Taylor Lorenz, a former New York Times journalist, and Kat Tenbarge, formerly with NBC News, dive into the newfound aesthetic of young conservatism. They discuss how modern conservative fashion mirrors Reagan-era styles, appealing especially to women. The conversation highlights the rise of 'trad wives' and old money aesthetics, critiquing the performative nature of influencer culture. They also examine the Kardashians' evolving dating choices and the broader implications of cultural appropriation within today's political landscape.
The podcast discusses how young conservatives' fashion choices reflect a longing for traditional values while embracing modern fast fashion's contradictions.
It critically explores the regression of beauty standards among young women, from celebrating Black features to conforming to more Eurocentric aesthetics.
The emergence of exclusive social clubs highlights the performative nature of aspiring for old money lifestyles amid rising economic instability.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Aesthetic Politics
The podcast examines the shift in political aesthetics among young conservatives, highlighting how their current fashion choices reflect a longing for traditional values while ironically embracing modern fast fashion. Influencers and young adults are seen cosplaying wealth and conservative ideals, often wearing inexpensive items from brands like Shein at events designed to evoke a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era. The discussion reveals a stark contrast between the costly venues they choose to celebrate these ideals and the cheap, mass-produced clothing they often wear, suggesting a hollowness in their desired identity. This aesthetic shift is emblematic of a broader cultural phenomenon where political alignment intertwines with style, reflecting deeper socio-economic insecurities.
Cultural Appropriation and Beauty Standards
There is a critical exploration of how beauty standards have regressed within the context of contemporary conservatism, particularly among young women influenced by figures like the Kardashians. The shift from culturally appropriating traits associated with Black women to adopting Eurocentric ideals is highlighted, implicating the broader societal rejection of diversity in beauty. The critical perspective indicates that while Black features were once celebrated, they are now rejected in favor of a more conservative, traditional aesthetic, pushing many women back to conforming to narrower beauty standards. This appropriation and subsequent rejection highlight the complex relationship between cultural trends and prevailing political ideologies.
The 'Tuxedo Society' and Class Pretensions
The podcast discusses the emergence of exclusive social clubs, such as the fictitious 'Tuxedo Society,' where young people pay exorbitant fees to simulate old money aesthetics, further illustrating the performative nature of their aspirations. Their desire to project wealth and status through rented venues and curated images is portrayed as a desperate attempt to capture a lifestyle increasingly out of reach for many. This phenomenon highlights the absurdity of striving for an American aristocracy that has been largely mythologized, while also revealing the underlying economic instability influencing these decisions. The discussion resonates with the notion that superficial appearances are not only misleading but also a reflection of broader socio-economic challenges faced by young people today.
Insecurity and the Backlash Against Diversity
The conversation underscores the connection between rising conservative aesthetics and a backlash against the more inclusive cultural norms seen in previous years. The panel highlights how the MAGA movement, once characterized by a flamboyant, garish style, has now adopted a more polished and traditional visual identity that mirrors past Republican aesthetics. This shift is presented as a reaction to increasing diversity in popular culture, with younger conservatives aiming to reclaim a narrative that centers their Eurocentric beauty standards and political ideals. The discussion connects these aesthetics to a growing discomfort with changing demographics and ideologies, which they seek to combat through a return to nostalgic visual representations of power.
The Consequences of Aesthetic Consumerism
The podcast critically examines how consumer culture, particularly surrounding beauty and fashion, shapes political alignments and personal identities within the context of conservatism. Young people are shown to be navigating their desires for authenticity and belonging while participating in a system that often commodifies political beliefs and personal aesthetics. This intersection of consumerism and identity is dissected, revealing the tragic irony where individuals strive to align with political factions through their fashion choices while inadvertently perpetuating a culture that dismisses marginalized identities. The discussion concludes with a poignant reminder that, despite the aspirational façade projected by these aesthetics, the reality of economic precarity remains a shared experience across political divides.
Quiet luxury. Clean girl. Old money. Trad living. Kylie Jenner’s pivot from Black culture vulture to glass skin pilates princess. College youth dressed like polyester Shein replicas of Reagan-era prepsters. Something’s happened, and I’m uncomfortable.
