clothing

eBay has made a big change to clothing listings and it’s good news for shoppers.

The major second-hand platform has said it is extending its authenticity guarantee programme.

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The programme helps verify second hand designer and branded goods, making sure they are real and match the description.

eBay currently offers the service for pricey goods like luxury watches, handbags, trainers, and jewellery.

But it is now rolling out the service for luxury clothing, shoes and accessories.

When an item from one of these categories is sold, it is sent to eBay’s UK authentication centre, where specialist check it out.

If the item passes, it’s sent on to the buyer with a tracked delivery and a unique QR-enabled authentication card. 

This is a free service, with no extra fees.

The service is automatically carried out when a buyer purchases an item from any of the categories listed above.

Products must also be over a certain price point for the service to be carried out.

You can check out the requirements below:

• Trainers from select brands listed at £100+
• Watches from select brandspriced at £1,500+
• Handbags and accessories from select luxury brands
• Jewellery from select brandspriced at £500+
• Clothing shoes and accessories from select brands priced at £200+

Kirsty Keoghan, GM European Fashion, eBay, said expanding the programme gives shoppers “confidence”.

She said: “Expanding Authenticity Guarantee to clothing gives people the confidence to buy the styles they love, from staples to statement pieces, knowing every item has been verified by experts.

“With whole-look authentication now possible, our goal is to make pre-loved fashion a natural first choice.”

The shakeup comes just days after the major selling platform said it would pay users more quickly.

Some sellers can now be paid within 24 hours, up from the previous two-day wait.

Sellers who have completed at least 10 sales totalling £150 or more in the past five years and have had no more than two unresolved cases in the preceding 12 months will be paid within 24 hours of sale.

How does eBay authenticity guarantee programme work?

If you buy a designer item such as a handbag the seller sends your item to an eBay authenticator.

It then undergoes an inspection from packaging to accessories, and against the listing description.

Once verified, your item receives a QR code-enabled card or tag containing detailed information and it’s sent to you via fast, tracked and secure delivery.

Vinted offers a similar service, but it is optional and you have to pay £10.

The items must cost more than £85 and it only applies to certain brands across clothing, bags, accessories, jewellery and shoes.

After the item is verified it is sent to the buyer within one to two business days.

Disneyland and Disney World will deny entry to visitors who don’t follow these simple rules, but don’t worry, a TikToker has listed them for you ahead of your visit.

The magic of Disney World and Disneyland is what many dream of experiencing. Known for its beloved characters and xx rides, it’s the place where dreams can come true.

Despite being a space where all visitors are welcomed to be themselves, there are a few rules to follow. If you break any of these rules, you could see yourself walking out towards the exit.

Sophie, a travel influencer with nearly 300,000 TikTok followers, warned those planning a visit to Disneyland Paris that not following the rules could result in you being “shown the exit.”.

“We all know that planning your Disney outfit is an essential part of your trip,” she explained. “They want children to believe in real Disney-trained characters… Not Susan, who’s wearing a full Elsa costume, chain-smoking outside Hyperspace Mountain.”

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The joy about visiting Disney World and Disneyland isn’t only seeing your favourite characters, but also dressing up as them. However, it seems that this is no longer allowed – unless you’re 12 or under.

Disneyland Paris states that they have “the right, at our own discretion and at any given time, to refuse a visitor to wear any type of costume.”

Secondly, Sophie said that “any clothing that drags on the ground” isn’t allowed in the park. It includes “anything with excessive fabric, like capes or long trains”. She then further explained that the reason was a safety risk on rides and impractical for walking in a crowded space.

“You have to wear proper clothing at all times – so no, you can’t walk around in a bikini top even when it’s hot. And shoes are required at all times, so please, keep your dogs under wraps.”

Looking out for the safety and positive experience of their guests, the park has also outlined that clothing is not allowed to “offend, shock or scare children and a family-oriented public.”

Last but not least, the park prohibits the entry of taboo tattoos. The official park rules from the Walt Disney World Official Rules say: “Visible tattoos that could be considered inappropriate, such as those containing objectionable language or designs, are not permitted.”

By following these five simple rules, all guests will have an unforgettable best time. But don’t worry, nothing can stop you from wearing the Mickey Mouse or Mini Mouse iconic ears.

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Netflix House will soon open its doors.

The streaming video giant on Monday announced when it will open its first shopping, dining and entertainment complexes to the public.

