So……let’s talk about some things! 

The latest docket includes: 

• Thoughts on ‘The Substance’ 

• Signaling politics through dress

• A quick review of the book that inspired the 4B movement

So…..I finally watched ‘The Substance’. Did I get the point? 

Thoughts: 

The night of the elections I decided to take myself to see a movie to take the edge off and do a series of things that evening that would tire me out so I could wake up to the fate of this country without spending the whole night agonizing. Although like many others, I did randomly get up during the witching hour. (I guess on some level, we all knew something felt ‘off’.) I was choosing between watching a psychological thriller and…..The Substance. I couldn’t even tell you how this movie crossed my radar. I am the furthest thing from a movie buff; I have seen a whopping 3 movies thus far for the calendar year. And compared to my usual track record, I’m on a roll. But I swear I saw a TikTok video talking about this movie and like so many other voices on the internet, the creator immediately launched into a tirade about what could have made it better. I don’t know about you all, but I’m trying to spend more time finding things to like in the world these days. So, in some weird way I think I went to go see it because the bashing intrigued me. 

The internet is a harsh place. To be frank I think part of the reason for all the nostalgia online is because we didn’t spend all our time picking things apart back then and it shows. (The never-ending discourse from young people watching Sex and the City for the first time is proof that harping on every little thing is alive and well lol). That said, I saw The Substance and…..I liked it! Visually, it was shot so well. And Demi Moore surprised me with her acting. But beyond that….there were an equal amount of subtle and overt cues regarding ageism and vanity. Demi Moore goes to extreme lengths to stay beautiful and that theme is NOT subtle. But the way every man around her is decrepit AT BEST and feels so comfortable telling a truly gorgeous woman that she’s ‘lost it’ (whatever it is- the gaze of men whose skin now resembles leather I guess?) made me think a lot. It’s very obvious we live in a world where beauty is currency but the silent part of that is that [FEMALE] beauty is currency. It made me wonder….what needs to happen on a large scale for women to become as blissfully unaware of letting themselves go as men are? Money is not the answer because Demi Moore’s character was materially successful. But for the first time in her life, she wasn’t the most beautiful person in the room and her life spiraled out of control because she couldn’t handle the reality of that. It made me feel bad for any woman who saw herself in that film. If that’s you, I hope you find something you like about yourself that is not attached to a particular moment in time.

How will you dress in America in 2025 and beyond? 

Thoughts: 

So…..the presidential election happened. And even though I have several reasons to believe someone cheated, I am what I like to call an optimistic realist; what that means to me is that I have a contingency plan for my greatest dream and my worst nightmare. As of today, my worst nightmare happened. And because clothing is political if so desired (and it certainly is in this election where political merch was more important than ever), that means I want to find ways to incorporate my values into the way I look. There’s currently an amazing conversation happening on my TikTok right now about the ways we all plan to signal where we stand in a very divided country. I think most people will opt for more subtle markers and things that they can wear essentially every day which to me means accessories, makeup, jewelry, etc. Here are some of my favorite signals that folks have discussed on my socials thus far: 

-blue nails

-blue hair bows

-blue jewelry 

-blue eyewear

-man repeller chic

-embracing androgyny

-modesty, no showing excess skin 

-grunge, tomboy chic (channeling a rebellious youth for some)

-shoes that they can run/fight in (combat boots, sneakers, etc)

-enamel pins that show your beliefs (RBG pin for example)

-red lips

-hyper femininity as an act of defiance 

Personally, I will be leaning into androgyny and (surprise, said no one ever) leaning into menswear. I see these next few years with me potentially leaning into my teenage attire when my objective was to look as unapproachable as possible. I mean, the proof is in the pudding folks. I used to walk around with a sweatshirt that said ‘Please D*e’ on it. This is at the same time that half my head was shaved, I had numerous facial piercings (all since removed) and had little tolerance for foolishness. And while I have softened emotionally and aesthetically, it may be time to harness that energy again. 

