what i've learned

Antony Blinken U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE, 60, WASHINGTON, D. C.

the best NEW hotels 2023

From a ranch in Napa Valley to a wellness retreat in Punta Mita, Mexico, here are the places where checking in could CHANGE YOUR VIEW OF THE WORLD

destination nowheresville, u.s.a.

The perfect American road trip isn't just about where; it's about why. Understanding this country more deeply, grappling with its flaws, but also seeing literally what makes it so beautiful. There are the expected expanses of natural wonder. Then there are the surprises: a ghost town in Utah, say, and the wild friends you meet there.

DEAR JUSTICE

A letter to my daughter upon her college graduation

IT'S LATER THAN YOU THINK

When I was young and beautiful, I would mooch drinks off lonely older guys. These days, alas, I'm buying.

TICKET FROM THE CRYPT

Staggering zombielike toward 2024, the GOP is cursed with a presidential front-runner whose influence has waned. But he still has his Republican challengers jumping at shadows.

The Refresh: Spring

A new season calls for a new grooming routine. Here, we walk you through the best ways to prep your skin, hair, and body for the warm weather ahead. From antioxidants that safeguard skin cells to sunscreens for your face and your hair, here's how to ditch the heavy stuff, protect yourself, and stay happy and comfortable until it's time to switch things up again. Take notes.

MY BLUE SUEDE SHOES

When I finally said, \"Fuck it,\" I realized I could rock the Wallabees I'd always wanted to wear

The Mud Club

Belstaff's iconic Trialmaster jacket blends form and function even in the worst of the worst conditions

Grab and Go

The secret to a smooth trip? Find a luggage setup that suits your style. Here are three personal favorites from a few of our most traveled staffers.

Don't Say Gay

What do laws banning the discussion of sexuality and gender in schools do to the kids they're supposed to protect?

Brow Down

When was the last time you thought about your brows? If your eyes are the window to your soul, your eyebrows are the curtains and keeping them in check can have a huge impact on your look. Follow these steps for the best brows in town.

Anatomy Lesson

How one prominent female artist is using an X-Acto knife to reimagine the male-dominated canon of photography

Save Your Soul Patch

Why is wounded-guy rock music of the mid-'90s resurgent in the year 2023? A religious experience involving Toad the Wet Sprocket offers a clue.

The Wild West of Whiskey

Single malts used to be synonymous with Scotland. But now that scores of distillers are making them in America, it's time to start sampling the country's most exciting new bottles.

The New "It" Producer for Rock Icons

Andrew Watt has made pop hits with everyone from Justin Bieber to Shawn Mendes to Selena Gomez. Now he's become the go-to studio collaborator for legends like Iggy, Ozzy, and Eddie Vedder.

Fast Times with Patrick Dempsey

Whether in front of the camera or driving a race car, the actor makes everything look easy. We talked to the man formerly known as McDreamy about his role in Michael Mann's forthcoming Ferrari movie, embracing stoicism, and becoming an eyewear designer.

NIGHT & DAY

High fashion and high-end watchmaking rarely jibe. But in teaming up with a Swiss master, Giorgio Armani created a timepiece that's an exception to the rule.

This Hat Was My Obsession

I first discovered it in an obscure paparazzi photo from the 1980s, naturally

the secret weapons of ukraine

A JOURNEY THROUGH THE STRANGE, SEMIPROFESSIONAL WORLD OF VOLUNTEERS AND FOREIGN FIGHTERS WHO, ONE YEAR INTO RUSSIA'S INVASION, ARE RISKING EVERYTHING TO DEFEAT THE INVADERS

what i've learned

José Andrés CHEF, 53, MARYLAND

the natural

Hollywood tried to turn him into a heartthrob, the handsomest of the Chrises. But while everyone was taking him for granted as the likable dude with the thousand-watt smile in franchise fare, Chris Pine was figuring out just what kind of actor n De and man he really wanted to be. Twenty years into his career, at his home, high up in the hills of Los Angeles, Pine ponders the next twenty. But first, a shvitz.

The Unbearable Costs of an Extraordinary Meal

Noma chef René Redzepi announced he was closing one of the world's most lauded restaurants-again. If luxe dining is no longer sustainable, what will be the culinary world's real loss?

WHERE HAVE YOU GONE, JACKIE ROBINSON?

Seven decades later, few Black Americans play baseball. The league doesn't seem to care.

THE IMMIGRANTS AREN'T THE PROBLEM

People won't stop coming to America. That should be a good thing. But right now our broken system and toxic politics add up to a giant missed opportunity.

The Middle-Aged Man and the Sea

At 40, I built a catamaran and sailed around the world alone. The storms were wild. The calm seas terrified me the most.

Please, Help Yourself!

Many of our favorite new products from this year would make fantastic gifts. Whether you purchase them for a loved one or put them in your own pile is up to you.

Fear None

As the World Cup kicks off in Qatar, meet four players at the heart of a young American squad preparing to take on soccer's superpowers. They're part of a generation with more promise than any that has come before. How far can it take them?

Celebrity Skin

Famous guys are clamoring to provide you with moisturizer and toner. But how do you know which ones to trust with your complexion?

Here's to Absent Friends

After losing people I love, the festive season hasn't been the same. But now I'm determined not to grow old or spend the holidays all alone.