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Shelves and racks of clothing, mostly jeans and other blue-colored items at an Everlane store.

Low Buy 2026: Q1 Check-in

Published by welcomeobjects

This quarter isn’t quite over yet, but with a few days left I think it’s safe to do my quarterly shopping update. In Q1, I acquired five pieces of clothing. Given that my goal for my low buy year is no more than 15, that’s a third of my allotment for the year. Which means I need to slow down my rate of consumption!

Out of the five items, three were secondhand, so I’m on track for the other part of my goal: to buy 50% secondhand. The two new items were outerwear. (One was this puffy winter coat that I reviewed.)

Everything I acquired fulfilled a desire from my Wardrobe Wants Wish List, so I feel good about sticking to that. After writing about oversized wool blazers, I put that on my wish list and in January, I found an Everlane one from a past season secondhand. I also finally found a skirt that I’ve been looking for for years! (It was something I used to own but didn’t fit anymore, so I needed a bigger size.)

A woman wears a shirt and pencil skirt with an olive colored palm print.

Finally found this Uniqlo skirt in a bigger size. (This photo was taken back when I fit the smaller size. Unfortunately, the shirt is also now too small, so off to find that in a bigger size, too.)

On the subtraction side, I’ve decluttered nine items, the majority for fit. I guess I’m finally accepting that I’m likely not returning to the smaller size I used to be.

Welcome Objects 2026 Wardrobe Count 
Additions: 5
Number of Additions That Are Secondhand: 3
Subtractions: 9

Currently Coveting

Everlane Made in Italy Almond-Toe Pump – These are not practical for me since I rarely wear the pumps I already have. But I love the vintage look with the V-cut vamp. And it’s only a 1.75″ heel. They’re reminiscent of the V Heel, which I used to own (in my pre-foot injury days). Wow, though, the price of Everlane shoes have really gone up. Yes, it’s been eight years since the V-Heel. But the Almond-Toe Pump retails for $298, which is nearly double the cost of the V Heel. Is the Made in Italy collection of nicer materials? Or is it just marketing?

Caraway Mechanical Kitchen Timer – OK, $45 seems like a lot to spend on a kitchen timer, but I love this? It’s retro-looking and made out of metal, not plastic, and since it’s mechanical, no batteries are required. I don’t even want it for the kitchen, necessarily. I want to use it when I’m doing the pomodoro technique on creative projects.

Other Updates

In one of my shopping diary posts last year, I mentioned I wasn’t sure where to donate a brand new custom-made suit I never wore. Well, I found an organization that seems like a good fit. Bottomless Closet helps women enter the workforce with clothes and workshops. I called to ask what they are most in need of and it’s smaller sizes like XS and bigger ones like plus sizes. (But not dresses and skirts. Apparently there is no demand for those in 2026). I’ll be dropping off my suit along with some XS office-appropriate clothes.

Also, I took my Rachel Dress from Mixed by Nasrin to the tailor for hemming. As I wrote in this review of the brand, the proportions of this dress are not right for someone petite. Maybe I’ll do a before-and-after post here, so that you can see what it looks like after being adjusted.

First photo is from a recent visit to Everlane. I looked around and didn’t buy anything. Please clap.

A jar of Mario Badescu Seaweed Night Cream stacked on a larger jar of Advanced Peptide PDRN Jelly Crea, next to a dropped jar of Super Peptide Serum. There are some red flowers to the left.

Mario Badescu Review: Night Cream, Peptide Serum, & PDRN Jelly Cream

Published by welcomeobjects

These days I keep thinking about the importance of self-care. How it’s something to lean into when things around us are not so great, because we need to take care of ourselves in order to take care of others. Eat well, exercise, drink water, moisturize! It shouldn’t be a luxury to care for yourself, which is why when it comes to skincare, I appreciate the moderately-priced, cruelty-free brand Mario Badescu. Here’s a review of three products I’ve tried in the last year.

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.

Seaweed Night Cream

Key Ingredients: Bladderwrack extract (a type of seaweed) for soothing irritations and softening fine lines and wrinkles, marine collagen for elasticity, collagen for firmness, and sodium hyaluronate for hydration.

How I Use It: This winter has been especially harsh over here on the East Coast, so I added this Seaweed Night Cream to my evening routine. I apply this as the final step after cleansing, toner, and serums. While it’s a bright green, once it’s absorbed, there’s no tint. I use a small amount as a little goes a long way.

Mario Badescu describes this oil-free cream as “lightweight” but that’s not how I categorize it. To me, it feels rich and creamy, but not heavy. Skincare products can sometimes cause me to break out, but this is my second winter using this with no issues. It does have a floral fragrance to it, though, so if you’re sensitive to scents, this might not be for you.

Does It Work? My face does feel more hydrated. (Using a humidifier at night probably also helps.) In the morning, my skin feels smooth. I don’t know if it’s done anything for wrinkles, but I suspect my skin would be worse off during these dry, cold months without this cream. I would definitely repurchase this.

Super Peptide Serum

Key Ingredients: Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (peptides tell your skin to increase collagen production, leading to plumper skin and fewer lines), sodium hyaluronate for hydration, aloe vera for anti-inflammation, and chamomile extract for its calming properties.

How I Use It: I apply a couple drops of this during the day and at night after toner and before moisturizer. It goes on light, isn’t sticky, and has no smell.

Does It Work? Hmmm, unclear. I’m lucky to not have much in the way of fine lines right now. Does this serum prevent lines? If it does, I have no way of measuring that! But I do have a creased laugh line around my mouth going up towards my nose. Using this for 11 months hasn’t yielded a noticeable difference in that area.

Advanced Peptide PDRN Jelly Cream

Though PDRN, or polydeoxyribonucleotide, has been around since the 1980s, its popularity in skincare has soared in the last couple of years. What is it, exactly? Why, DNA fragments derived from the sperm cells of salmon or trout. Benefits include repairing tissue, increasing collagen production, boosting hydration, and improving skin elasticity. Mario Badescu’s version, which they just released yesterday, is plant-based. No salmon sperm here!

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide for strengthening the skin barrier, sodium hyaluronate for hydration, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 for boosting collagen production.

How I Use It: I layer it over the Peptide Serum and before the Seaweed Night Cream or, if during the day, my daytime moisturizer. The jelly texture is fun and wiggles like jello. It’s lightweight, feels cooling, and melts into the skin. It’s not sticky and there’s no fragrance. And though it’s pink (thanks to Vitamin B12), it leaves no color.

