Apr 5, 2021 - But I digress...
So it’s just me and Jenn on the show this week, talking about aging since we both recently had birthdays, and cracking each other up rather a lot. We’re talking about what happens to your sense of style in midlife, acceptance of our changing bodies, and so much more. Listen in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. And how about subscribing to our Patreon for all sorts of fun extra content like exclusive episodes? You’ll not regret it.
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Kim France
I was born in Houston, Texas in 1964 and have lived in New York City since 1988. I had a long career in magazines, working at Sassy, Elle, New York, and Spin, and in 2000, I founded Lucky magazine, which I edited for ten years.
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I was born in Houston, Texas in 1964 and have lived in New York City since 1988. I had a long career in magazines, working at Sassy, Elle, New York, and Spin, and in 2000, I founded Lucky magazine, which I edited for ten years.
It’s incredible when something like road rage takes over! A total stranger can enrage us like no other.
I also can’t get over how angry I get over online comments – drains the life right out of me.
Great episode!
Being around a lot of teen/college age young women, I think they have it both better and worse these days re: body image. Worse, because instead of just magazines and TV, images of the perfect body are carried around in their pockets accessible 24/7 on social media. And the rules are just as strict as they ever were, only now disguised under “clean eating.” Better, because if you are fat or otherwise don’t fit the standard, you can more easily find “your people” who accept you by going online.
Your discussion of “getting stuck in style” reminded me of this article. https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2021/04/hannah-gadsby-on-the-comfort-cocoon-she-calls-her-clothes?utm Feeling like you need to always change your look to “keep up” … that’s what the fashion industry wants you to feel.
I loved this episode too. It inspired many thoughts, about uniforms, boyish wardrobes, acceptance of changing bodies and more, but I’ll just comment on something Jen said about wanting to move to the other side of “this passage.” If she was talking about menopause, then yes, the symptoms go away. But the aging process inexorably continues. At 73 I cringe at offering platitudes, but exercising generosity and finding joy, love, gratitude and self-love wherever possible can help. (Plus a face lift, Nutrafol, Latisse, sunscreen, laser treatments, Drunk Elephant C Serum etc, etc, etc.)
I loved this episode, too. Guests are great, but it is wonderful just to hear the two of you banter.
Loved this episode (tell the truths…tell ALL the truths!) and it makes me sad to know that voices like yours are not being hired by media companies. While I think f*ck them, and am happy you’re creating something on your own, I also fantasize about a mainstream publication run and written by wise women of a certain age. There are SO many of us that still feel alive, young and have MONEY to spend.
Really great episode — I love that you’re making time for a regular check-in lately, and a whole episode of Kim + Jenn is a great bonus.
I absolutely LOVED this podcast. I was exercising while listening and kept losing count because of laughing. Y’all are perfect together. And do the kegel exercises, Kim (and same for everyone else who doesn’t), or you might suffer from a “dropped bladder” later which requires SURGERY––when that happened to a couple of women I know I began kegeling like crazy and am so glad I did!
Kegels can also help with The Incident That Was Almost Too Mortifying to Mention! Faces get all the attention as we age, but I’d argue that maintaining one’s pelvic floor (as it involves everything down under) is also very important. Great podcast.
I absolutely loved this episode. Please do more!! Thank you for making this podcast!
Love the new hosting dynamic – I can relate to every.single.stinken.comment on the cast today – even Kim’s very honest share at the end. The middle age clothing crisis (I still dress like a 90’s genderqueer person and wear too much black – is that so wrong??), I am thinking of starting up my own thing as being out there working for 20+ years makes you realize what not to do and what you want to do, and our bodies – yes! How much time have we wasted on that crap…and probably will grapple with forever. – signed fellow “fat” size 8 (eyeroll)
Same here—you guys have so much chemistry and the show in general has more of an ease to it. Before (with the exception of maybe the guest who works in publishing) I would often get seriously bummed out after listening. Yay for more lightness and fun while still addressing getting older!
Jen, I’m turning 48 next month and I’m right there with you hanging on to that plane window.
Loved this episode! I’m 43 years old and could relate to everything you discussed. I’m kegeling right now as I type.
Loved this episode. I felt like I was just listening in on a great conversation between my friends. Could relate to everything! Just kept nodding my head and whispering, “Yes!”
Oh my god, I related to every single thing you guys talked about. I swear, I reached my mid-40s and suddenly turned into a Woody Allen character regarding my health. I just spent $500 worth of doctor’s bills just to find out I have gas and should be taking Prilosec. If every podcast were just you two talking, I’d still love it.
This is one of my favorite episodes ever! And I love this podcast. Jen–I’m dying for specifics on your uniform, even though it is so different from mine at 48. And yes, 48 is a weird year in a lot of ways but it can also be a great one! I think I might end up experimenting more with my personal style. My mantra has been: if not now, when? Now, this has led to some mistakes. Like the Adidas sneakers that did indeed (you were right Kim) look like clown shoes on my tiny feet. But, I have a 13 year old daughter who is DELIGHTED to have them, so win-win. I tried something I was curious about and she got sneakers she’s been coveting. I also love looking at the Accidental Icon IG feed for inspiration. I think I’ll be dressing up more when the pandemic is over. I absolutely LOVE clothes. Thanks for a great podcast–felt like coffee with two good friends.
This episode pretty much made my week. On Monday. Hands down. You guys are pretty much perfect together.
so i was eating while listening to this one – that was an unexpected zinger! 🙂
as always, so appreciate your honesty kimfrance!
also – i hate to sound mom like, but please be careful in situations like the one you described- there are a lot of nutty bars out there…
Emily Nunn, the food writer that Jen mentioned who needed “more experience” to work at the Washington Post, would be an excellent podcast guest for you ladies. Her Twitter is really good!
Hi! So my wardrobe these days mostly consists of Big Bud Press pants or Dickies overalls, cute sweatshirts with collared shirts underneath, and Nikes or Dansko clogs with tie-dyed socks. I doubt anyone would call this “chic” but I’m enjoying myself/living my 80s art teacher dreams. 🙂
Jen! This is my 13 year old daughter’s preferred look too! How hilarious is that? She doesn’t know about those pants but she looooves rocking an adorable collared shirt under a chic sweatshirt (all stolen from me of course). On the bottom she wears a printed flouncy skirt to the knee or high-waisted shorts (all hers–the ship has sailed for me in both departments). Often with a pair of bright red strawberry earrings. I love having a daughter. And I think the two of you have FABULOUS style. 😉 Thank you for sharing. I’m going to go look up those pants now. I don’t know about them. My favorite pants are the East Hampton pant from Nili Lotan. Very chic and slimming as Kim knows.
I’m an actual HS Art Teacher – we do have this thing for overalls and Dickies in general – oh and clogs – they just work!!! Rock your look!