The privilege of choice is not lost on me — that we are able to choose a career, a location, a plethora of meals — and maybe therein lies the issue. We’re overwhelmed.

We are not just choosing; we’re curating. Constantly optimising. Constantly wondering if there might be a slightly better version of the decision just one more scroll away.

It becomes less about what I want and more about what I might regret not wanting. A kind of low-level paralysis dressed up as thoughtfulness. I tell myself I’m being considered, intentional even. But often I’m just stuck, hovering between options like my entire identity depends on picking the ‘correct’ one.

So, how do we stop spending half our lives deciding?

I wish I could tell you I’ve transformed into someone decisive. Someone who simply ‘trusts her gut’ and moves through life with the confidence of a man choosing a seat on Ryanair. Unfortunately, that is not my journey.

But I am trying to accept that not every decision deserves the level of significance I assign to it. Most choices are not life sentences. They are just choices. And the frightening thing about that is that there often isn’t a perfect answer hidden somewhere beneath all the overthinking, just an answer you eventually commit to.

1. Stop treating every decision like it’s life-altering

Not every choice is a ‘sliding doors’ moment. Sometimes a phone is just a phone, and ordering the wrong pasta will not ruin your life trajectory. The issue with overthinking is that eventually, everything starts carrying the emotional weight of a major personality diagnosis.

2. Shorten the decision window

I no longer need eight months to purchase an electronic device. That is not research; that is psychological warfare. Give yourself a time limit. An hour. A day. A week for bigger things. Because the longer a decision sits, the more fictional scenarios your brain has time to create.

3. Accept that there is no perfect option

Part of indecision is believing there is a singular correct choice waiting to be discovered by watching just one more YouTube review. There usually isn’t. Most people are just choosing things and adjusting afterwards. Horrifying, but apparently true.

4. Realise that indecision is often fear in a more intellectual outfit

Sometimes I tell myself I’m being thoughtful, analytical, and intentional. In reality, I’m scared of making the wrong choice and having to live with it publicly. Overthinking can look productive, whilst in reality, keeping you completely still.

5. Just buy the phone

At some point, you have to participate in your own life. Not optimise it. Not perfectly curate it. Just live it. Make the choice. Send the text. Book the trip. Buy the phone. Worst-case scenario? You become one of the millions of people who simply made a slightly disappointing purchase and moved on.

And maybe that’s adulthood. Not becoming someone who always knows the right answer, but becoming someone who can tolerate not knowing — and choosing anyway.

At some point, you have to stop researching the phone and just buy the damn thing.

But somewhere between long days of standing, travel, and the slightly unsettling realisation that we’re all somehow approaching our thirties, I became a compression sock girly. Passionately so.

Since pressing publish on that article, a conversation has sparked amongst office girlies, travel girlies, and anyone who’s ever ended the day thinking why do my legs feel so heavy? Apparently, we’re all just one long day, delayed flight, or desk job away from becoming compression sock girlies.

Kate found me from that article.

She reached out and introduced me to Mode Compression. What followed was less a ‘brand intro’ and more a mutual agreement that we need to stop pretending compression socks are something to be endured and worn in secrecy. Because for something so widely needed, they’ve somehow managed to stay, well, deeply uncool.

But Kate is changing that.

Mode is less of a brand and more of a gentle rebellion — turning function into something you might actually want to wear outside of a long-haul flight or a medical recommendation. And as every cool girl knows (or is slowly realising), looking after your health is part of the aesthetic too (Kate has given us 15% off Mode Compression so we can do just that).

We had a chat with Kate below.

Article includes an affiliate link.

Compression socks often come with a lot of stereotypes, and usually a few laughs, at least in my experience. What made you decide it was time to shake up the industry?

This has been on my mind since I was 16. I was diagnosed with melanoma at 15, and a year after the surgery, I developed lymphedema in my right leg and had to start wearing compression socks. Back then, Amazon as we know it didn’t exist, and neither did any of the new DTC compression brands. My only option was the pharmacy. The terrible feeling of wearing those beige medical stockings in the Florida heat has stuck with me after all these years.

I remember thinking even back then: why are these so ugly and uncomfortable? There has to be something better…

For most of my life, I tried to ignore my lymphedema because wearing compression socks was just such a burden. Then, when I was pregnant with my first baby, the swelling hit an all-time high, and I had no choice but to wear the damn socks. I guess you could say that was my ‘aha’ moment. I was desperate and motivated enough to stop waiting for someone else to solve my problem.

I think a lot of us associate compression socks with long-haul flights, marathon runners, or something our mums pack “just in case”. When did you realise they could be something more than that?

When I decided to start Mode, I spent a lot of time on market research. I scoured Reddit and social media to see what people were saying about compression socks. I wanted to understand their struggles.

I learned about this huge community of people, mostly young women, who are wearing compression socks to manage a number of chronic conditions. I started seeing girls on TikTok and Instagram styling compression into their outfits and asking for advice on how to wear them in the summer, etc. This really opened my eyes. I realised there are so many more use cases than I originally thought, and it spans a much bigger age group, too. I was able to connect with many of these young people to learn about their experiences, and they’ve become really loyal Mode supporters. It’s so awesome.

Starting a brand is often romanticised online, but I imagine the reality involves a lot more spreadsheets and stress. What has the experience of building Mode been like for you?

Building a brand has been the ultimate test in perseverance. My husband told me something once when I was having a really bad day, and I think it’s important for anyone who is deep in the trenches or thinking about starting something to remember: “the difference between the brands that succeed and the ones that don’t isn’t because the founder was smarter or more experienced. It’s because they didn’t give up when it was hard.”

Every day is a new challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to learn something, and that’s pretty awesome. Being a founder, especially a solo founder, has tested me in so many ways, but honestly, it all feels worth it when you witness the world connect with your product or idea and truly resonate with what you’re building.

I will say, though, if it weren’t for my husband and my close group of girlfriends hustling with me, I don’t know if I would’ve gotten this far. It’s crucial to have your people.

There’s usually a moment when something you’re building suddenly feels real. Was there a point with Mode where you thought, “okay… this might actually work”?

There are a couple that come to mind. The first was getting my first right sample. Before the right one, you get sooo many wrong ones, and those misses can really take it out of you. But when I opened the right one, put it on, and felt how comfortable it was, I was like, “Yes, this is it.”

The second was after posting a founder story video on TikTok and getting a lot of positive engagement. People were saying things like, “Yes, thank youuu this is what we’ve been waiting for”, and reassurance like that made me feel like I was on the right track.

SHOP MODE

I think a lot of people in their twenties are realising we’re not invincible — whether it’s burnout, sitting at desks all day, or travelling constantly. Do you think that shift is part of why people are becoming more open to things like compression?

Absolutely. I think there’s been a huge shift in how young people think about preventative health, and compression socks fit right into that. People seem to be taking a more proactive approach. You see it with skincare routines, sunscreen, healthier eating, exercise, and this broader focus on longevity. Compression can be a medical tool for people with chronic conditions, but it can also help prevent issues like blood clots and varicose veins. It’s a small investment that can have a big long-term benefit, and I think people are starting to subscribe to this idea.

Founding a business comes with a lot of pressure that people don’t always see. What has kept you grounded through the more challenging moments?

Hands down, without hesitation: my little guy, Theo. Whenever I’m deep in it or feeling stressed, I just look at this little human and think, “This is it. You are the real deal.” The innocence, the curiosity, the wonder in his little eyes - nothing better to keep you grounded than a toddler excited about colours and sprouting flowers.

Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my husband. I couldn’t do this without him. He keeps me level-headed, motivated and is always asking the challenging questions. He thinks about this as deeply and seriously as I do. He’s even taken time off work to help me automate systems and think through marketing strategy and product development. I’d be nowhere without these two guys.

One thing I always find interesting with founders is how much their lives end up blending with their work. Has building Mode changed the way you think about wellness or how you look after yourself?

Definitely. Mode has held me accountable and forced me to take my health more seriously. Before Mode, I used to ignore my lymphedema issues. I’d go out for the day knowing I’d end up with a huge cankle and just deal with it. Now I’m trying to help my audience wear compression, style it, and understand why it matters, so I have to live up to that too. It’s no longer an option, and I’ve really learned to embrace it. Of course, finally having the compression socks I can actually stand to wear every day makes it a lot easier!

A lot of our readers are women in their twenties trying to build careers, projects, and lives that don’t completely burn them out. What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone thinking about starting something of their own?

The burnout scare is very real, and it can sneak up on you. One big lesson I’ve learned is that you should never compare yourself and your brand to those who have been doing this for much longer than you. Let them inspire you, yes, but don’t let their success, content quality or design let you feel bad about where you are in your journey. Trust the process and take it one step at a time.

Looking back now, is there anything you wish you’d known before starting Mode?

Many that come to mind are specific to manufacturing a consumer product. I didn’t realise how long everything would take, especially working with overseas factories. Sample timelines, time zone delays, fit tests, feedback rounds, shipping, it all adds up. I also didn’t realise how expensive shipping would be. Sending even one or two pairs of socks in a tiny poly bag can cost hundreds, depending on origin, so that has to be factored into budgets early.

And something I underestimated was how important it is to talk to people. There’s a point where you feel protective of your idea, but once you start putting it out there, talk to everyone. People want to help people, and as a solo founder, you can use all the help you can get. Finding a community of other founders, especially women founders, has also been hugely helpful for advice, accountability, sharing wins, and just getting through it.

And finally, be honest with us, when did you realise you’d become someone who talks passionately about compression socks?

Oh man, for so long I’ve been known to talk passionately about compression socks, only then it was fueled by frustration! Now I’ve completely committed to changing that narrative. I guess it was soon after I started posting publicly about my vision for Mode that I realised that I wasn’t simply selling socks, I was building trust and community, and that’s where the passion comes from now.

Kate kindly sent me a pair of Mode socks to try, with zero expectation that I’d share them — but honestly, I couldn’t not. Like Kate, I have to wear compression socks for medical reasons, and I’ve done my time in the beige, itchy, slightly humbling versions. So slipping into Mode felt like a very rare, very satisfying oh… so this is what we’ve been needing moment.

There’s something refreshing about a brand made by someone who actually understands the problem they’re solving, and the people they’re solving it for.

And because this has turned into a conversation I genuinely think more of us need to be having, Kate has also kindly given us 15% off so we can all experience Mode for ourselves.

15% OFF MODE

Consider this your sign to officially join the compression sock girlies.

Find Mode on socials: @modecompression

Shop Mode Compression and get 15% off using our code: WORNOUT15MODE

Tiny black polka dots on white.

Sleeves that bunch at the wrist.

A collar that sits a little too tight at my throat.

It doesn’t fit right. It never did.

But I reach for it anyway.

It was my grandmother’s. And when she died in 2019, I couldn’t touch it for months. It hung there like a question. Like a door I wasn’t sure I had the right to open. Grief makes things holy that never asked to be worshipped. But eventually I did touch it. I put it on.

And what I found wasn’t just fabric: it was a feeling.

It was her. And, strangely, it was me, too. The blouse doesn’t fit perfectly. The sleeves bunch, the collar snug. But that’s not the point. The point is that it holds me. And when I wear it now, it’s not nostalgia. It’s an anchor.

I’m Jennifer Heinen, and I’m a fashion psychologist, which means I study the link between what you wear and how you think, feel, and behave. I started fourteen years ago as a custom tailor, became a designer, and worked for years as a personal stylist. Now I run STYLMYND, host the Style My Mind podcast, and write on Substack.

My work has been featured in Forbes, Glamour, Vogue Business, and CNN. But more importantly, I’ve sat across from enough people - seen enough tears fall onto expensive sweaters and stretched-out hoodies - to know this:

What you wear isn’t just about how you look. It’s about who you’re becoming. And sometimes, it’s about who you’ve been. And what you’re not ready to let go of yet.

The problem nobody talks about?

The slow fashion movement tells us to buy less, buy better, invest in quality. And I’m not against that.

But there’s a dark side no one talks about: the pressure to purge. Declutter your closet. Get rid of what doesn’t serve you. Only keep pieces that “spark joy” or fit perfectly or align with your “aesthetic.” And if you can’t let go? You’re cluttering. You’re holding on to the past. You’re stuck. But what if you’re not stuck? What if you’re tethered?

In fashion psychology, we call it enclothed memory - the way garments carry emotional significance, sensory markers, and identity traces.

Clothing doesn’t just cover the body. It becomes an extension of the people we love. The versions of ourselves we’ve been. The moments that shaped us. When they’re gone, or when we’ve changed, their clothing is often what we reach for first. Not because it makes sense. But because it feels like something that still holds them. Still holds us. And when a piece of clothing holds that much? You don’t replace it. You return to it. Again and again. Not because it’s perfect. But because it’s yours.

The Style MYᴺᴰ Edit

What you wear matters. I'm here to explain what it's hiding.

During the pandemic, I lived in clothes that had give. Stretchy waistbands. Oversized sweatshirts. Anything I could pull on without thinking. I wasn’t dressing for joy, I was dressing for survival. I had gained weight. I was depressed. I barely got out of bed. And when I did, I reached for what asked the least of me. What wouldn’t remind me that my body felt different, that I felt different. And I know many felt the same. Some started their perfect workout routine, while others just tried to survive the day. I was part of the latter.

My wardrobe reflected it. Pure chaos. Nothing folded. Nothing steamed. Laundry piling up so high it felt like shame made tangible. And with each unworn, unwashed piece, the weight of my own internal unravelling grew.

But even then, when I had only 10% to give, I gave those 10%. That was still everything I had. And those oversized sweatshirts? They held me when I was breaking.

According to every minimalist guide, I should have purged them the moment I felt “better.” Too stretched. Too attached. Too much evidence of a version of myself I was supposed to move past. But here’s what they don’t understand: Those sweatshirts are why I’m still here.

Fast Fashion thrives on emotional detachment.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth:

The fashion industry doesn’t want you attached to your clothes. They want you bored. Dissatisfied. Constantly searching for the next thing that will finally make you feel put together. They want your wardrobe to feel disposable - so you keep buying. But when a garment means something? When it’s tied to a version of yourself you’re not ready to let go of, or a moment that shaped you, or a person you loved?

You don’t replace it. You repair it. You rewear it. You let it breathe.

