The Pleasure Lists Q&A: Jalil Johnson

Pleasures, Curated by Jalil Johnson

We’re back with another installment of

The Pleasure Lists

: Pleasures, Curated.

I hope you enjoy reading these as much as I enjoy getting to know members of the Pleasure Lists community and what makes their Pleasures tick.

Pleasures, Curated by

Jalil Johnson

of

Consider Yourself Cultured

Jalil Johnson is the writer of the Substack Consider Yourself Cultured, which he launched in 2023. Before dedicating his time fully to the newsletter, he worked as the Fashion Office Coordinator at Saks. In addition to his newsletter, he has contributed to Elle, Refinery29, and WhoWhatWear, and has been featured for his approach to style in publications including Vogue, GQ, Harper’s Bazaar, and The Financial Times. He also works as a creative consultant and stylist.

Location: New York City

Social: @jalil_johnson_

Pleasures

• Lilies- I think I started buying lilies during the pandemic almost as a test to make sure I could still smell, since their fragrance is so strong. I love how their scent fills up a home, and even when they’re close to dying the fragrance gets heavier and more sensual. There’s also a built-in performance with lilies. They arrive closed, and over time they reveal themselves, slowly leaking out their perfume as they open.

• Cape Cod- I was first drawn to the Cape through an ex, whose dad moved out there full-time during the pandemic. I fell in love with how crunchy it feels compared to the polish of places like the Hamptons. As a kid from the South who dreamed of a preppy New England life, going to Cape Cod each summer feels like reliving a childhood dream again and again.

  

  

• Being a Gemini- Geminis get a bad rap, but we’re so mischaracterized. It’s not that we have two faces (though some of us might!). It’s more that we can see and process things from multiple perspectives, which makes our opinions shift because we’re always analyzing situations from different angles. Plus, we’re incredibly adaptable, which is something I really value about myself. You can put me in a dive bar in Alphabet City or at cocktails in the Ritz, and I’ll be fine either way.

• Monogramming everything- I’m obsessed with monogramming. I’ve decided it stems from being a kid who was always disappointed to never find my name on a souvenir keychain. So now I fulfill that childhood longing by stamping my initials on anything I can.

  

  

• Sandwiches- The most indulgent lunch in my opinion is a sandwich with chips. The best one I’ve ever had is the Thursday sandwich special at Olive’s.

• Campari Spritz- I’ll always choose a Campari Spritz over an Aperol. It’s more bitter, and I like that bite.

• This one interview between Charlie Rose and Toni Morrison- I think it should be required viewing, especially now. We were blessed to share the earth with Toni Morrison, who I see as a conduit. The first Morrison book I ever read was Beloved. I read it in a single day, and afterward I knew I would never be the same.

• Jacqueline Onassis Estate Auction book- I’m a huge Jackie fan, and this book is one of my treasures. Whenever I feel lost or low, I flip to the jewelry section and immediately feel lighter.

  

• Kissing- This one speaks for itself, haha.