Sydney Sweeney knows what she likes, and it starts with low-rise jeans.
The 28-year-old actress has kept busy, starring in The Housemaid, reprising her role of Cassie in Euphoria season three, and sitting on a slew of unreleased projects. Still, her stacked schedule couldn't keep her away from American Eagle—and for her third collaboration with the brand, she’s once again putting denim at the forefront.
Post the polarizing 2025 “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” campaign and this summer’s “Syd for Short” push, the actress is doubling down on her relationship with the brand, starring in a campaign for one of the most nostalgic denim trends. The curated fall lineup includes straight-leg, wide-leg, barrel, and bootcut options, all with one defining detail: a hip-grazing waist.
“Fashion always comes back around, but I think people are ready to have fun with denim again,” Sweeney exclusively told Refinery29, calling the hipsters an “exciting change” after high-rise jeans dominated the better part of the last decade.
But the low-rise revival isn’t showing up in the same way as it did in the 2000s. Instead of copying and pasting a look from Christina Aguilera’s Dirrty era and wearing overly tight pants, Sweeney is redefining the denim staple with a more relaxed and practical approach, reaching for billowy, classic, and fitted styles alike. “Low-rise isn’t tied to one super-specific silhouette anymore,” she said.
Sweeney’s reimagined approach shines through the accompanying photoshoot. In one look, Sweeney wears a minimalist white tank top, reaching for a cropped denim jacket in another. In all, she goes barefoot with tousled hair. The styling feels removed from the need to recreate Y2K looks exactly (think butterfly tank tops and platform flip-flops), reminding us that wearing low-rise jeans is extremely personal; it’s less about dressing like the early aughts and more about making the trend your own. For Sweeney, that starts with the fit.
“I know pretty quickly when I put on a pair of jeans whether I’m going to live in them,” she said. Comfort—or a lack thereof—can make or break a pair of pants, which is why finding the right balance between stretch and structure is essential. Thankfully, American Eagle’s fall low-rise collection offers denim that moves with you, without ever sacrificing shape.
Love them or hate them, low-rise jeans are back, but Sweeney’s fall wardrobe is proof that we don’t need to wear them as if we teleported back in time. Take a cue from Sweeney and make the revival your own. Keep scrolling to discover some of the actress’ favorite American Eagle fall picks.
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.
American Eagle Low-Rise Baggy Straight Jean, $, available at American Eagle
American Eagle Low-Rise Baggy Ultra Wide-Leg Jean, $, available at American Eagle
American Eagle Low-Rise Kick Bootcut Jean, $, available at American Eagle
American Eagle Low-Rise Flare Jean, $, available at American Eagle
American Eagle Super Low-Rise Kick Bootcut Jean, $, available at American Eagle
American Eagle Lowest-Rise Baggy Wide-Leg Jean, $, available at American Eagle
American Eagle Low-Rise Classic Straight Jean, $, available at American Eagle
American Eagle Low-Rise Baggy Barrel Jean, $, available at American Eagle
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Newsflash: You don't need a whole new back-to-school season wardrobe overhaul. Your fall outfits just need minor updates in the form of accessories — like a bold yet versatile snakeskin bag, street style toe-ring sandals, a "big ass bag"... or a business tie.
Ties are having a moment. In recent years, celebrities like Nicole Kidman and Ayo Adebri have also put their stamp of approval on the menswear-inspired accessory for red carpets. But even more top of mind, Harry Styles, who has worn ties for performances for years, is currently wearing '70s business chic uniforms for his Together Together tour. (And I can assure you that all of his concertgoers, including myself, are wearing ties to his concerts too.)
So if you need concert outfit inspo or to update your back-to-school style, simply add a business tie to your look, whether you're trying to channel Harry Styles or Gossip Girl's Serena van der Woodsen.