And that is the actual antidote to overconsumption. Not minimalism. Not capsule wardrobes. Not buying “better” things.

Attachment.

I’ve worked with people who wore hot pink while grieving a parent. Not because they were over it, but because they weren’t, and the colour helped them feel alive.

I’ve worked with people who wore black every day for five years. Not because they didn’t care. But because they cared too much and had no other way to carry it.

I’ve worked with people who wore oversized hoodies in the heat of summer, because the idea of being looked at felt like violence. Because fabric felt safer than skin. We are not what we wear. But what we wear knows who we are.

Our clothes remember the nights we didn’t sleep. They carry the shape of the weight we’ve carried. They hold stains from the breakdowns we couldn’t schedule. They stretched for us when no one else did. So before you donate that stretched-out sweatshirt or those jeans that don’t fit quite right anymore - pause.

Don’t ask yourself “Does it spark joy?” or “Is it on-trend?” or “Would it photograph well?”

Ask yourself:

● What has this piece held for me?

● What would I lose if I let it go?

● What is this piece doing for me?

● Is it holding you when nothing else can?

● Is it tied to a version of yourself you’re not ready to release?

● Is it carrying memories you don’t want to lose?

Because if it is? Keep it.

Even if it’s ratty. Even if it doesn’t photograph well. Even if no one else would understand why it matters. Your closet isn’t a showroom. It’s an archive. And the pieces that hold the most emotional weight? Those aren’t clutter. They’re lifelines.

What Does This Mean for Sustainability?

Real sustainability isn’t about buying the right things. It’s about recognising what you already have, and why that matters.

The polka dot blouse I’ll never wear but can’t let go of? That’s not clutter. That’s tether. The oversized sweatshirt from my lowest point? That’s not something I need to “move past.” That’s survival made fabric.

When we talk about slow fashion, we focus on production: ethical labor, quality materials, and transparent supply chains. And that matters.

But we skip over the consumption side: Why do we keep buying? And the answer is often this: because nothing we own feels like enough.

But what if the problem isn’t your wardrobe?

What if it’s that you’ve been taught to see attachment as weakness instead of recognising it as the thing that makes clothing irreplaceable?

The more emotional weight a garment carries - the more memories, identities, and moments it holds - the less you need to replace it. And that, more than any capsule wardrobe or ethical brand, is what stops overconsumption.

I’m not telling you to never buy anything new. I’m not saying you have to keep everything forever.

But I am saying this: Before you purge, pause. Ask yourself what work each piece is doing. Not aesthetically. Emotionally.

Because the most sustainable thing you can do isn’t buying better. It’s recognising what you already have - and letting it stay.

Shop your closet first.

Not because you should.

But because it already knows you.

And in a world that’s constantly trying to sell you a better version of yourself? That might be the most radical act of all.

The Style MYᴺᴰ Edit

What you wear matters. I'm here to explain what it's hiding.

By Jennifer Heinen

A huge thank you to Jennifer Heinen — fashion psychologist, big sister energy, and the voice reminding us that clothes are never just clothes — for sharing her expertise with us.

Through The Style MYᴺᴰ Edit, Jennifer unpacks the psychological and societal weight behind what we wear, challenging the idea that fashion is “superficial” and exposing how that narrative is often used to dismiss women entirely. Her work invites us to look deeper at the emotional and systemic truths woven into our everyday choices.

Find Jennifer through her Substack , on Instagram @style.my.mind, TikTok @stylmynd, or at www.stylmynd.com.

Freshly Pressed is your lowdown on the wins, the clever moves, and the slow fashion moments worth your attention. So here’s the tea.

At a Glance

• EU fur ban momentum builds

• Swop expands in Australia

• Thrifting continues to scale globally

• UK targets fast fashion imports

• H&M doubles down on sustainability strategy

• Isle of Monday officially launches

*paid placements included

Poland bans fur farming — and Europe could be next

Poland has officially moved to ban fur farming, marking a major shift in the global fashion supply chain. As Europe’s largest fur producer, the country was responsible for millions of mink, fox, and raccoon dog pelts each year, much of which fed directly into international luxury and fast fashion markets.

The ban will be phased in over the next decade, with existing farms gradually shut down and compensation offered to farmers. But the direction is clear: fur is no longer being treated as a future-facing industry, but one being actively wound down.

What makes this moment bigger than Poland alone is the ripple effect across Europe. Fur farming is already restricted in most EU countries, and growing pressure, including a petition backed by over 1.5 million people, has pushed the European Commission to consider a continent-wide ban on both fur farming and sales.1

This isn’t just about one country going fur-free — it’s a sign we’re nearing a tipping point. When bans move from national to regional level, industries don’t just shrink, they collapse. And fashion, whether it’s ready or not, is being forced to move on.

Melbourne’s newest resale space

This week, Swop opened its largest store yet in South Melbourne — taking over a former axe-throwing warehouse and transforming it into a concept resale space.

Designed as both a retail store and immersive showroom, the space offers an extensive mix of pre-loved pieces, from runway and statement vintage to rare designer finds. It also marks the brand’s first location on Melbourne’s south side, expanding its physical presence in a growing resale market.

It also comes at a time when resale is accelerating. The global secondhand market is projected to grow up to 3x faster than traditional retail, with estimates suggesting it could reach $350 billion by 2028. Younger consumers are leading the shift, with Gen Z and millennials making up the majority of resale shoppers and driving demand for more curated, experience-led spaces.

What once felt like an alternative is quickly becoming the default.

Fashion Revolution Week returns this April — and it’s calling for collective action

Fashion Revolution Week 2026 takes place from 22–28 April, bringing together activists, brands, and consumers to demand a fairer, more transparent fashion industry.

Launched in response to the Rana Plaza collapse, the global movement pushes for accountability across the supply chain, from how clothes are made to who is making them. This year’s theme, Collective Action, centres on the idea that real change doesn’t happen through individual guilt, but through shared pressure and participation.

How to get involved:

• Ask brands “Who made my clothes?” on social media

• Support slow fashion and secondhand where you can

• Attend local events, talks, or clothing swaps

• Share educational content to raise awareness

• Rewear what you already own (yes, it counts)

At its core, it’s a reminder that fashion doesn’t change because we care, it changes when we act.

H&M doubles down on sustainability with Stella McCartney

H&M Group is continuing to deepen its sustainability strategy through a renewed collaboration with designer Stella McCartney, launching a Spring 2026 collection made with certified responsible materials, including recycled fabrics.

Beyond the collection itself, the partnership is structured around a newly formed sustainability “Insights Board,” designed to accelerate innovation in circular design, material development, and transparency across the wider fashion industry. It signals an attempt to move sustainability from isolated collections into longer-term, system-level collaboration between a global retailer and one of fashion’s most established ethical voices.

Alongside this, H&M is also expanding its focus on sustainable babywear, integrating more eco-friendly materials and design approaches into everyday essentials. The category reflects a wider strategic shift: instead of positioning sustainability as a premium or limited capsule offering, the brand is embedding it into high-volume, everyday product lines where durability and frequent replacement already make material impact more visible.

UK retailers push to close fast fashion tax loophole as pressure mounts on ultra-cheap imports

British retailers are calling on the UK government to close a tax loophole that currently allows ultra-fast fashion platforms like Shein and Temu to import low-value parcels without paying VAT. The system was originally designed to simplify small international shipments, but has become increasingly controversial as high-volume fashion imports have surged.

Retailers argue this gives overseas platforms an unfair pricing advantage, allowing them to undercut domestic brands while encouraging rapid, low-cost consumption at scale. Closing the loophole would level the playing field and potentially reduce the flood of ultra-cheap clothing entering the UK market.

It signals a shift from consumer-focused sustainability messaging to policy-level intervention on pricing and imports, targeting the economic systems that drive fast fashion growth.

Vivobarefoot steps into regenerative footwear with near-fully natural sneaker

Vivobarefoot has partnered with Natural Fiber Welding to launch a new version of its Gobi II sneaker made from 98% natural materials — including a PLIANT outsole, which is the world's first naturally cured, 100% biobased rubber outsole, derived from the sap of the Hevea brasiliensis tree.2 The collaboration focuses on reducing reliance on plastics and petrochemicals, instead prioritising bio-based alternatives that can better integrate back into natural systems.

What makes this notable is the move toward regenerative design, not just “less bad” materials. By rethinking what shoes are made from at a fundamental level, the partnership points to a future where footwear is designed with its full lifecycle in mind — from sourcing to eventual breakdown.

Footwear has long been one of the hardest categories to make sustainable due to its complex mix of synthetic materials. Moves like this suggest the industry is starting to rethink construction from the ground up — literally.

We’ll be sharing more about lifecycle transparency very shortly with our Digital Product Passport deep dive shortly.

The next wave of designers are growing, not manufacturing, fashion

A new wave of designers is rethinking materials from the ground up — quite literally. As highlighted by The Guardian3, creatives like Natsai Audrey Chieza are pioneering bacteria-dyed fabrics, using living organisms to grow pigment directly onto textiles, drastically reducing water use and chemical waste.

Alongside this, designers such as Fernando Laposse are working with reclaimed and natural materials, while others like Sebastian Cox are embedding regenerative practices into their work, signalling a wider shift toward materials that are grown, reclaimed, or restored rather than mass-produced.

The new vintage platform, Isle of Monday

Introducing an on-demand rental platform dedicated to rare, designer and archival vintage, making pieces once locked in private collections actually wearable again. Founded by Gabriella Carota and Janelle Gray, the platform blends technology with fashion history, giving users access to authenticated, high-value garments through a circular rental model.

What makes it interesting is the shift in mindset: luxury isn’t about ownership anymore, it’s about access. Isle of Monday taps into that perfectly, making fashion feel a little more circular, a little less exclusive, and a lot more fun for the rest of us who just want to wear something great for a night and give it back.

Launching in May.

The Findery

A discoverability platform to help you find new and emerging Australian fashion, launching soon. In the meantime, they have recently hosted a pop-up called Findery and Friends, featuring a selection of small, Aussie brands.

FibFlx

FibFlx ('fib' short for 'fibre', signifying their commitment to quality materials and 'Flx' for 'flexibility’) is a minimalist womenswear brand focused on timeless, investment pieces made from natural fibres like wool, silk and cashmere, designed with longevity over trend-led consumption in mind.

Melia Ann

Melia Ann is a hand made fashion brand of reversible, resizeable and rewearable clothing for the cool girls. From colourful tops, to double sided skirts, it’s a must have for any wardrobe.

Mode

Mode Compression is a female founded compression sock brand making compression socks fashionable, not just functional. Interview coming soon.

Disclaimer: This feature contains a paid placement, but rest assured — we only feature brands that we feel align with our slow fashion values, and are truly worth your attention. If we wouldn’t recommend it to our best friend (or wear it ourselves), it wouldn’t be here.

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Catch up

I first saw Bethan on my feed, explaining the latest news story while slipping into a stunning deep-brown pea coat. Her voice — precise, chatty, and somewhat soothing — immediately hooked me. I found myself absorbing information I wouldn’t have actively sought out, learning without even realising it. She’s that rare combination: relatable, funny, and infinitely curious, the friend you wish you had to help you make sense of the world. She’s us, but more informed, more nuanced, and she’s here to teach us how to engage with the world without letting it overwhelm us.

From podcasts to social media, from small daily habits to critical thinking, Bethan’s guide is practical, empathetic, and totally achievable for anyone trying to make sense of today’s relentless news cycle.

When did you first realise you had a skill for explaining the news in a way people actually understand?

I’ve always been interested in the news and how the world works. My flatmates would tell you I’m constantly listening to a podcast or reading something, and then going, ‘oh my god, did you know…’ and rattling it all off to them, to the point where they’re like, ‘well, I don’t need to listen to it now, do I?’

And I guess that’s really where it came from. When you’re chatting with friends, down the pub on a Friday or whatever, you naturally end up sharing what you know, explaining things, and learning from each other.

So I’ve always been quite used to explaining things, and that’s the basis of my videos. I want them to feel chatty and informal, like you’re talking to a friend, rather than something that feels really serious or disconnected. It’s not just something you listen to — it feels a bit more interactive than that.

Your “get ready with me while I explain the news” format came about after a friend encouraged you to combine your interests. Can you tell us a bit about how that idea came to life?

We were just chatting one night, I think it was a Thursday, and I was explaining the renters’ rights bill to her and what it would mean for us, because we’re all renting. Then we somehow ended up talking about a new pair of shoes I’d bought, and she was like, ‘you should think about doing both.’

Before that, I’d always assumed that if you talked about the news, you had to be an authority or a journalist. But then I realised there must be so many people like me who have lots of different interests and don’t want to feel like they have to segment themselves — like you either have to be super political or into fashion or beauty.

So I thought, do you know what, that could be really fun, and just started. For the first couple of months, a few people messaged saying it was really helpful, which was so nice and encouraging. And then over Christmas, it just completely blew up.

A lot of people in their twenties want to stay informed but feel overwhelmed by the constant news cycle. Why do you think so many people are struggling with that balance right now?

I think the main thing is that we’re the first generation to be exposed to so much information, all the time, right at our fingertips. Before, people chose to watch the news — it was an active decision. Whereas now, even if you’re not actively seeking it out, you’ll still see it if something goes viral. And usually, if it’s viral, it’s something awful.

So whether it’s war, police brutality, or humanitarian crises, we end up consuming it anyway. Because of that, the news feels constant and unavoidable, and I think it’s completely understandable that people feel overwhelmed by it.

Sometimes you’re seeing really distressing images on your feed before breakfast, and that brings up a lot of complicated emotions. There’s the overwhelm itself, but also guilt for feeling overwhelmed when it’s other people who are actually experiencing these things. It can feel like a constant barrage that you can’t really opt in or out of.

So yeah, I think that level of exposure is inherently overwhelming.

What do you think a healthy relationship with the news actually looks like?

I think it’s different for everyone, depending on your level of interest. The key is not feeling like there’s a ‘right’ way to consume the news; it’s about what works for you. I really believe everyone should have an awareness of roughly what’s going on, but a healthy approach could be as simple as spending ten minutes a day on something like BBC News or newspapers you enjoy. Maybe a quick look at The Guardian and The Times to get a balance.

