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The Bra: From Corset to Cage – What’s Next ?

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March 18, 2026

The Bra: From Corset to Cage – What’s Next ?

Throughout history, women’s bodies have been shaped, confined, and controlled by fashion. From the restrictive corsets of the Victorian era to the modern-day bra, these garments have served as both physical and symbolic cages. While the corset fell out of favour in the 20th century, its legacy lives on in the bra – a garment still marketed as essential for support, modesty, and femininity. But just as women once stirred and opposed against the corset, a fresh wave of change is here: Opting for less restrictive alternatives is becoming a movement toward embracing body autonomy. The story of the bra is not just about comfort and practicality. It’s a story about social expectations, gender norms, and bodily autonomy. To understand why so many women are ditching their bras and look for alternatives today, we must first look at the history of this so-called necessity and how it came to symbolise both restraint and oppression.

From Corset to Bra: The Evolution of Bodily Control
In the 16th century, the corset emerged as a staple of women’s fashion. It was designed to shape the torso into the desired hourglass figure, with a cinched waist and lifted bust. Corsets were often laced so tightly that they caused fainting spells, difficulty breathing, and even death in extreme cases. For centuries, women endured this discomfort because society dictated that their worth was tied to their appearance. But corsets weren’t just for women. In Georgian Britain and pre-Revolutionary France, certain men of the upper classes also wore corsets to achieve a fashionable, narrow-waisted silhouette. These men’s corsets reinforced rigid beauty standards for both genders, symbolising that even men’s bodies were subject to control. By the early 20th century, the corset fell out of fashion, replaced by the brassiere – a more modern, less restrictive undergarment. But the bra, like its predecessor, quickly became more than just a practical garment. It became a symbol of femininity and respectability, marketed as essential for shaping the body to meet societal standards. The transition from corset to bra was seen as a step toward liberation. But was it really? Or did the bra simply become a more socially acceptable cage? Corsets not only shaped fashion but also had a profound impact on the skeletal structure of those who wore them. An anthropological study featured on Lucy’s Corsetry highlights how prolonged corset use caused skeletal deformities, including ribcage compression and spinal curvature. Despite these significant changes, many wearers lived beyond the average lifespan of their era. This study sheds light on the physical toll of these garments and how societal beauty standards influenced women’s health. For more details, visit here Historical X-rays further reveal the shocking impacts of corset-wearing on women’s bodies, from deformed ribcages to displaced organs. Read more here

Corsetry Beyond Europe: Binders and Body Shaping in Asia
While corsets are often associated with European fashion history, body-shaping garments existed in other regions as well. In Minoan Crete around 1600 BCE, women wore garments resembling corsets, known as strophions, which emphasised the waist and supported the bust. However, in Asia, body shaping took a different form. Instead of rigid corsets, women in some cultures used binders – tight-fitting garments designed to shape the body without the extreme compression of European corsets. In China, for instance, binders were used to flatten the chest and achieve a slim, graceful silhouette that was considered elegant and modest. Unlike the Western corset, these binders were often seen as practical rather than decorative. They provided a way to control the body’s shape while maintaining the flow and elegance of traditional garments. The perception of these garments was different from that of corsets in Europe, as they were often worn for functionality and modesty rather than as tools of societal control. This variation in body-shaping practices highlights the cultural differences in how women’s bodies have been perceived and controlled throughout history. While European corsets symbolised oppression and conformity, binders in Asia were often more about pragmatism and cultural ideals of beauty and modesty. However, the underlying theme remains the same: women’s bodies have long been subjected to external standards and expectations.

Social Expectations: The Bra as a Symbol of Conformity
The bra has long been marketed as a necessity for women. From a young age, girls are taught that bras are essential for modesty, support, and attractiveness. The message is clear: a woman’s natural body is not acceptable as it is. It must be shaped, lifted, and concealed. Over the decades, the bra became a symbol of social conformity. Women who went braless were often labelled as hippy, rebellious or inappropriate. Even today, going braless in certain settings – like the workplace – can be seen as unprofessional or provocative. This expectation is rooted in society control over women’s bodies. Just as the corset symbolised a woman’s place in society – confined, controlled, and decorative – the bra continues to reinforce outdated ideas about what women should look like and how they should present themselves. However, this narrative is shifting. Open-minded women and younger generations, are increasingly moving away from these confined social norms. For them, going braless is a statement of bodily autonomy and self-acceptance.

The Technical Side: Do We Really Need Bras?
The primary argument in favour of bras is that they provide support, and to lift up – particularly for women with larger breasts. But do bras really prevent sagging, or is this just a myth perpetuated by the lingerie industry? Studies show that bras may actually weaken the muscles that support the breasts, leading to more sagging over time. Without the constant reliance on a bra, these muscles can strengthen, providing natural support.

Braless and other viable options
Although going braless can pose issues for some people, there are several benefits to doing so. For starters, not wearing a bra is believed to improve muscle tone. According to Dr. Brynna Connor, “Not wearing a bra forces the muscles in your chest and back to work harder to support your breasts, and this engagement may lead to improved muscle tone over time.” However, research surrounding this aspect of breast health is still inconclusive, and individuals should remain vigilant about how their bodies feel. Going braless can also promote skin health. Bras, especially those that are too tight or poorly fitted, can cause sweat to build up under the breasts, leading to bacterial or fungal infections. Dr. Connor notes that going braless, even for short periods, can help prevent painful chafing and rubbing along the shoulders, ribs, and back. Another expert, Dr. Shapiro, confirms that there are no known health risks associated with not wearing a bra. “There is no ‘wrong’ answer,” he says. “If you’re comfortable and confident without a bra, that’s fine.” However, he notes that individuals with larger breasts may experience back and neck pain due to the weight of the breasts, which can be alleviated by wearing a supportive bra.

Step-by-Step: Wearing a Corset or Bra

Putting on a Corset: The wearer wraps the corset around the torso, tightening the laces at the back. This process compresses the chest and abdomen, forcing the ribs inward and restricting the lungs’ ability to expand fully.
Putting on a Bra: The bra is worn by securing the straps over the shoulders and fastening the band around the chest. The underwire or elastic band provides support by pressing against the ribcage, shaping the breasts into a lifted position.
Immediate Effects: Both garments restrict natural movement of the chest and ribcage. This compression can cause discomfort, limit deep breathing, and create pressure points that can lead to pain over time.
Long-Term Effects: Prolonged use of corsets or bras can cause muscle weakness, as the body relies on the garment for support. For corsets, the damage was more severe – long-term wear could result in deformed ribs, displaced organs, and reduced lung capacity. While modern bras are less extreme, they still contribute to weakened chest muscles and potential skin issues.
For individuals with larger breasts or those experiencing discomfort, alternative support options like compression tops or adjustable bandeaus can provide relief without the rigid structure of traditional bras or corsets.

The Psychological Toll of Wearing a Bra
Beyond the physical discomfort, bras can take a psychological toll on those who wear them. The constant awareness of one’s body, the feeling of being constrained, and the societal pressure to conform to beauty standards can impact self-esteem and body image. Historically, the corset was seen as a symbol of women’s oppression. It was a tool of social control, forcing women to conform to an idealised image of femininity. In extreme cases, women died from the effects of tightlacing – fainting, broken ribs, and internal damage were common. While modern bras are less extreme, the underlying message remains the same: women’s bodies need to be controlled and shaped to meet societal expectations. The principle is similar to the concept of placing a leash on pets or farm animals – it’s a method of imposing control by restricting natural movement and behaviour. Going braless or opt for alternatives, then, becomes an act of shredding this undermining of other people’s and gender’s purpose – a way to reject the notion that our natural bodies are not good enough and desperately and constantly require such a restrictive tool to function. The fact is entirely the opposite.

