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A flatlay of a pair of navy Everlane pants and blue Allbirds Tree Breezer flats.

November 2019 Shopping Diary

Published by welcomeobjects

I’m writing this post later in the month than I usually do because I wanted to see if my Black Friday fashion buys made the cut. But, I’m still waiting for some of them to arrive. So, never mind. Onward.

** affiliate links below **

This month, I added two items to my wardrobe.

  • Allbirds Tree Breezers – I mentioned in a recent post how sometimes I influence my own self. Welp, I did it again here after I compared Allbirds’ Tree Breezers and Everlane’s ReKnit Day Gloves. This was an impulse buy. I don’t need woven flats right now since my foot is still messed up. Also, it’s too cold to wear them! Nope, I’m not going outside with the tops of my feet exposed. How did I even get here? Out of curiosity, I searched for Allbirds on Poshmark. Tree Breezers are not a common item there — what mostly shows up are Wool Runners and Wool Loungers. So when a pair of blue Tree Breezers in excellent condition showed up in my size, I made an offer. Thus, my buy was driven by a fake sense of scarcity and my desire to score a good deal. Doh. We’ll see how much I wear them in the spring.
  • Everlane Easy Chinos – “Hey, don’t you already own these pants?,” you might be asking. Yes, you would be correct. I own two pairs, actually — in black and ochre. To be honest, I wouldn’t have bought a third pair (in navy) if not for a little nudging from Everlane. They put a $20 credit in my account, but set it to expire in a few days. So I looked around, but couldn’t decide if any of the newer items would work for me. I didn’t want to chance returning something and probably losing the credit, so I bought something tried and true. Even though I knew I was being manipulated — by giving me credit Everlane got me to spend money — I went for it because “free money.”

Is owning three pairs of the same thing (albeit in different colors) smart or overdoing it? I do tend to buy multiples when I find a piece of clothing I like, particularly if it’s a wardrobe basic. But sometimes I go overboard. I have definitely bought three of the same thing in the past and found myself not reaching for the new colors. Black, navy, and ochre are all part of my wardrobe color palette, though, so my reasoning is that I’m likely to wear all three pairs frequently. Do you own anything in multiples?

So, November was a fail in terms of reigning in my shopping impulses (though I am pleased with myself for resisting many items over Black Friday weekend). I bought things I don’t really need because there was some kind of “good deal” aspect to them.

In terms of wardrobe reduction, I removed eight items from my closet. I went through my tops systematically. And what do you know? Every time I had that I’m-not-sure-about-this feeling, I ended up not keeping the item. I wasn’t reaching for those garments in the first place because they didn’t fit anymore or had other fit issues. A friend of mine got a few of the tops at my impromptu shop-my-closet Black Friday. A few others my sister expressed interest in. The rest I will try to sell on Poshmark.

Welcome Objects 2019 Wardrobe Count To Date
Additions: 2 this month = 17 items total for the year
Subtractions: 8 items this month = 46 items removed from my closet so far this year

everlane link-stitch cotton crew sweater laid out on a floor.

Fitting Room Review: 6 Sweaters from Amour Vert, Cuyana, & Everlane

Published by welcomeobjects

As temperatures cool, I’ve been on a warm sweater search. Even though I identified sweaters early in the year as an area where my wardrobe was lacking, I’ve only added one cotton sweater to my collection recently. Sweater shopping is turning out to be harder than buying pants!

** this post contains affiliate links  **

Today I’m doing a fitting room review of a few pullover sweaters that I’ve tried on recently at Amour Vert, Cuyana, and Everlane. As always, my reviews are from a petite perspective. I’m 5′ 4″, a dress size 4, and tend to wear an XS or S. In all these try-ons, I am wearing XS.

Amour Vert Daria Sweater

Amour Vert’s sweaters, like the rest of its clothes, come with details and embellishments that are anything but basic. There are flourishes in the texture, patterns, and cuts. I mean, just look at this sweater with a dramatic twist V-back. Just as I wrote about how the prints at Amour Vert don’t generally fit my style, I feel the same way about its sweaters. Anyhow, this is all to say that I only tried on one sweater there.

The Daria Sweater is made from ethically sourced merino wool and features a chevron pattern with pom pom detailing. (It’s similar to last year’s Perryn Sweater, which featured pom poms in horizontal lines.) Most of Amour Vert’s sweaters only come in a few colors, but the Daria comes in five: ivory, pinot, forest green, mustard, and black with tan. Here’s a 5′ 10″ model wearing a size S in mustard.

Amour Vert Daria Sweater worn by a model.

Daria Sweater – $198 (though on sale right now through 12/8)

And here’s me in an XS in pinot. Apologies for this blurry photo.The Amour Vert fitting room doesn’t have good lighting and I have an old phone with a now outdated camera.

amour vert daria sweater with pom poms as worn by someone in a fitting room taking a selfie.

I felt the fit was pretty good for a petite. No complaints about the body length. The knit is medium weight and looked well-made in person. And the wool was only the slightest bit scratchy on me — less so than cashmere.

Closeup of the Amour Vert Daria Pom Pom Sweater as worn by someone taking a selfie in a dressing room.

It’s a very cute sweater! But am I a pom pom person? I’m not sure.

BTW, right now all of Amour Vert’s sweaters are 25% off with the code SWEATERSEASON through tomorrow, 12/8.

Cuyana Recycled Cashmere Crewneck

As you might know from my last sweater review, part of my problem with sweater shopping is that cashmere feels too prickly on my sensitive skin. I know from experience that Everlane cashmere irritates me. But what about other ethical brands, like Cuyana? Cuyana doesn’t make that many sweater styles. They tend to have a minimalist, wardrobe basics look like this:

Cuyana says that this sweater is made from a recycled cashmere blend using no extra dyes. (I’m not sure what “extra” means in this case.) I forgot to look at the tag to see what else was in the fiber content — and the website doesn’t say! Probably some wool? Whatever it was, I found the blend scratchy. The color choices, though a bit boring, covers the basics nicely: beige (as worn by the model), black, and charcoal gray.

The website also doesn’t say how tall the model is or what size she’s wearing but here’s 5′ 4″ me in an XS. Sorry about yet another blurry photo. Again, the lighting situation wasn’t great and natural light was lacking because it was after 5 pm and the sun had already set.

Cuyana recycled cashmere crewneck sweater as worn by someone taking a selfie in a dressing room.

The fit is supposed to be relaxed, but this seems oversized in an unflattering way on me — and this is already the smallest size. I also didn’t love the details of this sweater, like the side slits. Also, there’s a tiny gold button on the back, right under where the tag is located. (You can see this in the item listing) Why?! It’s so weird and unnecessary.

Everlane Link-Stitch Crewneck Sweater

Everlane fits my personal style best (it seems a bit more modern), so I saved it for last in this review because I tried on the most sweaters there.

The Link-Stitch Crewneck Sweater is all cotton in a midweight knit. While I wouldn’t call it thick, it’s thicker and chunkier than Everlane’s other cotton sweaters. This 5′ 10″ model is wearing a size S.

