What a lovely and well-articulated piece! I completely agree — these trends are getting outrageous! I always find it difficult to criticize these trends, partially because I worry that I’m just jumping on the bandwagon of hating women; I worry that my criticism will manifest into real misogyny. But all these trends do is illuminate the proliferation of capitalism and consumerism, and it’s a shame that “girlhood” becomes commodified.🫤 you’re so right though and I can’t wait to see what you write next!! ❤️❤️
thank you so, so much for the thoughtful comment, Nicole! You've made me think about many things I've been mulling over lately. I completely understand those fears about accidentally jumping onto misogynistic hate trains. I think this is why I'm so drawn to deconstructing marketing – I'm always so touched when I see women reminiscing about girlhood and embracing the wonder, curiosity, sensitivity, ruffles, and lace we were told to outgrow, but it gets frustrating when brands insert themselves into those conversations.
So many of us have also come to market ourselves like brands, I think, which definitely muddies the line. It's not that I think the aesthetics around girlhood are wrong – I just question whether the endless marketing subcategories are helpful ways for us to relate to ourselves and to one another. At the same time, is hyper specific language necessarily a bad thing?? These are some unfinished thoughts, but thank you for making me think (and for your lovely words)!
Oh 100%! You’re literally such a genius. I hate it when companies get their grimy little hands on my special interests— what if I don’t want to pay $700 for a little pink bow on my shoulder bag?? It’s crazy to think that something that once was shamed out of young women (bows, pink, general “girly” things) becomes a marketable aesthetic that is no longer *financially* feasible for women! It’s crazy how malleable the market is and how quickly it is susceptible to change. It’s interesting how the market tethers us women to eachother: “you should try this new lip oil!” or “this new bag is the new it girl bag!” What’s tough is that I love being “like” other girls and I feel a sense a pride knowing that I can match with my fav girlies, but to what extent does my sense of womanhood entangle itself with the ownership of the material object versus the concept of what that object represents?
Look at your piece making me think critically on a Saturday afternoon! I love it!!
I was really hoping someone would mention this, because I think you’re absolutely right! It seems like this is The Cut’s new model (or at least something they’ve been toying with since the $50K scam piece), and hey, it’s working – I have never seen such consistent discourse around articles. In their case, though, do you think the authors are in on the joke/bait, or are the editors accepting earnest submissions from minimally self-aware people in order to throw them to the wolves?
That’s an interesting question. I think the editors are highly attuned to this factor. Anonymous pieces don’t get the same type of traction. We’ve also seen major pieces blow up - Hustlers, originally a NYMag piece, Inventing Anna, same.
Charlotte Cowles has been writing for the Cut for a while, and I very much doubt that this was accidental. It’s possible that outside authors are less aware, but I doubt it.
This is so good and I can’t believe I’ve been in the “I’m above this” camp that feels that I’m better than all the goofiness? Like as stupid as it seems, it’s still worth investigating these fake trends to learn that they’re STILL just marketing ploys. You’re a great essayist!
thank you so much for the kind words! It’s such an irritating realization, right? I am still haunted by conversations I had about Riverdale like 5 years ago
So good that I didn’t want the piece to end! I’m going to be wondering if I’m falling for this as I scroll now. Made me think about how we love-hate so many characters in a show like Janice in Friends or Matty in Lizzie McGuire. Like these posts are in a cast of characters, one marketing sort among many for a specific audience
What a lovely and well-articulated piece! I completely agree — these trends are getting outrageous! I always find it difficult to criticize these trends, partially because I worry that I’m just jumping on the bandwagon of hating women; I worry that my criticism will manifest into real misogyny. But all these trends do is illuminate the proliferation of capitalism and consumerism, and it’s a shame that “girlhood” becomes commodified.🫤 you’re so right though and I can’t wait to see what you write next!! ❤️❤️
thank you so, so much for the thoughtful comment, Nicole! You've made me think about many things I've been mulling over lately. I completely understand those fears about accidentally jumping onto misogynistic hate trains. I think this is why I'm so drawn to deconstructing marketing – I'm always so touched when I see women reminiscing about girlhood and embracing the wonder, curiosity, sensitivity, ruffles, and lace we were told to outgrow, but it gets frustrating when brands insert themselves into those conversations.
So many of us have also come to market ourselves like brands, I think, which definitely muddies the line. It's not that I think the aesthetics around girlhood are wrong – I just question whether the endless marketing subcategories are helpful ways for us to relate to ourselves and to one another. At the same time, is hyper specific language necessarily a bad thing?? These are some unfinished thoughts, but thank you for making me think (and for your lovely words)!
Oh 100%! You’re literally such a genius. I hate it when companies get their grimy little hands on my special interests— what if I don’t want to pay $700 for a little pink bow on my shoulder bag?? It’s crazy to think that something that once was shamed out of young women (bows, pink, general “girly” things) becomes a marketable aesthetic that is no longer *financially* feasible for women! It’s crazy how malleable the market is and how quickly it is susceptible to change. It’s interesting how the market tethers us women to eachother: “you should try this new lip oil!” or “this new bag is the new it girl bag!” What’s tough is that I love being “like” other girls and I feel a sense a pride knowing that I can match with my fav girlies, but to what extent does my sense of womanhood entangle itself with the ownership of the material object versus the concept of what that object represents?
Look at your piece making me think critically on a Saturday afternoon! I love it!!
This is exactly how I feel about the Cut piece (I Married an Older Man).
I was really hoping someone would mention this, because I think you’re absolutely right! It seems like this is The Cut’s new model (or at least something they’ve been toying with since the $50K scam piece), and hey, it’s working – I have never seen such consistent discourse around articles. In their case, though, do you think the authors are in on the joke/bait, or are the editors accepting earnest submissions from minimally self-aware people in order to throw them to the wolves?
That’s an interesting question. I think the editors are highly attuned to this factor. Anonymous pieces don’t get the same type of traction. We’ve also seen major pieces blow up - Hustlers, originally a NYMag piece, Inventing Anna, same.
Charlotte Cowles has been writing for the Cut for a while, and I very much doubt that this was accidental. It’s possible that outside authors are less aware, but I doubt it.
This is so good and I can’t believe I’ve been in the “I’m above this” camp that feels that I’m better than all the goofiness? Like as stupid as it seems, it’s still worth investigating these fake trends to learn that they’re STILL just marketing ploys. You’re a great essayist!
thank you so much for the kind words! It’s such an irritating realization, right? I am still haunted by conversations I had about Riverdale like 5 years ago
So good that I didn’t want the piece to end! I’m going to be wondering if I’m falling for this as I scroll now. Made me think about how we love-hate so many characters in a show like Janice in Friends or Matty in Lizzie McGuire. Like these posts are in a cast of characters, one marketing sort among many for a specific audience
thank you so much for reading! And ooh, what a good point – I'll definitely be mulling it over as I watch.
You are such a talented writer and thinker. This one is going to be sticking with me for a while as I digest it!
that's such high praise – thank you so much, Elle!