But I think we’ve taken timeless a little too far.

Because when every expensive thing has to be neutral, classic and endlessly versatile, we end up spending the most money on the least interesting things in our closets.

One of my favorite bags is basically yellow rubber — a Dries Van Noten piece that makes me happy every single time I look at it. Another started life as a pillowcase because I wanted to see if I could turn it into a clutch.

Neither goes with everything. Both make an outfit better. So maybe the question isn’t “Will this bag go with everything?”

Maybe it’s “Will this bag do something for what I already own?”

I’ve arranged my favorites in three levels, each one a little less reasonable than the last.

You don’t have to go from a black tote to a beaded lobster overnight. Start with color or print. Get a little weirder with texture and shape. And if you’re ready, carry the fish.

PS: Stay tuned to the end for this week’s 5 favorite things, the sales I’m watching this week, and a special treat for any Tibi-obsessed.

Level 1 — Your Bag Has a Personality

Color. Print. Metallic. Still completely socially acceptable.

This is where you start if your bag collection is mostly black, brown and tan. I’m not asking you to become a different person. Just stop automatically buying the sensible version.

Get the leopard. Get the lilac. Get the metallic.

And then (this is important) don’t match it. A red bag doesn’t need red shoes. Leopard doesn’t require another leopard thing somewhere in the outfit. Let the bag be the thing that doesn’t quite belong.

Animal Print

Leopard is basically a neutral at this point. You can carry it to school pickup without anyone wondering what’s happened to you.

Parker Thatch is making some of the prettiest bags for the price I’ve seen in a while, and two made this list. And the Christopher Esber Tote is deliciously huge, with a cutout ring handle I love.

Playful Colors

If animal print isn’t your thing, color might be. And Staud makes some of the bags with the most personality out there. They always remind me a little of Fendi Baguettes — playful and colorful — but at a much friendlier price point.

I love a colored metallic. It feels really fresh, like this lilac Behno bag. And the red crochet bag is basically Cousin Itt in bag form, which I mean as the highest compliment.

Level 2 — Your Bag Is Getting Weird

Fur. Sculptural shapes. Questionable materials. And a wink.

Your Bag Has a Sense of Humor

This is where we stop taking ourselves — or our bags — quite so seriously.

I love a bag with a wink. One that makes you laugh a little when you see it. Maybe it looks like a pair of underwear. Maybe it’s basically an elevated plastic bag with a smiley face on it.

They’re still bags, they still do the job — they’re just having a lot more fun doing it.

Silly Texture

Fringe, fur, and whatever is going on with this crazy tie-dye tote. A little texture goes a long way, especially when you pair it with a fun color. It gives even a simple bag — and a simple fit — a little more interest.

This Dries tote has been on my wishlist for over a year at this point. So glam, but so chill.

Level 3 — Your Bag May Not Be a Bag

Fish. Animals. Produce. Objects that happen to hold your shit.

Aquatics

Apparently once you start making bags shaped like things, sea life is the obvious place to go. STAUD leads this category — they’ve made a whale, a fish, and a lobster. At this point I respect the commitment to the bit.

And then there’s the Cultmia Serpent Bag, which is a little different from the others — it’s made in Guatemala, fully beaded, and simply beautiful.

Critters

Who doesn’t want to carry a crocodile, or an entire shaggy dog, or a hedgehog with actual raffia spikes?

And I could never make this post without Fendi. They’ve done a whole series of owl Baguettes, and they’re incredible — textured, gorgeous. I only included my favorite here, but there are so many good ones.

But the Staud custom pet portrait bag is probably my favorite thing on this entire list. You send them a photo of your pet and they recreate the portrait on the bag. Filing this one away for gift season.

Kitchen Sink

Snacks, pills, produce — anything that could plausibly end up in your mouth, reimagined as a bag. Even Balenciaga’s gotten in on it, with a chip bag.

I love the irony of the Chill Pill Clutch. And I’m a huge pickle fan, so the Betsey Johnson pickle bag just cracks me up.

Maybe we need to stop asking our bags to be so damn sensible. Beautiful, useful, sure — but also the weird thing that makes the outfit, or makes you happy every time you pull it out of your closet.

Mine happens to be made of yellow rubber. Yours might be a metallic clutch. Or, apparently, a rhinestone pickle.

Tell me where you land: Level 1, 2 or 3.

And if you already own a bag that belongs on this list, I obviously need to see it.

5 Things I’m Into Right Now

• Fave new styling trick: I pinned every brooch I own onto my favorite jean shirt (shout out Frank & Eileen).

  

• Podcast I’m binging: Dolly Parton’s America. Celebrating my hero, RIP.

• Best skin upgrade: Sunday Riley Good Genes not only gave me noticeable improvement after one use, but I’ve never had my DMs blow up more about love for a product. Code KariC15 for 15% off.

  

• Throwback beauty buy: I forgot how good NARS Orgasm blush is. I used to use the powder, but I’m fully in love with the liquid one now.

  

• Biggest lifestyle upgrade: Moving from a Queen to a King to share with my husband. We got the Helix Midnight Elite, which is built for side sleepers. And I just bought this bedframe today.

For the Tibi-obsessed

Before the sale section went off the site, I recorded all the items left in my size, including measurements and other sizes left. This spreadsheet isn’t exhaustive and stock obviously has changed over the past month, but hopefully this helps you prepare for the return of outlet soon.

Sales You Should Know

• Perricone MD is 30% off everything. I just got their Barrier Repair Moisturizer and love how soft my face is feeling. And their tinted moisturizer got me through summer.

  

• Freda Salvador is having a 70% off sale. I just bought their Robyn boot, and here are all my picks.

• Shopbop has a 70% off sale. All my picks are here — just filter by sale. I got these pants.

• Leesa is 30% off. They are the fave mattress of Wirecutter, and I love their pillows.

At 48, I’m getting much less interested in paying for fashion with my body.

I still want the weird one. The great heel. The icky one that makes the outfit. I just also want to be able to walk 10,000 steps in it without thinking about my feet the entire time.

So last week I asked hundreds of you in Stories: What’s the most comfortable shoe you own that isn’t a sneaker?

I tallied up which brands kept repeating and turned the five most-named into this post. Because apparently we don’t have to choose between the good shoe and the comfortable one.

P.S. I put a bonus 5 things I’m currently obsessed with at the very bottom.

1. Bared Footwear

For anyone who wants comfort designed by someone who actually understands feet.

Bared was started in 2008 by an Australian podiatrist, Anna Baird, who kept watching patients choose pain over ugly shoes and decided that shouldn’t be the trade. Every shoe is built on what they call a biomechanical footbed — a contoured arch and supportive heel cup molded straight into the base of the shoe.

One follower told me Bared’s loafers carried her all over Rome with zero pain — and when the front scuffed up on the trip, she sent photos to customer service, who offered to replace them with any shoe of equal value AND reimburse her cobbler bill. Yes, please.

2. Jamie Haller

For anyone who wants a loafer that already feels broken in on day one.

Jamie's very first style was inspired by a pair of Indian jutti slippers she'd owned and loved for twenty years. Every pair uses sacchetto construction, a traditional Italian technique that essentially wraps the foot in a soft leather pouch instead of building the shoe around a rigid insole. Translation: they're ridiculously flexible and are meant to feel broken-in from the first wear.

The brand's own marketing is all about the flats, but from what people keep telling me, the heels are comfy, too. I dream about her metallic green wedges.

3. FitFlop

For the most actual engineering behind the sole.

FitFlop’s whole business started with one piece of tech: the Microwobbleboard, a triple-density midsole two British biomechanists engineered back in 2007 to spread your weight across more of the footbed instead of concentrating it under your heel. The New Yorkers in my life swear by these, and they are my go-to experts in 10K step certification.

4. Freda Salvador

For anyone who wants the shoe to look more polished than “comfortable.”

Freda Salvador was started in 2012 by Cristina Palomo Nelson and Megan Papay — Cristina is a third-generation shoemaker. The shoes are designed in Sausalito and made by hand in a family-owned factory in Elda, Spain, a town that's been making shoes for generations.

The Jada flat got called out by name multiple times. I just bought the Robyn boot — cannot recommend it enough. They are as comfortable as a flat and this beautiful textured olive green. Just size up a half size.

5. Margaux

For anyone who wants their size nailed first — and a shoe that feels like a comfort shoe without looking like one.

Margaux built its name on a sizing system — shoes come in a real range of widths and sizes (EU 33 to 45, or US 3 to 14, with narrow, medium, and wide options in most styles), plus an at-home fitting kit or a “Fit Concierge” you can book before you buy.

The cushioning is real too, and the fit system runs across the whole line — flats and the low kitten heels alike. Their loafers are my travel shoes. I’ve walked 18K+ steps in them multiple times.

Which one's calling your name? Tell me in the comments — and if there's a brand you swear by that didn't make this list, send it my way. I'm always taking submissions.

5 Things I've Been Loving Recently

1. Fave New-to-Me Brand: Julia Allert — Super funky, decent prices, and genuinely great quality. I just got my favorite new sculptural dress from them. Shop all my Julia Allert picks here.

   

2. Most Impactful Skincare: Dr. Diamond’s Instafacial Plasma — the most expensive skincare product I’ve ever used. After about four weeks, I just woke up and my face looked different. I genuinely can’t explain it better than that — it’s calmer, it’s the best it’s looked in years. Damnit.

   

3. What I’m Reading (Okay, Let’s Be Real…Listening To): My Friends by Fredrik Backman — I’ve cried so much. A beautiful story of friendship and creativity.

   

4. My favorite nighttime upgrades: A tie: My Negative PJs (the pants, too) — snug and supportive up top, but so comfy I never want to take them off. (Go dark; they’re a little sheer.) And my Ettitude sheets: ridiculously soft, satiny bamboo sheets that make getting out of bed significantly harder. Plus, the colors are GOOD — that copper and brass!

   

   

5. Fave New Hack: Cann’s Roadie Sampler — drop one into a seltzer and it turns into a NA drink with benefits. This has become my go-to for parties and nights out, genuinely one of my favorite discoveries this year.

   

All My Discount Codes

As you know, I love a deal. I especially love getting y’all deals, too. Here’s every code I have active right now:

• Andie Swim — Great basic swimwear: KARI20 (20% off)

• Perricone MD — Too many good skin products to list: KARI30 (30% off)

• Crown Affair — The key to my air dried waves: KARI15 (15% off)

• U Beauty — I love their resurfacing compound: KARI20 (20% off)

• BarkBox — Every dog toy in our house is from them: KARI15 (15% off)

• CURED Nutrition — Love their gummies! KARI (15% off)

• ThirdLove — Great bras and activewear: KARI10 (10% off)

• ELEMIS — My favorite cleanser: KARI20 (20% off)

• TALOVA — Luxe tallow moisterizers: KARI20 (20% off)

• Summersalt — Bright swimwear: WELLSPENT15 ($15 off)

• Vivrelle — Luxury bag borrowing service: KARICLARK (1 month free)

• Cadence — I love their little travel containers: KARI15 (15% off)

• CurrentBody — I use their UV mask: WELLSPENT (10% off)

• Flaunt Cases — They have the best phone cases: KARI15 (15% off)

• Leesa — My pillows are all from them: KARI75 ($75 off)

• TINGE — Great body makeup: KARI15 (15% off)

• Sunday Riley — My fave is their Good Genes treatment: KARIC15 (15% off)

• At Present — Beatuiful, modern jewelry: KARI15 (15% off)

• Emme Parsons — Gorgeous shoes: KARI10 (10% off)
  

This Saturday I had dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Exmore Diner on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. It’s a time capsule to another era—delicious diner fare, fresh local seafood, and turnip greens that must be laced with crack they’re so good.

Drinking a chocolate milkshake that three of us easily shared, I missed my dad. Deeply.

He loved this place. He loved food in general. Imagine someone as giddy about food as Asta is about Tibi. (IYKYK.) That’s my dad.

I get my obsession with my hobbies from him. My fashion was his sports — he could talk to you about any of them intelligently. Fishing. Football. Ping pong. Any. Though thinking back, he loved clothes too. He just loved life. Which is why it was so cruel that his was so short.

We’re coming up on 13 years since he died of a rare thyroid cancer that was, essentially, a death sentence.

I found out he was sick shortly after I found out I was pregnant with my first. The next eight months were a balancing act: being there for him while trying to shield the little one inside me from the stress of watching my dad die.

I didn’t feel like an adult yet, even in my thirties. I was married. I owned a NYC apartment. I was working at Google. Hell, I was even pregnant. But I remember the exact moment I grew up.

It was after my dad’s last surgery. They’d opened him up and just closed him back. The cancer had spread too aggressively. My family felt he needed to know when he woke up, especially since the doctor wasn’t coming back for hours. We looked at each other, and I realized everyone else was too much of a mess to tell him.

“I’ll tell him.”

The irony is he didn’t remember any of it. He was too out of it from the anesthesia. But I do. How do you forget telling your dad he's going to die?

Death is hard. It’s harder when you’re caring for a newborn.

Ten days after giving birth, I was on a plane with my newborn, flying to Virginia Beach so my dad could meet his grandchild. He’d always wanted to be a grandfather. I’m grateful I got to make that real for him.

I remember my mom — justifiably — needing a break and going to lunch, leaving me and my husband to care for my dad while we were barely keeping up with our newborn. My baby could feel the emotions in the room and wouldn’t settle. We decided to go back to New York. I never saw him again.

I still think I made the right call. It was still hard.

I hate that the hospital and hospice memories are sharper than the 30+ years of good ones. But memory is weird that way.

Through work, I’d signed up for a Cycle for Survival fundraising ride, and it was genuinely inspiring. My sister and I even got to speak about him to the group.

I told my mom we should start one in Virginia Beach. I knew she needed somewhere to pour her grief, as she was floundering. So we did. And by we, I mean she. I ignited the spark; she made it roar.

The Virginia Beach event, Crush Cancer, is now the largest satellite Cycle for Survival event in the country. It’s raised $2.7 million for rare cancer research.

My dad became a grandfather because clinical trials, funded by Cycle for Survival, gave him an extra four to five months. That’s not abstract to me. That’s my dad holding my baby.

My dad was a phenomenal fundraiser. He raised millions for a medical school, the rescue squad, and countless disease research efforts. He told me that if he survived, he’d dedicate the rest of his life to raising money to cure cancer.

He didn’t get to. So I make the ask for him.

I’m riding on Sunday, May 5, my 11th year.

Here’s why it matters: 50% of all cancers and 100% of pediatric cancers are classified as rare. They’re drastically underfunded because pharma can’t make the economics work on small patient populations. Cycle for Survival fills that gap — 100% of every dollar donated goes directly to rare cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Not overhead. Not marketing. Research.

