Ah, August. Summer photo dumps flooded Instagram feeds, back-to-school shoppers overcrowded Targets, and #Bamarush trended away on TikTok. Meanwhile, according to our anonymous shopping data, Refinery29 readers felt the fall vibes, too. Shoppers mourned the inevitable end of summer fun with executive office chairs, chunky loafers, serums to replenish sun-soaked skin, and all kinds of autumn essentials.
But our shopping data also showed the duality of August. Just as we got ready for fall, we also embraced the final days of summer: Aromatic bug sprays, cushy Teva sandals, crochet bikini tops, and linen summer dresses also made the list. Scroll on for fall fashion mixed with summery footwear, office furniture paired with warm-weather bedding, and more yin-yang product pairings that only a month as off-putting as August could muster.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
COSRX Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence
This escargot essence was number one seller in last month’s MVP round-up and the apple of our fashion writer’s eye. Apparently, she pats the “liquid gold” on her face both day and night to achieve the “natural, healthy glow” we all know her for.
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CosRx Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence, $, available at Amazon
Corrigan Studio Harkness Faux Leather Executive Chair
We declared this chair your best option for “executive-level ergonomics” in August. Its cushy padding, adjustable seat back, and curved design make for a supportive lumbar oasis. And a heads up: It’s currently on super sale for Labor Day.
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Corrigan Studio Harkness Faux Leather Executive Chair, $, available at Wayfair
KITTYOUTH Baroque Pearl Drop Earrings 18K Gold
Our VP of commerce and partnership can’t stop getting complimented when she wears these affordable earrings — so she made them one of her July MVPs. According to her, their biggest selling point is versatility their versatility; they can be dressed up for a night out or dressed down with jeans and a t-shirt.
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KITTYOUTH Baroque Pearl Drop Earrings 18K Gold, $, available at Amazon
Dyson Airwrap multi-styler Complete Long
Get this: the Dyson Airwrap was JUST restocked on the last day of the month, and we have a feeling it would’ve flown off the shelves all August long if not for the lack of inventory. You’ve read the articles, seen the TikToks, and typed “Is Dyson Airwrap worth the hype” into your search engine on three different occasions — this is your sign to add it to your cart.
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Dyson Airwrap multi-styler Complete Long, $, available at Dyson
Torrid Crochet High Neck Swim Top
Summer’s on it’s way out, but that doesn’t mean you have to stash away all of your best bikinis. Torrid’s wire-free , full-coverage crochet top works well both in water and on land depending on how you style it. The apporach of fall couldn’t stop Refinery29 readers from adding plenty of them to their carts. And while that exact style is sold out, Torrid still has a few bikini tops on sale that can do double-duty.
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Torrid Wireless High Neck Crochet Bikini Top, $, available at Torrid
Lululemon City Adventurer Backpack Nano
If there’s one item on this list capable of putting a smile on someone’s face, it’s this nano backpack. While the brand didn’t intend it for pups, TikTok had other ideas, and our beauty writer immediately scooped one up for her beloved fur baby Miso. Nab one for your pooch and you’ll never catch an accidental poop bag in your purse ever again.
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Lululemon City Adventurer Backpack Nano, $, available at Lululemon
LELO ORA 3
There’s only so many jokes we can make about “good vibes” when it comes to, well, good vibes. But looking at how many readers shopped Lelo’s intelligent, oral-imitating toy last month, we think the brand actually has the best vibes. Truthfully, this might be the ORA’s second or third time in a Most Wanted roundup. Evidently the “never-ending stream of tongue-licking fun,” is 100% worth the money.
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LELO ORA™ 3, $, available at LELO
Interior Define Asher Daybed
In our popular couch and sofa round-up, we took the risk of adding a daybed section. While we questioned, “Are they couches? Are the beds?” and compared the furniture to fusion restaurants, readers scooped up more than a few Interior Define Asher daybeds without batting an eyelash. It features 135 colorway possibilities, a sleek design, and classic daybed versatility.
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Interior Define Asher Daybed, $, available at Interior Define
Reformation Adriel Linen Dress
If Reformation knows how to do one thing, it’s provide chic, quality dresses to the masses. The retailer’s sale section was the place to be in August and still has plenty of up-to-70%-off gems floating around its site. Case in point, this lightweight 100% linen midi that’s $100 off.
