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Travel + Leisure
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Travel + Leisure
I'm 5 Feet Tall, and I'm Eyeing These 11 Petite Midi and Maxi Dresses at Amazon, Nordstrom, and More—From $20
As someone five-feet-tall, I know that shopping for a midi-length or maxi dress that won't drag on the ground is, well, a drag. Either you have to spend time (and money) tailoring it, or do some legwork to find stylish petite options from online retailers, considering the right size is rarely in stores. With a few summer vacations on my calendar, I opted for the latter option and browsed through my go-to petite brands to find flattering dresses that fit my frame perfectly. Naturally, I had to share my findings with my fellow petite shoppers, so I rounded up the best maxi and midi dress options from Amazon, Nordstrom, Anthropologie, and more. From a $29 travel-friendly knit dress to a European-summer-inspired maxi shirt dress, I found styles for every travel itinerary. Keep reading for 11 of my top picks, starting at $20. You'll never catch me in the airport in a dress above my knees, but now and then, I like to throw on a stylish, comfortable midi dress to elevate my travel look. This Gap ribbed knit option is perfect for exactly that, and with a $29 price tag, I immediately added it to my shopping cart. I opted for the olive green shade, which will seamlessly transition into fall, but it is also available in black, striped, and fuchsia. This sleeveless midi dress is effortlessly chic and looks much more expensive than its $35 price tag. The fitted top is made from a comfortable, smocked knit material, and it's paired with a puffed peplum skirt featuring a flattering drop waistline that helps make your torso appear longer—perfect for petite shoppers. Quince is known for its effortless travel clothing, and this midi tank dress is no exception. The travel-ready piece is made from a breathable, soft cotton blend. One five-foot-two reviewer wrote that "the dress is perfect," adding that it's "simple and sophisticated." This light and airy maxi dress captures the art of summer dressing. It is trimmed with lace detailing and features an embroidered design on the bodice. Now, the hard part is deciding between the classic black shade and the cottagecore-inspired indigo. Considering they're both on sale, I might have to snag both! While this midi dress isn't available in petite sizing, it has adjustable spaghetti straps that allow for a customizable fit. The fit-and-flare dress, which can be easily dressed up or down, features a fitted ribbed bodice with a low scoop back and a flowing skirt. This maxi dress features a similar design to the above option, with a fitted, tank top bodice and an airy skirt, but its high neckline provides a bit more coverage. One five-foot-tall reviewer wrote that it's a 'great length,' and added that they 'loved it so much,' they bought a second color. The best part? It's marked down to just $22 right now, so I'm not missing my opportunity to shop it while it's on sale. This Lands' End petite maxi dress is begging to be worn on a tropical vacation, and its airy, lightweight material will help keep you cool on a hot summer day. It features a stretchy, smocked elastic back and adjustable tie straps, providing additional length customization for the petite dress. I'm not headed to Europe this summer, but if I were, I could easily picture myself strolling the cobblestone streets of Paris in this top-rated breezy shirtdress from The shirred elastic waist provides shape to the flowy silhouette, and it comes with a slip lining underneath the subtly sheer overlay fabric. I can already tell this ultra-comfy jersey maxi dress would become one of my staple travel pieces. It features flattering details, such as a smoothing waistband and a deep V-neck. Plus, the pullover design makes it easy to throw on and go, whether I'm catching an early morning flight or making a quick change before dinner. I can't resist a perfectly tailored dress, and this petite Anthropologie number fits the bill. The casual yet elegant shirt dress features eye-catching details, including a classic collar, exaggerated sleeves, and flattering pleats around the bodice. Additionally, the button-up front allows for a customizable look that can be worn as a dress or paired over a pair of shorts and a classic white tee. This top-rated midi dress is made from a summery, lightweight linen material and has a smocked waistband with a tie at the center and capped sleeves. One reviewer raved that it's 'very flattering and comfortable,' and a five-foot-three shopper wrote that 'the length is perfect.' Right now, the midi is an additional 40 percent off, bringing the price down to $84. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
Observer
5 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Fashion meets literature in the hands of a collector
