#TOP 10 FASHION COMPILATIONS

[ttopthreads]

Visual Fashion Archive: A Journey Through Fashion's Timeless Evolution

The Visual Fashion Archive on TTOP THREADS is a vibrant repository of fashion's illustrious history. This meticulously curated archive captures the essence of fashion's evolution, showcasing iconic designs and trendsetting styles that have shaped the industry.

From the opulent gowns of the Victorian era to the revolutionary street styles of the modern age, the Visual Fashion Archive is a comprehensive treasure trove for fashion enthusiasts and historians. Each entry is accompanied by high-resolution images, detailed descriptions, and insightful commentary, offering a wide-ranging look into the fashion world's rich tapestry.

It’s not just a collection but a valuable educational resource. Its commitment to authenticity and detail is unparalleled. The collection includes rare photographs, original sketches, and behind-the-scenes stories that provide a deeper understanding of the creative processes behind iconic looks. Whether you're a student of fashion, a designer seeking inspiration, or simply a lover of all things stylish, this archive is an invaluable resource.

[acti-veg]

Leather vs. Pleather: 8 Myths Debunked

Since we are all beyond tired of seeing the same regurgitated leather posts every day, I've compiled and briefly debunked some of the most common myths peddled about leather and pleather… So hopefully we can all move on to talk about literally anything else.

1) Leather is not sustainable.

Approximately 85% of all leather (almost all leather you'll find in stores) is tanned using chromium. During the chrome tanning process, 40% of unused chromium salts are discharged in the final effluents, which makes it's way into waterways and poses a serious threat to wildlife and humans. There are also significant GHG emissions from the sheer amount of energy required to produce and tan leather.

Before we even get the cow's hide, you first need to get them to slaughter weight, which is a hugely resource-intensive process. Livestock accounts for 80% of all agricultural land use, and grazing land for cattle likely represents the majority of that figure. To produce 1 pound of beef (and the subsequent hide), 6-8 pounds of feed are required. An estimated 86% of the grain used to feed cattle is unfit for human consumption, but 14% alone represents enough food to feed millions of people. On top of that, one-third of the global water footprint of animal production is related to cattle alone. The leather industry uses greenwashing to promote leather as an eco-friendly material. Leather is often marketed as an eco-friendly product, for example, fashion brands often use the Leather Working Group (LWG) certificate to present their leather as sustainable. However, this certification (rather conveniently) does not include farm-level impacts, which constitute the majority of the negative environmental harm caused by leather.

2) Leather is not just a byproduct.

Some cows are raised speciifically for leather, but this a minority and usually represents the most expensive forms of leather. This does not mean that leather is just a waste product of beef and dairy, or that it is a completely incidental byproduct; it is more accurate to call leather a tertiary product of the beef and dairy industries. Hides used to fetch up to 50% of the total value of the carcass, this has dropped significantly since COVID-19 to only about 5-10%, but this is recovering, and still represents a significant profit margin. Globally, leather accounts for up to 26% of major slaughterhouses’ earnings. Leather is inextricably linked to the production of beef and dairy, and buying leather helps make the breeding, exploitation and slaughter of cows and steers a profitable enterprise.

3) Leather is not as biodegradable as you think.

Natural animal hides are biodegradable, and this is often the misleading way leather that sellers word it. "Cow hide is fully biodegradable" is absolutely true, it just purposely leaves out the fact that the tanning process means that the hide means that leather takes between 25 and 40 years to break down. Even the much-touted (despite it being a tiny portion of the market) vegetable-tanned leather is not readily biodegradable. Since leather is not recyclable either, most ends up incinerated, or at landfill. The end-of-life cycle and how it relates to sustainability is often massively overstated by leather sellers, when in fact, it is in the production process that most of the damage is done.

4) Leather is not humane.

The idea that leather represents some sort of morally neutral alternative to the evils of plastic is frankly laughable, at least to anyone who has done even a little bit of research into this exploitative and incredibly harmful industry. Cows, when properly cared for, can live more than fifteen years. However, most cows are usually slaughtered somewhere around 2-3 years old, and the softest leather, most luxurious leather comes from the hide of cows who are less than a year old. Some cows are not even born before they become victim to the industry. Estimates vary, but according to an EFSA report, on average 3% of dairy cows and 1.5 % of beef cattle, are in their third-trimester of pregnancy when they are slaughtered.

Slaughter procedures vary slightly by country, but a captive bolt pistol shot to the head followed by having their throats slit, while still alive, is standard industry practice. This represents the “best” a slaughtered cow can hope for, but many reports and videos exist that suggest that cows still being alive and conscious while being skinned or dismembered on the production line is not uncommon, some of these reports come from slaughterhouse workers themselves.

5) Leather often involves human exploitation.

The chemicals used to tan leather, and the toxic water that is a byproduct of tanning, affect workers as well as the environment; illness and death due to toxic tanning chemicals is extremely common. Workers across the sector have significantly higher morbidity, largely due to respiratory diseases linked to the chemicals used in the tanning process. Exposure to chromium (for workers and local communities), pentachlorophenol and other toxic pollutants increase the risk of dermatitis, ulcer nasal septum perforation and lung cancer.

Open Democracies report for the Child Labour Action Research Programme shows that there is a startlingly high prevalence of the worst forms of child labour across the entire leather supply chain. Children as young as seven have been found in thousands of small businesses processing leather. This problem is endemic throughout multiple countries supplying the global leather market.

6) Pleather is not a ‘vegan thing’.

Plastic clothing is ubiquitous in fast fashion, and it certainly wasn’t invented for vegans. Plastic leather jackets have been around since before anyone even knew what the word vegan meant, marketing department have begun describing it as ‘vegan leather’ but it’s really no more a vegan thing than polyester is. Most people who wear pleather are not vegan, they just can’t afford to buy cow’s leather, which remains extremely expensive compared to comparable fabrics.

It is striking how anti-vegans consistently talk about how ‘not everyone can afford to eat plant-based’ and criticise vegans for advocating for veganism on that basis, yet none of them seem to mind criticisms directed at people for wearing a far cheaper alternative than leather. You can obviously both be vegan and reduce plastic (as we all should), but vegans wear plastic clothing for the same reason everyone else does: It is cheaper.

7) Plastic is not the only alternative.

When engaging in criticism of pleather, the favourite tactic seems to be drawing a false dilemma where we pretend the only options are plastic and leather. Of course, this is a transparent attempt to draw the debate on lines favourable to advocates of leather, by omitting the fact that you can quite easily just buy neither one.

Alternatives include denim, hemp, cork, fiber, mushroom fiber, cotton, linen, bamboo, recycled plastic, and pinatex, to name a few. Alternatives exist for everything from materials designed to ensure sub-zero temperatures and specialist motorcycle equipment. There are exceptions in professions like welding, where an alternative can be difficult to source, but nobody needs a jacket, shoes or a bag that looks like leather. For most of us, leather is a luxury item that doesn’t even need to be replaced at all.

If you'd like to see a detailed summary of the comparison between leather/wool and plastic, as well as the available alternatives, you can find that here.

8) Leather is not uniquely long-lasting.

The longevity of leather is really the only thing it has going for it, environmentally speaking. Replacing an item less often means fewer purchases, and will likely have a lower environmental impact than one you have to replace regularly. Leather is not unique in this respect, however, and the idea that it is, is mostly just effective marketing.

As your parents will tell you, a well-made denim jacket can last a lifetime. Hemp and bamboo can both last for decades, as can cork and pinatex. Even cotton and linen can last for many years when items are looked after well. While some materials are more hard wearing than others, how long an item will last is mostly the result of how well made the product is and how well it is maintained, not whether or not the item is leather.

[deesblanketfort]

Picrews I like as a regressor ☆´ˎ˗ ︶︶︶

Blatantly based off this post by @thetinyblossom because making picrews is certainly in my top 10 favorite regression activities and I'd like to compile some of my favorite picrews as well :3

🖌️ My room 🖌️

About: A room maker and half body character maker with a cutesy style.

Variety rating: This picrew has two very basic dark skin tones and practically no good curly hairstyles. It's more feminine and androgynous leaning but can be used to make any kind of child, chibi-like character regardless of gender.

🌊 Let's go to the sea 🌊

About: A simple half body maker with sea/pool/swimming themes.

Variety rating: This picrew has four basic skintones, no curly hair options (there's some wavy hairstyles but not quite curly). The cutesy artstyle makes it easier for fem/neu leaning characters.

🍬 Macarons 🍬

About: A very cute and yummy food and character maker with a simple chibi artstyle.

Variety rating: the curly hair options are very underwhelming and the darker skin tones aren't even dark, but the macaron itself is very customizable as it's the focus of this picrew.

🏠 Room picrews: 1st, 2nd 🏠

About: Two room makers for those who would like to envision their ideal regression room!

Variety rating: The first picrew is more focused on brighter/darker colors and has ton of fandom related options for plushies and posters (just look at the picture I made, lol), while the second picrew has a pastel color palette and 2 to 3 options for each furniture space, but it's still very fun and cute nonetheless!

🍹 Cream soda 🍹

About: Here you make and decorate a cream soda drink! With a little critter of your choice on top of it.

Variety rating: I don't think you can get more variety from a cream soda picrew than with this one! It covers a wide range of colors, toppings and effects, and, most surprisingly, critters! Mammals, dinosaurs, insects, ghosts, dragons and other mythical creatures, you can find there!

🧦 Baby Carrot outfit maker 🧦

About: A fullbody outfit maker with a focus on fashion and tons of outfit options.

Variety rating: Very inclusive! Tons of curly hair and dark skin options, a chubby body type, scars, facial and body hair.

