02. Tennis whites and a little green
Lots of spring on your little screen!
Oh hello! Have I suckered you into reading?
Good. Because today I’m doing my two favorite things – looking at clothes and talking about people.
It’s the reason I’m here with you! There’s a lot I want to talk about in this newsletter, but I think we’ll be pretty fashion-forward. I plan to bring to you what I’m wearing, what I want to be wearing, what you should be wearing, and we’ll start today with what other people are wearing. Join me, it’ll be fun.
Also on the table for our weekly conversations are pop culture, music (namely Taylor Swift but I do have a wide range of musical interests), some NYC living, and the general musings of someone who’s in between making it and just making it up.
But as the name of this ‘stack might suggest, I talk into the void often. I hope here, you’ll talk back to me. Email me at emilimcphail@gmail.com or better yet, if you know how to use this crazy substack app, teach me.
Can’t wait to hear from you.
TLDR: We’re talking Zendaya, Palm Royale, Susie Greene, and toilet technology. Diving in below.
XX,
Emili
What I’m wearing
What other people are wearing
My seasonal allergies are worth it if Zendaya is in bloom.
Two Vogue covers! On this side of the pond, I’m obsessed with the Dolce and Gabanna Rose. She looks amazing and this is the best U.S. cover I’ve seen in a while. Isn’t it also fitting Zendaya’s big flower comes the same week so many are going to see Carrie Bradshaw’s flower phase for the first time?
Over yonder, I think the cover itself could have been more interesting, but she looks great.
These covers and the rest of this press tour are styled by her long-time fashion partner Law Roach. Yes, the one who retired but cannot stop working with his muse. Can you blame him? It’s been a killer lineup of looks for me. I love the literal play on the subject of the movie with an expert balance of style and whimsy. This wardrobe wasn’t silly or girly but elevated and feminine; which is particularly important as she talks with Vogue about this movie offering a pivotal, adult character (a move away from her teen roles).
Ugh, now I wish I’d gotten these golf heels at Kate Spade (I went to the driving range at Chelsea piers, I’m, like, into golf now).
So what do you think? Are we buying what Challengers is selling? Are we watching this movie?
This week’s Shiny Sheet: Palm Royale is a show that feels tailor made for this reformed pageant girl who wants teased hair to come back (I’m only on episode three tho no spoilers).
If you aren’t watching you should. It’s about a woman trying to break into highest echelons of Palm Beach society in 1969, and it’s just a delight. Drame-dy with Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, Ricky Martin, Kaia Gerber, Allison Janney, and Carol Burnett.
Based on that, you can assume this show is kind of about fashion. Costume designer Alex Friedberg called it, “the most exciting, joyful project I've ever worked on” and that more than comes through in outfits for every occasion that are so blissfully 60s (and most are actually vintage). From cocktail hours, so much pool lounging, and I stg there’s a gala every day, the variety ‘fits for every occasion are often gauzy, and always colorful. And every look is accessorized to the teeth with hats, purses, gloves, scarves, and sunnies.
Watching and can’t get enough? Shop the exclusive Palm Royale x Anthropologie collection, here’s an interview with real-life fashion inspiration for the show and “inimitable social swan,” the late Deeda Blair, and here's director and EP Tate Taylor talking about how he actually broke into a Palm Beach club.
Also, while writing this I had the hardest time finding photos from the show. FOR A SHOW ABOUT FASHION THEY AREN’T MAKING IT EASY TO LOOK AT THEIR FASHION.
And finally, a fitting ‘fit and farewell to Susie Greene (rip Curb Your Enthusiasm)
Susie Essman, one of few cast members in every season of Curb Your Enthusiasm, brought new life to Susie Green by doubling down on the tacky looks and nailing the character in season 11 which aired in 2021. Another lady accessorized to the teeth. So ostentatiously costumed at any given time. You hate to love it.
So, here’s to one of her final looks for one of the final Curb-induced laughs.
Shopping
What I think you should buy
The windows on Madison Ave and my spring Pinterest are full of vests. All vests, only vests. Banana Republic has a million to choose from, here ya go. I like a vest, have a vest, and will wear this vest. But do we need that many vests? Are we only wearing vests this year? There must be more shirt options.
What I need your help buying
Jean shorts. Long, but maybe not Bermuda long. Where are do we buy jorts, ladies? Also, where do we buy cheap jorts, ladies?
Also on my mind
Spotify is beta testing a new feature for premium users to make their own playlist with text prompts and AI. It’s only in the UK and Australia for now, but I’m working on my prompt bank already. Thinking, “emotional music to get me through a Sarah J. Maas sad scene” and “emotional music to get me through a Sarah J. Maas spicy scene.”
Toilet technology I’m sorry did you know about these TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLAR TOILETS?? It has a nightlight, premist function, multifunction ergonomic stick-style remote control and 4-users' personalized memory settings. Whose job is it to design $20K toilets? How do you get that job? I’m all for nice things but I do think we may have strayed a little too far from the plot on this one.
Waffle house, Lana Del Rey, and Mason Ramsey?
Around NYC
My friends and I had a triple date at L’Accolade in the West Village last Friday night. The food was great, the service was pleasant enough to really add to our experience, and the vibe was fun with just the right amount of loud for a Friday night. Date night pricing. Recommend the duck!
