Author: openjargon

• Day Job is the creative agency behind brands including buzzy tech industry podcast TBPN.
• Known for its CPG clients like Recess, Day Job is working with tech brands to make them less boring.
• Cofounder Rion Harmon spoke about how Day Job approaches its work and why AI needs a rebrand.

How can a new media company make a big splash in the tech world?

One answer: call Day Job, a Los Angeles-headquartered creative agency.

That's what the hosts of the "Technology Business Programming Network" — better known as TBPN — did when they wanted help nailing the podcast's branding and style.

Day Job cofounder Rion Harmon described the vision: a "cacophony of logos" slapped all over the screen (a nod to Formula 1 racecars), a "country club" forest green, and a VHS visual effect.

It'd be somewhere between a news station and a sports-casting channel — hence the rebranding from the "Technology Brothers Podcast" to TBPN.

"They're doing something new," Harmon told me. "It doesn't feel like a stuffy, sort of normal sort of journalism thing. It feels more alive. It feels vibrant. We were trying to capture their energy, right? It's funny to just be overly sponsored."

TBPN has had a big year. The podcast, which launched in 2024, has become a new center stage for a rotation of headline-making Big Tech guests like Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, Palantir's Alex Karp, and Anduril's Palmer Luckey. Both The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal profiled the hosts, John Coogan and Jordi Hays, reporting that the media company expects $5 million in revenue this year.

That, in turn, has helped make Day Job a hot commodity in the tech world, as startups and VCs seek to stand out with their branding. The growing attention from Silicon Valley is paying off. Harmon said that this year, Day Job has doubled its revenue and head count.

"With Day Job, what separates them is they will make four or five different brand directions that are all viable and all justifiable in different ways," Hays said.

From CPG brands to tech startups

Founded in 2018 by Harmon and Spen Madsen, Day Job is a bootstrapped and has a team of about 20 split between LA, New York, Portland, and Europe. Since its launch, it has worked with hundreds of brands, such as Millennial-coded pastel CBD Recess drinks and the chili crisp sauce brand Fly By Jing. Harmon had also worked on Coogan's Zyn competitor, Excel.

The firm collaborates with clients on a wide range of projects, from brand ideation at the earliest stages, including coming up with a company name, to fine-tuning product and creative design or running advertising campaigns.

While Day Job's roots are in consumer packaged goods like Recess or recent viral protein bar David — which Day Job helped name and created giant billboards of cod in New York City for — more and more tech clients are flocking to the creative agency.

Patron, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on consumer startups, hired Day Job to rebrand the firm and overhaul its website. Stuut, an Andreessen Horowitz-backed AI startup, also got the Day Job treatment this fall. The agency recently worked on advertising campaigns for customer service startup Bland AI and crypto exchange Gemini, too.

"Tech is in an interesting point where brand is becoming more important to them," Harmon said. "There's so much noise. You have to figure out how to talk to your consumer in a more profound way."

Tech needs better branding

Tech brands often look and feel … the same.

"There's this addiction to homogenous design choices right now," Patron's Amber Atherton said. "Every site has the same font, every interface feels so familiar."

Making a company stand out is hard, especially for AI startups.

"AI just kind of has a branding problem," Harmon said. "The valley adopts it … but there's something sort of ominous about something coming for your job."

Day Job worked with Stuut, which uses AI to process payments, to push against that narrative and presented it as a fun tool.

"This isn't some scary tech thing," Harmon said about Stuut's branding. "It's helping you get your job done so you can go home at five to hang out with your family and can go to your kids' soccer game."

Harmon highlighted how Stuut's mascot, a cartoon inspired by vintage clock-in-clock-out machines, is shown eating invoices, and when scrolling to the bottom of the site, "gives you a little kiss."

"Storytelling is kind of everything," Atherton said. "Whether it's fundraising, or hiring, or IPOing — that is so important."

VCs need branding, too.

Atherton said she came to Day Job after hearing about their work with TBPN. The firm wanted "the most non-VC website possible," she said.

When working with clients, Day Job will act as a sort of therapist, probing founders with existential questions. For instance, when working with Patron, Atherton said Day Job asked the VC firm's founding partners to "talk about each other and why you like working with each other and what makes you a strong partnership."

