Leandra Medine's Blog, page 13

The Best White Tanks to Round-Out Your Summer Wardrobe

White tank tops are uniquely versatile but also uniquely problematic: My pajama drawer is crowded with them—stretched out, worn too thin, or lost their luster, turning to a shade of dishwater shade. As an expert in the genre, though, I also have some personal favorites that have outlasted all the others in my main drawer, along with others that rank as my go-to choices when styling for photoshoots.

At first glance, a white tank seems so simple—but there are so, so many variations. Below, a breakdown of my absolute favorite white tank tops you can slip on your body and wear while skipping off into the sunset.

1. The Soft and Stretchy One with the Flattering High Neckline

Bandier’s Wesley Rivington Ribbed Tank

This tank, with a super-flattering cut, is my favorite, no holds barred. It’s alsos as soft as artisanal butter, earning what you might call a “cult following.”

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2. The One That’s Barely-There

Entireworld’s Organic Cotton Tank

This is the kind of tank you throw on with a pair of jeans to feel effortlessly cool. It’s thin but 100% organic cotton, which keeps it from feeling flimsy. I recommend sizing up!

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3. The High-Neck One for Full Coverage

Banana Republic’s Fitted Ribbed Tank

Meet this very classic tank top, thick enough to wear with a nude bra. With extremely fine ribbing, this tidy tank has good coverage.

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4. The One You Can Wear with a Bra

Skims’ Cotton Rib Tank

Not quite white, Skim’s ribbed tank has a bit of an elevated feel to it, so you can wear it under a blazer and dress pants and stay work-appropriate. Even sans blazer, the straps are full enough to hide a bra.

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5. The Longstanding Classic from High School Days of Yore

Splendid’s Classic Tank

Here’s the exact tank top I had—and still have—from high school. It’s as basic as it gets—in a good way: it’s not ribbed, it has a full coverage back, and it keeps well after many, many, many washes.

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6. The One with the Sporty Racerback

Local European’s Rio Tank

The Rio puts a sporty spin on Splendid’s Classic, complete with a flattering racerback. The model on their website ties hers up in the front, so naturally, I want to do the same. I would wear this with a colorful bra (think: olive or eggplant) and maybe a couple of necklaces.

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7. The Men’s Ribbed One

The Proper Label’s The Proper Tank Top

Made from responsibly sourced organic cotton and therefore entirely recyclable, the Proper Tank Top is a good staple for anyone—easily paired with dressy trousers or comfy everyday jeans. Unlike many menswear tanks, I’ve found this one keeps its shape after multiple wears.

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8. The Budget One that Comes in Bulk

Hanes’ Men’s Comfort Soft Super Value Tank Top

Ten tank tops for $15.98! I keep these in my drawer for everyday wear, sleepwear, and as occasional workout wear in a pinch. These don’t keep as well as some of the others, but it’s a lot of bang for your buck. If you follow the whites-with-whites rule when doing laundry, they’ll stay bright white.

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9. The Luxurious Silk and Cashmere One

Naadam’s Summer Silk Tank

Eighty-five percent silk and 15 percent cashmere, Naadam’s Summer Silk Tank is a luxurious option, especially for warmer months. It’s slim-fitting, with a fine-ribbed texture. Check out its sibling, the higher-priced, 100 percent cashmere Ribbed Tank Top, too if you can catch it in stock.

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10. The Sculpting Stretchy One You Can Dress Up

Aritzia’s Babaton Sculpt Knit Long Tank

This is the thickest of the bunch, with a stretchy sculpting material that keeps you feeling secure. It doesn’t ride up (unlike many tanks made with this material), and it’s long enough to keep tucked into pants. Do not make the mistake of putting it in the dryer: hand wash this puppy.

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11. The Muscle Tank with a Breezier Fit

Madewell’s Whisper Cotton Crewneck Muscle Tank

For a boxier, more casual fit, this crewneck muscle tank is loose and comes in sizes XXS-3X. It’s like the T-shirt of tank tops. Your go-to lunch order, if you will.

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12. The Fancy Straight-Neck One (with Texture!)

GUERASFATIM’s Boa Tank Top

Not here to be boring, this tank top has a straight-across neckline with a menu of appetite- whetting features like spaghetti straps and a waffle texture. She’s a fancy dish and knows it.

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13. The One You Can Wear Out (with the Thick Supportive Straps!)

Reformation’s Canyon Top

As evident from the lack of “tank” in its name, this tank top is almost not a tank. Stretchy and tight, this top’s wide straps allows you to wear a bra with thin straps and has the most flattering early-aughts tube top-esque neckline. This one from Eloquii is similar if Reformation’s top is up your alley.

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14. The One with a Built-in Bra for Active Folk

Bandier’s All Access Session Tank

I love this workout tank because it doesn’t look like a workout tank at all. With no logos and none of that shiny spandex in sight, this ribbed option with a built-in shelf bra is great if you want some extra support but don’t want to compromise on quality.

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15. A Sweat-Wicking Tank for Working Out… (or not)

Splits59 Double Scoop Tank

While this one does not have a built-in bra, it is thick enough to wear with one underneath. Its scoop back (rather than racerback) makes it look like any ordinary tank, but it sure isn’t: It’s form-fitted, stretchy, ribbed, and opaque, wicking away sweat during any number of activities or workouts.

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16. The Bodysuit for a Clean Tuck

Good American’s The Modern Tank Body

I rarely wear bodysuits, but a commenter recently asked me for my favorite white bodysuit so I went on a hunt. Good American makes bodysuits that are thick, comfortable, and soft. If you prefer one without a thong, try this one or this one.

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Did I miss any you love? Tell me in the comments below!

Feature Image via  Edith Young.

The post The Best White Tanks to Round-Out Your Summer Wardrobe appeared first on Man Repeller.

“I Daydream About Going Back”: 50+ People on What “Home” Means to Them in 2020

As long as I’ve lived in the US, my mum has told me that her method for coping with the fact that I’m so far away is to tell herself that I’m actually just in Sydney—a three-hour drive from the city where she lives. While I’ve never pretended my mum was only a short drive away, I found solace in the fact that, seat availability withstanding, I was never more than a 24-hour flight away. With the spread of COVID, I’ve felt that home drift further and further away. What was once just two flights away is now a potentially dangerous Uber to the airport, a likely cancelled flight, and eventually, two weeks in government-mandated hotel quarantine. The harder it’s become to get to my family, the less and less New York has felt like home. When the lockdown orders hit New York, I did what I was told—I stayed inside my apartment as much as I could, but I never truly felt like I was staying home.

