28 August 2017

There are, as our fashion news and features editor Laura Antonia Jordan writes on page 22, some trends that are so perilous you immediately file them into the ‘Leave well alone unless your surname is Hadid’ category. Midriffs? You must be wondering why we’re even asking the question. But seriously, as the streams of pictures of women showing theirs off trickled in, they all had one thing in common. Their non-millennial status: Diane Kruger (41), Gwyneth Paltrow (44), Charlize Theron (42), J-LO (48). Even ex- Vogue editor Alex Shulman (59) is at it. As mad as it sounds, we’re surprisingly on-board with this trend – mostly for its ‘I’ll wear what the hell I want’ attitude, as well as its unexpected lustworthiness. What do you think?

This issue, we’re also delighted to let you know that the seriously comfy but less traditionally visually appealing ‘commuter trainer’ is your new hot shoe. See our edit on page 32.

Last week, the Royal College of Midwives finally ended its 12-year ‘normal birth’ campaign, to try and destigmatise those women who feel like failures for having Caesareans or epidurals. It’s an emotive subject – and one that has for a long time divided opinion. In an incredibly moving piece on page 26, Maria Lally – whose daughter’s birth was very traumatic – asks, why has it taken the RCM so long? Do you agree? We’d love to hear your views!