Fast Fashion Is Bad For The Environment. For Many Plus-Size Shoppers, It’s The Only Option.

If you were a statistician tracking the growth of the size-inclusive fashion market, you could point to a number of data points that say that shopping as a plus-size person is easier and more accessible than it was even a decade ago. On the surface, that’s true: In the last 10 years, shoppers have seen an exponential improvement when it comes to retailers offering a size 16 and up and more affordable prices, particularly when it comes to fast fashion. (There are more niche options from smaller, independent brands than ever before, too — eveningwear, workwear, luxury, athleisure.) We’ve come a long way, sure, but, while there are plenty of plus-size fast-fashion brands available today, it is much harder to find sustainable size-inclusive labels. 

There is plenty of information out there that points to just how harmful fast fashion can be, both for the garment workers making the clothing and for the environment; there seem to be even more anti-fast fashion brands and campaigns to remind us of this fact, too. With more consumers educated on the topic, it’s not uncommon for influencers and celebrities to be criticized or shamed for shopping or promoting fast fashion. And while we should all be working to minimize our carbon footprint, is the generalized message that says we “all” should be shopping from sustainable retailers fair if over 60% of women aren’t included in the size charts of the movement? 

To start, consider the number of options available. Ethical and slow fashion is a smaller market to begin with, which automatically means there are going to be even fewer plus-size options when compared to straight-size ones. As with the rest of the market, though, when you expand your search to ethical fashion brands that offer above a size 22 or 24, you’re left with options you can likely count on both of your hands. This is before the price factor and the style preference even factors in.

Marielle Elizabeth — a writer, photographer, and expert who has been working in the intersection of ethical and plus-size fashion for years — thinks that plus-size shoppers shouldn’t be held to the same standards as straight-size consumers when an actual, wide-ranging variety of styles in size-inclusive fashion has only existed for a small fraction of time. In particular, for someone who’s a size 26 and up, being able to shop at more than one or two stores has really only been an option in the last five years or so. “Plus-size people, regardless of whether we’re talking about ethical fashion or fast fashion, have really only been able to buy pieces in their size with any level of trendiness — and even that feels tenuous as a plus-sized person — in the last few years,” she tells Refinery29. “[Many] plus-size people are still figuring out their sense of style and how they want to dress themselves.”

To then shame plus-size consumers for buying from a retailer that’s finally catering to their style needs may miss an important level of nuance. Particularly when considering the fact that existing in a fat body means experiencing marginalization in a much broader sense than just shopping. “It is extremely well-documented that fat people are paid less, that they’re given less professional opportunities,” Elizabeth shares. “And so all of those things compound in a way that makes it, in my opinion, much harder for plus-size people to confidently spend the amount of money that ethical fashion costs.”

It’s true: While the word “ethical” when it comes to fashion has blurred to the point of becoming a buzzword, it most often refers to brands that have a traceable supply chain in which every person involved in making a garment is provided with safe working conditions and paid a living wage. This means that ethical fashion often costs much more than fast fashion, which underpays workers, among other corner-cutting, questionable practices. Simply put, sustainable fashion costs more money, which can be a significant barrier to entry for folks in marginalized communities. You can, of course, buy clothing secondhand — which is not only more affordable but also keeps fashion from ever entering the landfill — but that sometimes poses its own sizing limitations.

Fat people are paid less, they’re given less professional opportunities… it’s much harder for plus-size people to confidently spend the amount of money that ethical fashion costs.

Marielle Elizabeth

Gianluca Russo, a plus-size fashion expert and author of the upcoming book The Power Of Plus, says that he has mixed feelings about tagging fast-fashion brands on social media. “As someone in the plus-size fashion space, it’s nerve-racking to tag the brands I’m wearing on Instagram when I know that a majority of them are fast fashion. But the truth is this: That’s all I have,” he shares. “As a plus-size man, my options for clothing are abysmal.” 

Though Russo is conflicted about sharing the brand names, he notes that, for him, it’s better than the alternative, which would be to not provide a resource for members of his community: “If we stay silent about the limited options we are finding, then we’re doing a disservice to those who look to us for inspiration and guidance.” It also supports the notion that the impetus for change should be on the consumer, rather the brands themselves or government officials who should be regulating the industry.

Until regulations are in place, Elizabeth says her goal is to figure out how to include more people in the movement, rather than alienate them. “For me, the question with ethical and sustainable fashion always comes back to how are we making it more accessible and how are we making it so more people want to participate, not how are we making this a competition of who is the most ethical, because both of those things often loop back to financial privilege,” she says. “I think that vilifying influencers that are helping people feel better about their bodies and helping people feel more confident in whatever clothing they choose to wear and whatever means they have to buy that clothing is not a way to sell people on ethical and sustainable fashion.”