Endorsements: Real Women’s Experiences Going Braless
Many women are embracing the freedom of going braless and sharing their personal experiences of body liberation. Here are a few stories from women who have enjoyed their body liberty:
– Helen Down, a journalist, at 51 years of age decided to ditch her bra for an entire weekend. She shared that the experience was liberating and led her to feel more confident in her own skin. Although she initially felt self-conscious, she realised that most people didn’t notice or care. Helen noted that going braless gave her a sense of joyous freedom, especially during activities like cycling and dancing.

– Gabrielle O’Hagan decided to go braless for a day and shared her mixed feelings about the experience. While walking through her neighbourhood, she felt self-conscious about the visibility of her nipples. However, she found the experience empowering during a night out in the city. Gabrielle reflected on society’s double standards regarding women’s bodies and expressed her determination to continue embracing her natural form, despite the challenges. These stories highlight that going braless can be both freeing and challenging.

The key takeaway? Body liberation is a deeply personal journey, and each individual should feel empowered to make their own choices.

Technical analysis on the downsides of wearing a bra:
While personal stories highlight the emotional liberation of going braless, it’s equally important to understand the physical and scientific implications of wearing bras over long periods.

Biomechanical Implications: Musculoskeletal Health. Muscle atrophy and postural dysfunction caused by long-term bra usage. Studies have suggested that relying on external support (a bra) can weaken the pectoralis muscles and cause back and neck strain, especially in larger-breasted individuals. Disruption of natural biomechanics: How bras prevent natural breast movement, reducing muscle engagement.
Spinal alignment and posture: How constant use of tight straps and bands can pull on shoulders and affect spinal health over time.
Circulatory and Lymphatic System Blockages: Tight bras, especially underwired or poorly fitted ones, may impede lymphatic drainage in the breast area. The lymphatic system is responsible for removing toxins and waste from tissues, and when it’s compressed, there could be a build-up of toxins.
Long-term effects on breast tissue health. Connection to inflammation or fibrocystic changes.
Dermatological Effects: Skin and Tissue Health. Wearing bras, especially for long hours, can cause skin irritation, chafing, and fungal infections, particularly under the breasts where sweat accumulates. Over time, the friction from straps and bands can cause permanent skin indentations and tissue damage.
How synthetic fabrics and tight bands irritate skin. The impact of trapped moisture on bacterial and fungal infections. Chronic pressure points causing skin deformation or bruising.
Neuroscience: How Bras Influence the Brain’s Perception of the Body. How constantly wearing a bra might affect proprioception (the brain’s awareness of the body in space). Constant compression could dull nerve sensitivity in the breast area, altering body awareness and sensory input. Nerve compression and sensory deprivation in the breast area. How bras might impact body image and self-perception over time. The link between sensory input and emotional regulation.
Hormonal and Temperature Regulation Effects. Breasts play a role in thermoregulation and hormonal balance. Constant compression could interfere with temperature regulation, particularly during exercise or hot weather. Additionally, hormone-sensitive breast tissue may be affected by long-term external pressure. How bra usage affects breast tissue temperature. Potential disruption to hormonal responses during different phases of the menstrual cycle.
Understanding these effects isn’t about demonising bras, but about making informed choices based on personal comfort, health, and lifestyle.

A New Approach to Stylish Support
It’s time to rethink support garments entirely. Instead of bras that shape and confine, we need comfortable, flexible options that provide support without imposing rigid beauty standards. Below are some new design ideas for stylish, practical alternatives to traditional bras:

Compression Tops – Inspired by Historical Armor and Modern Fashion
Compression tops provide gentle support without underwires or clasps. These garments work by applying even pressure across the chest, reducing movement and offering comfort for various activities. Think of Keira Knightley’s iconic look in King Arthur — her fitted leather chest piece provided both support and a stylish statement. Modern compression tops can be made from breathable, stretchy fabrics that mould to the body, making them ideal for everyday wear.
Adjustable Bandeaus – Custom Fit for Every Body
Adjustable bandeaus offer a customisable fit, allowing the wearer to adjust the tightness and coverage to their liking. These bandeaus can be styled to match different outfits, from casual to formal. By using innovative fabric blends, modern bandeaus can offer both support and breathability, making them suitable for all-day wear without discomfort.
Innovative Fabrics – Adaptive and Breathable for All-Day Comfort
The future of support garments lies in smart fabrics that adapt to the body’s natural shape and movement. These materials can provide targeted support where needed, without constriction. For example, fabrics with moisture-wicking and antimicrobial properties can keep the skin dry and prevent irritation, promoting overall skin health.
Gender-Inclusive Support Garments
Support garments shouldn’t be limited to traditional gender norms. Gender-inclusive designs cater to all body types, including men with gynecomastia or individuals with non-binary identities. These garments prioritise comfort, function, and inclusivity, allowing everyone to feel supported and confident in their bodies.
Empowerment vs. Expectation: The Pros and Cons of Going Braless
As with any personal choice, going braless comes with both advantages and perceived risks. Here’s a breakdown to help readers make informed decisions:
Advantages of Going Braless:
Empowerment: Embracing one’s natural body can be a powerful act of self-acceptance.
Comfort: Many individuals find going braless more comfortable, especially during hot weather or long days.
Equality: Challenging double standards regarding men’s and women’s bodies promotes gender equality.
Improved Skin Health: Reduced risk of chafing, irritation, and infections caused by poorly fitting bras.
Perceived Risks of Going Braless:
Societal Judgment: Some individuals may experience negative reactions or judgment from others.
Isolation: In certain professional or social settings, going braless may be seen as inappropriate or nonconforming.
Physical Discomfort: Individuals with larger breasts may experience back or neck pain without wearing some form of support.
Final take
Ultimately, the choice to go braless or wear an alternative non-restrictive support garment is deeply personal. The most important takeaway is to never impose your choice on others. Empowerment comes from within, and each person should feel free to make decisions about their own body without fear of judgment or pressure. In the end, whether one chooses to go braless or wear a new type of support garment, the focus should remain on autonomy, comfort, respect for your own body as well as others, and personal empowerment.

The Truth about Blondes

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March 14, 2026

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Blondes. They’re said to have more fun and turn more heads on the street for their eye-catching ‘dos. We’ve been told men can’t help but love golden-haired ladies, who’ve embodied glamour from the earliest Hollywood days to modern times. Marilyn Monroe, Dolly Parton, and Gwen Stefani are just a few famous blondes that are irresistibly loved by women and men alike. Chances are you are personally a fan of an iconic blonde or have long thought about becoming one yourself. But being blonde comes with a price… like dealing with dumb blonde comments and many long and expensive trips to the hair salon. Still, there are some surprising benefits of living life as a blonde. Would you turn to the light side if it could impact your sex life or make you more money? Hair color may seem like a small detail but being blonde can have more consequences than you’d think — good and bad. Here’s the truth about blondes.

Men do prefer blondes

If the title didn’t tip you off, the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes suggested to viewers that men were particularly into light-haired ladies. We get it though. With Lorelei Lee played by the blonde Marilyn Monroe, even a die-hard brunette lover would swoon. While we’ve been told men love blondes, most of us have turned the other cheek, considering it just a stereotype. Who would have thought that science actually proved this expression to be true? In a study conducted by The Journal of Social Psychology, 110 men were showed pictures of women with different hair colors and were asked to rate them on attractiveness, health, dating potential, and parenting ability. The findings proved that men viewed the women with light hair to be more attractive, have better health, and appear more youthful. The study also showed that men base complex relationship decisions on a woman’s appearance. So, yes, ladies! Guys are judging your looks to decide whether or not you are a good life partner. If you thought all the time spent visiting the salon to get that luscious light hue or shopping for the perfect outfit went unnoticed, you were wrong all along.