If this piece moved you, or if you’ve ever loved someone with a rare cancer, or if you just trust me when I say this is the most efficient charitable dollar you’ll spend this year, please donate. Any amount. Share this post. Forward this email to one person.

Donate here

Note: the site they are using this year is not great. Please opt-out of the tip and covering the fees. They have a corporate sponsor who will cover the fees. Also no need to get a ticket. But, the cause is a good one!

Thank you. My dad would have loved knowing you read this far. And I promise some fashion related content next.

Anyway, I’m doing it again. First, a refresh of the original with updated links and a check-in on the two suits I kept. Then I'd love to do a couple of follow-up try-ons — one focused on designer suits, another on two-pieces. Tell me in the comments if that's something you'd want, and which brands are on your list. And send the brands. I’ve already put my middle-aged body on the internet for science; I might as well keep going.

BTW, there are affiliate links in this post where I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

I’m writing this from Italy, where I’m finally putting my new swimsuits to work. But this whole thing started weeks ago, in a panic spiral about my sad, stretched-out swim drawer.

I used to swear by Mara Hoffman, but that’s no longer an option (RIP, truly). So I set out to find something new. Easier said than done.

I’m 47, mid-size, and overwhelmed. Most of the swimsuit brands that come up online don’t show bodies like mine. And most of them charge for returns. Combine that with confusing size charts, loud marketing, and mysterious fabrics, and it’s enough to throw in the towel (which, ironically, I also needed to replace).

But I figured: if I’m confused, I’m probably not alone. So I ordered one-pieces from five popular brands—ranging from high-end to under $50—and tried them all on. Some were hits. Most were returned. And yes, I kept two.

Let’s get into it.

My Sizing for reference:

5’9”

40” chest, 34 G bra

35” waist

45” hips

65” torso circumference

The exact sizes and colors I ordered are included in the images.

Stylest

For those who like their swimsuits with a side of shape wear.

What I tried

Fit & Feel

The compression is real. No interactive fit tool on their site, but they do emphasize that it should feel snug. And by “snug,” they mean wrestle-it-over-your-body snug. (There are videos on their site about how to get into the suit, which should tell you everything you need to know.)

Once you’re in — they’re surprisingly comfortable. They also lift the boobs better than almost anything else I tried, thanks to a band that separates things in a very flattering way. I wish I tried their swim bra, which can be worn under other suits if you need more support.

Sizing wasn’t consistent. The Square-Back Tank ran small despite being the same size — lots of side-boob and not in the cute way. The Wax Suit had nice lines but was a little tighter than I wanted in the back.

The Good

• The Plunge suit was the winner: compressive, secure, and still flattering

• Great for anyone who wants shaping but still wants to swim comfortably

• Fabric feels expensive in a good way

• The best boob support I tried (rare in one-pieces!)

The Meh

• The return process felt mildly manipulative.

• Sizing wasn’t consistent

• High-back styles gave off more conservative vibes than I prefer

• There was bunching in the crotch. Maybe I wasn’t pulling up the legs enough?

Price & Logistics

Stylest was the priciest brand I tried with suits ranging from $198 to $220. Returns aren’t free, and the process had a lot of little click-through hoops that made it feel like they were hoping you’d just keep it. They do offer a kind of return “insurance” if you pay up front — not sure how much it saved me, but it did lower the mental barrier of committing as it was nice to know my total cost upfront.

Final Verdict

If compression is your love language, Stylest might be your perfect match. I liked the Plunge suit enough to consider keeping it, but the other two didn’t pass the vibe check. They are surprisingly comfy once you’re in, but the compression can create new lumps while smoothing out old ones — sausage vibes are possible.

Vitamin A

For sun-chasers who care more about cheeky cuts than boob support or compression.

What I Tried

Fit & Feel

These suits are definitely in the sexy not supportive category. There’s no band under the bust, no shaping or lift — just fabric and hope. Both suits had super high-cut legs and very minimal back coverage.

The Gemma had adjustable leg openings (you can scrunch it higher if you want more elongation), which I liked. But neither suit made me feel especially secure. The fabric was lovely — smooth, thin, and comfortable — but the fit ran small, especially the Mika. I followed their size chart and got the largest size they offer, but it still felt too tight.

Also worth noting: the panty liners came loose just from trying the suit on, which was stressful given their no-returns-if-you-remove-the-liner policy. I saw other reviews mention this too, so it seems like a known issue. (I just stuck it back on and prayed.)

The Good

• Fabric feels soft and high-quality

• The cuts are undeniably flattering if you’re looking for something skimpy

• GEMMA’s adjustable leg design was a nice surprise

• Great brand if you want a one-piece that’s more “hot vacation” than “lap swim”

The Meh

• Not supportive — no cups, bands, or structure up top

• Liners fall out way too easily (and make returns risky)

• Don’t have huge size range for bigger sizes

• The Mika had a weird fold-over neck that didn’t lie flat

Price & Logistics

Suits ranged from $180–$200, depending on the style. Returns are allowed but not free. No fit quiz, but they do have a size chart and customer reviews to help guide your pick.

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for a one-piece that leans more “date night” than “family pool day,” Vitamin A delivers. I didn’t keep either of these, but I could see them working for someone prioritizing style and skin over support.

Left on Friday

For people who want their suit to feel like a second skin — smoothing without the squeeze.

Update: I loved the Weekender. The fit and quality held up beautifully all summer — I'd buy it again without hesitation. My one regret: I went with the baby blue, which showed every sunscreen smudge and needed a rinse after almost every wear. Next time, I'm going darker.

What I Tried

Fit & Feel

Left on Friday strikes a nice balance between compression and ease. I reached out to customer support and they said the suits are designed to stretch about a quarter of a size, so they should feel snug at first.

The fabric is dense but still soft. It feels great, less intense than Stylest, but still supportive. The sky blue one I tried reminds me of that Tibi tank top everyone loved, but only some could get to fit right. This one nails the look — structured but wearable. I could easily see these doubling as a top with a skirt or shorts.

Shoutout to Left on Friday’s customer support — they really help you to buy the right size. There’s a detailed guide, a fit concierge you can book with, and a whole page showing the suits on real people (bless).

The Good

• That color options are so good

• Comfortable but still compressive — felt secure without the squeeze

• Lower back details gave it more visual balance

• Feels versatile — easy to wear as a top too

• Their customer support is just great

The Meh

• Sizing isn’t fully consistent — the Streamline suit ran smaller than the other two I tried

• These are on the more expensive end ($180), but the quality and fit make it feel worth it

• Honestly, that’s about it. These are great suits, and I’m struggling to find real downsides

Price & Logistics

Suits are $180 across the board. The return window is 21 days from delivery date. One free return or exchange per order—no shipping costs when you return via store credit/exchange. If you’re returning for a refund instead of credit/exchange, there’s a $10 processing fee per order.

Final Verdict

These were the best suits I tried. The fit, the feel, the colors — everything just worked. They’re comfortable and flattering, with subtle shaping and a clean, modern look. If you’re willing to invest a little more, Left on Friday delivers. I ended up buying the Weekender, which looked even better in person than it does in these photos.

J.Crew

For a more affordable version of Left on Friday, though not every suit is a winner.

Update: The Lana really did feel like Left on Friday at first — same hand, similar fit. But it developed a small rip along the band by the end of the summer, so the quality doesn’t fully hold up to the comparison. The brown also turned out to be another sunscreen magnet (apparently I have not learned). Still a good suit for the money, but Left on Friday earned its price tag in a way the Lana didn’t quite.

What I Tried

Fit & Feel

J.Crew suits were all over the place for me — some I loved, others I couldn’t get off fast enough.

Their Classic Sculpt styles reminded me a lot of Left on Friday. Honestly, if someone told me they were from the same factory, I’d believe it. The material felt great, the fit was clean and flattering, and the color options were strong. These were definitely the best of the mid-priced suits I tried.

The Scrunchie fabric was another highlight — textured, soft, and expensive-feeling. The Claudia suit didn’t offer much in terms of compression or bust support (the pads didn’t do much), but it hit a nice sweet spot with cheekiness and a flattering back cut. If you’re not looking for shaping or lift, it’s a great everyday option.

The One-Shoulder Suit was a no for me. It felt compressive but didn’t look it, the front gaped awkwardly, and the tan lines would be wild. It had some bust support, but that was about the only thing I liked.

The Good

• Class Sculpt fabric is a dupe for Left on Friday

• Best value that I found

• Beautiful color options

• Easy and cheap returns

• Wide range of sizes

The Meh

• Design was inconsistent — I tried both one of my least favorite and one of my favorite suits from the same brand

• Very little else to complain about — when they get it right, they really get it right

Price & Logistics

Suits ranged from $100–$130, but they are almost always having a sale if you are flexible on colors. Returns cost $7 or free in-store, which makes try-ons relatively painless.

Final Verdict

J.Crew surprised me. The Classic Sculpt suit was one of the best I tried — great fabric, flattering fit, and I kept it. Not everything was a win, but when they get it right, they really nail it — and the price is hard to beat.

CupShe

For budget shoppers who want cute suits with flattering touches — just don’t expect them to last forever.

What I Tried

Fit & Feel

CupShe trades compression for ruching — and honestly, it works better than you’d expect. If you’re after some smoothing without full-on sausage casing, they do a decent job for the price.

They’re flattering, with thoughtful details and good coverage — not too skimpy, not overly modest. The biggest difference compared to higher-end suits was the fabric quality. Brands like Left on Friday and J.Crew’s Classic Sculpt feel luxe. CupShe suits feel like... regular swimsuits. Not bad, just not elevated.

The Good

• Obviously, the price

• Available on Amazon = free and easy returns

• Huge selection (also kind of a con)

• Surprisingly flattering designs with smart ruching and supportive touches

The Meh

• Not as compressive as more premium suits

• Fabric quality is lower — expect 2–3 seasons of wear, max

• The site (and selection) can be overwhelming — too many styles, not enough guidance

Price & Logistics

Most suits are under $40. I bought mine through Amazon, which made returns super easy and free. They’re also available on CupShe’s own site, but the Amazon route is way more convenient if you’re trying things on. No fit quiz or concierge — just a size chart and lots of customer reviews.

Final Verdict

CupShe won’t change your life, but if you want a cute, affordable suit that looks better than you’d expect, it delivers. Just know what you’re getting: no long-term commitment — just solid value for the price.

The Wrap-Up

And that’s the try-on. Two keepers, a lot of returns, and more swimsuit fabric than I ever expected to think this hard about. If you’re mid-size, long-torsoed, or just swimsuit-weary, I hope this helped you skip a few dead ends.

And if you’ve got a favorite brand I missed — send it my way. I’ve already put my middle-aged body on the internet. At this point, what’s a few more suits?

All the links are gathered here. These are affiliate links, which means I might earn a tiny commission if you buy something, no extra cost to you.

This is a strange week to begin. I barely got dressed. But it’s real, so here we go.

Monday

I have long Covid. Undiagnosed officially, but I know. I used to never get sick. Now I get everything, and it takes me out for weeks at a time. Last week: the flu, or something like it.

So Monday felt like a gift. I felt normal. A little tired, but normal.

It was also the last day of the Tibi sale-on-sale. (Wow, that went fast.) I looked down at what I was wearing and realized it would look perfect with the Feather Grangers, so I ordered them.

This is how Tibi gets you.

Work-wise, I’m building a tool for vibe coders—non-technical people building real products with AI. Last week was rough because Claude, the AI I build with (and that my product helps people use) went stupid. Stopped actually thinking. Started confidently announcing it had done things it hadn’t. Also got 2-3x more expensive overnight. Cool! Great! Fine!

But Monday, it was smart again. Progress happened. Launch feels close.

Tuesday

More building. Claude is not being an idiot. This is all I ask.

My first Tibi sale-on-sale order arrived. The sheer Triple Pleats are incredible btw. Two tips if you’re navigating Tibi sales: add the maximum quantity to your cart so you can gauge how much stock is left to know if you can wait. And find a way to try a range of pieces in person so you understand your sizing. If you know how the joggers, Stellas, Triple Pleats, and Sids fit you, you can size most anything else confidently. I genuinely don’t have size anxiety anymore when shopping Tibi.

Wednesday

First time at the climbing gym in 10 days. Climbing is my happy place. It’s basically solving puzzles on a wall. My brain loves it. I took it easy. Still felt weak toward the end. Ugh.

I loved my actual outfit. The shirt is outside my usual range, and that’s exactly why it works—sometimes the piece that makes no sense is the one that makes everything more interesting. Pay attention to the outliers you’re drawn to.

By 2pm I was dizzy and couldn’t stand. Turned off the computer. Watched If I Had Legs I Would Kick You, which is a deeply unsettling film that perfectly captures the particular madness of overwhelmed motherhood. Did not help.

Someone DM’d me on Instagram about long Covid and sent a pile of resources. I’m so grateful for this community. Truly.

My oldest had their best friend over for dinner. I made tortellini that takes two minutes. We watched the Artemis launch and talked about travel. I went to bed early feeling grateful for these small moments.

Thursday

Woke up fully sick. Dizziness had become vomiting. No one else got sick, which I am both grateful for and baffled by.

I’m not going to sugarcoat it—this day sucked. My nephews were in town from New Orleans. My family went to dinner. I stayed home. The negative voices got loud: you’ll never get better, your life is very small. I’ve learned not to believe those voices. But on bad days, they’re very convincing.

My Tibi try-on got some love on Instagram, which was a small joy when I needed one. Thank you.

Friday

Better. Wide awake at 3:30am, but better.

I set up some AI automations: one to submit my oldest’s therapy bills to insurance each month, another to list items on Facebook Marketplace and respond to interest. I also had Claude add more brands to my sale-tracking site, Well Spent Style. AI is addicting when it takes away your chores.

Then I got through all the bugs on my last feature for my actual product. Feature complete. There’s still so much testing ahead, but feature complete felt like something. I’m proud.

I also went deep on long Covid research. The current thinking is that it disregulates the nervous system, which controls everything. You know those days when you’re so stressed you snap at a driver or yell at your kids over something small—that outsized reaction? With long Covid, your immune system is doing that outsized immune reaction to every little bug that comes through. The treatment isn’t just physical. It’s about getting out of constant fight-or-flight.

Easier said than done. But…hope.

Saturday

Normal. I baked a carrot cake for Easter. I put on a real outfit and left the house. Progress.

I also started tracking my stress levels and made an uncomfortable discovery: I was on edge all day. Even during the good moments. Even when nothing was wrong. That’s a nervous system that doesn’t know how to stand down. And apparently, that’s everything.

I went to Uniqlo while my son was at climbing. Genuinely great clothes for the price. Bought a sweater and some shorts. Try-on video coming soon.

