls are buying this season are decidedly more polished than the rugged styles of the past, and we’ve noticed that there are certain things they’re simply not wearing with their chic new boots. Alternatively, we’re also here to talk about what to wear with cowboy boots.
The tricky thing about cowboy boots is that they’re more specific than, say, Chelsea boots. If you wear them with pieces that conflict with their aesthetic, it may look a little confusing. If you wear them with other boldly Western pieces, it can look like Halloween came early.
Fashion people have been honing their cowboy-boot-styling skills in recent weeks, and we’ve been keeping track. Scroll on to find out which pieces stylish women have been keeping far away from their cowboy boots and which pieces they’re wearing with them. Oh, you can shop the coolest styles on the market along the way.
Wearing things with cowboys boots that are also Western inspired can come across as costumey. That’s why we love the contrast that animal print provides.
Athleisure and cowboy boots don’t really mix, but the fashion crowd has been quick to pair them with polished pieces, which make the boots look particularly chic.
Tons of accessories and complicated outfits, in general, can distract from your cowboy-boot moment. On the flip side, simple looks like jeans and a tee or turtleneck can’t fail.
We love the unexpectedness of pretty pieces (e.g., ruffled skirts and pink lace) and classic items, such as a trench coat, with Western boots. That being said, embellishments such as sequins and fringe can come across as over-the-top.
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. | Laura Normand / The Verge
During Meta’s fourth-quarter earnings call with investors today, CEO Mark Zuckerberg explained why he wants to make this the “year of efficiency.”
“I just think we’ve entered somewhat of a phase change for the company,” he said, noting that headcount steadily climbed for nearly two decades, making it “very hard to really crank on efficiency while you’re growing that quickly.” Now, after laying off roughly 11,000 employees and putting a pause on most hiring, he is focused on “increasing the efficiency of how we make decisions.”
Practically, Zuckerberg said this means “flattening our org structure and removing some layers of middle management to make decisions faster.” As I reported in last week’s edition of my newsletter Command Line, he…
If you spend any time on the internet, you probably don’t need me to tell you that Pamela Anderson is the moment—period. A new memoir titled Love, Pamela; a Netflix documentary called Pamela, a Love Story; a spread in Interview Magazine; and a buzzworthy moment with Jacquemus altogether create an opportunity for the actress and model to become fashion’s It girl in 2023. And if her latest look proves anything, it’s that she isn’t wasting that chance.
For a stop on her book tour at The Grove’s Barnes & Noble in Los Angeles, Anderson and her stylist Rebecca Ramsey chose to break the oldest fashion rule in the book with an all-white look by Magda Butrym worn in the middle of the winter. Specifically, Anderson wore a 100% silk blouse with a very on-trend flower embellishment on one shoulder and matching trousers. With the duo, she added a trench coat and sky-high stilettos, both in the same shade of off-white.
Despite being one of fashion’s most controversial trends, a monochrome white look post–Labor Day can also be one of its chicest ensembles, an argument made even stronger by the manner in which Anderson pulled it off for her book tour. Scroll down to decide which side of this sartorial argument you’re on.
On Pamela Anderson: Magda Butrym Flower-Embellished Tie-Neck Silk Blouse ($1325) and Wool Tapered Pants ($1275)
The off-the-shoulder silhouette is the chicest way to show some skin in the middle of winter.
Yes, this coat really is under $100.
Textured fabrics like this transform a simple turtleneck from boring to alluring.
It’s tweed time.
This is the perfect excuse to buy the white version of your favorite black bodysuit.
This dress looks so expensive.
Compliments are headed your way if you press purchase.
Sales this good don’t come around often.
Just wow.
Finally, a sweater that doesn’t look like all of my other sweaters.
From bedtime to date night, these pants are appropriate for every occasion.
Dress this sweater down with jeans or up with a silk slip.
The choker shoots this ribbed tank up 10 spots on my wish list.
This dress already has Hailey Bieber’s stamp of approval.
You can never have too many blazers.
I keep coming back to this coat. It’s beyond gorgeous.
Japan has a reputation as an etiquette-bound place that can be intimidating for first-time visitors. Don’t buy it. The traditions here are no more formal or constricting than in many other destinations around the world. Moreover, most locals are more than willing to help out or give foreign travelers a pass for any perceived faux pas.
As with just about anything in life, expectation management is key. So put your mind at ease with our top tips for smooth traveling in Japan.
