The Kline Collective

The Kline Collective

By Brielle Brzytwa

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Hi beautiful people! My name is Bri Brzytwa, and I am studying Communications & Rhetorical Studies and Ethics at Syracuse University. I love to explore the ever-evolving world of style through a lens that blends creativity, culture, and self-expression. I try my best to bring a fresh perspective to the intersections of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, which has prompted me to start this column. Through this column, I hope to inform and spark conversations about fashion’s role in shaping identity and culture.

Ultimately, fashion tells a story of who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going. Happy reading!:)

Tucked, Hooded, and Hidden: Why This Winter Belongs to the Olsen Tuck and the Balaclava Scarf

By Bri Brzytwa | December 4th, 2025

“Just know if you see my hair tucked into my jacket like this it is entirely intentional…it is the definition of understated chic…” @alairpowers

There are generally two kinds of people in the winter: those fighting the cold, and those using it as a sort of aesthetic prompt. This season, fashion has fully embraced the latter; it is ushering in a quiet storm of women tucking their hair into their coats like secretive downtown poets, and looping scarves over their heads as if they are en route to a clandestine meeting with their dealer (or their therapist). Welcome to the era of the Olsen tuck and the scarf-as-balaclava, a pairing that feels both monastic and mischievous.

Anonymity as Elegance

Let’s get one thing straight: The Olsen tuck is not an accident. Sure, it pretends to be, but hey, that’s the power in it.

This look was popularized by Mary-Kate and Ashley in their elusive, fur-lined, fashion-hermit era. The hair tuck is the winter gesture of a woman who is tired of being perceived but still wants to look like someone the paparazzi would sprint for.

It’s the signature of a certain kind of girl:

the girl who buys $9 lattes without looking at the price,
the girl who reads Rachel Cusk on public transit,
the girl who gives “I might actually be famous or I might just look famous.”

Influencers picked up on the vibe rather quickly. Scrolling through TikTok, you will likely find a parade of girls in Toteme coats, hair tucked neatly down the back, giving soft anonymity with a side of razor-sharp intention. The tuck elongates the neck, sharpens the jaw, and creates the impression that you are far too important to be bothered with a blowout.

Why it works:

It signals quiet luxury without wearing a single logo.
It frames the face like a portrait.
It feels intimate, kind of like you are catching someone mid-thought.

It’s like the aesthetic cousin to Bella Hadid’s “don’t look at me, actually please look at me” streetwear phase.

Cozy Witness Protection?

If the Olsen tuck is subtle mystery, scarves worn like balaclavas are its dramatic older sister. That’s right, the one who spent a semester in Copenhagen and simply will not shut up about the age-inappropriate baker she fell in love with.

This winter, from Copenhagen girls to Lower East Side micro-celebs, everyone has declared that wrapping a scarf over your head is less about warmth and more about subtly shifting the vibe. It’s the visual language of soft anonymity: an outfit that says I contain multitudes but also I contain chapstick and no other thoughts.

Think of:

Suki Waterhouse running to a coffee truck between tour rehearsals,
Zoë Kravitz grabbing an iced matcha in January just because she can,
Audrey Hepburn in Charade meets TikTok girlies discussing “main character melancholy.”

The balaclava-scarf look turns winter layering into micro-theater, and you are suddenly a character. Your life has a score. Snow becomes a prop.

Why This Combo Is Everywhere Right Now

This winter’s aesthetic is powered by three cultural currents:

1. Monastic Chic
Brands like The Row, Toteme, and COS have turned minimalism into a religion. Here, the hair tuck and scarf-wrap are the sacraments.

2. “Be The Mystery” Energy
The internet is loud; dressing like an introverted heiress feels subversive. After all, you can’t doomscroll if your hands are in your sleeves.

3. The Influencer Push
TikTok stylists are calling it “anti-accessory accessorizing.” The look declares its effortlessness without actually being effortless at all.

How to Look Like You Belong in a Paparazzi Shot

For the Olsen Hair Tuck:

Works best with structured coats. Think wool, leather, or anything with a collar.
Ear cuffs or delicate studs peek out beautifully under tucked hair.
No makeup-makeup pairs perfectly: dewy skin, gloss, maybe a ‘cold-girl’ blush moment.

For the Scarf-Balaclava Hybrid:

Go oversized. You want drama, not draftiness.
Patterned scarf with a neutral coat = chef’s kiss.
Silk under wool if you want to look like a French film student in emotional turmoil.

The Power Move:
Do both. Hair tucked, scarf wrapped. I can promise that your silhouette will become sculptural, elongated, instantly editorial.

The Final Word

The Olsen tuck and balaclava scarf are winter’s answer to the question “How can I look like I’m avoiding everyone but still extremely chic doing it?” They create a clothing-based language of intentional obscurity: warm, soft, and stylishly unavailable.

This winter, the goal is not just to withstand the cold; it’s also to have a hand in curating it.

—The Kline Collective

When Did “Sustainable” Become a Status Symbol? The Fetishization of Thrift Culture

By Bri Brzytwa | November 14th, 2025

“Thrifting just isn’t the same anymore…it feels like more coal than gold you know what I’m sayin’” @olivianicole808

From Dusty Racks to Catwalks

Once upon a time, thrift stores were havens for the eccentric and economically strapped; where you could find a patchwork of polyester blouses, old prom dresses, and forgotten band tees that smelled faintly of nostalgia. Now, they have become the backdrop for influencer photo dumps and “get ready with me” videos. The humble Goodwill mirror has been replaced by the Depop grid, where every grainy image of a Juicy Couture hoodie is tagged #sustainablefashion.

The transformation is honestly striking: what was once an act of creative survival has become a performance of taste. You see it in the rise of creators like Emma Chamberlain, who can make a moth-eaten sweater look like a statement on postmodern irony. You see it in the “Depop girlies” who style thrifted corsets with Balenciaga sneakers. Even celebrities like Bella Hadid or Zendaya wear “archival” pieces as a gesture of authenticity, or proof that they are not like the others, even as their stylists quietly source the looks for them. Sustainability has become the new exclusivity, which is both fascinating and faintly absurd.

The Ethical Aesthetic

It’s easy to applaud the mainstreaming of sustainability. After all, awareness is progress, but what happens when “ethical” becomes a marketing category rather than a moral stance? When the point is not to buy less, but to buy better, which still means buy? The fetishization of thrift culture has turned what was once an anti-consumerist practice into just another classical form of consumption. The irony here is that the more we glorify “conscious shopping,” the less conscious it actually becomes.

Platforms like Depop and Vinted, once celebrated for democratizing resale, now feel like luxury micro-economies. Vintage Harley Davidson tees are flipped for $150, while “Y2K cargo skirts” that cost $3 at Salvation Army are resold as “archival pieces.” Even brands like Urban Outfitters and Zara have jumped on the “upcycled” trend, capitalizing on the language of sustainability while simultaneously continuing to overproduce. The aesthetic of virtue—linen dresses, neutral palettes, tote bags with eco-slogans—has become the uniform of the ethical fashion elite.

And here’s the uncomfortable truth: when sustainability becomes aspirational, it risks reinforcing the very hierarchies it was meant to dismantle. The problem is not that sustainability is popular, but it is that it’s performative.

Origin Erasure

Long before sustainability became chic, it was the language of necessity for many. Marginalized communities built entire subcultures around making do, from Black and Latinx youth remixing vintage streetwear in the 1980s to queer creatives upcycling in the club scene. What’s lost in the current sustainability craze is the cultural memory of these movements, or in other words, the ingenuity born from exclusion.

When white, affluent consumers adopt “thrift culture” without acknowledgment, it borders on aesthetic appropriation. The same can be said for the gentrification of vintage spaces themselves: curated thrift stores now sell “grunge” Levi’s for $200, pricing out the people who once relied on these places. As fashion critic Tansy Hoskins notes, “The [fashion] industry has an extraordinary ability to absorb its critics.” In this case, it has now also absorbed its conscience.

Even the narrative of the “cool sustainable influencer” often erases the labor behind it. All the slow, invisible acts that make sustainable fashion truly sustainable (sewing, repairing, dyeing, etc.) rarely make the feed. What’s visible instead is the look of sustainability: a beige aesthetic of curated imperfection. It’s a kind of visual morality, where minimalism somehow equals virtue.

Mindfulness is a New Luxury

Yet, amidst the irony in this current fashion conundrum, there is potential. The popularity of thrifting and ethical sourcing can signal a shift toward a more reflective fashion culture, that is, if it’s paired with mindfulness. Mindfulness here does not mean asceticism; it means accountability. It’s asking, “Why am I buying this?” before clicking “add to cart.” It’s understanding that sustainability is not necessarily about being flawless but deliberate.

Celebrities like Zendaya, who re-wears vintage pieces on red carpets (such as her 1998 Versace gown at the NAACP Awards), or designers like Collina Strada and Marine Serre, who embed upcycling into their creative DNA, model what authentic conscious consumption can look like. Their work does not just use sustainability as a selling point, but it generally is sustainability.

True fashion revolution does not start on Depop; it starts in how we think about ownership, novelty, and desire. To romanticize the “slow” is not to fetishize it, but to respect its rhythm.

The Moral Closet

Perhaps the most radical thing we can do now is stop treating ethics as an accessory. Sustainability was never meant to be fashionable, but it became so because it defied fashion’s rules. If sustainability is to mean anything, it must reclaim its humility. Buy vintage because you love the story it tells, not because it tells one about you.

In the end, true style—like true sustainability—has never been about what’s new, but what endures after the fact. The challenge is not to “bring back” sustainability’s edge, but to strip it of its pedestal and make it human again. If there’s anything fashion needs right now, it’s less performance and more practice.

—The Kline Collective

Bring Back Whimsy in Fashion: Maybe Let’s Misbehave This Time
by Bri Brzytwa | November 6th, 2025

Once upon a time, fashion dreamed in technicolor. Dresses swelled like clouds, shoes were impractical enough to make you float, and accessories existed for no other reason than to delight. We had tulle present in broad daylight, feathers at lunch, and handbags that were shaped like teapots. Even minimalists were a little silly about it. Think: a bow that is a bit too big, a hat that is a bit too strange, a hemline that refuses to behave. Whimsy was not a trend; no, it was a worldview.

Somewhere between the post-pandemic sweatpants renaissance and the “clean girl” aesthetic’s monochromatic chokehold, we have lost our collective taste for nonsense. We started dressing like we were afraid to be seen trying. The quiet luxury era promised us restraint, and we complied with beige trench coats, slick-back buns, and glassy lip gloss. It is beautiful, for sure, almost in a museum exhibit kind of way. Static. Safe. The kind of beauty that flirtatiously whispers instead of letting out a maniacal laugh.

Now, though, there’s a murmur across the many runways and TikToks of the world. In response to that murmur, I demand: bring back whimsy!

The Delightfully Useless

Designers like Simone Rocha, Sandy Liang, and Chopova Lowena are leading the revolt, and this time, they are doing it with ribbons. Their pieces are unapologetically decorative, indulgent, and emotionally irrational. They reject the idea that clothes must be something serious to matter. Rocha’s sculpted frocks look like they escaped a real-life dollhouse; Liang’s balletcore ribbons flutter like a form of visual sarcasm; Chopova’s patchwork skirts and hardware chains laugh in the face of subtlety.

This new kind of whimsy is not only nostalgia for a time when fashion was “fun,” it’s rebellion through playfulness. Amid senses of economic anxiety and cultural burnout, absurdity becomes an astute act of resistance. When the world feels gray and procedural, wearing a dress that looks like a cake is not naive, but it is definitely radical.

Whimsy with Teeth

To bring whimsy back, we have to acknowledge what killed it the first time, and in my opinion, that was irony fatigue. The late 2010s gave us kitsch, but only really in quotation marks. For example, Moschino’s Barbie-branded camp, Jeremy Scott’s cartoon couture, and the early Y2K revival all asked us to laugh at whimsy, not with it. The current mood, however, feels different. Gen Z’s taste for sincerity, or for saying “I like it because it makes me happy” without apology, is reshaping how we approach playfulness in fashion.

There’s also an ethical layer to this issue. The best whimsy now is crafted, not mass-produced. Hand-smocked blouses, vintage finds, crocheted bags, bows tied with uneven ribbon are all the way to go, and this is because the imperfections are the point. A whimsical garment feels personal, even if it’s a little unhinged. The rise of brands like Susan Fang, Lirika Matoshi, or Collina Strada show that maximalism does not have to be necessarily mindless; it can be sustainable, intentional, and even a little philosophical.

A Little Nonsense Now and Then

Whimsy does not outrightly ask us to reject elegance; it just asks elegance to lighten up. The future of fashion might not be about “quiet” or “loud” luxury but playful luxury. Think of pieces that kind of wink at you. These pieces create outfits that remind you that clothing is, at its core, a form of make-believe.

Maybe that’s what “bringing back whimsy” really means: not resurrecting some bygone girlish fantasy, but reclaiming fashion as a space for joy, eccentricity, and surprise. It’s less about dressing like a fairy and more about remembering that you are allowed to feel enchanted like one.

So yes, bring back whimsy. Let it scuff its knees this time, though. Let it spill glitter in the boardroom and lose a hair bow on the subway. Let it remind us that beauty does not need a reason, it just needs nerve.

—The Kline Collective

The Jane Birkin-ification of Our Handbags: How Her Timeless Nonchalance Has Become the Ultimate Sign of Style

By Brielle Brzytwa | October 30th, 2025

“Jane Birkin walked so our messy, overstuffed totes could run.” @closetpoet

In our contemporary world, fashion trends are cycling faster than ever. Regardless, one enduring icon continues to influence how we carry our essentials: Jane Birkin. Known for her effortlessly chic style, Birkin's relationship with her namesake Hermès handbag has become undeniably legendary. That being said, beyond the often luxury price tag, the "Birkin-ification" of handbags in general represents a shift in how we think about fashion, function, and timelessness.

A Bag That Tells a Story

When Jane Birkin casually complained to Hermès executive Jean-Louis Dumas about the impracticality of her straw tote, she unknowingly planted the seed for what would become one of the most coveted handbags in history. For that reason, the Birkin bag quickly became a piece of fashion lore that represented what some consider to be the perfect marriage of practicality and elegance.

This ethos has permeated the handbag market in 2025. Modern handbags are increasingly designed with a focus on craftsmanship, durability, and storytelling, which is a far cry from the logo-heavy, mass-produced bags of the early 2000s. Whether it’s a tote from a niche artisan or a sleek, understated designer piece, today's bags carry a sense of personal history, much like Birkin's own.

Minimalism Meets Functionality

Jane Birkin's iconic style was never about ostentation. Her bag was meant to be used, and used well, at that. This utility-first mindset is reflected in the growing popularity of minimalistic, functional handbags. Structured silhouettes, neutral colors, and high-quality materials are currently dominating the handbag market, thus echoing the understated elegance that Birkin unprecedentedly epitomized.

Brands like Celine, The Row, and even smaller sustainable labels have begun to embrace this aesthetic. In this way, consumers are shifting their focus from a sense of striking trendiness to a more timeless appeal by investing in products that will stand the test of time, both in fashion and functionality.

The Anti-Logo Movement

One of the most striking aspects of the "Birkin-ification" trend is its rejection of overt branding. Much like Jane Birkin herself, who often carried her bag without fanfare, today's handbags prioritize subtlety over logos. The goal? To exude “quiet luxury,” which is a term that has become synonymous with modern sophistication in fashion.

In a world that is increasingly saturated with fast fashion and influencer-driven consumption, the rise of logo-free bags represents a refreshing change. We see that it’s about letting the quality of the bag speak for itself, rather than relying on a brand's emblem to do the talking.

Birkin Bags and Trinket Culture

Jane Birkin famously adorned her iconic Hermès Birkin bag with small trinkets and charms, giving it a personalized, lived-in feel that contrasted its obvious luxury status. This charming habit added an approachable touch to an otherwise exclusive item, which ultimately reflected Birkin's carefree and authentic style.

Today, her penchant for customization has inspired a widespread trend among fashion enthusiasts. From playful keychains (like the rise of Labubus) to vintage pins and silk scarf ties, adorning handbags with personal accessories has become a creative way to infuse individuality into our style. This trend was intended to echo Birkin's legacy by unapologetically celebrating self-expression and turning even the most pristine designer bags into our own personal canvases.

Sustainability and Longevity

The Jane Birkin-inspired ethos aligns perfectly with the growing demand for sustainability in fashion. Consumers are increasingly drawn to pieces that offer longevity, not just in style but also in construction. A well-crafted bag, after all, is an investment that pays dividends over years, or even decades for that matter.

Vintage markets have seen a resurgence as shoppers are hunting for previously loved bags with more character and history. Meanwhile, brands are incorporating recycled and ethically sourced or ‘upcylcled’ materials into their designs, which therefore, ensures that their products honor both the safety of the planet as well as the true spirit of timelessness.

Birkin Energy for Everyone

While the actual Hermès Birkin bag remains out of reach for most due to its hefty price tag, the principles it represents are more accessible than ever. The "Birkin-ification" of handbags encourages us to think beyond trends and focus on pieces that resonate with our personal style and values. Whether it’s a handcrafted leather tote or a simple canvas bag with a deeper story, the spirit of Jane Birkin lives on in how we decorate and carry our lives every day.

So, the next time you are eyeing a new bag, I encourage you to channel a bit of that authentic Birkin energy. With that in mind, choose something functional, beautiful, and timeless because a bag should be more than an accessory. Just like any aspect of fashion, a handbag should also be a reflection of who you really are.

—The Kline Collective

Beauty Beyond the Runway: Decoding the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and the Struggle for Inclusivity
By Brielle Brzytwa | October 23rd, 2025

“Do you guys not understand VS supermodels are not supposed to be inclusive? They are called ANGELS for a reason.” @kieralovesyou6

In the glittering world of high fashion, the question of what defines a model's worth has long been debated. Is it merely beauty, or is there an elusive quality, perhaps their “strikingness,” that sets certain individuals ahead in the game? The 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, which was held on October 15 in New York City, illuminated the very basis of this debate, especially given its controversial inclusion of influencers like Quenlin Blackwell. While her debut was celebrated by her many fans, it also sparked quite the debate, revealing deep-seated issues within the beauty community as we know it. Let’s dive a bit deeper:

The Rise of Quenlin Blackwell

Quenlin ‘Quen’ Blackwell is a social media influencer known for her vibrant, humorous personality and fashion-forward content. The Tiktok and former Vine star made her runway debut at the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Her appearance was part of a broader effort by the brand to diversify its representation, featuring athletes like Suni Lee and Angel Reese, alongside other already established models and influencers. This was an effort made as a result of a long-living stigma surrounding Victoria Secret’s history of filling its shows with one sole archetype of woman. Blackwell’s participation was seen by some as a refreshing change that brought a new kind of authentic energy to the runway.

However, her inclusion was certainly also met with criticism. Some questioned the decision by arguing that influencers lacked the traditional modeling experience and “strikingness” or “unattainable beauty” that is often associated with other top models. This sentiment was echoed in various social media discussions, where users debated the authenticity and merit of this new era’s “influencer-model.”

The Backlash

To put it frankly, this backlash could easily be (and is being) perceived as a crutch for the regressive push towards eurocentric standards of racial stratification in beauty. In other words, the criticism that was directed at Blackwell is not an isolated incident, but rather, it is part of a much larger pattern of exclusion frequently seen in the beauty community. Such backlash highlights a persistent belief that models must possess a certain “strikingness,” which is ideally outlined as a combination of conventional beauty and unique features, in order to be deemed “worthy” of the runway. This standard often marginalizes individuals who do not fit this narrow mold, thus perpetuating harmful beauty standards that prioritize a limited aesthetic.

Moreover, the criticism of Blackwell underscores the fashion industry’s ongoing struggle with inclusivity. While strides have certainly been made in recent years, the industry’s hesitance to fully embrace diversity—be it in body type, background, or experience—remains evident. The debate over Blackwell's participation reflects an almost cultural reluctance to move beyond traditional norms and truly redefine beauty standards. Ask yourself: aside from “skin in the game,” why are beautiful WOC models like Anok Yai so readily digestible to the consumers of fashion, but not someone like Quen?

The Evolution of Beauty Standards

Contrary to popular belief, the concept of “strikingness” in modeling is far from being new. Historically, the fashion industry has favored certain physical attributes (tall stature, slim figures, and symmetrical features) as markers of “undeniable” beauty. These standards have been perpetuated through decades of runway shows, magazine covers, and advertising campaigns that all feature these attributes front and center.

Over time, there has been a growing movement to actively challenge such norms. The inclusion of models of diverse sizes, ethnicities, and backgrounds has gained momentum, which I would argue reflects a broader societal shift towards acceptance and representation in the industry. However, as the controversy surrounding Blackwell’s inclusion demonstrates, the journey toward true inclusivity is ongoing and anything but linear, with deep-rooted biases still influencing our everyday perceptions of beauty.

A More Inclusive Future

The 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, with its mix of traditional models and influencers, serves as what I believe to be a microcosm of the fashion industry’s current state. While progress has evidently been made, the debate over what constitutes a “worthy” model reveals the clear fact that much work remains. To foster a more inclusive beauty community, it’s essential to challenge these outdated standards and embrace a broader definition of beauty.

As the industry continues to evolve, the hope is that future fashion shows will celebrate a more inclusive range of beauty, thus allowing individuals like Quenlin Blackwell to freely walk the runway not because they fit a specific mold, but because they embody the diverse beauty that the fashion industry should represent and uplift.

—The Kline Collective

The Art of Elevated Comfort: Why Sweatpants Deserve a Seat at the Style Table
By Bri Brzytwa | October 16th, 2025

“You can definitely wear sweatpants out—you just have to walk like you own the sidewalk.” @chrisbumstead

Once upon a time, sweatpants were fashion’s forbidden fruit; they were seen as too casual, too comfortable, and too uninspired. For years, sweatpants were the unofficial uniform of the “I give up” crowd. This garment was long a symbol of surrender to comfort, or what some viewed as the fashion equivalent of a sigh. They were reserved for gym sessions, dorm rooms, and those Sunday mornings when leaving the house felt like a genuine act of heroism.

