Quick trip down memory lane: Refinery29 started in 2005 as a city guide, a vehicle to discover fashion local to New York City. As the world changed, you guessed it, R29 did, too. We widened our scope to include content about money, sex, wellbeing, and more. We also adopted a more global view. 

So, let me reacquaint you with R29 Style! We’re returning to our roots and edifying personal style in a bigger way, celebrating the intention that goes into dressing and self-expression, whether you find it in shuffling around in a detoxing charcoal double face mask or wearing Miu Miu hiking boots to take out the recycling. 

R29 Style isn’t one thing, but it will encompass fashion, beauty, and shopping. It also isn’t found in one place, but lives on this site, on our newly relaunched @r29style IG, and on TikTok. (Catch us there as we test the products and trends you’re most curious — and skeptical — about.) Wherever you find us though, we are your people. Please join us at our lunch table. 

In addition to service content, there’ll still be the thoughtful features you’ve always come to R29 for. Because we are fluent in the ways that clothing, makeup, and everything in between can mirror our innermost selves, we’ll continue to push and answer the questions that so many of us are thinking, but are sometimes uncomfortable asking out loud. We do this through diverse storytelling and uniquely intimate points of view. 

With R29 Style we’ll continue to champion the creators doing cool shit, those not only changing the game but designing their own. They are proof of the renaissance happening all around us. Consider us your tour guide. 

No matter if you’re reading our So, How Is It Really? column on our site or about a new TikTok concealer hack in a newsletter, you’ll quickly find there are no in-crowd vibes, no cool kids or “fashion set.” 

Above all else, we’re here to have fun. I am… very serious about that. We want to make you smile, offer inspiration, and help you make the most sound of shopping decisions. We’re here to listen, and we want you to get to know us, too.

Gore Vidal, the American writer and public intellectual, once said: “Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.” 

Long Live Style.

Warmly, 

Simone Oliver 

Global Editor-in-Chief 

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Checking Out is a new shopping column straight from the cart of Simone Oliver, Refinery29’s global EIC. She wears many hats (all of them stylish), and she’s always got an inspiring, wish-worthy list on deck. Watch this space for monthly market musings from Simone (and sometimes, a special guest). These aren’t just editor’s picks — they’re THEE editor’s picks.

I don’t believe in “It” bags, but I am into using inanimate objects as inspiration for purse design. I refer to these referential accessories as “thing bags” (why hasn’t this caught on?!) and I love them because they’re fun, comical and are best worn by the fad-agnostic. (Anyone recall the Helmut Lang bra purse?) “Thing bags” first caught my attention when Jeremy Scott rolled out a McDonald’s and Spongebob-themed collection for Moschino for Fall/Winter 2014 — he hung a boxy crossbody in the shape of a Happy Meal from the shoulder of a model and off the break, I had questions. That same season, Karl Lagerfeld put a couple of egg carton-inspired bags in the Chanel show after fashioning the set to resemble a grocery store. (And let’s not forget Judith Leiber’s long-established range of crystal-covered pillbox purses and clutches, twinkling with the likenesses of hot peppers, a stack of pancakes, or — even better — a stack of cash.) 

At the time, as much as I respected the irreverence, I couldn’t picture spending my hard-earned cash on these sorts of totes — but many years later, the whimsical, DGAF companions have prompted a change of heart. Whether it’s the scores of fruit-inspired micro-purses on Amazon or Thom Browne’s growing menagerie of “Animal Icons”, bags made to resemble everyday flora, fauna and ephemera have been normalized, and I find myself wish-listing apple-shaped crossbodies and sculptural clutches. (I don’t know if that’s a good thing and I don’t really care.) I blame my change in attitude on spending so much time at home looking at apples in my fruit dish, day after day after day; coupled with the urge to go out to a party and dance on a table with one of these miniature, three-dimensional avatars at my side — but not being able to. Either way, give me hearts, apples, triangles, puppies, whatevs. I’m not mad. Thing bags are delightful; and exactly the type silliness and lighthearted vibes that we need in year two of a pandemic. Ahead, check out all the “thing bags” in my cart right this second.

I Love NY x Kate Spade Big Apple Crossbody, $358

I’m a proud native New Yorker, and even though “I Love NY” swag is widely available in tourist-y neighborhoods throughout the city, I didn’t own a fashionable take on Milton Glaser’s iconic Big Apple logo — until now. When I saw Kate Spade’s Italian leather crossbody, I knew I had to treat myself. As a mom, a hands-free bag is a must, and the surprisingly roomy 7.5” width accommodates most iPhones (among other necessities). There’s a smooth microsuede lining and an all-around zipper for easy access. I will wear this like a badge all year long, from winter coat- to crop top-season.