1. Book accommodation in advance (and arrive at the right time)
You can probably get a room at a basic business hotel without a reservation in a pinch, but why risk it? Top accommodations can book up weeks or even months in advance, so plan ahead. Particularly busy travel periods include the first week of January, cherry blossom season (late March through April, depending on the destination), “Golden Week” (April 29 to May 5) and August.
You should also keep in mind that smaller inns or ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) often have fixed check-in times outside of which staff won’t be present, and rooms won’t be made up. Coordinate your arrival time in advance.
2. It’s a good idea to pack light for a visit to Japan
Since hotel rooms in Japan tend to be small, especially in cities, there is little room for large suitcases – which can also be a pain to wrangle on public transport. Never a bad idea, packing on the lighter side is especially advisable for Japan.
Note that religious sights such as Buddhist temples and Shintō shrines don’t have dress codes. However, high-end restaurants, bars and clubs sometimes do, but that usually just means no sleeveless shirts or sandals on men.
Keep in mind that you might find yourself sitting on the floor when dining out, which can be uncomfortable in short (or tight) clothing.
3. Buy a data-heavy SIM card at the airport
Count on relying on a substantial mount of data navigating in Japan, so get a data-heavy SIM card at the airport. Japan’s street-address system is notoriously difficult to navigate – even for locals – so smartphones with navigation apps have been a real boon for travelers.
4. Shoes you can easily slip off will make your trip
Comfortable walking shoes are a must. You’ll also likely have to take your shoes off frequently at religious sights, traditional inns and some restaurants – you’ll thank yourself later if you pack shoes that are easy to slip on and off.
Since you’ll be slipping into a pair of communal slippers when you take your own shoes off, many visitors prefer to wear socks.
5. Learn how to use a bidet toilet
Called “washlets,” Japan’s high-tech, electronic bidet toilets will wash and dry your delicate parts with the touch of a button. (Don’t worry about any language barrier; the pictograms on the buttons are easy to understand.)
Other toilet customs in Japan might throw you for a loop. Motion-sensor-activated sound machines in the women’s toilets are intended to conceal, um, sensitive noises. Also expect dedicated toilet slippers in shoes-off establishments.
Note that there is frequently a lack of towels and hand dryers (locals carry small cloths with them for this reason).
Summers in Japan are hot and humid, which can mean a real risk of heatstroke. Carry water with you, and a folding umbrella with UV blocking is useful – and does double duty in case of a sudden shower. Late June is the start of the annual rainy season, when it can rain without end for days; this can last a few weeks or through most of July.
Rains, as well as punishing winds, are likely again during typhoon season, which runs from September through October (earlier in Okinawa).
Typhoons can cause serious travel disruption; monitor the situation with the Japan Meteorological Agency’s storm and other weather warnings, which are available in English. Winters can get chilly, and Tōhoku and Hokkaidō up north can get huge dumps of snow.
Japan’s ubiquitous convenience stores are handy for weather-related necessities like umbrellas, hats, cooling wipes and pocket warmers.
7. What to do in an earthquake in Japan
Japan is one of the most seismically active places on the planet. While strong earthquakes are rare, minor temblors happen all the time. If this occurs during your time here, stay calm and take your cue from those around you. Head under a table or stand in a doorway if the shaking picks up; strict building codes generally keep harm to a minimum.
Rarer but more dangerous tsunami can follow a significant quake. Should this occur, listen for tsunami warnings and get to higher ground fast if you are near the coast.
8. Make sure to carry cash…
In rural Japan and at older family businesses in cities, credit cards may not be accepted. It’s wise to assume you’ll need to pay cash at country ryokan and smaller restaurants and shops; stock up when you’re in a town with an ATM (cashpoint). To pay as the Japanese do, place your cash or card in the small tray at the register rather than handing either to the cashier.
9. …But don’t worry about tipping
Though tour guides who regularly take around foreign tourists might expect an extra, Japan has no custom of tipping, and an attempt to add to your bill will more often than not fluster or embarrass staff. In lieu of tipping, some bars and restaurants will charge a flat-rate service fee, usually around ¥300–500 (US$2.50–4.25) per person; others, typically fancy ones, will automatically add a 10% service charge to the bill.
The Japanese are big on queues, forming neat lines everywhere from check-out counters to train platforms. (Regarding the latter: after the train doors open, it’s everyone for themselves when it comes to scoring a seat.)