Yet, in the evolving language of modern style, comfort has become a new form of confidence, and nowhere is that more evident than in the quiet revolution of the sweatpant. Lately, this once-dismissed staple has undergone a transformation so complete that even Louis Vuitton has made room for it on the runway at Paris Fashion Week.

Breaking the “No Sweatpants Rule”

For decades, the so-called “No Sweatpants Rule” dictated that sweatpants had no place beyond the confines of one’s home. The logic was simple: if you wore sweatpants in public, you have given up on effort, appearance, and ambition itself. The phrase took off across social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where users jokingly warned that “sweatpants are only for lounging.” It became a kind of digital-era dress code, which echoed Karl Lagerfeld’s famous quip: “Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life, so you bought some sweatpants.”

In the post-pandemic fashion landscape, however, this rule feels almost archaic. Today’s generation views dressing comfortably as a form of empowerment rather than resignation. Influencers and street-style icons have flipped the script by pairing their sweatpants with structured blazers, sleek flats, or statement jewelry to prove that intention defines style rather than formalities.

This rebellion against restrictive norms is not just aesthetic; it’s purely cultural. The rejection of the “no sweatpants rule” signals a broader shift toward authenticity in fashion, and this is one where self-expression trumps the old hierarchies of what is considered “appropriate.” The modern sweatpant is not a signal of defeat but self-awareness.

From Gym Class to Front Row

Don’t get it twisted—this shift did not happen overnight. As streetwear gained cultural credibility, luxury fashion also began to embrace the aesthetic of ease. Labels like The Frankie Shop, Les Tien, and Fear of God Essentials have reimagined sweatpants with structured silhouettes, refined fabrics, and minimalist palettes. What was once a symbol of laziness now embodies an effortless, confident kind of chic.

The pandemic’s work-from-home wave may have also contributed to sweatpants’ mainstream resurgence, but their chic potential runs deeper than a moment of collective yearning for comfort. Designers like Jacquemus, Sporty & Rich, and The Frankie Shop have elevated the silhouette of sweatpants with tailored cuts, premium fabrics, and an understanding that ease is really the new elegance.

Just look at Hailey Bieber, whose paparazzi-proof uniform of gray joggers, sleek leather coats, and chunky gold hoops has become synonymous with modern street style. Or Zendaya, who pairs tapered sweatpants with stilettos and turtlenecks, making comfort look positively regal. Even Rihanna, the queen of unpredictable glam, has been seen sporting plush joggers with corsets and diamonds, thus redefining what “casual luxury” looks like.

The Cold-Weather Case

Beyond the aesthetic appeal, sweatpants make a compelling case for functionality, especially in colder climates. For those navigating winters that bite (looking at me, Syracuse and Cleveland), the practicality of thick, fleece-lined joggers cannot be overstated.

Sweatpants layer seamlessly under trench coats or oversized wool blazers, which thereby creates a cocoon of warmth without sacrificing style. Pair them with structured boots and a statement scarf, and you have mastered the winter-ready balance between cozy and couture. It’s the kind of outfit that says, “I am warm, I am comfortable, and yes, I am still the best-dressed person in this coffee shop.”

How to Master the Sweatpant Aesthetic

The secret to pulling off sweatpants lies in intention. Here’s how to keep the look polished, not pajama-like:

Play with texture and contrast: Pair soft joggers with sharp tailoring or luxe materials like leather and silk.
Stick to a cohesive color palette: Monochrome outfits or earth tones instantly elevate the vibe.
Accessorize deliberately: A sleek bun, statement earrings, or structured handbag can turn “I rolled out of bed” into “I woke up like this.”
Mind the fit: Opt for a tapered ankle or slight crop to show off your footwear, whether that’s crisp sneakers or heeled boots.

More Than the Fabric

Fashion, at its core, is performative. So ultimately, what separates a “lazy day” look from a fashion statement is not the garment; it’s the attitude behind it. At the end of the day, fashion is far less about what you wear and far more about how you inhabit it. Sweatpants can look either sloppy or sophisticated depending entirely on the energy they carry with them. Confidence, posture, and presence are the true markers of chic.

This is where the misconception about sweatpants, and “casual” dressing in general, misses the mark. True style is not about mindlessly adhering to rigid dress codes or chasing trends; it’s about carrying yourself with intention. When worn with confidence and care, even the most unassuming item can become aspirational.

When someone like Bella Hadid glides through SoHo in oversized joggers, it’s not the cotton that turns people’s heads; it’s the self-assured ease in her stride. She is not apologizing for her comfort; she is owning it, and that is precisely what makes it stylish.

The New Era of Chic

In a world that is increasingly rejecting discomfort being masqueraded as glamour, sweatpants symbolize a refreshing new stylistic ethos. They prove that comfort and sophistication are not mutually exclusive; they are, in fact, the modern power duo. This is because today’s fashion landscape prizes authenticity over artifice. That being said, sweatpants were once dismissed as sloppy, and they now represent a more liberated mode of self-expression.

So the next time you slip into your favorite pair of joggers, remember: you are not dressing down, you are simply redefining what dressing up means. True style does not depend on sequins or silk. When you move through the world like your outfit was meant for you, whether it’s silk or cotton fleece, that is the truest form of chic.

—The Kline Collective

Sole Duality: The Clash of Fashion Happening Directly Beneath Our Feet

By Bri Brzytwa | October 9th, 2025

“My jaw hit the floor when I saw ballet flats at the thrift store … I recognized them right away and knew their value.” @criteriavintage

Footwear, more than ever, has become a contemporary site of aesthetic contradiction. The global fashion landscape has been cleaved into two distinct camps: the maximalists, or those who stomp in their Balenciaga Tracks, Rick Owens Geobaskets, or Hoka Cliftons, and the minimalists, who glide through the streets in slim, neutral silhouettes like Adidas Sambas, Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66s, or Miu Miu ballet flats. These extremes have come to coexist like rival ideologies on the same runway, reflecting the ongoing tension in our culture between excess and restraint in dress.

The Great Divide

The rise of hyper-bulky, tech-forward sneakers emerged as a visual rebellion against uniformity, as well as a form of wearable irony. Think of Bella Hadid, who can often be seen pairing chunky Asics sneakers with archival Prada skirts, or Kanye West’s foam-ridged Yeezy slides turning utilitarianism into spectacle. Even Crocs, which were once a punchline for fashion moguls and the public alike, became a high-fashion sculpture through Salehe Bembury’s biomorphic redesign. The message here is quite clear: the uglier and more exaggerated, the more intentional the wearing becomes.

A Return of Refinement & the Slim Shoe Renaissance

Despite this, fashion acts as a pendulum, and as such, has begun to swing back toward poise and precision in terms of footwear. The current revival of the flat shoe feels almost radical in its simplicity; think ballet-inspired, narrow, and understated. From Mary-Kate Olsen’s lived-in The Row loafers to Kendall Jenner’s quiet love affair with Bottega Veneta’s almond-toe flats, the slim shoe has reemerged as a counterpoint rather than a simple relic.

The Adidas Samba is another example; once confined to five-a-side football and Y2K archives, this shoe has become the unofficial shoe of creative-class cool. These can be seen being sported by A$AP Rocky, Kaia Gerber, and Emma Chamberlain. Similarly, the Puma Palermo and Onitsuka Mexico 66 are being reimagined as timeless essentials: the kind of footwear that does not necessarily scream for attention but earns it through proportion and finish. These shoes effortlessly speak the language of quiet confidence as they balance casual streetwear with a wisp of continental elegance.

When Bold Meets Subtle?

Maximalism has not by any means vanished; it has just learned to whisper in color. The most interesting footwear right now does not only rely on size but surface: satin ballet flats, metallic Sambas, suede Gazelles in improbable hues of chartreuse or lilac. It’s statement-making not through mere volume, but through the look of material and precision of the silhouette.

Texture has become the new territory of rebellion. When executed with intent, it transforms footwear into a narrative: this can be the nappa leather scuffs that tell a story or the hand-dyed satin that rejects industrial perfection. The cultural power of these subtle details lies in their quiet defiance of fast fashion’s mass-production and glossy sameness.

What the Shoe Says About Us

In the end, our collective footwear choices reveal more about us than just our taste; they also articulate our values. The maximalist shoe is an emblem of spectacle culture that was born from a digital ecosystem where attention can outrightly equal currency. The slim, elegant shoe, on the other hand, represents a retreat into intentionality, which is an inherently sartorial reset that privileges longevity, tactility, and restraint rather than the virality of a given shoe.

So no, it’s not just about the shoe; it’s about what exactly we are running from. As the world becomes noisier, minimalism feels subversive again. Perhaps that is the very reason why the fashion crowd is trading in their monstrous soles for a pair of scuffed Sambas, or why the most-photographed shoes at Fashion Week were not heels this time around, but flats.

The Future is Flat-Footed

The future of footwear is not a war between bulk and simplicity but a meditation of the two that establishes presence versus precision. Surely, both schools of design will continue to coexist and feed off of each other’s extremes. But in a world that feels increasingly performative, there’s something quietly revolutionary about stepping out into shoes that do not explicitly demand to be seen.

After all, fashion’s greatest statements are not always shouted from the rooftops, but they are often whispered, softly, with perfect tailoring and a polished sole for whoever might be willing to listen.

—The Kline Collective

Ink and the Illusion of Professionalism: Why Does Everyone Suddenly Hate Their Tattoos?
by Bri Brzytwa | October 2nd, 2025

“Do not get that spine tattoo. You will never be able to wear something backless and feel elegant ever again.” @keviahealy

For decades, tattoos carried the utmost weight of subversion; they were long recognized as either emblems of rebellion, counterculture, or deviance. Now, they are a near-ubiquitous accessory, from micro line art delicately etched on one’s collarbones to sprawling sleeves that have the ability to tell a life story. And yet, today, there are still nagging whispers that persist in professional and formal spaces that allude to the idea that tattoos make you look less polished, less serious, and less employable.

Here’s the honest truth: if your ink makes you feel anything less than yourself, whether it be less elegant, less professional, less powerful, it might not be just the ink. It might be that the tattoos you carry on your skin are not really speaking for you, but rather, they are speaking at you. If a tattoo makes you like yourself even a little more—whether it leaves you feeling more sexy, smart, cool, edgy, chic, etc.—that feeling alone is proof that you made the right choice.

The “Pinterest Tattoo” Problem

We live in the age of the “Pinterest tattoo”: think tiny constellations, dainty butterflies, generic quotes in cursive. These motifs dominate everyone’s feeds because they are digestible, pretty, and “safe.” There is nothing inherently wrong with them; after all, Pinterest can be a treasure trove of inspiration. However, inspiration becomes an issue when it morphs into mere replication. If the tattoo on your arm is indistinguishable from hundreds of others on your feed, no wonder it fails to feel like you.

Tattoos are at their most potent when they are extensions of the spirit, not just placeholders for what is on-trend. A wolf in sheep’s clothing is still a sheep, and an uninspired tattoo can become more of a costume than an expression.

Elegance in Absence?

Classiness has never necessarily been about presenting your body as a clean slate. Coco Chanel wore stacks of costume jewelry when minimalism was expected from her. Rihanna draped herself in sheer couture when modesty was demanded of her. Elegance lies in coherence, and in this case, that is the alignment between self and surface. When a tattoo reflects your identity, values, or aesthetic sensibilities, it does not also inherently undermine the professionalism or polish you may or may not possess; in my opinion, it enhances it. A tattoo that is deeply and undeniably yours can function like a signature accessory, or the kind of detail that makes a look unforgettable rather than inappropriate.

Rethinking Professionalism

The lingering idea that tattoos are “unprofessional” reveals more about outdated corporate anxieties than about the ink itself. We have entered an era where creativity, individuality, and authenticity are now prized across these same industries. To argue that a tattoo disqualifies someone from being seen as competent is to ignore the very real ways in which the dominant culture has shifted.

More importantly, to argue that a tattoo makes you feel less professional suggests a disconnect between the art you have chosen to permanently embody and the person you are becoming. It is also important to recognize that professionalism is not always about neutrality; it’s about confidence, and that confidence comes from alignment. Why would you not want to present as your most authentic self, especially in an environment (work/school) where you are supposedly being valued for “you?”

Speak for You

Trends fade and algorithms shift, but tattoos endure. When someone’s ink is chosen through honesty rather than a performative aesthetic, it becomes less a temporary accessory and more a lifelong artifact of who you are or once were. For this reason, the antidote to tattoo regret or shame is honesty. The real safeguard here is asking yourself the hard questions before the needle even touches your skin:

Does this design reflect what is my story, not just someone else’s trend? A tiny infinity symbol may look timeless, but does it mean something lasting to you, or is it just the most re-pinned design from 2014?
Would I wear this on my skin even if it never earned me aesthetic validation on social media? A fine-line angel number might rack up likes on Instagram, but would you still cherish it if no one else ever saw it, or if you were unaware of its meaning?
Does this tattoo make me feel more myself when I look in the mirror? That’s the litmus test. Tattoos, at their best, should amplify self-recognition, not mimic someone else’s curated identity.

Pinterest and TikTok can absolutely spark ideas for tattoos, but they should not be the final destination. The truest tattoos emerge when borrowed aesthetics are filtered through individuality, even if that individuality occurs through the artist’s modifications of the original image. Think less “mood board replication” and more “personal enhancement." An image swallow might be plucked from a sailor-themed flash sheet, but maybe you mentally tie it to your grandmother who loved birds. A delicately scripted word might be plastered everywhere online, but maybe your tattoo uses your dad’s handwriting instead.

Final Thoughts

No, tattoos do not strip you of professionalism or class; empty trends do. Ink that mirrors your inner life, whether that be bold or minimal, delicate or sprawling, does not just belong in polished spaces, it can also elevate them. The next time someone questions whether tattoos make you look less serious, the better question might be: Am I choosing tattoos that look like me?

—The Kline Collective

Dress to Haunt: The Art of Becoming Someone’s Muse Through Style

by Bri Brzytwa | September 24th, 2025

“I love being a memory, I love being once in a lifetime, I love coming and leaving, I love Carrie Bradshaw’s entire wardrobe.” @plutohendrixa

Dust off your favorite silk slip: cuffing season is almost here. The air is colder, nights are longer, and suddenly everyone seems to want somebody else to keep them warm, both figuratively and literally. But this time of year tends to signal more than meets the eye; it’s not just the right time for coupling, it’s also perfect for captivation. Whether your objective is to lock someone down or just savor the fun, it’s important to know how to command someone’s attention. This can mean transforming yourself into someone’s new obsession, their inspiration, or their muse, but regardless; the best way to haunt a person’s memory is through the way you present yourself.

Fashion is a language, and muse dressing is a kind of fluency with subtext. It’s about narrative and presence. By turning yourself into a cultural reference point, or becoming a moment that cannot be scrolled past or easily forgotten, you can grab the attention of just about anyone. The greatest of the muses, from Edie Sedgwick to Rihanna, do not merely wear their clothes. Instead, they have the ability to craft mythologies out of them. With that being said, here’s how to slip into their storyline uninvited.

The Muse Formula

Let’s set the record straight: being a muse is not about showing up in the shortest skirt or loudest print you can get your hands on. Anyone can be attention-grabbing for a moment. The muse, though, is different; she is unforgettable.

Take Zendaya’s Challengers press tour for example. Each Loewe, Vuitton, or Thom Browne look was not random by any sense of the word. Her presence was almost a theatrical form of storytelling through costume. She did not simply arrive in a dress, instead, she arrived as the widely adored, tennis-star alter-ego of her film. This is muse logic: commit to the bit so fully that the outfit becomes a cultural artifact, not just sewn together scraps of fabric.

Similarly, Lady Gaga’s 2010s Haus of Gaga era was about more than provocation for its own sake. The meat dress, the orbiting rings, the veils, Gaga grounded them all as a form of intricate performance art. Each piece she wore pushed the boundaries of fashion as a wearable myth. The muse, at her core, embodies this vision of life that is larger than herself.

Silhouette Is Memory

When you think of Rihanna at the 2015 Met Gala, what comes to mind? That enormous Guo Pei gown with its bright yellow hue was instantly memed as an omelet. Did it matter that the internet made jokes? Not at all. She won the night because her silhouette was unforgettable.

A muse is remembered by shape more than trend. Cher famously taught us this in the 1970s, with glittering, body-skimming Bob Mackie gowns that turned her into a living disco totem. Billie Eilish did the opposite at the 2021 Met Gala, where she was seen trading her usual oversized streetwear for a Marilyn Monroe-inspired Oscar de la Renta gown. Despite their differences, both moments rewrote our associations with the stars’ public personas.

Silhouette, then, is your best choice of weapon. Use it boldly. Go oversized, hyper-tailored, sculptural, or fluid. Make people see the outline of you before they really get to see you.

Mystique Over Clarity

The muse is not an open book. She dangles clues, sure, but never full confessions. Chloë Sevigny in the 1990s absolutely mastered this. She paired thrift-store finds and mismatched socks with Prada skirts. Was it effortful or an accident? You could never really tell, and that ambiguity was almost intoxicating.

In today’s terms, think of Bella Hadid on the streets of New York. A tank top, vintage baggy jeans, skinny sunglasses. Nothing screaming and nothing obvious. Yet every paparazzi shot Hadid appears in launches a new trend cycle overnight. So, what’s the secret? Enigma. A muse always holds something back.

Control the Gaze

Attention is not given; it is instead directed. To be a muse, you must anticipate and control how others will see you. This is where intentionality comes in.

Colors, for instance, are tools of power. Think of Valentino’s Pink PP collection, which dominated the fashion world in 2022. An entire generation of red carpets was washed in electric pink, and suddenly, the color itself carried connotations of boldness, luxury, and somehow irony. If you are caught wearing a shocking pink shade today, you are unknowingly tapping into that cultural archive.

Let’s also consider accessories. Harry Styles’ pearls did not become iconic because pearls are rare (not anymore at least); they became iconic because he recontextualized them. He wore them not just as jewelry but as both a provocation and a destabilizer of conventional gender norms.

The gaze is yours to sculpt. Think of your outfit as a stage, and ask yourself: What do I want the eye to catch first? What story do you want that first glance to tell?

The Pop Culture Muse

Margot Robbie’s Barbie-core press tour (2023–24): Sheer commitment to narrative. Every archival look referenced a specific doll, demonstrating that a sustained vision can give a look some lore.

Rihanna’s maternity looks (2022): Rebellion against expectation. Crop tops and sheer lace at a time when society expects “modesty.” Muse dressing requires defiance.

Doja Cat’s Schiaparelli Inferno (2023 Couture Week): Total transformation. Head-to-toe red Swarovski crystals turned her into living art. People could not stop looking, and that’s the muse principle at work.

Dress to Impress

Pick your archetype. Do you want to channel the Y2K chaotic cool-girl or maybe a 1970s disco goddess? Anchoring yourself in a motif makes you unforgettable.
Exaggerate one thing. Do not overstyle everything. Maybe it’s shoulders, maybe it’s shoes, maybe it’s hair. Make one detail and one detail only a conversation piece.
Use contradiction. Pair sweetness with severity. Think a silk slip dress with combat boots. Juxtaposition keeps people staring longer.
Practice restraint. I will reiterate here. The muse does not overshare, even by the means of her clothing. Always leave something unsaid.
Treat clothing as character. You are not just dressing yourself; you are also dressing a persona. That is what really lingers in people’s memory when you walk away.

Let it Linger

I have said it once before, and I will happily say it again: muse energy is not about being the loudest in the room. Instead, it’s about being the one whose memory lingers after the silence falls. As Diana Vreeland once said, “There’s only one very good life, and that’s the life you know you want, and you make it yourself.” Muse dressing is precisely that; it’s making yourself into the very spectacle that others orbit around.

So as cuffing season begins, do not just aim to be noticed. Dress to haunt. Dress to inspire. Dress to become someone’s personal mythology.

—The Kline Collective

When the Face of Fashion Isn’t Human: The Quiet Crisis of AI

by Bri Brzytwa | September 18th, 2025

The runway has always been a theater of illusion. Our silhouettes have been sculpted into fantasy and our editorials are crafted to seduce. However, the infiltration of AI-generated models into high-fashion publishing has come to mark a transgressive rupture in our culture. This is not illusion sewn in chiffon or draped in Schiaparelli couture; instead, it is fantasy conjured from code. While, yes, glossy spreads can promise innovation and efficiency, the rise of AI avatars present in magazines like Vogue Portugal or Elle Brasil represents an existential threat to labor, to diversity, and to our already fragile beauty standards.

The Displacement of Creative Labor

Fashion has generally always depended on an intricate ecosystem of human talent, whether it be models walking couture week in Paris, stylists pulling archival Margiela, or even the makeup artists blending Pat McGrath pigments backstage. Yet, AI collapses this network of labor into a few simple keystrokes.

A cover shoot that once required flights, fittings, a star photographer, and a small army of assistants can now be executed in minutes on applications like Midjourney or Stable Diffusion. For publications that are currently grappling with shrinking ad revenue, this efficiency is almost seductive given their position. With this in mind, each AI-generated cover eliminates not just a model’s booking, but the livelihoods of an entire creative team.

Algorithmic Aesthetics and Unreal Ideals

The more insidious issue, however, is what these AI images look like. Consider Shudu Gram, or the artificial woman who was dubbed the “world’s first digital supermodel,” or Vogue Portugal’s AI-generated covers in 2023. These images, needless to say, are filled with hyperreal, poreless faces that hover somewhere between Gigi Hadid’s cheekbones and Heidi Klum’s jawline, but entirely stripped of their lived humanity. AI datasets are trained on historical imagery already saturated with Eurocentric ideals, so think narrow noses, elongated limbs, and symmetrical bone structure. The result is nothing short of algorithmic homogenization. Acne scars, textured hair, age lines are all once politicized sites of visibility in campaigns by Fenty Beauty or brands like Savage x Fenty, but they are now quietly being “corrected” out of existence.

From Photoshop to Post-Humanism

Yes, fashion has long wrestled with digital manipulation. Historically speaking, we have the “issue” of Photoshop-slimmed bodies, Facetune-smoothed faces, and Instagram filters that airbrush our daily lives. However, it is easily arguable that those edits were at least anchored in real bodies. AI goes further; it severs beauty from corporeality altogether. This is not an evolution of beauty standards, but instead, it is a transgression. Beauty then becomes inherently computational, as it is now being generated through a probability distribution rather than someone’s actual lived experience. The “AI avatar” is a new archetype of perfection, and it is one that collapses individuality into statistical averages of desirability rather than authenticity.

