Latest news with #OliveGarden
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Olive Garden Turns Up the Heat with a Spicy Summer Menu Update
Olive Garden Turns Up the Heat with a Spicy Summer Menu Update originally appeared on Parade. As more and more people take part in the wonderful world of spicy flavors, our favorite brands have followed suit with some tastebud-rocking creations of their own. While we usually find ourselves obsessing over the latest Aldi grocery find or snackable Trader Joe's treat, it's actually our beloved Italian-American restaurant chain that has been turning up the heat and catching our attention most recently. Starting this week, Olive Garden is turning up the heat with its bold new Spicy Three-Meat Sauce, now available on the popular 'Create Your Own Pasta' menu. Like all of Olive Garden's house-made sauces, this fiery addition is made fresh daily and strikes the perfect balance of heat and flavor. It features a vibrant blend of chili flakes, cherry peppers, red bell peppers, pepperoni, red wine, garlic, herbs and a rich homemade meat sauce that's sure to satisfy any pasta lover. 🍳 🍳 But the hot summer excitement doesn't stop there. Alongside the new spicy sauce, Olive Garden has also introduced Bucatini — a thick spaghetti with a hollow center that lets the pasta soak up sauce from the inside out. Even Olive Garden's most dedicated fans might be surprised to learn this is the first new pasta shape the chain has added to its menu in nearly seven who dive into the 'Create Your Own Pasta' menu can enjoy even more options, including the new Spicy Three-Meat Sauce and Bucatini pasta, starting at just $12.99. The deal also includes Olive Garden's famous never-ending breadsticks, plus endless soup or salad — an iconic combo guaranteed to satisfy every craving. Diners can choose from: Choice of pasta from New! Bucatini, Rigatoni, Angel Hair, Spaghetti and Gluten-Free Rotini Choice of sauce from New! Spicy Three-Meat, Marinara, Meat Sauce, Five Cheese Marinara and Creamy Mushroom Option to add a topping for an additional charge, which includes meatballs, Italian sausage, crispy chicken fritta, grilled chicken, sauteed shrimp and broccoliAlso later this season, starting July 7, guests can savor the Calabrian Steak and Shrimp Bucatini—grilled sirloin tips and shrimp tossed with bucatini in a spicy Calabrian cream sauce, plus spinach and tomatoes. These new dishes, along with the Spicy Three-Meat Sauce and Bucatini pasta, will be available until August 25. You can enjoy them in-restaurant, to-go or via delivery when ordering at or through the Olive Garden app. To turn up the summer heat even more, Olive Garden will be offering free delivery for the first million people who use code OGDELIVERS at Garden Turns Up the Heat with a Spicy Summer Menu Update first appeared on Parade on Jun 2, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
CNBC
29-05-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Best stocks: Why this dining stock is hitting highs, even though Josh Brown never eats at Olive Garden
(This is The Best Stocks in the Market , brought to you by Josh Brown and Sean Russo of Ritholtz Wealth Management.) Josh here — One of the things I've learned to do over the years is to stop thinking about investment opportunities purely through the lens of my own taste or experiences. I may not always be representative of the attitudes and desires of the bulk of the population. Nowhere is this more true than when it comes to consumer discretionary stocks and especially within the restaurant group. Darden Restaurants (DRI) owns eleven major dining brands, including the Capital Grille, Ruth's Chris, Yard House, Eddie V's, Longhorn Steakhouse and Seasons 52. Most people know Darden as the former owner of the Red Lobster chain (no longer part of the company) and the current owner of their flagship chain, The Olive Garden. I live in Nassau County, Long Island, home to the highest concentration of incredible Italian restaurants anywhere in America outside of Brooklyn and Manhattan. I'm a fifteen minute drive away from Cippolini in Manhasset, Il Mulino and 388 in Roslyn, Chris and Tony's in Syosset or, if I want to play a home game, Matteo's or Bella Notte in Bellmore. Suffice it to say, I'm not ever eating at an Olive Garden. But most people don't live where I live or have the same choices that I have. Most people don't even know the difference or what they're missing. For most people, The Olive Garden is a good night out, close enough to home, and at a reasonable price. That's probably why the stock price looks like this with the company hitting our Best Stocks in the Market list this week: They do a great job serving their customers and maintaining the chain's brand equity in a race-to-the-bottom sector where most of their competitors