I also love listening to podcasts. On a commute, I can just pop one in and stay up to date casually — it doesn’t have to feel like a study session. There’s even a five-minute roundup podcast that’s perfect for mornings. Instagram can work too, depending on what you follow.

Personally, my go-to is The Times news briefing — it’s super short, about two and a half minutes, so you get the essentials quickly. Then, if a topic interests me, I’ll dive deeper with The Guardian’s Today in Focus, the FT news briefing, or even The Rest is Politics if I’ve got more time. I also think it’s important to get a variety of perspectives — not just left or right — so you can see things from different angles.

Follow Bethan

For someone who wants to stay informed but finds themselves doom-scrolling for hours, what small habits would you recommend?

I’d say podcasts are a great starting point, and then any journalists or pages online that you like, especially on Instagram. I’m probably not going to stop scrolling entirely, so it’s about replacing mindless scrolling with something I enjoy, like a book or a podcast.

I actually think books can be really helpful too — even fiction set in different parts of the world. It might not keep you updated day-to-day, but it gives you a good grounding and context about places and cultures. So for me, it’s a mix: podcasts, engaging online sources, and reading that gives some depth, without being too intense.

When the news feels particularly heavy, how do you personally stay informed without becoming emotionally overwhelmed?

I try to make sure that engaging with the news isn’t my whole day, that it’s digestible and that I’m interacting with it when I’m in a good mental space, which is such a privilege. I think it’s better to be consistent without feeling overwhelmed, rather than thinking about it all the time and spiralling.

Another thing I do is avoid online debates or content that’s clearly trying to wind you up — it just drains so much emotional energy. I’ve stood in the shower getting worked up over something someone wrote online, and realised, this is not helping me at all. The news and online discussions are endless, so it’s about engaging in a way that works for you, such as podcasts, manageable sources, and not letting it take over.

I also try to remind myself that feeling awful about the world all day doesn’t actually help anyone. There’s no cap on sadness in the world, so obsessing over it doesn’t change anything. That’s why I take time to appreciate small joys and moments outside the news, so it doesn’t feel like your whole day is consumed by everything awful that’s happening.

Do you think there’s pressure online to have an opinion on everything happening in the world? How do you navigate that?

I actually think one of the biggest issues right now is how people are consuming the news. The internet isn’t built for nuance. Nuance doesn’t drive outrage, and outrage drives engagement. On top of that, we’re becoming increasingly polarised and exist in echo chambers. I’m super conscious of it; I try to get out of it, but just by the friends you have and the news you consume, it’s hard to fully escape. And with constant accusations of ‘fake news,’ it’s even harder to know what to trust.

That’s why with my videos, I aim to keep them as neutral as possible. I don’t think anyone needs to be told what to think — they just need to know what’s happening so they can form their own opinions. Honestly, if everyone paused and asked themselves, ‘Could I be wrong?’ before forming an opinion, I think we’d be a lot less divided.

For me, the dream is that people who watch my content feel empowered to engage — even if it’s just voting. I’d much rather someone in our generation spoil their ballot than not show up at all, because participation matters. The more we engage, the more politicians and people in power realise we’re a generation they can’t ignore.

Do you feel like our generation is getting a bit more involved?

Anecdotally, my followers really want content based on what’s actually happening. I see it with other creators too — like comedians whose content isn’t neutral but is really engaging. People want to know what’s going on, and there’s definitely a demand for accountability. I also think people want to understand different sides of an argument.

A book that’s really helped me is Scout Mindset by Julia Galef. The idea is that a scout in an army reports the terrain accurately rather than spinning propaganda. It explores confirmation bias and mental challenges, and always makes me ask, ‘Could I be wrong? If I believed the opposite, what would I say?’ Stress-testing your own thoughts like that is such an under-emphasised but valuable skill.

Do you think talking about the news with friends helps people process it, rather than just absorbing it alone through social media?

I think you almost always learn something new, and it gives you a slightly different perspective. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it also makes you feel less alone.

What responsibility do you feel when explaining complicated or serious stories to an audience who may be hearing about them for the first time?

I definitely feel a lot of pressure. First, to make sure all the facts are right, and second, to present them as fairly as possible. That can be really tricky. Especially with something like the current Iran conflict, when the news is so unclear, and the language matters. I try to use active verbs, like ‘they were killed’ rather than ‘they died,’ because phrasing shapes understanding.

There’s a lot of debate online about how to describe events — like with Maduro, whether he’s been ‘kidnapped’ or ‘removed’ — so it’s a balance. I read certain sources and, of course, have my own biases, but I remind myself that most people listening probably don’t know what’s happening at all. If I can explain things clearly and give people the chance to form their own opinions, that’s the most useful thing I can do.

I try to take the pressure off myself, but I definitely feel a responsibility to keep my reporting as neutral as possible.

Finally, what would you say to the “Worn Out mid-twenties girlies” trying to stay informed about the world without losing their minds?

It’s so easy to feel like you have a huge list of things to do and that the world’s demands are constantly on your attention. I’d say find one thing you can do each day to stay informed, whether that’s a podcast or just skimming the BBC or Al Jazeera.

Then try to make it social: share a piece of news with a friend, ask their opinion. It doesn’t always have to be heavy, it can be something lighter, whatever works for you. The more informed you can stay, the better, but there’s no right or wrong way to do it. Just make it enjoyable and give yourself a break.

Find Bethan on socials

Bethan is proof that you don’t need decades of experience or a newsroom behind you to understand the world — or to make it understandable for others. She’s a mid-twenties woman, juggling a career, a social life, and yes, even meeting the Prime Minister, all while breaking down the headlines in a way that’s relatable, human, and empowering. She shows us that staying informed doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and that curiosity, clarity, and perspective are tools we can all wield.

If you want to learn from someone who makes the news feel doable, and even a little inspiring, follow Bethan on Instagram @bethanmcginley for her latest videos, tips, and a reminder that understanding the world can fit into your day, no matter how busy life gets.

Read more The Experts articles

Not abandoned. Just momentarily renegotiated.

Because sometimes you don’t just want something to wear. You want to feel good. Considered. Like yourself, but elevated. Like the version of you that exists in your head when you’re pinning outfits at 11 pm, with better fabrics, better cuts, and none of that “this will do” energy.

So, I did the scrolling so you don’t have to.

Hours of it. Questionable amounts of tabs open, and a brief identity crisis somewhere around page six.

This is that edit — the ones you’ll look back on and still love.

Miphai is one of those brands that feels like it gets it.

Founded in Málaga, it leans into romantic, feminine silhouettes without tipping into anything overly fussy — think soft structure, flattering cuts, and fabrics that actually hold their own. The kind of dresses that do the work for you.

It sits somewhere between occasion wear and something more considered — pieces you could wear to a wedding, yes, but not only a wedding. And importantly, it’s a brand that doesn’t feel like it’s cutting corners to get there. Quality is the point.

Also worth noting: if you’re not in the mood to commit, you’ll find pieces floating around on rental platforms like By Rotation, which feels very aligned with the whole have your moment, without the aftermath approach.

CASONÁ feels less like a brand and more like a quiet find.

Based in Madrid, it leans into that Spanish/Latin ease — pieces that feel a little sun-soaked, a little undone, but still incredibly intentional. Everything is made in limited runs using deadstock fabrics, so you’re not running the risk of turning up and spotting three versions of your dress across the room.

There’s an artisanal quality to it, too. The kind of details you notice more the longer you wear it. It sits perfectly in that space between resortwear and occasion dressing, which means it doesn’t feel locked into one day or one event.

Whilst it is on the more costly side, these are the pieces you reach for when you want something that feels special, considered, and undeniably yours.

Réalisation Par is the Melbourne-born label, known for its 100 % silk dresses, original in-house prints, and vintage-inspired, effortlessly chic silhouettes. It’s the kind of dress that makes you feel confident, elevated, and a little bit Parisian.

The brand leans into natural fabrics and keeps production small-scale, with close relationships with its LA-based manufacturers. While it’s not loudly waving a sustainability flag, the pieces are designed to last, and wearing one feels a little more considered than your typical fast-fashion slip.

BEC + BRIDGE. Sydney‑born and now iconic across occasions, this label is known for elevated, sensual silhouettes that feel modern rather than basic. Think flattering cut‑outs, plunge necklines, sleek maxis and party‑ready minis that walk the line between effortless and main‑character‑energy evening wear.

While not certified as a slow‑fashion brand, the brand focuses on ethical manufacturing, with a Supplier Code of Conduct and long‑standing relationships with makers in Sydney and overseas. They’re also taking steps in areas like textile recycling, carbon‑neutral shipping and sustainable packaging.

The result: pieces that feel thoughtful and considered without being painfully basic — perfect if you want a dress that feels like you developed a real style story around it, not something you grab as an afterthought.

Yellow The Label, a newer, Florida‑born brand with a distinct, statement‑making aesthetic that leans into bold colours and standout shapes without feeling throwaway. A big part of the brand’s ethos is transparency and sustainable intention: most pieces are now made with either sustainable or recycled fabrics, produced in ethically certified or women‑owned factories, and the founders are openly tracking their progress rather than hiding behind buzzwords.

It’s a young brand that’s trying, and getting better, rather than pretending perfection, which feels very aligned with thoughtful dressing in 2026. The silhouettes skew modern and occasion‑ready, so if you’re after something a little playful, bold, and not another satin slip, this is a fun one to keep on your radar.

Reformation. The OG of “I care about the planet but also want to look insanely good.” Think effortless, flattering dresses in soft silks, TENCEL™, and breathable cottons, designed to feel modern and main‑character energy without the polyester guilt.

They lean heavily into sustainable practices, from using deadstock fabrics and water‑saving processes to transparent reporting on their impact, so you can actually feel good about the dress, not just the selfie.

Perfect for when you want a dress that’s chic, sexy, and somehow both ethical and totally Instagrammable.

Aenso, a brand that feels like zen energy meets occasion‑ready dressing. Rooted in the Japanese philosophy of the ensō (a painted circle symbolising balance and presence), their silhouettes lean clean, soft and effortlessly elegant — the kind of pieces that feel peaceful and photogenic in equal measure.

On the sustainability front, Aenso isn’t pretending to be perfect — but it does walk the walk. The brand prioritises eco‑friendly, natural fibres like cupro and Naia™ acetate, consciously sourced materials, and production practices focused on reducing impact. They also use recycled or biodegradable packaging and work with makers who share their ethos of quality over quantity.

Put together, it’s a label that gives you effortless elegance with a quiet conscience — perfect for when you want to look intentional and feel good about what you’re wearing.

Raphaella Santana is a Barcelona-adored brand, where effortless silhouettes meet couture energy. The label has gone viral (yes, for good reason) for its made‑to‑order dresses — think flowy drapes, flattering waistlines and romantic cut‑and‑drapery that feel both timeless and now. The pieces are crafted in her Barcelona atelier, meaning each dress feels intentional rather than churned out.

There’s a transparency to the production process too: garments are made to order rather than mass‑produced, encouraging a shift away from disposable fashion into something you’ll actually reach for again. It’s not screaming “sustainability certified,” but the intentional, slowish way of working feels 100× more thoughtful than fast drops.

Perfect for when you want to show up looking effortlessly elevated, confident, and like that moment was meant to be photographed.

Lady Pipa. The Madrid‑grown label that feels like elevated Spanish party dressing meets effortlessly flattering silhouettes. The brand designs and produces its collections in small workshops just outside Madrid, keeping an eye on quality, drape and fit so dresses feel intentional and not “just another slip”. They’re the sort of pieces you might actually wear again, to another wedding, a party, a summer night out, not just once and forget.

Lady Pipa isn’t waving sustainability badges from the rooftops either, but the fact that they manage their own production in Spain and look for fabrics with good drape and durability means these dresses feel more considered than your typical fast‑fashion grab.

Perfect if you want something that reads polished and easy — the kind of dress you can actually picture in real photos later (not just stock shots).

Honourable Mentions: for when you want the dress, not the commitment

Because sometimes the most sustainable option isn’t buying at all.

If you’re after a moment without the long-term relationship, rental is where it’s at — especially for those slightly more dramatic, one-day dresses that don’t need to live in your wardrobe forever.

• By Rotation — the “borrow from a cooler girl’s wardrobe” experience. Peer-to-peer, which means you’ll find everything from cult brands to under-the-radar gems, often at surprisingly reasonable prices.

• HURR — the slightly more polished, curated option (and a certified B Corp), with designer pieces, occasion wear and even same-day delivery in London if you’ve really left it last minute.

• Rotaro — a tighter, more curated edit of brands like Reformation and Jacquemus, perfect if you don’t want to scroll for hours.

• My Wardrobe HQ — for when you want to go full main character. Think red-carpet-level dresses without the red-carpet price tag.

Rental isn’t perfect (nothing is), but it does let you wear something incredible without the “what now?” after, which, for wedding season, feels like a win.

A quick note: not every brand here is perfectly sustainable.

But each one feels like a step away from panic-buy polyester and towards something a little more considered — better fabrics, smaller runs, or just a dress you’ll actually want to wear again.

Which, realistically, is how most of us are figuring this out.

May your favourite be in your size and your price range, and the odds be ever in your favour. Happy Wedding Season. We’ve got this.

Freshly Pressed is your lowdown on the wins, the clever moves, and the slow fashion moments worth your attention. So here’s the tea.

At a Glance

• Brands are building resale directly into their business models.

• Local manufacturing is (slowly) making a comeback.

• Clothing is becoming wearable health tech.

• DIY creators are turning waste into something aspirational.

• Fast fashion is trying on a more “elevated” image.

• Sustainability is moving behind the scenes into real investment.

• Old shoes are being turned into new ones.

• IRL vintage and resale is having a major moment.

ASICS Turns Old Trainers Into New Ones — Literally

ASICS has just launched a new sneaker, the NEOTIDE™, made partially from its own old, defective, and unsold shoes — a real attempt at closing the loop on footwear waste. Instead of producing entirely new materials, the brand collects discarded trainers from across Europe, breaks them down, and rebuilds them into new components used in the sole, laces, and upper.

What makes this interesting isn’t just the recycled materials — it’s the system behind it. ASICS partnered with a specialist recycling company, Studio Hagelto, to disassemble shoes into reusable raw materials.