Editorial Responsibility in the AI Era

Fashion’s power has also always resided in its ability to balance fantasy with cultural commentary. For example, think of Alexander McQueen’s “Highland Rape” collection or Grace Jones’s subversive presence in various 1980s editorials. To abandon real bodies for AI simulations is to strip fashion of its political and cultural potency. When Vogue Italia once used blank illustrations instead of models for its 2020 sustainability issue, it was a statement on carbon footprints, but when AI avatars take the cover today, it is less-so commentary than cost-cutting. The danger is not just aesthetic; it is entirely ethical.

The Future of Beauty, the End of Imperfection

If Vogue and other legacy publications embrace AI without transparency, they risk replacing the very thing that gave fashion meaning; and that thing is imperfection. Stretch marks on Rihanna in Savage x Fenty, Paloma Elsesser redefining the curvy body in runway couture, or Iris Apfel dazzling in maximalist accessories at 90 years old: all of these moments destabilized beauty norms precisely because they were human. AI naturally erases those ruptures based solely on its composition. What remains is sterile perfection or an endless parade of avatars that flatter advertisers but simultaneously flatten culture.

The industry now faces a pivotal question: will the next face of fashion even be human? And if not, can a fantasy divorced from flesh still speak to the complexity, vulnerability, and politics of beauty? Think on it.

—The Kline Collective

What Isn’t Performative These Days? Is Authenticity Out of Style?
by Bri Brzytwa | September 10th, 2025

If you have spent more than ten minutes scrolling on TikTok or Instagram recently, you have probably noticed it: everything is performative now. Wired headphones are a nerdy, niche lifestyle choice. Matcha is a marker of cultural significance. Even the way you read a book in public can land you in a debate about whether you are being “authentic” or just posing for the “main character” grid.

But maybe that is the point. Fashion has always been about performance and about showing the world who you are (or at least, who you want to be). The difference is that social media has contributed to the collapse of private life versus public life, making even the smallest choices feel like some kind of grandiose gesture. So let’s ask ourselves this imperative question: what isn’t performative these days? Spoiler: not much, but performance does not necessarily have to be a bad thing.

Wired Headphones: Let Them Live

Wired earbuds have been canonized as the ultimate retro accessory; it is widely considered to be part throwback, part subtle flex. Critics call them “performative authenticity,” an obvious oxymoron, as if people are intentionally cosplaying as 2003 indie kids. My question is: who really cares? They are about ten dollars at CVS, and they work fine. On paper, nothing about this kind of practicality is really fascinating, unless it is done tastefully, and then it easily becomes a trend.

What is really fascinating is how quickly something as mundane as a headphone jack became a cultural signifier. Sometimes I think we neglect the idea that performance can actually be practicality dressed up as an aesthetic. In the algorithm’s churn, wired headphones rapidly transformed from “outdated tech” to a shorthand for a cool, anti-establishment middle finger to AirPods. So, wired headphones: performative? Maybe. Harmless? Absolutely.

Bookgram and the Best Accessory

Books, like wired headphones, have been recast as a sort of cultural prop; they have largely become accessories that are meant to convey taste, intellect, or even dating marketability. Posing with a copy of Nietzsche or a Sally Rooney novel can feel disingenuous if it’s solely being done for the clout. But here’s the thing: a book is still the best accessory, whether you are caught up reading Proust or Twilight.

If you are actually reading, why should it matter how it looks to others? Maybe it is performative, but it can also be aspirational. Books generally suggest a person’s depth, curiosity, and personality, so if you are doing it for you, that should be all that matters. In this case, the real performance is pretending not to care about others’ perception when you really do.

Matcha: Delicious, Full Stop

Ah, the matcha discourse. Detractors say it’s a “wellness flex,” more-or-less a signifier of privilege and performativity. But strip away the discourse and you are left with a simple truth: matcha is good, both for you and your tastebuds. It is energizing, versatile, and frankly, better for you than a quadruple-shot Starbucks latte. And no, it does not taste like a mixture of grass and milk, thank you very much.

Sometimes we overcomplicate things in the effort to deconstruct such trends. Matcha may be part of the “clean girl” aesthetic, but it is also a tasty, centuries-old drink. If enjoying something delicious and healthy makes you performative, then so be it. Sip your green latte in peace.

Men’s Jewelry: The Badge of Wokeness

Every few years, fashion critics rediscover that men can also wear jewelry. Every time, without fail, the discourse shifts to whether it is “performative” for them to do so, as if a pearl necklace on a masculine-presenting person is always a calculated act of gender politics. Personally? I think jewelry on men is hot, period.

Why should something coded as feminine become suspect when adopted outside of its “traditional” wearer? To me, labeling it performative says more about our discomfort with gender fluidity than about the jewelry itself. A ring is a ring. A chain is a chain. Sometimes a necklace is just a necklace, people.

Vinyl & Polaroids: Niche or Nonsense?

Owning a record player or snapping film photos has become another so-called “performative” pastime. The critique is fair; yes, half of Instagram’s Polaroid users probably do not actually know how to offload the film. However, niche, vintage interests generally deserve more generosity than that.

The beauty of vinyl and film is that they force us to slow down. Even if someone bought a Crosley turntable for the aesthetic clout, who is really losing out? If they do not care that deeply, it will most definitely show. On that note, authentic fans have nothing to prove, and the performativity tends to unravel itself.

Round Glasses: Rock On

Few accessories stir as much suspicion as fake glasses. Round, wire-rim frames especially get dragged for being “pretend intellectualism,” but you know what? Glasses are sick. They have the unique ability to sharpen a face, frame an expression, and yes, they can make you look smarter.

Vanity has always been baked into fashion in some way, shape, or form. We buy sneakers to make us look cooler, jeans to make us look taller, and jackets to make us look sharper. Why should glasses be any different? If someone wants to cosplay as a tortured novelist with their grandpa-core specs, let them. Rock on.

Ritualized Morning Routines & Sigma Males

This just in: you are not Patrick Bateman. I repeat: you are NOT Patrick Bateman. The “5 a.m. club” routine has practically become its own genre of performance art. You’ll have lemon water, journaling, sunrise Pilates, all being served in pristine lighting. While, yes, self-care is essential, the hyper-curated ritual can start to feel oppressive. Not everyone has the time, money, or desire to live like a lifestyle influencer.

It is important to recognize that self-care looks different for everyone. Sometimes it is a green juice in the morning, and other times it is sleeping in. When morning routines morph into one-size-fits-all scripts, they stop being empowering individuals and start being harmful. Remember, you are not Patrick Bateman, and you should be thankful for that.

Tote Bags: What is Inside Counts

The tote bag is perhaps the most democratic accessory: it is cheap, practical, and endlessly customizable. Critics love to call out the “tote + feminist book” combo as being performative, but honestly, tote bags just make sense. They hold things, they are sustainable, and they free you from the tyranny of tiny pockets.

What matters is not whether the book poking out of your tote is “performative,” it is whether that choice actually reflects your interests. If it is in fact authentic to you, the tote becomes more than an accessory; it becomes a portable extension of your personality.

Fast Micro-trends: Authenticity Always Wins

Finally, the rapid-fire churn of microtrends (cowboy-core one month, ballet-core the next) has made fashion feel more performative than ever. Talk about whiplash. However, the problem is not the trends themselves but the pressure to adopt them all, regardless of whether they suit you or not.

My opinion? Dress for you. When someone’s outfit is not true to their personality, you can totally tell. Authenticity cannot really be faked, no matter how many branded microtrend pieces from Depop you choose to pile on. In conclusion, let the algorithm expose itself; your job is just to dress for the part of being yourself.

Performance Is the Point

So, what isn’t considered performative these days? In short, almost nothing, but maybe that is not the whole problem. Fashion has always been about performance, so the question is not solely whether we are performing, but whether we are performing ourselves.

If wired headphones or a matcha latte makes you feel like you, then let them. If your tote bag hides a stack of feminist essays, own it. If you want to look smarter with your round glasses, lean into that. The stage is set and the audience is scrolling. What matters is that the script you are choosing to perform belongs to you. Ultimately, everything is aesthetic and nothing can really hurt. Do you.

—The Kline Collective

Beige No More: My Suggestions for Saving Men’s Fashion in 2025

by Bri Brzytwa | September 5th, 2025

Men’s fashion in 2025 is currently at a crossroads. While women’s style consistently proves to thrive on experimentation and cultural reinvention, men’s fashion often feels stuck in a cycle of sameness. This manifests into neutral streetwear, oversized basics, and muted “quiet luxury” that can veer dangerously close to monotony. The problem is not necessarily that these trends are bad, but that they dominate the male wardrobe so completely that individuality is completely lost. Sure, these trends offer comfort, ease, and accessibility, but in a world full of change, we must strive for more than meh.

A Uniform of Uniformity

Walk down any city street and you will most likely find men dressed in near-identical fits: boxy cargos, neutral hoodies, baseball caps, and sneakers in beige or black. Streetwear was once a form of rebellion and has now become a uniform. In a similar fashion, “quiet luxury” often reads as uninspired minimalism rather than refined taste. Men’s fashion risks flattening individuality into a palette of grey sweats and subtle logos. This is functional, yes, but rarely memorable.

Look at most red carpets today, and you will see a sea of black tuxedos or slightly tweaked suits. Yes, Timothée Chalamet’s backless Haider Ackermann moment at the Venice Film Festival was daring, but most of his peers are still playing it safe. For example, Jacob Elordi sticks to minimalism, leaning heavily into his “finance-core” oversized blazers. Once a hotspot for experimental fits, even NBA tunnel walks are starting to collapse into athleisure sameness. When everyone is dressed in muted cargo pants and plain hoodies, fashion inevitably tends to lose its cultural charge.

Emerging Trends in 2025

Still, sparks of innovation remain. Tailoring is experiencing a revival, but with softer silhouettes and more fluid proportions. Men are experimenting with chunky rings, beaded necklaces, and even pearls that are beginning to creep into everyday style. Gender-fluid influences are reshaping wardrobes too: skirts layered over pants, sheer fabrics, and pastel tones are becoming more visible in street style and runway collections alike. Vintage sourcing has been driven by Gen Z’s thrifting habits and is being injected history and storytelling back into men’s closets.

Icons Leading the Way

In the case of celebrities, there are glimmers of hope. A$AP Rocky continues to inject color and drama into menswear by mixing babushka scarves, pearls, and tailored skirts with ease. Harry Styles’s gender-fluid Gucci era, whether you loved or loathed it, proved that men’s fashion can make headlines and stir conversations about masculinity. Bad Bunny has also leaned into challenging old dress codes with experimental silhouettes and wearing women’s handbags. Even at the Met Gala, where men usually play second fiddle, stars like Lil Nas X have proven that spectacle and risk-taking can belong to menswear too.

Breaking the Beige Cycle

Saving men’s fashion doesn’t require couture-level risks, no no. More or less, it is about remixing essential pieces with confidence. Here are key moves for the year ahead:

T-shirt + Trousers: The most underrated duo in men’s wardrobes. Swap sweats for tailored trousers, and suddenly a plain tee reads as polished rather than lazy. Think Jacob Elordi at Erewhon: casual but still intentional.
Flat Brim Hat + Button Down + Linen Pants + Clogs: A “European boyfriend on summer holiday” vibe that feels breezy yet elevated. The clogs are the curveball because they are slightly ironic but still on-trend. A$AP Rocky has already flirted with this somewhat coastal look.
Henley Tees: The antidote to overplayed graphic tees. The button placket adds depth without outrightly screaming for attention. They whisper rugged minimalism in the same way Chris Evans’ fashion did in the 2010s, but reimagined for 2025.
Loose Jeans + Slightly Fitted Tee: Roomy denim has officially replaced skinny fits. When styled right, they look relaxed rather than sloppy. Pair with vintage sneakers or sandals, and it gives “off-duty creative director.”
Cable Knit + Shorts + Loafers: A prep-school remix. The knit brings coziness, shorts keep it irreverent, and loafers anchor it with elegance. Think Harry Styles spending the afternoon in Capri.
Button Down + Gym Shorts + Loafers (Bonus: Tote Bag): The “finance-core remix.” Business casual collides with athleisure, and this proves that men’s style does not need to choose between structure and irony. The tote finishes it by colliding utility with style.
Elevate Through Accessories: Accessories have the ability to transform outfits from “basic” to intentional. A belt that frames the waist, layering a button-down over a tee, sandals styled with socks, etc. All are small choices that can signal self-expression without requiring a wardrobe overhaul.

Why It Matters

Fashion is not solely what is in the fabric; it is also an act of cultural visibility. Women’s fashion has embraced risk, politics, and self-expression, while men risk erasing themselves from the fashion world by dressing safely. The future lies in balance. My advice? Seek a blend of structure and leisure, or of masculinity and softness. Saving men’s fashion in 2025 means rejecting invisibility and leaning fully into their style as identity. Come on boys, let’s make “NYC finance core” meet the “European boyfriend” archetype.

—The Kline Collective

The Rule of Three: How the 60-30-10 Theory Can Bring Balance to Fashion

by Brielle Brzytwa | August 27th, 2025

Fashion can often feel like chaos in motion with trends colliding, colors clashing, and closets overflowing. But buried in this stylish whirlwind is a surprisingly elegant formula that has been borrowed from interior design and repurposed by stylists and influencers alike. This formula is known as the 60-30-10 theory.

At first glance, yes, it is simple math. However, in practice, it is magic.

What Is the 60-30-10 Theory?

Originating in the world of interiors, the 60-30-10 rule was a simple way to structure harmony, and it goes as follows:

60% of a room should be a dominant color,
30% a secondary shade, and
10% a bold accent.

When applied to fashion, the same ratios create implicit balance in an outfit. Imagine your look as a pie chart: the majority should come from one color or texture (60%), a supporting player should take up nearly a third (30%), and the final 10% should shock, delight, or disrupt in some way.

The Psychology of Balance

The genius of this formula is that it plays into how our eyes process visual information. Humans naturally tend to crave harmony, but harmony without tension is also boring to us. With this conflict in mind, the 60-30-10 split offers just enough order to make an outfit feel intentional and just enough chaos to make it feel cohesive.

Think of this theory as a conversation between restraint and risk: the 60% grounds you, the 30% supports you, and the 10% introduces drama.

Examples in Action

Classic Minimalism: A black tailored coat and trousers (60%), a crisp white shirt (30%), and a pop of red lipstick (10%). Suddenly, a seemingly monochrome palette has been given a cinematic feel.
Street Style: Oversized blue jeans (60%), a grey hoodie layered under a blazer (30%), and bright colored sneakers (10%). The shoes transform the whole look from being somewhat casual to styled (rather than simply worn).
Evening Wear: A silky emerald-green dress (60%), black heels (30%), and a metallic silver clutch (10%). Here, the 10% is the exclamation point at the end of the sentence.

Even icons have played by this rule without necessarily calling it by name. For example, Jackie Kennedy’s pillbox hats often acted as the 10% in her otherwise restrained ensembles. In the 2010s, Phoebe Philo’s Céline collections thrived on balancing neutrals with one startling jolt of color. Today, street-style stars have used this rule to bring coherence to their otherwise chaotic layering.

Beyond Color

Now let’s be clear, the 60-30-10 theory does not have to apply strictly to color. In fashion, texture, silhouette, or print can also take on these ratios.

Picture this: 60% denim (jeans + jacket), 30% cotton (a simple tee), and 10% leather (a sharp belt or bag). Or 60% fluid silk, 30% structured wool, 10% sequins. In these examples, the same balance principle keeps the outfit grounded while leaving room for a spark of irreverence.

Breakaway Rules

The best part about this rule is that, like all great fashion “rules,” the 60-30-10 theory exists to be bent and toyed with. Style legends often twist it into 50-40-10 or 60-20-20, or they may choose to throw it out altogether. But even breaking the formula requires awareness of it. Knowing why an outfit works, or does not, empowers you to experiment in this way.

As Yves Saint Laurent once said, “Fashions fade, style is eternal” (Laurent). The 60-30-10 rule is about eternal balance rather than short-lived trends, which is generally the subtle architecture that makes an outfit sing.

The Elegance of Intention

The 60-30-10 theory proves that style does not need to be complicated. It is about disguising structure as ease. When applied thoughtfully, this theory elevates an outfit from random to refined, chaotic to composed.

After all, fashion is just as much about what you leave out as what you put in. And sometimes, all it takes is three numbers to bring everything into focus.

—The Kline Collective

When the “Weird Girl” Became a Walking Mood Board
By Bri Brzytwa | August 20th, 2025

Once upon a time—though not as long ago as it feels—so-called “weird girl” fashion was not an aesthetic one could ascribe to a shopping list. It was not a TikTok microtrend with an Amazon storefront, or an Instagram carousel of “pieces you need to nail the look.” It was a worldview, a resistance strategy, and above all, an aesthetic that refused to be aestheticized.

The Era of Curated Consumption

The beauty of early weird girl style was in its rejection of obvious consumer logic. It was not necessarily about acquiring a mood; it was about undermining the very idea that your worth, taste, or intelligence could be purchased.

Mismatched thrift finds, scuffed Mary Janes, skirts worn over pants, and DIY jewelry were all a language of visual dissent. You wore it to say, “I’m not here to impress you with a capsule wardrobe.” You wore it to distance yourself from the cycle of “new season, new you.”

It was an ethos aligned with anti-fashion movements of the past. Consider the punk kids of the 1970s safety-pinning their own clothes, the Riot Grrrls of the ’90s Sharpie-tagging their tanks, or even the bohemian beatniks of the ’50s who prized secondhand fashion as a form of social rebellion. To wear “wrong” clothes was to critique the system that sold “right” ones.

The Inversion of Intent

Now? The same objects that once symbolized divestment from such fashion systems have become currency in a new era and form of consumption.

The “weird girl” Mary Jane is now a coveted luxury collab with brands like Mui Mui. The thrift-store purse you once bought for $2 to prove you were not a trend follower now comes in seasonal drops with waitlists. Even the once visual shrug of mismatched socks has been flattened into a styling cue, something you can intentionally buy into instead of something you wore because laundry was low.

This is the philosophical pivot:

Then: I am this kind of person, so I buy these things. Ex. Chloë Sevigny in the late ’90s haunting New York thrift stores, not because it was “in” but because it was how she lived. Or Solange in her early music videos wearing architectural vintage because it aligned with her artistic vision, not because a PR team mood-boarded it.

Now: I buy these things so you will think I am this kind of person. Ex. an influencer buying a Balenciaga Cagole bag because fashion Twitter says it is now “ironic-chic.” Or celebrities like Bella Hadid wearing “ugly” sunglasses not because they live in thrift-store chaos, but because the curated chaos signals membership in a fashion-literate in-group.

Values once informed consumption, but now consumption masquerades as a value in of itself.

The Myth of Individuality

The irony is that the weird girl aesthetic was built on resisting mass legibility, and now its symbols are more legible than ever. TikTok serves up the same “quirky” shoe, the same kitschy beaded bag, the same “offbeat” perfume to millions, making once-esoteric taste almost painfully mainstream.

This general phenomena echoes how subcultures have been historically absorbed into the fashion mainstream. For example:

Punk studded jackets once shocked middle England, and then Jean Paul Gaultier later went on to sell them for thousands.

Thrifted grunge flannels rejected the idea of corporate polish until Marc Jacobs put them on the Perry Ellis runway in 1992.

The normcore movement of the early 2010s mocked the idea of taste by embracing plainness until it became the uniform of the modern influencer.

Every outsider aesthetic that was once even slightly marketable gets stripped of its original intent and repackaged for mass appeal. In this case, weird girl fashion is simply the latest to undergo this recurring process.

When Quirk Becomes Class

What was once about not buying in has become about buying in differently. In other words, the weird girl’s visual language was once defined by ingenuity, secondhand sourcing, and playful rejection of mainstream trends. But now, this has become a way for one to signal that they belong to a certain cultural echelon of fashion-savvy insiders.

Owning the “right” wrong bag or the “right” mismatched shoe now communicates that you have the cultural literacy, disposable income, and TikTok fluency to participate in the world of niche fashion. In other words: the weird girl is no longer an outsider. Instead, she is a boutique insider with better PR.

The End of the Outsider?

What made the original weird girl powerful had nothing to do with her shoe choice. Her refusal to let her shoe choice define her was instead what made her a good kind of weird. Now, the aesthetic operates in reverse: the shoe is the personality.

In the world of fashion, the pieces still look the same, but their meaning has been turned upside down. And in that inversion, the weird girl’s quiet critique of consumerism has been replaced by an algorithm-friendly costume that is still eccentric, still eye-catching, but ultimately safe for mass consumption.

So no, it’s not that the original weird girl dropped off the face of the planet. We simply seem to have lost the plot.

—The Kline Collective

The Cult of Chicness: Policing Style in the Beige Internet Age

by Bri Brzytwa | August 9th, 2025

We have an epidemic on our hands. While it is not just another viral TikTok dance, it carries the same kind of social contagion. I am talking about the endless stream of TikTok videos titled “Things I Find Incredibly Unchic.” You are most likely familiar with them: a woman, usually in a softly lit bedroom or tastefully beige living room, rattling off a list of supposed style sins with the solemnity of a UN address all the while swishing around her glass of flat white wine. Cursing. Chipped nail polish. Tattoos. Wearing leggings in public. Strong perfumes. The tone is half–Parisian cool girl, half–elementary school dress code monitor.

And honestly, I am not sure exactly when a certain brand of bland, suburban white femininity became so preoccupied with what is and is not chic. But somewhere between the rise of “quiet luxury” and the algorithm rewarding low-level cultural gatekeeping, we have landed in an era where the term “chic” is wielded like a ruler slapped across your knuckles.

The Faux Sophistication of the “Chic” Police

The problem is not just the triviality of the lists, but it is more the values beneath them. Many of these so-called unchic offenses are inherently gendered, and therefore, rooted in the centuries-old habit of policing women’s bodies, behaviors, and personal self-expression. Here are a few examples:

Cursing: Women have long been expected to be soft-spoken, delicate, and “ladylike.” A woman swearing, whether it be in 1890 or apparently 2025, is perceived as stepping out of her lane, into a register reserved solely for men.