11. Stand to the left (or to the right)
Always ride on one side of the escalator – but which side depends on where you are. In Kanto and eastwards, it’s to the left; in Kansai and westwards, it’s to the right. (The dividing point is somewhere just west of Nagoya.) Incidentally, train operators want passengers to stand on both sides of the escalator and refrain from walking altogether, even if commuters have so far shrugged at these guidelines.
12. Know when the last train leaves
City subways run until 1am at the very latest. If you miss the last train for the night, the alternative is to catch a taxi, which can be expensive.
For Tokyoites, the morning commute is a contact sport. On weekdays from 7:30am to 9am, millions squeeze into trains across the city, sometimes helped along by station staff who make sure everyone’s packed in. Shinjuku Station, the busiest in the world, sees an average of over 3.5 million commuters daily; there are more than 200 exits leading in and out of the complex.
14. Eating in public is generally a no-no
It’s considered bad form to eat in public, especially while walking. Exceptions include the shinkansen (bullet train) and other reserved-seat limited-express trains, where it is customary to eat a bentō (boxed meal) on board; festivals or market streets with food vendors; picnics; and ice cream.
It’s also okay to take sips from a resealable beverage container, like a water bottle. Elsewhere, other dining etiquette rules apply.
English is widely spoken in cities and around major tourist attractions; in rural areas, though, it can be hit or miss. Some Japanese words that will come in handy when dining out:
• omori (large portion, often free at ramen stalls)
• okawari (refill)
• mochikaeri (takeaway)
• tennai de (eat-in)
• onegai shimasu (please). Follow up any of your orders or requests with this; for example, if you want tea, say, “O-cha onegai shimasu.”
• sumimasen (excuse me)
• arigato gozaimasu (thank you). Because it’s a bit of a mouthful, it’s tempting to shorten it to simply arigato. Think of it as the difference between “thank you” and “thanks” and go for the politer “arigato gozaimasu.”
• toire (toilet; pronounced “to-ee-rey”)
Curious where The White Lotus Season 3 will end up? That’s a mystery left to the most sealed nondisclosure agreements. But we can’t help but guess and surmise at this point—and so should you. Based on the first two seasons, Mike White’s surprise HBO hit can always be counted on for four things: filthy rich characters; at least one dead body that’s teased in the first episode; graphic sex scenes; and a Four Seasons hotel.
In Season 1, the fictional White Lotus (yes, fictional—there are still people who think the hotel chain is real) was shot at the Four Seasons on Wailea Beach in Maui. Season 2 shifted from a social satire to something sexier and suspenseful, with an innocent-Americans-in-peril theme and a dramedy with echoes of Ian McEwan and Henry James’ “European” novels. Four Seasons’ San Domenico Palace, dramatically perched along the Sicilian coast in Taormina, was White’s choice—an inspired setting for sultry Mediterranean shades of jealousy, treachery, cultural misunderstandings, and hot sex.
Courtesy of Warner Media
So, time for a new continent? White has hinted as much, revealing that The White Lotus Season 3 will likely be set in Asia. “The first season kind of highlighted money, then the second season sex,” White says on “Unpacking Season 2: Episode 7″—the series extra. “I think the third season would be maybe a satirical and funny look at death and Eastern religion and spirituality. It feels like it could be a rich tapestry to do another round at White Lotus.”
Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Chiang Rai, ThailandCourtesy of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
It should be no surprise then that Four Seasons flies its flag at some of Southeast Asia’s most beguiling resorts, including a pair of beauties in Bali. There’s one in Sayan, surrounded by terraced rice paddies in the Ayung River Valley near Ubud, and another in Jimbaran on the beach. There are also several Four Seasons properties in Thailand—from northern rural (Chiang Mai) and jungle (Golden Triangle) settings to southern beachland (Ko Samui). Since Hindu and Buddhism—the predominant religions in Bali and Thailand, respectively—are especially rich in eschatology, and the burial rituals tend toward the elaborate, either location would likely work well for the series’ purposes.
“Clearly, The White Lotus favors resorts among the most spectacular in the world,” offers Romain Chanet, general manager of Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora in French Polynesia. “I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see a familiar landscape on the upcoming season.”
Four Seasons Resort Bali SayanCourtesy of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Hmm, would Chanet be praising a prospective shoot site other than a Four Seasons hotel with trigger words such as “spectacular” and “familiar”?
