'Tis the season to be cozy so prepare yourself for a stylishly comfortable winter. Although 2020 has been the catalyst of a major shift in our lives, we've all been forced to adjust our wardrobes accordingly all while attempting to remain fly while doing so. In the midst of our lives totally changing overnight, it's been amazing to witness the evolution of fashion and adapting to a forever-changing world through our wardrobes. Even during a life-altering pandemic, as a collective, fashion girls have proven that great style can still be effortless yet practical at the same time.
While winter is always a challenging time of year, sneakers remain a reliable choice for cold-weather essentials whether you're a self-proclaimed sneakerhead or not. For the last few months, I'm loving the everyday casual slays witnessed outside and on my Instagram feed. This week, I took lessons from the most fashionable sneaker baes schooling the rest of us on how to experiment with cool casual style this winter season. With a variety of looks paired with the trendiest of styles, these are the best and most colorful sneaker looks I've seen throughout the week.
Brianna Monae, @discoverbri
Black on black may be the chicest of all looks and the perfect setup to add a pop of colorful accessories. Leather pants are a girl's best friend this time of year and, casually speaking, adding a sneaker is a practical way of wearing this cold weather essential this particular winter season.
Charlotte, @samyjovalentine
We've traded in our two-piece office suit for sweatsuits this year and I'm not mad about it. I love this chic winter coat and trendy paper bag clutch paired with a traditional gray sweatsuit and sneakers for a casual glam look. The mixture of cream elevates this leisure look, perfect for the fashion gal on the go.
Sara, @_muellermueller
One thing about this look is the neon green for me! This is the perfect time of year to pair black with colorful neons for an aura like no other. Matching your outfit with your sneaker's color scheme is another fun way to experiment with color. Grab a stylish pair of sunglasses as well and you'll really take it up a few more notches.
Kia, @thenotoriouskia
It's all about color coordination and finding what colors work perfectly with one another. I love this sneaker look because it's practical for everyday wear while inspiring new ways to mix prints and multiple colors in one cool look. Cargo pants are a must-have when thinking of outfits to pair with sneakers as well as vintage sweatshirts for a super stylish throwback look.
Claire Most, @claire_most
Whoever created the infamous mantra, "no white after Labor Day" must have been unaware that fashion simply has no rules, especially in 2021. I'm obsessed with this effortless head-to-toe casual cream outfit, perfect for winter. Super cute and easily achievable, this daytime sneaker look is one for the books.
Featured image courtesy of Instagram/@samyjovalentine
The Fall Staples It Girls From Coast To Coast Are Already Wearing
When it comes to trends, It girls lead, they don’t follow. Keeping one finger on the pulse of fashion and the other on their instincts, it’s their innate ability to dress to the beat of their own heart that makes them stand out amongst everyone else around them.
These women are ahead of their time, forecasting what will eventually be adopted by the masses often years in advance. In most cases, buying into trending items is just a by-product of their love of fashion, however, it's never the key ingredient of a memorable outfit.
As we transition from summer to fall, there’s no need to spend too many coins curating a brand new seasonal wardrobe, especially in this economy. Instead of shopping targeted ads, we interviewed fashion-forward influencers to spark our imagination and gather insight on what they’re already wearing leading into the upcoming season. Keep scrolling to get the scoop on essential items these fashion-forward women are looking forward to wearing this fall.
Helecia Williams, Houston
Comfort
Helecia’s style in three words: “Structured, bold, and explorative.”
Helecia’s outfit inspiration: “I am most interested in comfort as a trend. I am truly enjoying the mix of flats with elevated outfits and the incorporation of street-style elements into the looks. I have seen so much juxtaposition that makes the outfits interesting and intriguing. I love the pairing of fitted caps with [suits] and ballet flats. That mashup is impeccable, and we saw some of that peeking through last fall, and now it's taken on a life of its own.
"As a sneaker lover and comfort sneakers, bringing back flats is just a reimagination of past trends with a fresh twist.”
What color(s) is on Helecia’s fall mood board: “Hands down, red! It's such a bold and bossy color. Now, we see it becoming much more accessible in fashion and realize how easy it is to style and incorporate into a look for that extra pop. It also pairs well with so many other shades and tones. Some of my favorite combos are red and burgundy, red and yellow, and red and brown. Even if you aren't fully convinced that it's the color of the season and still have reservations about it, you can go classic and incorporate it in an accessory or makeup like a red lip.”