are relying on gimmicks and discounts. Last year, Olive Garden did $3.83 billion in sales earning over $800 million in profit for the company. Darden's systemwide sales are projected to top $12.1 billion this year, with a juicy 2.6% dividend, an authorized stock buyback and a healthy earnings per share number of around $9.50. I also want to say that if you find yourself near a shopping mall or a strange downtown area and you're not 100% sure where to go for lunch or dinner, Capital Grille will never let you down. Get the NY Strip with the au poivre sauce or the ribeye with the cajun rub and it'll be a "lights out" experience for you. You can't go wrong. Fortunately, for the shareholders of Darden, my opinions about their other chains don't mean anything. Their audience of diners are voting with their wallets and the share price is reflecting this. Sean's going to go a little deeper into the technicals and fundamentals while I figure out what's for lunch. Best Stock Spotlight: Darden (DRI) On the list since: 5/27/2025 Sean: Darden is the largest restaurant operator in the U.S., representing 3% to 4% market share — this comes out to about 2,000 company-operated restaurants in the U.S., according to YCharts. Olive Garden represents 44% of the company's revenue, Longhorn Steakhouse is 25% of revenue, fine dining is 11% of revenue, and the rest of the brands make up the last 20%. This is a geographically and economically diversified restaurant chain. It caters to most people along the income spectrum, which is a key diversifier for a restaurant business. Darden has improved segment profit margins across its major brands. Olive Garden's segment profit margin increased from 22.5% to 23.0% YoY in the latest quarter, driven from lower costs of goods sold. A number of brands are seeing positive sales and cost efficiency savings. Leaning into the company's growth capabilities, DRI rolled out its first-party delivery service through various partnerships which has expanded sales channels and improved guest experience, and these improvements are showing up on the top and bottom lines. Over the past 5 years, DRI has compounded revenue at a 6% annual clip. More impressively, they have grown EPS at a 12% clip annually during that same period, and the growth doesn't stop there. EPS is expected to grow 9% annually over the next two years. Darden's long-term chart is up and to the right. This stock has bounced off its 200-day moving average only twice on a weekly basis, going back 5 years: And this year, it's stuck especially close to its 50 day moving average (see one year chart in Josh's commentary). DRI has a 63 Relative Strength Index— not too hot, not too cold. It's about 6% above its 50-day moving average and 19% above its 200-day moving average, solidly in an uptrend which is what we like to see. It's hitting new 52 week highs and all-time highs in what has been a challenging macro environment. Risk Management Josh: Traders want to eyeball the level just below $200 for a change in the short-term trend. That neatly coincides with where the 50-day moving average is keying off of. Investors can use $180 as their line in the sand. Darden reports before the open on Friday, June 20. On each of the last four earnings reports, investors bought the news that day. Good luck and have a great weekend. DISCLOSURES: (None) All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, NBC UNIVERSAL, their parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium. THE ABOVE CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY . THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSITUTE FINANCIAL, INVESTMENT, TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE OR A RECOMMENDATION TO BUY ANY SECURITY OR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSET. THE CONTENT IS GENERAL IN NATURE AND DOES NOT REFLECT ANY INDIVIDUAL'S UNIQUE PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE ABOVE CONTENT MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. BEFORE MAKING ANY FINANCIAL DECISIONS, YOU SHOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER SEEKING ADVICE FROM YOUR OWN FINANCIAL OR INVESTMENT ADVISOR. INVESTING INVOLVES RISK. EXAMPLES OF ANALYSIS CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE ONLY EXAMPLES. THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE CONTRIBUTORS AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OFFICIAL POLICY OR POSITION OF RITHOLTZ WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC. JOSH BROWN IS THE CEO OF RITHOLTZ WEALTH MANAGEMENT AND MAY MAINTAIN A SECURITY POSITION IN THE SECURITIES DISCUSSED. ASSUMPTIONS MADE WITHIN THE ANALYSIS ARE NOT REFLECTIVE OF THE POSITION OF RITHOLTZ WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC" TO THE END OF OR OUR DISCLOSURE. Click here for the full disclaimer.