Chipped nail polish: This obsession with “perfect grooming” is not simply about women’s aesthetics; it is tied directly to classism. A woman with an imperfect manicure is coded as lazy, careless, or of a lower social status, ignoring that chipped nails are often the result of, you know, working.

Tattoos: Body art has been historically linked to non-white cultures and working-class communities. Its rejection in these lists echoes old prejudices that equate nonconformity, and especially non-white cultural aesthetics, with moral inferiority.

Leggings in public: The war on leggings is really the war on women dressing for comfort, autonomy, and practicality. God forbid a garment be formed to a woman’s natural shape, right? It is the same hostility that once greeted women in trousers, tennis skirts, and miniskirts.

Strong perfume: Scent, historically, has been racialized, i.e. fragrances deemed “too strong” are often those tied to Middle Eastern, African, or Latinx traditions, while “fresh” or “clean” scents are typically marketed through a Eurocentric lens.

It is really a bold assumption to think that any woman curses, wears leggings, or gets a tattoo with the primary goal of being perceived as chic by other women. The idea that chipped nail polish or wearing a strong perfume is some failed attempt at chicness presumes that every woman’s style choices are made for an imaginary jury of other women. Many of these “unchic” lists operate on the belief that women exist in a constant performance for each other’s approval. To frame these habits as aesthetic missteps is to misunderstand that they are often expressions of autonomy, not failed entries into the Chic Olympics.

White Supremacy in a Beige Trench Coat

The “unchic” discourse often disguises the enforcement of white, upper-class, Eurocentric beauty standards as universal truths. The ideal chic woman that the makers of these videos imply is thin, quiet, polished, and expensively subtle; she is a walking Céline ad from 2013. Anything outside of that narrow lane, including loudness, visible labor, cultural signifiers that are not intentionally Western, is quietly pushed offstage.

This is how white supremacy maintains itself in the lifestyle space: not through overt hate speech, but through quote unquote aesthetic curation that rewards proximity to whiteness and erases everything else under the guise of maintaining one’s “taste.”

A Short History of Policing “Taste”

Historically, the word “chic” has never been neutral. In 19th-century France, chic implied social standing as much as style. The elite dictated taste; the middle and working classes followed, or they risked being seen as vulgar. The fashion media of the 20th century often positioned “chic” as something European (read: white) and minimal, in opposition to styles coded as ethnic, garish, or provincial.

What the TikTok algorithm has done is democratize who gets to speak but not necessarily what they say. Many of these “unchic” lists are simply carrying forward the same 200-year-old hierarchies in a freshly wrapped digital package.

The Irony of It All

The real irony? The idea of a fixed definition of “chic” is fundamentally unchic. The most stylish people in history, think Diana Vreeland, Grace Jones, Rihanna, have often been those who broke rules, embraced the “too much,” or ignored the aesthetic consensus altogether. Chicness, when it means anything worthwhile, comes from one’s authenticity and not necessarily compliance.

So the next time a TikTok plants itself on someone’s ForYou page declaring that chipped nail polish is an affront to style, remember: “unchic” is often just code for “does not align with my narrow, inherited ideals.” And in 2025, surely we can aim higher than gatekeeping leggings.

—The Kline Collective

Mismatch Made in Heaven: The Right Way to Wear the Wrong Shoe

by Bri Brzytwa | August 2nd, 2025

In the ever-evolving world of TikTok fashion, microtrends are practically born by the hour and promptly dissected with algorithmic fervor. However, a new styling mantra has emerged within the “Wrong Shoe Theory.” What started as a catchy phrase on the For You Pages pf many has grown into a full-fledged aesthetic rule. It is more or less an invitation to disrupt, reframe, and reimagine the art of getting dressed. At its core, the theory is simple: intentionally pair an outfit with shoes that simply “don’t go.” But underneath that surface-level rebellion is a surprisingly rich history of fashion subversion, gender politics, and postmodern styling. Let’s get into it!

What Is the "Wrong Shoe Theory"?

Coined and popularized by TikTok creators like stylist Allison Bornstein and others in the 2020s fashion discourse, the Wrong Shoe Theory operates on the premise that an outfit can become more interesting and more styled by disrupting expectations at the ground level. For example: take a delicate, romantic dress and pair it with rugged trail sneakers. Or match a sharp tailored suit with fluffy UGG boots. The shoe should clash with the rest of the look, but in a way that feels intentional and stylish.

This is not about making your outfit a mess, but it is about calculated disruption. The result? A jarring but satisfying visual tension that instantly modernizes a look.

A History of Fashion Contradiction

While TikTok might have named it, the logic behind the Wrong Shoe Theory is nothing new. In fact, fashion history is full of moments where deliberate dissonance created iconic style.

Punk's Anti-Aesthetic (1970s)

In the 1970s, Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s punk movement in London brought combat boots to party dresses and bondage gear to the high street. Punks used fashion to reject mainstream aesthetics, and their footwear was key in doing so. Heavy Doc Martens under otherwise ordinary clothes became a political statement as well as an early “wrong shoe” that screamed, “I don’t belong to your system.”

Grunge and the Death of Polish (1990s)

Fast forward to the 1990s, and the grunge movement that was personified by Nirvana, Courtney Love, and Marc Jacobs. This era brought in a new wave of styling discord. Think: babydoll dresses with beat-up Converse, or flannels and Mary Janes. These combinations subverted traditional gender roles and class aesthetics. In this case, the “wrong” shoe was, again, the perfect tool for this kind of rebellion.

Miuccia Prada’s Ugly Chic (2000s–Now)

Miuccia Prada, often hailed as fashion’s ultimate intellectual, has spent decades championing what might be called the "wrong" shoe. From pairing luxe midi skirts with orthopedic-inspired platforms to putting Teva-like sandals on runway models, Prada has elevated the misfit shoe to high fashion. It is, of course, no coincidence that today’s Gen Z TikTokers are echoing this exact same ethos; fashion is more intriguing when it is just a little bit off.

Gender and Power in Shoe Choice

Throughout history, shoes have acted as symbols of status, femininity, labor, and leisure. The Wrong Shoe Theory plays with each of these associations unknowingly. Wearing an ultra-femme outfit with sneakers, for instance, strips away the performance of delicate femininity and replaces it with something more practical and grounded, literally.

Similarly, the choice to wear loafers or Birkenstocks with a mini skirt may reject the male gaze in favor of something more utilitarian or intellectual. It is undeniably a form of sartorial autonomy. The wrong shoe is not just quirky styling; it is a power play.

Celebrities Doing It Right (or "Wrong")

Bella Hadid, Gen Z’s patron saint of street style, often can be seen mixing vintage cargos with kitten heels or dainty ballet flats.
Zoë Kravitz is known for pairing simple slip dresses with chunky combat boots, which oozes understated contradiction.
Rihanna, a master of contrast, has been spotted wearing couture gowns with sneakers or Timberlands long before TikTok caught on to that kind of vibe.

These moments all echo the Wrong Shoe Theory’s golden rule: when the shoe is unexpected, the outfit becomes more memorable.

Why It Works (And When It Does Not)

The key to executing the Wrong Shoe Theory is not randomness by any means, it is sort of careless intention. The contrast should feel like a conversation, not a shouting match. Pairing a silky maxi skirt with Adidas Sambas works because both elements exist in different style worlds but share a color palette or energy. Juxtaposition requires harmony somewhere, whether it be through texture, tone, or silhouette.

When it does not work, it usually looks accidental or chaotic. The goal is not to necessarily confuse but to surprise.

The Wrong Shoe Is So Right

TikTok’s Wrong Shoe Theory is more than a quirky Gen Z fashion trick. It is also a reflection of a deeper cultural impulse to disrupt norms, democratize style, and embrace contradiction. It stands on the shoulders of punks, grunge kids, avant-garde designers, and modern women who refuse to be predictable.

In a time when fashion is increasingly aware of its own performativity, the wrong shoe reminds us that style is most powerful when it resists expectation. So the next time your outfit feels “too perfect,” ask yourself: what’s the wrong shoe I could wear right now? Chances are, that is going to be the right move.

—The Kline Collective

Love on the Sleeve: How Being in Love Can Transform the Way We Dress
by Brielle Brzytwa | July 22nd, 2025

There is something ineffable about the way that love seems to change us, not just emotionally or psychologically, but also physically. More specifically, it can transform our wardrobes, sometimes without even noticing. When people fall in love, they often begin dressing for someone else but also because of someone else. Whether it is to impress, to feel more themselves, or to mirror the very object of their affection, being in love can shift how we present ourselves to the world. In fashion, these kinds of transformations can often be more revealing than words.

We see it time and again in film, TV, and even public life: a character (or person) falls in love and suddenly begins to soften, romanticize, or even bolden their wardrobe. Love, it seems, becomes a stylist time and time again.

1. The Softening Effect

Say what you will about the cringey plot line and romance style of Twilight, but Bella Swan’s sartorial arc is an underrated aspect of her transformation. In the beginning, Bella can be seen wearing shapeless layers and plenty of flannel, which is assumably functional and nondescript. However, as her romance with Edward deepens, subtle shifts in her style appear: delicate blouses, fitted cardigans, more intentional accessories. No, it is not a total overhaul, and you may not notice the shift right away, but it suggests that love can inspire a quiet self-attunement. Her clothes become less about hiding and more about being seen, in this case by someone who sees her differently.

2. The Mirror Effect

In Season 2 of Fleabag, fashion becomes a language between two people who seem to be unable to express how they feel. Fleabag’s wardrobe is edgier and more refined, including sleek jumpsuits, deep colors, and structured coats; all of which mirror the emotional depth of her unexpected connection with the ‘Hot Priest.’ There is a moment in the season where she wears a crisp, black blazer as if to be armor, but also as an invitation: she wants to match his solemnity and his restraint toward her. Their mutual attraction manifests in their shared palette of black, white, and gray. This is a prime example of love becoming a sort of uniform, even when it is seemingly doomed.

3. The Glow-Up

While Cher may be the fairy godmother of makeovers in Clueless, Tai’s evolution could undeniably be considered a reflection of her crushes and who she is becoming through them. Her tomboyish grunge aesthetic slowly morphs into plaid mini skirts, lip gloss, and bouncy hair as she navigates the romantic interest and attention she is receiving. Love (or the illusion of it) therefore propels her into experimenting with femininity and softness in a way she had never dreamed of before. While the transformation is not always linear, it can definitely be a classic case of someone dressing for who they want to be loved as.

4. The Overflow Effect

No one falls harder in love than Carrie Bradshaw. Whether it be with people, with New York, with shoes, Carrie is a prime-time lover girl, and when she’s in love, her outfits reflect this excess emotion, so to speak. Take her time in Paris during the series finale: she floats through the city in layers of silk, organza, and tulle; she wears pastels, sweeping coats, and a pink flower the size of a dinner plate pinned to her lapel. It is the wardrobe of a woman who believes she is finally living her romantic dream. However, beneath the surface, the fantasy is unraveling. As a result, she is isolated, misunderstood, and increasingly unsure whether she has chased the wrong kind of love. Time and time again throughout the series, Carrie is caught between the idealized romance she has always chased and the gut realization that she may have abandoned herself to get it. Because of this, her clothing tells us the story of a woman who feels so deeply that she lets her fashion speak louder than her doubts.

5. The Identity Effect

In Lady Bird, Christine’s love interests coincide with small and rather telling fashion choices. For example, she swaps her school uniform for thrifted vintage pieces when she starts dating Kyle (the pretentious, bass-playing anarchist, of course) in an attempt to echo his nonchalant, artsy style. Later, when the illusion of this love interest fades, so does her performative costuming. Here, love pushed her to experiment, but also ultimately helped her come back to herself, in the end. After all, the dressing and undressing of personas is a teenage love language in itself.

Why Can Love Affect Style?

Because love can ultimately destabilize us in the best way. It makes us want to be more visible, more desirable, more understood. Some begin dressing bolder, others soften their edges. Some start borrowing clothes from their partners. Others reject their old wardrobes in favor of something that feels more “right now.” It is about aligning the outside with what is newly stirred inside. To be in love is to be in transition and fashion tends to thrive in that kind of liminal space.

So whether it is a vintage blazer worn to impress a crush who loves '90s bands, a spritz of perfume before a second date, or a dramatic outfit worn to walk away from someone for good, how we dress in love tells a story that words often cannot.

—The Kline Collective

The Romantic Macabre: Death, Decay, and Gothic Beauty in the World of Alexander McQueen

by Bri Brzytwa | July 1st, 2025

Few designers have left behind a legacy as emotionally raw and intellectually rich as Alexander McQueen. Lauded for his masterful tailoring and theatrical runway presentations, McQueen was undeniably a provocateur as well as a storyteller of lives in the shadows. At the heart of his work lies a persistent flirtation with the macabre: death, decay, and the darker recesses of human emotion are not only present but central to the very language of his design.

Through this covert fixation, McQueen challenged the fashion world’s sanitized notions of beauty by injecting it with both the haunting and the sublime.

This article will investigate how Alexander McQueen employed death and gothic symbolism into his fashion as not only a morbid spectacle, but as a sort of philosophical meditation. By turning mourning into artistry, and grotesquery into elegance, McQueen created clothes while simultaneously crafting emotional architecture.

The Aesthetic of Death

McQueen's work consistently drew from historical and literary traditions that were known to be steeped in darkness. A self-proclaimed fan of Edgar Allan Poe and Shakespearean tragedy, he brought a Victorian Gothic sensibility to the runway by merging 19th-century references with ultra-modern techniques. This was not death as nihilism, but rather, death as narrative. In Widows of Culloden (Fall/Winter 2006), for example, McQueen paid tribute to his Scottish ancestry and the massacre of the Highlanders with garments that evoked a feeling of mourning dress, such as tulle veils, black lace, and somber silhouettes.

A spectral hologram of Kate Moss in a billowing organza gown closed the show, ghostly and untouchable.

This was mourning made beautiful.

Beauty in the Grotesque

In VOSS (Spring/Summer 2001), one of McQueen’s most psychologically charged presentations, models were enclosed in a padded, asylum-like cube. The finale revealed a glass case containing a nude woman wearing a gas mask that was seemingly hooked up to tubes, referencing Joel-Peter Witkin’s photograph Sanitarium. The collection explored themes of mental illness, voyeurism, and societal standards of beauty.

“It was about trying to trap something that wasn’t conventionally beautiful to show that beauty comes from within,” McQueen once said.

The grotesque in McQueen’s world was not necessarily ornamental, but it was certainly integral. His use of feathers, bones, and skulls (later popularized by his iconic skull-print scarf) fused the idea of bodily decay with delicacy. Nature’s life cycle—that being birth, bloom, and eventually, rot—was being embroidered into every seam.

Control and Conceptual Chaos

McQueen trained on Savile Row, and the precision of his tailoring created a stark contrast to the emotional violence of his themes. This juxtaposition is part of what made his work so disarming: a razor-sharp silhouette might house a shredded, blood-red lining. He mastered control in his techniques only to let it unravel in his designs. His collections embodied dualities, ie. hard and soft, masculine and feminine, alive and dead.

Unlike designers who adopt gothic aesthetics for a superficial effect, McQueen understood the psychological architecture of darkness. He did not romanticize pain; he revealed its pervasiveness and demanded we find beauty within it.

The Contemporary Echo

Today, echoes of McQueen’s romantic macabre can be found in designers like Rick Owens, Noir Kei Ninomiya, or Dilara Fındıkoğlu, although few rival his ability to seamlessly merge conceptual depth with sartorial mastery. While Sarah Burton continued McQueen’s legacy with delicacy and reverence, the label’s original rawness, including its visceral, unflinching emotion, remains uniquely tied to the man himself.

The Beauty of the End

For Alexander McQueen, fashion was not a sole refuge from death but a way to stare directly into it instead. His garments asked: What does it mean to mourn, to decay, to endure? And how can that be rendered exquisitely?

The Romantic Macabre was not just a phase of his oeuvre, but instead it could be found at its emotional core. In reviving and reinterpreting the traditions of gothic beauty, McQueen forced fashion to confront the uncomfortable, and in doing so, he made room for a kind of beauty that was shaped by grief, by ghosts, and by grace.

—The Kline Collective

Recession-Core? When Our Looks Mirror Economic Downturns

by Bri Brzytwa | June 23rd, 2025

When mascara can be seen smudging beneath the eyes and chipped nails become the next "It Girl" look, it is likely more than a trend. To me, it is a sign of the times. The fashion and beauty world has always mirrored cultural and economic currents, and in 2025, the gloss of glamour is giving way to something a little more raw, lived-in, and telling. The culprit? A slow-burn recession that has subtly been rewriting our codes of beauty.

The Rise of the ‘Worn-In’ Aesthetic

This year, the off-duty model look has taken on a new, unfiltered edge. Smudgy eyeliner, slept-in makeup, overgrown roots, and “forgot-my-pedicure” toes are no longer the sole domain of aesthetic rebellion, but they are what some are deeming “recession-core.” TikTok beauty creators are praising under-eye mascara smudges as “soft grunge” or “sad girl glam,” but behind the eyeliner is a more practical reality: fewer people can afford high-end setting sprays or even the luxury of replacing dried-out products. For the moment, forget the makeup wipes; cleanser and a washcloth will have to do.

This aesthetic is not necessarily laziness or indifference; it is forced resourcefulness that is being spun into style.

When Maintenance Becomes a Luxury

Minimalist nails (read: bare), secondhand fashion, and delayed dye jobs have become both economic and aesthetic choices. The formerly high-maintenance beauty routines, ie. gel manicures, monthly trims, and lash extensions, are now often being replaced with press-ons, DIY haircuts, and drugstore mascara. What was once a matter of preference is now strategy of survival that is cleverly being rebranded as “clean girl,” “French girl,” or “natural chic.”

But this is not the first time we have seen fashion romanticize the public’s financial strain. Just as the 2008 financial crisis gave rise to “normcore,” and the Great Depression birthed homemade dresses from feed sacks, today’s recession-core finds beauty in the undone, the imperfect, and most importantly, the accessible. It is a quiet rejection of the polished influencer perfection that has previously dominated our social media feeds.

Fashion Gets Real

Even in clothing, signs of the recession ripple through the seams. There is a rise in rewearing, outfit repeating, and the visible mending of different fashion trends. Clothing rental services are booming, not just for sustainability, but also for affordability. Designers at Fashion Week this past year leaned heavily into lived-in textures, including: frayed denim, exposed seams, disheveled layering, and a muted, dirt-washed palette. Think: “morning after the rave” meets “late for work because the subway stalled.”

Beauty brands are adjusting to this economic shift too. Multipurpose products such as lip-and-cheek tints, all-in-one balms, and solid skincare have been dominating the shelves. Consumers are cutting down their 10-step routines in favor of their three reliable favorites. The new status symbol? Not having drawers full of products, but knowing how to stretch one tube of concealer to its final dot.

Recession-core or Resistance?

The shift also hints at a larger cultural fatigue. As economic anxieties mount, and the cost of living outpaces the masses’ wages, beauty becomes both a battleground and a lipbalm. Embracing “imperfect beauty” can be a quiet form of rebellion, an anti-capitalist shrug at the systems that tell us we must buy more to be more. In this sense, recession-core is not just about scarcity, it is more about strategy. It is also about rewriting beauty standards to fit our realities and not just our credit card limits.

So the next time you see a smudged wing or a bare nail, do not assume it is simply just a trend. It might just be a person making do, making art out of limits,

and still making it fashion.

—The Kline Collective

The Rule of 7: The Simple Math Behind an Eye-Catching Outfit

by Bri Brzytwa | June 16th, 2025

If you have ever looked in the mirror and thought, Why does this outfit feel flat?, you are definitely not alone. This might be obvious to some, but fashion is not always about trends; it is about balance, texture, contrast, and a little bit of intentional chaos. Enter: the Rule of 7. This rule is generally a minimalist formula with maximalist potential, and with that, it is the low-effort, high-impact styling trick your closet did not even know it needed.

Playing by the Rules

The math is simple. Every item in your outfit gets a score:

1 point is strictly for basics. Think solid colors, standard cuts, familiar shapes. Examples: your go-to white tee, classic jeans, a black turtleneck, etc.

2 points are reserved for the sparks. These can be pieces with pattern, texture, shine, an unexpected silhouette, or an element that demands a second glance.

Then, add it all up. The goal? At least 7 points. If you have fewer than that, then your outfit might feel too safe. But once you hit 7, something magical shifts, and suddenly, you look styled. Not necessarily overthought, but interesting; alive and dressed with intention.

Basic Math, High Style

So, let’s break it down. A white button-down (1), denim jeans (1), and loafers (1)? While, yes, that is a clean slate, it is also kind of a snooze. Add a textured knit vest (2), a leopard-print bag (2), and chunky silver earrings (2), and boom, suddenly you are at 9. Effortless, cool, and absolutely no overthinking required.

Stylists and fashion editors have long used similar mental math. You might have heard people say an outfit needs a “third piece.” The Rule of 7 takes it further; it tends to more holistically accounts for pattern, shape, movement, and individuality.

Maximalism Is Not a Crime

Technically speaking, you are not “supposed” to go over 9 or 10 according to the Rule of 7. But who is really counting? If your closet leans eclectic, flamboyant, or chaotic-good, just embrace it. Think Anna Piaggi or Carrie Bradshaw; both are women who collect their fashion rather than curate is. For you, the Rule of 7 can be less a ceiling and more a launchpad for any and all of your fashion endeavors.

Sometimes you will hit 12 and still look perfectly balanced because you have layered thoughtfully: a printed silk scarf with a leather jacket over a vintage slip with fishnets and a structured tote. When done right, maximalism can become almost harmonious.

The Rule’s Secret Power

The Rule of 7 is not about conformity, but it is about self-awareness. Without a doubt, using this rule regularly will train your eye. Suddenly, you understand why that outfit from last week felt too plain, or why throwing on a velvet belt and switching to boots with contrast stitching brought the whole look to life.

This rule is almost guaranteed to help you build smarter outfits without relying on trends. Instead of buying something new, you learn how to use what you already have and wear it well. It is a subtle form of sustainable fashion that is entirely rooted in rethinking your closet rather than replacing what is in it.

How to Start Using the Rule of 7

Take inventory: Look through your wardrobe and mentally score your go-to pieces. Which are your 2s? Which basics (1s) can be elevated?