The intention behind the state government’s “stay home, save lives” message was obvious. But for people who found themselves in unexpected circumstances—countries they were suddenly unable to leave, family homes they only expected to visit for a weekend, and tiny spaces that suddenly became entire worlds—the definition of “home” became something to be contemplated and challenged. Curious about each of these experiences, I surveyed the MR Community. Their answers, below, show just a small sample of the many ways our idea of home has shifted this year.

On Home As People, Rather Than a Place

“My mother is my home. I never thought of her like that until I moved to another country for work with my partner six months ago. I miss her and my grandma a lot. I miss my father, too, but he’s not ‘home.’”

“At the beginning of the pandemic, I always thought home was where all my stuff was, but through staying new places without a lot of my creature comforts, I came to a new conclusion. I learned that home is anywhere my fiancé is, home is wherever I feel safe and loved, and that overall, home is anywhere where I can be 100% authentically myself.”

I split my time between two countries, two cities that I call home, and I really can’t choose one over the other.

“When I think of home, I think of my partner, my brothers, and my mother. I split my time between two countries, two cities that I call home, and I really can’t choose one over the other.”

“Home to me has always been associated with family. I moved around a bit when I was younger, so I don’t have a particular attachment to a certain place as home. It’s mainly a feeling I get being around the ones I love.”

On The Unexpected Things That Feel Like Home

“I’m finding a new fondness for Alabama and the South. I went to visit my parents, and I stood in the backyard and listened to bugs and smelled magnolia trees. It felt comforting in a way it hasn’t before.”

“I live in London with my husband and have been away from my ‘home’ for over five years now. Whenever I think of home, I think of this Mexican restaurant in my hometown in Texas, which my family and I went to weekly for over 10 years. We moved houses quite a bit so no house feels like home, but Benito’s was a staple. Birthdays and graduations were celebrated there. We’ve laughed and cried around the tables. When we couldn’t eat in, we would pick up takeaway and eat at home. When I’m homesick or sad, it’s still one of the first places I think of.”

“To me, home is a mix. It’s the familiar weather and climate of the Pacific Northwest, it’s my chosen family in Washington DC and Virginia, and it’s my husband.”

On Building a Home

“At the beginning of lockdown, my mom asked me when I was ‘coming home’ to my parents’ house—a place that I haven’t lived in 10+ years. I had just moved into my newly purchased condo two weeks before everything was shut down. I decided at that moment that my home was ‘home.’”

“I’ve established a much clearer idea of what I want in a home. Never before had I wished to have a large dining table to welcome our family to sit around together.”

“I was an Afghan-born refugee in Pakistan. We moved to Maine when I was six months old, and I’ve lived in four other U.S. states since then. My parents always told me Afghanistan was home, but I’ve never really lived there. When my daughter was born, I feel like I developed a concept of home—it became where we lived in Santa Cruz.”

I’m back at my parents’ place, where I grew up, and I feel like I’m just a visitor here.

“I think of Toronto now. It’s funny—I’ve only lived in Toronto for two years for school, but being away from it now feels weird. I’m back at my parents’ place, where I grew up, and I feel like I’m just a visitor here.”

“Quarantine has forced me to confront my lack of attachment to people and things—it’s a defense mechanism for me. Since realizing that, and realizing that we’ve made our home efficient but not comfortable, my pandemic project has been making my home into a home I’m happy to live in now.”

On the Discovery That, Maybe, There’s No Such Thing As Home

“Ever since I left Ireland six years ago I’ve felt nomadic, like I’m sitting on unpacked suitcases. Moving between Paris, London, and Madrid, searching for the perfect studio or house-share or the best of a bad bunch of studio apartments. Open borders and friends and family in multiple countries made this displacement feel natural or at least easy. Home is both everywhere and nowhere for me.”

My sense of home became entirely erased.

“2020 has really highlighted how much I don’t have one physical home, in both a painful and comforting way. My family moved from my childhood home years ago, right at the same time I was moving to a new country. My sense of home became entirely erased.”

“I’ve lived away from the country I grew up in for the last eight years, and in a way, the pandemic made me feel kind of homeless. I’m from Norway but used to live in London and now reside in the U.S. I never felt at home in the U.S., but that’s where I have a space that is mine. Norway feels too small and sheltered for me, but my closest friends and family are all there. I have no one left in London, but I miss it almost every day. Not being able to have more than one of these things at the same time is what makes me feel untethered and never quite settled. I’m practicing finding home in myself, but it’s incredibly difficult.”

On Wanting to Go Home

“My perception of home hasn’t changed—it just highlighted the fact that the best place to be or to return to is ‘home.’ One of the best things about being away from home is the joy of returning there.”

“It is very uncomfortable to think about going home. I want it so much, and at the same time, I’m scared to go there. The situation with COVID-19 in Ukraine hasn’t gotten significantly better, and I’m afraid to be stuck there if the borders close again. Thoughts about traveling home have become my guilty pleasure.”

“I was surprised at how big a deal it was to not be able to visit my parents. I thought I’d stepped away from thinking of my childhood home as ‘home,’ but the unexpected severance of that lifeline hurt pretty badly.”

On Home as Something More Complex

“The pandemic has helped me see the reality of distance. Nothing is simply ‘a flight away’ anymore. We have regressed from a hyper-globalized society, where nowhere was out of reach, into communities within a three-block radius. If I choose to continue living abroad, I may not see my family for months, and I may not see my grandparents again before they die. If I choose to go home, I may have to delay my career, adventures, and life experiences by several years. It’s not just about choosing ‘home’ anymore—it’s about choosing the trajectory of my life.”

“I’m a caretaker for my mother, who is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, so I live with her. As an adult woman who had lived in her own apartment for years, who then had to ‘go back home’ to take care of her mother, my definition of home was already in flux. With the pandemic, I could no longer rely on outside spaces to rejuvenate me and give me a sense of independence. Learning how to set boundaries within a house for my own mental health has become key. My small bedroom in my mom’s home has become the personification of a safe space, where I can shut the door and perform rituals and routines that return me to myself—so I can better show up for my mother.”

Graphics by Lorenza Centi.

The post “I Daydream About Going Back”: 50+ People on What “Home” Means to Them in 2020 appeared first on Man Repeller.

