Every Outfit Podcast, Episode 264: On Billie’s Bell Jar, CBK Mania, Paris Fashion Week

Date: March 13, 2026
Hosts: Chelsea Fairless and Lauren Garroni

Episode Overview

In this episode, Chelsea and Lauren deliver their signature incisive, humorous, and deeply fashion-forward analysis of the biggest news stories rocking the fashion and pop culture worlds. From the shock casting of Billie Eilish in the upcoming Bell Jar film, to the pop culture ripple effect of Ryan Murphy’s “Love Story” on all things Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, to a comprehensive breakdown of the highs and lows of Paris Fashion Week, this episode is a jam-packed tour through the current fashion zeitgeist. Expect biting commentary, sharp nostalgia, and the kind of cultural references and fashion historian energy only Every Outfit can bring.

Section 1: Billie Eilish Cast in The Bell Jar Film

[01:32–11:12]

Key Points and Discussion:

• Breaking News: Billie Eilish to star in Sarah Polley’s adaptation of The Bell Jar.
  • Lauren: “This week it was the news that Sarah Polley will be directing an adaptation of The Bell Jar starring, wait for it, Billie Eilish.” [01:37]
  • Chelsea: “It's like having a baby that's just learned to walk, like run a marathon or something.” [02:41]
• Hollywood’s recent fascination with pop stars in iconic literary roles.
  • Recap of long, failed development for The Bell Jar adaptations—past versions with Kirsten Dunst, Dakota Fanning, Julia Stiles, etc.
  • Other 2000s attempts (including “Prozac Nation”) and why they flopped.
• Billie’s suitability for the part: excitement mixed with skepticism.
  • Chelsea: “We just don’t want Sylvia Plath to have Instagram face.” [09:44]
  • Lauren: “I didn't imagine Esther to have gigantic natural tits.” [10:14]
• Will Billie Eilish do the soundtrack? Almost certainly.
• The cultural impact of The Bell Jar, from Tumblr tattoos to Gen Alpha.
  • Lauren: “I'm worried this is going to inspire an entire generation of Gen Alpha girls to get ‘I am, I am, I am’ tattooed on them, which was a big deal when we were in our 20s and, like, very Tumblr circa 2009.” [06:24]
• Dream casting and Sophia Plath adaptation wishlists: Maya Hawke, Saoirse Ronan, Mia Goth, Anya Taylor-Joy.
  • Launches into a fan-casting game segment.
• Notable one-liners:
  • Chelsea (joking about Sarah Polley’s accident): “Is that why she cast Billie Eilish as Sylv a Plath? Because she has a traumatic brain injury?” [09:29]
  • Both hosts express hope but major caution regarding the adaptation's tone and legacy.

Section 2: Love Story Fallout & Carolyn Bessette Kennedy (CBK) Culture

[14:01–42:49]

Notable Quotes/Segments:

• Daryl Hannah’s NYT Op-Ed:
  • Daryl Hannah refutes her villain portrayal in “Love Story,” highlighting the new permanence of internet gossip.
    • Chelsea: “Classy as fuck.” [14:35]
    • Daryl Hannah (read by Lauren): “Birdcage liners biodegrade. Online, lies endure. May love and truth prevail.” [17:49]
• Jack Schlossberg on 'Love Story':
  • Slams the show as pure fiction:
    • Jack Schlossberg: “If you want to know someone who's never met anyone in my family knows nothing about us, talk to Ryan Murphy. I would just want people who do watch the show to watch it with one letter in mind. And that's A capital F for fiction.” [19:12]
• Media Portrayals, Fiction vs Reality:
  • The host’s skepticism about some dramatized moments, especially handling of domestic violence between CBK and JFK Jr.
• TikTok Mania:
  • New York staple C.O. Bigelow overrun by Gen Z searching for CBK headbands; historical restaurants now “pilgrimage” locations.
    • Lauren: “CO Bigelow has been overrun by TikTok girlies seeking the Carolyn Bessette Kennedy headbands. Standing room only. It’s mayhem in here.” [26:58]
• Fan Commentary:
  • On failed JFK Jr. lookalike contests and the resurgence of interest in CBK, Jackie O, and Lee Radziwill.
• Accuracy of CBK Moments:
  • Deep dives into public fights, paparazzi culture, and real-life sources compared to dramatizations.
    • Chelsea: “They’re so fucking messy. Like that is crazy. And if they’re doing that in public, can you imagine what they were doing behind closed doors?” [33:01]