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Reformation Adriel Linen Dress, $, available at Reformation
Free People Vintage Summer Midi Dress
Sometimes our readers make us wonder if linen is the only fabric worth buying — from duvet covers to flouncy Free People dresses, the soft, breezy material has no shortage of fans.
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Endless Summer | Free People Vintage Summer Midi Dress, $, available at Free People
Madewell The Corinne Lugsole Loafer
The crunchy, leaf-laden streets of autumn call for hardy footwear. Some bust out the combat boots, but plenty of Refinery29 readers opt for a classic chunky penny loafer look. Madewell’s leather Lugsoles made it into plenty of August shopping carts — most likely in preparation for all kinds of fancy fall ‘fits we just can’t wait to flaunt.
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Madewell The Corinne Lugsole Loafer, $, available at Madewell
Kinfield Golden Hour DEET-Free Repellent
Also appearing in the July Most Wanted list, Kinfield’s Instagram-famous insect repellant was a top seller this month. If you’d like to stay bug-free for all the upcoming outdoorsy fall activities — bonfires, camping trips, hikes, and more — then score yourself an aromatic bottle or two.
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Kinfield Golden Hour DEET-Free Repellent, $, available at Credo
Quince European Linen Duvet Cover Set
You’d think that with hot weather simmering down, linen sales would drop — alas, never doubt a flax fanatic’s devotion to the temperature-regulating fabric. Quince’s European Linen Duvet Cover Set made its way back into the limelight these past thirty days. It’s understandable: 100% European flax, 14 dreamy colorways, and an under-$200 price tag can’t be beat.
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Quince European Linen Duvet Cover Set, $, available at Quince
Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Essence (5 fl. oz.)
Dermstore’s anniversary sale hit the web in August, and although the deals are no longer, we must applaud the French beauty brand Caudalie for being a hands-down reader fav. Its essence uses organic grape water, glycolic acid, and white peony to reveal a dewy, bright, and even complexion.
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Caudalie Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Essence, $, available at DermStore
Eloquii Printed Wide Leg Pant
We couldn’t publish our plus-size fashion retailers that do it right round up without including the trendy brand Eloquii. For folks who curate a bold, colorful wardrobe that never verges into tacky territory, Eloquii’s inventory should be your shopping oasis. These graphic-printed pants are exactly what we love about the brand and come fully equipped with an elastic waistband, some on-seam pockets, and a high-rise design.
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Eloquii Printed Wide Leg Pant, $, available at Eloquii
CND Nail & Cuticle Conditioner
Whether you love a TikTok trend or think “slugging” is just the yassification of moisturizing, you can’t go wrong with conditioning your cuticles. Slug your fingers with this oil and unbreakable nail beds await.
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CND Nail & Cuticle Conditioner, $, available at Walmart
Dame Arc
Dame’s top-rated G-spot vibe sold out quickly after being released in 2020, and ever since, it’s been in and out of stock. We always keep an eye on Dame’s inventory and, to our surprise, the Arc returned to the party in August. You can still score it now in this fruity colorway Berry — prepare for easy handling, powerful vibrations, and some serious customer satisfaction.
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Dame Products Arc, $, available at Dame Products
Anima Mundi Tarot Deck by Megan Wyreweden
When our deals writer isn’t covering the internet’s best discounts, they’re the shopping team’s most reliable source for all things tarot. In August, they rounded up eight decks that actually make it into the hands of the professionals — like this cryptic, picturesque pack from The Creeping Moon.
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TheCreepingMoon Anima Mundi, $, available at Etsy
Teva Voya Infinity
Our beauty writer was twinfluenced by her fashionable sister in July and copped a pair of Teva’s Voya Infinities. Karina recommends you “run, don’t walk” to buy them not only because of the $30 price tag but also because the kicks are comfortable enough for a casual sprint.
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Teva Voya Infinity, $, available at Teva
Queen St. Bakery Superfood Bagels (Box Of 5 Bags)
Our lifestyle writer (aka yours truly) hesitantly tasted her first-ever healthy bagel in August. Despite pledging my loyalty to Whole Foods everything bagels, I found Queen St. Bakery’s goods to be…. actually good? I wrote: “The flavor was spot on and had an organic (not artificial) sweetness that harmonized with the earthy grains.”
