Latest news with #LorynnDivita
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
SKIMS has been the future of underwear. So why did it just launch 'retro intimates'?
It's not your grandmother's underwear. Or maybe it is. SKIMS, Kim Kardashian's shapewear brand, just launched a retro collection that could be plucked right from a 1950s store rack. Or the back of your mom's mom's closet. The brand's array of "vintage-inspired" bras (sold at $60) and shapewear (for $118) debuted July 2, bringing old-timey silhouettes to 2025. Think bras with pointed cups and bandeau slips that cover and flatten the belly. While it's OK that you may enjoy the new items for their color, fit or style, it's worthwhile to explore why it matters that SKIMS, a brand known for its futuristic designs, is thinking vintage. "The pendulum has swung back and we're looking at boning, corsetry and compression," said Lorynn Divita, associate professor of apparel design and merchandising at Baylor University. These designs reverse course following the prevalence of shapeless "underboob"-revealing bralettes that overtook much of the 2010s, she said. But SKIMS is trading that rule book for structured shapes with more fabric. SKIMS declined USA TODAY's request for comment. While SKIMS is referencing the past, it may also be taking contemporary cues in its retro move. The collection comes amid discourse setting a tone of modesty in women's fashion: coquette milkmaid dresses are all the rage this summer, as are more covered-up options for working out. Fashion's upper echelons have been divided over pushes for modesty, from backlash over nudity at the Met Gala to an all-out ban on revealing outfits at Cannes. Most recently, Lauren Sánchez Bezos ditched "sexy" garb for a neck-high, long-sleeve Sophia Loren-inspired 1950s wedding dress. SKIMS' retro collection evokes the buxom, lip-lined, big-curled beauty standard that defined sexy in mid-twentieth century America. The brand debuted its retro designs on their Instagram posts featuring women in playful vignettes – voluptuous motifs of bygone beauty in seductive positions. They pose with a vintage camera or twiddle the cord of an outdated landline phone. One could infer SKIMS' posts are a reference to "pin-up girls," the female icons of mass-produced images sold as wall decoration in the mid-20th century. But this time, SKIMS will be the one to dress her. "This is lingerie for someone who doesn't have to sit at a desk for eight hours," Divita said. "This is lingerie for someone who does not have to work in the service industry. This is not lingerie for someone who has to do anything other than lounge about and look pretty. That is tapping into the current zeitgeist and some attitudes by some parts of society that women should be more feminine." "It definitely feels like a knowing commentary on trad-wife culture," said Lauren Downing Peters, associate professor of fashion studies at Columbia College Chicago, referencing women who promote a lifestyle of traditional femininity and homemaking. Women who embody 1950s gender roles might be happy to see this collection come out because most major brands have catered a different consumer, she said. These retro clothes leave sex "just beneath the surface" without putting skin on display: "It reflects that tension between exaggeration and containment," she said. For this reason, SKIMS is positioning the retro line "for the girls" rather than for the male gaze, Peters said. What makes someone 'cool'? Researchers may have figured it out. Some of these trends may be stemming from a nostalgia for an easier, simpler time. However, a simple outfit or social media post glamorizing the past lacks context regarding what America was really like for women over 80 years ago, said Divita. "They forget women couldn't have credit cards, they couldn't get a divorce," she said. "Their social position wasn't what it is now. They look back at this attractive lingerie and it makes people think of all the good things associated with that time." More reserved clothes could follow this underwear shift, she added. Tight tees and athleisure crop tops don't favor the pointy "bullet bra," she said. If heavily-structured lingerie becomes exceedingly popular again, brands are likely to start selling blouse-style tops and longer hemlines that account more layers underneath, Divita noted. Here's why you should eat more cantaloupe this summer. On the flip side, some influencers have posted wearing SKIMS' retro girdle as a sole outfit, subverting the 1950s connotation of under garments as only visible to one's husband, noted Einav Rabinovitch-Fox, professor of gender at Case Western Reserve University. And the light, breathable fabrics SKIMS uses in 2025 allow bodies to feel more active and flexible in these kinds of clothes than eras past. "My question is how many SKIMS' customers are actually embracing it as a underwear?" she said of today's era wherein lingerie as daywear is typical. And the pointy bra hasn't just been a symbol of the '50s, though the SKIMS marketing highlighted that connection. Think of Madonna's iconic Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra look, which popularized the form as a bold statement of feminine power, Rabinovitch-Fox said. "Pointed bra is not necessary a yearning to something else," she said. "It can also be a statement of rebellion." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Skims is going 'retro.' Is Kim Kardashian onto something?
