Sherly Tavarez was only six when her mom started relaxing her hair. “I remember thinking I would never know what it was like to have ‘good hair’,” she says. And as a Dominican woman and a first generation immigrant growing up in New York, she wasn’t alone in this experience.
That’s where she found the idea for Hause of Curls. Originally, the business operated as a digital storefront for graphic tees with clever uplifting phrases about Latinx hair that she hoped would help eradicate the idea of “pelo malo” or “bad hair.” “I just woke up one day and thought, ‘I want to make a T-shirt that says Pelo Malo Where?’ — so I did,” she says. “I knew that if even a few people could relate, I’d have done something good.”
Lo and behold, after the initial T-shirt launch, far more than a few people showed excitement about Tavarez’s tees. And now, with countless T-shirt styles boasting any number of slogans — along with hair-care products, accessories, and so many other goods — Hause of Curls is a full-scale operation. But still, the mission remains the same: to celebrate natural Latinx hair in all its glory.
That’s why Refinery29 is partnering with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple to produce Valiente Y Fuerte — a video campaign designed to amplify the voices of Latinx creatives like Tavarez who inspire us every day. Watch the video above for more information about the origins of Hause of Curls — and how it’s changing the narrative around natural hair.
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Flash-fashion events are like lightning, only lasting a hot second before disappearing into the seasonal ether — but even such fleeting fads can leave a lasting mark. Welcome to Micro Trends, where we explore the latest and greatest of these blink-and-you’ll-miss-them style moments.
It seems as though the winter beanie is taking a backseat this season. Instead, we’re seeing an influx for fuller head-coverage pieces like balaclavas, ski masks, and puffer hoods — but perhaps the next great hat alternative that ought to be on your radar is the bonnet. Yes, the kind of bonnet you’d usually see on babies but, you know, sized for adult heads.
“There have been a handful of bonnet revivals over the past century but two distinct bonnet approaches seem to be trendy right now: the close-fitting, monastic cap similar to those worn by Tudor women and the wide-brimmed ‘prairie’ bonnet, reminiscent of mid-19th century sun bonnets worn by women who spent much of their day working outside,” Sarah Jean Culbreth, fashion and textile historian, tells me. “The bonnet trend now might be a result of people watching period films and TV, or the popularity of antique and vintage sellers on Instagram, or maybe it’s a reaction to the cottagecore look that still pervades the fashion system.”
Skull Cap Bonnets
“Women have covered their heads with some version of a cap, or bonnet, for millennia,” says Culbreth, when I ask about the bonnet’s rich, centuries-spanning history. “One of my favorite early examples is a sprang net cap worn by women as early as the Bronze Age. Caps, usually of white linen, were worn every day by most 17th- and 18th-century women in Europe and the Americas and these are likely where the bonnets of today have their stylistic roots.”
Luxury Bonnets
While modern-day bonnets range in styles, materials, and fits, Culbreth tells me bonnets were typically constructed in two parts — a crown and a brim — which could be “simple or decorated to within an inch of their life with ruffles, lace, ribbon, pintucks, flowers, fur, and anything else fashion can conceive! In many ways, 19th-century fashion could be defined by the evolving shape and style of the bonnet, just as it could be charted by the changes in corset and petticoat silhouette.”
It’s no surprise that fashion brands are rolling out with more bonnet and hood styles this season, which could be seen as a younger cousin (and less intense) version of the full-head balaclava. DIY crocheters and Etsy makers alike are also seeing more of a demand for bonnets, which are arguably cuter and warmer than the beanie and easier to wear than, say, a ski mask.
Knit Bonnets
“Bonnets to me are a perfect beanie and balaclava hybrid,” Olivia Irja Strautmanis, an NYC-based crocheter, tells me. “I made my first bonnet four years ago when I had a short haircut and wanted something that covered my ears but was also flattering because most winter hats at the time made me appear bald.” Timing-wise, the rise of the bonnet also coincides with our second winter of the coronavirus pandemic. “A lot of makers used the pandemic as a time to hone in on skills and craft,” says Strautmanis. “We were looking for a way to make money when we all lost our day jobs in 2020. I think there was a surge in practical fashion during the pandemic in general and bonnets are a super practical winter accessory that can also make a statement.”
As a bonnet enthusiast (I myself own seven versions of the detachable winter hood, including one of Strautmanis’ designs), I can say I much prefer this type of cold-weather hat because I love how a bonnets cradles my head and plays nice with my hair — whereas wearing a beanie feels like I’m shoving my head into a sock. Plus, the ear coverage makes all the difference when trying to stay warm.
