The Vogue Weddings curse

Summary

Style-ish Podcast Episode Summary: "The Vogue Weddings Curse"
Release Date: July 22, 2025 | Host: Shameless Media

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Madeline White’s Wedding and Its Impact on Bridal Trends

The episode kicks off with a comprehensive discussion about influencer Madeline White's highly publicized wedding, which has been a hot topic across TikTok and Instagram. Madison Sullivan Thorpe introduces the subject, highlighting Madeline's DIY approach to her wedding attire, including bridesmaid dresses, which garnered both admiration and criticism from the online community.

• Madeline's DIY Bridal Choices:
  Madison (11:39): "She brought her DIY pension into her wedding too. She actually DIYed her bridesmaid dresses."

Despite showcasing four different wedding looks, the reception was mixed. While the bridesmaid dresses were widely praised, Madeline's wedding dress faced divided opinions, sparking debates about individuality versus traditional bridal expectations.

• Public Reception:
  Joanna Fleming (12:01): "I don't get it. Like, what is it about weddings and bridal fashion that brings, like, such an open platform for negative commentary?"

The hosts delve into the broader implications of such public scrutiny, questioning whether there's a shift away from the traditional "cookie-cutter" wedding formula. They explore the pressure high-profile weddings place on couples and the potential link between extravagant weddings and higher divorce rates.

• Pressure and Authenticity:
  Arneka Joshi Smith (16:25): "I don't want to spend ridiculous amounts of money."

Madison raises concerns about the "Vogue bride to divorce" pipeline, emphasizing the emotional and financial stress associated with high-profile weddings.

• Vogue's Influence:
  Madison (16:00): "I honestly, Madeline, wish you a lifetime of happiness... hard to deny that there is a pipeline for Vogue bride to divorce."

The segment concludes with reflections on more intimate and less extravagant wedding approaches, highlighting personal anecdotes and preferences for smaller, meaningful ceremonies.

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Polka Dots: The Rising Trend

Transitioning to a lighter topic, the hosts present a detailed trend report on the resurgence of polka dots in fashion. Citing Vogue’s Olivia Allen, they attribute the trend to a broader embrace of 80s aesthetics and a shift towards bolder, more decadent styles dubbed "boom boom."

• Trend Insights:
  Arneka (22:29): "Polka dots are part of a wider trend embracing 80s aesthetics... Trendalytics data showing a 260% increase in search volume for polka dot items in 2025."

Joanna Fleming shares her personal affinity for polka dots despite initial reservations, discussing how designers are reinventing the pattern with varied scales, colors, and textures.

• Designer Interpretations:
  Joanna (24:16): "Designers are playing with scale. They're blowing them up... seeing brands like Sur the Label do really cute, like, micro polka dots."

The hosts debate the femininity of polka dots and their adaptability to different styles, with Madison advocating for more romantic silhouettes to modernize the look.

• Feminine vs. Androgynous Styles:
  Madison (27:54): "I would say I'm more of an androgynous dresser... I am leaning towards more femme silhouettes with a polka dot."

Joanna hints at upcoming collections featuring innovative polka dot designs, promising listeners to stay tuned for future insights.

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The Decline of Leggings in Fashion

In a thought-provoking segment, the hosts examine the apparent decline in the popularity of leggings, despite the growing sportswear market. Citing a Business of Fashion article by Kathleen Chan, they discuss how Gen Z is moving away from the fitted, ankle-length leggings favored by millennials towards oversized, slouchier workout attire.

• Market Shifts:
  Madison (31:06): "Google searches for leggings have been consistently decreasing since December 2020 when the term peaked."

Arneka highlights retail statistics showing leggings' decreasing presence in activewear assortments, down from 47% in 2022 to 39% in 2025, while the overall sportswear market continues to expand.

• Retail Data:
  Madison (32:36): "Leggings accounted for 39% of bottoms assortments across activewear brands, which is down from 47% in 2022."

The discussion explores alternative trends replacing leggings, such as flare pants and one-piece units, emphasizing comfort and versatility. The hosts share personal preferences and observations about the evolving activewear landscape.

• Alternative Trends:
  Joanna (34:43): "I'm seeing a lot more of one pieces, like unitas... a bit more athleisure."

Madison anticipates continued growth in lifestyle-oriented activewear, noting collaborations like Skims and Nike as key players in this transition.

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Controversy Over Sunburn in Marketing Campaigns

The episode takes a critical turn as the hosts address a troubling trend in fashion marketing: the use of sunburnt skin in advertising campaigns. They express concern over high-end brands like Jack Mousse, Tower 28, and Rhodes promoting sunburned aesthetics, which glamorize tanning culture and downplay the associated health risks.

• Marketing Critique:
  Arneka (38:09): "They're positioning sunburn as something that's cool and aspirational and trendy when we all know it's anything but."

Madison shares a personal account of suffering severe sunburn, underscoring the harmful reality behind the glamorized imagery.

• Personal Impact:
  Madison (42:05): "I was horrifically sunburnt over the summer... It was nothing glamorous... irreversible sign of aging."

Joanna Fleming echoes these sentiments, highlighting the contradictory nature of promoting sunburn while advocating for skincare and protection.

• Contradictory Messaging:
  Joanna (41:26): "We're glamorizing sunburn and tan culture... It can be misinterpreted in a really dangerous and harmful way."

The hosts lament that Australian brands are less likely to partake in this trend due to the country's high melanoma rates and social sensitivity towards sun damage.

• Cultural Sensitivity:
  Arneka (44:08): "I feel like Australian brands would get torn to shreds in the Australian media and on Australian socials."

Madison and Arneka call out specific brands, urging for more responsible marketing practices that prioritize health over fleeting aesthetic trends.

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Conclusion

"The Vogue Weddings Curse" episode of Style-ish delves into the intricate interplay between high-profile weddings, evolving fashion trends, and the ethical responsibilities of brands. From the scrutiny surrounding influencer weddings to the resurgence of playful polka dots and the decline of leggings, the hosts provide insightful commentary on the dynamic nature of the fashion industry. Their candid discussion on the problematic trend of sunburnt skin in marketing underscores a commitment to advocating for healthier and more authentic representations in fashion.

Notable Quotes:

• Madison Sullivan Thorpe (16:00): "I honestly, Madeline, wish you a lifetime of happiness... hard to deny that there is a pipeline for Vogue bride to divorce."

• Joanna Fleming (12:01): "I don't get it. Like, what is it about weddings and bridal fashion that brings, like, such an open platform for negative commentary?"

• Arneka Joshi Smith (38:09): "They're positioning sunburn as something that's cool and aspirational and trendy when we all know it's anything but."

• Madison Sullivan Thorpe (42:05): "It was nothing glamorous... irreversible sign of aging."

