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Flat lay of cardigan, navy pants, white t-shirt, and red shoes.

A Quick Hello and a Long Sigh of Relief

Published by welcomeobjects

Hello from Day 239 of shelter in place. It’s been a while.

I’ve been absent here for the last few months (and much diminished in posting on Instagram too) because of the 2020 election. I was volunteering with voter outreach, so much so that it felt like a second job. When the presidential election was called for Biden and Harris on Saturday, I felt so relieved. That afternoon, I walked around outside with no particular destination; I just wanted to be around other people after hearing the news. Feeling inspired to dress like a USPS mailbox, I wore the above outfit.

I know there’s still a lot of work to do, but I’m taking a little time for myself and trying to get back to a sense of normal (whatever that means in a pandemic.) For starters, I vacuumed and dusted the apartment, which I’d been neglecting, and did four loads of laundry. I have exciting plans to sheet mask and do my nails later this week. And there’s a pile of things I want to give away on my local Buy Nothing group.

As to this blog, I’ve felt less motivated to write in here because of the pandemic and other personal things that happened this year. I started this blog as a way to keep myself accountable to consuming less. Plus, I wanted to write the kind of reviews that I wanted to read — detailed, honest, and not in that chipper influencery way. With the pandemic, I am shopping way, way less, so there’s less to review. I haven’t written a single Fitting Room Review this year because I haven’t stepped foot in any clothing stores since February. Will the pandemic forever change my shopping habits?

I did say that I’d review the few things I’d gotten this year (this jumpsuit, these shoes, and my most recent purchase (secondhand): this Vetta shirt that I’ve been eyeing for a year and a half), so those are on my to-review list. But beyond that, I don’t know what’s next here. Many things this year feel uncertain and up in the air.

Welcome Objects 20 in 2020 Wardrobe Count To Date
Additions: 11
Number of Additions That Are Secondhand: 2 (18%)
Subtractions: 6

August 2020 Shopping Diary & Pandemic Shopping Habits

Published by welcomeobjects

It’s been awhile since I’ve written a shopping diary. I just haven’t bought that much this year. When I set out with the goal of a low-buy year for 2020 back in December, little did I know that all this (gestures all around) would be happening. With the exception of a shopping burst in April and using up my store credit at Everlane, it’s been quiet here on the shopping front, especially compared to prior years. The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely impacted my spending. For the most part, I’m not in the mood to shop.

Also, I feel cautious because while my partner and I are both working now, we don’t know what things might look like a few months down the line. The pandemic, and then the wildfires here in California (accompanied by freakish weather), are strong reminders that things are not in our control. Disaster strikes unexpectedly. With everything going on, I’d rather save my money than treat myself to something. (Anything I’d buy wardrobe-wise would be a treat, because I don’t need anything, really.) My birthday was over the summer and I didn’t even get myself something like I usually would.

In August, though, I did treat myself to perhaps the most impractical shelter-in-place wardrobe item: a pair of leopard print flats. It’s not like anyone is going to see these on Zoom.

In August, though, I did treat myself to perhaps the most impractical shelter-in-place wardrobe item: a pair of leopard print flats. It’s not like anyone is going to see these on Zoom. Also, we don’t wear shoes in the home anyway. We’re still sheltering in place and don’t leave our neighborhood that often. I could wear them for fun when buying groceries or picking up take-out, but that’s about the extent of my outside excursions.

The shoes were an impulse purchase, too. One thing I’ve been working on to slow down my shopping is to resist the urge to buy something right away. I try, instead, to think the purchase over some time (sometimes for many months). Yet, I bought these shoes within a few days of learning about the brand, dr. Liza. And where did I learn about it? Someone else’s Instagram post.

Yup, I was influenced.

A confluence of details got me excited about the shoes: designed by a chiropractor and includes orthotics, ethically-made, Black-owned. Oh, and they were on sale at the time, which brought them down to a reasonable $80 USD before shipping.

Leopard-print flats were actually on my wardrobe wish list. I donated a pair of leopard print shoes I used to own because they were uncomfortable, but also because they were Ivanka. (I bought them before her father ran for president, but now I really don’t want anything associated with that family in my home.) Even though those shoes were wrong for me on several fronts, I learned that I love a leopard print shoe. The print is surprisingly versatile and I treat it like a neutral. So, I just went for this purchase even though my cautious nature worried it’d be a mistake. dr. Liza is Canadian too, and any return or exchange would incur a shipping fee to send them back across the border.

As regular readers may know, I have a hard time with shoes. A lot of what gets purged from my wardrobe is footwear (as evidenced by the number of shoes in my Poshmark store). You never really know if a pair of shoes will work til you’ve worn them a while. As it turns out, a lot of shoes are just not comfortable for me and my wide feet. So, this purchase felt risky.

I’ll write a detailed review after I’ve had the chance to wear them more. So far, I’ve only worn them to the post office to buy Ruth Asawa stamps. But they seem promising! (UPDATE: here is my review of the dr. Liza flats.)

Have you made any purchases lately? How has the pandemic affected your shopping habits?

Welcome Objects 20 in 2020 Wardrobe Count To Date
Additions: 10
Number of Additions That Are Secondhand: 1 (10%) (Not doing good here at my goal of making it half!)
Subtractions: 6

A basket of strawberries and blackberries in green cardboard containers

Lockdown Life Lately & Thoughts on Everlane

Published by welcomeobjects

Hello from week 19-going-on-20 of lockdown. Things continue more or less the same in my household with both of us working from home. We make weekly trips to the grocery store and farmers market. (That’s where the berries above are from.) My last lockdown life update was in week 7 in April. Somewhere between then and now, I started to feel a bit depressed, so I’ve reconnected with my therapist. (I imagine therapists must be busy with all the increased anxiety, grief, and other feelings people are dealing with these days.) We’ve met up with a friend in a park once and dropped off supplies to a relative twice — both while masked — but otherwise we haven’t socialized in person.

Over the past few months, California reopened some things cautiously. In San Francisco, we are in stage 2, which means low-risk businesses and activities can open (social distancing and masks required!). The grocery store in our neighborhood took down their stanchions directing customers along a one-way route through the store. Retailers opened for curbside pickup in May. In June, tables appeared on sidewalks as outdoor dining was permitted. I still don’t feel comfortable eating at a restaurant, even if outside. But we’ve been partaking in takeout more frequently.

I still don’t feel comfortable eating at a restaurant, even if outside. But we’ve been partaking in takeout more frequently.

However, cases are surging, so things are rolling back. Most indoor businesses in the Bay Area are closed now, though some indoor retail can remain open with approved plans. Much of California (38 out of 58 counties as of July 31) is on the state’s COVID-19 watchlist. Yikes.

Shopping wise, I remain mostly uninterested though there are days I feel the urge. Sometimes I sit there just typing in the names of brands I like on Poshmark to see what pops up. Other times I visit an item I’ve had my eye on, like this Two Days Off dress. (I can’t decide if it would be cute on me.) I recently learned about an ethically-made and stylish comfort shoe brand, dr. Liza, and am dreaming of shoes to wear post shelter-in-place. (It’s Black-owned as well. I just added it to my list of Black-owned ethical fashion brands.)

