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Two belt bags and various objects that may go in that bag, like sunglasses, wallet, lipstick, reusable bag.

Convertible Belt Bags: Lo & Sons vs. Quince

Published by welcomeobjects

Back in the fall, I noticed that Quince had a new product in their lineup: a belt bag that sure looked a lot like the Waverley from Lo & Sons. As I shared in this review, the Waverley convertible belt bag is one of my favorite bags. I own two of them (the original and the 2) and wear them often. The Waverley is a must for me on travel days as well as a convenient bag to throw on when I’m running errands.

I do not need another belt bag, but my curiosity got the best of me. Plus, in the name of bloggery, I felt it was my duty to know how this Quince version compares. So I ordered the Quince Italian Leather Convertible Belt Bag in cognac, which I hoped would go with my brown dr. Liza sandals. Here’s how it compares to my trusty Lo & Sons Waverley.

The bags in this post were given to me by the respective brands and this post contains affiliate links. If you shop through my links, I may earn a commission. As always, I decide what to write about and all opinions are my own. Thanks for the support.

Design

Two belt bags, as seen from the wide. They are both tapered and wider at the bottom.

They both feature a tapered design.

Design-wise, these bags are quite similar. The Lo & Sons has a rounder shape at the bottom while Quince is more squared off. I think the Lo & Sons has a more pleasing shape, but the Quince shape is good too.

One note of difference: on the Quince the zipper extends beyond the bag, so there’s a bit that hangs over the edge.

I found another difference in the construction of the bag. The bottom of the Quince bag appears to be one piece of leather, but on the Lo & Sons it’s several. I don’t know that one is better than the other, just noting that they’re not the same.

The bottoms of two belt bags. The one on the left is made out of several pieces of leather stitched together.

The bottom of the bags reveal a different construction. The Lo & Sons is made out of several pieces of leather while the Quince appears to be made of one.

Organization

In general, I’ve found Lo & Sons bags to have organization that makes sense. The interior of the Waverley has a large slip pocket on one side. On the other side is a zippered pocket, and inside of that are three card slots.

The Quince similarly has a large slip pocket on one side and a zippered pocket on the other. It has two card slots, but these are outside of the zippered area, so they are less secure.

The biggest difference, though? The Lo & Sons has a card slot on the back of the bag.

The back of two belt bags. The one on the left has a back pocket.

The Lo & Sons Waverley 2 has a card slot on the back, which is handy for something you might need to reach for often like a transit card or hotel key.

Leather

I was disappointed when I opened the box from Quince, mostly because the color was not what I was expecting. The leather has a dull finish to it. Quince says their bag is made out of top-grain Italian leather whereas Lo & Sons offers the Waverley in three types of leather: nappa, saffiano, and cactus.

My first Waverley bag is made out of nappa leather, which feels soft and supple.(Though one drawback of nappa is that it can scratch easily.) Saffiano has been stamped with a crosshatch finish that makes it stiffer and more scratch resistant. I can’t speak to the cactus leather since I haven’t seen it.

My non-expert impression just from feel is that Lo & Sons uses nicer leather. The top-grain leather on the Quince bag is thinner and has a more plasticy feel to it.

But is it even top-grain leather? Tanner Leatherstein recently took apart a Quince tote bag advertised as top-grain leather and his conclusion was that was a lie! He said it’s actually split leather, the lowest grade of leather. That particular bag is no longer on the Quince site, but it was made in Gurgoan, India whereas the belt bag is from a factory in Dongguan, China. So, one cannot conclude that the belt bag is also false advertising, though one does wonder.

Both brands use leather tanned in a Leather Working Group-certified tannery. But Lo & Sons specifies that their nappa leather is gold certified (the highest level) while Quince does not say what level of certification they have.

A plum-colored saffiano belt bag from Lo & Sons

Lo & Sons Waverley 2 in saffiano leather.

Other Materials

Hardware: Quince’s hardware is a brassy gold color. Lo & Sons offers more hardware options: gold, silver, and gunmetal. The finish of the Quince hardware is more matte than Lo & Sons.

Edging: The edging on the Quince cognac bag matches the color in both the body and the strap, which is a nice touch. On both my black-colored and plum-colored Waverley bags, the edging is black. I checked photos of the Waverley in a brown, sienna, and it also has matching edging on the body, though the edging on the strap is black. However, other colors, like the dark tan, has all matching edging.

Closeup of hardware on straps. Top strap from Lo & Sons has shinier hardware.

The hardware on the Lo & Sons (top) is shinier than the Quince.

Sizing

Lo & Sons’ Waverley 2 comes in two sizes: small and large. The Quince belt bag is a touch bigger than the large Waverley in all dimensions. It is also a tad heavier at .84 lbs versus .80 lbs for the Waverley — not that I can feel the difference.

Lo & Sons Waverley Large: 8.3″w x 5.9″h x 2″d
Lo & Sons Waverley Small: 8.0″w x 5.6″h x 2″d
Quince Convertible Belt Bag: 8.46″ w x 6.3″ h x 2.36″

Both brands come with two straps, a short one, and a longer adjustable one. You can add the short one to the long one to wear the bag crossbody. The strap is thicker and harder to adjust on the Quince bag.

According to my measurements (which includes the hardware on either end):

Lo & Sons Waverley
Short strap: 15.5″
Long strap: 23.75″-42.75″
Total length at longest: 58.25

Quince Convertible Belt Bag:
Short strap: 16″
Long strap: 23.75″-41″
Total length at longest: 57″

As you can see below, the sizing between the large Waverley and the Quince convertible belt bag are more or less the same. They both fit my essentials: wallet, phone, a reusable bag, packet of tissues, lip balm, and sunglasses. (See the four ways to wear a convertible belt bag here.)

Tow images of the same person wearing two different belt bags cross body.

Lo & Sons (left) and Quince (right) worn crossbody.

Two images of the same person wearing two different belt bags around the waist.

Lo & Sons (left) and Quince (right) worn as a belt bag.

Summary & Final Thoughts

Price: Not surprisingly, Quince is cheaper because that’s what they do. Their convertible belt bag is priced at $69.90.

The large Waverley is $220 retail (an increase in price from a year ago) though it often goes on sale. Right now it’s 30% to 60% off depending on the leather, which puts it at $88-$154.