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the "The Vogue Weddings Curse" episode, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners and non-listeners alike.

Transcript

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Foreign.

[Joanna Fleming]

This episode of Stylish is brought to you by Michael Hill, masters of the classics and our favorite fine jeweller.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

This is Stylish, the podcast for all things fashion, brand business, and beauty. I'm back. My name is Madison Sullivan Thorpe, and my co hosts are Joanna Fleming and Arneka Joshi Smith.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Welcome back. I must say, it felt weird doing your intro last week.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

It felt weird listening and hearing you do it. I was like, wait, that's my life.

[Joanna Fleming]

I literally had to, like, step in and put my marketing cap on and offer all of these stunning marketing solutions.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

She really did.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

You guys were great.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Very impressive.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I loved it. Kate, thanks for keeping my seat warm. It was the first episode I realized I've missed.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah. What was your peak in Peter New York to start with?

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Oh, the peak was just all of it. I just love that city. It's absolutely buzzing. The energy is just unmatched. I cried last time I left. I was there for three and a half weeks, and I cried on the plane home because I didn't want to leave. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel the same when I left. So maybe my. My pit was just having to leave.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Okay.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah, that's.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Well, that's a good outcome.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Great outcome.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Oh, I did lose a pair of Saint Laurent heels. Oh, yeah?

[Joanna Fleming]

Not your birthday one.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

How?

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Left them in the hotel closet and the hotel couldn't find them.

[Joanna Fleming]

You're kidding.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

No.

[Joanna Fleming]

Okay.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

And also lost a pair of pajohns and sunnies, so actually, two pits.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

All right. Yeah, we'll take that two piece of.

[Joanna Fleming]

Signs of a very good time. Yeah.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

So we spoke about that new Ryan Murphy drama covering Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. And we spoke a lot about those early images that we'd seen and them not quite matching up with the actress that was playing cbk. I have just seen new hair. It's giving old money. It's not platinum blonde. It's much more the aesthetic of cbk, and I'm much happier with it. So I'm actually looking forward to this coming out.

[Joanna Fleming]

I agree. I'm so excited. And I think maybe this gives us a bit more hope for what's going to come in the wardrobe department.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Maybe Lucy's theory was right. I'd have been onto it, that it was purposeful outrage.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

All right, so today we're discussing influencer Madeline White's wedding and what that means for bridal industry trends, why leggings are declining in popularity, and what's replacing them. We have a trend report on something that we've been seeing everywhere lately. And we're talking about a worrying new trend of brands using sunburnt skin in their ad campaigns, which is sending me. But first, what are we swapping in this week? Mads, do you want to go first?

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Oh, yes, I'd love to go first. I know that Annika usually gets the slot.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

She looked at me, so I just had trade her.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Absolutely absolute daggers. So, as you know, I just got back from New York and the one thing I want to swap in is probably there's two things. One is a mindset and I did a little bit of a TikTok on this, but there is no tall poppy in the us. The concept that you can help prop someone else up and it does not make you shorter is alive and well there. Everyone is hungry, connected, trying to connect. People get connected themselves. It's unbelievable and it's infectious. I just loved it. I went to an event with my girlfriend Beck, who I was traveling with. She has the shaving brand Louis. We were there for an event that she was sort of co branding as well and ended up in a corner with the Aussies, which the irony is not lost on me. The Aussies kind of all found each other and I wrote down all of their names because I don't want to get them wrong. But there are some seriously impressive Aussie young women doing some seriously cool stuff. One was Maddie Stefanis who has 35 millimeter coat. She's 26 and I'm so embarrassed to be 30 because I've never met as like a 26 year old that impressive. Michelle, who, who has a 12, she has been over there, I think she said, for three or four years. She said the US market is just so much bigger than Australia now. Like that is her focus. She's also so generous of spirit, was talking about third party distribution and how she could help other brand founders that were there. So impressive. Taylor Lewis, who's got Sip with us because in America they haven't really thought about reusable cups yet. So she's created this really cool reusable, like sippy cup for your ice lattes. And then there's Claudia Giblin, who's got Reckon, which she's just launched.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

She just saw all of that.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yes, one shout out to that video. It's epic. Like talk about way to launch your production business with a great piece production. But she quit her job that day that she was with us.

[Joanna Fleming]

Wow.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

And then Sophie Hood, who's got Soul Tonic, like just can't recommend Them enough. Can't recommend their businesses enough. But they were so, so awesome and so inspiring. And I came home and I was like, all right, time to, like, get moving on. A couple of things I've, like, been sitting on.

[Joanna Fleming]

So I love that. Honestly, I want to echo that, because I feel like every time I go to the States, it's. It's so infectious just how open everybody is, and there's no gatekeeping. Like, people are so happy to connect you with people, connect you with the right teams, the right. Just contacts and actually create events that foster connection. It's so big, and I would love for it to be like that here in Australia. Like, it's just something that I think we lack in. So I love that.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I feel like people think karma's gonna come and get them. Like, they're like, if I share all of this, good will just come back to me. It will ricochet back. That's so infectious. Loved every minute of it.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

It's really weird that in Australia we have this cult, having to almost suppress your success because you don't want to appear too big.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

And that could be threatening to other people. It's a really weird concept.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

It's a weird concept because there's that part, and I find the other part is that it's embarrassing to be seen to be giving something a go.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Like, to try something is kind of. We're like, oh, that's a bit cringy that you're trying, or you're putting yourself out there. Like, oh, that's embarrassing. It's kind of like people who are filming themselves on TikTok. It's embarrassing until they blow up.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

And then we're like, oh, well, now you're too big and too cool for us.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I don't know. I think there's probably a couple of things we could borrow from that mindset.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah, sure.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah. Jo, what have you got for us?

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

I actually have a fragrance.

[Joanna Fleming]

Oh.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

So I've been layering a couple of fragrances. Taking a leaf out of your book.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Madison, you are talking so dirty to me.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

So at the moment, I'm layering Merit Retrospect.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

That's a great fragrance.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Have you got that one as well?

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I do, yeah.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

So Merit Retrospect. And then the Margiela Replica Afternoon Delight.

[Joanna Fleming]

Nice.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Which I think is new.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I have not smelled that.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

So Merit is an extra de Parfum, which is, like, the most concentrated type of fragrance you can get. But the Afternoon Delight is an outer toilette, which is not the most concentrated. That you can get. So I feel like layering these two is actually really complimentary because the vanilla notes in the afternoon delight are quite strong.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

And so I think the notes of the retrospect really helped to offset that a little bit, and they just nicely complement each other without being really overpowering. I think if it was two EDPs, it would maybe be too much fragrance, but because the EDT is a little bit softer, has less sillage and less longevity, the X ray is a little bit easier to hair and. Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

I don't know. I don't really.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I don't think I'd ever do true edps. I think you've done. You've nailed it there.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Have I? Okay. Because I've never done that before, so. So the merit retrospect has notes of pear, jasmine, and it's also got vanilla. And the afternoon delight also has notes of vanilla, but has more woody, kind of warmish, cozy notes, if that makes sense. Whereas I feel like the merit is a bit cleaner, a bit fresher. So I think they actually complement each other nicely because they've got a note in common, which is the vanilla.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah. What month would you say it's best for?