How to Run a Sex Shop During a Pandemic

Nenna Joiner’s Feelmore is an Oakland institution—a sex shop conceived, owned, and operated by a Black female entrepreneur since 2011. But COVID-19 has radically reshaped Joiner’s work on multiple levels, both as the founder of a brick-and-mortar shop when the economy is cratering and as a longtime advocate for sexual pleasure at a time when many of her clients face economic uncertainty and endless stress. Here, they share their unique experience working at the intersection of sex, money, and an earth-rattling pandemic—and share their thoughts on how COVID-19 is propelling a new generation of Black and brown entrepreneurs into action.

You have a bird’s-eye view of sexuality in your community. How’s everybody doing?

It’s hard. But the fun part is we’re all there. Everybody’s having an issue with jobs.

Are you getting many first-time clients?

We’re seeing more women and men saying, “Hey, I haven’t done this before”—for example, full-on masturbation with a Unit [sex toy]. Maybe they’ve done it with their hand, but not with a Unit. We tell them, “Hey, it’s cool, it’s chill. Don’t worry about it. You’re doing a good thing.” You know what I mean? You’re doing a service for yourself.

Budget is a concern for many people right now—so we’re making sure that we’re bringing in products across price ranges, so people don’t feel sticker-shock. Conversations right now are really real—like, “I’ve got to pay my bills.” We make sure that they understand what’s important, no matter their budget and what it means for their health if they don’t have things they need, like lube or condoms.

One woman just came in, and she was like, ‘I thought this COVID stuff was going to be over by now—I just need to take care of my own self.’

How does that change what people buy?

One woman just came in, and she was like, “I thought this COVID stuff was going to be over by now—I just need to take care of my own self.” And I was like, “Well, what’s your budget?” She was like, “30-something bucks.” So we got her something for 30-something bucks. Now she can go out of here with confidence, and she doesn’t have to deal with anyone. She can still deal with someone on a mental level—on the phone or talking to them, or even six feet away, just looking at them—while not being engaged sexually in a way that could compromise her health.

What product did she get?

The Tiny Teaser.

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when the revolution comes Uptown [Oakland]. To see people protesting in their own unique ways is phenomenal! . . . . #georgefloyd #ahmedabad #atlanta #oaklandprotest #louisvuitton #louisville #stpaul #blm #horse #blackcowboys #cowboy #queerpoc #instagood #instapic #instadaily #instafresh

A post shared by Oakland & Berkeley Sex Shop (@feelmoreadult) on May 29, 2020 at 7:39pm PDT

So the challenge is how to be sexually fulfilled, maybe without actually touching other people—and also on a budget because everything is so precarious. That is just super complicated.

It’s very complicated. And on top of that, maybe you have very basic healthcare. Shady healthcare, possibly. You can’t get sick. How will you be able to see a doctor? Who’s going to be by your side if you’re in the hospital?

What are your shoppers’ priorities right now?

The first is, does it cost what I need it to cost? And then if it’s rechargeable. If it’s rechargeable, she doesn’t have to go back outside to buy more batteries. Some of the things that we carried when we first started came with watch batteries. We don’t carry many things like that now, because you can’t find watch batteries after Radio Shack shut down—you’re not going to find them at the corner store.

What else is selling well?

Lingerie is selling big-time, because now you have to entertain. You have to become the movie.

That’s funny because my vision of this cultural moment is that people are just sitting around in leggings all the time and don’t have the energy for anything.

It’s like, “Okay, well, let’s throw on some lingerie and see what happens.”

What are people less interested in now?

I’ve had fewer conversations around poly right now.

I know that you first came to the Bay Area in the ’90s to study—and that some of your work was motivated by visiting the Good Vibrations in Berkeley and noticing that all of the images of the women in the store were white.

Everyone in my household was talking about diversity. I was seeing so many different types of people, so that when I went into a space that was very homogeneous, I was like, “Wow, why is this?” I wanted to see a space that represented what I saw every day in my household.

Your next step after that experience was selling sex toys out of your car. How did you get that job done?

When you’re starting a business, you start with what you have, and I had a car. It was easy to start that way.

What sort of reactions did you get?

It wasn’t so much about the reactions—it was about me, getting my bearings, and really believing in what I was doing. I think a lot of people start out doing something, but embarrassment or the fear can push them back to a place of, “This isn’t for me” or “They don’t like me.” I used that for motivation. The basic thing was, Don’t look down. Keep going, keep going, keep going. I’d go around to the BART stations and the bars, places like that. Some people I knew, and some people I didn’t, but they were like, “Oh, this is cool.” Just cool—not buying, but that it was cool, that I was actually going to stand outside and do this. That’s bold. I never got too far ahead of myself—I just worked to embrace every moment as a good moment.

You have to have a certain level of faith—that faith and the small parables in the Bible actually got me through things.

What inspired you to keep going? Other entrepreneurs? Public figures? God?

Yeah, definitely the Bible. I mean, no one grows up saying, “Hey, I want to sell dildos for a living—12-inch ones at that.” But you have to have a certain level of faith—that faith and the small parables in the Bible actually got me through things. David didn’t have anything. John, the baker, was in jail and was like, “Don’t forget about me when you get out of this joint. Tell them about me.” You know what I mean? And then several years later, he gets out and he’s famous, so to speak. Just being a good steward over the small things. It just gave me hope.

You know, after all this, I’m wondering why you chose to start a sex shop?

I don’t know. I have no idea!

Wait—really?

I’m telling you—I’m serious. I wanted something that kept me up. I wanted something that brought me a level of fun, and also continued to help transform who I was. It’s a layered onion, every day, every moment, every year I’m still doing this brings about more reasons why. But for sure healing my own wounds.

I’ve seen you speak in local government forums. Would you ever run for public office?

No, I ain’t going into public office. I can’t have a stripper pole in there.

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This AM I woke up to an email that brought a few drops of tears out. I was honored to award the 'Small Business Leadership' award by the Eastbay Stonewall Democratic Club. Today I woke up to an email that awarded a business award to myself and the business I represent…Feelmore Adult Gallery – space for Diversity and real inclusion. Given to a LGBTQ Business Owner who has demonstrated innovation and is making a difference in the quality of life in our community. . . . #oakland #sacramento #sanfrancisco #entrepreneur #startuplife #transgender #thursday #destiny #vibrator

A post shared by Mike Check (@ima_winna) on Jul 27, 2017 at 9:24am PDT

Sure you could! Why not?

