Let's explore NYC's new members-only clubs

A deep dive into the ultraexclusive new openings.

Good morning everyone.

Today’s letter includes:

• Chris Black’s new work at J. Crew

• An exploration of the full-spectrum of new members-only clubs in New York City (no, I’m not talking about Casa Cipriani and Zero Bond — I’m talking about the new ones)

• Bilt’s latest fundraise from General Catalyst. It’s pretty interesting to see the Bilt news on the same day as the Brex news.

NEWS:

• Women don’t want to wear pants anymore. Why? Because it’s “main character energy.” Because, “There’s a whimsy about the look, a lack of preciousness,” says Leandra Medine Cohen. Because if you workout a lot, you want to show the fruits of your labor. Because tights rock.

• I have avoided addressing the “mob wife” trend until today. I hate shit like that, and I think if something is viral on TikTok it can stay there — it doesn’t have to enter my real world… like newspapers. But Rachel Tashjian spoke to Juliet Polcsa, who designed the very memorable costumes on “The Sopranos.” And that, I care about. And she has the same thoughts that I do (I’m from Long Island, and my parents are from Brooklyn so I can back this up): “I think the biggest thing is, it’s not so much the clothing,” Polcsa told Tashjian. “It’s more about the attitude. It’s this fierceness. With Carmela, there was a strength and attitude that she had. She was not a wallflower. She was a strong woman. I think that appeals to people.” And some of you are simply wallflowers with french manicures and cheap fur coats.

• Cookware company Our Place launched a blender. I actually think this is a good looking product, and aligns with the boom of smoothie/ wellness/ supplement culture. Say what you want about Our Place, but I’ve been impressed by their ambition in the electronic appliance industry. Where other cookware companies like Caraway and Great Jones stick with pots, pans, and kitchenware, Our Place really differentiated themselves by creating competitors to air fryers, pressure cookers, and the NutriBullet. This is a funny little chart they include. Some of those rows are… questionable.