Does It Work? Mario Badescu sent me a jar to try before the launch, so I’ve been using it for only about three weeks. So far, I’ve not noticed any improvements, but I also haven’t experienced anything negative. In early reviews, some people said it reduces redness (which is not an issue I generally have) and helps with fine lines.

As it contains some of the same ingredients as the other products I’ve reviewed here, who knows which particular product to attribute improvements, if any, to. I don’t think it hurts to layer products, though, as they probably work together in concert.

I like to test products out for longer before making a call, so I’ll have to come back and update this post. Stay tuned!

Mario Badescu Coupon Code

If you’re interested in any Mario Badescu products, they gave me a discount code to share with you. Use WELCOME15 to get 15% off your purchase through 4/21/26.

A person wearing a long puffer jacket with the hood up, standing in front of a red brick building. It is snowing.

Quince Review: Responsible Down Puffer Jacket & Other Winter Staples

Published by welcomeobjects

We’ve been having a spate of frigid weather here in NYC so I thought it’d be apt to write about some of my most worn winter items from Quince.

Before we dive in, a few caveats: First, some of these items I’ve owned for a couple years, while others I’ve only had for a few months. So I’ll come back to update this post with notes on how things wear over time, particularly if there are any issues.

Second, if you’re new here, this blog is about striving to be a more mindful and conscious consumer, so I must mention that Good on You, which rates fashion and cosmetic brands on ethical and sustainable practices, rates Quince “not good enough” for the lack of transparency and information around their practices. While Quince appears to be better than fast fashion, they are perhaps not as green or ethical as they claim.

This post contains affiliate links and one item was gifted to me by Quince while I bought the others. 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.

Mongolian Cashmere Ribbed Beanie

I’ve mentioned this cashmere beanie before, and I’m doing it again because it’s probably my most worn item from Quince during the fall and winter. It comes in two sizes. (I went with the larger one.) I’ve had mine (the oatmeal colored one above) for almost three years now. It’s stretched some and pilled a bit, but otherwise is in good shape. (The navy one is newer and belongs to the Mister, who has a smaller head, so it hasn’t stretched out as much.) I like how it provides warmth but isn’t bulky. I can easily stash it in my coat pocket.

Mongolian Cashmere Fisherman Boxy Cropped Cardigan Sweater

A person with dark hair stands in front of a brick wall wearing an oversized cardigan that is buttoned over skinny jeans.

Mongolian Fisherman Boxy Cropped Cardigan – $119.90 (This is the same color as the beanie above, BTW, but in different lighting.)

It’s been two years since I first reviewed this cardigan, and I still wear it constantly  during the winter months. My skin is sensitive, but I find that this cashmere cardigan, as well as the beanie above, don’t bother me. The sweater is a medium weight, not too bulky, and lightweight, yet warm. One complaint: it pills more than other cashmere sweaters I own from Everlane and Italic. So, it requires maintenance to avoid looking shabby. Runs oversized. I went down one size.

100% Organic Cotton Oversized Cardigan

OK, the next two items are not my personal staples, but they are my sister’s. Her skin is even more sensitive than mine, so she can’t wear wool or cashmere. I got this cotton cardigan with a thick (and warm!) ribbed knit as a gift for her and she raves about it. The dropped shoulders make it relaxed while the lantern sleeves are elegant. It also has cozy pockets. There’s only three colors at the moment in neutrals, but there used about a dozen. Fits true to size.

100% Organic Cotton Fisherman Boatneck Sweater

My sister liked this sweater so much that she got it in two colors. Similar to the cardigan above, it is also made of a thick, ribbed knit. It has a boxy modern shape and elegant boatneck. This runs a bit big and wide, so consider sizing down. She’s generally a S but sized down to XS, which measures about 20″ across, and 20.5″ long. For petite me, the sleeves are too long, but that’s often the case with me and sweaters. On my taller and longer-limbed sister, the sleeves fit perfectly.

Responsible Down Long Puffer Jacket

A person wearing a long puffer jacket outside, it is snowing.

Responsible Down Long Puffer Jacket – $200. Courtesy of Quince. I’m wearing the morel gray jacket. I’m a little under 5’4″.

When I moved from San Francisco to NYC, I tried to avoid buying a new winter jacket and kept using my trusty Everlane Re:Down Puffy Puff. But this winter has been much colder. There were days, especially on windy days, that I wished for a down jacket that covered my thighs. So I gave in and ordered the Quince Responsible Down Long Puffer Jacket. It’s not the most glamorous as it’s basically like wearing a sleeping bag. But it delivers on warmth.

Notable features include 700+ fill power goose down, water-repellent fabric, both a two-way zipper and snap closures down the front, fleece-lined pockets with zippers, and a removable hood with adjustable cinches. (But I don’t know why you’d ever want to remove the hood on truly cold days; it helps so much with blocking the wind.) The sleeves have storm cuffs with thumbholes, though to be honest I’m torn about them. On the one hand, yes, they block out cold air. But on the other hand, they prevent me from pushing up the sleeve to look at the time on my watch.

Removable hood with adjustable drawcords.
Pockets are lined in fleece.
Side vents have snap closures.
Storm cuffs with thumbholes.

Quince describes the fit as relaxed, but I disagree. While it does fit true to size, it skims the body. I am usually a S, ordered the S, and it fits my 38″ hips. I can layer it over a thick sweater, but I wouldn’t describe it as roomy. If you have wide hips, you may want to size up.

This puffer is supposed to keep you warm in temperatures of up to -48°F/-44°C. (I tested it out during the recent winter storm, and while it didn’t reach -48°F it was fricking cold, the wind was pelting icy bits at me, and the jacket kept me toasty and dry.) All things being equal, I’d prefer a puffer that was more fashion forward, but at $200, it seems well made and is a great deal. I can see why it’s one of Quince’s best sellers.

A person wearing a long puffer jacket with the hood up, standing outside in the snow, which is falling. There are bare trees in the background.

Oh, just testing out this long puffer jacket during a snow storm like the dedicated blogger I am.

You can find a directory to all my style reviews here. If you found my review helpful, please consider shopping through my link. Thank you!

A flat lay of a watermelon print shirt, a checkered wool skirt, and horsebit loafers.