Here I am trying the XS in rust. I could have sized up to S for a slouchier look.

everlane link-stitch cotton crew sweater as worn by someone taking a fitting room selfie in a mirror

Amazingly the sleeve length worked on me. (Sweater sleeves are almost always too long for me.) And the body length also worked for a petite. However, I didn’t love the dropped seam shoulder. For some reason, the seam on the arm kind of protruded on me.

closeup of the everlane link-stitch cotton crew sweater in an orange red color

The fabric seems high quality, and the whole sweater has a bit of heft to it. It seems like a great sweater for transition weather. The color offerings are great: bone white, brass (as worn by the model) and the rust red I tried on. There’s also a v-neck version of this sweater too (in a white and blue). But it looks longer compared to the crew neck.

Everlane Teddy Crew Neck Sweater

Everlane touts its Teddy Crew Neck Sweater as “our coziest sweater ever.” (Hmmm, this sweater is a “crew neck” but the link-stitch one is a “crewneck.” Everlane, do you need a copy editor?) There’s also a v-neck version of this sweater. Both are petite friendly with a cropped length. It comes in six colors: heather gray, black, buttermilk, cider, lagoon blue, and heathered coral. Here’s a 5′ 7″ model wearing S in blue lagoon. This color and texture reminds me a bit of Cookie Monster.

Here I’m wearing XS in cider. (Let us also pause here for a moment to acknowledge that Everlane has the best fitting room lighting! Not only are there skylights in their San Francisco location’s fitting rooms to let in natural light, but these photos were taken in the evening after the sun had set on a dreary rainy day.)

Everlane teddy sweater worn by someone in a fitting room taking a selfie. There are two images. One is of the sweater worn untucked, and one is of it worn tucked.
I liked the fit of the sweater. It was especially cute tucked in. And the sleeves while a tad long, were manageable.

The material was thick and indeed cozy. And it didn’t itch me! The fiber content is 65% merino wool and 35% polyamide. Oh no, not polyamide. That’s another name for nylon aka plastic. Since I’m trying not to buy new clothes with plastic, that was a pass for me. Also, I wasn’t sure how much I’d like the teddy bear-like texture over time.

This sweater and the link-stitch one above are both made in a factory in Fujian province, China.

Everlane ReCashmere Vintage Crew

Everlane introduced its ReCashmere sweaters this year, made from “premium Italian yarn that’s been recycled for 50% less impact.” Compared to its nonrecycled cashmere, the carbon footprint is half. The cashmere is collected through recycling programs by a partner mill in Prato, Italy and the sweaters are made in China.

However, the fiber content of ReCashmere is not all cashmere. It comprises of 60% recycled cashmere and 40% non-mulesed, extra-fine merino wool. I didn’t know what non-mulesed wool meant and looked it up. According to Wikipedia, “mulesing is the removal of strips of wool-bearing skin from around the breech (buttocks) of a sheep to prevent the parasitic infection flystrike (myiasis).” As you can imagine, this is controversial. PETA opposes mulesing as cruel and painful. (Here’s a news story from 2017 if you want to learn more about the wool industry and attempts to phase out this practice.)

Here’s a 5″ 4″ model wearing a S in the ReCashmere Vintage Crew.

I’m wearing the XS in heathered clay. This sweater comes in a whole bunch of color options — 10! (I would not blame you for being distracted by the marks in the mirror. Who left their fingers prints on the mirror? Come on!)

Everlane recashmere vintage crew sweater as worn by a person taking a selfie in a fitting room mirror.

The cropped body length works well for a petite. The sleeves are too long, but the cuffs are extra long, so you can easily fold them back and it seems that they would stay in place. While this sweater still bothered my sensitive skin a little, it didn’t prickle me me as much as the 100% cashmere sweaters.

Everlane ReCashmere Stroopwafel Crew

Here’s another ReCashmere sweater with the same fiber mix and a fun waffle-knit texture. This 5′ 7″ model is wearing an XS.

And here’s me, also wearing an XS.

everlane stroopwaffel crew sweater as worn by someone in a fitting room. There are two images: one worn untucked, and one tucked.

This has a looser fit than the the other sweaters in the body and arms. I like that the crew neck is wider than on the other sweaters. The ribbing at the hem and cuffs are extra long.

I love the waffel-knit texture. This sweater comes in four colors: bone, heathered sand (what the model is wearing, already sold out in many sizes), heathered ink (what I’m wearing), and sienna (above). There’s also a turtleneck version in four colors.

This sweater was my favorite of the bunch. The details of the wider neckline and the texture elevate the look a bit. I’m not quite ready to part with $150 for this sweater (especially because of my sensitive skin), but I’m thinking about it!

UPDATE 2/16/20 – I bought the ReCashmere Stroopwafel Crew in December a few days after writing this post. It was a bit of a splurge for me, but I’m glad I went for it. I really love it.

everlane recashmere stroopwafel crew sweater as worn by me.

ReCashmere Stroopwafel Crew // Uniqlo Jeans [similar, ethical], Vionic Boots [similar]

I ordered both the dark blue heathered ink and the heathered sand. While both colors were great, I decided to keep the latter since I’m trying to branch out from wearing mostly dark colors. In the two months that I’ve been wearing it, I have no complaints. The cut and shape are exactly what I was looking for: something cozy and a bit loose but not overwhelming on my petite frame. It keeps me warm in my chilly apartment. Pilling has been minimal, just a little bit under the armpits.

As to the irritation of the fabric, it’s not bad. Yes, it does bother my sensitive skin. But because the sweater is a medium thickness, I can wear a T-shirt underneath without it showing. This covers the areas where my skin is most sensitive, and I find that I can wear this sweater all day. It still prickles my arms some. Curious to see if it gets softer over time with wears or not.

If you find my reviews helpful and are new to Everlane, please considering using my referral link to make your first purchase. (Create your account before browsing.) This helps make my reviews possible. Thanks! You can find a directory to all my Everlane reviews here.

Red sale sign

Questions to Ask When Shopping (especially during a sale)

Published by welcomeobjects

A hazard of writing a blog about stuff, even ethically-made stuff, is that sometimes I influence my own damn self. While I was putting together my annual Ethical Black Friday & Cyber Monday list, of course I started browsing. So many tempting things!

I started this blog as a way to talk out loud about my attempts at consuming more sustainably and ethically. That means staying away from fast fashion. But more importantly: I’m supposed to shop way less. I have definitely made strides in the past two years. But uh, putting together a list of sales really tested my resolve.

** affiliate links below  **

What I Wanted and Did Not Buy

Clothes I totally wanted but did not buy include:

Here are some of the questions I asked myself to counteract the sale! siren going off in my head

  • Do I need this? Does this fill a gap?
  • Do I have something that already serves the same purpose/role?
  • How much will I use this?
  • How versatile is it? What else can I pair this with in my wardrobe?
  • Does this fit my sense of style?
  • Can I see myself wearing/using this in 5 years? How about 10?
  • Would I still want this if it were not on sale? Would I be willing to pay full price for it?

So, no, I do not need a puffy down stole, even though I think it looks really cool. Would I even get much wear out of something like that since the sleeves are elbow length?

