The Strategist

12 Things That Delighted Us Last Week: From Baggy Shorts to Baby Tees Twelve things we wrote about last week on the Strategist that delighted us, including J.Crew swim trunks, the Jones Road miracle balm, Z-Coil sandals, and more.

Twelve things we wrote about last week on the Strategist that delighted us, including J.Crew swim trunks, the Jones Road miracle balm, Z-Coil sandals, and more.

My Hunt for a Nonplastic Swimsuit Our writer looked for the best alternatives to nylon and polyester swimsuits, from brands like Triangl, Masa, and Natasha Tonic.

Our writer looked for the best alternatives to nylon and polyester swimsuits, from brands like Triangl, Masa, and Natasha Tonic.

41 Most Giftable Coffee-Table Books The best coffee-table books to give as gifts, including coffee-table and art books about interiors, African artists, LEGOs, and the Grateful Dead.

The best coffee-table books to give as gifts, including coffee-table and art books about interiors, African artists, LEGOs, and the Grateful Dead.

A Huge List of Sales: Half-Off La Mer and an $800 Macbook Our deals writer found the best sales happening right now, including deals at J.Crew, Urban Outfitters, Best Buy, and more.

Our deals writer found the best sales happening right now, including deals at J.Crew, Urban Outfitters, Best Buy, and more.

What Strategist Readers Bought, Saved, and Read in July We rounded up what Strategist readers bought, saved, and read in July. Their favorite products include bug zappers and Clinique’s Black Honey.

We rounded up what Strategist readers bought, saved, and read in July. Their favorite products include bug zappers and Clinique’s Black Honey.

The Best Gifts for Chefs, According to Chefs and Restaurant Owners To find the best gifts for chefs, we scoured our archives and talked to many professionals about the most special stuff they own, including versatile and unexpected pantry staples, handy gadgets, beautiful serveware, and high-end gear.

To find the best gifts for chefs, we scoured our archives and talked to many professionals about the most special stuff they own, including versatile and unexpected pantry staples, handy gadgets, beautiful serveware, and high-end gear.

The 7 Very Best Electric Razors The best electric shaver is the Braun Series 9, according to the panel of experts I interviewed. I also found other foil and rotary-head picks.

The best electric shaver is the Braun Series 9, according to the panel of experts I interviewed. I also found other foil and rotary-head picks.

The Glowy Face Oil Celebrities Love Is 30 Percent Off for Strategist Readers True Botanicals’ Renew Radiance Oil is 30 percent off for Strategist readers right now. It has been recommended to us by several celebrities and rarely goes on sale.

True Botanicals’ Renew Radiance Oil is 30 percent off for Strategist readers right now. It has been recommended to us by several celebrities and rarely goes on sale.

An Editor’s Favorite Summery (and Work-Appropriate!) Top Is $40 J.Crew’s Ruffle-Trim Button-Up Top, which one of our senior editors relies on to stay cool during heat waves, is discounted by more than 50 percent.

J.Crew’s Ruffle-Trim Button-Up Top, which one of our senior editors relies on to stay cool during heat waves, is discounted by more than 50 percent.

The Strategist Haul: What the Editors Bought in July We asked Strategist editors and writers what they bought in July 2025. Their purchases include Leset’s cotton lounge pants, Wonderful Pistachios, and more.

We asked Strategist editors and writers what they bought in July 2025. Their purchases include Leset’s cotton lounge pants, Wonderful Pistachios, and more.

My Hunt for a Just-Slouchy-Enough Denim Shirt Writer Emma Urdangen set out to find the perfect oversize denim shirt after going to Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour. She tried shirts from Madewell, Buck Mason, Gap, and Abercrombie, among others.

Writer Emma Urdangen set out to find the perfect oversize denim shirt after going to Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour. She tried shirts from Madewell, Buck Mason, Gap, and Abercrombie, among others.

10 Highly Vetted Wellness Destinations Massage therapists, a photographer, business owners, and other people with good taste share their favorite wellness-focused vacation destinations.

Massage therapists, a photographer, business owners, and other people with good taste share their favorite wellness-focused vacation destinations.

New Stuff Alert: Buck Mason Bretons and Salomon Sneakers We rounded up all of the newest launches and collaborations for this week, including a Gap x Béis collab, a new K18 heat-protectant spray, Mini Rodini’s autumn collection, and more.

We rounded up all of the newest launches and collaborations for this week, including a Gap x Béis collab, a new K18 heat-protectant spray, Mini Rodini’s autumn collection, and more.

Brides, Just Buy the Pointed-Toe Slingback When a Strategist beauty writer talked to eight brides, one silhouette kept coming up: the pointed-toe slingback. Here, she makes the case for the shoe and recommends pairs at every price point from Stuart Weitzman, Manolo Blahnik, and more.

When a Strategist beauty writer talked to eight brides, one silhouette kept coming up: the pointed-toe slingback. Here, she makes the case for the shoe and recommends pairs at every price point from Stuart Weitzman, Manolo Blahnik, and more.

11 Highly Vetted Wellness Destinations Massage therapists, a photographer, business owners, and other people with good taste share their favorite wellness-focused vacation destinations.