How My Low Buy 2025 Went (spoiler: I failed)

Published by welcomeobjects

Welcome to my eighth year of publishing this annual post reflecting on my year in shopping. I started to pay more attention to how much I was consuming in 2017 (the year I started this blog) and vowed to become a more mindful shopper. At the end of 2018 I published my first shopping recap post and now it’s an annual tradition to keep myself accountable.

My consumption goals in 2025 were pretty much the same goals I’ve had since 2020:

  1. Keep my clothing acquisitions to 20 items.
  2. Make half of them secondhand.

For 2025, I also added a style goal: Dress more colorfully.

Pictured above: three of the items I acquired this year: a secondhand Mixed by Nasrin shirt, Quince loafers, and a Petite Studio wool skirt (reviewed here). 

The Numbers

A bar graph showing clothing acquisitions from 2011 (over 60) to 2025 (25 items).

So, how did I do? Welp, I didn’t make either consumption goal. (Though I did dress a bit more colorfully.) I acquired 25 items. Seven were given to me by brands. For the 18 items I bought myself, I spent $765, which is more than last year, but less than most years. (My count does not include undergarments, jewelry, or clothes that have very specific purpose like athletic wear.)

And though I failed at the 50% secondhand goal, I reached 40%, which is the best I’ve ever done. (But, also, maybe I shouldn’t have bought some of those things. More on that later.)

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

Shoes – 5
Tops – 8
Dresses/Jumpsuits – 4
Skirts – 2
Pants – 5
Outerwear – 1

Since 2022, tops has been among my largest category year after year. Mostly because I moved to NYC and found myself in need of breezy summer clothes. I proceeded to buy T-shirts and tank tops for 3 years.

But I can’t use that excuse for 2025. Most of the tops I bought in last year were in fulfillment of my style goal to dress more colorfully. I bought shirts in new colors or in prints. (Mostly. There were exceptions like this tank, which I got for texture. And then there was this T-shirt that I found in the clearance racks at J.Crew only because the Mister was trying to use up store credit.) All this buying of tops means I now own 57 — which seems over the top. (Ba dum tss).

Pants is surprising to me because I’ve worn the same few pairs of pants or jeans on repeat ever since my big weight gain in 2023. When I examined what I bought, it made more sense. One was a needed pair of warm weather pants and two were shorts. (Summer stuff, yet again.) However, two are because I wanted gray jeans (and I’m not sure about either of them).

One thing of note is what’s not on the list: sweaters. This is the first year since I started keeping this count that I didn’t buy a sweater. I also decluttered 37 items, mostly for fit, and some because they’re not my style anymore. So, at least the math leads to my having less overall.

Welcome Objects 2025 Wardrobe Count 
Additions: 25
Number of Additions That Are Secondhand: 10
Subtractions: 37

Shopping Habits & Patterns 

A person wearing a brown leopard print shirt, brown pleated skirt, black boots and a black cardigan.

Wearing 50% secondhand. Everlane Cardigan // Theory Shirt // Everlane Skirt // Quince Boots

I started off the year strong by not buying any clothing in the first quarter of the year. Through June I had only acquired 3 items. But in the second half of the year, I veered off plan with 22 items, most of them acquired in the last 3 months of the year.

What happened? Well, by the end of the third quarter, I realized I was doing poorly with my secondhand goal, so I started to focus on it. But then, I fell back into old habits of shopping for entertainment. I’d pop into thrift stores if I was passing by. I kept tabs open on ThredUp for certain brands, which I refreshed daily. I even remembered things I’d seen in retail stores a few years back and would search for those items.

The Regret Test

One data point I look at every year is whether there are any items I bought that aren’t working out or that I regret buying. There are 5. Had I not gotten these 5 items I would have met my first goal. One was a pair of sneakers. But you just don’t know with shoes until you wear them out so I feel like that was an acceptable purchase. (I’ve already turned around and resold them).

What does it mean that most of my regrets are secondhand items?

But most of the others were items I thrifted. What does it mean that most of my regrets are secondhand items? The thing about thrifting is that most of the time I come up empty-handed. So, when I find something that’s close to what I want (for example, a pair of charcoal Everlane jeans), I feel like it’s a sign. And then I get them. There’s a scarcity mindset at play here, the belief that I won’t find something like this again at this price. And that leads me to overlook potential problems with the item.

In the case of the jeans, I was so excited about my find that I forgot to do an important fit test: the can-I-sit-down-comfortably-in-these-pants test. As it turns out, they’re too snug for that. So now they’re an aspirational pair of jeans. In another case, I found a 100% wool Pendleton blazer with sleeves that had been hemmed to my length. But I overlooked that it was too big in the shoulders.

Lessons Learned

1. Be just as picky when thrifting as you would be when considering something at full retail. And don’t fall for the scarcity mindset — even with secondhand or vintage clothing. That’s a ridiculous mindset because so much clothes exists in this world!

2. Don’t shop for emotional reasons. This I already know. But I need to remind myself again. Shopping for emotional reasons — for entertainment, to de-stress, or because I feel like I deserve a treat — is what got me into trouble in the first place in the years when I was buying way too much stuff. When I look back at my shopping at the end of 2025, I’m alarmed by how easily I fell back into this old habit.

My Goal for 2026

Even though I didn’t meet my goals, my consumption was more or less in range with recent years. But also, I think I need to challenge myself more. What if I only allowed myself 12 acquisitions next year? That’s one thing a month. This feels like it might be hard for my former shopaholic self. So, I will add 3 bonus items.

I’m making it my new goal:

  1. Acquire no more than 15 items in 2026.
  2. Half of them should be secondhand.

Are you doing any low buy challenges? What do you find helpful to stick to your goal?

Snow in a park along a path with trees and a bench.

Year in Review: Top Posts of 2025

Published by welcomeobjects

New year’s greetings from New York City, where we have a new mayor! It’s been wear-my-warmest-coat weather here, and I confess that I am over winter. I’m typing this at 4:00 pm and the sun will set in 44 minutes. Although the days are getting longer, I need more sun. When it gets dark, I don’t feel like doing much. Winter lethargy is real.

But the new year always reminds me to take stock of things. So here’s a look at the most-viewed Welcome Objects posts of 2025 — regardless of when I first published them. Not surprisingly, some of these posts were also the top posts of 2024.

