Spring? Already?

Hi friend,

The slander began almost immediately after an ICE agent shot and killed an unarmed 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis. She was dubbed a “domestic terrorist.” The president called her “very radical,” “very violent,” and “highly disrespectful.” Then, last night, news broke that the FBI’s investigation of the tragedy will examine “her possible connections to activist groups protesting the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement.” (The New York Post is already trying to slime her via her Venmo transactions while Fox is warning its readers of “organized gangs of wine moms.”)

Demonizing protestors leads to deadly violence. We couldn’t help but be reminded of the shootings at Kent State, which took place 56 years ago this spring.

“Thirteen students were shot at Kent State because popular feeling, officially encouraged, held that students were fair game,” wrote Thomas Powers for The New York Times in 1973. (Ohio’s governor had previously called the student protestors, “the worst type of people that we harbor in America.”) “The Justice Department ignored the results of its own investigation because the President, the Vice President and the Attorney General had all publicly attacked student activists as ideological hoodlums.” Sounds familiar.

But times have changed. Will the American public side with the administration in its attempts to demonize middle-aged, and older, white women? Kent State was followed by a police shooting at the historically Black Jackson State which injured 12 and killed two … yet Kent State is the one remembered, even immortalized in a legendary protest song. Perhaps, in retrospect, this will be seen as a similar turning point — one incident amongst all the documented abuse, shootings, and other cruelty that could cut through the noise.

Bye,
Your friends at Gloria

The fashion world is always quite impatiently looking ahead, and right now – judging from the amount of pastels on the market – it seems like they’d rather it be spring than the dregs of winter. Luxury brands like Khaite, Loewe, Dries Van Noten, and Chloé are all in on pale shades; mixed with wintery basics, they offer a welcome wake-up shock of icy color. Here, a few compelling pastels on coats, sweaters, shirts, and more.

• Love the shape of this thick coat, but the color makes it extra cool. Banana Republic Italian Melton Wool-Blend Peacoat, $300. Size XXS to XXL.

• An appealing, slouchy update on the ‘80s classic. J.Crew Marled Rollneck Sweater, $98. Size XXXS to 3XL.

• A chic robe coat in the prettiest shade of lilac. Max & Co Runaway Wool Coat, $315. Size IT36 to 48.

• A chunky cardigan that’s also washable. Quince Organic Cotton Cropped Cardigan, $49.90. Size XS to XL.

• Sunny yellow is a nice alternative to go-to gray. Gap VintageSoft Terry Zip Hoodie, $89.95. Size XXS to XXL.

• This shade of pink is a great partner to wintery brown. Alex Mill Katherine Cable Sweater, $99. Size XS to XL.

• A crispy tailored shirt in a surprising cool mint shade. Comme Si Cotton-Poplin Shirt, $275. Size XS to XL.

• Fluffy, soft, cozy. WinteringUS Angora Light and Soft Plush Socks, $17.10.

• The shape and weight of this alpaca-wool sweater is appealing. & Other Stories Knitted Alpaca-Blend Sweater, $69. Size XS to L.

• We like these mauve pants matched with another pinky shade, but come spring they’d also be cute with a white tee. Leset Kyoto Carpenter Pant, $280. Size XS to XL.

• A lacy blouse that resembles an antique find. Sézane Chlo Shirt, $130. Size 0 to 16.

• This bright plaid is fun. Boden Revere Collar Wool Coat, $420. Size 2 to 22.

• A sweatshirt, but dressed up a bit. Citizens of Humanity Mirelle Funnel Neck, $248. Size XS to XL.

• An enveloping turtleneck in an icy blue hue. Madewell Chunky-Knit Alpaca-Blend Turtleneck, $158. Size XXS to XXL.

• Really into this delicate floral-knit cardigan. Goldie Lewinter Love Story Cardigan, $150. Size XS to XL.

• A butter yellow button-down to perk up your work wardrobe. Cos Relaxed Cotton Shirt, $99. Size 2 to 14.

• A trim little cotton-wool knit. Mango Polo-Collar Wool Sweater, $90. Size XS to XL.

• Maybe one day we’ll be able to splurge on one of these gorgeous sweaters. Nikki Chasin Handmade Chunky-Knit Sheba Cardigan, $422. Size XS to XXL.

Shop the Story

TO READ The new divorce book Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage (Amazon, Bookshop) is a real page turner. Belle Burden, the granddaughter of the iconic Babe Paley, was living a charmed life. Then, with little warning, her husband of 20 years essentially walked out on her and their kids. Here’s the excerpt that hooked us. 

TO SHOP We’re refreshing our basics at Reformation with pieces that work now and into spring. These slouchy high-rise jeans are relaxed and cool (without being too try-hard). Add a soft cashmere crew in a fresh spring shade to lighten up late winter layers, then finish with their cult favorite pumps — so popular that the new colors have a waitlist. #partner

TO WATCH The new BBC comedy series Riot Women, about five middle-aged women who start their own punk-rock band, looks good. We’re also planning to watch Ponies (on Peacock Thursday), with Emilia Clarke as a secretary thrust into espionage during the Cold War.

TO BAKE We’ve been keeping a box of Wildgrain in the freezer for the nights when we want real bread without any effort. They deliver slow-fermented sourdough loaves, pastries, fresh pasta, and good butter, all ready to bake straight from frozen in about 25 minutes. It’s simple, reliable, and actually good. There are gluten-free and vegan boxes too. Gloria readers get $30 off their first box and free croissants for life. You can skip or cancel anytime, so it’s easy to try without overcommitting. Order here. #partner

TO TRY We pickled up this Black Raspberry ice cream on a whim because it’s been years – decades? – since we’ve tried or even seen that flavor. It’s out-of-this world delicious, even if you aren’t the fruit-ice cream type. We got ours at a local grocery chain, but it looks like Fresh Direct also carries it.

A pill for sleep apnea could be on the horizon, as well as a way of regenerating joint cartilage to avoid hip or knee replacements. • Another body horror? • “Kids aren’t learning to spell any more.” • IVF is helping a “record number” of women become single moms in their 40s.

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