Closet Philosophy

Episode 47 of  Closet Philosophy features an interview with Kate Tricarico, a stylist, creative consultant, collector, and fashion commentator with an art history and museum background. Among many other things, we discuss what authenticity really means in personal style. Kate's take is that there is not just one authentic you. You're different as a mother, a friend, or partner, and each person is...

Jennine took an unofficial survey on the streets of San Francisco on a Saturday evening out and found that more than 90% of people were wearing sneakers. In this episode, Kristen and Jennine discuss why this might be. We may not have found a definitive answer, but we know it goes beyond the simple fact that sneakers are comfy. And it might even have something to do with fascism creeping into Ameri...

In this episode of Closet Philosophy , Jennine and Kristen discuss why getting dressed can feel overwhelming and pointless, but how it can actually make a difference (sometimes big, sometimes small) in your day and maybe even your life.  Jennine shares how her struggles with ADHD, depression, and anxiety can impact her executive functioning. When thinking, planning, and decision-making are deplete...

Jennine took an unofficial survey on the streets of San Francisco on a Saturday evening out and found that more than 90% of people were wearing sneakers. In this episode, Kristen and Jennine discuss why this might be. We may not have found a definitive answer, but we know it goes beyond the simple fact that sneakers are comfy. And it might even have something to do with fascism creeping into Ameri...

Marie Denee started blogging even before it was cool, and before size inclusivity was a buzzword. After more than 15 years as a content-creator, she looks back at the influence her work has had on the fashion industry.   We've seen progress to be sure: once banished to dark corners, plus-size merchandise is now more easily found at more stores. But there's still a dearth of choices when it comes t...

In this episode, Jennine and Kristen discuss how thinness has been used as a method of social control throughout history. From tuberculosis chic to heroin chic to GLP-1 chic, how women's bodies are analyzed and judged changes as politics chance. If you suddenly feel you're not thin, pretty, or feminine enough, this episode will help you determine where those thoughts are coming from. They're ideas...

Rosie O'Donnell has been an outspoken feminist throughout her career. So, as feminists, should we be OK with her getting a facelift, or taking GLP-1 medication? In this episode, Kristen and Jennine discuss the fallout when we question the morality of other women's decisions about their own bodies. Whether it's Rosie, Ariana Grande or Demi Moore, is it useful to judge their personal choices, or is...

This episode kicks off the 4th season of Closet Philosophy, so we had lots to talk about. The overarching theme is that beauty ideals are mercurial. Jennine and Kristen have lived through the whiplash of body type and beauty "trends," and they dug back further into history for even more proof that everything is made up and your best strategy for sanity is to love and accept your physical form wher...

We are so excited to welcome author Christine Morrison to the pod this week! Christine is a seasoned writer, editor, and brand builder who recenlty published her first book, a fashion essay collection entitled Clothes Minded: Fashionable Essays About Finding Yourself . As you'll hear in the conversation, the title is apt. Fashion was Christine's guiding light when it came to which boyfriends to du...

This will not be a surprise to anyone who's been following along with the pod: We think fashion rules, especially when they correspond to age, are really dumb and you should ignore them. It's shocking to us that these rules persist, and saddens us that when a woman Google's "how to dress after 50," she is fed all sorts of nonsense.  For this episode, we dive into those Google results. We walk you...

The desire for acceptance and belonging is deeply human. And fashion is one way that we signal who we are and what group we belong to. So it's not weird to freak out a little bit if you find yourself at an event wearing something that feels way different from everyone else.  In this episode, Kristen describes a recent occasion when she had exactly that experience. Even at 57 and with a lifetime of...

We all can be really hard on ourselves at times. And it's no wonder, with messages all around us about the things we should really fix on our faces and bodies. Its never-ending, espcially on social media. But what if we embraced our perceived flaws and recognized them as superpowers. Whether it's a large, distinctive nose or earned lines on your face, letting go of the insecurities we tend to feel...

Our guest this week is  Alicia Rose , who is bringing a revolution to the conversation about perimenopause and menopause with an upcoming documentary called Menopunks . The film will examine the travesty of the Women's Health Initiative through a decidedly GenX lens.  In 2002, the WHI was halted with reports of increased breast cancer risk linked to hormone therapy. We know now that the analysis o...