1. Switching to a More Eco-Friendly Dishwasher Detergent – This moved up from the fifth spot in 2024 to number one in 2025. Unfortunately, the brand I recommend, Ecover, is hard to find these days. It seems that the company is not selling in the U.S. anymore. Is this tariff related? Booo. I’m on my last box and will have to start my search again.

2. Easy Ikea Hack: Adding Legs to a Kallax Shelf  – One of my most popular posts year after year. (It was in the number one spot in 2024.)

3. Thuma Bed Review: A Sturdy & Worthy Upgrade – Still happy with this bed frame, but damn, the price has gone up by $300 since I bought it in 2021.

4. Bed Sheets Review: Brooklinen vs. Quince vs. Pact – Another perpetually popular post.

5. Is Saatva’s Latex Pillow Worth the Splurge? – I liked this pillow but wish it hadn’t been so big (and hence too long for most of my standard pillow cases reviewed above).

6. Carry-On Only: What I Packed For 3 Weeks in Japan – This post makes me miss Japan. I want to go back.

Two nonstick baking sheets, a smaller one placed on top of a bigger one, and a wooden spoon next to them for scale.

I use the baking sheets from Caraway much more than the pans.

7. I Tried Caraway’s Nonstick Pans & Bakeware (& looked into its non-toxic claims) – One of the few posts I wrote in 2025 that made it onto this list. I spent a lot of time on this post, so I’m glad it’s getting traffic. (Though Caraway is probably not happy with me, because it has so far resulted in no sales referred to them. But I have to be honest: I think nonstick is nice to have, but not a must.)

8. I Tried the Microfiber-Catching Guppyfriend Laundry Bag – This old post from 2019 suddenly did numbers this year, which I hope means that more people care about microplastic pollution.

9. Dishing on Blueland’s Dishwasher Tablets, Dish Soap, & Sponges – Well, will you look at that? Another post about dishwasher detergent.

10. The Best Slim Space-Saving Skirt Hanger – Still a fan of these hangers; I bought more of these in the last year.

11. Is a Silicone Sponge Better than a Disposable One? – Another old post circa 2018. I have since moved on to trying many other eco-friendlier sponges, but haven’t written about them. Maybe I should do a comparison post.

12. Fitting Room Review: Mixed by Nasrin – The only clothing post to make it onto the list. 2025 was the year I finally tried this brand after eyeing it for a while. One of my most commented-on post as well for the year.

A person wearing a shirt dress with an orchid print in a fitting area.

After trying on this Mixed dress, reviewed here, I bought it in a different print a few months later. I can now confirm that folding up the sleeves of this dress is key for people of petite stature. I also plan to get it hemmed.

Some Thoughts About Blogging This Past Year & Moving Forward

Last year, I blogged quite a lot less — 19 posts versus 32 in 2024. Part of the reason is that I feel discouraged. As I explained a year ago, a change in Google caused my traffic to plummet in the fall of 2024. This continued into 2025. Google set my traffic back by four years! Before, it had been steadily going up year after year. I could see that my effort was paying off. It doesn’t feel that way any more.

The other part of the reason is that with this current federal administration and inhumane conflicts going on in the world, I thought I should spend some of my energy elsewhere. This past year, I marched in protests, attended a Hands Off NYC training, and joined a neighborhood mutual aid group. I found that the best antidote to the crush of horrifying news is to do something, even small things, with other people.

In February, I asked, “Do I keep blogging in these times?” and now, nearly a year later, the answer is clearer to me: I will blog less, but I will still blog. Because no matter what volume of traffic comes my way, and no matter who is in office, I still care about sustainability and ethical consumption and am not going to shut up about it.

So, I hope that you, dear reader, will check out this space from time to time and say hi to let me know you’re there and still care about these things too. And let me know if there’s anything you’d like to see on here. My aim, as always, is to be helpful to someone else out there.

First image: Prospect Park on a snowy day in December.

A Great Jones baking dish with a pink design on a counter, with enchiladas topped by melted cheese.

Functional & Fun: Great Jones Baking Dish Review

Published by welcomeobjects

I don’t know about you, but I need all the joy I can get, especially during these times of rising authoritarianism. So when Great Jones, a direct-to-consumer kitchenware company known for their colorful aesthetic reached out to me, I readily agreed to give one of their products a try.

I picked out the Hot Dish, a 9-by-13-inch ceramic baking dish with a retro design. But this dish isn’t just stylish. It performs well, too. I love when form meets function! 

Great Jones gave this product to me and this post contains affiliate links. As always, I decide what to write about and all opinions are my own.

First Impressions

A rectangular ceramic dish from Great Jones on a counter top

Hot Dish – $105

When the Hot Dish arrived, I was surprised by the larger-than-expected box on my doorstep. Inside the box was another box, and lots of sturdy cardboard to keep the dish in place during shipment. (Though if your dish breaks during transit, Great Jones will replace it.)

The Hot Dish feels sturdy. Made of thick stoneware, it’s hefty, weighing in at 5 pounds empty. At 3 inches tall, it’s deeper than other baking dishes, and bigger too, with a four-quart capacity.

The pattern, which reminds me of 1970s graphic design, cheered me up. It currently comes in blue and pink as well as a striped design. (It also used to come in mustard and a dark green. I don’t know if Great Jones has plans to bring them back, but my vote is yes.)

Closeup of the geometric pattern on a ceramic dish from Great Jones

The pattern on the Hot Dish seems inspired by geometric graphic design of the ’70s.

How the Hot Dish Performed

First, I should tell you what I previously used as a point of comparison: Pyrex glass baking dishes. While they were serviceable and came with handy plastic lids, they were no frills. Now, basic kitchenware is perfectly fine! But, what can I say, I care about how things look. My slight dissatisfaction with the Pyrex wasn’t only about aesthetics, though. I didn’t love the shallow depth and barely-there handles. Tellingly, when I moved across the country, I didn’t pack them. I gave them away.

The Hot Dish, on the other hand, sports big round handles, which stick out on either side by more than 1.5 inches. This allows you to get a good grip, which is important when you’re maneuvering food in and out of the oven with bulky oven mitts.

I found that the Hot Dish cooks evenly. My casseroles crisped nicely.

The Hot Dish is oven-safe up to 500°F according to the product page (though the Great Jones FAQs says 450°F, so I’d go with that). It can also go in the broiler briefly. (BTW, use wooden, plastic, or silicone utensils with ceramic bakeware to avoid scratches.)