Here’s a summary:

Lo & Sons
Waverley 2		 Quince
Italian Leather Convertible Belt Bag
Leather Nappa, Saffiano, Cactus Top-grain Italian
Size Large: 8.3″w x 5.9″h x 2″d
Small: 8.0″w x 5.6″h x 2″d		 8.46″ w x 6.3″ h x 2.36″
Weight Large: .8 lbs
Small: .6 lbs		 .84 lbs
Strap lengths 23″ – 58.25″ 23.75″ – 57″
Price Large: $220
Small: $210
But there’s often a sale		 $69.90

Quince markets itself as luxury for less, but I wouldn’t say that this belt bag feels like a luxury item. However, I do think it’s a perfectly fine minimalist bag, particularly if you favor a neutral color like taupe. (The bag also came in black, but that and the cognac are not available at the moment.)

Having used two Lo & Sons Waverley bags extensively, I know that they’re nicer with higher-quality leather. They also offer more variety. Between the types of leather, color, and hardware, there’s 22 options.

Plus, Lo & Sons is a small, family-owned business that purports to care about sustainability. How sustainable or ethical is Quince? It also makes sustainability claims, but it’s been accused of greenwashing. (See my last post where I discuss an article that does a deep dive into the brand. ) Good On You gives Quince a “not good enough” rating while Lo & Sons is not in their database.

If you can spring for the Lo & Sons, I think it’s worth it to pay more for the better product. But at $70, the Quince bag isn’t a bad option at all.

Pink blossoms flowering on a tree, brownstone homes in the background

Low Buy 2025: Q1 Check-In & Recent Reads

Published by welcomeobjects

Hello from Brooklyn, where the weather is all over the place this time of year. We had some really lovely days of 70°F, but now it’s back in the 40s. Anyways, that is all to say, getting dressed has its challenges during this season, the Spring of Deception. I am enjoying all the blossoming trees, though. (Except on days where my allergies act up).

No Buy Q1 Challenge

In my last low buy shopping update, I challenged myself to keep going with my No Buy January for the whole quarter. I succeeded — though not in spirit. You see, in March, I bought a secondhand dress from ThredUp. It was definitely an impulse buy. (What can I say? Things are terrible, and I was lured by the momentary feeling of — not joy exactly, but of something light.)

But, when it arrived, I found that it was four inches shorter than listed. I thought it was going to be knee-length, but it was more like a mini. So I returned it. That’s 0-2 when it comes to ThredUp. My first purchase from them a couple years back also went back because the garment had a hole in it.

What I Read on Shopping & Sustainability

There’s a sandwich bag of plastic in your brain – Well, this is alarming though not surprising. The writer, a doctor, suggests not using plastic water bottles because the bottles themselves, especially the caps “are significant sources of microplastics in general and polyethylene in particular.” After moving to NYC, I found myself using a reusable plastic water bottle more often because if I’m schlepping stuff around all day on foot, I want my load to be as light as possible. But after reading this article, I switched back to my favorite stainless steel water bottle.

However, another significant source of polyethylene exposure is from the air we breathe, which contains fibers from carpets and textiles, as well as dust from plastic goods. Doh! All of the carpeting and rugs in our apartment are synthetic, not to mention the textiles on our sofa and other seating. What can you do when you’re surrounded by plastic? Rebuying these items in natural fibers would be a pretty penny, too, and not something most households would probably be able to afford.

Buy all this, look rich – The Cut ran a lengthy story about the rise of Quince. I found the writer’s description of Quince spot on: “Short for quintessentials, Quince is a one-stop dupe shop for a new generation of discerning, albeit weary, consumers, mostly millennials who have been burned too many times by sketchy Amazon sellers and fast-fashion impulse buys. They aspire to a tastefully understated beige lifestyle of safe, classic status symbols — sans the logos and markups that typically accompany them.”  Ouch, that last sentence hurts a little. “Beige lifestyle.” Is this what I aspire to? (It’s true that I am no fan of logos.)

Seriously, though, I thought this article was a good dive into the brand and its appeal. It notes how the rise of Quince coincided with an increasing casualness in the way we dress. It enumerates the way the company cuts costs. For example, Quince doesn’t buy inventory upfront from factories, which is the traditional way of doing things, but only pays for a product after a customer has bought it and the factory ships it out. It also brings up Quince’s possible greenwashing and the contradiction of consumers caring more about natural fibers, but not about cost-cutting and whose expense that might be at.

How to clean your dishwasher and improve its efficiency – Lastly, I was quoted in this article on the Redfin blog about cleaning the cleaning device that is the dishwasher. I gave some tips about how to use natural ingredients to clean in an eco-friendlier way.

 

Driftwood beach at sunrise, orange blue sky

Off-Season: 2 Days on Jekyll Island

Published by welcomeobjects

One big difference between living in my former city of San Francisco and here in Brooklyn is that the East Coast has actual seasons. That means that at some point in the midst of winter, you will tire of the cold and want to get away to a warmer locale. That’s how I recently ended up on Jekyll Island, a barrier island that is part of the Golden Isles off the coast of Georgia.

Besides warmer weather, the Mister and I had a few other requirements for a quick vacation. We didn’t want to travel too far. And we wanted to recharge with some nature — and no crowds. That last point made going somewhere in the off-season particularly appealing.

As a state park with beaches and bike trails, Jekyll Island fit the bill. We went at the end of January when temperatures were 60°F/15.5°C during the day, and in the upper 40s at night. While not exactly warm, it was much warmer than NYC.

How to Get to Jekyll Island

If you’re flying, the nearby major airports are in Jacksonville and Savannah. We flew into Savannah (flight time: 2.5 hours), which had better flight options from New York. From there, we rented a car. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is a small airport, and it was quick to navigate to the rental car counters.

The drive from Savannah to Jekyll Island is about 1.5 hours. It’s an hour and change from Jacksonville. Do note that as a state park, Jekyll Island charges a parking fee of $10 per day.

If you can’t or don’t want to drive, there are buses which go to the nearby city of Brunswick. From there, you’d have to take a taxi to the island.

Where We Stayed: The Jekyll Island Club Resort

The exterior of the Jekyll Island Club Resort, a yellow building with four floors and a turret.

The Jekyll Island Club opened in 1888 as an exclusive resort for America’s wealthiest families.

We decided to stay at the Jekyll Island Club Resort because of its historical interest. The Jekyll Island Club owned the island and was founded by some of America’s wealthiest families — think the Morgans, Rockefellers, and Vanderbilts. When you’re that rich, you can own not just a vacation home, but a whole vacation island. After WWII, the state of Georgia seized and bought the island, then turned it into a park for the public to enjoy.