I also talked to a friend who’s been dealing with Long Covid-like symptoms even longer than me. She was bedridden for a year. In a wheelchair for nine months. Hearing that, I felt overwhelmingly grateful: for putting my illness in perspective, and for her generosity in sharing her entire protocol from some of the best doctors working in this space. She’s almost completely better now. I have the start of a roadmap. I’m inspired.

Then date night. I’ve started planning 5 to 6 outfits on weekends in bulk. It takes me 40 minutes to get warmed up to being creative with my fits, so I batch and photograph them. Then I have options for the whole week when I have ten minutes to get ready like tonight.

Joe and I went to the MGM. Poker, then dinner on his comps. He made $130. I lost $28. We made money on date night. I’ll take it. I loved my outfit—special enough for a casino, still completely me.

This week felt significant. I’m hoping I’ll look back on it as a turning point: the week I stopped trying to muscle through and started actually trying to heal.

Style and health are both, at their core, about the same thing: paying attention to yourself. What you reach for. What your body is telling you. What you need that day, even if it doesn’t match the plan.

I can’t promise I’ll do this journal every week. But I wanted to document this one. Even if just for me. I will be back in a future week. Hopefully more dressed.

If you’ve been around Tibi, you’ve worn her work even if you didn’t know it — the Anna sweater with its graphic cut-out, the macrame set that everyone wanted , and the dickies that made layering so chic. Hanna was behind them all, quietly shaping the brand’s knitwear for nearly a decade.

But what she’s building now feels even more special. It’s small, slow, and wildly personal — the kind of work you stumble on and immediately want to keep close.

​​The Shift

In 2017, Hanna’s father passed away. Losing him cracked something open for Hanna. “I realized I never know what’s going to happen tomorrow,” she tells me. “I needed to do something before it’s too late.”

She was ready to find herself — a journey she says feels universal for women in their 40s. “Your life’s meaning changes, right? You see more people leaving you than arriving. You start thinking: What do I want to do with the rest of my time?”

She knew it was time to leave Tibi and find her own way. But she wasn’t sure what that looked like yet.

When the World Stopped

Then the pandemic hit, and with it, an unexpected gift: time.

Hanna had been taking ceramics classes, but when lockdown happened, she couldn’t leave her apartment to access the kiln. So she discovered an air-dry clay medium she describes as “like butter.”

The material was a revelation. It hardens incredibly fast — which means no do-overs, no overthinking. Just pure, in-the-moment creation.

“I had to be very instant,” she explains. “When I see something, I just have to make it and let it go. It became about capturing the very moment — whatever I’m feeling, whatever music I’m listening to, whatever light is coming through the window.”

Unlike fashion’s exhausting lead times, jewelry let Hanna respond to how she felt right now.

“It felt like writing a diary,” she says. “I could make something, share it, and it carried the emotion of that day.”

Jewelry as Frozen Memory

Every piece Hanna makes is tied to a specific emotion or memory. Take the Full Moon Earrings, named F716 and F317. July 16 was her father’s birthday; March 17 is hers.

“Since I was little, my dad always told me that the brightest, biggest full moon was on his birthday,” she remembers. “He was so inspired by light — even his Korean name has the character for ‘light’ in it. So I grew up with this connection between him and brightness.”

After he passed, she found herself chasing that light. Around the same time, she reread The Little Prince, and one line struck her differently: the prince could watch a sunset whenever he wanted by simply moving his chair.

“I thought: Oh. You can create the moments you need. You’re not just waiting for them.”

So she made herself extra moons. Brighter ones. Moons that would always remind her of her father — and of her own ability to create light.

“If I can make one more moon, I can have even more brightness,” she says simply.

The Beauty of Staying Small

Here’s where Hanna’s story diverges from the typical designer trajectory.

Hanna runs everything herself — no assistants, no PR team, not even a webmaster (she laughs that customers sometimes point out typos on her site). “I do it all,” she says, and you can feel it in the work.

Knitwear came back into her life almost by accident. In 2022, a factory partner in Korea asked if she wanted to make sweaters again. At first she resisted — wasn’t leaving the fashion system the whole point? But this setup was different: sample looms instead of mass production, no minimums, fast turnarounds. A piece could be finished in three weeks, each one slightly unique, hand-finished. The opposite of industrial sameness.

“And because each piece is made by careful hands in a sample room, rather than through mass production, the process allows for a shorter lead time, greater attention, and refined quality,” Hanna says.

She has also collaborated with different brands and explored new ideas in various countries and markets.

The Dream: A Little Window Gallery

Hanna doesn’t really make plans anymore. “My life never went the way I planned anyway,” she says with a shrug. What she does have is a dream: a tiny storefront with one tiny window, where she could create live installations, constantly changing, tied to whatever she’s feeling that day.

“People could walk by and see a new story every time. I love working within constraints, like a frame. You’re inside this box, but you can create an entire universe there.”

It couldn’t be a better metaphor for her work. Small scale. Big feeling. A whole world in a window.

“Kids do this naturally,” she adds. “They have entire worlds we can’t see. They’re just… in it. I want to keep that kind of imagination. That freedom.”

Why It Matters

What Hanna’s doing shouldn’t feel rare, but it does. In a fashion system built on “more, faster, bigger,” she’s choosing slower, smaller, and deeply personal.

Her jewelry feels both futuristic and childlike — because it’s made without fear. No market testing, no committees, just: What if I made this? What if I gave myself an extra moon?

It’s proof that you can rebuild your creative life on your own terms, at any stage. That sometimes the most innovative thing you can do is get smaller, slower, more personal.

”When I design a sweater, I think of it as a puzzle piece—first fitting it into my own wardrobe, hoping it can also find its place joyfully in someone else’s.”

Explore Hanna’s world at hannayooworks.com. Follow her journey on Instagram at hannayoo_works.

After my first Global Brands post, readers asked for more, and honestly, I wanted more too. Because fashion is just more fun when it’s about discovery—that feeling of uncovering a brand with more story, more intention, and sometimes even better prices than the labels we’ve been conditioned to reach for first.

​​And let’s be real: who doesn’t want to casually drop, “Oh this? It’s a label from Thailand you’ve probably never heard of.”

So, let’s keep the adventure going.

Caveat: I almost didn’t write this post thanks to the US tariffs. Nothing kills the thrill of discovery faster than a surprise line item at checkout. But here’s the thing:

• Some of these brands are still less expensive, even with tariffs.

• Not everyone here is shopping from the US.

• And fingers crossed, there’s a chance the whole thing gets struck down.

So yes, tariffs exist. But so do these incredible brands—and they deserve the spotlight.

Hey Mrs. Solomon’s Pick: Pushbutton (Korea)

Hey Mrs. Solomon is a 50+ writer and sometimes IG creator who covers personal style and life aha’s with a heavy dose of authenticity and zero gatekeeping.

How She Found Them

“I first discovered Pushbutton at Castanet, my favorite secondhand store in Boston. I bought a short sleeved striped shirt with a rectangle of fabric on the back that gives it a kind of cape-y feel, and the collar is amazing.”

Why She Loves Them

“I love the freshness, the creativity, the cheekiness. There are some pieces that are too challenging for me – mini skirts, anime characters, etc. At a first glance it may feel very out there. But when you really look, it’s actually so digestible. It’s a twist on a menswear shirt. A tweak to a white shirt dress. A gray pencil skirt that just folds down at the waist.”

Sizing Notes

Like most Korean brands, they run small. If you’re in between, size up.

Her Top Picks

• Necktie Tee – playful without being over the top

• Shirtdress – the neckline detail is everything

• Bra-cup styles – especially the denim tee

Pro tip: In the US, you can buy them at Farfetch and SSense.

Rin-On’s Pick: The Nong Rak (Thailand)

Rin-On is a tech exec based in Thailand who recently started writing on Substack about her personal style journey.

How She Discovered Them

“I read about the origin story of The Nong Rak’s: a couple passionate about preserving and modernizing handmade Thai silk. When I reached out on Instagram, I learned they’d just relocated from New York back to Thailand. Visiting their showroom—by appointment only—was such a warm experience. I was able to talk to the owners about the idea behind their pieces, and see pieces that weren’t listed on their website.”

Why She Loves Them

The brand is reimagining Thai silk, a craft that’s slowly disappearing as machine-made fabrics take over. Each handwoven piece carries natural variation in texture and color, making every item unique. The Nong Rak manages to make this heritage material feel modern—sometimes sporty, sometimes avant-garde—while also supporting local artisans and communities.

Sizing Notes

Currently most pieces come in only three sizes. Best bet is to reach out directly for recommendations.

Her Top Picks

• Unisex Contrast Shorts – track-short style in handwoven silk

• Unisex Uniform Pant – cropped, versatile pants

• Crumpled Wrap/Snap Contrast Skirt – playful and textured

Styled by Sally’s Pick: Camilla & Marc (Australia)

Sally is a Melbourne-based personal stylist, author, and TV presenter who lives and breathes style—and has a soft spot for Tibi. You can find her at @styledbysally.

How She Discovered Them

“As a personal stylist I’ve been styling clients in the label for many years, and became a fan first via their casual wear range (C&M tees) and basics, then really started enjoying their tailored, ready to wear collection as they evolved and became more aligned with my style.”

Why She Loves Them

They’re probably the closest thing Australia has to Tibi: edgy minimalism, clean tailoring, and cool suiting separates that never feel overdone.

Sizing Notes

Runs large—she often sizes down. A great option for tall women too, with pant lengths that actually go nice and long.

Her Top Picks

• Zora Midi Skirt

• Piero Suit

• Branzi Leather Short

Owambe Fashion’s Pick: Theogalabel (Nigeria)

Owambe bridges African fashion and global markets through a gamified platform where users style avatars, earn tokens, and shop real outfits. They target Gen Z and millennials worldwide, offering African brands a scalable D2C channel.

How They Discovered Them

“I first discovered the brand on my random search for Made-in-Nigeria footwear, it was love at first sight, the intentional page layout, the craftsmanship and colors. (We love colors here at Owambe.) I followed them, met the creative director and since then it has become a go to for quality footwear made in Nigeria.”

Why They Love Them

Theogalabel is all about quality, elegance, and a joyful use of color. Their menswear shoes are handcrafted with attention to detail, and recently they’ve expanded into womenswear through Theogamadame. “When you land on their IG page your first love would be the layout and the colors…Their intentionality and craftsmanship impressive.”

Sizing Notes

Men’s sizes run from medium to large, and custom orders are available. Great customer service and quick responses make the process easy.

Top Picks

• Dede – a classic standout

• OG Trucker Hat – effortless cool

• Adisa Half Shoe – stylish and versatile

On Shopping My Closet’s Pick: Filippa K (Sweden)

On Shopping My Closet shares her closet journey focusing on what’s already in her wardrobe, reflecting on what she actually wears and tracking down pre-loved pieces (especially from Tibi).

How She Discovered Them

“Filippa K has been around since 1993 and really embodies that Swedish kind of minimalism—simple, effortless, but still refined. Long before the Totêmes of the world showed up, Filippa K was already filling that gap: the brand you turn to when you want the classic pieces and the tailoring, but with a Scandinavian touch and those earthy-ish colors that just work season after season. I first came across it years ago when I was ready to upgrade my H&M blazers to something that felt like it would actually last.”

Why She Loves Them

“Better quality, clean lines, and pieces that never go out of style. With Filippa K, I knows I’ve got the “Classic” element from my Chill-Modern-Classic formula covered—understated, reliable, and quietly elegant without even trying.”

Sizing Notes

Generally true to size, but with a neat, close cut. If you prefer looser, relaxed silhouettes, size up.

Her Top Picks

• Cropped Wool Jacket – a clean, boxy layer that works over anything

• Leather Tee – a subtle nod to AW25’s western trend, but with Scandinavian restraint

• Kitten-Heel Bootie – just enough detail to elevate a winter outfit

Consider This Your Boarding Pass

Every time I put one of these lists together, I end up with more tabs open—and more joy—than I expected. Which makes me think this series isn’t done yet.

If you’ve got a favorite label (or creator) I should add to the itinerary, let me know. This trip is just getting started.

Because what’s weird to me might feel totally normal to you — and vice versa. Weirdness is personal. It’s a little delicious tension between “What the hell is that?” and “Wait… do I love it?”

This isn’t about trends. It’s about the good kind of strange. The kind that makes you double-take, smile, and maybe feel a little braver than you did before.

So here’s your challenge: scroll through, notice what you’re drawn to (even if it confuses you), and imagine how those shoes might shift your whole outfit — or your mood. You don’t have to buy anything. Just play.

The Case for a Weird Shoe

Lately, I’ve realized that one of the easiest ways to look interesting is to wear a weird shoe.

They’re like little dopamine buttons on your feet. Even the most reasonable outfit feels suddenly delightful when topped off with something unexpected down below.

They transform basics. A jeans-and-tee combo becomes a look. Just add a rhinestone boot, a hoof-like heel, or something that makes people go, “Wait… are those shoes?”

They’re built-in conversation starters. No effort required. Just walk into a room and let your feet do the talking.

They let you experiment. You don’t need a whole new wardrobe. You don’t need to become a different person. You just need one pair to shift how you feel in the clothes you already own.

Also worth noting:

Weird doesn’t mean unwearable. A lot of these strange little wonders are actually practical: comfy, podiatrist-approved, and built to last. Call it orthopedic chic, call it avant-garde function–they just happen to look a little unhinged (in the best way).

Shoes are not just accessories — they’re punctuation.
And weird ones? They’re your exclamation point.

Shoes You Can Actually Buy (Right Now)

Two quick notes before we dive in:
I stuck to currently available styles — no resale — so nothing disappears before you click. (You’ll find resale search tips further down if you want to go digging.)

And yes, a lot of the weirdest shoes come from expensive brands. I know. I feel it too. But I tried to sprinkle in some more affordable options where I could. Sigh… budget.

Okay, let’s get into it.

Toe Much?

Toe cleavage, split soles, and shoes shaped like... actual feet. This section is dedicated to designs that put your digits front and center — whether they’re molded, painted, or just strongly implied. It’s weird. It’s anatomical. It’s absolutely toe much.

A - JW Pei - Hayley Toe Model Flat Mules // B - Schiaparelli - Trompe Loeil Toe Ballerina // C - Marugo Wellness - Maneen Gold // D - Maison Margiela - Tabi New Ballerina // E - Camperlab - Pelotas Flota // F - Cow Tabis // G - Kilchu - Handpainted Tabis

Identity Crisis

These are the shoes that looked at the style rulebook and said, “Why not both?” A sneaker disguised as a ballet flat. A boot made out of jelly. A Mary Jane that wants to be a loafer. Sporty uppers with dainty soles.

They’re genre-benders, and the clash is exactly what makes them interesting.

