Tag: clothing

Fashion

8 Chunky Loafers You Can Cop Right Now

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For making statements—or loafing around.
BY Nica Glorioso
10.06.2023

Don’t resist the urge—check out a pair of the now-classic and stylish chunky loafers from any of these 8 brands and turn them into your best friend.

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Worn by our favorite blonde singer-songwriter, K-pop idols, and K-drama leads, chunky loafers are in style for their chic simplicity, ease of wear, and statement-making look. Classic loafers have been in style forever. They were initially designed for menswear, but in 2023, who really cares about who wears what kind of fashion? Exactly—no one should. Regardless, we’re all about the recent trend of chunky loafers on all kinds of people with all kinds of style. And while they seem like they’re clunky and heavy, chunky loafers could actually be very comfortable and versatile. You could just slip them on over your feet or over tall socks, and you’re instantly stylish.

You can find chunky loafers almost everywhere these days, but below are eight brands and stores that offer variations of the shoe that you can browse to find your perfect one. And let me tell you, when I found my perfect pair, I could not stop wearing them. So take the chance and get a new pair now—because we know you’ve been itching to.

CLN

CLN loafers

The CLN Cerus Chunky Loafers are perfect for school, the office, or a night out. The smooth edges of the rubber sole is a subtle change that makes this shoe distinct from other loafers. If you’re not into this smooth look, CLN also sells the Caelyn and Colombine loafers for you to choose from.

H&M

h&m loafers

Give off Taylor Swift in London vibes with these burgundy loafers with a gold chain detail. H&M’s chunky loafers offer that classic style in a deep, rich color that could make any outfit look a hundred times more expensive.

ZARA

zara loafers

I don’t know why, but I feel like wearing these Zara fringed loafers would make you want to imitate a British accent immediately. The studs give an edgy, rocker vibe to the classic loafer silhouette, and would pair well with a leather jacket or a sleek all-black outfit.

LONDON RAG

london rag loafer

London Rag was able to seamlessly blend classic and modern in this heeled loafer design. The tassels, the white top detail, and the lug sole with a heel makes this shoe stand out while still giving a polished look. This shoe, along with plenty of other London Rag loafer options, is available on Zalora.

CHARLES & KEITH

Talk about a shoe for everyone! Charles & Keith offers their Metallic Accent Chunky Platform Penny Loafers in a variety of colors, and they also have a wide range of loafer options of all heel heights and uppers.

ALDO

aldo loafers

Nothing looks more classic than Aldo’s Bigplan Loafers. Minimalist and solid, this leather shoe is designed like a typical penny loafer, perfect for someone who’s just starting their collection. Also, did you know penny loafers are called so because the slot in the strap across the upper was used to hold pennies for payphones way back when? You learn something new everyday.

UNIQLO

uniqlo loafers

Even Uniqlo joined in the trend! Their own shiny lug-soled Comfeel Touch Loafer is simple and sleek, perfectly on-brand with the comfort and minimalism the Japanese brand is well-known for.

ANDANTÉ

ANDANTE LOAFER

Andanté is all about elegance, timeless pieces, and “classic leather footwear for a modern wardrobe.” Championing slow fashion, sustainability, quality, and fair trade, their shoes are handmade by artisans in Marikina. The Chunky Loafer in Cream is designed with long-lasting comfort and style in mind.

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Fashion

3 Local Sustainable Fashion Brands Founded by Young Women

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Support local, support sustainable.
BY Nica Glorioso
08.11.2023

Be stylish and environmentally-conscious at the same time with these 3 female-led fashion brands.

Related: In Its Sustainable Efforts, Is Fashion Really Changing the Alarmingly Wasteful Ways of the Planet?

At the intersection of sustainability, creativity, and empowering entrepreneurship lies 3 local fashion brands that champion self-expression as well as the environment. Spearheaded by young Gen Z women, these brands promote ethical practices in slow fashion as they create beautiful clothing pieces.

SUSTAINABILITY IN FASHION

The state of fashion today is marked by overproduction, overconsumption, and waste production. As consumers urged to simply point, click, and buy, it’s worth considering that we’d be much better off making conscious decisions about the things we use, wear, and consume.

Conscious consumption entails an active awareness of how your consumption affects things beyond yourself, such as the environment and ethical labor. While consumers do bear a responsibility to minimize the negative impact they have on the environment, it’s also important for brands and designers to do their part as well. This is where Sanina, Nin and Yang, and Fantaisie Gaze come in.

SANINA

Sanina Creative Hub upcycles preloved clothing, deadstock, and last-cut fabric and turns them into not just clothing pieces, but works of art. Sanina features colors and geometry at the forefront of their distinct style.

Sarah, founder of Sanina, started out selling curated pieces. However, she found out there wasn’t much use for items like winter clothing and long-sleeved tops in the country. So instead, after learning new sewing methods and techniques, Sarah turned to her hobby of reworking clothes and sold her pieces to others.

What was left with the young designer were scraps of fabric that she didn’t want to throw away just yet. As such, she started on a new journey to making patchwork art pieces that the Sanina brand is now known for. They sell intricately-patterned tops in a variety of colors and styles.

As the brand grew, so did Sarah’s confidence.

“Making clothes in these specific silhouettes, colors, patterns, [and] sizes that are outside my comfort zone, and seeing my clients wear them, made me feel more confident about myself,” she shares. Making others feel good about themselves in her pieces is just as integral to Sarah as the effort of sustainability.

