My favorite part about thrifting is that you never know what you’re going to find. You parse through endless crammed clothing racks in hope of discovering a hidden gem you didn’t expect. It requires a bit of style imagination, and you’re usually better off not looking for something specific.

However, the World Cup is fast approaching, and specific items is exactly what I need to style my looks. With time and thrifting logistics not on my side, I set off this weekend to a Buffalo Exchange and a Goodwill outside Boston.

Such an occasion called for honoring the Boy Scouts by being prepared, so I made a thrift wishlist to stay on target. I had my eyes peeled for anything orange, sporty — specifically retro Adidas or Nike — or western since I’m going to Texas for Netherlands group stage games.

Check out the 15 items I was looking for:

The two stops, surprisingly, had multiple items from my wishlist. But the question remained: Were they worth thrifting or was I better off passing?

Western hats:

A cowgirl hat made my thrift wishlist in hopes of ironing a Netherlands soccer patch on the front. Buffalo Exchange had three, but they weren’t the color or style I was looking for, and the zebra pattern was a bit too much to work with.

I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled for either an orange or a straw cowgirl hat.

The “Hold your horses” hat also caught my eye for either me or my partner. It was cute and perfectly on theme. What I didn’t like about it? The price. The hat was new with tags and was selling for $16.

Sure that might be a normal price for a hat, but this is thrifting.

What really sold it as a no, was the hat was on Amazon for $24.99. While the thrifting price was cheaper, the hat wasn’t a nice enough brand to deserve that high of a second-hand retail price.

Plus, we would probably only get a few uses out of it. While there are a few items I’ll be getting for the World Cup specifically, I want to stick to the ones on my wishlist to be sure they’re worth it.

My choice:

Pass and keep looking

Western buckle heels:

Thrifting requires looking in every nook and cranny — including crouching down uncomfortably to see what’s in the dark back row of the bottom shoe shelf. And thank goodness I did because these shoes summoned a mental “Eek!” of excitement.

Not only were they cute and on theme with a western buckle, but they were new with tags, had a cushioned sole, and looked even cuter on.

I’ve been looking for heels without a back strap for a while now, but every pair I’ve tried either slips off or creates an aggressive clunk and snap sound while walking.

While these wouldn’t be World Cup game shoes, I do have at least one nice dinner in Texas where I could pair these with a dress.

One wear wouldn’t be reason enough to get them, so luckily, I loved them enough that I would wear them on plenty of other occasions. Think black slack capris or jeans and a cute top on a summer night.

My choice:

Thrift with a happy dance

Adidas capris:

Adidas pants or shorts were the No. 1 item I was hoping to thrift because let’s be real: no Adidas is better than retro Adidas.

I specifically had an image of black capris with the three stripes down the leg on my wishlist. So when my boyfriend pulled these out of the depths of a rack that stressed even me too much to sort through, I was immediately infected with the thrifting giddiness.

What were the odds?!

I took them right into the dressing room …

Just to be let down.

What I saw in the mirror did not match my vision.

They were a little loose in the waist and required tightly tying the strings, taking away from the relaxed athletic look.

The actual material of the pants did nothing flattering for my thighs. They weren’t tight enough to shape around my quads nicely or loose enough for a wide-leg look.

Everything just looked meh.

My boyfriend and I both agreed that the bottom of the pants should have either gotten narrower or wider to create better proportions.

This was definitely the hardest hit of the day.

My choice:

Pass and keep looking

Western disc belts:

My vision is a long white skirt with a western disc belt overlayed. And in what felt like a sign for my thrifting luck that day, I found three as soon as I walked in the door.

While I loved the turquoise in the black belt, I am more likely going to be wearing browns in Texas. Plus, the buckle on the brown belt screamed cowgirl. I also preferred its oval discs, which gave it a sleeker look.

Once again though, I did not like the price.

The belt was listed for $22.50, but a quick reverse image search on Amazon showed the exact belt on sale for $16. Even without the sale, the belt was cheaper on Amazon than Buffalo Exchange’s price tag.

My choice:

Pass but may get it off Amazon

Orange skirt

I snagged this orange tennis skirt off the Goodwill rack so fast. It was my size and it perfectly matched the new Netherlands World Cup jersey (which looks more neon in person).

It was to my devastation that I discovered it was actually a Lands End bathing suit skirt bottom when I went to try it on over my leggings.

Could it pass as a tennis skirt? Maybe. I mean, it fooled me. But I really didn’t want to deal with the uncomfortable bathing suit lining as opposed to undershorts.

My boyfriend suggested I wear it to the beach on the day the Netherlands play since we’ll be down the shore for a week, but I already have an orange bathing suit I could wear.

For me, this skirt was only a yes if I could wear it with a jersey.

My choice:

Pass and hope it ends up in the right section

Spain soccer scarf

As we were in line waiting to check out, I spotted a scarf that had to be either a Gryffindor or a soccer scarf. As much as we love Mr. Potter, it was especially exciting to see it was a Spain soccer scarf, perfect for the World Cup.

While I will be attending Netherlands games and rooting for them, my favorite national team is Spain, and I will be cheering them on all the way to the end.

I already have an España scarf to rep, however, so I like to think of this as a thrift wink that sends extra luck to the team.

In the meantime, may some other fan find this gem in time for June’s games.

My choice:

Pass and leave for someone else to find

Western heeled boots

These heeled black western boots were gorgeous, and they looked even better on. I’m in love with pointed toe boots at the moment, and unlike many I’ve tried on, these didn’t slouch and were slim on the calfs.

They would look great with a denim skirt and a black top or an orange and black Netherlands jersey.

You won’t be seeing me in this look, however, since they were too snug on my feet despite being my size.

My choice:

Pass, devastatingly

With 45 days until the World Cup, where should I try my thrifting luck at next?

Read related coverage from The Handwritten Edit:

The World Cup is 49 days away, which means it’s time to move full speed ahead on my DIY and thrift projects.

I’ll be attending the Netherland’s group stage games in Dallas, Houston, and Kansas City, as well as watching various games at Fan Fests and bars in Boston and NJ after that.

My first stop will be a Buffalo Exchange and Goodwill tomorrow afternoon where I’ll have my eyes peeled for sporty and Texas western finds.

Here are the top 15 items on my World Cup thrift wishlist:

1. Retro colorful Adidas shorts

2. Sporty country tanks and tees

3. Adidas wide leg pants

4. Cowgirl boots for a DIY

5. Cowgirl hat for a patch

6. Denim shorts for patches

7. Denim skirt for patches

8. Short white frilly skirt

9. Long white skirt

10. Retro athletic jacket

11. Capris

12. Orange accessories

13. Sporty sets

14. Hoodie for patches

15. Brown and gold chunky belt

Want more World Cup inspo? Check out our Pinterest board:

Read more soccer content from The Handwritten Edit:

I’ve officially reached the stage post vacation where daily life doesn’t seem so mundane and looking back at photos doesn’t leave me with the all-consuming longing to be back in warm weather.

While both of those trip side effects aren’t completely gone, I’ve made enough progress to start recapping the trip through writing.

So let’s start with the basics.

Earlier this month, I celebrated my Dad’s 61st birthday at Disney World. We spent our first and last days hotel hopping, spending plenty of time at the Polynesian Village Resort — our favorite — and shopping and eating in Disney Springs.

Between that, we enjoyed two park days in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, which was hosting the International Flower & Garden Festival.

Our long weekend was filled with delicious cuisine from cooks from around the world, bubbly beverages, thrilling rides, and plenty of birthday magic.