Business Insider
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
The rise and fall of plastic perks
For a certain subset of Americans, credit card rewards make the world go around. The cottage industry around credit cards and their requisite rewards is centered on a tantalizing prospect: You spend money to make money. And, if you play the game right, you can secure perks you'd never otherwise afford. I've spoken to younger credit card holders who have found themselves in luxury layback seats on planes or in fancy airport lounges. Some lucky Capital One cardholders were able to get presale tickets for Taylor Swift's Eras tour. Other payouts are more quotidian: A friend was recently delighted to learn that her credit card was offering 10% back at Olive Garden, where we enjoyed a celebratory meal. I'm guilty of gamifying my spending. I've strategized when and where to buy groceries or which card to use at the laundromat to get more points. The payoff has been pretty great: I don't know if I've paid for a flight in years, and I've skipped lines at music festivals with my Chase card. Credit card rewards have become their own consumer product, and a driver of spending that may not have occurred organically. In the years since the credit card reward complex became ubiquitous, it has also managed to evade the ultimate stress test: a "normal" recession. The pandemic-triggered crash was paradoxically a boon for credit card rewards. Some of that was credit card companies upping the ante to try to keep their customers hooked, despite the inability for them to go out and spend. Some places offered more points per purchase, new bonuses for COVID-friendly activities like at-home food delivery, or giving people statement credits that they could use to pay off their debt. However, if our next downturn follows more historic patterns, credit card reward users may find themselves in a more tenuous spot. In the face of increased economic uncertainty, some airline rewards are already jacking up annual fees and limiting where perks can be used. In the event things really go south, the benefits will likely become less generous — the consumers who signed up to get blockbuster points deals might find card companies changing their perks. For the subset of consumers who use these rewards to bolster a lifestyle they might not otherwise be able to swing, that could be a real shock. "Rewards can be an amazing thing and can be really lucrative if you manage it, and that's certainly easier to do in good times," Matt Schulz, the chief consumer finance analyst at LendingTree, says. "But if you have a half dozen credit cards because you're chasing miles and points and all of a sudden you find yourself without a job or there's a medical emergency or your income is reduced, it can become a real challenge." Credit cards have existed for decades, but have become increasingly popular with the advent of technology that allows you to swipe and go. A 2023 Federal Reserve consumer survey found that 82% of Americans had a least one credit card — up from 76% in 2014, and close to the high of 84% seen in 2021. Outstanding credit card debt hit a record high of around $1.2 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2024. One handy use of those credit cards is, of course, accruing points and rewards. For some, the throughline is simple: You put down plastic for groceries, daily essentials, and a meal or two, and bam — you've got some points to use (and hopefully no debt). On the other end of the spectrum are the superusers, folks who are all in on practices like "churning" — opening up new cards, spending enough to get bonuses, and then just letting them sit dormant — or gamifying their spending across a portfolio of cards to squeeze every last drop from the system. Regardless of how invested they are in accruing benefits, people really like their rewards. An Ipsos poll of 1,081 US adults from May 2024 found that 71% of Americans have a rewards credit card, and 80% of them value the rewards they receive. Over a third of those credit card holders said that if rewards weren't offered, they would buy fewer things on their credit cards. A similar share said that they felt their spending increased when they used their credit card instead of cash or a debit card. We've imbued rewards with a kind of emotional weight, says So Yeon Chun, an associate professor of technology and operations management at INSEAD. They represent a viable path toward extracting extra value from daily life — but only if you gamify it right. They reward those who understand the rules, Chun says, rather than whoever is spending the most or making the most money. "The reward point functions as an alternative currency with real economic value, yet it continues to carry aspirational and emotional significance," Chun tells me. "In other words, rewards have become a dual-purpose behavioral currency: a tool for economic relief and a channel for emotional and symbolic value. Companies have rushed to feed this desire. According to a 2023 Consumer