Day Job's style isn't for everyone.

"You've got to be bold, a little bit, to work with them," Atherton said.

Hays compared the agency's vibe to the hip LA neighborhood of Silver Lake, adding that Day Job's aesthetic is "timeless yet internet native."

Demand for creative minds

"It's never been easier to generate creative assets," Hays said. "Anybody can go on ChatGPT or Nano Banana and say, 'Make me a website.'"

But Hays said that AI is "creating more demand than ever" for creative minds who can "think differently" and "break through the noise."

It's something Harmon is taking solace in as he looks forward to the future of creative agencies like his own.

"No AI is going to tell you to name your protein brand David," he said.

And brands are, meanwhile, learning the hard way that not all AI will help you stay relevant or in favor of consumers.

"We may become more valuable in a way because everything goes to the mean," Harmon said. "AI is good at outputting things that have already happened, but they're not good at figuring out what's next."

• Comcast wasn't a leading contender for Warner Bros. streaming and studio assets, its president said.
• The cable giant opted for a stock-heavy bid that was light on cash, Comcast's Mike Cavanagh said.
• Netflix's bid for the Warner Bros. studio and HBO Max was selected, but Paramount is fighting back.

Comcast wasn't a top contender in the Warner Bros. bidding war, company president Mike Cavanagh said.

"We didn't expect that we had a high likelihood of prevailing with a deal that made sense to us," said Cavanagh, Comcast's soon-to-be co-CEO, at a media conference hosted by UBS on Monday morning.

Cavanagh said Comcast's bid for Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming and studio assets was "light" on cash compared to bids by Netflix and Paramount Skydance, which wanted to buy the whole company, including its TV networks like CNN and TNT. Netflix's bid was chosen by Warner Bros. Discovery's board.

"We are not interested in stressing the Comcast balance sheet," Cavanagh said in reference to its bid for Warner Bros. Instead, he said Comcast's bid was equity-heavy.

Cavanagh said Comcast decided to "take a look and do the work and see where it leads. You never know." He later added that "we're better for having taken a look."

Cavanagh said he would "respect and understand the decision of the Warner Bros. board to, obviously, prefer the certainty of high levels of cash."

Though Comcast is out, the battle for WBD isn't done. Paramount on Monday launched a hostile bid for WBD.

Some media analysts, like Rich Greenfield of LightShed Partners, thought Comcast needed Warner Bros. assets more than any other suitor.

"We believe it's time for Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian Roberts to make a bold move to change the narrative around Comcast," Greenfield wrote. Otherwise, the media analyst said its streaming service Peacock would be "stranded without an obvious merger partner and at a meaningful content deficit."

• I live in picturesque Victoria, British Columbia, on the west coast of Canada.
• My hometown serves as the filming location for hundreds of Hallmark movies and TV shows.
• There are many quaint coffee shops, restaurants, and beaches that make my hometown special.

My hometown of Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is known for many things — its quaint architecture, temperate climate, stunning gardens … and serving as the backdrop for hundreds of Hallmark holiday movies.

When I moved back after years of "big-city life" in Toronto, it felt like I was living out the plot of a Hallmark movie.

Though Victoria is charming and picturesque, there's so much more to the city than what's captured for the small screen.

Fernwood Square is a popular hangout spot.

Fernwood Square is an off-the-beaten-path, cobblestone-lined town square that's become a favorite filming location for scenes with holiday markets.

When the cameras aren't rolling, locals grab coffee at Little June, enjoy a romantic night under the twinkle lights at Stage Wine Bar, or shop for dreamy vintage finds at Cream.

The charming Fernwood Inn is a popular neighborhood pub.

At the heart of Fernwood Square is the Fernwood Inn. The charming neighborhood pub serves local brews in an inviting, festive atmosphere reminiscent of a small-town inn.

Unfortunately, the kind-eyed innkeeper with a heart of gold from half the Hallmark movie plots is not included — the pub looks like an inn but doesn't have rooms for rent.

Oak Bay Village is the perfect place to live out your Hallmark fantasies.

This time of year, Oak Bay Village is set up to feel like a quaint, small town featuring artisanal shops, independent restaurants, and seasonal decorations.

