A New Staple

Hi friend,

This week, everyone seems to be asking: What is up with men? 

As NBC lays out: “In every state, women earn more college degrees than men. Boys are more likely to be disciplined in class, and less likely to graduate high school on time than girls. Men die by suicide at higher rates than women and are more likely to rely on illicit drugs and alcohol. And while women increasingly participate in the workforce at higher rates, men have steadily dropped out of the labor market.”

This is all leading to, as the Wall Street Journal frames it, women “giving up” on marriage. “Women are doing comparatively well when it comes to education and their early years in the labor force, and men are doing comparatively badly,” says one conservative think tank guy quoted in the piece. “That creates a mismatch, because people prefer to date in terms of comparable education or income.” Despite this, the entire article is a memorandum on women’s choices. (Speaking of choices, listening to 40+ minutes of discussion about “the battle for the bros” on NPR this morning was a questionable one. Anything for this newsletter, though.)

Meanwhile, women are simply trying to go about their lives. And for Gen Xers, this means pursuing incredible sex. At least, that’s what writer Mireille Silcoff says is going on. Good for her.

“I split up from my ex in my late 40s, after a very long relationship of 21 years,” she says. “When I came out of it, I just thought that what lay ahead of me would be a pretty spinster-ish existence…And then instead what happened was I had a lot of wonderful new relationships with a lot of wonderful men and the kind of sex that I don’t think I had even had in my 20s: a total new world of openness, exploration, interest, comfort in myself, self-knowledge and even, I daresay, wisdom. It felt revelatory.”

Embracing your age, body, and sex in middle age feels like the opposite of whatever this is. But a six-plus hour morning routine, complete with multiple bottled ice-water face baths, is downright sensible compared to what other men are doing these days (sharing sensitive military plans on a group chat).

For more comforting matters, keep scrolling. We have easy pants, a funny new show, and much more.

Bye,

Your friends at Gloria

The pajama pant has evolved. It’s now available in many different prints and fabrics, including silk and even denim. And it’s going to be a staple this spring and summer. Below, a few of our favorites.

• The most easygoing jeans. Cos Wide-Leg Cotton Pants, $135. Size 2 to 14.

• These are fun. 100% Silk Jazz Pants, $207. Size XXS to L.

• We really like this track-pant vibe. H&M Wide-Leg Twill Pants, $35. Size XS to XXL.

• A polka-dotted pair with hidden elastic on the back of the waistband. J.Crew Harbor Pant, $118. Size XXXS to 3XL.

• A swishy silk option. Banana Republic Pull-On Wide-Leg Silk Pant, $140. Size XXS to XXL.

• Expensive, but they look pitch-perfect. Enza Costa Poplin Pant, $295. Size XS to XL.

• Our new lounge pant of choice. John Galt Black Anastasia Baggy Sweatpants, $35. Size: One Size.

• The ideal vacation pants. Pax Philomena Isadora Lounge Pant, $115. Size XS to 3XL.

• These come in lots of chic colors, but also this kooky print. Silk Laundry Bias-Cut Pants, $370. Size XS to XL.

• These low-slung drawstring jeans are selling out. La Ligne The Jenny Jean, $225. Size 23 to 34.

• The cotton-gauze fabric is lightweight, but doubled up here for added opacity. Boden Double-Cloth Pants, $98. Size 2 to 22.

• A fluid pant for work or weekends. Theory Pull-On Pant, $207. Size 00 to 16.

• The cutest pants, in new colors (the purple is already sold out). Donni The Stripe Drawstring Pant, $194. Size XXS to XXL.

• A cool new collaboration from the former designer of Madewell. World of Crow Joker Pants, $290. Size XXS to 4XL.

• For travel, for errands, or just for hanging out. Z Supply Scout Cotton-Jersey Pant, $69. Size XS to XL.

• How good is this checked pair? Reformation Fernando Linen Wide-Leg Pant, $178. Size XS to 3XL.

TO STREAM We’ve been eagerly awaiting the premiere of satirical comedy series The Studio (on Apple TV+ tomorrow), where Seth Rogan pokes fun at Hollywood studios obsessed with profit above creative risks. 

TO TRY We’ve been using The Simple weight-loss method to plan our meals, track our workouts, and help us overall make healthier choices – and we’re seeing real results that feel sustainable. Right now, they’re offering 50 percent off through our link. #partner

TO READ Yoko: The Biography (here on Bookshop, and here on Amazon) is a fresh look at the avant-garde artist and musician, telling the story of her incredible life, from early days in Tokyo to the maelstrom of the Beatles era to the time after John was killed.

TO LISTEN The gripping new BBC podcast Stalked tells the story of one woman’s experience with cyberstalking. We just started listening, and it’s a wild ride. For something much lighter, we’ve been enjoying Amy Poehler’s new podcast, Good Hang.

Visiting the Whole Foods’ founder’s new longevity clinic. • Speaking of guys obsessed with longevity… • “12 women on living alone.” • What’s up with the fascination with “soft skills” in the workplace? • Poet Kate Baer’s upcoming book looks good.

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