The original clubhouse with its distinctive turret has been renovated and expanded. In addition, the resort has several “cottages,”  which are the former vacation homes of fancy families. I put “cottages” in quotes because they’re really mansions.

We opted to stay in Crane Cottage, which has 13 rooms, a library, an industrial kitchen and dining room for events, and a courtyard. So quiet was it that we wondered if there were even other guests staying in the building.

A fountain in the center of a courtyard of an Italian style building.

The courtyard at Crane Cottage.

A hotel room with a metal poster king bed and shutters over the window.

Our king room in Crane Cottage. I did not clean up before taking this photo so you could see what it’s really like. There is an armchair at the right corner (barely visible, but it’s orange) and one nightstand to the left of the bed.

We booked a traditional king room, which was advertised as 269 to 500 square feet. I’m not sure if that includes the nicely-sized bathroom (probably), but the room itself, with a modern four poster bed, was “cozy” in real estate parlance. There was only room for one nightstand and one armchair. The cabinet on which the TV sat contained a mini fridge, coffee maker, and safe. But there was no desk, closet, or wardrobe. The lack of clothes storage was a bit of a problem as there was nowhere for us to hang up our jackets. A coat rack or even hooks on the wall would have been helpful.

The cottage is just a five minute walk to the clubhouse. Leather armchairs, dark wood paneling, and framed vintage textiles give it an old world vibe. I especially admired the curved bar, a replica of the one in the movie The Legend of Bagger Vance, which was filmed at the resort in 1999.

Jekyll Island Club Resort curved bar with barstools that have tassels on them, a wooden liquor cabinet, and a chandelier.

Surprisingly, the clubhouse didn’t originally have a bar. The current one is a replica of the one in the movie The Legend of Bagger Vance.

There’s a decent sized pool, which I had all to myself during our stay. It’s heated so you can use it in colder months. In fact, as a lap swimmer, I found it too warm for my liking.

A pool with chairs and cabanas surrounding it at Jekyll Island Club Resort

The pool is a good size and heated in the winter. Cabanas can be reserved for an additional fee and have TVs. (That seems like it’d be annoying.)

Our room rate included a breakfast buffet — they gave us a credit to use in the dining room — which offered the typical items you’d expect from an American breakfast: scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, cereal, pastries, yogurt, and potatoes (which were strangely tasteless). The buffet is usually priced at $34, which I wouldn’t have been happy paying full price for. It was satisfactory, but nothing special. I enjoyed the omelette station and the elegant Victorian dining room decorated with columns and chandeliers.

As I mentioned in my Philadelphia dining post, I’m immunocompromised, so I try to eat outdoors when I’m out. That wasn’t an option for the breakfast buffet. But at least in the off-season, the dining room wasn’t crowded.

Things to Do on Jekyll Island

We stayed for three nights, which meant two full days on the island, plus travel on either side. Here’s what we did in two days:

Bike Rides

Jekyll Island boasts 24 miles of bike trails. I am not the most confident on two wheels, but I felt safe biking on the island, as the trails are not shared with cars. On some parts you ride through lovely wooded paths, on others close to the beach, and then there are less scenic parts where the path is next to the road. Several companies on the island offer bike rentals, but we rented bikes from the resort. Biking was our main form of transit while we were on the island.

Driftwood Beach

Eroding driftwood trees on a beach, with slabs of stones in the foreground

The beach has hundreds of eroded trees.

The sun in the distance rising, trees and driftwood on the beach in the foreground

Driftwood Beach at sunrise

We biked to this beach on the northern end of the island, which has hundreds of fallen and eroded or petrified trees creating a haunting landscape. The water is shallow here, so the waves never pull the trees out into the sea and they lie on the beach like relics from another era. We liked it so much we came back the next morning for a magical sunrise.

St. Andrews Beach & The Wanderer Memory Trail

On the other end of the island is St. Andrew’s Beach. Near the picnic area (which has a public restroom), you’ll find the start to the Wanderer Memory Trail. The Wanderer was one of the last known slave ships to dock in America.

The trail is an outdoor installation with exhibits every so often that tells the story of a young African boy named Umawalla who was kidnapped and brought to America on the Wanderer in 1858. Some of the exhibits have audio, which you can hear with the push of a button. The trail ends at an observation deck. I thought it was well done, and appreciate the effort to educate about the dark history that took place here.

Georgia Sea Turtle Center

A sea turtle pokes its head out of a large tank at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center

A patient, rescued from a cold stunning event, at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center

Where do sea turtles go when they get sick or injured? If they’re lucky, they’re found and brought to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, where they will be nursed back to health and released. There is general admission to an exhibit hall, but I recommend going on the behind-the-scenes tour where you will get to meet some of the aquatic patients, ask a veterinarian questions, and see cute hatchlings in their tanks.

History Tours

The Jekyll Island Club Resort has a tour about its history, free for hotel guests or $15 for non-guests, given by the hotel’s concierge. I found the tour uneven as some stories about various fancy people went on for a while, and I wanted to learn more about the workers, the majority of whom were Black, who maintained the resort, as well as the building’s architecture.

There are other history tours on the island, such as tram tours run by the Mosaic museum, which we didn’t get the chance to visit. But

Where to Eat

A wet burrito with rice and beans, sopes in the background

The burrito adovado from Tacos La Fiesta, with grilled chicken simmered in adobo sauce.

This section is going to be short because I only want to share eateries that are worth mentioning, and honestly the food we had on Jekyll Island was mid.

However, one evening we drove over the causeway into the nearby city of Brunswick to patronize a modest Mexican restaurant with just a few tables. I was not expecting to eat one of the tastiest burritos of my life! But wow, it was fantastic. If you ever find yourself in this neck of the woods, I heartily recommend Tacos La Fiesta. (It doesn’t have outdoor seating, so we went on the early side to try to avoid other people.)

Last Thoughts on Jekyll Island in the Off Season

Marshy lands on Jekyll Island with a field stretching out and wispy clouds in the sky.

A view during one of our bike rides.

If you have more time to spend, adding on a few days in Savannah would be worthwhile. We saw just a bit of the city on our last day in between checking out of the hotel and heading to the airport.

As to the island, I can see how it remains a vacation spot for more than 100 years. It’s got nature, beaches, and history. During peak tourist season in the summer, a water park opens. And more businesses are probably open then.

But honestly, even though it’s sleepier, I think it might be better to come in the off-season, especially if you, like me, don’t love crowds, bugs, or humidity.