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Oh, I'm wearing it now. I feel like it's pretty versatile, actually, to be honest with you.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

It's reading very spring to me. I said month. I meant season.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

So may just be the wedding fragrance, perhaps. I'm really enjoying it. So I think it could potentially be that I'm playing around with fragrance a bit at the moment to see what I'm gonna. What I'm gonna wear.

[Joanna Fleming]

I love that.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

May I suggest a wedding fragrance?

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Absolutely, you can.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Tuberose by Maison Cravalli.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

I love Amazon Crvalley.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah. I mean, you know, I'm a slut for Amazon Crivelli.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

I do know that. Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Saffron secret is so high on my wish list. It's not funny.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Okay.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

But I think you and I should have a little wedding fragrance date.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Let's do it.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

Can I come down?

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Of course.

[Joanna Fleming]

I was like, guys, don't forget the formal girl.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Okay. Well, you two get to bond over being autumn shades all the time, so it's about time. You know, I got something.

[Joanna Fleming]

I'll give it to you. I learned something new. Every time I sit in this chair, edp EDT won't be layering the EDP times two.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Glad we can help.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

Thank you.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Well, I'm poor every time we sit in this chair, because I feel like I go and buy whatever you guys recommend.

[Joanna Fleming]

So do. I went and bought the candle version of your perfume, the oud. And oh, my gosh, last night I had burning in my house, and it was like medicine just wafting up and down the hallway. Like, I loved it. It was very sexy. Oh, James thought he got lucky.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I was about to say it was triggering, and you're like, oh, it's very nice. Very sexy. I'm like, ooh, she likes me back.

[Joanna Fleming]

I like you. Anyway, I'm going to swap in something just so not sexy. Actually, we could make this sexy. I could.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Sexy.

[Joanna Fleming]

So this one is going to be quite a divisive trend report, and I don't know if you will be into it.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Okay.

[Joanna Fleming]

But the Aladdin style billowy pants trend.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Okay.

[Joanna Fleming]

Have we been seeing this go on?

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I have seen it.

[Joanna Fleming]

It's all over my algorithm. And I'm talking, like, haram style, like, big, oversized billowy pants. Very, very Euro summer right now. And I feel like Alaia did a great job with this spring summer 25 Runway show. Like, they really accentuated the trend. They're doing it in denim and really beautiful cottons and lightwe fabrics as well. Yeah, Jacques. I feel like I always butcher saying that Jacquemus, but kind of nailed it the second time.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I'm not gonna lie.

[Joanna Fleming]

You know, they've even bought into their ranges. And then obviously brands like free people have been doing it forever because it's so on brand for them. But I've even seen options on asos, and I don't know if I'm going to get behind this trend. I've actually been toying with adding to cart, but I just don't know if I can pull it off. But if I was to do the trend, I feel like I'd wear it like something super fitted up top. So the pants were kind of like the big feature.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

But still undecided.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I think if anyone could pull it off, it would be.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

You could not agree with that more.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah. And I would like you to be the sacrificial lamb of the three of us, because it ain't going on these hips, that's for sure.

[Joanna Fleming]

You know what? Every time I go to New York, it's like my alter ego comes out. So maybe I'll get them and we'll see them in my next New York photo album.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Do that.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

Okay. Okay, I'll do it. Add to cut.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

The alter ego.

[Joanna Fleming]

The alter ego.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I love that My alter ego wore a denim short for the first time in about 10 years. So. Yeah. Turns out I love that.

[Joanna Fleming]

Get those legs out.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Right, right. Get the oud, get the shorts. Okay, our first headline is that TikTok and Madeline White's wedding has everyone talking. So it's the wedding that you've likely seen all across your TikTok and Instagram feeds. But fashion tiktoker Madeline White got married last week and it was everywhere. In large part thanks to the coverage on Vogue Weddings and all the discussion her dress choices sparked. She's known for DIYing her own outfits and has been documenting her wedding planning journey, including taking her viewers through her potential dresses. Which explains why everyone was so hyped up to see the finished product. She brought her DIY pension into her wedding too. She actually DIYed her bridesmaid dresses.

[Joanna Fleming]

So impressive.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I thought it was so impressive. They were beautiful dresses too. In total, she showcased four wedding looks. But while commenters adored the bridesmaid dresses, they were divided about her actual wedding dress. One commenter wrote, she tried on all those beautiful gowns and the comment got 7,000 likes, which is kind of snarky.

[Joanna Fleming]

I just don't get it. Like, what is it about weddings and bridal fashion that brings, like, such a open platform for negative commentary?

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

I thought it was very her dress.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I totally agree. You're so right though, Annika. There's something about a wedding dress that becomes an open slather for a make or break decision of whether someone has style or not.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah. I don't get it.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

How do you feel having been a bride and about to be a bride, about what someone would think of your wedding dress?

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

I don't really care, to be really honest with you.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Great answer.

[Joanna Fleming]

I just love this so much for you. Like, Jo has the biggest, like, f you energy and I love it.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Oh. I just. If it's something I feel comfortable in. Yeah. And I. I think people forget not everything is created for you.

[Joanna Fleming]

Thousand percent.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

They just don't get it and so they want to give their opinion. Oh, I didn't like her dress. Okay, well, that was very her. She loved it, obviously, because that's the dress she chose.

[Joanna Fleming]

Keep it to yourself 1000%. I honestly, like, I think a lot of people were quite surprised by my wedding look or my bridal look just because I never wear like, skin tight clothing. Like, you will never see this body and then underneath all of this bagginess, there is actually a body. So when people saw me go down the aisle, like, even my girlfriends, they.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Were like, holy shit, when I saw you with a Henny shoot, I was.

[Joanna Fleming]

Like, wait, what I know there's some leaks down there, but I. I'm actually. Yeah, I channel Jo on this one because when it came to finding the dress, I think there's so much, like, sentimental value and emotional value that goes into that moment. And for me, when I actually put on the dress that I chose, I never in a million years thought that that would be my look, but it was something I loved and I felt confident in, and I think that's all that matters.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah. Her dress was very unique. Do we feel like there is a move away from that cookie cutter wedding formula that we've come to see?