Ahead, find a range of new and vintage ties from reader-favorite brands (Aritzia, J.Crew, etc.) to designer brands (Burberry, Gucci, etc.) in preppy stripes, kitschy patterns, and fall color combos to help you get down to business.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
Olivia Rodrigo may only be 23, but the pop star knows exactly who she is. The young singer has been vocal about supporting women’s rights since she was a teenager, and recently held the inaugural Daisy Chain Fields music festival — inspired by Sarah McLachlan’s Lilith Fair — raising $20 million USD for women’s charities. During a press conference for the festival, where she announced an initial $10 USD million donation, Rodrigo made waves by stepping out in a Palestinian-designed dress by Nöl Collective. At a time when Palestine is suffering under Israeli occupation, wearing a garment made on the ground with symbols of freedom on it was a strong statement.
“It helped say, ‘We are still here; we have not been forgotten’,” designer and founder Yasmeen Mjalli tells Refinery29. “It meant the world to us.” Mjalli isn’t sure how Rodrigo or her team discovered their fashion brand, but says they were honoured to be chosen, and stayed in contact with her team throughout the process. While the singer’s team suggested some general ideas for the silhouette that aligned with her classic style and the colour pink, Nöl Collective were given more free rein than one might imagine. “We had a lot of creative freedom in the details, such as the shade of pink — a soft and dusty rose — the type of material we use[d], raw silk, [and] details like the flutter sleeves, frilled neckline, the embroidery motifs and the embroidery colours,” the designer explains. “It was so much fun to be given the creative freedom to bring something to life that honoured Olivia’s style while also reflecting our own identity.”
The symbols on the dress are also more than just decoration. While the garment is beautiful, Nöl Collective knows the power that Palestinian embroidery can hold; representing a political reality, the natural world, and our dreams. The design house chose specific motifs to tie into Rodrigo’s ethos and what she stands for. “The flowers spoke to the theme of the Daisy Chain Fields festival. Flowers are incredibly important in our world; they decorate the land after rains, [provide] beauty after a storm, [support] ecosystems, [feed] wildlife, and sometimes [contain] medicinal properties,” Mjalli says. “In this particular instance, the daisy chain symbolizes the power of a united world in the face of adversity.” The dusty rose dress also featured embroidered birds, a clear representation of freedom — not just for Palestinians, but for all those who need it around the world.
It helped say, ‘We are still here; we have not been forgotten’.
Yasmeen Mjalli On olivia rodrigo choosing Nöl Collective To Design Her Dress
Nöl Collective’s garments are handmade in Jerusalem, Gaza, Ramallah, and Bethlehem, and the fashion brand places a strong emphasis on showcasing the entire process. Mjalli knows fashion is inherently political, regardless of where a garment is made. “70% of garment workers in the world are women; it’s a women’s rights issue,” she says. “[And] because fashion has unfathomably detrimental effects on the environment, it’s also an environmental issue.” Fast fashion has been widely criticized for human rights violations and environmental impact, but it’s so easy for consumers to compartmentalize or ignore these issues.
“When you show how the garment is made, you humanize the process and close the gap that separates the consumer from the creator. The hope is that people are more mindful when buying because they can see how much time, labor and love go into a garment,” the designer explains. “We hope that for every garment we put out in the world, you can picture the hands of the women who made them — the same hands which brush hair, pick fruit, and hold children and grandchildren.”
It’s impossible to talk about Nöl Collective without acknowledging the impact the Israeli occupation has had on them. For Mjalli, it’s incredibly hard to put into words how difficult the process of creating garments has been. Moving between cities and towns now takes much longer due to military checkpoints, shipping orders is challenging due to border closures, and customs can destroy shipments at their discretion.
It was so much fun to be given the creative freedom to bring something to life that honored Olivia’s style while also reflecting our own identity.
Nöl Collective founder Yasmeen Mjalli
The fashion house uses natural fibres that it is unable to source locally, so it relies on shipments from overseas. Last week, a large shipment of naturally dyed and hand-woven wools from Indian artisans was rejected. “[It was] destroyed last week, simply because of who we are. This was devastating, because our production had already been delayed for months, meaning the collection would be released much later than needed,” the founder says. “We still had to pay the cost of shipping and for the fabric itself because the artisans still need to be paid for their labor, and then we still needed to buy replacement fabric.” The fashion house ended up having to start a GoFundMe to cover the excess costs because fashion and art matter, and it’s a form of resistance to keep going.