What’s more, as she points out, consuming consciously doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing experience until you can afford to buy sustainably all the time. It can be a small change, or a gradual shift, like swapping a few fast fashion purchases a year for a single, high-quality piece that will last a long time. As Elizabeth says, even something as small as changing how you wash your clothes or committing to repairing clothing instead of tossing and replacing it can make a positive impact environmentally. 

“We keep trying to get people functioning at 100% instead of just trying to get everyone participating at like 10%,” Elizabeth notes. “And I think about that a lot when it comes to the work I do working with the intersections between plus-size fashion and ethical fashion: How do I get someone that’s never bought an ethical garment ever before to buy one single ethical garment?” An even easier first step: Following creators like Elizabeth, who share slow-fashion brands and resources regularly (check out her Patreon, too). Because, yes, size-inclusive brands do exist.

As someone in the plus-size fashion space, it’s nerve-racking to tag the brands I’m wearing on Instagram when I know that a majority of them are fast fashion. But the truth is this: That’s all I have.

Gianluca Russo

Do more anti-fast fashion brands who claim to be ethical need to expand their size ranges? Yes. Still, even if every slow-fashion brand did offer plus sizes, the fact remains that most plus-size shoppers have a very different experience with style and clothing than straight-size shoppers have — and as long as fat bias and discrimination exist, this will remain the case. This concept goes beyond just plus-size customers, too.

As Elizabeth says, “I think collectively the goal should always be to consume less and make better purchases, but I think the way in which we view ethical, sustainable, and slow fashion needs to hold space for people that have different barriers that they’re facing, whether that be size, whether that be gender, whether that be disability, whether that be race.”

Maybe, one day, the fashion industry will reflect on these differences, and real change will occur for all.

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Virgil Abloh & Chadwick Boseman’s Deaths Remind Us That Black Artists Don’t Belong To Us

“I don’t have to do nothin’ but stay Black and die.” This oft-repeated phrase in Black communities of a certain generation tells a story of people who have work in their blood. Black people have always been working. We’ve always been creators: of life, of magical somethings out of bleak nothings, of recipes that persist for generations in hushed reverence, and of art that has delighted, baffled, and radicalized us.

When the news that revered designer and Louis Vuitton artistic director Virgil Abloh, 41, passed away from cancer on November 28 hit social media, once again, we mourned in collective shock. It was suddenly made painfully clear how young 41 really is. Then came the realization that none of us knew Abloh was sick. I was instantly reminded of Chadwick Boseman, who passed away last year at just 43 years old from another cancer diagnosis kept private. 

The similarities between Abloh and Boseman go beyond their private health battles. Abloh, a trained architect and the son of Ghanaian immigrants, was a builder. Learning how to sew from his mother, he forged a prolific path of world-building, one that would culminate in a magnificent collision of fashion, culture, and technology. Abloh didn’t just design clothes, he designed markers of cultural identity. His name was a beacon of a new era in high fashion, an era that not only included Black people, but one that saw us at the helm. 

Boseman, who would have turned 45 yesterday (November 29), transported us. Whether it was as King T’Challa in Black Panther, or as Levee Green in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (his final role, which would later earn him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and a Golden Globe Award win for Best Actor), his performances were intimate. He pulled us in close. We weren’t watching an actor spit out memorized lines; we were witnessing a spirit move through a chosen vessel. The profundity of his talent made you believe he was a king. You felt every emotion as Levee describes the horror of watching his mother be assaulted at the hands of white men. Boseman would pierce through the screen and bring you into the character with him. There was no role or part being played; it was seamless, ascendant magic. 

“In keeping their diagnoses private, Boseman and Abloh reminded us that they belonged to themselves… We weren’t owed anything beyond what they gave us.”

Gloria Alamrew

It’s hard then not to feel blindsided when these titans leave our world so suddenly. They felt like they belonged to us, so the selfish first thoughts are, How can they be taken from us? Not like this. Not yet. Not yet. So it’s no surprise that when the world learned of Abloh’s passing, some fans felt betrayed. One person tweeted “Us fans really care about this and this totally bums a lot of people out when it’s out of the blue.” To them, Abloh and Boseman owed us not only their work, but also their most private moments. They were supposed to die, like they lived, for public consumption. The intimacy they created through their art felt like it extended beyond what they gave us; it felt personal, which is a testament to their talent. But these moments are important reminders that before they were our cultural icons, they were their own people, with lives that do not include us. 

Boseman, and now Abloh, join a somber tradition of Black artists leaving this earth far too soon, jarring us, their adoring fans. Lorraine Hansberry and Audre Lorde passed away at 34 and 58 of pancreatic and breast cancer, respectively. Hansberry was just coming off the heels of writing A Raisin in the Sun, her opus written at just 29 years old, making her the youngest American to win the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. Lorde, at the time of her death, had already published 15 books of poems and essays. Deaths like theirs, and like Boseman and Abloh’s, feel like a double heartbreak. It’s a devastating loss of a young life cut short by cancer and it’s also the profound loss of a great Black mind. They made art that reflected us, that challenged us, that spoke to us. They were us. These are the ancient redwoods and giant sequoias of our communities. We wanted them to be unfellable. They put out their creative energy and work for us to enjoy and pick apart endlessly so their work felt like ours — and they felt like ours, too. 