The Oak Bay Beach Hotel combines Hallmark-worthy coziness with jaw-dropping views.

The luxurious spa at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel features stunning, heated mineral pools that are accessible year-round, making it the perfect escape from the stress of the holidays.

Locals love this place, too, so make sure to book your treatments in advance.

Our annual Christmas-tree festival is not to be missed.

Our local mall never looks better than when it hosts the Festival of Trees, an annual event that features dozens of beautifully decorated one-of-a-kind Christmas trees.

You can make gourmet s'mores at the Fairmont Empress hotel.

The iconic, fairy-tale-like hotel is a holiday favorite for tourists and locals alike.

The Empress is mainly known for its afternoon tea, but in the evenings, you can head to the veranda bar to roast s'mores over an open fire and sip on hot buttered rum.

My town's light displays are delightfully over-the-top.

What we often lack in (real) snow here, we make up for in holiday lights.

Every year, Butchart Gardens transforms its 55-acre display garden into a holiday wonderland full of colorful string lights.

No matter the time of year, we love whimsical small businesses and a good pun.

Tucked away in the woods is the award-winning Shirley Delicious, a popular café and brunch spot.

But if you're in the mood for seafood, head to Shuck Taylor's, another playfully named spot known for its fresh oysters and on-tap cocktails.

There's stunning Victorian architecture everywhere.

My hometown lives up to its namesake (Queen Victoria). You'll find plenty of beautifully preserved Victorian homes and businesses all over the city.

You can also visit two castles in one day.

Step back in time at Craigdarroch Castle before heading over to Hatley Castle — a popular filming location featured in the "X-Men" film series.

Victoria is home to North America’s second-oldest Chinatown.

Named a national historic site in 1995, Victoria's Chinatown is now home to a diverse collection of restaurants, artist lofts, and even the design studio of the "RuPaul's Drag Race" alum Jimbo.

Behind San Francisco's, it's considered to be the second-oldest Chinatown in North America.

It's also home to North America’s narrowest commercial street, Fan Tan Alley.

Named after the Chinese gambling game fan-tan, the alley was once notorious for its opium factories.

Now, it's home to boutiques, cafés, and record shops.

There's a thriving food scene with a diverse range of dining options.

Victoria has more restaurants per capita than any other Canadian city.

Whether you're craving Vietnamese subs, El Salvadoran street food, or ethically sourced seafood sold out of a shipping container, you'll find it all within a five-minute walk of the city center.

In addition to being a foodie's paradise, Victoria has several award-winning cocktail bars and craft breweries.

Tucked-away cafés are our specialty.

Independent coffee shop culture is big here, and residents love a good tucked-away café that most tourists can't find.

A favorite, the aptly named Hide + Seek Coffee, is in the "backyard" of a pharmacy.

We're known for our incredible beaches and stunning mountain views.

Hallmark movies are usually set in winter, but my hometown thrives in the summer.

No matter where you are, you're always within an eight- to 10-minute drive of a fantastic beach and an incredible view.

Believe it or not, there are palm trees in Victoria.

Palm trees aren't indigenous to the area, but Victoria is one of the warmest cities in Canada and one of the few spots in the country where they can grow.

You may run into a film crew or two.

It's not unusual to stumble across a movie set while going about daily errands.

Summer is peak filming season, so don't be surprised if you arrive for a beach day and see a film crew setting up a Christmas display or come across a city street flooded with fake snow.

It's moments like these that make me smile and remind me how unique it is to live here.

Peacocks roam freely about the town.

Depending on the neighborhood, it's not unusual to see a peacock walking down the street or enjoying some birdseed outside a convenience store.

All in all, there's something for everyone.

In Hallmark movies, there's always a juxtaposition between "big city" and "small town" life.

After moving back here, I have a deep appreciation for what makes Victoria unique. It's not a small town or a big city — it's something in between.

Whether you're looking to experience the charm of your favorite holiday movies, get a taste of the city's foodie culture, or enjoy a beach getaway, you can find it here. You just might need to step over some fake snow now and then.

This story was originally published in 2023 and most recently updated on December 8, 2025.

• Trump says he will sign an executive order on AI regulation this week.
• The Trump administration has been seeking to limit states' ability to regulate AI.
• That's generated significant backlash, including from fellow Republicans.