Blondes get paid more

Perhaps you can brush off that blondes have more fun, but what if we told you they make more dough? A study conducted in 2010 by the Queensland University of Technology examined 13,000 Caucasian women and led to one eye-opening conclusion — blonde women get paid more (via Forbes). And it wasn’t just a dollar more here and there. Their experiment concluded that blonde women make 7 percent more income. That means if you have a salary of $50,000, a blonde worker doing the same job might make $3,500 more than you.

This isn’t the only study that proved this phenomenon. An experiment performed by Cornell University had waitresses complete an online survey about their physical characteristics, self-perceptions, and tip income. The findings concluded that blondes accrued more income than their red-headed, brunette, or black-haired counterparts. But it doesn’t stop there. Even in a different 60-day study, dark-haired participants were asked to change their hair color and record their tips in a real work-like setting. The women received significantly more tips while blonde. Blondes really do have more funds!

Blondes are better in bed

Sex is an important part of a relationship and can help deepen the connection between two people. You can learn a lot about yourself through your sex life and whether you explore new things or stick to the same ol’ routine. But did you know that your hair color has an influence over your romantic life?

In a survey of 1,500 men (via the Daily Mail), women with blonde hair were said to be the best in bed. The survey found that 36 percent of men said that blonde women were the best at sex. Meanwhile, 31 percent of men thought of brunettes as the best in bed. But before all you dark-haired beauties call bologna, there are some other notable findings from the survey that you may want to hear. The men in the same survey also said that brunettes were better kissers and more sensual.

Blondes take longer to get ready

They say beauty is pain but we say beauty is simply time-consuming — especially when it comes to a woman’s morning routine. Shaving, blow-drying, applying make-up, and curling your hair does not happen instantly!

Glamour shared a study conducted by Goody that found blonde women take an average of six minutes longer than women with darker hair to get ready. It may not seem like much time but over a week that’s 40-some minutes. The study also concluded that 75 percent of blondes stick to the same beauty regimen daily. Brunettes, on the other hand, were more likely to go out of the house without doing their hair or makeup at all. Whether you lighten your hair monthly and stay true to a strict make up routine or you go out bare-faced is totally a personal decision, but we’re sure all women look gorg either way!

Blondes have higher IQs

We’ve all heard more dumb blonde jokes in our lifetime than we’ve probably wanted to. Maybe they encouraged a good laugh, but jokes are jokes after all. How much truth do they really hold? In fact, dumb blonde jokes aren’t very accurate because blondes carry the highest IQs of all the hair colors. That’s right, listen up to this one.

An experiment conducted at the Ohio State University studied 10,878 women on their smarts. The findings were quite interesting. Of all the hair colors, blondes had the highest IQ with an average of 103.2. Close behind were brunettes with an average IQ of 102.7. Then came red heads at 101.2 and black-haired women with an average of 100.5. Blonde women were also more likely to be geniuses and less likely to have a low IQ than any women with other hair colors. Hold onto this piece of juicy information, blondies, and wow the crowd the next time some hotshot tries to tell a blonde joke. Tell ’em who’s the smartest!

Blondes are helped more often

In the 21st century, feminism is the magic word. Although we love a guy that will sweep us off our feet, women are fully functioning, powerful beings who definitely don’t need a man. But if you were to drop a belonging, do you think your hair color would influence a man’s likeliness to help return it to you?

Men’s Health shared an experiment performed by a group of French scientists at the University of South Brittany that had young women wear a tight white tee and one of three wigs with blonde, brown, or black hair. They instructed the women to walk in front of a male and drop a glove to see if he alerted the woman of the lost item or not. The findings were quite astonishing. The male pedestrians notified the blondes 76 percent of the time, whereas the brunettes were only given the glove at a rate of 59 percent. The women with black hair were only told they’d dropped their glove 57 percent of the time. This can perhaps be explained by men’s tendency to associate blonde hair with youth and health, which are often connected to fertility. So once again, gentlemen really do prefer blondes.

Blondes have more sex and think about it more often

You’ve probably heard that men think about sex every seven seconds. Although this is a myth, a majority of men do actually think about sex several times a day while most women think about it several times a week (via GQ). We’ve already covered that blondes are reportedly better in bed and them allegedly thinking about sex more may help explain why.

Glamour reported that dating site Match.com’s Singles in America survey revealed that blonde women are having the most sex. Yep, they’re also reportedly thinking about sex more than women of any other hair color: 27 percent of single blonde women ponder the idea of sex several times a week with brunettes following at 24 percent. Thinking about sex more often likely encourages you to get down and dirty, and experiencing more sex can probably make you better at it altogether. They do say practice make perfect, after all.

Endless shades of blonde

Hairdressers have probably heard more times than they can count, “I want to be blonde!” And after reading this article, many more women may be inspired to take the plunge. But blonde isn’t just one flat color. While we’re unclear on a total count for all the blonde shades out there, Matrix shared 24 of the top shades in 2018.

Platinum blonde is at the top of Matrix’s list and is perhaps one of the most desired shades of blonde for its Barbie-like resemblance. It is also one of the most difficult blondes to maintain. Lady Gaga is known for her icy-white mane, and others like Kylie Jenner, Jennifer Lawrence, and Miley Cyrus have all gone platinum at some point (via Insider). But platinum blonde isn’t for everyone, and that’s where the darker shades of blonde come in clutch. Taylor Swift, for instance, has sported a honey blonde bob, and Jennifer Aniston’s legendary medium-blonde shade has been a fan favorite for decades.

For those with darker skin and darker eyes, blonde can be a good option too. Beyoncé has rocked her own shade of chocolate blonde with brunette roots that fade into long golden locks.

Blondes marry richer men

Attention all women who dream of marrying a millionaire! In a study conducted by the University of Queensland, researchers found that blondes married men who made 6 percent more earnings than the husbands of other hair colors (via Business Insider). So while blondes are making 7 percent more themselves, between a blonde and her husband, they could be earning a total of 13 percent more income. The president of the International Blondes Association, Olga Uskova, informed News.com.au: “Blondes have wealthier husbands because we are more fun and outgoing, and men are more attracted to us.” She added, “Blondes also have a lot of confidence so we can date men who are powerful or important.”

While looks aren’t everything, being confident with your looks is likely to impact your relationship, job, and overall well-being. People with high self-esteem are also found to be happier so this can allow them to be more attractive overall. If your blonde hair makes you feel better about yourself, you’re likely to attract an umbrella of other positive outcomes like tying the knot with a wealthy man.

Blondes have more estrogen

Bottle blondes may reap many benefits of being a blonde but not this one. Science shows that natural blondes have more estrogen in their DNA (via Fox 5 Atlanta). Estrogen is the main female sex hormone and controls the reproductive system along with helping the development of secondary sex characteristics. Higher levels of estrogen can contribute to smaller facial features like a petite nose and a pointed chin. Because of having higher levels of estrogen, blonde women may appear more feminine and have less body hair.

It may sound like blondes have the DNA of golden goddesses but this only applies to natural blondes, who are, in fact, very rare. On the flip side, Medical News Today explained that high levels of estrogen can have some negative effects for women like heavy periods and weight gain. So blondes may enjoy some incredible benefits stemming from a higher estrogen level but other effects are not so pretty.

Natural blondes are very rare

Yes, there are plenty of blondes in this world, but most of them are far from natural. In fact, Natalia Ilyin writes in her book Blonde Like Me: The Roots of the Blonde Myth in Our Culture that only 2 percent of the population is naturally blonde. Blonde hair is caused by a very small genetic mutation in your DNA that alters the letter A to G in the sea of 3 billion possible letters (via National Geographic). The change is reportedly responsible for those beautiful, sought-after golden locks that many parents probably hope never darken on their little ones.