Here’s a glimpse at our Florida getaway:

Epcot

Magic Kingdom

Food

Drinks

Rides

Read more from The Handwritten Edit:

The childhood days of playing house with our baby dolls is about to become a reality for my sister as she prepares to welcome a baby girl in May.

To celebrate, we held a baby shower last month in the theme of her nursery, baby forest animals — perfect for the nature kid who was obsessed with Ranger Rick.

Here’s a look at the event decor, my baby shower gift, and of course, my outfit.

The Outfit

The dress code for the shower seemed like a no-brainer: a pink dress.

Immediately, I was challenged with how to make my dress girly, exciting, and different from what everyone wears to baby showers. The last point meant florals were immediately out. Plus, it was March, which felt a little early for botanicals.

My vision led me to black polka dots set on a short pink dress or a soft pink elegant milk maid dress.

But the dress hunt proved to be an even bigger challenge since my specific vision also came with a small budget and a desire for free shipping and returns.

I was starting to face the reality that I would have to sacrifice my vision when it hit me: Dressing in pink wasn’t the only way to dress on theme. I could instead dress according to the actual event theme of forest animals.

The dress needed to be an earthy color, and it just so happened that a fitted brown maxi dress that I’ve been dying to wear for months was hiding in the back of my closet.

What sold me on the outfit was adding animal details: Ralph Lauren Leopard Lanette Haircalf Pumps, a tortoiseshell bracelet, and my vintage Coach purse with leopard patchwork.

The Pinterest Board

Every party starts with a Pinterest board in our household. Here’s a look at our inspiration for the event:

The Decor

• A forest colored balloon photo backdrop with baby forest animal cutouts

• Moss-wrapped floral arrangements

• Fake birch trees

• Ivy garland

• A forest backdrop

• Forest animal stuffed animals

• Green textured table runners

• Real pinecones and acorns — collected by my parents on their walks

• Wood tree candle rests

• Wood tree table number holders

• Floating flower candles in green water

• Forest trees on the cake

• Animal balloons

• Fake birch-wrapped candles

• Customized Hershey Kisses

The Games

• Who’s my mama?

  • Match the animal with the name of its baby

• Guess how many animal crackers are in the bear

• Play-Doh baby making competition

• What do you meme?

  • Meme writing competition for baby photos

• Diaper raffle

  • Bring a pack of diapers, get a raffle ticket

• How old were mom and dad?

  • Guess the ages of the parents in the photos

• Guess mom’s belly size

  • Cut yarn to your guess size

• Don’t say baby

  • If you catch someone saying “baby” take their baby clothes pins

The Gift

The best part of having a baby girl is that you get to play dress up with her, and since my sisters and I grew up loving princesses, a dress up station was a must.

I found the Snow White, Tinker Bell, and Boo outfits — yes, I know Boo isn’t a princess, but I couldn’t resist — on Facebook Marketplace. I also had to order a dress of my sister’s favorite priness, Repunzel. I got each outfit in a different size to fit her baby girl at various stages.

I hung them all on a small clothes rack with baby hangers adorned with Mickey heads in the hope that when her little girl gets older, she can have an actual dress up station in their house.

I also got her three princess books, two of which are about my sister’s favorite princesses, and one to show her what each princess can teach her. I put these in a basket on the bottom shelf alongside baby headband tiaras, Minnie shoes, Mickey & Friends sunglasses, and a sparkly Elsa purse.

And the card of course, had a dress on a clothes line to match.

Read more from The Handwritten Edit:

This weekend, I debuted my clear bag DIY at the NWSL’s Boston Legacy FC inaugural game, and I couldn’t have been happier with the result — I’m talking jump up and down and make girly squeaks kind of giddy (we’ve all done it).

The first step was choosing a bag, which I broke down in yesterday’s article:

I ended up choosing the ScarvesMe Clear Crossbody Bag in Orange. It has a beautiful shape that resembles a high quality bag such an Hermès Kelly and quality gold hardware, including rings on the side of the bag for a strap.

Most of all though, it was the most eye-catching of the bags with its vibrant orange handle and trim. I wanted a statement piece that looks intentional with my outfits for the Legacy game, as well as the Netherlands World Cup games I’m attending this summer. This shade of orange matched details on my Legacy Common Ground jersey and would most certainly match my Netherlands jersey.

The bag choice was a no brainer.

It still, however, needed more personalization. Here are five things I did to my clear purse to make it a DIY masterpiece:

1. Added a Keychain

I got a free keychain from the Legacy’s booth at Boston’s Head of the Charles in the fall that I knew I wanted to sport. I first attached it to the side of the bag using the strap’s clasp, but it felt too hidden, especially since I planned to primarily utilize the top handle.

Looping it onto said handle was out of the question as I didn’t want to risk damaging it. I also wanted it to be super easy to swap keychains for various games. So instead, I dug up a green ribbon and tied it onto the top handle.

For future games, I also ordered 5 Pcs Brass Key Rings to use instead of the ribbon.

2. Replaced the strap

I am not a crossbody bag girl. It brings me back to high school and college where a going-out purse was chosen simply for hands-free convenience instead of style. But I will occasionally don one when a lot of walking is involved.

With that being said, my clear bag strap needed to excite me and make me want to use it. So, I swapped the orange strap that came with the bag for the Wide Purse Strap Replacement in Cute Football Pattern.

3. Attached a momento

When I was home recently, I stumbled upon an old Sky Blue FC ticket from 2009. I grew up going to their games, and it just so happens that 2009 was the year the team won the inaugural Women’s Professional Soccer championship.

But what was ironic about finding this ticket was that it was for Sky Blue vs. the Boston Breakers, which folded in 2018. The game I attended on Saturday was not only the inaugural game for the city’s new team, Boston Legacy FC, but it was against Gotham FC, the rebranded name of Sky Blue.

It was full circle. And I had to include it.

I ended up using a magnetic ID holder that I found in my desk drawer to not risk damaging the ticket and so that it could be removed for a different World Cup DIY.

Luckily, the magnet worked perfectly through the clear material. And even more lucky: The ticket matched the bag.

4. Added a soccer ball stress ball

At the Legacy’s kit reveal celebration, one of the team’s sponsors, Voya, handed out free soccer ball stress balls. When I saw it laying around my apartment, I thought: If the bag is clear and you have to see everything inside, why not make the inside worth seeing?

And so, I tucked the ball into the corner opposite the ticket.

5. Laid turf on the bottom

But what’s a ball without turf?

The idea came to me a split second after placing the stress ball in the bag, and the following second I was already on Amazon looking up artificial turf. I went with 2 Pieces of 12x12 Inches Fake Grass for Crafts, which I cut to size. Beware: It is messy when cutting.

The turf was the perfect finishing touch and truly took the DIY to the next level.

Bonus tip:

Get a small matching pouch for inside your clear purse so the look doesn’t feel chaotic with everything on display.

By some miracle, my current makeup pouch — free from Clinique — that I use to switch between bags is orange, and it made all the difference.

Read more Boston Legacy FC content:

Looking for more World Cup style inspo? Check out our Pinterest board.

Clear bags for sports games and concerts have become the bane of fashion girls’ existence. They’re typically ugly, don’t match, and clutter a look by revealing the secret chaos women keep in their purses.

I ritually find myself asking before a stadium event, “Why can’t I just use my cute purse that matches my outfit?” Well, I know why, and I agree with the safety measure, so after my inevitable rant, it was finally time for a game plan to address the dreaded eye sore.

On Saturday, I attended the NWSL’s Boston Legacy FC inaugural game against reigning champions Gotham FC at Gillette Stadium, and this summer, I’m planning to attend multiple World Cup games — all of which have clear bag policies.