Since my last shopping update, I’ve bought 2 things, bringing my total for the first 6 months of the year to 8 items. (My goal for this year is to buy no more than 20 items, half of them secondhand.) But I confess to buying these things from Everlane. I say confess because I feel like a hypocrite for shopping with them. (Though in my defense, I was using up store credit. Hey, I’m not going to leave money on the table.)

If you haven’t been following the drama, this New York Times story, “Everlane’s Promise of ‘Radical Transparency’ Unravels,” lays it out. At the start of the pandemic, Everlane laid off staff, including many of their part-time customer service staff. A number of those let go had been forming a union. The layoffs came days after they asked for formal recognition. Was it retaliation? Everlane says no, but it sure looks that way. More recently, former employees called out the company for its racist work environment.

This disappoints me greatly. A fair number of Everlane items hang in my closet. I was won over by the brand’s emphasis on ethical production, its general good quality and customer service (provided by the very folks who were laid off), and a price point that worked for my wallet. I’ve been critical at times (last year I wrote about how the company seemed to release products at a faster pace) but on the whole, I was glad they were there. However, a sustainability expert in the New York Times story says, “They do some good work, but I wouldn’t describe it as radical. The most radical thing about Everlane is the marketing.”

The Everlane store in San Francisco.

As someone who has reviewed a lot of Everlane products, I felt that I would be giving their behavior a tacit OK by continuing to write about them. Though I didn’t announce anything, I stopped writing about them at the end of March. (The one exception is this recent review on sweaters and I explain why I wrote it in the piece.) I also stopped mentioning them on Instagram or paying attention to new releases.

As someone who has reviewed a lot of Everlane products, I felt that I would be giving their behavior a tacit OK by continuing to write about them.

Full disclosure: I do have affiliate links to Everlane on this blog. Should someone make a purchase after clicking on my link, I make a small commission. In that way, I have a financial incentive to write about their products. (But, I only write about things I’m interested in and was going to try anyways.) I’m leaving those links up because I’ve already put work into those reviews. I’ve spent hundreds of hours writing them, and any income I make from these posts is something, frankly, I’m not willing to forgo. This blog takes time and work, and it’s nice to make a little something for it.

Otherwise, I don’t really have a relationship with Everlane. I’m small potatoes in the ethical fashion blogging space. Once, and only once, Everlane gifted me a product. My review must not have driven many sales to them because they never sent me anything else to try.

Of course, the backdrop to all of this is that we’re in the middle of a devastating pandemic. Many retailers have laid off staff. Small business have closed for good. Big ones, including ones I frequent like Trader Joe’s, have also been accused of union-busting or treating low-wage essential workers badly during these times. (They’ve always been treated badly, but it’s even more apparent now.) Big brands like the Gap, Kohl’s, Levi’s, Target, and J.C. Penney, have canceled orders and not paid for already-made garments, prompting the #PayUp campaign to publicly pressure them. (With some success! Out of the few brands I mentioned here, Gap, Levi’s, and Target have agreed to pay.)

And then, there’s the news that virtually the entire fashion industry is complicit in forced labor. A human rights coalition says that 20% of cotton products worldwide are most likely made with the forced labor of Uighur people incarcerated in China’s Xinjiang region. The coalition’s list of brands that it says are complicit includes Adidas, Amazon, Gap, H&M, and Uniqlo. But it also includes brands I had considered to be more conscious than others, like Costco, Ikea, Muji, and Patagonia.

As in most everything, there are degrees. At the horrible end is forced labor of an ethnic minority. (Not to discount the experiences of Everlane employees. I am also a woman of color and have worked in an environment that was toxic to people of color, so I understand.)

It’s not that I want these brands I’ve been a customer of to go down. What I want is for them to do better. And I do hope that they survive the pandemic. But at the same time, now more than ever, it’s important to vote with our dollars. If I’m going to spend money, I might as well spend it at a business that hasn’t been an asshole to employees. For now, I’ve decided to not buy directly from Everlane (or Muji) anymore until they show improvement. What exactly does that look like? I’m not quite sure, but I’m paying attention to what happens next.

Welcome Objects 20 in 2020 Wardrobe Count To Date – Q1 + Q2
Additions: 8
Number of Additions That Are Secondhand: 1 (12.5%)
Subtractions: 5

Product shot of the Twisted Merino Cardigan in blue

Everlane Review: Twisted Merino & ReCashmere Varsity Cardigans

Published by welcomeobjects

Regular readers will know that I’ve been aiming to build up my sweater collection. So even though it’s July, today I’m talking about sweaters. I’m reviewing two cardigans I tried from Everlane: the Twisted Merino Cardigan and the ReCashmere Varsity Cardigan. (The good thing about sweaters in summer is that they’re so off season, they’re on sale.)

I know this is probably not appealing for those of you in hot climates. But hey, I live in San Francisco, and as the saying goes, “The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco.” (This quote is widely attributed to Mark Twain, but he didn’t say these words exactly.)

To be honest, I deliberated for a long while over whether I should even write this review, given the way that Everlane handled recent layoffs and how former employees say the environment is toxic for Black and POC workers. I’ve been gathering my thoughts to share in an upcoming post. In short, I’m disappointed in Everlane.

However, I decided to go ahead with this post since I had already written half of it months ago. (I tried one of these cardigans before the lockdown. The other one I bought later to use up my store credit.) And I figured that this review might be helpful for those who are shopping secondhand and who have decided, like me, to not buy directly from Everlane at present time.

The Twisted Merino Cardigan

I ordered this because I wanted a good layering piece and this boxy, loose cardigan looked like it fit the bill. It comes in three colors: dark wave (the blue shown below), heathered stone, and bone. Here is a 5′ 7″ model wearing the S.

Twisted Merino Cardigan – originally $98, now $59

And here is 5′ 4″ me wearing the XS.

A person with dark hair wears the Everlane Twisted Cardigan, which is boxy fitting, with black skinny jeans and red shoes.

Twisted Merino Cardigan // Everlane T-shirt [review] // Uniqlo Jeans // Hopp Studios Shoes [review]

Fit: Because it’s boxy and wide, I ordered both the XXS and XS. I went back and forth on the sizing, but in the end I decided that the XS, which is my normal Everlane size, seemed to look a bit better. It was looser fitting, which is how it’s meant to be.

Fabric: This cardigan is a medium thick (but not bulky) cotton and merino wool blend with a touch (4%) of linen. I found it a bit scratchy (but then again, I have sensitive skin). As I wore it, though, I got used to it. I tried it during an hour-long Zoom call and found that I was able to get through it without the cardigan bothering me too much. With washing and wear, it will probably soften over time.

Where It’s Made: Hong Kong. (I was going to link to the factory info here, but Everlane doesn’t seem to provide it for newer items, though it does for other products.) It seems well made.