But here’s the bigger picture: this is still a partial solution. Only certain components currently contain recycled content, and the process itself is complex and hard to scale. Still, it signals a shift — brands are starting to treat waste as a resource, not a byproduct.

Resale Goes Mainstream

Never Fully Dressed, Lanx, and Miinto are the latest to launch integrated resale solutions — meaning customers can now resell directly through the brands themselves, rather than relying on third-party apps.

Never Fully Dressed has launched a peer-to-peer marketplace powered by Continue, allowing customers to buy and sell pre-loved pieces directly on its site (via its “Pre-Loved” platform). Lanx, meanwhile, has introduced a trade-in programme with Tern, with plans to expand into full resale later this year. And Miinto has partnered with Resellify, integrating resale into the customer journey by saving purchase data for easier future reselling.

What’s interesting is that brands aren’t building this tech themselves; they’re plugging into a growing ecosystem of resale infrastructure. It’s giving brands a faster, lower-risk way to enter circular fashion, while also standardising how resale works behind the scenes. The result? Resale is starting to feel less like a separate behaviour (Depop, Vinted, etc.) and more like a built-in part of shopping itself.

Australia Wants to Bring Fashion Manufacturing Back Home

R.M. Williams and the Australian Fashion Council have announced a 10-year plan to rebuild domestic manufacturing, aiming to reduce reliance on overseas production and strengthen local supply chains.

It’s ambitious, but it’s necessary. For decades, fashion has outsourced production for cost efficiency, but that’s come at the expense of transparency, sustainability, and local industry. This move suggests a slow but meaningful shift toward traceability and resilience. If successful, it could redefine what “made locally” means in a globalised industry, not just as a luxury, but as a long-term strategy.

Your Next T-Shirt Could Monitor Your Heart

Researchers at Imperial College London, funded by the British Heart Foundation, are developing a wearable T-shirt embedded with up to 50 tiny sensors that can track heart activity — essentially performing an ECG without the need for wires, sticky pads, or hospital visits.

The British Heart Foundation, the UK’s leading charity for cardiovascular research, has long funded projects that aim to prevent, treat, and manage heart disease. Their support ensures that this isn’t just a flashy prototype; it actually becomes part of a serious push to make cardiovascular monitoring accessible in everyday life. Carly, a patient living with Brugada syndrome, has been helping researchers test the garment, providing real-world insight into the kind of detection and comfort patients need.

This T-shirt is a perfect example of how fashion and tech can do real good. Clothing is no longer just about aesthetics; it can become functional, life-saving, and proactive. Imagine garments that can monitor heart health, detect early warning signs, or even support rehabilitation — all while being comfortable and normal-looking. As wearables continue to evolve, this could redefine what we expect from our clothes: garments that care for us as much as we care about them.

From Trash to It-Bags: The Rise of DIY Circular Creators

With a mullet, a moustache and a heck of a lot of sewing machines, Luke Phillips is turning Melbourne’s trash into high-demand handbags and building a following by teaching others how to do the same. His platform, Into Carry, has a following of 111k, and shares the slogan, many hands make much impact. With a distinctly chaotic (and very internet-friendly) aesthetic, his work blends sustainability with entertainment.

What’s interesting here is the shift in who holds influence. Instead of brands leading the sustainability conversation, individual creators are building communities around making, repairing, and reworking. It’s decentralised, accessible, and rooted in skill-sharing — a very different model from traditional fashion, and one that aligns perfectly with the growing appetite for authenticity over polish.

Zara x Galliano: Reinvention or Rebrand?

Zara has dropped a bombshell: a two-year collaboration with John Galliano, reworking archive designs with couture-inspired techniques. On paper, it sounds fancy. On the ground, it’s Zara trying to look elevated without slowing down the ultra-fast engine that built its empire.

If you don’t understand why this is kinda juicy, let me explain who John Galliano is. He’s a British designer renowned for his theatrical, over-the-top aesthetic and impeccable tailoring. Galliano first made waves with his own label in the ’80s and later became the creative director at Dior, where he was celebrated for pushing fashion into the realm of performance art. He’s known for drama, couture craftsmanship, and jaw-dropping runway shows — basically, the antithesis of mass-market fast fashion.

Here’s the tea: this is not your usual capsule collection. Galliano’s signature drama and tailoring finesse are being stitched into garments that will still be churned out at scale. The shocker? A brand whose bread and butter is weekly drops and mass production is now talking about “slow fashion principles.” Yes, they’re reworking archives (aka using what already exists), but the optics scream “sustainability marketing” more than “deep systemic change.”

Tapestry Invests in What We Don’t See

Tapestry Inc. (parent company of Coach and Kate Spade) has partnered with Climeworks, investing in carbon capture technology alongside renewable energy and water systems within its supply chain.

This is where sustainability is heading — away from visible, consumer-facing changes and into complex, behind-the-scenes infrastructure. It’s less marketable, but arguably more impactful. The move reflects a growing understanding that real change requires long-term investment, not just product-level tweaks.

From Rental to Real Life: Wardrobe Affaire Bets on IRL Secondhand

Wardrobe Affaire has pivoted from a rental model to a search platform designed to help users find physical vintage and secondhand sales, markets, and pop-ups happening around them.

It’s a subtle but telling shift. Rental has struggled to scale, but in-person secondhand is thriving — from curated vintage markets to community-led resale events. By becoming a discovery tool rather than a service, Wardrobe Affaire is tapping into what people actually want right now: the experience of shopping secondhand IRL. Think less scrolling, more rummaging, storytelling, and one-of-one finds.

Zooming out, this aligns with a bigger movement. IRL resale is popping off. Pop-ups are becoming social events, not just shopping trips, blending community, sustainability, and style in a way that traditional retail (and even apps) can’t replicate. It’s circular fashion, but make it cultural.

With Nothing Underneath

B Corp-certified London brand making timeless, sustainable essentials, most notably their shirts. They recently received the royal stamp of approval from Kate Middleton.

The Wardrobe Affaire

Coined “Google maps for closet sales”. An online platform dedicated to sharing IRL vintage and secondhand pop-ups around the world, making circular fashion feel more like a community than a click.

ISONME

ISONME is an emerging streetwear label blending sustainability with cutting-edge design. Known for upcycled fabrics and limited runs, the brand is quietly building hype among conscious fashion fans who crave originality and ethics in equal measure.

The Second Occasion

An Australian brand redefining the capsule wardrobe with timeless, multi-wear pieces designed to be styled again and again. Rooted in sustainability and longevity, each design blends classic silhouettes with adaptable details all built around its ethos: made to be worn twice.

Catch up

After a few years of designers pretending trousers, skirts, and anything with an elastic waistband could replace them, denim has re-entered the chat.

Across the Spring/Summer 2026 shows, brands like Celine, Kallmeyer, and Prada sent multiple denim silhouettes down the catwalk — from classic straight-leg styles to wide and barrel shapes. In short, the fashion industry has decided jeans are fashionable again. I know. It’s a lot to process. Take a breath. Remember, you survived low-rise the first time.

So how do we survive the great denim revival?

Slowly. Intentionally. And only if we truly want to.

Jeans might be back on the runway, but that doesn’t mean we need to panic-buy three pairs and emotionally spiral in a Zara fitting room. If denim is re-entering your wardrobe, do it properly.

STEP ONE

Buy the silhouette that suits you and makes you feel comfortable. The most sustainable jeans are the ones you’ll still want to wear when the internet decides something else is cool.

For many people, a straight-leg jean with a mid-to-high rise tends to be the most versatile place to start. The shape sits comfortably on the waist and falls cleanly through the leg, creating a balanced silhouette that isn’t overly tight or dramatically oversized. It’s a classic for a reason — easy to style, flattering on a wide range of body types, and unlikely to look dated in six months.

A very loose guide to jean silhouettes (because bodies are different and dressing should be flexible):

• If you carry more shape through your hips and thighs (often called a pear or A-shape), high-waisted styles, bootcut, and flares can help balance proportions by drawing the eye downward and elongating the leg. Wide-leg jeans can also feel comfortable if you prefer something less fitted through the thigh.

• If your shoulders or upper body are broader than your hips (sometimes described as an inverted triangle), straight-leg, boyfriend, or wider silhouettes can add a little volume to the lower half and create a more balanced shape. A higher rise can also feel more supportive through the waist.

• If you have a more defined waist with curves through the hips (often called an hourglass shape), high-waisted cuts tend to highlight the waist nicely. Slim, skinny, or straight-leg styles can work well if you like a more fitted silhouette.

• If your shape is more straight or athletic, looser cuts like boyfriend, flare, or wide-leg jeans can add movement and create a bit more shape through the lower half.

• If you want a simple starting point: straight-leg jeans are widely considered the easiest style to wear across most body types. They sit comfortably, don’t cling too tightly, and tend to work with almost anything in your wardrobe.

And, as always, these are only guidelines, not rules. The best jeans are the ones you actually want to wear.

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STEP TWO

Check the fabric. The best jeans are still mostly cotton. Traditional denim was originally designed as hard-wearing workwear, which is why vintage pairs from decades ago are often still going strong. Heavier cotton denim tends to age better, mould to the body over time, and develop that worn-in look people spend years trying to replicate.

As a general rule, look for jeans that are mostly cotton — ideally somewhere around 90–100% — with sturdy stitching and a fabric weight that feels substantial rather than paper-thin.

That’s not to say stretch denim is evil, but if the label reads like a science experiment (polyester, elastane, recycled mystery blends and three things you can’t pronounce), it’s worth pausing. The more synthetic fibres in the mix, the harder the jeans are to repair, recycle, and ultimately the more likely they are to lose shape over time.

STEP THREE

Shop brands that take denim seriously. If you are buying new, it’s worth looking at brands that actually build jeans to last.

Labels like Nudie Jeans, ELV Denim and Mud Jeans focus on repair, recycled materials, and longevity rather than fast trend turnover. And of course, there’s always Levi's — the original blueprint for modern denim and still one of the easiest places to find durable classics.

STEP FOUR

Surviving the fitting room (deep breath).

I’m going to hold your hand when I say this. Denim is meant to feel snug — yes, even the scary, “do I need to breathe differently?” kind of snug, so don’t you dare size up! They will stretch. Take it from someone who now owns 3 pairs of jeans that I can fit both fists down, and believe, not from losing weight.

Don’t be afraid to try multiple sizes. That’s right: pick up a 27, a 28, maybe even a 29 — because we all know it’s not you, it’s the jeans. Different brands, different cuts, different fabrics, one 28 might feel like a hug, another like it’s auditioning for a straightjacket role.

And as a very jolly man once told me: nobody actually knows what size you’re wearing — just that you look damn good *insert exaggerated finger snap*.

Please don’t forget the sit test. If you can’t comfortably sit, squat, or reach for the thing you dropped without feeling like your jeans are plotting against you, they’re not the right pair. Remember: your body isn’t the problem. Some denim is just made for mannequins, not humans. You’re allowed to laugh, you’re allowed to eat, and you’re allowed to buy the pair that feels like it’s giving you a hug, not a lecture.

This time, when you hit the changing rooms, you’ll be prepared. I have that little man in my head constantly, and you should too, because it’s time to make denim our bitch and look damn good doing it. Finger snaps encouraged.

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Tell us your denim survival guide below.

I have loved across the distance for most of my life, and I thought I was good at it.

As a hyper-independent teenager, I used to joke that long distance would suit me best because I could carry on with my life uninterrupted. And in some ways, that’s true. But life spread across pockets of the world that don’t entirely fit together comes with its own kind of struggles. I have the best of friends who’ve never met each other, a partner who hadn’t met my family until almost a year into our relationship. People know me in fragments, like a puzzle scattered across time zones.

And yet there’s something quite beautiful about it. The voice notes that make me laugh on train rides home. The calls that stretch long into the night. The intentionality it takes to really make time for one another, even when calendars scream otherwise. Long-distance love isn’t convenient, but it’s fierce. You learn to hold someone across oceans, and somehow, that makes the connection feel deliberate, sacred.

But distance doesn’t always have to be literal. People move, careers pull you apart, and friendships fade in and out, especially in your twenties. You’re living different lives, experiencing different milestones, and learning different things. And that’s okay. Connection doesn’t disappear because life shifts; it just requires a little more effort, a little more intentionality. A text that says “I thought of you,” a voice note, a Sunday afternoon call. Small gestures carry enormous weight.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that relationships don’t have to look seamless to be real. They don’t have to fit neatly into schedules, timelines, or Instagram stories. The women (and men) who mean the most to you will find their way into your life, even if it’s fragmented, messy, and occasionally chaotic. And the beauty is that when you finally see them in person, or hear their voice after a long day, you appreciate them in a way that proximity sometimes makes ordinary.

Our Long Distance Survival Guide

Make time intentional. Even a 10-minute voice note or a 30-minute Sunday call counts. Schedule it if you need to, but effort is required, and it’s often my favourite part of the week.

Share your world. Photos, playlists, small victories, mundane daily moments, these are the threads that keep connection alive.

Embrace the fragments. People know you in pieces across different cities, life stages, and experiences. That’s not a flaw, it’s a feature.

Laugh at the absurdity. Send memes, inside jokes, or random TikTok links. Humour makes distance feel lighter.

Accept the gaps. Life gets messy. Missing a call or drifting for a week isn’t the end. Connection isn’t constant; it’s resilient.

Celebrate reunions big and small. Seeing someone after a long time, even virtually, is a reminder that distance has its own rewards.

So here’s my advice: Be grateful. Celebrate the intentional moments. And remember that distance, whether in miles, months, or calendar space, doesn’t make love or friendship any less real. In fact, sometimes it makes it stronger, more deliberate, and profoundly your own.

More like this

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Freshly Pressed is your lowdown on the wins, the clever moves, and the slow fashion moments worth your attention. So here’s the tea.

The RealReal Reports 15% Revenue Growth in 2025

The RealReal has reported a 15% increase in revenue in 2025 compared to 2024, and in this market, that’s not small1.

Resale has been through its reality-check era: the post-pandemic boom, investor scepticism, questions about profitability, logistics costs, and authentication overheads. The shine wore off quickly. So growth like this suggests something steadier is forming underneath the hype. Consumers aren’t just panic-selling or trend-flipping anymore. They’re building resale into their shopping behaviour.

