What's Good is a Who What Wear column where senior editor Kristen Nichols shares her latest fashion and beauty finds.
As an editor, I'm always discovering new brands and trends and often testing out many of them myself. To share some of the latest things that have landed in my closet and makeup bag, I'm introducing my new column, What's Good, where I'm spilling the details on all of the cool finds that I'm wearing IRL. Some are just-dropped items I couldn't wait to try out, while others are staples I've had for years but think are still worth the investment.
As we head into summer, I'm thinking about pieces for the new season, so you'll spot everything from cutout dresses and strappy sandals to tennis looks and crochet (aka pieces I'm wearing to ease my way into some of the biggest trends of the season). I'm also borrowing styling inspiration from the recent runway and celeb looks, with my own personal spin. Ahead, dive into fashion and beauty editor recommendations, test-driven by me.
We've been talking a lot about the cutout trend and this piece from Sir is exactly how I want to wear it. Subtle and still polished, this dress is a cool take on cutouts that doesn't feel too trendy for my personal style. Here, I'm wearing the piece with strappy sandals, but also love the idea of adding open-toe mules.
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It seems like most of the beauty products I've been trying recently come from viral TikToks, and that is exactly where I discovered this chemical exfoliant from The Ordinary. A secret for super-glowy skin for only $8, there are over 477,000 product likes on Sephora and reviews claiming that it's a "magic bottle" for smooth, clear, radiant skin.
I was skeptical at first, but after I put it to the test I can see what all of the hype is about. My skin was instantly brighter after just one application but the results were even more noticeable as I kept using it. If you end up adding this to your beauty routine, I would recommend easing your way into it because it is an intense treatment, but the results are very impressive.
I can't get enough of the denim-on-denim look that has been trending recently and have been practically living in this look. Cowboy boots and a belt really pull it together and make it tap into some of the looks I grew up wearing in Arizona. I especially love the belt, which is a piece from the just-launched brand Dehanche. The brand takes classic belt silhouettes and makes them feel very modern and cool with details like silver hardware.
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I've been wearing less makeup recently and have been on the hunt for a tinted moisturizer that I can swap in for foundation. After asking many beauty insiders for their recommendations, this Chantecaille formula was the frontrunner that I put to the test. Though an investment, it is truly worth the hype. My skin still looks like skin after applying it—just dewier and more radiant than a barefaced look.
It's the 50th anniversary of the Ralph Lauren polo shirt and the piece is still as iconic as ever. A mainstay in my wardrobe (and my parents' wardrobes) since I was younger, it's truly a staple that never goes out of style. Recently, I've been getting back into tennis, so it is the perfect item to pair with a skirt and sneakers to wear for some time on the courts.
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I'm huge on sun protection and won't leave the house without sunscreen on, especially when it comes to my face. As we head into the summer months, I like to add an extra glow with self-tanner and was turned onto this spray from Tan-Luxe by Hailey Bieber, who shared in a TikTok that it is one of her go-to products. Since application can often lead to weird orange-looking hands, I love that this is a spray that doesn't require hands when applying it.
My wardrobe isn't very trend-driven, but I always try to infuse some of the seasonal trends into my wardrobe in ways that still feel true to my personal style. This piece from Altuzarra beautifully taps into the crochet trend that is set to be huge this summer but has timeless lines so is something that I can wear for years and years to come. Paired with a macramé bag from Merlette, I'm doubling down on all things woven as we head into summer.
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Nothing says summer quite like glossy lips, and the ones that are most in-demand right now come from Hermès and its recently launched line of Hermesistible lip oils. While there is a range of shades, I can't get enough of the peachy shade, 01 Beige Sapotill, that will be tucked into my bag all summer long.
I've been very influenced by '90s fashion recently. Minimal pieces from the decade have always been points of inspiration for me but I'm drawn to the cool, pared-back pieces now more than ever. I first spotted this matching set from Ukrainian brand Cult Naked when Kendall Jenner wore it and was so excited to add it to my closet. I styled it here as a full look with Neil J. Rodgers shoes in the same color, but will also be experimenting with ways to style the pieces on their own.
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I rarely wear new fragrances since I'm very dedicated to my go-to scent, Portrait of a Lady by Frederic Malle, but there is now one more fragrance sitting in my bathroom: Eden-Roc from Dior. The scent launched in 2021, but it wasn't until recently that it secured a spot on my top shelf. Named for the iconic Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc on the French Riviera (a destination that has been sitting on the top of my travel list for as long as I can remember), it's the next best thing to a trip along the Mediterranean. This is practically summer in a bottle, infusing fresh notes of sea salt, jasmine, and pine trees. Close your eyes after a spritz and you can almost imagine you're there.
As I've mentioned, basics are the backbone of my wardrobe, and I'm always looking for fresh ways to style them. Currently, button-downs are a go-to piece that I've been wearing tucked into jeans or layered over tees. This piece from French brand Sessei is particularly special since it is finished with my initials—a signature detail for the brand.
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I have a soft spot for beautifully tailored pieces with a twist, which is why this matching jacket and shorts from Merlette are one of my favorite new sets in my wardrobe. Adding a pair of pointed kitten heels dresses it up, making it the ultimate unexpected look to wear for an evening out.
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This base coat from Chanel is perfect for layering under manicures to make them last longer. It also happens to be the perfect milky pink shade that I like to wear when I want my nails to have a bare look while still feeling finished.
Next: 6 Cool Brands All the Fashion People Are Wearing Right Now