Lui Sui Strawberry Milk Carton Bag, $29.98

Alexa, play “Milkshake” by Kelis. While I’m not a diehard Amazon shopper, some of the accessories that pop up on the site are so kooky that they deserve an honorable mention for sheer cheekiness. You can choose to take this ultra-sweet crossbody seriously, or not — it’s so carefree and funny to me. At a little under 8” tall, it can accommodate your hand sanitizer and a few other essentials.

Cult Gaia Pearl Bag, $428

Cult Gaia calls it a pearl, but to me the brand’s sculptural bag is a take on the swirled glass marbles that kids played with back in the days. The shiny acrylic sphere is tricked out with aluminum gold-toned handle that veers into bracelet territory, making the bag perfect for pairing with an ultra-minimal evening look. The design is surprisingly functional for something so aesthetically pleasing — no more juggling your drink and your clutch while trying to check your text messages when you’re out and about. (My social life has yet to return to pre-2020 density, but still.)

Kate Spade Slice 3D Pizza Crossbody, $348

While this pizza-shaped crossbody bag may owe some of its sparkle to a longtime luxury-handbag predecessor, it offers some improvements on the traditional Swarovski crystal-encrusted pillbox purse. For starters, it’s significantly less expensive — in lieu of the engineered glass gems, the bag is dotted with a mix of light-reflecting ephemera; including pearls (crust), sequins (pepperoni), and faceted iridescent gems (cheese). It also boasts a soft satin construction, meaning it’s a little more accommodating to whatever you need to tote around (including a phone). There’s nothing that screams “I love my city” like a bag in the shape of slice — I would wear this with an LBD, some great shoes, and a matte red lip and just keep it moving.

Cult Gaia Nala Metallic Clutch, $398

Picture this: you’re on vacation. (For some, this fantasy alone might be enough, but mine involves a fashion moment.) After the sun sets on a day of swimming and sunbathing; you throw on a chic, simple shift and a cocktail ring, grab this gilded napa leather bag, and head to dinner. Whether you’re 20 years old or 80, this fan-shaped clutch will add a dose of low-key glam to your tropical getaway. This romantic accessory doesn’t skimp on function, either — it’s built to hold a standard iPhone and is equipped with an invisible magnetic closure for a seamless, hardware-free look.

Alaïa Couer Mini Leather Bag, $590

Sporting a “purse” that doesn’t actually fit anything other than lip balm and an emergency $20 bill is kind of the ultimate luxury, right? (It’s a little under 4” at the widest point.) However, as a wise woman once said, Alaïa is a “totally important designer,” so the brand’s cheeky calf-leather pouch has earned a place in my cart despite a brazen lack of function. A cleverly placed seam in the center of the heart adds a touch of dimension to the micro-accessory, and thanks to adjustable knotted straps, you could even wear it as a necklace.

Bruce Glen Grenade Bucket Bag, $695

If you’re going to design a slouchy bucket bag in the shape of a grenade, you might as well offer it in a shocking metallic pink leather, to convey the negative fucks given about what anyone else thinks. This caged confection is equipped with leather-bound metal chain-mail on the exterior, along with a drawstring top and leather lining. The size isn’t overwhelming, either — as influencer Dev Walker showed on the third slide of this post, it’s just about as tall as a champagne glass. Twins Bruce and Glen Proctor have created a juicy world of hyperbolic color through their eponymous brand, and this dazzling bag is one of their signature designs.

Private Policy “Not A Gun” Mini Bag, $230

It’s impossible to ignore the political statement that informs this holster-shaped embossed calfskin crossbody. I sat with this accessory for a long time, thinking of the Black Lives Matter movement and many young Black kids who may have reached into their pockets to pull our their iPhone and didn’t live to see the next day. While I think the mini-pouch is certainly chic enough for anyone, there’s a specific power to wearing it as a Black or brown person.

Versace Medusa-Head Motif Silicone Crossbody Bag, $550

This is a silicone-shaped, three-dimensional likeness of Versace’s iconic medusa-head logo — there’s no deeper meaning here; it’s just fun, fun, fun. It’s about 8” across at the widest point and almost 6” tall; the top of the head flips open to reveal an unlined interior; and there’s a removable faux-leather strap for convertible wear. (I know you want touch it — I do, too.) This feels like a fresh take on the brand’s ostentatious, old-school logo — there’s a little Y2K sparkle that could appeal to a younger set.

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We all know President Joe Biden and Madame Vice President Kamala Harris aren’t going to fix everything wrong with this country overnight. They are not perfect, nor do we expect them to be. We also know that we can’t just swipe left on the previous administration. It happened and, now, here we are. 

