A Fall Staple

Hi friend,

Working in magazines over the past two decades was, in some ways, an exercise in reality avoidance. It was clear to everyone that the business of printing words and pictures on glossy pages was in “managed decline,” and yet we all proceeded to go about our days with the utmost seriousness and urgency, as if we were saving lives or solving major world issues instead of making sure Jennifer Aniston’s PR was happy with her cover shoot or nailing the right description for a pair of boots.

The epochal shift wrought by the internet goes beyond print media. Broadcast and cable television — and the music industry — are in their managed decline eras, too. Just look at MTV. Last week brought headlines of the music network’s demise, but that wasn’t quite true. Under new CEO David Ellison, owners Paramount Skydance decided to shut down a few UK MTV channels. But everyone knows that MTV will never regain its cultural cache, that it will die a slow, inglorious death. Digital platforms, led by YouTube and TikTok, have usurped it as the place for music discovery. And influencers, not Kurt Loder, are giving the youth their news.

MTV launched in 1981, but it had trouble getting a foothold on cable TV. Enter an audacious plan: The “I Want My MTV” ad campaign. This entailed, as Tom Freston details in his new book, Unplugged: Adventures from MTV to Timbuktu, going around publicists and agencies to track down rock stars and beg them to film plugs in person. To get David Bowie, Freston and others flew to Gstaad, where he was skiing, and awaited him on the bottom of the slope. It worked. “He wanted to ski down, swoosh at the bottom, rip off his sunglasses, and, with a broad grin, say, ‘I want my MTV.’” He then invited Freston to meet up with him at a sauna, where he ended us shvitzing with Paul McCartney. What a time.

Thankfully, some things — like the appeal of classic preppy staples — never change. Scroll on for our faves in that department, plus a few recommendations for your week.

Bye,
Your friends at Gloria

There’s a reason why the markers of classic prep, like polo collars, loafers, riding boots, argyle knits, and pleated skirts, have such staying power. They indicate a sort of stability and reliability, which is appealing during uncertain times. Our favorite finds, from shoes to coats to knits, below.

• Love this heavyweight navy polo. TNA Mighty Cotton Lomu Longsleeve Polo, $68. Size 2XS to XL.

• This chic coat is definitely going to sell out. The Frankie Shop Jane Wool Coat, $655. Size XS to XL.

• A great deal. Diega Ceza Stripe Shirt, $76. Size S, M, L.

• Very cute and sporty. Tuckernuck Rugby Polo, $148. Size XXS to XXXL.

• An appealing cross between a loafer and a moc. Flattered Fatima Suede Loafers, $192.50.

• The crest-embossed buttons give this double-breasted number a bit of flair. Lauren Ralph Lauren Wool-Blend Double-Breasted Coat, $380. Size 0 to 18.

• A beautiful embossed croc style. Stuart Weitzman Britt Bow Loafer, $495.

• This classic camel corduroy blazer can be paired with matching pants. Universal Standard Davis Corduroy Blazer, $228. Size 4XS to 4XL.

• A well-made nautical classic for a good price. Tory Burch Snap-Shoulder Striped Sweater, $219. Size XS to XL.

• We like the contrasting collar on this blue-and-white striped button-down. Alex Eagle x J.Crew Button-Up Shirt, $238. Size 00 to 24.

• This brushed wool sweater is so, so good. Alex Mill x J.Press Shaggy Dog Striped Crew, $275. Size XS to XL.

• Simple, no frills, and would dress up any look. Theory Wool Flannel Blazer, $246. Size 00 to 8.

• Finally, a pleated skirt that isn’t micro-mini. Madewell A-Line Midi Skirt in Wool-Blend Twill, $178. Size 00 to 16.

• Cool riding boots in the best chocolate-y brown suede. Cos Suede Riding Boots, $429.

• A step up from a sweatshirt, but just as comfy. Posse Haisley Striped Cotton Polo, $190. Size XXS to XL.

• A polished take. Coach Riding Boot, $199. (Extended-calf sizes here.)

• Really pretty. Reformation Clara Argyle Cashmere Crew Cardigan, $218. Size XS to XL.

Shop the Story

TO STREAM Nobody Wants This, the romcom series that rests heavily upon Adam Brody’s enduring appeal, is marking its return this Wednesday. Maybe it’ll be even better than the first season? For fans of spookier stuff, there is a remake of the ‘90s thriller The Hand That Rocks the Cradle coming to Hulu tomorrow.

TO TRY Have you heard of Asian Pilates? It’s a surprisingly effective, slow-and-steady movement practice inspired by Eastern wellness traditions. Reverse Health has designed it specifically for women 40+, blending gentle Pilates with mindful movement to build strength, flexibility, and balance. Take the quick five-minute quiz to get your personalized 28-day plan. No equipment, just small, consistent shifts that help you feel stronger, looser, and more energized in your own body. #partner

TO LISTEN We have really been enjoying the first few episodes of the new podcast So Your Parents Are Old (about the challenges and chaos of dealing with aging parents) from journalist Vanessa Grigoriadis. We like it so much we have an interview with her coming out this Friday!

TO READ Erin Somers’s The Ten Year Affair (Bookshop, Amazon) will likely be the big book of fall 2025. It’s about a married mom of two who constructs an elaborate, long-running fantasy of an affair with a neighborhood dad. But it’s also a bit of a social satire; Somers pokes fun at a generation of overly educated, downwardly mobile millennial parents grappling with the banalities of their lives.

It’s that time of year when our skin starts begging for more moisture. We’re keeping it simple with a few new favorites, like this new cream, which smells like a woodsy spa (thanks to bergamot and hinoki) and leaves skin truly soft. In the shower, we like this scrub to buff away dry, flaky skin. For lips, this tinted balm adds color while smoothing and hydrating. And we’ve added this affordable rose hip face oil to our nighttime routine to further protect against dryness. Shop it all here. #partner

Learned a lot about the start of Buffalo Exchange in this obit of its founder. • Moms for Liberty to pivot from book challenges and school boards to filing lawsuits. • The internet’s full of creeps, and those creeps are enjoying Sora. • Time to get your flu shot. • This is a tough read.

_{*Gloria may receive an affiliate commission on purchases made through our newsletter.}