In dying, we confront living. We wrestle with what matters. We navigate how to create permanence and legacy through an impermanent body. We deal with death long before it calls us home. Whether it’s in the care of a sick loved one, or in the care of yourself as you reckon with the suddenly very real prospect of your time nearing its end. I wonder if this is where the motivation to create comes from. Do we make and make and make so that we may fill the hands of those we leave behind with the overflow of all the creativity that consumes us? We spin tendrils of art and wonder out of pain, and through them, we are bound to each other. Boseman and Abloh took their work and brought us in, and because of them, we believed that we could be more. They showed us the possibilities that lived in the nuance of their craft. And, in keeping the most intimate details of their lives private, they took themselves back, and reclaimed themselves as their own.

“Black people exist under the constant pressure to resist idleness. In a world that favors endless movement, and endless Black labor, we fight against stillness.”

Gloria Alamrew

Black people exist under the constant pressure to resist idleness. In a world that favors endless movement, and endless Black labor, we fight against stillness. There is a sadness in reflecting on Boseman and Abloh’s final years that we now know were filled with illness and gruelling treatments because we also now know that they were still filled with so much work. When do Black people get to rest? Of course, we don’t know exactly what Boseman and Abloh were going through or what their wishes were, but what does it say about our world where we don’t even get to pause for sickness? 

Maybe that’s a question we don’t have the right to ask. In keeping their diagnoses private, Boseman and Abloh reminded us that they belonged to themselves. Their illnesses may have been a secret to us, but perhaps it was better this way. We didn’t need to know. It wasn’t for us to know. We weren’t owed anything beyond what they gave us. Their work was a defiance against the end, and ultimately, us. It kept us exactly where we needed to be, no closer and no further. Their art looked death — and us — in the eyes and said, “Not yet, not yet.”

The relationship between work, art and rest for Black people is a contentious and interlocking one. So many of us find rest in creating and sometimes it is the creation that kills us. James Baldwin, after the passing of Hansberry, remarked, “It is not at all farfetched to suspect that what she saw contributed to the strain which killed her, for the effort to which Lorraine was dedicated is more than enough to kill a man.” Some of Lorde’s most notable work comes from her documentation of her battle with cancer, The Cancer Journals. Her final years were spent in the US Virgin Islands, on her terms, refusing to become a victim to the disease that was taking over her body. It’s no accident that she took on an African name, Gamba Adisa, which translates to, “She who makes her meaning clear.”

Black artists like Hansberry, Lorde, Boseman, and Abloh have created legacies that are so much more than the art. They ask us to reclaim our lives as our own, to find the boundaries between what we create and who we let in, and then to hold the line. Fiercely. They remind us that we don’t owe any more than that. We don’t have to do nothin’ but stay Black and die.

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From Footpath To Front Row: Why The Hiking Boot Will Be Winter’s Biggest Shoe Trend

After a year-long blur of evolving restrictions coated in copious amounts of hand sanitizer and doom scrolling, one of our main takeaways from 2021 is that there’s only so much we can do to prepare for the ups and downs of life’s path. But when it comes to climbing those proverbial mountains, fashion people know that you can at least dress the part — which explains why the hiking boot trend has officially reached its peak. 

Nature looked better than ever over the course of the lockdown, and a ripple effect across wardrobes and social media feeds was quick to follow. First, the nap dress hit the style scene in 2020 in all its tiered and frothy goodness, made for afternoon snoozing and forest frolicking alike. Then, as temperatures dropped with the dawn of a new year on the horizon, what became known as cottagecore morphed into cabincore, another comfort-oriented aesthetic that favored chunky knits, tartan, quilted fabrics, and the footwear to boot: durable, lug-sole shoes designed for adventure — and now, adventurous dressing. 

Even as we dust off our heels and shimmy into neglected party frocks to usher in 2022, the appeal of life in the woods has not lost its luster. In fact, it’s infiltrating other parts of our wardrobes with performance footwear leading the way. 

“I think the idea of hiker boots is so of-the-moment because of the casualization of fashion for the winter months ahead. People are prioritizing comfort as part of their style for the season, so the idea of looking chic in a ‘mountaineering outfit’ and pairing it with boots like these are right on trend,” says Shopbop Fashion Director Caroline Maguire. But don’t be mistaken: these are not your average backpacker’s shoes. Maguire highlights the fashion-forward upgrades that elevate these boots to statement piece status, such as the padded cuffs of Gia Borghini boots, translucent platforms by Montelliana, and the speckled laces and stitching of Larroudé’s Jordan style. 