🌙 Terrarium maker 🌙

About: A very pretty and detailed terrarium/aquarium picrew where you make a terrarium or an aquarium instead of a character.

Variety rating: For a terrarium picrew, it has a large variety of options from the shape of the bottle to the color of the sky to every little corner, you can even add animals and human characters!

🍼 Cute person maker 🍼

About: This fullbody picrew must be one of the most agere coded picrews I've ever seen: it includes onesies, pajamas, oversized shirts, pacifiers, costumes, diapers and it's overall very adorable :3

Variety rating: Decent range of skintones, a couple of good options for curly hairstyles and one alternative chubby body type, plus all the agere coded options I've mentioned above!

🐾Littlest pet maker🐾

About: LPS maker!

Variety rating: Although you can't make every single LPS in this picrew (obviously) it has tons of options and cute accessories (and several references to LPS popular if you're into it!!!)

[miyano-shiho4869]

It's May 4th!!!! Happy Birthday Shinichi!!! 🎉🎉

Here's a non exhaustive compilation of some of his worst (canon) fashion choices to celebrate ☺️

The UK tie. where did he buy it and in what world did he think it looked good. the yellow shirt and weird puffy sleeves don't help his case -999/10

I name this one the cheetah sandwich. this print is always a risky choice but it's made even worse by its placement on both the top of the shirt and the sleeves 0.1/10

The infamous the dreaded the regretted London trip outfit. could've been salvaged by just removing that weird vest 2/10

Bonus under the cut:

why is he wearing the collar like that. horrendous. deserves his fate/10

Ok this one isn't bad, it's just the context. the detective boys were on a trip to DIG UP BAMBOO SHOOTS. so why is he dressed as if he was attending a fancy event. 6.5/10

this cap haunts my nightmares. thank god he gave it to Haibara afterwards. ewww/10

[ziseviolet]

Qipao/Cheongsam Taobao Shop Recs

A while ago I received a direct message asking for recs on where to buy qipao/cheongsam, and I figured I’d make a post for others who’d also be interested. 

First of all - I think qipao should be tried on and bought in-person if at all possible, since having the right fit is important - especially if it’s for a formal occasion like a wedding. However, since that’s often not possible, I’ve compiled a list of online shop recs, mainly for more casual occasions.

Since English-language online qipao shops are plentiful and easy to find, I’ll be focusing this list on Taobao shops only. Please note that these are my personal recs, based on my own aesthetic preferences. Thus most of the recs are for shops focused on retro-inspired, minguo-style qipao made using the traditional 平裁/pingcai (flat tailoring) method. Also, I have not actually purchased qipao from any of these shops (all my qipao were bought in person) - this is based mainly on how appealing I find the designs.

1. 嬉姷/Xi You - Elegant qipao modelled closely on historical designs, mainly from the Republican era/minguo. Careful attention paid to historical details. My favorite qipao shop to browse for fun:

2. 海上芳时/Shanghai Fancy - Specializes in chic minguo-style designs of the 1920s-1940s. Recently came out with a neat art deco-inspired collection:

3. 唐之语/Tang Zhi Yu - Retro-style qipao in a variety of bold prints, with a focus on the form-fitting designs of the 1950s-1960s, including those from the film “In the Mood for Love”:

4. 繁莳/Fancy Dream - Dreamy, delicate retro-inspired qipao and modified qipao. Also has a nice selection of winter majia (vests):

5. Top Ulara - A large selection of classic, retro-style qipao with a hint of glamour. Offers lots of long/thick/layered qipao suitable for colder weather:

6. 梦回故里/Menghui Guli - Nostalgic, conservative retro-style qipao for all seasons. Old-fashioned in a good way:

7. 晴山制衣/Qingshan Zhiyi - Retro-style qipao in fresh, vivid colors and an interesting variety of designs and patterns:

8. 限时赏味/Xianshi Shangwei - Streamlined, retro-style qipao in subtle colors and prints that exemplify understated elegance: 

9. 茉茉/Momo - Tons of options for simple, cute, and casual retro-style qipao suitable for daily wear. Designs tend towards monochromes and all-over prints. Another review/rec here:

10. 如及/Yu Gallery - Simple yet elegant retro-style and contemporary qipao. I love the shop’s use of sheer fabrics & layering in its designs:

11. 向南飞FLY - Offers a selection of casually stylish retro-style qipao and modified qipao for daily chic:

12. 川黛/Chuan Dai - Soft, feminine, pastel-infused qipao & modified qipao in retro-inspired and contemporary styles:

13. 四斤自制/Sijin Studio - Creative, avant-garde takes on (modified) qipao & qipao-inspired outfits:

14. 密扇/Mukzin - Colorful, playful, and irreverent modified qipao and qipao-inspired outfits. There’s also an English website here:

If you like the above qipao but still want an English website, there are several Taobao resellers that carry similar designs - for example, Beth and Brian Qipao. The hanfu shop Nuwa Hanfu also offers a carefully curated array of qipao, including plus-size qipao.

Finally, when it comes to in-person shops, I want to highlight Xiangjiang Silk Co., a relatively new boutique in New York City specializing in actual vintage 1950s-1960s qipao. There’s an article here on the boutique and its founder Heather Guo (who was featured in Vogue). Store visits are appointment-only, so you’ll have to reach out to Heather via her social media if you want to drop by.

If anyone has reviews of the above shops and/or more qipao shop recs, please share! ^^

Bonus: I also have online shop recs for hanfu (1, 2), modified hanfu/hanyuansu (1, 2), hanfu accessories, weimao, and hair accessories. 

[strawberrystepmom]

izuku x f!reader. reader is referred to as wife, he is referred to as husband, reader has a defined and briefly mentioned career. wife guy deku compilation indeed.

Hey, have you seen this?

Your screen lights up with a text message from one of your closest friends, another message with a link to a video following quickly after and you tilt your head to the side at your desk reading the title of the video.

“Deku Wife Guy Compilation”

It makes you chuckle to see these terms stitched together, something that would probably not make much sense to your blissfully offline-as-he-can-be husband, but you understand what it means and press the link to open the video. It takes a moment to load and you jiggle your foot impatiently as it does, abandoning what you were last working on to focus as he comes onto the rectangle screen.

“My wife is the best,” filters through your phone speakers as clear as day and you smile despite yourself, the familiar butterflies you get every time you look at him blooming beneath your ribs.

“First of all, I want to thank my wife.”

“My wife is the true savior in our household, she’s a doctor…”

“My beautiful ____, my wife, my heart.”

“None of this would be possible without my wife so please give her a hand.”

It’s a three minute video stitching together every time he has mentioned you in victory speeches and press interviews and the like and it makes you wonder what people could be saying. You’re no stranger to running into the stray hater online yet you scroll down to the comments section, eyes widening when you see it filled with nothing but admiration for the strong foundation of love your marriage is built upon.

iluvchargebolt: man, i hope i’m loved like this someday :’)

momospantyliner: The way his eyes light up when he says her name at 0:48…beautiful.

Allmightisalright07: Reminds me of how i used to talk about my wife when she was still with us. They are certainly soulmates.

In comparison to other comment sections you’ve scanned in the past, this one makes you feel very warm in comparison and you feel the need to look away after being perceived by so many people who don’t even know you. Izuku’s love is so evident for you even strangers see it from a mile away, they can hear it in the soft way his tongue caresses your name like he’s kissing you every time he says it.

You put your phone down and turn back to your work, letting the video play over the speaker just to hear his voice when your screen lights up again and vibrates on top of your desk. Another text from the same friend, another link.

There are 10 of these omg

Another link pops up on your screen in a blue bubble, this time to a playlist containing videos in the same fashion as the first. Deku Wifeguy Compilation 1-10. Giggling to yourself, you press play and let the playlist run, each video growing in length with the shortest at 3 minutes and the longest at just over 10, your eyes widening realizing that he loves you so much there are videos worth of him simply stating it over and over and over again.

The same compulsion that led you to check the comments section on the first video takes over and you decide to pause the playlist and read, scanning the comments for anything you could potentially use as fodder to be angry about later.

shotopleasereturnmycalls: damn…i really am single.

Redriotsarmpithair9680: Love like this is rare. So glad our beacon of hope has a safe place to land after he’s done keeping us safe <3

You don’t dare to go any further lest you do see something you won’t like, keeping the video paused and locking your phone to set it aside and reflect. It’s strange to live a life so public and private all at once, hiding some parts and sharing the others, but you’re grateful the most consistent thing about Izuku is that he has never wanted to do anything but shine his light on you, to make you the spotlight of his world and everything about him.

Abruptly you pick your phone up and slide the screen upward, the messages app filling your screen. You click out of the thread with your friend and into the one with Izuku and you type out three simple words, the ones that you feel all day every day.

You: I love you.

Miles away, he looks down at his phone screen and snaps a quick picture of himself grinning, scrunching his nose, freckles barely visible thanks to the low light and bad angle but it’s all him - silly and sweet and sincere. He sends it off with the three simple words he feels about you in return, all day every day.

Izuku: I love you too, my perfect wife.

[viktorpartner]

✨ THE DAN AND PHIL LORE pt. 3✨

CHECK OUT PART 2: https://www.tumblr.com/ashleyeveerson/760707933651746816?source=share

Phil ALSO comes out! (yeah no i'm not crying what? not them feeling comfortable enough to be themselves yeah). 2019 also brings us the adoption of a fish named Norman (a cutie) AND they also post pictures about their recent trip to Japan [the photo of Phil looking up to Dan behind the camera? yeah i am so normal about it, i swear]. There is hope in the horizon still for a Dan and Phil comeback...

