Catwoman's signature uniform — the catsuit — has made its mark, and it's one of fashion's buzziest styles for 2022. We first witnessed the statement look on spring/summer 2022 runways, particularly Saint Laurent, and then on a string of celebs, such as Kim Kardashian, Hailey Bieber, and Sandra Bullock for red carpet premieres, interviews, and events. Trendsetters have even adapted the fashion-forward piece for upscale date-night 'fits, GNO, and vacay ensembles. It's remained a favorite look and is now on its way to becoming a fall trend, especially with Halloween around the corner.
We've rounded up all sorts of snazzy catsuits, like colorful options inspired by Barbiecore's pink and neon yellow; sparkly '70s-inspired designs; and jazzy printed ones. Of course, we couldn't forget picks in Catwoman's iconic black. So whether you're debating adding a bit of pizzazz to Friday-night outfits or you're prepping for Halloween, you'll find your designated catsuit here.
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Long before launching her namesake label, Kika Vargas dreamed of designing clothes that were inspired by and rooted in her Colombian heritage. The Bogotá-born designer, who previously worked for the Italian label Missoni, says her mission was to “go back [to Colombia] to build something for us, as a community, as a country.”
That dream has become a reality for Vargas’ inner child, who used to fantasize about making clothes during family trips to Europe. A graduate of both School of the Art Institute in Chicago and the Instituto Marangoni in Milan, Vargas grew up surrounded by creativity, thanks largely to her parents, who are art collectors and gallery owners. At Missoni, Vargas learned firsthand the craft of print-making from a storied house known for its ‘70s-inspired, vibrant prints, but she longed for home. By 2010, she moved to Bogotá and kicked off her eponymous brand.
More than a decade later, Vargas is on her way to becoming an international household name. Known for its voluminous ruffles, bubble-hemmed frocks, and cottagecore-ready puff sleeves, Vargas’ label is now sold in luxury retailers worldwide, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, and Matches. In 2021, the brand was a finalist for the 2021 LVMH Prize, alongside names like Christopher John Rogers and Charles de Vilmorin. Just recently, Vargas became part of Target’s annual designer collaboration, alongside Sergio Hudson and La Ligne.
Even as the label grows, Vargas’ mission remains the same. Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Vargas and her Colombia-based team started a new phase for the business, focusing on working with and sourcing from the country’s local pool of craftspeople and traditions. “It was always my dream to have something in Colombia and support the industry there,” she says. “I like saying that instead of building our country, we’re tailoring it.”
In the past, Latin American fashion designers have done things a little differently. Similarly to Vargas, designers like Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Narciso Rodriguez, and Isabel Toledo cut their teeth and grew their brands in the United States, yet few opted for their native countries as a home base. For Vargas, this is what distinguishes a new generation of Latin American creatives from their predecessors: “Before, people would leave and never come back, and now, young creatives want to bring new tools to their country with pride.”
Beyond geographical location, Vargas’ brand is also heavily inspired by Colombia’s look and feel. You see it in the frothy textures, colorful prints, ruffled hemlines, and detailed construction that has always characterized Latin American craftsmanship. The overall effect is also embedded with a bit of fantasy, or what is known in the literary and art worlds as “magical realism.” “Latin America has a unique type of beauty that feels like magic wherever you look,” says Vargas. The garments speak to this aesthetic: ethereal frocks that are equally appropriate for a day at the market or cocktail event, as well as prints, all hand-drawn by Vargas, that come alive with stories as you look closer.
Later this month, when her collaboration with Target launches, Vargas’ label will be available to millions in the United States at a newly accessible price point. She considers it a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between mass retail and luxury design: “It’s super important that people know they can buy designer clothes for an affordable price, and that it’s still well-made in the details and materials,” she says. Although Colombians at home won’t be able to buy the collection — Target is not established in Latin America yet — Vargas is excited to introduce her brand to a new slew of customers in the US, bringing them a piece of her homeland.
“I’m just very proud,” she says.
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Now, for its latest endeavor in responsibly made fashion, Madewell has linked up with Erin Beatty of Rentrayage, who is known for creating entirely handcrafted pieces from discarded vintage and deadstock fabrics. Given everything Beatty releases is either one of a kind or limited edition and she operates her label under a zero-waste production model, it only makes sense that this partnership came to fruition.
The Madewell x Rentrayage collection marks the first of many collabs that will live under the Madewell Forever umbrella, a destination for shoppers who want to shop more responsibly rather than buy new. Madewell Forever launched in 2021 with its denim trade-in program (through the program, Madewell has already diverted over 540 tons of waste from landfills), and it will now expand to become a more robust curated vintage marketplace that will include all forthcoming sustainable designer collabs.
“The design process is super-similar to how we design at Rentrayage. We started with Madewell’s old inventory, looked at the pieces, and started to cut them up, smashing things together in unexpected ways,” says Rentrayage founder Erin Beatty. “For instance, with the mashup denim shirt jacket, we used existing seams to cut into, replaced the bottom half with a puffer, and added denim pockets for continuity. The result is something so cool.” As for the one-of-a-kind styles, because these were made out of Retrayage’s own atelier, Beatty tells us that shoppers will be able to discover extra-special, completely unique touches.
A super-fresh, ruched take on the Breton stripe tee.
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 or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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When it comes to uncovering the most-wanted stuff for fall, there's a particularly iconic image that comes to mind: Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal wearing twin fisherman sweaters, circa 1989, in When Harry Met Sally. (Although Chris Evans in that cable-knit number from Knives Out is a more recent cultural reference worthy of an honorable mention, too.) Knitwear embodies all that's good about autumn: the foliage tones, the in-between temps. But which cozy styles are actually worth investing in?
Normally this is where we'd say: That's where we come in! Except that, in the case of this article, this is only partially true. While we've rounded up 18 covetable styles, from timeless one-tone options to chic prints, we have to credit the impassioned shoppers who left the detailed ratings and reviews that helped us curate this list. It's thanks to their honest accounts that we were able to unearth some of the best fall sweaters on the internet — and, because of that, you'll be able to frolic through fall in a garment that's guaranteed to please.
Scroll ahead to discover the internet's most highly rated sweaters for fall.
Welcome toHype Machine, our hit-list of the top reviewed products across the web — according to a crowd of die-hard shoppers. Call this your 4-star & up only club, with entry granted by our devoted-to-the-goods shop editors.
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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