Ceramic conducts heat well, and I found that the Hot Dish cooks evenly. My casseroles crisped nicely. Thanksgiving stuffing came out moist, with a crispy top. Enchiladas attained that satisfying melted goodness texture. It’s also a great vessel for lasagna as the sides are straight and it’s deep enough for all the layers.

Clean-up wise, I’ve found that if I let it soak for a little bit — even just 5 minutes — the bits that had browned onto the surface come off without much effort with a sponge. You can also put it in the dishwasher, though handwashing it was easy enough. (It’s also safe for the freezer and the microwave, though I wouldn’t know as I don’t have the freezer space or a large microwave.)

The rounded handles on the Hot Dish are so handy. (Yes, I topped this casserole with potato chips.)

Is it Safe and Where is it Made?

Ever since going down a research rabbit hole concerning chemicals while reviewing Caraway products, I’m asking myself this of every kitchen item. Modern ceramics for the food are generally safe. (Vintage ceramics made long ago may have lead-based glazes, which is why you shouldn’t eat from them!)

On the product page for the Hot Dish, someone asked whether the glazes used are free of lead and cadmium. The company responded, “Before we launched our products, we worked with a third-party lab to send each piece through extensive testing. They’ve all passed industry standard lead tests, and are free of cadmium.”

The wording of the answer is interesting because it doesn’t unequivocally say it’s lead-free. A food-safe item could have trace amounts of lead or cadmium, but won’t leach unsafe levels of them. But I’ve noticed that this is the answer that Great Jones give for all of their products, from nonstick baking sheets to their dutch oven, so this answer may not be specifically about its ceramics.

On Great Jone’s product disclosures page, which exists to comply with California legislation requiring cookware manufacturers to disclose chemicals, the Hot Dish and other stoneware items are not listed at all. I take this to mean there’s nothing potentially toxic in them. 

The Hot Dish is manufactured in Tianjin, China, though the website doesn’t provide much information about the factory.

Is Great Jones Worth the Price?

Priced at $105 (and an additional $40 if you want the lid), the Hot Dish is many times the cost of Pyrex baking dishes. However, it’s comparable in price to other ceramic ones. (And sometimes you can snag it on sale. I recently saw it on sale for $75, which was the list price four years ago. Damn tariffs!) While I did not test Great Jones against other brands that make casserole dishes, Food & Wine did and included the Hot Dish in its recommendations.

Looking at longevity, $105 doesn’t seem unreasonable given that it’s stoneware. If cared for well, it should last a long time. I’ll update this post a year from now to see how it’s holding up.

Overall, I’m delighted with the Hot Dish. It’s well-designed, cooks like a dream, and looks cute too. Yes, please, to adding some joyful color to my kitchen. I’m now tempted by the matching pieces, like the eight-inch square Little Hottie, a pie dish (called Sweetie Pie, of course), and a set of nesting mixing bowls.

View from above a table of a casserole in a dish on a table/

The Hot Dish cooks evenly and looks cute. What’s not to like?

If you found my review useful and plan to shop, consider using my link. Thank you! Also, you can find a directory to all my housewares reviews here.

A stack of boxes with post-it notes that have drawings of the shoes inside of them, plus a pair of sandals

How I Store My Off-Season Shoes with Limited Space

Published by welcomeobjects

I realize this is a little late in the season to be sharing as temperatures have already dropped, but I recently made a little video explaining how I store my off-season shoes. (It’s also at the end of this post.) So I thought I’d follow up with this write-up as well in case you prefer an old-fashioned blog post with photos.

Living in a small apartment with small closets, I need to be efficient about how I store things. While I have a trusty shoe rack by my front door, it cannot hold all of my shoes. So, I swap my footwear out twice a year: once in the fall, and once again in the late spring.

There’s nothing fancy about my method. I simply store my off-season shoes in sturdy shoe boxes at the bottom of my closet. I like to draw a picture of the shoe on a post-it note, which I keep on the outside of the box so that I can tell by a glance what the contents are.

A boot on top of a shoebox that has a post-it note with a drawing of the boot.

Freeing my dr. Liza boots for the fall. (Review of the boots here.)

On the other side of the box, I have post-it notes for what’s in the box during the other season. So in this case, when I take these dr. Liza boots out, two pairs of sandals go in.

Drawings on post-it notes of sandals and those pairs of sandals in the box

Putting my dr. Liza sandals and The Flexx sandals away.

No need to switch out the post-it notes. I keep them on the box at all times. I just flip which side of the box is facing outwards in my closet. So now that it’s fall, and I’ve put my sandals away, the sandals post-its face out.

A view from above of two pairs of sandals in a black shoe box

When storing two pairs of shoes in one box, I ensure the bottom of the shoes do not touch the tops of the shoes.

I also clean the bottom of my shoes with soapy water and let them dry before storing. And I’m careful to store them top to top, so that no bottoms — even if they are clean — are touching the tops of shoes. Lastly, I stuff each shoe with paper to help keep its shape.

A stack of boxes with post-it notes on the outside of each with a drawing of the shoes inside of them

Now these boxes will go into my closet, beneath my clothes on hangers. And that’s it!

Here’s the video:

Brick buildings with fire escapes on a street in New York's Lowest Eastside

Low Buy 2025: Q3 Check-in

Published by welcomeobjects

How is it November already? This year feels like it’s going by so fast. A year since last year’s presidential election. At least this year’s election season went better. Dare I say I’m feeling hopeful about Mamdani’s win?

I’m belated in posting my consumption update for the third quarter of 2025. I’ve had this draft sitting here for quite a while. So, I’m giving myself a deadline of 30 minutes to finish this post now. Alright.

Wardrobe Acquisitions

At the end of June I had only acquired three clothing items. But during the third quarter I acquired many more things. A good chunk of them (nine) were given to me by brands for promotional purposes. I won’t be keeping some of them, but I haven’t decided on which ones. That’s one reason why it’s taken me so long to get around to this post.

I am by no means complaining about getting free clothes. (Well, it’s not exactly free as there is an expectation that I publicize the brands in some way. I feel that the value I bring is in writing detailed reviews, which takes labor and time.) But it does complicate my goal of trying to keep my consumption down — a contradiction I’ve written about before.