A hand holds up a potted plant with pink flowers.

Do I Keep Blogging in These Times?

Published by welcomeobjects

I haven’t been paying much attention to the blog lately. Like, what is the point of blogging about making personal sustainable and ethical moves with (gestures all around) everything happening under this federal administration?

This time around feels worse too. As a woman of color, as someone from an immigrant community who cares about the environment, science, public education, civil rights, and many other things, I feel assaulted by the news every day. And I’m dismayed by all the people who are seemingly fine with authoritarianism.

I’m trying to figure out how to balance work, blogging, personal endeavors, and doing something to resist or at least help other people. Part of resisting is finding joy where we can and taking care of ourselves (which at the moment seems to have translated into eating more pastries, a delicious but not exactly healthy move).

I’ve been calling my reps. And I’ve also used some of my Quince coupons to donate undergarments to a mutual aid group that helps migrants. (Thanks to everyone who has used my referral code.)

For now, I plan to continue blogging on here, though not as frequently. We’ll see. Also, I signed up for a Bluesky account. I remain on Instagram and Threads for the time being, but meh Meta. Cannot be beholden to these social media companies run by CEOs who are kissing the ring. Hell, I’m even contemplating restarting my newsletter (though I don’t love writing newsletters) because at least that’s something I can control.

A Successful No Buy January

I didn’t buy stuff in January. Please clap! Honestly, though, this was not hard for me. I’ve been slowing down my consumption for eight years now, and not buying any clothes or housewares for a month is easy peasy now. (Well, I did buy the plant above, but my rule is that plants don’t count!)

If I want to challenge myself, I should extend the time, so I’ll do just that. Can I do a No Buy Q1? I also remain committed to various boycotts and added a few. (I’m looking at you, Target.)

What I Read on Sustainability

What happens to 50,000 lbs of extra LA wildfire clothing donations? – When the wildfires happened, I saw people in NYC asking how they could donate clothes. And I thought, “Use your common sense! It makes no sense to ship your clothes across the country!” There were plenty of clothes donation locally. Too much, in fact as this story and others report. A surge of donations — and the labor it takes to sort and organize them — can actually impede relief efforts. It’s always best to give cash, if you’re able to, during a crisis.

Really appreciated this pair of articles from The City that demystified how to recycle in NYC – The first one is a guide to how to recycle, including what they take and don’t. And the second story takes you behind the scenes at the recycling plants. NYC says if you’re not sure about something, put it in the recycling bin and let them figure it out. Because if you put it in the trash, it is definitely going to the landfill.

 

 

A product photo of a black leather low-profile sneaker.

5 Things I Didn’t Buy From Quince

Published by welcomeobjects

It’s been a while since I put together one of these not-buying posts. It’s good to praise items that work in our wardrobes. But let’s also talk about when we don’t buy things — especially when the price is tempting. Just because the price is right doesn’t mean you should buy it!

In striving to shop more mindfully, I’m also trying to avoid making returns. After all, returning stuff takes resources (my time, plus fuel and labor to process the return — if the brand even processes returns instead of trashing them). Sure, buying things online is often a crapshoot, but sometimes there are clues to whether something might work or not. Sometimes I miss those clues.

So today, I’m examining five things I didn’t buy from Quince, a brand I shopped the most from last year, to see if I can learn anything from these unsuccessful purchases.

100% Organic Poplin Longsleeve Shirt

Why I Bought It: I’ve been in the market for a white button down since I accidentally shrunk the one I used to own.

Why I Returned It: I thought the 100% Organic Poplin Longsleeve Shirt would be a good idea since I like the idea of a crisp shirt. But the cut didn’t work for me. It was also too long for me. (I am petite.) Since this was a shirt I’d have to tuck in for the proportions to work in my favor, the crispness of the poplin seemed like it would be annoying in that context. It did seem like a fine poplin shirt, just not for me.

Cotton Modal Muscle Tank

A person poses wearing a black muscle tank.

The same tank on 5’4″ me.

Why I Bought It:  I wanted to relive the early 2000s, in which I wore a lot of muscle tanks.

Why I Returned It: The Cotton Modal Muscle Tank is not petite-friendly. I’m wearing my normal size here, a small, and it was too long as well as too big on me. I liked the fabric, though. It was soft and smooth. But I should have paid more attention to how the tank looked on the model and realized it wasn’t going to work for me.

Washable Stretch Silk Notch Collar Blouse

A person poses wearing a leopard print shirt.

The same blouse on 5’4″ me. Also wearing Uniqlo jeans and dr. Liza flats [review]

A person poses wearing a leopard print blouse tucked into jeans

And tucked in, like the model. But the sleeves are still too long for petite me. See that lumpy arm on the left? That’s because the sleeve is too long and bunching up.

Why I Bought It: Quince’s silk offerings have generally worked for me — see my review of several silk garments — so I gave the Washable Stretch Silk Notch Collar Blouse a try.

Why I Returned It: It’s way long for petite me. And even though I can tuck it in for a more flattering look, the sleeves are still too long. A size small runs 26.5″ long in the front and is longer in the back by 2″. Otherwise, it fit true to size. (The small is approximately 20″ pit to pit.)

While Quince only shows the model wearing the leopard print shirt tucked in, I should have paid attention to the photos of the other colors, which showed how long the shirt runs.

Organic Cotton Bucket Hat

Why I Bought It: Because the sun is my enemy. I thought that the Organic Cotton Bucket Hat could be useful on days I didn’t want to carry my wide-brimmed hats around as those take up more space. The idea was I could easily keep a bucket hat in my bag.

Why I Returned It: The material felt too thick and stiff, like it might make things hot underneath there. It was hard to tell what the fabric would be like from the photos. Since I tried this cotton hat, Quince has come out with a nylon version, which might be thinner? But the brim also looks too short.

100% Leather Everyday Sneaker

Why I Bought It:  I could use a simple black sneaker, something that goes with almost everything and the 100% Leather Everyday Sneaker seemed like it might fit the bill with its simple design. Out of all the things I bought and returned on this list, this one seemed the most reasonable purchase — one that actually filled a gap and was on my Wardrobe Wants list.

Why I Returned It: I wear a 6.5 in most brands. For some reason Quince doesn’t make the smaller sizes in half sizes (at least not in the black, though the white does come in 6.5). I’m not sure if this just means that my size has been sold out in the black for a long time, or if it doesn’t come in the black to begin with.

