Eye Candy 

By Zeniya Cooley 

As an obsessive moodboarder and style stalker, I regularly curate items that interest me. Nowadays, I find myself favoring pieces that prompt conversation and double-takes. You can find a few of these eye-candy items below, so take note if you want to create a look worthy of any lock screen. 

Statement Sweaters 

Since knitwear won New York Fashion Week, I suggest choosing garments that take knit in new directions. A dazzling kimono from Dutch label Scotch & Soda, for example, shows how cardigans crafted with painterly panache can upstage even the most impressive essentials. The same goes for Alanui and LoveShackFancy — brands that, respectively, imbue their sweaters with artisanal artistry and classic femininity. 

Delightful Details

The tiniest style edit can make a huge difference — ask the female characters from the most fashionable shows in teen television. In the Gossip Girl reboot, new kid Zoya Lott adds edge to her overalls by forgoing a strap. Meanwhile, queen bee Maddy Perez from Euphoria flaunts bedazzled eyelids with her cheer uniform. Details matter, so think about incorporating small yet surprising elements into your next outfit. 

Personalized Pendants

As a kid, I grew up coveting the diamond ‘U’ chain Usher wore in his early 2000s music videos. This year, I channeled that aughts energy by purchasing initial necklaces from Stella & Haas, a Black-owned jewelry business. Nameplate necklaces, in all of their bold beauty, are also experiencing a resurgence. What better way to announce your arrival in a newly reopened world than by wearing a chain with your name etched in gold? 

Rainbow Rainwear 

D.C. is prone to rainy weather, but that does not have to dampen your spirits or your style. To enliven my waterproof wardrobe, I chose colorful rain jackets like my cornflower coat from Columbia Sportswear. You can also color correct your footwear by choosing bright boots. Then, finish it all off with a clear umbrella to subdue your saturated shades.