If it was a one-off case for a clear bag, I’d likely suck it up and use the free transparent fanny pack I got at work. But with multiple once-in-a-lifetime games, a fanny pack just wasn’t going to cut it. After all, there’s a reason I’ve been nicknamed Bag Lady since preschool.

A real purse was required.

I went into my research last week with two goals:

1. The bag needed a similar structure and quality to a regular purse

2. It had to match my outfits for various soccer games

I scoured Amazon for longer than I care to admit, but in the end, I came to the conclusion that clear bags with top handles and faux leather trimming on every edge were my best bets.

Here are the three bags I ended up ordering off of Amazon and my honest thoughts on each:

Bag 1: KKXIU Clear Crossbody Bag in Black

Pros:

1. This bag is very high quality with clean stitching and a unique shape that holds its form. It definitely would stand out at events.

2. The top handle feels so chic and would be my go-to way to carry the purse.

3. There are no metal hoops to hook the crossbody strap to. Instead the strap has a piece of metal that slides to the side to hook onto the top handle. So, if you don’t want to use the strap, there’s no awkward metal indicating a strap is missing.

Cons:

1. The purse is smaller than the other two bags I ordered. While it’s definitely large enough for a small purse girlie, as someone who’s used to carrying larger purses, I prefer a little more room.

2. The silver hardware came out beautifully, but I tend to wear gold jewelry and was planning to attach gold World Cup keychains.

3. Not having metal hoops to hook a strap onto eliminates the option of using a fun replacement strap like I had planned.

Bag 2: Amazon VUIASK Clear Purse in Black

Pros:

1. This bag’s shape beautifully resembles a high quality bag such an Hermès Kelly.

2. This bag has the thickest and highest quality clear plastic out of all three bags.

3. It has gold hardware and was the only bag with feet, which is always an indicator of purse quality.

4. It is the cheapest (I got it on sale for $9.99).

Cons:

1. It’s a little smaller than the third bag, which is a similar shape.

2. While black technically matches with everything, it felt like it needed some color to match my outfits better.

3. The only place to hook a crossbody strap would be up top, which would hang a little awkwardly.

Bag 3: ScarvesMe Clear Crossbody Bag in Orange

Pros:

1. Like the bag above, this bag’s shape beautifully resembles a high quality bag such an Hermès Kelly.

2. It has rings on the sides to attach a replacement strap of your choosing.

3. It has gold hardware with a thick turn lock.

4. The color is vibrant and eye-catching. It would be sure to turn heads and matches my Legacy Common Ground jersey and Netherlands World Cup attire.

Cons:

1. This is the only bag that isn’t Amazon Prime. I still received free shipping and can return the item, but this could affect shipping depending on where you live.

2. The clear plastic is nice but not as thick as that of Bag 2.

3. It doesn’t have feet on the bottom.

4. It has a textured faux leather vs. smooth like the other two bags.

In the end, I can honestly say that I love all three and would keep them all if I attended enough stadium events. If you’re just as torn as I was, here’s how I would award each bag:

Bag 1: KKXIU Clear Crossbody Bag in Black

🏅Most unique shape

Bag 2: Amazon VUIASK Clear Purse in Black

🏅Highest quality clear material

Bag 3: ScarvesMe Clear Crossbody Bag in Orange

🏅Most colorful and eye-catching

Check back tomorrow to see which bag I went with and how I personalized it. In the meantime, which purse would you pick?

Read more Boston Legacy FC content:

Looking for more World Cup style inspo? Check out our Pinterest board.

I love a theme.

And one of the best parts about holidays is the excuse to play dress up.

But more often than not, we sacrifice our fashion creativity for what we think we’re “supposed to wear.” St. Patrick’s Day, especially, tends to be a sea of identical green graphic T-shirts.

This holiday weekend, I encourage you to think beyond the T-shirt, from green leather ensembles to sparkly emerald mini skirts.

And if you really want to stand out, don’t forget to incorporate orange for the Irish flag or gold for the end of the rainbow.

Here are seven style options to get your gears turning for your St. Paddy’s Day outfit:

1. Mini dress

2. Sporty

3. Jeans and an accent top

4. Tailored look

5. Sparkles

6. Green leather

7. Suede

Looking for more St. Patrick’s Day style inspo? Check out our full Pinterest board:

Saturday was a day filled with wine, fashion, chocolate, and cheese. What was the culprit of such an indulgent day? The 2026 Boston Wine Expo.

The annual event took place at the Hilton Park Plaza Hotel on March 7 and 8 and was open to industry professionals, as well as self proclaimed wine drinking professionals, such as myself.

The premium experience consisted of wine classes and grand tasting sessions where eventgoers got to sip on hundreds of wines.

The event’s website sums it up best:

As a red wine girl, it was a little sip of heaven.

Let’s break down the day:

The outfit

As soon as I secured tickets, I scooped up my red kitten heels and got to thinking about what outfit would rise to the occasion.

I decided to drench myself in a wine-inspired palette with varying shades of maroon and burgundy to create a dimensional monochromatic look.

The pencil skirt layered over a skin-tight mock turtleneck tank created clean lines, and the gold jewelry and brooch paired with my handbag’s hardware to add intentional details. All together, and layered with a blazer, it created a sophisticated look for an elevated event.

But the style planning didn’t stop there. I also got to dress my partner.

I knew I wanted to coordinate colors, and that a dress shirt would be most appropriate for the day. Luckily, as soon as I slid open the accordion doors to his closet, there was a burgundy buttondown staring right at me.

The shirt was left unbuttoned at the top and untucked with the sleeves cuffed once for an out-of-office aesthetic. To avoid darkening the deep red of the shirt and to connect to my gold accessories, we went with a pair of camel khakis and brown Sperry Topsiders.

My favorite detail — which we admittedly forgot to snag a clear photo of while we were having too much fun — was his matching brown watch that actually looked burgundy next to the shirt.

Wines of South Africa class

We attended the South African Chenin Blanc: “There’s Sunshine Inside” class, taught by Jim Clarke, author of the book “Wines of South Africa.”

The class was primarily for industry professionals, and I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I’m a red wine drinker, only having white wine about once or twice a year. But as a proud nerd who believes in being a forever learner, I was excited — and I ended up with a whole page of notes to prove it.

The expert first welcomed us to try the wines on our own while he shared the history of Chenin Blanc and the region.

Here are some fun facts from said notes:

• South Africa has the most Chenin Blanc plantings in the world

• The region has a mediterranean climate with a wind that helps keeps bacteria and fungi off the vines

• The grape was used for brandy and sweet jug wine, so it wasn’t taken as seriously; was known as the work horse grape

• Bottles of Chenin Blanc tend to have more variation in flavor compared to other wines of white grapes

• Many South African wines aren’t certified organic or biodynamic because the certifications are based in Europe and get expensive with exchange rates

  • Interestingly, a European winery owner at the Grand Tasting strongly disagreed later in the day, which unravels many layers to both sides of the discussion

After history class, he guided us through the six glasses, wine by wine. My partner and I had some varying thoughts, but we strongly aligned on our first and last place rankings.

My rankings:

1. 2024 Lubanzi Chenin Blanc

2. 2025 Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc

3. 2024 Lievland Old Vine Chenin Blanc

4. 2024 Reyneke Chenin Blanc

5. 2024 Dalkeith Kalmoesfontein Chenin Blanc

6. 2021 Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc

His rankings:

1. 2024 Lubanzi Chenin Blanc

2. 2024 Lievland Old Vine Chenin Blanc

3. 2024 Dalkeith Kalmoesfontein Chenin Blanc

4. 2024 Reyneke Chenin Blanc

5. 2025 Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc

6. 2021 Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc

Simply put:

• I could picture enjoying the 2024 Lubanzi Chenin Blanc on the back deck in summer

• The 2025 Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc had a beautiful champagne taste

• The 2021 Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc would be a bottle we both wouldn’t finish

Intermission

Our class was from 12:30-2 p.m., and most people chose to hop right into the 1:30 p.m. Grand Tasting Session across the hall.