Layer wisely: Add scarves, statement jewelry, textured bags, and maybe some funky socks with personality. Accessories are the easiest way to bump up your score.

Play with silhouettes: Try volume, asymmetry, or structure in unexpected places. Even a basic tee becomes a 2 when it is cropped, draped, or sheer.

Go monochrome?: One-color outfits can still be high-scoring if you layer leather, satin, ribbed knits, or mesh.

In a world that continually obsesses over the rules of fashion, this one is worth keeping in your back pocket because it empowers you to create intentionally rather than limiting you. Whether you stop at 7 or blast past 10, remember: your style is a reflection of your energy. And the Rule of 7? It is just the spark.

—The Kline Collective

Messy Girls Have More Fun: The Return of Fashion’s Most Chaotic and Alluring Aesthetic

by Brielle Brzytwa | June 11th, 2025

In a fashion era increasingly obsessed with polished, curated grids, dewy skin, “quiet luxury” uniformity, the return of the messy girl aesthetic feels like a welcome sigh of relief. She is back: disheveled, chronically offline, and emotionally layered. She wears her eyeliner smudged and her vintage slip dress with last night’s boots. She does not own a steamer.

But make no mistake, this is not laziness; it is a statement.

The messy girl rejects the hyper-productivity and hyper-consumption cycles of the fashion industrial complex. Instead, she embodies a far more lived-in ethos of reduce, reuse, recycle, but in this case, make it fashion. Her wardrobe is a mix of hand-me-downs, consignment treasures, and impulse thrift finds. She definitely does not buy to post; she buys to wear things into the ground.

From Mary-Kate’s Latte to Tumblr’s Heyday

Historically, this look dominated the early 2000s. Think: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, with their Starbucks cups, cigarettes, giant sunglasses, Balenciaga bags, and floor-dragging scarves. They looked like they had not slept in days, and it worked for them. It was not giving “model off-duty,” but it was heiress on the verge.

Then came early-2010s Tumblr culture. Messy buns, smeared mascara, ripped tights, and oversized cardigans became the romantic symbols of a seemingly misunderstood girl. For example, the sad girl, the hot mess, the intellectual insomniac. Fashion as self-expression snowballed gently into fashion as confession.

Now, as Gen Z reclaims this archive of fashion, the messy aesthetic returns not just as a vibe, but as a political statement.

Chronically Offline, Radically Present

The messy girl, so to speak, is anti-Instagram and pro-intuition. She dresses not for clout but for her own sense of comfort and chaos. She does not believe in capsule wardrobes or style algorithms. She layers with no rules. She re-wears clothes. She smells like patchouli and old books. She is deeply suspicious of influencer culture. She is radically present in her own world, which means she might forget to brush her hair, but she certainly will not dare to forget who she truly is.

In the post-pandemic world, fashion has become increasingly digitized, branded, and algorithmically targeted, but the messy girl represents a rejection of such perfection. Her aesthetic jeeringly whispers the words, “I exist beyond your grid.”

The Politics of Disarray

The appeal of this kind of messiness goes beyond style because, as I said earlier, it is deeply political. Women have historically been expected to be tidy, composed, and beautiful in an inherently digestible way. Messiness, in contrast, disrupts the male gaze. It says: I am not here to be palatable.

From the punk movement’s ripped fishnets to grunge’s dirty flannels, messy dressing has always emerged during periods of cultural tension. Today, it has resurfaced as a soft protest against overconsumption, social surveillance, and the pressure to constantly self-optimize.

Where the "clean girl" aesthetic implies discipline, wealth, and invisibility, the messy girl demands space, and as such, she does not apologize for occupying it.

Style Tips from the Modern Messy Girl

Layer with abandon. Think silk slips over thermals, cardigans over coats, mismatched patterns. Let things wrinkle. Let the pieces speak for themselves.
Shop secondhand first. Embrace the thrill of the thrift. Your outfit does not necessarily need a backstory that was curated by a PR firm.
Accessorize like you forgot to take them off. Scarves, headphones, safety pins, beat-up ballet flats. Your jewelry should not match if your mood does not.
Wear things out. That hoodie with the hole in the sleeve? That is character. That is fashion that has been lived, not performed.

A Clean Conscience in a Wrinkled Shirt

What makes the messy girl aesthetic particularly poignant today is its undercurrent of sustainability. In a culture where newness is almost blatantly fetishized, she finds beauty in the worn. The clothes in her closet do not follow a seasonal trend cycle, instead they follow her life. They tell stories.

She reminds us that fashion does not have to be fast or flawless to be meaningful. She lives in her clothing. She spills wine in it. She cries in it. She wakes up in it. And still, she is unbothered by any of this.

In 2025, the messy girl is not a disaster; she has become an icon of resistance.

—The Kline Collective

Cosmic Magnetism: Why Your Closet Should Embody the Energy of Your Venus Sign

by Bri Brzytwa | June 2nd, 2025

In the symbolic tapestry of astrology, Venus reigns over beauty, romance, aesthetics, and the art of attraction. To know your Venus sign is to uncover how you magnetize desire—what you find beautiful, and how you hope to be perceived. While your sun governs identity and your moon rules emotion, your Venus placement reveals the fashion codes that truly seduce and express intimacy.

Unlike fast-moving trends, dressing for your Venus sign is a practice rooted in personal mythology. It’s about depth, not decoration—communicating desire, power, and sensuality on your own terms.

Let’s take one of the most enigmatic Venus placements as a case study: Scorpio Venus.

The Sartorial Alchemy of Mystery and Power

For example, venus in Scorpio (mine) doesn’t merely dress to impress—they dress to imprint. This is the placement of the fashion alchemist, someone who instinctively understands how to use clothing not as performance, but as spellwork. In Scorpio’s domain, beauty is never passive. It is sharp, transformative, and sometimes dangerous.

The Scorpio Venus woman—or anyone channeling her aesthetic—often rejects overt glamor in favor of suggestive minimalism. Think of the subversive simplicity of Ann Demeulemeester, the anonymity-as-armor approach of Martin Margiela, or the dark romanticism of Helmut Lang in the late '90s. These designers helped shape an era of fashion that centered mystique over excess, power over prettiness.

Historically, Scorpio Venus style echoes the femme fatale archetype that rose to prominence during the film noir era of the 1940s: think silk slip dresses paired with trench coats, veiled hats, sharp tailoring—garments that hinted at inner danger rather than external sweetness.

How to Dress Your Scorpio Venus

1. Seductive Silhouettes, Not Skin
Scorpio Venus favors precision over provocation. Seek out pieces that play with structure: long leather trenches, sharply tailored blazers, bias-cut dresses. Silhouettes should hug or hang with intentionality—not to show off, but to control the gaze.

2. Textural Depth Over Color Pop
Historically, the Scorpio Venus palette is rooted in the gothic and the elemental: black, oxblood, petroleum blue, ash gray. Instead of bright hues, lean into the emotional richness of velvet, distressed leather, raw silk, and moiré. Texture becomes your color.

3. Undone Elegance
Think early 2000s Hedi Slimane for Dior Homme, or Rick Owens’ dystopian layering. Clothing shouldn’t look like it tried too hard—there’s always a sense of restraint, of having made a decision not to be obvious. A sheer top under a boxy jacket; perfectly lived-in boots; an undone button.

4. Signature Pieces with Aura
A Scorpio Venus doesn’t cycle through trends—they build an aura. Invest in pieces that hold symbolic or emotional weight: a vintage ring with a secret engraving, a perfume that smells like earth and ink (try: Byredo’s Black Saffron or Diptyque’s L’Ombre Dans L’Eau). Margiela’s Tabi boots, with their split-toe silhouette borrowed from traditional Japanese footwear, are a perfect example: odd, polarizing, unforgettable—much like a Scorpio Venus.

The Philosophy Behind It

Dressing for your Venus sign is not costume—it’s cosmic coherence. It's also a rejection of the capitalist trend cycle in favor of astro-informed intentionality. The Scorpio Venus wardrobe is built to last, not to perform. This aligns with movements in fashion history that have pushed back against disposable beauty: the Japanese deconstructionists of the 1980s (like Yohji Yamamoto and Rei Kawakubo), or the rise of anti-fashion in the post-9/11 era when subtlety and shadow became modes of resilience.

It’s no coincidence that a Scorpio Venus gravitates toward brands and garments with longevity and secrecy—clothing that invites interpretation, not commentary.

Venus in the Closet

What sets dressing by Venus apart from dressing by rising or sun sign is its intimacy. Venus tells you not only what makes you attractive to others, but what makes you feel worthy of love and beauty. For Scorpio Venus, that worth is built not in approval, but in command—of mystery, allure, and unapologetic depth.

Where others wear clothes to be seen, Scorpio Venus dresses to haunt.

Closing Notes

To dress for your Venus sign is to practice self-devotion, not self-promotion. It is to ask: what do I desire—and how do I want to be desired? And for Scorpio Venus, the answer is always: with reverence, curiosity, and a little fear.

-- The Kline Collective

In Defense of the Tabi: Martin Margiela’s Most Polarizing Shoe

By Brielle Brzytwa | May 26th, 2025

Few fashion items have stirred as much fascination, confusion, and controversy in recent years as the Tabi shoe. The shoe was designed by the elusive Belgian designer Martin Margiela for his debut collection in 1989. The split-toe silhouette slightly resembled the cloven hoof of a horse or the traditional Japanese tabi. The shoe’s design has walked the fine line between the grotesque and the divine for over three decades. Loved by fashion insiders, loathed by skeptics, and endlessly memed online, the Tabi is undeniably a fashion statement, and it is time we stop mocking it and start respecting it.

The Footprint of History

To understand the Tabi boot or flat, we must first understand the Japanese tabi from which it draws its name and design. The original tabi species dated back to the 15th century Muromachi period; they were soft, split-toe socks worn with traditional footwear like zori or geta. Their signature design separated the big toe from the rest of the foot, as this was believed to aid one’s balance and mobility, especially when paired with thong-style sandals.

In the early 20th century, a sturdier, rubber-soled version known as the jika-tabi was introduced by the Japanese company Ishikawa Brothers (which would later become the well-known brand Marugo). These were worn by laborers, farmers, and construction workers and prized for their grip, agility, and ergonomic support. Over time, the tabi became a functional and deeply embedded part of Japanese life and identity.

So when Martin Margiela, a designer known for his intentions of subversion and deconstruction, unveiled his heeled, leather version of the tabi in Paris, he was not just borrowing a silhouette, but he was also transporting centuries of utility and cultural symbolism into the realm of high fashion.

The Avant-Garde Rebellion

When Margiela introduced the Tabi boot in 1989, his models left white-painted footprints along the catwalk; this was a haunting trace of their passage, as well as a metaphor for the designer’s philosophy of presence through absence. In Margiela’s world, identity was not about the spectacle of the self but about the trace, the afterimage, the idea.

The Tabi boot embodied this perfectly. Its design was awkward, disruptive, unapologetic, as it split the foot in a way that made people in the western world uncomfortable. That discomfort was the point. In an industry that is frequently obsessed with sleek silhouettes and sexualized femininity, the Tabi forced viewers to confront the raw shape of the body, to question why elegance must always conform to Western ideals of symmetry and sensuality.

A Cultural Critique

Margiela’s Tabi was more so a commentary on cultural appropriation, globalization, and fashion’s obsession with novelty than a quirky design choice. By adapting the Japanese tabi into a leather boot with a Western fashion context, Margiela did not necessarily intend to erase the origins of the design, but he sought to force the fashion elite to reckon with the East/West dynamic that is inherently embedded into so many contemporary trends.

Even today, the Tabi remains a conversation piece, not a trend to be passively worn. The boot has since been adapted into flats, loafers, etc. They encourage us to look more closely at the way fashion borrows, transforms, and reimagines tradition; they invite us to think critically about the aesthetic line between the beautiful and the bizarre.

From Paris to TikTok

Despite its intellectual pedigree, the Tabi has become an unexpected viral sensation in the past few years. TikTok creators show off their thrifted Tabis, often in couples with matching designs. Fashion influencers style them with low-rise jeans and oversized leather jackets. Even those who mock them cannot seem to stop talking about them—and therein lies the Tabi’s power.

The more the Tabi is dismissed as “weird” or “ugly,” the more it fulfills its original purpose to disrupt, to demand attention, to split the norm down the middle just as it did the toe. In a fashion culture that is being increasingly defined by a sort of algorithmic sameness, the Tabi offers friction, and friction is often where style is born.

How to Wear the Tabi with Intention

For those bold enough to wear them, Tabis are surprisingly adaptable. Pair them with structured trousers for a sleek silhouette, or lean into their heritage with wide-legged, more utilitarian pieces. They undoubtedly are capable of adding intrigue to rather minimalist looks and edge to more romantic styles. The key, of course, is intentionality because the Tabi is not a neutral shoe; depending on who you are, it can be an opinion, a punctuation mark, an opening argument.

Whether you opt for the classic boot, Mary Janes, loafers, or Maison Margiela’s recent sneaker variations, the Tabi is less about fitting in and more about stepping forward with a purpose.

Final Thoughts

To defend the Tabi is to defend conceptual fashion, or fashion that interrogates and preserves history while simultaneously rewriting it. Margiela’s Tabi boot is a unique accessory in the literal sense of the words, yes, but it also a reminder that what we wear has the power to question the systems, cultures, and the very definitions of beauty to which respond.

So I say, sure, go ahead. Yes, wear the shoe that splits opinions and toes alike. I do not think that the Tabi was ever really trying to to be liked or mainstream; it was trying to be remembered. Really, what better legacy is there than that?

—The Kline Collective

Waist Not, Want Not: The Rise, Fall, and Return of the Whale Tail

By Bri Brzytwa | May 19th, 2025

Few fashion trends are capable of sparking as much debate and fascination as the infamous “whale tail.” Defined by the visible peeking of a thong above the waistband of low-rise pants, the whale tail became a sartorial symbol of the early 2000s. Equal parts risqué and rebellious, the whale tail blurred the lines between underwear and outerwear, and it sparked conversation about the spectacle of the body in the fashion scene. Now, two decades later, it is back, and it has been refashioned by a new generation of style icons who are reclaiming its meaning and making it their own.

From Taboo to Trendy

The whale tail surged into the mainstream in the late '90s and early 2000s, as pop culture figures like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Paris Hilton strutted red carpets and paparazzi-covered sidewalks in ultra low-rise jeans that offered teasing glimpses of their thongs. This style was often seen paired with cropped tanks and rhinestone belly chains; this was the look that many say defined the Y2K aesthetic. For the time, it was the epitome of bold, body-conscious, and unapologetically sexy.

The term "whale tail" itself was coined for the thong's resemblance to a whale's tail emerging from the sea. Said term was often used with a mix of awe and derision. While some celebrated the trend for its embrace of sexual confidence, others characterized it as tacky or attention-seeking. Mainstream media framed it as a fashion faux pas, and by the late 2000s, high-rise denim and minimalist underwear pushed the whale tail into a virtual fashion exile.

Subversion or Spectacle?

What makes the whale tail compelling is how it operates at the intersection of fashion, sexuality, and control. In the early 2000s, for example, it became a lightning rod for critiques about the hypersexualization of the female celebrity and, more generally, the policing of women’s bodies. Tabloids often weaponized the trend and casted its wearers as either being overtly scandalous or lacking taste, which reinforced an unfortunately narrow standard of femininity.

But today's resurgence tells a different story. Designers like Miu Miu, Diesel, and Versace have brought the whale tail back onto the runway, with visible thongs being embedded into skirts and pants as built-in details rather than wardrobe malfunctions. Celebrities like Dua Lipa, Bella Hadid, and Zendaya have styled the look on their own terms. This tells us that this time, the whale tail is not about objectification, but instead, it is about ownership. It is an almost nostalgic nod to Y2K, yes, but also a bold commentary on autonomy and body visibility for women and other wearers.

Owning It in 2025

If find that you are ready to dip into the daring waters of this trend, there are countless ways to make it modern, elevated, and uniquely yours:

Intentional Layers: Choose pants or skirts that are designed with exposed waistbands or visible lingerie elements, similar to the ones mentioned prior. Brands are now producing thongs with decorative straps that are meant to be seen, not hidden, so use that to your advantage!

Balance: Let the statement piece shine by keeping the rest of your outfit simple. Think a crisp oversized blazer over low-rise trousers, with a flash of branded thong peeking out; maybe Calvin Klein, for example.

Lean Into It: Pair your whale tail with other Y2K staples like baby tees, cargo pants, or butterfly clips, but do so selectively in order to avoid a costume effect. Combining old and new fashion trends can create a certain look that feels referential but current.

Gender Fluidity: Although being historically seen as a feminine trend, the whale tail’s revival is increasingly gender-inclusive. Artists like Lil Nas X and Troye Sivan are challenging its gendered boundaries and proving that sensuality does not necessarily have to be binary.

Confidence: More than any specific fabric or fit, the key to pulling off the whale tail is confidence. This trend invites you to embrace your body, flirt with the norms of fashion, and express a new and cheeky kind of power.

Final Thoughts

The whale tail’s re-emergence has proven to be more than just a trend cycle; it is a cultural reclamation. It was once derided as emblematic of tastelessness or overexposure, but it now stands as a symbol of choice, identity, and playful defiance. I mean, fashion has always flirted with visibility and taboo, so why stop now? The whale tail, in its 2025 revival, is a contemporary reminder that what was once considered “too much” might just be the perfect amount of bold.

—The Kline Collective

Damson Madder and the Quiet Rebellion of Conscious Cool
by Bri Brzytwa | May 12th, 2025

As so many fashion discoveries do, it started with a bag.

I was checking out customers at work whilst in a quiet mid-afternoon lull. That was, until one customer in particular struck me. She was an older woman with silver streaks running aimlessly through her coiled hair, and she was dressed in loose denim and a pale graphic tee that looked perfectly worn in. Slung over her shoulder was a bright pink drawstring bag that was oversized, plaid, and confidently out of place. I complimented her, unable to help myself, and she beamed, “Damson Madder. Look them up.” I quickly pulled out my phone to leave myself a note for later.

What I found when I looked them up was definitely something different. This was not another minimalist, sustainable basics brand and not anything close to a maximalist cottagecore fantasy. Instead, Damson Madder has made its name on punchy, purpose-driven designs with a distinctly London sensibility. Upon viewing their website, you can easily find breezy silhouettes, deadstock patchwork, subversive florals, and a sort of cheery rebelliousness that feels both nostalgic and now.

Damson Madder was founded in London in 2020 with the clear vision to create fashion-forward, sustainably made clothing that does not compromise its personality. Launched by Emma Hill, a veteran of the high street fashion world, the brand emerged in response to the growing demand for transparency and ethical production within the industry. The name itself is a nod to both nature and heritage by combining the damson fruit (a plum-like fruit associated with traditional English gardens) and “madder,” a plant used historically to produce natural red dye. From its inception, Damson Madder has embraced upcycling, garment dyeing, and limited runs.

What sets Damson Madder apart in an oversaturated marketplace of "eco-chic" is that their sustainability does not feel sanitized. The garments, like their oversized gingham jackets, drawstring balloon dresses, and hyper-pigmented separates, do not scream virtue; they whisper cool. There is a deliberate awkwardness to their shapes, an imperfection in their dye work, a feeling that this clothing was made with hands and not algorithms. They resist the over-tailored and overly trend-chased, and in doing so, make their wearers feel like characters instead of mannequins.

Critics of slow fashion often point to its bland aesthetic or inaccessibility, but Damson Madder proves that sustainability does not necessarily need to be boring or beige. Their recent drops have featured asymmetric ruffle sets in electric lilac, painterly daisy prints on boxy cropped coats, and those now-iconic gingham patchwork bags. Every item seems to hold a sense of its own narrative, or in other words, wearability that can defy such disposable trends.

The "cool girl" uniform has been flattened by TikTok hauls and Instagram sameness, but Damson Madder feels like a whisper of individuality. There is also something inherently British about their irreverence; they seem to embrace fashion as personality, politics, and play. It is a brand that makes you want to ask strangers about their bags, skirts, or jackets, if they come from them; it invites curiosity.

Wearing Damson Madder is about rewriting its terms of the traditional fashion system; it is about existing in the middle ground between high and low, thrift and new, beautiful and strange, to name a few. This brand is undeniably for the girl who thrifts 90% of her wardrobe but splurges on a Damson Madder ruffle blouse because she knows it will last in both quality and memory.

Sometimes, the best fashion conversations begin with a single compliment, and sometimes, a pink plaid bag is an invitation into a different kind of style story.

—The Kline Collective

Diana Vreeland: The Original High Priestess of Fashion

By Bri Brzytwa | April 28th, 2025

When we talk about the icons who truly shaped the fashion world, we have to start with Diana Vreeland. She did not just dress it, but she reimagined it. Because of this, her name evokes an almost instant mental image of bold glamour, visionary creativity, and a fearless belief in the transformative power of style. More than just a fashion editor, Vreeland was a cultural force and dream weaver who made fashion a matter of fantasy and identity.

Parisian Upbringing, New York Elite

Born in Paris in 1903, Diana Dalziel (later Vreeland) grew up surrounded by elegance but still chose to carve her own unique path. After moving to New York in her teens, she brought with her a European sensibility that would later define her aesthetic; it was chic, daring, and utterly unapologetic.

Early on, she became known not for conventional beauty, but for her commanding style and presence, which became a lesson that she passed on to

generations of readers and designers alike.

The Rise of the Editor

Vreeland’s career took off in the 1930s when Harper’s Bazaar editor, Carmel Snow, invited her to join the magazine as a fashion columnist. There, she debuted her legendary "Why Don’t You?" column. It was a series of playful, wildly imaginative suggestions that made readers feel like they could live in a fantasy world of their own making. Here are a few examples:

“Why don't you…wash your child’s hair in champagne to make it blonder?” (Vreeland)

“Why don’t you…sweep into the drawing-room on your first big night with an enormous red-fox muff with many skins?” (Vreeland)

“Why don’t you…order Schiaparelli’s cellophane belt with your name and telephone number on it?” (Vreeland)

For Vreeland, it was not necessarily about practicality; it was about dreaming bigger, living louder. At Bazaar, Vreeland quickly rose through the ranks and helped to shape mid-century American fashion into something aspirational yet vibrant. She loved bold colors, exotic travels, and individuality at a time when conformity ruled the mainstream.