What I Liked: The dark wave color, which actually has specks of black and white in it. This gives it an interesting visual texture. (The heathered stone has a similar look while the bone is just one solid color.) I liked the loose fit in the body and sleeves. (I am not into clingy cardigans!) It has pockets, too. I’m not sure I’d use them, but they are there and tastefully on the side so you don’t see them.

What I Didn’t: The sleeves were way long. I mean, I guess it’s supposed to be like that because it’s quite long on the model too. But it got in the way of doing stuff. So, I tried folding it up by a lot. Since the sleeve had a slight bell shape, I was afraid the fold wouldn’t stay in place, but it stayed OK.

A person with dark hair wears a the Everlane Twisted Merino Cardigan, which is boxy, with some skinny jeans. She is standing in front of a wall indoors.

Twisted Merino Cardigan // Uniqlo Tank // Madewell Jeans // Allbirds Shoes [review]

Why I Didn’t Keep It: I couldn’t shake the feeling that this cardigan just wasn’t that flattering on me. I tried pairing it with lots of things in my wardrobe: different kinds of pants, skirts, dresses. I could only see myself wearing it with skinny pants like above. With other items, it didn’t look good.

I think this has to do with where it falls on me. It kind of cuts me in half. Maybe if it were shorter or longer, it would be a more visually appealing. After weeks of deliberating, I sent it back.

ReCashmere Varsity Cardigan

I ordered this because my sensitive skin can’t deal with a lot of cashmere but the mix in the ReCashmere line doesn’t bother me that much — as I learned when I bought the ReCashmere Stroopwafel Crew. (My review here). Here is a 5′ 10″ model wearing a S.

ReCashmere Varsity Cardigan – originally $120, now $60

And here’s 5′ 4″ me also wearing a S.

Everlane ReCashmere Varsity cardigan worn with jeans

ReCashmere Varsity Cardigan // Vetta Tank [review] // Madewell Jeans // Allbirds Shoes [review]

Fit: This runs smaller for Everlane. I am a dress size 4 and an XS or S in most brands. In Everlane, which tends to be a bit oversized, I mostly wear XS, and sometimes a S. For this cardigan, I went with the S.

Fabric: ReCashmere is 60% recycled cashmere and 40% non-mulesed, extra-fine merino wool. Compared to nonrecycled cashmere, the carbon footprint is half. It doesn’t feel as soft to the touch as Everlane’s 100% cashmere items, yet it also doesn’t feel as prickly on my skin as those items do. The fabric is a pleasing medium weight and warm.

Where It’s Made: This factory in Dongguan, China. The quality seems good, but I haven’t worn it that much. Curious to hear from other folks who own this how much it pills. I wore the ReCashmere Stroopwafel Crew a fair amount over the winter and it pilled a little under the arms.

Everlane ReCashmere Varsity cardigan worn with a skirt over a button down shirt

ReCashmere Varsity Cardigan // Uniqlo Silk Shirt // Halogen Skirt // Allbirds Shoes [review]

What I Liked: The short length works well on petite me. Because it falls right around the top of my hips, I can pair it with many things: skinny jeans, looser pants, skirts. Also, I can layer it over long sleeves. I’m wearing it above over a silk shirt. I am not a fan of tight-fitting cardigans with skinny sleeves. (I found this out the hard way after I bought a few cardigans from Uniqlo back in the day and barely wore them.) In this cardigan’s case, the sleeves are not bulky, but still have enough room to allow layering. I can also button up the cardigan and wear it by itself.

What I Didn’t: This is personal taste, but in general I don’t love thick rib detailing, which this cardigan has along the bottom, the ends of the sleeves, and down the front. This detail is more apparent in the lighter colors. In the darker ones, like the heathered ink I’m wearing, it doesn’t bother me.

Everlane ReCashmere Varsity Cardigan as worn by a petite Asian woman. Her outfit is all blue.

ReCashmere Varsity Cardigan // Everlane Chinos [review] // Allbirds Shoes [review]

Why I Kept It: I found it to be quite versatile and easy to style. This one was a keeper.

You can find a directory to all my Everlane reviews here.

Reusable Face Masks from ethical and sustainable brands scattered on a white surface

Mask Up! Ethical & Sustainable Reusable Face Masks

Published by welcomeobjects

It looks like we might be wearing masks for a while. COVID-19 hasn’t gone away even though some people act like it (much to my dismay and rapidly declining faith in humanity). But which ones to get? My Instagram feed is full of ads for reusable masks. And it seems like every fashion brand — even the big ones — have pivoted to mask-making, (Perhaps, it was so that they could call themselves “essential” to continue doing business.)

Here’s a list I put together based on notes I made as I shopped around for myself. I focused on ethical and sustainable brands and smaller local efforts. The details comes from the makers themselves, as I haven’t tried most of these masks myself.

If You’re Looking to Get the Most For Your Money

For Days

Price: 5 for $25 (black), 3 for $20 (assorted colors)
Size: Adult
Material: Organic cotton jersey from Turkey, 2 layers
Filter Pocket: Yes
Nose Wire: No
Straps: Elastic over the ears
Where They’re Made: Los Angeles
Give Back: For every package of 5 purchased, 5 will be donated in Los Angeles.

This start-up brand is all about closed-loop manufacturing. I bought a pack and found them to be lightweight. The pleats are easy to adjust over your chin. However, I realized that elastic ear loops get in the way if you wear glasses. These masks fit snugly on me and the fabric is right against my mouth. If you have a larger face, they’ll likely be too small.

Reformation

Price: 1 for $10, 5 for $25
Size: Adult
Material: Viscose/Rayon blend with polyester thread, no info on layers
Filter Pocket: No
Nose Wire: No
Straps: Fabric ties
Where They’re Made: Not stated
Give Back: For every mask bought in July, one will be donated to one of these orgs: Until We Do It, the White Mountain Apache Tribe, Los Angeles Mission Shelters, and the Los Angeles LGBT Center. You can also make a separate donation, which will also be matched.

When you order the 5-pack, you’ll get whatever colors or prints they have on hand. It’s a surprise! Reformation says they don’t make a profit on these packs. For a higher cost of $10 per mask you can choose the color or print. This generates a profit of $5, which helps Reformation retain jobs.

Parachute

Price: 5 for $30
Size: Adult
Material: Cotton, no info on layers
Filter Pocket: No
Nose Wire: No
Straps: Fabric ties
Where They’re Made: USA
Give Back: For every set sold, Parachute will donate a set through GetUsPPE and Safe Place for Youth.

These lightweight masks are made from the same fabric as their Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified sheets. Colors and patterns vary.

Refugee Artisan Initiative

Price: 2 for $20, 5 for $40
Size: Adult, Child
Material: Cotton, no info on layers
Filter Pocket: Yes
Nose Wire: No
Straps: Elastic over the ears
Where They’re Made: Pacific Northwest (the organization is based in Seattle)
Give Back: None. But their products support living wages for refugees and immigrants.

