First, Mercury retrograde came for our relationships. Then, the new moon in Libra asked us to find balance in our partnerships. And now, on October 7, another astrological transit is here to change up our love lives. Venus, the Planet of Love and Affection, is moving on from intense, brooding Scorpio to adventurous Sagittarius, meaning that our relationships are going to take on a lighter, more playful vibe until November 5.

Sagittarius is a fun, fiery placement for Venus, says Narayana Montúfar, senior astrologer for Astrology.com, and after the intensity of Venus in Scorpio, this transit is a welcome change. The way we approach love (whether we’re in committed relationships or playing the field) will be more carefree and lighthearted. This energy might just be what we need to breathe new life into our partnerships or take cuffing season to the next level.

Almost immediately after entering Venus, Montúfar says the planet will conjunct the south node of the moon, which means one thing: changes are coming. “The romantic relationships that are past their due date will suddenly end,” she warns. “Certain people who are meant to meet and be together will run into each other and connect.” If you feel called to end a lackluster relationship or aren’t sure if you want to go on a first date with a stranger you met on Hinge, let your gut decide for you. Whatever feels right during this time will most likely be the fated move you’re meant to make.

Besides playing with destiny, Venus in Sagittarius could be the spark needed to bring the fireworks back into your love life. “Sagittarius’s mantra is ‘more is more’ so if you are dating or on the apps, you may notice an influx of potential partners and suitors,” says Madi Murphy, co-founder of The Cosmic RX and The Cosmic Revolution. “Sagittarius likes to try new things, so if you have always dated the finance bro type, see what going out with a musician is like.” We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again — now’s the time to be adventurous in your dating endeavors. After all, you never know what could be out there for you.

And remember — more is more doesn’t mean there’s an excuse to ghost. “Sagittarius is a mutable fire sign, so it has a reputation for being a little flaky,” Murphy says. “Close out text threads or DMs that you know aren’t going anywhere — be direct, honest, compassionate and clear.” Although this requires a bit more effort, it’s far better than the shadow side of Sagittarius coming back to bite you. Being open and honest here is key.

For those who are coupled up, channel the adventurous aura of Sagittarius and head out for a weekend getaway or plan a lavish date with your partner. Try new things, see new places, and share more meaningful experiences — it could just lead to a revival of the honeymoon stage.

Although there are plenty of suitors out there, now might not be the best time for those who are single to settle down. “Serious-minded lovers may find this hard to deal with along with those who a looking for a stable commitment,” says Leslie Hale, psychic astrologer at Keen.com. “Emotional drama, possessiveness and heavy emotions do not go over very well with Venus in this sign.” Instead of using Sag’s energy to plan romantic dates or other romantic outings, use it to go out and let loose with your friends. You never know who you might meet!

Sagittarius’s carefree energy could have you babbling more than usual, though, so think before you speak. “We can accidentally put our foot in our mouths and say inappropriate or hurtful words by accident,” Lisa Stardust, the author of Saturn Return Survival Guiide and The Astrology Dec, says of this transit. This will become even more true when Venus and Neptune form a square on October 26, making “communication extra confusing and nonsensical,” according to Stardust. “The truth may be hard to find, which will heighten our paranoias and anxieties.”

Overall, we’re in for an adventurous month. Use this time wisely by letting yourself be more carefree and easygoing — it’s been a tough year, so it’s the least you can do for yourself. We’ll leave you with one last piece of advice: “Use this Venus in Sag transit to get curious about what makes you feel enthusiastic about life and time with yourself,” Murphy says. “Falling in love with yourself is the greatest adventure of all.”

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Welcome to Taking Stock, a space where we can take a deep breath and try to figure out what the COVID-19 economy really means for our finances. Every month, personal finance expert Paco de Leon will answer your most difficult, emotionally charged questions about money. This year has forced many of us to reprioritize our finances, and there’s no clear road map for getting through the pandemic yet — but Taking Stock is here to help us figure it out together.

Last time, we talked about what exactly constitutes “financial infidelity.” Now, we’ve asked Refinery29 readers whether withholding financial information is always a lie — and always a deal breaker. Are there some money-related things that you shouldn’t have to disclose to a romantic partner?