But most children with that ridiculously cute white-blonde hair often experience darker locks by the time they turn 10 years old (via Live Science). The determinant of hair color is melanin — a dark pigment found in the hair, skin, and eyes. Melanin is the same component that determines whether or not you tan in the sun. The darkening of hair happens because the genes that determine hair color do not stay constant throughout one’s life. So cherish that natural blonde while you can, little ones, because you may have to convert to being a bottle-blonde later on in life.

Blonde women are more likely to hold a position of power

We already squashed the “dumb blonde” stigma so this one shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. Forty-eight percent of women who are chief executives at S&P 500 companies have blonde hair, according to a group of researchers at the yearly Academy of Management Meeting held in 2016 (via HuffPost). And this isn’t just a random occurrence. Experts believe there may be more strategy or explanation behind this than most would think. Blonde is thought to give a softer look to women and can give them more leeway in a dominating job role.

Jennifer Berdahl presented these power blonde findings during the Academy of Management Meeting in ’16. Berdahl explained, “If the package is feminine, disarming and childlike, you can get away with more assertive, independent and [stereotypically] masculine behavior.” Having blonde hair can help take the intensity off of a female CEO and relay a more favorable appearance. Light hair is also associated with youth and health, which can give blonde women a leg up in their careers.

Blondes have more sexual partners

One of the best parts of Sex in the City is living vicariously through Samantha Jones’ sex life. We love watching her captivate men and down martinis with her sultry look-at-me persona. She’s always on the hunt for men, and it’s no coincidence she’s the one that has blonde locks out of the four BFFs. Channel your Samantha Jones spirit animal for this one ’cause it’s gonna get steamy!

Glamour shared a survey from Match.com that found women with blonde hair had more sexual partners. The results showed blondes had an average of 10.1 sexual partners with redheads close behind at 9.4 partners. Brunettes were in last with 7.8 partners. That’s not all though. The same survey found that blondes were most likely to have a one-night stand. Sixty percent of blondes admitted they had a one-night fling, followed by 58 percent of redheads and 51 percent of brunettes. We see a pattern going on here. Blondes are really living their best sex lives!

Blondes have more hair and lose more of it

Many people have nightmares about losing their hair. But in reality, we lose hair every day. Diane Minar, a senior scientist at Unilever, confirmed to Self that losing hair is normal and explained that the average person loses 50 to 100 strands of hair a day. The amount of hair you lose depends on your hair color because it determines how many individual hair strands are found on your head.

So who exactly is shedding the most strands? Blondies are losing the most hair, but, before you golden-hued ladies freak, you might be relieved to know that this is because blondes have the most hair. Minar stated that the average woman with blonde hair boasts more than 450,000 individual strands on her head, whereas a woman with black hair only has around 60,000. In the middle range sits brunettes and redheads.

So, there you have it. Blondes have more sex, more money, and apparently more hair. Let’s start a blonde revolution!

The flashy pleasures of Billions

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March 10, 2026

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Over the course of four seasons, the Showtime series has shown a rare capacity to evolve, pivoting, niftily, like a company under S.E.C. investigation.

Showtime’s “Billions,” a late-night snack of an antihero drama, set among finance weasels in New York and Connecticut, is the rare series that the term “guilty pleasure” suits nicely. The show has barbed dialogue and a blind-item documentary interest in the lives of the ultra-wealthy, but at heart it’s a pleasingly amoral caper series, a Wall Street fever dream, scored to ironic pop songs—more pulp than grit, with a streak of camp. Last week, in the San Francisco Chronicle, the critic Allie Pape called the show “prestige trash,” which pretty much nails the tone: it’s dirty fun, without the self-seriousness that drags down so many of its cable-drama peers.

Over the course of four seasons, “Billions,” which was created by Brian Koppelman, David Levien, and Andrew Ross Sorkin, has also shown a rare capacity to evolve, pivoting, niftily, like a company under S.E.C. investigation. The first season set a simple formula, a Coyote-versus-Road Runner duel between two styles of male ambition: in one corner, the alpha hedge-funder Bobby (Axe) Axelrod (Damian Lewis), using his saintly post-9/11 reputation as a cover for insider trading; in the other, Chuck Rhoades, the politically ambitious prosecutor (played with high dudgeon by Paul Giamatti), a resentful beta who is eager to send Axe to jail. Rhoades is the Ivy-educated son of a blue blood, while Axe has clawed his way up from nothing, a.k.a. Yonkers. There is plenty of kinky sex, too, with Maggie Siff as Wendy Rhoades, a therapist, who—ridiculously but entertainingly—is both Chuck’s wife/dominatrix and Axe’s employee, guru, and maybe soul mate. It all felt very Showtime: gimmicky and lurid, but also witty and well paced, and good at making Wall Street transactions comprehensible to English majors.

The show’s signature attraction is Axe, a fit, hyper-strategic market genius who has glimmers of conscience but at one point barks, “I’m not human. I am a machine. I’m a fucking Terminator.” His need for control is what we identify with and get off on. It’s much harder to fantasize about being Chuck, a sharply drawn and performed but more earthbound character, even when he begins to break bad: he’s too grumpy, too tormented, to be our avatar. Axe, in contrast, is a vision of pure meritocratic transcendence, of being so good at your job that the world just lets you do it, no matter whom you hurt. That’s what distinguishes “Billions” from HBO’s “Succession,” another darkly funny series about Manhattan élites, but one with a more subversive theme: its characters are fools, entitled dummies deluded about their own potential. If “Succession” is a show about Jared Kushner, “Billions” is the show that Kushner would write about himself.

There’s a place on television for cathartic fantasies, of course. But there was always a risk of getting stuck in a formula: how many times could we watch Axe beat Chuck, then vice versa, ad infinitum? And so, in the aftermath of the first season, the show began, smartly, to expand its breadth, folding in grizzled character actors, from Eric Bogosian to David Strathairn, along with a diverse range of C.E.O.s, venture capitalists, quants, fixers, and shady lawyers—a veritable Westeros of compromised players. The showrunners game-tested these figures, shifting the strongest to the center—flexing the structural adaptability that is the mark of serialized TV. By the third season, a new player was on the rise, and my colleague Helen Rosner praised “Billions” as “one of the most sneakily progressive and feminist hours” around. I wouldn’t go quite that far—it isn’t “The Good Fight”—but she has a point: the show has begun to explore an alternative vision of heroism, one that is gentler, stranger, and, in its way, almost idealistic. And where better to tweak bro culture than from inside the locker room?

That new figure is the ultra-rational poker genius Taylor, a shaved-headed, Tai Chi-practicing, nonbinary tech-savvy millennial, a former member of Occupy Wall Street who uses the pronouns “they” and “their” and speaks in a dry-humored monotone. As the fourth season opens, Chuck has been fired, Axe outsmarted. They’re paralyzed men, forced into an alliance. Taylor has become the show’s knightly quasi-protagonist, displacing the class war with a generational one.

In last season’s finale, Taylor betrayed their mentor, Axe, by founding a new firm, Taylor Mason Capital, with stolen clients and staff. “There are things they were comfortable with at Axe Capital that we will never do,” Taylor tells prospective hires. While Taylor’s rivals are prone to literary quotes (Chuck) or sports analogies (Axe), Taylor goes the nerd route when reaching for a metaphor: “They turned us all into Starship Troopers, sent us to Klendathu and some of us got our brains eaten. And it wasn’t until the end of our time in that we realized we were the bad guys all along. It’s not like that here.”

Maybe, maybe not: Taylor’s new enterprise is possible only because of a strategic partnership with a Russian oligarch, a murderous billionaire played with relish (and mustard, ketchup, and A.1. sauce) by John Malkovich. “I had to pick it up by watching the ‘Happy Days’ and Mike Wallace,” Malkovich’s character says about learning English, rolling his “r”s like dice. “Though my favorite was ‘Rrrollerball.’ The original.”

