Thoughtful entries on style, sustainability and the fashion industry; we care about this stuff and think you should too
Style Rules You Should Absolutely Break
Rules *can* be a good thing, creating order or a shorthand way to skip to a desired end result. But you have to have context on who invented them and why. Because style is ultimately completely subjective. There is no clear “right” and “wrong” - only what looks and feels good to you.
The tricky thing is that “style rules” are so often presented as absolute fact. And this just isn’t the case.
Let’s take a quick tour of some of the “style rules” we think you should break. And do it with pleasure.
Wondering Why You Look Basic? Well, Your Basics Are Too Basic
Here’s what I learned in the process: what’s basic for me, isn’t necessarily basic for you. They’re the foundation of your entire wardrobe — the items you rely on to build outfits that make you feel like yourself. But nobody is “every woman” or an “average” woman, and so your “basics” should actually be the most uniquely ‘you’ items that you own!
We Shop for Items, But Live Life in Outfits
It’s a seemingly unbreakable fashion maxim that the piece you love the most is the one that you’re *about* to add to your closet. It doesn’t even need to be a sparkly, impractical confection for this to be true - in all likelihood, the piece you’re currently coveting is something you think is actually quite practical.
You bring it home, and inevitably it loses its shine almost as soon as the tags come off.
This disconnect you’re feeling? It stems from the simple fact that we all shop for items, but live life in outfits.
You Don’t Actually Want an AI Stylist (Yet)
What only recently felt like a far-away fantasy suddenly felt very real. We all started asking: if ChatGPT is *this* good, why don’t I have an AI-assistant for every area of my life?
It’s clear that AI technology will massively impact our culture and - at some point - force disruption in every industry. But the truth is that AI styling just isn’t there yet. Let me explain why - and, what would allow us to get there in the future.
Is Color Analysis Worth The Hype?
TikTok made me do it. After the 101st color analysis filter video came across my For You Page, I decided it was time to figure it out for myself. Was it just hype, or did it really explain why a neon-orange tracksuit looked incredible on me but not someone else? Let’s find out.
Gen Z Loves Fast Fashion. So…How Exactly Is That Sustainable?
If there is one thing that gets under my skin it’s the sneaking suspicion that we may be hypocrites. With all the hope put on Gen-Z to save the planet, it’s time we get to the bottom of why we continue to voraciously consume fast fashion in a very, *very* unsustainable way.
Why is the generation that considers nothing off-limits when protesting for climate action also comfortable showing up to that same protest in Shein? How can the most environmentally conscious generation also be the biggest consumers of fast fashion?
Calling All Americans: Build Your European Travel Capsule Wardrobe
We’ve all heard that Europeans can be, well - a bit judgy about what Americans wear. But as an Italian born in London, who spends a considerable amount of time each year in Portugal, and has traveled Europe many times over, I am here to help you pack for your trip to Europe so that you feel as confident as you possibly can walking in heels down cobblestone streets.
What’s With The Three Word Method Obsession?
I suddenly found myself *desperate * to figure out my own three words, convinced that THIS would finally be the one key to unlocking my true personal style. If you’re feeling the same way, let’s take a look at how a few different style experts have approached the problem and our take on the pros & cons of each.
Fast Fashion, Explained
In the past, we knew to expect new clothing collections four times a year, one for each season. Nowadays, many fashion brands release up to 52 “micro seasons” a year. That’s one every week! With this unprecedented speed came the term: fast fashion.
But, other than the fact that it is faster than, say, regular fashion, what does it mean exactly? What is fast fashion? And, is it as bad as people say?
Get Ready for Takeoff With Your Perfect Travel Capsule Wardrobe
Whether traveling for business or pleasure, by plane or by train, domestic or international, going somewhere new is always a welcome change of scenery. But before we get to the relaxing part, we need to endure the most stressful part of planning a trip: packing for it.
A curated travel capsule wardrobe will make sure you’re ready for everything your trip has in store, no more and no less - and we’ll show you how to do it step-by-step.