So, in order to get on with this post, I’m just going to enumerate the four things I bought myself:

  • A pair of cropped summer pants from Muji. (After six years, some of my existing summer pants from Everlane have been demoted to home-only clothes as the elastic at the waist is stretching out and the fabric is fading.)
  • A shirt dress from Mixed by Nasrin. (Yes, this was a dress that I wasn’t sure about in my fitting room review because of its proportions. Now that I have it, I can report that I do need to fold up the sleeves to make it work better on my petite frame.)
  • A bra top from Uniqlo.
  • Black denim shorts that I thrifted. They are a Chinese brand, so they’re a size large lol. (I am typically a small or medium in American brands.)

Secondhand items constitute 28% of my acquisitions so far through September, which is not meeting my goal of 50%. Clearly I need to try harder with shopping secondhand. It’s a mind shift. When I want something, I should take a moment to check secondhand first. And while I’m not going to get into October numbers here just yet, I will say that I’m doing better already.

On the subtraction side of things, I’ve ramped up my closet culling these last few months. I’ve finally admitted there are a whole bunch of things from about 15 years ago that I won’t be wearing ever again, including clothes I bought on a trip to Asia. Those items are all too tight now and I doubt I’m ever going to be that size again. Among them is a skirt suit I had custom made in Vietnam, which I never wore — not even once. The local Dress for Success isn’t taking donations, so I’m not sure what to do with it.

Welcome Objects 2025 Wardrobe Count 
Additions: 7
Number of Additions That Are Secondhand: 2
Subtractions: 28

Currently Coveting

Closeup of a crescent-shaped ivory bag being carried on the shoulder of someone wearing a gray sweater.

Lo & Sons Aoyama Nylon. I love the look of this bag, particularly in ivory, but will that just lead to tears? Especially since I mostly wear dark clothes?

Cardigan in Tiger – Mixed by Nasrin recently came out with a line of cotton knits for the fall. And while I don’t need more sweaters, I do want more clothes in general with prints or patterns.

Everlane Pleated Crepe Midi Skirt – I don’t know why I’ve gotten into pleated skirts these last few years. I blame a skirt that I thrifted back in 2022 for being the gateway skirt. Anyways, I like the chocolate brown color of this one.

Aoyama Bag in Nylon – I’ve been coveting the leather version of this crescent bag for over a year. Lo & Sons just came out with a nylon version, so I’m coveting that one too. I love how you can change the strap.

Other Acquisitions

AirFanta 4Lite Personal Air Purifier – As I mentioned last year in this post about outdoor dining in Philadelphia, I am immunocompromised and generally try to eat outdoors when going to restaurants. This summer, though, I attended a conference where the only dining option was an indoor cafeteria. I decided to bring this personal air purifier to make it a little safer for me to eat indoors. Instead of attempting to filter the air in an entire room, it creates a narrow stream of clean air directed at you.

Ikea SMÅÄTA Cutting Board – I bought this small cutting board to replace a plastic one I’ve had for ages because apparently using a plastic cutting board generates microplastics. Sigh.

OK, I didn’t quite make my deadline. I’m 11 minutes past it. So now I just got to post this. Sometimes it’s better to get the thing done than to get it done perfectly.

Question for You: Have you ever bought something you never wore or used? What was it?

This post contains affiliate links but was not produced in partnership with any brand.

A hand with three rings, one of them diamond, two of them with emeralds, on a hand with snakeskin patterned nail polish.

Quince Review: 14K & Gold Vermeil Jewelry

Published by welcomeobjects

I’ve acquired a few pieces of Quince jewelry. So it’s time for a review! All the pieces I’m writing about are 14K gold or gold vermeil because I’m in that gold jewelry stage of life. I don’t know about you, but when I was younger, I was all about silver jewelry and then somewhere in my mid-thirties I started to gravitate towards gold.

Rings and earrings, all in gold, on a white blanket.

Quince jewelry in gold and gold vermeil.

What’s the Difference Between 14K and Gold Vermeil?

14K is considered a type of solid gold. However, pure gold (24K) is too soft to wear, so gold jewelry is an alloy with other metals. 14K is 58.5% gold. Gold vermeil is gold plating over a base of sterling silver. Gold vermeil is higher-quality than something that’s just gold-plated as it’s a thicker layer of gold. However, even with the thicker layer, it can still be susceptible to wear and tarnishing. 14K jewelry is more durable and won’t tarnish, but gold vermeil is more affordable.

Is Quince Jewelry Ethical?

Line drawing icons with text below that say "ethically produced," "expert craftmanship" and "always 14 karat gold"

On their sustainability page, Quince displays a logo for the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC). RJC is the global standards-setting organization for the jewelry and watch industry for responsible sourcing throughout the supply chain. (They were founded by 14 members, including big names like Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and the Diamond Trading Company, which is part of De Beers Group. Yes, that De Beers of the blood diamonds. More about the company’s image makeover from this 2000 NY Times story.)

However, I’ve noticed that not every jewelry listing has this designation on it. The pricier items — for example, the pieces with lab grown diamonds — have this designation while many of the 14K gold pieces without diamonds do not. So, the answer to the question seems dependent on the item. Also, some items are listed as “ethically produced” while others are not. This isn’t a certification, but something Quince claims, along with “expert craftsmanship” and “superior quality.” There’s no specifics about what ethically produced means such as information about working conditions and wages.

Rings

A hand with 3 rings, as shown from the side to see the profile of the rings.

14K Gold Diamond Scatter Ring – One crappy thing about gaining weight is that my engagement ring and wedding band don’t fit anymore. While I ponder whether to get them resized, I decided to look for something lovely to wear on my left ring finger for now. I adore the asymmetrical scatter design of this ring. It’s visually interesting, but there’s still something classic about it. I’ve been wearing this for over a year and a half with no issues. (Though I am careful with my rings in that I don’t wear them at the gym or in the shower.)

14K Gold Gemstone Baguette Bar Band – This currently only comes with blue sapphires, but was also available in emerald when I snagged it. This ring feels a little fat, if that makes any sense. I’m more aware that I’m wearing it than with other rings because of how wide the setting needs to be to accommodate eight stones. You can see in the photo above that the stones are not all the same height. The one that is second from the right is shorter than the others. Which is fine. I don’t expect things from nature to be the same exact size. But I can’t help but think that a smaller brand would pay more attention to ensuring the stones are of similar height. I’ve had this for over a year, wear it a few times a week, and so far it’s held up. However, in one review, a customer says their ring lasted just a year, and then two stones fell out!

