In this mind-opening conversation, Véronique Hyland—features director at Elle magazine and author of the acclaimed book Dress Code: Unlocking Fashion from the New Look to Millennial Pink—helps us unpack the hidden forces shaping how we dress. From the myth of the “female gaze” to the politics of effortlessness, this episode asks big questions about power, gender, class, and whether we can ever truly dress just for ourselves.

We explore fashion as communication, resistance, and identity—and why “I don’t care what I wear” is almost always a lie. Plus, we get personal about aging, influence, cringe, and what it means to keep evolving your style in a culture that worships youth.

If you've ever stood in front of your closet wondering who you're getting dressed for—this one’s for you.

Topics We Cover:

• How she coined the term “Millennial pink”
• The commercialization of the female gaze
• Why effortlessness is its own kind of performance
• How personal style can be armor—and storytelling
• The privilege of “not caring” about fashion
• Why influencers burn out—and what’s changing in that world
• What fashion can learn from sports
• The difference between authentic style and aesthetic conformity
• Her journey from Juicy Couture to ELLE editor—and everything in between

Follow Véronique:

• Instagram: @veroniquehyland
• Column: Style Points on ELLE.com
• Book: Dress Code (available now)

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