Style

WEEKEND READING LIST: 4.24.26

04.24

1. FASHION

This has been such an interesting shift to see play out, fashion is suddenly embracing older women in a way it never really has before! We’re talking 50-, 60-, even 70-year-old women on major runways and magazine covers (including a Vogue cover featuring two very famous 76-year-olds… Meryl Streep and Anna Wintour). On one hand, it’s great to see more realistic representation of age, especially in an industry that’s historically obsessed with youth. On the other, there’s also a very practical reason behind it we shouldn’t ignore – women over 50 hold a huge amount of spending power, and brands are finally starting to acknowledge that! I also find it interesting that this version of “age inclusivity” is being embraced faster than things like size inclusivity, which require more structural change within the fashion industry. Progress, not perfection!

2. FINANCE

This breakdown of The Devil Wears Prada prices then (2006) vs. now is quite eye-opening! A Prada tote that cost around $1,400 when the first film came out would run you over $5,000 today, a simple Starbucks latte has more than doubled, and even something as random as Jarlsberg cheese has basically been hit by shrinkflation! But what really caught my attention is how uneven the inflation feels — luxury has gotten dramatically more expensive, while salaries (like Andy’s assistant salary for example) haven’t kept pace in the same way. The one bright spot? Vintage. A lot of the pieces from the movie can actually be found on resale for a fraction of the original price! That blue Marc Jacobs bag that retailed for $1,900 in 2006 can now be snagged for under $150.

3. TECHNOLOGY

This was a really interesting (and slightly unsettling) take on AI use at work – not because it’s making us less smart, but because it might be quietly chipping away at our confidence! A study found that people who rely heavily on AI and just accept its answers as-is are more likely to feel like the tool is “doing the thinking” for them… and over time, that actually makes them trust their own judgment less. But the flip side is more reassuring: people who treat AI more like a collaborator (editing, pushing back, questioning it) actually feel more confident in their ideas! I thought the comparison to exercise was spot on — sometimes it’s worth doing the “harder” version of a task just to keep that mental muscle strong!

4. FOOD

I loved this story because it’s such a good reminder that sometimes the best brand pivots happen completely by accident! Melissa Ben-Ishay built Baked by Melissa on those iconic bite-sized cupcakes, but during the pandemic she started casually posting what she was cooking at home on TikTok and somehow her chopped salads went even more viral than her desserts! Like, 20 million views overnight viral! The key? She didn’t overthink it; she just kept showing up, filming scrappy videos in her kitchen (iPhone propped up on a glass of water), and leaning into what people were clearly responding to. Now she’s turned that into a full cookbook, and it feels very reflective of how people actually want to eat right now – simple, healthy-ish, but still fun. Also, I can’t stop thinking about her whole “chop everything into a salad” approach… it weirdly makes everything sound better??

5. INDUSTRY

This isn’t something you hear about often in the fashion industry, but some retailers are intentionally opting out of e-commerce altogether and focusing solely on in-store shopping! At first it feels a little counterintuitive, but the reasoning actually tracks: selling online is expensive to maintain (shipping, returns, constant marketing), and it often dilutes what makes a brand feel distinct in the first place! These smaller boutiques are leaning into the exact opposite – creating a more personal, curated experience that keeps people coming back. For some brands, the goal isn’t to be everywhere, it’s to be indispensable somewhere. In a world where everything is available instantly, there’s something compelling about a store you actually have to visit!

6. NYC

Is the city that never sleeps becoming a “6pm city?” Apparently, earlier dinner reservations are now the norm – like, 6pm is officially the most popular time – and people are structuring nights out very differently! It’s less about “let’s see where the night takes us” and more about “let’s have a great dinner and still feel like a functioning human tomorrow.” And as someone who lives here now, I totally get it! There’s definitely an emphasis on protecting your energy (and your next morning), especially during the workweek. A 6:15 reservation, a good meal, and being home by 10… I’m fully on board. That said, I do think something gets lost when everything is so planned. Those random, slightly chaotic NYC nights are also part of the magic!

+ WHAT I’M EYEING

CHIC SPRING LOOK

SUEDE COAT // CARDIGAN // JEANS // EARRINGS // FLATS // SUNGLASSES // BAG

SUMMER WEEKEND LOOK

STRIPED TOP // STRIPED SHORTS // SUNGLASSES // BAG // SANDALS // EARRINGS // BRACELET

+ END OF WEEK EXTRAS

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