Section 3: The RealReal & Sustainable Shopping Sidebar

[12:03–13:32, 49:03–49:54]

• The hosts briefly discuss their recent buys and selling experiences on The RealReal.
  • Chelsea: “I bought a knit asymmetric 90s Donna Karan LBD that I think I’ll wear a lot…” [12:06]

Section 4: Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026 Breakdown

[50:54–76:31]

Balenciaga x Euphoria Collaboration

[51:04–54:21]

• Pier Paolo’s Balenciaga collection, the Euphoria tie-in, and struggles between aesthetic vision vs. brand expectations.
  • Chelsea: “This show upset me for a lot of reasons, but mostly because I think that Pier Paulo is a great designer and watching him compromise his vision... is deeply sad to me.” [51:22]
  • Lauren: “They should have just done a hard pivot. Yeah, they should have just said, I'm sorry, existing Balenciaga customer. You go shop somewhere else.” [54:09]

Designer Collections: Hits & Misses

Jean Paul Gaultier

[55:10–58:53]

• “Most improved” collection after last season’s disaster; focus on theatrical, editorial looks (notably, ‘wooden doll’ marionette).
  • Chelsea: “Can you imagine being like, out in these streets dressed as a slutty marionette?” [55:10]
  • Lauren: “But yeah, there are some kooky looks that... could impossibly be worn anywhere but an editorial.” [57:16]

Loewe

[59:26–61:08]

• Jack & Lazaro’s tenure brings more commercial viability, but Chelsea decries the new logo:
  • Chelsea: “To me, like, the Loewe logo is like the best luxury logo ever... they had a perfect logo and they changed it for the sake of change…” [61:08]

Mugler

[62:21–64:34]

• Current collection lacks identity, veering more toward Claude Montana colors and silhouettes.
  • Lauren: “...the colors and the silhouettes... reminded me more of Claude Montana, who was like Thierry Mugler’s, like, biggest competitor. Mugler's Wario.” [62:48]

Chanel

[64:49–67:13]

• Focus on more wearable, drop-waist silhouettes and age-diverse casting.
  • Lauren: “Yeah, he's pushing a much more wearable, modest silhouette. And as someone with a long torso and an indecipherable waist to hip ratio. I appreciate this.” [65:39]

Louis Vuitton

[67:13–69:14]

• Baffling collection; speculative Oscar predictions for Emma Stone and Jennifer Lawrence.

Comme des Garçons (CDG) Brands

[70:18–73:22]

• High praise for pink dress section; overall, CDG’s “sleep paralysis demons” aesthetic endorsed by Chelsea.

Celine

[94:23–97:38]

• “Diane Keaton energy” throughout; wearable, practical sophistication returned to the brand.
  • Lauren: “There weren't any women of a certain age on the runway. But I do believe that the spirit of Diane Keaton was present at this show in many of the looks.” [94:27]

Section 5: Washed Up Rock Stars & Contentious Runway Guests

[74:25–76:31]

• Runway appearances by Billy Idol (Ann Demeulemeester) and Marilyn Manson (Enfants Riches Déprimés) spark controversy.
  • Lauren: “Marilyn Manson’s still touring. He’s in a fashion show. It was disappointing to see Billy Corgan and Courtney Love at Marilyn Manson's recent birthday.” [77:24]
  • Hosts discuss the lack of context in fashion reporting about problematic figures, the irony of scheduling for International Women’s Day, and media responsibility.

Section 6: Notable Fashion Week Guests & The Age of Ozempic

[82:42–89:59]

Women of a Certain Age at Fashion Week

• Oprah’s highly visible attendance at multiple shows.