These pleated masks are sewn by refugee and immigrant women in Refugee Artisan Initiative’s workforce development program. No choice in colors or print. You’ll receive masks made from the fabric they have on hand. You can also purchase a materials kit for $15 to make your own masks. Recently, they embroidered some masks with “VOTE” or “BLM.” Those are $20 and proceeds benefit the ACLU.

Tonlé

Price: 5 for $28, 10 for $50, and other packs up to 1,000 for $1,750
Size: Adult
Material: Quilted cotton, 3 layers
Filter Pocket: No
Nose Wire: No
Straps: Fabric ties
Where They’re Made: Cambodia
Give Back: At first they did a 1-for-1 donation. However, they’ve since received some additional funding to make masks for donation.

This zero-waste brand creates handmade clothing and accessories in Cambodia out of recycled fabrics. They’re selling masks at cost to keep their sewers employed.

If You Wear Glasses

As someone who wears glasses, there’s a few extra requirements that I look for in a mask. For one, glasses fogging is real, so a nose wire is helpful for keeping the area at the top of the nose sealed. (It’s also good for keeping your exhalations inside your mask, which is the whole point of wearing a mask!) I also prefer straps that go around the head rather than on the ears. My glasses have literally fallen off my face when I put them on after donning a mask with ear straps. There just wasn’t enough room on my ears to comfortably fit both straps and glasses.

Baggu

Price: 3 for $32
Size: Adult
Material: Kona Quilter’s Cotton, 2 layers
Filter Pocket: Yes
Nose Wire: Yes
Straps: Fabric ties
Where They’re Made: Los Angeles
Give Back: For every pack purchased, a pack of surgical masks will be donated to healthcare workers through Masks4Medicine.

Baggu chose quilter’s cotton because its tight weave and thick thread are effective at blocking respiratory droplets while remaining breathable. The colorblocking on some of the masks is the result of working with different amounts of available fabric. I ordered a set for myself, and I do find them more breathable than regular cotton. However, the straps take some getting used to as you have to get the top part around the back of your head first before tying them. I prefer either elastic (if keeping this design) or four ties (if non-elastic.)

Graf Lantz

Price: $22
Size: Adult, Child
Material: Organic cotton twill or linen, 2 layers and an organic cotton poplin liner
Filter Pocket: Yes
Nose Wire: No
Straps: There are several styles, so you can get over-the-head elastic or adjustable ear loops
Where They’re Made: Los Angeles
Give Back: For every single mask purchased, 10 meals are donated to Feeding America.

This maker of wool felt home goods is making minimalist masks in solid colors. There are three different styles — all have nose bands and filter pockets — and a choice of cotton or linen. One of the styles has petite sizing. Plus, they also make masks for kids (with filter pockets, but not nose bands). The cotton twill is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified eco-friendly and sustainably processed during dyeing and finishing.

Proper Cloth

Price: 1 for $25, 3 for $50, 10 for $150, 60 for $800
Size: Adult (2 sizes)
Material: Cotton treated with an antimicrobial solution, 2 layers
Filter Pocket: Yes, comes with a polypropylene filter that can be washed 20 times
Nose Wire: Yes
Straps: Elastic around the head
Where They’re Made: Unclear, though their shirts are made in Vietnam
Give Back: One donated for every one purchased, but does not say to whom.

This brand makes made-to-order men’s shirts. Though this method of production is more sustainable than off-the-rack, I couldn’t find much info about their fabrics and manufacturing practices. They do seem to care about packaging, though. I’m including them because they made it onto Nisolo’s mask marketplace. Also, an acquaintance tried them and reported that these are the most comfortable masks he’s found. They allow a bit of room away from your face (crucial in warm weather), and have nose clips and elastic straps that go around the head. Available in tasteful neutrals and chambrays. One downside is the conspicuous branding via a label on one side.

Winter Session

Price: $14-$16 each or buy in packs: 4 for $48, 6 for $65, 10 for $100
Size: Adult, Child
Material: Densely woven cotton, 2 layers
Filter Pocket: Yes
Nose Wire: Yes
Straps: Fabric ties or nylon cord
Where They’re Made: Denver
Give Back: For every mask purchased, one will be donated to a health care provider through their Cover Up Colorado initiative.

Though I could not conclusively confirm whether this bag maker was a sustainable company, it appears that they make their goods by hand in a Denver workshop and try to use up scraps. Each mask also comes with two disposable polyester/nylon filters.

If You Want to Mask Up in Style

Amour Vert

Price: 3 for $50, 3 for $40 (mystery bundle or child size)
Size: Adult, Child
Material: Cotton or Modal, 2 layers
Filter Pocket: Yes for woven masks, but no for knit masks
Nose Wire: No
Straps: Elastic over the ears
Where They’re Made: USA
Give Back: Each purchase ensures an essential worker in the City of San Francisco will receive a non-medical grade mask.

These masks are made from deadstock fabrics and come in a variety of prints. From the reviews, it seems like the ear loops are large on many people, so you may have to adjust them by knotting them.

Amy Kuschel

Price: $20-$22 each
Size: Adult (2 sizes), Child
Material: Cotton or Cotton/Hemp blend, 3 layers
Filter Pocket: No
Nose Wire: Yes
Straps: Fabric ties that loop on the ears; the largest size has fabric ties that go around the head
Where They’re Made: San Francisco
Give Back: None

Amy Kuschel is a San Francisco-based custom bridal designer who pivoted to sustainable clothing last year. Her masks have lovey patterns from chambray to Liberty of London florals.

Aplat

Price: $24 (Get 20% off if you buy 10 or more)
Size: Adult
Material: 10 oz preshrunk organic duck cotton, 2 layers
Filter Pocket: Not a pocket exactly, but there’s an area to place a filter
Nose Wire: No
Straps: Braided cotton cord
Where They’re Made: San Francisco
Give Back: None

Aplat is a zero waste company that makes culinary products using origami principles to build volume through folds. Likewise, their masks have an origami design and are made from cotton fabric cutoffs. I like the minimalist look. If you are handy with a sewing machine, Aplat also shared their design.

Carol Young Undesigned

Price: $18-$25 each (For orders of 20 or more, use code MASK30 for a 30% discount.)
Size: Adult (2 sizes), Child
Material: Organic cotton, Japanese cotton, or a linen blend. All are lined in organic cotton
Filter Pocket: Yes
Nose Wire: Yes upon request
Straps: Fabric ties
Where They’re Made: Los Angeles
Give Back: For every mask purchased, one will be donated. They’ve donated to various places in need including the Angeles Community Health Center/Health Care for All, the Navajo Nation, Pueblo Action Alliance, postal workers, and many more. They also sewed and donated isolation gowns to local hospitals

Carol Young is a sustainable women’s clothing designer with a storefront in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles. She offers an array of fabrics. I especially like the Japanese quilt masks (shown above) and a limited edition mask for a fundraiser featuring a fabric design by artist Stephanie Dennis. The latter is sold out, but more fundraising projects are on the way. These masks are also good for those who wear glasses because of the option to include a nose wire.