The Los Gatos, Calif.-based company will open its first Netflix House in the Philadelphia area on Nov. 12. The company’s Philadelphia area location is located at King of Prussia shopping center, while its second Netflix House at Galleria Dallas will open on Dec. 11. A third location in Las Vegas will open in 2027.

The more than 100,000 square-foot space will offer fan experiences, merchandise and food inspired by Netflix content, in an effort to capitalize on its popular shows, movies and franchises.

For example, fans will be able to take selfies with Queen Charlotte, see screenings of “KPop Demon Hunters” and enjoy Netflix-themed food and cocktails, the company said in a statement.

The Netflix House complexes will be free for people to enter. Some fan experiences, such as Top 9 Mini Golf and immersive VR games in the Philadelphia location, will cost money.

Netflix House is part of the company’s push to expand further into in-person entertainment. The firm hosted balls similar to those featured on Regency era romance “Bridgerton” and worked with retailers and brands to sell clothing and other merchandise inspired by “Squid Game” and “Stranger Things.”

Such experiences also serve as marketing for the shows and movies.

The streamer could eventually have 50 or 60 Netflix House locations globally, said Netflix Co-Chief Executive Ted Sarandos last year at the WSJ Tech Live conference.

Tourists visiting Paris have been urged to check their suitcases for one item of clothing after a woman was banned from entering several clubs because of what she was wearing

If you’re planning a trip to Paris this summer, you might want to double-check your luggage to make sure the clothes you’re taking adhere to a little-known rule about fashion in the French capital. The balmy summer weather we’ve been experiencing means most of us have been living in shorts, T-shirts, and sandals for the past few weeks.

Anyone heading off to parts of Europe, such as Spain, France, and Italy this summer will probably also be packing very similar clothes into their suitcases, as the warm weather is set to continue. But if your summer holiday includes Paris, one woman who recently visited the city has a stark warning about what outfits you should pack.

Laney Tucker, from the US, recently spent time in Paris with some friends, and took to Instagram after her trip to tell other women to make sure they’ve packed the right footwear in their suitcase before they fly out to the city.

She claimed she was turned away from multiple nightclubs while trying to enjoy a Parisian night out because she was wearing sandals, and the dress code for the clubs stated she needed to be wearing heels.

The woman claimed she eventually got into a club by claiming that her sandals were a designer brand, but she wished she had packed a pair of heels to save herself the hassle.

She said: “Important note to all the girlies coming to Paris: We didn’t get into a couple of clubs last night because we were wearing sandals. Almost everywhere requires heels.

“I did get us into one club by telling the bouncer my sandals were Valentino, and to be honest, I hate myself for that. Take me straight to jail.”

In the caption, she wrote: “The self-loathing I feel right now … but a girl’s gotta do what she’s gotta do to get into the club.”

Commenters on the post were split. Some people believed Laney lacked “common sense” for trying to get into a club with sandals on, while others argued that the heels-only rule is “outdated” and “nonsense”.

One French national wrote: “As a French [person], I hoped this nonsense heels in clubs [rule] was over. Seriously. Men enter clubs wearing sports gear, and we have to break our feet on the dancefloor.”

But someone else argued: “What kind of adult wears sandals to a club in Paris, or anywhere that’s not on a beach?”

Others pointed out that the rule likely doesn’t require women to wear heels, but instead simply requires all people to wear closed-toed shoes for health and safety reasons.

Dress codes in Paris

For the most part, you can wear whatever you want when travelling around the city of Paris itself. However, some evening restaurants and nightclubs have far stricter rules about what you can and can’t wear.

According to Clubbable, women should look to wear “elegant” short dresses, leather jackets and trousers, or “fashionable” jeans. Women should not wear big jumpers, trainers, sportswear, or beachwear.

Clubbable claims men should always wear a shirt on a night out in Paris, whether it’s a casual floral number or a proper dress shirt. This can be paired with casual jeans or trousers.

A travel expert has issued a warning to passengers, telling them they should “never wear” one item of clothing on a plane. However, the popular garment is not banned

Travellers have been cautioned to “never wear” a certain popular item on a plane, despite it not being prohibited. The travel tip was recently divulged by Pollyann, known as travelwithpalma to her over 11,000 Instagram followers, and many were astonished they hadn’t heard of the advice before.