I want to have fun. You know what I mean? I just want to have fun in life. If this gives me a level of advocacy where I can do the political touches—but still also do the community-based work and still be me in the middle of it—then I want to be right there. I don’t want to have to go into an office if it takes away from who I am. You know what I’m saying? I’d rather have a TV show than be in politics.

So where do you feel like your advocacy really lies? Is it with building a community of like-minded entrepreneurs? Is it in sexual pleasure and sexual wellness?

I think at one time it was around sexual pleasure, sexual awareness. Just like with everything, it transitions. Can I say right now that it’s about sexual pleasure? No. It’s around ownership and opportunity for brown business owners—to see the advantage of working for themselves.

As a woman, I want to make sure that I’m staying competitive—and part of that is doing my best not to stay in places that don’t appreciate me.

We’re going to get a lot of entrepreneurs out of what COVID has created. We’re about to see the next wave of entrepreneurs come in and start working for themselves. The feeling you get from working for yourself—the check you get from working for yourself—is so much greater than going to work for someone else, who can fire you at any moment. [Corporations] take stock options and PPP and loan money—and they still fire you. What good is that?

As a woman, I want to make sure that I’m staying competitive—and part of that is doing my best not to stay in places that don’t appreciate me. I don’t want to work in corporate America [as I did], as an info security engineer—I don’t want to be in a position where you can get laid off and they’ll just go and get cheaper labor. Younger labor is cheaper. You know?

So what you need is to make your own market. And so, to your point—what is my advocacy? It was sexual pleasure. If I want to stay there, I can—or do I move markets?

It sounds like you’re moving markets—so what does that look like?

I’m going to be a manufacturer. I’m also going to be a distributor. I’m looking at those opportunities and changing my knowledge base to stay competitive. If we stay with COVID for a while, people aren’t going to open physical stores as much. But they’re still going to need the product—so now I have to transition to the product-based side.

Going from retailing to manufacturing—that’s pretty mega.

I want to stay mega. Coming in [the shop] is beautiful—seeing people is beautiful—but then you also have to develop new skills. It’s not much of a push for me to move into manufacturing because I already have a knowledge base—I manufactured a vibrator, and we sold out of it. So I’m taking my knowledge base and just revolving it. That could be me taking some Mandarin classes in preparation for having better relationships [with manufacturers], even online. I’m learning how to create something from what I have right now, from right where I am.

The post How to Run a Sex Shop During a Pandemic appeared first on Man Repeller.

The MR Swimsuit Survey Results Are In! (And So Are Our Shopping Picks)

Swimsuits, like the people who wear them, contain multitudes: printed, solid, high-waist, low-rise, fun, annoying, full-price, on sale. The world of swimwear is truly an oyster, and you? You’re the pearl. And since summer is nigh, and it’s your time to shine in your waterproof costume of choice, whether you’re on the beach or in a bathtub, Man Repeller decided to drum up some hype with what I’ve personally been referring to as “The Great Summer 2020 Swimsuit Census.”

I’m thrilled to attest that it lives up to this lofty title by virtue of all the fascinating information it procured: From the Man Repeller community’s go-to swimwear brands to the breakdown of those who have worn a thong swimsuit vs. those who have not… yet… it is truly chock-full of juicy tidbits from over 500 respondents. Scroll below to read the census results, plus correlating shopping links, and feel free to share additional thoughts in the comments.

Aerie


J.Crew


Solid & Striped


Target


YouSwim


H&M


ASOS


OYSHO


Mara Hoffman


Summersalt


Hunza G


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Bikini


Mara Hoffman


Arrow + Phoenix


Onia


Andie Swim


Reformation


See All 5




One-Piece


Solid & Striped


Dodo Bar Or


Andie Swim


Castamira


iSwim


See All 5

Low-Rise


Solid & Striped


Frankies Bikinis


Jade Swim


Arena


Fisch


See All 5




High-Waist


Jade Swim


Solid & Striped


Lemlem


Summersalt


Faithful the Brand


See All 5




Somewhere in the Middle


Summersalt


Sporti


Skin


Lululemon


Onia


See All 5

Solid


Nubian Skin


Andrea Iyamah


Swimsuits For All


The Marathon Clothing


Vitamin A


See All 5




Print


Bower


Madewell


Mara Hoffman


Vitamin A


Aerie


See All 5

Underwire


Faithful the Brand


Venus


Madewell


J.Crew


Freya


See All 5




No Underwire


She Made Me


Frankies Bikinis


Belize


Bromelia


J.Crew


See All 5

Thong Swimsuit


Dos Swim


Local European


Melissa Simone Swim


Frankies Bikinis


Riot Swim


See All 5

Graphics by Lorenza Centi.

The post The MR Swimsuit Survey Results Are In! (And So Are Our Shopping Picks) appeared first on Man Repeller.

Andy Samberg’s “Palm Springs” Is My 2020 Time Warp Comfort Food

You could argue that any time is a good time for a delightfully cheesy and genuinely funny rom-com to debut on a streaming service, but the timing of Andy Samberg’s Palm Springs couldn’t be more perfect. The release of this particular movie at this particular time feels like it was part of some kind of cosmic intervention. Palm Springs is about two people who become caught in an infinite time loop while attending a wedding in the middle of the Californian desert. Together, they live the same day over and over and over, with no real means of escape. I may not exactly know the feeling but, also, throw in a virus and swap Palm Springs for the three-mile radius around my apartment and… I know the feeling.

Without giving too much away, Niles (Andy) and Sarah (Cristin Milioti) do the usual things main characters in a rom-com do, while also navigating their current situation of restarting the same day every time they fall asleep. Sarah is cool, hot, and a bit of a mess without falling into manic-pixie-dream-girl territory. Cristin is also 34 years old, which is something I actually appreciated more than I expected. Andy, my long-time number-one celebrity crush, also looks just as good as ever. As my friend Terri said, he is definitive proof that being unproblematic is good for your skin. (An unrelated side note: I also want to find out exactly who wrote the dialogue for the one Australian character because my god, it was bloody spot on.)

The comfort I found in the rinse-and-repeat repetitiveness of Palm Springs felt shocking similar to the mindless gratification I’ve found in watching back-to-back episodes of Love Island Australia. If you haven’t succumbed to the allure of Love Island yet, the plot of this reality TV show is essentially “group of young hot singles agree to lock themselves in an island villa for weeks, in an attempt to find love and Instagram fame.” Take away the whole young-hot-and-single thing, and the beach-island-paradise thing, and, yet again, you have yourself a scenario that’s felt somewhat akin to the situation quarantined individuals have been feeling since March.