More importantly, resale is subtly changing how people buy new. Customers are now asking: Will this hold value? Can I resell it? Does it justify the cost per wear? That mindset nudges fashion closer to longevity thinking. It’s not perfect circularity. But it’s a behavioural shift. And behavioural shift is where change actually sticks.

eBay Acquires Depop from Etsy

eBay has acquired Depop from Etsy in an all-cash deal worth approximately $1.6 billion.

Depop was originally purchased by Etsy in 2021, during peak resale euphoria, as platforms scrambled to secure Gen Z audiences. Now, the app moves into eBay’s ecosystem — a company that has operated in the resale space for decades and understands the logistics, payments infrastructure and scale required to make second-hand consistently profitable.

This isn’t just a culture shift. It’s a financial signal.

Resale is maturing into a consolidated market where scale, operational efficiency and margin discipline matter as much as community identity. Under Etsy, Depop struggled to fully align with the parent company’s handmade-focused model. Under eBay, it sits within a broader re-commerce strategy that already includes luxury authentication and global resale infrastructure.

And as mentioned above, it comes at an interesting time for fashion resale (The RealReal reporting such immense growth). Together, these moves point to a sector entering its consolidation era: fewer independent players, more corporate ownership, tighter financial scrutiny.

Resale isn’t in its scrappy start-up phase anymore. It’s becoming embedded into mainstream retail economics.

France Announces Increased Textile Collection Aid for 2026

France (the one that banned Shein) is doubling down on textile waste infrastructure, announcing increased financial support for collection and sorting systems beginning in 2026.

France already operates one of the most developed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes in fashion, requiring brands to financially contribute to the end-of-life management of garments. This new aid recognises a slightly uncomfortable truth: circularity sounds romantic until you’re faced with the cost of physically sorting tonnes of blended-fibre clothing.

Collection is only step one. Sorting, recycling technology, fibre separation, and viable end markets are expensive, technical and deeply unsexy systems. By increasing support, France is acknowledging that systemic sustainability isn’t solved by better campaigns; it’s solved by infrastructure investment.

Korean Court Rules in Favour of Upcycling Designer in Trademark Case

A South Korean court has ruled in favour of a local upcycling designer in a trademark dispute concerning reconstructed luxury goods — a decision that could ripple through the global upcycling community.

South Korea’s Supreme Court has ruled in favour of designer Lee Kyung-han in a trademark dispute with Louis Vuitton — a decision that clarifies where upcycling sits legally.

In 2022, Louis Vuitton sued Lee for trademark infringement after the designer upcycled and redesigned Louis Vuitton products provided by individual customers. In 2024, a lower court sided with the brand. The Supreme Court has now overturned that ruling, confirming that individuals are allowed to commission the upcycling of products they legally own.

Luxury brands have historically drawn a hard line around trademark protection, particularly when their logos or materials are reused. This ruling suggests that sufficiently transformative design can be recognised as distinct creative work rather than infringement.

That nuance matters. Upcycling sits at a strange intersection of sustainability and intellectual property law. Designers are trying to extend garment lifecycles while navigating legal systems designed to protect brand control.

As upcycling grows commercially, legal clarity becomes essential. This ruling doesn’t dismantle trademark power, but it does signal that creative reinterpretation isn’t automatically counterfeit.

And that distinction is huge.

Vestiaire Collective Launches ‘Got Nothing to Wear?’ Campaign & Wardrobe Research

Vestiaire Collective has released new research on wardrobe usage alongside its ‘Got Nothing to Wear?’ campaign, and the findings feel uncomfortably relatable2.

Consumers report regularly feeling they have “nothing to wear,” despite underutilising a significant percentage of their existing wardrobes. The campaign reframes resale not as extra consumption, but as a way to circulate what already exists.

It taps into something psychological. The dissatisfaction isn’t always about scarcity; it’s about novelty fatigue, decision overwhelm, and identity shifts (which you can read all about in our Experts’ piece by – Quarter-Life Fashion Crisis). By positioning resale as a pressure release valve rather than an acquisition spree, Vestiaire is trying to align itself with moderation instead of excess.

Whether resale ultimately reduces production is still debated. But culturally, this campaign attempts to shift the narrative from accumulation to rotation.

And that’s a conversation worth having.

“If You Believe in Women, Buy From Them” – Buy Built Women Campaign

As International Women’s Day approaches, Buy Women Built is back in the spotlight with its “If You Believe in Women, Buy From Them” campaign — a consumer‑driven movement encouraging shoppers and retailers to champion female‑founded brands3.

The idea is simple but smart: not everyone can invest in female founders, mentor them or give them capital, but everyone can choose where they spend their money, and that choice matters. The movement now represents thousands of women‑built consumer brands across food, beauty, lifestyle and home categories, with combined sales in the billions of pounds and rapidly growing awareness.

Recent activations include a whole‑store window takeover at Whole Foods Market High Street Kensington, celebrating women‑led brands, and in‑store campaigns in Tesco that have delivered sales uplifts of up to 178% versus typical promotions for featured women‑built products.

By making female‑founded businesses easier to spot, from dedicated aisles on Ocado to prominent shop floor partnerships, Buy Women Built isn’t just making space for women in retail. It’s nudging the industry toward visibility, equity and real economic impact.

In Not-So-Good News: Sustainable Fashion NGOs Face Funding Crunch

In a worrying turn for slow fashion, recent reports reveal that funding for sustainable fashion advocacy is faltering. Several high-profile NGOs, including Remake, the force behind the #PayUp campaign, are shrinking or even closing due to financial pressures.

This isn’t just one organisation struggling. Cuts to government aid, declining philanthropic support, and grant structures that favour short-term projects are squeezing watchdogs that keep the fashion industry accountable. Groups like Clean Clothes Campaign, Fashion Revolution, and Redress are facing staff reductions, downsizing, and are forced to explore alternative funding — from brand partnerships to charity retail — just to survive4.

Why it matters: these organisations do the hard, unseen work of pushing for worker rights, supply chain transparency, and industry accountability. Without them, slow fashion risks losing some of its most critical voices — the ones making sure sustainability isn’t just a marketing tagline.

Forces of Fashion: Round‑Up

Vogue’s inaugural Forces of Fashion summit landed at the Sydney Opera House on Friday, 13 February 2026, bringing together a high‑profile mix of fashion, film, music and creative industry leaders alongside Vogue Australia’s editorial team5.

Key takeaways from the discussions:

• Innovation vs. overproduction: Speakers consistently challenged traditional production models, pushing for smarter creation rather than volume6.

• Tech in sustainable supply chains: There was a clear push toward real, scalable supply‑chain tech.

• Profitability in responsible fashion: Honest conversations acknowledged that doing the right thing still has to make economic sense.

• Circularity beyond marketing: The industry recognised that circular principles must be operationalised, not just communicated.

Vogue Vintage Market Is Coming to London

Vogue is bringing its highly anticipated Vogue Vintage Sale presented by eBay to London on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 12 pm to 6:30 pm. The in‑person event will take place next door to Vogue House and is hosted by Alexa Chung and Lila Moss7.

This isn’t just another market, it’s a curated treasure hunt. Rails are hand‑picked by Vogue editors and collaborators, featuring rare and archival fashion gems sourced through eBay. Pieces range from classic designer staples to standout vintage finds, giving shoppers the chance to own wardrobe history.

Not in London? There will also be an online component — including a pre‑sale eBay Live auction — so global shoppers can still get involved. Net proceeds from the event will be donated to Give Your Best, a circular donation platform aimed at combating clothing poverty by getting quality garments into the hands of those who need them most.

Siftag

Siftag is a new shopping platform built around a simple slow‑fashion idea: make it easy to find clothes made without polyester by curating pieces made from natural fibres like cotton, linen and wool. Perfect for building a more sustainable, microplastic‑conscious wardrobe without the guesswork.

ByFrow

Victoria McGrath has recently launched ByFrow, a vegan and cruelty-free fashion range. Positioned at the intersection of influencer credibility and conscious materials, it reflects the growing demand for accessible, ethical options that don’t compromise on aesthetics.

Selera’s Ukrainian Pop-Up

Selera is hosting a Ukrainian design pop-up at the In Bloom Market in Edinburgh on March 8th (11 AM at Shop With No Name, 2A Broughton Pl). Expect a curated mix of Ukrainian labels, including pieces fresh from London Fashion Week. A perfect chance to support emerging designers and shop thoughtful, slow fashion in person.

The Club Preloved

The Club Preloved by Lauren Cooley continues to champion preloved, upcycled and circular fashion in the UK. Lauren has also just been named a retail ambassador for the British Heart Foundation, bringing her sustainable style expertise to charity retail and second-hand spaces.

That’s Freshly Pressed. Not perfect, but doing better than yesterday. Until next time.

Boss babe.

Women who work.

This cultural moment is what first inspired me to want a career. I wanted the power suits, the packed calendar, the sense of purpose that came from always being “on.” I wanted to make money, be taken seriously, and prove – to myself and to everyone else – that I could do it.

The fashion industry doesn’t just accept this mindset: it rewards it. Despite being largely made up of women, fashion is no different from most other industries. It has a deeply ingrained workaholic culture: late-night emails, weekend work, strange hours around launches, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and everything in between. Being constantly available is often treated as a badge of honour.

That’s why burnout in fashion feels so inevitable – and so normalised.

We’re taught that success, especially as women, looks like pushing through. Hustling harder. Taking the shortest possible maternity leave. Proving that we can do it all without slowing down.

But burnout shouldn’t be glorified. Being exhausted isn’t a personality trait, and suffering isn’t the price of ambition.

It’s normal to have bad days at work: days when you’re bored, irritated, unmotivated, or fantasising about quitting on the spot. That happens.

What’s more concerning is when work consistently drains you instead of energising you — when the thing that once lit you up no longer does.

When a career no longer fits you, it doesn’t usually announce itself all at once. It shows up quietly and then builds.

Some signs I see over and over again include:

• You feel restless and drained, even on “good” days

• You get more easily frustrated, cynical, or emotionally reactive at work

• You don’t feel like you’re learning or using your brain the way you used to

• You find yourself daydreaming about past interests or entirely different paths

• You stop caring about outcomes that once mattered deeply to you

• Sunday scaries become the norm, not the exception

• You’re performing, but you’re no longer present

If you’re relating to any of these, it doesn’t mean you need to quit tomorrow. But this is information that you need to pay attention to – it’s your body and brain trying to tell you something. And ignoring these signs can make discomfort lead to burnout.

When these feelings show up, it helps to pause and ask yourself a few honest questions: What part of this isn’t working for me anymore? Are there aspects of my job I still enjoy? What feels missing? What do I miss doing?

I learned some of these lessons the hard way.

I started my career in fashion merchandising because I loved clothes and wanted something that felt both strategic and creative. On paper, it made sense. But in reality, I hated it. I actually only lasted 9 months in the role. To be good at merchandising, you really have to love it, and I just didn’t. I know what you might be thinking: You were only an assistant, how could you know so early? Did you give it enough of a chance?

I looked ahead. I watched what my boss did, what her boss did, and what her boss did, and none of it excited me.

I was miserable. The work drained me. Sundays were unbearable — the scaries were too real. Every day at 5 pm, I shut my laptop and immediately poured myself a drink. I cried most days.

I ended up quitting without a job. I felt like a failure, like I couldn’t “hack it.” This was supposed to be my dream job, which made quitting even harder. I started serving at Ruby’s Cafe in New York City to pay my bills and give myself something to do. I had served before in college, and I really liked it, and I was great at it. I loved meeting people, building relationships, and being of service. And being at Ruby’s gave me time and the mental capacity to think about what I wanted to do next.

I spent a lot of time reflecting on what I had enjoyed in the past. I considered Marketing; that was my major, and I had a marketing internship while in school that I enjoyed. I still loved clothing, so I considered becoming a Sample Coordinator and figuring it out from there. And then there was the people piece; I couldn’t ignore how much I genuinely enjoyed working with others. I remembered a day when I shadowed our recruiting team during an internship I had – I was good at that. I started to consider maybe Recruiting/HR.

One day, I got a message on LinkedIn from a woman at Fourth Floor looking for a Recruiting Coordinator. It sounded perfect. She ended up becoming my boss, and I stayed there for over two years. I built a strong career as a recruiter. I was good at the administrative side of the job, comfortable on the phone, and my candidates trusted me. I met some of the most interesting people I’ve ever spoken to.

And then, once again, I felt a shift.

I wasn’t unhappy, but I was bored. The work became repetitive. My performance slipped. My numbers went down. I found myself scrolling LinkedIn, taking extra coffee breaks, and messaging with my coworkers on Teams more often during work hours. I wasn’t being challenged, and I knew I wasn’t operating at my full potential.

To make matters worse, I looked at what my boss was doing and realised there was no twist coming. It was the same work I was doing now, just more of it. More responsibility, more pressure, but not more fulfilment. If I stayed, this was my path.

Around that time, an HR Generalist role crossed my desk. It had the people element I loved, the administrative work I was good at, and the strategic thinking I’d been missing. I was intrigued.

Pivoting out of recruiting wasn’t easy, but eventually I made it. As an HR Assistant reporting to an HR Business Partner, I got a crash course in employee relations, and I loved it. Until I experienced layoffs from the inside. I watched colleagues walk into HR smiling and leave devastated. I realised that one day, I might be the person delivering that news. And I had to ask myself: could I do that?

By now, you’re probably seeing the pattern.

Fashion Forward Careers

Fashion Forward Careers decodes the subtle signals and unwritten rules that shape who gets in — and who gets ahead — in corporate fashion.

By Erin Moronell, MPS

One of the clearest ways to tell if a career is a long‐term fit is to look at what your manager does and ask yourself if you want that to be you, because they’re you in a few years.

When my company later merged, I was moved into Talent Management. I’d never heard of it before, but it turned out to be the part of HR that lights me up: developing people, designing programs, creating positive employee experiences. No firing, no reprimanding. Just growth.

Now I have a job I genuinely love. I mentor people, speak at schools, and write about what I’ve learned — sharing it with this community on Substack.

And I know my story isn’t finished. I’ll probably change careers again, maybe more than once. But every time I’ve listened to myself, it’s taken me closer to where I’m meant to be. It led me to all of you!