This book laid the groundwork for the 4B movement in Korea and you can read it in one afternoon

Thoughts: 

I finally got around to reading the book that inspired an entire feminist movement in Korea and I was surprised at how short it was. This isn’t a bad thing….I just assumed that a book that moves people to action and seems politically charged would be….unnecessarily long. But that was not the case with ‘Kim Ji-young, Born 1982’, a novel by Cho Nam-ju. The author took only 2 months to write it, stating that she saw so many parallels between the main character and her own life that it didn’t take much effort to cobble together the story. The book shines a light on the main character’s life from birth to the birth of her own child and her quick descent into depression and psychosis. From birth, Kim Ji-young has always had to make sacrifices for the men in her life, whether they be platonic or romantic. 

What is most powerful to me about the book is that there is no definitive, life defining moment where something horrible happens to make Kim Ji-young what she is. The book just takes you along for all of the subtle, everyday ways that women lose their own agency and how every moment is predicated on the idea that you will one day end up in the preordained boxes that have been made for someone like you for generations. The subtleties, the ‘million tiny paper cuts’ of life as a woman are what gets to you. It was an enlightening read…..and it doesn’t require a big lift to read it either. Maybe you’ll check it out some day.

As someone who appreciates independent creators, I would love to support their content while still maintaining my expenses but understand that a monthly fee isn’t always feasible. If you're in a similar position, please consider making a one-time donation (via PayPal) to help sustain my writing journey.

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Some of the links in this newsletter may be affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I personally believe will add value to my subscribers. Your support helps keep this newsletter running and allows me to continue providing valuable content. Thank you for your support!

-xoxo Jenn 

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So……let’s talk about some things! 

The latest docket includes: 

• Long live the one-piece swimsuit 

• The absolute chicness of solo travel

• Devil Wears Prada redux 

• A book that makes baby fever sound like a personal prison 

  High summer is here and the one-piece is as chic as ever

  

• Thoughts: 

  Get thee to a pool! Maybe it’s me, but this summer feels more scorching than the last. If there is any perk to living in Atlanta (for now), it’s that it’s a given that someone, somewhere will have access to a pool. Now the question is, what to wear? I will proudly stand on my soapbox and say I have never abandoned the one-piece bathing suit. I think the last ~20 years have been dominated by the teeny weeny string bikini (thanks, Brazil!) and one-piece suits got demoted and only reserved for more matronly looks or just for straight-up competitive swimmers. In the last few years, I’ve seen the industry show more love to the one-piece and apparently Vogue and I both agree- the one-piece is back!

  

  And in the world of indie designers such as Janel Livingstone, who recently launched her latest collection with some refreshing iterations of the one-piece (see above image), the silhouette is fresher than ever.  Her latest collection, ‘Into the Bloom’ features artful cutout bathing suits in feminine and flirty prints with a distinct edge as evidenced by her signature hardware that can be found on her pieces. The one-piece is also decidedly easier to style for a poolside to curbside transition, unlike bikinis which are harder to pull off unless you plan to wear a cover-up. How does Janel recommend styling your one-piece? “ [My] one-pieces are cut high-leg, so they would look great with low-rise cotton pants for a day at the pool. They can also be dressed up with a mini skirt and styled as a bodysuit to go from the pool to dinner.”

  The Devil Wears Prada is rumored to have a sequel- do we really need it? 

Thoughts: 

Almost 20 years after its release in 2006, fashionphiles let out a collective squeal when the news broke that the (officially) iconic film starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway was greenlit for a sequel. And while I think the original movie was executed flawlessly, I have some reluctance about a revival. Mainly, the world is so different now than it was in the early 2000s and publishing just ain’t what it used to be. In modern day, publishing titans like Conde Nast are more synonymous with paying a pittance than the lavish parties and perks depicted in the film. We also are 20 years removed from the ideologies we had back then and I don’t think most of us would let certain jokes fly today.

Emily Blunt’s special diet of stomach flus and cubed cheese would probably elicit more eyerolls than chuckles in the 2020s.

(photo courtesy of Business Insider)

Furthermore, the veil has been pulled back on the fashion industry so much that to only show bourgeois vignettes for 90 minutes on screen feels disingenuous. And despite knowing all that, I think the only thing worse would be to see the industry as it is for 90 minutes….nepo babies and poor hopefuls working side by side, struggling to get advertising dollars for every issue, putting every piece of digital content behind a paywall to recoup lost revenue….doesn’t sound too fun, huh? 