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah, yeah.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

I think it's all about accessorizing now to make your look look very different.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

I kind of feel like there's a bit of pressure around the amount of looks people are doing now.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yes.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

And that's making me feel a little bit.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah, yeah.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Like, I can't afford four different dresses for this one event.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Is there a number you think is too many?

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Probably four. That's a lot.

[Joanna Fleming]

Four is a lot. Like, and then if you're thinking about how long her event is as well, like, she had, like, the welcome din and then all of the, like, other events leading up. So many looks, so many events. Like, I would love to know how much she spent on her wardrobe, but I feel like there is such excessiveness and elaborateness that comes with all of these, like, high profile weddings as well. But I think something that she really stuck to was, like, the overall theme. Like, it was very whimsical. And I feel like the dresses, the attire, the hand applied applique, everything was very much.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

I loved the flower crown.

[Joanna Fleming]

It was very cute.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah. I think it just tied into her whole look. Like, it's not something I would ever personally wear on my wedding day, but I just thought it looked so beautiful and it just was very her.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah, I know you can appreciate it.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Right.

[Joanna Fleming]

But it was her overall aesthetic, and I think it just made sense for her.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah. And we had the Vogue collaboration as well, which I thought was genius because I feel like she cut a good check for that. So get that bread, girl. The Vogue bride piece fascinates me as well, because apparently, and this is all alleged, there's a lot of rumors about what you can and can't showcase if you are a Vogue bride. So what I have heard is that none of your photos that you intend to publish are to be be shown before they're published. So that's where I suspect we've seen a lot of TikTok Bridal coverage via Vogue and Instagram or like, digital features, because obviously brides don't want to be waiting, you know, weeks, months and months to have a publication, you know, have their wedding photos out for them to be sharing with friends and family.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah. How do we feel about the Vogue to divorce pipeline that goes around on TikTok there looks to be quite the trend. I really hope that's not the case.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Oh, no. I honestly, Madeline, wish you a lifetime of happiness, you know, having been there, done that myself. Would hope that you don't have to. My girl.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Not a Vogue bride, though.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Not a Vogue bride. Well, only do it once, maybe twice. Not you two. Just the once for you, but second time's the charm for me. But I would say that it's hard to deny that there is a pipeline for Vogue bride to divorce. Maybe it is the pressure of these grand weddings. And do you think that people have a habit of getting caught up in the wedding and not the marriage?

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I cannot imagine being under that kind of spotlight and pressure and what kind of monsters could be created? Brides, grooms, you know, families. And it's a stressful time. I can't imagine adding Vogue to that.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah. To loop back to Madeline's wedding for a second. We've never really had this kind of insight into people's weddings and rich people at that. Obviously, you know, she would make good money. And it's clear by the amount of money that has been spent on that wedding and prior to this era, we wouldn't have seen the detail of these weddings. Ten years ago even.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

No.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Like, celebrity weddings, you might have seen a feature in Vogue, and that's all you would see. You wouldn't see all the behind the scenes, all of the additional content that gets shared with us now that gives you the peek inside these events and how extravagant and beautiful and amazing they are.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Or fun. Yeah. Like Sophia, Richie Granger's wedding.

[Joanna Fleming]

Oh, yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

If I could pick a celebrity wedding that I went to, like, hello. The good Charlotte footage of her dancing shoeless on the stage. I was like, I want to go and I want to rock out to that song with them. Like, they look like my people. Like, I was like, no, you guys would, like, sing to my jam.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

But just consuming this stuff also make other people feel the pressure. Like, regular people feel the pressure to have these extravagant events and spend more money and have more dresses and all of these things. Because I feel the pressure a little bit looking at this stuff, and I'm like, should I be doing this extra thing at the wedding. So it's like, a bit more to talk about. I don't know. But I don't want to spend ridiculous amounts of money.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Without question, people feel that pressure. I also feel like it doesn't help that people are creating social profiles for themselves off the back of their wedding. It's almost like people are using it as a vessel of investment to start their own personal profiles. And that's a lot of pressure on your wedding and your marriage as well. I go to weddings now and I'm like, I mean, it's great as a guest, I'm having the time of my life, but I'm like, what happened to just like a little menu card and like a ripping dj? Did I just use the word ripping?

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah, sure did.

[Joanna Fleming]

It's literally like the PR moment becomes the focus rather than nuptials and the actual meaning of the wedding itself. And I think that just ties right back into that vogue theory of it being the more elaborate and opulent the wedding, then the faster the pipeline to divorce. And it's just such a wild trend.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

But it's so wild.

[Joanna Fleming]

But it also makes me think, now, with Anna Wintour handing over the baton, does that mean maybe the curse will break?

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Maybe. Yeah, maybe. And then we have the stark contrast of Charli XCX sloping over the weekend. I don't know if you guys saw this. I'm assuming you both did.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Wraparound sunglasses.

[Joanna Fleming]

It was so bright.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

It was brat. It was a brat wedding. Do you know what I loved about this was that she just looked exactly like she usually does. That dress was an off the rack Vivienne Westwood. You know, I'm sure it was tailored to her, but she's like, having a singing and a wine outside the pub with George. And I just loved how nonchalant the whole thing seemed. Yeah, because they clearly love each other. Like, she's spoken about him before, and I just kind of loved that. There was nothing grand about it. It is rumoured that they are having a much grander affair.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Okay.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

But I think I will probably still love this one the most.

[Joanna Fleming]

I love that I've actually been to a register wedding before, and it was the funnest day. Like, it almost gave, like, Sex and the City vibes. Like, one of my girlfriends, Steph, she wore, like, a really beautiful white suit. And then Dave, he just looked so handsome in his suit as well. And it was very intimate. There was only eight of us. And, like, I know I cried.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

How special.

[Joanna Fleming]

They gave me the task of actually filming. And I was like, why did you do that? They were shaking and sobbing.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

He needed to get you one of those, like, stabilizer. Ha.

[Joanna Fleming]

But it's such a cool event. And then we did a little, like, intimate long lunch together as a team, and I was like, huh, it's such a cool thing to do. Like, I feel like if I was having an overseas wedding or even had the option to elope, so would go down that path.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah, I think that might be my second.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah, I definitely could have eloped.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah, you could have.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah, you could have.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

So, Adrian, we're not.

[Joanna Fleming]

So that's fine.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Adrian's the bridezilla.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah. No, I just. He's very social compared to me. Yeah, yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

He's a very popular man.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

He is. But I can't imagine why. He can cook, he cleans, he does it all. Shout out to you, Adrian.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

I'm an extroverted introvert, so I'm gonna need my regrouping time halfway through.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Does your run sheet. Have you seen that TikTok trend where it's got, like, run sheets, like, you know, 15 minute introvert time?