BLURB: Peddling books to trendy stores may be a niche gig, but it's not exactly unusual. The fashion and literary worlds have long had a symbiotic relationship, each borrowing liberally from the other. To run a buzzy menswear shop in New York these days, it helps to have a few things. Great clothes, of course. Tasteful décor. Friendly, stylish salespeople certainly don't hurt. Increasingly, a stack of books is also a must. Preferably of rare and elusive provenance, concerning matters of art and design and, in many cases, provided by a neatly dressed bespectacled man named Geoff Snack. 'Whenever I put books in a retail store, it's like: How can this help people?' Snack, 40, said one afternoon this spring. 'How can this contribute to the understanding of what this shop is about, what the brands are about?' He was flipping through a pile of books he had sourced for the clothing store and coffee-shop Colbo on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Stacked on a small table beside a rack of earth-toned clothing were ones featuring Cindy Sherman's shape-shifting photos, an Ellsworth Kelly catalog and a volume dedicated to the concept of sisterhood. 'It's like the cafe and music we play', said Eldar Hadad, one of Colbo's owners, as she sold sugar-dusted morning buns. 'It invites you to linger when you have books — you can skim through and you're welcome to stay, read, have a coffee'. Geoff Snack, a vintage and rare book dealer, rummages through a box of books for display in the Colbo menswear store, in Manhattan. Lingering, she noted, is a strategy to help encourage sales. It also aligns with a recent retail trend of conjuring an intimate atmosphere, as if customers weren't shopping at a store but rather hanging out at a chic friend's apartment. Snack's modest literary empire extends to a smattering of popular stores in lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, most of which specialise in menswear: J Crew's store on Bond Street, Noah in NoLIta and Ven Space in Carroll Gardens are among them. In Canada, where he grew up and went to school, he has provided books to pop-up shops by the brand Stone Island and the popular boutique Better Gift Shop. 'I think books and unique items help tell the same stories that inspire our clothing', said Brendon Babenzien, the men's creative director at J Crew and a founder of Noah. 'Fashion and the choices we make around it are deeply tied to our personal interests and the items we select reflect those same interests. In that way, they complement each other perfectly'. Prices for the books range from $45 to $600 for a single volume and are often sold to stores on a consignment basis. Snack calls himself a 'book and paper dealer' because he also traffics in printed ephemera: a drink ticket from Studio 54, a business card advertising a 1986 pop-up shop by Keith Haring and an artist-designed menu from the shuttered SoHo restaurant Chanterelle are some of the things he has listed on his website, Wrong Answer. 'I really love seeing the stuff that I sell out in the world', Snack said. 'For me, it's really fun to be a part of the visual landscape of the city'. Peddling books to trendy stores may be a niche gig, but it's not exactly unusual. The fashion and literary worlds have long had a symbiotic relationship, each borrowing liberally from the other. Booksellers at Left Bank Books, for instance, have supplied art and design volumes to vintage clothing shop Sorbara's in Williamsburg, which also has framed posters from Snack hanging on its walls. Des Pair Books in Los Angeles has curated books for Frontier, a store in West Hollywood, California and for clothing brand Buck Mason's outpost in Nashville, Tennessee. Geoff Snack, a vintage and rare book dealer, in Sorbara's clothing shop in Brooklyn. Not to mention, the fashion set has long had an interest in what's known as 'world building'. Books — especially rare ones concerning highbrow matter, like those Snack sells — can be tools for telegraphing taste or authenticity. Stores that sell contemporary clothing alongside vintage books and printed ephemera, said W David Marx, the author of 'Status and Culture: How Our Desire for Social Rank Creates Taste, Identity, Art, Fashion and Constant Change', are 'kind of associating these new products that you make with this heritage'. Snack caught the collecting bug as a child in Peterborough, Ontario, where he frequented flea markets with his father, who liked to hunt down Coca-Cola memorabilia. Snack preferred to forage for video games, hockey trading cards and, later, magazines and punk albums. He recalled cutting out pictures from Wallpaper magazine and hanging them in his bedroom as a teen. He sought out art and design books in Toronto, where he studied English at the University of Toronto and visited local book shops whenever he travelled. At some point he crossed the fine line from casual enthusiast to collector. 'I was never going to own a Warhol', he said. 'But I could get a Warhol book, or a poster from one of his early shows. It was just getting myself into closer proximity with the culture I love'. At first, he wasn't interested in selling anything from his collection. But a book dealer he met in Boston hatched the idea. 'She said to me: 'Every collector becomes a dealer. It's inevitable'', he remembered. 'And now that I look back on it, she was totally right'. — The New York Times
Forbes
21-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Levi's Goes Back To Its Roots To Try To Stay Current