BAM! A certain virus runs wild and forces everyone to stay at home. Phil continues to upload solo videos which distracted so many of us during these dark times. Dan, however is AWOL and the only pic we have of him is a shitty screenshot of him in glasses and a mask helping Phil rescue an injured pigeon (lockdown was WILD).

Also, my boy Dan post a cryptic tweet that leads to the announcement of a self-help book named YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS NIGHT (because you will <3). Nah but I can't count how many times I've sobbed reading it, just him trying to help out others who have also struggled with mental health... istg i love this man

Hey so THEY BUY THEIR FOREVER PHOUSE TOGETHER they're gonna kill me one day istg. "Dan and Phil just decided to pay a mortgage together", top 10 sentences that would kill a 2016 phan. They are slaying, they are glowing... also rip Norman the fish you will not be forgotten

So during 2014 the fates (aka a random youtuber) foretold that Dan and Phil would be married in 2022. Since that clearly didn't happen the meme PHIVORCE united the phandom once more. ALSO Dan is out there shitting on youtube (as he should) and going on his solo tour WE'RE ALL DOOMED! Which i love with all my heart and also Phil being there for him every step of the way... AHHHHHHHH

Anyways a certain video called Dan and Phil finally tell the truth hits the internet and let's just say GOD DAMN. This also starts a wonderful trend amongst Dan and Phil in which they make fun of their audience (we deserve it ngl) and absolutley SHOCK US with new information about bonkers shit from their past [apparently they were offered a threesome MULTIPLE TIMES???]

It's the end. They've decided to give up their channel "Dan and Phil Games" forever... let's take a moment and silent and mourn with a compilation of Heart eyes Howell

...

SIKE! We're back baby and we're better than ever!!! The goodbye video turned out the be an ANNOUNCEMENT of their comeback. They are back, Dil Howlter is here and Phil confesses to having dyed everything green in the house when Dan went on tour bc he missed him (OH GOD). Also, the Halloween baking video introduced us to the icon that is.... *drumroll please*

SISTER DANIEL, the queen of making everyone reconsider their sexuality... she is the moment, she is an icon and she is serving astronomical levels of cunt at all time [jokes aside, Dan being comfortable enough to do drag in public, fuck they've come so far i'm so proud of them <3].

And here we are in the future, it's present day and they are queerer and happier than ever. THE PICTURES I CAN'T ISTG. Also Dan's Birthday stream is beyond iconic. First of all my unproblematic kings make it a charity stream to donate to the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund (using their public influence for good hell yeah)... And how did they raise the money you ask? WELL BY HITTING IS WHERE WE'RE WEAKEST. Sister Daniel makes a spectacular comeback, FATHER PHIL is introduced and Dan even dyes his hair red to be more Good Omens coded... which timeline are we living in again? like how is any of this real?

Also them drawing the PINOF whiskers on their faces again... they're literally growing old together I'm gonna go sob in a corner. Also the fake apology video bc they have no fashion sense in the Sims 4 is hilarious as fuck. HOW CAN THEY POSSIBLY BE SO MUCH HOTTER ON THEIR THIRTIES EXPLAIN??

anyways the phandom is still speculating wether they're erasing "i love you's" at the end of their text when they show them on videos... guess some things never change. Nah but the vibes are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT NOW, they are more open than they've ever been and participate on the phan culture FULLY to the point that they're the ones terrorizing us now.

QUICK DETOUR TO TALK ABOUT PHIL'S FAMOUS BAD LUCK (and then they wonder why he's always dying in the fanfics). Nah but my poor man has had his fair share of medical problems, the most recent being...

OH GOD WHY WOULD YOU ANNOUNCE SOMETHING LIKE THAT THIS WAY?? nah like using humor as a coping mechanism and all but do they wanna gives a heart attack?! iconic i fear however

So yeah the video where they talk about it is WILD (funniest shit about the whole ordeal is that a nurse mistook Dan as Phil's son). Also I saw a tweet speculating about Phil having a hickey like... first of all what is it? 2009? Second of all IT'S MOST LIKELY A POPPED VESSEL FROM LOSING ALL THAT BLOOD YOU KNOW

They still were able to go on their vacation (aka the rodent boy summer) which gifted us with this iconic pics... ALSO they dropped a new Dan and Phil beats for summer go check out the names of the tracks istg they wanna kill their fans.

Nothing is sacred anymore, they've infiltrated twtphan, they're actively reposting memes and writing fanfiction about themselves. It's the wild west, everytime you get a notification is like playing Russian Rulet. Cringe is dead and Dan and Phil ARE COMING NEAR YOUR CITY on a tour named "Terrible Influence" where Phil's spent 300€ on silicone. It's a wonderful time to be a phan.

OKAY SO here's some stuff that didn't make the cut but that i find too hilarious to not mention. In no apparent order: DAN DRESSING UP AS A CATBOY, Dan and Phil playing technicians 1 and 2 on Big Hero 6 and two brothers on the Lion King (wtf was that also they gave the gorilas matching fringes), Dan dressing up as a golden pig (my boy has RANGE) and finally Dan being too embarassed to admit he stalked Phil and telling a reporter he was only asking for "editing tips" if you know what i mean

Also a short compilation of Dan and Phil losing the idgaf war against eachother THEY ARE SO THOUGHTFUL ABOUT EVERYTHING. Special mention to Daniel's 🧡 when Phil praised "We're all doomed!" and Dan's ranch metaphor to describe their relationship (just go watch the mukkbang video OH LORD)

SO, in conclusion... Dan and Phil's refusal to belittle their past and instead embrace it as part of their story while actively moving into the future alongside the phandom YEAH THAT SHIT MEANS SOMETHING. They're simultaneously healing our inner child while embracing us as the adults we've become i have many feelings about them

So what are they?

They're just Dan and Phil.

[dontbesoweirdkira]

Where to buy lingerie?🥀 Girlhood Tips #1 🥀

Whatever happened to wearing beautiful undergarments while prancing around our rooms? One of the staples of being youthful is now seemingly dead and gone. I love to whine down in my fabulous undies and sway to my favorite songs.

Hopefully we can bring this tradition back! To help kick start this, I’ve compiled a list of size inclusive lingerie brands from cheapest to more pricier items.

(If you guys want more options or help please let me know! I'm a chronic online shopper😭)

$

(1-20 USD per set/item)

AliExpress

Ali express stores is the absolute cheapest option for both price and size…yall already know it's fast fashion most times but some reputable brands from them are (IEUHIA, Wriufred, ChenFa Store, and Aiangelaquin official store)

Not much to elaborate here but they usually have a XXS-XXL

Cannot link the stores but just search up by the shop name.

FreetheFrillies

Handmade undergarments shop based out of the United Kingdom, features both religious and Victorian imagery on their clothing.

Sustainably at a reasonable price is one of their main concerns and they take pride in hand sewing each and every one of their items before they are shipped to you!

Material includes cotton, satin and elastics.

Sizes ranges from UK8/10 to UK16/18

ShopCryBunni

Small indie early brand ran by a student in Salt Lake, Utah! Very simple designs usually solid color or floral garments with a small bow or a flower on top. Very affordable.

Shipping is quick and punctual usually taking 2-3 days on average inside of the US. Internal customers can take up to 2-3weeks.

Sizes range from xxs-L US standard and does not make custom sizing outside of that at the moment.

$$

(30-70 USD per set/item)

AKAMYDINH

Small fashion label based in Saigon, Vietnam. They repurpose factory scraps and excess to make their brand as sustainable and ethical as possible! Their lingerie is simple solid colored bikini style sets with a frill finish. Occasionally with a cherry, bow, or floral embellishment.

XXS-XXL is the sizes offered with a additional custom sizing upon request!

70% of their items are made to order while the other 30% is made by fairly paid seamstresses.

Quick and helpful customer service with an outstanding 4.8 stars. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for simple yet ethical clothing.

Besos Biquinis

Famous tik tok brand that is known for their super cute vintage day of the week panties packs!

Their other items are more expensive like the 100+ range but most of their undies are $40-70 USD

Sizining is XS to XL usually. However, only going up to L in bottoms. Biggest cup size is C-DD cup without band specifics.

Unsure about custom sizing but I’d assume not? It’s always worth it to email! :)

Cute packaging and great customers service from what I’ve hear they also send out PRs soooo….if you have a big following definitely worth checking them out

ShesArMermaidCat

An absolute classic in the coquette community! She makes Dolores haze inspired garments with bloomers and cupcake style tops. The sets are usually solid colored or gingham! Perfect for the more modest Americana girlies.

She’s a gem and has amazing communication. You can also request a custom piece or size.

Each and every set is made to order and is handmade right out of California. 10/10 definitely recommend this shop for every Lolita!

FeelingVaugeVintage

Exotic dancer style lingerie brand. This is for the girls who are secy workers or love that style of lingerie. Much more form fitting, skimpy and trashy which I love and I know there's girls who love it too!

Handmade brand based off of esty who is always running sales. Currently offer 20% off when you buy two and 30% off when you buy three! Great deal an already cheap brand.

Sizing is a standard S-L but with any handmade brand just message the seller and ask if they can make a custom size just for you ;) they are a very sweet and punctual seller and they have well over 16,000 sales and a 4.8 star! Definitely recommend!

PurrfectPineapples

Cruelty free lingerie brand based out of Chicago, Illinois. The underwear is all pinup, vintage rockefeller style. Using vintage prints and designs. The embellishments are simple and usually lace or bows. Most sets include bra, panties, and a garter belt for about 60ish USD which is amazing tbh!