That’s what redefining success at work has looked like for me. Not pushing through at all costs. Not clinging to something just because it once felt like a dream. But knowing when to rest, when to reflect, and when to walk away.

The lesson I’ve learned is simple, even if it’s not easy: when something feels off, it usually is.

And when something feels right, lean into it. Your intuition knows long before your resume catches up.

Fashion Forward Careers

Fashion Forward Careers decodes the subtle signals and unwritten rules that shape who gets in — and who gets ahead — in corporate fashion.

By Erin Moronell, MPS

We’re so grateful to share this piece from Erin Moronell, founder of Fashion Forward Careers for featuring in our Experts segment.

With nearly five years across Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, and Employee Relations in the fashion industry, Erin has sat inside the hiring rooms most of us never see. She knows what actually gets people hired, and what gets them rejected. Through her newsletter, she’s exposing fashion’s hidden rules and helping people move through the industry with clarity and confidence. If you’re navigating your own next step, we highly recommend subscribing to Fashion Forward Careers for the kind of insider insight you won’t find on LinkedIn.

Freshly Pressed is your lowdown on the wins, the clever moves, and the slow fashion moments worth your attention. So here’s the tea.

At a Glance

→ LFW adopting CPHFW sustainability rules, starting with NEWGEN designers, full rollout by Jan 2026.

→ ASOS x AIUTA is hopefully proving that AI try-on reduces returns, waste, and CO₂ while making online shopping more inclusive.

→ Coach continues to use circular creativity. Upcycled denim and vintage materials at NYFW; sustainability embedded in brand identity and sales growth.

→ Stella McCartney is educating future designers. Named Industry Ambassador at Central Saint Martins’ M School to embed regenerative design into fashion education.

→ Circulose Textile Recycling Returns. The Swedish recycler is restarting operations, supplying 100% recycled textile pulp to global brands like H&M, Mango, M&S, and Reformation.

From Runway to Responsibility: London Fashion Week’s New Eco Rules

The BFC has partnered with CPHFW to embed Copenhagen’s Sustainability Requirements into LFW’s rules — starting with NEWGEN designers this year and running through to full implementation by January 2026. That means London is now the first of the “big four” fashion capitals (New York, Paris, Milan, London) to adapt this framework at scale for its schedule.

This isn’t just a few good intentions. It means brands showing through LFW — beginning with NEWGEN — must align with minimum standards originally developed in Copenhagen.

What is NEWGEN? NEWGEN is London Fashion Week’s emerging designer incubator, backing creatives with grants, mentoring, and show opportunities, now with sustainability front and centre.

Big names like JW Anderson, Simone Rocha, Grace Wales Bonner, Bianca Saunders, Christopher Kane, and Richard Quinn are in the list of alumni, basically the people in the room (IYKYK), which makes this an even BIGGER deal.

Some of the new regulations we can expect to see include:

• formal environmental and social strategy (ESG commitment)

• diversity and inclusion in hiring and workplace practices

• preferred materials, material transparency and reduction of waste

• no single‑use plastics or harmful show props

• ethical production and circular design principles — building clothes to last rather than throw away.1

So London’s fashion weeks are no longer just catwalks, they’re platforms nudging brands toward accountability and long‑term positive impact.

Yvie Hutton, Director of Membership & Designer Relations in the British Fashion Council, said2: 

LFW is moving beyond just saying it supports sustainable fashion. It’s now enforcing guidelines grounded in an established global framework and using the NEWGEN incubator to help rising designers meet those expectations. It’s a real shift toward accountability, transparency, and ethics mixed with creativity, the kind of change that will make a big difference in the industry.

ASOS x AIUTA — AI Try‑On That Actually Makes Sense

Online shopping is great until nothing fits. ASOS and AIUTA are changing that with AI try‑on for over 10,000 items on the app. Upload a photo or use a virtual model in your size, and see how clothes actually look in seconds3.

The payoff? Fewer returns, less waste, more confidence. AI isn’t guessing your style; it’s helping you shop smarter, more inclusive, and more sustainably.

What’s really interesting isn’t just the tech itself, it’s what it means for fashion as a whole. AI try-on can cut down returns, which are a huge contributor to waste in fast fashion. Around 20–30% of online fashion purchases are sent back by shoppers – that’s roughly one in every four or five orders. In the UK alone, returns handling generated around 750,000 tonnes of CO₂ in 2022, including transport, storage, re‑packaging and processing4. At the same time, it creates a more inclusive shopping experience, letting people see clothes on a model that actually reflects their body, rather than a one-size-fits-all mannequin.

This isn’t about AI dictating your style or guessing outfits for you; it’s about giving you the confidence to buy something that fits and feels right. For ASOS, it also makes business sense – fewer returns, less overstock, less waste. For shoppers, it’s a tiny but tangible step toward smarter, more sustainable online fashion.

The feature is available to select UK and US customers before being rolled out more broadly, though specific wider availability dates haven’t been confirmed yet.

Sustainability Is Fuelling The Fashion Industry

New data shows that almost three‑quarters of UK shoppers (73 %) plan to invest in higher‑quality, longer‑lasting fashion in 2026, even with economic pressures, showing a major shift from ‘as cheap as possible’ to ‘as good as it is for me and the planet’. Nearly half of those surveyed are willing to pay more for natural fibres like cotton, and a quarter are planning to change how they shop specifically to reduce environmental impact.

Meanwhile, new UK policy is also nudging things in the right direction. Emerging regulations like the Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging are making brands accountable for the lifecycle of their goods, encouraging investment in circular solutions rather than disposable fashion.

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EU Moves to End Wasteful Fashion: Ban on Destroying Unsold Clothes & Shoes

The European Commission has adopted new rules under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) that will ban the destruction of unsold apparel, clothing accessories and footwear across the EU. From 19 July 2026, large companies selling in the EU won’t be allowed to burn, shred or simply dispose of unsold stock — a practice that currently sees an estimated 4–9 % of textiles destroyed annually, generating around 5.6 million tonnes of CO₂.

Instead, brands must explore circular alternatives like resale, redistribution, donations, remanufacturing or reuse and will also be required to disclose data on unsold goods using a standardised format from February 2027, giving businesses time to adapt. Medium-sized companies will follow by 2030, and limited exemptions (e.g., safety or product damage) are defined under the new acts.

Circulose Is Back — And Big Brands Are Backing It

After a challenging period of restructuring and a factory closure in 2024, Swedish textile recycler Circulose — formerly known as Renewcell — is restarting its commercial recycling plant in Sundsvall, Sweden and gearing up to bring its signature recycled pulp materials back into global fashion supply chains by late 20265.

What is Circulose? Circulose is a textile recycling product made entirely from pre‑ and post‑consumer cotton and other natural fibre waste. Essentially, old or unsellable clothes that would otherwise be thrown away.

But this isn’t just a factory reboot, it’s part of a brand‑led circular strategy. Circulose has secured confirmed volume commitments from over 10 major fashion players, including H&M Group, Mango, Marks & Spencer, Bestseller, John Lewis & Partners, C&A, Filippa K, Reformation, Faherty, Bobo Choses and Zero. These labels have signed on to integrate Circulose — a dissolving pulp made from 100 % textile waste — into material supply chains instead of relying on virgin cellulose.

On LinkedIn, Circulose shared news of the restart with an enthusiastic industry response, highlighting support from sustainability advocates like Canopy’s Nicole Rycroft, who called the reopening “welcome news” for brands and fibre producers committed to avoiding forest‑linked virgin wood inputs.

What makes this notable is not just the return of a circular materials supplier but the scale and brand interest behind it. Strong commercial partnerships are positioning next‑generation recycled fibres as a viable alternative to conventional viscose and lyocell, helping close the loop in fashion production rather than letting textile waste go to landfill.

Coach: Sustainability as Creative Strategy

At New York Fashion Week, Coach proved sustainability isn’t a side project — it’s central to the brand’s creative identity. Stuart Vevers’ FW26 collection featured upcycled garments and accessories crafted from post-consumer denim and vintage materials like old baseball gloves, seamlessly woven into the show’s all-American narrative. Circular fashion wasn’t a statement piece — it was the story.

And it’s paying off. Coach reported a 25% sales surge in Q2 2026, with parent company Tapestry linking growth to strategic investments in quality, brand positioning, and appeal to eco-conscious Gen Z consumers.

Beyond the runway, sustainability sits at the heart of the business through Coachtopia, the brand’s circular sub-label designing from waste and offering trade-in, resale, and digital product passports. Rather than isolating sustainability in a capsule, Coach is embedding it into its long-term strategy — and seeing commercial momentum follow.

Stella McCartney: Championing Sustainability from Education to Materials

Stella McCartney, long a standard‑bearer for sustainable luxury, is scaling her influence into education and future design leadership. She was recently named the first Industry Ambassador for Central Saint Martins’ new M School, a material innovation and design programme at one of the UK’s most influential creative institutions. In this role, McCartney is working with students and faculty to embed regenerative design principles, material innovation, and ethical practice into the next generation of fashion creators — reinforcing that sustainability isn’t just about craft today, but how fashion is taught tomorrow.

This involvement reflects McCartney’s decades‑long mission to push the industry toward lower‑impact materials and circular systems. Throughout her career, she’s refused to use fur, feathers or skins and championed recycled, regenerated and plant‑based fibres, with recent collections often exceeding 98 % responsible fabrics and incorporating innovations like forest‑friendly viscose and biodegradable alternatives.

It’s an exciting development for a world-renowned fashion school and an optimistic move for the future fashion makers.

Let’s Talk Fashion Week(s)

London Fashion Week

• The biggest headline was Vin + Omi’s holly‑based suit. A tailored look woven from cellulose sourced from King Charles’s Sandringham garden waste, dyed with beetroot and paired with nettles, butterbur and other plant fibres on the runway. It was one of the strongest sustainability notices yet at a major fashion week.

• The British Fashion Council has also banned fur and exotic animal skins from the official LFW schedule to push ethical material choices further.

New York Fashion Week

• Collina Strada debuted fuzzy outerwear made from BioFluff biodegradable material (a mix of recycled hemp, viscose, and Tencel), bringing plant‑friendly “fur” vibes to the catwalk.

• Shows like Modest Now x Muslimi reframed modest fashion within a broader luxury context, varying the kinds of narratives represented on the NYFW stage.

Berlin Fashion Week

• Lou de Bètoly presented FW26 looks built from vintage, flea‑market finds and reclaimed textiles, reworking corsetry, knits and leather into intricate, tactile pieces that feel both crafted and conscious.

• Laura Gerte teamed up with Dr Martens to present upcycled boots, showing how heritage brands can rethink existing materials into something new and desirable.

Milan Fashion Week: Feb 24 – Mar 2, 2026

Paris Fashion Week: Mar 2 – 10, 2026

They’ve been on our radar for a little while now, but they should be on yours, too.

India Grace London

A London-based slow fashion label championing timeless elegance and intentional design. Built around considered, small drops, each piece leans into soft femininity and wear-forever silhouettes, the kind of wardrobe staples you reach for season after season.

Bemoody

An Australian supplement brand founded by a woman, for women – specifically those navigating PMS. Focused on hormone support and cycle wellbeing, Bemoody is part of a growing shift toward women-led wellness solutions that actually centre women’s experiences.

Newless

The upcycling brand that transforms your own clothing into something new and wearable again. Founded by Anita (our first Behind The Brand feature), Newless is currently preparing for a relaunch — and we’re more than ready to see circular fashion in action again.

Girl Grads

A female-led community founded by Annabel, creating safe spaces for women to connect, learn and experience together. They’re currently supporting Edinburgh-based charity Street Assist, helping make nights out safer and strengthening real-world community impact.

That’s Freshly Pressed. Not perfect, but doing better than yesterday. Until next time.

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The black coats. The slip dresses. The sunglasses worn no matter the weather. The effortless hair.

With the resurgence of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and her wardrobe – thanks to the new dramatisation of her life with JFK Jr, American Love Story – these looks are everywhere again. Episode one had us building a whole new mood board, but it also had us questioning: are these outfits timeless, or are they a marketing trend in and of themselves?

Julia Rabinowitsch called Carolyn’s style “disarmingly simple” in her recent Vogue article. And it was. But that simplicity wasn’t an accident – it was a strategy. A strategy to blend in, to protect privacy, to maintain mystery. The black coat wasn’t a statement; it was armour. The slip dress wasn’t performance; it was function. She wasn’t trying to be aspirational — she was simply dressing for real life rather than spectacle.

And yet, decades later, “timeless” has become an umbrella term that encapsulates style that is functional, simplistic and, well, beige. Product descriptions pair it with words like intentional, purposeful, and considered. As if every white shirt is a manifesto. As if every silk slip is a carefully plotted rejection of trend culture.

But what if Carolyn wasn’t trying to be timeless?

What if she was just getting dressed?

There’s something compelling about that possibility. That her wardrobe wasn’t a brand strategy, but a by-product of taste. Her restraint felt natural, not curated. The repetition – the coats, the tailoring, the neutrals – wasn’t about building a legacy; it was about knowing what worked and not overcomplicating it.

Now brands have caught on. Simplicity has been commodified. Minimalism is sold as permanence. “Timeless” is attached to every neutral blazer or silk slip, often ignoring one crucial detail: true timelessness requires durability. Historically, only those with means could afford garments built to last decades, to truly fulfil the promise of permanence. A garment bought cheaply, or worn once a season, rarely earns the mantle of timeless. And yet, the word persists.

Brands now sell the same silhouettes at lower price points, but their inability to endure raises the question of whether timelessness is a style choice, a promise, or whether we’re simply thinking too deeply.

Maybe timeless isn’t about longevity at all. Maybe it’s about clarity. A clear sense of self. A refusal to over-explain. A wardrobe that doesn’t chase every shift in the algorithm.

And that’s not something you can necessarily buy from a product description.

The black coat isn’t powerful because it’s black. The slip dress isn’t iconic because it’s bias-cut. They become powerful when they’re worn repeatedly, lived in, and made familiar. Timelessness might not be in the garment at all. It might be in the consistency.

So no, this isn’t a takedown of minimalism or questioning the definition of a word (though we are a little). If anything, it’s a love letter to it. But it’s also a reminder that when brands sell us “timeless,” they’re often selling us certainty. And maybe what we’re really craving isn’t timeless clothes, it’s the feeling of being settled enough in ourselves that we don’t need to keep reinventing who we are.

