A Hot-Weather Essential

Hi friend,

Haven’t we all, at some point, fantasized about leaving our troubles behind and moving somewhere else? We entertain romantic visions of crumbling cottages or villas that we’d miraculously bring back to life, despite barely managing even rudimentary house repairs. Social media accounts featuring a stream of “cheap old houses” just serve to embolden these daydreams.

But what happens when you go beyond the Instagram scrolling and travel abroad in search of a complete life shift? Tired of expensive Bay Area living, and faced with “the looming threat of middle-aged atrophy,” Lauren Markham and her husband Ben flew to Italy to check out its €1 house program. Luckily for us, she details the experience in this piece, which hits on larger points about the politics of place. 

It turns out that, not surprisingly, many Italians aren’t psyched about well-off foreigners flooding in to buy up real estate. No matter that these structures would otherwise be abandoned. As she explains, “The philosophical conundrum of these aging, depopulating towns is this: open a place up to newcomers and risk eroding its essential nature, or allow it to wither away and die?”

Markham goes looking for the €1 house program catch, and she finds it. New owners encounter a byzantine bureaucratic process and plenty of red tape, ensuring that only the most dedicated prevail. This includes notarized permitting paperwork, a car (“but it’s impossible for a non-resident foreigner to buy a car”), a bank account to pay bills (for which you need an Italian phone number), and so on.

Not everyone is deterred. Like Yolanda Edwards, editor of the incredible travel publication Yolo Journal, who makes the case for moving to France in a recent newsletter — and then goes into detail on how she pulled it off. It’s paywalled, but the information within is pretty valuable. Demonstrating proof of accommodation in France is key to obtaining the long-stay visa she discusses, but you don’t need to buy a property. There are also other hurdles, including visa applications, medical exams, and of course, various fees.

Markham ultimately ends up passing on moving to Italy, because, “It was far; it was hot; living all by ourselves in the countryside with a small baby might be a really excellent way to lose our minds.” As Hemingway writes, “you can’t get away from yourself by moving from one place to another,” particularly if one of you is a baby.

Bye,
Your friends at Gloria

It’s the summer of the tank top, and for good reason. When it’s this hot out, you want as little fabric as possible. 18 great ones, including a better-than-average scoop-neck, a supremely cool silk style, and more, all below.

• We like the deep scoop and the substantial fabric. SoldOut NYC The Scoop Tank, $85. Size XS to XL.

• A classic ribbed option in lots of pretty colors. Gap Rib Scoop Tank, $17. Size XXS to XXL.

• Looks basic, but the fit is excellent. Flore Flore Esme Tank, $105. Size XS to XL.

• Love the pretty lace trim. Madewell Lace-Trim V-Neck Tank, $45. Size XXS to XXL.

• We just ordered this, and are happy with the quality (note: it runs small). Calomel Arami Tank, $48. Size S to XL.

• A comfy, slim-fitting racerback. Levi’s Essential Racer Tank Top, $19.50. Size XXS to XXL.

• This retro vacation print is cute. Banana Republic Vintage Cotton Muscle Tank, $30. Size XXS to XXL.

• A delicate pointelle style. Leset Pointelle Tank, $78. Size XS to XL.

• A bodysuit solves the shirt-tucking issue. Everlane Cutaway Tank Bodysuit, $22. Size XXS to XLL.

• This sort of thick-strap tank is popular right now, and this is the best bargain we’ve found. American Eagle Daily Fave Tank Top, $12. Size XXS to XL.

• A stunning silk style. Chan Luu Gigi Silk Tank Top, $195. One Size. 

• Teensy buttons amp up a breezy linen top. Alex Mill Sidney Top, $150. Size XS to XL.

• The ruffled detail on the neckline and sleeves is really unique. Cos Gathered Cotton Tank, $89. Size XS to L.

• A super-sexy, low-back option. St. Agni Ballerina Top, $155. Size XXS to XL.

• Soft, stretchy, and a little bit cropped. Jungmaven Sporty Tank, $44. Size XS to 2XL.

• A skimpy little spaghetti-strap tank in the best red. Gil Rodriguez Lapointe Tank, $56. Size XXS to XXL.

• A workhorse that’s livened up with the faintest hint of lace. Donni Vintage Rib Lace Tank, $118. Size XXS to XXL.

• Simple and perfect. Mate the Label Regenerative Hemp Muscle Tank, $58. Size XS to XL.

Shop the Story

TO READ Fashion journalist Amy Odell is doing press all over the place for her juicy and revealing new book, Gwyneth: The Biography (Bookshop, Amazon). She dug into Gwyneth Paltrow’s life and influence with the help of interviews from more than 200 sources, including people who went to Spence with Paltrow when she was a kid.

TO TRY If workout classes feel too time-consuming or intense, this program is for you. The Reverse Health Wall Pilates Challenge is designed specifically for women age 40+ to help tone and build strength in just 15 minutes per day. All you need is a wall. Click here to get a customized plan — it’s 60 percent off for Gloria readers right now. #partner

TO LISTEN We just started this wild-but-true podcast where a pilot who smuggled cocaine for Pablo Escobar tells his story. He was making $100 million a month; naturally, they taped the series after he got out of prison.

TO STREAM Somehow, it’s been 20 years since Hurricane Katrina. A new five-part docuseries from National Geographic, Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time (on Hulu and Disney+) benefits from the clarity that time can lend. Looking back with the help of testimony from local officials, survivors, community organizers, and first responders, it asks and answers the question of why Katrina was such a massive tragedy. You can watch the first episode for free here. 

An inspiring story about a senior powerlifting gym. • “Everyone has hemorrhoids now.” • This new book about hysterectomy looks interesting. • The summer camps of the Hollywood elite. • A dispatch from a Creed concert.

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