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah, yeah, I'm gonna need some TikTok time halfway through.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

15 minute death scroll and quiet time with overstimulation.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

I actually can't wait to see the behind the scenes footage of this. Like, even with Madeline White, when she had that moment on TikTok when she was trying to, like, having a panic getting out of her dress and everyone was like, you know, fanning her, it's gonna be.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

To be honest, I felt like I was intruding on a very private moment watching that.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah, it was a bit private.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah. But I mean, we watched her whole wedding, so I shouldn't act like that was a private moment.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

And I think for someone that really shares a lot on TikTok, felt like we were being brought along on the journey.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah, agree. Next, we're discussing a trend we've been seeing everywhere. But that will be right after a word from today's sponsor.

[Joanna Fleming]

You know that we're all about timeless staples in the studio. We're constantly on the lookout for pieces that will look elevated while still feeling like our true selves. As a fine jeweler, Michael Hill have spent over 45 years mastering the art of the classics, creating refined, modern icons that you'll feel yourself reaching for time and time again. These forever pieces are expertly crafted to carry you from a Monday meeting to a Friday night out. And every moment in between. Think bold diamond studs, solid gold hoops, or a delicate fine chain necklace that becomes Part of your everyday signature. The perfect examples of a modern classic minimalist, but so easy to wear your own way. These are forever pieces, not fleeting trends. If you're looking to invest in jewellery that stands the test of time whilst elevating your everyday head in store online today at Michael Hill. Thank you so much to Michael Hill for making this episode of Stylish possible.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

All right, so a little trend report for you on polka dots. So this is a trend that has been steadily growing in popularity for a little while now. We've definitely touched on it on the show before and it's showing no signs of slowing down. In an article for Vogue on its rising popularity, Olivia Allen explains how it's part of a wider trend embracing 80s aesthetics. Consumers are increasingly rejecting quiet luxury in favor of something louder and more decadent. We are, it seems, entering the age of boom. Boom. A term coined by trend for Sean Monahan to describe the return of unapologetic 80s excess. The polka dot fits neatly into this new landscape. Having appeared on runways everywhere from Fendi to Machino to Isabel Morant, the print has been having a major moment both on and off the Runway. With Trendalytics data showing a 260% increase in search volume for polka dot items in 2025. How do you guys feel about this trend? Have you been adding anything polka dotty into your wardrobe? I feel like I saw you wearing polka dots.

[Joanna Fleming]

License.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Guilty.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yes. I bought a polka dot dress. I think the brand's called LCA from Revolve, like a year ago. Actually sat at the back of my wardrobe and I pulled it out for New York because I thought it was nice and lightweight. But when I knew we were going to cover polka dots, I was like, oh, yes. I also have this, like, Midi Lee Matthews cotton dress that I bought maybe six, seven years ago that I wear every summer and always get so many compliments, but have a funny relationship with polka dots. Cause they always remind me of that scene from the Sex and the City. God, we've covered Sex and the City so much. I love it when Charlotte Yorke's like, heavily pregnant out the front and she was like, no, no, don't cross the day you were born. And then her water break. So I love Charlotte York. I always want to channel Charlotte Yorke. How do you feel about polka dots, our trend report queen?

[Joanna Fleming]

I actually feel like we definitely touched on this last year. And I think when we were speaking about classics being reimagined, polka dots was one of those biggest, I would say, trend reports that we had the time. You know, designers are playing with scale. They're blowing them up. They're putting them into different colors and color blocking, and we're seeing them in different textures and fabrications. Like, even at Australian Fashion Week this year, I just loved Bianca Spender's take on the polka dot trend. It was very fame. It was a little bit different. But, like, we're seeing brands like sur the label do really cute, like, micro polka dots.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

On, like, a sheer kind of georgette base, which I'm absolutely loving.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

But I feel like I'm just not a print girl. But I feel like if I am to do the print, I think you.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Could get around, like, the Bianca Spender style.

[Joanna Fleming]

I think so, too.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

And you were saying with Jean, like, they've got some good stuff, too.

[Joanna Fleming]

Oh, my God, they do. They've got the cutest. Like, they're actually doing, like, polka dot color blocking and then reversing it. So you could do, like, a white base top with, like, the navy base skirt. But then I'm also seeing a lot of really cute swimwear. So I'm like, maybe if I do the trend, I might, you know, get around some.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Swim a little Keny's.

[Joanna Fleming]

Cute little Keen. Yes.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Kylie Jenner.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Oh, yeah.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

The polka dot bikinis.

[Joanna Fleming]

Oh, yeah.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Saw Hailey Bieber in some little capri pants and some little short shorts. I feel it's a very summer type of print.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

I just don't know if it translates well into winter. So I think for us, we're probably going to see a lot more of it this summer. This summer coming. And a lot more of our local Aussie brands running polka dots.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Because I think it is a trend as such, but it's something that you could continue to wear in your wardrobe and it's not going to be like, oh, that's not cool anymore.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

But it's maybe not something that we see run in every season by every brand. It's one of those things that kind of goes in cycles. I like a polka dot, but it depends what it's on. I don't love a black and white.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

You're like a brown polka dot.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

I like a brown polka dot. Exactly. Or I like kind of a colored polka dot or something a little bit brighter, you know, in kind of like a sundress or something like that. I can definitely get around it. Also love a little polka dot scarf in the hair.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah, I love that.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

And I think it's such a good way to play into it if you don't want to go and invest in a piece of clothing, like a little scarf to use as a necktie or to use in your hair. I don't know if you guys have been seeing as well. I don't know if it's for me, but there's the folded silk scarf trend around the hips at the moment. If you had one of those. Lola top, Lola tan over pants. Yeah. Oh, yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

I touched on this last week, actually, in my. In my swapping.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I don't know if it's for me, but I feel like if you wanted to play with a little polka dot moment. Yeah, that could be a good one, definitely. But you better believe I'll be dragging out the Lee Matthews. I also did get that Bianca Spender polka dot top, so that clearly worked on me.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah, maybe.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I do love polka dot.

[Joanna Fleming]

She's into that.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

You know what?

[Joanna Fleming]

I'll actually. I'll let you in on another little hot tip. I've seen a sneak peek at some upcoming collections for this Australian resort season and even into spring, summer next year, and there's a lot more polka dots to come, and I think a lot more kind of continuations and variations, playing with the scale and the textures again. And even. Yeah, I won't give too much away, but there's some really cool Aussie designers bringing out some cool polka dot options, so I'll save that for next time.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Would you two agree that polka dots feel like a very feminine kind of pattern? Like, if you tend to dress a little bit more androgynous, a little bit more masculine, it maybe isn't something that. That feels naturally like a pattern you would gravitate towards.