Take that swimsuit and travel around the world with it- by yourself if you must 

Thoughts: 

One of my favorite musicians is Bobby Caldwell and in one of his most popular songs, “Open Your Eyes”, he sings- “I take my chances before they pass me by”. I think the same can be said for traveling solo. I’ve been toying with the idea of taking trips as a party of 1 for some time now. I usually travel alone in the sense that I will hop on a plane/train/jitney by myself, but I’ve never done that and not met up with the rest of my party once I’ve reached my destination. I just think there’s something SO chic about a woman traveling solo. I envision some well dressed woman of the world, sitting in a quaint little bistro with an espresso and a contented look on her face. Maybe that’s too idyllic? Possibly. But let a girl dream. And speaking of dreams, let’s play pretend and pack a weekender bag for the quick solo trip to Charleston I may or may not be taking in my future….. 

These long denim shorts from Madewell are so versatile. You can wear them to the beach over your one-piece (see article point 1) with flip flops. Then head back to the hotel suite and throw on a more tailored shirt or shacket with a dressy sandal or flat and head out to dinner.

These thong sandals have a barely there platform which makes these a bit more elevated than a typical sandal but they don’t skimp out on the same comfort. Wear these in the daytime with literally anything, then at night with a more elevated trouser, skirt or dress. Personally? For night, I’d wear these with a button up blouse buttoned very low and a high-slit midi skirt.

This checkered print bag from Home of Hai is just quirky enough to jazz up any casual outfit (and I’m very casual these days). And again, this bag is perfect for a day to night situation which means more room in your weekender bag for other things.

The mortality rate of ‘baby fever’ sounds quite high

Thoughts: 

On a trip to Barnes and Noble a few weeks ago, I picked up a very intriguing book called ‘Motherhood’ by Sheila Heti. The book is written in an incredibly personal way that feels like you're eavesdropping on someone’s late night pre-midlife spiral; in this case, with the nonstop wrestling between the decision to have or not have children. The main character is in her late-30s, lives in Toronto with her lawyer boyfriend (who has voiced his indifference to ever having more kids multiple times) and like many life-altering ideas, the urge came very slowly and then all at once. Her thoughts are absolutely consumed with the pros and cons of being a mother and it really illustrates how much of an impossible decision it is.

In full transparency, I’m a woman who has chosen to be childfree (pretty sure it’s for life but I don’t speak in absolutes). A good deal of these urges that our main character feels do not strike a chord in me. I respect what a monumental decision it is for anyone to answer the call of parenthood, if it happens to dial your line. That just hasn’t happened for me. I’ve been a maternal figure in other ways (a cat mom, a mentor, a trusted adult) but the very literal interpretation of being a mother has never felt right for me. That said, one should not live in an echo chamber and it’s important to see perspectives different from your own. I don’t have to see myself in a person to see the validity in their choices.

A lot of the book is spent breaking down all the forces, internal and external, that push women towards being mothers. At times, our author legitimately wonders about so many things like, “is this desire even my own or is it the result of conditioning? Is my desire to be a mother my own selfish need to resolve the relationship I had with my own mom through a child?” For every good reason to bring a child into the world, there is an equally valid reason not to. So many parts of this book sound absolutely maddening and the uncertainty of it all is perhaps just a bit too much for me. Sending a virtual hug to everyone going through this because it sounds exhausting. 

As someone who appreciates independent creators, I would love to support their content while still maintaining my expenses but understand that a monthly fee isn’t always feasible. If you're in a similar position, please consider making a one-time donation (via PayPal) to help sustain my writing journey.

One Time Donation of Support

Enjoying the Thoughtful Threads newsletter? Please consider the following:

• Giving this post a 💜 and sharing it with any other aesthetic over-thinkers you know!

• Joining the party over on TikTok and Instagram (a work in progress but we’ll get there!)

• Joining this community as a paid subscriber which helps support my work for less than a large coffee

• Sharing any interesting info/topics of interest/pictures of your furbabies to spacedoutjenn@gmail.com

Disclaimer

Some of the links in this newsletter may be affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I personally believe will add value to my subscribers. Your support helps keep this newsletter running and allows me to continue providing valuable content. Thank you for your support!

-xoxo Jenn