Friday, September 30, 2022

Channel Catwoman This Fall With A Sleek Catsuit

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.

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.

Vibrant Catsuits


If you haven't jumped on the Barbiecore bandwagon, Good American's shiny pink catsuit is your chance.

Good American High Shine Compression Catsuit, $, available at Good American
Athleisure meet catsuit. Work out in this comfy breathable mesh 'fit and then complete a long day of errands afterward.

adidas x Ivy Park Mesh Knit Catsuit, $, available at Adidas
New to catsuits? Try this approachable and easy-to-style one from Bandier. It could be your new staple for Zumba classes or for lounging at home.

Bandier Positano Catsuit, $, available at Bandier
Stay warm and cozy this fall in a fluffy sweater-knit catsuit. Did we mention it comes in a cheerful green apple shade?

Savage x Fenty Fluff It Up Catsuit, $, available at Savage x Fenty

Timeless Black Catsuits


Have you ever wished your stylish split-hem yoga pants could be a one-piece that you can wear all day? Well, the fashion genies have heard you loud and clear.


Norma Kamali Sleeveless Spat Legging Catsuit, $, available at Revolve
Black lace, could there be anything more sultry? Maybe in a chic catsuit, perhaps?

By Anthropologie Lace Catsuit, $, available at Anthropologie
Embody a dainty ballerina in this Ronny Kobo one-piece. The peplum waist mimics a delicate tutu.

Ronny Kobo Marmo Jersey Strapless Peplum Catsuit, $, available at Saks Fifth Avenue
Behold Catwoman's black (faux) leather suit. The edgy and sultry 'fit features all the characteristics of the iconic outfit.

Windsor Faux Leather Mock Neck Catsuit, $, available at Windsor

Striking Printed Catsuits


Marine Serre's beige catsuit screams Halloween with its quirky moon logo pattern. Try it out with cat ears this spooky season for an eye-catching look.

Marine Serre Beige Moon Catsuit, $, available at SSENSE
A romantic dress is great, but a romantic catsuit is a refreshing spin and mesmerizing, too. Free People has a floral red-printed one with a deep V-neckline and a front-tie detail.

Free People Flora Printed Catsuit, $, available at Free People
While Alex Perry's tie-dye print jumpsuit comes at a hefty price, the details deserve your attention. The ruched sweetheart neckline and the glowing colors are so charming, you won't stop staring.

Alex Perry Lanson Printed Sweetheart Catsuit, $, available at Neiman Marcus
The Bad Society Club is known for its glamorous superstar-inspired looks. The brand created a one-of-a-kind halter-neck catsuit with details like zip-front fastening and soft velvet contrast side panels.

Bad Society Club Velvet Sleeveless Contrast Panel Catsuit, $, available at ASOS

Sparkly Catsuits


Dance under the light and witness yourself transform into a dazzling ball with this crystal-embellished one-piece.

Alice + Olivia Freddie Crewneck Embellished Catsuit, $, available at Shopbop
Slip into this metallic cherry-red catsuit for an unforgettable look. The turtleneck is a unique departure from the usual scoop neckline.

Kepblom Shiny Metallic Catsuit, $, available at Amazon
As you groove to the music, all the rainbow colors will shine off your white holographic catsuit. The scoop neckline offers additional room for a glistening necklace.

CoquetryClothing | | White Kaleidoscope Holographic Catsuit, $, available at Etsy
Shimmer in the stretchiest catsuit you've ever worn. It comes in four other semi-sheer neutral shades for you to keep in rotation.

Skims Shimmer Catsuit, $, available at Skims

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Colombian Designer Kika Vargas Is Building A Better Future Through Fashion

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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This Madewell x Rentrayage Collab Is Entirely Upcycled From Fabric Scraps

For several years now, Madewell has committed to becoming a more eco-conscious fashion brand. It has a denim recycling program in partnership with Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green initiative, where customers can donate jeans that will then be turned into housing insulations for communities in need. It also has a resale program that launched in 2021 with thredUP. Through it, shoppers can buy secondhand (or thirdhand) Madewell pieces at more affordable prices. Madewell has also started collaborating more with designers, specifically those committed to sustainability and circularity, such as Sarah Nsikak of La Réunion, who has created collections of gorgeous patchwork styles made from leftover Madewell scraps.

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.

“We have a long history of working with brands that incorporate circularity, from the New Denim Project to Rekut and La Réunion, and now Rentrayage,” says Joyce Lee, senior vice president of design at Madewell. “I am excited about this collaboration in particular because of the unique design point of view that the Rentrayage team brings. Each piece is beautifully crafted and feels both elevated and wearable.”

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.

Similar to the La Réunion drop, Madewell x Rentrayage is a limited-edition clothing collection patch-worked from seasons-old Madewell fabric remnants. It consists of 10 core styles in a range of sizes and seven pieces that are one-of-a-kind (best of luck trying to score one of these exclusive wares). Items range from a ’90s-inspired babydoll dress, a utilitarian pant with a floral flourish, and a sweatshirt with a charming, frilly collar.

“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.

Shop the 10 limited-edition pieces from the Madewell x Rentrayage collection below.

Madewell x Rentrayage Upcycled Hoodie Dress, $215

The grungey babydoll dress of our dreams.

Madewell x Rentrayage Upcycled Patchwork Maxi Dress, $215

When clashing prints is exactly the right move.

Madewell x Rentrayage Upcycled Patchwork Maxi Dress, $215

When windowpanes meet florals meet plaid. Don’t even question it.

Madewell x Rentrayage Upcycled Patchwork Utility Pants, $185

These floral patches are blooming — on the knees, on the waistband, and on the butt pockets.

Madewell x Rentrayage Upcycled Button-Up Shirt, $155

A denim workshirt that’s as effortless as your everyday jeans.

Madewell x Rentrayage Upcycled Button-Up Shirt, $155

Get it oversized for that slouchy, devil-may-care attitude.

Madewell x Rentrayage Upcycled Ruffle-Collar Sweatshirt, $135

This darling sweatshirt is what we imagine when a little clowncore meets a little cottagecore.

Madewell x Rentrayage Upcycled Denim Shirt-Jacket, $245

A perfect jacket for when you can’t choose between a puffer and a jean jacket.

Madewell x Rentrayage Upcycled Field Jacket, $245

We love this reimagined military jacket, now cozied up with patches of sherpa.

Madewell x Rentrayage Upcycled Ruched Tee, $90

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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