One of my go-to summer outfit formulas is simple, yet stylish. When the weather warms up, I frequently default to pairing an embellished white blouse with light wash denim and sandals. To my delight, dainty white tops have recently taken over my social media feed. By dainty, I mean anything with eyelet embroidery, ruffles, sheer fabrics, crochet trim, peplum details, puffy sleeves, and pintucks. Think light and airy fabrics such as cotton voile, linen, or lace. They add a dressy element while maintaining an effortless vibe.
Dôen is my favorite source of inspiration for ultra embellished blouses with thoughtful, intricate details. Their Henri top ($248), with its romantic ruffles, delicate pintucks, and sheer fabrication, is the quintessential romantic blouse. Madewell and Gap also excel when it comes to breezy blouses, although with more accessible price points.
In the spirit of summer, I've curated a selection of dainty white tops for a variety of budgets.
Shop white tops:
Pictured below, some of my social media favorites from TJ Maxx and Marshalls, as well as a handmade style by me.
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UGG's Fall 2024 lineup includes some very cute new platforms. Just when I think my winter boot collection is complete, UGG releases fun new styles with just enough on-trend design details for me to add to my collection. The Classic Ultra Mini New Heights boots are one of my favorites due to the 2.75" heel combined with the classic UGG silhouette. They come in four colors: hickory, mustard seed, chestnut, and black. Even better, they're currently on sale for under $120. I like the defined heel, since it feels slightly more dressy then the Classic Ultra Mini platforms. I'll be sharing my thoughts on fit, quality, and comfort in this review of the UGG Classic Ultra Mini New heights boots.
The Ultra Mini New Heights boots are slightly heavier than the Classic Ultra Mini platform boots. They are sturdy and easy to walk in without feeling clunky or awkward. The chunky 2.75" heel and 1.75" platform balance out the round toe box. If you're concerned about looking like you have big feet, these boots might not be your top choice, since the chunky, round shape can give the appearance of larger feet.
The shaft height is just under 3.5", which gives them the same appearance as the Classic Ultra Mini platforms when viewed from the front or the side. The block heel gives them a tough, more fashion-forward look than the Classic Ultra Mini platforms. I find them just as comfortable as the Classic Ultra Mini platforms or the Classic Ultra Mini boots. The lining and sockliner are UGGplush™ which isn't super soft and plush, but will keep your feet happy in cold weather.
Sizing
The Classic Ultra Mini New Heights boots run true to size for me. They do stretch a little bit with wear. If you have trouble getting your foot into UGG ultra mini boots, a shoe horn could be useful because the opening can be narrow for those with wide feet. The more you wear them, the easier they are to put on. These boots only come in whole sizes. If in doubt, I'd size up, especially if you plan to wear them with winter socks.
There is a Kids' version under $95. It comes in hickory, black, or chestnut. The heel on this version is 1.5" but the overall look is similar. Shop them here before they're sold out.
In my ongoing quest for retro lifestyle sneakers, I decided to try another style in the New Balance lineup. Having seen the heavily embellished New Balance 9060 pop up frequently on my FYP, I tried on a pair at Foot Locker. The cushioning, reflective details, suede and mesh panels, and retro dad styling instantly won me over. I tried on a grey pair, but was really looking for the pink colorway. Fortunately, the helpful Foot Locker staff helped me locate a pair in pink at sister store Champs, located nearby.
The New Balance 9060 in pink pink, pictured below. I gasped when I saw them on the shelf, and it was a perfect match once I tried them on. This is my best purchase of 2024, and that's saying a lot, considering how much I shop. The muted mauve details will pair perfectly with grey, ivory, pale pink, and taupe pieces in my closet.
At $150, they cost more than other popular New Balance styles, but the design details and superb comfort make them well worth it. I'm eyeing chrome blue and granite grey as potential future purchases. Keep reading for my New Balance 9060 review with tips on sizing and comfort.
Sizing
The New Balance 9060 runs true to size for me. It comes in unisex sizing, so if you're unsure, I'd try on in store if possible. The toe box is adequate without being boxy, and the arch support is more pronounced than the New Balance 327, 574, or 237 styles that I own. If you wear a larger shoe size, be warned that the chunky silhouette can make your feet appear bigger. The insoles on the 9060 are removable, which is a nice feature in case you want to add your own.
Appearance
In terms of design, the New Balance 9060 is a maximalist shoe. It features mesh panels with suede overlays, a translucent CR device at the heel, a reflective "N" logo, a diamond outsole pattern for traction, and enough Y2K vibes to make any Gen Z sneaker enthusiast happy. It's the quintessential dad shoe, begging to be paired with baggy jeans and a hoodie, a cozy sweatsuit, or your favorite tee and leggings.
Comfort
With a dial density midsole, the New Balance 9060 is more cushioned than other New Balance styles, making it ideal for short runs, long walks, or long hours on your feet. I'd wear these for HIIT training, cycling, or other intense workouts. They feel supportive and light, and I'm looking forward to putting some mileage on them.