Rain Bonnets
“I like to wear caps and bonnets because they are practical and because I think they showcase your face in a sweet way,” says Culbreth, who is also a skilled needleworker and makes antique-inspired bonnets. “A brimmed bonnet with a skirt — when the fabric hangs below the crown — offers both face and neck protection from the sun. A wool cap that ties under the chin is warm and stays on when it’s windy. Bonnets are my interpretation of something like a baseball cap or a beanie — two accessories that, oddly enough, I will never feel comfortable wearing.”
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I don’t know about you, but the feeling of a brand new and updated prescription changes everything. I wear both glasses and contacts because I love the option to change things up. Corrective lenses are not only function, but they’re fashion baby! I’ve worn various frame shapes and styles over the years from slim rectangles and boxy square-shaped frames to small and large circular frames. And you can bet I’ve tried out every color of the rainbow as well.
The new year means it’s time to schedule an eye doctor appointment and get a yearly check-up and a brand-new up-to-date prescription to boot. As Coach Taylor passionately remarked in Friday Night Lights, “Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.” Gone are the days in which you are required to dish out hundreds of dollars on a single pair of new specs from the stuffy old-school glasses retailer. We have ~options~ now in the form of cool online retailers that have been popping up as of recent. And if you aren’t a big glasses wearer, contacts are easier than ever to order online too.
Look no further for exactly where you should get yourself some new specs and contacts too. We’ve rounded up some popular online retailers that will get you squared away and see things from (literally) a new perspective.
Zenni Optical
Zenni Optical has been trending for its unbelievably inexpensive options. Like Warby Parker, the company boasts an exclusive in-house product line replete with hip, cool designs and bright shakes and colors you might not see at a traditional glasses shop. I’ve personally purchased a pair of heart-shaped prescription sunnies from here a while back that was less than $50 including corrective lenses. There is a virtual try-on component where you upload a picture of yourself to see how the glasses might look on your face.
Rave Review:
“So shopping for glasses in store — always a hassle right? You feel like you try on a million frames and nothing’s right. This is the SECOND time I’m ordering from Zenni, and they’ve done it again! These frames compliment my face so well. The “what frames are right for your face?” quiz is genius. I look like a green goddess. I wanted a pair of “fun” frames and the green is perfect. Frames with color always scared me — would it be too bold or too pale or gross with my skin tone etc. This pair…It’s subtle, AND fun, but ALSO super sophisticated. Babes, if round glasses are for you-get these! 🙂 *Chef’s kiss*.” – Zenni Reviewer
Warby Parker
Warby Parker is the hip, cool tech start-up of the bunch, created with a mission to sell designer-quality glasses without exorbitant prices. Customers love the ability to try on up to five pairs at home before purchasing, along with the brand’s impeccable customer experience team. They’ve nailed down some signature, classic designs that can be purchased (including a prescription!) for as little as $95.
Rave Review:
“My glasses arrived very quickly and are great quality. The price was very affordable, even for me (and I have a very severe prescription). I love that you can just upload a picture of your prescription. Genius.” – Kimberly G.
Glasses USA
GlassesUSA provides customers with a very wide selection of well-known eyewear brands alongside in-house designs and memorable collaborations. (The collection made with aughts queen Hilary Duff is filled with many stylish options.) Due to the eclectic assortment of brands, the price for a pair of prescription glasses can vary, but there are often fun promos available to help cut the price down.
Rave Review
“This was my first pair of glasses from an online service and here are 3 reasons I’m thrilled with the purchase: 1) the cost. I wear progressives and this offered me loads of choices for less than my in-person location. 2) the quality! These lenses are the best progressive lenses I now own! There is no weird middle area anywhere and the [prescription] is spot on. I am most impressed with this aspect as my other lenses just aren’t as perfect. 3) Ease of Use: I snapped a few selfies to get the size right and it was easy to upload so I could virtually try things on. I entered my [prescription] but your doc can also send it over. From purchase to delivery, it took about 2 weeks. [These] glasses are my new favorite!” –Mel J.
Eye Buy Direct
In addition to its own super-affordable designs, EyeBuyDirect sells some popular eyewear brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley. Make sure you have your up-to-date prescription on hand as you shop the site and take advantage of its virtual try-on widget.
Rave review:
“I was a little hesitant and skeptical about buying glasses online since you can’t try them on for real, but these frames are fantastic! Just what I was looking for. They are comfortable, stylish, and surprisingly lightweight. My usual frames are black and silver, and I wanted something lighter to go with my more feminine outfits. The rose gold is perfect for that! These frames also open up my face in a nice way. Ordering was easy and shipping was very fast. I would definitely buy from here again. Thank you!” – Janel M.