Custom Collaborative

Price: $20-$28
Size: Adult
Material: Cotton, Tencel/Linen, or Tencel/Cotton
Filter Pocket: No
Nose Wire: No
Straps: Fabric ties
Where They’re Made: New York
Give Back: For every mask purchased, one will be donated to a frontline worker.

Custom Collaborative’s mission is to serve women from low-income and immigrant communities with training and ongoing support that equip them to achieve viable livelihoods in the fashion industry. 90% of their creations are made from repurposed and upcycled textiles. Designer Mara Hoffman is a longtime supporter and has teamed up to offer masks in a snake print and a floral print (shown above). Another collaboration with NiLu produced masks in upcycled fabrics with African prints.

Taylor Jay

Price: $21 each or buy in packs: 3 for $57 or 4 for $76
Size: Adult
Material: Cotton french terry
Filter Pocket: No
Nose Wire: No
Straps: Elastic over the ears
Where They’re Made: Oakland, CA
Give Back: None

This eponymous brand makes elevated basics in inclusive sizing. The business is family-run and has a store in Oakland. The two-tone design of many of the masks on offer remind me of gems. Made from repurposed cotton.

Whimsy + Row

Price: $10-$26 each
Size: Adult (2 sizes), Child
Material: Cotton
Filter Pocket: Yes for some designs, no for others
Nose Wire: Yes for some
Straps: Ear loops; some are adjustable
Where They’re Made: Los Angeles
Give Back: They donate to various Los Angeles organizations serving homeless people including Union Rescue Mission, Midnight Mission & Downtown Women’s Center.

Based in Los Angeles, this brand makes women’s clothing in small batches. They also offer two styles of masks. There’s plain white masks, costing $10 each. These come in a kids’ size and an XL adult size too and fit with elastic ear loops. Then there’s fancier masks made out of two layers of up-cycled cotton and one layer of polypropylene filter. These have nose wires, adjustable ear loops, filter pockets, and pretty prints.

If You’re Communicating with Someone Who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Mask the Bay

Price: $10-$12 each for most masks, $25 for communicator mask
Size: 4 Total: Adult (2 sizes), Youth, Toddler
Material: Cotton, Plus vinyl for communicator mask
Filter Pocket: Yes for most masks, No for communicator mask
Nose Wire: No
Straps: Elastic around the head
Where They’re Made: Oakland, CA
Give Back: None at this time, but you can add a donation to your purchase. They’ve also donated 5,000 masks to 60 Bay Area hospitals and hundreds more to vulnerable populations.

Mask the Bay employs local garment workers in Oakland to sew masks, many from salvaged fabrics. This is one of the few places I’ve seen offering a communicator mask, which has a clear window over the mouth for lip reading and facial cues.

More Resources

Nisolo has a mask marketplace with lots of different options, which they rated on style, comfort, functionality, breathability, and sustainability.

Etsy is full of sellers making face masks, including clear communicator masks. Like all things Etsy, quality varies, so make sure to read the reviews and examine the photos. You can shop by location to buy from someone in your community.

A Black model with curly hair wears a midi dress in front of a concrete wall

Ethical & Sustainable Fashion Brands Owned by Black Women

Published by welcomeobjects

The ethical fashion space, like much of the fashion industry, is predominately white. So, I wanted to shout out some Black-owned ethical, sustainable, and slow fashion brands. I’ll update this list as I learn about more brands. I was curious about the stories behind the brands, so I also linked to interviews with the founders. As we know, where we spend our dollars matters. Let’s show them some love!

Apparel

Aliya Wanek – By day she works as a speech therapist in the San Francisco Bay Area. By night, Aliya Wanek makes comfy womenswear out of natural fibers.

Dynasty George – This zero waste clothing brand serves romantic looks. Designed by Dynasty Casanova, the clothes are handmade in Brooklyn from vintage and recycled textiles.

Earth Toned Collective – Clothes to be noticed in! The last collection (nearly sold out) is full of tops with dramatic sleeves. All garments are made from deadstock materials or organic cotton in Brooklyn. Founded by Shalisia Hyman-Earth.

Gracemade – Founder Jasmine Rennie describes her brand as faith-driven and a “fashion-forward interpretation of modest apparel.” Think cocoon dresses and jumpsuits. Made in downtown Los Angeles out of locally sourced and deadstock fabrics. Use my coupon code WELCOMEOBJ to get 15% off.

Local European – Their Instagram bio says, “For the elegant street girl.” Cargo pants, but make it fashion! Made in Los Angeles out of deadstock fabric in small batches. Founded by Alexandra Bunch.

Pure Hope Clothing – Based in London, Pure Hope works with Ashanari, a social project in India that provides free education for women and children. Women in the project are paid fair wages to make the clothes from up-cycled fabrics. Founded by Rebekah Lazarus.

Tabii Just – Zero waste women’s clothing crafted in Brooklyn and Massachusetts under fair and ethical working conditions. Founded by activist Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs, who is also the director of community engagement at Women’s March. She also co-founded a second zero waste fashion label, Livari.

Taylor Jay – An eponymous brand of elevated basics and inclusive sizing. Made in Oakland. “I began designing because my body had gone from a size 2 to a size 12 within 6 months, so I needed garments that could be stylish and also serve as function,” says Jay in this interview.

Tiny Closet Shop – Made-to-order capsule clothing crafted out of deadstock fabric in Los Angeles. The clothes are minimalist, drapey, and arty — what I imagine an art gallery owner would wear. Founded by Natalie Harris, who makes all the garments herself. She’s currently hit capacity, but check back in July.

Two Days Off – This minimalist slow fashion brand founded by climate scientist Gina Stovall uses natural fibers like linen and cotton. Made to order or in limited edition batches in Los Angeles. (I’ve been eyeing the Haruko Dress, shown above, for some time.)

Shoes & Accessories

AAKS Pelka Bag

AAKS – Based in the UK and founded by Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, AAKS’ colorful handbags are handcrafted by women weavers in Ghana. The bags are made from ecologically harvested raffia from family farmers in Ghana.

Brother Vellies – Luxury shoes and bags created from traditional African design practices. Based in Brooklyn, but made by artisans across the globe. Glamorous, luxe, and $$$. Founded by Aurora James.

dr. Liza – Liza Egbogah is a Canadian chiropractor and osteopath of Nigerian heritage who created her own line of footwear after not being able to find stylish comfy shoes for her clients. The shoes have orthotic insoles and are ethically made in Brazil. Read my review of her flats.

Kintu New York – Launched in 2015, Kintu works with artisans in Italy, Kenya, and India to create 100% vegetable-tanned leather bags. The bags have a boxy, structured look and are made to order. Founded by Sarah Nakintu.

Tree Fairfax – Minimalist leather goods made by Tricia Hash in Roanoke, Virginia. Known for her half moon-shaped waist bags. She also has an Etsy shop.

Zou Xuo – Small-batch shoes handcrafted by Argentinian shoemakers. Founded by Katherine Theobalds. I love these black snake print flats.