Do you have a question or dilemma you’d like to see answered as part of Taking Stock? Submit it here or send us an email at moneyquestions@refinery29.com.

Mae, 32, Oregon

For Mae, a former partner’s secrets have had long-term financial and emotional impact on her life. “My long-term boyfriend hid enormous amounts of business and personal debt from me,” she says. “He was self-employed in a well-paying field, and I had no reason to suspect anything was amiss.”

“He revealed a terminal illness to me that he had known about since the beginning of our relationship, about a year before he died,” Mae says. “I discovered the debt after his death. We had a comfortable lifestyle and he assured me that he had life insurance in my name for when he passed.”

“When I was trying to find the policy information, I discovered he had kept his business afloat with many bridge loans that had exorbitant interest rates. In fact, there was no life insurance at all,” she continues. “He had stopped making payments on his car and our home and was under investigation by his field’s regulatory board for fraud. It was incredibly devastating, and I suddenly found myself with nothing. I had to sell almost everything we owned and move out of our home within a week of his death.”

“Had he still been alive, I think this may have been a deal breaker,” Mae says. “It revealed so much about his character that I didn’t see, and I felt deeply betrayed. It wasn’t the fact that his accounts were empty, it was that I wasn’t respected enough to be told the truth.”

“My current partner and I are open about finances and had discussions about our financial past and how our shared financial future will look,” she says. “We don’t know the balance of each other’s checking account, and I would never ask. As long as we each take care of our shared financial obligations, I don’t feel that either of us has the right to that information. We both have retirement accounts and investments and agreed that we would continue to contribute to them separately if we were to get married and to sign a prenuptial agreement releasing any claim to those accounts.”

“Obviously, the deception in my previous relationship has shown me the importance of being transparent with a partner,” says Mae. “Conversations about money can be really awkward, but secrets are worse.”

Kay, 31, NYC

“I’m the one with the secret debt, and I’m broke,” Kay admits. “I think it will be a deal breaker if my partner finds out.”

“I’m keeping this a secret, because I don’t want to let him down. We want to move [in] together and possibly put money down on our own place. I feel embarrassed and ashamed that I’m the one who will likely be setting this dream back.”

And though she feels guilty about hiding debt from a partner, that doesn’t mean she believes romantic partners need to disclose every little part of their respective finances. “Not everything should be shared,” Kay says. “Just joint matters.”

Nooreen, 29, UK

“My ex-husband withheld finances from me,” Nooreen says. “He was a bouncer at a club — as well as a drug dealer.”

“I didn’t know about the drug-dealing,” she says. “I found out when we bought our house and he insisted on paying with cash in full. This house was worth over $2 million!”

For Nooreen, this lie of omission wasn’t a complete deal breaker, though. “We worked through it, although I made him stop dealing and doing drugs,” she says. “We later divorced for other reasons.”

“I think the major [financial] things should be shared! At the very least all joint/fixed expenses,” she says. “I believe that each person should have their own fun money, but the majority should be shared.”

Kinsey, 34, Texas

“It wasn’t a secret account or debt, but he alluded to the fact he owned his condo,” says Kinsey. “When it came to buying a house together, I found out he actually didn’t own it, which decreased the down payment I had assumed for our home. I then found out he didn’t have a savings account for a huge purchase like a new home.”

“This wasn’t a deal breaker for me, as it wasn’t like he was hiding a huge amount of debt. I ended up fronting all the down payment through the sale of my condo,” Kinsey continues. “I also used a portion of that to renovate the house. The only issue we had about the situation is he wanted to use the money for something he wanted for the house, like an outdoor  kitchen, instead of updating the existing kitchen. Sorry (not really), but if I put up the money, I get what I want right now. You can save up for what you want.”

“My husband knew I had inherited money from my parents, but I never told him the amount. Currently, he still doesn’t know the full extent,” she says. “I have told him our kids’ college will be covered by the inheritance, but that’s about it. I don’t want him to know he’s married to wealth, because I want us to be equal partners. We do well in our careers, and so we live comfortably off our salaries. Plus, I don’t touch the money anyway, just let it grow through investments. I may tell him in the future, if we ever have an emergency.”

