A New Sort of Icon?

Hi friend,

Who are your positive on-screen role models for aging or, as a friend recently put it in a group chat, your “wrinkle icons?” There are many chicly wrinkled European actresses, but inspo is harder to find in Hollywood, where everyone’s forehead has a glossy, taught bounciness.

Enter Down Cemetery Road, the very good new Apple TV conspiracy thriller that has given us a bounty of aging inspo in its lead duo, played by a blunt Emma Thompson and a quietly determined Ruth Wilson. Wilson is Sarah, an art restorer who sticks her nose where it doesn’t belong and then continues to do so. She is child-free by choice, favors Alex Mill-esque chore jackets, and gets around her idyllic town by bike. Meanwhile, Thompson’s character, private investigator Zoë Boehm, has a take-no-prisoners attitude, a spiky hairdo, and an aging punk’s wardrobe.

It’s not just the clothing choices that make the characters appealing; it’s that they haven’t followed many of their contemporaries down the road of continued facial enhancements. Their foreheads move. They can squint. They look real in a way that enhances the story, rather than constantly taking you out of it.

Pointing this out isn’t very PC. But is it “mean” to note that we love watching women on television who allow their faces to age naturally? As writer Kate Lindsay says, these sorts of compliments are a reflection of our real thoughts, and “so many women are still very scared of aging, which is why we rejoice in video proof of women getting older…”

Speaking of seeing women of a certain age on screen, it’d be remiss not to mention All’s Fair, the absurdist Ryan Murphy legal drama about an all-female boutique law firm that is out today on Hulu and stars Sarah Paulson, Kim Kardashian, Niecy Nash-Betts, Glenn Close, Naomi Watts, and Teyana Taylor (with more big names guesting). Where Down Cemetery Road takes a prestige path, All’s Fair goes for high camp. Come for the cast, say for Paulson acting the hell out of the cheesiest plots and dialogue imaginable. 

Bye,
Your friends at Gloria

Last year, chocolate brown was a major fall trend. This year, it’s a neutral, up there with navy, black and gray for its wearability and how well it mixes with other shades (like purple, blue, and red). There’s something cozy about it, too, which is probably part of its staying power. Below, a few of our favorites, including glossy loafers, an amazing coat, and a cushy sweater.

• Cozy and cute. Negative Waffle Knit Pullover, $160. Size XS to XXL.

• We like the high shine of these luxe-looking loafers. Cos Croc-Effect Loafers, $189.

• One of those shirts you’d end up reaching for all the time (maybe why it’s almost sold out). Ayr Early Mornings Tee, $135.

• An amazing deal on cool, work-appropriate pants. Banana Republic Crop Flare Everywhere Ponte Pull-On Pants, $48. Size XXS to XXL.

• A very chic wool coat. Alex Mill Long Sophia Coat, $450. Size XXS to XL.

• Timeless, and on major markdown. Il Bisonte Belt, $75.

• Love the fit and the front pockets on these soft, slightly stretchy cords. Gap High-Rise Stride Corduroy Wide-Leg Pants, $80.

• This is a fun colorway. Clare V. Lizzie Sunglasses, $130.

• A plush, oversize sweater. Modern Citizen Karlie Oversized Turtleneck Sweater, $148. Size XS to XXL.

• Really impressed with this bag. Reformation Camille Shoulder Bag, $398.

• A great-fitting, washable cotton sweater. Quince Organic Cotton-Striped Crew Sweater, $49.50. Size XS to XL.

• A high drama blazer that can be paired with matching pants, or dialed down with denim. Source Unknown Double-Breasted Cinched Blazer, $345. Size XS/S to M/L.

• To wear with your new, wider-legged jeans. Steve Madden Dodge Low-Top Sneaker, $70.

• An easy, pull-on pant that still looks polished. J.Crew Delaney Kickout Sweater Pant, $119.50. Size XXS to 3XL.

• Lots of great finds in the 3.1 sale, including this stunning bag. 3.1 Phillip Lim ID Petite Soft Shoulder Bag, $395.

• Why are these brown jeans so compelling? By Malene Birger Houston Organic Cotton Jeans, $315. Waist size 25 to 33.

• This bomber-style coat gives you two looks in one. Pixie Market Reversible Faux-Fur Jacket, $245. One size.

Shop the Story

Life is busy, and all of a sudden, we have a lot of events on the calendar. That’s why we’ve been loving the clothing rental site Armoire. Instead of panic buying pieces that end up being not quite right, it allows us to  rotate in beautiful clothes from great brands every single month. You share your style and they build a personal closet for you, a combo of smart tech and real stylist picks. It’s like borrowing from the most stylish friend who always has the perfect thing. Sizes run 0 through 3X and they handle shipping, cleaning, and styling. Plans start at four items a month and go up to unlimited, and you can pause the service if need be. Use code GLORIA for up to 60 percent off your first month, plus two bonus items. And yes, the unlimited plan is $99 right now. Try it here. #partner

TO READ The humorous new novel Thirst Trap (Bookshop, Amazon) is about the friend-group dramas of three hard-partying Irish women on the verge of 30. There are enough depictions bad sex and hangovers to make you realize how absurd/terrible that time in your life can really be.

TO TRY Seed's DS-01® Daily Synbiotic is legitimately great (we swear by it!), and so we were excited to hear that the brand is expanding with a new, high-quality daily multivitamin that prioritizes gut health. Their new DM-02™ Daily Multivitamin doesn’t just support your body — it also delivers nutrients to your microbiome for more complete daily support. It features 20 vitamins + minerals in bioavailable, bioactive forms. Gloria readers get 20% off when you use code GLORIA20. #partner

TO STREAM All Her Fault — which is based upon an extremely popular twisty crime novel of the same name — has a plot that pings parents deepest fears. In the Peacock series, Sarah Snook is a panicked mother searching for clues about her kidnapped child, and Jake Lacy does what he does best, playing a husband who might just be a total creep.

TO LISTEN Jennifer Lawrence is on a publicity tour ahead of the release of her big new movie about a woman in the throes of postpartum depression, and we really enjoyed her frank conversation on The Interview.

Interesting takeaways from two new studies on women and creatine. An incredibly dishy read on the Prince Andrew situation. • “She Was Ready to Have Her 15th Child. Then Came the Felony Charges.” • Justin Baldoni’s lawsuit against Blake Lively is done, maybe. • Super expensive and exclusive Pilates classes are all the rage right now.

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