Though many of us may not be in the position to purchase garments that endure like CBK’s, maybe that’s not the point.

Whilst yes, we love the style, the silhouettes, the restraint (the crisp white shirts, simple Levi’s 501s, fitted black turtlenecks, the Manolo Blahniks), what we truly admire is the woman herself. Unruffled, in control and put together without needing to perform.

So perhaps “timeless” is now a buzzword plastered across every black slip dress and structured coat, but we decide what timelessness means in our own lives. We dictate what feels enduring, aspirational, or worth emulating. And that might mean borrowing a bit of CBK’s strategy as well as her style. Dressing not to be seen, but to navigate the world on your own terms, and in doing so, becoming timeless in your own way.

The skirts are too short, the tops too cropped, and the colour palette is all wrong. These clothes don’t belong to her; they belong to the dozens of different versions of her that came before. But she’s changed and grown, and just like that, she has a wardrobe full of clothes, yet nothing to wear.

This, I’m afraid, is a rite of passage for every girl reaching her mid to late 20s. I’m not sure if the problem persists into your 30’s, I’m not quite there yet, so I’ll report back in due course. But for now, how do we tackle this quarter-life fashion crisis?

I’m going to break down your style action plan in four steps.

First step: address the identity gap. The reality is, you are not the same girl you were in your late teens / early 20s. Your style and tastes have evolved, your priorities have shifted, and your life just doesn’t look the same. You need to learn how to dress this new version of yourself. Personally, in my early 20s, I was in university, living with friends, occasionally attending class, and going out every weekend (at least). Now, in my late 20s, I’m living with my husband and child (dog), working full-time, and going out less.

Take a minute to assess how your life and priorities have changed. What does your life look like now? What is this new version of you dressing for? My low-effort uni outfits have been replaced by slightly less low-effort work outfits in an attempt to look a bit professional. And my weekend wardrobe, while it used to be a rotation of trusty going-out tops, now needs to cover a wider range of activities (for context, I just bought a jacket specifically for dog walking the other day. If 21-year-old me could see me now). When I do go out, I want to dress a little more elevated. The same going out top, jeans and crusty going out shoes from when I was 19 no longer feel right.

Next, we are reworking the classics. Just because your taste is maturing and trends are shifting doesn’t mean that younger you was completely clueless. Your old go-to outfits were classics for a reason, whether they spoke to your sense of style or made you feel confident. There is no reason to just completely dismiss them and start from scratch; they might just need a little elevation.

I know advice on this will be very outfit and person specific, but I have three main go-to rules when it comes to elevating your old go to outfits.

1- A decent pair of shoes. I don’t know about you, but I wore the same crusty pair of going-out shoes for a lot of my late teens and early 20s, and they were honestly doing me no favours. A gorgeous, interesting pair of shoes can completely transform your outfits. I personally love a kitten heel or knee-high boot. If you're going casual, try a fun flat (they don’t need to be boring) or a patterned trainer. Find what works for your style.

2 - Accessorise, accessories, accessories. I know it might be obvious and been said like a million times before, but the right accessories can completely elevate your look. They add another level of effort and interest, and make you look so put-together. Again, this is person specific, weather your a earring, necklace, bracelet or ring girl (or all four). Start curating a collection of jewellery pieces. Be thoughtful about what you buy, curate coordinated stacks that reflect your sense of style and personality. Recently, I’ve found that Vinted is a great place for interesting jewellery when you want something unique or vintage at a good price.

3 - Lastly, look at your silhouettes. You can keep the same outfit formulas you loved, such as a skirt and top or jeans and a nice top, but try something different with your fit and silhouette. Consider that it might be time to ditch the tight crop top and instead opt for looser fits that come down at least to your belly button. Swap out the old jeans for something with a more flattering fit, like a boot cut or straight leg. And while we’re on the subject, try a darker wash.

The third step in regaining our style identity: reject the trends. When we’re younger, it is so easy to get caught up in current trends. I have bought into so many questionable micro trends over the years, it’s embarrassing. It’s so easy when it is all we see around us. When your favourite influencers are wearing it, every shop window is promoting it, and your friends are buying it, of course, you think it's what you want. What you want it to look and feel cool, (who doesn’t, to be honest). But buying into trends is not the way to do it. It's a short fix. Sure, you feel cool wearing it that weekend but in a few weeks, when the trend cycle does its thing, do you really like it? Does it really speak to your style? We get caught up in this tunnel vision mindset when it comes to fashion, and it's an expensive and frustrating cycle.

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How do we break it? Maturing is realising that not every micro trend is for you. I’m not saying never buy a trend again, that’s ridiculous. But before you do, take the time to get to know your own personal style. What do you think is cool without all the external noise? The absolute best tool for this is Pinterest. If you're reading this article, I assume you're a girl who already has one, if not multiple, style boards on Pinterest. If you don’t, definitely get to making one ASAP. If you do have one, I would recommend a complete board overhaul.

Take an evening to really go through your board. Tidy it up, remove anything that doesn’t make you go “oh my god that’s so cool”. Organise it to fit the different aspects of your life, a work section, a dressy section, etc. Really pay attention to what you're pinning, what stands out to you? Start looking for key pieces that you love and keep cropping up in your outfit inspo to add to your wardrobe. Again, and I wish this was sponsored, but I really recommend looking on Vinted. It might take a bit of scrolling, but it really is the place to find some really unique gems and get away from the trends and algorithms.

And finally, step four: take it slow. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is the perfect wardrobe. One big shopping haul is only going to add to your problems here. Don’t rush into buying things; a shopping haul is not going to help the problem here. Practice being a little more thoughtful and intentional about your purchases. Ask yourself some questions before you commit to buying, like does this feel authentic to you? Would you pin this? And can you think of five different ways you would wear it?

I can appreciate that these steps can be a lot easier said than done, particularly the last one. It does take some practice. But I promise it will be worth it when you have a wardrobe that feels true to you and your style. One that makes getting dressed feel like fun again and less like an existential crisis.

Freshly Pressed is your lowdown on the wins, the clever moves, and the slow fashion moments worth your attention. So here’s the tea.

EU Digital Product Passports Edge Closer to Reality as Industry Readies for Rollout

Digital Product Passports (DPPs), unique digital identities tied to individual garments that track origin, material composition, sustainability credentials and lifecycle data, are moving from theory toward real-world implementation as EU regulation inches closer and industry tools multiply. New guidance and resources have emerged recently to help brands prepare for the EU’s mandatory rollout, now expected to begin from 2027 onward under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, with detailed requirements due later this year.1

Simultaneously, research shows many manufacturers, particularly in the UK, are still underprepared, with less than half ready for the complex data infrastructure and supply chain transparency DPPs require.

Meanwhile, industry platforms and traceability specialists are releasing playbooks and practical tools to help fashion brands collect, organise and publish the required product data ahead of compliance deadlines.

For slow fashion advocates, DPPs promise more than regulatory boxes to tick – they could finally give visible, trustworthy sustainability information to consumers and support circular initiatives like resale, repair and recycling with verifiable product histories.2

A deep dive into Digital Product Passport’s coming soon.

Coach’s Repurposed Capsule Pushes Circular Fashion Forward

Coach has expanded its sustainability efforts with a new Repurposed Capsule collection as part of its ongoing (Re)Loved initiative, blending heritage design with circular fashion principles. The line features upcycled denim garments and accessories, including refreshed Tabby bags and lived‑in‑feel jeans, crafted from post‑consumer denim sourced from vintage and second‑hand shops, emphasising mindful material use over new production.

Rather than adding another seasonal drop to wardrobes, this capsule reimagines what fashion could be when reuse and longevity take centre stage. It reinforces Coach’s commitment to keeping materials in circulation and reducing waste, while maintaining the brand’s classic aesthetic through pieces that feel both familiar and freshly considered.

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London Exhibition Performance Without Toxicity Asks Activewear to Do Better — And Shows How

Performance Without Toxicity, a new London exhibition running from 26 January to June 2026 at Fabrica X, King’s Cross, turns a critical eye to the performance wear industry — specifically the toxic, petroleum-based materials that dominate activewear and quietly impact both our health and the environment. Rather than simply calling the industry out, the exhibition focuses on what could come next, spotlighting innovations that prove functionality doesn’t have to come at the planet’s expense.

From bio-based fibres and recycled material systems to compostable footwear and manufacturing tech designed to reduce waste, the show presents a future where performance apparel is safer, cleaner and still actually performs. It’s a refreshing, solutions-led approach that feels grounded in reality, less greenwashing, more genuine progress, and a reminder that ‘doing better’ doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort, durability or movement. Slow fashion, but make it technical and hopeful.

Odd Muse Launches Resale with Birl, Turning Returns into Circular Revenue

Odd Muse has partnered with resale tech platform Birl to launch a take-back and resale programme, marking a significant step towards circularity for the brand. The initiative will allow customers to return pre-loved Odd Muse pieces directly back to the brand, where they’ll be assessed, refurbished where needed, and resold via a dedicated resale channel.

Alongside customer take-back, Odd Muse will also use Birl’s resale solution to recover value from over 7,000 damaged returns that would otherwise risk ending up in landfill. By repairing, rehoming or reselling these pieces, the brand is not only extending the life of its garments but actively addressing one of fashion’s biggest waste issues: unsellable returns.

The move reflects a growing shift among fashion brands towards ownership of the full product lifecycle, from first wear to second (or third). Rather than relying solely on third-party resale marketplaces, Odd Muse is embedding resale into its business model, keeping garments in circulation while creating a new revenue stream.

It’s a practical, measurable approach to sustainability and a reminder that circular fashion doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch, just taking responsibility for what already exists.

Copenhagen Fashion Week – A Roundup

Sustainability Still Front and Centre → Even amid economic and political headwinds, designers leaned into quality over quantity, small collections, upcycling and meaningful design rather than fast trends.

Shows featured pieces made from deadstock and recycled materials, proving slow fashion ideals continue to grow, not shrink, at the event.

Standout Creative Moments → Several designers brought something fresh: SSON debuted with tech‑forward knitwear that included embedded NFC connectivity, blending craft with traceability in a way that actually nods to the future of transparent fashion.

Runway Vibes & Street Style → From snow‑ready winter ensembles backstage to playful street style energy, the aesthetic mix this year highlighted practicality, texture and wearable creativity.

Samsara Eco

Using enzymes to recycle nylon 6 again and again, keeping activewear out of landfill and oil in the ground.

Nylon 6 is a fossil-fuel-based synthetic fibre used in things like activewear and swimwear — durable and stretchy, but traditionally hard to recycle and reliant on oil.

Paolina Russo

London label Paolina Russo integrated NFC chips into FW26 knitwear, blending artisan craft with traceability tech, a nod toward future tools like digital product passports and community connection.

CircKit AI

UK-based tech company brands plan for circularity from day one, giving insights on materials, lifecycle impact, and waste so sustainable choices happen before a stitch is sewn.

Spiral

Edinburgh jewellery brand Spiral is bringing their all‑handmade pieces to life in their very first solo pop‑up this weekend on 2A Broughton Place, Edinburgh.

See more about the pop-up here.

That’s Freshly Pressed. Not perfect, but doing better than yesterday. Until next time.

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That sentence feels louder than the reality of it. It sounds like ambition, or recklessness, or a dramatic exit with a cardboard box and a point to prove. In truth, it looked a lot like quietly closing my laptop, exhaling, and choosing a life with slightly less money and significantly less pain.

I left my 9–5 office job to go back into retail.

This is the part where you’re supposed to flinch.

For years, we’ve been told that progress only moves in one direction: up. From retail to office. From hourly pay to salary. From “temporary” jobs to “real” ones. Anything else is framed as failure, regression, or a lack of grit.

But here’s the thing no one really talks about: the job that society expects me to get was slowly hollowing me out.

On paper, it was fine. Good, even. A desk. A salary. Stability. The kind of role you’re meant to grow into, not out of. But my body was constantly tired. My nervous system was fried. I spent my evenings recovering instead of living, my weekends dreading Monday in advance.

And eventually, I realised something deeply unsexy but incredibly clarifying: I didn’t need to be more resilient. I needed a different life.

So I chose comfort.

Not the Instagram version — candles and matcha and morning routines — but actual comfort. The kind that lets you sleep. The kind that doesn’t require you to override your body every day in the name of productivity. The kind that leaves a little energy for existing after work.

There’s a quiet shift happening right now that doesn’t get much applause. More people are choosing what some are calling “comfort careers” — roles that prioritise wellbeing, flexibility, and sustainability over status. A study done last year by The Guardian showed 67% of Gen Z workers would choose to earn less at a job that supports their mental and physical health rather than a higher-paying, high-stress position.

This isn’t laziness. It’s fatigue.

Burnout has become so normal we’ve started treating it like a personality trait. You’re meant to be tired. You’re meant to cope. You’re meant to be grateful you even have a job. And maybe that’s true, but gratitude shouldn’t cost you your health.

For me, going back into retail isn’t a step backwards. It’s a recalibration.

It’s a job where I move my body, talk to people, leave work at work. A role where my value isn’t measured by how long I can stare at a screen or how convincingly I can pretend to care about emails that don’t matter. It pays a bit less, yes, but it also hurts a lot less. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally.

And I’m done pretending that’s not a valid trade-off.

We rarely talk about the grief that comes with quitting a job you were “supposed” to want. The identity you quietly mourn. The voice in your head that asks if you’re wasting your potential. But potential is a strange thing to worship when you’re too exhausted to enjoy your actual life.

I don’t want a career that looks impressive but feels unbearable. I want one that fits.

More people are realising the same. Resignations aren’t always dramatic declarations of self-belief. Sometimes they’re small, necessary acts of self-preservation. A choosing of enough over more. Of manageable over impressive. Of today over some hypothetical future version of yourself who is finally allowed to rest.

I didn’t quit because I couldn’t hack it (even though I couldn't really hack it).

I quit because I didn’t want to anymore.

If you’re reading this while fantasising about a quieter job, a slower pace, a version of work that doesn’t require you to disappear, you’re not broken. You’re paying attention.

And that might be the bravest career move of all.