Mjalli wants people to understand how vital it is to support Palestinian businesses, especially those on the ground. “We are creating under impossible circumstances,” she says. “Every day, a door slams shut in our face, and we keep searching until we find another door to keep going. So many talented artisans here don’t get a chance, so supporting artisanal work on the ground here can profoundly impact the community.”
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Throwing on a bold layering piece is, often, all it takes to make a good outfit great and the timely resurgence of the Napoleon jacket — complete with epaulettes and columns of oversized buttons — among popular trends for 2026 just confirms it.
Despite the summer season still underway, I can’t help but notice the faint chill in the air when the sun goes down, which means colder weather is right around the corner and it’s time to start thinking about fall and winter wardrobes. If you’re like me, and prefer to keep your daily uniform easy yet elevated (think, some iteration of denim and a plain tee), then introducing something a little more festive into the mix as the temperature drops can make all the difference, especially when you want a little more flair.
Of course, the military jacket is nothing new and has been through its fair share of trend cycles, coming out on the other end more powerful than before. Named after 19th-century French military leader Napoleon Bonaparte, the cropped uniform silhouette has since been adopted by the style set, with Yves Saint Laurent leading the way in the late 1960s. By the ’90s, Jean Paul Gaultier and Thierry Mugler were among some of the big names to put their own spin on the look.
Cultural icons like Michael Jackson and supermodel Kate Moss also began to embrace the trend, with the former making it an integral part of his stage presence. This only further cemented the jacket’s status within the fashion industry. Today, it’s defined by a strongly defined shoulder, navy, gold, white, and red color combos, and, of course, round embossed buttons (functional or not).
Aside from the likes of Alexander McQueen and Ann Demeulemeester, who have been designing Napoleon jackets for decades, the last few seasons have seen a noticeable influx of brands, big and small, who are influenced by military uniforms. According to fashion psychologist Shakaila Forbes-Bell, this is always a sign of the times, as well as the industry’s current obsession with the indie sleaze aesthetic. “People like to use their style as a way to reflect the current cultural zeitgeist,” she previously told Refinery29. “[Shoppers are] dressing in styles that are a bit more utilitarian and pragmatic.”
Back in February, I sat front row as Cinq à Sept debuted a fitted denim Napoleon jacket, paired with a pussy-bow blouse on its Fall 2026 runway in NYC. While later in the season, R13 offered a super wearable take on the trend in longline and oversized silhouettes emblazoned with the same large, round buttons you’d expect on more traditional styles. Meanwhile, cool-girl brand EB Denim’s “Ford” Jacket feels like a more posh, updated version that has the same versatility as a classic black blazer.
When it comes to embracing the look IRL, the key is to keep it super simple and straightforward, slipping it over generally unfussy ensembles to let the military-inspired details do all of the talking. I paired the vintage, Ralph Lauren version that I found on Poshmark with dark-wash flared jeans and a Tabi ballet flat for a family dinner, like it was 2006.
Dua Lipa tends to take a more casual approach, wearing bright red and navy cropped styles by Ann Demeulemeester with denim and white T-shirts. Blackpink’s Jennie wore a custom Napoleon jacket by the brand for Lollapalooza in August, opting for a leather triangle bikini top underneath. Whereas, Brother Vellies creative director and founder of the 15 Percent Pledge, Aurora James took a more playful approach, styling her navy blue Napoleon-inspired Chanel Spring 2009 jacket with bloomer pants and mules—before ultimately slipping it over the classic white tee and denim combo, to show the secondhand style’s range.
Whether you opt for an affordable Napoleon jacket for everyday wear or are looking to invest in a luxury piece for your personal archive, there are a bunch of different styles available on the market to choose from, many of which will make even the simplest of ensembles that much more interesting. The endless styling options are just the icing on the proverbial cake.
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Your Labor Day countdown is officially on. With the long weekend quickly, it’s time to take advantage of all the sales going on and stock up on, well, everything. Think: transitional-weather styles, home décor upgrades, refreshed beauty routines, and beyond. From end-of-summer swimwear to investment mattresses, there are lots of steals to start shopping now.