This brand is handmade to order and does take custom orders/sizing. The wait time is anywhere from 2 weeks to a month at most for an order.

Great customer services and many ways to pay including klarna payment plans.

(80-100+ per set/item)

$$$

Malicious designs

Handmade sustainable brand that sells tons of babydoll and lolita style clothes. This business is ran by Sheana Hinesley and is a fairly popular place to shop both on Depop and Etsy! They use standard sizing US S - L and is open to doing custom sizing

I do own an outfit for them and well made and I do think it’s worth the price! Fair warning is that shipping takes. 3 months to a year….. And at times their communication is less than the standard.

Would mainly suggest either buying second hand or through their Etsy for the best experience possible!

International shipping plus esty allows payment plans soooooo

Buttress and snatch.

A handmade and sustainable brand that sells 60's american style lingerie with beautiful craftsmanship. Most of their items have bows, rose, or lace embellishments which are a must for any lolita! They are based in the UK with international shipping. The cup sizes goes all away up to a. 36E/40DD and the bottoms up to a size UK18!

For the more adultish sexy girls they do have see through and fully lace garments. For the girls love the environment they have a line of items that are all made out of 100% recycled cotton shirts! How cool.

The brand also has great customer services and can do custom sizing if needed. If you’re ever worried about size conversion please shoot them an email.

They also have a one cup bra for support for anyone that needs that which I think is absolutely amazing. Definitely worth a look.

Love for lemons 🍋

Extremely well known sister brand of Victoria’s Secret that has absolute gorgeous pieces. Their pieces are packed with laces, frills, and florals! Perfect for a more mature, classy coquette.

Unfortunately not as size or comfort inclusive as our last pick but they do have sizes ranging from. XXS-2X and the cups can go up to a big as 38DDD but unfortunately that’s usually for select items such as teddies :/

One the bright side items such as garters, shoes, skirts, and swimwear is available compared to other brands. International shipping is available as well as sales and discounts. P.s. there’s a sale going on for $30 USD on select items.

Good customer services with no custom sizing however you should always mail before buying if unsure! I’d still pick lemons over Victoria’s any day! Tea.

[objectivesubjectivity]

My Favorite Albums of 2024*

*not necessarily from 2024

I'm back at it once again, sharing my Top 10 CDs, in alphabetical order by title, from the 151 I've acquired over the past year. They may not be from 2024. Hell, they may not even be from this century. But I didn't physically own them until this year. That's the only rule. And boy do I love making up absolutely meaningless rules. Let's get into it!

Say Anything - All My Friends Are Enemies: Early Rarities

Say Anything released one of the most unhinged, passionate, and self-indulgent albums I picked up this year and it may have made it on this list if it wasn’t for splurging on a 3-disc (!!!) compilation of all of their pre-Is A Real Boy material showcasing just how great of a songwriter Bemis can be. Plus, his commentary all over the liner notes is *chef’s kiss*.

Charlie XCX - Brat

I spent a decent amount of time declaring how this was “not for me” (I’m in my late 30s, I don’t go to clubs, I’ve never done coke, etc…) but it just didn’t let up. The overarching concept of accepting one’s full self, flaws and all, is universal and these songs have a depth that blossoms on repeat listens. There’s a reason this is on all the "best of" lists.

Cursive - Devourer

It’s been a year of “return to form albums” and none has been as exciting or as potent as Cursive’s 10th. The cello is back. The horns are back. It’s as loud, brash, and pessimistic as ever but Kasher also reminds everyone that he can also write one hell of a hook. Also, while “MUSTARDDDDDDDDDD” takes the cake for greatest yelled lyric of the year, Tim spewing “MOTHER FUCKER” on “The Age of Impotence,” is a close second.

Eels - EELS TIME!

I had given up on E’s lyrical prowess a good decade ago but maybe that was premature. While this album has a smattering of the lazy, cringeworthy rhymes gracing most things post “Blinking Lights,” it also is home to a myriad thoughtful and earnest ponderings on the temporal nature of life and how we choose to spend our finite amount of time. Oh, and an incredible verse about going on a date with someone who likes furries. EELS ARE FUCKING BACK, BABY.

Hello Mary - Emita Ox

I wanted to like Hello Mary’s self-titled album a lot more than I did. The Brooklyn 3 piece possessed a delicate fury and 90s post-grunge aesthetic that warmed my heart but the album never really stuck. That’s not the case with Emita Ox: it’s heavier and more mathy but it balances those elements with lush harmonies and superb melodies. This sounds like a band finding themselves and I cannot wait to see what they discover next.

Devon Kay & The Solutions - Grieving Expectation

Every year I go on a Pure Noise Records shopping spree (it helps that their cds are frequently quite cheap and BOGO) which allows me to discover a ton of music I otherwise wouldn’t have heard and every now and then, I find a gem. This is one of those gems. Blurring the lines between ska, punk, emo, and good ol’ fashioned “Alt-Rock,” this album hits like Jeff Rosenstock by way of “Bring Your Own Stereo” era Jimmie's Chicken Shack. It’s got great choruses, a killer horn section, and I found myself frequently reaching the end and starting it right back over again. Easily my favorite discovery of the year.

MJ Lenderman - Manning Fireworks

This is popping up in one of the top 3 slots on many of the End of Year lists I’ve checked out and for good reason. It’s instantly approachable with humorous and poignant lyrics that unearth themselves more and more on repeat listens. Also, to stand out in the crowded “Americana” field these days is a feat in itself. Bravo.

Macseal - Permanent Repeat

I saw this four-piece open for The Wonder Years a couple years ago and was immediately intrigued by how their melodies and chord progressions consistently shifted away from where I expected but not at the expense of the song itself. In yet another crowded field, this time emo-tinged Americana (“Emoacana?”), they definitely made a mark. A couple years later, they’ve replaced some of the twists and turns with a deeper ability to craft great, memorable songs, and, holy shit, is it effective. It’s pretty ballsy to name your album “Permanent Repeat” but that’s basically what this disc has been doing ever since it showed up in my mailbox. This is, hands down, my album of the year.

Martha - Please Don’t Take Me Back

Positively pleasing, practically perfect, politically-charged, pop-punk from across the pond. Head-bopped to this one many times this past year. No skips.

The Pharmaceutical Bandits - Those Damn Bandits

This isn’t a “good” album per se (it’s the debut album from a late 90s teenage ska-punk band so expectations probably shouldn't be that high in the first place) but it was one of the only Drive-Thru Records CD I didn’t own, so of course it had to be on this list. 

To their credit, after this album, they altered their name to Rx Bandits and put out a ton of great ska-punk tracks. And then they went prog-rock and put out some great tracks in that style as well. It’s a strange journey but well worth it.

Other albums I liked from 2024 but haven't yet physically acquired.

Doechii - Alligator Bites Never Heal (Only Vinyl pre-release at the moment. Hoping for a CD as well.)

Tyler, The Creator - Chromakopia (Ordered it back in November. Possibly still stuck in transit?)

Kendrick Lamar - GNX (pre-ordered the CD from Amoeba. Feels right to get that from a Cali based store)

Other Assorted 2024 Stuff

Favorite Live Bands seen in 2024:

Emperor X (The Broadway - 4/27)

Something Corporate (Asbury Park - 8/23)

Soul Coughing (Brooklyn Steel - 10/4)

Hello Mary - (Warsaw 10/26)

The Blood Brothers (Irving Plaza - 12/13)

Favorite Plays seen in 2024

The Ally (The Public)

Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre)

Life and Trust (Connell Tower)

Medea RE: Versed (Sheen Center)

Gypsy (Majestic)

Favorite Movies seen in 2024

Love Lies Bleeding

Strange Darling

The Substance

Longlegs

The Endless

Beetlejuice (the original, I haven't seen the sequel)

We’re All Going to the World’s Fair

Late Night with the Devil

Milk and Serial

Labyrinth

Favorite TV seen in 2024

Alice in Borderland (Season 2)

Baby Reindeer

Rhythm and Flow (Season 2 - even though I disagreed with their final choice)

Abbott Elementary

Only Murders

Last Week Tonight

Just For Us

Favorite Podcasts listened to in 2024

Entrée PeeE Neur’s Entrepreneur Tour Featuring Appetizer P Neur

The "Drop Dead Gorgeous" Episode from Scott Hasn't Seen

The Secrets Hotline

Detoxicity

The Run Up

538 Politics Podcast

The Daily

Favorite Books read in 2024

All The Kings Men by Robert Penn Warren

Frankenstein by Mary Shelly

Basketball (and Other Things) by Shea Serrano

Slonim 9: A Memoir by Daniel Barban Levin

[simplyclary]

You've Got Great Taste: Taylor Zakhar Perez's Fashionable Characters

This entry is the sort of sequel to the first TZP lookbook. This will focus on four of Taylor's characters, mainly Alex Claremont-Diaz from Red, White and Royal Blue, Marco Peña from The Kissing Booth 2 & 3 as well as Dustin from 1Up and Shane from Minx.

To be completely honest, Taylor has the ability to turn even the plainest combo of a t-shirt and jeans into a freaking masterpiece. Hence, most of the looks in this lookbook will be the more casual but still fashionable side (as compared to the first part where the fits are more on the dressy and preppy side).

The order of characters would be Alex, Marco, Dustin and Shane. Similar to the first lookbook entry, this will just be a compilation of photos plus a personal commentary.

The [cover] photo posted above is a photo of Alex Claremont-Diaz after he addressed the crowd at the Democratic National Convention in Brooklyn, New York and he is seen wearing a gray-blue suit combo, paired nicely with his signature black bracelet and watch. This is one of the many varieties of suit and tie outfits Taylor wears in the movie, especially when Alex is seen attending formal events.