If there’s one thing my TV and movie watching habits during this time have taught me, it’s that watching people live out silly little character arcs, silly little dramas, and silly little love stories without going anywhere feels a whole lot better than watching someone do all the things I currently can’t. So long as I’m stuck inside without the stimulation of new people, places, and things, the comfort of the familiar feels important. When I watch Love Island Australia, it’s the familiarity of the slang and countless stereotypes (tradies get the ladies!). And when I watched Palm Springs I was comforted not only by the anguish Niles and Sarah felt when they initially discovered their predicament, but also the reminder that there is joy to be found in moments of mundane repetition and that—in rom-coms and in real life—if there’s a way into a bad situation, there’s eventually going to be a way out too.

Images via Everett Collection.

The post Andy Samberg’s “Palm Springs” Is My 2020 Time Warp Comfort Food appeared first on Man Repeller.

You Probably Already Own Summer’s #1 Accessory

Last week, I wrote a story in which I set up one-on-one personal shopping video appointments with the first five people to comment. I do these outside of Man Repeller, too, and I’ve found recently that pretty much everybody is in a closet rut.

Summer does this to people—it’s a tough time to spice up an outfit when you’re wearing as few articles of clothing as possible. Here’s what I keep telling everybody: You need a scarf. It’s the best summer styling hack there is.

By definition, the scarf checks a bunch of summertime boxes: it’s lightweight, airy, and most often made of natural materials like silk, linen, and cotton. It can cost as little as five bucks and can be worn many, many ways. Below, my friends Emma and Share help me demonstrate three options for styling a scarf, ranging from the most elaborate trick to a very easy everyday option.

Maximum Scarf Styling: Elizabeth turns her scarf into a dress and a skirt

As a young attendee of many bat and bar mitzvahs or school dances, my mom always handed me a scarf to throw over my shoulders for warmth (this was an agreed-upon compromise, because a scarf wouldn’t disrupt my very deliberate ensemble). I’ve always considered a scarf as an extra layer to shield me from AC, but it wasn’t until my grandmother passed away and left me with many scarves that I started to see their creative potential.

In the photo on the left, I’m wearing a large 50″ x 50” silk scarf as a halter dress and on the right (in which I stand the exact same way), I’ve fashioned it into a skirt. I recommend layering something like these short biker shorts underneath for coverage: The scarf remains open in the back when worn as a dress, and has a high slit when worn as a skirt.

To make the dress, I tied two corners of the scarf together and let it lay like a cowl neck halter. I then tied the back hanging corners neatly behind me. To make the skirt, I folded the scarf in half lengthwise and tied at my hip. You could also leave it unfolded or fold it less for a longer skirt.

Worn with a pair of heels, I consider these looks dinner-party-appropriate, even if it’s only over FaceTime.

Mid-level Scarf Styling: Emma’s new statement tops

I look for scarves based on their fabric, size, and pattern. I prefer 100% silk scarves that are large enough to wrap around my chest. Truthfully, most scarves I find don’t meet this criteria. I’ve only recently acquired a silk scarf that fits around my bust. For reference, these scarves measure 42″ x 42″. I’m going to source more scarves in this size for Berriez (my online vintage shop) so that other curvy people can wear them (since wearing scarves as tops isn’t realistic for many people)!

I also love bold patterns. Here, I’m wearing my two favorite scarves from my shop, both of which are early 90s Nicole Miller. I live for her quirky and colorful silk scarves and tops! My boyfriend also wears these scarves as headwraps.

I tied the scarves to make sure they fully cover my breasts and won’t fall down, especially when I bend over. In the look on the left, I folded the scarf diagonally and tied in the back. For the bra look on the right, I folded it in half then I tied it the opposite way, starting from the back this time. I wrapped it around my body to the front, knotted it, and then tucked in the loose ends of the scarf so you can’t see them. Make sure to tie it tight. I went braless, but you could easily wear a small bandeau, nip covers, or double-sided tape to make sure the scarf doesn’t slip. —Emma

Everyday Scarf Styling: Share protects her hair

Scarves roll over seamlessly from winter through summer. Since it’s quite humid right now, the first thing I do is inspect the quality of the scarf to see if it’s breathable or flowy. A scarf is generally great for protecting yourself from the sun as an all-encompassing protective style. I look for length and quality. You’d be surprised how many drug or beauty store scarves outlast luxury!

I tend to use a scarf as a headpiece due to the hair oil products, skin serums, and sunscreen I put on before I venture out. Essentially, the scarf acts like a barrier to keep the products from entangling with sweat ensuing in a greasy forehead. If you have oily or combination skin, wear wigs, weaves, or extensions, or if you just run hot, consider a variation of a scarf headpiece.

For the first look, I braided the scarf through my hair and secured it in my hair with a clear elastic, letting the end hang loosely. For the second, I secured it as a simple bandana, folding it diagonally and then wrapping it to the back of my head and knotting it tightly. —Share

Olivia Wendel


1990's Nicole Miller


Love Phoebe Luna


SIKA'A


Life Liveth in Me


Lisou


Jessie Zhao New York


Two Days Off


Fanm Djanm


Miitra


In The Bag Design


UNWRP


vintage via Forever Chic Textiles


12th Knit


1960's Emilio Pucci


Pre-2000's Burberry


Mary McCartney


All Very Goods


African Gem Fabric


All Very Goods


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These are only a few of the practically limitless ways you can style summer’s most versatile accessory. We’d love to see how you’ve been styling with scarves in the comments below.

The post You Probably Already Own Summer’s #1 Accessory appeared first on Man Repeller.

Roundtable: What Makes a Perfect Mask?

Masks: In just a few months, they’ve become an essential part of everyday life. And during those months, many of us have test-driven various types, from DIY styles fashioned, painstakingly, via YouTube video to designs made by many of our favorite brands who’d quickly incorporated charitable buy-one-get-one offers. In our experience: Mistakes have been made! Lessons have been learned! And we are slouching, ever so slightly, toward an understanding of what makes a good (read: safe, stylish, comfortable, functional) mask. Here, a handful of MR team members who self-identified as having “opinions about masks”—Amalie, Edith, Eliz, Jasmin, Mallory and Matt—discuss where we’ve landed and how we got there. Please do share your own takes in the comments!

Mallory: Hello everyone! Welcome to our roundtable discussion: What Makes a Perfect Mask? I will be MCing for no other reason than that will make it easier for me to edit this into a post.