President Donald Trump is done waiting for Congress when it comes to blocking state AI regulations.

Trump said on Monday that he would sign an executive order aimed at ensuring that there's only "One Rulebook" for AI in the US, saying that the technology will be "destroyed in its infancy" if companies have to comply with different regulations across all 50 states.

"We are beating ALL COUNTRIES at this point in the race, but that won't last long if we are going to have 50 States, many of them bad actors, involved in RULES and the APPROVAL PROCESS," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "You can't expect a company to get 50 Approvals every time they want to do something. THAT WILL NEVER WORK!"

It is not yet clear what shape the executive order will take, but a draft executive order seen by Business Insider last month would have directed the Department of Justice to sue states for having "onerous" AI laws.

One thing is clear: Trump is likely to provoke backlash from members of his own party if he follows through with this, as many Republicans have been eager to protect states' rights when it comes to AI.

The fault lines on this issue became clear over the summer, when Republicans tried to enact a 10-year moratorium on state-level AI regulations via the "Big Beautiful Bill."

That provision ultimately got watered down over time before being stripped out of the bill in a 99-1 vote in the Senate in the final hours before passage.

Trump recently called for Republicans to include a version of that provision in a must-pass annual defense bill, but that didn't come to pass. On Sunday, lawmakers released the text of that bill, and it did not include the provision.

In the meantime, the Trump administration has sought other ways to prevent states from enacting AI laws. An "AI Action Plan" released by the White House in July calls for withholding federal funding from states with "burdensome" AI laws.

• Palantir CEO Alex Karp is launching a Neurodivergent Fellowship.
• The fellowship is for those who can relate to Karp's body language during a recent viral interview.
• Final interviews will be led by Karp, Palantir said, and applications for the program will open soon.

Palantir is launching a fellowship for neurodivergent individuals after a video of its CEO struggling to sit still went viral.

The software company said in a Sunday X post that it's encouraging those who can relate to Alex Karp being "unable to sit still," or who think faster than they can talk, to apply.

The final round of interviews for Palantir's Neurodivergent Fellowship would be conducted by Karp, the post added.

"The neurally divergent (like myself) will disproportionately shape America's future," Karp said in a statement posted on X by Palantir.

"We see past performative ideologies and perceive beauty in the world that still exists — which technology and art can expose."

Karp added that the large language model landscape is biased in favor of neurodivergent people.

"Palantir will bring your talents to bear on the West's most urgent problems," the statement added.

Launching the fellowship comes just days after Karp's body language during an onstage interview with The New York Times' Andrew Ross Sorkin at the DealBook Summit drew plenty of online attention.

"Every pre-school teacher in America should be required to watch this video of Alex Karp being completely unable to sit still in his chair," wrote Katherine Boyle, a general partner at a16z, in a Wednesday X post.

During the interview, Karp defended the notoriously secretive company's ethics and praised Donald Trump's immigration policies.

In his statement, Karp did not specifically mention any form of neurodiversity, but he has previously said he has dyslexia.

In an interview with Wired published last month, Karp said that "Doing what everybody else wants me to do is much harder for a dyslexic like me than a non dyslexic."

He added: "Maybe I'm not everyone's cup of tea, but I kind of like being me on most days."

Neurodiversity is a broad umbrella, including ADHD, autism, Tourette's syndrome, dyslexia, and dyspraxia.

Palantir said in its post that it would share an application link for the Neurodivergent Fellowship "soon."

• Paramount Skydance got outbid by Netflix for Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming and studio assets.
• The Netflix-Warner Bros. mega-merger is the largest in years and could upend Hollywood.
• Paramount Skydance has launched a hostile bid for the company.

Paramount Skydance isn't ready to give up the fight for Warner Bros. Discovery.

The David Ellison-run company just launched at $30 offer for all of WBD, even though Netflix agreed to buy WBD's streaming and studio assets last week.

Paramount's lawyers sent a letter saying that "WBD appears to have abandoned the semblance and reality of a fair transaction process," CNBC reported on Thursday. That was the first sign that Ellison and company would make a pitch to Netflix shareholders directly.