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Queen St. Bakery Superfood Bagels – Box of 5 Bags, $, available at Queen St. Bakery
ZEVO Electric Flying Insect Trap Starter Kit
First comes pretty plants, then comes the not-so-pretty fruit flies. Our VP of commerce and partnerships freed her indoor garden from the shackles of those buzzy insects with a blue light insect trap. According to her, “The blue light attracts the little buggies [who then]stick to the adhesive which slides out for easy disposal.”
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ZEVO Electric Flying Insect Trap Starter Kit, $, available at Amazon
True & Co. True Body V-Neck Bralette
One wire-free wear from True & Co.’s bralette is all it took to make our deals writer (and their back) absolutely swoon over the brand. Even though the lingerie retailer’s inventory only goes up to a 42DDD/F, this “ultra-buttery, soft soft” bra handled their 38H breasts with grace and they totally recommend it.
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True & Co True Body V-Neck Bralette, $, available at Nordstrom
DedCool Milk Eau de Parfum
On its site, DedCool claims to “[make]life smell really good.” Our deals writer put those claims to the test with its cozy fragrance enhancer Milk Eud De Parfum after falling in love with the brand’s laundry detergent. Wear Milk by itself or layer it over your favorite perfume to achieve a “sensual unisex scent that’s light and complex enough for all seasons” just like they did.
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DedCool Milk Eau de Parfum, $, available at Sephora
Jeffrey Campbell Bubblegum Platform Sandal
Barbie stepped up her influencer game this summer with her eponymous TikTok fashion trend Barbiecore. Our fashion writer did deep dive into the hyper-feminine bubblegum fad and unearthed this adorable pair of Jeffrey Campbell platforms. They sold like hot (pink) cakes.
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Jeffrey Campbell Bubblegum Platform Sandal, $, available at Nordstrom
DHP Cooper 3-Seat Sofa
Practical and low-priced, this 3-seat sofa continues to win the hearts of Refinery29 readers everywhere. Plop it in your small-space living room, office, or wherever you want to add some casual and cozy flair.
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DHP Cooper 3-Seat Sofa, $, available at Walmart
Exponent Beauty Starter Kit
Exponent Beauty is all about custom, refillable skincare that gives your skin exactly what it needs. Take the guessing out of buying products and assemble a unique custom serum with active ingredients. Our beauty writer did, and, after a month, her skin is looking “better than it has in a long time.“
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Exponent Beauty Starter Kit, $, available at Exponent Beauty
Marley Spoon Weekly Meal Plan
Yes, the rumors are true. After our beauty writer’s glowing review of the one and only Martha Stewart’s meal kit service Marley Spoon, the American businesswoman reposted it on her own Twitter. Flavorful tacos, yummy veggie stews, takeout-level Chinese noodles, and a Stewart shoutout? Let’s just say it was a good week for the Shopping Team.
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Marley Spoon Weekly Meal Plan (3 Meals), $, available at Marley Spoon
The Laundress Best Sellers Kit
Since The Laundress’ stain-busting products refuse to leave our bestsellers list month after month, we made the executive decision just to ask the brand what makes its products so hypnotic. After a chat with The Laundress’ brand director Hannah Yokoji, we realized the devil is in the details — specifically how much the brand educates customers on fabric care and its “‘holistic and thoughtful approach to the development of products.'” If you want to give it a try, we recommend the infamous Wash & Stain Bar or this quick and easy Best Sellers Kit.
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The Laundress Best Sellers Kit, $, available at The Laundress
Eucalypso Classic Sheet Set
Most hot sleepers get toasty under the sheets all year round, not just in the summer. If that sounds familiar, Eucalypso’s luxurious bedding keeps sweaty snoozer cool all night without skimping on softness. Just ask our deals writer: “The sheets are cooling, antibacterial, and hypoallergenic — there’s not much else we can ask for. Every night, I feel like I’m sinking into a cloud. They’re the softest, and no other sheets I’ve owned can compare — even the more expensive ones (sorry, Brooklinen).”
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Eucalypso Eucalypso Classic Sheet Set, $, available at Eucalypso Home
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