Scroll on for a comprehensive list of the best early Labor Day deals that you can shop already (alphabetized for the more impatient scrollers). Refinery29 reader-favorite brands like Cozy Earth, Lululemon, Madewell, Ulta, Vacation, and Wayfair are offering mega discounts to get you back-to-school-season ready. (Just keep your eyes open, because we’ll be dropping more sale information here ahead of the holiday weekend.)
Through September 9, take up to 55% off sitewide, including 30% off select appliances, 45% off select cookware, and 55% off bundles (with bundle & sale savings).
Through September 15, shop king mattresses for the price of queens, save up to $400 on adjustable bases with mattress purchases, and take 15% off pillows, bedding, and accessories.
Through September 7, take take an extra 20% off sale styles with code SWEETSUMMER26.
Frame Sale
Through September 7, take an extra 30% off marked-down styles (automatically applied at checkout) for up to 70% off, especially across men’s and women’s denim.
Good American Sale
For a limited time, take an extra 40% off markdowns, for up to 76% off select styles.
Hill House Home Sale
For a limited time, take up to 75% off summer styles with an extra 30% off automatically applied at checkout.
Hunza G Sale
For a limited time, take 20% off swimwear sitewide with code WEEKEND20.
Lululemon knows a thing or two about creating viral belt bags, chic travel accessories, and conversation-starting tote bags. The R29 reader-favorite brand also knows how to do them especially well, with most bag styles receiving at least 4 out of 5 stars from thousands of devout customers.
And there’s a whole lot of range and variety. From sporty fanny packs and versatile crossbody bags to spacious carryalls and backpacks, Lululemon has all your everyday essentials… and concert outfit and vacation plan needs covered!
A trusty backpack is essential for any fitness or everyday wardrobe — and Lululemon has a variety of high-quality packs to choose from. “For years, Lululemon’s Everyday Backpack was my go-to travel pack,” R29’s senior writer Karina Hoshikawa says. “The design is sleek and streamlined, but don’t be fooled: The backpack can hold a ton of stuff. I also love that it has plenty of compartments and pockets (but not too many that things inevitably get lost), and has a padded pocket that fits my 15-inch work laptop. It’s also made from a water-repellent, recycled nylon fabric that is surprisingly easy to clean in case of accidental spills. I use it mostly for travel, but I truly could see this working perfectly for everyday use (hence the name), commutes, or school.”
For fans of the beloved Everywhere Belt Bag, don’t sleep on its sibling, the spacious Everywhere Backpack: It’s a classic style, with durable ripstop fabric (not to mention, 100% of the polyester is recycled material). Heading out for a hike or long bike ride? The highly rated All Sport Backpack is ready for any outdoor adventure, with plenty of space for gear and hydration. Or, for something a bit more versatile, the Wunderlust Backpack Mini is a great pick.
Many of Lululemon’s larger bags — including the viral Big-Ass design — have found their way into our best-of-the-best travel bag and gym bag roundups, so we had to highlight them first. Hoshikawa has called the 2-in-1 Travel Duffle Backpack “a game-changer” because of just how roomy and convertible it is. But the smaller City Essentials Bag is also roomy and just as popular with shoppers for gym runs and weekend trips.
A trusty crossbody bag is a must-have, and Lululemon has several customer-favorite styles to pick from. Take on the concert and club circuit with the new All Night Festival Bag or the bestselling Crossbody Camera Bag, which R29’s former senior life writer, Tanyel Mustafa, has in black and takes out clubbing. And for your travel plans, long hikes, and every adventure in between, choose from the brand’s popular Wunderlust collection. They’re all as versatile and functional as they are stylish.
Lululemon offers a tote bag for every occasion and need. Opt for the roomy Daily Multi-Pocket Tote to carry around your everyday essentials. Hoshikawa owns this style in the logo design and uses it for day trips and office days. The brand also has totes specifically designed for travel (lightweight and water-repellent) and for new parents (with water bottle holders and an attached changing mats). You’ll even find structured canvas totes in 12L or a 9L size, which could serve as a lunch bag.