Taylor is played by Asia Kate Dillon, an actor who, like Taylor, identifies as nonbinary and goes by “they.” Their monastic charisma radiates a different sort of physical exceptionality from Axe’s—a canny disruption of the show’s gender dynamics. Before Taylor arrived, Axe was the default role model, the jock to Chuck’s cuck. He was the route to existential freedom—something the show itself knew was a scarce commodity, available only to those who can afford it. “Everybody’s a libertarian until it’s their own town that’s dying,” Bogosian’s C.E.O. character noted, as Axe Capital conspired to drain a depressed city of its funds.

Now Taylor seems like the liberated one, their presence causing Axe to appear more villainous. Taylor’s quietness makes their opponents look loud; their watchfulness makes other people—especially men, shouting about power—look frenetic; their ideological cocksureness makes the older men look weak. Bone-thin, dressed in trim gray vests, with a freckled, meditative air, Taylor has a neutrality that highlights the other characters’ specificity—masculinity becomes exotic, from the chest-thumping bloviations of the Axe Cap salesman Dollar Bill to the mustache-twirling decadence of Axe’s lieutenant, Wags, and the sweet decency of Mafee, Taylor’s new partner.

Taylor, it’s true, is really another type of fantasy character, as heightened as Axe—they are, like him, nearly godlike in their talents: a handsome, emotionally sensitive meritocrat who upends bigotry through exceptional performance. (Or, in one particularly hilarious sequence this year, by rocking full Wendy-sleek feminine drag and letting a falcon land on their leather-clad wrist, in order to flirt some money out of a Middle Eastern sheikh.) Certainly, there’s power in having a nonbinary character, played by a nonbinary actor, emerge as the hero of a show like this. But, early on, I worried that Taylor might curdle into sainthood, becoming a figure of alien purity, as representational pioneers often do.

So it was encouraging to see the character grow more deeply integrated into the “Billions” world last season, through a geeky romance with a digital philanthropist, and this season, in encounters with their father, who struggles with pronouns. Still, Taylor’s best role may simply be as a coolly unsentimental truthteller—a youthful radical cutting through the rationalizations of their elders, the people who broke the economy that they grew up in. At one point, Wendy tries to shame Taylor for their betrayal, insisting that a hedge fund was not about profits—it was about “lasting relationships, true loyalty, real trust.” “No,” Taylor replies, after a thoughtful pause, delivering what might be the slogan of the show. “I’m pretty sure there’s only money. And it can buy all those things—or, at least, the same result. That’s what you and Axe taught me.”

Source : New Yorker

All the Cool Girls Get Fired – A Night with Laura Brown and Kristina O’Neill in London

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March 10, 2026

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All the Cool Girls Get Fired – A Night with Laura Brown and Kristina O’Neill in London

On the coldest night in November, The Trouble Club brought together the brightest minds – women who had
come not for comfort, but for clarity. The event featured two figures who know the industry from the inside out: Laura Brown, former Editor-in-Chief of InStyle, and Kristina O’Neill, longtime Editor-in-Chief of WSJ Magazine. They were in London to speak about their new book: All the Cool Girls Get Fired, in conversation with The Trouble Club’s Owner and Director, Ellie Newton. Brown and O’Neill walked onstage with the ease of two women who have already lived through the worst of it and found something sharper on the other side. The tone was clear and exacting. They weren’t there to soothe anyone, but to describe what the reality of work really is, what happens when it ends, and what remains when the job disappears.

The Rise, the Shift, and the Firing
Before they became the names shaping major American magazines, Brown and O’Neill were interns, assistants,
and junior staffers – first in, last out, paid little, expected to endure a carousel of eccentric personalities.

Fashion media at the time was a place built on instinct, hierarchy, and the unspoken art of surviving rooms
where confidence mattered more than credentials. Brown, who arrived in New York with no contacts and an Australian accent that marked her as an outsider, learned early that the people who seemed intimidating weren’t always the ones with real authority. “You realise they’re just people,” she said. “Sometimes very talented, sometimes very fragile.” O’Neill, more internal in her style, built her career through a calm steadiness that made her indispensable to the editors she worked for. Their chemistry was visible even in their early days. One of the stories they shared – now part of their mutual mythology – was the Marc Jacobs show in September 2001. O’Neill had a legitimate seat; Brown walked in without one. They met in that charged atmosphere, the height of pre-digital fashion, where being in the room mattered as much as having something to say. For years, they rode the industry at its peak. Magazines controlled the conversation. Editors were gatekeepers. Influence was managed from the top. They produced work that travelled globally long before social platforms existed. “We were breaking the internet before the internet existed,” Brown joked. But nothing in media stays static – new platforms arrived.

They learned to think in multiple directions: print, digital, celebrity, commerce. They rebuilt roles around storytelling rather than format. They kept moving while the ground shifted under them. But adaptation didn’t protect them from the larger truth. When contraction occurs, institutions don’t always distinguish between the competent and the exceptional. They cut for reasons that have nothing to do with merit. Brown was fired on Zoom in February 2022. She received the usual predictable clichés: restructuring, streamlining, reallocation. She took it in with a kind of calm that can only come from knowing exactly who she is. Within minutes, she told her team the line that has since become a central thesis of the book: “Your work is your own. Your value is your own. Don’t give that power away.”

O’Neill’s firing was in person. She walked into the meeting thinking she was presenting strategy, not concluding her tenure. When handed a stack of documents to sign, she declined. “Now?” she said. “No.” She texted Brown under the table: Getting the boot. Both women refused the theatre of institutional decorum. They wanted the truth, not the performance. “Say it plainly,” O’Neill said. “I got fired.”

They understood something most people take years to absorb: you recover faster when you stop pretending.

What Women Like Them Learn the Hard Way
This was the section of the evening where the room leaned in. Brown and O’Neill were offering clarity.

The first lesson: identity cannot rest on a job title. When a role becomes the centre of gravity, the firing feels like an erasure. If your self-definition is too narrow, the loss becomes larger than it needs to be.

The second: value does not come from institutions. It is not conferred. It is not borrowed. It is not given by a boss or a masthead. Value is portable. It belongs to the person, not the role.

The third: reinvention requires honesty, not performance. You cannot rebuild from denial. You can only rebuild
from clarity.

Brown’s reinvention began before the firing. She had already registered her media company. She knew she
didn’t want to anchor her future to a single structure again. After leaving InStyle, she stepped back and reassessed what she wanted her work to mean. She wasn’t in a hurry. She was building toward something that had room for her full range, not just her editorial past. O’Neill’s reinvention was lateral and clean. She moved into Sotheby’s as Head of Media, proving that editorial intelligence travels far outside the magazine world. She didn’t change who she was. She simply applied her discipline to a new setting.

Both women made a distinction the audience understood immediately: power is something you hold; empowerment is something people like to talk about. The first is internal. The second is atmospheric. They prefer the first. Not because they failed. Because they were undeniably excellent in a forcibly changing environment that could no longer sustain excellence.

Lessons From Two Media Executives Who Survived the Cycle
As for the “cool girls,” the term isn’t about personality or aesthetics. It refers to the women who do the work:
competence, delivery, and visibility. The ones who carry the weight. The ones who deliver more than they’re
asked to. The ones who become indispensable, visible, central – and therefore, paradoxically, exposed when
the chopping block appears. Women who raise the standard in a workplace, and in doing so, inadvertently
make themselves the most exposed when circumstances change. The room carried its own stories. A woman with two MAs who has been looking for meaningful work for fifteen years. An HR director who spoke with precision: “Treat yourself as the business.” A renewables professional who has been fired, rehired, and remains unbending in her expectations of herself and others. They were proof that Brown and O’Neill weren’t describing theory – they were describing what many women already know. It was the reminder that will, intelligence, and discipline don’t evaporate with a job title.