My feet are on the wide side, and I read a few reviews where wide-footed people say they sized up. So I ordered a 7 to try. But nope, too big. The interior did have some cushioning though, so I could imagine these being comfortable if they come in your size. Then again, the leather itself seemed a bit stiff so they’d require breaking in.

My Takeaways

From all this buying and returning, I’ve learned that a lot of Quince items are not petite-friendly. While Quince has a generous return policy (a whole year to make a return of an unworn item), to avoid unnecessary transactions I should pay closer attention to how the clothes look on models. Most models are taller than me so if it looks long on them, it’s going to be too long on me.

Plus, I resolve to continue being picky. This is one of my shopping rules. If the details aren’t quite right, you’re not going to be comfortable. Which means you’re not going to wear it much. A good deal is not a good deal at all if you don’t wear it!

This post contains affiliate links but was not produced in partnership with any brand. You can find a directory to all my clothing reviews here.

A small plan in a white pot, a bottle of Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum, and a jar of Mario Badescu Brightening Mask.

Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum & Brightening Mask Review

Published by welcomeobjects

Today’s review of two Mario Badescu Vitamin C products is nine months in the making. With skincare, I like to test over a significant stretch of time before writing a review.

Why I’m a Fan of Mario Badescu

Mario Badescu (who was a real person — a chemist, pharmacist, and immigrant from Romania) is a brand I’ve used on and off for many years. It was one of the first department store brands I tried when I graduated from drug store brands. And it made a difference! Friends noticed and commented on my skin’s improvement.

When I showed the products to one friend, she wasn’t impressed by the brand’s plain packaging. But I actually love that about them. The use of simple plastic containers or glass bottles means that I’m not paying for fancy packaging, which often doesn’t seem easily recyclable anyway.

Other pros in my book: the brand is cruelty-free and also privately owned by a family, not a multi-conglomerate. (The Cabasso family bought the brand in 1984 after Badescu’s death.) The pricing is also middle of the range and not as expensive as other skincare brands.

I’ve been a long-time user of their best-selling drying lotion for zits and for many years I used their enzyme cleanser, which left my face feeling squeaky clean. So, when the brand reached out to me to try some products, I was all in.

Benefits of Vitamin C

Now, before we get on with the review, some relevant info: I have combination skin and am Asian.

I’ve developed sun spots on my cheeks, so I picked out the Vitamin C Serum and Brightening Mask with Vitamin C. Vitamin C (aka ascorbic acid) is supposed to even out skin tone, resurface the skin, and reduce the signs of aging, like fine lines. I’ve attacked my sun spots with various serums from other brands in recent years. But my spots have remained stubborn, so this would definitely be a test.

A word of caution if you’re new to Vitamin C: It does not play well with AHA (such as glycolic, lactic, tartaric, citric, malic, mandelic acids), BHA (salicylic, benzoyl peroxide acids), and retinols/retinoid products. Do not use them at the same time as Vitamin C!

Mario Badescu gave me these products to me and this post contains affiliate links. If you shop through my links, I may earn a commission. As always, I decide what to write about and all opinions are my own.

Vitamin C Serum

Key Ingredients: Mario Badescu’s serum formulation contains 7.5% ascorbic acid. It also includes sodium hyaluronate (a smaller molecular size of hyaluronic acid for hydration) and collagen. (Though I’m not convinced you can get the firming effects of collagen from a bottle).

How I Used It: The instructions on the bottle say to use it every other night. But I use the Vitamin C Serum nearly daily (either as part of my daytime routine or at night). After I cleanse and tone, I use three drops and pat them into my skin. (Well, it’s more like I spread them around with my finger tips.) The serum has an oily feel, but absorbs pretty quickly into my skin. Some Vitamin C serums smell funky, but this one doesn’t. In fact, it barely has a scent, just a very light one I find pleasant. Afterwards, I apply my moisturizer. And if it’s daytime, my sunscreen — a must as vitamin C makes your skin more sensitive to sun.

How Long it Lasts: After nine months, I’m about 75% of the way through the 1-oz bottle, so a bottle probably lasts a year.

Cost: $45

Brightening Mask with Vitamin C

An open jar of a white-colored facial mask.

After 10 months of use, I’m getting close to hitting the bottom of this jar of Mario Badescu Brightening Mask.

Key Ingredients: Kaolin (a clay mineral that absorbs oil and exfoliates), THD ascorbic (an oil soluble form of Vitamin C), oatmeal (which is soothing). You can find a list of the full ingredients on the Mario Badescu site. I appreciate how you can click on each ingredient and a drop down will give you more information about what the ingredient does.

How I Used It: Two to three times a week I apply the Brightening Mask in the morning as I get ready for my day. I leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it off. The mask is white with a thick consistency. It feels nice and smells good. It has a light powdery scent. I enjoy the ritual of it.

How Long it Lasts: A 2-oz jar lasts about a year. At about the ten-month mark, the mask starts to dry, so perhaps I should try using it up more quickly. When it gets to that point, I wet my fingers to help make the mask easier to apply.

Cost: $22

Did I Get Results?

I took photos of my progress, though with differing light conditions (I have a skylight in my bathroom), I’m not sure how reliable my photos are. But after nine months of using both products consistently, I believe there’s a slight improvement in my skin tone. My spots are definitely still there, but they do seem a bit lighter.

Now, is there something out there that might work better? Maybe. But I’ve tried at least four other serums in recent years, and this one seems to be the only one that’s made a difference, subtle though it may be.

Once I use up these products, I plan on ordering them again, so yes, I recommend them.

A flatlay of clothing featuring a pleated gray skirt, white poplin shirt, and plum belt bag.

Consumption Accountability: My 2024 Shopping Recap

Published by welcomeobjects

Hello from the laundromat where I’m doing multiple loads of laundry. Since I’m cleaning clothes, I thought it would be a good time to write my annual consumption accountability recap (a different recap from the blogging one). Yes, it’s time for opening my spreadsheet entitled “Clothing I Have Bought” and analyzing my spending habits of the past year.

I had three goals for 2024:

  1. Do a No Buy January
  2. Keep my clothing purchases to 20 items
  3. Make 50% of my purchases secondhand

I achieved one of my goals, came close to another, and failed miserably on a third. Read on for my reflections.

Pictured above: three of the items I acquired this year, including a secondhand skirt, a Quince shirt, and a Lo & Sons bag, courtesy of (reviewed here).

What I Bought in 2024

A bar chart showing clothing acquisitions from 2011 to 2024.

