Happy Halloween, my friends! I’ll be taking my kids trick or treating with wine in a paper coffee cup (Fri-yay, amirite). Who is dressing up, and as what? If you need a last-minute idea, how about AI slop?
I found this on Threads, Meta’s Twitter knockoff that I’m using more and more. (You can follow me here.)
This is Back Row’s second-ever monthly recap. This issue of the newsletter is designed to highlight Back Row’s stories, podcast episodes, community, and shopping picks, plus anything else on my mind that I didn’t cover in the newsletter this month. Those of you who generously pay to support the newsletter can see what your money goes toward creating each month.
First, Back Row launched a podcast! It includes original interviews and conversations with friends of Back Row, plus audio versions of the newsletter. Paying newsletter subscribers can access all episodes through the Back Row private feed. If you are a free subscriber, follow Back Row in Apple, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to podcasts (and if you only want to pay for audio, you can do so there).
I realize we have exceedingly busy lives and almost no one can read everything they want to, so I hope this allows a wider audience to consume Back Row’s journalism and commentary — while you’re making dinner, driving kids to activities, power-walking, etc. As with the newsletter, Back Row’s juiciest reporting and hottest takes will remain behind audio paywalls.
This month’s podcast highlights:
My friend and fashion journalist (who writes The Style Files on Substack) joined me for “Fashion Month Awards.” (Find on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.) We made picks from the spring 2026 shows for categories like “Most Likely to Be Worn by Lauren Sánchez,” “Best Designer Debut,” “Most Awkward Front Row Celebrity,” and more.
I chatted with Linus Karp and Joseph Martin, the brilliant minds behind the hit play with music Gwyneth Goes Skiing. (Find on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.) We talked about what it was like to belong to the small club of Gwyneth historians, why her flop movies matter, Gwyneth’s comments about me in British Vogue, and much more.
Avery Trufelman, host of the Articles of Interest podcast, stopped by to talk about how the military has influenced modern menswear and gorpcore. (Find on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.) We also analyzed Greta Lee’s new Vogue cover. (A lot of people told me she looked like a pirate in her new Dior men’s jacket by Jonathan Anderson.)
Now that I’m not working under the tyranny of a book deadline, I’m trying to do more juicy, original reporting for the newsletter for paying subscribers.
October’s paid issues of Back Row:
This month’s “Retail Confessions” — in which luxury retail employees talk about what selling fashion to the world’s wealthiest people is really like — featured stealth wealth brand Brunello Cucinelli:
If I had a client who was really big, we would go to Palo Alto. They flew me out there for my training and they’d be like, “If you’re going to do a custom suit, you come here, we’ll fly you and the client here, and then we will do this suit.” I think the lowest you can get away with spending was about $10,000, and they ranged up to $80,000, $100,000 suits.
I’m still surprised by the celebratory discourse surrounding the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, an aughts relic that was revived in spectacularly dated form this month. From my recap: “The brand can’t seem to evolve its idea of sexy beyond breasts, bronzer, and bedazzling. (It’s hard to imagine Kim Kardashian deciding to stage an hour-long Skims commercial that looks anything like like this telecast.)”
Anna Wintour may have “stepped back” from American Vogue — but she is never retiring. That was my conclusion after I dug into the current state of the Met Gala.
Is there any hope for Ryan Murphy’s FX show about Carolyn Bessette and JFK Jr.’s romance? I dug into the state of affairs with the costumes that were widely ridiculed over the summer — and asked influencers whom he claimed would advise the show if they had been enlisted.
In honor of the podcast launch, Back Row published more free issues than usual. The newsletter could use your support, because those free issues require time and money.
The free stories:
Jonathan Anderson finally made his debut for Dior — I found it strange.
Matthieu Blazy also made his highly anticipated debut for Chanel, which looked like his Bottega.
Here’s a shortened Q&A with Avery Trufelman, if that’s more your jam than a pod.
The Row’s sample sale was a bizarre and enjoyable affair for those, like me, who consumed it through TikTok.
Next up: Back Row’s October shopping picks.
The most purchased item recommended by Back Row was this Banana Republic shirt dress. Lately, when I’m evaluating a stealth wealth brand like The Row, I ask myself, Is this worth 5x what I’d spend at Banana Republic? Quite often, the answer is no.
The second most purchased item was this clasp-less, lined bra by EBY, which I was skeptical of at first but is the most comfortable bra I own.
I haven’t bough much new stuff lately, but am loving my Ayr tops from last fall, like this cashmere polo sweater and this long-sleeved T-shirt.
My denim pick right now is still the Sofie by rag & bone (I have been living in a version of these from last year). American Eagle makes great budget options for wide-leg denim.
I asked you all what you’re buying for fall in a chat thread. Here’s some of what you said (I tried to match links to descriptions, hopefully I got them right!):
“Gap sweat suits in jewel tones. Portland mom drop off uniform!”
“I just bought the Vintage Flare Pant in Corduroy from J.Crew in French Press. I’m obsessed already. Also just bought suede chocolate brown booties from Velasca — really well made and beautiful. I wore them for a 10 hour day in the office with lots of walking and they were comfy all day.”
A number of you said you’re buying sweaters on eBay and The Real Real.
“Gonna look for a middle-management version of Hermes’ men’s wool/cashmere zipped varsity cardigan. That thing looks sublime but I also have bills and sh%t.”
Also… lots of loafer buyers! I have never been unhappy with any shoe purchase from Margaux and would try these myself. I also hear good things about these by Aeyde. And apparently fashion people love these by Saint Laurent (which are pricey and often sold out).
The thing I love the most about Back Row is the community — especially your insightful and hilarious comments! Highlights from the especially active comment section on The Row sample sale story:
“Odd ball comment- Banana Republic has been good! I was at the Palo Alto store & I didn’t need to hire a dog sitter - I did secretly 🤫 sneak in a wine in my corksicle.” —Megan (Portable wine = my aforementioned trick-or-treating accessory!)
“Do I need to defend Capri pants again?” —Susan
“I’ll stand 10 toes down for sample sales. When I was younger they were a way for me to affordably build a wardrobe esp since NYC doesn’t have loads of stores like TJ Maxx.” —Charlly
“I’m still stuck on people paying three digits for a pair of black flip flops.” —Terena
Comments are paywalled — if you want to join the fun, you know what to do.
Finally, two short hot takes — first on Vogue World, then on the apparent ongoing Substack writer exodus.
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