[Joanna Fleming]

Do you know what? I also think sometimes they can look a little bit more traditional. Like, sometimes I feel like people think polka dots are very traditional. There's so many iconic looks of Princess Diana in polka dots and just looking very regal. But I think now, playing with scale and just seeing different designers doing them in a way that doesn't feel also too retro, I think they're having this really nice, modern kind of medium agreement.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah, I totally agree. I would say I'm more of an androgynous dresser. I think I wear a lot of, like, structure, and, you know, it's not uncommon to see me in, like, jeans and shirts or blazers and jackets. I definitely felt more femme in polka dot, but for me, I am leaning towards more femme silhouettes with a polka dot. I wouldn't do a polka dot shirt.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Or like a structured pencil. Like, I think for me, it is going to be those more romantic sort of shirts and, you know, chiffons and things like that that kind of lend themselves to that whimsical total shape so that it doesn't feel so 80s retro.

[Joanna Fleming]

I actually now think I'm into polka dots too. I just saw this super cute, like, sheer skirt, and it was all sheer, but it's like a really beautiful cream and black polka dot. And I was like, oh, I could get around that.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah, totally. Odd Muse have also done quite a bit of polka dots.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yes.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

There's a girl on TikTok, Caitlyn Amico. Yes, Caitlyn Amico. She's an Aussie and she had this like black odd Muse dress. It was super structured, super sexy. Like, oh, she looked. Looked incredible in that dress. I was like, I want that dress.

[Joanna Fleming]

Well, there we go.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

So we do all love.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

So we love polka dots.

[Joanna Fleming]

Polka dots are forever.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

As long as they're brown for Joe and we're here.

[Joanna Fleming]

If you're thinking about elevating your everyday look, now's the time. Michael Hill are the master of modern classics. With elevated fine jewelry staples like bold diamond studs, gorgeous fine gold chains, and signature rings you'll wear time and time again, these are the forever pieces your jewelry box needs. Refined, timeless, and designed to move with you through every moment. Head in store online today and discover the classics mastered only at Michael Hill. Thank you so much to Michael Hill for making this episode of Stylish possible.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Our next headline, controversial one, look out. Are we seeing less and less of leggings?

[Joanna Fleming]

Maybe. I'm so unsure on this one. I think no, but let's define a legging.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Define the legging for you, please. So we're talking like a fitted legging.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Okay. So fitted down to the ankle.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah. Or like a three. I don't know anyone that wears a three quarter length legging. If you do, good for you. It's just not for me. Without a doubt, I am seeing less leggings. I feel like I'm seeing so many of those flare pants out and about.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

I'm gonna be honest with you. I have five pairs of flare pants.

[Joanna Fleming]

I actually wear the nimble flare pants and I love this with them.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah, I have four or five pairs of different colors. Love them, love them. Best lengths.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

So a girlfriend of mine had the Lululemon ones and I went into store to try those on because she looked fantastic. I don't know that they're made for five foot three girls. I think I'm a legging loyalist.

[Joanna Fleming]

Okay, well, that's okay.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

As well, if you want to be. I still wear a legging to work out. Yeah, but maybe we're seeing less leggings in an athleisure.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Agree. Do you know what I was thinking about the other day too, which is fascinating. What did our parents work out in before the legging?

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Parachute pants and like tracksuit. Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Like they would go for a run in a sweat.

[Joanna Fleming]

Oh my gosh, they dirt.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Can you imagine putting your trackies on and going out for a jog?

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

I could literally draw my mum's activewear like outfit she used to wear to the gym when I was like 4 years old, down to the color, colors and the pattern on it.

[Joanna Fleming]

Oh my gosh. Do you know what my mum wore which is so now in vogue? Did you guys see that picture of Zoe Kravitz and she was wearing the athletic shorts and the oversized tee.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

She looked so good.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah, my mum used to wear those like little athletic shirts, like.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah, same.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I think actually I know how you are, who you are now, if that's.

[Joanna Fleming]

How it all makes sense. I know she was an icon. Still is.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Well, a recent Business of Fashion article basically did a deep dive on this, in part putting it down to a generational dividend. Writer Kathleen Chan says that while millennials helped crown leggings as the ultimate do everything uniform, Gen Z is shifting the silhouette entirely, gravitating towards oversized, slouchier workout clothes. For these younger consumers, comfort isn't about stretch. It's about ease, looseness and a kind of anti polished attitude that reverses the decade long supremacy of immaculately matching color blocked sets iconically popularised by outdoor voices circa 2014. And I want to go as far as to say the data backs this up. Google searches for leggings have been consistently decreasing since December 2020 when the term peaked. Which shocks me because it was still very much Covid time post 2020. Retailers are moving away from leggings as well. According to retail intelligence firm edited for the first quarter of 2025, leggings accounted for 39% of bottoms assortments across activewear brands, which is down from 47% in 2022. That's 8 percentage points.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah, so that's obviously specifically around leggings because the sportswear category is still increasing and still set to grow. So obviously it's just around like how does that look different over the next decade? Because expert market research said that in 2024 the Australian sportswear market reached an approximate value of 3.44 billion Australian dollars and is set to grow to $7.09 billion in the.

[Joanna Fleming]

Wow.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Insane.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

So what do we think is driving this move away from leggings?

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Well, the Business of Fashion article points towards a growing concern about microplastics that many activewear brands use as well as leggings losing their cool status. Guess that makes me super uncool. But among groups with a lot of buying power. So think mums who are the most coveted consumers worldwide. Kathleen writes. Whereas leggings used to be the unofficial uniform of mums dropping off their kids at school. For instance, the new look is a simple cotton pant with either an elastic or drawstring waistband and wide hems. A handful of indie labels including Deji Studios have come to define this look of the moment.

[Joanna Fleming]

I can see this. I actually quite a few of my mum friends, they live in like even their dish linen pants and that's kind of become like their uniform.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

And I'm seeing so many more natural fibres like cottons and just really breathable fabrics as well. Especially in summer.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah. An elastic band pant perhaps. Like the Venroy cotton and like, you know that like crepey material that doesn't crease.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Basically anything that doesn't crease is going straight in my basket.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

I do like love a wide leg pet.

[Joanna Fleming]

Same.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah. I have actually been picking up my niece and nephew from school. They're both in primary school. It's been fascinating seeing the school mum look. There's a lot less leggings. I was actually the one in the leggings when I last. When I was in New York. I went to Aloe 1. I couldn't get over the amount of male customers in aloe. Just stop. Just stop. I bet I couldn't. Yeah. A lot of skirts. Pleated skirts. Stop. I can't look. Joanna Fleming in the High. I just.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

I wish we could get aloe easily here.

[Joanna Fleming]

Isn't it?