In 2024, I acquired 22 items, so I came close to my low buy goal. (My count, BTW, does not include jewelry and undergarments. It does include shoes and bags.)

Technically, 23 items came into my life. However, I’ve decided that one of them doesn’t count. As I shared in this post from the first quarter of 2024, in January the Mister bought some secondhand boots on eBay, but the seller got the size wrong. Coincidentally, the boots fit me, so suddenly I was the owner of some L.L. Bean boots. But I wouldn’t have gotten them for myself and eventually decided not to keep them. If we don’t count these boots, then I met my goal for a No Buy January.

In terms of annual count, 22 items is nearly half of the number of items I acquired in 2023. Though, I must say that 2023 was an anomaly. Since I started paying attention to my consumption in 2017, I had been trending down for the most part. So 2024, was a return to shopping less, and similar to my numbers from 2018-2021.

What did I acquire? Here’s a breakdown by category:

Shoes – 1
Tops – 8
Sweaters – 1
Dresses – 1
Skirts – 3
Pants – 2
Outerwear – 3
Bags – 3

Tops has been a top category for the past three years. The majority of what I bought were tank tops and T-shirts, though I did add two nicer shirts. I’ve been stocking up on summer basics since moving to the East Coast three years ago. I think I’m all set now.

Brands

A person wearing a cropped black moto jacket and a black maxi skirt moves forward in front of a brick wall.

Kotn was a new-to-me brand. Knit skirt, courtesy of – $148. Photo from this post.

Brands I bought from include Pact, Quince, and Uniqlo, which in my mind are listed in descending order of sustainability and ethical practices here.

Quince was the brand I shopped the most. While Quince has certifications for many of their clothes and uses compostable plastic bags, they get a Not Good Enough rating from Good on You for lack of transparency about labor and environmental practices. They sure keep adding to their catalog, which feels fast-fashiony. At the same time they offer the same items year after year, which I appreciate. (Full disclosure: In addition to buying things from Quince myself, the company also gave me several items, which I reviewed on the blog.)

Uniqlo is the fast fashion retailer I shop the most from (because of fit and a good quality-to-price ratio). I try to shop sparingly from them, but I did buy three items this past year. And admittedly there was some impulse shopping happening as in the case of this limited-edition Marimekko sweater.

This is the first year in many that I didn’t add any Everlane. They’ve gotten a bit too trendy for me. And while I still like some of their staples, I don’t need to replenish any right now.

Favorites

A person holds up a black moto jacket from Able in front of their face.

Able Leather Jacket, courtesy of – $398. Photo is from this review post.

Most Practical Purchase: Quince Revive Nylon Zip Top Tote. After seven years, my trusty Everlane totes were finally getting too beat up. This bag fits quite a lot and I appreciate its many pockets. It’s no longer on the site, which is too bad as I recommend it and planned to write a detailed review.

Unexpectedly Great: I bought this Quince boxy poplin shirt (shown at the top of this post) on a whim, and really like its relaxed modern shape. I didn’t have anything like this in my wardrobe.

Expectedly Great: I’m getting good mileage out of the Maha Leather Jacket from Able. Its petite-friendly proportions make it a great fit. (Review here).

Style Evolution: I fell in love with wide leg pants towards the end of the year and added two: a Marimekko for Uniqlo cotton-linen blend that was a secondhand find (shown here) and these denim trousers, also Uniqlo. (Mindful of shopping for my changing body, I like that they both incorporate elastic waists, which means they should continue to work if my weight changes.)

More Numbers

Only three, or 14%, of my acquisitions were secondhand. Making more of my purchases secondhand has been a goal for many years now, and I keep coming up short. I need to implement a stricter process for myself to check secondhand first.

Another indicator I look at every year is how many retail regrets I have. To me, if I’m shopping more mindfully, I should have fewer misses. Looking at my list, to be honest I’m not sure about three of them. I’ve been trying hard to only get things that feel like a resounding yes. But sometimes I just want to experiment and that means trying something I may not be sure about.

I also decluttered seven items, mostly for fit. I’ve not been doing as thorough a decluttering as I usually would these past two years due to health issues. Medication caused me to gain 20 pounds in 2023. In 2024, I shed half of it. But I’m still a bigger size than I used to be and not sure if I should hold on to my old clothes. I think I’ll hang on to them for now, though I have a feeling there are certain items I may not fit into again.

Welcome Objects 2024 Wardrobe Count 
Additions: 22
Number of Additions That Are Secondhand: 3
Subtractions: 7

2025 Wardrobe Consumption Goals

I am mostly keeping the same goals this year, but adding a new one.

  1. Keep my clothing acquisitions to 20 items
  2. Half of them should be secondhand.
  3. Dress more colorfully! You know I love wearing black (as evidenced here, here, and here) but I think I should break out of that and incorporate more color as a small way to add joy in a year where I’m bracing for awfulness.

I like to keep my goals simple so that they feel achievable. Do you have any consumption or style goals for this year?

A stack of blue bowls and plates.

Year in Review: Top Posts of 2024

Published by welcomeobjects

New year’s greetings, dear readers. I meant to blog more in December, but the month got away from me with family obligations and holiday travel. Before I dive into 2025, I wanted to take a look back at the past year in blogging.

It’s been many years since I’ve done one of these year in reviews rounding up the most popular posts. I don’t know why I stopped doing these, but I think I will make this an annual tradition. It’s interesting to see what brings readers to the blog. Who knew that one of my most popular posts of the year would be about dishwashing?

Top 10 Popular Posts

Here are the most-viewed posts of 2024 — regardless of when I first published them.

1. Easy Ikea Hack: Adding Legs to a Kallax Shelf– Even though Ikea now sells a base with legs for its ubiquitous modular bookcase, this post remains popular. I guess many people are still interested in DIY-ing legs to their shelf.

2. Bed Sheets Review: Brooklinen vs. Quince vs. Pact– I had a feeling this would be a hit when I first wrote it in 2023. Who doesn’t like an in-depth brand comparison post?

3. Carry-On Only: What I Packed For 3 Weeks in Japan – From my social media and in real life, it seems that many people are traveling to Japan. No wonder this post is popular!

4. Thuma Bed Review: A Sturdy & Worthy Upgrade – I’m three years into owning this bed, and I have no regrets about this purchase.

5. Switching to a More Eco-Friendly Dishwasher Detergent – There are only two posts from 2024 that made it into the most popular list and this is one of them. I’m glad so many people care about choosing more environmentally-friendly detergents.