However, I attended one of the grand tastings back in 2023, and my main takeaway was that even with two hours, there simply isn’t enough time to taste all the wine. Tables are crowded, hundreds of wine options are set out, and you spend time chatting with the people from the vineyards.

Losing that half hour from the tail end of our class would have significantly impacted our experience. Plus, we wanted to make a day of it, so we went with the 4:30 p.m. session.

With 2.5 hours to spare, we walked over to our reservation at Lolita in Back Bay and split the bricklayer chicken tacos (grilled pollo norteno, bacon miguelito, salsa morita, and queso fresca) and two orders of the grilled steak tacos (prime skirt, habanero butter, taqueria relish, and shoestrings).

Don’t worry, if your mouth is watering from reading that, it’s supposed to be. Lolita is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Boston. And after some wine? It hit different. That reservation was possibly the best decision we made all day.

It was beautiful outside, so after we ate, we went for a walk on Newbury Street. We even popped into Covet so I could pick up the money I made from consigning a skirt.

By then, the chocolate monster in my brain began to creep up, and I knew it was only going to get stronger with the upcoming red wine. So, we headed back down Newbury to J.P. Licks for quick scoops of ice cream. I savored their featured flavor Mint Irish Lace (very similar to mint chocolate chip) while doing my happy dance all the way back to the hotel.

So maybe that was actually the best decision of the day?

The Grand Tasting Session

Grab a glass, this is where the party begins.

The tasting room alone was mesmerizing with its massive crystal chandeliers, theater balconies, and ornate detailing. It was extravagant for an extravagant event.

It’s hard to know where to start, especially when everyone has just filed in, eager to fill their glasses. So, the best move was to bop around to emptier tables and wait for openings at others.

I chose to strictly keep to red wine after a morning of white — plus, did I mention that there were hundreds of wines at this event? You have to pick and choose.

So I chose my forever favorite: vino tinto. And it was delicious.

I tasted so many wines that they honestly started to blend together and influence my palette. It caused me pain, but I did utilize the dump buckets so I could keep the day going. This was especially necessary since there were mixed drinks tasting as well.

Luckily, there were some nibbles. The bite of prosciutto, cheese, and honey was impeccable and earned three visits. Royce chocolate was also a mouthwatering crowd pleaser.

What surprised me though, was how much I loved the Northeast Vinegar stand as someone who doesn’t particularly like tasting balsamic straight. It had me craving Caprese salad, and my boyfriend has yet to stop raving about the truffle balsamic [insert note to self].

As if the wine and food weren’t enough, there was also an abundance of free stuff. My purse was overflowing with T-shirts, wine stoppers, pins, stickers, and wine polishing cloths.

The only down side of the expo was when the wine booths closed up shop. Now, I’m just dying to relive the day and rewear the outfit. At least we got to keep the glasses.

Cheers readers! 🍷

I wanted something uniquely Boston. And we got it. ⚽

Introducing Boston Legacy’s secondary kit: Common Ground.

At first glance, it might just look like random neon color splotches. But those splotches, along with the inverse black spaces, are actually the shapes of Boston’s neighborhoods.

“23 neighborhoods. One Common Ground. This is more than a kit. It’s the city we play for,” the introductory post said.

The puzzle design, as well as the name Common Ground, speak for soccer bringing communities together. The name is also a nod to the Boston Common, the city’s historic park.

The team is pairing the launch with a series called the Common Ground Chronicles where throughout the season, it’ll highlight people and community work from the city’s neighborhoods.

At first glance at the Common Ground kit, I knew I loved the use of all the vibrant colors: Fuchsia Flash, Legacy Green, Dynamic Yellow, and Cone Orange. And best of all, it called back to one of my requests.

Before the launch of the First Light kit, I wrote an article on what I’d like to see from the reveals. My No. 1 want was a jersey similar to Chelsea’s 2024/25 third kit that celebrates the history of punk in London, as well as women’s soccer, with bright pink and yellow.

In a side-by-side comparison, it’s safe to say the colors juxtaposed to black backdrops on both jerseys have a similar effect.

Last week, my partner and I bought the Common Ground jersey at the Legacy’s kit celebration party, and the colors look even better in person.

We walked around the city this weekend in our matching Common Ground kits, and it was a statement that definitely drew intrigued looks, which is exactly the kind of curiosity you want to drum up with the launch of a new team.

The jersey also features a high-quality Legacy crest patch on the chest and a 26 emblem on the bottom to acknowledge the inaugural season.

While I love the jersey, I’m not as enthusiastic about the kit’s shorts.

The pink and green triangular stripes down the side of the shorts are missing either a yellow or orange stripe and the lower hem should have featured a white line like on the neckline of the jersey to visually pair the top and bottom.

Without these details seamlessly transitioning the pieces of the kit, it feels like the team is wearing its training shorts versus a custom game look.

The Legacy won’t have a third kit this season, but they did also release their prematch top that uses a bright color palette of orange and pink on black.

The streetwear-inspired design features rock-like graphics for the stone’s grounding qualities and as a statement that the NWSL is “solid as a rock” in its 14th year.

The shirt is also speckled with large graphic dots with each tile of fabric containing 16 dots, representing the 16 teams in the NWSL.

No matter how many times I look at it, the dots feel incredibly random. And since the 16 dots are on each tile of fabric, not each shirt, each jersey isn’t guaranteed to have all 16 teams represented.

While I love the symbolism, the pattern is still just dots and rocks. There had to be another way to evoke the same message about the NWSL. At least all the NWSL teams are in the same boat and have dotted pre-match shirts to rock together.

Last week, the other NWSL teams also released their new kits. From cherry blossoms for the Washington Spirit to the original Houston Chronicle building for the Houston Dash, the NWSL is ready to fashionably start the 2026 season.

Catch up on more Boston Legacy FC coverage below:

Last night, Boston Legacy FC, the new National Women’s Soccer League team, hosted a kit reveal celebration at Cyclorama in the South End. The party follows the announcement of the team’s primary kit on Feb. 13 and secondary kit at 11 a.m. that day.

As someone who is ecstatic for the return of women’s soccer to Boston, I jumped at the chance to attend a free event surrounded by equally excited community.

I really didn’t know what to expect from the celebration, but that was part of the anticipation. What I did know, was that I had to dress on theme. I simply wouldn’t be me if I didn’t.

The Outfit

As The Handwritten Edit, this is where we need to pause to acknowledge the outfit rough drafts. I spent too much time, too late at night this week pulling options and trying them on to figure out which puzzle pieces fit where.

I landed on two potential angles for the look. First, I could focus on the hot pink in the Legacy’s color palette since, to me, it most proudly celebrates women. I pulled everything of this color from my closet: a blazer, dress shirt, two purses, and a Chelsea jersey.

The other route was to build an outfit around my Adidas taekwondo shoes that remind me of soccer cleats. The look would be all black and white to honor a traditional soccer ball.

The black and white looks that I landed on, however, were options that I could wear to other upcoming soccer gatherings, especially with the World Cup coming up. But the pink said Legacy specifically.

I chose a pink blazer with a crisp white dress shirt and light-wash jeans, and yes, I was still able to wear my taekwondo shoes. But the best part of this look was in the details.