“I love to wear our Jordan boot with jeans or pair it with long, flowy dresses for a more unexpected look,” says Marina Larroudé, co-founder and chief creative officer of her namesake footwear brand. “They all come with both tonal and colorful laces so the customer can make its own.” 

Paule Tenaillon, co-founder of the Parisian brand Nomasei, has a similar vision for the styling potential of her label’s Slalom shoe, which she describes on the site as “all-terrain boots” inspired by her grandmother’s glamorous ski attire in the ‘70s. The boot, with two-toned double lacing, can be worn with “a daytime dress during the week” or to complement a relaxed ensemble for a countryside getaway. There’s a nostalgic quality to the design — an homage to both Tenaillon’s grandmother and to the happy childhood moments she spent in the mountains — which quickly ended up being one of Nomasei’s top sellers after they first became available for purchase in late 2019. 

Maguire agrees, saying she has noticed shoppers gravitating toward versatile performance boots that can transition from day to night. Like the chunky dad sneakers of Balenciaga fame, the hiker shoe is just the right amount of ugly to add interest to even the most pedestrian outfits, yet stylish enough to not look out of place with a dress when worn with confidence. The resulting vibe is footpath-turned-catwalk.

This year’s fall/winter ‘21 shows certainly paved the way for the rise of pragmatic footwear with a twist. Stella McCartney and Givenchy leaned into outdoorsy apparel in the form of heavier, weather-proof shoes that were styled with sleek blazers, plunging necklines, asymmetrical dresses, and knitted skirt sets. Thanks to Chloé, the Parisian streets of Saint-Germain-des-Près saw the return of the early-aughts Moon Boot, much to the delight of Y2K-loving Gen-Zers. Models at Miu Miu literally trudged through the snow in heavy-duty (designer) gear for the task, while Loewe released a film for Eye/Loewe/Nature featuring upcycled garments worn with multicolored hiking boots, all set against an ultra-urban backdrop. Next came the summer’s hybrid hiking shoe — part-sneaker, part-boot — paired with barely-there bikinis for the Paloma Elsesser x Dos Swim capsule. And then, various iterations of the trend by Jacquemus, most notably on the feet of one Kendall Jenner lounging in a hammock. The aptly titled “La Montagne” fall ‘21 collection, which translates to “The Mountain,” from the French brand says it all: The outdoors are still very much in.

Follow this trail trend back a bit and you’ll find yourself face-to-face with Bryan “Bryanboy” Yambao’s daring and prescient adoption of the look in the summer of 2018 when he stepped into Paris Men’s Fashion Week looking like he came straight from the French Alps (minus the trekking poles). Wearing hiking boots and thick black socks, he successfully turned the style dial up a notch with a patterned button-down, a scattering of accessories, and cargo-esque shorts. As these things go, it was only a matter of time before the look went mainstream, with the allure of #cabincore accelerating its arrival. Four years later, mountain-ready shoes are everywhere  — from Prada to Ganni and everything in between. 

It’s this month’s high-profile, back-to-back drops that prove the hiking boot is here to take over as winter’s biggest shoe trend. On November 1, swanky skiwear label Moncler joined forces with cult-cool sneaker brand HOKA to release a high-performance shoe meant for mastering both mountains and modern cities. Just last week, for its first-ever foray into footwear, luxury outerwear brand Canada Goose launched its Journey Boot, a design that’s informed by the technicality of arctic and alpine boots but “with versatile features that make it equally essential for city adventures,” according to a press release. With such covetable brands on board, the hiking boot has amassed a style clout of Himalayan proportions. 

For the unconvinced, let us remind you of the vice-like grip that athleisure has maintained on the fashion world. Its persistent relevance is rooted in the marriage of comfort and cool — two core elements fueling the hiking shoe’s climb to industry-wide popularity. The performance boot can make you feel like you’re in the Catskills when you’re actually returned to your old Brooklyn-Manhattan commute. But, at the very least, it’s an invitation for action after far too many months spent barefoot on the couch. 

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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Virgil Abloh Is A Reminder That Fashion’s Most Prolific Designers Are Outsiders

Barrier-breaking designer. Genre-bending artist. Visionary. These are some of the ways people have described Virgil Abloh after it was announced that the 41-year-old creative died on Sunday following a private two-year battle with cancer. Over the last decade, the prolific designer — the founder of streetwear label Off-White and Louis Vuitton’s men’s artistic designer — produced no shortage of memorable designs, ranging from Off-White’s “Little Black Dress” (that was displayed at the Costume Institute 2020 “About Time” exhibit) to sought-after collaborations with everyone from artist Takashi Murakami to brand giants like Ikea, Evian, and Nike.

