If you aren’t familiar with SSENSE, let me introduce you. SSENSE is an online retailer that specializes in high end luxury goods and street wear items. This Canadian based company has made quite the name for themselves since 2020, and they have some of the best deals I have seen. I would consider myself a very light luxury consumer, as I am always considering what to purchase at the best price.
SSENSE often runs sales and private sales on huge designers such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, Off-White and more, at discounts I can’t seem to find anywhere else. Right now, I have gone through and found my favorite picks from shoes to dresses, and what I recommend snagging before it sells out. During these sales, things go fast.
Shop each individual link here, or see more on my LTK.
Aritzia, Aritzia, Aritzia. The new colt favorite (and personal favorite of mine) has been steadily releasing their fall collections throughout the month of August. First came Wilfred, then came TNA, now comes Sunday Best.
Sunday Best is an Aritzia in-house brand that is tailored more towards their Gen-Z customer. The many tennis skirts, sweater vests and baby tee’s are the 90’s reinvention that we didn’t know we needed. And this 90’s to early 2000’s look is all the rage and a huge hit with the company’s target audience. But there is one issue with this style being so popular – the copying of designs from other companies.
I was beyond excited to see Sunday Best’s fall collection, but there were a few things that stuck out to me from their release. Their graphic tee’s are almost exact designs from Réalisation Par and Brandy Melville.
On the left, Aritzia, on the right, Brandy Melville.
While this original design from Brandy Melville has been copied many times in fast fashion, I was not expecting to this at Aritzia in their fall collection. They have also made similar designs on other shirts with the words “Ranger”, “Rodeo Kid” and “Buckaroo”.
The second design that I immediately recognized from another brand is this shirt originally designed by Réalisation Par. This brand rapidly increased in popularity through social media as their floral dresses were seen on many influencers throughout the summer. Their dresses weren’t the only thing that stuck out on their website. Their unique baby tee’s were flying off the shelves. Constantly sold out, this is an immediately recognizable shirt. So I was yet again shocked to see this on Aritzia’s website. Aritzia and Réalisation Par bring in the same kind of customer, so this won’t go unnoticed.
On the left, Aritzia, on the right, Réalisation Par.
While unfortunately designs are copied all the time, I am disappointed with these pieces from Aritzia. What sets Aritzia apart form its competitors is its timeless, unique yet classy pieces that are wardrobe staples to keep in your closet for years. But with this collection that is launching on Thursday, it shows that the company is taking a different approach to reach their target audience. And to be honest, the target has been missed. By this ever so slight rebrand from Sunday Best, they are putting themselves on the same playing field as other overdone Gen-Z brands. What they have works, there is not need to change that and it shows in their numbers. Some of their past quarters have hit company records in terms of revenue, so I am curious, why the change to be like everyone else?
The collection comes out tomorrow. While I will be browsing the new items, you won’t find me making any purchases from Sunday Best.
If you have read any of my previous blog posts… you know I have a crippling love for Aritzia. But the price tag? Not so much. Lucky enough their annual clientele sale is going on right now, with twenty to fifty percent off everything if you’re a loyal customer. If you are not yet part of the clientele sale, don’t worry. They have many other items up to fifty percent off for you to try. Making a few purchase during this sale isn’t a want, but a need.
With half of my wardrobe coming from this store, I have found truly the best pieces and will tell you what is worth your money.
Oh and I recommend heading to www.artizia.com before everything sells out. Sale ends 06/20.
I only have this hoodie in one color due to the steep price for a plain hoodie, but that will change when the weather starts to get colder. I have this in black and have washed it a MILLION times and there is not one sign of wear.
I don’t own this skirt but I bought it for my sister for her birthday and she wears it all the time. It is super light and flowy with built in shorts, and isn’t too athletic so it an be dressed up or down.
I talked about these in my very first blog post almost a year ago they are still a favorite. I work out and lounge in these – they are basically a second skin.
Again with the cozy fleece, it just doesn’t miss. I have two pairs of the three inch short, but it comes in other lengths including two, five and six inches.
This is hands down the best cropped t-shirt I have ever owned. I have this in white and brown and have worn it into the ground. I wear a size medium and it is tight fitting, but not in a “it’s too small” way.
When it comes to denim I am an avid Agolde lover. But again the price is not ideal for my post-grad budget. These jeans from Aritzia are the closest dupe I have found in length, style and material. They are the perfect straight jeans and hit just above my ankle. Even though they are just a plain pair of jeans, they are cut extremely trendy and flattering. And right now they are only $68.