Fired or not, the women who built something once will build again – and more often than not, they build something better.

About the Trouble Club: The Trouble Club is a community for people who love ideas, conversation and connection. We host world-class talks with leading female thinkers, writers and experts on subjects ranging from psychology, history and crime to literature, politics, the environment, media, current affairs, global issues and identity. Alongside our events, we bring members together for dinners, debates and news round-ups – creating space for intelligent, curious people to engage with the ideas shaping the world today.
https://thetroubleclub.com

The Road to French Open 2025 Finals

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March 9, 2026

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The red clay of Roland Garros turns every match into a test of grit. Players slide across the court like dancers in a dusty ballet. As we eye the French Open 2025 finals, excitement builds for battles that could redefine tennis stars. This Grand Slam stands alone on its slow, bouncy surface. It demands endurance that grass or hard courts rarely require. Top players like Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek enter with strong form from early 2025 events. Their recent wins on clay hint at epic showdowns ahead. What makes these finals special? We predict matchups based on past runs at Roland Garros and current skills. Young talents push veterans hard. Storylines like a possible Alcaraz-Djokovic clash add fire. Expect drama, upsets, and clay magic that fans crave. Contenders in the Men’s Singles Draw: Reigning Kings and Rising Challengers Top seeds shape the men’s side at the French Open 2025. Carlos Alcaraz leads as the favorite after his 2024 Madrid Masters sweep. He topspin drives deep, wearing down foes over long rallies. Novak Djokovic, at 38, chases a record 25th major. His 2024 clay results show sharp returns and flawless footwork. Rafael Nadal, if healthy, could return for one last hurrah. His 14 Roland Garros titles loom large. These vets adapt well to clay’s grind. Alcaraz mixes pace with angles. Djokovic exploits weak serves. Nadal’s heavy spin rules baseline wars. Their strategies build from strong spring seasons. Rising stars eye breakthroughs in the 2025 draw. Jannik Sinner, now 23, crushed rivals at the 2024 Rome Masters. His flat groundstrokes cut through clay defense. Ben Shelton, the American powerhouse, adds serve-and-volley flair. At 22, he reached the 2024 Paris semis. His big game tests endurance in five-set ties. Another name: Holger Rune from Denmark. His all-court style shone in junior clays. Recent ATP wins prove he’s ready for majors. Young players face tough odds in long matches. But their speed and hunger could topple seeds. Watch for stamina in quarterfinal grinds. Clay success hinges on key skills. Sliding lets you chase wide balls without slips. Topspin keeps shots high over the net. Endurance tops the list. Five-set epics drain energy fast. Strong legs and quick recovery win days. Mental focus matters too. Clay rewards patience. Players who stay calm after errors push deeper. Master the slide: Practice pivots on red dirt. Build topspin: Loop forehands to control bounce. Train endurance: Run hill sprints for that final push. These traits separate finalists from the pack in 2025. Women’s Singles: The Battle for Parisian Supremacy Iga Swiatek rules women’s clay like few others. The Pole won the 2024 French Open in straight sets. Her return game disrupts serves early. In late rounds, foes try variety to break her rhythm. Drop shots or net rushes aim to pull her forward. Swiatek counters with laser passing shots. Over two years, she boasts a 92% win rate on clay. That’s 78 wins from 85 matches. Her consistency crushes hopefuls. Yet challengers rise to shake things up at Roland Garros 2025. Aryna Sabalenka brings raw power. Her 2024 Stuttgart title showed booming serves on slow courts. Coco Gauff, 21, blends speed with craft. She reached the 2024 semis here. Her defense turns defense into offense fast. Elena Rybakina offers big-hitting precision. From Kazakhstan, she upset seeds in Madrid 2024. Her style contrasts Swiatek’s grind. Power players like Sabalenka blast winners. Gauff uses angles to extend points. Rybakina slices serves low. Each tests the queen differently. Think of Jelena Ostapenko’s 2017 surprise win. The Latvian stormed through with aggressive play. Such breaks add spice to 2025 predictions. Early rounds set the tone on clay. Save energy by winning quick. A straight-sets start builds confidence. Players often rush shots in openers. They underestimate slow conditions. That leads to errors and fatigue later. Psychological edges grow from smart play. Conserve legs for deep runs. Avoid forcing winners too soon. Mistake here, and the draw bites back. Predicting the Path to the Final: Draw Analysis and Potential Upsets Draws at Roland Garros split into quadrants. Top seeds anchor safe zones. But clay specialists cluster in tough spots. The bottom half might pack French wildcards like Gael Monfils. Early clashes brew high drama. Quarterfinals could see Alcaraz face Rune early. Top sections favor form over rank. Sinner might dodge Djokovic till semis. Weather—rain delays—shuffles schedules. John McEnroe once called the French draw a “lottery.” Vets like him note clay’s unpredictability amps risks. Upsets strike often here. In 2023, a qualifier toppled a top-10 seed in round two. Weather turns courts slick. Minor injuries flare under sun. Hot days sap power hitters. Cool rains favor grinders. These shifts flip seeds aside. Form trumps seeding at Roland Garros. A hot streak means confidence. Seeded protection helps, but rust loses matches. Take 2024: An unseeded player beat a third seed. Fresh legs and bold play won out. In 2025, watch mid-tier risers. Rain: Slows play, boosts defense. Injuries: Tape-ups signal trouble. Crowd: Home fans rattle visitors. These factors spark chaos in the path to finals. The Final Showdown: What It Takes to Lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires Predicted men’s final: Alcaraz vs. Sinner. They met in the 2024 semis, split sets. Alcaraz edged it with better clay movement. On all surfaces, Alcaraz leads 4-2. Clay tilts his way—his spin bites deeper. Sinner adjusts with flatter shots next time. Five-set clay tests limits. Past finals ran over four hours. Tactics evolve from those wars. For the grinder like Alcaraz, vary pace. Force errors with deep returns. Against aggressors, step inside the baseline. Aggressive types like Sinner should serve wide. Rush the net after short balls. Clay slows returns, so volley early. Serve placement counts huge. Aim corners to jam returners. Use kick serves to the body on clay bounce. The Philippe-Chatrier Court roars for finals. Packed stands create a wall of noise. Winners etch names in history; losers face what-ifs. Pressure peaks in tiebreaks. Breathe deep, trust shots. Clay rewards the steady heart. Swiatek might face Sabalenka in women’s final. Their 2024 clay head-to-head: Swiatek up 3-1. Sabalenka’s power pushed close sets. Across surfaces, Swiatek wins 7-4. But finals demand peak focus. Sabalenka could blast through if Swiatek tires. Conclusion: The Anticipated Narrative of Roland Garros 2025 Key themes emerge for the French Open 2025 finals. Youth rises with Alcaraz and Sinner challenging vets. Clay purity shines through endurance battles. Swiatek’s reign faces real tests from power hitters. Draws promise upsets that shake seeds. Predictions point to Alcaraz lifting the men’s trophy in a five-set thriller. Swiatek claims another women’s crown. Watch for that changing guard moment. These finals blend history and fresh faces. Mark your calendar for Roland Garros. The clay will tell gripping tales. Tune in and feel the pulse of tennis.

A Slightly Cold Rollercoaster Journey Through Days of Happiness

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March 8, 2026

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A Slightly Cold Rollercoaster Journey Through Days of Happiness

With a haunting musical score that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll, Days of Happiness emerges as a meticulously crafted exploration of a remarkable artist. Set amidst the vibrant backdrop of Montreal, the film follows Emma, a talented conductor whose life is a symphony of complex relationships and personal struggles. Emma’s journey is multifaceted, intertwining her professional aspirations with the tumultuous dynamics of her familial and romantic life. As she navigates with a fractured relationship with her father, who also serves as her agent, Emma finds companionship in Naelle, a fellow musician and single mother. Against the setting of her role as a conductor, Emma navigates the intricate power dynamics of her world while striving to forge a new family away from the shadows of her parents.

