What I Bought
It’s time for my monthly consumption check-in. This month I bought three things. Considering that in the first six months of the year, I added a grand total of five items to my wardrobe, three feels significant.
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First, my carefully considered Nordstrom Anniversary Sale items arrived. I only ordered two things (though in multiple sizes). I decided to keep a pair of Blondo waterproof ankle boots in gray. That some of the colors came in wide widths seemed promising. Maybe they’d fit better. Happily, this seems to be the case. I’ve worn the boots out once, and so far, so good. Maybe this is the end of my ankle boots search? I’m a little embarrassed by how many boots have cycled in and out of my closet the last few years due to fit and comfort issues.
An aside about the packaging, though: The rigid insert inside the boot was plastic. Boooo.
Next, I couldn’t resist snagging a Day Square Tote when Everlane put their totes on sale for one day. I’ve had my eye on it for some time. Most days I carry one of Everlane’s twill totes (no longer available). But after several years of constant use, they’re looking worn. I wanted to upgrade to a leather tote, which would hopefully last longer, look polished enough for a work meeting, but could also pair with a more casual outfit. The Day Square Tote fit the bill. (There’s also the larger Day Market Tote, but I figured the smaller square one would fit my petite frame better.)
Making this purchase also forced me confront the fact that I have a perfectly good leather bag in my closet that I never use: this AllSaints hobo bag. (It’s no longer in production, but this bag looks like the updated version of it.) I fell in love with its minimalist slouchy look when I first saw it in a catalog and impulsively splurged on it. But I’ve only carried it twice! It’s just a little too big and heavy for me. Time to sell it.
To reach the two-item minimum for free shipping with Everlane, I also threw in a pair of Easy Chinos. I have a pair in black (reviewed here) and have been surprised by how much I like them, so I thought I’d get them in more colors. I wanted the ochre, but they’re sold out in my size. So I ordered the stone. While they appeared to be light gray on the site, they’re more khaki-esque in person. I’m not sure what to do with this color, honestly. They’re going back.
Lastly, I was in Muji recently for stationery and gel ink refills. (They’re always out of the pen refills in black though. Grrrrr.) I picked up an organic cotton tee with French sleeves in gray. It looked like the same cut as a white one I bought last year and wear often — and it was just $12 too.
It hasn’t been entirely clear to me if Muji is an ethical and sustainable company, but perhaps that’s because they don’t shout about it. Quartz reports that they have a slow and purposeful production process. “Instead of outsourcing to the known conglomerate of sweatshops, Muji has invested in an eco-friendly dyeing and sewing plant in Cambodia and sources products from Kenya and Kyrgyzstan, abiding by sustainability principles set by the UN’s Business Call to Action.”
Even though only one of these items (the ankle boots) was on the wardrobe gap wish list I made earlier this year, I feel like they’re all reasonable purchases that will get a lot of wear.
Welcome Objects 2019 Wardrobe Count To Date
Additions: 3 this month = 8 items total for the year
Subtractions: 1 this month = 28 items ejected from my closet so far this year
What I Read
This is an older news story, but I shared it with my family recently because they didn’t know about it: How the Sugar Industry Shifted Blame to Fat. “The sugar industry paid scientists in the 1960s to play down the link between sugar and heart disease and promote saturated fat as the culprit instead.”
Waste Only: How the Plastics Industry is Fighting to Keep Polluting the World. Similarly, the plastic industry is derailing efforts to use less of its product. Among the many distressing things I learned from this in-depth investigation was that very little plastic gets recycled, and that recycled plastic “is increasingly recognized as posing threats to our health.” Plastic contains additives that are not regulated. Black plastic is particularly harmful. “The plastic is often sourced from recycled electronics that contain phthalates, flame retardants, and heavy metals, such as cadmium, lead, and mercury. Even at very low levels, these chemicals can cause serious reproductive and developmental problems.”
Factory Tour: Inside the Denim Factory that Your Favorite Sustainable Brands Use Loyally. An inside look at the Saitex factory in Vietnam, which makes jeans for Everlane, Eileen Fisher, and other brands. It was eye-opening to see all the work that goes into a single pair of jeans.
