It’s been another weird week in retail.
Women can now pick out eyewear and jewelry at the same time thanks to Asos’ release of a pair of sunglasses that double as hoop earrings. Meanwhile, Mattel knocked the competition out of the ring with WWE dolls for girls and apparently brands are tapping four-legged friends as Instagram influencers.
This, and more, in this week’s Retail Therapy.
Girls just wanna have... sunglasses that double as earrings
From “doggles,” which somehow managed to garner $3 million in sales, to the auctioning off of Mad Men character Roger Sterling’s Ray-Ban’s, sunglasses have caught the eyes of consumers everywhere. But now, Asos is on a mission to make sure that they catch their ears too.
In a strange move that we can only assume is being marketed toward fashion-conscious Matrix fans, Asos is selling a pair of dark-tinted, round sunglasses that double as hoop earrings, Teen Vogue reports. Not sure how that works? Neither are we, but rest assured the “ASOS Round Sunglasses with Hoop Earrings” come with “fine chains,” “adjustable silicone nose pads for added comfort” and UV protection that is just “good.”
After all, who needs UV protection when you can have flimsy chains with hoop earrings at the end?
There must be a larger market than we thought for time-conscious consumers who want jewelry and eyewear to come as one $26, Keanu Reeves-approved set. To sport a look that would rival even Morpheus, pair these rays of sunshine with a floor-length black trenchcoat and some medicine tablets.
Now might be a good time to swallow that blue pill because I’m not sure any of us want to find out how deep this fashion faux pas goes...
Mattel fights back against Barbie stereotypes
Barbie has had a lot of makeovers over the years. From AI barbie, who was programmed to carry on conversations with the kids who played with her, to man bun Ken, who was much less well-received (to say the least), Mattel is constantly innovating — and this time the unusual line-up is a knockout.
In what is most likely an attempt to shed criticism that Barbie gives young girls unrealistic expectations and a bad body image, Mattel is releasing a line of “WWE Superstars 12 inch Action Figures,” Fortune reports. The dolls, which are available for pre-order now at Toys “R” Us, are a refreshing change from Mattel’s usual selection (think $204 Barbie Malibu Play Kit) and seem geared toward parents who may be more likely to punch Barbie in the face than buy her for their kids.
While there were a few Twitter naysayers, the majority of internet commenters seemed excited about the stronger female collection and for good reason — it’s hard to imagine what “Hello Barbie” would even say to a girl aspiring to be a WWE fighter.
Although these superstars can’t talk, they do have tricks of their own hiding up their weighted champion’s belts. Described as “fiercely fashionable inside and outside of the ring,” the dolls are designed “to allow girls to re-create the in-ring action,” Mattel’s Lori Pantel told Fortune.
If I was Barbie, I’d kick off my pageant-ready heels and make a run for it — these new dolls know how to fight like a girl.
Meet the NEW #WWESuperstars dolls coming to the ring this fall! Pre-order yours on 7/24 at @ToysRUs. https://t.co/1CBUSSvtqv #Mattel pic.twitter.com/MpLEWCjWmY
— Mattel (@Mattel) July 20, 2017
Can you guys pleeeeeeease also make one of @RealPaigeWWE! She's really awesome too!
— Maria (@MariaKaulitzBVB) July 21, 2017
Where's @AlexaBliss_WWE ? My daughter's favorite
— BigPinch22 (@BigPinch22) July 22, 2017
Please tell me these will be available internationally
— Marissa (@MarissadvZ) July 21, 2017
Beauty brands throw Instagrammers a bone
If dogs are a man’s best friend, then man better start shopping around because beauty brands are on the brink of stealing that coveted title.
In an attempt to stand up against animal testing — and gain Instagram followers and loyal customers in the process — beauty brands have begun paying famous pet influencers to help spread their message, Business Insider reports. That’s right — turns out people would rather hear a brand’s message through a photogenic animal than from an actual human being.
Sure, brand ambassadors are important for any company hoping to make it in today’s competitive retail landscape, but until recently that didn’t conjure up images of lovable pups sporting adorable looks and powerful brand messages.
How well will it work? That remains to be seen, but if a brand’s success was measured in how many “aww”s each Instagram post received, the beauty sector would be leagues ahead.
Apparel that grows as your kid’s embarrassment does
If you’ve ever looked back nostalgically on the clothing trends of the early 2000’s — platform flip-flops, halter tops and backward hats that defined a fashion era — and felt the need to impose those torturous fashion trends on another, Petit Pli’s got the perfect product for you.
In what probably started off as a good idea, Petit Pli created expandable children’s clothing that looks an awful lot like the Bubble Shirts we all had at the turn of the century, Fast Company reports. The clothing, which is built to expand with children as they grow (up to six sizes), is meant to help reduce costs for parents.
It has the added benefit of allowing parents everywhere to vicariously relive the 2000’s era without feeling the embarrassment themselves. Sorry kids.
We made the Bubble Shirt mistake once, America. Let’s not make it again.