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
SKIMS has been the future of underwear. So why did it just launch 'retro intimates'?
It's not your grandmother's underwear. Or maybe it is. SKIMS, Kim Kardashian's shapewear brand, just launched a retro collection that could be plucked right from a 1950s store rack. Or the back of your mom's mom's closet. The brand's array of "vintage-inspired" bras (sold at $60) and shapewear (for $118) debuted July 2, bringing old-timey silhouettes to 2025. Think bras with pointed cups and bandeau slips that cover and flatten the belly. While it's OK that you may enjoy the new items for their color, fit or style, it's worthwhile to explore why it matters that SKIMS, a brand known for its futuristic designs, is thinking vintage. "The pendulum has swung back and we're looking at boning, corsetry and compression," said Lorynn Divita, associate professor of apparel design and merchandising at Baylor University. These designs reverse course following the prevalence of shapeless "underboob"-revealing bralettes that overtook much of the 2010s, she said. But SKIMS is trading that rule book for structured shapes with more fabric. SKIMS declined USA TODAY's request for comment. Looking backwards or meeting the moment? While SKIMS is referencing the past, it may also be taking contemporary cues in its retro move. The collection comes amid discourse setting a tone of modesty in women's fashion: coquette milkmaid dresses are all the rage this summer, as are more covered-up options for working out. Fashion's upper echelons have been divided over pushes for modesty, from backlash over nudity at the Met Gala to an all-out ban on revealing outfits at Cannes. Most recently, Lauren Sánchez Bezos ditched "sexy" garb for a neck-high, long-sleeve Sophia Loren-inspired 1950s wedding dress. A post shared by Julia Kelly (@missjuliakelly) SKIMS' retro collection evokes the buxom, lip-lined, big-curled beauty standard that defined sexy in mid-twentieth century America. The brand debuted its retro designs on their Instagram posts featuring women in playful vignettes – voluptuous motifs of bygone beauty in seductive positions. They pose with a vintage camera or twiddle the cord of an outdated landline phone. One could infer SKIMS' posts are a reference to "pin-up girls," the female icons of mass-produced images sold as wall decoration in the mid-20th century. But this time, SKIMS will be the one to dress her. "This is lingerie for someone who doesn't have to sit at a desk for eight hours," Divita said. "This is lingerie for someone who does not have to work in the service industry. This is not lingerie for someone who has to do anything other than lounge about and look pretty. That is tapping into the current zeitgeist and some attitudes by some parts of society that women should be more feminine." "It definitely feels like a knowing commentary on trad-wife culture," said Lauren Downing Peters, associate professor of fashion studies at Columbia College Chicago, referencing women who promote a lifestyle of traditional femininity and homemaking. Women who embody 1950s gender roles might be happy to see this collection come out because most major brands have catered a different consumer, she said. These retro clothes leave sex "just beneath the surface" without putting skin on display: "It reflects that tension between exaggeration and containment," she said. For this reason, SKIMS is positioning the retro line "for the girls" rather than for the male gaze, Peters said. What makes someone 'cool'? Researchers may have figured it out. A post shared by 𝐊𝐀𝐑𝐀 𝐃𝐄𝐋 𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐎 (@karajewelll) Some of these trends may be stemming from a nostalgia for an easier, simpler time. However, a simple outfit or social media post glamorizing the past lacks context regarding what America was really like for women over 80 years ago, said Divita. "They forget women couldn't have credit cards, they couldn't get a divorce," she said. "Their social position wasn't what it is now. They look back at this attractive lingerie and it makes people think of all the good things associated with that time." More reserved clothes could follow this underwear shift, she added. Tight tees and athleisure crop tops don't favor the pointy "bullet bra," she said. If heavily-structured lingerie becomes exceedingly popular again, brands are likely to start selling blouse-style tops and longer hemlines that account more layers underneath, Divita noted. Here's why you should eat more cantaloupe this summer. On the flip side, some influencers have posted wearing SKIMS' retro girdle as a sole outfit, subverting the 1950s connotation of under garments as only visible to one's husband, noted Einav Rabinovitch-Fox, professor of gender at Case Western Reserve University. And the light, breathable fabrics SKIMS uses in 2025 allow bodies to feel more active and flexible in these kinds of clothes than eras past. "My question is how many SKIMS' customers are actually embracing it as a underwear?" she said of today's era wherein lingerie as daywear is typical. And the pointy bra hasn't just been a symbol of the '50s, though the SKIMS marketing highlighted that connection. Think of Madonna's iconic Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra look, which popularized the form as a bold statement of feminine power, Rabinovitch-Fox said. "Pointed bra is not necessary a yearning to something else," she said. "It can also be a statement of rebellion."