Roll call: Can you drop a pic of yourself wearing your favorite mask and tell us why it’s working for you?

Matt: omg hello hello hello

brb taking a pic

Jasmin: Yoohoo! This is me in my Steele Canvas x Food52 mask purchased from Eliz’s mask story in May. It was a ‘buy one give one’ situation.

It has thick, soft lining inside and denim (?) on the outside. It’s comfy and has adjustable ear straps, and even though it’s heavy, it’s not too much in the heat.

I have some cuter linen ones, but this one is softer on the cheeks

Mallory: Wow yeah I was going to ask about how it’s doing in the heat—it looks nice and sturdy which I have liked in a mask so far

Jasmin: Sturdy is a good word for it, feels like nothing is exposed around the sides

Matt:

Jasmin: Hi Matt, cute top! and mask

Mallory: Sporty spice!!

Matt: Hahahha YES. So, now that sporty spice reference is the number one reason this mask is working for me. But other reasons include that the ear straps are elastic and haven’t stretched out yet and keep a snug fit without being super restrictive. The fabric is light and breathable but feels like it’s substantial and there is a built-in pocket for a filter, which I appreciate from an added layer of protection perspective.

I really like it and also the cut-out on the nose area has been the key difference for me and other masks I’ve tried

Matt: It makes it feel a little less like my whole face is covered / constricted

Mallory: @Matt oh that’s cool about the filter pocket. Have you used it yet?

Matt: Yes! I got some filters in my order from another mask, which I ultimately swapped out for the adidas one, but still used the filters and they fit

I also read that you can apparently use coffee filters for an effective DIY filter sitch?

Eliz: I read that too!

Matt: Don’t know how fact-checked that is though

Eliz: This article says “Missouri S&T research found three layers of coffee filters by themselves without fabric removed 24.1% of relevant particles…. There’s no harm in adding one to your mask.””

Mallory: Love that pattern, Eliz. Is it an around-the-ear style or tie?

Eliz: I need the ties—my ears hurt so much otherwise. This one’s super lightweight and I don’t sweat in the heat with it on. Also very easy to wash and dry. I tie it in the back of my head! Way more comfortable

It’s by a friend of mine who is hand-making them

Amalie: Have you guys seen that Christy Dawn Instagram ad?

Eliz: I haven’t, but I know they make sustainable ones

See All 1

Amalie: I feel like they’re the only brand I’ve seen advertising masks on IG (they’ve overlaid a posi review from Vogue on the ad from this article)

Anyway, my friend Jamie had a pack of five and gave me one

Eliz: Omg, I’ve seen SO many ads

(I think it’s bc I did so much market work for the mask story so my targeted ads are at a high)

Amalie: It’s made from deadstock material, cute asf, and really lightweight. I had a jersey mask my mom sent me from Etsy for the longest time and it just wasn’t cutting it on these hot days. No face swamp here.

Edith: Amalie, thanks so much for bringing up the topic of Instagram-promoted masks.

I recently had the pleasure of this mask catching my eye on my Discover page

Amalie: Edith stop

Matt: omg wait

Mallory: @edith sending the mask convo into a tailspin so early

Edith: The transparent mask is a contentious topic, but one I can get on board with if only because of the transparent mask’s role in our cultural mythology

(This will be quick re: tailspin)

Not sure how many of you are familiar with the Detroit Pistons 2004 roster, but Rip Hamilton was a prominent player on the team and had an iconic clear-mask look

Photo incoming

Edith: He had to wear this after breaking his nose twice in order to prevent significant nasal reconstructive surgery. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve wanted to look as cool as Rip

Now is my chance

Jasmin: I feel like the clear mask should come with some built-in digital technology, like it should at least be tracking my steps or double as a microphone or something

Matt: or let you do fun voices

Mallory: Rly wish you’d been able to order in time to contribute a selfie

Amalie: Apropos of almost nothing, I feel like I should share this:

@jessssthabest2Oh no they didn’t!!

Low Stakes Hot Take: No, I Will Not Lend You My Book

Here is a list of my belongings currently out on loan: one pair of denim shorts, an embroidered picnic blanket, a bicycle helmet, a corkscrew, an Ikea drill and its corresponding case of accoutrements, several hundred ballpoint pens, an A.P.C. sundress, and one copy of Toni Morisson’s Sula, lent, impulsively, to a pseudo-boyfriend nearly a decade ago.

Frankly, only the last item in this list keeps me up at night.

Not unlike cilantro, it would seem that lending books divides humanity, cleanly, into two distinct branches. On one side: those who graciously—even eagerly—bestow personal copies of novels and essay collections upon friends, family, inquiring strangers. On the other: those like me, who might be quicker to offer up an appendage than part with treasured reading material. Neither is more morally correct, I believe—though I do think the lenders among us are living their lives in a delusional, reckless state of abandon.

Naturally, there are a number of possible explanations here. For those who maintain an unrelenting grip on their personal libraries, it may be a side effect of blanket, ever-present anxiety. It could be a lack of trust in the lendee, or a fear of publicizing private annotations. But beyond the tactile, obvious reluctance to share, most anti-lenders bear some vaguer, more liquid attachment to the books they’ve accumulated.

I’d been gone for months–I missed Brooklyn achingly–and here it was, in 509 pages, right in my lap.

As someone with a fixation on re-reading (and re-re-reading), I’d like to think that each of my books holds onto some residue from the spaces in which it was consumed––finger grease that congeals along spines and dust covers like a topographical map. I first read Johnathan Lethem’s Fortress of Solitude on an overnight rail car traveling from Jaipur to West Bengal, and at the time, it smacked of homesickness. I’d been gone for months–I missed Brooklyn achingly–and here it was, in 509 pages, right in my lap.

Later, I read Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room in the midst of a snowstorm, quietly facing a boy who I’d thought, at the time, I would love gutturally, unabashedly, for the remainder of all eternity. Now, when I page through my copy, it feels pleasantly rinsed in the weird, warm, glow of that kind of reckless affection.

I began White Girls by Hilton Als on the M train after a funeral, and I thought it contained the most gorgeous prose I’d ever had the pleasure of encountering. I don’t mean to imply that if you, too, plowed through my edition of White Girls, you might overwrite whatever film of experience it carries for me, but I do mean to say that my relationship with the paperback is personal. So, I’ll recommend Hilton Als until I’m hoarse, but allowing you access to my copy would be, for me, violating my contract of intimacy with the book, itself. I’d also expect to be plagued by surges of panic until my copy had been safely returned.