But unlike most other designers that have reached similarly dizzying levels of cultural success, Abloh always viewed his place in fashion as closer to the earth. Maybe because, regardless of the numerous accolades, he never stopped thinking of himself as an outsider — a “skater kid” from Chicago, an architect who didn’t go to fashion school, a DJ, a Black designer working in luxury fashion. What comes to mind for me right now, is the “You’re Obviously In The Wrong Place” installation that I saw at Abloh’s retrospective at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art in the summer of 2019. This, I imagine, is a phrase that Abloh heard often on his ascent to the highest echelons of the industry, one that influenced his career’s trajectory. 

The creative’s story is well-known by now: The son of Ghanaian immigrants, Abloh first started working with Kanye West in the mid-2000s, going on to found Off-White, the Milan-based brand that bridged streetwear and luxury fashion, in 2013. By 2018, he was appointed as Louis Vuitton’s men’s artistic director. And while it’s the latter that marks the apex of his designer career by conventional standards of high fashion — in addition to being chosen to lead a storied house, an honor for any designer, Abloh also made history by becoming the brand’s first Black artistic director to do so in its 167-year history — it is far from the most important legacy that he is leaving behind.

Abloh was often quoted saying that everything that he did was for the “17-year-old version of myself.” Not only was he continuously inspired by the youth culture for his designs, but he was also dedicated to making room for others. And that’s the refrain heard most this past weekend — stories about times that Virgil reached out to work together, to create a community, to inspire others to follow dreams. “He always worked for a greater cause than his own illustrious career: to open the door to art and fashion for future generations, so that they — unlike himself — would grow up in a creative world with people to mirror themselves in,” Edward Enninful, the Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue, wrote in an Instagram post following the news. “Your advice and encouraging words were priceless and will never be forgotten,” echoed designer Sergio Hudson, who, earlier this year, debuted his collection at NYFW after dressing Michelle Obama for Inauguration Day. “You told me my destiny was set all I had to do was walk through the door. Those words gave me the confidence to ask for what I wanted and to push even harder.”

In the decades to come, Abloh will most certainly be credited for marrying streetwear with luxury fashion. He will go down in history for poking fun at fashion — see: Off-White’s signature scare quotes that challenged consumers to view everyday items as luxury ones — and exposing the ways in which high-end aesthetics are ultimately pedestrian pursuits. He will be remembered for democratizing luxury fashion, by injecting youthful, modern touches into Louis Vuitton, a brand that has long prided itself on tradition and experience over innovation. But, as Abloh continued to break boundaries of the notoriously exclusive industry, he remained as transparent about his design process as, as some have pointed out, the see-through suitcase he designed for Rimowa. For Abloh, this collaboration and sharing of ideas were as important as the tangible end products.

Abloh shared his knowledge with the future generation of creatives in an official capacity when he taught classes at London’s Architectural Association School and through mentoring programs, but, according to his friends and collaborators, he selflessly gave advice to anyone who happened to cross paths with him. “What is very important about Virgil’s work is that the whole time he’s doing it — whether you’re a young budding designer, musician, or architect — he is ‘giving you the cheat codes,’ as he likes to say,” said Benji B, whom Abloh appointed Louis Vuitton’s Music Director, in a 2019 interview with GQ. 

Following the news of Abloh’s passing, other creatives confirmed this quality that made him a monolith among a field of gate-keeping designers. “You were a mentor to all of us. If you had the privilege of chatting with Virg for even a minute you would know he dropped gems,” wrote HBFIT founder and DJ Hannah Fallis Bronfman on Sunday. “Every time I left our convos he would leave me with a piece of advice that was so simple and yet so deeply profound. Thank you for leaving us with so many of your gifts.” In her post, former magazine editor and Instagram’s Director of Fashion Partnerships Eva Chen added, “He always wanted to help kids realize their dreams.” Given this sense of camaraderie and collaboration, it makes sense that the word that the Costume Institute chose to describe the Off-White piece selected, a delicate tulle gown skirt paired with an anorak by Canadian outdoor label Arc’teryx, for this year’s “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” exhibit was “reciprocity” —  “the quality or state of being reciprocal (mutual dependence, action, or influence).”

As a fashion designer, Abloh broke all the rules and changed the luxury fashion game. His contributions to fashion and design through his creations will never be forgotten, but it’s his legacy — to inspire every 17-year-old to dare to dream, to never wonder whether they are in the wrong place — that will live on.

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Farm Rio’s Entire Site Is 25% Off For Black Friday ONLY

The fashion moment you've been waiting for (or maybe didn't even know you needed) is here: Farm Rio's entire site is 25% off until midnight tonight with the promo code SUPER25 for Black Friday — and, is also throwing free carbon-neutral shipping on orders over $50 into the mix. The Brazilian brand first popped onto our radar as an R29-readers' favorite after the brand’s July 4th promo clocked in as the holiday weekend’s top-shopped event across the board (according to all that juicy anonymous shopping data we tap). For any who missed out on snagging the most wanted tropical-chic wares for a discount the first go-round, then this is your next best shot.