Finance Protection Bureau report, the value of credit card reward sign-up bonuses hit $326 in 2022, an almost 20% increase from $276 in 2019. Around 91% of credit card spending has been on rewards cards since 2020, per the report, and more cardholders with lower credit scores are making purchases on their rewards cards. This attachment is starting to cause some credit card users trouble. The Ipsos poll found that a fifth of 18- to 34-year-olds said that they use their rewards to pay for things or experiences they wouldn't be able to afford otherwise — the highest share among age cohorts. At the same time, that group was the least likely to pay off their credit card balance in full every month. More than 90% of Gen Zers and younger millennials have not paid off credit card debt for at least 90 days. Indeed, among all age groups, Americans ages 18 to 29 are the most likely to have credit card debt transitioning into default. This spending — and reward chasing — is leaving many young people in a precarious financial position. "Most consumers, including middle-income earners, now use rewards not just to manage spending, inflation, or debt, but also to preserve lifestyle," Chun says. Why are younger folks so all in on credit cards and their rewards? Some of it may be inflationary concerns, or just a way to manage the cost of living. Younger credit card holders were the most likely to say that they use their credit cards to better manage their monthly budgets, per the Ipsos poll. A separate January Bankrate poll of 2,144 adults found that 89% of Gen Z respondents said they make every or some effort to earn credit card rewards. Another aspect of it could be that younger workers haven't experienced a traditional recession, which constrains cash flow and makes paying off credit more onerous. The pandemic-induced recession led to a whole lot of money pumping through the economy and into consumers' wallets — and pushed credit card issuers to up the ante on rewards in a desperate attempt to court new customers. That same CFPB report said that as credit card debt went down during the pandemic, reward earnings rates went up, as card issuers wanted to do all that they could to get more Americans to apply. That might change next time around. The next recession probably won't see the type of extraordinary and generous government support seen in the COVID-19 pandemic. And so, instead of signing up for new rewards cards or chasing lifestyle perks, consumers may spend the next crash focused on simple debt management. "In the more typical downturn, we are likely to see a different kind of shift. Issuers will preserve the appearance of program stability while quietly reducing average value," Chun says. "Redemption thresholds may rise, expiration timelines may tighten, bonus categories may rotate more frequently, and access to high-value redemptions will become more conditional." This is exactly what happened in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. Opportunities for credit cards that offered zero interest on debts dried up, and consumption spending followed. We're already seeing some signs of credit slowdowns, if not hesitancy. The credit card rejection rate has ticked up from 16.6% in early 2024 to a plateau of around 22.1%, per the New York Fed's SCE Credit Access Survey, and the application rate in February was 24.8%, down from 28.6% in October 2024. And, after dips in the wake of the great funneling of pandemic-era stimulus, an increasing share of Americans say that they expect their credit card applications will be rejected. Credit card rewards won't fade entirely in the next downturn, Schulz says. Banks will always look to them as a way to bring in business and establish a relationship with younger customers. Frank Pernice, who co-runs a group for points collectors, says that his cohort is already seeing a potential silver lining. "Some people actually saw a little bit of an opportunity because people who do book hotels on cash might be a little more reluctant because they don't have the tangible cash to do so," he says. "So, us points people would have more award availability to do so because hotels, they don't release as much award availability as they would for people actually paying cash." Credit card companies will probably examine what will win them the most loyalty without being a cost burden, or where they can cut corners. Jintao Zhang, a visiting professor of marketing at the University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business, pointed to the example of bundling — credit card companies might start offering what looks like more perks by offering credits for things like delivery services or hotels. But those bundles rely on a few things: Consumers don't have the time to redeem all of them, and, as Zhang notes, you often have to manually activate them, rather than points you just passively accumulate; it can also be an effective cover for devaluing points themselves. For younger creditors holding onto debt but leveraging it for perks, that might