From Sylvia Plath to Donna Tartt: 5 trending books you'll find in every It girl's tote bag
Above 'The Secret History' by Donna Tart (Photo: Ivy Books)
Intellectually elite, morally ambiguous and cloaked in a mist of fatalism, A Secret History offers the kind of heady narrative that It girls are known to gravitate toward. Tartt's tale of a group of eccentric classics students who commit murder and try to rationalise it through philosophy reads like The Talented Mr. Ripley set in New England academia. The book, a trending fixture since TikTok revived it, explores the seduction of aesthetics and ideas taken to extremes. With its gothic sensibility, Greco-Roman references and quietly sinister tone, it's no surprise this novel has earned a spot on the bookshelves of fashion insiders, models and artists. Tartt's characters are cold and brilliant—qualities often projected onto the modern It girl, for better or worse. 'Slouching Towards Bethlehem' by Joan Didion
Above 'Slouching Towards Bethlehem' by Joan Didion (Photo: Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
Few writers have the cultural currency of the infinitely cool Joan Didion, and Slouching Towards Bethlehem remains her most iconic work. A master of restraint and razor-sharp observation, Didion captures the fragmentation of 1960s America with dispassionate clarity. Her essays blend memoir and reportage, revealing a mind endlessly attuned to chaos beneath surface order. For the It girl who prizes intellect and quiet detachment, Didion offers an ideal model: fiercely articulate, enigmatic and impossible to imitate. The book's understated black-and-white covers and clean typography make it a favourite among minimalist tastemakers. More than a trending book, it's a blueprint for cool-headed self-possession. 'Just Kids' by Patti Smith
Above 'Just Kids' by Patti Smith (Photo: Ecco)
Patti Smith's Just Kids is a memoir of bohemian life in 1970s New York, chronicling her artistic partnership with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. It's romantic but not naïve, poetic without being precious. Smith details their rise from poverty to art-world prominence with an earnestness that's oddly radical in the age of irony. The It girl reader finds resonance in Smith's early hunger—for beauty, for expression, for significance—and in her resilience amid chaos. Unlike the curated intimacy of influencers, Smith's vulnerability feels unfiltered. It's a book that doesn't ask for admiration, only attention, and that's precisely what makes it an enduring favourite. 'My Year of Rest and Relaxation' by Ottessa Moshfegh
Above 'My Year of Rest and Relaxation' by Ottessa Moshfegh (Photo: Penguin Press)
On the surface, Ottessa Moshfegh's My Year of Rest and Relaxation might look like satire for the hyper-privileged. A beautiful young woman, numb with grief and aimlessness, attempts to medicate herself into oblivion by sleeping through a year in Manhattan. But beneath its absurd premise is a biting critique of self-optimisation, consumer culture and the fetishisation of wellness. The protagonist is unlikeable, opaque and often hilariously cruel—yet her disillusionment feels cuttingly relevant. With its minimalist cover and sardonic voice, this trending book has become a kind of anti-self-help bible for the It girl who is sceptical of overexposure and allergic to performative healing.
These titles share more than just shelf appeal. Each explores identity, alienation or the tension between public persona and private self—territory that It girls know intimately. Whether it's Plath's portrayal of suffocating expectations, Tartt's intoxicating intellectualism or Moshfegh's elegant nihilism, these trending books offer a mirror to women living under constant observation. They are aesthetically spare yet emotionally intense, rich with complexity but never overwrought. In a world obsessed with content, women for literature that asks more of her and gives something back.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tatler Asia
06-07-2025
- Tatler Asia
Protein chic: When a toned body becomes the new aesthetic icon
Where fashion and fitness once occupied opposite realms, one artistic, the other physical, they now intersect. Each cut, sheer overlay, crop top, and figure-hugging garment becomes a celebration of the body. Above Where fashion and fitness once occupied opposite realms, one artistic, the other physical, they now intersect Above Each cut, sheer overlay, crop top, and figure-hugging garment becomes a celebration of the body Above From Denzilpatrick's translucent tops and Doublet's crop tops showcasing chiselled abs, to Dior Menswear's dresses for men, these designs affirm Protein Chic's ethos: there are no limits to how a toned body may be expressed (photo: idntimes, tag-walk, WWD) This shift isn't confined to the catwalk. It's spreading fast, thanks to the power of social media. On TikTok and Instagram, the #GymTok trend has spawned millions of clips capturing the everyday rituals of fitness: training, sculpting, calorie counting, meal prep. The body becomes 'content'—a visual shorthand for a lifestyle defined by discipline, self-care, and autonomy. Above Harry Styles and Jacob Elordi brought gymwear to the streets in distinct styles. Harry paired athletic shorts with a retro denim jacket, while Jacob opted for fitted workout gear that showcased his physique. Both embodied the spirit of street-meets-sport: confident, health-conscious, and effortlessly modern Above Harry Styles and Jacob Elordi brought gymwear to the streets in distinct styles. Harry paired athletic shorts with a retro denim jacket, while Jacob opted for fitted workout gear that showcased his physique. Both embodied