Discount Contact Lenses
If you are looking for affordable, discounted contact lenses then this seems to be the spot to get you what you need without breaking the bank. The website has all the popular contact brands including Dailies and the whole Acuvue range of products as well. There’s regular introductory discount offers on top of the inexpensive prices, so make sure to check out the latest whenever you decide to snag some new boxes of contacts.
Rave review:
“My contacts are always in stock, cheaper than other sites, including from my eye doctor, and delivery is always quick. Have used [this site] for years and will continue to do so.” – Virginia G.
1-800 Contacts
This is probably the most well-known online contacts retailer out there. They are always pretty stocked up on best-selling brands. Although 1-800 Contacts can be a little on the pricier end, it’s always a dependable experience worth checking out.
AC Lenses
AC Lenses carries all the cult-favorite contact brands. I’d say their consistent midrange and affordable prices are definitely worth taking a look at. A lot of times there’s an extra promotion running on the website that you can certainly take advantage of. $59.99 for a box of daily war Acuvue moist.
Rave review:
“This was my first time ordering from AC Lens, and I am very pleased. It was all very easy, from uploading my prescription to placing the order. They even arrived earlier than expected!” – Yael R.
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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It’s a new year, it’s a new you, but before you start buying a whole new wardrobe, consider how you can take care of clothing you already own. For people who kinda-sorta have way too many garments (a head nod to you), one important aspect of acquiring (or hoarding) new or expensive clothes is figuring out how to maintain good closet habits so that your beloved wares are in tip-top, wearable shape for years to come.
In the past, this fashion collector has mistaken hanger bumps and collar discolorations as signs that my clothes were ruined — when, in fact, I could have made simple, affordable purchases to help me eradicate or avoid those nuisances. Ahead, we’re sharing a few of those miracle workers that’ll help upkeep your wardrobe. Some of these products have been culled from Manhattan Wardrobe Supply, a New York-based resource for professional costume designers and makeup artists. Other items have been recommended from the world of CleanTok (a.k.a. neat-freak TikTokkers). I’ve personally test-driven several of these picks as well — and you can be sure that all of these organizational and clothes-maintenance gems come highly rated and highly recommended by fashionable folks who truly care.
The Best Laundry Detergents & Stain Removers
The Laundress Wash & Stain Bar, $6.50
Folks swear by this spot-cleaning miracle bar. You just rub it in gnarly areas that need extra love (i.e. the armpits, ring around the collar, period-stained undies, the underboob of bras, food spillage, etc.) and follow it with a standard wash. The results are bound to astound as attested by reviewers who have said things like, “It gets out EVERYTHING. Blood, poo, baby puke, sauces, greases, you name it! I once had a pair of blue jeans leak dye on a brand new blush-colored shirt. I thought it was hopeless, but I scrubbed that shirt and the dyed spots disappeared!” One reviewer claims it lifts old stuff, too: “Even if clothes have been through the dryer and the stain is set, this miracle worker gets it out.” Shop The Laundress
Soak 12oz Laundry Soap, $14.99
Soak is a gamechanger when it comes to hand washing delicates, workout gear, swimwear, knitwear, and more (you can also pour this into a machine on the delicate cycle). But, if you do hand wash, there’s no rinsing involved. All you do is pour in a capful per every gallon of cold water, let your clothes soak, and in 15 minutes you’re ready to carefully wring and dry. Writes one convert: “I had always used Woolite for hand wash items but after doing some Googling to see if there was a better option I was excited to hear that no-rinse detergents existed! I started with delicates (it worked great), then (skeptically) moved onto sneakers I had worn to hike through the Badlands in South Dakota — after a good soak and a very quick scrub with a shoe brush they were as good as new!!” Shop Soak
DedCool Milk Dedtergent, $35
DedCool is an eco-friendly fragrance brand that makes sweet-smelling detergents (excuse us, dedtergents) made from organic extracts that promise a longer-lasting linger on your bedsheets, intimates, and more. “I look forward to laundry day now,” writes Maggie M., dedcool.com reviewer. “My pillowcases have never smelled so good. Washing my cloth masks in Dedtergent has drastically improved my life.” Shop DedCool
The Best Closet Organizers
MAWA European Space-Saving Hangers (Pack of 10), $34