I honestly have no idea what to comment about a suit and tie combo other than he looks good in it (Taylor looks good in any outfit, I'm not kidding!) and it makes him look like someone you should respect and listen to, which I do in every occasion anyway.

There will also be breakers in between each character that will serve as pauses so that it will not be just photos with paragraphs. Take it as chapters, if you will.

Get some drinks, grab some snacks and let's get re-acquainted with the fashion senses of the First Son of the US, the MVP, the gaming world's IT boy and the world's first firefighter model ;)

One of Alex's looks is already featured above so let's start with the First Son [of our hearts], shall we?

The First Son of the US Alexander Gabriel Claremont-Diaz

Before I say anything else, I would like to admit that I can hear this photo loud and clear because like y'all, I have seen the movie more than 10 times.

Anyway, this is Alex in the coffee shop when he is called by Miguel for a quick chat. He is wearing a denim ensemble composed of a plain white shirt topped with a denim button down with folded sleeves paired with denim jeans and white sneakers. He finished the outfit with his usual accessories (black bracelet, watch and key necklace).

I want to say that this outfit combo is the definition of casual. It's a very chill outfit that one can find in most stores. Considering Alex is a law student, this look is also something a student can just put on for a regular day at school which is practical and I love that.

I would also like to add that this is my most favorite Alex look in the entire movie, like the simplicity of the outfit combined with his charm just makes a perfect combination for me. I'm still kind of mad though that Henry did not see Alex in this outfit because dang, Alex was oozing with hotness and handsomeness.

I'll be honest for a second, if I were invited to Alex's New Years' party and he shows up wearing this, I wouldn't be able to look away similar to the guests because how would I be able to when he looks this gorgeous?

To continue, this is a more dressy Alex look. This was his outfit for the New Years' Party. He was wearing a black button-down with a satin (I think?) navy green blazer with leafy print and black pants and shoes. This is also a memorable outfit because this was the outfit he was wearing when he and Henry shared their first kiss, which adds to the romantic factor.

Alex definitely pulled this look off and he was definitely the eye candy of his own party. I do not blame the guests for staring at him in this outfit because he looks so good. I also think that this outfit was the right balance of fit and loose, which is perfect for dancing the night away at a party, which I love.

On a more practical note, I think the material of his blazer is not suited for the chilly winter night because I observed in the scene when he went out to find Henry, he was raising his shoulders to his ears and his hands were in his pockets so his blazer might not have been super effective against the winter chill.

Other than that, this was definitely a good outfit to welcome in a year that was filled with first kisses, missed phone calls, a lot of romance, leaked emails and a win on both sides of the Atlantic.

Ahhh, this look was a super close second favorite of mine. This navy blue blazer with a black inner shirt and pants combo is the perfect smart casual look of Alex when he was strolling the streets of Paris with Henry. It's also one of those outfits that fits Taylor's figure so well and I love that.

I also love the fact that this is one of the first outfits that Taylor wore as Alex, considering that their Paris cafe scene was the first scene he and Nick shot as Alex and Henry.

Also, Alex not wearing a button-up shirt during this was a good idea because if you know the scene that comes after this casual stroll, you know that Henry had a hard time removing his shirt because of the "rigid" buttons so Alex had to step in and help him undo his shirt then. I just love the idea that Alex probably had an easier time removing his clothes than Henry but that's not the point I'm making here. Let's just proceed.

Awww, look at Alex all smiling and happy and looking all cute with his cowboy hat.

This look is something that I can see people wearing for a night out in a bar somewhere where you and your friends have drinks, do karaoke and have fun. A simple printed button-down shirt with denim jeans is such a chill combo and can be worn on any occasion. Alex pairing the outfit with a cowboy hat really gives off the full Texas vibe and that is so cute.

Add the fact that the print on Alex's shirt is lipstick marks, which I find cute and it honestly adds to the romantic aspect and kind of symbolizes Alex's romantic soul and love for Henry because this is the scene where he is the definition of the heart eyes emoji and has the realization that he is in love with Henry.

This is the perfect outfit for a night out with friends and lovers alike. Just hope you won't get your heart broken eventually.

This photo of Alex/Taylor is screaming "Let's take a photo doing peace signs before I get reprimanded by the president who is also my mom for causing an international scandal". That is just a hilarious concept to think about.

Anyway, Alex in a leather jacket with a black shirt paired with jeans? The temperature in the room just went a little up. Something about a leather jacket simply screams badass to me and there's nothing wrong with that.

I like to think that having the jacket on is practical because the Oval Office might be chilly so Alex might have really needed the jacket. It also gives off like a rebellious son vibe, which is Alex in a way so that's fitting.

This photo is just too cute so I might just leave you with that and move on to the next look.

Alex in a gray sweater and jeans combo is the winter look inspiration we all need.

This outfit combo is just the perfect winter outfit to keep him warm and cozy. Also his puppy-like face in this scene adds an extra level of cute. Like you just want to hug him while he tells you all about his Texas strategy memo.

This outfit is a perfect ensemble when you just want to stay in your house during the winter months and set up a warm fire, make a glass of hot chocolate with marshmallows, curl up with a book and enjoy your holiday. Unless you're like Alex who likes to work, even during the holidays (I don't blame you if you are like Alex, I actually admire that!).

Do admit that you can hear what Alex says in this scene loud and clear. Like be honest with yourselves.

This outfit is what Alex wears when he arrives at Kensington Palace during the weekend where he is supposed to do damage control with Henry. He is wearing a black tank top under a printed unbuttoned button down with jeans and his usual accessories. This look is definitely the opposite of Henry's look during this scene. Like Alex's look was casual while Henry's look was dressy.

Now, this is not what I would personally pick for a visit to a royal palace but hey, Alex was immediately sent there so I couldn't blame him for not having enough time to go over his clothing options so I guess this look would have to do.

Awww, look at Alex leaning against a wall looking at Henry talking to a kid [probably about Star Wars] in the children's hospital. Sparks were starting to fly.

This look was a very clean look. Like the pristine white button-down shirt with the blazer and slacks combo was just giving off immaculate vibes. It's not the formal suit and tie business look but it is a good alternative. Also, it makes Alex presentable enough and not intimidating for the children which is lovely.

You can never go wrong with a button-down and blazer combo for a visit to the children's hospital. Maybe spray a bit of your favorite perfume (Santal 33, in Alex's case) and you're good to go.

That's it for Alex's part of the lookbook, folks. I did not include all of his outfits because he has numerous looks in the movie and this would read like a novel if I were to include all of them. Just know that like Taylor, Alex is a fashionable character, no matter how casual or dressy his looks are.

Now, let's go back in time a bit and head to Los Angeles Country Day High School and visit our one and only MVP, Marco Valentin Peña.

The MVP Marco Valentin Peña

He's so cute in this photo, I can't help but swoon!!

Anyway, Marco is one of Taylor's characters who has the most casual looks. Understandably so, because he's a high school student so casual is the way to go.

This is one of the plainest outfits he had in The Kissing Booth 2 but he just wears it so nicely and it fits him so well. It's a simple combo of a burgundy t-shirt with jeans and black sneakers. Marco is also one to accessorize with jewelry so in almost every look, he has a couple of bracelets on, a chain necklace and a ring on his right pinky finger.

This casual look is one of my favorite looks of Marco in the movie, and it is perfect for a casual day out at the arcade where you can just play pool or dance away at the DDM machine with friends and schoolmates.

Oh, if only every guy in high school looks as good as Marco? He is truly a high school heartthrob.

Also, he makes a simple school uniform composed of a light blue button up shirt and a tie worn a little bit loose look good. Like what else can I say? Who can blame all the students swooning over him in class?

I would also like to add that a bomber jacket is a good addition to the uniform look because it gives the uniform a sense of stylishness which I like. It might also be chilly in the classroom which is a reason why he has a jacket on, which is good for practical reasons.

I no longer know what else to comment about this look other than the fact that he makes a student uniform look good so let's just proceed to the next MVP look

Moonshot...

This outfit, composed of a silver inner long-sleeved top with a black waistcoat-like vest and flowy black pants with sneakers is a good option for a dance tournament. It's simple but the silver of the inner top is like a glow in the dark-type material and therefore gives a slight shimmer effect.

Marco looked good in this outfit. He was definitely shining like a moon during a dark night. Add the fact that he is a good dancer and the way the lights bounce off the silver of his shirt gives it an extra glow.

This was also more of the simpler costumes compared to those of the other contestants in the tournament, so I love that idea because first off, it's a dance contest and not a fashion show so people will focus more on the moves rather than the looks. Hence, Marco and Elle's moonlight-like outfit combo was a good choice.

He [and Elle] won the competition, but it came at a price of a little heartbreak. I only wish Elle gave him a portion of the cash prize to compensate for the practice time he allotted [and the heartbreak] but I won't dive into that because that's a whole another topic.

Now, who wouldn't want to listen to a little serenade on the street, especially if the person singing is as handsome and talented as Marco? Add a little acoustic feel with the guitar? Uhmm, yes please! I would definitely not pass on that.

Anyway, his outfit here is composed of a printed open button-down shirt, a white tank top and jeans paired with his usual accessories. The look is giving very street performer vibes and I like it. It's very chill and casual and perfect for a little concert on the sidewalk.

I have nothing more to add to that other than the fact that now, I want to rewatch TKB 2 just to hear him sing, so I'll probably do that when I'm done with this. For now, let's move on to one more MVP look.

Look at those beautiful eyes and that soft expression. I would honestly pass out if he looks at me like this.

Anyway, moving on....