Warner Bros. Discovery owns the Warner Bros. film studio, HBO, HBO Max, and TV networks like CNN, TNT, and TruTV.

Paramount Skydance controls film studio Paramount Pictures, streamers Paramount+ and Pluto TV, broadcast network CBS, and cable channels like Comedy Central and MTV.

This story will be updated.

• This post originally appeared in the Business Insider Today newsletter.
• You can sign up for Business Insider's daily newsletter here.

It's the most wonderful time of the year: Wall Street prediction season.

Bank strategists are weighing in on where they see the S&P 500 landing by the end of 2026. BI's Jennifer Sor has a roundup of what the top Wall Street firms are projecting.

My colleague, Joe Ciolli, author of the fantastic First Trade newsletter, has already written extensively about these predictions. I figured it made sense to chop it up with him.

Dan: Before we get into what Wall Street is predicting for 2026, let's get into why (or why don't) these predictions matter in the first place. Do they hold real weight, or is it just another bit of speculation?

Joe: Given the wide range of outcomes, it's a highly speculative exercise. But on a directional basis, it's an important guidepost for investors. The ones that do their homework can compare the various theses and see who they align most closely with, then follow that strategist's calls all year.

Dan: It's like college football's preseason rankings. A helpful guide, but not set in stone. (Look at Penn State, which started the season ranked #2 in the country and finished 6-6. Yikes!)

With that in mind, it's also worth noting that analysts underestimated the S&P's performance over the last few years, which is perhaps why they've gotten so aggressive for 2026.

Joe: Yes, it's very possible that they're overcorrecting after undershooting the S&P 500 the last two years. Wall Street was collectively 18% off the mark in 2024, and while they've been better this year, they're still lagging by 4%. But they have been directionally correct. Ultimately, it's a better move to pick a strategist or two to follow, rather than try to obey the entire hive mind.

Strategist forecasts have been like Indiana football. Picked to finish 20th in the nation, they're now the top-ranked team in the country.

Dan: The other interesting wrinkle is the Fed. We're getting a new chair — Thanks for the memories, Jerome! — and all the potential complications that come with that.

Joe: That's absolutely a key factor, and the top wild card of 2026. There's a growing view that the new Fed chair will do Trump a solid and cut rates at will. That economic stimulus actually underpins the lofty earnings-growth forecasts most major firms have.

But, as Apollo chief economist Torsten Sløk recently highlighted, there's a risk that those assumed rate cuts cause an inflation spike. And what's the best remedy for high inflation? Rate hikes, which could throw a serious wrench into best-laid bullish plans.

Dan: Let's wrap up by throwing our hat in the prediction ring. I love a same-game parlay, so I'll offer a two-in-one pick. The S&P 500 will drop below 6,000 (about a 15% dip from current levels) before ultimately finishing the year above 7,200 (about 5% increase from where we are at). VIX traders, enjoy!

Joe: Wow! I'm going to do something no major Wall Street bank has had the guts to do yet: predict an S&P 500 decline for next year. Under my scenario (let's say 6,850, about 0.2% below current levels), investors won't get as many rate cuts as they're currently banking on, even with a new Fed chair. Like the AI trade, rate-cut expectations are priced to perfection. I think that'll be spoiled by something unforeseen.

And if I end up being wrong, this conversation never happened.

Dan: Yeah, call me Lane Kiffin because I'm already moving on to the next one.

• Uber is launching an insights platform for marketers called Uber Intelligence.
• It has partnered with LiveRamp to aggregate users' data without revealing their identities.
• Uber has said its ad business is on track to generate $1.5 billion in revenue this year.

Uber wants advertisers to level up their marketing by tapping into data on the millions of rides and deliveries its users order every day.

The ride-hailing giant is announcing the launch of a new insights platform called Uber Intelligence on Monday, the company exclusively told Business Insider.

Launched in partnership with the data-connectivity platform LiveRamp, Uber Intelligence will let advertisers securely combine their customer data with Uber's to help surface insights about their audiences, based on what they eat and where they travel.

It uses LiveRamp's clean room technology, which lets companies aggregate their data in a privacy-safe environment, without sharing or seeing each other's raw or personally identifiable customer information.

A hotel brand could use Uber Intelligence to help identify which restaurants or entertainment venues it might want to partner with for its loyalty program, for example.