A - Alohas - Bargo Brown Leather Ballet Flats // B - adidas - Taekwondo Mei Ballet leather sneakers // C - Jeffrey Campbell - Shroud-F Boot // D - Melissa - Court Boot // E - Dries Van Noten - Heeled Sneaker Mule // F- Nike - Air Rift SE Ballet // G - Rombaut - Silver Typhoon Boots

Fringe Benefits

Fringe isn’t just having a moment on jackets and hemlines — it’s coming for your feet too. These shoes come with built-in movement.

A - Jejia - Fringed Mules // B - Scarosso - Fringed Suede Loafers // C - Dolce Vita - Torey Booties // D - JNBY - Suede Fringe Flats // E - Gia Borghini - Amelia Fringe Heel

Rubber Everything

Rubber’s having a moment, and it’s not just for rain boots or garden clogs anymore.

Now it’s molded, neon, bubbly, and everywhere — like fashion got lost in a toy store and decided to stay. These shoes are part jelly sandal, part sculpture, part... mystery material. But somehow, they work.

A - Puma - Mostro Jelly Sneaker // B - Camper - Carama Boots // C - Tibi - Tris Slides // D - Puma - Mostro Mule // E - Melissa - X Icon Jelly Sneakers

Bling, Bling

There’s shiny, and then there’s this. Think metallic toes, rhinestone armor, and mirror-like finishes. These shoes are here to reflect something. (Light? Attention? Unclear.)

A - Jimmy Choo - Isa Embellished Pumps // B - Tory Burch - Patos Mesh Flat // C- Schiaparelli - Molded Foot Slippers // D - Azalea Wang - Agave Embellished Bootie

Maximum Texture

Some shoes play with texture. These shoes went all in.

Ruching, fluff, faux fur, florals. Like someone hit the “add dimension” button and forgot to stop. They're sculptural, strange, and oddly satisfying.

A - Marni - Yellow Pablo Sneakers // B - Tibi - Matt Heel // C - Nora Loza - Talla del calzado // D - adidas - Samba Reverie By Caroline Hu // E - Azalea Wang Collidge Floral Pump // F - Steve Madden - Achilles

Want More? Go Hunting.

If you’re into this and want to go deeper, especially on the resale sites, here’s how to start your own weird shoe safari:

Try these search terms:

• Tabi shoes

• Weird toe shoes

• Avant-garde shoe

• Lace-up flat

• Jelly

• Furry shoes

• Embellished shoes

Or look for these brands:

• Maison Margiela

• Tibi

• Melissa

• Jeffrey Campbell

• Tory Burch

• Dries Van Noten

Or try reverse image searching for any of the shoes in this post.

Permission Slip to Play

Some of these shoes will feel like a nope. That’s cool.

The point isn’t to become a Weird Shoe Person™ overnight — it’s to experiment. To surprise yourself. To see what happens when you let one piece of your outfit be a little louder, a little stranger, a little more “unhinged you.”

I’ve compiled the whole list of shoes here.

So go forth and get weird.
Your feet (and your outfits) will thank you.

P.S. Want a part 2? Drop a comment and let me know — I’ve got plenty more freaky favorites where this came from.

Old leggings. Random tops. Whatever Amazon basics were clean enough.

But here’s the thing:

The gym isn’t just a workout anymore. It’s my launchpad for errands, coffee runs, surprise bump-ins with people I used to work with. It’s public. And let’s be honest: sometimes it’s not even about the gym. Some days, I just want to live in leggings around the house—but still look like I tried.

And here’s the kicker: I actually own clothes I like wearing. So why wasn’t I wearing them?

So I created a formula. A stupid-simple, no-shopping-needed way to go from “rolled out of bed” to “passably put together.”

No new wardrobe.
Minimal effort.
Just three pieces that make your gym outfit feel like an actual outfit.

It takes two minutes, max. And it works every time.

But first, one quick caveat: This is for low-sweat workouts where you’ll be taking your shoes off—think Pilates, barre, rock climbing, yoga, or lifting. (But yes, you can make it work for sneakers, too.) And if things get sweaty? Just do a quick bathroom wipe-down or throw on a another layer before the rest of your outfit.

The Formula: 3 Things = Instant Upgrade

Take your basic workout outfit (leggings + any top) and add:

1. Something oversized on top
2. One accessory that makes it an outfit
3. Slip-on shoes that look intentional

That’s it. You’ll look like the kind of person who drinks green juice and answers emails from a standing desk, and all you did was throw on three things.

The Oversized Layer

This is the secret sauce. Add one item that feels big, effortless, and easy to take off:

• Blazer

• Trench coat

• Oversized button-down

• Vest

• Chunky cardigan or sweater

Pro tip: You’re adding polish, not problems, so skip anything you’ll struggle to take off before class.

The Outfit-Making Accessory

Here’s where the magic happens. One small touch = instant “I got dressed on purpose.” Make it fast and fumble-free:

• Pendant necklace

• Bold cuff or bracelet

• Sweater tied around your waist or shoulders

• Scarf

• Dickie (such a fun accessory!)

Rule of thumb: If it takes longer than 5 seconds to remove, it’s not the move.

The Slip-On Shoe

You’re taking your shoes off anyway—why not make them cute? Skip the beat-up sneakers and go for something that looks like a choice:

• Ballet flats

• Slides

• Sandals

• Loose boots

The more fun the better.

Real-Life Combos That Just Work

I like picking vests with large arm holes to let out any sweat. And bangles are nice as they are big enough not to get lost when you take them off to workout.

A blazer or trench instantly upgrades leggings—bonus if it’s a little oversized.

A breezy shirt dress or button-down doubles as a cover layer (and yes, it covers your butt too).

Why This Works

The beauty of this approach is that it's:

• Practical: Everything comes off easily when it's time to work out

• Flexible: Works with whatever's already in your closet and your personal style

• Efficient: Takes two extra minutes, max

You end up looking like someone who has their act together, even if you definitely don't feel like it some days. And the best part? You don’t need a million formulas—just one or two that always work for you.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need a full wardrobe overhaul.

You just need to think of getting dressed for the gym the same way you’d think of getting dressed.

Because let's be real—when you look good, you feel good. And when you feel good, everything else (yes, even burpees) feels a little more manageable.

What's in your gym style rotation? I'm always looking for new combinations to try.

PS: I do use some affiliate links throughout the post to support my work at no cost to you.

I'd ordered them from Kilchu, a brand I’d found through Asta (aka Fit Happens). When they arrived—perfectly crafted, unbelievably comfortable, and with design details that rivaled shoes five times the price—I had one very clear thought:

I've been thinking way too small.

Why was I limiting myself to the same handful of Western brands everyone talks about, when there’s an entire world of design brilliance happening across Colombia, India, Singapore, and beyond?

So I asked six globally-minded creators I admire: What’s your favorite non-US brand that more people should know about?

Their picks made me want to shop slower, smarter, and further from home.

The Global Shortlist

• Artisanal Indian footwear you'll never want to take off

• Japanese leather bags that stopped a stylist mid-scroll

• Handwoven ruanas with cape energy

• Paris-worthy suits from Slovakia

• Workwear so crease-proof, it's basically magic

• Matching sets so joyful they double as vacation therapy

My Pick: Kilchu (India)

Why I Love Them

Everything about this brand exceeded expectations. The shoes are made-to-order (great from a sustainability perspective), took about two weeks to craft, and shipped surprisingly quickly to the US. But it's the quality that really got me—these shoes are comfortable from the first wear, with construction that feels substantial and thoughtful.

Sizing Notes

I'm normally a US 8 and ordered a 6 (they use UK sizing). Their size chart is detailed and accurate, so measure your feet and trust the numbers (or talk to their chat).

What Makes Them Special

Kilchu strikes this perfect balance between honoring traditional craftsmanship and creating something that feels completely modern. The silhouettes are clean and architectural, but the comfort and construction techniques draw from generations of Indian shoemaking expertise.

Top Picks

• Bauhaus: Love the square footbed and minimal profile

• Toe Tied: The ones I’ve gotten the most compliments on

• Handpainted Tabi Flats: The perfect no-shoe shoe for my skin tone.

Irene's Pick: Kikiito (London-based Japanese-born designer)

Irene Kim is a stylist and writer of the Substack, In Moda Veritas, who recently relocated to Paris from Toronto with her husband and two sons.

How She Discovered

"Ever since I started my newsletter, the number of cold emails I get from brands has increased exponentially. It's rare for me to get an email that really intrigues me, but when I received one from Kikiito, I just had to look into it."

The Designs

“Her bags and accessories are incredibly striking. She has such a strong, distinctive POV. Most of her bags are small batch or (hand) made-to-order.”

The Service

"I got in touch with the brand's eponymous designer, Kiki Ito, and she was super responsive. I’m sure if you reached out, she would be happy to chat."

Irene's Picks

• Umi Grande Black Veg Tan Leather (Made to Order)

• Magma White Leather Clutch Bag (Made to Order)

• Omamori Brown Leather

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Asta's Pick: Paitaan (India)

Asta Hora is the writer of Fit Happens, which empowers you to tap into your style intuition to figure out your personal style.

The Craft

Paitaan specializes in Kolhapuri sandals—traditional footwear from Maharashtra made by craftsmen who've been perfecting their techniques for generations. As Asta says,"The level of craft is unmatched. You can tell from photos, but you can REALLY tell when you're holding one in your hand.”

The Process

Previously the only way to get this style of sandal would be to actually go to Kolhapur to buy them. But, now you can order via DM (they're working on a website), and be patient—it takes about a month to reach the US because each pair is made to order and can be customized with initials or other elements.

Asta’s "were delayed an extra week because it started raining heavily in Kolhapur and the sandals needed extra time to dry after the tanning. That's how authentic they are!"

Trend Alert

"Kolhapuri sandals are going to become trendy because Prada just showed them in their latest runway show. So grab some authentic ones to stay ahead of the curve."

Sizing

They will help with sizing as you can send your foot on top of a measuring tape. Asta wears a 38.5/9 and gets a 7.

Asta’s Picks

From their product catalogue:

• Hers doesn’t have a name, but it was designed for a groom. If you share the pic, I’m sure they can recreate

• Bhumi

• Abhisarika

Laura's Pick: Cardolán (Colombia)

Laura De Valencia is a lawyer-turned-artist and stylist who explores the intersection of fashion, identity, and storytelling through her Substack La Deeply Shallow.

The Hunt

"I first came across Cardolán years ago and instantly fell in love with their Ruanas, but somehow lost track of the brand." After searching endlessly through Instagram follows, she finally found them by typing "Ruana" into her photo archive and discovering an old screenshot.

The Craft

Hand-dyed, hand-woven Ruanas made in the Andes mountains of Colombia. "The craftsmanship is visible in every detail. I especially love how versatile the piece is: part poncho, part cape, part cocoon. It feels elegant yet protective, perfect for North Florida winters that are mild but still chilly to me, a Caribbean native."

The Experience

"Their customer service is impeccable: warm communication, seamless payment, careful shipping. Every part of the experience was as beautiful as the Ruana itself."

Sizing

One-size pieces that drape beautifully on different body types. You can buy them buy DMing them on Insta.

Jana's Pick: Nehera (Slovakia)

Jana is the founder of Cleowave, the best resale site for Tibi and other high-end brands, based in SF.

The Story

"I've done three photoshoots for my brand in Slovakia, and our stylist always brought along something from Nehera. Even when we didn't end up using all the pieces, I found myself instinctively drawn to them—often without realizing they were from the same label."

Why She Loves It

The designs have a relaxed ease that's instantly appealing, particularly their suiting. As Jana puts it, "The price point feels right for the quality," and there's something special about supporting the only Slovak label she knows that's shown at Paris Fashion Week.

Where to Find Them

They have a beautiful, must-visit store in Bratislava and a larger location in Vienna. They also ship to 67 countries.

Sizing

Runs true to size, but the style leans chill and oversized, so no need to size up.

Jana's Top 3

• Pale Lime Yellow Wrinkle Mousseline Evening Dress

• Black Cotton Denim Asymmetrical Bomber Jacket

• Black Linen Twill Straight Pants with Slit

Xue's Pick: Love, Bonito (Singapore)

Xue lives in Singapore and writes on Substack about style, self-perception, and why getting dressed is never just about clothes.

The Origin Story

Xue knows the founders personally and has watched their journey from LiveJournal blogshop to Southeast Asian powerhouse with pop-ups in NYC. “Watching them grow into one of Singapore’s leading womenswear brands has been such a joy and a point of pride.”

Why She Swears By Them

"The clothes just work—especially for work. They're my go-to brand when I'm speaking on stage." The brand's philosophy is "Ready-to-live, not just ready-to-wear," with built-in crease resistance, clever length tweaks, padding where needed, and structures that move with real life.

Sizing

She’s a UK 10/US 6 and fits into M or L. The brand specifically tailors for Asian body shapes.

Xue's Heroes

• Rachel Blazer: "My crease-proof hero. Sleeves magically stay up and it feels structured yet breathable."

• Yuna Super-High Waist Tailored Pants: "My go-to pants—comfy, flattering, and wrinkle-resistant."

Usha's Pick: The Summer House (India)

Usha is a Malaysian-Australian lawyer living in Singapore, passionate about small brands making a big impact in the sustainable fashion space. You can read her post about cool Indian brands here.

The Discovery

"When I first moved to Singapore from New York a decade ago, I was looking to switch from my usual US brands to more sustainable fashion options closer to shore." Her first TSH dress, bought in 2016, started a lasting relationship with the brand.

What Sets Them Apart

“Their clothes are incredibly well-made and have a modern, understated look that I appreciate. They are trend-agnostic and their designs do stand the test of time without being overly conservative. They have a great way of playing with colours and prints as well.”

But it's their commitment to sustainability that makes them special—organic cotton, handwoven textiles, and clear care about where materials come from. “Knowing that I'm supporting a company that values artisans, craftsmanship, and ethical production makes their pieces feel even more special to wear.”

The Experience

True to size with spot-on measurements listed online. Customer service via WhatsApp is responsive, and customization is available. Free global shipping on orders over $300.

Usha's Current Favorites

• Polina Houndstooth Linen Skort

• Reyah Handwoven Embroidered Midi Dress

• Manoor Red Organic Cotton Dress

Usha & Xue's Joint Pick: Maisha Concept (Singapore)

The Vibe

"A burst of color, sustainability, and pure textile joy." Founded by Kenyan-born Rakhee Shah in 2018, Maisha Concept celebrates global traditions through block-printing techniques from artisans across India and Africa. “ Every print is handcrafted and each collection is a small creative story.”

Why They Love It

"Bold prints so joyful they make me smile!" The cotton is soft, breathable, and perfect for tropical climates, with silhouettes that are relaxed yet put-together.