The Revolution of the 1960s

In 1962, Vreeland became Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, and from this point, everything changed. The sleek, "ladies-who-lunch" aesthetic of the '50s gave way to a new era of experimentation. Under her leadership, Vogue became a visual playground that was known for fusing art, youth culture, and the avant-garde aesthetic. She discovered and promoted major talents, including models like Twiggy, Lauren Hutton, and Veruschka, photographers like Richard Avedon and Irving Penn, and helped usher in the “Youthquake” of the '60s.

Her editorials did not just showcase clothes; they told stories. Through them, she created worlds. Vreeland turned Vogue into a theater of dreams where readers could escape, aspire, and find their own version of extraordinary.

The Power of Costume

After leaving Vogue in 1971, Vreeland’s streak did not slow down; she simply redirected her energy. As a special consultant to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, she transformed the role of fashion in museums. Before her, clothing exhibits were static, dusty affairs, but under Vreeland’s hand, they became dramatic, immersive experiences, celebrating fashion as high art. Her exhibitions, like The World of Balenciaga and Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design, blurred the line between fashion history and theater, which forever changed how we view fashion's place in our culture.

Imagination Over Perfection

Today, Diana Vreeland’s impact can be found everywhere. For example, we see it in the editorial storytelling of modern magazines, the extravagant world-building of couture runways, and the celebration of fashion as both fantasy and freedom.

Despite her passing following the summer of 1989, Vreeland has taught us that style was not about simply fitting in; instead, it was about standing out. Vreeland was undeniably all about owning your quirks, exaggerating your strengths, and living your own myth. Her most famous quote still resonates to this day:

“You don't have to be born beautiful to be wildly attractive” (Vreeland).

While Diana Vreeland often reported on trends, she was also well known for creating them, as well. More importantly, she inspired future generations to view fashion not as a frivolous pursuit, but as a profound and essential form of self-expression.

In a world that often pressures us toward sameness, Diana Vreeland’s legacy reminds us that style is personal, fashion is fantasy, and life should always be lived a little larger than necessary.

—The Kline Collective

The Quiet Catalyst: Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s Subtle Influence on Kate Moss’s Modeling Career | by Bri Brzytwa | April 21st, 2025

When fashion historians recall the major players who shaped the aesthetics of the 1990s, two names inevitably rise to the top. The first is Kate Moss, the unconventional supermodel whose ethereal presence transformed the industry. The second, of course, is Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, the Calvin Klein publicist-turned-American style icon. While Moss is often celebrated for her disruptive impact on fashion, few recognize the quieter figure who played a role in spotlighting her early career. More than just a publicist or a stylish wife of an American dynasty, Bessette-Kennedy left an indelible mark on the fashion world by helping to shape the minimalist aesthetic of the decade and offering strategic influence to newcomers behind the scenes.

Who Was Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy?

Before she was known as John F. Kennedy Jr.'s wife or the embodiment of American elegance, for that matter, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy was a fashion insider with a remarkable eye for style. She began her career working in sales at Calvin Klein and eventually rose through the ranks to become the director of public relations for the company’s high-profile celebrity and VIP accounts. From this point on, Bessette-Kennedy was curating image, refining the brand’s identity, and helping to define what 1990s fashion would look like.

Her personal style was marked by sleek silhouettes, neutral palettes, and effortless tailoring, which many thought to be a perfect fit with the Calvin Klein ethos. She was frequently seen in minimalist gowns, crisp white shirts, and subtly luxurious fabrics; her style was always understated and always iconic. Designers, editors, and photographers alike took note of her way of dress. Carolyn’s quiet confidence and unfussy approach to dressing made her a muse of the decade and a forerunner of the modern “clean girl” aesthetic that we see being popularized today.

The Calvin Klein Connection

Carolyn’s work at Calvin Klein placed her at the epicenter of one of the most influential fashion houses of the era. It was here, during the early 1990s, that she crossed paths with a then-teenage Kate Moss. Moss had been scouted at age 14 and was beginning to make waves with her unconventional look, which was far removed from the glamazon supermodels like Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell who dominated the runways at the time.

Moss’s debut Calvin Klein campaign was shot by Herb Ritts and later followed by her provocative ads with Mark Wahlberg. Her presence in the industry marked a seismic shift in fashion advertising. Gone were the bombshell curves; in their place stood a slight, androgynous figure with raw vulnerability and magnetic presence. Bessette-Kennedy played a key role in facilitating Moss’s presence within the brand and embracing the stark realism she brought to the table. She reportedly helped prepare Moss for fittings, structured her image internally, and provided support as Moss navigated the high-pressure world of fashion at such a young age.

Moss and Bessette-Kennedy’s Shared Aesthetic

What united Moss and Bessette-Kennedy, aside from their Calvin Klein ties, was their shared aesthetic. This was one that celebrated natural beauty, minimal makeup, and anti-glamour. While Moss was redefining beauty on the pages of magazines and billboards, Bessette-Kennedy was embodying the same philosophy in her day-to-day presence. Both rejected excess in favor of simplicity, and in a fashion culture previously dominated by opulence and spectacle, their influence felt like a breath of fresh air.

It is no coincidence that Moss’s look became synonymous with Calvin Klein's minimalist campaigns during Bessette-Kennedy’s tenure. The two helped carve out space for a new kind of femininity that was rooted in authenticity, cool restraint, and quiet power.

A Personal Bond and Public Presence

Beyond professional connections, Moss and Bessette-Kennedy formed a friendship that was documented in the fashion press of the time. They were photographed together at Calvin Klein events, including the brand’s famed Bryant Park after-party in 1993, where they exuded a relaxed elegance that defied the industry’s performative tendencies. Their mutual respect and stylistic synergy further cemented their parallel roles in shaping fashion during the decade.

Moss, although she was known for her edge and British irreverence, often spoke about the women she admired in the industry. For her, those were the ones who carried themselves with grace, vision, and quiet influence. Bessette-Kennedy was undeniably one of them. Their bond exemplified the undercurrent of sisterhood and mentorship that often goes unseen in fashion but plays a vital role in shaping career and style legacies.

Style as Influence, Not Spectacle

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s influence on Kate Moss’s early trajectory is a powerful reminder of how behind-the-scenes figures often hold the keys to shaping the cultural narrative. She did not necessarily chase fame or visibility; instead, she used her platform to elevate others and define a lasting aesthetic that would be recognizable for years to come.

Today, both women remain icons; Moss for her transformative modeling career and Bessette-Kennedy for her timeless style and visionary instincts. The intersection of their paths at Calvin Klein marks a significant, although often overlooked moment in fashion history. This was a passing of the minimalist torch from the woman behind the scenes to the face that would come to define the decade.

In an industry that often thrives on spectacle, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy proved that style does not necessarily need to shout to be heard. In helping to amplify Kate Moss’s quiet power as a model, she ensured that the future of fashion would listen lovingly.

— The Kline Collective

The Turtleneck That Changed Fashion: Sharon Stone’s Iconic 1996 Oscars Look

by Bri Brzytwa | April 14th, 2025

In 1996, the Oscars red carpet was taken by storm, but this time it was not by a custom couture gown; it was by the simple fact that Sharon Stone wore a Gap turtleneck to the event. Her unconventional choice shocked the fashion world and turned heads for all the right reasons.

Stone’s impromptu outfit would unknowingly forever change the way people viewed Gap, pushing the brand from the realm of everyday basics into the conversation of high fashion. But how did a simple turtleneck from Gap become one of the most iconic red carpet moments in fashion history? Well, let’s take a closer look at this unforgettable moment and the legacy it has left behind.

A Fashion Emergency

Sharon Stone was originally planning to wear a custom-made Vera Wang dress for the 1996 Academy Awards. However, as fate would have it, disaster struck. Stone’s highly anticipated gown, which was to be delivered to her in time for the event, fell off the delivery truck.

With no time to replace it and the Oscars quickly approaching, she was left in a fashion emergency. Faced with limited options, Stone decided to go with what she had on hand, which ended up being a backup look featuring a simple, yet stylish, black Gap turtleneck that she paired with a satin Valentino skirt and Armani tuxedo dress.

Rather than panic, Stone used her creativity to elevate the look. She pinned a white flower from her garden to the jacket and confidently made her way down the red carpet. The result was a look that was not only unexpected but also refreshingly modern and understated. Her sheer confidence in wearing Gap for the biggest night in Hollywood turned the outfit into a moment of pure brilliance.

Turning Simple into Statement

While some might have thought of the turtleneck and accessories as too simple for the Oscars, Sharon Stone’s approach proved otherwise.

The outfit was a perfect blend of high and low fashion. The Gap piece was grounded in practicality, which was something Stone embraced in order to make a statement about accessibility in luxury. In doing so, she showed that an outfit did not have to be a couture gown to capture the attention of millions or make an impact on the red carpet.

Her choice to wear Gap for the Oscars was a deliberate subversion of high fashion expectations. At a time when the Hollywood fashion scene was dominated by custom, high-end designer gowns, Stone’s minimalist look proved that simplicity and elegance could go hand in hand. The juxtaposition of everyday style with high-end accessories, like the Armani jacket she wore, elevated the entire look and made it feel like a new kind of luxury.

From Basic to High Fashion

Before this pivotal moment, Gap was largely seen as a casual, mass-market brand that was famous for its affordable denim and basic t-shirts. Sharon Stone’s Oscars appearance changed that overnight. The world saw that fashion did not necessarily need to be about exclusivity or couture, but it could be about making confident choices, no matter where you bought your clothes. This newfound visibility for Gap propelled

the brand into the fashion spotlight, as more and more people began to view it as a brand capable of chic, elevated style.

In the years that followed, Gap started collaborating with designers and launching innovative collections that incorporated more luxury elements. The ripple effects of Sharon Stone’s red carpet moment continued to shape the way the fashion industry viewed streetwear and mass-market brands, thus showing that quality, style, and elegance could all come from unexpected places.

Fashion Beyond the Red Carpet

Sharon Stone’s decision to wear Gap in 1996 remains a defining moment in fashion history. It marked the beginning of a cultural shift in how we perceive fashion and its accessibility. No longer were expensive designer gowns the only option for high-profile events; now, the potential to make an impact is in the hands of anyone with the right attitude and the right piece, no matter where it comes from.

Today, Gap may not be seen as “high fashion” in the traditional sense, but Stone’s iconic Oscars look will always be remembered as a pivotal moment in the democratization of style. It is a reminder that fashion is as much about personal expression and confidence as it is about the brand name or the price tag. Stone’s outfit redefined what it meant to be stylish and brought a sense of approachability to the red carpet, creating a lasting legacy for Gap as more than just a casual-wear brand.

Why Stone’s Oscars Look Still Matters

What makes Sharon Stone’s 1996 Oscars red carpet moment so important is its lasting cultural impact. Although it could have just been perceived as a wardrobe malfunction or an offbeat choice, it was perceived as a statement. Stone challenged the fashion norms of her time, which showed that style is about much more than couture. In doing so, she helped turn Gap from a basic brand into a symbol of understated elegance and high fashion potential.

Fashion, above all, is about confidence, creativity, and the willingness to redefine people’s expectations. This iconic look will forever serve as a testament to the power of simplicity and how one bold fashion choice can change an entire industry forever.

— The Kline Collective

What It Means to Be a Muse: The Women Who Inspire Fashion and Beauty | by Brielle Brzytwa | April 7th, 2025

Throughout the history of art and media, muses have played an essential role in shaping the fashion and beauty industries. A muse is more than just your commonplace model or ambassador; she is a source of inspiration, a symbol of creativity, and a reflection of the cultural moment. From legendary figures like Audrey Hepburn and Naomi Campbell to contemporary icons like Zendaya and Bella Hadid, muses have the ability to define eras, influence trends, and challenge the status quo. But what does it truly mean to be a muse, especially for women and girls who dream of leaving their mark on the industry?

The Power of Presence

Being a muse is not just about physical beauty, it requires presence. A true muse can captivate designers, makeup artists, and photographers with not only her looks but with confidence, individuality, and an unmistakable aura. Some muses, like Kate Moss, have redefined beauty standards with their unique charm, while others, like Rihanna, bring a fearless attitude that transforms the way we see style. The modern muse is not just someone who represents fashion; she embodies it; she has the ability to shape how trends evolve and how brands communicate their vision to the world.

Historically, muses have held immense influence over the artistic direction of designers and the industry at large. Consider the impact of Marchesa Luisa Casati, the eccentric Italian heiress who inspired designers like John Galliano and Alexander McQueen with her theatrical style and fearless self-expression. Similarly, Josephine Baker, the well-celebrated American-born French entertainer, was a muse to Christian Dior and Balmain. She undeniably redefined elegance and challenged the existing racial barriers within high fashion. These figures demonstrate that a muse’s impact is not only about her beauty but also about her boldness to enact change and redefine societal norms.

Authenticity Over Perfection

In an age where social media has made everyone a potential trendsetter, the idea of the muse,once an elusive title to achieve, has become rather accessible.. Women and girls who embrace their individuality, experiment with their style, and use their platforms to express these aspects of themselves can all embody the essence of a muse. The beauty industry, which was once driven by such rigid social ideals, now finds inspiration from the diversity, self-expression, and the raw authenticity of real women who refuse to conform.

This contemporary shift can be traced back to the muses who broke away from conventional standards in previous decades. In the 1960s, Twiggy’s androgynous look disrupted the classic hourglass body ideal, while the 1970s saw Bianca Jagger’s effortless cool redefine the notion of power dressing. More recently, figures like Adwoa Aboah have taken the strides to champion mental health advocacy alongside their modeling careers, which only further proves that today’s muses are not only fashion icons but also committed to their roles as cultural changemakers. The growing embrace of authenticity over unattainable perfection is beginning to signal a broader cultural movement that celebrates imperfection as a larger form of beauty.

Challenging the Norms

The most influential muses are able to challenge industry standards and push for representation. Think of trailblazers like Alek Wek, who helped to change our perceptions of beauty, or Billie Eilish, who redefined femininity in fashion by embracing baggy clothes and rejecting conventional silhouettes. These women inspire designers, makeup artists, and even consumers to rethink what we consider desirable, proving that a muse’s impact goes far beyond aesthetics; being a modern muse has become about reshaping narratives and making space for new voices.

In the past, muses often served as passive figures who were admired solely for their beauty but not credited for their influence on the creative process. Today, however, muses are taking control of their own narratives. Diana Vreeland, the legendary editor of Vogue, once remarked that "... the eye has to travel," (Vreeland). This, without a doubt, emphasizes the role of muses in shaping visual culture. But now, muses like Zendaya, Solange Knowles, and Tracee Ellis Ross are creative directors, designers, and storytellers in their own right, thus proving to the public that the modern muse is no longer just the subject of admiration but an active participant in shaping the industry.

Becoming Your Own Muse

For women and girls who look up to fashion and beauty icons, the ultimate takeaway is this: you do not have to wait for an industry to deem you a muse. You can be your own. To do this, embrace your personal style, take risks, and find confidence in what makes you unique. Fashion and beauty are not just about following trends, but it is also about inspiring them. The world’s next great muse could be any woman who dares to step into her power and redefine the rules, including you.

From historical muses who redefined cultural aesthetics to modern figures shaping inclusivity and self-expression, the essence of being a muse has undeniably evolved. In a world constantly searching for fresh inspiration, the true muses are those who stay unapologetically themselves. Who knows?

The next game-changing influence in fashion and beauty could be you.

—The Kline Collective

Miss Dior: The Fragrance That Defined Elegance and Rebellion

by Brielle Brzytwa and Meredith Musial | March 31st, 2025

Few fragrances have captured the essence of femininity and French sophistication quite like Miss Dior. More than just a perfume, Miss Dior is a symbol of artistry, resilience, and timeless allure; it is a scent that has evolved with the decades while staying true to its original spirit. From its post-war origins to its modern-day reinventions, Miss Dior’s history is a tale of fashion, revolution, and the enduring power of fragrance.

A Fragrance Born from War and Hope

When Christian Dior launched his first collection in 1947, the world was still reeling from the devastation of World War II. Paris, which was once the epicenter of high fashion, had been dimmed by wartime austerity. The fabric shortages and rationing tendencies of the war years had forced women into practical, utilitarian clothing. Dior, however, envisioned something different; something that would bring back beauty, luxury, and optimism.

His debut runway show, which was later known as the “New Look,” was a radical departure from the somber war-time styles. With its cinched waists, voluminous skirts, and an unapologetic embrace of femininity, the collection was a celebration of beauty, renewal, and womanhood.

But Dior knew that fashion was not just about what you wear, but it is also about how you feel. To complete his revolutionary vision, Dior needed a fragrance that embodied the grace, romance, and boldness of his designs, and thus, was born. The name itself was inspired by his sister, Catherine Dior, who was a member of the French Resistance. This further emphasized the strength and resilience that inspired the fragrance.

The Scent of Rebellion and Romance

Commissioned by Dior himself, the original Miss Dior (1947) was created by legendary perfumers Jean Carles and Paul Vacher. Unlike the light, powdery florals that had dominated the perfume industry prior to the war, Miss Dior was bold-smelling and unexpectedly colored.

Its scent was built around the chypre accord, a fragrance family known for its contrast between fresh citrus, rich florals, and deep, mossy undertones.

At its heart, there was a symphony of jasmine, gardenia, and rose that worked to emulate the lush gardens of Christian Dior’s childhood home in Granville, Normandy. What truly set Miss Dior apart was its earthy patchouli and oakmoss base; a daring, sensual contrast to its delicate floral top notes.

Dior once said that he created Miss Dior “... to wrap each woman in exquisite femininity, as if each of my dresses were emerging from the bottle one by one,” (Dior). It was both a fragrance of romance and quiet rebellion; a scent that dared women to embrace their femininity in an era that often confined them to otherwise rigid expectations.

Miss Dior Through the Decades

Like fashion, fragrance is never static. Over the years, Miss Dior has been reinterpreted to suit new generations, but its essence has always remained. Trends change, consumer preferences shift, and scent compositions evolve to reflect the cultural and aesthetic movements of their time.

Yet, Miss Dior has maintained its core identity, that being an emblem of elegance, sophistication, and a touch of bold femininity. Over the years, it has undergone numerous reinterpretations, each of which was shaped by the era in which it was crafted while still honoring the original vision of Christian Dior.

The Era of Classic Elegance

1950s-1970s: The original Miss Dior remained a favorite among fashion icons like Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, and Sophia Loren. These women embodied the poised yet playful spirit of the scent. This period also effortlessly cemented Miss Dior’s reputation as a sophisticated yet sensual fragrance that suited ballrooms as well as everyday elegance.

A Shift in Perfumery Trends

1980s-1990s: As fragrance trends shifted towards sweeter, more gourmand scents in the late 20th century, Miss Dior adapted subtly. The rich chypre notes were softened, and elements of softer florals and creamy woods were introduced to appeal to its modern consumers.

The Birth of Miss Dior Chérie

2005: Under the creative direction of John Galliano, Miss Dior Chérie was introduced as a more playful, youthful take on the classic scent. Created by Christine Nagel, it featured unexpected strawberry, caramel popcorn, and patchouli notes, which appealed to a younger generation of Dior lovers. It quickly became a cult favorite and was embraced by the early-2000s era of It Girls like Blake Lively and Keira Knightley.

The Return to Classicism

2011: In an effort to unify the branding of the Miss Dior line, Miss Dior Chérie was reformulated and renamed simply “Miss Dior.” This brought the scent closer to its original roots while still maintaining its contemporary appeal. The fragrance became softer and more refined, with an emphasis on rose, jasmine, and musk.

A New Chapter in Miss Dior’s Legacy

2021-Present: The most recent version of Miss Dior, which was composed by François Demachy, reimagines the fragrance as a bouquet of fresh flowers. This new variation is dominated by centifolia rose, lily of the valley, peony, and soft musks. The updated formula is lighter and more delicate, thus making it a perfect everyday scent that still carries the house’s vision of timeless elegance.

Why Miss Dior Still Reigns Supreme

Despite decades of reinvention, Miss Dior remains one of the most beloved perfumes in the world. It is a scent that has been worn by women of all ages. It has been passed down from mothers to daughters, embraced by celebrities, and adored by a variety of fashion and fragrance lovers.

Miss Dior’s success lies in its ability to balance tradition with reinvention. Whether in its original daring chypre-reminiscent scent or its modern floral interpretations, Miss Dior continues to embody the essence of elegance, passion, and a touch of rebellion, just as Christian Dior intended.

The Timeless Allure of Miss Dior

To gain further insight into what makes Miss Dior so enduringly beloved, I spoke with a self-proclaimed fragrance connoisseur and close friend of mine, Meredith Musial:

To further understand the value of a fragrance, we must look at three key aspects: packaging, scent, and wearability. Miss Dior passes these sections with flying colors. The elegance of the bottle, glass with a beautiful bow, and that timeless cursive writing elevate the perfume to designer status before you even smell it.

The top notes of this fragrance are intense florals of rose and jasmine, with a hint of mandarins, that immediately give you that classic feminine smell.

After a few minutes, the woody basenotes come through, offering a more matured scent with layers of femininity.

In terms of wearability, you will get looks and compliments all day long, and the smell will be ever present on your clothes the following day. When I first started diving deeper into the fragrance scene, arguably the most iconic scent in everyone’s collection was Miss Dior. Whether you prefer the vintage depth or the modern softness, Miss Dior offers a scent for every kind of woman.

A Scent Beyond Time

More than just a perfume, Miss Dior is a piece of fashion history; a fragrance that has witnessed the evolution of femininity, beauty, and personal expression. Whether you are drawn to its original boldness, the playfulness of Miss Dior Chérie, or the romanticism of its latest iteration, one thing remains true: Miss Dior is a feeling, a story, and a legacy in a bottle.

Von Dutch: The Meteoric Rise and Tumultuous Fall of a Cultural Icon
By Bri Brzytwa | March 24th, 2025

n the early 2000s, Von Dutch captured the zeitgeist of youth fashion with its edgy, countercultural appeal. The brand’s journey from underground niche to mainstream phenomenon is a striking tale of rapid ascent followed by an equally dramatic decline.

Here is an in-depth look at the brand’s evolution, where I will examine the cultural, historical, and fashion industry dynamics that defined its path.