be a hit. Simple cashback, where spending slowly accumulates (often at a 1% rate) into a statement credit, might take center stage to offer consumers some budget relief. "I would certainly think that that might be something that's being talked about at some dinner tables around the country right now, people thinking, well, maybe instead of worrying about that dream vacation and getting that big points bonus, maybe we ought to consider simple cash back and building the emergency fund," Schulz tells me. And if the "fun" is sucked out of credit cards — with high-interest debt growing, and more flashy perks not as prominent — America's young debtors might turn elsewhere. Buy now, pay later loans have caught on with younger consumers; 17% of Americans ages 18 to 29 have used BNPL, per Federal Reserve data, and they were also the most likely to pay late among BNPL users. Bernardo Batiz-Lazo, a professor at Newcastle Business School who studies fintech and credit cards, says that if rewards do get pulled back, or at least transformed, there could be even more BNPL. At the very least, Americans might have to rethink being points-focused, especially if the economy remains uncertain and somewhat treacherous. Schulz says there's a possibility that folks might end up shifting toward balance transfer cards, which can help consumers consolidate their debt by moving it from cards with higher interest rates to ones with lower rates. "They can be an absolute lifesaver if you have a bunch of credit card debt. And they are certainly not as sexy as a travel rewards card, but they're a really big deal," Schulz says. "There are certainly a lot of people who would be well served by using one of those cards instead of the rewards card that they have."
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Olive Garden facing walkouts over very embarrassing uniform change
Olive Garden servers are hoping their employer will change a potentially messy uniform policy. The pasta chain — which is famous for its endless soup and salad — has asked servers at several of its 900 restaurants to swap out black shirts for white button ups. New outfits pair the white shirt with an olive green apron and dark wash blue jeans. On social media, multiple servers, who have complained about carrying dishes full of stain-inducing plates, are not pleased with the stain-prone white top. 'Can the employees of Olive Garden go on a strike due to the white shirt uniform?' one employee asked on Reddit. 'I've bought over 15 white shirts and it has been getting messy.' On the same thread, a customer said the shirts were 'sauce magnets.' Insiders at Olive Garden, who agreed to anonymously speak to out of fear of losing their jobs, said that some stores have not made the switch over to the white shirts. 'It's unpopular,' the server said. 'My manager would never ask us to show up to work with a white shirt.' Olive Garden has required servers to bring black button ups to work since 2013. Before the black shirt request, servers were asked to wear white button ups with wide, colorful ties. 'We wanted a significant change, and black is obviously the opposite of white,' Olive Garden's now-CEO, Dan Kiernan, said in 2013, when he was vice president, about the change to black. Olive Garden isn't the only chain facing major revolt over its employee clothing policy. Starbucks is also facing backlash after asking baristas to wear 'solid black short and long-sleeved crewneck, collared, or button-up shirts' and water-proof shoes. The coffee chain said it was rolling out the new uniform to create a 'consistent coffeehouse experience' across the brand. It's part of an ongoing reboot from Brian Niccol, the new CEO, to reinvigorate America's most popular coffee brand after it reported lagging sales. Unionized Starbucks employees have taken issue with the policy, saying that executives didn't properly consult the most impacted baristas. The union, Starbucks Workers United, said the new code was 'restrictive' and represents the company's 'bad faith bargaining.' More than 1,200 employees at 100 locations participated in a nationwide walkout from Starbucks, the union said. Starbucks employees who voted to unionize have been deadlocked in a three-year battle to hammer out a collective bargaining agreement. But Olive Garden workers don't currently have a national effort to create a union. Other employees threw cold water on any attempts to walk out of the pasta chain's stores. 'We're not unionized,' an employee pointed out. 'If people start "protesting", they start firing or replacing.' A representative for Olive Garden didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Olive Garden's parent company, Darden Restaurants, has been on a blistering sales run. Last year, Texas Roadhouse, the corporation's other revenue gem, took the crown as the highest-earning mid-tier restaurant chain in the US. Olive Garden came in second on the list, ending its seven-year reign as the highest earner. It pulled in in $5.2 billion from just under 1,000 restaurants.
