Hello WNVM-ers,
Welcome to our monthly “thank you to paid subscribers!” edition. A reminder that all of our regular weekly newsletters are free, so we appreciate your paid support so much.
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It’s been a few weeks, but I’m still basking in the secondhand afterglow of Jeff Hiller’s surprise Emmy win for “Somebody Somewhere.” His speech felt like it was made for me and Whatever Nevermind — namely this part: “I just want to say thank you to HBO for putting a show about sweaty middle-aged people on the same network as the sexy teens of ‘Euphoria.”
Although I should have predicted that Hiller would nab the award for his tender, moving, and subversively funny performance as Joel, the beating heart of the Bridget Everett-led series. Because he already walked the red carpet in a WINNER’S SUIT: a bespoke shimmering pink bouclé suit by Tyler Neasloney for his label Dear Tyler.
“When Jeff came to me with his suit [vision] he really had a single sentence of guidance: ‘a traditional men’s suit with a swishy angle,’” says Neasloney. “A traditional ‘men’s’ silhouette, but using fabrics, accessories, and trimmings to drive home the point that it’s a queer take on formal-wear.”
Oh, and Hiller had one more clear directive.
“He was sold on bubblegum pink,” says Neasloney, who found the perfect soft, romantic pink bouclé. The silver micro-sequins intricately woven through the textile created the perfect shimmer for red carpet photos — and highlighted Hiller’s shiny gold statuette on the screen, as he made everyone cry with his speech.
“There’s just shy of 200 pearls,” says Neasloney, referring to the exquisite clusters of pearls and rhinestones lining his notch-lapels, pockets, and cuffs of the double-vent jacket.
Hiller jetted off to Los Angeles with two neck-wear options: a billowing black lavallière bow and a sleek white tie. His Emmy night stylists Amanda Lim and Luca Kingston made a game-day decision for a monochrome look, and accessorized with Neil Lane jewelry and white Marni square-toe shoes. “It’s fun how accessories can, like a tie, can just change the entire vibe of the outfit,” says Neasloney.
Burning question: Did Hiller keep the suit? “He did!” says Neasloney. “Maybe he’ll have it hanging next to his Emmy.”
Sephora and Ulta get all the buzz as beauty shopping destinations, but I have secretly loved Bluemercury for years. It’s calm and curated, with no chaos and mess like those others and without the hard sell you sometimes get from Nordstrom salespeople. I’ve always felt a bit sheepish when I tell Beauty People that I like it, because it’s not really a “cool” place to shop. (And no, this is not a sponsored post.)
Last year the chain of neighborhood beauty shops, which is owned by Macy’s, rebranded. It added new brands like Byredo and Victoria Beckham and re-opened its spa spaces, resulting in “gangbusters” growth, according to Glossy. It wants to offer personalized service and feel community focused, both of which come across when you walk into the stores, which are much cozier than Sephora or Ulta. And they even sell candles, including Diptyque.
The over-40 demographic has been its main target, and clearly it worked on me. The retailer recently shot some visuals and videos to back up the messaging, photographing Belinda Carlisle, influencer and U Beauty founder Tina Chen Craig, fashion designer Aurora James, and more for social media campaigns and in-store displays.
“This audience is not only a cornerstone of modern luxury beauty, but also one of the most underrepresented in beauty marketing,” said Minyi Su, head of marketing at Bluemercury, in an email. “Women in this demographic bring a combination of knowledge, experience, discernment, and curiosity. They’re loyal but also open to discovery, and their approach to beauty is less about chasing trends and more about finding solutions that enhance their lifestyle and sense of self.”
The Beauty Industry Is Suddenly All-In On Gen X
In other words, they want our Gen X money! JK, but it’s nice to be called “discerning.” Speaking of, most products there definitely have a prestige price point, but my secret recommendation is for the house brand M-61 Power Glow Peel pads, for $36. They’re fab.
I lived on the corner of 7th Street and Avenue A in 2003, so the 1998-set Caught Stealing brought back some memories, like Steven Soderbergh’s recreation of Kim’s Video and Benny’s Burritos — and Amy Westcott’s late-‘90s wardrobes on the cast, including Regina King, who plays a mysterious police detective.