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
It's 'tankini summer' – and it's already sparking online debate
USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change. The tankini is igniting social media debate over modesty at the beach. For some, tankinis are reminiscent of being a preteen: A bikini bottom or shorts paired with what is essentially a waterproof crop top was often the first graduation from the one-pieces of childhood to swimming in a two-piece. Or perhaps they were the performance swimsuit you remember your mom or guardian wearing, the front swath of fabric adding extra coverage targeted for people with post-birth or pregnant bellies. Either way, the tankini has gotten a revamp in 2025, with popular retailers from ASOS to Cupshe marketing these tummy-covering two pieces to some shoppers who likely haven't worn one since the summer before seventh grade. These upgraded tankinis offer refreshed color palettes and not-so-boxy designs, but don't totally skimp on the style with unexpected cut-outs and cute patterns that paired seamlessly with a skirt or shorts. But the tankini takeover has prompted some social media users to wonder if the resurgence is as innocuous as pure 2000s nostalgia, or whether it's a totem of a cultural shift that wants women to cover-up. "I don't know if the modesty propaganda is working on me or if they're actually just making cute tankinis this year," one TikToker mused. "Every ad I've seen for tankini, is the cutest tankini I've ever seen and I must have it. Am I going to be wearing tankinis all summer? Is it working?" Tankini summer indicates America's zeitgeist, said Lorynn Divita, associate professor of Apparel Design and Merchandising at Baylor University. There's been a lot of attention to nudity (or lack thereof) this year: Some attendees at this year's Met Gala caused a firestorm for a slew of naked looks. Then, the Cannes 2025 Film Festival banned nude gowns on its red carpet. Seeming ubiquitous cut-out booty shorts and strappy crop-tops have sparked debate over modesty at the gym. And let's not forget Miley Cyrus turning heads in a completely sheer dress just this week. "I'm not a fan of whatever direction we're going in," another TikToker said, arguing tankinis have a nefarious subtext young women are falling for. The same creator later posted the "tankini police" came for her when she tried to call out this so-called "random radical shift to more conservative clothes." Meanwhile, others said a little more bandwidth offers inclusive, cute options for a range of body types and lifestyles. One fan posted she loved how a tankini was "modest and spicy at the same time." Another stated it shouldn't even be a debate: "Just stop the discourse. It's so unnecessary ... It just puts women back!" Summersalt, PacSun and more 👙 Shopping guide for where to buy bathing suits On one hand, the internet is valid in sensing a "significant shift" toward traditional gender roles in fashion, according to Leora Tanenbaum, author of "Sexy Selfie Nation." Clothes associated with stereotypical femininity, even if they are a revealing bikini, are popular right now, she said. Look no further than dominance of the "low-cut milkmaid dress" garments that accentuates "womanly" aspects like breast cleavage, Tanenbaum said. "There is a very narrow aesthetic ideal of femininity," she said. But at the same time, the internet's battle misses the point women will face "relentless" sexualization no matter what swimsuit they choose this summer, Tanenbaum said. "I see the tankini debate not as much as pressure to look modest, but more as young people saying 'I am just so sick of being objectified,'" Tanenbaum added. "There's no way to win this. On the hand, if you wear a bikini, you open yourself up to slut-shaming because of the presupposition that someone who dresses in a revealing way is 'asking for it.' But if you wear a tankini, you're seen as deficient as a woman because you're rejecting being sexy according to a binary way." Wellness coverage from USA TODAY: Online, young female OnlyFans stars make their lives look aspirational. Is it problematic? If the aim of wearing a tankini is to avoid sexualization, "that is a losing battle," according to Tanenbaum. But for people who wear tankinis to feel empowered mentally and physically, she said to "own it." "We all have the right to feel a sense of autonomy and ownership over our own bodies and if that little extra piece of fabric gives us that self-empowerment, we should wear it." People might also just be tired of what's in their closet and want to try something new. "We've reached fatigue level of teeny teeny bikinis, what's going to look fresh?" Divita article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Tankini summer': The online debate over covering up at the beach