The flippant book-lenders of this world are not without logic or rationale. My father, a chronic distributor of literature, often makes the case that allowing a novel to carry with it the sheen of shared experience rather than merely personal association makes for a far richer patina. His copy of The Cider House Rules, one of the heavy hitters in his collection, was offered to me as a gift with the reminder that he’d been of a similar age when he first encountered it. I see the beauty in that—a lineage charted in the passing down of beloved paperbacks.

Don’t ask me why, but this is where your most trusted friends, life partners, third-date attendees, and the woman who gave birth to you all become thieves and liars.

Metaphors aside, there are also those who trade in the love language of gift-giving—who find the back-and-forth or the constant redistribution of novels to be a central piece of literature’s life cycle. Those who need not claim ownership over a text’s physical form to relish their experience reading it. Among these folks, there are a number who do more than tolerate the practice of book-lending—they seek it out. “Book lending is coy,” a friend, Hannah, admitted to me recently. “It’s flirting for lit-nerds. Someone else looks at your annotations, and wonders about your experience, and doubtlessly thinks about you while reading. You’re the context.” It’s a charming thought that books can bear a resemblance not just to lived experience, but to other people. It’s a discordant, second-degree kind of portraiture.

This comes with hazards, though. On the opposite side of the Richter scale, another friend, Emma—who falls cleanly in the class of the lending-opposed—often less-than-fondly recalls meeting up with an ex on a street corner in the West Village, where he was supposed to return her copy of The Art of Fielding—the absence of which had been, among other things, keeping her up at night.

 

“I love nothing more than sharing *the idea* of books: recommending them, talking about them, shoving my highlighted lines in the faces of anyone in my presence. Don’t we all want to be the one who knew about the great thing first?” she tells me when I ask her to once again relive her The Art of Fielding trauma for the sake of corroborating my point. “But the buck stops there. Don’t ask me why, but this is where your most trusted friends, life partners, third-date attendees, and the woman who gave birth to you all become thieves and liars. People never return books! And for me, this is not merely a monetary loss, but a personal hit to some perhaps misplaced version of personal archiving.”

So, her unwillingness to share is not undercut by selfishness, but its opposite. She’s committed to preserving her roadmap of paginated peanut-butter stains and orange highlights, and just as fervently, she wants you—you being her exes, her mother, her present tense boyfriends, even me—to plot your own. The sanctity is meant to be personal.

On the receiving end, I’m not immune to the allure of reading someone else’s collected novels. Of clocking their dog ears, their shaky underlines, maybe the stiff, rolling curve of water-damaged pages. But once finished, it’s the returning of said novel that gives me pause (on this point, Emma is correct; we’re all thieves). Afterward, there seems to me an odd hole, like a missing slat, in my library—as if I require physical evidence to substantiate the fact that I’ve read anything at all. And while, yes, it remains true that I could easily buy a copy of Said Novel for myself, the newness feels disingenuous. It lacks the archival detail I value so much. After all, the stacks of accumulated literature that I continue to schlep, impractically, from one New York walk-up to the next, represent, for me, a personal history. A knotted timeline, graphed out in broken spines.

At the start of quarantine, I re-read Speedboat by Renata Adler—a novel I have loved ferociously upon each separate reading. During that long, gray tube of drawling time, the vast majority of my hours were spent lying on the hardwood floor of my bedroom, drinking glass tumblers of whiskey on ice, reading. While living in New York sans all of its usual pleasures, this, for me, was the next best thing. A whole array of beloved characters ramming into one another, speaking out loud, going about the shaky horizon of their own lives, creating a buzz not dissimilar to the sound of tangled voices in a restaurant. Had Speedboat been out on loan, I might’ve missed an essential note in that familiar hum.

Feature Image via Everett Collection.

The post Low Stakes Hot Take: No, I Will Not Lend You My Book appeared first on Man Repeller.

“If Sade Wouldn’t Wear It, I’m Not Buying It”: Telsha Anderson’s Outfit Anatomy

Welcome to Outfit Anatomy, a series of comprehensive style analyses that aim to break down the mechanics of why we wear what we wear. Up this week is Telsha Anderson, who recently opened her luxury concept store t.a. in New York’s Meatpacking district, after the store’s launch, originally slated for March, had been foiled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

My philosophy for getting dressed has drastically changed over the last few months. Having been home during COVID-19, I now automatically look for something to wear that provides a level of comfort. It’s also a reminder that our clothes can make a statement, whether that’s simply in reference to a bold color or wearing a Black-owned brand.

I bought this Hommegirls button-up a couple of weeks ago and nothing else has ever felt so divine on my skin! I went home to Jersey when COVID-19 first really hit NYC, and I had only packed enough clothing for two weeks. I was constantly borrowing button-ups from my brother so I could maintain the illusion of professionalism on my Zoom calls. Because he wouldn’t let me keep his, I searched high and low for one that had a hint of that classic masculine frame with a touch of femininity. I finally found it via Hommegirls on Instagram and haven’t taken it off since. It feels like something Sade would have in her closet—I always say, “If Sade wouldn’t wear it, I’m not buying it.”

 The MRZ long knit pants I’m wearing are one of my favorite in-store items at t.a. These pants are so soft and breathable. Lately, I’ve been aiming for comfort when I’m working from home or at the store—usually, I’m doing 500 things at once and there’s nothing worse than wearing a piece of clothing you’re adjusting all day. MRZ was actually one of the first brands I encountered during market week in Paris. Their attention to detail for design and production was unlike anything I had ever seen. I love to incorporate at least one t.a. item into my outfit to be a walking example of how to pair pieces from the store with your own closet staples.

I remember reading about the JW Anderson x Uniqlo collaboration on HYPEBEAST the day that it dropped in 2018, and I knew immediately that I had to have this denim jacket. So much so that I actually went to the nearest Uniqlo store on my lunch break that same day. I even got the jeans to match!

 The jacket is the piece I’ve had the longest in this outfit. I wear it every year, all spring long. It surprisingly goes with every piece of denim in my closet. As a dark wash, it wears nicely over time. I call it my “Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants” shapeshifting jacket, because despite being a size small, I can somehow fit a big sweater underneath it or just wear it with a white tank top without looking too baggy.

A year ago, I saw these Isabel Marant slides on their website and ended up not buying them. Big. Mistake. Luckily for me, Yoox had them a few months later on sale and I snatched them up immediately. They’ve been my go-to shoes the last two summers. I can tell the brand truly cared about how they were made, from the leather to the sole of the sandal. The curve inside provides an insane amount of comfort: all sandals should be made like this. They’re also just fun!