The Everywhere Belt Bag is no doubt the most well-known and beloved Lululemon bag out there, with the original 1L size and style averaging a 4.7 star rating from over 23,300 customers. For many people, the sleek fanny-pack-meets-sling-bag style has become a closet staple for running errands, attending concerts, or traveling. Because of its popularity, there are now many iterations of the belt bag, from extra large and extra mini sizes to clear bags, perfect for concerts and baseball games. The brand also offers additional belt bag styles if you’re looking for something off the beaten path.
I’m a self-declared Gap girl, so I was super eager to preview GapStudio‘s fall collection, which launches today. The premium clothing line under Gap and Zac Posen’s direction has entered its second fall season with a capsule of elevated denim, matching sets, workwear, and wardrobe essentials. “It’s a natural evolution of the language we’ve been building at GapStudio, but this season, we pushed proportion and construction much further,” Posen tells Refinery29.
The new womenswear and menswear collections unsurprisingly complement each other, both inspired by turn-of-the-century American workwear, according to Posen. “The collection is inherently gender-fluid. I was interested in creating a shared wardrobe where menswear and womenswear inform one another and the pieces can move naturally between the two,” he adds. “Ultimately, it’s about giving people beautifully considered clothes with a strong point of view and the freedom to create their own character through them.”
Ahead, I try the GapStudio womenswear collection and share my honest opinions about the look, feel, and sizing of the limited-edition pieces so you can confidently cart up your favorites (before they sell out) and build trendy fall outfits.
Cutting right to the chase, this deep indigo matching set was my absolute favorite and is my top recommendation to cart up. It’s especially great if you’re petite and curvy since GapStudio only offers standard sizing and lengths, and us shorties want to get in on the action!
I was completely shocked when this set felt like it was tailored to my body. “Seaming, volume, and structure are built into the architecture of the garments, so the construction becomes part of their character and the way they sit on the body,” Posen explains. As a curvy gal (currently with a 33-inch waist and 46-inch hips), it can be hard to find pants that fit right in all the right places. But these ones did, with a size 31/12 cinching my waist even before tightening the matching belt. And standing at just 5 feet and 3 inches tall, I surprisingly wasn’t swallowed by the wide-leg pants, especially when paired with a wedge.
The matching jacket similarly fit great in a size large, and I found the cropped proportion to be very flattering both when worn opened or buttoned up. It gives the vibe of an elevated denim jacket, and as a whole outfit, a Canadian tuxedo, sans any denim (but more on that below!).
I also really loved pairing the pants with this button-down top, which was my favorite top of the collection. The fitted torso hugged my waist and felt more feminine than a typical button-down top. Plus, the exaggerated puffed sleeves added more dimension and extra interest to an otherwise (let’s face it, boring) wardrobe staple.
It took me quite a few glances when previewing images of this sweatshirt online to realize that it was in fact a sweatshirt and not a denim jacket. Posen notes: “There are playful moments of trompe l’oeil inspired by archival Gap pieces, taking something incredibly familiar and shifting the perception of it through print, fabrication, and construction.” And after a fascination with faux-denim sweatpants in the last few years, I foresee this piece going viral too. The distressed denim wash and nearly-metallic button prints were trippy in all the best ways. The heavy fabric and oversized fit were also super comfortable — I opted for a size large again.
I paired the top with cargo-inspired parachute pants. These were definitely more snug and required some serious maneuvering over my hips because of a slimmer waistband. There are adjustable straps and buckles on both sides that allow you to adjust the waist and customize to your comfort level. But even so, I think sizing up to a 14 would have been better. Overall, I really enjoyed the utilitarian-style buckles, oversized back pockets, and adjustable cinched hems of these pants.
Though it was hard for Posen to pick his favorite GapStudio pieces, he shares: “I love the full denim-on-denim look with the Pintuck Flare Jean and Double Pocket Jacket.”