No, I do not need a new bath robe because I already own one from Old Navy that I bought ages ago. True, it’s made out of some kind of synthetic (the words on the tag have faded) requiring me to wash it in a Guppyfriend. Cotton would feel more luxurious. But, my current robe is still in decent shape so I should wear it to death.

No, I do not need a belt bag. I already have one (again, made out of a synthetic material, bought long ago from Target). I actually put the Lo & Sons belt bag in my cart and was about to hit “purchase” but right before I did, I called a good friend. This was a smart thing to do. I highly recommend having a cool-headed friend to talk through the pros and cons of any particular item. She talked me out of this purchase.

No, I do not need the shell from Vetta lovely as it is (the texture!) and as cool as it is (you can wear it two ways!). I already own tank tops that serve the same purpose.

As to the sweaters and sweats, these are things I actually do need. (Well, maybe not the balloon sleeve Amour Vert sweater. You know I love a balloon sleeve, but how often would I wear it?) I only own two warm sweaters and one pair of sweatpants. Given that I work from home, I need more sweats! (Today I thought to myself, “Hmmm, I need to wash these sweat pants, but what am I going to wear in the meantime?”)

However, these items were on the pricey side for me ($150 for the Everlane sweater, $165 for the set of sweats on sale) and I couldn’t justify it. There’s a rational voice in my head that acknowledges that things that are high quality and made in better conditions are going to cost more. I understand that. I’ve kept a spreadsheet of my wardrobe buys and can see that I used to spend more money buying things that were not as well made because I bought so much more of it. Yeah, #fewerbetterthings. I get it.

But emotionally, it’s hard for me. I grew up pretty thrifty and I hate paying $$ when I can pay $. I’m still working on this mind shift. What I’ve told myself in the meantime is that I’m free to look for these items secondhand.

What I Bought (and Sharing My Closet on Black Friday)

So, what did I buy on Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend? Mostly practical items. I stocked up on household goods and beauty products like my moisturizer (my skincare routine here), eye shadow primer, Dental Lace plastic-free floss refills, and reusable cosmetic rounds. But I did indulge in some fashion finds and am eagerly awaiting their arrival.

I’m most excited about this two-piece dress from Vetta, a brand that I’ve been meaning to try for a while. I originally went to the site to buy these pants and this top, but they’re both sold out. I had pinned those two items to my Wardrobe Wants Pinterest board months ago. Things are supposed to sit on that board for some time while I think about them. But this dress totally bypassed that system. Oops. I also tried to shop the Vetta sample sale on Monday, but things disappeared from my cart when I tried to pay for them. It’s probably better that way. I started putting things in my cart without examining them because the prices were low and it was competitive shopping. But sample sale garments are nonrefundable and what if they don’t fit/ look good/ have a flaw I can’t deal with?

I also ordered these J. Crew pants because I love the print. There’s a good chance I’ll return them, though, because am I really going to wear silk pants? But I wanted to see it in person. What I really wanted is the shirt, but it’s sold out.

Everlane put a few things on sale for one day on Monday and well well, if one of them wasn’t the Re:Down Puffy Puff jacket I just wrote about. Dear reader, I bought one. (Actually, more than one because I couldn’t decide on the color.) See, influencing my own self again.

A flat lay of black boxy top next to a pair of jeans and a circle purse

Off to a new home: I wore this & Other Stories top just a handful of times. May my friend wear it more often.

But my most favorite shopping experience this weekend was un-shopping. I met two friends for lunch on Black Friday. Afterwards we went back to my apartment where I invited them to shop my closet instead of the mall. I hadn’t planned this. It’s just what we ended up doing — and it was so much fun! One of my friends has similar tastes to me and she happens to be one size smaller than me. Well, I happen to have some clothes that are now too small for me. My other friend wears the same shoe size. It was a win-win. I was happy to send my friends off with clothes and shoes that I no longer wear.

I was originally going to write my monthly diary post documenting what I bought and what I purged. But this post feels long already! I’ll do it later. How did you fare during the shopping frenzy that is Black Friday/Cyber Monday. Were you able to ignore it? Did you also buy practical things?

First Image: Claudio Schwarz/Unsplash

Ethical Black Friday and Cyber Monday: Woven loafers with a stick of holiday leaves and berries.

2019 Ethical Black Friday & Cyber Monday

Published by welcomeobjects

Every year I put together a list of sustainable and ethical brands with Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Yes, I just wrote about how I don’t really give gifts. I still stand by that. So, I’m definitely not encouraging you to shop mindlessly. The most sustainable thing to do is to not consume stuff you don’t need.

But hey, if you’ve had your eye on something, by all means, save money during a sale! I’m certainly going to shop for myself. 🙂 I’ll keep updating this post as I learn about more Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, so check back.

** this post contains affiliate links  **

ABLE – Bags, shoes, apparel, jewelry. 25% off and free U.S. shipping with HOLIDAY25.

Alice + Whittles – Minimalist rain boots made with natural, fair trade rubber and sneakers made from recycled leather. (Read my review of their rain boots.) Up to 60% off sitewide plus an additional 10% off with MONDAY.

Amour Vert – Women’s clothing with feminine vibes. (Here’s my review on how their items fit on a petite person.) 20% off with GREENFRIDAYSALE through Monday, 12/2.

Baggu – My favorite reusable bag! They also make leather goods, like this circle purse I adore. 15% off sitewide, 25% off orders of $50 and more, and 30% off orders of $100 and more. Free shipping on orders of $30 or more.

Bash + Sass – Minimalist and gender neutral tees, hoodies, and rompers for babies and toddlers. Made in San Francisco. 20% off with SHOPSMALL2019 through 12/2.

Beeswrap – A natural, sustainable alternative to plastic wrap for food storage. 20% off with BEETHANKFUL through 12/2.

Carol Young | Undesigned – Clothing for women, designed for urban environments and travel. (Think clothes that pack easily.) Made in Los Angeles. 20% off with THANKFUL20.

Coyuchi – Minimally processed and ethically sourced bedding and textiles. $50 off $200, $100 off $500, and $200 off $800 and more. Also, 40% off select items on Black Friday, including organic towels and a waffle knit blanket.

Curator SF – Small batch women’s clothing in an array of colors. (I like how their site is organized by color.) Made in two family-run factories in San Francisco. 25% off with GOODKARMA through 12/2.

Eileen Fisher – The OG of sustainably-produced women’s clothing. Extra 20% off sale items through 12/2.

Everlane – Everlane’s Black Friday tradition is to fundraise for a case. This year, they’re partnering with Oceana, the largest international advocacy organization focused solely on ocean conservation. Everlane will donate $10 from every order until they reach $300,000. I review quite a bit of Everlane, so if you’re curious about how something fits check out my reviews.

Frank and Oak – Canadian brand of women and men’s clothing, outerwear, and shoes, many of them made out of recycled materials. (Click on the category for minimal and sustainable styles.) Up to 50% off with code CM30. They’re also partnering with One Tree Planted to plant a tree in the Peruvian Amazon for every order. Through 12/2.