Massage therapists, a photographer, business owners, and other people with good taste share their favorite wellness-focused vacation destinations.

I Tried 15 Quince Dresses, and This One Is My Favorite Our writer (and resident wardrobe-basics expert) Brenley Goertzen tested 15 of Quince’s best-selling dresses and went on a hunt for her ultimate summer dress.

Our writer (and resident wardrobe-basics expert) Brenley Goertzen tested 15 of Quince’s best-selling dresses and went on a hunt for her ultimate summer dress.

These $82 Catbird Gold Hoops Are on Sale for One More Day Catbird’s sale has plenty of under-$50 solid-gold jewelry on offer, including the Never-Ending Hoop Earrings.

Catbird’s sale has plenty of under-$50 solid-gold jewelry on offer, including the Never-Ending Hoop Earrings.

On My Mind: Baby Tees and Face Gems Strategist writer Kitty Guo shares everything in her Strategist Brain, from the Adrian Cashmere Genesis Top to the Violette FR Bisou Balm and the Ella Mae Perfect Tee.

Strategist writer Kitty Guo shares everything in her Strategist Brain, from the Adrian Cashmere Genesis Top to the Violette FR Bisou Balm and the Ella Mae Perfect Tee.

What Vanity Projects’ Founder Rita Pinto Buys at the Drugstore Beauty writer Tembe Denton-Hurst talked to Vanity Projects’ owner Rita Pinto about her personal favorite drugstore products, including L’Oréal moisturizer and e.l.f. brow gel.

Beauty writer Tembe Denton-Hurst talked to Vanity Projects’ owner Rita Pinto about her personal favorite drugstore products, including L’Oréal moisturizer and e.l.f. brow gel.

How to Prevent Razor and Waxing Bumps, According to Dermatologists The best products to prevent razor and waxing bumps on your bikini line (and more areas) according to dermatologist, including products from First Aid Beauty, Hanni, and Soft Services.

The best products to prevent razor and waxing bumps on your bikini line (and more areas) according to dermatologist, including products from First Aid Beauty, Hanni, and Soft Services.

A Zillennial’s Search for Giant Gen-Z Shorts Our writer chased down a friend’s query for baggy black shorts. After consulting the Strategist’s Gen-Z whisperer, they found options from Lewkin, Cotton On, and more.

Our writer chased down a friend’s query for baggy black shorts. After consulting the Strategist’s Gen-Z whisperer, they found options from Lewkin, Cotton On, and more.

13 Last-Minute Deals to Shop at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale ends this Sunday, and our deals writer found the 13 best last-minute deals to shop before they’re gone for good.

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale ends this Sunday, and our deals writer found the 13 best last-minute deals to shop before they’re gone for good.

I’m a Baggy-Shorts Convert Our writer shares her favorite baggy shorts, a denim pair from Target, that allow her to ride bikes, play with kids at the playground, and grab a spritz.

Our writer shares her favorite baggy shorts, a denim pair from Target, that allow her to ride bikes, play with kids at the playground, and grab a spritz.

The 5 Very Best Soundbars Our tech writer tested five soundbars, including options from Sonos and JBL, and spoke to two audio experts to find the best soundbars for every type of viewer.

Our tech writer tested five soundbars, including options from Sonos and JBL, and spoke to two audio experts to find the best soundbars for every type of viewer.

The $35 Beach Tote I’m Bringing to Greece Banana Republic Factory’s sale has lots of summer essentials like this woven beach tote that’s over 60 percent off.

Banana Republic Factory’s sale has lots of summer essentials like this woven beach tote that’s over 60 percent off.

The Best Beauty Sales of the Week Every week, I find the best beauty products on sale, exclusively for ‘Beauty Brief’ newsletter subscribers. This week’s best deals include a Malin+Goetz perfume for half off, Tangle Teezer brush, and Fenty Beauty.

Every week, I find the best beauty products on sale, exclusively for ‘Beauty Brief’ newsletter subscribers. This week’s best deals include a Malin+Goetz perfume for half off, Tangle Teezer brush, and Fenty Beauty.

Let’s Not Forget About the Keen Uneeks Strategist writer and former shoe designer Martha Tuber makes the case for the Keen Uneeks as the most versatile summer shoe.

Strategist writer and former shoe designer Martha Tuber makes the case for the Keen Uneeks as the most versatile summer shoe.

The Great Black Plastic Spatula Panic Last year, an Atlantic article caused mass hysteria. Months later, has a different truth emerged?

I said what I said 😤 nymag.com/strategist/a...

34 Famous People on Their Favorite T-Shirts Our junior writer explored our archives to find all the best T-shirts celebrities have recommend in our ‘What I Can’t Live Without’ column.

Our junior writer explored our archives to find all the best T-shirts celebrities have recommend in our ‘What I Can’t Live Without’ column.

I Only Need One Tool to Do All My Gardening Our writer shares her experience with a hori-hori knife. She includes styles from Home Depot, Niwaki, Bare Bones, and Hida Tool.

Our writer shares her experience with a hori-hori knife. She includes styles from Home Depot, Niwaki, Bare Bones, and Hida Tool.