This elevated Canadian tuxedo definitely made a statement, though it did feel too big for me. With a different sizing chart, I opted for the size 33/16R, which did fit my waist and hips (though with some back gaping), but the flared fit was too long for little ol’ me, pooling around my feet, even in heels. But I can see these becoming a tall-girl approved jean! I really appreciated the elevated front and back pintucks and the super-flattering seams above the back pockets for an exaggerated hourglass shape.
The matching jacket was very cool with its oversized balloon sleeves, front patch pockets, and collar. The versatile dual-ended zipper also allows for re-styling the piece in many ways. But I think because of the baggy fit and XL details, I would’ve preferred to size down to a medium. (Hot tip: It’s also great to layer with the sheer mesh denim printed tee.)
Yet another deceiving look that impressed me! No, this is not a denim dress, but rather a French terry dress with a hyper-realistic denim print. The size large was perfect for me thanks to the super stretchy fabric. This style may just be the fashion It-girl alternative to wearing a sweater dress this fall. It also feels smart enough to wear to the office without anyone blinking an eye.
So, if you’re ready to add to cart and just need some more styling inspo, Posen suggests: “Mix pieces across menswear and womenswear, layer unexpected shapes together, or put something more architectural against something incredibly familiar. There shouldn’t be too many rules. Clothes are a tool for self-invention.”
I’ve always had a penchant for frilly, awe-inducing things. That applies whether it’s a ruffled baby doll dress or a twirl-worthy skirt. But right now, it’s the Victorian-era inspired tops that are taking up space in my shopping cart. Think subtly sheer fabrics and volume-maxxing sleeves.
Of course, dainty, statement blouses have always been a thing, but I think my newfound love for them started when Chemena Kamali made her debut at Chloé. The unapologetically feminine designs were an instant hit, and, like clockwork, are trickling from the runway and into real life.
On the contemporary side of the aisle, Dôen is leading the pack with charming lace-trimmed creations and gauzy cotton designs that are as romantic as they are comfortable. Similarly, Free People has stayed true to its bohemian-inspired roots, working sheer ethereal tops throughout its pre-fall collection, from a lace number worn by Willow Smith in the new campaign to a billowing ruffle top that’s quickly selling out. And, hate it or love it, Zara never misses. This season, I’ve already scored my very own frill topper from the retailer.
One of the main reasons I’m so drawn to the flirty tops right now is because they are the perfect yin to my yang of casually cool bottoms. Whether it’s a pair of loose-fitting barrel leg jeans, comfy drawstring trousers, or baggy Bermuda shorts it balances out those boyishly cool pieces like no other top can do.
During Copenhagen Fashion Week, showgoers showed us how it’s done with a mixture of longline shorts and voluminous jeans. What really took their looks to the next level was the finishing touches. Think cool sunglasses, coin purse necklaces, and classic hats. For shoes, street style stars anchored the trend wearing kitten heels, platforms, and wedges.
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – AUGUST 04: Fia Hamelijnck wears white blouse, grey shorts, newspaper boy brown hat outside Gestuz during the Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027 on August 04, 2026 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Christian Vierig/Getty Images)BERLIN, GERMANY – JULY 22: Sophia Geiss is seen wearing an ivory semi sheer high neck long sleeve blouse with layered ruffle detailing and flared cuffs from Zara; blue relaxed fit cuffed wide leg jeans from Weekday; black leather flip flop sandals from Mango; a large black leather top handle tote bag from DeMellier London; oversized black rectangular sunglasses; silver hoop earrings on July 22, 2026 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Moritz Scholz/Getty Images)COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – AUGUST 3: Rita Montezuma is seen wearing an ivory ribbed OpéraSPORT Caroline cardigan with ruffled trims; black OpéraSPORT Bianca shorts with a lace hem; a mustard yellow Chanel Chocolate Bar Bowling Bag in patent leather; black patent leather Vagabond sandals; oversized gradient sunglasses; a silver chain necklace with a green embellished pouch pendant; straight hair with a middle part outside the Opera show during day one of Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027 on August 3, 2026 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Moritz Scholz/Getty Images)
If you’re thinking about having a romantically chic fall, a frilly top is all your closet needs. Here, shop our favorite Victorian-inspired, ruffle blouses on the market.
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