UPDATE 1/6/26 – Now the emerald is in stock, but not the blue sapphires, and the description for the color says “lab created emerald.” I don’t recall it saying that before, so it seems they’ve updated the materials.

14K Gold Baguette Gemstone with Diamonds Ring – This ring is dainty. It was a little thinner and the gemstone more petite than I was expecting. But I do like it. It has a low profile, which is nice if you’re looking for something that won’t get in the way. While it’s pretty on its own, I’m tempted to get some other rings to stack with it.

All of these rings, by the way, I found true to size.

UPDATE 11/15/25 – I ordered another ring to stack with the dainty one mentioned above:

14K Gold Wishbone Ring – Though this ring is thin, the wishbone shape makes it striking to wear on its own. And it stacks well. I love how in a stack it seems to enhance the other ring. Minimalist and elegant.

 

Earrings

Ridge Half Huggie Hoops – These are 18K gold vermeil over sterling silver. Quince claims these are tarnish resistant. The push backs feel secure. Lightweight, minimalist, and shiny. The ridges add texture, which makes them a bit more interesting. Instantly makes me look more polished.

U Hoops – Another pair in 18K gold vermeil, this time in recycled gold (and without the claim that they’re tarnish resistant). I was attracted to these earrings by their modern, minimalist shape. I like how they hinge shut and don’t leave any gaps. As someone who never stopped masking in public spaces, this makes these more accident-proof. (I have totally sent an earring flying when the elastic on my mask caught an earring back.) I find them pretty lightweight. My sister, though, finds the curved post a bit difficult to deal with. It’s thicker than straight earrings posts, and she says they hurt her ears a little, though that hasn’t stopped her from wearing them. I find them comfortable, though. They’re the perfect every day earrings for me.

Mini Topaz Pearl Sparkle Climber Earrings – These disappeared from the site for a while, but I saw just today that they’re back. And I’m glad because I recommend them. Of course I love these. They’ve got that scattered design going on that I’m fond of. These 18K gold vermeil earrings feature four topaz stones that catch the light. The addition of a pearl lends them a classy feel.

Hammered Hoops – I haven’t personally tried these medium hoops, but my sister of the more sensitive ears got these and she loves them. They’re lightweight (more so than the U Hoops) and go with everything. These are her every day earrings.

Necklaces

Bold Paperchain Clip Necklace – I didn’t personally try this 18K gold vermeil necklace, priced at $100, but my friend did. She reports that it doesn’t wear well. “It’s been six months and it’s already looking less gold.”

14K Gold  Paperclip Chain Necklace – My friend has since upgraded to this necklace which is much pricier, but of course, higher quality. She’s happier with it. It comes in difference widths and lengths, ranging from $248 to $628. It is also the only item on this list so far with the RJC designation.

Is Quince Jewelry Worth It?

Overall, I’m pleased so far with my Quince jewelry, though I would like to see more convincing information when it comes to claims of ethical production. The 14K Gold Diamond Scatter Ring is my favorite. I just love looking at it. It’s a little unusual for a Quince offering in that it has a more interesting design. The other pieces are more simple or classic. If you’re looking for minimal jewelry, I think Quince does it well.

So far, the quality seems good. But at most I’ve been wearing these pieces for a year and a half. We’ll see how they wear, and I’ll report back if there are any issues.

Is Quince jewelry a good value? I think that depends on the piece. I’m not an expert by any means when it comes to fine jewelry, but it seems like Quince is competing with Mejuri, and of course Quince offers lower prices because that’s what they do. A 14K diamond pave slim signet ring at Mejuri goes for $448 while a similar-looking ring at Quince costs $250. Similarly, the Mejuri U hoops with pave diamonds is $398 while the Quince version is half the price at $198. Perhaps Mejuri is higher quality; I haven’t tried the brand. Both brands claims these products are ethical. Mejuri says the diamonds are 94% traceable and these Quince items have RJC designation. One difference is that the Mejuri pieces are made from recycled gold.

I’ve noticed prices going up at Quince across many categories, but especially with 14K gold jewelry, perhaps due to a combination of the rising price of gold and the addition of tariffs. For example, the 14K Gold Baguette Gemstone with Diamonds Ring was around $120 when I bought it 10 months ago, and it’s now $58 more.

But even with the price increase, Quince has the most competitive prices when it comes to minimal fine jewelry. I know I’ll be keeping my eye on the jewelry section to see what catches my eye next.

This post contains affiliate links but was not produced in partnership with any brand. I purchased these pieces myself. If you shop through my links, I may earn a commission. You can find a directory to all my style reviews here. If you found my review helpful, please consider shopping through my link. Thank you!

A person walks in front of a red brick wall in a beige trench coat.

Autumn Style Inspiration: A Review of Petite Studio

Published by welcomeobjects

As someone petite, I’m used to paying the short tax: getting my clothes altered. At 5′ 3.5″, I’m on the taller end of petite and can sometimes get away with standard sizing. But sleeves are almost always too long on me. And even shorter inseams can still require hemming. So, it’s always a relief when I can find clothes designed specifically for those of us 5′ 4″ and under. Today I’m sharing a couple outfits for the fall season from a brand just for us shorties, Petite Studio.

Style wise, Petite Studio leans towards the romantic and feminine. Think puffed sleeves and lace panels. While that’s not my jam, I still found some pieces that play well in my wardrobe. Most of the garments I’m featuring today are from Petite Studio’s collaboration with Suggy Li, an influencer known for her tomboy chic style.

So, how do their clothes fit? What’s the quality like? Read on for my review of four pieces from Petite Studio. And if you like what you see, I have a coupon code for Welcome Objects readers.

About Petite Studio (and its ethics and sustainability)

Petite Studio was founded in 2016 by Jenny Wang-Howell, a Chinese American who is 5′ 2″. The indie brand owns its own factory located in Jenny’s hometown of Jiangshan in Zhejiang province, China. This allows them to oversee every aspect of production. Factory employees work 40 hours a week, make a living wage, and receive benefits including health insurance and vacation.

As to sustainable practices, the brand produces in small batches and says that their garments require more time to make because of their commitment to creating long-lasting items. It takes 20 hours to produce the average Petite Studio garment versus 4 hours for typical fast fashion pieces, according to the brand.

Materials-wise, Petite Studio touts the quality of their fabrics, which run the gamut from natural fibers to synthetics. Browsing their website, I saw many cotton and linen items, but I also noticed some made of polyester, and their knits tend to be blends with nylon. However, in April of this year Wang-Howell announced that due to customer requests, Petite Studio would be incorporating more natural fabrics, which is welcome news.