Sizing

True to size.

Their Go-Tos

Print-heavy matching sets—shirts with coordinating shorts or trousers that feel like happiness to wear.

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The Bigger Picture

What really struck me wasn’t just the quality or the prices—it was the stories. The quiet care behind each piece. The sense that someone really thought about it. These brands aren’t trying to chase trends. They’re doing their own thing—and doing it beautifully.

Maybe the next great fashion capital isn’t New York, Paris, or Milan.
Maybe it’s your WhatsApp DMs with a sandal maker in Kolhapur.

What global fashion brands have surprised you? I'd love to hear about your discoveries.

Special thanks to Jana, Xue, Usha, Irene, Asta, and Laura for sharing their global fashion finds.

That's when I realized I was asking the wrong question entirely.

It’s not where you buy them. It’s why you love them. And what they say about you.

Why Your T-Shirt Choice Actually Matters

Here's what I learned during my graphic tee deep dive: the ones that stick around in your closet aren't just shirts—they're tiny acts of self-expression that actually change how you feel.

There's real science behind this. Psychologists call it "enclothed cognition"—the idea that what you wear influences your mental state. That vintage band tee doesn't just show people you have good taste in music; it reminds you that you have good taste in music. The hiking shirt makes you feel more outdoorsy, even if you're just grabbing coffee.

That's dopamine dressing in action—wearing things that give you a small chemical reward just by putting them on.

So I created the Tee Decoder Method—five ways to hunt down tees that actually reflect who you are, not just what's trending.

The Tee Decoder Method

Not rules. Just ways to notice, remember, and collect tees you'll actually wear.

1. Keep Your Radar On

The best tees aren’t found in a one-and-done Google search (trust me, I’ve tried). They’re collected, over time, by keeping your “graphic tee radar” on.

Your move: For the next week, start noticing graphic tees in the wild. On strangers. In stores. At coffee shops. At the bar. At your kid’s soccer game. You don’t have to buy any—just see what catches your eye and why. Once you start noticing, you’ll start finding.

Spotted on my own hunt: On a recent trip to NYC, I spotted: Katz’s Deli’s cool retro tee while waiting for my much-needed pastrami. A Basquiat shirt at the Whitney that made my art-nerd heart sing. A beyond-cool broccoli tee at my husband’s favorite brewery, Other Half. (BTW, all the images in this post will be listed clockwise.)

Start doing this and you’ll find tees in places you never expected — and you’ll get better at spotting ones that feel very you.

2. Wear Your Memories

Graphic tees are low-key memoirs. They feel best when they say something personal and remind you of times you loved.

Your move: Spend a few minutes reminiscing, then search. Some prompts:

• Favorite vacation?

• Favorite childhood shows or toys?

• Restaurants, bars, bookstores with fond memories?

• First or best concert?

Pro tip: If it doesn’t exist, make it—your dog’s face, your kid’s drawing, the friend-group in-joke.

From my own hunt: “I Had My Birthday Party at McDonalds” shirt because who didn’t? Tivoli Gardens at night since Copenhagen was my favorite recent trip. A vintage Kraftwerk tee. I was obsessed with them right after college.

More of my memories: A tee my graphic-design-loving daughter made for my birthday. (That you can buy, too. We just set up a storefront for her!) Sofi Tucker tour tee, my first post-pandemic concert (epic!). A tee I made from a photo capturing the amazing chaos of the revolving dance floor at my London going away party.

This is dopamine dressing—the little rush when a shirt drops you back into a moment.

3. Broadcast Your Obsessions

Graphic tees are particularly powerful because they're visual shorthand for pieces of your identity. The right graphic tee can make a stranger smile at you on the subway, help you spot a fellow fan across a crowded room, or transport you back to that amazing concert every time you catch your reflection.

Your move: What would you happily wear as a walking ad? This might be:

• Favorite band or musician

• Hobbies you’d rather be doing right now.

• Brands you evangelize to friends.

Pro tip: Graphic on the back? Wear it backwards. Effortless and a little subversive.

From my own hunt: My loyalty club includes a Rivian shirt because we are in the cult and multiple Costco tees. (We are that obsessed—the barcode one actually scans for their rotisserie chicken!)

My passion projects? A climbing shirt that makes me feel like a badass on rest days and a Connections tee from the NY Times that you can actually play with people. And, my favorite product out there, Tangle, which shows the news from both sides to decrease polarization.

These are bat signals for your people—wear one, and the right crowd will find you.

4. Say It Without Saying It

Sometimes your tee is your billboard. It tells the world something before you’ve even said hello. The best text tees don’t yell; they whisper. A subtle reference, a sly joke, a phrase that makes people lean in and ask, “Wait, what’s that from?”

There are two main ways to play this:

• Cause tees: they put your values front and center (and often donate proceeds to that cause).

• Statement & funny tees: a slogan, lyric, or one-liner that makes people lean in.

Your move: What would you actually want to broadcast?

• Which cause would you fund with your chest?

• What inside joke would make your people grin?

• What message do you want to get out to the world?

From my own hunt: My causes include a Connor Ives "Protect the Dolls" tee (proceeds go to Trans Lifeline) and a "Defend the Parks" shirt from Parks Project. And, a reminder that DC is taxed without congressional representation.

My statements? A "FAFO" tee from Everpress and "Give a F*ck" from All Riot, because the world needs more people who do. And a reminder to myself to “Stay Bad Ass” by R13.

It’s like wearing your values on your sleeve… literally.

5. Chase the Vibe

After all that talk about meaning, here’s the plot twist: sometimes the only story is that it’s ridiculously cool, and that’s perfectly fine.

Artist collabs, vintage repros, weird one-offs — all fair game. Want a constant vibe radar? Follow Everpress and Repostees; they’re graphic-tee mood boards in your pocket.

Your move: From the picks at the end, which three pull you on design alone? Are you a bold-graphics person or subtle type? Retro or modern?

From my own hunt: These designs spoke to me, making me realize that I love super graphic shapes: David Shrigley Elephant Tee from the Tate Museum, Bendy Boy from Etsy, and Eye Bombing from Everpress.

Because sometimes the vibe is the meaning.

Get the Fit Right

A great design means nothing if the fit is off. Graphic-tee sizing is a lawless territory.

• Check the garment type. Unisex, women's cut, or boxy streetwear? Each sits differently.

• I often size up one size. I'm an XL in women's, so I get XXL in men's for that perfect ease.

• Measure a shirt you love and go off those dimensions.

• Don't fear alterations. A $5 hem or a snip with your scissors can turn "meh" into "go-to."

Put Your Beacon Out There

Here's the thing—graphic tees are wearable beacons that help your people find you.

The hunt is half the fun. Sharing discoveries with friends is the other half.

Start noticing. Start collecting. And remember: the best graphic tee isn't the coolest one you can find—it's the one that makes you feel most like yourself when you put it on.

Your Curated Collection: 40 More Tees Worth the Click

Ready to start hunting? Here's my treasure trove, organized by vibe so you can find your lane without the overwhelm.

Where to Hunt

And if you want to hunt on your own, here is a list of good places to look:

• General: Everpress, Etsy, Famous in Real Life

• Social Good: Social Goods, Parks Project

• Local: Neighborhood Spot, Merch 4

• Bands: Merch Bar, Cold Cuts Merch

• Vintage: Ebay (especially Japanese sellers), Grailed, Moth Food

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For the Dog People

1. Daid_ Moriyama Dog Tee 'White' from Supreme

2. Dog Swap from Everpress

3. Self-actualization from Henry Store

For Unapologetic Cat People

1. Nine Lives None Left from Everpress

2. Bits the Cat from Blackhare

3. Construction Cats from RawPaw

   ---

Weekend Warrior

1. Bird Watcher from Time Change Generator

2. Tennis from Everpress

3. My Weekend is Booked from Famous in Real Life

Love Letters to Places

1. Lil Frankies Tee from Neighborhood Spot

2. I Love LA

3. Brooklyn Museum Tank

Deep Cuts & Headliners

1. Cranberries - Linger

2. Blur - Coffee and TV

3. Bjork - I Don’t Know My Future

1. Beyonce - Cowboy Carter

2. Andre 3000 - Sadie

3. Le Tigre

Mic Drop

1. Stop Giving Men Podcasts from Everpress

2. Disobey from All Riot

3. Call Congress from Crooked Media

Wild at Heart

1. National Parks Fill In Tee from the Parks Project where you can mark off what parks you’ve been to

2. Joshua Tree Sun Tee from the Parks Project

3. Go retro with Remember Smokey from the Landmark Project

Rights in Print

1. Gigi Perez - Love is the Law Tee benefiting the Trevor Project

2. 1973 Tee from Social Goods broadcasting the year of Roe v. Wade

3. My Body My Choice from Outrage

Wearable Art

1. Comes Tee Demo from the New Museum

2. Pipilotti Rist Lungenflügel from the Tate

3. KEFE Godzilla Glow-in-the-Dark T-Shirt from SF Moma

Big Print Energy

1. The Bolt Tee from Imogen and Willie

2. Noda Streka from Kraft

3. Fun Tee from Imogen and Willie

1. Ms. Aperol Spritz from Everpress

2. Wall Blue Shirt from the Design Museum

3. Girls to the Front from Prudent Tattoo

1. Documented from Kraft

2. Some Where

3. Groove from Everpress
   

1. An Apple a Day from Everpress

2. Fire Ice from Noon Goons

3. Better Off Alone from FSG Prints

Your radar is officially activated. Tag me when you find your next favorite. I'm always hunting too.

Indyx is already one of the smartest apps I’ve used — beautiful, values-driven, and deeply useful. But a few product tweaks could take it from beloved tool to essential habit.

I’m a former Google PM who’s spent the last eight years starting and scaling companies (just sold my last one). What I love most is when products feel effortless — like they were built for real people. Indyx is close, and that’s why I care enough to write this.

It’s genuinely changed how I shop and get dressed. I have huge respect for co-founders Devon and Yidi and the product they’ve built. (Caveat: I’ve never met them — this is purely from the POV of a devoted user and product nerd.)

I don’t know their internal roadmap or B2B strategy. This is just what I’d do to level up the B2C experience — in ways that could strengthen everything else, too.

Upload So Easy You’ll Want to Add Everything

The Problem

Filling your Indyx closet is one of the only things that doesn’t feel delightful. It’s a manual process — uploading images, entering product info, filling out brand names and prices. Even if it only takes a few minutes per item, that time adds up.

And what’s worse: we’re all doing the same work separately. I’ll add a white Rachel Comey sweater. My friend adds the same one. But because there’s no shared record, we each have to upload it from scratch, and the system treats it like two different items.

The Impact

• High friction = fewer complete closets = less downstream value

• The same item exists in the system 100s of times, unlinked

• We miss out on powerful social features like “show me how others style this”

• Brands don’t get clean data on how specific pieces are actually being worn

The Opportunity

If Indyx could tie identical items together, it would improve:

• Upload speed and user experience

• Closet density and completeness

• Social styling opportunities (“You own this too?”)

• Data quality for resale and brand partnerships

What I’d Build

• Reframe upload flow: start with a product link, not a photo

• Pull in metadata (brand, image, item name) automatically

• Let users select from existing item entries when uploading (so you could search for “white Tibi sweater” to pick from options)

• Use mobile share sheet to save a product directly to your closet from any product page

• Bought it yesterday? Forward the receipt, and it shows up in your closet.

When adding is easy, using becomes inevitable. Remove the grind from building a closet, and you unlock everything else — denser data, richer social features, and a stickier habit.

Onboarding People Actually Look Forward To

The Problem

The hardest moment in the Indyx journey is the very beginning. When your closet is empty, the product feels more like a chore than a delight. You’re not seeing personalized styling, you’re not getting data, and you’re definitely not getting joy — just a blank screen asking you to start uploading clothes.

Most wardrobe apps die at the upload screen. Indyx could win here.

The Impact

• Users feel pressure to upload everything, which is overwhelming

• Many default to taking photos (which don’t look great), then later have to redo them using lay flats

• Early friction means slower activation, lower engagement, and more churn

• Indyx misses an opportunity to shape great habits from day one

The Opportunity

Reframe onboarding as a lightweight challenge instead of a data entry task. People already love style challenges — "14 Days of Outfits" content is everywhere. So what if onboarding worked more like that?

Give users a small, daily commitment that builds their closet naturally while teaching them how to use the app. Build a reward system around completion. Maybe even make it social.

What I’d Build

• A two-week onboarding challenge, framed like a style sprint:

  • “Add one outfit a day for 14 days”

  • Each outfit naturally brings 3–8 items into the closet.

  • Add light reminders and optional streak tracking.

• A visual calendar view that fills in as users go — like checking off little boxes of progress.

• A reward at the end of 14 days — a mini style reflection that shows you what you're actually wearing, what you're reaching for, and what your initial closet says about your style.

• Teach smart uploading in the flow: Encourage using lay-flat images or brand photos for consistency and steer them away from uploading everything at once.

Don’t ask users to build a closet. Help them build momentum.

Turn Every Closet Into a Community

The Problem

Indyx’s social styling tools — where you can be styled by friends or a professional — are a killer feature. But right now, they feel more like a special add-on than the core experience. You’re still largely in your own closet, doing your own thing.

Discovery is limited, and the “social loop” stops inside the app. Outside the app, people are sharing their Indyx outfits and recaps — but it’s all manual screenshots, captions, and “What app is this?” DMs. The result? Community and virality are both underpowered.

The Impact

• Inspiration mostly comes from their own closet, not others’

• Styling remains mostly a 1:1 experience (you style me / I style you), not a network

• Sharing is clunky, so growth is dependent on slow word-of-mouth

• Monetization opportunities through inspiration → discovery → purchase are untapped

The Opportunity

Indyx has the potential to be more than a personal wardrobe app. There’s something incredibly powerful in seeing what other people are doing with the clothes you already own. It makes your closet feel bigger. Smarter. More alive.

Give users a reason to celebrate how they’re using Indyx — and make it dead simple to share.

What I’d Build

• A way to surface people who have big overlaps with my close for me to follow.

• A personalized discovery feed that includes:

  • Outfits that include pieces already in my closet

  • What my style twins are wearing, even if I don’t own it

  • A way to save or shop items (with affiliate links). Indyx isn’t a shopping platform, but users still want to buy

• A way to opt-in to lightweight social challenges like “Wear Everything Once This Fall” or “Dress Like Adam Sandler Week”

• A monthly Closet Wrapped: what you wore, what you ignored, and your vibe in 3 words.

• Share button on every outfit with lightweight Indyx branding

• Templates for things like “What I Wore This Week” or “Packing List: LA”

Discovery shouldn’t live on Instagram. It should live inside your closet.

