When Fear Starts Dressing Us By Rhea El-Madhoun El-Yafi Graphic by Catarina Koehler Forget Vogue; the stock market has always been fashion’s most accurate trend forecaster. When times get tough, hemlines fall, palettes mute and luxury goes quiet. Welcome to the return of recession chic, where conservatism isn’t just a political stance, it’s a look. In the 1920s, economist George Taylor came up with the “hemline index,” which is the idea that skirt lengths rise when the ec

Talking to strangers is scary—until it’s the best thing you’ve ever done. By Anya Yasenovets by Samuel McGoff As a kid, my parents told me not to talk to strangers, but I never agreed with them. Meeting new people has always been my favorite part of travelling—locals can teach you more about the culture and lifestyle of a country than any museum or tourist attraction ever will. Whether it’s a group of girls at a local venue, a middle-aged motel owner or a fellow solo travel

Intimate showcases are reshaping the NYFW experience. by Kailey Correa Graphic by Josie Zevin In an era when fashion week often feels like a never-ending schedule of flashing cameras and chaos, a quiet shift is taking shape on the margins of New York Fashion Week (NYFW). Across the city, it seems to me that designers are swapping the tents and grand venues for living rooms, galleries, and repurposed warehouses—spaces where intimacy replaces spectacle and connection replaces c

The role of biopics in preserving a legacy By Sarah Delehanty Graphic by Ian Nugent With the upcoming release of “Bruce Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere,” conversations about biopic films have resurfaced. Many ridicule Hollywood executives for their supposed lack of originality and claim that biopics are overdone and underwhelming. According to members of the X community, “the world has enough musician biopics” ( @1andonly_ace ) and people should “go read a book about the

“Pumpkin spice latte, please. I want it freezing though.” By Yoni Adorsky Graphic by Rhiannon Li Every year, sometime around mid to late August, grocery stores, coffee shops and food brands shift their focus to one flavor: pumpkin . Even before summer is over, people all over the country become fixated on pumpkin spice lattes, cinnamon rolls and apple pie. Nothing else seems to matter, and people will throw their money at baristas to get their fall-spiced fix. But who does

A new wave of activism is transforming Boston into a city where every voice counts By Nazalia Justiniano Photo by Diya Kapoor In the past few weeks alone, Boston has erupted in waves of protests — from rallying on campus to the city streets — each fueled by frustration, conviction and the desire to be heard. Whether it’s students pushing back against corporate control or activists demanding justice in immigration policies, Boston has once again proven itself a city unafraid t

Everyone always says it, but is anyone actually doing it? By Lea Tran The phrase “lock in” has been said probably more than a million times in Mugar Library alone. Merriam Webster dictionary describes it as “to enter a deep state of focus”, commonly referring to situations in which people need to study or get an important task done. But how effectively do we “lock in”? It’s one thing to promise your study buddies that it’s time to zone in on your work. But after an hour of

The Haunted Halls of Kilachand By Emerson Drake Photograph by Emma Almaraz Within the hallowed halls of 91 Bay State Road, the legendary playwright Eugene O’Neill is rumored to still linger. While few students outside of the Kilachand Honors College know of the ghost said to haunt Room 401, O’Neill’s legacy makes Kilachand Hall unlike any other dorm on campus. Born in 1888, O’Neill is considered America’s first major playwright for bringing realism to the stage. Moving away

By Malia Waddles Graphic by Rhiannon Li My sweet, sweet indigo, I breathe you soft and Hold you tight until I can feel your roots beating Through the tangled pulse of mine. Your love is warm, And your grief is richly fragrant— Light, yet bold and daring. Give me a taste and Let us sink in sodden soil Under a darkened and damned sky. Together, We’ll nurture our very own Marigold star.

How the ideal female physique has transformed from Renaissance curves to an obsession with thinness. By Mia Puleo Graphic by Katie King The Renaissance was a boom of cultural and intellectual ideologies that swept over Europe from the 14th century until the 17th century. Humanism was at the forefront of this movement; a non-religious philosophy that emphasized “authenticity and beauty.” This way of thinking flourished in the arts, influencing household names like Michelan