Graf Lantz – Bags, laptop sleeves, accessories, and housewares made in Los Angeles. I love the simplicity of their merino wool felt placemats and coasters. 30% off with THANKS30 through 12/3.

Hackwith Design House – Simple women’s clothing and swim wear, made in America. 30% off with THANKFUL19.

Hopp Studios – Comfy shoes made in Texas. (Read my review of their wedges here.) They have just a few styles right now, but everything’s on sale. Take an additional 10% off on top of the sale with CYBER until 12/2.

Ilano Design – This Oakland-based brand partners with artisans in Mexico and the Philippines to make their sandals and hats. 40% off site wide through 12/6. All sales final.

Jenny Lemons – Limited edition clothing and textiles in whimsical prints that are hand painted or block printed. (Looking for a sweatshirt with an avocado on it? this is the place to get one.) 20% off with THANKSLEMONS through 12/2.

Kotn – Instead of a sale, this Canadian maker of cotton basics will donate 100% of their profits between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, up to $80,000 to build two primary schools in the Nile Detla and Faiyum, Egypt, which is where they source their cotton.

Lo & Sons – Makers of stylish travel bags. (Read my review of their backpacks and convertible tote.) Up to 60% off through 12/1. Plus, enjoy extended returns (60 days instead of 30).

Looma – Bedding in neutral colors made from organic long-staple Himalayan cotton. 15% off with GETCOZY and free shipping worldwide.

Londontown – I was impressed by this cruelty-free, 9-Free nail polish brand. (My review.) 30% off with FRIYAY Free shipping on orders of $30 and up.

Marley’s Monsters – Reusable goods for the home like washable “paper” towels, personal care items, and baby care. I just bought some reusable cosmetic rounds. 25% off with GIVETHANKS25 through 12/2. Plus $5 flat rate shipping for orders over $100 (after discount). They also have an Etsy shop. (Prices are a little higher there, but shipping is free over $35, so maybe it evens out, depending.)

Mate the Label – Casual comfy clothing, like sweatshirts and joggers. 30% off site wide. Some things up to 50% off.

Mott & Bow – Wardrobe bacis. Denim, tees, and silk button ups. Wardrobe basics. 25% off all orders site wide, 30% off all orders over $250, 35% off all orders over $400 with code BF19 through 12/1.

Naadam – Cashmere for women and men. 30% off with BF30.

Nau – Sustainably made performance wear and outerwear for women and men. (I am into this down stole.) 30% off through 12/3.

Nisolo – Ethically-made shoes. Some items are on sale, up to 60% off. Get an extra 25% off with EXTRA25. Plus, starting on Cyber Monday, spend $150 get 15% off, spend $250 get 25% off, or spend $350 and get 35% off.

Nordstrom – Items up to 50% off. Plus, if you spend $125 you”ll receive a $25 egift card, spend $250 and get $50, and spend $400 and get $100. Valid from 11/27 to 12/2. I look for the ethical brands like Eileen Fisher, Rachel Comey, and Reformation.

North of West – Based in Portland, OR, this retailer offers simply-designed women’s clothing and kids clothes in fun prints. Items on sale up to 30% off.

Reformation – Many sustainable brands have a minimalist aesthetic, but not Reformation with its high-slit dresses and flirty tops. Happy to report that they carry petite sizing now! 30% off sitewide with free shipping and free returns.

Only Child – Women’s clothing in natural fibers and neutral colors. Made in Oakland, CA. 20% off sitewide from Friday 11/29 through Monday 12/2.

Osei-Duro – Dresses and garments produced in Ghana with traditional techniques applied to contemporary designs. Bold prints. Up to 60% off sitewide through 12/2.

Pact – Casual clothing, bedding and bath for the whole family. Made from certified organic cotton in fair trade factories. Up tp 70% off.

Package Free Shop – Toiletries, cleaning supplies, and more low-waste living. 30% off on Cyber Monday with 30OFF, plus 40% off subscriptions

Parachute Home – Bedding and bath, Oeko-Tex and Responsible Down Standard certified. 20% off through 12/2.

Pela Case – Eco-friendly phone cases that you can compost at the end of their life. Up to 50% off site wide.

Powell’s – When I want a book, I buy local or from Portland’s legendary indie bookstore (and not from that online giant that starts with an A). 25% with WASSAIL through 12/2.

Stasher Bag – Reusable silicone bags for food storage. (I use one to carry snacks in my purse.) 25% off and free shipping on orders of $40 or more.

Suunday – Small batch women’s clothing in simple, flattering silhouettes. 30% off with THANKS30.

S’well – My favorite reusable water bottle. (Review here.)

Taylor Stitch – Responsibly-made men’s clothing. 20% off sitewide through 12/1.

Tradlands – Women’s shirts, sweaters, and more. 20% off orders of $100 or more with HOLIDAY20 or 25% off orders of $200 or more with HOLIDAY25. Also, get a $10 gift card on orders over $50. For Cyber Monday, 25% off with CYBER25.

Two Days Off – Women’s clothing made to order in LA from upcycled deadstock fabric. Shift dresses, cigarette pants, and perhaps the most elegant sweatshirt I’ve ever seen. Up to 40% off through 12/3.

United by Blue – Outdoor apparel made from natural, recycled, and salvaged materials. Up to 60% sitewide and free U.S. shipping. For Cyber Week: an extra 50% off sale items with HAPPYGIFTING

Vetta – Convertible clothes that can be worn several ways. Made in New York. Sign up for their email list to receive a 20% off code valid through 12/2. (They rarely have sales, so this is the best deal you can get on their pieces unless shopping secondhand. I just put something in my cart…)

Whimsy & Row – Clothing and housewares, based in Los Angeles. 30% off with THANKS30. Also, one tree will be planted for every purchase.

Image from Nisolo

Why I don't do holiday gifts: A DIY wreath made out of fabric scraps.

Why I Don’t Do Holiday Gifts or Gift Guides (Plus, How to Make a Fabric Wreath)

Published by welcomeobjects

Tis the season for gift guides. But you won’t see one here.

I put one together when I first started blogging in 2017 (now since deleted) because that’s what bloggers did, right? But so far, that’s the only one I’ve written. I stopped after that because well, it didn’t feel right to me. For one, I find the whole thing kind of weird. How can I, a person who does not know you, recommend things for the people in your life?

I get it. Gifting can be hard. I understand how a curated list from someone with taste that aligns with yours could be helpful. But a lot of gift guides seem generic. Gifts for moms. Gifts under $100 for travelers. And though I’ve been influenced by bloggers or magazines to buy something for myself, I’ve never bought something off a gift guide for anyone else. (From the blogging side, gifts guides can bring in money because sites have the potential to earn commission on any affiliate links to items they’re recommending. So there’s a financial incentive for publications and bloggers to create them.)

The other thing is that I don’t really buy gifts anymore. I don’t mean that I never give gifts. But I’ve stopped participating in the frenzied consumption that is the holiday season. And I don’t want to contribute to it by telling you to buy stuff.

As an environmentalist, as someone who is trying to spend money wisely, and as someone trying to live more minimally, gifting just doesn’t make much sense.

