Hormones Again?

Hi friend,

New York Magazine’s gossipy new article about Nancy Mace — titled “Nancy Mace Is Not Okay” — is a portrait of a woman in crisis. In the piece, various unnamed sources cite issues including excessive alcohol and marijuana consumption, serious allegations of abuse Mace has levied against a former ex-fiancé, and a House Ethics Committee inquiry over spending. 

Mace’s “willingness to both take risky, heterodox positions and to submit enthusiastically to the ludicrous demands of the modern attention economy” seems to have subsumed her. Said “a person,” “Something’s broken. The motherboard’s fried. We’re short-circuiting somewhere.”

A few commenters, though, were quick share a different explanation for Mace’s behavior: perimenopause. Here’s one example: “I wouldn’t have been a fan of hers either way but it is easy to see that she is suffering (like many many women do) from mental illness and personality changes during perimenopause. Alcohol misuse has exacerbated this. I wish this was addressed more openly in media.”

In this complicated world, it’s important to remember that two (or more) things can be true at once. Such as: Hormone therapy can be a godsend for women in midlife, and it is also not a cure all. Perimenopause isn’t to blame for every single health issue in women of a certain age.

Can we acknowledge that hormones are powerful, that they do affect our mood and mental health — and also, that it’s not always all about our hormones? As a doctor said to Jennifer Gerson of The 19th News, “I think people want it to make a difference because they want to have a hormone disorder. They don’t want to have a mental health disorder. Nobody wants to have a mental health disorder, so they latch on to the idea that, ‘Oh this is a hormone problem, therefore we must need to test my hormones.’”

Bye,
Your friends at Gloria

Sportswear has fully escaped the gym. Call it the LA effect, or maybe the pandemic slide. Office garb now comes in swishy technical fabrics, men are strolling around in leather dress sneakers, and the once-humble track pant’s been done up in silk. Fashion houses are getting in on the action, too, embracing a new category — apres ski — and dialing up the price point on the formerly pedestrian fleece (no doubt influenced by indie NYC label Sandy Liang, whose fleeces are indeed something special.) Below, a few of our favorite sporty-meets-everyday finds.

• Into the retro vibes here. Organic Basics Track Pants, $39.50. Size XXS to XXXL.

• We think the baseball tee in the picture above is Zara (love this Tibi one, too). Zara Contrast Long-Sleeve T-Shirt, $39.90. Size S, M, L.

• A unique and pretty fleece. By Anthropologie Sherpa Fleece Lace-Trim Jacket, $178. Size XXS to 3XL.

• They make great basics. Buck Mason Surplus Rib Long-Sleeve Crew, $88. Size XS to XXL.

• Easy and cute. Adidas FB Loose Track Pants, $75. Size 2XS to 2XL.

• Sometimes you want a sweatshirt without a hood. Old Navy SoComfy Oversized Button-Front Sweatshirt, $28. Size XS to 4XL.

• Love the gingham on this upmarket fleece. Loeffler Randall Liz Fleece, $295. Size XXS to XL.

• A luxe version in silk. Donni The Silk Stripe Simple Pant, $418. Size XXS to XXL.

• A classic raglan turned into a thick, cozy sweatshirt. Aritzia Cozy SweatFleece Mega Raglan Hoodie, $95. Size 2XS to 2XL.

• Not all puffers are boring — see this, for example. Varley Belinda Knit Puffer, $368. Size XXS to XL.

• Wear it now with snow boots, a sweater, and a big coat, and later with sneakers and a tee. Tnuck Sport High-Rise Compression Spandex Millie Yoga Pant, $98. Size XXS to XXL.

• These have a cult following. Le Bon Shoppe French Terry Balloon Pants, $110. Size S, M, L.

• A perfect weekend look. Madewell Crewneck Varsity Sweatshirt, $98. Size XXS to XXL.

• Inspired by a sweater Princess Diana wore in the ‘80s. Rowing Blazers Sheep Sherpa Jacket, $298. Size XS to XXL.

Shop the Story

If you’re bored of your daily rotation of sweaters, boots, and jeans, a bit of Valentine’s Day shine is a way to make any outfit special. Whether you’re buying for someone you love or treating yourself (highly encouraged), a new piece of jewelry is a nice mood boost right about now.

We like these lovely hoops that instantly elevate a look, as well as this simple necklace that’s pretty over knits. This initial bracelet, meanwhile, makes for a sweet, personal gift. Shop it all here and use code TAKE20 for 20 percent off. #partner

TO WATCH How many people are into curling? That’s just one question you’ll have after looking at the schedule for the Winter Olympics on NBC, which kicks off from Northern Italy this week with lots of curling, as well as ice hockey, luge, ski jumping, alpine skiing, and snowboard. Our must-watch, figure skating, won’t start ‘til Friday. In non-human competition, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is happening now. See the schedule here, and view it live here. There’s also the nostalgia of The Muppet Show (on Disney+ tomorrow), and a new PBS series, Black & Jewish America: An Interwoven History, from historian Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

TO TRY This doctor-recommended vibrator is designed to help you rekindle intimacy. Its bendable shape stimulates multiple pleasure zones to intensify arousal and natural lubrication. Discover new sensations or bring more orgasms into partnered moments. V-Day exclusive: 35 percent off, plus an extra 20 percent with code S4VE20. 

TO LISTEN Flea and the trumpet sounds like the title of a whimsical children’s book, but it’s actually the story of a cool new jazz album. Honora, which is out March 27, is a departure (or maybe, a homecoming) for the Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist. Will this be his André 3000 New Blue Sun? Give it a preview via this track he did with Thom Yorke.

A fun look at the costume choices in The Devil Wears Prada 2. • Reminiscing at Pizza Hut. • In this story about longevity bro Peter Attia’s correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein, “Epstein muses that he’s not sure why ‘women live past reproductive age at all.’” • The fake crying image of protestor Nekima Levy Armstrong was an attempt to destroy her dignity.

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