If you’re endlessly frustrated by pesky hanger bumps on all your favorite sweaters and tops, you’ll want to upgrade your closet with these German-made MAWA hangers that are specifically designed to keep your sleeves smooth. “I’ve been using these for six months now and they’ve been a game changer for my delicate hanging clothes,” writes one food52.com reviewer of this 4.8-starred item. “No more awful shoulder bumps in silk or cashmere, such an elegant solution. Plus they are slim and the material doesn’t allow slipping.” Other alternatives include satin padded hangers or folding your knits over sturdy wooden hangers. Shop Food52
Open Spaces Entryway Rack, $174
Organizing shoes is tricky because there are so many factors involved, including how many shoes you have, how tall the styles are, and if you prefer them tucked away or visible to all. For those who like to see all their footwear options, this multi-purpose rack from Open Spaces is an attractive solution. It’s also currently ranking 4.8 out of 5 stars, pulled from 529 reviews. Writes one reviewer, “This entryway rack is amazing! It looks so sleek, fits so many shoes & baskets, and adds some character to an otherwise drab entryway.” Or, if you prefer to keep things out of view, this Winston Porter 12-pair shoe cabinet from Wayfair (on sale for $122!) is so well-designed it doubles as decor. Shop Open Spaces
The Container Store Natural Cotton Gusseted Hanging Bags, $17.99+
Though it seems counterintuitive to use non-plastic storage, the thing to know about organizing clothes in garment bags is that they need to be breathable — otherwise, you run the risk of mildew, fading, or mold. (Word to the wise: Don’t vacuum pack your goods!) Luckily, these natural cotton garment hanging bags have a 99% customer rec rate and 4.8 out of 5 stars from The Container Store. “I bought these bags for my leather, fur, and good wool coats and jackets. I am very satisfied,” writes a reviewer. “I added keychain I.D. tags identifying what item is in each bag so I don’t have to open and close each bag to find out what is in it. This works very well. The product description was accurate and I am very happy to have purchased these bags. I will continue to buy them.” Shop The Container Store
Elfa Platinum Wide Drawer Solution, $169.99
A simple way to declutter your closet and still have your stuff easily accessible is to snuggle in a set of organizational drawers (depending on if your space allows it). This mesh structure from The Container Store stows clothes, linens, accessories, or whatever else you need stashed away for the season. “You can use these anywhere. I have had two of these for about 10 years, and have easily fit them into three small NY apartments,” writes one longtime fan. “They hold a surprising amount and are nice looking. I consider them to be staple storage pieces.” Shop The Container Store
The Best Fabric Care Tools
Magictec Rechargeable Fabric Shaver, $11.99
While there are plenty of affordable fabric shavers on the market, you may as well invest in a rechargeable gadget rather than a battery-operated one. This handy gizmo — which is so sleek it has an aesthetic similar to a luxe vibrator (lol) — has an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars and a whopping 36,577 reviews on amazon.com. “BUY A DE-PILLING TOOL AND IT’LL CHANGE YOUR GD LIFE. This product is like the dermaplaning tool of fabrics,” writes one avid reviewer. “De-pill your couch and curtains since your cat is too good for all the expensive cat-scratching towers you bought her. De-pill your dumb expensive designer leggings because athleisure wear is LIFE. Just buy the dang thing. This one works, charges with a plug-in cord (yay no disposable batteries!), and is easy to use. Pro-tip: put cardboard inside clothing to give you a more even, taut surface to de-pill.” Shop Magictec
Amazon Basics Foldable Laundry Rack, $34.99
One of the best ways to keep your clothes in top-notch shape (while being more environmentally conscious) is to hand wash them, especially when it comes to delicate knitwear, synthetic activewear fabrics, expensive intimates, and swimsuits. (Scroll above for handwashing detergent options!) I wouldn’t know where I’d be without this non-fussy but sturdy drying rack that conveniently folds up when it’s not in use. It’s currently the number one best-selling clothes drying rack on Amazon and it boasts a 4.7 out of 5 stars and nearly 40K ratings. Shop Amazon Basics
Earthkind Stay Away Moths, $7.99 $6.29
One of the biggest annoyances (and heartbreaks) is seeing your beloved cashmere and knits chewed up by moths. How dare they. But, there’s at least an all-natural way to repel those critters! Enter: Earthkind Stay Away Moths. Place a pouch wherever you need knitwear protection — closed-in spaces like drawers and closets work better than wide-open garages or attics. “MY husband is paranoid about moths eating his wool yarn, but we never wanted to get regular moth balls because of the chemicals and the bad smell,” writes one thrivemarket.com reviewer. “These natural moth balls have better ingredients and smell way better. Most importantly we don’t have any moths!” Shop Thrive Market
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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