And might he be obliquely hinting that Season 3 could land a bit southeast of Asia in his South Pacific paradise—home to those dreamy overwater villas fanning out from a famous blue lagoon? Could be.
Is this an early tease worthy of the series itself? Talk amongst yourselves.
While your shoes are important, foot comfort actually starts with the sock; it’s the layer that actually touches the skin, after all. Fit, cut, cushioning, and thickness all matter, but the sock’s material will have the biggest effect on its overall performance. And for that, there’s a clear winner: wool socks.
Benefits of Wool Socks
Wool is the most versatile and popular sock fabric for its insulating, sweat-wicking, and antimicrobial properties. It’s basically a super ingredient that’s often blended with synthetic fibers like nylon, elastane, and polyester. Wool socks will keep you warm in cold conditions and cool in hot weather, and they’re ideal for moving moisture away from your foot. That means you can go for days without stinking up wool socks, even if you sweat in them.
Whether you’re trekking through loamy trails, leveling up at the gym, or just looking to enhance your work wardrobe, treat your toes to these stylish and technical pairs of wool socks.
United By Blue salvages bison fibers to make these socks. And even though the massive grazing animal is rugged and scruffy, these socks are supremely soft. Ribbed compression on the cuffs and ankle add support to this crew-height pair, and the reinforced sole, heel, and toe means they won’t grow holes after only a few wears. They’re just as comfy stuffed into hiking boots as they are padding around at home, too.
Winter can be depressing for golfers, who typically spend the season indoors, putting into a coffee cup while dreaming about jetting off to South Florida for some warm weather rounds. Fortunately, thanks to advances in technology, indoor golf is more than just a novelty. It’s a legitimate way to get your off-season fix. There’s now a ton of great indoor golf gear that can make the at-home experience almost as good as the real thing, and we’ve rounded up some of the best to keep you swinging all year long.
Ryan D’Arcy, CEO of X-Golf, a chain of indoor golf facilities that uses simulators, is leading a vanguard business offering realistic golf experiences off the course. “I can play a full round of golf in 30 minutes without worrying about the weather or getting stuck behind a slow foursome,” says D’Arcy. X-Golf’s facilities are state of the art, but the simulation technology they use has trickled into the consumer market, so now even your average golfer can play 18 at Pebble Beach from the comfort of their own home.
It’s not just high-tech golf simulators that have improved. Even the humble roll-out putting green has gotten more sophisticated. With all the new gear and technology flooding the indoor golf space, winter just might become your new favorite golf season. Here’s everything you need to make the most of the “off season,” whether you want to build a full at-home simulator or just find a way to practice your swing in a cramped apartment.
Courtesy Image
1. Swing Logic SLX MicroSim Home Golf Simulator
The biggest problem with practicing golf at home? Having enough space to swing a club. Swing Logic addresses that issue with the SLX MicroSim, a sensor that installs on a weighted swing stick specifically designed to allow you to take a full swing in a small room. The sensor tracks and delivers ball speed, club face alignment, and total distance while working with simulation software that pairs with your iOS device or PC. You can play five different courses in your living room, or just hit the range. It’s not as accurate as a professional grade launch monitor, but it’s a fun way to keep swinging during the off season without breaking the bank.
Embattled New York Rep. George Santos (R) informed GOP colleagues in a closed-door meeting that he will recuse himself from serving on House committees amid ongoing scrutiny about his background and questions about his future in Congress. What do you think?
Welcome to our podcast, Who What Wear With Hillary Kerr. Think of it as your direct line to the designers, stylists, beauty experts, editors, and tastemakers who are shaping the fashion-and-beauty world. Subscribe to Who What Wear With Hillary Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Danielle Sherman has worn many hats throughout her career. For one, got her start in the fashion world at a young age. From taking classes at Jo-Ann Stores to sewing with Vogue patterns, Sherman has always loved working with her hands.
While learning to sew, she was also making jewelry and had a knack for sourcing rosary beads from flea markets and remaking them into necklaces. At the age of 16, Sherman launched her own line of leather accessories, which was funded by a small acting role she landed in The Parent Trap. (Yes, *the* Parent Trap, starring Lindsay Lohan.)
