24
July

What is Gathering? Shopping apps and sites are now a source of privacy concerns

By avi maxwel / in , , , , , , /

Meet Photo Illustrations
A laptop keyboard and Temu logo displayed on a phone screen are seen in this illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on March 27, 2023.

Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images


TORONTO (CNN/CTV) — A shopping app that didn’t exist four months ago might be changing the game of e-commerce, however, experts say it’s also raising concerns about data privacy risks.

Garnering conflicting customer reactions throughout Canada and the US, Temu has been making waves on social media platforms over the last two months. The one-stop-shopping service recently became one of North America’s most downloaded free apps on both the App Store and Google Play, thanks in part to its reputation of offering steep discounts on a vast assortment of products, along with opportunities for credit incentives through encouraging sign-up offers.

However, one cybersecurity expert warns that Temu, like any e-commerce app that doesn’t fall under Canadian data protection laws, could present a risk that more shoppers should evaluate.

“Within the last year or so there has been increasing concern about spying from foreign states,” Fred Nerenberg, a senior cybersecurity consultant at a Canadian security firm, told CTVNews. ca over the phone. “But when it comes to people’s data, you are forfeiting your personal information and your browsing habits and your interests to a company that may or may not have ties to foreign governments where that data would be subject to ownership by those foreign states,” he explained.

Temu’s parent company, PDD Holdings, is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The company has subsidiaries primarily registered in China—meaning it could be subject to regulation by Chinese authorities. This is according to a report by the US-China Economics and Security Revision Commission (USCC), which warned that the company’s Chinese ownership raises concerns about cybersecurity, data privacy, and national security concerns.

But how could online shopping present such a digital threat?

“You’re essentially at the mercy of what those companies are doing with your data,” Nerenberg explained, referring to the wide net of data collection these e-commerce services cast. “I think what they choose to do with it is sort of up in the air. It’s under a different jurisdiction.”

Nerenberg said “quite a bit of information about your clientele” can be inferred based solely on browsing habits.

Apps like Temu, he said, can collect metadata that reveals how long customers have looked at certain products and how many times they visited certain pages. This can be used to build data profiles that allow companies to precisely target people with ads that feature products they will be more inclined to purchase.

Nerenberg says the threat could apply to all e-commerce services with international distribution.

According to Forbes, Target once figured out one of its teenage customers was pregnant before her father did, based on her online browsing data.

“These companies could theoretically build those with the same profiles. So it’s no different than the companies here, but how is that information being used by foreign states?”

Temu is an off-shoot

Read more

23
July

Best ’90s Fashion Trends: Top 5 Styles According To Experts

By avi maxwel / in , , , , , /

In the fashion world, everything old is new again. That’s certainly true for the best 90s fashion trends. After all, 1990s style had big shoes to fill, especially when you think of the colorful and iconic fashions of the 1980s. (opens in a new tab)But 90s fashion is also memorable. The decade is responsible for some of the most successful supermodels. Even Taylor Swift sings about the era in her song “Willow” with the lyric — “But I come back stronger than a 90s trends.”

So what’s the most iconic fashion trend? There have been plenty of memorable fashion designers over the years, but a poll reveals one piece of clothing that’s simply unforgettable. The survey of 2,000 people in the United Kingdom names the mini skirt as the most iconic fashion trend in history. The mini skirt beat out the “little black dress” and hot pants for the crown as fashion’s greatest garment. British designer Mary Quant has been widely credited as one of the creators of the modern mini skirt of the 1960s.

When it comes to everyday fashion, the survey found that a plain t-shirt and sneakers are one of the most common combos around. The fashion styles of the 90s are more than just nostalgia for me. I got to wear most of them in both high school and college. While there were some fashion faux pasthe decade also spawned many wardrobe staples that still stand the test of time.

That’s why StudyFinds put together a list of the best ’90s fashion trends, according to ten style experts. As always, we’d like to see your own recommendations in the comments below!

The List: Best 90s Fashion Trends, According to Style Experts

1. Overalls

If you were a child in the 1970s, at some point you probably wore a colorful pair of corduroy overalls. But in the 90s, overalls got a trendy denim overhaul. From celebrities to musicians, baggy overalls became a must-have wardrobe item. glam suggests, “no denim look is more ’90s than baggy overalls. Overalls are an almost complete outfit in one piece. While overalls are assumed to be a less fashionable piece, they are easy to make fashion-forward when paired with the right accessories.”

