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The Hottest Summer Trends Cool Enough To Transition Into Fall
With Fall around the corner, it's time to mentally prepare ourselves for the cold-weather outfits we missed the previous year. Although it feels like we've been playing catch up, this season, we're picking up where summer is leaving off by transitioning the chicest trends into cold weather combinations one look at a time. If you've been shopping wisely this summer, then you'll have plenty of items already in your closet to mix and match for fall.
This year, fall ready-to-wear collections are bolder, brighter and more exciting than what we've seen as of late. Call it the "Roaring 20's" or pure optimism but it's a stark contrast from last year's at-home-inspired trends. Designers are implementing patterns and features that inspire us to live in the moment, allowing our sense of style to do the talking for us. I'm excited to come with the looks next season as I curate my closet utilizing my existing summer favorites.
These are the latest trends I'm currently obsessed with and refuse to let go next season and beyond.
1.Platforms
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
This year there has been a rise in platforms. With the late 90's and early 2000's being a major trend throughout the fashion and beauty industries, the era was dominated by higher than life platforms. From heels to sneakers, chunky soles are dominating the current shoe trends and I don't see the end of this trend any time soon.
2.Slip Dress
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
One of my favorite looks during warm weather months is a slip dress. With this classic dress style, it's easy to transition for fall paired with a sneaker or a boot and a jacket, if needed. Adorn with your favorite chunky accessories and a handle bag for even more sass to elevate this super chic look.
3.Geometric Prints
Matt Petit/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images
There's something about geometric prints that add an artistic element to every look. Super modern, we've seen a rise in heavy prints this summer and will continue to enjoy them this fall.
4.Asymmetrical
David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Qatar Tourism
This summer I got my hands on as many asymmetrical looks I could buy. I love this sexy sleek trend and can't wait to see more styles this fall. From clothing items to boots and accessories, get ready to take this trend up another notch.
5.Cut Outs
Daniele Venturelli/Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images for Luisaviaroma
As I get older, I'm learning that modesty is the best policy. While I do like to show skin here and there, I prefer to leave some things up to the imagination. The cut out trend is one of my favorites this year due to the classy and subtle details when a cut out is placed in all the right places. For fall, I'm looking forward to the combination of cut out knitwear this season.
6.Wide Leg/Utility Pants
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Wide leg utility pants are my favorite switch-up this summer. The lightweight alternative to thick sweatpants, I can't get enough of this pant style and will continue them into next season. Add a sneaker or pair with a sleek pointed toe boot for the perfect oversized look this fall.
7.Completely Sheer
Marcus Ingram/Getty Images
Sheer tops are trending this summer, worn with a crop cami or bikini top for a pool side look. This fall, add into your rotation by laying with a full length cami or layered under your favorite jacket. Go for a long sleeve for extra coverage paired with a straight leg pant and a pump to elevate your see-through look.
8.Bucket Hats
Cindy Ord/WireImage
Bucket hats are a classic head piece that has seen a huge rise in popularity over the last few months. I'm loving the transition from summer styles to the faux furs that make this accessory more chic and fashion forward. Set the tone with a matching set paired with a textured bucket hat for a head to toe cold weather moment.
To get your fashion fix and to stay up to date with the latest trends, check out the xoNecole Style section here.
Featured image by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
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This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
Blair Underwood Initially Turned Down 'Sex And The City' Because 'It Was About How Samantha Was Fascinated By Dating A Black Man’
Actor and heartthrob Blair Underwood is opening up about why he turned down Sex and the City the first time he was offered a role. Many fans of the HBO series may recall Blair's time on the show in which his character was dating Miranda (Cynthia Nixon). However, he was previously offered another role where his character would date Samantha (Kim Cattrall).
During his interview with AV Club, the Set It Off star revealed that he was uncomfortable with the initial offer due to the character's fascination with him being a Black man.
“I actually did say ‘no’ the first time,” he said. “The first time they had offered the role, to be honest with you, it was about how Samantha was fascinated by dating a Black man and wanted to know if, uh, all of the rumors were true about our anatomy! And I said, ‘Listen, I’m honored, thank you, but I just don’t want to play a character based on race, on curiosity about a Black man.'”
But that didn't stop them from reaching out again. This time he was offered to play Dr. Robert Leeds, the love interest to Miranda and he decided to go for it. "So they were nice enough to call about a year later, and I said, 'Well, is it gonna be about race?' And they said, 'No, no, no, we’re not even gonna mention race!' And I think it really did only come up maybe once," he recalled.
"It did five episodes, and I think Samantha mentioned it once, saying something about 'a Black doctor' that Miranda was dating. And that’s really been a consistent thing in my career: not wanting to be boxed as 'the Black guy.'
"I’ve had that conversation with many producers along the way, and they were so great. They said, 'No, he’s just a doctor who Miranda meets in the elevator, and they have a nice little fling.' And it was amazing."
Blair has had a wide-ranging career playing everything from a lawyer on L.A. Law to playing Madame CJ Walker's husband on Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madame CJ Walker. And during his interview, he revealed another role that he initially turned down, Set It Off. The movie, which is considered a classic in Black culture, stars Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise. Blair's character, Keith, played a banker and love interest to Jada's character, Stony.
He explained why he said no at first and eventually accepted the offer. "I had initially said “no” to that. Because I was playing this historic, iconic African-American historical figure in Jackie Robinson, and the time, y’know, there was Boyz N The Hood, and Menace II Society was out there, and I’d finished playing this noble Negro… [Laughs]," he said.
"And I’m reading the script, and there’s a scene where Jada Pinkett’s character—Jada Pinkett-Smith now—was going to sell her body so she could make some money to send her brother to college. And I remember, honestly, I threw the script across the room. I was, like, “I don’t want to do this. I want to do something uplifting for the Black culture and Black characters, and I don’t know if I want to see this.”
After a conversation with the movie's director F. Gary Gray and the actor's manager encouraging him to finish reading the script, Blair had a change of heart. What he first thought about the movie turned out to be totally different.
"So I finished the script, and I saw that the character they were asking me to play was really the love story in the midst of all of this turmoil of all of these characters, the four ladies: Queen Latifah, Vivica Fox, Kimberly Elise, and Jada," he explained.
"It was so well-written, it was such a great platform for them. And to be able to play the love story and the storyline that gave Jada’s character a leg up and a way out of this world, something to hope for, to wish for, someone to love her… I said, 'You know what? I’d like to be a part of that.'
"And I’m so glad I did, because that film resonates to this day. People all the time come up to me and say that they love that movie. So I’m glad that I did it."