Known for its delightfully over-the-top prints (we're talking bananas and toucans, here), Farm Rio was the ideal vibe for summer 2021: bright, bold, and ready to party. Now, for the cold weather months, the brand's sweeping silhouettes and breezy fabrics are ideal for layering-upon-layering. And, best of all, its pieces are designer quality minus the designer price tag. We can see any of the brand's conversation-starting styles being effortlessly paired with shoes from casual sneakers to booties or very dressy heels. It's not just Farm Rio's fashion that's worth fawning over, the brand also boasts an eco-friendly edge; holding partnerships with several non-profit organizations that match purchases with tree-planting in the Amazon rainforest. (A deeper dive into the brand — including everything from its backstory to its bestsellers and beyond — is coming soon!)

Before we digress any further, click ahead to snap up our favorites from Farm Rio's Black Friday sale selection — and, trust us when we say, it was exceedingly difficult to narrow it down.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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An Internet-Breaking Skims’ Black Friday Sale’s Happening Right This Second

The Kardashian family has put their mark on everything from beauty brands to thriving tech companies — there aren’t many industries that have gone untouched by the notorious power-wielding Hollywood clan.  One area where they’ve really excelled in is the intimates category, thanks to middle child Kim’s brand Skims. Despite the inevitable hateration surrounding the celeb-driven imprint, it’s responsible for a host of chic, comfortable, and highly functional shapewear, lingerie, loungewear — and if you don’t believe us, just read the reviews. Lucky for us and the brand’s exploding fanbase, Skims just launched an internet-breaking Black Friday sale where a host of its best-selling styles are up to 52% off, with deals on everything from the fan-favorite cozy boucle-knit loungewear pieces to the perfectly-tailored pair of cotton underwear. (Pro tip: the brand is calling its event the Bi-annual Sale, but the dates are suspiciously close to the barrage of best Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday sales.)

My fellow staffers and I got to review the brand’s Tiktok-famous Maxi Lounge Dress a few months back, and spoiler: I absolutely loved it. While the dress is tragically remaining full-price during the event, perhaps you can justify the purchase by adding a few other discounted goods to your cart — we’re eying this just as sumptuous Silk Long Sleeve Slip for 52% off. It seems like Skims is always trending, whether it’s due to a groundswell of real-live noise coming from social media or a splashy, attention-grabbing collaboration like the Fendi x Skims drop a few weeks back. No matter how you feel about the hype, if you want loungewear and undies that you can eat, drink, sleep, run errands, and hang out in, this sale should be your first stop on Black Friday. Because combing through the online product tornado can be daunting, I’ve highlighted some bestselling faves that you shouldn’t sleep on — but you can sleep in once they arrive at your door.

Skims Silk Long Sleeve Slip, $178 $89.99

While this isn’t the viral maxi dress of our Skims’ dreams, it is a just as casual-meets-effortlessly-sexy style we’d like to live in all holiday long. With 4.9-out-of-5 stars and a reviewer consensus stating this thing is “Luxury at its finest!” we are sold on snagging it while it’s marked down to 52% off its premium price.

Skims Cozy Knit Pullover, $72 $39.99

To the brand’s superfans, Skims’ preternaturally plush Cozy fabric needs no introduction. A deep-pile knit with a boucle-like appearance, it boasts a legendary softness that a reviewer called “the perfect thing to crawl into after a long day.” We’re eyeing this slouchy, snap-neck pullover to throw on every day from now until the mercury hits 60 degrees.

Skims Fits Everybody Scoop Neck Bra, $32 $25.99

In our experience, Skims bras are normally met with a fair amount of skepticism — which quickly turns to disbelief as the wearer realizes that the colorful and comfortable brassiere in question is also a workhorse that offers actual support in addition to curb appeal. “It is literally *chefs kiss*, even for girls with giant boobs,” wrote a reviewer. “I [wear] a 34F and I SURPRISINGLY fit in a size L. It looks very small but it fits the girls just fine. I hate wearing a bra but LOVE wearing this!”

Skims Cotton Rib Brief, $28 $19.99

With a high waistband and boxer-brief details, this ribbed cotton panty has a borrowed-from-the-boys appeal that makes it feel decidedly un-granny-like.

Skims Sleep Shorts, $34 $19.99

These lounge bottoms are designed with a slightly longer leg for a cool, basketball-short vibe, and rendered in cool and silky modal for the ultimate lightweight and breathable sleepwear.

Skims Velour Crew Neck Tank, $52 $25.99

With a high neck, cropped waistline, and figure-hugging fit, this plush tank can truly go from day to night to bed. One reviewer gave the light-catching top “1,000 stars” for its comfort and all-over softness. “I have never in my life felt something so soft, both on the outside AND inside.”