Can we be honest about this for a moment? Let’s face it: gifts can be wasteful. How many times have you received something that you didn’t like? If it didn’t come with a gift receipt, you were stuck with it. Maybe it clutters your home for a while as you hold on to it, trying to use it. But you never really take to it, so eventually you give it away. If you’re lucky, you know someone who will appreciate it. Otherwise, it ends up in a thrift store where maybe it finds a new home.

These days, we do very little gifting of objects in my family. I grew up with practical parents who preferred to give us cash. And while I always appreciated it, there was a time, particularly in my early 20s, when I thought it was no fun. Now that I’m older, though, I recognize this no-nonsense approach as optimal for not contributing to stuff that people don’t want or need — or for taking up time spent making returns or exchanges. Cash is efficient. It allows you to spend it exactly as you want.

(Don’t get me started on gift cards. Those are such a scam. It takes a totally fungible thing (money) and confines where and how you can spend it. I am still trying to spend down a gift card from years ago.)

I’m not a total Scrooge. There are little ones in my life and they get presents. But I tend to stick to books and stickers, maybe some art supplies. I only occasionally give them toys. (The kids in my life have plenty of toys already.)

And I’m not saying, “No gifts ever.” People have given me things that I’ve loved, things that I never would have bought for myself. That’s part of the happiness of gifts. And I’ve gotten much joy out of giving things to others too. But I don’t let the holidays dictate when I give someone a present. Sometimes I come across something that I think someone will really enjoy. I’ll just give them a present out of the blue.

Remember: a gift doesn’t always have to be a thing. These days, I’m more likely to give the gift of an experience or time. I enjoy taking friends out for a nice meal so that we can catch up. One of my most favorite gifts that I’ve received was a day of activities friends planned for me.

I’m just saying: gift thoughtfully and responsibly! (And for the love of the earth, if you do give a gift, don’t use glitter cards (glitter = tiny pieces of plastic) or conventional wrapping paper, which in most cases can’t even be recycled and just end up in the landfill.)

How to Make a DIY Fabric Wreath

A note about the image: this is a wreath that my mother-in-law made out of fabric scraps! Isn’t it cool? She created it out of a wire hanger and cotton fabric pieces left over from her sewing projects. It’s an easy craft activity.

  1. Bend the wire hanger into a round shape.
  2. Cut fabric strips of about the same length and width. The strips here are about 3/4″ wide and 7″ long.
  3. Knot the strips on the wire hanger until you fill up the space, paying attention to color and composition as you go along.
everlane re:down sleeping bag puffer coats and re:down puffy puff jackets hang from a rack in a store.

How Everlane’s ReWool & Re:Down Coats Fit on a Petite

Published by welcomeobjects

I visited the Everlane store in San Francisco recently to return a pile of stuff I bought last month. While I was there I tried on some outerwear. In case you were wondering what some of their new coats look like on a petite person, here you go! For reference, I am 5′ 4″, a dress size 4, and generally wear XS (but sometimes S) in Everlane.

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Italian ReWool Overcoat

I love that Everlane’s now making clothes from recycled fibers. This diverts old garments from the landfill and compared to making new fibers, it consumes less energy. There’s Everlane’s ReCashmere sweaters, and now this ReWool overcoat. (Everlane, of course, is not the only brand doing this. Cuyana also has recycled cashmere sweaters and Eileen Fisher uses recycled fibers too.)

The Italian ReWool Overcoat isn’t made entirely of wool. Its composition is 62% recycled wool. The rest of it is recycled nylon. I’m trying to buy natural fibers as much as possible, so I don’t love that it has nylon, but it seems that most wool coats in this price point ($300) are blends. Well, at least it’s recycled nylon.

The Italian ReWool Overcoat comes in three colors: camel, dark charcoal, and toffee and in sizes 00 to 16. (Yes, there is also a ReWool Overcoat for men.)

Here’s a 5’8″ model wearing a size 2.

Here’s 5′ 4″ me trying two sizes. On the left I’m wearing my regular size, 4, in the toffee. On the right, I’m wearing one size down in the camel. (Yes, it bothers me that these images are not the same size to give a better side-by-side comparison, but I cut off my feet in the second photo when I was taking it. Oops.)

My regular size was too big in the shoulders. The consensus on reviews seems to be to size down. The size 2 fit me better though it doesn’t look that way in this photo — maybe because the light camel color is not a good color on me. (I am forever looking for a deep, dark camel coat.) I love the orange-brown toffee color, though. It’s different and such a lovely warm color.

I thought the fit was OK for a petite, but had some drawbacks. Note that the coat falls a touch below the knees on the model, but on me it’s past mid calf. The sleeves are, of course, a little long. For me, personally, I found it too boxy-looking for my liking. It’s not supposed to be an oversized fit, but it looks that way on me. Another detail that was meh to me was the pockets. I prefer slant pockets oriented to the side that you can just slip your hands into as opposed to pockets on the front with a flap. However, you can tuck the flaps into the pockets for a more streamlined look.

The quality seemed nice overall and $300 is a reasonable price for a decent wool coat. (J. Crew prices are comparable.) I also didn’t find the wool too itchy.

Re:Down Sleeping Bag Puffer

Everlane also released their Re:Down line this fall. Oh sorry, Re:Down®. The shell is 100% recycled polyester while the interior is 100% recycled down from comforters and pillows. All in all, 18 plastic bottles go into making the Re:Down Sleeping Bag Puffer. It’s water-resistant, machine washable, and suitable for temperatures of 10 to 30 F.

Here’s the 5′ 8″ model wearing a S. As you can see, the fabric has a slight sheen to it.

And here I am in a S.

Well, I can see why they call this the Sleeping Bag Puffer. It’s an accurate name! The coats in this store were only floor models and not for sale. So there wasn’t the full range of sizes to try on. This coat has an oversized fit. The S felt a little big on me and the sleeves a bit long, but there wasn’t an XS to compare it to. Perhaps the shape would be more flattering in a size down, but I felt the silhouette was a bit too bell shaped in the bottom half, particularly around the hips. (By the way, the black read more like a very dark gray in person, maybe because of the slight sheen.)

The Re:Down Sleeping Bag Puffer has an insulated hood (with a drawstring cinch to adjust fit), windproof cuffs, and button-tab pockets. The closure down the front has both buttons and a two-way zipper, which is so handy. Sometimes you just want to button it quickly. And sometimes when it’s really cold, you’ll want to zip the whole thing up for the most insulation. I felt very toasty in this. I don’t have a good winter coat — it’s a luxury of the San Francisco Bay Area that it doesn’t get that cold. But this is a wardrobe hole. If I ever traveled to or moved somewhere colder I do not have the proper outerwear. One thing that I love about this coat is that even though it’s quite long, it’s super lightweight. You could probably squish it down too into a bag. Perfect for travel!

The Re:Down Sleeping Bag Puffer comes in sizes XXS to XL and in three colors: ochre (as pictured on the model), black (on me), and bone. (Sorry, men, there is not a long sleeping bag puffer coat version for you. But who says you can’t wear this one?)