Levi Strauss is the leading jeans brand in the world, but has had a troubled recent past. (Photo by ... More) Much has been written about the challenges facing legacy brands in today's hyper-competitive business environment. Often, the comments refer to technology companies that once seemed all-conquering and then fail to keep up with developments and find themselves outflanked. Think Nokia, BlackBerry and Intel. But retail, where customers can be especially fickle, is also highly vulnerable. Consider the recent struggles of The Gap and J Crew, to name but two former success stories that have lately found the going hard. For the jeans maker Levi Strauss, though, the challenge is especially tough since it has to balance its heritage — it claims to have invented the blue jean in 1873 — with keeping up with fashion. And it is fair to say that in recent years that has been something of a struggle. Originally listed on the stock market in the U.S. in 1971, the San Francisco-based company was taken private by the founder's family in 1985, only to return to the public market in 2019. But, whether in public or private hands and whether run by the family or professional managers, it has battled with increasing competition from both budget lines and, increasingly, premium denim brands and a perception that its customer base is made up of ageing baby boomers. However, the company currently appears to be enjoying something of a renaissance. A process of transforming the group that began under former chief executive Chip Bergh has been continued by Michelle Gass, who became chief executive in January 2024 after joining the company as president from the retailer Kohl's the previous year. Crucially, it is based on a realization that the way to move forward was to reconnect with the company's origins. It has abandoned its budget denim lines, sold the struggling chinos brand Dockers and — while it has a foot in the activewear camp through ownership of Beyond Yoga — is focusing on promoting quality denim clothing at affordable prices as epitomised by its iconic 501 brand. And the fruits of this strategy can be seen in results for the second quarter of the financial year published earlier this month. Revenue was up 6.4% from a year ago, to $1.45 billion, while margins expanded to a record 62.6% and earnings per share were up 37%. With the company's share price up more than a fifth this year, its market value is now $8.3bn, below its peak, but well up on the $5.3bn of a couple of years ago. Moreover, executives are sufficiently confident that they have raised revenue and earnings per share expectations for the full year. The global performance was matched by that in Europe where Lucia Marcuzzo has been the region's managing director since the spring of last year. An executive with more than two decades' experience in the denim sector — she was head of retail at Diesel before joining Levi's European operation, initially as vice-president in charge of retail — she is clearly proud of the strong growth 'in a challenging environment.' In an interview in London earlier this month, Marcuzzo explained the elements of the strategy and how they were paying off. Speaking in the private Haus of Strauss reception area where Levi's invites celebrities and other special customers to select personalised items, she explained that she felt being an icon and a centre of culture mattered. 'Not only mirroring the culture but contributing to shaping the culture' was a key part of building a coherent brand that connected 'generation after generation.' As evidence, she pointed to how the company had collaborated with Beyonce´, a long-time fan, after getting a hint that the company would be referenced in a song on her latest album, Cowboy Carter. Similarly, Noel Gallagher visited the Haus of Strauss to select the shirt he wore for the first of the Oasis comeback concerts. Last month, Levi's played a central part at the Primavera Festival in Barcelona. Another collaboration, with the shoe company Nike, sold out in nine minutes and forced the closure of the store in London's Regent Street. But this is about more than seeking to be cool with the young crowd. The connection with customers means that the company has more than 38 million members of its loyalty scheme around the world, with nearly 14 million in Europe. 'It's a source of insights. We learn from them what they want,' explains Marcuzzo. Although some might feel that the stores are geared too much to younger consumers, she insists that people of all ages visit them. Great effort is taken to train staff to ensure they provide good service, with a particular emphasis on giving women the service they want, while store managers are treated as if they are 'CEOs of their stores' and are able to choose which items to stock based on local demands with the aim of making them more engaged. Those that want an even more bespoke service can opt to have their jeans or jackets made to measure at one of the Lot 1 studios in London and a handful of other cities around the world. Moreover, the focus on direct to consumer that is a key part of the strategy means that the company's website is enhanced by AI and other technologies to give the customer similar advice on fit and size to that they would receive in-store. At the same time, the decision to rationalise its warehousing into one location for online and in-store sales means that there should be no delay in receiving items ordered online. That said, 60% of customers are still buying in 'multi-brand environments.' While the company is now more likely to end relationships than open new ones, it recognizes that every element has a role to play and works hard to support partners — whether large department stores such as London's Selfridges, smaller high street shops or online retailers. 