Kinsey doesn’t believe that being in a relationship means you have to give your partner complete knowledge of your finances. “I think some things are none of their business,” she says, “but you have to talk about everything. For example, my husband and I have a joint account that we contribute to separately to pay shared expenses — mortgage, utilities, insurance, etc. As long as we each pay equally into the bills, we’re fine.”

“We also agreed to contribute to retirement and save separately, since we both work full-time,” Kinsey says. “I believe it’s none of his business what I’m spending my personal money on, as long as I don’t go into debt and can still contribute the agreed-upon amount every month.”

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At this point, if you haven’t watched Squid Game, chances are you’ve had it recommended to you countless times. The Korean drama is quickly becoming one of the most watched foreign language productions of all time and is currently the top show on Netflix in 90 countries. Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has hypothesized that it might be their biggest show ever and a South Korean broadband firm has even sued Netflix after the intense traffic surge from the show.

So what is it about the gore-filled survival show – where cash-strapped contestants quite literally fight until death in childhood games for money while rich VIPs watch – that has captivated a gigantic audience globally? Perhaps it’s the fact that it’s barely fiction at all. Squid Game perfectly mirrors our social realities, exploring themes like class struggle and economic anxieties through one dramatic competition.

Squid Game follows a series of movies and television shows that have gained success recently for their critiques of capitalist society, including Korean smash-hit Parasite in 2019, co-written and directed by Bong Joon Ho. US satire Sorry to Bother You was also a critical success in 2018, proving a sustained thirst for anticapitalist entertainment. 

We should also be aware that anticapitalism is being remarketed to us by the very billionaires who would be in the Squid Game VIP room.

This comes as little surprise when considering the growing shift away from capitalism in recent years, exacerbated by the financial struggles that arose during the global pandemic. It’s why people like Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have risen to political stardom and socialism is officially part of the zeitgeist.

In an era where it’s cool to hate capitalism, the entertainment that critiques it has become cooler than ever. But does that amount to political progress? Anti-imperialist organizer Rhamier Balagoon for the Black Alliance for Peace says not. “Under capitalism, anything can become a commodity and ultimately de-radicalized,” they told Refinery29. “Hollywood, through corporate America, makes room for these performative gestures that allow people to romanticize the idea of resistance against a violent system.” 

Balagoon is yet to watch Squid Game but sees the rise of anticapitalist entertainment as a way for liberals to dip a toe into seemingly radical discourse without taking part in organizing. Billionaire Jeff Bezos recently proved this point with a tweet saying he “can’t wait” to watch the show. The irony is not lost on many that Bezos’ own workers operate in often unsafe and poor working conditions.

Another indication that the radically anticapitalist messaging of Squid Game has gone over the heads of people is that many viewers are walking away from the show with the notion that the characters in the game “chose to be there,” despite them all coming from a place of poverty and life-threatening debt. This captures just how far we are from breaking down the current illusion of free will in a capitalist society; one of the show’s beloved characters, Ji-yeong, reveals that she has just been released from prison for killing her abusive father before entering the game.

Hollywood, through corporate America, makes room for these performative gestures that allow people to romanticize the idea of resistance against a violent system.

Rhamier BalagooN

“The idea of free will has very effectively been weaponized by white supremacist capitalism to gaslight people into believing that they are responsible for the shitty circumstances that capitalism puts them in,” says Bobo Matjila, online philosopher and co-host of the Bobo and Flex podcast. “A society that believes in free will also implicitly believes that everyone is responsible for their circumstances and material conditions despite how much they’ve been marginalized and oppressed by said society.”

Balagoon agrees, saying that every person is still currently forced to participate in capitalism. “There’s no real way that we can opt out of it aside from a revolution that we can actually overturn the system,” they say. “You can be as anticapitalist as you want but at the end of the day you still need to wake up and go to work.” 

To give due credit to Squid Game writer and director Hwang Dong-hyuk (who wrote the show in 2009 but was rejected by studios for 10 years and had to sell his laptop at one point due to financial struggles), much of the anticapitalist messaging seems to have been watered down in the English translation. In a viral Tiktok, Youngmi Mayer, co-host of the Feeling Asian podcast, explains that English-language viewers lost many nuances in crucial scenes like the marble scene in episode six, titled “Gganbu.” In the current English translation, Oh Il-nam says: “We share everything.” In Korean he says: “There’s no ownership between me and you.” It’s worth also noting that many translators are underpaid and overworked, which is why Mayer says “it’s the fault of the producers.” 