Tags That Think for You

The Problem

Tagging exists in Indyx — but right now, it feels hidden. You can add tags to any item or outfit, but the system relies entirely on users remembering and retyping their own custom labels. Which means... I have “pointy,” “pointed,” and “point” shoes in my closet. All different tags. All the same thing.

Even more frustrating: I can only filter by one tag at a time. So when I want to look at all my “polished” and “slim” shoes together? No dice.

The Impact

• Tags are wildly underused, or used inconsistently

• Users can’t get the real value: filtering, planning, pattern-spotting

• The product misses the chance to help people define their style, pack smarter, or plan looks

• It's a feature with huge potential — but only a fraction of users are tapping into it

The Opportunity

Tagging should be a foundational layer of Indyx — something that helps users think better about their style, not just search faster. When done well, tags unlock smarter decision-making, stronger outfits, and more confidence.

Let’s make tagging feel intuitive, smart, and built-in — not like something only power users know how to do.

What I’d Build

• Saved tags that fill in while typing, so I always tag with “pointed” not variations

• Multi-tag filtering

• Suggest tags when uploading, using either AI or what others have tagged that item with

• Untagged Items filter to help surface items with no tags so they can clean them up easily

• Educational content about how useful tags are. They aren’t just organizational – they’re a mindset

When tagging is effortless and consistent, it stops being a hidden feature and starts being the lens through which you see your closet — not just a way to store clothes, but a way to make better style decisions every single day.

Sell What You Don’t Wear in Seconds

The Problem

Resale is a huge opportunity for Indyx — both for the user and for the brand. But listing something for resale today is still a pain: you have to take new photos, fill in the details, price it, pick a platform, and repeat that every time.

Meanwhile, Indyx already knows what I own. It knows the brand, the item, when I added it, and how often I’ve worn it. Why not use that to make resale feel like one click?

The Impact

• Items sit unused in closets instead of circulating back into the ecosystem

• The product misses a key moment to reinforce conscious consumption

• Resale could become a revenue stream (via affiliate, referral, or platform partnerships), but that potential is untapped without easier listing flows

The Opportunity

If Indyx can simplify the resale flow, it reinforces the mission: wear what you already own, and let go of what no longer works. It also adds an eventual revenue stream (affiliate fees, resale partnerships, etc.) and deepens user engagement with underused items.

What I’d Build

• Partner with Future Reference to easily list items in your closet on the most popular resale sites

• One-click “Resell This” button on any item in your closet. Prefills product info from existing item data (brand, style, name, original price) and asks a few quick questions: photo (optional), condition, measurements

• Shows items you haven’t worn in 6+ months as a gentle nudge to consider reselling

The closer resale is effortless, the more people will actually do it — and the more Indyx will deliver on its mission to reduce waste.

Final Note

Closet apps are everywhere. But Indyx isn’t just tracking what I wear — it’s shifting how I think. With the right moves, it could become the tool that reshapes how we dress, spend, and express ourselves.

As a former founder, I know how much heart, grit, and patience it takes to build something this good. Many of these ideas might already be in flight, and I get that the hardest part isn’t dreaming them up — it’s finding the time, resources, and focus to bring them to life.

This is written with deep admiration, not armchair critique. I want Indyx to keep growing because it’s one of the few apps that actually makes my life better.

If you’re already on Indyx, what would you build next? And if you’re not… well, it might just be the most thoughtful thing you add to your phone this year.

P.S. Want to find or style me on Indyx? Here’s my profile.

So here we are. Another $2K later, still in front of the mirror wondering if side-boob is a feature or a flaw.

Quick update on the winners from last time: I ended up keeping the Weekender from Left on Friday and the Lana from J.Crew. Both have held up, both make me feel good — but both would’ve been better in a darker color. Light ones show every speck of dirt and every swipe of sunscreen. Learn from my mistakes.
Bonus tip: KARI10 gets you 10% off at Left on Friday.

Ok, here’s round two.

My Sizing for reference:

5’9”

40" chest, 34 G bra

35" waist

45" hips

65" torso circumference

The exact sizes and colors I ordered are included in the images.

Summersalt

For people who want cool design and thoughtful fit science.

What I Tried

Fit & Feel

Summersalt’s size chart actually matched my measurements — no need to choose between fitting my hips or my boobs. They used over a million measurements from real women to build their size chart, and it shows.

The Wrap style was my favorite: supportive without being bulky, with clean lines and just enough detail to feel elevated. The Cinch suit had the best back of any suit I tried — seriously, it’s gorgeous — but the bust area didn’t quite work for me. It felt like my boobs were sitting too low for where the suit wanted them to be. Same with the Side Stroke. Great compression, nice color, but the fit through the shoulder and bust wasn’t super comfortable.

Overall, these felt thoughtfully made and flattering, but they might be better suited for folks whose bust sits a bit higher than mine.

The Good

• Their size guide was actually aligned with my measurements (rare!)

• Design-forward without being flashy

• Fabric felt solid and well made

• Design details like belts, wraps, and dramatic backs flattered without trying too hard

The Meh

• No underbust band = support is okay, not great

• Boob placement felt off on two out of three suits since my boobs sit lower

• Shoulder and side cuts may dig depending on your shape

Price & Logistics

Suits range from $95–$125. Returns are $8. No fit concierge, but better guidance than most.

Final Verdict

Summersalt came through with clean design, a good fit, and a price that feels fair. The Wrap One-Piece was the clear favorite for my body. If you want a suit that looks elevated without being fussy, these are worth a try. You can find all Summersalt styles here.

Lands End

High quality, full coverage, and some surprisingly great support — if you can find a style you like.

What I Tried

Fit & Feel

Lands’ End was the most recommended brand from readers — and I get why. These suits feel sturdy in that “won’t-bail-during-a-cannonball” kind of way. The double-layer design is clever: compression on the inside, smoothing on the outside. Structure without the sausage effect.

The Wrap style was more traditional, with solid support (including a band under the bust) and a flattering neckline, but I didn’t love the vertical strip down the back. Both suits felt high-quality and supportive. Sizing ran a little inconsistent, but both had good bust coverage.

That said, I had to dig to find these. The styles skew more modest than I prefer — lots of skirts, low leg cuts, and full coverage backs. If you want something a little cheekier or more design-forward, the options are few and far between. I only found two that felt worth trying, and even those were more practical than pretty.

The Good

• Offers long torso, petite, plus, and mastectomy options

• Solid boob support and compression without discomfort

• Major promos (frequent 50% off sales)

• 90-day return window

• Free in-store returns

The Meh

• You have to dig for stylish options—lots of modest styles, skirts, and low leg cuts

• Some inconsistencies in sizing across suits

• Personally, I found the styles too modest for my taste

Price & Logistics

Most suits retail around $100–$130, but they’re often 50% off. Return shipping is $8.95 or free in-store, and you get a generous 90-day return window.

Final Verdict

Lands’ End isn’t flashy, but it’s dependable. If you want coverage, quality, and sizing options most brands don’t offer — this is a great bet. Just be ready to wade through some “mom at swim class” styles to find the gems. Check them all out here.

Andie

Flattering cuts, fun colors, and enough adjustability to (almost) make the fit work.

What I Tried

Fit & Feel

Andie suits feel thoughtfully made — especially if you like some compression and a bit of drama. I tried three styles, and while the Mykonos was easily the most flattering on me (hello, great cleavage), the others had some odd fit quirks.

Across the board, the fabric feels good on — with just the right amount of sculpting. The Laguna was cheeky in a fun way and offered nice compression, but the boob fit was way off for me (gaping galore).

That said, many suits have adjustable straps and long torso options, which helps. And they get bonus points for using mostly recycled materials. Overall, a solid option — especially if your body happens to match their sizing chart (mine didn’t).

Pricing + Logistics

Most suits run $112–$140. Returns within 14 days, minus a $5 restocking fee. Original shipping and duties aren’t refunded.

Final Verdict

Some hits, some misfires — but if you find the right fit, Andie brings the flattering lines and fun vibe. I would have kept the Mykonos if I hadn’t just bought two new suits. Check out their full lineup here, and you can use KARI20 to get 20% off.

Beth Richards

Sustainable, fashion-forward suits that are best for smaller busts.

Fit & Feel

Beth reached out to me on Substack after my first swimsuit post, and I was instantly curious. She’s a Canadian designer (and fellow Substacker!) making sustainable swimwear with a clear feminist mission: strong, non-exploitative imagery, without sacrificing style. And her suits deliver — they’re fashion-forward with luxe fabrics, rich colors, and thoughtful details that feel original without trying too hard.

The Boheme was the most versatile, with removable straps and a wrap detail you can wear a few ways. The Scrunchie had the most flair — textured straps and a muted, artsy color I loved. The Scoop offered more coverage up front, but still brought drama in the back.

These aren’t built for big boobs — there’s light support, but no real lift or band. If you don’t need much up top, though, the designs and details more than deliver. I kept the Boheme (gifted) and have loved it.

The Good

• Sophisticated, elevated designs with thoughtful details

• Luxe-feeling fabric that moves well and flatters

• Canadian-based brand with sustainability baked in

• Woman-founded and run

The Meh

• Not much boob support

• Return policy isn’t generous

• Pricey — around $250+ per suit

Pricing + Logistics

Most suits hover around the $250 mark. Returns must be initiated within 7 days and come with a $25 return/restocking fee.

Verdict

If you’re into fashion-y suits that still feel wearable, Beth Richards is a gem. These felt like pieces from someone who gets women — elegant, functional, and unfussy. Just make sure you’re confident in your size before you buy. Check out her designs here.

Miracle Suit

Compression magic meets mom-energy. These suits really do sculpt — but style takes a back seat.

What I Tried

Fit & Feel

Miraclesuit lives up to its name in one department: compression. Every suit I tried of theirs genuinely made me look slimmer. They combine intense structure, strategic ruching, and underwire-level support to deliver the most “held in” feeling of any brand I tested.

But while the fit was effective, the style wasn’t my favorite. Cuts were conservative, with full backs and low legs that leaned more shapewear than swimwear. The designs aim for optical illusions — and succeed — but I couldn’t help wishing they’d apply that same effort to make something just a bit sexier. Even a hint of cheek would go a long way.

The Good

• Insanely compressive — truly smoothing

• Excellent bust support, including DDD options

• One of the only suits that visibly slimmed me

• Great return policy (just return within 30 days)

The Meh

• Styles skew dated and conservative

• Back cuts = full coverage shapewear vibes

• Some designs feel over-engineered

Logistics

Most suits are in the $150 - $170 range. Miraclesuit offers a 30-day return window, but you’ll need to cover return shipping.

Final Verdict

Miraclesuit delivers on its promise: these suits really do shape you. But the styling lags behind. If you're after full coverage and serious support, they’ve got you. If you’re hoping for something a bit more modern or cheeky — keep looking. Check out all designs here.

Quince

Solid dupes of top brands — if you’re cool with that.

What I Tried

Fit & Feel

Quince suits look very familiar — because they are. The brand’s whole model is to reverse-engineer popular designs and sell them for less, which is why their swim line reads like a greatest hits of higher-end brands. The result? Pretty good suits at much lower prices. But it’s worth asking how you feel about wearing something that was likely copied down to the seam.

Of the three I tried, the Plunge was the clear winner — flattering, secure, and a near-identical dupe of Andie’s signature style. The Cami came in close behind, with solid compression, decent bust support (thanks to an actual band), and a more balanced back cut. The Cross-Back felt a little off — the top fit, but the bottom ran snug, and the leg cut wasn’t doing me any favors.

Sizing can be a bit weird. I ordered a Large in all three and felt like I was between sizes. They do offer a Long option, but they don’t show clear measurements for it, so it’s hard to know if it’ll actually help. Overall, if you’re okay with the knockoff vibes, these are very solid suits for the price.

The Good

• Sleek, flattering designs that punch above their price point

• Some suits have built-in support (like the Cami)

• Italian fabric = nice feel and decent compression

• 365-day return policy is wild

The Meh

• Limited sizing (only up to XL, but I’m a Large, so maybe it’s not that limited)

• Limited color options — most suits come in just a few shades

• The fit can be hit or miss

• Styles are copy-paste from other brands, if that matters to you

Price & Logistics

Most suits are under $50, which makes them one of the most affordable options I tried. They offer free shipping and a generous return policy (you have a full year). Sizing goes up to XL, and they offer regular and long.

Final Verdict

Quince makes simple, well-fitting suits that look more expensive than they are. The designs aren’t groundbreaking, but for the price, they don’t have to be. Worth trying — especially the Plunge. View Quince’s full line-up here.

The Wrap-Up

That’s a wrap on part two. I’ve now officially tried on enough swimsuits to last a lifetime — but weirdly, I’m not mad about it. If this helps you avoid a return or find one that actually fits, worth it.

Tried something amazing I missed? Let me know. I'm already in too deep.

All the links are gathered here. These are affiliate links, which means I might earn a tiny commission if you buy something, no extra cost to you.

The drops come fast. By the time you’ve made one decision, something new is already live. I just put in my 70% off sale order–and now the Fall Collection has launched. (Yes, I’m still swooning over those cream Bronsons.)

That’s where the stylists come in.

I first met Keturah at The Shoe Hive, lugging in a few problem pieces. I had a closet full of bottoms and no real strategy. She helped me figure out what category to invest in next: sweaters. And, she was right. Tibi’s sweaters are good.

So when I wanted to understand how the Tibi styling program actually works—and what makes it so effective—she was the obvious person to call. We talked about what really happens in a session, the life shifts that bring people in, and what makes someone a dream client (spoiler: it’s not a spreadsheet, but that doesn’t hurt).

And because I’m modifier-obsessed, I also pulled together something I haven’t seen anywhere else: a Stylist Cheat Sheet—complete with every Tibi stylist’s personal modifier and CP scale.

If you’ve ever wondered who’s modifier is “Game for Anything,” the Cheat Sheet delivers.

What Stylists Actually Do

Tibi stylists are there to teach you how to wear the clothes—not just sell them. Keturah explained how they came to have such an impact at the brand:

"When I was brought on, the store was outperforming the website, which is really odd in this era. But the difference was the stylists. Our DNA is education. And the only way you can educate people is if you have people actually doing that work.

So after Amy opened her life up on Instagram in 2020, we started having the stylists do that, too. That way our stylists could work virtually with people everywhere.”

Here’s what working with a stylist can actually look like:

• Prioritizing a wishlist (especially around sales or the new drops)

• Strategically filling wardrobe gaps

• Back-channeling for hard-to-find items

• Helping you understand why a piece works, or doesn’t

• Sending different views of an item so you’re not relying on website photos alone

• Breaking down CP principles in a way that applies to your closet

• Packing help for trips or big life shifts (yes, please)

As Keturah told me:

“It’s not just about styling. It’s about having someone be your educational tool.”