Re:Down Puffy Puff

There’s a shorter version of the sleeping bag coat and it has the cute name of Re:Down Puffy Puff. Here’s the model again wearing a S.

And here I am in an XS.

Ah yes, XS is the right size for me. Look, the sleeves are the right length! As this one is shorter, it has given new life to 13 plastic bottles, not 18. It’s also not quite as warm as the sleeping bag version and meant for temperatures of 20 to 45 F.

I think it’s quite cute for a puffer. I like how the hood isn’t too big either. Even though my head is kind of medium big, I often find that hoods are just way too big — to the point that they might block your vision. This hood was the right size, plus there’s an adjustable cinch too. Both the puffy puff and the sleeping bag coat have the slant pockets I prefer.

The Re:Down Puffy Puff comes in sizes XXS to XL. It’s available in black, white, cobalt (which I’m wearing) and dark spice, which is like a dark orange leaf color. (You can see it on the rack behind me.) Still pretty excited about the sleeves not being too long. This one is a winner for petites. (Everlane made a short puffer for men too, and it’s reversible!)

I was curious about the new ReNew Military Parka as well, but alas, it was not in store. It’s more stylish than the puffers, though I have a feeling they’re heavier. Hope this has been helpful, fellow petites.

UPDATE 1/15/20 – I ended up buying the Re:Down Puffy Puff in black in December. I also got the Re:Down Reversible Puffer for the Mister.

A collage of up-close details of the Everlane Re:Down Puffy Puff

Details of the Re:Down Puffy Puff, Clockwise:  1) Both zipper and snap enclosures. The front is high enough to cover the neck. Also there’s a loop inside above the label for hanging the jacket up.  2) Each pocket has a snap for closure.  3) Cinch on the back of the hood. 4) Elastic bands on the sleeves keep air from getting in.

I’ve been wearing it on the regular for a month now — even indoors  — and I love it!

Everlane Re:Down Puffy Puff in black, as worn by me, a petite peson. I'm also wearing sweatpants and holding a mug.

Real Talk: This is what I wear most days in the winter as I work from home. Re:Down Puffy Puff is keeping me warm inside my cold-ass apartment.

Interested in other Everlane items? You can find a directory to all my Everlane reviews here.

Woven Flats: Allbirds Tree Breezers vs Everlane Day Glove ReKnit. Both pairs of shoes are red colored.

Woven Flats: Allbirds vs. Everlane

Published by welcomeobjects

Woven shoes have become a thing in the last few years. You know the ones I’m talking about — knitted fabric takes on the ballet flat. This story in Vox pinpoints the trend to Rothy’s, a startup in San Francisco founded by two men. It launched in 2016 with flats made from recycled plastic bottles.

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Earlier this year, Allbirds and Everlane entered the woven shoe fray with their own versions: Allbirds’ Tree Breezers and Everlane’s Day Glove ReKnit. I tried on both for a quick comparison.

Allbirds Tree Breezers

The outsole of the Allbirds Breezers.

Removable insole on the Allbirds Breezers.

Materials: The fabric upper is made from responsibly grown and sustainably harvested eucalyptus pulp. The foam sole (aka SweetFoam™) comes from sugarcane. Allbirds says it’s “the world’s first carbon negative green EVA.” The removable insole is made out of castor bean oil instead of petroleum and lined with merino wool. Like other Allbirds shoes, these are machine washable.

Aesthetic & Details: The Mister was with me when I tried them on, and he said, “I thought you were trying on socks.” Honestly, all of these types of shoes kind of look like socks. The toe on the Tree Breezers is rounded, but tapers a bit. There’s a band of color around the edge or collar that hugs your foot. While monochrome, there’s a bit of contrast (more so on some colorways than others.) They’re not bad, but not exactly stylish. You could get away with these in a more casual work environment.

Fit: This is the first Allbirds shoe to come in half sizes. All their other shoes only come in whole sizes. I’m a 6.5, so in the past I sized up to 7 in the Wool Loungers (my review) and the Tree Skippers (my review). With the Tree Breezers, I also sized up to a 7. The 6.5 felt very tight in the toe box. Keep in mind that my feet are a bit wide. I’ve read that the Breezers stretch a bit after a few days of wear. But the toe box was so tight that even with some stretching, I think they’d still be too tight. I recommend going up half a size, even for those of you with medium width feet.

Comfort: I have to say: Allbirds has really figured something out with their insole. It’s the same insole that’s in their other shoes, which means it delivers on that same cushy feeling. Even though it doesn’t appear to have arch support, my experience with wearing other Allbirds shoes has been that my arches feel fine. Overall, the shoe is super lightweight. The mesh knit felt smooth. I found them quite comfortable.

Everlane Day Glove ReKnit

Materials: 88% recycled polyester, 10% nylon, and 2% elastane. The sole is made out of 8 recycled plastic bottles. There’s also some Italian leather in this shoe: the pull tab is leather as is the cushioned insole.

Aesthetic & Details: The leather accents on these shoes make them feel more luxe. Like the leather version of these shoes (which I reviewed here), these provide more coverage than the Allbirds shoes. The higher vamp made my wide feet look slimmer. The pattern of the knit reminds me of a sweater — feet sweaters. (Everlane also makes boot feet sweaters now.)

Fit: These are wide feet friendly! I fit my regular size, a 6.5.

Comfort: These are also quite lightweight, though not as lightweight as the Tree Breezers. They felt comfortable and cushioned in my short walk in the store. There’s not really much in the way of arch support here either. I do wonder how the arches would feel after a whole day in them. While the leather Day Gloves seemed like they’d need break-in time, the woven material doesn’t.

And the Winner Is…

For me, personally, I’d go with the Tree Breezers, mainly because of the insole and my experience with other Allbirds shoes. I find my Wool Loungers super comfortable. Allbirds shoes don’t feel like any other shoes to me.

Another consideration for me was materials and sweatiness. In other words, my feet sweat. While Everlane says that their knit fabric is breathable, I don’t think polyester could ever be more breathable than a natural fiber like the eucalyptus in the Allbirds. (Leather insoles in the Everlane shoe probably help with breathability, though.)

I also like the overall shape of the Allbirds better. Even though I appreciate that the Everlane Day Glove ReKnit made my feet look slimmer, I don’t like how much of the top of my feet it covers. This is a matter of taste, of course. The Everlane flats do seem more fashion-forward. I just don’t like how they look on me. Neither of them are as elegant as Rothy’s The Point, though, which are the most good-looking of the bunch IMO. I’d love to see Allbirds and Everlane make pointy toed versions of their shoes.

Overall, I think they’re both good, comfy options if you’re in the market for this kind of sock-like shoe. Both shoes retail around $100, which cost less than the $125 to $145 for Rothy’s. Both have a flexible sole and are cushioned (Rothy’s are not), though the Allbirds have better cushioning. If you want a sole with more grip, Everlane is better in that respect. If a washable shoe is important, then Allbirds has the advantage.