Translation issues aside, the popularity of Squid Game, two years after Parasite, shows that anticapitalist entertainment is going nowhere, nor should it. New releases shouldn’t, however, be interpreted as progress that we haven’t yet made.

“As good as these shows are, I don’t think any of them are effective in shifting viewpoints because these shows are descriptive but not prescriptive,” says Matjila. “They do a great job of describing the horrors of existing under late-stage capitalism but they don’t do very much as far as prescribing a solution for these horrors.” As a result, Matjila says, we risk coming away from these shows feeling more politically active than we are. 

Simply put, we should all continue to enjoy Squid Game and other similar shows that follow. We’re largely enjoying them because they’re so relatable. However, we should also be aware that anticapitalism is being remarketed to us by the billionaires at Netflix. And really, by watching the show, are we any better than the VIPs who lap up the entertainment? Perhaps that’s the most disturbing twist of all.

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“This isn’t the Abercrombie of the past, that’s for sure,” Carey Krug, SVP, Head of Marketing at Abercrombie Brands, writes me in an email. “The brand used to be one focused on people ‘fitting in’ whereas now, it’s one focused on creating a space where everybody truly belongs — and that sentiment is woven throughout all we’ve done and what is still to come.”

Abercrombie & Fitch, the youth-oriented fashion retailer that infamously used overly sexualized, near-naked models to sell clothes has gone through a massive transformation since CEO Fran Horowitz took over in 2017. These days, A&F is focused on inclusivity, extended sizing, and releasing clothes “reflective of the world around us.” It’s time to revisit this formerly infamous brand because the clothes are, and I say this with all my 36-year-old heart, extremely good: there are knitted tops I’ve worn every day, a pair of ripped jeans that I’m actually down with, super cute dresses and jumpsuits that could give Reformation a run for their money, and more.

And, I’m not the only one who feels this way. The fashion TikTokkers have also spoken and the consensus is that Abercrombie & Fitch, quite simply, rules.

Abercrombie & Fitch Tailored Wide Leg Pants, $69

@eliiiserose

behold the BEST trouser for fall #fallfashion #abercrombiestyle #ootd #styleinspo #fashiontiktok #fyp

♬ Pop Star – Coco & Clair Clair

When I ask Krug what stands A&F apart from other fashion retailers, she tells me that they’re adamantly a customer-first brand with ongoing open communication with their shoppers. “A lot of brands are good at showing customers what they should purchase, but I don’t think a lot of brands take a second to listen to their customers — what do they really want?” writes Krug. With that, she explains how, with the brand’s recent Denim Your Way campaign, A&F created jeans that directly addressed customer woes. “We said, ‘You talked. We listened. Here are your dream jeans.’ And it’s the best denim collection we’ve ever launched, in my opinion. We see just as many shout-outs for our Curve Love denim from women of all sizes because they finally have a line that mitigates that dreaded waist gap so many people experience.”

@madelinelah

Okay run to Abercrombie!! #abercrombiejeans #abercrombie #abercrombiehaul #foryou

♬ original sound – Mads

Abercrombie & Fitch Ribbed Tank and Cardigan Set, $59

Abercrombie & Fitch High Rise Dad Jeans, $99

So, I’m not a fashion influencer, but I, too, approve of the A&F denim I tried on for this story. Though I’m normally a stiff-denim snob, I surprisingly loved the whisper of stretch that A&F weaved into these best-selling, pre-torn High Rise Dad Jeans. The ribbed tank and cardi set, made from the brand’s softAF fabrication, is perhaps my favorite piece from the current collection because it’s so versatile, either worn together or as separates, and the silky, lightweight ribbed material is somehow both cozy and cooling against my skin.

Abercrombie & Fitch Traveler Skort, $55 $44

Abercrombie & Fitch Mid-Length Cardigan, $69 $39.99

The Traveler Skort stood up to a rousing game of tennis and an at-home pilates session, and the brand’s mid-weight oversized cardigans draped exactly how you’d want an oversized sweater to.