Buzz Feed
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
27 Amazon Fashion Items Your Friend Group Will Covet
A corset sundress if your TikTok algorithm is of the cottagecore variety. Do I live in an overcrowded, polluted city? Yes. But when wearing this? Mentally, I'll be baking fresh bread and playing with goats, pigs, chickens, etcetera. Preferably in a sleepy European countryside town. Promising review: "This dress is a fraction of the cost of similar styles and it's absolutely perfect! Lined well, comfortable, good quality. It's definitely cottagecore and I'm here for it!" —VPrice: $53.99 (available in sizes 0–14 and 20 colors) A strapless linen maxi to turn a date night at your local Italian restaurant (Olive Garden) into a candlelit dinner in Florence, Milan, Rome, Sardinia, Positano, or any other city you've saved on TikTok and *will* one day move to. Promising review: "This dress pleasantly surprised me! It feels like such expensive fabric and the linen is feels so nice! It doesn't feel papery or cheap it feels very thick! I got the black color and I absolutely love it! Will be getting the white one as well." —PeytonPrice: $68.32+ (available in sizes XXS–5X and six colors) A halter maxi dress with a smocked bodice, ruffled bottom, an open back worthy of drool, and adjustable back straps that mean underwire won't be necessary. Promising review: "Absolutely one of the most gorgeous summer dresses I own, and for the price? It's amazing." —C Price: $35.99+ (available in sizes S–XL and 32 colors) A 14k gold-plated necklace (or two or three) that is the perfect in-between. This basic hunk of beauty is *just* the stuff when you want to zhuzh up a plain black dress but don't want to wear anything too statement-y. A faux-alligator tote bag that is every commuter's dream thanks to how durable and efficiently roomy it is. This easily fits laptops, workout clothes — the works. It also looks far more expensive than it actually is. Promising review: "I'm a therapist who recently started providing services in a school in addition to my clinic office and telehealth at home. I needed a work bag to carry all my work-related materials between the three locations so I wouldn't lose anything. I have an HP laptop, its charger, a wireless mouse, a mouse pad, a multi-pocket folder, an appointment booklet, a calendar booklet, pens, highlighters, water bottles, my work badge, and other miscellaneous things stuffed in this bag with no problem! And it's so stylish that I've been getting so many compliments. I've been using this for over a month now with no issues." —MiloReviewsPrice: $23.99+ (available in nine colors) A puff-sleeve maxi so lovely I'm mildly tempted to change out of my work-from-home leggings and dip my toe back into the art of dressing up on a Monday. Promising review: "I absolutely loved this dress. I wore it to a picnic that my friends and I had…which turned into a surprise proposal. So then it was what I wore for our engagement photos and it photographs just as beautifully as I'd hoped!" —Madison WellerPrice: $36.99 (available in sizes S–XL and seven colors) A strapless knit top I'm upset with myself for not having purchased sooner. *adds to cart* *spends the rest of the afternoon shopping* Important: reviewers say to size down!Promising review: "This is a cute, comfortable top. Thick material. The avocado color is beautiful. I will probably order more!" —Amazon CustomerPrice: $19.99 (available in sizes XS–XL and 23 colors) A cutout bodycon available in mini and midi lengths that doubles as both tourist-in-a-new-city and club attire. No small feat. Promising review: "Y'all…This dress is so gorgeous! Great stretch, you can wear a strapless bra with it. If you're in between sizes, size down. You can manipulate the back of the dress to show how much lower back you want. I love this dress! It looks so good." —Maya B. Price: $23.99 (available in sizes S–L and 16 colors) Linen pants because it's time we ready our wardrobes for warm weather seasons. The lightweight fabric makes these a shoo-in for the title of "only thing I wear" through October. A stylish matching set that screams "farmers market chic" and I don't know why because I have not been to a farmers market in like, three years. But this set! This set will be my motivation. Promising review: "I love this set, it's so versatile. You can wear the pieces separately or together and dress them up or down. I loved the set so much that I got both navy blue and army green and they mix and match perfectly. JUST GET IT!!!" —Kristine $33.99 (available in sizes XS–XXL and 19 colors) A lightweight quilted jacket to transform all of your outfit equations. It will now go as follows: jeans, basic top, this cropped layer to exert a put-together look. Promising reviews: "I love this jacket! It's a perfect jacket, lightly quilted and filled. 