6. Baggu Nylon Crescent Bag: For Travel & Everyday – This is the other 2024 post that made it onto the list. It’s a thorough review if I do say so myself and includes a comparison to Uniqlo’s similar-looking crescent bag.

7. Everlane Review: The Original Cheeky Jean – It seems I’m not the only one who still loves mom jeans.

8. Motorcycle Jackets: Madewell vs. AllSaints vs. Quince – I think most people who end up finding this post are curious about Quince’s motorcycle jacket since the price is so low. But it was not my favorite of the bunch.

9. Nail Polish Review: Londontown Lakur & Instant Smudge Fix – I’m surprised that this post from 2018 is doing numbers. Suddenly this year, it got popular. I have no idea why.

10. The Best Slim Space-Saving Hanger – I’ve been slowly replacing my old hangers and bought another batch this year.

Some Thoughts About Blogging this Past Year

A person with dark hair poses in front of a red brick wall wearing an oversized gray wool blazer.

This photo is not from a particularly popular post. But I did want to point out that I did some comparisons of similar clothing this year, from blazers to T-shirts. Quince Blazer c/o // Mott & Bow T-shirt c/o // Mott & Bow Jeans c/o [review] // Nisolo Boots [review] // Narragansett Leathers Belt

Of the 32 posts I wrote in 2024, half of them are about style. But from the most popular list above, home goods posts perform the best. Hmmm. Maybe I should write more about home stuff.

2024 was a year of ups and downs in blogging. On the one hand, this little blog had some of the best traffic in its history this summer. But this was followed by a noticeable drop in the fall. Like many blogs, Google sends the most traffic my way. But after one of their updates, my blog suddenly didn’t perform as well. It felt like Google defriended me or something.

The decline of Instagram has also been discouraging. It used to be a place where I could connect with like-minded people and gain an audience. But whatever they’ve done to their algorithm is so frustrating. It’s full of ads, and I don’t even see many people that I follow. They probably don’t see me, too, as engagement has gone down every year since 2020. I used to get more than 50 likes on a post. Now I get 7.

I’ve tried doing the things they’ve pushed, like Reels, but to no avail. It’s not fun anymore and doesn’t seem like a good use of my time now so I’ve been on there less. I recently started a Threads account to try it out. But it’s yet another Meta product so I can’t say I’m optimistic.

Anyhow, this is all to say that for a small blogger like me, I sometimes wonder: Is this thing on? Is anyone reading this? If you enjoy what I have to offer in this little corner of the internet, please say hi.

First Image: Monika Borys/Unsplash

2 gusseted pillows on a bed

Is Saatva’s Latex Pillow Worth the Splurge?

Published by welcomeobjects

I’ve been happily sleeping on a Saatva mattress for three years now. So when the brand offered some pillows for me to try, I heartily said yes. I chose their most popular pillow, the Saatva Latex Pillow, which at the time of this post has a 4.8 star-rating from 190 reviews. But does this luxury pillow live up to the hype?

Size & Loft Options

When the package arrived, I was surprised by how heavy it was. Inside were two plush and hefty pillows in a clear plastic carrying case. The fill for each pillow weighs 3 lbs, 4 oz. This is a substantial pillow!

Pillows in clear packaging

Saatva Latex Pillow – $165 for a queen, $185 for a king

I was also surprised by how big they are. The pillow comes in two sizes: standard/queen and king. For a moment, I thought I’d made a mistake and ordered the king instead of the standard/queen. But I checked the tag and it says, “queen.” To be honest, I didn’t even know there was such thing as a queen-sized pillow.

Saatva gave these pillows to me. As always, I decide what to write about and all opinions are my own.

At 28″ x 18″, it’s too long to fit in most of my standard sized pillowcases. I haven’t seen anyone else mention this in their reviews, but I think that’s an important thing to know! If you order Saatva’s standard/queen latex pillow, you’ll most likely need to use king pillowcases for them. The standard pillowcases I own from various brands range in length (see my bed sheets review here), and only the ones from Pact provide enough coverage. That’s a con in my book. I wish the pillow was shorter.

The pillows are gusseted and come in two lofts: standard (4-5″) or high loft (6-7″). The lower one is recommended for stomach and back sleepers while the higher loft is for side or combination sleepers. I ordered the standard loft.

Closeup of a pillow with gusset

The height of the standard loft is 4-5″

Materials & Construction

Saatva is known for using premium materials. The Saatva Latex Pillow has an organic cotton cover with a sateen weave and brown piping. It feels silky to the touch. One thing I’m not a fan of, though, is the company’s branding all over the cover.

You can unzip the cover at the side. Inside, you’ll find the pillow body, which also has a zipper. That’s because it consists of two parts: an outer layer and an inner core. The outer layer is microdenier fiber fill (made of polyester). This is the fluffy part of the pillow.

The side of a pillow zipped open revealing another zipper inside.

Unzip the cover and you will find another zipper.

Unzip that, and at the core you’ll find a sack with shredded latex. This two-layered construction results in a buoyant center surrounded by plushness.

A hand holds open a pillow to show a core of latex material in an encasement.

The Saatva Latex Pillow has two layers. At the center is shredded natural latex.

The pillow is designed this way so that you can wash it. Latex is not washable, so you can remove the latex core, set it aside, and machine wash the cover and fiber fill layer.

A closeup of the encasement holding latex pieces.

The sack containing the latex.

Saatva also touts the pillow’s hypoallergenic properties from the down-alternative fill to the latex, which is put through a washing process to eliminate proteins that may trigger allergies.

How Does the Saatva Latex Pillow Feel?

Feel & Firmness: At first, I was kind of put off by the weight of the pillow. Why does a pillow need to be so heavy? But I quickly got over that. It’s not like I’m moving the pillow a whole lot as I sleep. The pillow is what I’d consider medium firm. My head sank into the fluffy outer layer, but at the same time, the latex core provided noticeable support. It felt a little bouncy, certainly different in feel from a more conventional pillow with just a down or a down-alternative fill.

Comfort: As a small person and a combo side and back sleeper, I found it quite comfortable. I tend to fall asleep on my side and wake up on my back and did not experience any neck or shoulder pains. The standard loft was sufficient for me; I think the high loft would have been too tall even though it’s meant for combination sleepers like myself.

