Labor Day decorations: celebrate with stars and stripes galore by Louise Oliphant

Labor day is just around the corner, and since it’s the last holiday of the summer, you might as well celebrate in style. After all, it’s the perfect time to show off your love for the people who work hard to make the USA what it is today. Any excuse to fire up your grill for a cookout, right? 

So, to help you pull off a party the whole neighborhood will want to go to, we’ve found 12 Labor Day decorations whether you’re hosting inside or out. This way, you can deck your home and yard in stars and stripes ready for your weekend celebrations. 

From flags to banners and table decor to hats, wreaths and even folding chairs, there’s something for everyone. Plus, in red, white and blue you can keep and reuse them next year for July 4th and Memorial Day.

While you’re busy partying, don’t forget there are big savings to be had for your home this Labor Day. So if you’re looking to buy something you can keep up all year round, check out our edit of the best Labor Day furniture sales for 2022. 

12 LABOR DAY DECORATIONS TO BUY IN 2022

Kule Reversible Stripe Indoor/Outdoor Pillow View at West Elm

Make sure your guests are comfy and scatter these striped indoor/outdoor cushions about the place this Labor Day, and every day after that too. 

WHAT IS LABOR DAY AND WHEN IS IT?

Labor Day is a national holiday celebrated in the United States on the first Monday in September – this year, taking place on September 5th. Though, usually parties and events will begin the weekend before, otherwise known as Labor Day Weekend. 

It’s celebrated to honor the American Labor Movement of the 19th century and to recognize the achievements and contributions of laborers to the development of the United States, as it is today. 

Many retailers and brands use Labor Day as an opportunity to run sales and deals across anything from big-ticket items like appliances and tech, to beauty items and homewares. So if you’ve had your eye-on something new, then Labor Day is the time to buy, especially products for your home.

WHAT ARE THE COLORS FOR LABOR DAY?

Anything red, white and/or blue. Yes, you guessed it, the more patriotic the better. Dress yourself and decorate your home using these all-American colors for the ultimate Labor Day celebration. 

As the day is all about commemorating workers who contributed to the develop of the United States, using motifs such as gnomes and tools are also a common way to decorate. Using the American flag print is a versatile way to play tribute too, using things you may already have in your home. And if you’re buying new decor for labor day, remember you can use it again for July 4th and Memorial Day.

ON Culture | Six Degrees of Conner Coffin, Iration, Kevin A. Short, and KULE by Leslie Dinaberg

ON the Catwalk

As someone with an inordinate number of stripes in my closet, I was excited to hear that KULE has opened a kewl new store in the Montecito Country Mart and it’s stocked to the rafters with stylishly striped fashions, as well as limited-edition glassware and other beachy-casual chic houseware items. When I asked founder/designer Nikki Kule why she decided to open her first West Coast store here, she said “I’m really drawn to the California lifestyle. My son moved out to the West Coast, and every time I visit, I always feel so relaxed.”

Her other boutiques are in Manhattan’s Rockefeller Center and Brooklyn’s Cobble Hill, quite a different vibe from Montecito. Kule said, “I love that California laid-back energy; it’s so perfect for the KULE brand.” For more about the designer, who started her career in luxe children’s togs and now outfits the whole family, as well as the house, click here. 

The Stylish Tennis Sweaters To Serve Looks on and off the Court by Morgan Halberg

Tenniscore is having a moment, but these classic sweaters are timeless.

Activewear trends come and go, but tennis-inspired fashion is always in style. There’s no denying, however, that the tennis aesthetic is having a real moment right now, and it’s easy to see why—you can’t go wrong with the adorable pleated skirts, crisp white sneakers, preppy dresses and chic sweaters, both on and off the court.

There’s still plenty of summer left, but cooler temperatures are on the horizon, which is where the tennis sweater comes into play. The preppy pullover is traditionally a cable knit v-neck in the white, cream or general ecru color family, typically with striped banding. While the tennis sweater isn’t actually worn on the court quite as much as other tennis apparel such as skorts or polos, the pullover has become synonymous with the racket sport, and especially that particularly prepster, country club-going aesthetic.

The tennis sweater isn’t just for the country club set, though. Today’s tennis sweaters still have many of the same qualities as the original look, but there are also modern interpretations of the silhouette, whether it’s with a bold burst of color or a unique pattern. And don’t fret, because you don’t actually need to be preparing for a match or sitting court-side to wear these elegant sweaters. While you can definitely throw your tennis sweater on over a pleated skort or bike shorts post-game, you can also pair it with tailored trousers, your favorite denim or a silky skirt. Tennis shoes are always comfy and cute, but you could also accessorize with a chic pair of loafers, sandals or boots.

No matter how you choose to style it, a tennis sweater is always a chic topper, especially for those tricky transitional seasons. Below, see the best tennis sweaters to shop now

Kule The Yale SweaterEmbrace the collegiate vibes in this cozy cotton sweater, which would look so effortlessly chic with crisp blue denim and classic loafers. $278, SHOP NOW

New Pop-Up at Montecito Country Mart by Kelly Mahan Herrick

KULE has officially opened in the Montecito Country Mart. This is the brand’s third store and its first location on the West Coast. After a successful six-month pop-up at the Brentwood Country Mart in 2019, KULE’s signature stripes are back in California.