This fall, I attended Boston’s Head of the Charles and collected a few free Legacy souvenirs at an event booth. I took the lapel pin and placed it on my shirt’s collar and tied the key chain around my matching pink purse with a green bow. This made the look truly Legacy coded and brought in the team’s Championship Green.

For jewelry, I chose gold statement earrings, a set of acrylic pink rings, and my childhood soccer ball bracelet that I recently found.

The Event

As soon as we walked in, we were handed a $25 TJ Maxx gift card in a beautifully packaged black box.

Right then and there, I knew we were in for a good night.

The event space was in complete celebration mode and was lit in green with Legacy decor all around. A DJ set the mood as the packed room navigated between the merchandise, customization, manicure tables, and free goodies, from popcorn and cake pops to soccer ball stress balls.

Oh, and the free themed drinks! I’m a sucker for every detail being on theme, and the Pitch Perfect cocktail came in as my favorite.

I was most excited to attend the celebration to see the jerseys up close. I reviewed the team’s primary kit a few weeks ago, and with the release of the secondary kit only a few hours before the event, I was really torn on which jersey I wanted to get my hands on.

After seeing the First Light and Common Ground kits, I have to say, they look even better in person. An added bonus: the jerseys were tax free.

It was a tough decision, but I ended up purchasing the Common Ground kit since it’s so uniquely Boston with the city’s 23 neighborhoods represented in the design. Now, I’m just looking for an excuse to wear it.

It’s definitely safe to say the night was a success. The music was lively, the drinks were delicious, and free goodies filled our hands. We even got to make friends with other Legacy community members, which is exactly what this event was for.

Now that the night’s over, can March 14 get here soon enough?

Missed my review of the Legacy’s primary kit? Read it here.

Is it May at the Met yet?

It’s certainly starting to feel like it after the Met Gala’s dress code was announced on Monday.

The theme?

The dress code invites attendees to reflect on what fashion as an art form means to them and to revisit “depictions of the dressed body throughout art history,” according to the announcement.

This year’s cochairs alongside Anna Wintour will be an all-female ensemble of Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams.

The May 4 event will honor the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute’s spring exhibition “Costume Art,” which will be on display to the public from May 10, 2026, until Jan. 10, 2027.

“Rather than prioritizing fashion’s visuality, which often comes at the expense of the corporeal, Costume Art privileges its materiality and the indivisible connection between our bodies and the clothes we wear,” Andrew Bolton, The Costume Institute’s curator in charge said.

The exhibit will showcase almost 400 objects organized by thematic body types such as the “Naked Body,” the “Classical Body,” the “Pregnant Body,” the “Aging Body,” the “Anatomical Body,” and the “Mortal Body.”

Visitors will have the chance to see themselves in these body types and the garments with the use of polished steel mannequin heads that will show guests’ reflections.

Since the announcement, I have been reflecting on the theme and what fashion and the body mean to me, and I’ve landed on three ways I’d interpret the dress code if I were attending the 2026 Met Gala:

1. A fashion-in-progress look

The exhibition aims to show that fashion and the body are interdependent. Without a body, there is no function for fashion. And without fashion, the body is without something essential to our society.

But when a look is completed, we see the fashion first.

Rather than the final product, it’s in the process of creating the fashion that we focus on the body, its curves, and its relationship to the fabric.

I would show this intimate dynamic between the body and the creation of fashion art with an incomplete look, from draping to chalk marks and pins.

2. A look that doesn’t let fashion cover my body insecurities

Have you ever heard someone say, “That dress is wearing her”? It’s not a compliment, but it raises an important note about fashion: The body should wear the garments, not the other way around.

One of the fabulous things about fashion is that it can accentuate parts of our bodies and make us feel confident in our skin. But more often than not it is also used to cover up our insecurities.

I have been trying to adjust my brain chemistry recently and ruminating on the idea that when I look in the mirror at my muscular thighs, I see the cellulite from four hip surgeries and all the years growing up wondering why I didn’t have thin legs like the rest of the girls in my grade.

But my partner thinks my legs are powerful.

It’s a concept that’s hard to grasp after years of opposing self talk, but this gala dress code makes me want attendees — especially women — to choose gowns or suits that clothe or accentuate the parts of their bodies that they usually cover with fashion due to these insecurities.

Scars and stretch marks on my hips? Cellulite on my hamstrings? Muscle that I have had to rebuild after every surgery? I would let those parts of the body wear the fashion for once, not the other way around.

3. A look that puts anatomy first

The body is not pretty. By this, I mean that the things that actually make up our human bodies (veins, organs, bones, muscles, ligaments) aren’t exactly nice to look at — and they’re not meant to be.

The visual we present to society every day is just the exterior of what our bodies actually look like and the incredible (but also not so pretty) functions it does every day.

Fashion always focuses on that outer layer of the corporal body, but it doesn’t have to. I’d showcase the real body it dresses every day with an outfit that shows what our bodies really look like.

Because nothing is more beautiful that a healthy body, or at least one that keeps breathing every day through everything it endures.

Want to see more of my Met Gala inspo images? Check out the full Pinterest board.

The 2026 Winter Olympics wrapped up Sunday, which means it’s time for a roundup of the best fashion moments, from eye-catching opening ceremony looks to wearing gold to win gold. The games took place in Milan, a fashion powerhouse, so it’s only fitting that so many styles took the spotlight.

1. Figure skater Alysa Liu dresses for gold

Alysa Liu garnered an abundance of public and media attention before the games even began. But people weren’t just talking about her comeback to skating or how she was favored to medal: They were also talking about her hair.

Since 2023, Liu has added a new bleached gold ring to her hair every year, creating a golden halo effect.

Was it foreshadowing? Maybe. But what could definitely be considered foreshadowing was Liu fittingly deciding to wear a custom gold dress designed by Lisa McKinnon when she won gold. From her halo hair to her dress and the medal around her neck, Liu was golden.

2. Ice dancer Madison Chock turns the rink into her runway

Madison Chock made headlines not only for taking home Olympic gold and silver, but for the costumes she designed for the Games. This included the looks she and Evan Bates, her skating partner and husband, wore.

Most notably, Chock designed the pair’s silver medal performance attire that costumed Bates as a bull and Chock as a Flamenco-inspired matador.

Competing for Team USA also didn’t stop her from sharing her designs with competitors from Spain, Georgia, and Australia.

Read my full article on Chock’s designs here:

3. Figure skater Deanna Stellato-Dudek stuns in custom Oscar de la Renta

At 40, Team Canada’s Deanna Stellato-Dudek made history by becoming the oldest woman to win a figure skating world title. And last year, she became the first woman since Surya Bonaly in 1998 to do a backflip in her routine. Now 42, she’s the oldest woman to compete in figure skating at the Olympics in nearly a century.

But she also made history in Milan by being the first athlete to collaborate with Oscar de la Renta. She wore two custom looks by the label, including a flamenco-inspired red dress with over 200,000 hand-sewn glass beads and a champagne-colored Art Deco beaded dress inspired by Oscar de la Renta’s spring 2026 collection, according to The New York Times.

4. Mongolia’s historically rich Opening Ceremony outfits

Mongolia is no stranger to winter, sitting in the Central Asian highlands, and it made that known with its Parade of Nations entrance. Amid puffer jackets and beanies, the athletes donned long robes, inspired by traditional deel garments from the Great Mongol Empire of the 13th-15th centuries.

The looks came with the tagline: “What We Carried Through Winter - We Carry to the World.”

