The archive
280 articles, newest first — page 10 of 12.
Style Notes
A waist number may describe the shopper, not the waistband. Here is how to compare both sets of measurements with trousers you already wear and know when to walk away.
June Park · 7 min read
Trend Watch
The low-profile sneaker shift is easy to see and harder to read. Outsole thickness, sidewall height, sockliners and toe shape reveal whether a shoe is genuinely minimal.
Iris Mbeki · 8 min read
Jewelry & Accessories
Once early swelling has settled, a shorter post can stop a flat back from shifting and catching. The first change is usually a job for a qualified piercer.
Margot Lane · 8 min read
Footwear
A thick sole and a free heel can weaken your sense of the pedals. Check elevated thong sandals while the car is safely parked, or change shoes before you leave.
Dez Ferraro · 7 min read
Trend Watch
The strongest barrel jeans bow visibly at the knee and alter an entire outfit. Softer versions taper gently enough to take the place of an ordinary straight or tapered pair.
Iris Mbeki · 7 min read
Style Notes
Some online size charts measure the person; others measure the finished clothes. Here is how to spot the difference, account for ease, and compare a listing with something you own.
June Park · 8 min read
Footwear
A molded plastic slide can look correct at breakfast and pinch by 4 p.m. Use this two-time fit check to judge vamp pressure, sidewalls, and heel position before keeping a pair.
Dez Ferraro · 8 min read
Jewelry & Accessories
A post, its solder joint, the decorative top and the backing can contain different metals. Here is how to read beyond a nickel-free label before buying.
Margot Lane · 8 min read
Trend Watch
The revived boat shoe has reached leather, suede, mesh, and synthetic versions. Only some retain the grip, adjustable fit, and manageable drying time that made the shape useful.
Iris Mbeki · 8 min read
Style Notes
A familiar size label cannot tell you where pants will sit or pull. Four measurements from a pair you own make online product dimensions far easier to read.
June Park · 7 min read
Jewelry & Accessories
Extra post length protects a fresh piercing during swelling. Once the tissue settles, that same space can tip the stud forward, catch on hair and keep irritation going.
Margot Lane · 7 min read
Footwear
A runner’s loop helps some loose heels, while skipped eyelets and tongue anchoring solve different pressure problems. Here is how to test each before the return window closes.
Dez Ferraro · 8 min read
Style Notes
Your waist and hip measurements identify a starting size, not the finished fit. Garment dimensions, ease, stretch and model details reveal whether the waistband will close and the leg will hang properly.
June Park · 8 min read
Trend Watch
The leather cage has moved well beyond niche labels. Before paying more, check whether the sole can be repaired and whether a cobbler can reach the buckle.
Iris Mbeki · 8 min read
Footwear
Rubber, EVA, and leather handle hot sidewalks differently, but thickness and layering matter more than the material name alone. Here is what to inspect before buying.
Dez Ferraro · 8 min read
Footwear
Heel lift can mean excess length, but it can also mean the upper has too much room. A short indoor fit test separates a lacing fix from the wrong size or shape.
Dez Ferraro · 7 min read
Trend Watch
Low-profile deck shoes have returned, but many pairs retain the signals rather than the function. Start with the outsole, then judge construction, fit and price.
Iris Mbeki · 8 min read
Trend Watch
A lowered seam can look clean standing up and turn restrictive in a chair. Torso length, hip ease and seam construction matter more than the size on the tag.
Iris Mbeki · 7 min read
Trend Watch
The newest long shorts sit close to the knee without behaving like office Bermudas. Rise, hem placement and leg width determine whether the proportion works with tops you already own.
Iris Mbeki · 8 min read
Style Notes
Cross-check your body against the finished garment, then account for stretch and intended ease. One missing measurement can make an otherwise detailed chart useless.
June Park · 8 min read
Style Notes
Body measurements identify the intended wearer, not the garment’s dimensions. Here is a practical way to estimate ease before ordering.
June Park · 8 min read
Jewelry & Accessories
The post length that protects a new piercing from pressure can become the part that catches on hair and pillows later. Downsizing is a fit check, not a DIY deadline.
Margot Lane · 7 min read
Jewelry & Accessories
Implant standards, karat marks and plating details reveal far more than “hypoallergenic.” Here is how to identify what will touch your skin before you buy.
Margot Lane · 8 min read
Jewelry & Accessories
Post length is the space between the front and the disc, not the whole piece. Here is how to measure it and account for swelling, piercing angle, and a weighted end.
Margot Lane · 8 min read