Their new “stripy store” also features limited edition KULE glassware made by the famous Laguna~B Murano glass company in Venezia, Italy, and striped KULE napkins only available in Montecito Country Mart.

“I’ve always loved Montecito,” says founder and designer Nikki Kule. “Especially the Montecito Country Mart, which is such a fun local mix of curated boutiques and fabulous food. KULE fits in perfectly with the retail community Montecito Country Mart has created, and we’re so excited to be part of it.” 

The shop features the brand’s signature stripes on clothing, housewares, totes, and more. The pop-up is open Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday 11 am to 5 pm. For more information about the brand, visit kule.com.  

Everything You Need for the Ultimate Fall Capsule Wardrobe by Abby Hepworth

There are lots of benefits to a fall capsule wardrobe—more closet space, less time spent crafting outfits in the morning, a higher percentage of your shopping budget to put toward each piece. But even if you consider yourself more of a maximalist, building a core base of separates that can easily mix and match with one another can make it easier in the long run to start incorporating bolder patterns, brighter colors or otherwise trendier items. So, to start us all off on the chicest foot possible this season, we’ve put together a list of the 12 items you need in order to build the ultimate fall capsule wardrobe.

But first, what is a capsule wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe is a pared down list of clothing, shoes and accessories that can be easily mixed and matched with one another to create simple, chic ensembles with less effort. Most have a neutral color palette featuring shades of beige, white, black, navy and gray, but that doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself to just those hues. If you’d rather mix and match warm tones like yellows, oranges and reds, we say go for it. So long as there are no outstanding pieces that require an additional accessory or clothing item that can’t be worn with everything else, you’ve got yourself a capsule wardrobe.

How do I choose what to include in my fall capsule wardrobe?

Think about the pieces you wear most often and that work best for the greatest number of scenarios. For instance, jeans can work for pretty much any daily occasion, from working in an office to dinner dates to weekend errand running. Then again, maybe you’re more of a skirt person. Pick out the items from your closet that you already wear on the regular, then start to ID where there might be any gaps. Do you often wish you had a different pair of sneakers to mix in with your wardrobe? Or maybe a different fall jacket? Combine that with your day-to-day needs and voilà!

How to create a capsule wardrobe

Start with bottoms. You only need three or so, and here it’s a bit more important to stick with neutral tones and clean washes so you can better mix with and show off your collection of tops. Speaking of, your second step should be tops. Be sure to consider how they will layer with one another (i.e., how sweaters will look over T-shirts or blouses and how jackets will layer over knits). This group will likely be the largest section of your capsule wardrobe, giving you the most options to switch things up from day to day. Next consider shoes. It’s best to choose practical footwear like flats or ankle boots over stilettos, but you do you, reader. As for bags, we think most folks can make do with just two—one larger tote for work or errands, and one day bag that fits just the essentials with a bit of extra space just in case. Last but not least, think about adding a few dresses. The great thing about dresses is that they’re pretty much standalone pieces anyway, so feel free to add in handful, making sure they’ll pair well with your shoes and jackets.

5. striped Tee And/or Sweater

Kule Modern Long-sleeve

You don’t have to stick only to solid hues when building a capsule wardrobe, and stripes are definitely the easiest pattern to work with. They function almost as a neutral, especially if you opt for timeless navy-and-white or black-and-white. Horizontal is also better than vertical. (P.S. Leopard spots can also function as a neutral if you want to add another pattern, and can look super chic with both solids and stripes.)BUY IT ($78)

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27 Best T-Shirts for Women to Wear With Everything in 2022 by Jake Smith

They may be humble wardrobe essentials, but the best T-shirts for women aren’t just for blending in. Whether you need a breezy crop top on hot days, a crisp cut for layering under a blazer, or long sleeves for lounging around in, tees fit into practically any outfit and occasion.

The only issue? Most of us don’t have unlimited space (or unlimited funds) for all the T-shirts we want. There are near-endless options for necklines, materials, and fit, and every brand claims to make the perfect tee—but you need to make your coin count. From classic crewnecks to baggy, stylist-approved options, your next favorite T-shirt is just waiting out there, and all you need to know is where to start.

To make your search a little easier, we waded through thousands of them across the internet. After scouring reviews at pretty much every retailer you can imagine, we found 27 of the best T-shirts for women that are actually worth adding to your everyday-wear lineup.  

Best Striped: Kule The Modern Long TeeAh, to be a French girl. While the specifics of your nationality are hard to change, you can at least dress the part with Kule’s signature striped tee. Although the brand is technically based in New York, it’s got European sensibilities through and through—and its tees (ideally paired with pleated trousers) are the first step toward making your Francophile dreams a reality. $78 at Kule