From the Group Chat: The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, the Winter Arc Challenge, and “Anatomy of Lies”

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Sunday. Last week, I boldly stated that the dresses-over-pants trend was making a surprisingly chic comeback. Now, the skirts-over-jeans look has also returned — and honestly, it looks better than my middle school memories. In other polarizing fashion news: Track pants are allegedly replacing trousers (I’ll admit, they’re more versatile than I realized); the bathrobe is being called “the coat of the season” (I don’t hate it); and people are wearing flimsy-looking, $990 hotel-like slippers all over town. Perhaps even more questionable? Some influencers are pushing a stick of butter as “the perfect portable snack.” There’s no way I’ll try that — since I firmly believe making a batch of these Chocolate Chip Cookie Butter Bars is the only thing you should do with a stick of butter.

— Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC

🎃 Planning to dress as Raygun or Sabrina Carpenter for Halloween? You’re not the only one. Here are the year’s trendiest costumes. 

💍 There are engagement rings — and then there’s the massive, multi-stone “situation” worn by one Real Housewives of New York City star. We have so many questions. 

🤔 Confused by the whole no-pants trend? Wait until you see one-legged trousers.

🐻 Autumn’s hottest hair colors include “syrup blond,” “teddy bear brown,” and “calico” — which, as the name implies, is inspired by cats. We’ve officially taken this a hair too far…

🩰 For anyone who needed further evidence that fall footwear is doing the most, meet the “industrial ballet flat.”

Earlier this week, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show declared: “We are back.” Not like last year’s deeply perplexing, concept-heavy production. But back back — in all its sequined, feather-adorned, hot pink glory. Though, this time the controversy-plagued brand — who canceled the show in 2019, amid accusations of racism, sexism, and exclusivity — promised they’d do better. And in some ways they did: For the first time, plus-sized women walked the runway. Same with the first transgender models, Valentina Sampaio and Alex Consani. And while there were plenty of models in their 20s (like Gigi Hadid, who opened the show with an apparent nod to Taylor Swift), many of the OG angels, now in their 40s, also participated — including Adriana Lima and Doutzen Kroes (who came this close to having her own Carrie Bradshaw moment). Even the Smize Queen herself came out of retirement in a bedazzled bodysuit. Add in 50-something first-time angels like Kate Moss and Carla Bruni, and an iconic performance by Cher (who bravely paired glittery cargo pants with a reverse corset) — and it’s no surprise one of the night’s biggest takeaways was “middle age is sexy.” 

But Tuesday’s show wasn’t a complete win. Some said it could’ve been even more diverse. And then there was the production value, which was…underwhelming. Instead of Cirque du Soleil-worthy sets, some compared this year’s “pageantry” to “suburban haunted houses advertised on the New Jersey Turnpike.” Plus, as one X user asked, “Where was the drama, the big hair, the theme, the big gigantic wings?” seemingly referring to previous years when we were gifted with outrageously campy costumes (see: Miranda Kerr’s Little Mermaid-coded look, Gisele Bündchen’s 101-carat, $12.5 million Fantasy Bra, and Heidi Klum dressed as a human snowflake) and highly memeable moments (sorry, but nothing will ever top Ariana Grande). Naturally, we can’t help but wonder: Why bring back the show, with all its baggage, after six years? Why didn’t the brand have more fun? And, in 2024, who is the spectacle — or lack thereof — meant for? Perhaps we’ll get answers next year.

We regret to inform you that October is the new January — at least, on TikTok. In the event your FYP hasn’t been flooded with the Winter Arc Challenge, we’ll explain: According to influencer Carly Berges, who popularized the trend, October through December is when a lot of people “let their foot off the gas,” choosing to hibernate under the covers and vowing to deal with *gestures broadly at everything* next year. (Guilty.) But if you use the next 90 or so days to get “super laser-focused on your goals” — whether that’s strengthening your friendships, starting a new hobby, or going to bed earlier — you’ll be “a whole other beast” by the time January 1 rolls around. Already, thousands of other, uh, overachieving TikTokers have joined the challenge, sharing their winter arcs, which include organizing their homes, walking 10,000 steps daily, training for a half-marathon, and drinking a gallon of water a day. Honestly, Q4 never sounded so exhausting.

Thank you, Mariah Carey, for fearlessly leading the crusade to ban overhead lighting.

If you’re a Grey’s Anatomy fan, chances are, you’ve seen Elisabeth Finch’s work. Hired as a writer for the beloved TV series in 2014, Finch brought a special perspective to the writer’s room as a person living with bone cancer…or so her co-workers thought. In a made-for-TV plot twist, Finch didn’t have cancer at all. Nor did she have PTSD resulting from a friend being killed in the Tree of Life synagogue shooting, like she told everyone. These lies — both of which made their way into Grey’s plotlines — are just two of the elaborate fabrications chronicled in Peacock’s Anatomy of Lies. Based on the Vanity Fair exposé “Scene Stealer,” the three-part docuseries explores how Finch lied her way to one of the most coveted jobs in the industry, all while betraying friends, family, and colleagues — many of whom are interviewed in the jaw-dropping, hour-long episodes. TBD whether they believe the apology Finch posted on Instagram this past week.

Glocusent USB Rechargeable Book Light

If you’re firmly in the physical-books-only camp, we salute you. But even you have to admit the e-reader people have one up on you — that glorious, built-in book light. Here’s your fix: This clip-on option is lighter and more compact than others we’ve tried, and we especially appreciate that it’s easy to twist and adjust the small light, so you can see the far corners of each page. (Worth noting: You can also toggle among five brightness levels, which is particularly helpful if you share a bed with a light sleeper.) But best of all, it’s rechargeable, so you don’t have to dig through your junk drawers, searching for batteries. Kindle, who?

Trending products and brands our shopping team has been loving recently.

If you like the taste of coconuts but hate coconut water, try Vita Coco's coconut juice. It has a sweeter, more robust flavor than water, but is still hydrating and packed with electrolytes. Great if you're craving something sweet, or to nurse a hangover (classic).

Nordstrom has a slew of boots on sale right now. Our picks? These trendy moto boots, Chelsea boots with a Western flair, and these secretly waterproof booties.

Hot tip: Before you go to bed, put on this ridiculous-looking (but effective) heatless hair curler, hydrating face mask, and sock-like foot peel masks and wake up pretty.

EBY — home of our favorite bra — is running a 25% off sitewide sale through tomorrow. Use code Rewire25 at checkout.

Unleash your competitive side with today’s games and puzzles. Choose from an anagram word search, digital jigsaw puzzle, or crossword (with a twist). Better yet: Try them all.