UPDATE 12/15/19 – I bought a pair of the Allbirds Tree Breezers on Poshmark, as I note in my November shopping diary. As it’s cold, I haven’t worn them much, but one thing that I didn’t expect is that they rub a bit on the very back. It’s quite odd, as I don’t see what could cause this sensation. There’s a small tab at the back of the shoe. (You can see it in the photos where I’m holding the gray Tree Breezers and where I’m showing the removable insole.) This area is a little thicker, so maybe that’s the reason?

UPDATE 7/22/20 – I’ve worn the Allbirds more often now through the spring and summer. The rubbing has subsided for the most part. Perhaps they needed to stretch out a bit. Overall, I’m happy with the shoe. Also, this summer Everlane released a ReKnit version of their pointy-toed leather 40-Hour Flat, putting them toe-to-toe with Rothy’s pointy shoe.

Welcome Objects Shopping Diary: a flat lay with neatly folded clothing. One is a floral shirt.

October 2019 Shopping Diary

Published by welcomeobjects

October was a stressful month for me, which led to a lot of online browsing as a way to unwind. While I intended to read books at the end of each day, that often didn’t happen. My tired brain didn’t want to deal with words. Instead, it wanted to take in pretty pictures of clothes. I ordered a bunch of things, justifying the purchases as, “Things are hard and I deserve it.” While I didn’t end up keeping most of it, I felt like I was slipping into bad habits again, the same way I felt in February.

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Things I Added to my Wardrobe

The most exciting purchase was an Amour Vert silk blouse I found on Poshmark after searching for several months. I had tried on the shirt (in another print) in my fitting room review of the brand. As I mentioned in that post, most of Amour Vert’s prints don’t appeal to me. But I liked the cut of the blouse and would look every once in a while on resale sites to see what discontinued prints were out there. That’s how I found this marigold print in navy.

Amour Vert Amy blouse in a marigold print worn with Everlane high-waisted jeans by a person with dark hair.

Amour Vert Blouse [in other prints] // Everlane Jeans [review] // Everlane shoes [review] (And yes, I only wore these shoes for this photo. I’m confined to ugly sneakers recently due to a foot injury. See how this blouse looks with ugly sneakers in this styling post.)

I had actually tried to buy the shirt a while back from another seller. When my offer was denied, I told myself it wasn’t meant to be and forgot about it. But then, a new one popped up on Poshmark and I realized I still liked it.

When it comes to online secondhand purchases, I don’t like to take risks. I tend to look for things I already own, but in a different color. Based on the blouse I’d tried in store, I had a pretty good idea of how this blouse would fit. However, though I liked the print, I wasn’t sure that I would like it on me. It’s not typical of my style and louder than what I’m used to wearing. Poshmark doesn’t allow returns, so if it didn’t work out, I’d have to resell it.

Happily, though, I love it! And it was new with tags — though it smelled strongly of perfume. (Hmmm, was it worn before?) By the way, the tag on the Amy Silk Blouse says, “Dry Clean Only” but I nervously ignored that. I hand washed it with Soakwash, squeezed it gently in a towel, and hung it up to dry. It turned out fine. (For other laundry tips, check out this post I wrote about caring for your clothes.)

I also made three separate Everlane orders in October, though I’m only keeping one item: the Soft Cotton V-neck. I feel this was a reasonable purchase since sweaters figure heavily on the wardrobe gap list I made back in February.

Things I bought but am returning include the Cashmere Lantern Sweater (review here), the Luxe Cotton Crop Tee (review), and the Soft Cotton Boatneck sweater, which was part of the Choose What You Pay sale. Regular readers of my blog will know that the Soft Cotton Boatneck is my favorite Everlane sweater, but it was sold out in the size I prefer (XXS). I ordered the XS, but it’s just not the same as it’s wider by about 2″. Everlane had not been replenishing stock for a while, so perhaps it’s being discontinued. 🙁

Things I Decluttered

Carine Roitfeld x Uniqlo Outfit: A woman wears a shirt and pencil skirt with an olive colored palm print.

Wore this outfit for the Gram over a year ago.

This month in wardrobe reconsiderations, I finally admitted to myself that a cotton skirt I loved had to go. I adore the skirt’s palm print; it’s from a Carine Roitfeld collaboration with Uniqlo. I even have the matching silk shirt. While the shirt is in rotation, I’ve never worn the skirt out — only posed in it for Instagram photos. I bought it when I was skinner and now it doesn’t fit. Even when I can squeeze into it, it’s not that comfortable. It’s just been hanging in my closet with the tags on for more than three years. (The heels I decided to let go of in September and am passing along to a friend. I definitely can’t wear them anymore with my foot problems.)

I also purged a few workwear items. Though I’ve already gotten rid of most of my office-y clothes — I work from home these days — I had held on to a few favorites. “Just in case I have a meeting,” I reasoned. Guess what? I’ve not worn these things once to meetings or anywhere else. I used to wear sheath dresses on the regular at the office or at work functions. But I can’t see myself doing that anymore. So, thank you for your service, ombré sheath dress. I’m basically down to one sheath dress now — a basic, black sleeveless one. (Similar to this, but all black.) But I’m even questioning if I should keep that one.

Welcome Objects 2019 Wardrobe Count To Date
Additions: 2 this month = 15 items total for the year
Subtractions: 3 items this month = 38 items removed from my closet so far this year

What I Read

Elaine wrote about what it’s like to live in California during fire season. (I’ve been very lucky that the PG&E blackouts haven’t affected me, but I know many people who went without power and one friend was on standby to evacuate. Luckily, she didn’t have to.) Being at the ready to evacuate made Elaine consider all that she owns, what she would take, and the cycle of buying and purging stuff. The urgency of the fires really puts things into perspective.

I also read a story in the LA Times about a home renovation by the owners of the design store Poketo. They live in a sparsely decorated home, somewhat of a surprise since they’re known for selling housewares, stationery, and well, lots of stuff. I’m sure they cleaned up before the photoshoot, but I was really struck by how little they own. As to their wardrobe: “We don’t have much stuff. We share a closet.” OMG, this couple shares a closet?! I think I love clothes too much to ever share a closet. But both these stories inspired me to pare down even more and keep striving for minimalism.

Everlane cashmere lantern sweater worn by a woman with dark hair.

Effortlessly Elegant: Everlane Cashmere Lantern Sweater

Published by welcomeobjects

Last year, I tried on a puff sleeve sweater from Nordstrom and fell in love with the silhouette. It was thin, yet warm, elegant and easy to wear. But, as I wrote in a review, I returned it. Why? Because it was half acrylic and I’m really trying to avoid synthetic fibers — which are made out of fossil fuels — whenever possible. At the end of the review I wrote, “Fall is coming, so I’m sure other brands will make puff sleeve sweaters too. Pssst, Everlane. I have an idea for you!”

And what do you know? This fall, Everlane came out with a puff sleeve sweater — the Cashmere Lantern Sweater. Now, I don’t know if Everlane reads my little blog, so I can’t claim credit. But, hey, can we at least agree that great minds think alike?

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I was happy to see it on the website. It comes in six colors: black, heather gray, rose pink, brass, indigo donegal, and rust (the lovely orange-red color above). I ordered one in brass to try on even though I had my doubts. From past experience, I knew that Everlane cashmere is too prickly for my sensitive skin.