Diversify Your Wardrobe Portfolio With The Right Fashion Investments
Stocks, bonds, and mutual funds are the vehicles we usually associate with investing, but we should also be thinking of coats, watches and bags! Yes, you heard me right - and no, this is not written by Rebecca Bloomwood of Confessions Of A Shopaholic.
Speaking as a recovering addict myself, this isn’t a hall pass for the compulsive shoppers among us to spend your entire paycheck on clothes. Fashion investments are not meant to replace financial investments, but I do want you to shift your mindset to to start viewing your wardrobe as a financial asset - and treat it as such!
9 Revealing Questions to Help You Spot High-Quality Clothing
When shopping for quality, our knee jerk reaction is to associate it with certain brands and not with others: “X brand is high-quality, so you can confidently buy anything from it; Y brand is low-quality, so avoid it at all costs.”
But, does choosing to maintain a closet with high-quality clothes mean never buying from stores like Forever 21 and H&M ever again? Our short answer is…no! Our perspective on the issue is more nuanced that just making blanket statements for brands (spoiler alert: it gets slightly controversial *wink wink*).
From Meetings to Monaco: Summer Outfit Ideas for Every Occasion
Your friends are planning their summer trip to Hawaii, Cape Cod or Italy. Your colleagues are telling you about the barbecue they’ll be having at their house in June. Your mom is calling you about the weekend of the 4th - and you better make it!
And while that all sounds fun, to varying degrees, the real question is - what are we wearing?
Style Icons Are (Basically) Just Committed Outfit Repeaters
Style is a characteristic often viewed as something you either have or don't. And it seems that to have *iconic* style, you need endless creativity, time, and of course, money.
At Indyx, we don't buy that idea. Anyone can have an iconic style, and we'll show you how. Hint: as in many things, consistency is key.
8 Practical Tips To Elevate Any Outfit
While anyone with a basic sense of style can put together a good outfit, a great outfit requires a bit more intentionality. The good news? We’re willing to bet that with just a few simple tips, pulling together those great outfits on your own is easier than you think.
Greenwashing or Genuine? How You Can Suss Out Dubious Brand Claims
What happens when looking sustainable is way easier than actually being sustainable? Greenwashing.
With greenwashing rampant in the fashion industry today, it can be hard to suss out what sustainability claims are genuine versus which are just clever marketing. Read on for our greenwashing red flags to help you evaluate brands for yourself and avoid the industry’s worst offenders.
I Traveled to NYC with a Backpack: An Essentialist Packing Guide
I found out that my mom, an avid runner, would be racing a half marathon in New York and wanted to turn it into a six-day family trip. I started dreaming about it right away. Oh, the food, the views, the outfits!
But, there was a catch. To make the trip happen, we’d be rocking it low-budget style, meaning each family member would get to take nothing but one backpack. One. Backpack.
What We All Have Wrong About Sustainable Fashion
Our take: you don’t need to buy a single piece of clothing from one of those “sustainable” brands in order to participate in sustainable fashion. True sustainable fashion is free, and something that everyone can participate in just by shifting your mindset towards your wardrobe.
Let’s unlearn and relearn what sustainable fashion truly is (and, isn’t) - and how exactly you can be a part of it.
Scroll Less, Create More: How to Find Cute Spring Outfit Ideas
With spring just around the corner, you might find yourself ready to start ditching your heavy outerwear and exchanging neutral boots for colorful sandals. And, we are here to help you bring those spring outfit ideas to life!
But how, exactly? We love the idea of outfit formulas as a way to break it down and fill in the blanks with your own closet.
De-Influencing: Navigating the Latest Influencer Trap
“Today, I’m going to de-influence you by spilling the tea on exactly which products not to waste your money on”.
While that sounds all good and merry - finally, a trend based around not buying things!- the key word is trend. As the old adage goes, we are all selling something.
In an ironic twist, the action being sold as a fight against corporate greed actually feeds right back into it. It’s not useful as an anti-consumerist campaign, and it’s not useful in building your wardrobe or being savvy in spending your money.