But the Mister, who is a back sleeper, felt the standard loft was too tall. If you prefer a flatter or softer pillow, this isn’t for you. I also think it’d be too tall for a stomach sleeper. Sure, you could remove the latex core to create a lower profile, but that’s the most unique thing about this pillow.

Is It Worth the Price?

Price: At $165 for a standard/queen and $185 for a king, this is a pricey buy. It’s a luxury pillow — one that comes with a 45-night return window and a one-year limited warranty. But I’m at that age (in my 40s) where I will splurge on comforts for my declining body.

Latex pillows are also generally pricier than conventional pillows. So in that sense the Saatva pillow is not outrageously priced. SleepOnLatex’s pillow, which comes in one size, is $99. Avocado’s Molded Latex Pillow runs $129-$149 depending on size. And European Sleepwork’s Oxygen Pillow, which comes in a variety of lofts and firmness is $185. However, these other latex pillows consist of a single piece of latex. Saatva’s multi-layered construction is unique.

Since this pillow is about three times the price of a more conventional pillow, this begs the question: is the Saatva Latex Pillow three times as comfortable? That is subjective, of course, but I don’t know that it is. It certainly provides a more supportive feel owing to the latex, and it will keep its shape and not flatten much over time. But you could also find a perfectly fine pillow in the $50 range.

Concluding Thoughts: Overall, I think the Saatva Latex Pillow is a luxurious and comfortable pillow. While expensive, it’s not unreasonably priced with its materials and unique construction. And though I found it more supportive than the average pillow, it wasn’t life-changing, at least for me.

If you have neck or shoulder issues, then it’s probably worth a try to see if it can help alleviate pain. If you sleep hot, this could also be a good option as latex is naturally more breathable and should run cooler. Or if you just want a luxe sleep experience with a fancy hotel feel, this is a worthy candidate for a splurge.

If you’re interested in Saatva, here’s my referral code, which will take $100 off your order of $1,000 or more. When you click through to the site it should say, “View Your Extra $100 off at Cart or Checkout” at the top. You can use this code in conjunction with a promotion. (I will also receive a monetary gift, so thank you!)

A person wearing a cropped black moto jacket and a black maxi skirt walks in front of a brick wall with chalking on it.

Outfit: Sweet & Edgy with a Maxi Skirt from Kotn

Published by welcomeobjects

Today’s outfit is built around a new piece I recently added to my wardrobe after thinking about it for a while: the Gezira Knit Skirt from Kotn. I’ve been eyeing this maxi skirt since the summer.

Kotn is Canadian maker of cotton clothes like shirts, pants, and sweaters in modern silhouettes. A certified B Corp, they give back to the community in Egypt where they source their cotton. Traditionally for Black Friday, they don’t hold a sale. Instead, they donate their proceeds to build schools in the rural area where the cotton is grown. So far they’ve funded 21 schools! (This year’s campaign runs from November 29 to December 3, and if you shop during this time, Kotn will give you a $25 coupon towards your next post-December 3 purchase.)

Kotn gave me this skirt and this post contains affiliate links. If you shop through my links, I may earn a commission. As always, I decide what to write about and all opinions are my own.

A person wearing a cropped black moto jacket and a black maxi skirt stands in front of a brick wall.

Kotn Skirt, courtesy of // Oak & Fort Top [similar] // AllSaints Jacket [review] // Lo & Sons Bag c/o [review] // dr. Liza Shoes [review] [similar]

I paired the skirt with an oatmeal-colored cropped boxy top to maintain the long, elegant look of the skirt. This helps visually lengthen me (and since I’m short, I could use all the help I can get). And I topped it all with a cropped motorcycle jacket (reviewed here) to contrast with the feminine feel of the skirt. I like this mix in materials as well as the mix in sweet and edgy.

A closeup of a dome-shaped purse worn by a person who is also wearing a black motorcycle jacket.

Different textures of black: The nylon bag from Lo & Sons has the slightest of sheens.

For accessories, I went with a dome-shaped crossbody bag from Lo & Sons reviewed here. I thought I’d keep things simple by having the skirt, jacket, and bag all in black, though all in different materials. As I wrote in another outfit post, when you’re wearing a lot of the same color, you can keep things interesting with different textures.

A person wearing a cropped black moto jacket and a black maxi skirt moves forward in front of a brick wall, with their hand on a cross body purse.

Yes, leopard print is a neutral. The shoes tie everything together.

The finishing touch to my outfit was my trusty leopard print flats (reviewed here), which ties in the color of the top with the rest of the black pieces.

A Mini Review of the Kotn Gezira Knit Skirt

A person wearing a cropped black moto jacket and a black maxi skirt moves forward in front of a brick wall.

Kotn Skirt, courtesy of // Oak & Fort Top [similar] // AllSaints Jacket [review] // Lo & Sons Bag c/o [review] // dr. Liza Shoes [review] [similar]

The Gezira Knit Skirt is at once elegant and easy to wear.

The Gezira Knit Skirt is at once elegant and easy to wear. The construction of this skirt, made out of viscose, is impressive. It somehow manages to be lightweight and breathable — if you hold it up, light comes through it — yet it also has some heft that gives it wonderful drape and fluid movement.

The vertical lines in the skirt give the appearance of pleats and makes it visually interesting. Plus, it has an elastic waistband, which makes sizing more forgivable (something that’s important to me with a changing body). The A-line shape falls nicely away from the body, leaving ample room for the stomach and hips. The only thing that this skirt doesn’t have is pockets.

A person wears a long black maxi skirt, posing with hands on hips.

The tonal vertical lines add visual interest to the Kotn skirt.

I’m a small in most brands and ordered my usual size, though that made me a bit nervous. The waist measurement, measured flat, is listed is 13″ across, which seemed too small to me. But when the Gezira arrived, I was relieved to find that there’s a decent amount of give in the elastic waist. The elastic comfortably accommodated my larger-than-26″-waist. I was also afraid it might be too long. Kotn calls this a midi skirt. But to me it’s a maxi. I’m (almost) 5’4″, but it works, falling above my ankles.

The price of $148 seems more than fair for an ethically-made garment of good quality. Style-wise, it strikes the right balance of a classic look updated with modern details. It also comes in olive, and over the summer there was a light blue version. I simply love this skirt. While this is my first Kotn item, I suspect it won’t be my last. I’m now eyeing the Leila cardigan, which looks to have petite-friendly proportions.

UPDATE 12/10/24 – Kotn is holding a sale of up to 30% off until December 18. While the Gezira skirt is not part of the sale, many seasonal items are.