While some may draw comparisons to similar narratives, Days of Happiness stands apart with its unique storytelling and nuanced character development. Director Chloe Robichaud masterfully leads viewers into an exploration of Emma’s psyche and experiences, encouraging a pique about the complexities of her character and journey. Sophie Desmarais delivers a compelling performance as Emma, capturing the character’s inner turmoil and resilience with finesse. Through Desmarais’ portrayal, Emma emerges as a somewhat complicated character with raw emotions and desires. As she’s journeying into the dynamics of her role as a rising-star conductor in Montreal, Naelle provides the solace Emma needs at the crucial point in her career. However, their budding relationship faces challenges as Naelle struggles with cultural expectations, family obligations, and the complexities of her recent separation from her ex-husband. Nevertheless, Emma swiftly forms a close bond with Naelle’s young son. Meanwhile, her relationships with both of her parents, particularly her strict and demanding father, remain unresolved, adding further layers of tension to her journey of self-discovery and fulfilment. The look in her eyes during their argument following a misinterpreted performance speak volumes. His admission of pushing her too hard, coupled with his acknowledgment that the market isn’t prepared for her prodigious talent, evokes a poignant mix of deception, anguish, and dismay in her. It’s a dramatic moment of realisation that she’s far ahead of her time, and the world isn’t quite ready to embrace her extraordinary abilities. Her mother’s tendency to readily side with her father in moments of conflict leaves her feeling both in the cold and perplexed at times.

At its core, Days of Happiness is a moving exploration of balance and self-discovery, using music as a metaphor to illuminate the dynamic of human connection and personal growth, reminding viewers of the importance of both self-love and self-actualisation. The film’s narrative unfolds with a graceful rhythm, mirroring the flow of a musical composition. From Emma’s orchestral solos to her intimate moments of reflection, each scene is infused with a profundity and sentiment, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in her world. As a rising star female conductor, Emma finds herself navigating the challenging terrain of a conventional-centric industry. Despite her undeniable talent and passion for music, she encounters numerous obstacles and preconception rooted in world-constructed bias. Relentlessly proving herself in a rather politically-charged industry, facing tests, scepticism and scrutiny from colleagues, agents, audiences, and even from her own lover and family.

In addition to mastering her craft and leading with authority, Emma must address the power dynamics and negotiate her place within orchestras and the industry. She faces the pressure to conform to established gender norms while challenging stereotypes and breaking barriers in pursuit of her dreams. Moreover, Emma navigates with the emotional toll of constant scrutiny and the weight of expectations placed upon her as a progressive woman in a highly sought-after position. She must strike a delicate balance between assertiveness and acceptability, facing criticism for being too monotonous in her conducting style. Despite the challenges, she perseveres with determination and resilience, carving out her space through sheer talent, hard work, dedication and unwavering passion for her work. Her journey serves as a testament to the strength and resilience of women in the face of systemic barriers, as well as societal, peer and family expectations. While Days of Happiness explores queer themes, its relevance extends to women and general public from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of mindset and progressiveness.

The film’s brilliance, particularly evident in its musical scoring choices featuring pieces by Mozart, and the more complicated Schönberg and Mahler. These selections add layers of complexity and richness to the storytelling, throwing viewers through the rollercoaster journey of the lead character while maintaining a certain distance that allows for contemplation and reflection. The interplay between the evocative music and the on-screen drama creates a refinement viewing experience, inviting audiences to engage more intellectually with the themes explored in the film, rather than with emotions, while appreciating the beauty of its musical accompaniment. Days of Happiness brings valuable insights into mixtures of resilience, agencies, commercial world, intricated romantic relationship, and the pursuit of career while maintaining happiness, impartiality and stay true to one self. In the end, it leaves a lasting impression, blending storytelling with captivating performances to create a cinematic experience that resonates after the credits roll. Although the film evokes various emotions and takes viewers on a ride through its narrative twists and turns, there’s still a sense of emotional distance or detachment that inhibits a fully immersive experience, which you will appreciate as it works hard to maintain the lighthearted tone and feel.

Within this year’s BFI Flare vibrant yet reflective themes, Days of Happiness stands out as a thought-provoking and evocative contribution offers a unique exploration of mere human emotion and connection. The film begins with Emma, unable to swim, unintentionally drifting on a pool float into the centre of a deep lake, with concerned spectators on the shore. It concludes with a more introspective Emma, peacefully floating on her back during her first swimming lesson, guided by an enchanting swimming instructor whose body language suggests a keen interest in her. An essential viewing.

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Scottish Open: The Links Sets the Stage for Final Round

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March 4, 2026

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Scottish Open: The Links Sets the Stage for Final Round

This year’s ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open has unfolded against the pristine turf of Dundonald Links, where hometown talents meet global names. As the penultimate event before the AIG Women’s Open, the Ayrshire coast has transformed into a proving ground – for nerve, narrative, and national pride.

Few players have embodied this duality than Scotland’s own Hannah Darling and Lottie Woad, both making their Scottish Open debuts. Darling, fresh off a decorated amateur career and celebrated tenure at the University of South Carolina, now turns pro on familiar turf. “I’ve always dreamed of this moment – stepping into the field not as a hopeful junior, but as a competitor representing Scotland at home,” she shared in the press tent earlier this week, her voice composed but unmistakably enthusiastic. Woad, meanwhile, arrives trailing a blaze of recent form – victory at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, a T3 finish at Evian, and, perhaps most memorably, her win at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. “Playing at Dundonald feels like coming full circle,” she said. “The wind, the greens, the dunes – they’re in my bones”. The Scottish public has responded with visible affection. From hand-painted signs dotting the gallery ropes to the spontaneous applause echoing across tee boxes, it’s clear this year’s event is more than a stop on the LPGA-LET schedule. It’s a moment of homecoming for two prodigies whose talent was first tested under these very skies – and whose futures may very well be forged here again.

The Course: Modern Classicism and Coastal Reckoning

Redesigned with a staggering £25 million investment, Dundonald Links now stands not just as a course, but as a contemporary cathedral of links golf. Rooted in traditional design while pushing the edge of modern sustainability and playability, its windswept fescue, pot bunkers, and firm-running fairways offer a test no simulator can replicate. The refinements – particularly to drainage and routing -have made the course more receptive to elite competition. “You have to play the land,” said one top-20 player. “There’s no disguising your game here. Dundonald rewards purity and punishes hesitation.” Compared to other European mainstays like Le Golf National or Evian Resort Golf Club, Dundonald feels rawer, more elemental. It lacks the manicured theatricality of inland championship venues but offers, instead, authenticity: unfiltered, unsheltered, and unrelenting. Its position just before next week’s AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl elevates its strategic importance. While the Welsh venue has history on its side, Dundonald asserts its value through challenge. Royal Porthcawl will likely offer softer surfaces and slightly more forgiving roughs; here in Ayrshire, however, it’s the wind that shapes destiny.