Are you bringing anything back from your 2023 fall wardrobe? “I will be returning and recycling all of my 2023 fall wardrobe and just styling it differently or giving it new life. Despite my love for trends, I've curated a wardrobe that I love so I will mix the old in with the new. And not to toot my own horn but a lot of my fashion moments are ahead of the times and still very relevant for this upcoming fall. Expect to see tons of texture, juxtaposition, unexpected color combos, and street style.”
How Helecia is accessorizing this season: “I hate to admit it, but the one trend that has me in a chokehold this fall is bold jewelry, particularly in gold. I've realized that accessories can do wonders, and the Schiaparelli era has me shook. I am a ‘Stan’ of Shop Khoi, a Black-owned jewelry brand that creates some of the most amazing, high-quality fashion jewelry. It just sets off any outfit no matter how simple it may be and easily becomes a conversation piece.”
Courtney Blackwell, New York City
Courtney’s style in three words: “Vintage, oversize, and sexy.”
Courtney’s most anticipated fall fashion items: “The fashion item I am anticipating wearing is vintage leather in all colors!”
Courtney's color picks for fall: “Cherry reds, forest greens, and different shades of gray.”
The trend that has Courtney in a chokehold this season: “Skirts! I’ve never been a skirt girly, well mini skirts girly, but I think I’m going to step it up with the minis this fall.”
Shaniqua Jordan, New York City
Timeless
Shaniqua’s personal styling tip for fall: “I hate to admit it, but the one trend that has me in a chokehold this fall is any oversized outerwear piece, especially oversized blazers. And as basic as it may sound, I can't get enough of them. They instantly elevate any look, and they're so versatile, whether I'm going for a polished vibe or something more casual. Plus, they are perfect for layering as the weather cools down.
"I know most people wouldn't typically opt for suede, but if you've been following my style, you know I'm all about my outerwear. I love adding texture to my looks, even if it's subtle, and a good suede jacket does that for me. The soft texture and rich hues of suede add that cherry on top for any fall look. Whether I'm rocking a bomber style in a jewel tone or a tailored trench in a neutral shade, a suede jacket is one piece I'm looking forward to wearing to elevate my fall wardrobe.”
These colors are all over Shaniqua’s fall mood board: “The colors on my fall mood board are rich earth tones like deep browns and olive greens paired with classic neutrals like camel and cream. I'd like to throw in a pop of butter yellow. I know it might seem more spring-like, but I love how it pairs with deep browns, oxblood, and even grays. It's the perfect way to brighten up those cozy, moody fall vibes. I'm also loving pops of bold jewel tones like emerald and burgundy to add a bit of luxe to the season. These shades give that cozy yet elevated feel I'm always aiming for in my fall wardrobe.”
Shaniqua describes her fall wardrobe in three words: “If I describe my fall wardrobe in three words, they would be chic, layered, and timeless. I love combining unique pieces with a classic touch, creating looks that stand out without trying too hard. It's all about finding that perfect balance between staying true to timeless fashion and adding my own signature flair.”
Are you bringing anything back from your 2023 fall wardrobe? "I am definitely an outfit repeater, so not only will I bring back pieces from my 2023 fall wardrobe, but I also have so many oldies but goodies that I’ll be incorporating into my fall 2024 looks. I think that's what really helps convey my personal style; buying pieces I genuinely love and being able to work them into my style season after season. It's all about longevity and staying true to what I love."
Alasia Allen, Los Angeles
Provocative
Alasia describes her style in three words: “Opulent, sleek, provocative.”
The fashion item Alasia anticipates wearing the most this fall: “I’m really into gloves this season. Whether it’s biker style or long, sleek, leather gloves, they add an interesting take to a fall look.”
The fall colors catching Alasia’s eye: “I’m loving navy or a super deep purple this season so I’ll be adding those into my wardrobe. They’re both so sophisticated and a good alternative to black.”
The fall staple Alaisa plans to bring back from her 2023 wardrobe: “Every year, I wear a shearling coat. It’s timeless, it’s warm, it’s my thing. There’s something very elevating about shearlings that have drawn to me year after year, and that’s what makes them my favorite style of outwear.”
The accessory that has Alasia in a chokehold this season: “Boots. I love a good boot as my go-to accessory for the fall/winter season. My favorites are boots that have a little flair to them and an interesting shape.”