A woman in jean overalls (Photo by Mike Von on Unsplash)

Complex calls the overall trend, “so awesome—whether you rocked it with one strap or both straps down. Also, it limit to be Guess, or else you were just playing yourself.”

The Trend Spotters adds, “to rock this look in pure 90s style, try partnering a pair of classic blue overalls with a crop top and sneakers.”

My personal pro-tip: A baby tee also works nicely under a pair of overalls.

2. Slip Dresses

A slip dress was another fashion essential. Especially when dressing up for a night out in the 90s. “Equal parts sultry and effortless with a dash of rock n’ roll energy thrown in courtesy of

Read more

21
July

Amazon Prime Day Canada: The Very Best Fashion Deals

By avi maxwel / in , , , , , /

Photography via Getty Images

From straight-leg jeans and timeless sunglasses to the perfect slip skirt and classic watch, Amazon Prime Day is the right time to restock your wardrobe with modern essentials.

We hope you had a good night’s sleep and a strong morning coffee — Amazon Prime Day is officially here and that means you have some shopping to do. From deals on everything from viral beauty products to must-have fitness gear at up to 50% off, it’s worth carving out a little online shopping time over the July 11-12 time period. And did you know that Amazon Canada has some low-key great style finds, too? We scoured the Prime Day sales to find the best Amazon Prime Canada fashion deals. Here, we round up 10 style staples — including straight-leg blue jeans and timeless aviator sunglasses that flatter everyone — you won’t regret snapping up on Amazon Prime Day 2023.

RELATED: How To Shop Amazon Prime Day 2023

The classic denim: Levi’s Wedgie Jeans

Up to 40% off

There’s a reason Levi’s Wedgie jeans are the best-selling style that fashion lovers keep coming back to — they really are that good. With a perfect straight-leg (skinny jeans, who?) made from fabric that’s just the right amount of rigid at a price point you can’t beat for quality denim, they’re a perennial fave. Amazon Prime Day is the best time to restock your denim drawer with some washes discounted up to 40%.

Buy it here: Levi’s Women’s Premium Wedgies Icon Fit Jeans

The universally flattering sunglasses: Ray-Ban Classic Aviators

Up to 35% off


You know what’s an instant mood-booster? A new pair of sunnies. The right frames have the power to transform your look — or become the signature style that you always return to. Ray-Ban’s aviators, with their flattering shape and delicate gold wire frames, can do both.

Buy it here: Ray-Ban RB3025 Classic Aviator Sunglasses, Gold/Green Polarized, 62 mm

The on-trend runner: Adidas Sambas

Up to 30% off


Don’t ask questions, don’t hesitate, just throw these of-the-moment sneakers into your Amazon Prime Day shopping cart as fast as humanly possible. The fashionista-loved shoe that was sold out for months at 30% off? Yes please!

Buy it here: Adidas Samba Classic Running Shoe

The wear-everywhere shorts: Danskin Seven-Inch Bike Shorts

Up to 25% off


Yes, black bike shorts are a modern-day wardrobe staple, as ubiquitous as a pair of jorts in the summer. Toss these ultra-soft babies on with an oversized sweatshirt, white crew socks and sporty sneakers and you’re practically Princess Diana.

Buy it here: Danskin Women’s Essentials Seven Inch Bike Short

The polished timepiece: Timex Black Leather Watch

Up to 29% off


You might already have an ultra-functional (and cute) Apple Watch, or perhaps you favor a menswear-inspired link timepiece. Consider adding a slim, elegant watch like this Timex style to your rotation. It’s seriously timeless.

Buy it here: Timex Women’s 2H341 Easy Reader With Date, Black Leather Watch

Read more

21
July

Amazon Prime Day Leads Biggest Online Shopping Days Ever, Up 6%

By avi maxwel / in , , , , , , , /

Amazons
AMZN
announced the company had its biggest Prime Day event ever, driving consumers to spend online. Prime members purchased more than 375 million items worldwide and saved more than $2.5 billion on millions of deals across Amazon’s extensive product line. “The first day of Prime Day was the largest sales day in Amazon’s history, and Prime members saved more this year than any other Prime Day event,” said Doug Herrington, CEO of Amazon Stores.