Swim Wear

lemlem – Founded by supermodel Liya Kebede, lemlem offers swimwear and other apparel for women, men, and children made entirely in Africa. A portion of sales go to the lemlem foundation, a nonprofit that connects women artisans in Africa to healthcare, education, and jobs.

Natural Swim – Luxe swimwear with “coverage options for all” made from recycled fishing nets. Designed in the USA and ethically manufactured in Indonesia. Founded by Fatimah Hunter and Summiyah Siddeeq.

Vintage

Bum-Cake Vintage – Vintage lingerie. Founded by Christiana Greene.

Keepers Vintage – Brick & mortar vintage shop in Baltimore. They also have an Etsy shop. Co-owned by Erica Bentley.

Neutral Ground – Vintage clothing in a neutral palette. Founded by Alysha Cassis-Shaw and Bay Area-based.

Retro Rhapsody/smallneeds – Sumptuous vintage finds. Based in Miami.

Subrina Heyink Vintage – Designer vintage curated by stylist Subrina Heyink. Based in Kansas City, Missouri.

Washington Ave – Based in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where founder Lakeitha Washington has been upcycling and reworking vintage pieces since 2010.

More Resources

15% Pledge – Aurora James, the founder of Brother Vellies, organized a pledge to call on major retailers to devote 15% of their shelf space to products from Black-owned businesses since Black Americans make up 15% of the U.S. population. Sephora was the first to sign on.

Black-owned Etsy Shops – Curated by Etsy.

Black Owned Everything – An Instagram account “for when the trend is over.”

Blk + Grn – An all natural marketplace for beauty products made by Black artisans.

Buy From a Black Woman Directory – A directory of businesses owned by Black women, from home decor and furniture to food.

Buy From BIPOC – A directory of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color makers and creatives with a focus on slow, ethical, and sustainable fashion.

Melanin & Sustainable Style – A website (and Instagram) for communities of color in sustainable fashion and beauty spaces. Founded by Dominique Drakeford.

A model wears the Vetta Capsule Textured Shell in black

Vetta Review: The Textured Shell

Published by welcomeobjects

I’ve had my eye on the Textured Shell from Vetta Capsule since the fall. I talked myself out of buying it at the time because did I really need to spend $70 on a tank top? No. When I find myself lusting after a garment, I pin it to my Wardrobe Wants Pinterest board to think it over (an idea I adapted from Xin). I also allow myself to consider buying it if I find it for less secondhand. After all, my clothing shopping goal this year is to to buy no more than 20 pieces and to make half of them secondhand purchases.

I’ve taken to searching Poshmark and other resale sites for brands that I like. As I mentioned in my recent shopping diary, that’s how I came across the Textured Shell secondhand. In the past, I’ve limited my online secondhand buys to things that I’ve tried on and know will fit me. I’m nervous about ending up with something that won’t fit me. (Poshmark, for example, doesn’t allow returns unless the item has been grossly misrepresented.) But with small brands like Vetta, it’s unlikely that I’d know how something fits, so I had to take a chance.

Sizing & Fit

I compared the measurements for the shell on Vetta’s site to a similar item I already own, crossed my fingers, and made the purchase. When the shell arrived, I was surprised by how wide it is.

A cream Vetta Textured Shell on a red surface.

Textured Shell – $69

While the measurements looked a bit big for the size, it fit true to size.

The shell I already own (a size S in Uniqlo) has a 34″ bust. The measurement for the Vetta shell in XS is a 37″ bust. Thus, I expected a roomier fit for the Vetta shell. Yet, it fits quite similarly, bust-wise, to the shell with a smaller bust measurement. The arm holes are on the small side, perhaps contributing to a closer fit.

So, while the measurements looked a bit big for the size, in my experience it fit true to size. I think this has something to do with the way the garment is cut to be worn with either side on the front. That’s Vetta’s whole ethos: creating clothes that are convertible. The ability to wear this shell two ways was what attracted me to it. I also loved the look of the Tencel fabric. The texture elevates it. In this respect, it didn’t disappoint.

A closeup of the Vetta Textured Shell, which has a crosshatch texture.

Closeup of the Vetta Textured Shell – The care instructions say machine wash cold inside out, delicate cycle, hang dry. Do not hand wash. But I washed it by hand in cold water and hung it to dry and it turned out OK. I did follow instructions when it came to ironing: iron on cool with a piece of cloth between the iron and the garment.

Here are the two ways you can wear the Textured Shell. For reference, I am 5′ 4″, a dress size 4, and wear XS or S in most brands. Here I’m wearing the XS.

Two images of the same person wearing the Vetta shell in cream two ways: with a V-neck and with a rounded neckline.

Discerning readers might notice that the tag is a bit visible on the rounded neckline. I haven’t removed it yet, but it looks easy to remove.

And from the back:

Two images of a person wearing the same shirt with different necklines, but from the back.

As you can see, the Textured Shell runs a little shorter, length-wise, on the V-side due to the way it drapes.

I appreciate the draping, which pulls away from the body and isn’t tight across the stomach area. This is good news for those of us with round bellies (and/or who like to eat burritos). One thing I didn’t anticipate was how skinny the straps are. While it’s possible to wear a regular bra, the bra strap would need to stay in place exactly beneath the shell strap to keep it from showing. I don’t know about you, but my bra straps never stay put. So, I went with a strapless bra.

Styling the Vetta Textured Shell

I like testing out the versatility of a piece by styling it different ways. Like this Everlane V-neck sweater I reviewed, the Textured Shell proved adaptable to many outfits.

It falls nicely over skinny jeans. Here’s a look I’d pull together to meet a friend for lunch (something I’m very much looking forward to once shelter in place is lifted).

A person wearing a cream shell with skinny jeans and flats.

Vetta Top // Uniqlo Jeans // AGL Shoes [similar] // Vintage Purse

I also like tucking it in. Because the shell bells out a bit on the bottom, it’s got a bit more material than a straighter-cut tank top might for tucking in. But it’s doable.

A person wearing a cream V-neck shell with a paperbag waist skirt in navy.

Vetta Top // Uniqlo Skirt [review] // Allbirds Shoes [review]

Another thing I like about this shell is how easy it is to dress up or down. Pairing the higher, rounded neckline with a pencil skirt makes it profesh.

A person wearing a cream shell tucked into a pencil skirt

Vetta Top // Banana Republic Skirt // Everlane Tote // Eileen Fisher Shoes

For a more casual look, I layered it with a cotton cardigan over elastic pants. When it comes to layering, I like wearing the v side on the front.

A person wearing a cream shell under a cardigan with chinos and heels

Vetta Top // Everlane Pants [review] // Muji Cardigan // Eileen Fisher Shoes

Cardigans, blazers, it all plays well together with the Textured Shell.

A person with dark hair wearing a cropped blazer over a cream tank with skinny jeans.

Vetta Top // Topshop Cropped Blazer // Uniqlo Jeans // Eileen Fisher Shoes

The Vetta Textured Shell is part of the Refined Capule and comes in two neutral colors: cream and black, and sizes XS to XL. Overall, I like it. It’s a wardrobe basic with a luxe feel.