As I stated in the previous lookbook, something about Taylor in dark outfits gives me the butterflies. Like I love him in other colors, but something about him in dark colors just ups the whole fashion experience for me. In this look, he is wearing a black inner tank top underneath a black shirt with green accents and jeans paired with his signature accessories.

Another super casual everyday outfit one can wear for a night out with friends at the arcade where you play and dance to your heart's content. Or like Marco and Elle, doing dance rehearsals for an upcoming tournament. Again, casual and practical all in one.

I would like to add that after their rehearsal, he and Elle rides on the ferris wheel and then sits by the sand on the beach. At the beach scene, Marco puts on a jungle green jacket and I think that is a practical choice because it might be cold where they're at, considering they're by Santa Monica Pier. A little bit of a sea breeze could fill the air with a little chill, so it's always good to have a jacket on hand.

That is it for the looks of MVP himself. He has so many looks in both TKB 2 and 3 and most of them are the definition of casual and practical and I love that.

Now, let's play some e-sports at the fictional Barrett University from "1Up". Pick your team though, either the Barrett Betas or the Barrett 8-Bits..

Barrett University Betas Gamer Boy Dustin

Before I proceed to comment on a couple of Dustin's looks, I would just like to say that I dislike Taylor's character here because I do not agree with his POVs, but I can't deny Dustin's charm. Amid opposing POVs, I like to admit that his charm is something I'm not immune to. To put it simply, I dislike his sexist opinions in the movie, but I can't deny he's a charming douche, so there you go.

Why so serious, Dustin? Afraid to lose to a bunch of gals? LOL.

The Beta gaming jersey is the outfit he mostly wears in the movie. Like a golden-yellow Beta gaming uniform paired with joggers and rubber shoes is the perfect gaming outfit. The outfit plus the headphones is really giving gamer vibes, which is what Dustin is so there's nothing more to say about that.

Gaming is not my thing but from what I've watched, I think that a gaming jersey plus joggers is the go-to combo of every gamer out there so there you go. Maybe with the accuracy of the gaming outfit, the costume department definitely hit the spot.

This outfit is sponsored by Puma.....(I'm just kidding!)

Knowing that this part of the movie takes place in the winter, having Dustin in a navy blue jacket Puma jacket with green accents over a dark blue inner shirt was a good move. It's a simple look that is enough to protect you from the chill of winter.

The sword was just an added bonus and its one job was to simply further my wishes of having Taylor in an action movie or fantasy story with sword-fighting but I'm gonna leave you with that. I'm actually manifesting it to come true but no rush here.

That's it for our gamer boy Dustin. Not a lot of looks to comment on, mainly because he mostly wears his yellow gaming jersey so there's that aspect to it, but hey, you take what you get.

With that, let's go back to the 70s and meet up with a certain firefighter that goes by the name of Shane Brody.

The 70s Firefighter Shane Brody

For Shane, it'll only be a couple of looks again because I don't want explicit content on my blog, okay? I would also like to preface that at the time I'm writing this, I haven't seen Minx. I have my reasons of holding off on watching the series but I did find a couple of looks that I want to include in this so here you go.

Shane may be the hottest firefighter I have ever seen. He's supposed to put out fires but why does it seem like he's adding fuel to the flame?

Let's move on before I ramble something else...

What do I comment about a firefighter outfit from the 70s? Maybe at the time, it was practical and it seemed easy to layer protective gear over it. Again, Taylor with the dark colors, that's an automatic plus in my book.

He could model a standard firefighter outfit and people would buy them just because he's the model, I'm not even kidding.

I could not say anymore than that.

Before commenting on the overall outfit (at least what's visible to me from this picture), I would like to comment that his hairstyle in this series reminds me of Vision's hair in WandaVision episode 3. Oddly enough, that episode took place in the 70s so I guess having long hair for men was a thing in the 70s. I honestly have no idea.

Another similarity that I found between Shane's look here and most of Vision's look in the said episode of WandaVision is the long collar on the shirts. Again, I guess it was a thing in the 70s. So historically, I guess it's accurate.

I also love the mix of blues in Shane's shirt in the photo. Like the combo of a light blue collar and the darker blue shirt is a good contrast to my eyes. Very appealing, as it were. A mix of dark and light, which is always good to see.

No Further Comments..

That's it for the lookbook of Taylor Zakhar Perez's characters [so far]. I did not include all of his characters, as you can see. This is as long as a novella already and I did not want to lengthen it further as I do not want to bore you guys.

For sure, Taylor will play a lot more characters in the upcoming years. One thought that occurred to me as I was writing this TZP character lookbook was if Taylor himself has a say on the outfit choices of his characters, considering that fashion sustainability is very important to him. Guess I'll never know.

Writing this 2-part lookbook commentary is tiring but fun. It gave my inner fashion enthusiast a reason to come out and give opinions about the looks of one of my most favorite people in the world. I may have sounded redundant in some comments but hey, you take what you get from me.

Feel free to share with me your favorite looks from Taylor's characters or from Taylor himself if you wish to. To be honest, when it comes to the outfits of Taylor's characters and his outfits in general, I can't really say much because he makes everything look so good. That's just how he is and I can't do anything about it.

I'll end the lookbook here. Congratulations if you've read until the end since it's a lengthy one. All my love! 💙✌️

[scotianostra]

On October 11th 1993, comedian and singer, Andy Stewart, died in Arbroath.

Andy was born in Glasgow, and had aspirations of becoming a veterinary surgeon, although following a performance in a local pageant he decided to train as an actor at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

He became a successful recording artist, with international hits such as Donald Where’s Your Troosers? A Scottish Soldier, The Road to Dundee and Take Me Back, and found further fame as the compere of BBC Scotland’s The White Heather Club, which ran for several years from the mid-1950s.

From the early 1960s onwards, he frequently and successfully toured Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand.

In 1959, Andy Stewart signed his first recording contract with the small the label of Top Rank. His first recording, “Donald Where’s Your Troosers?” was a light-hearted, almost throwaway track, during a recording session with his White Heather Group. However Top Rank considered it worth releasing as a single.

“Donald Where’s Your Troosers?” is a comic song about a Scotsman who wears a kilt rather than trousers. It plays on the traditional gag about what people might see when a man is wearing a kilt and not any underwear. Especially when it is windy while walking in a kilt. As such he impresses the ladies when he walks by, frightens the other Highlander men and has rolls in the hay with lassies from London. The song also includes an Elvis imitation of several of the verses near the end of the song. Legend has it Elvis said it was one of the best impersonations of himself he had heard.

Stewart wrote the song in 10 minutes while he sat, trouserless, in the loo of a recording studio. Back in 1960’s Andy Stewart and other Scottish comedians were heard to tell a joke at the time reflecting Scots making fun of themselves: What’s the difference between a Scotsman and a Rolling Stone? A Rolling Stone says, “hey you, get off of my cloud!,” while a Scotsman says, “Hey McLeod, get off of my ewe!”

Into the 1980’s Andy Stewart was becoming a symbol of the “Old Scotland” for many Scots who were embarrassed by perpetual images of haggis, Hogmanay and kilts as representing Scotland. He spent much of the decade touring internationally. But in 1989 “Donald Where’s Your Troosers?” was reissued and climbed to 4 on the charts. Stewart was back in fashion, including in Scotland.

During his career Andy Stewart released 26 studio albums and one live album.

Plagued with ill-health most of his adult life, especially due to high cholesterol levels, Stewart died at the age of 60 in 1993.

Since his death over a have a dozen compilation CD releases have been made available to showcase the work of one of Scotland’s greatest entertainers.

[lazzarella]

Top 10 Things

For some reason, I've decided to compile lists of my various top ten things, a completely pointless venture because I highly doubt anyone will read it, and I already know what they are, but I'm doing it anyway! lol

(I've included: bands; solo artists; albums; books; poems; graphic novels/comics; tv shows; BL series; murder mystery shows; movies; actors; actresses; directors; musicals)

BANDS

The Beatles

ABBA

Belle and Sebastian

Led Zeppelin

The Raveonettes

The Decemberists

Ramones

Blondie

Sparks

Judas Priest

SOLO ARTISTS

John Grant

Rufus Wainwright

Connie Francis

Kylie Minogue

Angel Olsen

Prince

Sufjan Stevens

Kate Bush

David Bowie

Keaton Henson

ALBUMS

Queen of Denmark by John Grant

69 Love Songs by The Magnetic Fields

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel

Rubber Soul by The Beatles

Picaresque by The Decemberists

Houses of the Holy by Led Zeppelin

You Could Have It So Much Better by Franz Ferdinand

Purple Rain by Prince

Transformer by Lou Reed

If You're Feeling Sinister by Belle and Sebastian

BOOKS

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Grief is the Thing With Feathers by Max Porter

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories by Angela Carter

The Charioteer by Mary Renault

The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler

POEMS

Having a Coke With You by Frank O'Hara

Every poem in Crush by Richard Siken

The Second Coming by WB Yeats (alternatively, The Mermaid)

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T. S. Eliot

Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen

Love Sonnet XI by Pablo Neruda

somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond by e.e. cummings

Wild Geese by Mary Oliver

Tired by Langston Hughes

Perhaps the World Ends Here by Joy Harjo

GRAPHIC NOVELS/COMICS

Paper Girls

Ghost World

Persepolis

Bandette series

Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant + sequels

The Fade Out

The Case of the Missing Men

The Less Than Epic Adventures of TJ and Amal

It's a Good Life, If You Don't Weaken

Nimona

TV SHOWS (that are not BLs or murder mysteries XD)

Spaced

Supernatural

The Hour

Buffy

Life on Mars/Ashes to Ashes

This is England 86/88/90

I Love Lucy

Pushing Daisies

Dark

In the Flesh OR The Young Ones OR Xena (I was going to choose but meh)

(A full list of my favourite TV shows on Serializd)

BL SERIES (MASTERLIST HERE)

Moonlight Chicken

My Personal Weatherman

KinnPorsche

Cherry Magic (Thailand)

Century of Love

Wandee Goodday

Old Fashion Cupcake

A Tale of Thousand Stars

Only Friends

Jack O'Frost

(I have a feeling Kidnap is going to take the place of one of these though)

MURDER MYSTERY SHOWS

Poirot

Marple

Rosemary and Thyme

Twin Peaks (it counts XD)

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries

Endeavour

Beyond Evil

Murder, She Wrote

Jonathan Creek

George Gently

MOVIES

(if I do subcategories for this, we'd be here all day! But ftr my favourite genres are film noir, musicals, rom-coms, horror—mostly slashers and gialli, 50s/60s sci-fi...)