Two of the most surprising ways stylists help?

“When we shop, we often shop in the moment because of emotions. A stylist can give you guidance to say, ‘you don’t need that.’”

And this one really surprised me:

“Sometimes I go outside the Tibi realm to show them things to supplement their Tibi purchases. If someone can’t wear heels and nothing in our line-up works, I’ve found shoes on other sites. I just want to help people understand how to wear their Tibi clothing.”

When to Book a Styling Session

Stylists aren’t just for wedding weekends or capsule wardrobes in Mykonos. Some of the most helpful sessions happen during quieter, in-between moments—like when:

• You’re new to the brand and want help decoding it

• You bought something but can’t seem to style it

• Your sizing feels inconsistent or confusing

• You’ve gone through a change—new job, new body, new routine

Keturah put it this way:

“Everybody’s going through something. Maybe you gained weight. Maybe you’re retiring. Maybe you're a boss. Maybe you just want to get the brand. Styling helps you see how to dress for the life you actually have.”

In my case, I had tried on or ordered four different Liams before working with Keturah. (Send help.) She gently pointed me toward the Drapey Suiting version, saying it would probably fit my lifestyle best. She was right—I now own the Cinnamon one, and I love it.

How Stylists Get to Know You

This was the part I was most nervous about—like, is she going to judge my fit? Was I about to star in a one-woman What Not to Wear reboot?

Keturah totally got that hesitation:

“People are afraid it will be like one of those styling shows that we were all burned by. They worry, ‘What are they going to tell me? They’re not going to like my clothes.’

But that’s not the vibe at all. We’re holding your hand, doing something that most people pay for.”

She starts by asking questions that feel more therapy than fashion:

“I met with someone yesterday who said it’s her birthday. So I mentally note that she’s in a moment of reflection. She’s feeling fresh. And then I asked her what her lifestyle is like. Do you work from home? Do you have kids? Do you party on the weekend?

I also ask people when they’re unsure of where they are in life: Who were you in college? Who were you at your happiest?”

It turns out, figuring out what to wear starts with figuring out where you’re at.

How to Be an A+ Student

There’s no right way to show up. Some people bring spreadsheets. Some bring a vibe.

Keturah said:

“My A+ clients? They’re open. They communicate. I like when people say, ‘I need this’ or ‘I definitely don’t need that.’ I’m always going to try and push you a little farther than you’re wanting because my role is to educate you and open you up to new things.

Some type of documentation of what you have is also helpful. That could be selfies on your phone or walking through your closet. There is no shame, but at one glance, we can see that you’re not somebody that wears red. I can see where the opportunities are.“

You don’t need a system. But bringing a few photos and a little honesty makes a big difference.

How to Pick the Right Stylist

Keturah said:

“A lot of people come to me because I’m curvy or I’m tall. ‘I see myself in you.’ It goes beyond race and culture. It’s more about ‘I like this person’s style. They’re an aspiration for me.’”

When I was trying to figure out my own modifier earlier this year (a saga for another post), I kept gravitating toward certain stylists—but couldn’t always explain why. That’s what made me curious to dig deeper and gather their official modifiers and CP scale placements.

Their modifiers are surprisingly precise—and incredibly helpful for choosing who to work with.

The Stylist Cheat Sheet

So I pulled everything together in one place: Each stylist’s modifier. Their CP scale placement. Their location and Instagram. A quick vibe check, too.

If you’re trying to figure out who to book (or just modifier-curious like I was), this will help.

Keturah’s Advice for Getting Started

I asked her what she tells people who are new to the brand or just dipping a toe in.

“My biggest advice is to just be open to buying one piece to see how it flips the script on what you already own. I usually start with shoes—it completely changes everything, whether it’s vintage or high-end or low-end.”

“My second advice is to break it down into categories. Think: jacket, pant, jean, shirt, shoe. If you have one elevated piece in each of those, it will elevate everything you own.”

What’s Next

You can book a session directly at tibi.com/pages/stylists. They’re free, and you can do them virtually or in-person at either the NYC Flagship or the St. Simons store. If you end up ordering something after, don’t forget to use your stylist’s code at checkout (you’ll find it in the B codes on the cheatsheet)—they’ll get commission for the support they gave you.

It’s not about pressure.
It’s about perspective.
And maybe—just maybe—a new Liam in your future.

P.S. Keturah’s now on Substack, sharing her signature “Low Key Important” stacks. Highly recommend a follow. I’m excited to get even more inside her brain.

I used to swear by Mara Hoffman, but that’s no longer an option (RIP, truly). So I set out to find something new. Easier said than done.

I’m 47, mid-size, and overwhelmed. Most of the swimsuit brands that come up online don’t show bodies like mine. And most of them charge for returns. Combine that with confusing size charts, loud marketing, and mysterious fabrics, and it’s enough to throw in the towel (which, ironically, I also needed to replace).

But I figured: if I’m confused, I’m probably not alone. So I ordered one-pieces from five popular brands—ranging from high-end to under $50—and tried them all on. Some were hits. Most were returned. And yes, I kept two.

Let’s get into it.

My Sizing for reference:

5’9”

40" chest, 34 G bra

35" waist

45" hips

65" torso circumference

The exact sizes and colors I ordered are included in the images.

Stylest

For those who like their swimsuits with a side of shape wear.

What I tried

Fit & Feel

The compression is real. No interactive fit tool on their site, but they do emphasize that it should feel snug. And by “snug,” they mean wrestle-it-over-your-body snug. (There are videos on their site about how to get into the suit, which should tell you everything you need to know.)

Once you’re in — they’re surprisingly comfortable. They also lift the boobs better than almost anything else I tried, thanks to a band that separates things in a very flattering way. I wish I tried their swim bra, which can be worn under other suits if you need more support.

Sizing wasn’t consistent. The Square-Back Tank ran small despite being the same size — lots of side-boob and not in the cute way. The Wax Suit had nice lines but was a little tighter than I wanted in the back.

The Good

• The Plunge suit was the winner: compressive, secure, and still flattering

• Great for anyone who wants shaping but still wants to swim comfortably

• Fabric feels expensive in a good way

• The best boob support I tried (rare in one-pieces!)

The Meh

• The return process felt mildly manipulative.

• Sizing wasn’t consistent

• High-back styles gave off more conservative vibes than I prefer

• There was bunching in the crotch. Maybe I wasn’t pulling up the legs enough?

Price & Logistics

Stylest was the priciest brand I tried with suits ranging from $198 to $220. Returns aren’t free, and the process had a lot of little click-through hoops that made it feel like they were hoping you’d just keep it. They do offer a kind of return “insurance” if you pay up front — not sure how much it saved me, but it did lower the mental barrier of committing as it was nice to know my total cost upfront.

Final Verdict

If compression is your love language, Stylest might be your perfect match. I liked the Plunge suit enough to consider keeping it, but the other two didn’t pass the vibe check. They are surprisingly comfy once you're in, but the compression can create new lumps while smoothing out old ones — sausage vibes are possible.

Vitamin A

For sun-chasers who care more about cheeky cuts than boob support or compression.

What I Tried

Fit & Feel

These suits are definitely in the sexy not supportive category. There’s no band under the bust, no shaping or lift — just fabric and hope. Both suits had super high-cut legs and very minimal back coverage.

The Gemma had adjustable leg openings (you can scrunch it higher if you want more elongation), which I liked. But neither suit made me feel especially secure. The fabric was lovely — smooth, thin, and comfortable — but the fit ran small, especially the Mika. I followed their size chart and got the largest size they offer, but it still felt too tight.

Also worth noting: the panty liners came loose just from trying the suit on, which was stressful given their no-returns-if-you-remove-the-liner policy. I saw other reviews mention this too, so it seems like a known issue. (I just stuck it back on and prayed.)

The Good

• Fabric feels soft and high-quality

• The cuts are undeniably flattering if you’re looking for something skimpy

• GEMMA’s adjustable leg design was a nice surprise

• Great brand if you want a one-piece that’s more “hot vacation” than “lap swim”

The Meh

• Not supportive — no cups, bands, or structure up top

• Liners fall out way too easily (and make returns risky)

• Don’t have huge size range for bigger sizes

• The Mika had a weird fold-over neck that didn’t lie flat

Price & Logistics

Suits ranged from $180–$200, depending on the style. Returns are allowed but not free. No fit quiz, but they do have a size chart and customer reviews to help guide your pick.

Final Verdict

If you're looking for a one-piece that leans more “date night” than “family pool day,” Vitamin A delivers. I didn’t keep either of these, but I could see them working for someone prioritizing style and skin over support.

Left on Friday

For people who want their suit to feel like a second skin — smoothing without the squeeze.

What I Tried

Fit & Feel

Left on Friday strikes a nice balance between compression and ease. I reached out to customer support and they said the suits are designed to stretch about a quarter of a size, so they should feel snug at first.

The fabric is dense but still soft. It feels great, less intense than Stylest, but still supportive. The sky blue one I tried reminds me of that Tibi tank top everyone loved, but only some could get to fit right. This one nails the look — structured but wearable. I could easily see these doubling as a top with a skirt or shorts.

Shoutout to Left on Friday’s customer support — they really help you to buy the right size. There’s a detailed guide, a fit concierge you can book with, and a whole page showing the suits on real people (bless).

The Good

• That color options are so good

• Comfortable but still compressive — felt secure without the squeeze

• Lower back details gave it more visual balance

• Feels versatile — easy to wear as a top too

• Their customer support is just great

The Meh

• Sizing isn’t fully consistent — the Streamline suit ran smaller than the other two I tried

• These are on the more expensive end ($180), but the quality and fit make it feel worth it

• Honestly, that’s about it. These are great suits, and I’m struggling to find real downsides

Price & Logistics

Suits are $180 across the board. The return window is 21 days from delivery date. One free return or exchange per order—no shipping costs when you return via store credit/exchange. If you're returning for a refund instead of credit/exchange, there’s a $10 processing fee per order. Get 10% off with code KARI10.

Final Verdict

These were the best suits I tried. The fit, the feel, the colors — everything just worked. They’re comfortable and flattering, with subtle shaping and a clean, modern look. If you’re willing to invest a little more, Left on Friday delivers. I ended up buying the Weekender, which looked even better in person than it does in these photos. Get 10% off with code KARI10.

J.Crew

For a more affordable version of Left on Friday, though not every suit is a winner.

What I Tried

Fit & Feel

J.Crew suits were all over the place for me — some I loved, others I couldn’t get off fast enough.

Their Classic Sculpt styles reminded me a lot of Left on Friday. Honestly, if someone told me they were from the same factory, I’d believe it. The material felt great, the fit was clean and flattering, and the color options were strong. These were definitely the best of the mid-priced suits I tried.

The Scrunchie fabric was another highlight — textured, soft, and expensive-feeling. The Claudia suit didn’t offer much in terms of compression or bust support (the pads didn’t do much), but it hit a nice sweet spot with cheekiness and a flattering back cut. If you’re not looking for shaping or lift, it’s a great everyday option.

The One-Shoulder Suit was a no for me. It felt compressive but didn’t look it, the front gaped awkwardly, and the tan lines would be wild. It had some bust support, but that was about the only thing I liked.

The Good

• Class Sculpt fabric is a dupe for Left on Friday

• Best value that I found

• Beautiful color options

• Easy and cheap returns

• Wide range of sizes

The Meh

• Design was inconsistent — I tried both one of my least favorite and one of my favorite suits from the same brand

• Very little else to complain about — when they get it right, they really get it right

Price & Logistics

Suits ranged from $100–$130, but they are almost always having a sale if you are flexible on colors. Returns cost $7 or free in-store, which makes try-ons relatively painless.

Final Verdict

J.Crew surprised me. The Classic Sculpt suit was one of the best I tried — great fabric, flattering fit, and I kept it. Not everything was a win, but when they get it right, they really nail it — and the price is hard to beat.

CupShe

For budget shoppers who want cute suits with flattering touches — just don’t expect them to last forever.

What I Tried

Fit & Feel

CupShe trades compression for ruching — and honestly, it works better than you’d expect. If you’re after some smoothing without full-on sausage casing, they do a decent job for the price.

They’re flattering, with thoughtful details and good coverage — not too skimpy, not overly modest. The biggest difference compared to higher-end suits was the fabric quality. Brands like Left on Friday and J.Crew’s Classic Sculpt feel luxe. CupShe suits feel like... regular swimsuits. Not bad, just not elevated.

The Good

• Obviously, the price

• Available on Amazon = free and easy returns

• Huge selection (also kind of a con)

• Surprisingly flattering designs with smart ruching and supportive touches

The Meh

• Not as compressive as more premium suits

• Fabric quality is lower — expect 2–3 seasons of wear, max

• The site (and selection) can be overwhelming — too many styles, not enough guidance

Price & Logistics

Most suits are under $40. I bought mine through Amazon, which made returns super easy and free. They’re also available on CupShe’s own site, but the Amazon route is way more convenient if you’re trying things on. No fit quiz or concierge — just a size chart and lots of customer reviews.

Final Verdict

CupShe won’t change your life, but if you want a cute, affordable suit that looks better than you’d expect, it delivers. Just know what you’re getting: no long-term commitment — just solid value for the price.

The Wrap-Up

And that’s the try-on. Two keepers, a lot of returns, and more swimsuit fabric than I ever expected to think this hard about. If you’re mid-size, long-torsoed, or just swimsuit-weary, I hope this helped you skip a few dead ends.

And if you’ve got a favorite brand I missed — send it my way. I’ve already put my middle-aged body on the internet. At this point, what’s a few more suits?

All the links are gathered here. These are affiliate links, which means I might earn a tiny commission if you buy something, no extra cost to you.

If you’re new here, definitely check out my Tibi Sale Strategy post where I break down my slightly unhinged approach.

From the Tibi rumor mill, here’s the updated scoop:

• It’ll start at 40% off, not 50% (sigh).

• Not all of Resort and Spring will be included. Word is: leather pieces (like THE Raglan Jacket), the Adelle Dress, Zipper Joggers, Indigo Barre Sid, Lobster Belts, and the Triple Pleat Denim are NOT going on sale (double sigh).

• Shoes potentially might not be on sale, but I’m manifesting positivity for us all.

How to Cull the Cart Before It Kills Your Budget

Look, I know your wishlist is already equivalent to a down payment on a home. But if you’re here, you clearly value strategy. Before we get into recs, here’s how I trim the fat:

• Buy for your lifestyle.
  I work from home and like things I can throw on and forget. So, anything that screams business or fuss is out. What types of pieces do you actually reach for every week?

• Buy for your holes.
  When you are getting dressed, are you craving color? More Ring 3 pieces? A chill shoe? Spend an hour playing dress-up with your closet and take notes.