Uber also hopes the platform can act as a flywheel for its broader ad business. Marketers can use the data clean room for segmentation, such as identifying customers who are heavy business travelers, then targeting them with ads on their next trip to the airport in the Uber app or on screens inside Uber cars.

"That seamlessness is why we're so excited," Edwin Wong, global head of measurement at Uber Advertising, told Business Insider in an interview. He added that the aim is for marketers to begin saying, "'Oh, I'm not just understanding Uber, I'm understanding Uber in my marketing context.'"

Uber's other route to revenue

Uber Intelligence is the latest step in the evolution of Uber's ad business. Uber officially launched its dedicated advertising division in 2022. It offers an array of ad formats in the Uber and Uber Eats apps, on in-car tablets, in emails to its users, and on car tops.

The company said in May that its ad business had reached a $1.5 billion revenue run rate — the figure it has projected to hit by the end of 2025 — which would represent a 60% increase on last year. The company doesn't break out a more specific ad-revenue figure and hasn't provided an update on the run-rate number since May.

Uber Intelligence forms part of a bespoke set of services it offers its top advertisers. Earlier this year, it launched a creative studio where brands can partner with Uber to deliver more bespoke campaigns, such as offering rides to Miami F1 Grand Prix attendees in a luxury vehicle sponsored by La Mer, packed with freebie skincare products.

Andrew Frank, analyst at the research firm Gartner, said the launch of Uber Intelligence is another signal that Uber's ad business is maturing.

"Early-stage ad businesses tend to focus exclusively on selling inventory while more mature ones focus more on delivering differentiated value through targeting and measurement solutions that help brands understand and optimize the impact of their spend," Frank told Business Insider.

Uber's unique source of "terrestrial data" put it in good standing against the likes of Amazon, Google, and other retail media networks that emphasize the value of their data-driven insights, Frank added. However, he said Uber may need to address privacy concerns related to aggregating highly sensitive data in order to maintain consumer trust and to comply with evolving global regulators as a collector of first-party data.

Vihan Sharma, chief revenue officer of LiveRamp, said its platform provides technical guarantees to ensure "zero movement of data."

"The whole objective of a clean room technology is to build trust between data owners and consumers and the advertising ecosystem," Sharma said.

• Business Insider asked three stylists which items to remove from your closet before the new year.
• Casual pieces, like light-wash denim, are falling out of favor as more refined looks take the lead.
• Neutrals are also taking a back seat to richer, more saturated colors that highlight personality.

A new year brings a new wave of trends, and it's often the perfect time to rethink what's hanging in your closet.

With certain styles fading fast and fresh ones taking their place, knowing what to retire can allow you to step confidently into 2026.

To help you navigate these ever-changing trends, Business Insider asked three professional stylists to share which items you should consider clearing from your closet before the end of the year.

Quiet luxury is cooling off as maximalism heats up.

The ultra-minimal, muted aesthetic associated with quiet luxury is losing momentum as shoppers gravitate toward outfits with more personality, Kendra Sharpe, stylist and founder of Kendra Sharpe Styling & Creative, told Business Insider.

"The time of really minimal looks is kind of out, and more maximalist is in," she said.

As a replacement, Sharpe recommends adding eye-catching textures and details, such as faux fur, sequins, sculptural jewelry, or other bold accessories to bring more interest and dimension to your outfits.

Replace your everyday workout leggings with wide-leg knit pants.

Natalie Tincher, principal stylist and founder of BU Style, said the habit of wearing workout leggings for everyday outfits is starting to fade as people seek pieces that feel both comfortable and appropriate across different settings.

"There are a lot of nice options that give you the comfort of your leggings, but also can be styled in a way that feels more respectful of all the settings that we're in," she said.

Instead, Tincher suggested choosing wide-leg or flared knit pants, which offer the same ease but look more intentional for errands, lunches, or casual workdays.

Say goodbye to your slim, tailored coats.

Both Sharpe and Tincher said the trend of overly fitted coats is behind us.

Sharpe recommends swapping straight-line, perfectly tailored blazers for oversized silhouettes. Relaxed, roomy fits, like a sized-up double-breasted jacket or an oversized, slouchy blazer feel more current, she said.

