Why a Sports Skeptic Is Leaning Into Rugby Shirts by Christian Allaire

Growing up as a kid in Canada, you played sports. My whole childhood revolved around soccer leagues, hockey teams, and gymnastic practices. You name it—I did it! I wasn’t very good at any of them; In fact, the only goal I ever scored during my short-lived hockey career was when I accidentally slapped a puck into our own team’s net. From a young age, it became very apparent that I am just not the athletic type. However, all of that seems to be changing in my 30s, as I’ve suddenly found myself entering a sporty era. Well, a fashion sporty era that is, thanks to my new spring obsession: Rugby shirts.

Though I’ve never actually attempted rugby, I’m very much into spring’s new, colorful assortment of rugby-style shirts. The striped top—originating from England in the mid-1800s, often complete with a contrasting collar—first became a staple in the sports arena as a way for teams to differentiate themselves. But now, it’s become much more of a fashion statement—a graphic top that can make any outfit feel instantly peppy and upbeat. They were everywhere on the spring 2024 runways. Brands like Dries Van Noten, JW Anderson, and Dsquared2 all put their stamp on the classic rugby shirt, styling it casually with tailored shorts or jeans.

Though it’s been around for ages, the rugby top feels totally fresh this season. Mostly because, after years of rejecting anything remotely sports-related, it’s a look and style vibe that I’ve rarely experimented with—and isn’t spring all about a rebirth and trying new things? Admittedly, seeing celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Taylor Swift rock them has also cemented the idea that rugby shirts can read as elevated and stylish (with the right styling). So, feeling inspired by the piece, I decided to invest in my very first one and test it out. I landed on a Wales Bonner striped rugby in black, yellow, and white.

Like Bieber and Swift, I’ve enjoyed approaching the sporty staple as something that should be dressed up. (I don’t want to look like I’m actually heading to rugby practice.) The key to making it feel smart? Pairing it with my go-to pleated dress trousers, or a pair of flared jeans, for a more ’70s slant. Ditto for the shoes, too: Instead of sneakers, consider pairing it with chunky loafers or oxfords. All together, I’ve found that the balance between athleticism and dressiness creates the perfect off-duty vibe. The is outfit is casual, but put-together casual. And even better, it’s a pretty light-lift styling job: The rugby shirt does the most of the work for your statement look.

Who would have thought that a rugby top could turn a sports skeptic into a fan? Unexpectedly, the shirts are fast becoming my everyday fashion staple, and I even plan on adding a few more styles to my wardrobe (like this one from Guest In Residence). Does this mean I’m suddenly going to join a rugby team? Hardly; I still can’t perform a dropkick or punt to save my life. But I do enjoying looking like I possibly could.

On board with the spring rugby shirt, too? Shop 7 stylish styles below.

KULE Rugby

$108

KULE

What 14 Fashion Insiders Are Wearing to New York Fashion Week by Christian Allaire

Every season, New York Fashion Week’s vibrant street style scene—often documented by the expert eye of Vogue photographer Phil Oh—acts as a preview of fashion’s biggest up-and-coming trends. Buyers, editors, stylists, writers, and more all hit the streets of the Big Apple to take in the new shows. And when they do, their outfits often incorporate some of the freshest, coolest new pieces on the scene. Last season, for instance, everyone was spotted wearing the neon-bright Martine Rose x Nike sneakers—a wonderfully quirky shoe collab.

With the fall 2024 shows officially kicking off on Friday, consider this week’s show attendees the perfect individuals to draw fashion inspiration from; Their outfits basically predict what’s next in fashion. In honor, Vogue reached out and asked some of them to share what they’ll be wearing this season. Trending staples ranged from luxe Bottega Veneta bags and Miu Miu boots, to more unexpected pieces like Baby Phat gloves (Y2K style isn’t dead yet!), and cozy Collina Strada sweatpants.

Below, dive into what 13 fashion insiders will be wearing to NYFW.

