A Cold-Weather Necessity

Hi friend,

In 1984, the songs of the season were “Last Christmas” by Wham and Band Aid’s “Do They Know It's Christmas?” In 1994, we were graced with “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey.

The emotional tenor of 2024’s holiday season is a little different, though. More unhinged, more nonsense, more “just leave me alone.” Or at least, that is the musical vibe captured in a new song from Jack Antonoff’s band Bleachers, titled “Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call.” Stereogum describes the long-awaited single as, “a swirling, pulsing, downcast synthpop track about the long aftermath of some kind of bitter fallout.” 

It’s all about emotional preservation, picking and choosing your battles, and maintaining your sanity. As Antonoff says, “to anyone trying to drag you down, this is my best shot at closing the door to be more intact this xmas.”

Christmas — as in, decorations, messaging, movies, and music — is all over the place already, even though we still have Thanksgiving looming. (We just wrote last week about all the bonkers holiday films that have already dropped on cable and streaming services). That’s been a trend for some time; it’s called Christmas creep. But it has accelerated this year, says Rebecca Jennings at Vox, out of a sense of desperation for the holiday’s merriment amidst overwhelming uncertainty. Also, it’s because Thanksgiving is late.

Black Friday, that shopping free-for-all, has crept earlier too. We’re already seeing widespread sales online, and they include in-season items like coats. A roundup of our favorites is below, plus more recommendations for your week.

Bye,

Your friends at Gloria

It’s the beginning of coat season, that heady time where wearing a coat feels fun and novel. We’re months away from wanting to shove them into the back of our closet. There are lots of very cute ones available and on sale right now, from simple wrap styles to structured types to ultra-warm puffers. Here, a few of our favorites.

• The gold hardware on this green coat caught our eye. LK Bennett Spencer Coat, $356.25 (extra 25 percent off with code LKB25). Size 12, 16, 18, 20.

• Seriously warm. Norma Kamali Houndstooth Sleeping Bag Coat, $339. Size XS/S and M/L.

• Ultra-minimal and cool. Theory Caban Coat in Double-Face Wool-Cashmere, $278. Size XP to XL.

• A cute and cozy fleece. Rumored Sun Valley Sherpa Fleece, $138. Size XS/S, S/M, M/L, L/XL.

• The quilted lining is a huge plus. Lands’ End Double-Breasted Wool Coat, $144.97. Size 4 to 26.

• A very cool collarless option. Calvin Klein Cashmere-Wool Wrap Coat, $249.50. Size XS to XXL.

• Love the drama of a longer double-breasted coat. Samsoe Samsoe Falcon Coat, $550. Size XXS to XL.

• The zipper closure and slight cocoon fit means this one can lean dressy or sporty. J.Crew Long Toscana Coat, $238.80 (with code SHOPEARLY). Size 00 to 24.

• The pattern is eye-catching, but still extremely wearable. Wray Roberta Reversible Mini-Check Trench, $415. Size XXS/S to 5XL/6XL.

• A very on-trend shape. River Island Wool-Blend Scarf Coat, $276. Size S, M, L.

• A long coat that is a look unto itself. & Other Stories Funnel-Collar Wool Coat, $379. Size XS to L.

• The practical option. Uniqlo Seamless Down Long Coat, $179.90. Size XXS to XXL.

• A sophisticated, menswear-inspired choice. The Frankie Shop Jeremiah Wool Coat, $585. Size XS/S and M/L.

• We like the playfulness of the oversized pockets and cuffs on this timeless wool coat. Maximilian Double-Breasted Merino Wool Coat, $795. Size S to XL.

• This one’s a bit ridiculous, but very fun. APParis Astrid Vegan Alpaca Coat, $279. Size XS to XL.

• An understated robe-style coat. Cos Belted Double-Faced Wool Coat, $375. Size XXS to L.

• A puffer with personality. The Great Down Polar Puffer, $495. Size XS to XL.

• Toggle closures on a classic wool duffle coat are always appealing. Universal Standard Highlands Duffle Coat, $238.80. Size 4XS to 4XL.

• A drapey, effortless, mid-weight layer. Banana Republic Double-Faced Wrap Coat, $320. Size XXS to XXL.

Shop the Story

TO LISTEN Cher’s biography is so sprawling, her life so winding and iconic, that she’s releasing it in two parts. In Cher: The Memoir, Part One (Amazon, Bookshop), out today, we learn a lot about her chaotic childhood, her relationship with Sonny Bono, and how she took control of her life and career. The audio book is narrated in turns by Cher and actress Stephanie J. Block.

TO TRY Our new bedtime ritual involves a warm mug of this hot chocolate for sleep, which includes CBD, reishi, magnesium, L-theanine, and melatonin. It immediately helps us fall asleep and stay asleep – for real (we notice the difference when we run out). We aren’t alone; a clinical study found it helped 93 percent of users get a more restful night of sleep and wake up feeling more refreshed. Their Black Friday Sale is now live, so you can give it a try and get up to 50 percent off sitewide using our link. #partner

TO STREAM In the funny new series Interior Chinatown (now on Hulu), Jimmy O. Yang plays a languishing waiter who’s recruited to help investigate a secretive criminal network. And in Netflix’s A Man on the Inside (out Thursday), Ted Danson plays a retired, widowed professor who also steps into the role of an unlikely undercover agent.

The return of Barnes & Noble and Vera Bradley. • How a tossed-off line in the movie Sideways upended the wine world. • Paying tribute to R.E.M. • Somewhat shocking, and yet, also somewhat predictable.

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