Abercrombie & Fitch Duvet Mid Puffer, $180

And, you best know that I’ll be respectfully wearing the daylights (and nightlights) out of this generously hooded puffer jacket come wintertime.

In case you haven’t browsed the A&F site in a minute (or in over a decade), I’ve asked Krug to walk readers through five of the brand’s best-selling items — and why you, too, may fall in love with these runaway style hits.

Abercrombie & Fitch’s Top 5 Best Sellers:

Abercrombie & Fitch 90s Ultra High Rise Straight Jeans, $89–$99

“The ‘TikTok Famous’ 90s Ultra High-Rise Straight jeans are so comfy and flattering. They have the highest rise that sits at your natural waist and they look incredible paired with a seamless bodysuit or even a shirt, tucked or untucked. They look spectacular on everybody!” writes Krug.

Abercrombie & Fitch Seamless Bodysuits, $11–$55

“The seamless bodysuits pair perfectly with jeans or shorts and work so well alone or as a base in multi-layered looks. They are, quite literally, softAF.”

Abercrombie & Fitch Cardigans, $15–$89

“Our cardigans are made from our elevated LuxeLoft fabric and feature button-down fronts and ribbed trims. They’re so easy to wear open, closed, or partially closed for multiple looks. They are great for the ’90s prep and academia vibes.”

Abercrombie & Fitch Vegan Leather Puffers, $100–$200

“Our new vegan leather puffers are an easy fit and made from soft vegan leather fabric with the elevated diamond stitch detail. They’re that perfect fall puffer, but elevated, and able to be outfitted so many ways.”

Abercrombie & Fitch High Rise Dad Jeans, $89–$99

“The High Rise Dad Jeans have that flattering high rise waist with a more relaxed fit throughout the leg. The denim is soft, but with less stretch than your skinny jeans, so they’re like your perfect vintage relaxed jeans.”

Abercrombie & Fitch Long-Sleeve Cinch-Front Cutout Mini Dress, $69

“With the flowy sleeves, the fun and flirty fit, and the peekaboo cutout, this dress is the epitome of fun and flattering. And the stretch in the back makes it able to work for multiple busts and body types.”

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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Mira! Latinx Heritage Month is still going full swing, which means we're picking 20 more Latinx brands we're obsessed with. This time, we're talking homeware: from candles, art, and vintage decor to cleaning products, rugs, and coffee.

If you've been itching for a room refresh (or just to try something new, like a pleasurable massage candle or Colombian coffee brand there), why not support small businesses while you're at it? These Latinx-founded companies offer a unique spin on some of our favorite home must-haves. While finding Latinx-owned homeware brands can be difficult, we did the hard work for you. Now you just have to click ahead and start shopping.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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When it comes to uncovering the most-wanted stuff for fall, there's one iconic image, and one image only, that comes to mind when we think of our seasonal clothes goals: Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal wearing twin fisherman sweaters, circa 1989, in When Harry Met Sally. In fairness, Chris Evans in that cable-knit number from Knives Out is a more recent cultural reference worthy of an honorable mention too. Whichever visual you choose, however, chunky knitwear embodies all that's good about the autumn, from its leafy shades to its in-between weight (not too hot, not too cold). There's simply no better way to usher in autumn than with a new sweater. The challenge, however, is finding the right one.

Normally this is where we'd say: That's where we come in! Except that, in the case of this article, this is only partially true. While we've rounded up 18 covetable styles ranging from cardigans to coatigans and everything in between, we have to credit the impassioned shoppers who left the detailed ratings and reviews that helped us curate this list. It's thanks to their honest accounts that we were able to unearth some of the top-rated sweaters on the internet — and because of that, you'll be able head into fall in a garment that's guaranteed to please. So if you're still on the hunt for the perfect sweater to see you through the months ahead, click through the best options brought to you by the people who actually bought them.


Welcome to Hype Machine, our hit-list of the top reviewed products across the web — according to a crowd of die-hard shoppers. Call this your 4-star & up only club, with entry granted by our devoted-to-the-goods shop editors.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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