Fittingly, the ‘90s played a role in the Haute Living cover story interview with the If Beale Street Could Talk Oscar winner and in her glam photoshoot styled by Charlese Antoinette.
“Her casual clothing was so very much rooted in the ‘90s, so I just pushed her core style a little bit further,” says Antoinette.
“We did an oversized blazer by Amiri, a baggy Jonathan Simkhai pant with an interesting ankle strap detail, so it wasn’t just regular baggy jeans,” continues the jewelry and costume designer, whose ‘80s and ‘90s bonafides also include the Michael Jordan-Nike movie Air and the Whitney Houston biopic, I Wanna Dance With Somebody. “Those ‘90s vibes are still present, but just updated with some interesting design details.”
Antoinette offers her tried-and-true tips on leaning into, and updating lingering (or revived) ‘90s style signatures for fall:
I wear gold hoops every day. I love my gold hoops, but I’m always looking for interesting gold hoops that have texture or different shapes, instead of just the plain classic hoop. I try to get a new hoop every year.
Invest in some interesting sweaters that you can wear with jeans or dressier skirts. I fell in love with these Aisling Camps sweaters that also have a ‘90s vibe, but have, again, some interesting details — like a patchwork sweater with a really cool neckline. The sleeves are split and hang past your hands. It felt very grunge in this really cool way, but current.
I love putting sweaters over dresses, so I can wear pieces year round. I always start with a spaghetti-strap dress, like a vintage silk nightgown style or a silk-satin cocktail dress. I’ll layer that with lightweight turtlenecks underneath or chunkier knits over top. You can pair that with boots, loafers, and sneakers. I like to be able to carry my spring and summer favorites into the fall and just add knits to them.
We are two Gen X journalists who celebrate people of our generation doing cool things, as well as analyze all the ‘80s and ‘90s nostalgia in current pop culture, fashion, and beauty. Read more stories like this one here!
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Prequel Half & Half: This affordable brand (find it at Target) apparently went viral on TikTok, but I only learn about such things like a year after they happen. This is one of the best moisturizers I’ve tried in a long time. Its super elegant, lightweight texture is somewhere between a milky toner and a lotion, and the shaker bottle is a perfect vessel. ($26) -CW
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Caliray Lipguard SPF 31: Just me, over here, still fueling my addiction to SPF-powered, easy-to-apply lip glosses. I bought this on a whim, and love the J. Lo-glow Trestles mauve shade. ($19) -FSH
Lip Smackers Walked So Trendy Tinted Lip Balms Could Run
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Innbeauty Project Bright & Tight: I’m pro-eye cream, and this daytime version has both treatment properties and almost-makeup characteristics. A colorless shimmer provides brightness under the eye to bounce light away from the dark circles hiding there. It wakes my face up. ($42) -CW
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Ciele Flush & Protect: I usually apply a cream blush with my fingers, to not always great results, especially in my bad bathroom lighting. I forgot how easy it is to get a natural, even-looking flush with powder (and a decent brush). This pressed powder feels silky and not drying (I like a dewy look) and — extra bonus — has SPF 45. ($34) -FSH
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Clio Essential Lipcheek Tap: I never love combo products, but this K-beauty glowy lip and cheek balm delivers for both. My shade is “Rosy Blow,” which makes me laugh. ($19) -CW
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VIO2 Unscented Mouth Tape: I count mouth tape as a beauty product because ever since my husband FINALLY started using it — me: “Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler said they both love it on her podcast” — I can finally enjoy snore-free, uninterrupted beauty sleep. ($26.95) -FSH
Disclosure: Ciele blushes and VIO2 mouth tape were gifted but I really do love and use both. Or my husband uses one of them and I reap the benefits. -FSH. My Rosy Blow was gifted too, but I’ve since purchased another one. -CW
Earlier this month, Alicia Silverstone announced on Instagram that she’s “stepping into my most capable outfit era. #IYKYK” for her Venice Film Festival debut. Cher — whom I imagine is now a high-powered fashion IP attorney for her debate skills — would be so proud. Silverstone worked with super-stylists Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald, aka Wayman + Micah, for her Venice roll-out — which culminated in a flowing, white Prada gown that could be the couture take on Cher’s “white collarless shirt from Fred Segal.”