Rounds One to Three: Surprises, Stability, and Shifting Sands

Three days into competition, the leaderboard at Dundonald has been a study in volatility. Nelly Korda, world No. 1, started steady with a composed 69 but saw her rhythm disrupted in Friday’s crosswind. She bounced back with a 67 on Saturday, reasserting her place among the contenders – but not without bruises. Among the week’s early surprises was Hye-Jin Choi, who opened with a blistering 65 – five birdies, no bogeys – and briefly led the field before a double on 14 in round two knocked her back to T11. Still, her putting stroke remains among the most confident in the field. Mimi Rhodes, one of England’s more understated talents, thrilled local fans with a career-best 66 in round two, vaulting her into solo fourth by Saturday morning. Her approach game has been metronomic, and should she maintain this level, her maiden LPGA top-10 is all but assured. Ayaka Furue, the 2022 Scottish Open winner, has remained a model of consistency. Her opening three rounds (68-69-68) show little variance, underscoring why she remains one of the tour’s most quietly efficient players. Should the winds pick up Sunday, her low-ball flight could prove decisive. On the opposite end, defending champion Lauren Coughlin struggled to find her putting groove. A four-putt on Friday’s 12th hole left her visibly rattled, though she clawed her way back with a composed 70 on Saturday. She sits just inside the top 20. Georgia Hall looked sharp in round one but faded to T32 after losing five strokes to the field around the green. Charley Hull, playing through a recent viral illness, showed flashes of brilliance, especially on Saturday with birdies at 3, 5, and 17.

Day Three: Shifts in Momentum and a British Surge

With the coastal wind softening and turf conditions firming underfoot, Round 3 at Dundonald Links played out like a calculated duel between resolve and rhythm. Lottie Woad, the British prodigy making her Scottish Open debut, carded a composed 67 (-5) to climb decisively to the top of the leaderboard at -17. For a player so new to the professional circuit, her capacity to hold composure over three rounds of testing links conditions is already being studied by veteran caddies and coaches alike. Sharing the spotlight just two shots adrift were Nanna Koerstz Madsen (Denmark) and South Korea’s seasoned Sung Young Kim. Both delivered identically sharp -5 rounds to settle at -15 heading into Sunday. Matching their consistency, Hyo Joo Kim of South Korea posted a scorching 66 (-6), placing herself at -14, just one back from the tie for second — and now very much in striking distance. World No. 1 Nelly Korda, though less aggressive than in earlier rounds, held steady with a -2, preserving her place at -12. Her swing remained textbook clean, yet her measured pace suggests she may be conserving intensity for a final-day charge. Further down, South Africa’s Paula Reto surged into contention with a -6 round, taking solo sixth at -9. Meanwhile, Hye-Jin Choi (KOR) recorded one of the lowest rounds of the day with a -7, tying for seventh alongside American Sarah Schmelzel (-3 overall on the day), both finishing at -8. Australia’s Cassie Porter and Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn rounded out the top ten, both posting -3 and -5 respectively, to finish Saturday at -7. This evolving leaderboard has set up a final-day showdown filled with contrasting styles: power hitters, shot-shapers, and tactical grinders – all converging on a redesigned course that demands mental clarity as much as ball control.

What Awaits in the Final Round

The final day promises drama, wind shifts, and inevitably a turning of the tide. Nelly Korda enters with a one-shot lead, but as history shows, leads at Dundonald are ephemeral. The closing holes – especially the par-3 15^th and dogleg-left 18^th; demand more than mere execution. They demand memory, instinct, and a touch of fearlessness. Furue and Choi will undoubtedly apply pressure early. Both have proven they can post low numbers in tough conditions. And with weather forecasts suggesting a return to gusty crosswinds by mid-afternoon, scoring early may be the only way to survive late. From a hometown perspective, all eyes will remain on Woad. She have shown hints of composure that suggest longer arcs of success. A strong Sunday could solidify her place in Europe’s future Solheim Cup discussions. With $300,000 on the line for the winner – and a guaranteed surge in CME Globe points – this Sunday is not merely a finishing act. It’s the final rehearsal before the major stage at Royal Porthcawl, and for many, it could define their 2025 season.

AIG Women’s Open – Day 1 Recap

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February 27, 2026

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Day 1 of the 2025 AIG Women’s Open delivered classic golf set up as Japan’s Sakura Takeda and Akie Okayama surged into a shared lead with matching rounds of 67 (-5). Their precision play in breezy conditions positioned them atop the leaderboard at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club. The pair navigated the course with contrasting momentum. Okayama, in her first appearance at the championship since 2018, recovered from a bogey at the 1st with five birdies on the front nine. Her closing nine – eight pars and a birdie at 17 – was calm, measured, and mistake-free. The 67 marked her career-best round in the championship by three strokes. Takeda opened with a birdie pitch-in at the 1st and found six more birdies across her card. Her lone error came at the par-5 9th – statistically the easiest hole on the course – here she made double bogey. Still, the round confirmed her growing stature after finishing tied-second at this year’s U.S. Women’s Open.

Also in contention is Miyu Yamashita, whose 68 (-4) featured the lowest front-nine score of the day: 31, built on four consecutive birdies (4–7) and an eagle at the 9th. She joined a leaderboard marked by Japanese consistency – six of the top thirteen players after round one represent Japan. The broader scoring showed that Royal Porthcawl offered opportunities despite gusty intervals. The field average was 73.02, with 50 players returning under-par rounds. 73 of 144 players scored level-par or better, marking one of the more accessible opening days at the AIG in recent years. Still, the course had its teeth. The par 4, 16th played as the most difficult hole with a stroke average of 4.47, yielding only five birdies versus 49 bogeys and nine doubles. The par-5 9th played as the most generous, producing seven eagles and 75 birdies – but also caught out Hannah Green (8) and Cossie Porter (9).

From a historical lens, the data offers a measured reminder: only one of the past 17 champions has led or co-led after round one. Conversely, each of the past five winners started three to five shots behind. Comeback wins remain not only possible but common. Their rounds were part of a broader trend: six of the top 13 players after Thursday’s play were from Japan. For Okayama, this marked her return to the championship after a seven-year absence. Her start – bogey at the 1st – was quickly countered with five birdies on the front nine. A clean back nine, punctuated with a birdie at 17, brought her home in 67, the best AIG round of her career to date. Takeda’s path to five-under was less even, but equally effective. After holing out for birdie at the 1st, she made six more birdies over the round. A double-bogey at the par 5, 9th – despite being the day’s easiest hole – was her only dropped shot. Takeda’s performance follows a strong runner-up finish at the U.S. Women’s Open earlier this year.

Close behind was fellow Japanese player Miyu Yamashita, whose 68 (-4) matched her best score in this championship. After a bogey at the 1st, she went on a tear with four straight birdies from holes 4 to 7, then eagled the 9th to post the day’s lowest front nine – 31 strokes. World No.1 Nelly Korda carded a steady 70 (-2), sitting T14, alongside several others. Korda struggled early with distance control but rallied with birdies at 11 and 14. Scottish Open winner Lottie Woad opened with an E. Her round was largely solid, though a double bogey at the par 4, 5th affected her early momentum, though she stabilised her round across the inward half. Sei Young Kim and Brooke Henderson both posted 69 (-3), positioning themselves cleanly for the second round. Both players managed the breezy afternoon with controlled shot-making and clean cards. The 9th was statistically the easiest hole of the day with a stroke average of 4.51. It yielded seven eagles and 75 birdies. However, it wasn’t without casualties: Hannah Green recorded an eight and Cossie Porter a nine.

In total, the course gave up 50 under-par rounds, and 73 players out of 144 returned level-par or better. The hardest hole was the par-4 16th, which averaged 4.47 and produced just five birdies against 49 bogeys and nine doubles. No player finished the day bogey-free. In the amateur race for the Smyth Salver, Paula Martin Sampedro, Jeneath Wong, and Carla Bernat lead, each carding an even-par 72. History suggests caution: only one of the last 17 champions has led or co-led after round one. As Friday’s wind builds, strategy will be tested – and the lead may shift as the Welsh weather. The cut line after Day 1 projects around +2, but with forecasted gusts up to 25 mph on Friday, that may shift. Players noted how Royal Porthcawl’s exposed layout magnifies wind direction and demands high-level ball flight control.