The Birth of a Movement

Von Dutch emerged from a post-industrial landscape where anti-establishment sentiments and DIY culture were thriving. Founded in 1999 on the idea of defying the conventional norms of fashion, the brand’s early aesthetic was deeply influenced by motorcycle culture, rock 'n' roll, and the skateboarding scene.

Its founders, Michael Cassel and Bobby Vaughn, drew inspiration from a subculture that prized individuality and nonconformity over anything else. In its early days, Von Dutch was a clothing line that represented a lifestyle and a statement, with pieces that reflected a raw, unpolished edge. This authenticity resonated with the young demographic that sought to break away from mainstream trends. The brand was quickly established as a symbol of what was considered “underground cool.”

Embracing Mainstream Culture

As the new millennium progressed, the very attributes that once made Von Dutch a countercultural darling began to attract attention from the eyes of the broader fashion industry. Celebrities, athletes, and high-profile figures adopted the brand’s signature styles, most notably the iconic trucker hats, which turned them into coveted status symbols. High-fashion magazines and music videos began featuring Von Dutch, thus signaling its transition from niche subculture to mainstream recognition. Fashion houses that were always on the lookout for fresh narratives began to incorporate elements of the brand's rugged aesthetic into their collections. This crossover was undeniably a double-edged sword. While it propelled Von Dutch into global awareness, it also set the stage for its dilution as the brand’s original rebellious spirit was reinterpreted for a mass market audience.

The Price of Popularity

The rapid mainstream adoption of Von Dutch was not without consequence. As the brand’s imagery became ubiquitous, the exclusivity that once defined it began to wane. The fashion industry, notorious for its cycles of trend saturation, saw Von Dutch as being overexposed. Licensing deals, aggressive marketing campaigns, and a flood of counterfeit products further eroded the brand’s cachet. Longtime fans and industry insiders began to question whether the commercialization had stripped away the authentic, raw appeal that had once made Von Dutch unique. This loss of identity was even further compounded by shifting consumer tastes. As the fashion landscape evolved, the market’s appetite for edgy, countercultural narratives began to favor newer, more innovative voices, leaving Von Dutch struggling to maintain its relevance in a rapidly changing industry.

Lessons Learned

The rise and fall of Von Dutch serves as a poignant case study in the volatility of fashion trends and the challenges of preserving brand integrity in the face of rapid commercial success. Its history highlights the delicate balance between authenticity and marketability.

For many in the fashion industry, Von Dutch’s journey is a cautionary tale. A brand can gain widespread popularity, but maintaining its original ethos amidst the pressures of mass appeal is a formidable challenge. This story underscores the importance of a brand staying true to its roots, even as it navigates the treacherous waters of mainstream consumption. It also serves as a reminder that in the world of fashion, what is considered innovative and daring one moment can quickly become passé the next.

A Lasting Legacy

Despite its decline, Von Dutch’s impact on early-2000s fashion remains undeniable. The brand’s distinctive aesthetic and rebellious spirit paved the way for subsequent trends that blurred the lines between high fashion and streetwear. Designers and cultural commentators continue to reference Von Dutch when discussing the evolution of urban style and the commercialization of counterculture. Its influence can be seen in the revival of vintage-inspired graphics, the continued popularity of trucker hats, and in the way modern brands engage with their heritage to create narratives of authenticity. Von Dutch’s legacy is a testament to the transformative power of subcultural movements in shaping broader fashion trends, which serve both as a source of inspiration and a lesson in the complexities of fame and brand identity.

Von Dutch’s journey from an underground beacon to a global phenomenon, and finally to a cautionary tale, captures the ephemeral nature of cultural trends and the challenges of balancing authenticity with commercial success. Its story continues to provoke discussion about what it means to stay true to one's creative roots in an ever-evolving fashion landscape.

Vivienne Westwood and the Sex Pistols: The Birth of Punk Fashion
By Brielle Brzytwa | March 17th, 2025

The Fashion of Rebellion

Fashion has long been a form of self-expression, but in the 1970s, it also became a symbol of social and political defiance. The punk movement was fueled by a deep dissatisfaction with authority, what was called “the establishment,” and, most of all, mainstream culture. Vivienne Westwood emerged as one of the most influential figures in this movement, as she used her sense of fashion as her primary disruptive force. Her designs challenged the traditional ideas of beauty and taste, in favoring aggression, deconstruction, and DIY aesthetics over the typical polished, mass-produced clothing of the time. Punk style was not simply about looking elegant or sophisticated; more or less, it was about making a statement, rejecting conformity, and embracing anarchy.

The Birthplace of Punk Style

The boutique at 430 King’s Road in London became the epicenter of the punk aesthetic. Originally named Let It Rock, the store sold 1950s-inspired clothing that catered to the rebellious Teddy Boy subculture. However, as the cultural climate shifted, so did Westwood’s vision. The shop was rebranded as Sex, as it shifted toward specializing in provocative and fetish-inspired fashion that pushed the boundaries of what was socially acceptable to wear. Leather, chains, ripped fabrics, and elements of bondage-wear became staples of the punk look, which furthered the visual language of defiance and rebellion.

As the boutique continued to evolve, it transformed into Seditionaries and eventually cemented its influence on punk fashion. The new clothing was embellished with slogans, political graphics, and shocking imagery that became hallmarks of the store’s identity. These pieces were not only garments; they were becoming representations of statements against capitalism, monarchy, and the rigid expectations of society. The designs reflected the punk ethos, ie. anti-establishment, raw, and unapologetically bold suave.

Walking Manifestos of Punk

When Malcolm McLaren became the manager of the Sex Pistols, he recognized that their music and general attitudes perfectly aligned with the clothing that Westwood was creating at the time. The band became the embodiment of punk ideology, both in sound and style. Their ripped shirts, bondage pants, safety-pin accessories, and aggressively styled hair made them stand out in an era that was actively dominated by disco and a more polished kind of rock music. Johnny Rotten’s infamous God Save the Queen T-shirt became one of the most iconic pieces of punk fashion. With its anarchic imagery and controversial messaging, its creation and popularity within the industry solidified Westwood’s role as the movement’s sartorial architect.

The band’s aggressive, anti-authoritarian lyrics mirrored the sentiments that were commonly expressed in Westwood’s designs. Songs like Anarchy in the U.K. and Pretty Vacant were not just catchy, but they were also battle cries against the establishment. Westwood’s designs aided the amplification of this message, thus making the band’s appearance just as confrontational as their sound. The Sex Pistols, in turn, helped to give punk fashion a platform by broadcasting their rebellious aesthetic to a global audience.

The Evolution of Punk in Fashion

As punk culture grew, its fashion spread beyond the underground scene and slowly trickled into the mainstream. What began as a subversive statement became a widely recognized aesthetic, which influenced designers to think far beyond the punk movement itself. Westwood continued to innovate and evolved her designs while still maintaining the rebellious spirit that defined much of her early work. Over the decades, she transitioned from raw, DIY-inspired punk pieces to more avant-garde collections that reflected historical references with a modern, unconventional twist.

Her designs from the 1980s and beyond could often be seen incorporating elements of aristocratic fashion, exaggerated silhouettes, and rich fabrics, but they never lost their edge. The punk attitude of challenging the norm and rejecting societal expectations remained central to her work. Other designers, such as Jean Paul Gaultier and Alexander McQueen, drew inspiration from her fashionably fearless approach. This proved that punk’s influence on fashion was not just a fleeting trend, but a permanent shift in how style could be used as a form of resistance.

The Enduring Legacy of Westwood’s Punk Spirit

Although punk has become extremely commercialized over the years, its impact on fashion remains undeniable. The ripped fishnets, plaid skirts, and leather jackets that once symbolized rebellion are now fashion staples to some. We see them appearing everywhere from high-fashion runways to certain fast-fashion collections. While some may argue that this mainstream adoption dilutes the original punk ethos, others see it as a testament to the movement’s lasting cultural relevance.

Westwood’s influence surely extends beyond aesthetics. She used her platform to advocate for social and environmental causes, which proved to many that fashion could be both artistic and a form of activism. Her punk spirit has never faded, even as her brand became synonymous with luxury and modernity. The essence of punk, ie. challenging authority, questioning the norm, and using fashion as a tool for self-expression, remains embedded in her work and the countless designers she has inspired.

What Does Punk Mean Today?

In a world where fashion is more commercialized than ever, can punk still be a true act of rebellion, or has it been fully absorbed by the mainstream? Let’s talk.

— The Kline Collective

One-Touch Fashion: The Future of Effortless Style and Its Impact on Trends
By Brielle Brzytwa | March 4th, 2024

In a world where convenience is king, the fashion industry is starting to embrace the concept of one-touch fashion. One-touch fashion is a new style that has been coined as the seamless blend of technology, efficiency, and style. The idea is simple: with a single touch (or tap), you can shop, style, and even customize your look instantly. Whether it’s through smart textiles, digital wardrobes, or AI-driven styling assistants, one-touch fashion is redefining how we engage with clothing in this current era of immediacy.

What Is One-Touch Fashion?

At its core, one-touch fashion refers to the integration of digital solutions that make curating and purchasing clothing faster and easier than ever. Think of scanning a QR code on a dress to buy it instantly. Examples of one-touch fashion could also include using AR (augmented reality) mirrors to try on outfits virtually or subscribing to styling apps that suggest complete looks based on your style preferences. With the rise of such smart technology, fashion is no longer just about aesthetics, but it is more or less about accessibility.

The Rise of Instant Wardrobes

With brands like Amazon, Zara, and Farfetch beginning to experiment with AI shopping assistants and systems like one-click purchasing, the need to browse for hours is fading. Social commerce is also fueling this shift; Instagram and TikTok now offer in-app shopping features, where a simple tap on a post will lead you directly to checkout. Even luxury brands are getting on board. Gucci’s virtual try-on feature allows shoppers to see how sneakers look on their feet through AR before making a purchase. Similarly, Burberry’s digital pop-ups allow customers to shop exclusive collections instantly via QR codes.

Tech Meets Textiles

Beyond e-commerce, the physical garments we see within the contemporary fashion industry are also evolving. Smart fabrics and wearables are now allowing consumers to control the features of their clothing with a simple touch. Imagine being able to adjust the color of your jacket, change the fit of your jeans, or even activate built-in heating elements in your coat with a tap on your phone.

Brands like Levi’s and Google have already been collaborated on Project Jacquard, a denim jacket that allows users to control their phone by swiping or tapping the sleeve. Meanwhile, designers like Iris van Herpen and Anouk Wipprecht are pushing the boundaries of interactive fashion with garments that respond to movement and their environments.

How One-Touch Fashion Affects Trends

This shift toward instant fashion is fundamentally changing how trends emerge and evolve. In a traditional fashion cycle, trends were dictated by seasonal runway shows whose looks trickled down to everyday consumers over months. Now, with the ability to instantly buy and customize clothing, fashion is becoming more responsive to real-time shifts in our culture. A viral moment on TikTok or a celebrity’s street-style look can translate into immediate consumer demand, which then forces brands to produce and release items faster than ever.

Additionally, personalization is expected to play a huge role in the future of our fashion trends. With AI-driven styling apps and customizable smart garments, fashion will become less about following mass trends and more about curating an individualized aesthetic. Nike’s Nike By You feature allows customers to design their own sneakers. Louis Vuitton and Prada have also experimented with made-to-order pieces that lets shoppers choose the colors, patterns, and even monograms on their clothing. This ability to personalize our clothing on demand may lead to more unique and diverse fashion expressions rather than everyone chasing the same viral micro-trends.

The Future of Effortless Style

As one-touch fashion continues to evolve, it has become clear that convenience will be at the forefront of style innovation. From AI-driven styling assistants that recommend full outfits to smart fabrics that change their function based on the weather conditions, fashion is becoming more intuitive than ever. The rise of hyper-fast fashion, of course, raises major sustainability concerns; will instant purchasing drive overconsumption and waste, or will it allow for more mindful, made-to-order shopping experiences?

One thing is certain: the way we interact with fashion is fundamentally shifting. Whether through virtual try-ons, smart clothing, or AI-powered trend forecasting, the future of style is not as simple as what we wear. It is increasingly about how seamlessly we can access and personalize it.

Are you embracing the emergence of one-touch fashion, or do you prefer a more traditional shopping experience?

— The Kline Collective

What’s in My Bag? 10 Essentials Every Trendy Girl Needs
By Brielle Brzytwa | February 24th, 2025

If there is one trend that never gets old, it has to be the classic “What’s in My Bag?” moment. Whether it is an influencer spilling the contents of their designer tote on TikTok or a YouTube beauty guru giving a deep dive into their ultimate purse must-haves, we all love getting a peek inside someone else’s bag. But let’s be real; what is in your bag is not just “stuff.” What you choose to carry with you can be a reflection of your personality, lifestyle, and aesthetic.

So, what do you actually need to keep in your bag to stay prepared, stylish, and effortlessly put-together? Well, whether you are heading to class, brunch, or a night out, these 10 essentials will make sure you are always ready for whatever life throws your way.

1. Lip Balm & Gloss: The Power Duo for a Perfect Pout

If there is only one beauty product to have in your bag, make it a hydrating lip balm. Chapped lips can ruin your whole vibe, and nothing feels better than a quick swipe of moisture. For an everyday favorite, the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (yes, it is technically meant for nighttime, but who cares?) gives that glossy, hydrated finish.

And if you are going for effortlessly cool with a little extra shine, a go-to lip gloss is key. Fenty Beauty’s Gloss Bomb is a cult favorite for a reason; it looks good on everyone and makes your lips feel as good as they look. Whether you prefer clear, nude, or a bold pop of color, your lips will always be selfie-ready.

2. Portable Charger: Because Dead Phones Are So Out

We have all been there before: you are out living your best life, snapping a few pics, maybe scrolling through TikTok, or texting your best friends when suddenly… 1% battery. A total nightmare for a chronically online gal like myself.

That is why a slim, fast-charging power bank, like the Anker Nano or Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack, is a must. It keeps you connected whether you are navigating the city, ordering an Uber, or just need to avoid that awkward “my phone died” excuse when texting back.

3. A Signature Fragrance (in Mini Form!)

It is 2025; a girl has gotta smell good, period. Whether you are meeting with friends or bumping into your campus crush, a travel-sized perfume will be your secret weapon.

Dior’s Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet is a soft, floral go-to, while Glossier You is that effortlessly cool, “your skin but better” scent. For a little luxury, Byredo’s Gypsy Water is a dreamy, woodsy vibe, and it is my personal favorite. Keep it in a mini spray or a solid perfume compact for an easy, on-the-go refresh.

4. The Emergency Kit: Tiny but Mighty

If your bag does not have a mini survival kit, you are totally missing out. This tiny pouch will save you from all kinds of unexpected disasters. Stock it with:

Hair ties & bobby pins (because that Syracuse wind does not care about your perfect blowout)
Oil blotting sheets (if your T-zone starts looking a little too dewy)
Band-aids (for surprise blisters from those too cute to be comfy, but trendy ballet flats)
A Tide To Go pen (because coffee spills happen to the best of us)

It really is the little things that keep you feeling polished and put together, no matter what a long day brings.

5. Sunglasses: The Instant Outfit Upgrade

If there is one thing that can take your outfit from “cute” to mysteriously cool girl, it is a great pair of sunglasses. They protect your eyes, hide under-eye bags from last night’s Netflix binge, and give that “I am far too busy being fabulous” vibe.

Trend alert: retro cat-eye, oversized square frames, and sporty wraparound sunglasses are going to be huge in 2025. Brands like Le Specs, Ray-Ban, and Bottega Veneta are dominating the scene thus far, so find a pair that speaks your vibe and always keep them with you in your bag!

6. A Small Notebook & Pen: Because Ideas Hit at the Most Random Times

We might live in a digital world, but sometimes, you just need to write things down. Whether it is journaling (which is so in right now), a random thought, sketching outfit ideas, or jotting down a reminder for class, a cute and compact notebook is a total game-changer.

For the aesthetic girlies, brands like Moleskine, Papier, or even a classic Muji notebook make note-taking feel chic. And let’s be real; nothing feels more put together than pulling out a sleek pen and notebook and jotting down your next big idea.

7. Your Ride-or-Die Hand Lotion

Dry hands are never cute, and let’s be super honest, handshakes still exist. Keep a lightweight, non-greasy hand cream in your bag to stay moisturized without that gross, sticky feeling.

For a luxurious scent, Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian Touch Hand Cream smells like a tropical dream, while L’Occitane’s Shea Butter Hand Cream is a classic for serious hydration. Whatever tickles your fancy, girl!

8. A Sleek, Minimalist Wallet

Gone are the days of carrying a bulky wallet stuffed with old receipts and expired coupons. A compact cardholder or mini wallet is all you really need to stay organized now.

Brands like Coach, Marc Jacobs, and Prada have a variety of stylish yet functional options that will fit all of your essentials, like your ID, debit card, and a little cash (because yes, some places still don’t take Apple Pay).

9. Reusable Water Bottle: Hot Girls Stay Hydrated

A stylish reusable water bottle is a must-have for the girl on the go. Hydration is key to glowing skin, better focus, and overall energy, so why not do it in style?

The Stanley Cup craze is still going strong, but if you are in search of something more compact, Hydro Flask, BKR, or LARQ’s self-cleaning water bottles are simultaneously ultra-chic and practical. Bonus points if it matches your aesthetic, right?

10. Your Favorite Over-the-Ear or Wired Headphones (Because Silence is Overrated)

Because of the never ending loop of music, podcasts, and FaceTime calls, your day is not complete without a good pair of headphones. AirPod Maxesare a classic choice, but do not be too quick to sleep on the wired headphone comeback (seriously, Bella Hadid and Matilda Djerf made them cool again).

Throw them in your bag and you are now always one step away from a personal concert or deep podcast session.

Your Bag, Your Rules

At the end of the day, your bag is more than just a place to stash your stuff. It is a reflection of you. Whether you are the “always prepared” type or a more “minimalist essentials” kind of girl, these items will ensure that you are ready for anything.

So tell me, what is the #1 must-have that is always in your bag?

How Social Media Influencers Are Shaping Fashion Trends in 2025 | By Brielle Brzytwa

In 2024, social media influencers are not only following fashion trends, they are creating them. With platforms like TikTok and Instagram dictating what is hot (and what is not) at lightning speed, influencers have become the new tastemakers, often surpassing traditional fashion gatekeepers like designers and magazines. Whether it is through viral aesthetics, must-have pieces, or brand collaborations, their impact is becoming undeniable.

Let’s break down how influencers have shaped fashion this past year and who is leading the charge:

1. The Rise of the "It" Item

If you have spent any time on TikTok lately, you have probably seen a fashion item explode overnight. Case in point: the Miu Miu ballet flats. Thanks to influencers like Matilda Djerf and Camille Charriere, these delicate, ultra-feminine shoes have made their way into every “coquette” aesthetic roundup, leading to sold-out shelves and hefty resale prices. Similarly, Diesel’s 1DR bag became the latest must-have after stars like Kylie Jenner and Julia Fox flaunted it, which only proved further that influencer visibility can turn any item into a cult obsession.

2. Micro-Trends and the TikTok Effect

While fashion used to revolve around seasonal collections, TikTok has accelerated the trend cycle, which has created micro-trends that rise and fall within months. In 2024, the mob wife aesthetic, which was a direct contrast to 2023’s trend of quiet luxury, became an overnight sensation thanks to content creators like Sarah Houchens and Mikayla Nogueira. Influencers showcased oversized faux fur coats, chunky gold jewelry, and bold animal prints, then reviving a 90s-meets-Sopranos vibe that took over FYPs worldwide.

Other TikTok-driven aesthetics, like Tomato Girl Summer and Blokecore, have gained traction purely because of the hype surrounding influencers, proving that social media can make or break a style movement in real-time.

3. Influencers as Designers

Influencers are no longer just styling outfits, they are also creating them. Take Emma Chamberlain, who has seamlessly transitioned from YouTube star to Gen Z fashion icon. She’s not only the face of major brands like Cartier and Levi’s but has also had a hand in designing collaborations that shape what people wear on the Internet. Similarly, Matilda Djerf’s brand Djerf Avenue is leading the charge in minimalist, Scandinavian-inspired fashion, proving that influencer-backed brands can nearly rival legacy fashion houses.

4. The Power of the Haul & GRWM

Shopping hauls and “Get Ready With Me” (GRWM) videos were still among the most influential types of content in 2024. When influencers like Alix Earle showcased their latest finds, whether it was an Aritzia effortless pant or a Heaven by Marc Jacobs baby tee, it instantly increased demand for those pieces. These real-time styling videos give followers a sense of accessibility, making high fashion trends feel achievable in everyday wardrobes.

5. The Sustainability Debate

While influencer culture fuels mass consumption, there has also been a rise in secondhand shopping and sustainable fashion advocacy. Creators like Clara Perlmutter (@tinyjewishgirl) and Kara Cheng emphasize the importance of buying vintage, upcycled, and thrifted pieces, pushing back against the fast-fashion cycle. Platforms like Depop, The RealReal, and Vinted are thriving because influencers are normalizing secondhand finds as stylish and eco-conscious alternatives to overconsumption.

What’s Next? My Predictions for Fashion in 2025

As social media continues to dominate the fashion industry, 2025 is poised to be an even bigger year for influencer-driven style. Here is what I think we can expect:

1. AI-Generated Fashion Will Take Over

With advancements in AI, influencers may start using AI-generated designs to create their own fashion lines, which will be entirely customized to their audience’s preferences. Brands like H&M and Zara have already tested AI-driven styling, but in 2025, we could see independent influencers launching AI-powered collections that respond to real-time trends.

2. Even Faster Trend Cycles

If 2024 was the year of micro-trends, 2025 might be even more chaotic. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels will likely accelerate the rise and fall of aesthetics faster than ever, then making it harder for consumers to keep up. However, this could also lead to trend fatigue, which will push people toward either hyper-personalized wardrobes or timeless investment pieces.

3. Influencer-Led Luxury Brands

Influencers have already collaborated with luxury houses, but in 2025, we might see them creating their own high-end labels. As we have seen with last year’s trends, influencers have found immense amounts of power in the industry. Imagine Emma Chamberlain launching a full-fledged designer brand or Alix Earle heading a streetwear-meets-luxury line. Traditional fashion houses will need to adapt or risk losing their cultural relevance.