Goyol Cashmere appropriately designed the garments, as historically, Mongolia’s nomadic people used cashmere to protect themselves from the bitter cold winters.

“Rather than merely blending traditional garments with modern design, this collection aims to reintroduce the ancient Mongolian clothing culture—an inseparable part of our great history and cultural heritage—to the contemporary world,” Goyol Cashmere said.

5. Haiti’s resilient hand-painted uniforms

Haiti had only two athletes representing the nation: alpine skier Richardson Viano and cross-country skier Stevenson Savart. But that didn’t stop it from making an impact at the games.

The country stood out with the only hand-painted Olympic uniforms, inspired by the Haitian art of Édouard Duval-Carrié. The attire features a vibrant color scheme of a riderless red horse in a tropical scenery with a blue sky.

The women delegates’ uniform are especially stunning with a long puffer skirt that serves as a large canvas for the painting and a traditional tignon headwrap, symbolizing how women in slavery were forced to cover their hair.

The uniforms were made in Italy by Italian-Haitian designer Stella Jean — the perfect symbolic representation of Haiti on a global stage in Milan.

“These uniforms are not an exercise in style,” Jean said to The Guardian. “Every centimeter of fabric carries the duty to tell a story — and the will to endure.”

One of the biggest stories these uniforms told was with what was missing on the final product: the revolutionary hero Toussaint Louverture riding the red horse as depicted in Duval-Carrié’s artwork.

The original version of the ski suits included Louverture but did not comply with the International Olympic Committee’s guidelines on athlete expression, which bars “demonstration or political, religious, or racial propaganda.”

“For 24 hours, I was in total despair,” Jean said in the Guardian interview. “We had no budget, no time and this was our only chance to show Haiti in a positive light.”

This led to Viano and Savart receiving their uniforms the night before the Opening Ceremony after artists worked relentlessly to modify the hand painted design.

In the end, Jean concluded, “His absence spoke louder than his presence.”

6. Ralph Lauren returns

Would it be the Olympics without Ralph Lauren? Team USA’s 2026 uniforms showed why we can always rely on the label to come through with a strong American-made look.

The athletes’ all-white wool Opening Ceremony attire was cozy and clean, complete with a turtleneck sweater featuring the flag, a coat with wooden toggles, and tailored trousers.

For the Closing Ceremony, the athletes wore a similar turtleneck sweater, white utility pants, and a statement puffer jacket.

My favorite Ralph Lauren moment of the Games has to be figure skater Ellie Kam’s parents adorably wearing their matching Ralph Lauren sweaters to watch their daughter and partner Danny O’Shea compete.

7. Spain’s pin trading beanies

Pin trading has long been known as a popular activity in the Olympic Village. But Spain’s ice dance duo Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck went beyond lanyards at the Closing Ceremony with pin-packed beanies.

The look stands out because it not only speaks to this Olympian tradition, but to the recent trend of adorning purses, ties, and blazers with as many brooches as possible. Smart and Dieck were right on trend.

8. Achille Lauro’s tailored attire for closing ceremony

Achille Lauro wrapped up the Closing Ceremony with an extravagant, polished look. Lauro paired a white dress shirt with black slacks and a silk-trimmed long tuxedo coat. But the real impact was in the artist’s accessories: a black bowtie, cummerbund, cuff links, and leather dress gloves.

Oh, and we of course can’t forget the showstopper: a Damiani Alta Gioielleria white gold and diamond brooch that spirals into a green jewell at its center.

9. Kuura Koivisto freestyling in fashion

Finland’s freestyle skier Kuura Koivisto’s fashion couldn’t be held back by a ski suit no matter the near-freezing temperatures. The athlete boldly chose to ski in a black tank.

While he credited the choice to increased speed compared to his training sweatshirt in interviews, the look was not without intentional fashion choices. The 25-year-old also rocked a silver and black studded belt around his snow pants.

10. Quad God’s gala look

This list would have ended with the Opening Ceremony flag bearer Vittoria Ceretti carrying the folded flag amid models in Giorgio Armani if Ilia Malinin hadn’t rocked the exhibition gala in $1,300 Balmain jeans.

The best part? The loose-fit denim jeans with a biker print didn’t stop him from landing two back flips, showing that style always has a place in sports.

Want to see more Olympics fashion? Check out our Pinterest board.

Team USA ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who have been married since 2018, claimed silver in the figure skating ice dance competition and gold in the team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The three-time world champions, who had been aiming for their first individual Olympic gold, fell to a French pair, Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, who had been together for less than a year.

The podium was surrounded in controversy with many arguing that Chock and Bates had a gold-medal performance that was underscored by a French judge, leading to a French victory.

“It’s out of my control,” Chock said in a post-skate interview. “I executed what I needed to execute, and so did Evan.”

Chock and Bates may not have claimed that second gold medal in Milan, but they walked away proud of their work.

“It’s a subjective sport. It’s a judged sport,” Bates added. “But I think one fact that is indisputable is that we delivered our best.”

However, Chock’s hard work and creativity didn’t just show with her athletic performance. She also turned the rink into her runway and designed the pair’s costumes for the games.

Their free dance skate to Westworld’s orchestral cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black,” costumed Bates as a bull and Chock as a Flamenco-inspired matador, complete with a red muleta cape attached to her one-piece.

Design has long been deeply connected to ice skating — with even Vera Wang having designed some notable costumes — and skaters and choreographers are typically involved in the process. But Chock has uniquely stepped fully into the rolls of skater and designer simultaneously.

“Figure skating has so much room for fashion,” Chock said in an interview with The New York Times at the end of 2024. “I am very passionate about design, and I’m in a sport that’s unique because we have an ability to combine creativity with athleticism.”

Chock has created nearly all of her costumes over the years, and in 2023, she founded Madison Chock Design and has worked alongside designer Mathieu Caron to bring her sketches and vision to life.

Her costumes have been inspired by everything from the Chrysler Building to Salvador Dalí, Billie Eilish, an Egyptian snake, and aliens, and her looks have won multiple awards from the International Skating Union.

It’s especially fitting that Chock’s designs are in the spotlight in Milan, one of the most renowned fashion capitals in the world.

“I’m very excited the Olympics will be in Milan, which is a great city for fashion,” Chock said before the games in an interview with The Athletic. “Going into the Olympics, I’m very inspired by Italian designers.”

Over the years, other skaters have noticed Chock’s work and approached her about designing their competition looks, to which Chock jumped at the opportunity.

Chock told The Athletic that she sees this as a way to bridge the gap in ice skating.

This year alone, in addition to her pair’s looks, she designed 10-12 costumes for other skaters, Bates said in an interview with People.

Competing for Team USA in Milan didn’t stop her from sharing her designs with competitors.

Spain’s Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck, notably, wore Chock’s designs (in collaboration with Mathieu Caron). The looks, which they wore for other competitions as well, were inspired by “Dune.”

Chock also designed for Holly Harris and Jason Chan of Team Australia and Diana Davis and Gleb Smolkin of Team Georgia.

When asked in a Today Show interview if it’s a conflict of interest and if she would be rooting for the teams from other countries sporting her designs, Chock said, “Absolutely,” and that it’s “an honor to be asked to help with something like that, especially for an Olympic season.”

Bates and Chock have acknowledged that while they are focused on their upcoming skating events over the next few months, they have moments where they think about what their next chapter could be.

“There are so many opportunities,” Chock said in an interview with E! News. “I feel like we have spent the greater part of our lives in the ice rink, and we’re excited to see what else is out there and just be open and try new things.”

In addition to starting a family, Chock has her eyes on the fashion realm.

“I would love a career in design, whether it be skating costumes, fashion design or maybe costumes for movies,” Chock said to E! News. “I feel like that would be really fun.”