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

Have you also seen a rise in one pieces? Little like unitas? Yes. And like I feel like I'm seeing a lot more of those. And actually some of our buyers when we've been talking to them in Australia about what they're looking for. There's a bit of a gap in the market for a. Definitely a move on from leggings. But more uni tasks. Leo Tads like those types of pieces.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

Quite cool.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I wonder as well if it's because of the shift from. To your point, Joe Activity. Because leggings were super popular when we saw the rise of F45 body fits and yes. That real Hit workout culture. We've shifted a lot now. We're still in the hot Pilates, reforma, Pilates, yoga. But I also think we're in this wellness movement of saunas, ice bath baths, things like that. It's very much lifestyle clubs, retreats, things like that. It's more, I'm in transit. I'm going to coffee and then I'm going to a sauna. I'm going to a yoga class. It's not as I want to be in a matching crop top and leggings. I want to be comfortable for those things.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

And I am intentionally wearing activewear, not to be active necessarily.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

I've just put my hand up to alert. I just need to come back to the 2014 comment in that article and argue that actually leggings were around a lot longer than 2014. I feel it probably started around 2005 when we started wearing leggings underneath denim skirts when I was in year seven, Ashley Tisdale, like, let's go, girlfriend, High School Musical era. And then they continued to grow on an upwards trajectory and it never stopped until now. But it had a break over the 90s. It was really popular in the 80s. Jane Fonda workout videos.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yes.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Had a little hiatus. We went down the parachute pants route and then we came back to it in the early 2000s. Leggings were back again in a cotton.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Way, though, don't you think? And then the materiality changed the tens.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

And now it's like, which brand can do the best fit, the best fabric, you know, the best. I don't know. Whatever it is.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Suction, personally, is what I'm after. I'm dying for the. Oh, no, I'll. I'll hold you on the scrunch bum. I'll leave. That's a. That's a pass for me. But I'm quite excited for the Skims Nike collaboration to see what comes out of that. But one brand that I am really enjoying as well is Adenola. Are still very much doing leggings.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I think they're stocked here at David Jones. They don't have a massive assortment, but their assortment online is super cool. And I feel like they're working with really cool collaborators and are doing a great job. But again, it feels more lifestyle because the reality is, is I'm wearing activewear to go shopping and get a coffee with a girlfriend. I'm not just wearing it to, like, go break a sweat.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah. I also do think, though, these brands are really breaking a little bit more into that athleisure space. Like we see brands like Nimble that are doing their me time sets and they're like matching little knits and things like that to go along with your activewear so that it becomes a bit more lifestyle, a bit more athleisure. And I honestly think that new news are the new activewear. I really do.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Mum said to me the other day, I think you should trademark noo news and launch new news.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

You should.

[Joanna Fleming]

I was like, it makes sense.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

You shouldn't have said that on this podcast.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Definitely do that if you're a trademark lawyer. Let's, let's talk. I mean, we're seeing it from one of the major players, Lululemon as well. We're seeing them go into trench coats and workwear, pants and shirts. I don't think that's a surprise given these stats that we've just heard that they're diversifying their offering into those sort of occasions as well.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

All right, that brings us to our next headline, which is the one that's annoying me most this week and that is that brands are using sunburn in their marketing campaigns at the moment. Several recent ad campaigns that we've spotted have been featuring sunburn. Scary return to tanning culture is something that we've spoken about before in prior episodes, probably January, I reckon we spoke about that in more detail and it's really sad to say that this trend is being adopted by some very influential high end brands. We've got Jack Mousse being probably the most prominent of these. Did see one by Tower 28 as well, who've created ads with their branding sunburnt intermodal skin which is obviously gonna be makeup, but it's still just not the message that we wanna be portraying. Rhodes newest collection even has a blush named tan lines. These branding choices, as well as the influx of protanning content from, you know, famous and non famous people on social media is just a very sad reminder that despite all the warnings in safety ad campaigns, tanning is very much back in vogue. And I'm seeing it more and more now that we're in like Euro summer and we're in the northern hemisphere's summer. We were seeing it a lot in our summer and I'm worried that we're gonna see that even more like tenfold by the time we get to summer over here.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Which worries me. So as I said, the sunburn in these ads probably is created by very skilled special effects makeup artists. I have no doubt there's some like airbrushing going on just with like a more red toned, foundation or like that to give the appearance. But they're positioning sunburn as something that's cool and aspirational and trendy when we all know it's anything but. At best it's skin damage. At worst, it can result in skin cancers. There's also this fake sunburn trend that's been really popular on TikTok and in fashion editorials over the last year or two that I think has played into tanning and sunburn's popularity in the marketing world. Something a Dazed article from last year explored with writer Tiana Meehan explaining similar to the rejection of the Clean Girl aesthetic that led to the Ugly beauty movement or the 90s minimalist and androgynous style in reaction to the bombast and glossy exaggeration of the 80s, the emphasis on sun protection and looking after your skin has created a wave of fake sunburns as an alternative and edgy aesthetic. It's a reactionary challenge to what we are being told to do, as all countercultural aesthetics are so what's our vibe?

[Joanna Fleming]

Look, I appreciate not wanting to conform and pushing the needle on unrealistic beauty expectations and standards that the media set, but I also feel like we're kind of seeing one extreme to another. Like there's been airbrushed and photoshopped and flawless imagery that's been put out there, and now we're glamorizing sunburn and tan culture. And I actually think Gen Z already have quite an unhealthy fascination with tanning culture. Like, I've seen it so much on my TikTok, it's very much in my algorithm, people actually burning themselves to get, like, the lines. And this kind of key messaging that we're seeing by these known brands is kind of heightening that message and it's making it seem cool and in vogue and okay. When really obviously using makeup is so much better than actually going and doing the real thing. But I feel like maybe these guys aren't quite getting that and it can be misinterpreted in a really dangerous and harmful way.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

For me, if it's for an SPF brand, I'm actually okay with it because you take the Tower 28 example. It was for their SPF. So for me, what that image is trying to elicit is that the Tower 28 brand, which is what was imprinted, will protect you from the sun.

[Joanna Fleming]

Gotcha.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Where I have a problem with the imagery use is when a brand like Jaco is. You say it. How you did in that sexy way before is when they're using it to glamorize tanning culture as an alignment to a brand that is peak cool, peak fashion. I was really disappointed in Rhode having a blush called tan lines.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Because for me, that glamorizes exactly what we are alarmingly worried about to be in the zeitgeist, which is tanning culture. I was horrifically sunburnt over the summer, and I have not spoken about this because I was deeply ashamed and deeply embarrassed.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

She was scared to tell me.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Deeply.

