First lady fashion in review
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Happy love week! Move over, Stanley — there's a new coveted water bottle in town. Find out why people are now obsessed with this 27-ounce glass bottle.
On the agenda:
- Caviar is everywhere, including your dessert.
- One of the hottest new cosmetic procedures for men? Penis fillers.
- 'Hitch' director shares why the hit Will Smith movie was almost a disaster.
- The price of eggs is egg-cruciating. We've got four cheaper high-protein options.
But first: Red, white, and dapper.
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This week's dispatch
Presidents' Day, style edition
Getty Images; Chelsea Jia Feng/BI
It's almost Presidents' Day, and instead of honoring those who sit in the chair, let's turn to something just as historic (at least to Business Insider's fashion team) — presidential style.
While our presidents have undoubtedly shaped our country's legacy, their wives' style — and other initiatives and contributions they bring to the American public from the White House's East Wing — has had a major impact and brings much-needed levity to this moment.
From Melania Trump's impeccably tailored coats to Jill Biden's polished power dresses, first lady fashion fascinates the public, no matter the side of the aisle.
There are more serious implications to presidential fashion: What our first ladies wear also has the potential to boost the economy. After Mrs. Trump wore a navy boater hat to her husband's swearing-in ceremony last month, sales for hat designer Eric Javits surged, he told publications. The hat is now on sale after Javits said he received "a few thousand" inquiries about it, and fans can now order an exact replica for $375.
So, while we know our first ladies are more than just appearances — they're also representatives of our country — their legacy isn't just political. It's sartorial, too.
Caviar goes with everything
billyfoto/iStock, VvoeVale/Getty, Ava Horton/BI
Move over, blinis. Gen Z and millennials are getting creative with caviar. From chicken nuggets to tacos and doughnuts, the fish eggs are getting paired with almost everything.
Chefs are also realizing caviar's untapped potential. It can be a salty addition to fried foods or even a textural boost on top of ice cream. Caviar's stuffy rules are being rewritten, bringing the delicacy to the masses.
The caviar food combos you didn't see coming.
From 'BroTox' to 'ShowTox'
Anna Efetova/Getty Images
Chris Bustamante is a nurse practitioner whose NYC clinic, Lushful Aesthetic, offers typical beauty services. However, the true growth of his business is about helping his clients get … bigger. Penis filler accounted for over 40% of Lushful Aesthetic's $3 million revenue last year, with Bustamante averaging about three procedures a day.
Clients are usually men in their 30s, 40s, and 50s who pick from a menu of very specific procedures like "Girth Enhancement," "ScroFill," and "ShowTox." Bustamante said it's part of a general trend among white-collar men pursuing perfection.
Also read:
'Hitch' turns 20
Columbia Pictures
Director Andy Tennant was fresh off the 2002 success of Reese Witherspoon's "Sweet Home Alabama" when he began working on "Hitch." The film was a career pivot for lead Will Smith, who had recently received mixed reactions to his 2004 release "I, Robot."
The switch paid off, as "Hitch" was a major hit that continued to get airtime on cable channels for years. However, its path to beloved status wasn't easy, Tennant said. He told BI the creative battles behind the scenes defined his working relationship with Smith.
Tennant broke down the movie's "wild ride."
Don't put all of your eggs in one basket
ollo/Getty Images
Egg prices are skyrocketing, and it's scrambling consumers' wallets. But eggs aren't just a tasty breakfast staple — they are a reliable source of protein and other nutrients.
The good news? Other ingredients can fill these gaps for a fraction of the cost. A sports dietician shared her tips for picking out substitutes. Hint: "Eating the rainbow" and some shelf-stable pantry essentials can help.
4 cheaper high-protein alternatives.
Also read:
What we're watching this weekend
Fabio Lovino/HBO, BI
- "Flow": The Oscar-nominated animated movie follows a cat who embarks on an epic journey after its home is destroyed by a devastating flood. It's now on Max.
- "La Dolce Villa": Netflix's latest original rom-com centers on a businessman (Scott Foley) who unexpectedly finds love after he travels to Italy to stop his daughter from restoring a dilapidated villa.
- "The White Lotus": HBO's hit black dramedy anthology series returns for its third season, following guests and employees at the Thailand property of the titular fictional resort chain.
iStock; Rebecca Zisser/BI
Deals we love
- Boots fit for snow: Winter conditions call for boots with great traction, warmth, and, of course, style. We spent months testing women's winter boots to find the best ones for the job.
- Skip the cheap multipacks: We're big fans of investing in high-quality basics. We tested boxer briefs and shorts to find the most supportive and comfortable options in our guide to the best men's underwear.
- Sleep on this: Presidents' Day is more than just a long weekend — it's also one of the best times of the year to score discounts on mattresses. Here are the best mattress deals to shop this weekend.
More of this week's top reads:
- Barnes & Noble plans to open at least 60 new stores in 2025. I visited the bookseller to see why it's thriving.
- Confessions of women in real estate: 4 female agents on what it's really like to work in the industry.
- My favorite gem in Italy is just an hour from Venice. It's packed with stunning scenery and feels like stepping into a fairy tale.
- Three credit cards rich people carry that almost anyone can apply for.
- Orlando's first immersive theme park to open in a decade is going to be a foodie paradise.
- Shoppers are using loopholes to avoid paying for clothes online — and retailers are fighting back.
- A busy 40-year-old lost 17 pounds while drinking alcohol and traveling. His trainer explained the 5 keys to his success.
- The 'Cobra Kai' season 6 finale ending closes a chapter, but it's not the end of the 'Karate Kid' franchise.
- The 'Saturday Night Live' 50th anniversary special line-up includes Robert De Niro and Sabrina Carpenter. Here's how each guest is linked to the show.
- A chef who grew up on the Mediterranean diet has 4 easy tricks for eating more fiber.
- I tried the chocolate cake that Ina Garten said 'makes grown men weep.' It's super easy to make and doesn't require any eggs.
The BI Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York City. Grace Lett, editor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York. Elizabeth Casolo, fellow, in Chicago.