Whether Chock continues competitively skating on the world’s stage in the years to come or transitions to a career in design, it’s all but assured we haven’t heard the last from her yet.

Want to see more of Chock’s costumes? Check out our Pinterest board:

On Friday, Boston Legacy FC, the new National Women’s Soccer League team, released its inaugural kit ahead of its first game on March 14. The look is titled First Light in honor of it being “a new dawn for the city of Boston,” according to the release video.

The name encapsulates Boston’s soccer journey, from being home to the NWSL Boston Breakers, which folded in 2018, to now starting a new professional team. It also drives home that it’s a new day for Boston sports — one that includes women athletes.

So far, the Legacy has only released First Light, its primary kit, which features a mint green backdrop with texture, as well as black and pink accents.

I highly anticipated this release, going as far as to write an article looking at jersey inspiration from other teams that I’d love to see the Legacy adopt.

But when I first clicked on the announcement post, I was underwhelmed. I wanted to feel ecstatic. I wanted that instant add-to-cart feeling. I wanted something that I could envision flooding the streets of Boston on game day.

But something was missing.

What it comes down to is Legacy’s color palette. The team has been rocking its green and pink everywhere I’ve looked leading up to this release, from the training kits to its pink puffers. The colors together, but especially the vibrant pink, bring an incredibly strong female energy to the forefront that I want to see the Legacy competing in on the regular.

Despite First Light utilizing both colors, the jersey feels primarily green and black since the pink arm and neckline stripes are so small, minimizing the pairing’s impact.

The kit’s socks, however, feature a thicker pink stripe that serves as a redeeming colorful element and is sure to be incredibly eye catching while the players are running on the field.

My other issue off-the-bat was the material. While it looks incredibly comfortable and sweat-wicking, the pattern looks too much like a cable-knit sweater, missing the goal of powerful and hitting preppy instead.

After regrouping from my initial reaction, I decidedly like the base shade of green that was chosen. It connects to the team’s primary color “Championship Green,” which is definitely the right move to sport in Titletown.

I also really wanted a soft colored jersey. In my recommendations article, I suggested the Legacy go with a paler version of its palette like the NWSL team Angel City FC did with its light pink gradient jersey.

To me, this sends a message of unapologetic femininity. I even specifically suggested the Legacy go with a light green, to which I’m glad we were on the same page.

In my article, I also noted that one of my biggest wants was a one-color uniform, from the shirt down to the socks. And the Legacy came through: They will be darting around the field in full mint green.

Fans unfortunately, won’t be able to rep the same shade of green unless they purchase the authentic First Light customizable jersey for $195. If they want a more affordable replica jersey for $100, they’ll be sporting neon green instead.

Lucky for us soccer jersey fans though, there are more Legacy kits to come.

Now, it’s time to patiently — or maybe impatiently — await their release with hope for more pink and creativity.

Looking for good news in this freezing cold month of February?

New York Fashion Week is here, and designers are showcasing their Fall 2026 collections. Michael Kors is currently stealing the spotlight after its 45th anniversary show last night at New York’s iconic Lincoln Center Metropolitan Opera House.

Here are seven takeaways from the luxury brand’s show to be on the lookout for this fall:

1. Monochrome

A note from the runway: Pick a color, then dress head-to-toe in it. One-color looks already made a comeback and have been in the style circuit for a few years, but there’s no mistaking Michael Kors’ messaging to step it up a notch.

2. Silk

I audibly gasped when I saw the first two looks featured below. The vibrant red silk cape/shawl and the black silk cummerbund over the blazer with silk lapels are majestic and reminiscent of 1930s Hollywood glamour. There’s no doubt I’ll be wearing silk this fall — and maybe even a cummerbund.

The designer added extra emphasis to the silk memo by sending many of its models down the runway with makeshift folded silk clutches and silk shoes to complete their looks.

3. Clutches

Everyone saw how popular the Coach Kisslock purse was last February — even Carrie Bradshaw wore it in the “Sex and the City” reboot “And Just Like That.” It’s still nearly impossible to get your hands on the large size, and there’s an undeniable high demand for oversized clutches.

Michael Kors was clearly listening and showcased its own incredibly sleek top-clasp, smooth leather clutches. No doubt, these will also sell out immediately upon release. The makeshift folded silk clutches mentioned above also reiterate the move toward strapless bags this fall.

4. Tailored

Finally! Clean lines and perfectly fitted blazers and slacks are back. It’s the perfect juxtaposition to the oversized sweats, jeans, and T-shirts that have overrun the fashion industry in the past few years. This tailored takeover has me sprinting to the myriad of blazers in my closet.

The designer is also hinting toward elevated tailoring this fall with its numerous sleek black looks, complete with jeweled brooches and silk lapels and cummerbunds.

5. Fall color scheme

Crimson. Camel. Charcoal. Wine red.

These colors make a statement and are perfect to last through next winter. The best part? They all look incredible in a full monochrome ensemble and will definitely turn heads.

6. Long accessories

The most important detail for this fall’s accessories: their length. This means long dangling earrings, elbow-or-above length gloves, and capes that drag on the floor like those featured below.

The accessories are also not meant to be quiet details. Let them speak for themselves with an up-do or sleeveless dress.

7. Feathers

Fur has been the focus of the past few falls and winters. But 2026 is going to be a feathered fall. It provides the same impact as fur, expect it’s fresh and even more textured. Look out for feathered dresses, skirts, and tops, but most of all, coats. If you’re going to wear feathers, you might as well be all-in with outerwear that’s more bird than jacket like the crimson look below.

Want more NYFW Fall 2026 content? Subscribe to The Handwritten Edit and follow our Pinterest board.

For weeks, I’ve been checking the team’s website and socials, antsy for the announcement. And in the meantime, I’ve been thinking about what I want from the home, away, and third jerseys and have compiled a list of 10 kits to draw inspiration from.

But before we dive into what I want to see, let’s talk about what we know.

Here’s what we know so far

On June 7, 2025, the team announced its crest with lead graphic designer Matthew Wolff. It features a large swan in the center, a nod to the animal’s connection to the city — such as the iconic swan boats in the Public Garden.

“Swans encompass our core club values of integrity, grit, and style,” Boston Legacy FC controlling manager Jennifer Epstein said in the press release. “They are famously loyal, relentless in defending their territory, and iconic residents of our waterways and green spaces.”

The swan has 8 feathers to represent the eight clubs that started the NWSL in 2013 — including the Boston Breakers, which folded in 2018 after a failed ownership sale to the New England Revolution.

The team then announced its official apparel and fashion partner and Front-of-Kit Partnership with the affordable style and decor retailer TJ Maxx on October 14, 2025, in the companies’ first-of-its-kind jersey sponsorship with women’s sports.

“Partnering with TJ Maxx goes far beyond a logo on our kit,” Epstein said. “Together, we’re elevating the connection between sport, style, and community.”

Announced on Jan. 16, the financial and insurance company Voya is the team’s lower back-of-kit partner, and announced on Feb. 4, the sleeve partner is Hyundai Motor America.

Legacy’s primary color is “Championship Green” in honor of Titletown. Its other colors are “Relentless Raspberry, Loyal Charcoal, Daring Pink, Rise Yellow and Orange Press, which speak to the rich diversity of Boston’s neighborhoods and the team’s values and signal a new era in the city’s sports landscape.”

For player merch, the team’s pink and green shades have taken center stage recently with the new puffer jackets and training kits.

Now, let’s talk Legacy jersey potential.