“If we can just contribute even just .00001% of textiles [and] old clothes not going to landfills, but instead to closets and drawers, we gladly will continue to do so.”

FANTAISIE GAZE

Want to live out your fantasy of dressing like a fairy princess? Fantaisie Gaze can adorn you in romantic, flowy, bespoke garments that will make you want to wear them all the time. Their tops and dresses are perfect for frolicking in a forest or having a picnic with a loved one.

Frankie Lapiz, at the young age of 20, appreciates the importance of being conscious and deliberate with purchases. She initially made and sold trendy reworked clothing on Fantaisie Gaze, formerly named Gaza, but has since taken a leap of faith and started accepting bespoke orders and releasing her own designs.

She mentions that it’s so easy for people to get caught up in trends. Made-to-order and bespoke clothing promotes sustainable slow fashion in that “customers get to own pieces they truly like and could wear repeatedly, since it’s their personal style.” Frankie also wishes the inclusiveness and diversity that bespoke clothing offers to all body types could be more prevalent in the fashion industry.

“I hope we all start to customize our clothes more and be intentional with the clothing pieces we purchase.”

NIN & YANG

Retaso is central to the Nin and Yang brand. Sister duo Nina and Thea (nicknamed “Yangi”) Morales maximize the use of fabric scraps to create fun, original clothing pieces that they say “breathe new life into discarded fabric.”

Nina and Thea grew up crafty. They often transformed regular, everyday objects into handmade gifts and treasures. The sisters also grew up with relatives who work in the clothes manufacturing industry. As such, they were made aware early on of the existence of unused scrap fabric leftover from production.

Nin and Yang offers bold pieces made from upcycled scrap fabric and deadstock that caters to the young fashion-lover of today. Their pieces are made to be versatile—multifunctional, adjustable, and reversible to maximize the wear and lifespan of each.

In line with their philosophy of sustainability, Nina and Thea encourage their customers to live sustainably by repeating outfits, learning how to mend/repair clothes, and the like. They always knew they wanted a brand that 1) allowed them to have creative freedom, and 2) did not pose harm to the environment as fast fashion has been proven to do. They also hope other brands take importance of not just how they source their materials, but also how they treat their workers—with fair wages and ethical working conditions.

“Let’s offer beautiful and unique designs that will show consumers that choosing circular fashion doesn’t mean they have to sacrifice style, and that they can rely on homegrown talent any day.”

Women and the youth have been at the forefront of the fights for climate action and justice for a long time. So, it’s no surprise that these young designers and creatives have taken it upon themselves to resist unsustainable practices to help the environment in their own little ways.

There’s much to be done to address the concerns regarding the social and climate justice aspect of fashion. However, patronizing slow fashion and small, local businesses that advocate for sustainable practices if you are able to is 100% a start.

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Fashion

College Fashion Staples: The Best Basics To Wear On Campus

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Comfort is in.
BY Nica Glorioso
08.09.2023

Comfort and style go hand-in-hand.

Related: This New Converse Collection Celebrates Pride And Boundless Expression

Wondering what to wear for back-to-school is a perpetual problem for students everywhere. Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, expressing your identity through clothes is just as important as staying comfortable during those walks between classrooms. If you’re looking for inspiration, here’s a few things that should always be in your college wardrobe!

THE EVER-ENDURING SWEATER

Some college classrooms feel like the Arctic—that’s where sweaters, pullovers, and hoodies come to save the day! A simple sweater is an easy way to express your fashion sense even if you have to wear a uniform to school. From cotton and polyester to knitted fabrics and wool, you can easily find the best snuggly sweater to wear to fall asleep study in.

GRAPHIC TEES

Between classes, extracurriculars, and a social life, you’ll need something as versatile as you. Graphic tees are characterized by three things: comfort, making a statement, and showcasing the personality of whoever wears it. And as an added bonus: wearing witty statements, pop culture references, or eye-catching artwork on your shirt is an instant conversation starter.

SNEAKERS

Some people like to wear heels or boots to school, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, you’ll most likely see everyone on a college campus in their comfiest (often most scuffed-up) sneakers speedwalking from one building to another. Find your favorite pair, wear them down, and let them carry you to excellence.

DENIM

Finding the perfect denim pieces in the mall or even in thrift shops is almost as rewarding as an A+. A classic pair of jeans or a denim jacket goes with everything, and you can style them as casual or as elevated as you’d like, perfect for classes, org events, and even after school late nights at your favorite bar or restaurant.

CARGO PANTS

The end of skinny pants is imminent. If you want to switch out your denims for those warm, relaxed days, no worries! As legroom and breathable fabric takes center stage in the current trend cycle alongside 90’s and 2000’s fashion, cargo pants have also come back to the mainstream in different colors and fits perfect for your own sense of style.

SANDALS

Don’t judge too hard—many people have agreed that socks with sandals are the pinnacle of comfort. Sometimes, you just don’t feel like lacing up your sneakers for a long day of 3-hour lectures. Thankfully, a pair of comfortable rubber, leather, or cork sandals will keep your feet comfy and supported all day.

CANVAS TOTES

The roomier, the better! Canvas totes allow you to throw everything you need for the day into one big, lightweight bag you can carry all over campus. So if you no longer want to deal with zippers and flaps or want everything right at your side, you can find tote bags that perfectly meet your needs and reflect your style—you can even get some customized!

While college seems like a place to show off, serve a look, and be trendy, don’t forget to choose what’s best for you, your comfort, and your goals. Stick to what works, but also try out new things once in a while! That’s what it’s all about.

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