4. Sustainability Becomes the Norm

As trend cycles speed up, the backlash against fast fashion and overconsumption will grow. Expect a surge in circular fashion, with influencers promoting secondhand platforms, clothing rental services, and upcycled fashion. By 2025, buying new might be seen as less stylish than thrifting the perfect vintage gem.

5. Social Media as the New Runway

Forget traditional Fashion Weeks. By 2025, the biggest style moments might come from digital-first fashion shows on TikTok and Instagram. Brands will prioritize influencers over models and host interactive live streams where followers can shop looks instantly.

Fashion is evolving faster than ever, and social media influencers are at the forefront of this general trend. As 2025 approaches, one thing is clear: what we wear will be increasingly dictated by the creators we follow, not just the designers we admire.

Are Influencers the Future of Fashion?

With traditional fashion houses now prioritizing influencer partnerships over celebrity endorsements, it is clear that social media stars have cemented themselves as the industry’s new power players. Whether they are curating new trends, reviving Y2K nostalgia, or pushing sustainability, influencers are setting the tone for how we dress in 2024, and the fashion world is following their lead.

What do you think about influencers’ impact on fashion? Are they shaping trends in a positive way, or are micro-trends moving too fast?

20 Wardrobe Staples Every 20-Something Needs to Elevate Their Style
By Brielle Brzytwa | February 10th, 2025

Your 20s are a time of self-discovery, personal growth, and defining your signature style. While trends come and go, having a solid foundation of wardrobe essentials ensures that you are always effortlessly put together. The right staples can take you from work meetings to weekend brunches and everything in between without feeling like you are constantly chasing the next fashion craze.

These 20 wardrobe staples are designed to help you build a closet that feels timeless yet modern; more importantly, one that is versatile yet uniquely you. Whether you love a minimalist aesthetic, lean towards a more edgy vibe, or prefer classic silhouettes, these essentials can be styled in countless ways to suit your personal taste. Plus, investing in quality pieces now means you will have a wardrobe that carries you through the years without feeling outdated.

1. Classic White Button-Down

A crisp white button-down is a timeless essential that can be dressed up or down. Pair it with tailored trousers for a polished office look or wear it half-tucked into jeans for a relaxed yet chic vibe. Brands like Everlane and Brooks Brothers have plenty of high-quality options that will last.

2. Tailored Blazer

A well-fitted blazer instantly elevates any outfit. Opt for a classic black or navy style, or you can even experiment with neutral tones like beige. Brands like Theory and Veronica Beard sell structured silhouettes that look great over dresses, blouses, or even a simple tee.

3. Dark Wash Denim

A pair of dark-wash jeans is a must-have for a closet that has versatility and polish. Whether you choose straight-leg, skinny, or wide-leg, they transition seamlessly from day to night. Levi’s and Madewell have excellent options for every body type.

4. Black Turtleneck

Channel your inner Audrey Hepburn with a sleek black turtleneck. It is the perfect solution for layering under blazers in the winter or tucked into a skirt for a minimalist, sophisticated look. Try styles from Uniqlo or J.Crew for comfort and style.

5. Structured Handbag

Invest in a structured handbag that can carry you through workdays and weekends. A medium-sized tote or satchel in leather from brands like Coach, Polène, or Cuyana will add instant elegance to your style.

6. Longline Boots

Swap the ankle boots for a sleek pair of knee-high or over-the-knee boots. These are perfect for fall and winter, since they add drama and sophistication to dresses and jeans alike. Look for classic leather styles from Stuart Weitzman or Sam Edelman, which seamlessly blend timelessness with comfort.

7. Little Black Dress

A well-fitting little black dress (LBD) will be your go-to for last-minute events and formal occasions. Choose a silhouette that flatters your body shape, whether it’s a slip dress, A-line, or bodycon. Brands like Reformation and Aritzia have many chic, sustainable options.

8. Leather Belt

A good leather belt can define your waist and add structure to loose or plain outfits. Whether cinching a dress or securing a pair of high-waisted jeans, a black or brown belt from Gucci or & Other Stories will elevate any look.

9. White Sneakers

Effortlessly cool and endlessly wearable, white sneakers can easily be dressed up or down. Adidas Stan Smiths, Veja sneakers, and Common Projects have plenty of stylish, comfortable options that pair with everything from jeans to sundresses.

10. Trench Coat

A trench coat adds instant sophistication to any outfit. Opt for a classic beige style from Burberry for a timeless investment, or go for a budget-friendly version from Mango or ASOS. My personal favorite style for this piece is a dark, heathered grey.

11. Black Leather Jacket

A leather jacket adds an edgy touch to any look. Pair it with a dress for contrast or throw it over a sweater and jeans for an effortlessly cool ensemble. Look for real or faux leather options from AllSaints, Mango, or Zara.

12. Cashmere Sweater

A soft, high-quality sweater in a somewhat muted or neutral shade is both cozy and sophisticated. Everlane and J.Crew have some beautiful cashmere options that will last for years with proper care.

13. Wide-Leg Trousers

Swap out skinny pants for wide-leg trousers for a modern, fashion-forward look. Brands like Aritzia and The Frankie Shop have beautifully tailored options perfect for both office wear and casual styling.

14. Gold Hoop Earrings

In my opinion, a pair of gold hoops adds instant polish to any outfit. Whether you prefer small, dainty hoops or bold statement pieces, Mejuri and Jenny Bird have timeless styles that work for all occasions.

15. Slip Dress

A slip dress is effortlessly chic and can be styled in a multitude of ways. Layer it under a blazer for work or pair it with heels for a night out. Silk styles from Vince or Reformation are elegant and versatile.

16. Black Tights

A pair of high-quality black tights effortlessly extends the life of your dresses and skirts into the colder months. It is also a very easy way to add flare to a seemingly basic outfit. Look for durable, snag-resistant pairs from Wolford or Spanx.

17. Statement Sunglasses

A great pair of sunglasses can add personality to any outfit. Choose a classic cat-eye, oversized, or aviator style from Ray-Ban, Celine, or Le Specs to make an impact. While classic black will always be in style, colored frames are in style now, as well.

18. Classic Watch

A sleek watch is both practical and stylish. Whether you prefer a minimalist gold or silver band, or a leather chic look, brands like Daniel Wellington and Cartier have various timeless designs that will complement any look.

19. Everyday Tote Bag

A canvas tote bag is perfect for carrying all your essentials, whether you are heading to work or simply running errands. Look for a few classic, affordable designs from Longchamp, Cuyana, or Mansur Gavriel.

20. Ballet Flats

A comfortable yet chic alternative to heels, ballet flats are perfect for daily wear. Classic styles from Chanel, Margaux, or Sam Edelman have the potential to add elegance to any ensemble for any occasion.

With these 20 staples in your wardrobe, you will be ready to take on any occasion with confidence and style. Trust me, investing in quality, versatile pieces now will set you up for effortless fashion throughout your 20s and beyond!

Micro-Trends vs. Long-Term Style: Are Viral Trends Worth It?

In the age of TikTok and Instagram, fashion trends move faster than ever. One day, everyone is wearing ballet flats and bow-adorned everything, and the next, it is all about oversized leather jackets and indie sleaze. While micro-trends offer an exciting way to experiment with personal style, they also raise an important question: Are viral trends worth it, or should we focus on long-term style?

What Are Micro-Trends?

Micro-trends are short-lived fashion crazes that gain rapid popularity, which are often fueled by social media algorithms and celebrity influence. Think about trends like Y2K revival, the coquette aesthetic, or “Mob Wife” chic. These looks explode seemingly overnight but often fade just as quickly. While they can be fun and fresh, their fleeting nature makes them unsustainable, both for our personal wardrobes and the environment.

The Appeal of Micro-Trends

Micro-trends allow for quick self-expression and keep fashion exciting. They give people a chance to try something new without committing to a full wardrobe overhaul. Plus, being “in the know” about the latest viral styles can feel like a form of social currency, especially in the world of influencers and online fashion communities.

The Downsides of Chasing Trends

The biggest drawback of micro-trends is their ephemerality. Constantly chasing the latest aesthetic can lead to overconsumption, cluttered closets, and wasted money. Fast fashion brands capitalize on these trends by producing cheap, disposable pieces that often end up in landfills within months. Additionally, relying too much on short-lived trends can make it harder to develop a signature style.

The Power of Long-Term Style

Long-term style focuses on timeless, well-made pieces that extend beyond the current trends. It does not mean avoiding trends entirely, it is more or less about curating a wardrobe that reflects your personality and can evolve with you over time. Investing in high-quality basics, statement pieces that resonate with you, and versatile clothing can ensure that your fashion choices remain relevant in the eyes of anyone, no matter what is trending.

Balancing Trendiness and Timelessness

Finding the balance between staying on-trend and cultivating a timeless wardrobe can be tricky, but it is definitely not impossible. The key is to be intentional about what you incorporate into your style, which ensures that trends are able to enhance rather than dominate your personal aesthetic. Instead of blindly following what is viral, consider these tips for a more mindful approach to fashion:

Try Before You Buy: Before jumping on a trend, ask yourself if you genuinely love it or if social media is influencing your decision. Just because Alix Earle wore skinny jeans does not mean you have to! Instead, try styling a similar piece you already own or opt for an affordable version before making a bigger investment. For example, instead of splurging on designer cowboy boots, try a pair from Zara or ASOS first to see if they fit your vibe.

Incorporate Trends in Small Doses: Instead of overhauling your wardrobe, introduce trends through accessories or statement pieces. A trendy handbag (like the viral Uniqlo round shoulder bag) or a fun pair of sunglasses can update your look without overpowering your signature style.

Invest in Staples: Some pieces never go out of fashion, and building a wardrobe around these almost guarantees longevity. To name a few: a well-fitted blazer (like The Frankie Shop’s oversized silhouettes), classic denim (Levi’s 501s are a cult favorite), and quality shoes (Dr. Martens or Adidas Sambas) serve as a solid foundation that pairs well with trendier items.

Shop Sustainably: Thrifting and secondhand shopping allow you to experiment with trends without contributing any further to fashion waste. Online platforms like Depop, Poshmark, and The RealReal make it easy to score trendy or designer pieces at a fraction of the cost. Vintage shopping is also a great way to tap into trends like 90s minimalism or Y2K revival without necessarily buying into fast fashion cycles.

Are Viral Trends Worth It?

The answer depends on how you engage with them. If a trend seems to align with your personal style and brings you joy, it can definitely be worth exploring! But if it is something you will most likely wear once and regret later, it is probably best to pass.

What’s your take on viral fashion trends? Do you love experimenting with micro-trends, or do you prefer timeless style?

By Brielle Brzytwa | February 17th, 2025

Thrift Shopping Tips: Finding Hidden Gems and Saving Money

By Brielle Brzytwa | February 10th, 2025

Thrift shopping can be more than just a way to save money—it can also be a treasure hunt filled with endless possibilities. From uncovering one-of-a-kind vintage pieces to scoring designer finds at a fraction of the price, thrift shopping combines the thrill of discovery with the joy of sustainability.

If you are new to the world of thrifting or looking to sharpen your skills, here are some tips to help you find hidden gems while keeping your budget intact!

1. Go in With a Plan

Before you hit the thrift store, take stock of your wardrobe and identify what you need. Are you searching for a new pair of jeans, a statement jacket, or home decor? Having a general idea can help you stay focused and avoid impulse buys. However, don’t be afraid to keep an open mind; some of the best finds are unexpected!

2. Timing Is Everything

The best time to thrift is when stores restock their inventory. Call ahead or ask the staff when they typically display new items. Additionally, weekday mornings tend to be less crowded, giving you more room to browse without feeling rushed.

3. Check Every Section

Don’t limit yourself to just one area of the store. Explore the men’s, women’s, and even kids’ sections. This is because sizes and styles can vary widely in thrift stores, and you might find a perfectly oversized sweater or a worn vintage belt in an unexpected section.

4. Inspect Items Carefully

While thrifting can lead to incredible bargains, it is essential to check items for stains, tears, or missing buttons. Minor flaws can often be repaired, but make sure the piece is worth the effort. For electronics or appliances, it is always wise to ask if you can test them before purchasing.

5. Look for Quality Fabrics and Brands

Thrift stores are great places to score high-quality materials like wool, silk, and leather at affordable prices. Pay attention to brand names as well; many luxury or designer items make their way to thrift stores and are often in great condition.

6. Embrace DIY and Alterations

If you find an item that is almost perfect but not quite, consider how you can modify it. A long dress can be hemmed into a midi, or a slightly oversized blazer can be tailored for a perfect fit. Thrift shopping is a great opportunity to get creative and personalize your wardrobe.

7. Shop Off-Season

Thrifting for winter coats in the summer or swimsuits in the winter can actually yield great deals. Since fewer people are shopping for off-season items, you are more likely to find hidden gems at lower prices.

8. Patience Pays Off

Thrift shopping requires time and patience. You might not find a goldmine every trip, but persistence is key. Make it a habit to visit stores regularly, especially since new treasures are added all the time.

9. Explore Local and Online Options

Don’t limit yourself to big thrift chains like Good Will. Local consignment shops, vintage boutiques, and online platforms like Poshmark, Depop, or ThredUp can offer unique finds as well. It is also important to note that supporting smaller thrift stores also helps your local community.

10. Have Fun and Stay Open-Minded

Thrifting is an adventure. Be willing to try on styles you wouldn’t normally gravitate toward; you might just discover something new about your personal taste. The joy of thrift shopping lies in the unexpected, so embrace the journey and enjoy the hunt.

Why Thrifting Matters

Thrift shopping is not only good for your wallet, it is good for the planet, too. By buying secondhand, you are reducing waste, extending the life of clothing pieces, and contributing to an increasingly sustainable fashion industry.

Have you scored an incredible thrift find or have your own tips to share? Let me know your favorite thrift store treasure or go-to shopping strategy!

Capsule Wardrobe 101: Simplify Your Closet Without Losing Style
By Brielle Brzytwa | January 21st, 2025

In a world where fast fashion dominates and our closet space feels increasingly limited, the capsule wardrobe has emerged as a stylish solution to simplify your life. But what exactly is a capsule wardrobe, and how can you build one without sacrificing your unique sense of style? Let’s dive into the basics of this minimalist approach to fashion and why it’s a game-changer for anyone seeking a more intentional and versatile wardrobe.

What is a Capsule Wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe is a curated collection of clothing, typically around 30-50 items, that can be mixed and matched to create countless numbers of outfits. It focuses on high-quality, versatile pieces that reflect your personal style while prioritizing functionality. Seasonal rotations are key to keeping things fresh without overwhelming your space.

The Benefits of a Capsule Wardrobe

Saves Time: To start, having a capsule wardrobe eliminates morning dilemmas. A well-organized capsule wardrobe makes getting dressed effortless, as every piece is intentionally chosen to work together seamlessly. This means you’ll spend less time making decisions and more time enjoying your day.

Reduces Clutter: Additionally, by limiting your wardrobe to essential items, you will free up space and avoid unnecessary purchases. A streamlined closet not only feels more organized but also reduces stress, since you are no longer overwhelmed by too many options or unused items.

Eco-Friendly: Focusing on a quality-over-quantity mindset with fashion also helps combat the environmental impact of overconsumption. Investing in durable, timeless pieces reduces waste, supports sustainable practices, and minimizes the cycle of fast fashion.

Enhances Style: Finally, a capsule wardrobe encourages intentionality, helping you define and refine your personal aesthetic. By curating versatile staples, you’ll naturally develop a cohesive style that feels authentic and effortlessly chic, no matter the occasion.

How to Build Your Capsule Wardrobe

1. Assess Your Current Closet

Start by decluttering. Sort your clothing into keep, donate, and repair piles. From there, keep only the pieces you love and wear regularly.

2. Define Your Style

Consider your lifestyle, favorite colors, and go-to silhouettes. Are you more casual, professional, or eclectic? Pinpointing your aesthetic will help to guide your choices through this process.

3. Choose a Color Palette

Stick to a cohesive palette of neutrals (think black, white, beige, navy) with a few accent colors to add variety. This ensures that all of your pieces work well together aesthetically.

4. Select Versatile Essentials

Invest in high-quality staples that can be dressed up or down. Examples include: a classic white button-up shirt, a tailored blazer, dark denim jeans, neutral sweaters, or comfortable flats and loafers

5. Add Seasonal Pieces

Incorporate weather-specific items like a lightweight trench for spring or a cozy leather jacket for winter. Then, you can rotate these pieces as the seasons change.

6. Limit Trends

Yes, of course it is fine to include a trendy item or two, but focus on timeless pieces to maximize longevity. After all, the trend cycle is rapid in the fashion world, which we have seen in the last year or so.

Maintaining Your Capsule Wardrobe

A capsule wardrobe is not a one-and-done project. It can be helpful to reevaluate your collection every season and replace worn-out items or adjust for any lifestyle changes. By staying intentional throughout this ongoing process, you will keep your wardrobe fresh and functional.

Capsule Wardrobe Myths Debunked

A capsule wardrobe often feels shrouded in misconceptions, which then discourages many from exploring its benefits. Let’s clear the air and debunk some common myths, proving that capsule wardrobes can work for anyone!

Myth 1: It’s Boring. A capsule wardrobe is anything but boring. Its versatility allows you to experiment with endless outfit combinations. Let’s not forget that fashion not only concerns what clothes you wear, but as well as how you wear them.

Myth 2: You Need to Spend a Fortune. While investing in quality is important, you can build your capsule wardrobe gradually and incorporate affordable pieces. Thrifting and upcycling are great options too!

Myth 3: It’s Only for Minimalists. Capsule wardrobes can be tailored to any style, from bold and vibrant to understated and chic. However, it is important to know your style and embrace it in order for a capsule wardrobe to function properly.

Ready to Simplify?

Whether you’re looking to streamline your morning routine, reduce clutter, or adopt a more sustainable approach to fashion, a capsule wardrobe is the perfect starting point. Are you ready to take the plunge? Share your thoughts or tips for building a capsule wardrobe—I would love to hear your take on this stylish solution!

Y2K Revival: Why Gen Z is Obsessed with Early 2000s Fashion

By Brielle Brzytwa | January 13th, 2025

If you’ve scrolled through TikTok or Instagram recently, you’ve likely seen low-rise jeans, bedazzled accessories, butterfly clips, and baby tees making a triumphant comeback. Welcome to the Y2K revival—a trend where the fashion of the early 2000s is being reimagined by Gen Z. But why is this generation, known for innovation and disruption, so captivated by a style era that many Millennials and Gen Xers once hoped to leave behind? Let’s break it down.

Nostalgia Reimagined

One of the driving forces behind the Y2K revival is nostalgia. Gen Z’s formative years were shaped by 2000s pop culture, from Disney Channel icons to the glitzy looks of celebrities like Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, and Christina Aguilera. While Gen Z was too young to fully participate in the original era, these fashion cues now represent a carefree, playful time that contrasts sharply with the complexity of today’s digital and socio-political world.

Fashion designer, Alexander McQueen, once remarked, “Fashion should be a form of escapism, and not a form of imprisonment.” His perspective aligns with the contemporary resurgence of Y2K fashion, which offers a nostalgic retreat from contemporary challenges. As noted in an article from i-D, “Y2K fashion may jar with the present, but that’s precisely what makes its revival so appropriate: with the social and political outlook being as bleak as it is, we’re in desperate need of a source of escapism.”\

The TikTok Effect

TikTok has been instrumental in fueling the Y2K trend. Influencers and creators on the platform often share their thrift hauls, outfit recreations, and style tips that celebrate the era’s quirky aesthetics. The app’s algorithm amplifies these videos, thus turning niche looks into mainstream phenomena almost overnight. For example, a pair of velour tracksuits or a Juicy Couture handbag, both of which were once relics of the past, can now spark millions of views.

Thrifting and Sustainability

Gen Z’s commitment to sustainability has also played a role in this trend revival. Many Y2K staples are easily found in thrift stores, making it an affordable and eco-friendly way to embrace vintage fashion. By reviving these looks, Gen Z breathes new life into secondhand items, further embedding the trend into their broader societal values.

Key Y2K Staples Making a Comeback

Low-Rise Jeans: The ultimate love-it-or-hate-it item, low-rise jeans have returned, often paired with cropped tops for a bold statement. Brands like Diesel and Abercrombie & Fitch are leading the charge, while celebrities such as model Bella Hadid frequently sport this polarizing trend.

Velour Tracksuits: Brands like Juicy Couture are thriving again, with celebrities and influencers rocking these cozy yet chic ensembles. For example, Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton, who are both Y2K icons, have recently been spotted embracing this nostalgic look.

Mini Bags: Tiny, impractical handbags are once again the accessory of choice, proving that fashion doesn’t always prioritize function. Popular versions include those from Jacquemus and Prada, often featured in the closets of influencers like Emma Chamberlain.

Bedazzled Everything: From phone cases to accessories, rhinestones and glitter are everywhere, adding a touch of glam to everyday items. Brands like Blumarine and custom shops on Etsy have catered to this trend, with influencers such as Doja Cat incorporating sparkly accents into their outfits.

Butterfly Clips: This playful hair accessory is back in full force by zhuzhing up hairstyles ranging from sleek buns to loose waves. Olivia Rodrigo has been seen rocking butterfly clips recently, and brands like Claire’s and Urban Outfitters are making them widely accessible to fashion consumers everywhere.

Modern Twists

While the revival embraces iconic elements of Y2K fashion, it’s not a carbon copy. Gen Z has updated the trend by combining contemporary aesthetics. For instance, pairing a velour tracksuit with chunky sneakers or adding modern jewelry to a vintage-inspired piece keeps the look fresh and relevant in the minds of many.

What It All Means

The recent revival of Y2K clearly isn’t just about fashion—it’s also a cultural moment. It reflects Gen Z’s ability to reinterpret past trends through their unique aesthetic lenses, thus creating something entirely their own. It is also a reminder of the cyclical nature of fashion: what once seemed outdated can soon become the hottest thing with the right timing and perspective.

Are you embracing the Y2K revival, or are you happy leaving low-rise jeans in the past? What’s your favorite (or least favorite) trend from the early 2000s? We’d love to hear how you’re styling this nostalgic era for today!