• Buy for your buying style.
  Are you a “uniform in all colors” girly or a “novelty seeker”? If it’s the latter, skip duplicates. More silhouettes leads to more options.

What’s On My List

Tried and True

These are pieces I either own or have tried on extensively and know they’d be WOFs (without fails) for me.

Fit notes (because yes, I’m sharing my measurements on the internet now):

• Height: 5’9”

• Waist: 37” | Hips: 47” | Chest: 40” / 34H

• I usually wear a 12 in Tibi, sometimes a 14 in more fitted styles.

4-Ply Silk T-Shirt Dress

You’ve probably seen this on me on IG—I have it in navy and love it. It also comes in a rich orangy-red. This dress can be dressed up or down, and you feel like a goddess in it. The movement is incredible.

Fit: Very forgiving, which makes it a perfect sale grab. TTS, but honestly flexible. You could easily go up or down a size. I own a 10 but would prefer my usual 12.

Italian Sporty Nylon Shirt with Cocoon Back

I have it in cinnamon, but I keep staring at the black. I’ve worn it 5 times in the last 3 weeks. It’s super lightweight and easy to pack as an extra layer. The cocoon back adds flair without shouting.

Fit: Oversized and forgiving. Take your usual.

Active Knit Winslow Pants

I have these in the black/brown from the Fall collection and have worn them 23 times already. Such a classic Tibi piece–incredibly comfy with a sculptural shape. Word is that only the red will be on sale, but it’s the best one anyhow.

Fit: These are generous, but forgiving. I have a L in the longer fit, and I’d be fine going for the shorter version or sizing down in the longer. The elastic waistband that you can roll-over gives you options. However, be aware that Winslows are hard to tailor without ruining the shape.

Wish They Had My Size

These are on my “fantasy cart” list but sold out in my size. If you’re luckier, scoop them.

Active Knit Flip Tank

I initially thought this top was ridiculous. “Why does it look like your bodysuit is unbuttoned?” But now? Obsessed. It’s cheeky and adds interest to simple outfits. You can tuck the straps in if it’s too much—but why would you?

Fit: Chest measurement is key. You want ~2 inches of ease up from your chest size.

Light Weight Patent Smocking Waistband Full Skirt

My unexpected crush from Resort. That color is the right kind of weird. It’s got that perfect ick factor.

Fit: The waist measurement is the most important here. Also, it is bunched at the tummy, so if having a lot of fabric here bothers you, skip this one. You’d probably prefer the glossy pencil skirt from past seasons.

Active Knit Zipper Detailed Track Jacket

Manifesting this one into my life. As with most Tibi jackets, the zippers zip from the top and the bottom, giving you more styling options. This jacket is great if your closet skews more dressy and you want some friction. I love it layered over skirts and dresses.

Fit: Many people decided to size up in this jacket, which is the only reason I think there are the smaller ones left. But, the bottom zipper can give you a lot of ease.

Sleeper Finds

These are pieces that I haven’t heard a ton about and still have quite a bit of stock left, so they might make it later in the sale.

Rounded sweatshirt

Minimalist but not boring. Great for what Aastha calls “pajama dressing,” when you just wear a top and bottom that both have a POV and call it fashion ( 90% of my fits TBH).

Fit: TTS. I take my usual large. Check chest + hem opening for fit.

Clyde Padding Shirt Jacket

The shoulder season MVP. It’s light, but warm, and you can dress it up and down without looking like a fashion mullet. Everyone I know who has this jacket loves it. I really don’t know why they have so much stock left. In your sale strategy, I’d watch the stock like a hawk, as I could see tons of people buying this in Round 1.

Fit: This is an oversized jacket, so it will be forgiving. They don’t have XL, which is usually a good sign that it’s OK (maybe preferred) to size down.

Nylon Bubble Short

I’ve been craving shorter hemlines, and these shorts are so playful and cute. I love seeing people wear them with blazers and more covered tops. Tibi made them in three different materials: Nylon, Italian Sporty Nylon, and Poplin. I don’t unfortunately know the difference between the first two. Warning: they are short short.

Fit: I would go with your asymmetrical skirt size. I would get these in 14 (up from my normal 12) just to give them a bit more ease and add a bit of length. The above pic is with me in a size 12.

Shoes

I’m ignoring the rumors and including shoe recommendations. My picks below all lean into “texture.”

Pony Hair Granger Slide

My most worn shoe is the patent Granger. These are their fuzzy cousins. So easy to throw on and go. My only complaint is that they aren’t the most supportive of shoes for my high arches, but they are plenty comfy.

Fit: Most people need to size up a half size. I have a high arch and definitely needed to.

Jack Sandals

The Jacks are my number one wish item. Tibi, please put these on sale. Readers, please don’t sell these out. I’ve drooled over these since they were first released. I just love having a flat, statement shoe that I could just as easily where to a gala as the grocery store.

Fit: Reports are mixed. Many say TTS, but I will need to size down a half or full size. Look at your feet. Do you have a long big toe? Where does it meet your foot? My big toe is very short and starts pretty low on my foot (see drawing below).

One Last Thing…

That’s the list, folks. May your cart be curated, your size be in stock, and your tracking emails arrive swiftly. LMK what you’re eyeing—I'll be cheering you on from my low-buy corner, where I’m definitely not refreshing the Tibi sale page “just to look.”

At the start of the year, I made three resolutions:

• Find my personal style

• Reduce food waste

• Be my friends’ biggest cheerleader

They weren’t overly ambitious or optimized for tracking (no SMART goals here). But five months later, I’m still doing them, and to my surprise, enjoying the process.

The difference this year? I took a fresh approach.

I focused on becoming, not just doing

Like most people, I’ve set resolutions that quietly dissolve by February. Usually, they’re task-based: run three times a week, meditate daily, eat more protein. Reasonable enough, but also easy to abandon when life gets messy.

This year, I didn’t start with tasks. I started with identity. I asked: Who do I want to be this year?

And my answers were clear:

• Someone who shows up for my people.

• Someone who cares deeply about food waste and its ripple effects.

• Someone whose style reflects my sense of self.

From there, the actions followed. I didn’t set a daily checklist for reducing food waste–I started behaving like someone who cares about it.

Style was the biggest surprise. I didn’t just clean out my closet—I went all in. I started an Instagram account, then this Substack. I took photos of my outfits. I found my “three words.” I invested in pieces that felt like me. And in doing all that, I found a community of people cheering me on and inspiring me right back. I followed curiosity. And it worked.

I embraced progress over perfection

There have been tossed mangos. Forgotten leftovers. Moments where I didn’t show up for a friend. But for the first time, those didn’t feel like failure. They felt like part of the process.

I’ve found myself saying this quietly, almost like a mantra: I’m still someone who cares about this. Even when the evidence isn’t perfect.

Zooming out, I can see the shift: our household food waste is down about two-thirds by my rough estimate. My friendships feel more intentional. My closet feels more like me. I’ve embraced the messiness of change.

I let joy be the engine

What made these stick wasn’t willpower. It was that each resolution added something good to my life:

• Reducing food waste became a creative challenge.

• Supporting friends made me feel more connected.

• Exploring style unlocked a new sense of self, and clothes are just fun.

It reminds me of something I love from intuitive eating: instead of focusing on what to cut out, focus on what to add. More satisfaction. More nourishment. More delight. The rest often takes care of itself.

Less “should,” more “want to.”

I counted the small wins

One thing I noticed this year: I’ve never been great at celebrating progress. I’ve always brushed past milestones–like graduations. I used to think, wasn’t that the whole point? Why are we making such a big deal?

But something shifted. As part of this resolution experiment, I let the little victories count. Really count.

I basked in the joy of my first 100 Instagram followers. I mentally high-fived myself every time we used up our almost-wilting spinach. And yes, every single new Substack subscriber still makes me do an immediate happy dance (in my head…usually).

It’s easy to keep moving the goalpost before giving yourself a chance to celebrate reaching it. But I’ve found that my life feels fuller, and a lot more fun, when I pause to acknowledge the progress, big or small.

Where I am now

I’m still learning. Still becoming. But since I’m in report card mode, here’s where things stand:

Find my personal style

• Grade: A.

• Notes: It’s starting to feel like second nature. This one might be ready to graduate from “goal” to “habit.”

• Next: Push myself more. Try challenges. Do a no-buy. Reflect on what’s working and what’s not—and share more of that process.

Reduce food waste

• Grade: B

• Notes: Significant progress, but this still takes active effort. It hasn’t become routine in the way style has.

• Next: Clean out my freezer. Be more consistent in meal planning. Keep going—this one probably just needs more reps.

Be my friends’ biggest cheerleader

• Grade: C+

• Notes: I’m making an effort, but I’m learning that being a great cheerleader isn’t just about good intentions—it’s a skill. And I’ve got room to grow. My friend Zvi is a master at this. He signs off every email with “You’re doing great,” and somehow, it always lands. The best part? He’s shared a lot of his wisdom on his Youtube channel.

• Next: Watch Zvi’s videos and start building some community and connection rituals of my own.

No real moral here, just a gentle nudge: if something’s been tugging at you, you don’t have to wait for a calendar flip. You can begin in May. Or on your birthday. Or today.

And if you do, maybe skip the checklist. Start with who you want to be—and let the rest follow from there.

P.S. – As you’ve probably guessed, this Substack won’t just be about fashion—because I’m not just about fashion. Style is the door, but we’re going deeper. Glad you’re here.

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Cue the calendar alerts and wishlists, the Tibi Spring Sale is (almost) here. Rumors say it will drop the morning of June 4th.

Now, I mostly shop Tibi on sale or resale. And even on sale, their clothes are a splurge. That means I need a solid game plan — especially since everything is final sale. No pressure.

Let’s get into it. We’ll use the Three S’s: Selecting, Sequencing, and Sizing.

What to Expect

• When: Expected to launch on June 4th

• What: Resort ‘24, Spring ‘25 and seasonal-color Fundamentals

• How much:

  • Starts at 50% off (rumors are that this might start at 40% this year)

  • 60% off after 2 to 3 weeks

  • 70% off another 2 to 3 weeks after that

  • Then a few weeks after that, everything disappears from the site and comes back under the Outlet at an additional 15% off.

Selecting

This is where you pause before the add-to-cart frenzy. What would really elevate your everyday style? And what are you just convincing yourself you need because it looks good on Amy? We’ve all been there.

Join the Tibi Fans group

The number one tip for navigating the sale is to join the Tibi Fans Facebook group. It’s full of real people showing real try-ons. You’ll also get real-time reviews of what is worth adding to cart. Be warned, you will probably be inspired to buy more as well.

Know what’s available

The fastest way to see what’s going to drop is to search for the season codes (linked below):

• R124 = Resort

• S125 - Spring

• SR24 = Shoes

• Fundamentals will drop in seasonal colors (Keep an eye out for cinnamon, lime, and red—although the colors could vary.)

Spring will have a wider selection than Resort — it’s fresher in the market, so more inventory to clear.

Shop for your actual life, not your aspirational one

My first-ever Tibi buy came with a lesson: I was torn between red Cameron heels and red flat sandals. I live in flats, but thought—if I’m spending this much, it should be on something special. So I bought the heels… and wore them maybe five times. The flats? I would’ve worn them weekly. Lesson learned: buy for your lifestyle, not your fantasy self.

Start with your closet, not the Tibi website

What’s missing? What are you craving as you get dressed? What would make everything else feel easier to wear? Do you need more Ring 3 pants? Is it time to add a Ring 4 wildcard? Amy has some good thoughts on thinking about sales here. The goal isn’t just to buy more Tibi—it’s to buy the piece that makes your whole wardrobe work harder.

Don’t forget the outlet

Hidden gems live in the outlet section, already discounted 70%. While you’re paying for shipping anyway, it’s worth a look.

Sequencing

When it comes to savings, timing matters just as much as what you buy.

Buy the must-haves right away

If you’re obsessed with something just buy it at 50%. The extra 10–20% savings aren’t worth the heartbreak of it selling out.

Check stock like an insider

Here’s the move: add the item in your size to your cart, then hit the “+” button until it maxes out. That tells you how many are left, so you can plan accordingly.

Shoes come later

Shoes typically drop a week or two after the main event. Save some budget. Here are the shoes that I think will be on sale, but who knows.

Save some budget for sleeper hits

I also like to hold back a little. Once orders start arriving, the Tibi Fans group lights up with try-ons, reviews, and “surprise MVPs.” You might regret spending your entire budget on your first go.

The Morning Of

The sale typically goes live between 6:30–7:00am ET — whenever the team hits "publish" and pours their coffee. It rolls out in waves:

1. Markdowns go live on individual product pages

2. The Sale section updates

3. Then comes the email blast

You want to beat that email — things can sell fast once the full list hits inboxes.

Pro tip:
Wishlists update before carts. So the night before:

• Clear your cart

• Add everything you’re eyeing to your wishlist

• Be ready to strike fast in the AM

Coffee optional. Quick reflexes, required.

Sizing

Since all sale items are final sale, nailing the sizing is key.

DM the stylists now

The Tibi stylists on Instagram are incredibly helpful. If you are unsure on sizing, message them before the madness. You can even set up virtual styling sessions. I like finding one that shares my body type or style. I might be missing some and will do a bigger post on them soon, but here is a starter list to browse:

• Tibi Flagship

• Keturah

• Davina

• Emma

• Fana

• Hayes

• Grace

• Darianne

• Lees

• Acacia

• Emmanuelle

Find your size twin

Find someone in the Tibi Fans group or among stylists who shares your shape and size and buys a lot of Tibi. Shoutout to Aastha–she’s been my north star.

Use the sizing charts (yes, actually)

We’re so lucky that Tibi shares such detailed measurements for every item. Find a piece in your closet that hits in a similar place and fits how you want, measure it, and compare to Tibi’s chart. Note that sizing can differ across fabrications - so double check!

Search Tibi Fans for fit notes

Just search the item name, and you’ll often find a handful of try-ons and sizing tips. Facebook search can be lackluster. Desktop is better than mobile, and I try to put in just one word that would relate vs. the full item name. So “bubble” is going to be better than “Eco Poplin Pull On Bubble Skirt.” Then toggle on “most recent.”

If It All Goes Wrong

Didn’t get the thing? Ordered the wrong size? We’ve all been there.

• Most pieces will show up in resale eventually. Sometimes even that week as other Tibi Fans get their items and need to sell.

• Tibi often re-releases bestsellers — sometimes with better fit or tweaks.

• And if you need to offload something? List it on Cleowave — that’s where the Tibi Fans resale action is and the best place to buy and sell Tibi.

Your turn: What’s your pick from Resort or Spring that you’d recommend?I love hearing what people actually loved after wearing it for a season. Help me build my list!