[Joanna Fleming]

She was really scared in the group.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Chat and deeply concerned because I used an SPF 50. My girlfriends call me the SPF witch because I am that obsessed with sunscreen. Jo, I know you are synonymous with spf, but I am right there with you. I've worked in the beauty industry since I was 18 years old. SPF is so important to me. I have tan lines still from January. That is how badly my skin was burned. I do not think that is glamorous. I am humiliated by it. I have made outfit choices because of it. I've covered it with foundation because I do not want to be seen or to glamorize something as irresponsible and awful as what happened. I was in pain. I can already see the sun damage that is starting to peek through. That is irreversible sign of aging that I will never be able to get back.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah, it's.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

There's nothing glamorous about it. And I'm really concerned for this spring summer sort of look that we're going to see more of it coming down the Runway and really leaning into the. These TikTok girlies. Seeing a lot of trends of this, like, coming back to life. Now that I've got a tan, I'm like, go get a spray, dolls. The fake tan industry is big enough. Jo, you are our SPF queen. We have given you the final word. How are you feeling, George? Should I check your polls?

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

I think tanning culture is a really sticky one because we can give people all of this information, and there are still people that will listen to this and be like, yeah, I don't give a. Yeah, I'm still going to do what I want to do. And that's their choice. They can go and do that. They're probably going to be my client in five years, but that's fine. I'm happy to see them. And we can talk about that.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

You cut that check.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah, exactly. And we can talk about, you know, things that we can do to improve the appearance of things like hyperpigmentation and those kinds of things that come along with sun damage.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

But one thing that I really noticed about these campaigns was that they weren't from Australian brands. And I don't know if I've missed any Australian brands doing this, but I feel like they would get torn to shreds in the Australian media and on Australian socials because I think we know best as a nation in terms of not conveying that message. And I think that would get a lot of backlash. Whereas I think markets in the us, uk, Europe in general, do not take it as seriously as we do because we have such a high rate of melanoma, whereas other places don't have as much of a high rate of melanoma. And they don't see it as part of their regular lifestyle to have someone in their family who's had a melanoma cut out or have someone that has a skin cancer on their face.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

So I think it's just more prevalent here and we're much more sensitive to it, I feel.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I think that's a really good, hot take. Yeah. Well, I always knew you were clever.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

With us, but I don't support these campaigns and I really am disappointed to see that brands are leaning into that. I really hope we don't see more of it. And I really. If I see a single Australian brand doing that, I'm calling them out on this podcast. As you want.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

I don't want to say it.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I'm most disappointed by Rhode, though, to speak freely, and Giacomo, too, because I think they're probably. They're who I'm looking at for leaders in campaign. They're who I'm looking at as innovators in product, in content, in press material. I think they're doing an incredible job. I do worry that their involvement in this only fuels my fear, which is that. That it is trending and they are helping either perpetuate and create the trend or they are jumping on a very fast bullet train.

[Joanna Fleming]

I have to echo that. I feel like they are leading in this space right now, like their marketing, their socials, everything is very much so forward. And I feel like so many brands are aspiring to be like them. Sometimes I even think local brands as well.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

So I am very mindful of that, too.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

And Rhode better be really careful because I do not doubt for a second that they will have. Have a very big SPF product launch or tinted SPF product. The message that you put out now could very well contradict the message that you try and put out then.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

And the power of brand and A brand like Road is exceptionally strong and exceptionally cool, but that you are ready to be knocked down at the top in light of the. You know, the irony is not lost in light of the tall, poppy conversation we had earlier.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

One thing I have noticed, though, since that episode in January where we spoke about tan lines and tan line culture, is that I've actually received a few briefs from brands since then that strictly say you cannot have visible tan lines, visible sunburns in your content that you submit, which is actually really positive to see because that was not something that I had seen prior.

[Joanna Fleming]

That's great. I remember you calling that out.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah. And it should be called out. We're your son's grandkids. We won't ever stop saying that.

[Joanna Fleming]

Flop slap.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

That is all for this week's episode of Stylish. It's very nice to be back. Thanks for joining us. And of course, thank you very much, Annika Joshi Smith and Joanna Fleming.

[Arneka Joshi Smith]

Nostalgia to have you back.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Thank you. And remember, you can drop us an email [e-mail] or you can slide into our DMS over ylishpod. And we, of course, always want to thank our lovely audio engineer, Jonathan La, and the shameless media team, head of podcast Lucy Hunt and our senior podcast producer, Kate Emmer Burke. We'll be right back with you next Wednesday. See you then. Bye. Ciao. Ciao.

[Joanna Fleming]

New York minute.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Nothing like a New York slice.

[Joanna Fleming]

This podcast was recorded on Wurundjeri land. Always was, always will be, aboriginal land.

[D]

Hello, it's Ruby here, host of Inherited, and you may know me as the producer of Everybody Has a Secret Too. My show, Inherited, explores the rules, rituals, relics, and recipes we inherit that shape, who we are. And I have a very special guest joining me. You may know her from stylish podcasts. It's Madison Sullivan Thorpe.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Hi, Maddie. Hi, Ruby. What a treat. What an intro.

[D]

Oh, welcome to Inherited. Mads. This really is the perfect opportunity for you guys to get to know Maddie on a new level. I want to talk about some of the things we touched on in our conversation.

[Joanna Fleming]

Mads.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[D]

What did you love about our chat today?

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Oh, I think I probably said it best at the beginning of the episode when I said, you know, I share so much, but I'm quite private, and I think I'm quite protective of that privacy and peace. But it's been like a little love letter to my 20s, having turned 30 recently and being able to reflect on, you know, a pretty big decade in my life. So I really Loved being able to kind of honour those 20s and chat about them with you and share a side to me that maybe those listening to Stylish will find very different to our usual pace.

[D]

Yes, I'm sure they will love it. Thank you so much for being so open with me, Mads. I really appreciate. Here is a little snippet from our conversation.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I was married and I was very quickly unmarried, and I'm not going to go into all of that, but no one gets married thinking they're not going to be married, right?

[D]

Yes.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

And so I was married for less than a year. We were together for, God, maybe 11 or 12 years. And when I made the decision that my marriage was coming to an end, I rang five of my best girlfriends and they came over that night and one had a sushi platter, one had sheet masks, one had champagne. I think one brought, like, tea and, like, my favorite snacks that were like, you want to drink green tea? We'll drink green and peppermint tea. You want to get absolutely wasted. We can get wasted, but you've got to eat. So, like, here's your favorite thing to eat. And they are the most incredible people in my life. I get emotional about nothing the way I do about my girlfriends, because. Because I think that the year of. I call it just the year of. It was just the rebuild year. I was just an absolute shell of a human. And I didn't really like going out, and I don't say that, like, to a club. I mean, like, out of my home.

[D]

You can head over to the inherited feed on your favorite podcast app, give us a review, and if you like the episode, share it with a friend as well. I'll be back with another episode next Tuesday. See you then.