We’ve found a surprising new hobby-cum-obsession: getting dressed to the nines and venturing beyond our bohereen …
As if the world wasn’t contending with enough trauma, Balenciaga has gifted 2025 trendsetters with the “Zero”, a 3D-moulded un-shoe shoe that makes Maison Margiela’s split-toe Tabi look, well less-disturbing; come back Galliano, all is forgiven!
Blame it on Pluto’s transit through Aquarius, ushering in transformational trauma and the ensuing shadow work required to process it. In case you haven’t been looking up, last November marked the kick-off of Pluto’s (the planet of life, death and all things in between) shift into Aquarius, until all Eternity or 2043, whichever comes first. And (we’re begging), kick off those so-called shoes, in case you’ve found yourself in possession of a pair of less-than-Zeros; we’re all guilty of committing fashion zeros, unless you’re Anna Wintour.
During these turbulent times, we’ve been checking in with friends near and far, comparing mood swings and swapping coping mechanisms.
Some have sworn off social and all media. Others opt out by opting in as activists. Self-care is a theme; our cohort is drinking less, hydrating more, exercising and meditating. Some seem a teensy bit happier, inspired by Dan Harris’s book and podcast, 10% Happier.
Over a lifetime of struggling with our weight, we have amassed a wardrobe of small/medium/plus-sized gear; it’s hard to part with anything when one’s size fluctuates so radically. Being overweight does not preclude being vain, though, so the clothes we’ve collected (mostly secondhand designer resale finds) are often wearable works of art, divine runway pieces begging to be worn again.
Currently trending downward and maintaining it, we’re finally fitting into our smallest swag, making us a good ten per cent happier. One friend (who’d declared us gorgeous at any weight) spotted the difference. She said “You’re more you. And you’re looking fly!” This is what Oprah would call an “aha moment”. More me? Turns out less is more me.
“Power was fly, fly was power.”
Dapper Dan, Made In Harlem
In The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture, Dr Gabor Maté posits: “Trauma is not what happens to you; it is what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you.” If unprocessed trauma results in the rejection of parts of ourselves we hate, then, in owning our wounds, we may be able to shuffle off the imprints of trauma we wore like layers (think Tent Dress over chiffon Kaftan). What lies beneath is more you, less Muumuu. The you-ness of you.
In “How to be fly: the definition of a Fly Girl”, Matilda Egere-Cooper describes a fly girl as “a woman who doesn’t compare herself to others because she’s one of a kind. She’s unique … wonderfully and fearfully made. She understands the importance of looking after her health and fitness, as it impacts everything else in her life – but the beautiful thing is, she doesn’t strive for perfection.”
Gordon Parks Jr’s 1972 blaxploitation film Super Fly (with its brilliant soundtrack by Curtis Mayfield) popularised the term fly, which meant “sharp, alert, with it” when first used in American slang over 200 years ago, becoming high praise via 1970s and 1980s hip-hop culture, meaning super cool, attractive, stylish. Not sure a white woman of a certain age can be fly, but she can be wonderfully and fearfully made. @susanzelouf
1. I’M SEEING beauty through “the flaws that make u real”, according to Mexican-American designer Willy Chavarria. @willychavarrianewyork
2. I’M HIDING in plain sight in www.philoeyewear.com mother-of- pearl Flora sunglasses.
3. I’M JOINING the Resisterhood in a pink glitter statement necklace by www.wearandresist.com
4. I’M LOVING foundation with a pink Poff Poff @soflycosmetics sponge because, well, it’s so fly!
5. I’M LOVING Paris in the springtime in Guerlain’s heady new scent, Patchouli Paris. www.guerlain.com.
6. I’M TAKING fly lessons from designer Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem. Listen on www.audible.com.
7. I’M SMOKING hot in Sisley Phyto-Eye Twist in Marine, at Harvey Nichols Dundrum.
8.I’M PLAYING Broken English on repeat on vinyl, the late Marianne Faithfull’s cri de coeur. www.siopaceoil.com.
9. I’M DROOLING over curated fashion drops by www.3aem.co.uk. Shop fly vintage, designer, luxury and contemporary pieces, like the Mvudslyde top.
10. I’M EBAYING Prada’s FW16 sailor cap, à la Billie Eilish.
11. I’M PUSSYFOOTING around town in Prada SS25 cat-ear kitten-heel pumps. www.prada.com
12. I’M CHANNELLING my flyest self to Curtis Mayfield’s film soundtrack; listen on Spotify.
13. I’M WATCHING Sing Your Song, a documentary on the life of musician and activist Harry Belafonte.
14. I’M EMPOWERING myself, inspired by Rihanna; RiRi fly so high, she levitates! @fentybeauty.