I have recently graduated college (sad), so I know the stress of finishing the perfect dress for photos, ceremonies, parties, etc. Since these dresses are typically white across the board, I have found some of my favorite white dresses to wear under your cap and gown. These range in price, style, and formality so you can find your perfect dress.
I have linked all of the dresses shown in the header photo. If you are looking for more dresses, there are more linked in my LIKEtoKNOW.it.
One of my favorite times of the year is finally here – fall.
Growing up in Texas fall was never a huge part of my life because it is always hot there. But since moving to Michigan that mentality has completely changed. Everyone here is obsessed with this season and I totally understand why. The changing of the trees is amazing and going to the cider mills is essentially a lifestyle. I have fully adapted to Michigan fall’s. I do all of the “basic” seasonal things, and they are all great. Even with all of these great fall traditions to experience up north there is still something I love above all others – fall fashion. Back in Texas we had to pretend it was below eighty degrees, and we would pull out our boots and sweaters anyways. Here you can ACTUALLY dress accordingly with the weather and make a statement. Which as the end of the day is what matters.
Enough with the backstory – this season’s fall fashion has me swooning. I haven’t been this excited to wear a sweater vest since I shopped at Abercrombie & Fitch. That’s just one of my fall fashion staples for 2020. Here is what I have been loving (whether I have it or not) and where you can get your hands on some of my favorite pieces.
Sweater Vest
This was the first staple I thought of so naturally it has to come first. This is best transitional piece there is; part sweater & part tank. Channel your inner preppy school girl with this sweater from ASOS.
Leather Leggings
Yes, leggings – not pants. While I love leather pants, realistically, you will probably be wearing leggings more. These are insanely flattering on every body type and are perfect with an oversized t-shirt or a cropped button down. These Aritzia leggings come in brown or black.
Graphic Hoodie
Graphic t-shirts are the backbone of comfy, put together outfits. With the warmer weather coming to an end, graphic hoodies are going to be the perfect thing for feeling complete when I am not going anywhere. Shop hoodies like this from Travis Scott’s McDonald’s merch collab.
Suede Boots
I am never one to go for suede because I am waaay too clumsy for that material; I ruin it so fast. But, boots like this are quickly changing my opinion. I love these boots and even though I don’t have them, they will be an addition to my closet in the near feature. Get this pair at Zara.
Oversized Leather Jackets
The bigger, the better. A few years ago oversized denim was the “thing”, and now oversized leather is back and better than ever. Pair this with a dress, your favorite workout set to run errands in, or even with pajamas. Literally everything. Shop more like this on Zara.
Pinch Waist Denim
This summer and still now, denim is all about the baggier the better. But sometimes you can get lost in the fabric. These pinch waist jeans from Agolde are exactly what I have been looking for; distressed, straight, long, and they cinch at the waist to complete any look.
Mock Neck Tops
Fall was absolutely made for mock necks. They are the ideal transition to a turtleneck, which will forever be my favorite winter style. Shop this shirt on Aritzia.
Bra Tops
Cold weather is here but crop tops have not gone anywhere. I have been obsessing over the the bra top look; especially with a matching cardigan. Zara has been the perfect place to look for these pieces so get them before they are gone – and before it actually gets too cold to wear them.
Animal Prints
I have never been too crazy about animal prints. But right now, they are the perfect way for me to spice up my very minimalistic style. I am obsessed with this jacket on Revolve by For Love & Lemons, and I am sure you can find more like this on other stores such as Zara, ASOS and more.
Chunky Sole Boots
SOMEONE, please buy these so I can live through you. This pair is from Storets, and it an amazing dupe for my favorite pair of Bottega Veneta boots. They only go up to a size eight and are going quick, so grab them ASAP.
With a horrible shopping habit comes excessive (but sometimes necessary) spending. I have been constantly looking for back to school clothes, even though I know this is not the normal back to school we are all used to. In order to avoid over-stuffing my closet I thought about purchasing items to begin a capsule wardrobe – but college edition.
If you are unfamiliar with a capsule wardrobe, it is essentially a closet that consist of roughly 37 pieces. Eighty percent basics, twenty percent seasonal. Many people with a sustainable lifestyle follow this wardrobe and spending technique.
Yes, I have more than 37 pieces in my wardrobe; but I am trying to cut down and reduce by getting rid of things I don’t wear that often. A rule of thumb to use is get rid of something if you haven’t worn it in three months. If you really liked it, you’d wear it by now.
Have I considered excessive back to school shopping? Yes. Have I acted on it? Not quite. I have created the ultimate capsule wardrobe specifically for college students, because our closet looks different than someone working in the workforce or someone in high school. If you are looking to build your back to school wardrobe look no further.
Kayce Wright 