Strange Skirt Summer Is The Response To Quiet Luxury 👗
Custom Sambas, statement skirts, and the rise of global greenwashing litigation.
Sambas Remix: From Uniformity to Individuality. This year’s Samba takeover echoed the era of Ugg boots and North Face jackets, flooding the streets with a sea of sameness. Gen Zers have embraced DIY customization, transforming their sneakers with pins, ribbons, and charms to break free from uniformity. Looking for inspiration? Kristin took this trend to her agency and created three ways to style your sneakers. -S
Seizing the moment, Adidas released a pre-customized Samba with silky pink ribbons and sleek black leather, making personal flair effortless.
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Speaking of Individuality, It’s a “Strange Skirt Summer.” Forget quiet luxury—this season is all about making a statement with bold, playful pieces. Sabrina Carpenter, Lily Allen, and Rosalía have recently been spotted in wildly different variations of the strange skirt. The trend is the antidote to summer's sartorial monotony, adding a touch of personality to every outfit. -S
Is Your Closet Harming Your Health? In a previous newsletter, I discussed the toxicity of tampons and toilet paper. Now, I’m here again to let you know your closet might be a culprit of toxins too. We’ve been hearing rumblings about toxic workout clothes loaded with PFAS (Teflon forever chemicals), but it’s not just workout gear—many clothing items, furniture, mattresses, and even home insulation are guilty. The Heal Thy Self with Dr. G podcast highlights this issue. Key takeaways: avoid clothing with claims like “moisture-wicking,” fast fashion, flame retardants and synthetic materials. Opt for cotton (watch out for toxic dyes), silk, linen, and wool. -K
Lululemon’s Been Lying. Hey eco-conscious readers, we need to talk about greenwashing. You might feel good about buying from brands that claim to be environmentally friendly, but it’s crucial to dig deeper. Case in point: Lululemon’s “Be Planet” campaign. Despite their sustainability claims, Lululemon is currently facing a lawsuit for misleading consumers about their environmental efforts. In reality, their greenhouse gas emissions have significantly increased. And it’s not just Lululemon. SheIn’s Circularity Fund has also caused conversation on the hypocrisy, though I can’t say I’m even 1% surprised there. Let’s be honest: an industry responsible for up to 10% of global carbon emissions isn’t “eco-friendly.” Stay informed and skeptical, folks. - K
Thirst Traps For Free? Not In This Economy. Last week, Refinery29’s Op-Ed on thirst traps—from overtly sexual to subtly intimate—misses a crucial detail: the influence of OnlyFans. This platform's monetization model underscores a deeper engagement with sexual expression, showing that Gen Z's interest in explicit content hasn’t faded but shifted behind paywalls. The oversight of OnlyFans reveals a significant shift: thirst traps have evolved from public displays to key players in the private, subscription-based economy. -S
Forget the Olympics; Singles Are Swiping Right in Paris Rn. Turns out people aren’t just watching the Olympics in Paris atm—they’re using this global event as the ultimate dating opportunity to snag themselves an athlete. Dating apps are buzzing with activity, with Tinder reporting a 20% surge in usage in the city. But it gets better: athletes apparently have found enough free time that to jump into the dating scene too, with a 52% rise in profiles, ahem, claiming to be an ‘Olympian.’ Want to join the fun? Tinder’s Passport Mode lets anyone change their location to Paris, giving you a chance to swipe right on some of the world’s finest. -K
Botox vs. No Botox. Younger generations have been getting “preventative” Botox to keep their faces wrinkle-free, and TikTok is here to share what it actually looks like to get the injection. This trend shows healthcare professionals doing a side-by-side of those with and without it. I’m hoping this will discourage younger people from getting an unnecessary procedure at their age and to better embrace their natural looks. -K
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Teen Boys Are the New Fragrance Connoisseurs. This week, I spoke with Beauty Independent about the rise of boys into luxury fragrances, mirroring the Sephora tween trend. Walk into C.O. Bigelow or any store with a solid fragrance section, and you'll see groups of teenage boys sampling luxury fragrances. TikTok is a major player, driving young consumers to build their beauty and grooming routines much earlier than previous generations. -S
What We’re Wearing
Kristin: Havaiana square toe flip flops
Sarah: If strange skirts are in, you know I’m pulling out the orange polka dot skirt I thrifted last summer before our trip to the South of France. Here are some similar colorful polka dot skirts at Depop, The RealReal, and Vestiaire Collective.
What We’re Buying
Kristin: Butterfly Pea Powder. I'm on a cooking kick and want to make my recipe creations naturally blue.
Sarah: Since working my way through the VYRAO discovery set, I’ve been obsessed with every scent, but Sun Rae is the one carrying me through summer. This turmeric-based fragrance boosts well-being through scent-emotion research, blending turmeric, ginger, vetiver, and lemon to promote self-confidence. Developed with International Flavors & Fragrances’ Science of Wellness program, it combines 40 years of mood-mapping and scent-emotion research with modern neuroscience and AI to verify its impact on emotional well-being.
What We’re Reading
Kristin: Midnight Library, Matt Haig. For anyone wondering what life might look like if you had taken the road less traveled or any other path in life, this is for you.
Sarah: The Only One Left, Riley Sager.
*Disclaimer: All opinions are our own, and our articles are provided for educational and informational purposes and do not constitute providing medical advice or professional services.
Honestly, this is the only newsletter I need. You girls keep me young.
This news letter covers everything, Sarah and Kristin, you two are brilliant!!