Sourcing jewelry was my favorite part about launching t.a. because there’s so much to learn from the showrooms and designers about material, shaping, and everything in between. These Completedworks Gold Vermeil Hoops feature freshwater pearls hidden inside the hoop, creating a playful, futuristic look (and they’re available online and in-store at t.a!). I normally don’t even wear earrings because my hair is always in my face, but when I do, these are the first on my list. They remind me of my mother… they’re something I would have found deep in her jewelry drawer as a kid.

This Completedworks Cuff is the item newest to my wardrobe. I was trying it on when prepping for our store opening last week, and haven’t taken it off since. It can be sized to my wrist or arm depending on how I want to style it, and it works with the staple jewelry pieces I wear every day.

I never really wore a ton of jeans before, but I packed a pair of R13 jeans with me to stay at my parents’ and remembered how comfortable and versatile they are. Since then, I’ve bought probably seven pairs of Levi’s 501 jeans.

If anything, I find that fashion plays a more significant role in my life than ever before. I have fewer opportunities to show off what I’m wearing, so when I do have the chance to put something together, I really give it my all—even if it’s just for strangers at the grocery store.

The post “If Sade Wouldn’t Wear It, I’m Not Buying It”: Telsha Anderson’s Outfit Anatomy appeared first on Man Repeller.

Before & After: The Thrill of a New Hairstyle After Months of Quarantine

One of the much-anticipated perks of “Phase 2” is the ability to see a hair stylist again–not to mention the opportunity to do something really special or different with your hair after months of ignoring it. Spotlighting this moment of physical and emotional change, Man Repeller documented a series of hair makeovers in collaboration with Shelby Samaria, a freelance hair stylist based between New York and Paris.

Shelby has experience doing hair for some of the most renowned luxury designers during fashion week, from Prada to Dior to Alexander McQueen, but one of her greatest passions is serving her community through monthly pop-ups at salons and studio spaces around New York. After a four-month hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions, Shelby is finally back in business and commencing pop-ups again starting this month. Below, a celebratory kick-off featuring three women in the mood for transformation.

Chandler Wanted “Grown Woman” Cornrows–An Elevated Homage to Her Childhood Memories

Follow Chandler on Instagram here, and check out Farmacy Beauty, where she is the associate director of PR and influencer relations.

Hair care habits pre-quarantine: would go see my stylist for a blowout every two weeks, like clockwork. It was part of my self-care practice. My stylist and I are very close friends, and we always chat about our lives. She also does my aunt’s hair, so I connect with her on family stuff and she asks me about work. It’s a little ritual that I really enjoy, and I miss that for sure. As soon as salons were given the green light to reopen, she was like, “Come in, I want to see you. I miss you!”

The experience of going to a hair salon can be very personal. Especially as a curly girl, it was important to me to find someone who gets me and my hair–who understands my texture and knows how to cut it and blow it out and do all the things. My stylist is like my therapist–I vent to her about my life, so being unable to visit the salon over the past few months has definitely exacerbated the feelings of isolation.

How you’ve been wearing her hair in quarantine: I feel like it’s just been another appendage of my body. I haven’t been really styling it at all, I just throw it up into a bun or a ponytail. I’ve had bigger things to think and worry about during this time, and I have been lucky enough to stay employed and working. So between working from home and managing my mental and physical health, my hair has been de-prioritized.

With Black hair in particular, there are so many styles you can do that articulate a different vibe or personality–it’s like putting on a show. But when I’m not engaging in face-to-face interaction with people, I don’t really feel the need to do that. It’s funny because I feel like I’ve been spending a lot of time on skincare, but my hair hasn’t been getting much love.

Why you decided on this particular change: I wanted to do something fun and playful, because I’ve been doing buns and ponytails all of COVID, and I wanted to do something that’s kind of new for me. I haven’t worn braids like this since my early childhood. My mom put my hair in plaits or cornrows a lot because I was always running around and getting into things, and it’s an easy style to manage.

Shelby was confident that she could do a “grown woman” version of cornrows. I just turned 29, so I was like, okay, perfect–I need 29-year-old braids, not 12-year-old braids.

How you felt when it was done: Really great. I always look for and gravitate towards styles that frame my face and accentuate my cheekbones and my facial features, so the braids really do that justice. I love them.

Janitzy Wanted to Take Control of Her Life With a Brand New Pixie Cut

Follow Janitzy on Instagram here.

Hair care habits pre-quarantine: I got my hair cut twice a year.

How you’ve been wearing your hair in quarantine: I’ve been wearing it up, in a bandana or in a ponytail.

Why you decided on this particular change: We don’t have much control over what’s going on in the world, but I still have some say over how I look, and I wanted a change. I was definitely nervous beforehand because it was my first time getting a really short cut–and once it’s short… that’s it! Shelby was so great, though. I showed her a photo of Zoë Kravitz with a pixie cut, and another photo of Winona Ryder in the ’90s–some Steven Meisel photo where she looks so pretty and awesome. Shelby managed to fuse both of these references, and added in a dose of Mia Farrow, too.

How you felt when it was done: Oh my god. It was weird, but in a good way. I couldn’t stop shaking my head because I didn’t have anything to wave around, which was actually awesome–just getting accustomed to the lack of weight. Even though it was technically a physical weight that had been lifted, I felt lighter mentally as well, and ready for anything that was heading my way, in a sense.

Brittany Wanted to Get Her Hair Out of Her Face, and Bantu Knots Were Just the Thing

Follow Brittany on Instagram here.

Hair care habits pre-quarantine: I typically went to my salon very two weeks. I like getting my hair trimmed and treated, and I especially love the feeling of getting my hair washed.

How you’ve been wearing your hair in quarantine: I’ve been washing it and doing a two strand twist, so just keeping it easy and functional. Very simple.

Why you decided on this particular change: I love Bantu knots. In addition to representing my heritage, they’re also flirty and fresh and perfect for the summer because they take hair out of my face.

How you felt when it was done: Like a whole new person. I feel beautiful. Not only because of how my hair looks, but also because of how nice it was to get my hair done again after so long, and spend the afternoon talking with other women like Shelby. It’s like communion for me.

Photography: Jasmine Clarke.

The post Before & After: The Thrill of a New Hairstyle After Months of Quarantine appeared first on Man Repeller.