the spirit of street-meets-sport: confident, health-conscious, and effortlessly modern As the celebration of the body moves beyond the gym, gymwear naturally follows. Crop tops, fitted trousers, and tank tops are no longer confined to fitness studios; they have become statements of individuality and perseverance. Worn on the streets, these pieces speak of effort, identity, and self-expression. From workout spaces to street style, from social platforms to the catwalk, physical strength has evolved into an aesthetic: seductive yet thoughtful, fashionable yet full of vitality. The transformation of masculine beauty Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, muscularity was synonymous with traditional masculinity. Figures like Terminator 's Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rocky 's Sylvester Stallone, and Fight Club 's Brad Pitt defined the 'alpha male': stoic, intimidating, and emotionally unreadable. Their physiques didn't require commentary; their presence alone conveyed dominance. Photo 1 of 3 Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Brad Pitt once defined the ideal male physique where muscle mass symbolised authority, masculinity, and untouchable power Photo 2 of 3 Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Brad Pitt once defined the ideal male physique where muscle mass symbolised authority, masculinity, and untouchable power Photo 3 of 3 Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Brad Pitt once defined the ideal male physique—where muscle mass symbolised authority, masculinity, and untouchable power Protein Chic marks a departure from that rigid ideal. It champions a different kind of strength, sensual, expressive, and approachable. This aesthetic aligns with the broader evolution of masculinity seen in recent years: David Beckham embracing skincare, Timothée Chalamet donning crop tops, male models walking in dresses at Dior Men. In this era, gender is no longer a limitation in fashion, and beauty is no longer bound by biological norms. But the appeal of Protein Chic also carries weight. As the toned body becomes a cultural symbol of positivity, those who don't meet the aesthetic may feel scrutinised not just for their appearance, but for perceived lifestyle choices. Even the most dedicated gym-goers can find themselves trapped in cycles of comparison. Protein Chic, then, is not an end goal. It's an evolving practice that invites discipline, understanding, and compassion to coexist. NOW READ Loewe Craft Prize 2025: A new definition of couture rises from the artisan's bench 7 traditional self-care practices that stand the test of time Tatler's Picks: discover the beauty & skincare products worth investing in this summer
Sydney Morning Herald
13-06-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
The 'Gen Z boss and a mini' TikTok trend
Lifestyle The 'Gen Z boss and a mini' TikTok trend went viral on social media, and Rachael Wilde even wanted a remix of it made into a song.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Tips and tricks for edging yourself or your partner from sex experts
There are so many exciting, sexy time activities to try. A true buffet of kinks, sex toys, positions, and role-playing options to ramp up your orgasms. But what about withholding orgasms to prolong pleasure? No matter your sexual orientation or gender identity, 'edging' can be a fun way to enhance pleasure and extend sex. You've may have already done this to yourself as you watch porn, but edging isn't just a solo activity, it's also a way to tease your partner by withholding orgasms. To find out if edging is for you and what you should do to make it good for you and your partner, we spoke with sex experts to explain it all. According to gay cruising app Sniffies' 2024 statistics, edging is the most popular kink in America, and with good reason! Edging is the ultimate tease; it's the practice of intentionally bringing yourself and/or your partner to the point right before you climax, but instead of finishing, you pause the stimulation until you've calmed down and then repeat the process before finally allowing an orgasm. Not only does this extend playtime, but it intensifies pleasure and arousal, and often lead to a more intense, longer-lasting orgasm when you are finally allowed to climax. You can edge yourself during masturbation or while having sex with other people to add a little spice to your sex life, but it can also be a great way to explore dom/sub dynamics. Both partners can edge each other, but you can also play with power dynamics where the dominant partner takes control over the submissive's orgasms and decides when they can climax. Edging can also help with premature ejaculation, and for gay men, it is also a great way for tops to manage performance so that no one finishes too early. "For some, edging is a part of kinky play where power dynamics allow for orgasm denial or advanced teasing,' Birna Gustafsson, an LGBTQ+ sex educator and public health advocate, tells PRIDE. 'Many people love edging because of the elements of control, heightened sensations, and subverting expectations of what sex should look or feel like.' Also known as 'surfing' and 'peaking,' the term edging comes from the idea of approaching a metaphorical 'edge' of orgasmic inevitability but stopping from you tip over the edge. Although the word itself is from Middle English, the internet and sex positive online communities helped to popularize the way people use the term today, and it has since entered the Gen Z lexicon on TikTok. Iryna Kalamurza/Shutterstock If you've ever finished and been like, 'is that all?' then you'd probably like edging. For people who feel like the peak of their climax is too short or want to make their sexual experiences last longer, edging is a great technique to add into your playtime repertoire. If you're curious about edging, try exploring it during solo masturbation first before trying it out with a partner. 