Kit inspiration for what I’d like to see

1. Chelsea’s 2024/25 third kit

This jersey celebrates the history of punk in London, as well as women’s soccer. Need I say more? It embodies everything I want from the Legacy’s kits, especially for a third.

A vibrant shade of pink takes center stage, paired with a bright yellow for a double vertical Nike check and stripe down the sides.

I could see the team doing something similar with its most-used pink and green colors. My fingers are crossed for a high contrast jersey like this with a side stripe.

2. Adidas Mexican Female Tigers Wonder Woman

Adidas just announced these new women’s soccer jerseys on January 17. They’re a show-stopper off the bat with an elaborate monochrome purple design. But what really takes the cake is that the pattern in inspired by Wonder Woman to “symbolize women’s strength, power and determination.”

I’d love to see this level of significance behind a Legacy jersey. Cool designs are fun to wear, but it’s more exciting to know and be able to share the story behind a piece of fashion. And there’s no better message for them to showcase than the importance of women and women in sports.

A monochrome patterned look would strengthen the impact of the Legacy’s chosen color palette while not compromising creativity in a one-color format.

​3. San Diego Wave FC 2025 Stadium Home

I love this jersey for the same reason I love the one above: It tells a story. Except, this time, it tells the story of the city of San Diego.

If the Legacy doesn’t tell a story about women/women’s sports in its design, then we’re going to need some Titletown representation or notes of the city’s rich history. And it should do so in bright colors like the Wave did.

4. Manchester City Goalkeeper Jersey 2025/26

While this is technically a goalkeeper jersey, it could seamlessly fit in as a regular kit piece. It’s not that far off from Legacy’s training shirts, which showcase a vivid pink backdrop and accents from the logo on the two sides.

This design would differentiate the two with its monochrome base pattern and the shoulder accents moving down.

What I especially love about this jersey is the use of the two different colors on each side. I could see Legacy doing this with a pink base, Championship Green down the logo side, and either Rise Yellow or Orange Press on the other.

5. Germany 2024 Away Authentic Jersey

I always prefer how clean a one-color uniform, from the shirt down to the socks, looks. But this is an example that makes me want a two-color kit for the Legacy since the second color is dominant and leads perfectly toward the shorts. The only caveat: The shorts have to match the second color.

6. Juventus pink star 2011/12 away jersey

Until 1901, pink was the main jersey color for Juventus. Now replaced by the iconic black and white stripes, pink is still commonly used to play homage to the club’s foundational color such as in 2020 with this fourth kit:

I love the idea of incorporating a club’s history into a jersey. You might be asking: What history? Wasn’t the team just created? While that may be the case, the Boston Breakers were once here and that team’s existence was fundamental to the birth of the Legacy.

It would be full circle for the Legacy to play on an old Breakers design but in Legacy colors.

7. Adidas Inter Miami CF 26/27 Home Authentic Jersey

To me, it has always felt a bit ironic that this is a men’s jersey. This has nothing to do with it being pink and everything to do with it giving me instant Y2K mall nostalgia with how similar it is to the Victoria’s Secret shopping bags.

And I love it.

While I’m excited and hopeful for extremely unique Legacy designs, I wouldn’t be mad if they reminded me of something strongly feminine in our culture. This is a new women’s soccer team, why not shout it from the rooftop?

8. Angel City FC Nike 2024 Secondary Sol Replica Jersey

Sometimes simple says more. This NWSL shirt features a very gentle gradient that almost looks like a trick of the light. But it also primarily uses a very pale and delicate shade of pink. Similar to above, to me, this showcases femininity unapologetically.

As another team in the women’s league, the Legacy could use a soft shade of green or one of its other colors to send a message about the strength in femininity, especially when it comes to sports.

9. Real Betis Third Jersey 25/26

Out of all the one-color uniforms, I’m a sucker most of all for an all-black or all-white kit. In this case, I’d love for the Legacy to do an all-black jersey with either their pink or green electrically running through the design for a great psych-out look.

10. Real Betis pink and green striped kit

Similar to the Inter Miami kit, this design features vertical stripes but in two colors. This is perhaps the closest example to showcasing the pink and green palette that the Legacy has been sporting and could serve as a solid jersey — as long as the third kit is a bit more fun. With the clean and classic stripes, there’d be no mistaking the Legacy for anything but a soccer club ready to play.

Want to see more? Explore our Boston Legacy FC kit inspo Pinterest board.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I went down the rose fashion accessories rabbit hole so you don’t have to. Long a symbol of beauty and love, the iconic red flowers take center stage in these stunning designs. Here are my top 5 picks for heels, purses, and other accessories.

Heels

1. Christian Louboutin Bellarose 100 mm strappy pumps

2. Dolce & Gabbana Keira satin sandals

3. Dolce & Gabbana black rose embellished leather boots

4. Vintage Jimmy Choo sandals

5. Saint Laurent Freja Rose 105 Heels Fall 2017

Purses

1. Dior’s Lady Dior bag with velvet rose embellishments

2. Dolce & Gabbana resin dolce box rose tote

3. Valentino Garavani Women’s Atelier Rose Edition Leather Hobo Bag

4. SEEN USERS Rose 11. Bag

5. Chanel rose velvet Camellia Flap Bag

Jewelry and other accessories

1. Dior’s Dioramour Rose Bag Charm

2. Burberry’s Knight Rose Charm Necklace​

3. Dolce & Gabbana rose-embellished bejewelled headband

4. Giovanni Antonio Cerrito vintage brooches

5. Oscar de la Renta Rosette gold necklace

Want more rose-inspired fashion? Check out our Pinterest board:

Welcome to The Handwritten Edit, where style is intentional and has rough drafts.

Dear reader,

My love for style originates in my preschool years when I was given the nickname “Bag Lady” thanks to my affinity for handbags. But when I look back at my youth, writing was even more crucial to forming my identity.

I’ve turned my fantasy worlds into books, compiled people’s stories into articles, and parsed through my deepest emotions to create tear-stained pages that feel like a colossal exhale. No matter the form, I’ve found tremendous satisfaction in getting my thoughts down on paper.

Style requires the same translation of the brain’s inner workings and sends the same dopamine release when it comes to fruition. When I hold a print newspaper I’ve worked on or wear an outfit I’ve repeatedly built in my brain for days or months, I see the work put into the finished product.

In this way, style is about the rough drafts: the vision boards, the thrift hunt, the pile of clothes on the floor from trying on half your closet. It’s about editing until you reach a publishable — or wearable — version.

Being handwritten and having rough drafts means you can also have as many sloppy handwriting days as you want. Yes, that means there’s no judgement on the days you choose the mismatched sweats or the T-shirt you’ve held onto since middle school. That’s just as much a part of you as the dolled-up version.

I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on what having style drafts means. What does this say about my personality or the inner workings of my brain? What does it say about my values and how I want to live my days? And I’ve decided on a word that feels like me at my core: intentional.

I’m intentional when I light candles and turn on my fake fireplace or when I choose which coffee or tea mug I want each day. I’m intentional when I choose a rug for my apartment or lay out plans for an evening at home so a night in doesn’t feel wasted.

I like to make conscious decisions about my actions and environment that make each moment match the aesthetic, my emotions, and my desires for the day.

Style is no different. It’s about searching for pieces that excite you and thoughtfully curating outfits and decor that share your story. Our style is not meant to be copy and pasted versions of others: Just like our handwriting, it’s unique to us.

If any of this sounds like you, then you’re in the right place.

Welcome to The Handwritten Edit’s story. The best part? We’re only on Chapter 1.

Sincerely,

Shanna Kelly

[Shay-nuh Keh-lee]

Editor

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