Rue is a Wales-based influencer and disability visibility in fashion advocate. She shares her vintage-inspired looks on instagram @rubyrouxbijou. What was the inspiration behind these two looks? I have loved fashion throughout history, and I like to feel beautiful. This vintage ’50s blue tulle dress is just such a fairy-tale piece. The purse reminds me of 1930s boudoir beauty; the shoes are just princess shoes! The linen-trousers-and-waistcoat look has a very ’30s Bonnie Parker feel to it but with a modern twist, as I’ve worn it quite unconventionally....

Hike up your ‘90s Levis – social media users are in a heated debate concerning the ethics of reselling thrifted clothes online. Reselling, or “thrift flipping,” particularly on the app Depop, has been wrought with controversy for years, but the discourse has been re-ignited since one seller posted a now viral “thrift haul” video on TikTok.  @jbwells2 the first jacket is everything ♬ original sound - Jack  Jack (@jbwells2), who posted the video that has garnered nearly 6 million views, runs the online store Jack’s Vntg on the Depop...

For at least the last century of fashion history, fishnet stockings have been synonymous with edgy, yet undoubtedly feminine expressions of sexuality that challenge the status quo. I can recall being a wannabe Goth pre-teen in the early ‘00s when I was stopped by my mother as I was leaving the house in a pair because they made me look too “grown up.” A few short years later, I noticed fishnets worn casually by women all around town as they became a mainstream fashion staple...

Sustainable beauty is more than a trendy buzzword. Self-care is a priority for many, but so is caring how the things we use and consume might adversely affect the world. Thankfully, makeup and skincare brands are taking note, turning to locally sourced ingredients and recyclable and refillable packaging to reduce their carbon footprint. The cosmetics industry produces 120 billion units of packaging each year, so buying from brands that consciously design and use recyclable and refillable containers can still have a huge impact. “We are in...

In recent weeks a famous TikTok content creator, Danielle Athena, has been facing backlash for a video of her going through her hair-care routine that was taken down after it went viral in early December. In the video, she uses Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil, on her untextured hair, when the product was intended for people with texturized hair.  The brand Mielle Organics has been a female-black-owned business since 2014, selling hundreds of products catering to people with different textures of hair based...

At the tender age of 80, Betsey Johnson has lived a life many of us can only dream of. She’s built a legendary career out of kitsch, eschewing the minimalist motifs favored by some of her fashion industry colleagues for funky prints, an unabashed celebration of extreme girlishness, and the tendency to close her runway shows with her signature cartwheel and splits. Still, one has to wonder if Johnson was ever tempted to submit to the status quo. “I never feel pressure to conform,” Johnson...

Perhaps one of the most interesting and creative styles to come out of the internet-era is “Y’allternative”, which as the name implies, combines dark, alternative fashion inspired by Goth and punk with Old Western sensibilities. Envision an otherwise Wednesday Addams-esque outfit accessorized with a cowboy hat and boots, a bolo tie, and the sort of belt typically worn with a pair of classic Wranglers. Other common themes in outfits considered “Y’allternative” include dark colors, fringe, flashy belt buckles, and cowboy iconography such as lassos and...

Whether you’re road tripping to see family or leavin’ on a jet plane for vacay, packing your stuff and then lugging it around can be stressful. But having the right luggage changes everything. Here are our picks for the most stylish luggage sets to help you travel like a pro. Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board This is the lightest carry-on in the world, legit—it weighs only 3.9 pounds! Even loaded up with 360-degree spinner wheels and a TSA-approved lock, it’s the definition of “traveling...

Meet some of the beauty and fashion creators keeping us inspired this winter. Pull Up for Change: Supporting Black Founders Photo: Sharon ChuterWhen it comes to revolutionizing the beauty industry, no one is doing it like Sharon Chuter. In the past two years, the Uoma Beauty CEO and founder launched Pull Up for Change, which calls on corporations to be transparent and hire more Black people in leadership roles, and Make It Black, which partners with beauty brands to support Black founders through impact funds.  Rachel Burke Makes...

Nicole Rieder is an influencer, activist, and writer based  in Pittsburgh, PA. Catch more of her looks on her Insta at @THEHEFTYHIDEAWAY What can you tell me about these outfits?   I am not shy about adorning my bodacious bod in loads of colors all year, but I especially love draping myself in glitter, sequins, and faux fur during the winter months. I love the contrast of the sequins on this Eloquii dress paired with the faux leopard, and hot pink against shades of green makes me happy!...