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Job seekers have a lot of challenges to face that go beyond simply being out of work. The job market has been tough since the beginning of this year, mostly beaten down in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Between the job scams, long interview cycles that can last for months, and job ghosting, trying to land a decent gig can be more than frustrating. And it’s not just hearsay or social media chatter. There are very real indicators that the job market is in shambles, explaining why many seeking gainful employment are hitting wall after wall. Research supports that the difficulties you’re facing aren’t just a figment of your imagination and may have nothing to do with what you’re doing “right” or “wrong.”
Talent solutions provider Aerotek has found that close to 70% of people said their current job search was more challenging than their last one and that they feel like they have to try harder to find a new job in this economy. ZipRecruiter reports that 43% of job seekers said they were actively searching for work in the second quarter of this year, an increase from 37% at the end of last year. And 63% said they felt financial pressure to take the first job offer, up from 58% early this year.
Here's are a few reasons, according to the expert, behind what is causing issues with the job market.
1. Companies are taking longer to follow up after job interviews.
And when you do get a call or follow up for an interview, it might take longer to even know whether you got the job or not. Research by human capital advisory firm Josh Bersin Co. and workforce solutions firm AMS found that the “duration for global hiring” is at an “all-time high,” and that the recruitment process now averages about 43 days.
When you have to wait more than a month for confirmation after a job interview, that can put a dent in the proactivity of applying for other jobs, as well as a major dent in your pocket. Unemployment insurance only lasts but so long and sometimes barely covers the full basic expenses of living. It's definitely annoying and nerve-wracking to wait so long for a follow-up from a recruiter or hiring manager, and it's even more so when you thought you aced the interview.
Not to mention you could be waiting just to get rejected, having wasted time on multiple rounds of tedious interviews.
2. Job recovery hasn't quite caught up due to the impact of the pandemic.
Experts say job growth is “downshifting” from the aftermath of the pandemic, and the pace has “caught up to where it would have been if the health crisis hadn’t happened.” Companies and professionals alike are still dealing with the fallout of COVID-19, and it's apparently taken more than three years to see substantial movement forward when it comes to job openings and creation.
3. Many of the open positions may not be in your industry.
According to labor statistics, 272,000 jobs were added in May, with the growth driven mainly by three sectors: healthcare (+68,000), government (+43,000), and leisure and hospitality (+42,000). Jobs created in these industries reportedly accounted for more than half of the U.S. employment gains.
This indicates that it might be a bit more challenging for those in other sectors to land interviews and get hired. This certainly doesn't mean changing industries or fretting because what you do doesn't fall into any of the aforementioned. It simply points to something that could contribute to the frustrations of job seekers who aren't getting callbacks for jobs in other industries.
4. If you're a college graduate, the jobs that are available might not align with your educational background.
Demand for jobs that require a college degree is reportedly lower than those that don’t, and recent grads are also “fixated on certain positions with too many applicants rather than high-demand roles," experts say.
However, another report from Harvard Business School and the Burning Glass Institute found that not all employers who indicate support of skills-based hiring and remove degree requirements from job ads are actually hiring candidates without degrees. “[F]or all its fanfare, the increased opportunity promised by skills-based hiring has borne out in not even 1 in 700 hires last year,” the authors wrote.
Either way, there's a clear issue here in terms of some companies making up their minds about whether not having a college degree will block candidates' eligibility for certain jobs, posing a clear challenge for job seekers whether they've pursued higher education or not.
5. Company leaders, constantly fearing a recession, have been cautious about hiring new workers.
Experts say that company leaders are still holding on to fears that a recession is coming, and are going light on hiring because of this. “Business leaders are still concerned that a recession is possible, even if it’s not 100% certain,” Glassdoor lead economist Daniel Zhao told CNBC earlier this year. “They don’t want to overhire into a recession and then have to lay people off.”
Dan Kaplan, a Korn Ferry senior client partner, added, “No one can figure out what’s ahead, which means you have to make more decisions blindly. Normally, economists will predict a tough market for two of three quarters, and there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, but this time it’s been almost 24 months of predictions of doom and gloom.”
There's Still Hope For Job Seekers
While there are major challenges right now for job seekers, it's always a good idea to look at things with a solutions-focused mindset and approach with optimism. (I mean, do we all really have a choice?) If you're hitting walls in your job search, it's time to think of a better strategy, consider other passions you have, start a side hustle, or try these methods for upgrading your job search methods.
The journey might be more difficult for some and if you feel passionate about doing a certain specific job, hold your ground if you're financially and mentally able to. Keep applying to your dream gig, track what you're doing and how you're spending your time, volunteer to serve in some way in order to continue doing something you love while you're looking, prioritize free self-care activities, and hold on to faith. Something will indeed come through.
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