But where is “here,” exactly? Let’s be real, the problems we face in America didn’t all originate in the past four years. Discrimination and inequality are woven into our nation’s fabric by design, and the recent violence at the Capitol wasn’t hate’s debut — it was a continuation of a legacy not only of white supremacy, but of an institutional willingness to ignore it until it boils over.

Things might have calmed down a bit in the two weeks since that impossible-to-ignore moment, but that doesn’t mean we’ve healed. That’s why, for many, yesterday’s inauguration was a lot to process. On a group chat, a friend said, “I don’t know how I feel today… I’m just still sad about the last four years. It’s hard to shake that immediately.” I didn’t need a census survey to know he wasn’t alone. The historic firsts we were celebrating were only one part of the day. 

And yet, I woke up feeling joyful. For me, this transfer of power is also the start of a psychological transformation. As a Black woman and Howard University alumna, Kamala stands as a symbol of realized potential, and makes the future look less dim for future generations of young girls, including my 17-year-old step-daughter and seven-year-old daughter. 

I’m not naive enough to think the swearing in of Madam Vice President Kamala Harris was a singular antidote for a nation in need of a comprehensive cure. But, it was an invaluable testament to the power of representation and showing our girls what’s possible — and that possibility offers hope.

Despite my happiness, though, I realized I had become numb, fatigued, and — dare I admit it — jaded. And, that’s not what I want to inspire in my girls. With that in mind, I saw yesterday as an opportunity, a rededication to hope in my own heart. When Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked Kamala to repeat after her and take her oath of office, it signaled that this country had actually taken a step toward being ready to accept that women and women of color can lead at the highest levels  of office. I felt seen. It meant that when my girls walk into a job interview they might be seen, too. 

Twenty-two-year-old poet Amanda Gorman’s regal and wise-beyond-her-years presence was the icing for me. Amanda stood as the embodiment of promise. My heart is still swollen. It was this line from her poem that impacted me the most: “That even as we hurt, we grew.” 

After yesterday, my girls’ — all of our girls’ — futures feel as bright as Amanda’s sunflower-colored coat. I reveled in that. I went to sleep pregnant with hope and I allowed myself to sit in my complicated chaos of emotions.

Today, my mind toggles back and forth between visualizing the future and our current state. I think of the Black girls who are actively criminalized in their school, the kids who were illegally separated from their parents because of immigration, and the tall tower of chips stacked against girls and women everywhere. 

So, now what? 

With every milestone we need momentum. Leadership is about being accountable to the people you serve, and before this administration’s plot unfolds any further I’m choosing to recalibrate and hold myself accountable. 

Here at Refinery29 we didn’t kick off 2021 with the typical “New Year, New You” grouping of stories that lifestyle publications often defer to. We talked about our “Good Baggage” and how to productively channel your 2020 anger or frustration about the status quo, how to be active. Many of us are still figuring out our own ways to be accountable, to take action, to be allies, to hold it all together.

Because the hardest work begins today, I’m committed to being more intentional in my own journey. I have a voice and a platform, so I’m pledging to help spread the word about people or organizations that are simply trying to make the world a better place. Allow me to introduce Girl Up, a gender equality youth initiative of the United Nations Foundation. They focus on teaching girls skills that they’ll need to become leaders, so even at a young age, girls can be empowered on a global scale to help fight against gender-focused issues — education disparities, gender violence, to name a few. They actively help shape potential with tangible skills. 

We partnered with Girl Up (@girlupcampaign) and Ogilvy, to release “Today We Rise,” a short film that encapsulates what watching Kamala officially become Vice President made us — especially those of us watching with a young girl that is close to our hearts — feel. “Today We Rise” was filmed and produced by a volunteer network of photographers and cinematographers during the inauguration in over 30 households across the country who were driven by the hope of Kamala’s nomination alone and wanted to record the mixed moments of relief, pride, and anticipation when imagining who your daughter, niece, or little sister can become.  

“This moment is about hope and possibilities. It’s about infinite potential – not just that of Madam Vice President Kamala Harris, but of every girl, everywhere. Girls seeing her today will grow up to remember the moment they first believed they could do anything – because of what they saw her do,” said Melissa Kilby, Girl Up Executive Director.

This film illustrates the immeasurable impact that the images of Vice President Harris taking her oath of office, administered by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor — the first Latina to serve on the nation’s highest court — will have on generations to come. 

As a Howard University household (my husband also went there), my seven-year-old has been very in tune with the excitement around the Vice President’s election. Recently, she asked what an inauguration was. I explained, “Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are making a promise to the country that they will be the best leaders they can be.” An oversimplification, but factual. Then she asked why it’s taken so long for America to have a woman as a vice president. I went into a long, overly complicated explanation about patriarchy, race and whatnot to which she simply replied, “Well, if Kamala is doing it that means I can too, right?”

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