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Clue

Strictly Ballroom

Charade

Velvet Goldmine

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Call Me By Your Name

God's Own Country

Secretary

That Thing You Do!

(A full list of my favourite films on Letterboxd)

ACTORS

Robert Redford

Colin Farrell

James Spader

Keanu Reeves

Danny Kaye

Humphrey Bogart

Dirk Bogarde

Frank Sinatra

Jack Lemmon

Ben Whishaw

ACTRESSES

(only separating by gender to get more in XD)

Doris Day

Audrey Hepburn

Amy Adams

Lucille Ball

Jane Fonda

Kirsten Dunst

Marilyn Monroe

Nicole Kidman

Michelle Williams

Cate Blanchett

DIRECTORS

Gregg Araki

Alfred Hitchcock

John Waters

Sofia Coppola

Agnès Varda

Wes Anderson

Billy Wilder

Pedro Almodóvar

Stanley Donen

Dario Argento

MUSICALS

(only counting ones I've seen productions of myself)

The Rocky Horror Show

Little Shop of Horrors

Aladdin

Matilda

Cats

Chicago

Hairspray

Wicked

Singin' in the Rain

9 to 5 tied with Priscilla: Queen of the Desert

[xplrvibes]

so the second colby goes under and starts (whether consciously or subconsciously/unintentionally) channeling and focusing in on the spirit world, EVERYTHING starts happening? and he hasn’t even said a word yet.

I DARE ANYONE TO TELL ME COLBY ISN’T A CONDUIT OR WHATEVER THE FK

bang in the morgue, music box goes off indicating someone walking out of the morgue and towards the kitchen, first thing colby says is “take them” … dude i’d be halfway back to melbourne.

“take them… the girls… they won’t stop” to me its like there are girls in the room and someone wants them taken away from snctb in a protective way? like in an old fashion ‘women are fragile and must be protected from harsh things’ way

“everything is going off!” sam… this happens almost every time colby is under. are you surprised anymore?

“that’s me” 😳 ….just gonna aggressively cross geelong gaol off my list of places to visit

i was just thinking ‘colbys been under a long time’ and then colby said “get him out”

it is actually super creepy the way colby just sirs there like a statue, saying creepy shit, while everyone else freaks out abt knocks and responses lol

and aaallll the activity stops when colby is out?

no one argue with me rn. colby just… yeah man. he’s got direct access to the other side. he can open that door and shut it.

ok that was good :) better than anticipated and im SO PLEASED not a single fan of dipshit moment of the other stuff made even a hint of an appearance.

Ok, so here's the problem -

I STILL haven't had a chance to go back and watch the middle part of this video. 😬

I just got too much going on. I plan on downloading it to watch it on the plane, but until then, I decided to at least weigh in on the Estes Method, since that's the only part of the video I truly remember.

Anyway, I agree with what you said here, but I also have to be controversial and state this for the record: The Estes had the potential to be top tier.

And I say this knowing it sounds like I hated the Estes, which I didn't. It was really good. There were lots of interesting answers that lined up with everything going on, it was creepy, Colby was in his zone...

...but like, all of them talking over one another was driving me up a wall.

It was too much. It was 9 Sam's a'Samming.

I needed silence and calm so I could truly start to decipher some of what was happening. It was just too much.

Anyway, aside from that - Colby is really fucking creepy when he gets into his little conduit mode, huh. The way his body moves, the inflection of his voice, the way his head sometimes moves around? I don't know what all of that is, but it adds to the creepy factor. He is so freaking good at that shit.

And that isn't knocking others who do the Estes Method; there are others who get brilliant results as well. But something about Colby's whole aura and demeanor when he goes under has always felt so charged and different. He's truly putting himself in a trance or something, I don't know.

Also, side note - but can someone make a compilation of all the times shit is going down and snc seek each other out for reassurance, either by touch or just by making sure they are in each other's line of sight? I saw a mini-compiliation on tiktok of Colby reaching for Sam while in the Estes Method (from a different epsiode) and Sam in this episode moving to stand as close to Colby as humanly possibly when shit was going down during this one and it just made me think that they have a habit of doing this shit, huh 🥺.

Anyway, the Estes would've been a 10/10 but I'm deducting 2 points for the annoyance factor with the yammering lol...so 8/10!

[starcatching]

gifmaker / cc wrapped 2023

@raplinenthusiasts tagged me to make my own top 10 creations from this year. (which made me realize i didn't actually gif that much??? in my head i had several months of consistent posting but.. that's not really true😭)

in no particular order:

seonghwa's stage outfits. i loooove fashion and costuming!!! i enjoyed making this set so much

jin's positive mindset philosophy i live by this too and i think it's funny the set's still getting notes (even outside kpopblr) lol

bonvoyage music video. this mv has so much cyan/red and i love working with those colours

jisoo's fan signing event. i usually struggle with fancams but i think these turned out nice

dc with swords. we need more of this actually #givewomenswords2024

gifset from pixid episode where jimin proceeds to be one of the worst imposters of all time anfjsfs

whatever this is that wooyoung has going on lol

jin + photoshoots creating compilations might be one of the least rewarding things on this site but that hasn't and won't stop me

seonghwa at outlaw showcase. i live on planet earth he lives in the latest sci-fi series and i can only respect that

jiu's shatter fancam. i just think she's neat.jpeg

tagging (no obligation <3) @kimtaegis @cordiallyfuturedwight @ambivartence @yunwooz @loversmore @avizou @artbora

thank you julia for tagging me, and here's to next year 💗

[swearphil]

hi renee, do you still read schitts creek fanfic? do you have any recs? :)

anon, I love the timing of getting this ask on monday and then ao3 was down and I thought it would be awhile until I could effectively answer this ask but ao3 is back! yay!!! and then it took me three days to answer this because I couldn't make decisions!

yes, I still read schitt's creek fanfic! when I started compiling a list for this ask, I was going to do 10 fics but I've decided to rec 20: 10 multi-chapter fics and 10 one shots/single chapter fics. this way I get to include more fics and hopefully you find something you'd like to read! I also recommend checking out my sc fic recs tag and I also have this my recs tag where I made recs for the @farm-witches-fic-recs this or that challenge! I also recommend the witches' posts for more recs!

here are 20 fics from 20 authors but please know there are so many incredible authors in this fandom and I love them all and I hate that I can't include all of them!!!

Multi-Chapter Fics

On the Outside Looking Through by @smblmn

A pride & prejudice AU

Red White and Blue Jays by @grapehyasynth

Red White and Royal Blue AU. David Rose, First Son of the United States, hates Patrick Brewer, First Son of Canada. That gets him into some trouble - and then a lot of trouble. (I mean we're about to get the movie sooooooooo)

my heart was broke, my head was sore by @blueink3

The morning after Grad Night goes somewhat differently when Patrick gets a call from home.

Crossing Out the Good Years by @nontoxic-writes

One thing, David didn’t do one thing, and moved them to New York and let their marriage fall apart. But that wasn't supposed to happen. So Fate intervenes. aka the divorce-ish fic

The Rosebud Diamond by @vivianblakesunrisebay

Patrick is a detective. David is his mysterious client. There’s a priceless diamond, a masquerade ball, murder, thievery, blackmail, secrets, betrayal, gangsters, smoking, whiskey, and angst galore. (And a happy ending.) It’s a film noir AU.

you never shined so brightly by @rosedavid

A La La Land AU in which Patrick is the aspiring actor and David is the struggling musician.

Home at Last by @januarium

When Stevie Budd took on the role of Sally Bowles she could never have known how much she would gain from it. From the prompt: An alternate universe where Ted does not choose Alexis at the end of Season Four and Stevie and Alexis get close during Cabaret rehearsals

You Happened by @lilythesilly

David Rose is many things: talented, creative, fashion-forward, well read—the list can go on, but at the very top of that list is Extremely Rich. So he doesn’t understand why his father is making him work at Rose Video—or why Patrick Brewer, a boy he's had virtually no interaction with since they were twelve, is suddenly always around. An enemies-to-coworkers-to-friends-to-lovers high school au.

Pull The Shot. Steam The Milk. Repeat. by @treluna4

Right at the beginning of David’s junior year of college, his dad’s business partner literally took the money and ran, and the Roses were left with nothing...He moved in with his friend Stevie and got a job at the Schitt Family Coffee Roasters south campus location. David was less than thrilled by this job prospect, but no one else was hiring and rent was a thing now, so he gathered what little self-respect he had left and prepared to meet his new manager, Patrick. But as it turned out, David had met him once before. Under very, very different circumstances. Or; the hookup-to-friends-to-lovers college coffee shop AU that no one asked for.