The Timeless Appeal of the ’90s Fashion in ‘Clueless’
I’d expect no less from Wayman + Micah, considering their stellar work with Colman Domingo, Taraji P. Henson, Regina King, and buzzy breakout Chase Infiniti, who plays Leonardo DiCaprio’s daughter in One Battle After Another. Silverstone closed out her Venice run with another nod to the ‘90s: Betsey Johnson Hart strappy heels with rhinestone bows to accessorize her Christian Siriano LBD with blooming 3D florals.
Ahead, Wayman + Micah, who recently spent time tailgating with Target on the Highline during New York Fashion Week (I was also there!), tell us via email, how they paid homage to Cher Horowitz at Venice and share some affordable fall dressing tips for busy Gen X-ers.
What message/s were you conveying through Alicia’s red carpet looks at Venice?
We wanted her time in Venice to be a nod to Clueless, while keeping it modern and chic. We demonstrated this through the various sets we chose for her to wear in Venice, including the Pleats Please set. We chose the custom Prada gown because of its classic, easy elegance.
What fall fashion tips would you give on mixing and matching new pieces/trends into your existing Gen X wardrobe?
A way to incorporate new pieces or trends is to start with what you already love in your closet — the classic denim, that perfect leather jacket, your go-to boots — and layer in one or two trend-forward pieces to freshen it up. Trendy pieces, like chain belts, are an amazing way to spice up your everyday essentials.
For our readers, who love your work with Alicia, Colman, Regina, and Taraji — what’s your advice on branching out of your comfort zone for fall fashion?
For fall, our advice is: Start with one bold piece. Whether it’s a textured coat in an unexpected color, a statement boot, or even a rich layered print you wouldn’t usually reach for, let it be the conversation starter of your look. The key to styling is balance. If you’re trying something oversized, ground it with clean, tailored pieces. If you’re playing with color, keep the silhouette familiar. It’s not about doing a 180 on your style, but it’s about having fun and experimenting outside of your staple wardrobe.
I love the show “Shrinking” on Apple TV+. It’s both funny and touching, and there’s not an unlikable character in it. But I’ve found myself most drawn to Liz (Christa Miller), and not only because she’s an empty-nester boy mom with a nerdy hobby (rocks vs. birds) who’s trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life. I also love her clothes.
Liz wears a lot of bright flannels, striped tops, layered jackets, sporty socks with Birkenstock Bostons or sneakers, and hats and tops that say goofy stuff on them, like “L’Ennui.” I’m going to steal Fawnia’s beat here and send kudos to Gen X costume designer Allyson B. Fanger for her deep understanding of my demographic.
Gen X Women Wearing the Shit Out of Coats + ‘Old Lady Energy’ 🤔
I could not stop thinking about one neon flannel she wore (top image), which ShopYourTV told me was from R13, a brand that sells $700 shirts. Luckily it was no longer available, new or on resale sites. However, I did get a great oversized Polo Ralph Lauren version (it might be a men’s shirt) at Poshmark for $40. It’s neon pink-forward and I’m obsessed with it.
In another episode, Liz wears a green blazer with a denim “jacket” underneath, which is actually a Veronica Beard blazer and dickey situation. I own a velvet moss green blazer from the brand that I bought years ago and still love. But I always thought the dickey concept was totally silly.
Veronica Beard is also expensive, but I had great luck at The RealReal. There were multiples of the Iconic Scuba Dickey Jacket available (retails for $645), which has some stretch and is fairly casual. I got a black one for less than half price. And I guess I’m a dickey person now, because I bought a denim insert and a gray fleece “hoodie.” I also bought a bunch of fun socks at the Gap, in stripes and animal print.
I’m not proud of this total lack of originality, but at least I’ll feel cute. Happy fall from me and my dickeys:
More tips on fall dressing and suit styling ahead, plus a beauty news reading list:
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