Asta Gaur is a Google exec by day and your internet style cheerleader by night. On  Instagram , she shares unfiltered takes on dressing in a male-dominated industry, daily GRWMs showing how she dresses intuitively, and the mindset shifts women can take to stop playing small with their style.  This week on Closet Philosophy, Jennine and Kristen go deep into Asta's styling process and what she's lea...

In this episode, Jennine and Kristen talk about something that's often overlooked in personal style advice: how your wardrobe needs to match the life you're actually living, not just your Pinterest boards. Jennine shares her recent experience moving from San Francisco's busy Mission District to the quieter, beach-adjacent Sunset neighborhood—and how it's making her completely rethink her wardrobe....

In this episode of Closet Philosophy, Kristen and Jennine explore what it means to age visibly, dress authentically, and resist the pressure to always be striving for youth and prettiness. We start with a reflection on the cultural impact of Catherine O'Hara, her premature passing, and the rare visibility of older women who embrace their faces, bodies, and style without apology. From there, we div...

What does it really take to leave a prestigious, intellectually demanding career and step fully into a creative life? Two women who did exactly that join us for this episode of Closet Philosophy. Erin Hupp and Subikksha Balaje come from wildly different professional backgrounds (law and data science, respectively), yet both found their way back to creativity through clay, metal, and a pull toward...

In this episode of Closet Philosophy, Kristen and Jennine dig into a counterintuitive idea: less really can be more — especially when it comes to personal style. Jennine shares how her attempt to curb overconsumption led her to experiment with a 40-piece wardrobe ecosystem, not as a deprivation tactic, but as a creative framework. What started as a practical solution quickly became a powerful way...

In this episode of Closet Philosophy , Jennine and Kristen explore one of the most misunderstood ideas in personal style: that having more clothes actually makes getting dressed harder, not easier. What begins as a conversation about Kristen's long-standing 70s, bohemian California aesthetic opens into a much deeper discussion about identity, decision fatigue, creativity, and why true personal sty...

We're kicking off season 2 of  Closet Philosophy with a conversation about overconsumption, emotional shopping, and the cultural forces that keep us chasing "more." Jennine shares a personal reckoning: years of daily thrifting, racks sagging with clothes, garbage bags stuffed into closets — all while telling her audience they didn't need to shop. What started as reselling and "style experimentatio...

In this episode of Closet Philosophy , Kristen and Jennine dive deep into the art and satisfaction of caring for your wardrobe. From repairing damaged handbags to reviving old leather jackets and removing stubborn stains, Jennine shares practical, proven methods to extend the life of your favorite garments. What we cover in this episode: How Jeannine learned to restore thrifted clothing and leathe...

In this episode, Jennine and Kristen speak with writer, speaker, and educator Chrissy King, author of The Body Liberation Project . Chrissy dives deep into how fashion, fitness, and wellness intersect with social justice, race, and body image. The conversation moves beyond "body positivity," exploring body liberation as systemic social change—not just self-love. Listeners will learn why true inclu...

In this episode, Kristen and Jennine talk with photographer Lydia Hudgens, whose new book Plus: Expanding the Frame features 100% plus-size models and is the first of its kind. Lydia shares her journey from street-style photographer to celebrating body diversity through her lens, the state of plus-size representation in fashion today, and how posing can empower confidence for every body type. They...

Ep. 24: Exploring beauty, aging, and authenticity In this episode of Closet Philosophy, Jennine and Kristen dive deep into the complicated relationship between beauty standards, aging, and authenticity. The conversation weaves together personal stories, cultural analysis, and feminist perspectives to unpack the pressures women face to look younger, thinner, or more polished—and the freedom that ca...

In this episode of Closet Philosophy, hosts Jennine and Kristen sit down with career consultant Dilara Casey to explore what it takes to reinvent your career and style in midlife. Even if you've taken a decade out from your career, Dilara has tops for everything from making confident pivots to navigating ageism. She shares practical strategies for reframing your story, updating your resume, and em...