How Easy It Could Be by @maxbegone

A story about sweet caffeine, starting new, and falling in love slowly.

Single Chapter Fics

life ain't passing you by by @dinnfameron

Stevie has breakfast at the cottage before a business trip. David and Patrick have some thoughts regarding her feelings for her new coworker.

like glass from sandy ground by @middyblue

Five times Alexis ran from grief, and one time she didn't.

Pretty Follies by @treepyful

Alexis and Twyla team up to play matchmaker for Stevie and Ruth. Unfortunately, the course of true love never did run smooth.

I INDEX/MATCH You by @sarahlevys

Ruth maintains a lot of spreadsheets. Some of them feature Stevie.

are there still beautiful things? by @mymariahcarey

“Look what I got Stevie!” Twyla calls as she runs through the waist-high grass towards the line of trees where Stevie’s waiting for her. By the time Twyla reaches her, her cheeks pink and her breath labored, her french braids are coming undone and there’s a twig stuck in one of them. Or, Stevie and Twyla were childhood best friends.

falling into place like dominos by @petalwritesx

David and Patrick hold a second housewarming party, this time at their newly-renovated cottage. For old times' sake, they decide to play spin the bottle. Meanwhile, Stevie has been wrestling with her feelings for Alexis since she left for New York... and it never occurred to her that those feelings could flow both ways.

you light me up like starlight by @stereopticons

Patrick and his indie band head back to their hometown to perform for the annual holiday charity concert, and David tags along, even though they are still keeping their relationship a secret.

Live By Love Though The Stars Walk Backwards by @chelle-68

Stevie returns from a work trip to discover an exhausted Patrick who has trouble sleeping without David, who has been in LA visiting his family. Stevie's offer to spend the night to keep Patrick company, hoping it will help him sleep, turns into a night of heartfelt conversation about love, friendship, fate, and taking chances.

One Single Thread of Gold by @swiftlythebest

Patrick has a baseball viewing party, and David has a lot of feelings.

as we dream by the fire by @blackandwhiteandrose

The fire is just the right amount of warm -- enough to keep David toasty but not sweaty -- so he can enjoy lying against his husband’s chest, happy and content in his embrace. Patrick brings a hand up, slipping his fingers through David’s hair. “This is a great way to spend an evening,” he says, his voice soft. “We should do this more often.”

[whatiwillsay]

I'm both a longtime Beyhive and a longtime Swiftie, so I'll chime in about the Billboard list

*very long*

Honestly, comparing Beyoncé to Taylor is a disservice to Bey. This woman has not only been highly relevant but has been thriving in the vinyl, CD, and digital eras, and she is still highly relevant in the streaming era. Sure, Bey doesn't pull as many streaming numbers as Taylor does, but she still is a streaming force. Chart positions and sales aren't even the metrics by which Billboard compiled this list. Here's what they've said in their article:

And we must also issue our obligatory reminder that unlike with our Year-End Charts, these Greatest Pop Stars are NOT mathematically determined by stats like chart position, streams or sales numbers. Those play a big part in our final rankings, of course — you can’t be one of the greatest pop stars of the century without great pop hits and great pop albums — but so do things like music videos, live performances and social media presence, and more intangible factors like cultural importance, industry influence and overall omnipresence. (And we’re measuring this over all 25 years of this century so far, so if you were only heard from at the beginning or the end of that period — or only had one or two big songs, albums or eras — that’s gonna significantly hinder your ranking here as well.)

She is the blueprint for most, if not all, pop stars of the mid- to late 00s, '10s, and '20s, and they've said so themselves. Not only that, several athletes, business owners, fashion designers, architects, producers, and even professional chefs have said that her work ethic, artistry, drive, and attention to details inspire them to do better. She's transformed the industry forever. She's the first artist (correct me if I'm wrong) who's done a visual album in the form of a music video for each song (B'Day in 2006) and one of the few artists who's done a concept film for an album (Lemonade in 2016 and Black Is King in 2020). In terms of music videos, Beyoncé is far ahead of Taylor, and since it's a criteria for Billboard's list, she's got an advantage. 

Beyoncé's the real trendsetter in music, while Taylor chases what's popular at the moment and makes it a theme for each album both in terms of music and visuals. Beyoncé's also THE most versatile music artist in the industry: her range goes from gospel to rap, from disco to rock, from pop to bluegrass, from R&B to Americana, from opera to reggae. She is an exceptional artist with a unique™ vocal talent that continues to improve with age. There are such things as prime Whitney, prime Celine, and prime Mariah, but there are no such things as prime Beyoncé. Besides that, Beyoncé's also credited as the inventor of "talk-singing," which all of the modern singers and rappers use as their primary technique in music. Even Kanye has said so.

Live performances are also a criteria, and I think it doesn't even need to be discussed. Beyoncé's regarded as one of the best performers of all time. I personally would even say that she is THE best performer of all time, but it's irrelevant to this discussion. She's the first female performer to ever do an all-stadium tour (Formation Tour in 2016); her Super Bowl HT show is widely regarded as the Top-3 of all time, along with Prince and MJ. She's popularized feminine dancing in the industry; before that, the girls were basically cheerleading and jumping around the stage.

In terms of social media presence, I think it could be quite debatable. There are several viral Tik Tok Beyoncé trends going on at the moment. There's a "Lose My Breath" trend (the song came out 20 years ago), there's a "Diva" trend (the song came out 16 years ago), there's a "16 Carriages" trend, and a trend for Trump's "Dance Party with Beyoncé," to name a few. Also, everything she does or doesn't do makes headlines or is heavily discussed in online spaces. For example, her wearing a silver dress with 613 color hair, making her "look white," made rounds for weeks online. Her playing her film in Is**** made a ton of online discussion, while Taylor has also played hers there, and I've barely seen mentions of it online (both of them had nothing to do with it and couldn't stop it, imo; they signed their contract with the distributor months before Oct. 7 happened). People called Beyoncé "genocide Barbie" for being present at the Kamala rally and said that she "made" Kelly Rowland wear an oversized suit so she'd look better even though Kelly has worn those suits for a long time AND she always looks incredible in them. Don't get me started on the whole Tik Tok conspiracies and "she knows" thing. Even the false rumors of her making an appearance at the DNC have made it to mainstream news channels. There's also a phrase "The Beyoncé of..." that exists. Undoubtedly, Taylor has an immense media presence, but unfortunately, it's mostly her being at Trav's games, pap walks, or someone making up baseless rumors about her that no one outside of the Swiftie circles and pop culture nerds care about. I don't think anything outside of her excessive jet usage or new album variants makes noise outside of those circles except when the new material comes out and then it's 2 weeks of deciphering the songs. I think Taylor needs this kind of media presence to thrive, while Beyoncé does not. Taylor is a very talented writer, which has gotten her such a big following, but at the same time, it's her marketing that has gotten us to this Taylormania point. She's actively cultivated a quite parasocial relationship between herself and the Swifties by inviting them to her house, saying that she needs them to feel good about herself (I'm paraphrasing), and leaving easter eggs about her relationships and personal life in her music and music videos. She hasn't established any boundaries with her own fanbase, and that's why it's starting to feel cult-like at times. While Beyhives were and still can be quite insufferable at times, she knew when to pull back and cut the majority of the toxicity from her fandom so it doesn't impact her own life. Also, it's worth noting that the main drive of Taylor's popularity is her relatability. Beyoncé's brand has never been about relatability; in fact, it's always been the opposite, and I don't know why people are complaining about it: she's always said that she comes from an affluent family and went to private school. Because of the current state of Taylor's fame, I'm going 50/50 on this one.

Then there's the cultural importance part. I think Beyoncé's also ahead of Taylor here. Beyoncé's music has always been political, and she's made a pivot into teaching her listeners about Black history. There are multiple college courses about her artistry and image. She's also the reason why music is now being released on Fridays. She's created that silver craze last year with her tour; this year it has been cowboy attire. Black country artists are finally getting a platform: Shaboozey's song is now the longest-running Billboard Hot 100 solo #1 song of all time, and Linda Martell (a Black country artist from the 60s) just got her first Grammy nomination, and it's in a rap category (I mean, c'mon). She's at a point in her career where she is honoring her heritage and giving platforms to Black artists in predominantly white spaces (house, country, and I'm assuming Act III is going to be some sort of rock fusion). Also, to put things into perspective, at 34 years old, Beyoncé gave us Lemonade while Taylor gave us TTPD. Both of them have been recording artists since they were 15-16, so I think this comparison is valid. Bey also has way more universally recognized hits than Taylor does. Although Beyoncé doesn't write her songs alone as Taylor sometimes does, she is a prolific songwriter in her own right (the topics of discussion in their music are also incredibly different). She's also an incredible producer. I've seen multiple songwriters and producers talk about her process and praise her for having an incredible ear. Listen to the instrumental version of some of her songs (I'd say that Single Ladies is one of the best and clearest examples) and compare it to the album version. Not only does she have an incredible ear for melodies, she's also been the vocal producer for every single one of her albums, including the first Destiny's Child album. Her music, music videos, live performances, presentation, vocals, musical production, fashion, incorporation of Black culture, hair and make-up choices, and live performance arrangements (Homecoming had like 20-30 samples) are what her cultural importance is. There are generations of pop stars that took notes from her, and there will be generations of pop stars that will reference those who were inspired by Beyoncé after she retires, and that's what makes her a truly important and impactful icon that she already is.

If Billboard has any integrity left, Beyoncé should be an indisputable #1 pick. Taylor being at #2 is also higher than I would expect. I'd place her in the Top 5 for sure, but #2 seems very generous.

thank you for writing this up!