A Pre-Holiday Breather

Hi friend,

Sometimes, all it takes is one person’s perspective to completely shift your thinking on a topic. This week, it was Kimberly Harrington’s essay about reframing the idea of an “empty nest” (negative) with “freedom” (obviously positive).

“The task,” she writes of being a parent to children who have grown up and moved out, “is to live your own life, which requires examining it and determining what it should be about now, because there is absolutely no going back…

Before marriage, before children, I was free. Maybe I didn’t always like it, freedom comes with its own challenges too, but I was without a doubt free...Free to imagine what I might do next and wonder where I would end up in life and guess what, all of that newly applies to my life now too.”

Harrington wrote the piece in response to a take in The Atlantic, which also makes the case for retiring the phrase “empty nest” and subbing in “open door.” These words signal an ongoing relationship with adult children, says Gretchen Rubin, suggesting “that our daughters can come and go as they please — our door is always open! — and that although my husband and I may be busy with our own lives, we are, like the manager who maintains an open-door policy, always available if someone needs our attention or advice.”

As this Slate article attests, the word “empty” signifies absence. Hence their suggestion to replace it with “next chapter.” “My nest won’t be empty,” writes Terri Gerstein. “There’s too much to be done. And there are people all over to guide me as I join the universe of people who aren’t raising children: my peers, whose children have also flown the coop; the aunties and uncles; the eternal bachelors; the postmenopausal powerhouses; and yes, most of all, those fabulous tea-drinking childless cat ladies, in all their fur-covered glory.”

On that somewhat celebratory note: This week, we went shopping for party-appropriate clothing, and found lots of sparkly, sequinned pieces as well as velvet, satin, and more. Read on for that, plus a few recommendations for your week.

Bye,
Your friends at Gloria

Sweatpants, sweaters, jeans, and sneakers might comprise most of our day-to-day wardrobe, but we’ve realized that we need a few nicer pieces for festive occasions. We went in search of clothes that fit the bill, and found tops, coats, pants, skirts, dresses, and more.

• A very good slinky skirt. Rixo Ardith Sequin Midi Skirt, $212. Size 2 to 22.

• Our preferred alternative to a heel. Loeffler Randall Leoni Grosgrain-Trimmed Satin Ballet Flats, $150.

• Wow, this is stunning. Cos Single-Breasted Wool-Satin Coat, $350. Size 2 to 14.

• An easy-wearing top that also feels fancy. Natalie Martin Iris Top, $239. Size XS to XL.

• A sexy, ‘70s-esque dress. Coniglio Palm Beach Strapless Sequin Maxi Dress, $525. Size: One Size.

• So cute with a sweater. Cuyana Washable Charmeuse Maxi Skirt, $174. Size XS to XL.

• A festive shade of red. Banana Republic Brushed-Cashmere Flare-Sleeve Sweater, $168. Size XXS to XXL.

• A dressy vest is a nice top option. Aligne Satin Long Waistcoat, $170. Size UK4 to UK22.

• Lace often skews precious, but this feels cool and different. Wray Cake Dress, $315. Size XXS to 6XL.

• A very fun silvery trench (and it’s on sale). No. 6 Emile Trench, $193.60. Size XS to L.

• The prettiest skirt. J.Crew Embellished Layered Slip Skirt, $168. Size 00 to 24.

• A simple fit-and-flare dress. H&M Flared-Skirt Twill Dress, $30. Size XS to XXL.

• We have been longing after these shiny pants for a long time. Destree Yoshi Smart Pant, $242.90. Size 34 to 44.

• Comfy and party-ready. Old Navy High-Waisted Sequined Maxi Skirt, $45. Size XS to 4XL.

• Just the thing to pep up a black dress or skirt. Wolford Stardust Tights, $65. Size XS to L.

• Toss this on and you’re ready to go. Mango Velvet Blazer, $139. Size XS to 4XL.

• Ultra chic. Silk Laundry Full-Sleeve Bias Dress, $445. Size XS to XL.

• So cute with jeans. Lane Bryant Sheer Short-Sleeve Lace Tee, $34.97. Size 12 to 28.

• The bit of sparkle makes this cardigan feel party-worthy. & Other Stories Embroidered Mohair Cardigan, $219. Size XXS to L.

• A sultry dress with long sleeves? Winner. Ba&sh Sequin Brady Dress, $350. Size XS to L.

The holidays are coming up super fast, and if you don’t feel prepared yet, this is a good shopping guide to start with. Ann Taylor has pulled together a pretty assortment of pieces to wear and gift, including classic peacoats, sparkly skirts and bags, and cozy pajamas. #partner

TO WATCH We are looking forward to director Luca Guadagnino’s Queer – the A24 adaptation of an unfinished William S. Burroughs novel that features Daniel Craig as a gay man who falls for a younger guy in Mexico City in the ‘50s – not only for the storyline, but also for the aesthetics. An added bonus: The film (in theaters tomorrow) was scored by Trent Reznor. 

TO REST This mattress has been such a worthwhile investment for our sleep. It’s high-quality, extremely comfortable, and EWG VERIFIED® and GOTS certified organic (no polyurethane foam or flame retardants), so you can feel great and safe about where you spend one-third of your time. Check it out here, and use code GLORIA20 for 20 percent off. #partner

TO LISTEN Not everyone can pull off a podcast appearance where they talk about their designer shopping habits. But not everyone is Tracee Ellis Ross. On the new Harper’s Bazaar podcast The Good Buy, she charms, sharing her favorite purchases as well as how her mother, Diana Ross, helped to kickstart her love of fashion.

TO STREAM FYI, The National Dog Show starts at noon ET on Thanksgiving Day. It’s a true crowd-pleaser of an event. That night, we’re turning on the new Netflix thriller The Madness, which stars award-winning actor Colman Domingo as a TV personality being framed for murder.

This story about a serious IVF mixup is the wildest thing we’ve encountered in a while (prepare to cycle through every emotion while reading). • Has anyone thought this deeply about The Golden Girls before? We think not. • Birth control misinformation is running rampant on TikTok. • The way our bodies age is more complicated than previously thought. • “No more nostalgia concerts, please.”

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