Eventually, Sherman moved to New York City and enrolled at New York University. Upon graduation, Sherman worked for Tahari ASL and went on to co-found The Row with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. After stints at Alexander Wang and EDUN, Sherman struck out on her own. During her time consulting was when Sherman was able to get in the headspace to get creative and figure out what she wanted to do next.
That next thing? Relaunching her grandparent’s high-end women’s tailored clothing, Sherman Field, as a fine jewelry label in 2019.
In the latest episode of Who What Wear With Hillary Kerr, Sherman shares how she went from co-founding The Row to launching her fine jewelry line, the investment pieces worth buying, and so much more.
For excerpts from their conversation, scroll below.
You co-founded The Row with Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. You’ve designed for Alexander Wang. You have worked for really important brands. I’m hoping that you can give our listeners a little bit of insight into your background.
I like to actually proceed the fashion background because I think so much of what I’ve been able to accomplish extends from how I was raised. Being born in Los Angeles, being raised by my mom, my father passed away when I was really young.
I’ve always been a very active child but also taking on a lot of responsibility. That being said, I always was also making things with my hands. I was taking classes at Jo-Ann Fabric when I was 12 years old.
I was learning, sewing, getting McCall’s patterns, Vogue patterns from very early on. Then at the same time, I was also making jewelry. I was sourcing rosary beads from flea markets and remaking, re-crafting them into necklaces. Even though I am Jewish and go by being Jewish, I would love working with rosary necklaces.
Then I had one year when I was an actor (not really—I was barely an actor). I auditioned for a Lindsay Lohan film, The Parent Trap. I landed a very small role and that role funded my first business when I was 16. It was a leather accessory business.
Eventually, I got a few meetings, and my bracelets, my leather cuffs were on the Dixie Chicks. From there, I went to NYU and was always interning for multiple places, but nothing fashion related. I just wanted to explore both my academics and also art and other things.
I felt like I grew up pretty early, but it just cemented just another chapter in my life of independence and figuring things out. From there, I had a brief paying job at Tahari ASL and then The Row. That was in 2005; I co-founded [it] with Mary Kate and Ashley. From there, I joined Alexander [Wang] [and] originally worked with him on [the] runway and then launched T for him as a design director for men’s and women’s. I was there for five and a half years. After Alex, I joined Edun.
It was incredible because from all the companies I’ve worked at—from domestic production all the way to doing things in Asia to doing things in Africa—it was incredible to explore new territory.
You had a very entrepreneurial side, given the fact that you were starting your own businesses and working at such a tender age. At what point did you start thinking about doing something for yourself? Specifically, why were you interested in thinking about jewelry and fine jewelry?
After I left Edun, our family moved to L.A. I had an infant at the time. The first thing I did was actually just open up a consulting company because I knew if I was going to help support the family and keep the creative juices flowing, I still need to be doing something.
I was consulting for PLS+T. It was a division of Theory in Japan. I was working for fast retailing. I had that, which was financially supporting this level of independence being here in L.A. and not having a full-time job. That was my first consulting gig.
While I was consulting, I then had the headspace [to] create something. Did I know is going to be jewelry? Not necessarily, but I knew I wanted to create something.
When I was thinking about all the things that I’ve done and maybe haven’t pursued, I’ve always had a pension for heavy, kind of big, bold pieces. I’ve never found the pieces that I would want to wear.
That’s where I kind of landed on jewelry. I feel like I had the headspace to have more creative thinking because I didn’t have a full-time job.
Obviously, jewelry is very personal and unique and distinct to everyone who wears it, but there are some truths, as well. If someone was starting out and starting to build their collection and really wanted to invest in pieces from you, what would you suggest in terms of starting out?
Part of why we started the Column Chain—which is our entry price point necklace—is so [customers] can afford that piece along with a locket. That was the intention.
I want someone to be able to walk away spending under 15 or about $15,000 plus and have two pieces as opposed to just one. That was the intention behind that. It’s an investment piece still, being the price point that it is, but that you could then in time purchase other pieces to wear along with it.
I would rather save up for a whole year and buy one special piece than have multiple pieces of things that sure will not last and are trend-based.
The Oval Chain Link is to this day our best seller, best performer, because it’s very intricate and the design behind it is something that people are excited about.
I think finding your link and finding your length are the two things I always start with people. So maybe a chain ultimately is the best investment, because, I think, to this day, it’s still hard to find weighty chains that you can wear and pass on.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Next up, check out our previous episode featuring Tina Leung.