100% cotton and very comfortable. I've gotten so many compliments every time I wear it." —Megan C. "Gorgeous and perfect for fall and spring! adds character to any outfit!" —Sarah $52.79+ (available in sizes XS–XXL and in 12 colors) Low-rise pants from Roxy with over 8,000 glowing reviews. If you want to dip your toe into the wide-leg trend, consider these the first step on your journey from the skinny jean breakup. Promising review: "These pants are adorable! They fit well, they aren't sheer - you need to still wear beige undergarments if you get them in white. They are a perfect, lightweight material for a summer day or even at the beach. LOVE THEM!" —Kerri M. Price: $35.20+ (available in sizes XS–XXL and in 12 colors) A wide-leg pants set that comes equipped with a matching tank to ease your woes when running late for, well, anything. A simple design makes this combo perfect for meetings and boozy brunches alike. Paperbag pants that can truly fall anywhere in the fancy-to-casual spectrum depending on the accessories you decide to fish out of your closet. Promising review: "I love these pants! I've ordered two colors. They're great for the summer with a crop top, but also dressed up with a blouse for work!" —Jillian ThomasPrice: $32.99+ (available in sizes S–3X and in seven colors) A ruched mock-neck dress to save all your future headaches: running late to date night? Drinks with friends? Work happy hours you didn't want to go to in the first place? Here's your dedicated 'fit. Promising review: "I purchased this dress to wear to my coworker's retirement/birthday party, and I absolutely love it. It fits like a glove, but at the same time, it's comfortable. I received so many compliments on the dress." —SHANAPrice: $41.99 (available in sizes S–XL and in 12 colors) A maxi dress that you'll wear with alarming frequency (think: every. single. day.) due to its lightweight material, versatile design, *and* the fact that it has pockets. Promising review: "This is very comfortable and flowy. Wore it all day and didn't want to take it off because of how comfy it was. I got lots of compliments on it at my baby shower — I'm eight months pregnant in Texas, and it's HOT here." —Lorin RaePrice: $26.33+ (available in sizes 14–26 and in 39 colors) Baggy overalls (with pockets!) for anyone who detests having to scrounge up a matching top and bottom plus wants to look peak Instagram-worthy in their loungewear — all you'll have to do is slip this on over a bralette *or* a sleeved tee. Promising review: "I am literally obsessed with these! I have been wanting to order overalls for a couple of years now. I thought this was a cute way to wear them without trying to look too young. Spot on. I actually bought it as my lounging outfit. With all this time being spent at home with the recent crisis, I wanted something comfortable but cute, so I'm not in sweats all day. Thinking about getting a couple of other colors. I would totally wear these out and about." —WamQQkPrice: $23.79+ (available in sizes S–3XL and 13 colors) A silky satin midi skirt with a trillion and one styling possibilities. Have a blazer and bodysuit? Done. A cropped cardigan? Done. A semi-sheer blouse? Done. You'll never run out of cute outfits. A tailored vest and wide-leg pantsuit that proves you *should* dress for the job you want. Job in this context? CEO of a cool creative company that (fill in your personal mission statement here). Promising review: "I recently traveled to Milan, Italy, and took this outfit set with me. The results were fantastic! This set is absolutely worth the price. To enhance my look, I added a belt for a more fashionable touch. I also mixed and matched the pants with other pieces, which worked beautifully. Highly recommended!" —Alexiacelebrity Price: $46.65+ (available in sizes S–XXL and in 14 colors) Baggy wide-leg Levi's jeans that are made from a stiff denim that feels rigid at first but gets more and more