These looser shapes are also more comfortable and make layering much easier, Tincher said.

Combat boots are giving way to sleeker, more sophisticated styles.

Chunky combat boots are starting to feel heavy as footwear trends move toward sleeker, more refined silhouettes, Emmy-award-winning stylist and author of "Color Your Style" David Zyla said.

He suggested replacing them with "something more fashion forward, such as a knee-high or slouchy leather boot, that's just a little bit more elegant."

These taller, softer styles also create a slimmer finish to the leg and pair naturally with the wider pants and cleaner lines that are trending this season, he added.

Monochrome jewelry is being replaced by mixed metals.

Gone are the days of wearing all gold from your earrings to your anklets.

"What's going to be in is mixing your metals," Sharpe said, adding that wearing a blend of silver and gold jewelry can "make you feel a bit more trendy."

As a starting point, she recommends buying a piece of jewelry that's already designed with mixed metals, such as a necklace with gold and silver accents.

The pre-wrinkled look is losing popularity.

Tincher told BI that pre-wrinkled clothes are "really tricky to pull off," adding that "they can look sloppy, and many times, it's very unclear if they are purposefully wrinkled or treated."

To avoid that confusion, she recommends skipping intentionally wrinkled fabrics altogether and choosing materials that create texture in a more polished, intentional way — such as micro-pleats, which add dimension without looking disheveled.

Swap out your light-wash jeans for darker, more polished denim.

Replacing your light-wash jeans with a darker-wash pair is a simple way to elevate your look, Sharpe said, adding that darker denim is easier to dress up and down from the office to drinks with friends.

To add even more interest, she recommends adding a wide-leg pair to your rotation to keep the look current and versatile.

Give your neutrals a break and lean into saturated color.

Similar to the exit of "quiet luxury," soft, basic shades like gray and black are being replaced with brighter colors that help bring more personality to looks, Sharpe said.

Think bold, highly saturated shades, such as cobalt-blue, bright-green, and other vivid tones that instantly energize any outfit, including a classic pair of jeans and a T-shirt.

And to take it up a notch, she suggests pairing a brighter hue with a complementary color to experiment with another trend: color blocking.

Retire your micro bags in favor of roomier, more functional totes.

Zyla said the tiny bag trend is also fading as fashion shifts toward larger, bolder silhouettes.

"Oversized accessories, including larger totes and clutches, are not only on trend, but they're just really practical," he said.

• Elon Musk spent the weekend blasting the EU after regulators fined X over "deceptive" blue checkmarks.
• He boosted posts comparing the EU to authoritarian regimes and calling for exits.
• The backlash followed a $140 million penalty on X that Musk said was a form of political censorship.

Elon Musk spent the weekend bashing the EU.

The billionaire unleashed a barrage of posts on X, boosting claims that cast Brussels as censorious, corrupt, and anti-democratic — just days after the bloc fined his platform €120 million ($140 million) over the "deceptive design" of its blue checkmarks.

In one post, Musk asked followers: "How long before the EU is gone?" AbolishTheEU."

In another instance, he backed a call for binding referendums on whether countries should remain in the bloc, describing it as a "good idea."

He also reshared a meme comparing the bloc to the Nazi regime, to which he replied: "Pretty much."

Musk repeated his long-standing criticism of European regulation, sharing a video of himself describing EU headquarters as a "giant cathedral to bureaucracy" and warning that the continent is exerting a "slow strangulation by overregulation" as he said innovation suffocates under Brussels' rules.

"The EU bureaucracy is slowly smothering Europe to death," he wrote in another post.

His comments came just days after the EU fined X €120 million ($140 million) for what regulators said were "deceptive" verification features that made it hard for users to identify authentic accounts.

'"On X, anyone can pay to obtain the 'verified' status without the company meaningfully verifying who is behind the account, making it difficult for users to judge the authenticity of accounts and content they engage with," the European Commission wrote on Friday.

The penalty followed a two-year investigation under the bloc's Digital Services Act.

Musk has long accused Brussels of trying to "censor" X, and hours before the weekend barrage, he reposted US Vice President JD Vance, warning the EU to stop "attacking American companies."

The European Commission didn't immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comments.