In an Instagram clip, she penned: “I know – leggings feel like a second skin on a flight. But here’s why you really shouldn’t wear them on a plane.

“According to experts, in the rare event of an emergency evacuation (think: fire, sudden landing, etc), synthetic fabrics like polyester and spandex – aka what most leggings are made of – can actually melt when exposed to high heat.

“That means they could fuse to your skin, making injuries way worse. The Federal Aviation Administration and safety experts recommend wearing loose fitting natural fibres like cotton, wool or denim when flying.

“They’re more fire-resistant and safer in worst-case scenarios. So yes, wear something cosy – but make it cotton cosy, not plastic cosy – just to be safe.”

Since being posted, the video has racked up thousands of views, with numerous viewers expressing gratitude for the insight. One commented: “This is such a good tip!”

Another chimed in with: “As a former flight attendant, this precaution is very great advice!” A different voice added their perspective, noting: “It’s not just leggings. Anything with polyester contains petroleum and is considered flammable.

“So someone with synthetic trousers, shorts, dresses would be in the same situation. It has nothing to do with leggings – that’s personal preference.”

Responding to the discussion, the original poster agreed: “Yes, agreed. As stated in the caption, those fabrics in any form can cause harm. Loose fitting cotton is a safer bet.”

Unbeknownst to many, despite the comfort they offer during flights, leggings are not always recommended by aviation safety experts. The concern lies in the fact that in emergencies, such as fires, the synthetic material of leggings could melt onto the skin, exacerbating burn injuries.

However, it’s important to note that there’s no outright ban on wearing leggings on planes; rather, it’s a safety suggestion from some quarters due to the risks associated with synthetic fabrics.

Airline dress codes might restrict certain types of attire for reasons of propriety or potential offensiveness. In addition to avoiding a fashion faux pas, the Federal Aviation Administration also gives guidance on how travellers can dress smartly for their own safety whilst flying.

Their website recommends: “Passengers who wear sensible clothing can reduce their chances of serious injury in the unlikely event of an emergency.

“Dress to cover as much skin as possible. Wear clothes made of natural fabrics such as cotton, wool, denim or leather.

“Synthetics may melt when heated. Wear clothing that is roomy, avoiding restrictive clothing. Wear low-heeled, leather or canvas shoes.”

BIG names in fashion, including Boohoo and PrettyLittleThing, are making a major AI change and it could lead to surge pricing.

Debenhams Group brands are getting a tech makeover by using artificial intelligence to decide how much items will cost.

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Brands owned by the group are now letting AI set prices in real-time, reacting instantly to trends, demand and what rivals are charging.

The retail giant has teamed up with AI firm Peak to make it all happen.

They reckon this AI system will mean more targeted discounts, so you’re more likely to see deals on stuff you actually want.

It also means the brands can avoid having piles of unsold clothes hanging around.

Dan Finley, chief executive of Debenhams Group, said: “We’ve totally changed how we do pricing.”

“AI helps us make faster, smarter choices, so we can give our customers better value.”

But experts are wary, warning that shoppers could be at the mercy of surge pricing, where AI algorithms automatically raise prices during periods of high demand.

Consumer champion Martyn James warns that “corporate-speak” can obscure the real purpose of these changes.

While the company talks about “automated pricing” and targeted discounts, James points out that “there is also nothing to stop the business increasing prices on demand either.”

He fears that without proper oversight, shoppers could be vulnerable to AI-driven “surge pricing,” as has been seen with hotels and Uber.

Echoing these concerns, consumer expert Scott Dixon believes this is about protecting profits first and foremost.

He said: “The use of AI clearly benefits Debenhams as they can protect profit margins, cut waste and implement surge pricing in-line with increased demand.

“Debenhams needs to show AI is working for its customers, not just shareholders.” 

He also warns of potential price hikes during peak shopping periods like Black Friday and Christmas, stating that dynamic pricing is only fair if it works both ways.

Several retailers, including ASOS and Iconic London, are using AI to make online shopping more interactive.

One example is Nibble, an AI negotiation platform that lets shoppers haggle for discounts before adding items to their cart.

The technology enables a back-and-forth negotiation with a bot, and some users have reportedly secured discounts of up to 40% on ASOS Sample Sale purchases.

The option to negotiate only appears if it’s offered before adding an item to your cart.

In some cases, the feature is timed to pop up when a shopper hesitates over the buy button or seems ready to leave the site.