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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Lululemon’s Black Friday Specials Are The Best We’ve Seen Yet

When it comes to premium activewear with a legendary cult following, no brand compares to Lululemon. And, we should know — R29’s Shopping team is full of genuine die-hard fans who simply sweat for the stuff. We’ve covered the best-selling styles that fellow ‘Lemon-heads are obsessed with; we test-drove (and loved) the buttery-soft Instill collection that launched earlier this year; we’ve already scoured the site for all the best holiday gift ideas from Lululemon. As the ultimate destination for high-quality workout clothes and performance gear, Lululemon doesn’t need to host a Black Friday special — but it is. Happy Thanksgiving to us! We are grateful. Scroll on for some of our favorite finds from Lululemon’s Black Friday event, broken down by the brand’s top-selling categories. And afterward, if you’re still click-happy for more deals this weekend, check out our coverage of all the best Black Friday sales here.

Lululemon Black Friday Leggings Specials

Built to wick sweat, dry fast, and keep you cool, Lululemon’s low-friction, super-soft leggings are the workout staple you need.

The Wunder Under High-Rise Tight, $98 $69

The Wunder Train High-Rise Tight, $98 $79

The Invigorate High-Rise Tight, $128 $99

Lululemon Black Friday Sports Bras Specials

From high-support bras to breathable tops perfect for yoga, Lululemon has you covered and supported (literally!) with breathable, adjustable, and even reversible sports bras.

The Ebb to Train Bra, $68 $39

The Align Reversible Bra, $58 $39

The In Alignment Straight Strap Bra, $68 $39

Luluemon Black Friday Outerwear Specials

Specials on jackets, pullovers, and parkas? Yes, please! Lululemon’s sleek, soft, and water-repellent outerwear will keep you warm without leaving you overheated.

The StretchSeal Relaxed-Fit Rain Jacket, $228 $159

The Define Jacket Luon, $118 $89

The Insulated Quilted Pullover Jacket, $168 $119

Lululemon Black Friday Pants Specials

Made out of the same stretchy, breathable, sweat-wicking fabric Lululemon devotees know and love, these pants and joggers will keep you comfortable and cool at the office, your next coffee date, or wherever you’re headed after Thanksgiving break.

The Beyond The Studio Jogger, $118 $79

The Warpstreme High-Rise Jogger, $128 $99

Lululemon Black Friday Accessories Specials

Your Black Friday haul isn’t complete without a bag, scrunchie, or face mask. Here are a few of Lululemon’s cutest accessories and best scores.

The Run All Day Backpack 3L, $118 $79

Lululemon Double Strap Face Mask 3-Pack, $28 $19

The On My Level Bag 19L, $128 $99

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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24 Gifts For The Woman Who Wants Nothing This Holiday Season

We all have those people in our lives — ones who say they don't want anything for the holidays. But, come gift-giving season and they're handing you a meticulously wrapped, thoughtful present, and you can't really be empty-handed. What then makes a good gift for the woman who wants nothing?

If they have their go-to essentials or favorites, look to upgraded versions of those. Have they been rotating between the same two pairs of sweatpants while working from home? Go with a loungewear gift that includes some fashion-forward joggers, or fluffy socks that don't come in a pack of five. Did they turn into a homebody over the course of the pandemic? Gift them everything they need for a luxe night in.

Ahead, 24 foolproof gifts to thrill the woman in your life who claims to want nothing this year.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

Brother Vellies Something Special

For anyone who loves all things small-batch, artisan, and sustainable, Brother Vellies' Something Special subscription guarantees, as the name suggests, something special every month. Past deliveries include Oaxaca clay mugs and wooden combs and charms from Kenya.

Alternatively, you can buy these cloud-like socks that were part of the Something Special drop early on. Proceeds from the Lavender pair fund Brother Vellies' mask-making and food-distribution initiative in Kenya.

Brother Vellies Cloud Sock, $, available at Brother Vellies

Parade Underwear Pack

If underwear is the only thing on your giftee's wishlist, make it this pack from Parade, a brand whose inclusive approach to intimates has resulted in 500,000 pairs sold in its first year alone. 

Parade Jewel Tones Pack, $, available at Parade

Longchamp Knit Shoulder Bag

Not only will this designer shopping bag replace your recipient's errand-day tote for good, but it's also incredibly versatile. Place a scarf or a piece of fabric on the inside, and the shopper will go from farmer's market to Sunday brunch.

Longchamp Le Pliage Filet Knit Shoulder Bag, $, available at Nordstrom

Ganni Coffee Table Book

For all the #GanniGirls.

Ganni 'Ganni: Gimme More' book, $, available at Ganni

Pleasing Nail Polish

Even if they are not a Harry Styles stan, they will appreciate the look of this nail polish, from "Watermelon Sugar" singer's new beauty line. While the product is currently sold-out, you can sign up to receive early access to the restock on November 29.

Pleasing Perfect Pearl Polish, $, available at Pleasing

The Clear Cut Bandit

Your newly engaged friend (it's the season!) doesn't know yet that she needs this wrist band, with a zipper pocket, to keep her ring safe when on-the-go or working out. After she starts using it though, she will become obsessed.