BTW, if you’re interested in other items in this capsule, I’ve also reviewed the Two-Piece Midi Dress.

First image: Vetta’s Instagram

Lockdown Life Lately

Published by welcomeobjects

Hello from week 7 of sheltering in place here in San Francisco. Just thought I’d write a little update post to get my brain working. I continue to find it difficult to focus, read, or write. I relate to this opinion piece, “Trouble Focusing? Not Sleeping? You May Be Grieving,” by the novelist R.O. Kwon. (I am sleeping, though not well.)

I know I’m very fortunate to be able to stay at home. We have it easier than lots of other people because we don’t have kids and our parents have been taking social distancing seriously. I’ve heard from so many friends who have had to wrangle or threaten their senior parents who keep going out.

While I do miss going to places like the library and gym, I’m thankful to live in an area where the government is taking the pandemic seriously and not easing restrictions yet. The six counties in the Bay Area just announced that the stay-at-home order will extend through the end of May. We’re also required to wear masks when we’re out. I remember the weekend before the lockdown began, I went to the farmers market. At the time, I was the only person there wearing a mask. I’m glad mask-wearing is normalized now.

I try to help out in little ways — to be helpful, but also to feel connected.

I try to help out in little ways — to be helpful, but also to feel connected. We continue to make donations. Recently, we gave to World Central Kitchen and to Baggu’s fundraising campaign for masks, which are being distributed to healthcare workers in New York. I also belong to some Buy Nothing groups, so if I see someone asking for something that I have and don’t use anymore, I’m happy to pass it along (via a contactless pickup).

I go on walks in the neighborhood and admire the trees and flowers. Yesterday, we made our first grocery run in two weeks. We decided to drive our car to charge its battery, so we made the trek to Trader Joe’s. It wasn’t too bad of a wait to get into the store. I kind of stress shopped too many sugary items, though.

Trader Joe's Pandemic Shopping Sign. It has tips such as: Plan Ahead!, No Reusable Bags!, Face Masks!, Shop Alone! Keep Distance!, Stock Up!

Really love the drawings on this Trader Joe’s sign

2020 Q1 Shopping Diary

Speaking of stress shopping, in my last diary post, I reported that I wasn’t doing that. But now I am. So here’s my clothes consumption report. While I didn’t spend a lot, it feels a bit reckless to buy clothes not knowing how our job situation and finances might look in six months.

** Affiliate links below **

By the end of January, I had bought one thing. Things remained quiet until April when I acquired five items. Three of them were the mix-and-match sweats from Pact that I just reviewed. I’m already wearing them a lot.

It feels a bit reckless to buy clothes not knowing how our job situation and finances might look in six months.

I also bought two Vetta items. One was this textured shell that I’ve had my eye on since November. I talked myself out of buying it then because it seemed like a lot of money to spend on what was essentially a tank top. But I saw it secondhand, but barely worn, on Poshmark. With shipping, it came out to about 60% of retail price, so I saved about $30.

The other item was this wrap jumpsuit. And that, I admit, was a total impulse purchase. Vetta put a few items on sale. The price was so attractive that BOOM — I put it in my cart. One part of my brain rushed to finish the transaction before the rational part of my brain started asking questions.

The Vetta sale items were final sale, so this was a gutsy move. After all, the last Vetta piece I tried was a fail due to a significant fit issue. Thankfully the jumpsuit fit. However, I feel like a hypocrite because the shape of the jumpsuit — with wide legs — is very similar to a Everlane jumpsuit that I had reviewed and passed on. I’d decided that the wide leg didn’t suit me and vowed to look for a jumpsuit for a skinnier leg. Then I went and impulse bought this wide-legged Vetta jumpsuit.

If I’m being honest with myself, I still think that a skinner leg works better for me. But I do like this jumpsuit. Mostly, I’m a fan of how you can wear it two ways by flipping it around. I’ll write a proper review of both Vetta items once I’ve worn them for awhile. I also need to take the jumpsuit to a tailor for hemming when we’re out of lockdown. (Thanks to everyone who chimed in during my Instagram poll.)

How are things where you are, and have you bought anything lately?

Welcome Objects 20 in 2020 Wardrobe Count To Date
Additions: 6
Number of Additions That Are Secondhand: 1 (16.6%)
Subtractions: 4

Pact Essential Hoodie and Drawstring short, flat lay style with glasses and a pink journal

Pact Apparel Review: Sweats to Live in All Day Long

Published by welcomeobjects

Even before shelter in place became the new reality in this coronavirus pandemic, I was already thinking about acquiring some more sweatpants. A few years ago, I began working from home. I’m not going to lie: I spend a lot of time in sweats. But I only had one pair of sweatpants, which made things tricky when I needed to launder them.

Surprisingly, it’s hasn’t been easy to find sweats that meet all my requirements. I want something well made and ethically made, in 100% cotton, and moderately priced. Oh, and of course they should be comfy.

This post contains affiliate links and gifted items. If you shop through my links, I may earn a commission. As always, all opinions are my own and I only write about items I’m interested in. Thanks for supporting Welcome Objects!

Happily, I found a winner in Pact, which makes organic cotton clothing, bedding, and bath items. They don’t use any toxic chemicals or dyes and are GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified. Manufacturing of their products take place in fair trade certified factories in India, which the company says is home to 74% of the world’s organic cotton.

Pact doesn’t make a huge line of products, but they make a bit of everything (including clothing for babies and kids.) I find their prices comparable to Everlane. ($25 for a T-shirt, $45 for high-waisted leggings). Right now, the entire Pact site is on sale for Earth Day. Everything is up to 30% off.

A white model wears a matching hoodie sweatshirt and shorts.

Essential Zip Hoodie // Stretch Fit Tank Top // Essential Drawstring Short

Pact kindly gave me some store credit to try out their products in exchange for giving them a shout out here. So the items I’m reviewing were acquired through a combination of gifting and my paying for some of it. I ordered three pieces in the same color so that I could mix and match and create different sweatsuits.

Essential Drawstring Short

A pair of sweat shorts with drawstrings.

Essential Drawstring Short – $36 on sale (usually $45)

The first item I put in my cart was the Essential Drawstring Short. These shorts have a relaxed fit with an elastic waistband. It has front pockets as well as cute small pockets on the back. The hem is unfinished, which might bother some people, but I don’t mind the casual vibe. The model above is 5’9″ with a 25 inch waist. She’s wearing a size S. Here’s 5′ 4″ me with a bigger waist wearing the same size. I’m generally a size 4 in pants.

A person with dark hair wearing a purple hoodie and matching shorts with a white T-shirt and yellow slide sandals, standing next to a snake plant.

Pact Shorts // Pact Hoodie // Everlane T-shirt [review]

The back of someone wearing a matching hoodie and shorts.

There’s a small brand tag on a back pocket of the shorts and other pieces, which I don’t love, but isn’t a dealbreaker. I prefer things unbranded.

