During the last few months, Meghan Markle has inspired plenty of fashion trends—from the Trooping the Colour off-the-shoulder blazer that would get the Zara treatment to a renewed interest in bateau necklines. Another recurring staple in her royal wardrobe has been polished, sophisticated outerwear. She made her debut as a future duchess in a wrap coat, layered drapey Aritzia coats over her outfit for casual appearances, and even compelled J.Crew to restock a two-tone coat she wore once. After perusing the new arrivals sections of our favorite retailers, we’ve come to the conclusion that Markle’s taste in outerwear—from double-breasted to checked coat styles—make for great fall shopping inspiration. We’ve identified the most wearable of the Duchess-approved silhouettes to build your seasonal wardrobe around. Check out our picks, ahead.
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Keeping Up With the Kardashians (a.k.a, KUWTK, a.k.a the pinnacle of culture) is really going out of its way this season to make it look like Kim, Khloé, and Kourtney aren’t getting along. Things kicked off in early August when the show depicted Kourtney and Kim having a colossal argument over their family’s Christmas card photo shoot (very serious stuff), and it’s escalated since then.
In a new clip, Kim and Khloé are seen wrapping holiday presents and essentially bashing Kourtney behind her back. “She’s very selfish these days,” Kim says to Khloé, to which she responds, “She should move somewhere.” What Khloé means by that is unclear. Where exactly does she want Kourtney to go? New York? Miami? That resort where she chastised Kim for freaking out about losing a diamond earring?
Kourtney’s fighting back, too, telling Kendall Jenner in one episode that she doesn’t have the energy to argue with the others. And don’t forget the time a few weeks back when she called Kim an “evil human being.” Tensions are running high on KUWTK right now—arguably higher than when Kim swatted Khloé with her purse and told her not to be “f–cking” rude.
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But here’s the problem: I’m just not buying it this season. KUWTK season 15 was filmed last year, so it’s entirely possible the tension was very real at the time. My eyebrows raised, though, when Kourtney, Kim, and Khloé had a Twitter fight about these issues last month timed to the series’ premiere. Khloé even used #KUWTK in several of her “rant” tweets, so how spur-of-the-moments were they?
Some fans accused Kris Jenner of staging the entire just to drum up ratings—so is that formula happening all season? Not to quote the Kardashian-Jenner matriarch herself, but this truly is a case for the FBI.
Of course, this is nothing new: reality TV shows are notorious for exaggerating drama for narrative purposes. Several cast members of The Hills even copped to this years after the series wrapped. But people are savvier to these tricks now, especially after UnREAL opened the curtain to what goes on behind-the-scenes on The Bachelor. Viewers understand there might be some producing and editing magic at play, but watching “reality” is no longer fun if the drama feels too staged.
And the Kardashians, of all people, don’t have to do this. Fans would pay thousands just to watch them read a phone book. Public interest in them is high and has been for years. KUWTK, in all of its iterations, has always felt real and authentic. These latest fights, however, don’t—and it’s ruining the series, at least for me.
Take it from a loyal viewer, Kris Jenner and company: I’ll tune in every Sunday just to watch Kourtney, Kim, and Khloé eat large salads and roll their eyes. That’s enough for me—and probably most fans—because it feels true. Maybe-staged Twitter fights are about as entertaining as the revamped KUWTK intro. (Yes, I miss the old one! And I know you do, too.)
When Blake Lively has a project to promote, she does so with impeccable style. She’s been known to plan multiple outfit changes for a single day, dress according to theme, and go for extravagance with her fashion—all of which is her own doing, because she doesn’t employ a stylist. Such is the case for her latest press tour, for A Simple Favor. This time around, though, Lively is zeroing in on a specific silhouette: the suit.
Over the past few weeks, Lively has been photographed in velvet suits, neon suits, couture suits, among others. The styling choice is likely a nod to her A Simple Favor character. (In the first trailer for the film, she’s seen wearing a polished suit.) Even if it’s a clever promotional tie-in, Lively makes a pretty strong case for investing in a new suit for fall. So whether you’re more of a polished or a patterned person, let her convince you that it’s worth the investment.
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Serena Williams, the greatest athlete in the world, and her fiancé Alexis Ohanian welcomed a baby girl, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., on September 1. Throughout her pregnancy, Williams was extremely open about the journey—accidentally revealing her baby bump on Snapchat, documenting her “baby 101” class, and writing sweet letters to Alexis Olympia on Instagram.
So, it should be no surprise that Williams will be just as open about life as a new mom. Just yesterday, she took to Twitter to share her experience buying her first bag of diapers. While this will likely become less exciting as the months progress, she couldn’t contain her excitement during this first excursion:
“Today I bought my first bag of diapers,” she wrote. “I felt so grown picking out the bag. I may have even looked around hoping someone saw me. Haha”
Back when Williams was expecting, she spoke to Vanity Fair about how surprised and excited she was that she was becoming a mother. “It just doesn’t seem real,” she said. “I don’t know why. Am I having a baby? If you would have told me last year in October or November that I would have a baby, not be pregnant but have a baby, I would have thought you were the biggest liar in the world. This is kind of how I am right now. This is happening sooner than later, and it’s going by so fast.”
She then added, “I don’t know what to do with a baby.” We think she’ll be just fine: Anyone who enjoys going to the store and buying diapers that much is basically Super Mom.
I’m a 30-year-old from Wyoming and also a recent widow. I never thought that I would have to worry about having to start dating at this stage in my life. I was with my husband for over 10 years and it was so nice not to have to worry about STDs.
I happened to be in a local store and wandered over to where they keep condoms. I had no idea there are so many different kinds! Where does a beginner start? Are women responsible for buying condoms? What about latex allergies? And lastly, what should I keep in my nightstand? Do I have to buy various types and sizes since I’ll have no idea what my date may be into?
Help! I’m so lost.
—Karen
Dear Karen,
It’s true, there are so many different types, sizes, materials, and brands of condoms out there. Especially if you’re just returning to the game, it’s overwhelming, to say the least. Not to worry: I’m here to be your guide back into the condom world.
1. Everyone who is sexually active is responsible for carrying protection.
No matter what gender or sexuality you identify as, everyone’s responsible for buying protection. Unfortunately, not everyone does, so, it’s better to be safe than sorry and have a stash of your own condoms.
2. Size barely matters.
Condoms are tested to withstand incredible lengths of stretching and durability, so having various sizes doesn’t necessarily need to be at the top of your list when looking for the perfect penile wrapping. While some guys swear they need an XL, most will be just fine with whatever condom you have on hand.
3. Lubed and studded and ribbed—oh my!
While size may not matter much, material can. Latex allergies are common, and it can cause irritation or dryness—neither of which is a recipe for a good time. I like SKYN condoms as an alternative—they’re non-latex, so they won’t dry you out, and they’re ultrathin but durable, so it feels like you’re wearing nothing. Condoms can also be lubed, studded, ribbed, warming, cooling—all to create unique sensations. If you’re having trouble deciding what kind you or your partners like, get a variety pack and have fun testing them all!
You’ll go from beginner to prophylactic pro in no time.