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During the dreary days of late winter and early spring, I always reach for my UGG Funkette slippers. They are the highest platforms in UGG's slipper lineup, so naturally, they're my favorite pick for cold nights and rainy days at home. They are similar in appearance to the UGG Disquette slippers or the popular UGG Scuffette slippers. Like the Fluff Yeah slides, they feature an elastic strap with the UGG logo at the back of the heel. I've had my UGG Funkette slippers for over a year in the best selling chestnut colorway. If you're considering purchasing this statement-making slipper, I'll be sharing my experience with sizing and quality in this UGG Funkette review.
Comfort and Quality
The UGG Funkette is a solid platform slipper with a 2" heel, sheepskin collar, and sheepskin insole. The thick platform makes them look more like clogs than slippers. Sometimes I wear mine with the elastic strap tucked inside for easier, faster on and off. I also find them more comfortable with the strap tucked inside. If you're not used to walking in platforms, I'd wear the ankle strap for more stability. They are heavier than other UGG slippers, but not clunky. As a frequent wearer of platforms, I find them easy to walk in and I have not had any issues with stumbling or rolling an ankle. They keep your feet cozy and warm, especially when paired with winter socks.
I treat mine with suede protector, and I only wear them at home to keep them in good condition. If worn frequently, the insoles will flatten and degrade. If you plan to buy a pair in a color such as red or black, be aware of dye transfer onto your feet or socks.
Since the UGG Funkette features the Treadlite sole just like UGG boots, these are suitable for outdoor wear. I would not wear them in rain or snow unless they are treated with a waterproofing spray. I often see girls wearing these while I'm out shopping. When worn with loose jeans, they look just like the UGG Classic Ultra Mini platform boots.
Shop UGG platform slippers:
November 4, 2024 update - Shop UGG's collection of Fall 2024 slippers:
Sizing
The UGG Funkette runs true to size. As with most UGG shoes, the insole with mold to your feet in time, leaving more room. They only come in whole sizes, so if you're unsure, its better to size up. If your feet are narrow, I'd wear them with socks and use the ankle strap for a better fit. I wear mine with thick Nike crew socks or sometimes with colorful novelty socks.
August 27, 2024 update - Shop the latest from UGG:
Every so often I treat myself to a luxury fashion gift. It typically happens on a birthday or after reaching a personal goal. During the pandemic, that gift was the Gucci GG Marmont small shoulder bag in pastel pink leather. Before making the purchase, I sought out online reviews for more information on interior capacity, durability, and quality. As is often the case with online searches for handbag reviews, I was led to YouTube, where I was met with an overload of enthusiastic unboxing videos and a lack of practical, useful information to help guide my purchasing decisions. Eventually, I braved the COVID retail landscape to visit a Gucci store to see the bag in person, test out the interior capacity, and try it on.
I had originally planned to write this review soon after my purchase in late 2020, but time got the best of me and I forgot. All the better, because now I can attest to how my Gucci Marmont crossbody bag has stood the test of time.
After buying my Gucci GG Marmont bag and using it for three years, I'm sharing my thoughts in this Gucci Marmont bag review with the hope that it will be of value to potential shoppers looking for helpful, real world opinions. At $1200 and up, the GG Marmont bag is not a purchase to take lightly.
I debated between the pastel blue and the pink (which are no longer available). In the end, I went with this pink beauty pictured below. It's a color which blends seamlessly into my wardrobe, and while I already own a black Marmont bag, this pink one actually gets more wear. For 2024, they came out with a new pink version with a tonal pink logo.
Size
In terms of size, my Gucci Marmont bag fits just the essentials: a small wallet, keys, my mobile phone, hand sanitizer, sunglasses, and a few cosmetics. This is the "small" size. Unfortunately, I cannot fit a water bottle or reusable bag in it, but it's still a versatile and convenient size for everyday errands, going out to lunch, etc.
The dimensions are approximately 9.5" in width, 5" in height, and 3" in depth. The interior has one small interior slip pocket, which is about the right size for a lip gloss. The lining is made of microfiber fabric, which feels like suede. The interior does stain easily, so I recommend taking care to prevent pen marks and other pernicious stains.
Comfort
The Gucci Marmont bag strap is adjustable, and the hardware is high very quality. The zipper opens and closes smoothly, but the pull tabs are short leather cords, instead of a metal pull tab. One of the things I dislike about the shoulder strap is that there is no strap keeper on the lower end, so the extra strap length sticks out a little bit.
As you can see below, I tied pink ribbon around mine to keep it in place. Otherwise, the bag is comfortable to wear, which is something to look out for when the strap has a thinner width like this. In the past, I've found that wider straps are more comfortable on my shoulders.
I wear mine across the body on the shortest strap setting, but you can also wear it on your shoulder or clutch it under your arm.
Quality
The Gucci Marmont matelassé leather and the stitching are impeccable on my bag, and even after a few years, I can find no noticeable flaws. Unfortunately, the Gucci Marmont bags don't have feet on the bottom to protect them, so I never place my bag on the floor in order to keep it clean. I occasionally wipe it clean with a damp paper towel. I also take care not to wear the bag with dark denim or black pants, since darker colors can cause color crocking on lighter leather goods. With consistent care and storage, these bags can last for many years, making them a good investment.
I still regret not buying the blue bag, but at the time, I could only afford one, so pink was it. I've also been thinking about getting the white leather version for a while now, since it will pair with almost everything I wear during the summer.
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