On the first day of Prime Day 2023, more deals were offered than on any other Prime Day, with home, fashion, and beauty among the top-selling deal categories. Top selling individual products including Fire TV Stick, LANEIGE
IGE
Lip Glowy Balm, Apple AirPods, and Bissell Little Green Portable Deep Cleaner.

Invitations only deals worked well

Amazon used its invite only days ahead of Prime Day to entice its Prime Members to shop early. “It is not as much of a surprise as history repeating itself. Just like we went from Black Friday sales to those sales starting on or before Thanksgiving and going for more than a week through Green Monday, we saw Prime Day become a multi-day affair this year,” said Sarah Engel, President of January Digital. She compared how the invite only deals offered prior to the start of the sale were much like the door-busters of retail’s past. Meanwhile, hundreds of promotions have continued beyond Prime Day so the event, while breaking many records, started early and is ending later.

Online purchasing across US driven by Prime Day promotion

Although Amazon did not disclose the specific revenue generated for its Prime Day event, the highly promoted event drove purchasing online throughout the US market across many retailers. Consumers spent $12.7 billion online in the US over the two day Amazon Prime Day event, setting a new record for online shopping and representing a 6.1% growth year-over-year, according to Adobe Analytics.

“You also saw larger retailers take advantage of the Prime Day halo effect to launch mid-summer savings events, many of which last longer than the official 2 days of Prime Day,” said Engel. Some examples include the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale which started its Early Access sale to coincide with Prime Day, Target Circle Week, Best Buy’s Black Friday in July and Walmart Plus Week.

The ecosystem expanded

Amazon included third party sellers on its marketplace to participate in the promotional activities in connection with Prime Day to further the spend in its own ecosystem. “Retailers have realized that the closed ecosystem nature of Amazon shopping does not open up as many opportunities for them as once

Read more

19
July

17 Lightweight Fashion Picks to Keep You Cool in the Heat

By avi maxwel / in , , , , /

Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services.

When we’re forced to go outside and leave the comfort of our air-conditioned homes in the summer, we require the right outfit to keep cool. Lightweight pieces are a must, so we decided to go on the hunt for the absolute best styles to rock on repeat.

We’re in the midst of the height of the season, which means it’s easily the hottest portion of the year. Naturally, it’s prime time to stock up on lightweight items — and we found a slew of chic picks at Nordstrom! We selected simple styles to wear year after year — keep reading and prepare to shop!

Simple Tops

1. Shoppers are obsessed with how lightweight and thin this is Madewell T-shirts is — get it for $20!

2. this EDIKTED ribbed knit tube top has slits on the sides which make it seriously breathable — it’s yours for $35!

3. We adore how loose and breezy this is off-the-shoulder Topshop top is — it’s also on sale for an unbeatable price — originally $48, now $24!

4. A boxy, cropped tee like this one from FP Movement is always a great to-go when it’s hot outside — get it for $38!

5. this NYDJ sleeveless blouse is a solid lightweight pick which you can style for the office — starting at $32!

6. Linen-blend camis like this version of Treasure & Bond are essential to ensure you don’t get overheated outside — it’s yours for $39!

Lightweight Pants

7. Linen is our go-so summer material, and you won’t find more high-quality pants that can rival this pair from Tommy Bahamas — starting at $110!

8. These Madewell linen pants are designed in a professional way, as opposed to the more casual versions we often see — get them for $88!

9. Reviewers say these breezy pants from Wit & Wisdom have a “perfect fit” that’s totally unmatched — they’re yours for $78!

10. Get your hands on a linen pant that’s dressy enough to wear out on the town by picking up this pair from Open Edit — get them for $69!

11. These linen pants from Caslon are a must-have if you’re planning a beach vacation — originally $59, now $40!

Casual Dresses

12. Billowy, boho-style sundresses like this maxi from Free People come in handy when it’s steaming outside — get it for $148!

13. this short swing dress from Faherty is made from 100% linen which will guarantee you’ll stay cool while wearing it — it’s yours for $168!

14. If you’re a fan of sporty styles, this Zella dress will be right up your alley — get it for $69!

15. With a dress as loose as this Topshop maxiyou’re donning a look which will allow ample breathability — starting at $39!

16. this dainty

Read more