The Clear Cut "Something Blue" Bandit, $, available at The Clear Cut

Staud x New Balance Sneakers

For the New Balance fans whose sneakers are falling apart. This pair comes courtesy of another collaboration drop between the sportswear brand for its "dad sneakers" and the buzzy label Staud.

New Balance x Staud 574 sneaker in Raincloud, $, available at Staud

Yes Way Rosé Single-Serve Sparkling Wine

A single-serve bottle of bubbles fit for a lockdown queen who isn't ready to give up her homebody ways. This one also makes for a great stocking stuffer.

Yes Way Rosé Mini Bubbles, $, available at Yes Way Rosé

Pangaia Cashmere Balaclava

Forget hats and gloves this season! Instead, opt for a balaclava, winter's hottest accessory. Our pick is this recycled cashmere number.

Pangaia Recycled Cashmere Balaclava, $, available at Pangaia

Tombolo Set

This casual-chic après ski-inspired set is topping my holiday wishlist.

Tombolo "Après Ski" Cabana Jacket, $, available at Tombolo

Tombolo "Après Ski" Cabana Pants, $, available at Tombolo

Byredo Sanitizer

Add this luxe "rinse-free hand wash" to every stocking you're stuffing this year.

Byredo Rose Rinse-Free Hand Wash, $, available at Bloomingdale's

East Olivia Dried Flower Bouquet

A dried bouquet that will delight the host long after all the dinner guests have left.

East Olivia The Olivia Holiday Medium Bouquet, $, available at East Olivia

Maison Kitsuné T-Shirt

A quality white tee for the person who has committed to a capsule wardrobe in 2022.

Maison Kitsune Fox motif T-shirt, $, available at Farfetch

Shhhowercap Shower Cap

One of my favorite gifts to give (and receive!), this high-end shower cap has been my beauty must-have for the past five years.

Shhhowercap The Melrose Shower Cap, $, available at Violet Gray

Astrid & Miyu Huggies

For the person who you always get piercings with.


Astrid & Miyu Mystic Simple Huggies in Rose Gold, $, available at Astrid & Miyu

Adidas x Wales Bonner Hat

Fans of Wales Bonner's designs will love the British designer's collaboration with sports giant Adidas featuring covetable apparel and accessories.

Adidas x Wales Bonner Reversible logo-embroidered cotton bucket hat, $, available at MatchesFashion

Abacaxi x SVNR Hand-Dyed Scarf

Created as a result of a collaboration between abacaxi, a brand that has risen in popularity for its tie-dye designs since the pandemic took hold, and SVNR, a label known for its silk dresses, these hand-dyed scarves are not only stunning but also one-of-a-kind.

Abacaxi x SVNR Hand-dyed scarf, $, available at SVNR

La DoubleJ Apron

A perfect gift for the fashion-loving cook from print-forward brand La DoubleJ.

LaDoubleJ Wildbird-print cotton-canvas apron, $, available at MatchesFashion

Gucci The Hacker Project Card Case

Earlier in the year, Gucci made headlines for "hacking" Balenciaga as part of its Aria runway show. Now the collection is available for all your luxury gifting needs. This one is for the nicest people on your list.

Gucci The Hacker Project Flora card case, $, available at Gucci

Sincerely Jules for Bandier Sweatshirt Dress

This one is made for the person who plans on going from the dinner table to the couch for the duration of the holidays.

Sincerely Jules for Bandier The Dahlia Sweatshirt Dress, $, available at Bandier

Roxanne Assouline Customizable Bracelet

Who can resist a customizable jewelry piece? Go for one from this Instagram-beloved brand known for its candy-colored bracelets.

Roxanne Assoulin Build-your-own bracelet, $, available at Roxanne Assoulin

Prada Water Bottle

The most opulent water bottle you can gift this season.

Prada Stainless steel water bottle, 500 ml, $, available at Prada

Pisani Et Al. Candle

Even the person who wants nothing will appreciate a good candle. With a hand-cut glass container, this one will double as decor, not to mention fill the room with aromas of sandalwood, amber, and incense.

Pisani Et Al. De Aetna Candela, $, available at Pisani Et Al.

Dollchunk Heart Ring

Child-like rings are trending on TikTok. Impress the hard-to-please Gen Zer on your list with this whimsical design from fashion writer and Refinery29 contributor Kristen Bateman who is also known for her can't-miss personal style.

Dollchunk Bubble Gum Heart Puff Ring, $, available at Dollchunk

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Eddie Bauer Oversized Down Throw

Give your friend a hug in the form of an ultra-warm, down-filled blanket from Eddie Bauer that features the softest fleece on one side and a comforting plaid print on the other.

Eddie Bauer Oversized Down Throw, $, available at Eddie Bauer

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