Petite Studio gifted these clothes 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.

Outfit 1: Casual in Relaxed Jeans

For an easy-going outfit, I paired the Brenda shirt, which comes in an earthy olive brown color, with the high rise, straight leg Bentley jeans. I kept my ankle boots, belt, and leather tote bag all in black to unify the look. I also rolled up the sleeves and cuffed the jeans. Not only does that work out better for my proportions, but it looks cool, too.

Brenda Cotton Blend Shirt

A person poses in front of a yellow wall in jeans and an olive button up shirt. One hand is hooked in a jean pocket.

Petite Studio Brenda Shirt – $145. The sleeves were a bit long on me.

The buttons have different shapes.
The sleeve has an arrow cuff.

Materials: Made of 52% cotton and 48% tencel, the fabric is medium weight and has a crispness to it.

Details: When I took this shirt out of the packaging, I noticed details that were not apparent to me when I perused Petite Studio’s lookbook. For one, the buttons are not all the same. They alternate between rounded squares and a more organic shape. The gathered sleeves add a feminine touch while the cuff has an arrow shape. On the back are two buttons and an elastic loop to wear the shirt cinched.

Fit: I’m wearing my usual size of small. The fit is loose. It’s a tad big in the shoulders. The sleeves were also too long on me, which was surprising given that this is a petite brand. Hence, my need to roll them up. Perhaps a size down would have fit better. Alternately, the looser fits makes it a good choice for layering over a tank or t-shirt.

Bentley Straight Cropped Jeans

A person poses in front of a yellow wall in jeans and an olive button up shirt. They are holding a black leather tote bag.

Petite Studio Bentley Jean in Dark Indigo – $165 (Also available in white.)

Back left pocket is embroidered.
Pockets have slight distressing.

Materials: 100% cotton. This denim is thick, not flimsy. These are sturdy jeans!

Details: I love a high rise jean, and these are definitely high — the rise is 12.5″ by my tape measure — with a relaxed, straight leg. There’s slight distressing on the pockets. I’m happy to report that the front pockets are nice and deep! The back left pocket is embroidered with a cursive “PS.” Regular readers will know that I’m not into conspicuous branding, so I could do without this decoration.

Fit: I ordered a medium, which corresponds to my current jeans size of 29. But as someone pear-shaped, I found it tight across the front and the thighs. They feel fine when I’m standing up. But when I sit down, it’s another story — too tight! So, these are not for those of us with thick thighs or curves. And though they are described as cropped, I found that they skimmed the top of my foot. (But I have short legs. If you have longer legs, this may not be an issue.) I cuffed these by three inches to get that cropped look.

Outfit 2: Ladylike in a Midi Pencil Skirt & Trench Coat

I built this outfit around the Debbie wool blend pencil skirt. The checkered pattern in brown and black makes it versatile for fall. I paired it with a black cotton sweater from the 2008 Thakoon for Target capsule collection. Its slight balloon sleeves go well with the ladylike elegance of the skirt. Heeled booties and a vintage snakeskin belt keep things dressy. Since there are so many neutral tones in this outfit, I decided to add a blue suede bucket bag. Topping it all is a classic trench coat.

Debbie Wool Pencil Skirt

A true midi length for petites.
Click to enlarge for fabric detail.

Materials: 50% wool and 50% polyester. Fully lined with a polyester lining. The fabric is thick with a weight that gives it a nice drape. It’s also warm.

Details: We petites know that a midi length often actually means maxi on us. But this skirt is the right length. The long 17″ slit on the front allows for ease of movement — and a flash of leg. I didn’t feel constricted at all while walking. The front pockets are functional. I love the checkered pattern (it’s giving Ralph Lauren), but this skirt also comes in a brown faux suede and a washed black denim. Dressing for colder temperatures sometimes mean sacrificing style, but not with this skirt.

Fit: True to size. I’m a small or medium in bottoms these days, depending on the brand. According to Petite Studio’s size chart, I’m a medium. And it fit great. It’s not too tight, yet looks slimming,

Hagar Trench Coat

The underside of the collar is lined in corduroy.
Tabs also have corduroy on the other side.
A tab keeps the belt secure.
The storm flap has a branded leather patch.

Materials: 51% cotton & 49% tencel. Fully lined with a polyester lining. The fabric is  medium weight, and has a bit of heft, allowing it to drape nicely.

Details: So many thoughtful details make this trench coat special. First, there’s corduroy on the underside of the collar, the tabs, and the sleeves. You can wear the tabs either way: with the beige side or the corduroy side showing. I like to flip the cuffs up over the tabs entirely, which reveals corduroy. There’s also a tab on the back to keep the belt from moving or escaping. I love the classic storm flap on the back. The only thing I don’t like about this trench is the leather patch on the storm flap with branding.

Though the Hagar trench coat was first released for spring, it’s a perfect piece for transitional weather and works well for fall too. It also comes in an olive brown color that I was coveting. (It was not available in my size at the time.) And though I think that’s the more interesting color, the beige is a classic that you can’t go wrong with.

Fit: This runs big. Petite Studio suggests sizing down, which I agree with. I took this in XS and there’s still room to layer over a light sweater.

Closing Thoughts on Petite Studio

Overall, I was impressed by the quality of these Petite Studio pieces. The fabrics feel good to the touch. I didn’t see any shortcuts — the garments with linings are fully lined, none of this half lining stuff. I examined the seams and stitching, and it all looked well done. For example, on the Debbie skirt the pattern lines up at the seams.

As an online business, Petite Studio has one of the most detailed sizing charts I have ever seen — sizing runs from XXS to XL — along with measurements for each garment, which I so appreciate. If it doesn’t work out, though, exchanges are free and returns incur a small processing fee. Just make sure you do so within 20 days.

So, is Petite Studio worth it? I think the prices are moderate and priced fairly for the quality. Unfortunately, like many of the goods and products we use, tariffs from this current federal administration are affecting the brand, which has caused prices to increase. Even so, I think these are worth considering for quality clothes that are more likely to fit us short girls right. Buy less, but buy better!

If you found review helpful, consider shopping through my link. Save 20% on your Petite Studio order with Melissa20. Valid September 24 – October 3, 2025. If you’re seeing this post outside of that time frame, save 10% anytime with Melissa10.