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
It's 'tankini summer' – and it's already sparking online debate
USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change. The tankini is igniting social media debate over modesty at the beach. For some, tankinis are reminiscent of being a preteen: A bikini bottom or shorts paired with what is essentially a waterproof crop top was often the first graduation from the one-pieces of childhood to swimming in a two-piece. Or perhaps they were the performance swimsuit you remember your mom or guardian wearing, the front swath of fabric adding extra coverage targeted for people with post-birth or pregnant bellies. Either way, the tankini has gotten a revamp in 2025, with popular retailers from ASOS to Cupshe marketing these tummy-covering two pieces to some shoppers who likely haven't worn one since the summer before seventh grade. These upgraded tankinis offer refreshed color palettes and not-so-boxy designs, but don't totally skimp on the style with unexpected cut-outs and cute patterns that paired seamlessly with a skirt or shorts. But the tankini takeover has prompted some social media users to wonder if the resurgence is as innocuous as pure 2000s nostalgia, or whether it's a totem of a cultural shift that wants women to cover-up. "I don't know if the modesty propaganda is working on me or if they're actually just making cute tankinis this year," one TikToker mused. "Every ad I've seen for tankini, is the cutest tankini I've ever seen and I must have it. Am I going to be wearing tankinis all summer? Is it working?" Tankini summer indicates America's zeitgeist, said Lorynn Divita, associate professor of Apparel Design and Merchandising at Baylor University. There's been a lot of attention to nudity (or lack thereof) this year: Some attendees at this year's Met Gala caused a firestorm for a slew of naked looks. Then, the Cannes 2025 Film Festival banned nude gowns on its red carpet. Seeming ubiquitous cut-out booty shorts and strappy crop-tops have sparked debate over modesty at the gym. And let's not forget Miley Cyrus turning heads in a completely sheer dress just this week. "I'm not a fan of whatever direction we're going in," another TikToker said, arguing tankinis have a nefarious subtext young women are falling for. The same creator later posted the "tankini police" came for her when she tried to call out this so-called "random radical shift to more conservative clothes." Meanwhile, others said a little more bandwidth offers inclusive, cute options for a range of body types and lifestyles. One fan posted she loved how a tankini was "modest and spicy at the same time." Another stated it shouldn't even be a debate: "Just stop the discourse. It's so unnecessary ... It just puts women back!" Summersalt, PacSun and more 👙 Shopping guide for where to buy bathing suits On one hand, the internet is valid in sensing a "significant shift" toward traditional gender roles in fashion, according to Leora Tanenbaum, author of "Sexy Selfie Nation." Clothes associated with stereotypical femininity, even if they are a revealing bikini, are popular right now, she said. Look no further than dominance of the "low-cut milkmaid dress" garments that accentuates "womanly" aspects like breast cleavage, Tanenbaum said. "There is a very narrow aesthetic ideal of femininity," she said. But at the same time, the internet's battle misses the point women will face "relentless" sexualization no matter what swimsuit they choose this summer, Tanenbaum said. "I see the tankini debate not as much as pressure to look modest, but more as young people saying 'I am just so sick of being objectified,'" Tanenbaum added. "There's no way to win this. On the hand, if you wear a bikini, you open yourself up to slut-shaming because of the presupposition that someone who dresses in a revealing way is 'asking for it.' But if you wear a tankini, you're seen as deficient as a woman because you're rejecting being sexy according to a binary way." Wellness coverage from USA TODAY: Online, young female OnlyFans stars make their lives look aspirational. Is it problematic? If the aim of wearing a tankini is to avoid sexualization, "that is a losing battle," according to Tanenbaum. But for people who wear tankinis to feel empowered mentally and physically, she said to "own it." "We all have the right to feel a sense of autonomy and ownership over our own bodies and if that little extra piece of fabric gives us that self-empowerment, we should wear it." People might also just be tired of what's in their closet and want to try something new. "We've reached fatigue level of teeny teeny bikinis, what's going to look fresh?" Divita article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Tankini summer': The online debate over covering up at the beach