I was concerned that they might be too long since I’m petite or puff out unflatteringly since they’re relaxed, but they fit fine! These are quite comfy for lounging around in.

Essential Zip Hoodie

Closeup of a a purple hoodie with drawstring.

Essential Zip Hoodie – $49 on sale (usually $80)

The description for the shorts say to “pair with the Essential Zip Hoodie for the ultimate lounge set.” That’s exactly what I did. I deliberated between the hoodie and the sweatshirt but felt the hoodie might be more versatile for layering. The hoodie seems well made. The zipper pulls smoothly. It’s a bit long in the body for my petite frame; a couple inches shorter would be perfect for me. The sleeves are also a touch long, but nothing I can’t solve by pushing up the sleeves or folding back the cuff. One nice detail is that in addition to the two outside pockets, there’s an inner pocket.

The inside of a hoodie, which has text printed on it, "Sustainable fashion for all. Made with organic cotton. Pact."

The inside pocket on the Essential Zip Hoodie.

Essential Sweatpant

Essential Sweatpant – $40 on sale (usually $50)

Alright, what about the sweatpants, which is the whole reason I started shopping for sweats in the first place? Pact makes sweat joggers for women, but they’re out of stock. So, I hopped on over to the men’s section and found their Essential Sweatpant. I wanted a more old-school-looking kind of sweatpants with a straighter leg, anyway. I picked one up in size small.

Here they are on a 6′ man wearing size M.

And here I am wearing a men’s size S. (Yes, this is the very first time I’m comparing myself to a male model.)

A person with dark hair wearing matching sweats: a hoodie and sweatpants, standing next to a snake plant.

Pact Hoodie // Pact Sweatpants // Everlane Trainer, gifted [review]. This color is called Midnight Navy, BTW, though it reads more purple to me.

I was worried that they might be way too long on me. While they’re longer than I’d like, they’re also somehow fine! I’m wearing them a little scrunched up at the end here. Not bad. The inseam is 29″ on the S. There’s one pocket on the back.

I’ve only worn these pieces for a couple days so I can’t comment on their durability, but they seem well made. I have no reason to believe that they wouldn’t last a long time. The stitching looks straight and tight. They’re comfy and reasonably soft — not overly plush and fluffy. These are not the type of sweats lined in fleece for winter. They’re classic sweats in breathable organic cotton, suitable for living in all day long.

How Pact Sweats Compare to Other Brands

Before I decided to get these pieces from Pact, I considered other brands. I had my eye on Mate the Label, which makes their organic cotton sweats in Los Angeles. I love their array of earthy colors. But they’re $$$. A pair of jogger sweatpants will set you back $128. The matching sweatshirt: $108. I also looked at Entireworld, where each piece retails for $88, but their sweats have some polyester in them. These brands have a more minimalist aesthetic. I favor the details of their pieces a little more. (For example: a slightly wider neckline on sweatshirts, trouser pockets instead patch pockets, or drawstrings that match the rest of the garment.)

But I can get more for my money at Pact. The combination of ethical manufacturing, organic cotton, and lower price point is a good one for my budget. It’s a great place to pick up basics, like a V-neck T-shirt or a drawstring jumpsuit. (Hey, some of us consider jumpsuits wardrobe staples.) Personally, I am very tempted by these waffle bath towels. I keep reminding myself that I own enough towels. (Five towels for two adults is enough towels, right?)

Pact’s Earth Day sale runs from 4/22 to 4/26. For orders over $50, shipping is free. Free returns too. Use my coupon code WELCOMEOBJ15 to get 15% off your first order.

UPDATE 5/10/22 – It’s two years later now. I have worn these sweats often throughout the pandemic and they’ve held up great.

UPDATE 11/13/23 – OK, I’ve been wearing these sweats for more than three years now. The ends of the sleeves on the hoodie started fraying sometime this year. The other pieces are fine and don’t show much wear.

Reusable cotton facial rounds by Marley's Monsters in a variety of black and white prints on a wood background.

Low Waste Swap: Reusable Facial Rounds from Marley’s Monsters

Published by welcomeobjects

Hope you’re doing as well as can be during this pandemic. This feels like a weird time to write about reusable objects — especially since in some cases they’ve been temporarily banned. Here in San Francisco, reusable coffee mugs and shopping bags are not allowed in shops anymore out of caution for the coronavirus. I’ve been planning to write this post for a while, though. And frankly, it’s a small comfort to me to be able to share on the blog, so here is a review of some reusable cosmetic rounds that I hope you’ll find helpful.

These handmade facial rounds are 100% cotton flannel.

Back during Black Friday/Cyber Monday, I bought facial rounds from Marley’s Monsters, a small business specializing in reusable goods based in Eugene, Oregon. I’d been thinking about doing so for the better part of the year. But I had it in my head that I could make my own and had stashed away an old T-shirt for this purpose. One problem, though: I don’t really know how to sew (and I didn’t have the right equipment anyway.) Not surprisingly, this crafting project never got off the ground.

After the Marley’s Monsters rounds arrived, I kicked myself for waiting so long to buy them. I think they’re great! These handmade facial rounds are 100% cotton flannel. Each round is 2-ply and with serged edges to prevent fraying. At 3″ across, they’re larger than disposable cotton rounds. (I’m comparing them to what I had been using before: premium cotton rounds from Target.)

A hand holding a glass jar with reusable cotton rounds in shades of black and gray.

Racial rounds

I use these for applying toner and for removing my eye makeup. My eye makeup routine consists of primer, eyeshadow, and eyeliner. The rounds work well for both.

I keep a mesh bag in my bathroom to collect the rounds as I use them. When it comes time to launder my bath linens, I simply toss the bag into the wash. The makeup doesn’t transfer to any of my other items. I am confident of this as I have washed the rounds with white towels.

Now, some makeup stains do remain on the rounds. I suspected that might be the case, which is why I opted for rounds in black, white, and gray prints instead of plain white ones. I figured the prints would mask marks a little better. As to drying them, I’ve tried both putting them through the dryer and letting them air dry. Both ways are fine, though I tend to air dry when I can.

(BTW, just so you know, the links to the Marley’s Monsters site are not affiliate links. I don’t make any commission from recommending them.)

Two facial rounds in the same gray pattern. One is new and one has been used and shows some stains.

Marley’s Monsters Facial Rounds: A brand new one versus a used and washed one.

Marley’s Monsters facial rounds cost $16 for 20 on their website (plus shipping) or $18 for 20 on their Etsy store (free shipping on orders of $35 & up). Taking the lower number, they’re 80 cents each before tax. The disposable Target cotton rounds cost 3 cents each. But of course, the reusable ones will last a lot longer. And in the long run, I’ll be using less cotton. I’ve been using them for four months now and so far, so good! They also come in fun colors and cute prints, like this set of rainbow colors or this vintage lemon print.

I think this is an easy swap to do for the environment. If you’re thinking about it, don’t waste time like I did. Just go for it!

Various cotton facial rounds from Marley's Monsters on a wooden surface.

The facial rounds after 4 months of use.