  • Chelsea: “To me, the discourse around Oprah just like annoyed me because it’s like, can’t this bitch just have one moment of peace in her life ever?” [83:59]
  • [Long segment on Oprah’s journey and public scrutiny for her body—cheered for her Ozempic-induced weight loss, context from history, and general empathy.]

• Brooke Shields and the legacy of “Pretty Baby.”

  • Chelsea: “It just must be weird seeing photos of you as a child playing a sex worker.” [88:45]

Section 7: Cultural Nuances, Quotes, and Recurring Jokes

• Fashion’s discourse on aging, celebrity, and public image; CBK as a cross-generational meme.
• Chelsea: “I'm not saying it's not like untoned like she is an incredible ass. I'm just saying it's to me like the correct ass for Westwood, which has been a more natural look historically. An ass forward look. Exactly.” [82:29–82:33]

Section 8: Lightning Round - Other Fashion Week Highlights

[90:08–93:14]

• Chloe 70’s sweater origins, Miu Miu’s Lula-era throwback, and Sissy Spacek’s viral FROW moment.

Final Thoughts & Upcoming Content

[97:58–98:39]

• Hosts tease future video content for podcast listeners and preview Oscars coverage—will Emma Stone wear LV?
  • Chelsea: “We will be back next week to talk about the Oscars and whether or not Emma Stone wore that Louis Vuitton dress…” [98:24]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “We just don’t want Sylvia Plath to have Instagram face.” – Chelsea [09:44]
• “Birdcage liners biodegrade. Online, lies endure.” – Daryl Hannah via hosts [17:49]
• “He sucks as a boyfriend, of course.” – Chelsea, on the fictional JFK Jr. [35:36]
• “CO Bigelow has been overrun by TikTok girlies seeking the Carolyn Bessette Kennedy headbands. Standing room only. It’s mayhem in here.” – Lauren [26:58]
• “This is a man that did a show that was entirely pink voluntarily, because that’s who he is, you know.” – Chelsea [53:17]
• “There are some kooky looks that... could impossibly be worn anywhere but an editorial.” – Lauren, on Gaultier [57:16]
• “It is a very distinctly ... Diane Keaton look to wear a hat like that with either a blazer or just like a full on overcoat.” – Chelsea [94:53]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [01:32] Billie Eilish’s Bell Jar casting
  • [04:51] Film adaptation history and failed projects
  • [07:09] Soundtrack speculation
  • [10:34] Dream/fan casting
• [14:01] Love Story + Daryl Hannah reaction
• [19:12] Jack Schlossberg’s CBS Morning interview
• [26:58] CBK Mania on TikTok/NYC stores
• [29:36] Love Story episode fact-checking, public fight
• [35:23] Is JFK Jr. a “good boyfriend” in Love Story?
• [50:54] Paris Fashion Week (Balenciaga x Euphoria)
• [55:10] Jean Paul Gaultier collection
• [59:26] Loewe
• [62:21] Mugler
• [64:49] Chanel
• [67:13] Louis Vuitton
• [70:18] Comme Des Garçons
• [94:23] Celine & Diane Keaton hats
• [82:42] Women of a Certain Age at PFW (Oprah, Brooke Shields)
• [90:08] Chloe 70’s signature sweater
• [91:10] Miu Miu’s nostalgic casting

Tone & Style

True to form, Chelsea and Lauren maintain a witty, irreverent tone filled with cutting observations, deep knowledge of fashion history, and frequent digressions into pop culture. Their conversation is peppered with insider references (from Lauren’s “ass-forward” analysis of Westwood to Chelsea’s biting asides about fashion media) and a love of both the ridiculous and the beautiful in fashion.

This episode offers a highly entertaining, multilayered snapshot of the intersection between contemporary pop culture and fashion, with sharp perspectives on everything from casting decisions to internet-fueled style revivals, and a generous dose of good-natured (and at times savage) fashion critique.