'It's also great if you're in a sexual rut, exploring solo play in a new way, or curious about adding something fresh to partnered sex,' Gustafsson says. 'It can take some people up to twenty minutes for their genitals to fully engorge and hit peak arousal, and edging offers a fun way to explore as you welcome pleasure in waves, not a flood of sensations all at once.' According to Tim Lagman, a sex expert and board certified sex educator with the lube company pjur, those who already enjoy 'intense build-ups or teasing sensations' or want to explore orgasms control and power dynamics, should give edging a try. It's a low risk, high reward way to make your sex life more interesting! If you've never played with edging before, try it on your own first. That way, you'll get an idea of whether or not you'd like it, then you can try it out with a partner and decide whether you like to be the giver who is in control, the receiver who relinquishes control, or both! Try to slow down your breathing to help you or your partner stay calm and in control. It's also a great way to focus on the sensations in your body instead of rushing into an orgasm. Communication is also key with anything sex-related, but with edging, you have to be aware of your partner's body language and listen to their words so you know when they are getting close and you need to pull back before starting again. You should also talk to your partner beforehand about how they like to be edged, what techniques ramp them up the most (like fingering, oral, or penetrative sex), and what intensity is good for them. Switch back and forth between fast and slow movements and play with different pressure, sex positions, and techniques to make the edging experience more dynamic. You can also tease your partner with different timings. Try doing five second of fast sensation, slow down for five seconds, a then each round add five seconds to each interval until you get up to a minute before you let them finish. And if you're into a sub/dom relationship or are into power play, the dominant partner can count out loud to dial up the heat. Lube should always be in your bedside table drawer, but when you're planning on extending the amount of time you are having sex, make sure you use lots of lube to keep it feeling good all night long. There are so many you can incorporate into edging, the options are limitless! You can try teasing your partner with a blindfold, feathers, or a whip. Or add in vibrators, sex machine, strap on, butt plugs, cock ring, or prostate massager, or anything else that will ramp things up for you or your partner. Try switching things up between using your hands, oral stimulation, powerful toys, warm and cold sensations, and internal and external stimulation. You don't need to go from zero to 60; instead, try alternating between two different sensations and cycling through different rhythms. For instance, try changing between rubbing their clit and using gentle tapping to tease your partner. If you've already mastered the basics, try this more advanced technique: when you feel like you or your partner are about to climax, don't slow down, just stop using your hands and sex toys completely. Spend some time breathing and let the pleasure settle in your body before you go right back to the same intensity you were using before. If you enjoy edging, consider trying gooning too which is an extreme form of edging where you masturbate for hours while watching porn, but never let yourself have an orgasm. Getty Images Edging is versatile, and can be adapted to work with all different kinds of bodies and can be a great way to affirm gender identity. 'For those experiencing gender dysphoria, edging can center sensation elsewhere in the body than just the genitals,' Gustafsson explains. 'Using toys and tools like strap-ons, prosthetics, or powerful vibrators that send sensation through layers of material can all be a part of edging, too.' Sofie Roos, a bisexual licensed sexologist and relationship therapist, has suggestions for all genders and sexualities. For queer men, she recommends combining deign with stimulation of the anus or penis through penetrative sex or using a toy like a vibrating butt plug. Or go the advanced route and focus on edging the prostate alone for an extra strong orgasm. For sapphics, use your hands, vibrator, or tongue to stimulate the clitoris by starting off with calm, light touches, before increasing the stimulation and then starting over again. She also said if you or your partner's clit gets overstimulated switch to focusing on the G-spot, and unlike people with penises, you can keep going until you, your partner, or both achieve multiple orgasms. According to Roos, trans folks can use edging to 'explore their body sexually in new ways that feel more natural than other types of sex' and can also use it to explore new sexual dynamics. For nonbinary people, she says that edging can provide the kind of control that allows for experimentation. 'Nonbinary folks can use edging to feel as if they're more in control of how they get pleasure, and that they can discover their body [on] their own terms and take control over their orgasm,' Roos says. Edging, truly is for everyone! Birna Gustafsson, an LGBTQ+ sex educator and public health advocate. Tim Lagman, a sex expert and board certified sex educator with the lube company pjur. Sofie Roos, licensed sexologist and relationship therapist & author at Passionerad.