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eBay Expands Circular Fashion Fund Across Europe and North America

The resale giant has announced the expansion of its Circular Fashion Fund, opening applications beyond its original markets and into Europe, Switzerland, and Canada for the first time. Eight selected startups and businesses will each receive $50,000 in funding, alongside tailored mentoring designed to help scale ideas that extend the life of clothing and reduce textile waste.

Launched in 2022, the annual program backs entrepreneurs tackling fashion’s environmental footprint at every stage — from production and supply chains to resale, repair, recycling, and end-of-life solutions. Think smarter systems, longer-lasting garments, and ideas that make circular fashion actually work outside of theory.1

One standout business will also be named Global Winner of the Circular Fashion Fund, unlocking the opportunity to receive an additional $300,000 investment from eBay Ventures — a rare move that signals real long-term commitment, not just greenwashing headlines.

For a fashion industry drowning in overproduction and landfill waste, this expansion matters. It’s a clear message that circular solutions aren’t niche anymore — they’re investable, scalable, and increasingly essential.

Applications are open. If you’re building the future of fashion, eBay wants in, and this time, more of the world gets a seat at the table.

‘Wear Longer Project’ Launched By Levi Strauss & Co

The denim brand has launched a new community initiative aimed at empowering young people to take fashion into their own hands — repairing, refreshing, and reimagining the clothes they already own so they last longer and feel more personal.

Through a series of free digital resources and community-based workshops2, Levi’s is offering hands-on education designed to extend the life of garments already sitting in wardrobes. From simple repairs to creative upcycling, the initiative meets people where they are, removing the pressure to constantly replace and instead encouraging care, creativity, and reuse.

The move reflects a clear shift in consumer expectations. Research shows 80% of Gen Z believe brands should help people live more sustainably, while 53% say they have already upcycled an item to extend its lifecycle3. Younger consumers aren’t just asking brands to be greener — they want support, access, and real-world tools.

In an industry still driven by overproduction, Levi’s approach feels notably practical. It recognises that sustainability isn’t always about buying better; sometimes it’s about learning how to keep what you already have going.

EU Moves Towards Tougher Textile Waste Rules (and What It Means for Fashion’s Future)

After years of negotiation, the European Union is finally moving forward with binding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation for textiles4, marking one of the most ambitious regulatory shifts in fashion waste management yet. The updated Waste Framework Directive, adopted in late 2025, requires all EU member states to set up EPR schemes that make brands and producers financially responsible for collecting, sorting, reusing, and recycling the clothes, shoes, and textiles they put on the market, within a set implementation period.

This change goes far beyond simple recycling targets. Under the new rules, producers, whether based inside the EU or selling via e-commerce, will shoulder the costs of textile waste management, including systems for separate textile collection and the infrastructure needed to sort materials for reuse or recycling. Schemes can also use eco-modulation, meaning fees are adjusted based on a product’s durability, reparability and recyclability, creating a financial incentive for brands to design garments that truly last.

The goal is clear: hold fashion accountable for the waste it generates, and shift the industry away from disposable, fast-fashion models toward a genuinely circular economy. Member states now have defined timelines to transpose these requirements into national laws and finalise how their EPR systems will operate on the ground.

This regulatory momentum is unfolding just as investment in next-generation textile materials has topped $3 billion since 20145, according to a recent industry report, reflecting sustained investor confidence in bio-based, recycled, and innovative fibre solutions that can ease fashion’s environmental footprint. These technologies, from plant-based fibres to microbe-derived and recycled inputs, are increasingly attractive to brands seeking both sustainability credentials and better circular performance.

Taken together, Europe’s textile EPR rules and rising investment in sustainable materials signal a pivotal moment: the industry is being pushed, from both policy and capital, toward more responsible design, longer-lasting products, and systems that treat clothing as something to maintain, not discard. For brands and consumers alike, the era of “throwaway fashion” is beginning to meet real pushback — in law and in investment trends.

Innovative Denim Tech Aims to Cut Microplastic Pollution

Dutch denim brand Kuyichi Pure Goods is testing a new approach to one of fashion’s most invisible problems: microplastic pollution. As part of its latest sustainability efforts, the brand is experimenting with a fungi-based treatment designed to reduce microplastic shedding during denim production, replacing traditional petroleum-based coatings with biological alternatives.

Microplastics released from textiles are a major contributor to water pollution, entering rivers and oceans during manufacturing and everyday washing. Because these fibres are microscopic, they often pass straight through filtration systems, accumulating in ecosystems and eventually, food chains. Denim, despite its natural-fibre reputation, frequently relies on synthetic finishes that contribute to this issue.

Why this matters:

Most solutions focus on catching microplastics after they’ve already entered waterways — think washing machine filters or wastewater treatment. Kuyichi’s approach shifts the responsibility upstream, addressing the problem at the point of production. By strengthening and stabilising fibres using biological alternatives, fewer particles are shed to begin with.

While still in testing, this kind of material-level innovation points toward a future where sustainability is built into how clothes are made, not bolted on afterwards. It’s a quieter form of progress but one that could have a lasting impact if adopted more widely, especially in an industry where denim is worn, washed, and reproduced at scale.

France’s PFAS Ban on Textiles and Footwear Takes Effect in 2026

On 1 January 2026, France officially began enforcing one of the toughest national restrictions yet on PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, the so-called “forever chemicals” notorious for their persistence in the environment and links to health risks. Under Law No. 2025-188 and its implementing decree, the manufacture, import, export, and sale of consumer textiles, clothing, footwear, and related waterproofing agents containing PFAS above the defined residual thresholds have been prohibited.6

These chemicals have long been used to make fabrics water, stain and wrinkle-resistant, from rain jackets and trail runners to everyday sneakers, but they don’t break down naturally, they accumulate in soil and water and are difficult to remove once applied. Because they can interfere with recycling streams and contaminate otherwise recyclable materials, PFAS have become a major sustainability and circularity concern for the fashion industry.

• Banned from 2026: New consumer clothing, textiles, footwear and waterproofing treatments containing PFAS above set limits can no longer be made, imported or sold in France.

• Exemptions: Protective and safety gear (like certain PPE for firefighters or defence use) and essential specialised industrial textiles remain allowed. Products manufactured before the ban may continue to be sold for up to a year to help shops clear existing stock.

• What comes next: From 1 January 2030, the restrictions will extend to all textiles containing PFAS across broader product categories, with narrow exceptions for critical industrial uses where no alternatives exist.

Fashion’s reliance on PFAS has been a quiet but significant environmental issue; their presence in fabrics undermines recycling efforts, contaminates waste streams, and contributes to long-lasting pollution. France’s restrictions mark a bold step to limit these chemicals at the production and sales level, pushing brands to rethink finishes and move toward safer alternatives. Because PFAS are invisible until tested, this ban also sets a clear standard for transparency and material safety in fashion supply chains — something many consumers and regulators have been calling for.

In a sector still wrestling with how to balance performance, durability and sustainability, France’s move could ripple beyond its borders, especially as the EU considers wider PFAS restrictions that would apply across all member states later in the decade.

That’s Freshly Pressed. Not perfect, but doing better than yesterday. Until next time.

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But I think it’s time we stop pretending compression socks are embarrassing, because honestly, they might be the most practical thing in my wardrobe.

I have a heart condition, which means my circulation isn’t always doing what it’s meant to do. Swollen ankles, heavy legs, that strange pins-and-needles feeling after a long day — all very unglamorous, all very real. Compression socks weren’t a trend purchase for me; they were a necessity. And yet, somehow, they’ve become one of those quiet staples I now swear by.

Let’s be clear: compression socks aren’t niche anymore.

They’re for the travel girlies sitting through long flights and train journeys, office girlies glued to a chair all day (or standing, retail girlies rise up), hiker girlies clocking steps and elevation like it’s a personality trait, and anyone whose legs feel heavy, tired, or vaguely resentful by 4 pm.

They help support circulation, reduce swelling, and generally make your legs feel less like they’re dragging you through life. Not always glamorous, but deeply effective.

In an era where we’re finally admitting we’re tired, it makes sense that we’re also embracing things that actually help. Compression socks sit perfectly in that mid-twenties fashion evolution — the one where you stop romanticising discomfort.

Much like kitten heels replacing stilettos (cough cough, an ode to kitten heels), or big bags replacing micro ones, compression socks are part of a broader realisation: style doesn’t need to hurt to be valid.

They’re not about giving up. They’re about supporting yourself — literally.

The good news? Compression socks have had a quiet glow-up. Think: functional layering, not medical cosplay.

The rise (or at least the acceptance) of compression socks isn’t just about legs. It’s about a wider cultural shift.

We’re dressing for our nervous systems. For long days. For bodies that are doing their best in a world that asks a lot of them. We’re choosing things that help us get through the day instead of things that just photograph well. If you ask us, that feels like growth.

Whether you wear compression socks because of a health condition, a long commute, a love of hiking, or because your legs are simply over it, there’s no shame in that.

They’re not a sign you’re getting old. They’re a sign you’re paying attention.

And if surviving one outfit at a time means choosing clothes that actually support you, then compression socks deserve a seat at the table.

Varicose veins and all.

So, what gets your love letter?

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My feed is full of throwbacks, old photos, screenshots, flash-lit nights from when Instagram filters made life feel cinematic. It doesn’t feel accidental. It feels like we’re all reaching for the same memory.

I don’t know if it’s some astrological event I’m unaware of or collective exhaustion finally lifting, but something feels different this year. Lighter. More reflective. More hopeful.

This isn’t “remember when.”

It’s “remember how it felt.”

Because for a lot of us, 2016 meant something.

2016 keeps coming up because it was a threshold year. A beginning. A time before the world felt so heavy, before we were constantly aware of how quickly things could fall apart.

For me, it was the year I started uni. New city. New friends. New versions of myself that didn’t yet know what life could have in store for her. It was one of my favourite years, not because it was perfect, but because everything felt possible.

Back then, we looked at life through Instagram filters.

Valencia. Clarendon. Gingham. Warm tones, soft edges, flash-lit nights that made even the most ordinary moments feel important. We weren’t curating brands, we were documenting our lives. There was less pressure to optimise ourselves. Less language around burnout. Less fear about the future. Looking back, that softness feels almost radical.

We posted without overthinking.

We didn’t need joy to be productive or impressive.

We dressed for fun.

2016 fashion was chaotic in the best way.

Chokers. Bodycon dresses. Bomber jackets. Superstars. Going-out tops that existed purely for nights you didn’t want to forget. Nothing had to be timeless. Nothing had to be sensible.

Fashion wasn’t about longevity; it was about expression.

And now, in 2026, we’re seeing that energy return. Not as a copy, but as a feeling. A rejection of beige minimalism and quiet luxury. A reminder that not everything needs to last forever; some things can just be enjoyed.

2016 me was a disposable fashion fiend that 2026 me recoils from, but there is something to be had for the type of excitement dressing for every occasion brought. But there’s a kind of excitement that came with dressing for every occasion that feels hard to ignore. Outfits were tied to memories. The kind where you could pinpoint a night based on what you were wearing, the kind of reflection that my current outfit-repeating self can no longer mimic (though not always a bad thing).

What’s striking is that this shift isn’t just about fashion.

We’re reading again. Films feel fun. People are stepping away from endless scrolling and towards crafts, journals, and phones without the mind-numbing apps on them. After years of burnout, instability, and constant self-optimisation, it feels like we’re tentatively letting hope back in.

2026 doesn’t feel like a reset.

It feels like a recalibration. And it’s not about wanting to go back to 2016 – believe me, no one wants to see the return of fishnets and chokers less than me. We’re different now. Wiser. More aware. A little more tired. But maybe that’s why this year feels so reflective.

Because sometimes healing requires looking back. Sometimes it looks like recognising a version of yourself who believed in possibility, and choosing that version of yourself again. The one who did think fishnets and chokers were a vibe, but who also lived in a world of her own creation.

The return of 2016 energy feels like that.

Not a trend.

Not an aesthetic.

Just a quiet reminder that excitement is still allowed.

And maybe that’s what’s in the air right now.

This feeling is not relief, it’s panic.

Suddenly you’re replaying the conversation, rewriting the tone, wondering if you were too harsh, too cold, too much. You don’t feel empowered. You feel like you’ve committed a moral crime. And the question hits: am I a bad person… or did I just set a boundary?

Here’s the thing: setting boundaries is hard. Not because you’re mean, but because you weren’t really taught how to do it. For a lot of us, especially women, boundaries were never modelled for us growing up or in relationships. That means we’re learning as we go, often in these very moments.

There is actual studies showing that when women try to assert limits — whether it’s about emotional labour, time, or personal space — we feel uncomfortable precisely because of how we’ve grown up. Girls are often taught to prioritise peace and be accommodating, so saying no can feel wrong, even when it’s right.

So why does waking up after a boundary feel like a moral crisis instead of self-care? A few reasons:

Fear of conflict and rejection
A lot of people struggle with boundaries because they’re terrified of rocking the boat or being seen as difficult. Experts note that fear of rejection is paralysing — so instead of asserting needs, we swallow them.

We’re wired for belonging
Humans are fundamentally social creatures. We’re hardwired to want connection and fear disconnection. So even if saying no is healthy, it can feel like risking exclusion.

Guilt and obligation are sneaky
Most of us grew up hearing things like “You should help more” or “Be a good friend/sister/daughter”. Those messages stick. The result? Guilt becomes the default reaction when we enforce limits, even when those limits are about not burning out.

Here’s where it gets interesting: research also shows boundaries are good for your mental health.1 People who practise them tend to have less stress, less resentment and clearer emotional regulation — not because they’re cold, but because they stop absorbing every demand thrown their way.

And when you look at studies on gender and boundaries, you see another layer. Because traditional roles have often placed emotional labour and caregiving expectations on women, the act of saying no can feel like you’re breaking important social rules, even when you’re just protecting your energy.

At the end of the day, feeling awkward or guilty after setting a boundary doesn’t make you a bad person; it makes you human in a world that didn’t teach you how to protect your own limits. Boundaries are not walls to keep people out; they’re the quiet way of saying “this is what I need to stay sane.” And if that feels uncomfortable at first… well, that’s part of the unlearning process.

You’re not alone in that feeling — you’re just finally noticing yourself in the equation.

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