Beyond The Aesthetic

What happens when a lifestyle becomes an aesthetic, and an aesthetic becomes a political message? This week on Beyond the Aesthetic, we’re unpacking the trad wife fantasy: from Nara Smith and Ballerina Farm to the history of the “perfect housewife”, and the dangerous line between personal choice and prescribed gender roles, we discuss what happens when a personal choice becomes a mandate for how all women should live.We’re also talking about Yesteryear, a novel that follows a trad wife and social media influencer who suddenly finds herself in the 1800’s, facing the harsh realities of her trad wife aesthetic. The novel sparks an array of questions about motherhood, gender roles, religion, and our biggest question: what actually remains of the trad wife fantasy when you take away the pretty dresses, sourdough starters, and flower-filled kitchens?And of course, we end with our Obsession Report: highlighting our must-watch shows, current music obsessions, and pop girlies we can’t get enough of.This is Beyond the Aesthetic.

Welcome back to Beyond the Aesthetic!After a summer away, we’re finally catching up. We share stories from our travels through Paris, Texas, and the Pacific Northwest ~ Bella, where you been loca?!Then, we’re diving into the latest hot topics: conservative women advocating for the removal of women’s voting rights (yes, really), the 2026 World Cup and Argentina’s national soccer team’s villain era, Olivia Rodrigo’s all-women music festival, and of course we’re wrapping things up with another edition of The Obsession Report.Grab a snack and catch up with us! There’s a lot to unpack. 

This week on Beyond the Aesthetic, we’re talking about fashion’s biggest night - the Met Gala! It’s glam and iconic, but it’s also giving dystopian energy.Join us as we dive deep into the dualities of celebrating art, creativity and moments of body diversity, while also questioning the visual significance of extreme wealth and exclusivity. If one ticket costs $100,000 USD, what could that do if redirected to create real impact?This is Beyond the Aesthetic.