'Our mindset is to have a direct connection with the customer no matter where they buy,' says Marcuzzo. Having all stock in once place also enables the company to be faster to market and to respond to information it receives from staff via its internal social media. 'We are doubling down on tools that serve the purpose of building more agility. We are pushing decisions closer to the customer and empowering stores,' she adds. In addition, the company is looking to add to its offering. The global leader in jeans, it is renowned for innovations in fabrics and colours and sees opportunities in the market for tops. It is also very much targeting women customers. No doubt with one eye on its premium competitors, it is in the autumn launching a limited edition Blue Tab line that will utilize sought-after Japanese denim to offer 'quality at an affordable price.' And there will be more, carefully-chosen, collaborations. But Marcuzzo and her colleagues on the executive team are only too aware of the harsh realities of the current business climate. 'The new norm is resilience and agility,' she says. 'While we have a strategy, we are constantly adjusting.' In keeping with this, the company has a diversified supply chain and — while the recent results acknowledged the potential impact of tariffs (with jeans specifically mentioned in the tit-for-tat between the U.S. and the E.U.) — Marcuzzo stresses that the European business does not import from the U.S.. Even here, though, she sees a potential upside. 'In times of uncertainty, people revert to brands they trust,' she says.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
I'm a shopping editor and these are the loose-fitting pants I'm wearing instead of shorts — starting at $18
Shorts and I aren't really on speaking terms these days. They don't quite give me the kind of coverage I want, now that I'm at the age where showing skin is no longer a priority. I love my drapey dresses for that reason, but sometimes I just want to pull on a pair of pants and go. As a shopping editor, my goal is always to find pieces that blend comfort, style and staying power that you (and I) will like. With the heat waves ahead in mind, I've rounded up 10 loose-fitting pants to swap for the shorts that are taking up too much real estate in my closet. From Yahoo reader-favorite brands like Spanx, Loft and these picks are comfortable, breathable and start at just $18. The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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Travel + Leisure
09-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Travel + Leisure
The 50 Best Linen Clothing Deals for Summer Travel—Up to 76% Off at Madewell, J.Crew, and More, From $11
If there's one material every summer suitcase should include, it's linen. Lightweight, breathable, and effortlessly polished, linen clothing is ideal for everything from long travel days to warm evenings by the water. And right now, mid-season sales from Madewell, Amazon, and more are offering up to 77 percent off on styles worth packing. As someone heading to Europe twice this summer, I'm gravitating toward pieces that won't cling, take up space, or require much styling. Linen does it all. I rounded up the best deals on easy, versatile staples—from linen pants and breezy dresses to relaxed tops and maxi skirts—you'll want to wear on repeat, whether you're strolling through a city or lounging by the coast. Prices start at just $11. Linen pants are a warm-weather essential, especially when you want the polish of pants without the cling or heat. Lightweight and breathable, Athleta's Paradise Wide-leg Pants, which are 64 percent off, are ideal for everything from flights to sightseeing—and easy to style with sneakers by day or sandals at night. Elevated pairs like breezy Wide-leg Essential Linen Pants are steeply discounted (and great for everything from office days to afternoon drinks in Mykonos). Madewell Zoe Relaxed Wide-leg Linen Pants, $51 with code SUMMERTIME (originally $128) (originally $128) Wide-leg Essential Linen Pant, $69 with code SHOPNOW (originally $128) (originally $128) Amazon Essentials Linen Drawstring Pants, $18 (originally $25) Madewell Patch Pocket Flare Linen Pants, $58 with code SUMMERTIME (originally $118) (originally $118) Athleta Paradise Wide-leg Pants, $39 (originally $109) Calson Drawstring Straight-leg Linen Pants, $49 (originally $70) Gap 365 High-rise Linen-blend Trousers, $53 (originally $98) Harbor Linen Pants, $64 with code SHOPNOW (originally $128) (originally $128) Madewell The Harlow Wide-leg Pants, $28 with code SUMMERTIME (originally $118) Faleave Linen Palazzo Pants, $26 (originally $33) Mango Tie-waist Wide-leg Linen Pants, $70 (originally $100) A wide-leg, high-rise dream with a relaxed fit through the hips, these polished yet laid-back pants pair just as well with a matching vest as they do with a tee and sandals. Score them for 57 percent off with code "SUMMERTIME." Amazon's No. 1 casual pants for a reason—these lightweight palazzos work as an easy beach cover-up or comfy travel pants. The adjustable drawstring and roomy cut make them a go-to for summer