Chloe King

Fashion Market and Editorial Director

The best part about getting dressed for February fashion shows is the opportunity to really experiment with layering. I plan to play around with Kule stripes, Zankov knits, and men’s ties non-stop this season.

Your Ultimate Capsule Wardrobe Shopping Guide by Georgia Murray

A capsule wardrobe is nothing new. The term was coined back in the 1980s by Susie Faux, the West End boutique owner who introduced her clients to minimalist brands like Jil Sander, while Donna Karan popularized the idea in the USA in ‘85 with her Seven Easy Pieces. In more recent years, Marie Kondo’s decluttering method has shaken up wardrobes the world over. The notion of a refined and utilitarian collection of clothing, of creating the maximum number of outfits from as few items as possible, is a familiar one.

Now, though, its appeal is greater than ever. The pandemic has forced many of us to recalibrate our relationship with fashion. Giving us time to step off the fast-moving carousel of disposable trends, we spent hours in lockdowns with the clothes we own and admit which were bought to secure a quick and dirty serotonin hit in the shadow of Instagram’s comparison culture, fuelled by the ease of same-day delivery. For others, waking each morning to a global pandemic has left little room for the effort and energy required to pull together a playful outfit. With heavier burdens weighing on our minds even today (see: the cost-of-living crisis), functionality is often the biggest draw when choosing what to wear each day. 

“People have been rethinking their relationship with clothing, which means more time being spent organizing, declutterring, and learning how to create a streamlined wardrobe,” says personal stylist Eunice Abe. Donating, selling, swapping or gifting items which no longer fit into your life is a great way to save them from landfill but the aim isn’t to mindlessly purge your wardrobe and start anew. It’s about whittling it down to a selection of thought-out pieces which will help you to resist the pull of passing trends. “Building a capsule wardrobe made up of core items not only helps me shop less and rewear my pieces over and over again,” Eunice says, “but also to not shop impulsively for the ‘next best thing’ to wear.”

At the core of a capsule wardrobe is the idea that its contents transcend passing trends but of course it will mean different things to different people. If monochrome and minimalism isn’t your flavor, a capsule wardrobe bursting with print and color is just as valuable — so long as each piece can be worn in multiple ways. Fine-tune your wardrobe so that you’re wearing what you own as much as possible, so that each piece stands the test of time and serves a functional but joyful purpose in your life. What it looks like is up to you. 

Below, we’ve found the best pieces for a traditional capsule wardrobe, from summer-ready sandals to Breton striped tees.

Capsule Closet Must-Have:

Breton Tee

The Brittany-born striped top has been synonymous with timelessness ever since Coco Chanel turned the fisherman’s staple into a fashion favorite. Our preferred marinière tees are by Kule or Sézane, but there are heaps of other brands to choose from. Tuck into tailored trousers or denim and top off with black lace-up shoes or white sneakers.

KULE

The Malibu BUY $108.00 KULE

Kule The Malibu, $108.00, available at KULE

O List: Valentine’s Day Edition by Holly Carter and Rae Ann Herman

We heart these delightful finds.

It’s that time of year again, and the air is heady with all things love. At Oprah Daily, we can’t help falling in love with love, so we’re anteing up a crush-worthy curation of goodies for gifting others—or even yourself. Of course, in true O List fashion, there’s something to suit every desire. Since hearts reign supreme, there’s everything from mugs and bakeware to sneakers, jammies, and even cheese and waffles with the beloved symbol. And because any Valentine’s Day gift list wouldn’t be complete without the traditional trifecta of jewelry, chocolate, and flowers, there are great options in those categories, too. We even have some treats to express your puppy love­—all that and much more! So read on and let the good lovin’ begin.

1 Kule The ’70s Love Tote

$198 AT KULE.COM

A tote big enough to carry a weekend’s worth of stuff is always a good thing. Add some love to it (literally!) and we’re all in. This cotton find measures 25″ by 17″ and has the brand’s signature red-and-blue taping right up top.