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
It's 'tankini summer' – and it's already sparking online debate
The tankini is igniting social media debate over modesty at the beach. For some, tankinis are reminiscent of being a preteen: A bikini bottom or shorts paired with what is essentially a waterproof crop top was often the first graduation from the one-pieces of childhood to swimming in a two-piece. Or perhaps they were the performance swimsuit you remember your mom or guardian wearing, the front swath of fabric adding extra coverage targeted for people with post-birth or pregnant bellies. Either way, the tankini has gotten a revamp in 2025, with popular retailers from ASOS to Cupshe marketing these tummy-covering two pieces to some shoppers who likely haven't worn one since the summer before seventh grade. These upgraded tankinis offer refreshed color palettes and not-so-boxy designs, but don't totally skimp on the style with unexpected cut-outs and cute patterns that paired seamlessly with a skirt or shorts. But the tankini takeover has prompted some social media users to wonder if the resurgence is as innocuous as pure 2000s nostalgia, or whether it's a totem of a cultural shift that wants women to cover-up. "I don't know if the modesty propaganda is working on me or if they're actually just making cute tankinis this year," one TikToker mused. "Every ad I've seen for tankini, is the cutest tankini I've ever seen and I must have it. Am I going to be wearing tankinis all summer? Is it working?" Tankini summer indicates America's zeitgeist, said Lorynn Divita, associate professor of Apparel Design and Merchandising at Baylor University. There's been a lot of attention to nudity (or lack thereof) this year: Some attendees at this year's Met Gala caused a firestorm for a slew of naked looks. Then, the Cannes 2025 Film Festival banned nude gowns on its red carpet. Seeming ubiquitous cut-out booty shorts and strappy crop-tops have sparked debate over modesty at the gym. And let's not forget Miley Cyrus turning heads in a completely sheer dress just this week. "I'm not a fan of whatever direction we're going in," another TikToker said, arguing tankinis have a nefarious subtext young women are falling for. The same creator later posted the "tankini police" came for her when she tried to call out this so-called "random radical shift to more conservative clothes." Meanwhile, others said a little more bandwidth offers inclusive, cute options for a range of body types and lifestyles. One fan posted she loved how a tankini was "modest and spicy at the same time." Another stated it shouldn't even be a debate: "Just stop the discourse. It's so unnecessary ... It just puts women back!" Summersalt, PacSun and more 👙 Shopping guide for where to buy bathing suits On one hand, the internet is valid in sensing a "significant shift" toward traditional gender roles in fashion, according to Leora Tanenbaum, author of "Sexy Selfie Nation." Clothes associated with stereotypical femininity, even if they are a revealing bikini, are popular right now, she said. Look no further than dominance of the "low-cut milkmaid dress" garments that accentuates "womanly" aspects like breast cleavage, Tanenbaum said. "There is a very narrow aesthetic ideal of femininity," she said. But at the same time, the internet's battle misses the point women will face "relentless" sexualization no matter what swimsuit they choose this summer, Tanenbaum said. "I see the tankini debate not as much as pressure to look modest, but more as young people saying 'I am just so sick of being objectified,'" Tanenbaum added. "There's no way to win this. On the hand, if you wear a bikini, you open yourself up to slut-shaming because of the presupposition that someone who dresses in a revealing way is 'asking for it.' But if you wear a tankini, you're seen as deficient as a woman because you're rejecting being sexy according to a binary way." Wellness coverage from USA TODAY: Online, young female OnlyFans stars make their lives look aspirational. Is it problematic? If the aim of wearing a tankini is to avoid sexualization, "that is a losing battle," according to Tanenbaum. But for people who wear tankinis to feel empowered mentally and physically, she said to "own it." "We all have the right to feel a sense of autonomy and ownership over our own bodies and if that little extra piece of fabric gives us that self-empowerment, we should wear it." People might also just be tired of what's in their closet and want to try something new. "We've reached fatigue level of teeny teeny bikinis, what's going to look fresh?" Divita article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Tankini summer': The online debate over covering up at the beach
