STEALTH STATUS: The Elusive (International) Hot Girl Universe

global, chic, and impossible to pin down – she’s everywhere yet nowhere, and exists as an archetypical muse whose influence largely flies under culture’s radar :)

Ok ok I’ve heard you – it’s time we unpack the Elusive (International) Hot Girl (EHG/EIHG). I’m currently typing this letter in Marylebone (a very EIHG neighborhood in London), and I realized that my trip is basically field research. I’ve come to the conclusion that no city has a higher density of EIHGs per capita than London…. So this investigative reporting feels cosmically aligned. 

This incredibly niche phenomenon was born during my annual “gift guides as a starter pack” holiday series last year. At the time, I’d wanted to create a gift guide that encapsulated so many of my friends – women who are somehow incredibly chic, incredibly well-traveled, incredibly well educated, incredibly successful, and INCREDIBLY HOT. My sister (a senior at Dartmouth) and I were talking about how most of our friends are sooooo elusive – one second they’re in nyc (or in her case, at school) and the next they’re at a massive ranch in Montana or off the coast of a tiny cluster of islands in Spain. When you ask why they’re traveling, it’s not for a birthday or to celebrate a major life event, it’s largely “just because”. I realized that being able to share this niche af throughline with my little sister (a true Gen Z), even though I’m a true Zillennial, felt significant (sample size of two LOL). However, I knew my casual use of EIHG/EHG was somewhat compelling when my friend at WSJ asked me to define it for her, with a keen sense of journalistic interest in understanding the EHG universe.

So….what’s the EHG universe?

Elusive Hot Girls are sharply intelligent, enigmatic (with a dizzying hot girl aura), and impossible to pin down. They always have the best stuff, and are widely compelling because they communicate with a strong sense of self. While they appear to be “undefined” to others, they are incredibly well-known to themselves. They have a dynamic range of interests, and are likely a secret expert in at least 2 rare/unique things. With strangers, they were raised to never overshare or to over-assume. Through their own dynamism, they hold space for others to reveal their full selves in due time. Also.. rushing is gauche. Whether or not you’re invited “in” is entirely up to them, and there’s nothing tangible that you can do to win them over (as a brand, partner, or friend). Importantly, since they’re elusively everywhere yet nowhere, their most frequently received question is “wait, are you in town?” 

Annnnd that’s where the unification ends. 

EHG vs EIHG

Since creating the phrase EHG, I’ve realized there’s a difference between international girls and monocultural girls. To be clear, monocultural is NOT A BAD THING and does NOT mean that you belong to a single race, culture, or ethnicity. Instead, it means that you subscribe to a dominant culture, geographically, and that culture largely guides your interests, taste, and values. Serena van Der Woodsen reads monocultural (American), but her lore is still built on being incredibly elusive (and well traveled). That combo is what makes her an EHG. 

However – internationals, regardless of their geography, culture, or ethnic/racial background, have a sense of ease in existing amongst different cultures around the world. It’s not as simple as exposure or being well-traveled. It’s about the proclivity to assume a level of “integration with” vs “observing of”. My favorite question to (cheekily) ask is “how many languages were you bullied in whilst growing up?” 3 or more puts you solidly in the international cohort. Some may call them third culture kids, others may just call them citizens of the world…..but if you’re reading ™, then you’re likely familiar with their game (and based on what I know about most of you, you likely fall under this categorization).

If you remove all of the dark storylines surrounding Industry’s Yasmin Kara Hanani (future Mrs. Muck), then she makes for the most well-written EIHG on television. She speaks 5 languages, works in tier 1 finance…. yet would never understand the value of traditional “networking” given her global array of connections, and I could see her moving to any continent and settling down with a snappy sense of ease (even though she’s still snobby). 

EHG Universe Brands (observing my friends and EIHGs spotted in London) – nonexhaustive lol:

• Unlabeled vintage from a non-obvious location (could be somewhere in Idaho or Morocco vs NYC or Paris)

• The Row

• Carolina Bucci

• Sophie Lou Jacobsen

• Jessica Mccormack 

• Monica Vinader

• Toteme

• Marks & Spencer Cashmere

• Wales Bonner

• Lisa Yang

• Khaite

• Often International! Zara/Mango/H&M/Massimo Dutti 

• Dries Van Noten

• Elsa Peretti anything

• Nili Lotan

• Salon 1884

• Watches: Cartier (bonus points if vintage from mom or grandma), Jaeger LeCoultre, Rolex (millennials love the big sporty datejust, zillennials + gen z go for the small one), vintage or mini Audemars Piguet, Patek (bonus points if it’s a leather strap stolen from bf/partner/dad/granddad), & same Patek vibes for A. Lange & Sohne

• Vanessa Fernandez

• Old Celine/Bottega/Saint Laurent/classic Gucci Loafers

• Sophie Buhai

• Leset

• Initialed/monogrammed button downs

• Chava Studio

• Rachel Comey

• Destree

• Summer cottons from Loretta Caponi

• Le Monde Beryl

• Suzie Kondi

• Gohar World

• Sourcing murano glass (NOT a brand, but as a concept)

• Kallmeyer

• The Elder Statesmen

• Françoise

• At least one piece of vintage furniture/interiors object in their apartment (millennials/30+)

• Violette FR lipstick/Westman Atelier/(recently) Victoria Beckham Beauty/Ultra Violette Sunscreen

• Jil Sander

• Olympia Le-tan 

• Sacai

OK – hopefully that clarifies the EHG/EIHG universe. Do you want more of this? Gift guides obvi, but also thinking about doing continued EHG content (conceptually/what are they shopping/starter packs, etc) throughout the year???

Also – I want to hear all of your thoughts on the EIHG/EHG. Did I miss anything major? If you know one (or are one yourself), how does this align? If you are NOT one, but are fascinated by this universe, were you already aware of this niche cohort, or is this new to you? 

LOVE YOU, we’ll be back with a regularly scheduled (cough, paywalled) analysis next week. & I’m officially signing off 2 go play some tennis on grass (kiiiidding). 

TM x