comfortable with every wear. Promising review: "Wide leg and wonderful! They are wider than most - and the denim is a little stiff since it's cotton, so they hold their shape very well. No stretch with these jeans, so you may have to size up a couple of inches if you usually buy stretchy ones." —NaterlyRosePrice: $44.99+ (available in sizes 24–34 and in nine colors) A faux leather belt which proves a good outfit doesn't require much beyond a simple accessory. Fasten this on with your black boots, black jeans, and white tee trio, and passersby will assume you're verified on Instagram. Promising review: "This belt is so chic and looks so expensive. It looks fantastic with every outfit I've tried it with so far. I'm gonna order another one in brown because it's just perfect." —Emilee K. Price: $14.99 (available in sizes XS–XL and in nine colors) A belt bag capable of holding your cash, cards, phone, and AirPods case. Whether going for a hike or a jog, this hands-free accessory means securely carrying around your essentials. (Fanny packs are cool now, and I don't want to hear otherwise, capisce?) Promising review: "I got this for my international trip to hold all my important things like my passport and wallet. It was great! This bag NEVER left my body, it had a small zippered pocket that goes against the body, which is where I put my wallet and passport, and they fit perfectly." —Arne F. SalkinPrice: $12.98 (available in 45 colors) A seamless jumpsuit for hot girl walks (because that's a trend I will never stop thanking TikTok for). Pair with an oversized button-down when it's a bit chilly, and by golly, I swear you will feel like you can take over the world. Promising review: "The material is a nice weight, a slight bit of compression, but not uncomfortable at all. Can wear it to a workout or with a jacket or sweater, sneakers, or boots. It's very versatile and not see-through. Very happy with my purchase." —CdeePrice: $19.99 (available in sizes S–XL and in 10 colors) A tiered maxi skirt that simplifies your morning routine because the outfit equation of the winter-to-spring transition is now officially: this skirt, a sweater, and a knee-high boot. Promising review: "So, when I ordered this skirt, I was skeptical, but I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! It is the exact fit and style I have been looking for. The fabric is soft and flowing, but not thin at all. It fits as expected and is super comfy. And bonus - it has pockets!" —Kim M. TurcottePrice: $26.97+ (available in sizes S–XXL and in 18 colors) A square-neck maxi available in a variety of hues, meaning, unfortunately, you won't be able to choose just one. The choice between lime green and red will feel all but agonizing, so take my advice: simply buy 'em all. Promising review: "This dress was perfect; I was worried it would be like every other dress make me look like a busted can of biscuits, but it fit very well and looked wonderful! Definitely a great dress for spring or summer. Will for sure get some more in different colors." —HannahPrice: $42.99+ (available in sizes XS–XXL and in 23 colors) A ruffle hem romper sure to make you swoon every time you pass a mirror. Ideal for casual brunches and fancy affairs alike, this warm-weather piece is bound to become your new closet go-to. Promising review: "This romper is EVERYTHING! So comfortable, so sexy. I was so obsessed that I bought another one in a different color the night I wore it. You will not regret this purchase." —Angel A. Price: $39.99+ (available in sizes S–XXL and in 19 colors) A surplice dress available in solid colors and a snazzy leopard print, the latter of which I personally intend on purchasing in preparation for my eventual Disney vacay (inspired by the below reviewer). Promising reviews: "This dress is very easy to care for. You can dress it up or wear it casual. So comfortable. I live in South Florida and it's become a staple for business, business travel and daily wear." —Amazon Customer"This dress is so comfortable. The fabric is soft and holds up well when washed. (I hang it to dry, so I cannot speak to how it dries in the dryer.) The color is vibrant. It's the perfect spring-to-summer to early-fall dress. I'm 5'10', ordered an L, and the length is perfect. I get tons of compliments when I wear it." —Amazon CustomerPrice: $15.89+ (available in sizes XS–6X, two materials, and 16 colors)