lounging or catching flights. If one item defines summer travel style, it's the linen dress. The breezy, effortless silhouette paired with naturally cooling fabric makes it a suitcase no-brainer. From tailored maxis to flirty minis, these picks are all on sale—and perfect for Europe-bound suitcases, like The Drop's Blanca Maxi for date night in Positano or Gathered Popover Linen Dress, as a chic beach-day cover-up for 70 percent off. Gap Linen-blend Embroidered Maxi Dress, $94 (originally $118) Old Navy Linen-blend Mini Dress, $18 (originally $45) Banana Republic Linen-blend Square-neck Mini Dress, $35 (originally $110) The Drop Blanca Linen Maxi Dress, $56 (originally $71) Gap Linen-blend Mini Dress, $35 (originally $90) Gathered Popover Linen Dress, $51 with code SHOPNOW (originally $168) (originally $168) Gap Linen-blend Shirtdress, $47 (originally $80) Banana Republic Factory Linen-blend Midi Dress, $56 (originally $140) Utility Shirtdress, $66 with code SHOPNOW (originally $148) (originally $148) The Drop Amira Mini Dress, $52 (originally $65) This Old Navy Linen-blend Mini Dress in gingham was made for cobblestone strolls and sun-soaked picnics. Pair it with white sneakers or slip-on sandals for an easy summer look. At 60 percent off, it's a steal. From beach cover-up to belted dinner outfit, this versatile shirtdress checks every travel box. Currently 55 percent off with the code "SHOPNOW"—and an even better deal if you add more sale styles to your cart. If full-length linen feels too warm, these linen shorts are just the thing. Ideal for hot days when you want to stay cool but still look pulled together, these under-$60 styles are perfect for everything from brunch to beach walks. The Banana Republic Pull-on Shorts are a simple go-to, while the ASTR The Label Asymmetric Pleat Shorts add just the right amount of edge. With a trouser-style fit, the Pintucked Linen Shorts can be dressed up with a vest or down with a tee. Reviewers rave about their flattering silhouette—and at 55 percent off, they're a smart summer investment. $60 $15 at Banana Republic Factory Starting at just $15 after the extra discount, these easy, elastic-waist shorts come in multiple colors and patterns. They're lightweight, comfy, and beach-to-brunch ready. Linen shirts strike the balance between structure and breeziness. Whether you're layering over a swimsuit or tucking into trousers, they make staying cool look effortlessly chic. Keep an eye out for sets—the Madewell Striped Square-neck Top, which is 60 percent off, has matching bottoms, like the drawstring shorts and the wide-leg pants. The Athleta Retreat Linen Top is a great pick for beach days and travel photos alike, and it's 30 percent off. Madewell Squareneck Top in Linen Blend Stripe, $35 with code SUMMERTIME (originally $88) (originally $88) Athleta Retreat Linen Top, $69 (originally $99) Banana Republic Factory Linen-blend Square-neck Top, $15 (originally $65) Idealsanxun Linen Tank Top, $25 (originally $30) Cabana Linen Top, $53 with code SHOPNOW (originally $98) (originally $98) Madewell Straight-hem Shirts, $49 with code SUMMERTIME (originally $98) (originally $98) Gap Linen-blend Crop Shirt, $35 (originally $60) J. Crew Garçon Eyelit Linen Top, $78 with code SHOPNOW (originally $158) (originally $158) Madewell Western Shirt in Linen Blend, $40 (originally $128) Athleta Getaway Linen Blend Muscle Tank, $19 (originally $45) Simple and stylish with an elevated back button detail, this tank pairs beautifully with everything from denim shorts to wide-leg pants. A minimalist staple with just the right amount of charm. $65 $15 at Banana Republic Factory This square-neck linen blend top is flattering and endlessly versatile—and at $15, it's worth grabbing in more than one color. Linen skirts channel effortless European summer style. Floaty maxis for beach dinners, flippy minis for daytime exploring—there's a silhouette for every destination. The Drop's Sicily Midi Skirt flows beautifully from day to night, while Old Navy's $11 mini skirt is a must-grab budget find. Plus, the Pleated Maxi Skirt is a unique find that'll turn all heads when you wear it. Also, Everlane rarely has sales and their Linen Mini Skirt is at 70 percent off right now. Madewell Linen Mini Skirt, $42 with code SUMMERTIME (originally $88) (originally $88) J. Crew Gwyneth Flounce-hem Slip Skirt, $104 with code SHOPNOW (originally $148) (originally $148) Gap Cotton Gauze Tiered Maxi Skirt, $41 (originally $70) The Drop Sicily Linen Midi Skirt, $56 (originally $70) Old Navy High-waisted Linen-blend Mini Skirt, $11 (originally $30) Madewell Linen Maxi Slip Skirt, $111 (originally $128) Pleated Maxi Skirt, $78 with code SHOPNOW (originally $178) (originally $178) Everlane Linen Mini Skirt, $38 (originally $128) Gwen Linen Lace-trim Slip Skirt, $60 with code SHOPNOW (originally $138) (originally $138) Idealsanxun Linen Midi Skirt, $33 (originally $40) The godet hem gives this '90s-inspired slip skirt a romantic flair. Style it with a tank and strappy sandals for a night out—or dress it down with flats and a tee. It's now 30 percent off when you use code "SHOPNOW" at checkout. For just $11, this easy mini skirt is a summer MVP. Wear it with the matching top or throw it on with a tee and sneakers—no one will guess the price. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