Here’s a size S on a 5’9″ model.

And here’s the brass color, in a size S, on 5′ 4″ me.

I’m a size 4 and usually wear an XS in Everlane tops because they tend to have relaxed fits. But reading the size guide, I realized I should order the Cashmere Lantern Sweater in S and indeed it’s the right size. The sleeves are a little longer on me than on the model because I’m petite. But I still find it petite friendly because the cuffs are banded. You can easily scoot the sleeves up and they’ll stay in place, more or less.

Styling this is easy because it’s so effortlessly elegant. Since the balloon sleeves convey a bit of drama, I like to keep the rest of the outfit simple. The sweater looks good with slim pants and I especially like it tucked into a pencil skirt.

Cashmere Lantern Sweater // Banana Republic Pencil Skirt [ethical option] // Eileen Fisher Pumps [similar]

The weight of the sweater is on the lighter side. It’s thin enough to tuck into pants or skirts without bulk. It’s also warm and cozy. I love everything about this sweater except the scratchiness. It’s a slow-developing irritation that seems manageable at first, but bothers me more over time. Though I want to keep this sweater, I know I have to take it back.

Pssst, Everlane. I have an idea for you. Make a version of this sweater in a fine cotton knit!

I don’t know what it is about Everlane cashmere that makes it prickly for me. Other cashmere items from some other brands don’t bother me, though plenty also do. Does it have to do with how the cashmere is processed or how thick the fibers are? Apparently, thinner fibers make for a higher grade and more soothing garments. (Everlane cashmere is grade A, so it’s already rated the highest.)

I’m curious about Everlane’s ReCashmere line, where they turn old sweaters into new garments like this crewneck sweater or this relaxed stroopwafel sweater that has slightly puffy sleeves. Would these sweaters made from recycled cashmere and blended with merino wool work better for me? Or would they feel even worse? (UPDATE: I tried on some ReCashmere sweaters.)

There are other ethical brands making cashmere sweaters like Cuyana, Naadam, Grana, and Mott & Bow. I wonder how they compare. (Have you tried these brands? Let me know in the comments.) Of course, there’s always thrifting. The one cashmere sweater I’ve had success with I thrifted from a Goodwill.

By the way, for those of you who don’t have a problem with Everlane cashmere, there’s a promotion going on now! For 365 hours, from 11/3 at Midnight PST through Tuesday, 11/5 at Noon PST Everlane is discounting nine different cashmere styles for women and men by $20 to $40. Basically, they’re on sale for $100. This lantern sweater is included.

If you find my reviews helpful and are new to Everlane, please considering using my referral link to make your first purchase. (Create your account before browsing.) This helps make my reviews possible. Thanks! You can find a directory to all my Everlane reviews here.

How to style ugly sneakers: Black Hoka One One Bondi sneakers as seen from above on a sidewalk with red leaves.

How to Style (Ugly) Sneakers

Published by welcomeobjects

Lately, my footwear options have been super restricted because of an injury to my right foot. As I mentioned last month, my podiatrist told me to wear a certain ugly sneaker to give my foot room to heal. Resigned to this fate, I’ve been figuring out how to style these ugly sneakers for the past month. So, today I’m sharing some outfits.

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By the way, I put ugly in parenthesis in the title because while I was personally styling sneakers I consider ugly, you can style cute sneakers this way too. I would totally wear all the outfits below with my more attractive Everlane trainers. (You can read my review about them here.)

The Ugly Sneaker

Hoka One One Bondi – $149.95

This sneaker is actually a running shoe with lots of cushioning — so much cushioning that the bottom of it looks kind of like an inflatable boat. Opinions differ as to whether these are in fact ugly. When my sister first saw them, she asked, a bit aghast, “What are those?” The mister thinks they’re not too bad and that it’s all about your attitude when wearing them. (I think it’s a bit of both. They are ugly (not even ugly-cute), and yes, attitude counts for something.) He pointed out that he’s seen lots of young women wearing chunky sneakers on purpose — a trend from 2018 that continued into this year. Designer brands flaunted hideous sneakers on the runways. I don’t know if this makes it better or worse. It’s trendy so I won’t look so out of place? But also, I’m not doing this because it’s trendy. I’m doing it because my foot is fucked up.

Being running shoes, these come in lots of loud colorways like bright pink with blue accents and aqua blue with yellow. The first thing I did to mitigate the ugliness was to choose the all black colorway. As my every day shoes, they needed to go with as much as possible.

Look 1 – White Tee + Black Maxi Skirt

Muji Tee [similar] // Maxi Skirt [ethical option] // Everlane Tote

This maxi skirt is so long it nearly hides these sneakers. Plus, the black skirt with the black sneakers creates one uninterrupted stretch of black, making me look a little taller. I paired this with a simple boatneck T-shirt and a black leather tote. I ran errands in this comfy outfit on a warm day. It’s not fussy and the clean, minimalist aesthetic feels modern.

Look 2 – Striped Dress + Chambray

Everlane Dress [similar] // Chambray Shirt [similar] // Baggu Purse [review]

This is one of my usual weekend outfits (as you can see in my review of the dress). Layering is key in the San Francisco Bay Area and I often throw a relaxed button-up shirt over my outfit and tie it in the front. I like tying it at a cropped length to create the illusion of longer legs. I just subbed in these sneakers in place of my usual shoe options and while not as cute, it worked just fine.

Look 3 – Graphic Tee + Chinos

Here’s another outfit for warmer days. The chinos are comfy and the shibori print tee draws attention upward. Everything’s in the same color (yes, I wear a lot of black) so it looks pulled together even though it’s quite casual. Tucking in the T-shirt also helps it from feeling too casual. I wore this outfit often this month while I was staying in a warmer part of the country.

Look 4 – Graphic Sweater + Skinny Jeans

Sweater // Uniqlo High-Waisted Jeans [similar & ethical ]

This is the colder weather version of the graphic tee outfit above. I swapped the T-shirt for a sweater and the lightweight chinos for thicker skinny jeans. Now that I’m looking at this, the sneakers seem even chunkier-looking to me. I think that’s because the outfit is fitted throughout. Perhaps this outfit would be better with an oversized sweater. Or maybe I should have really committed to the look and worn mom jeans instead.

Look 5 – Floral Blouse + High-Waisted Jeans

Taking the draw-attention-upward concept even further, I tucked this floral silk blouse into high-waisted jeans. The pops of orange in the marigold print were great at diverting attention from the sneakers. I liked pairing the feminine, flowy blouse with denim. It felt polished in spite of the sneakers. I wore this outfit to an event and dinner with friends.

Look 6 – Sweats + Moto Jacket

Proenza Schouler for Target Sweatshirt // Uniqlo Sweatpants [similar] // Club Monaco Moto Jacket [similar]

Here’s an outfit I wore on a cooler day. I started with my favorite graphic sweatshirt, paired it with sweatpants, then threw on a moto jacket. I love moto jackets. They bring a bit of edge and instantly make any outfit feel more stylish. The sweatpants I’m wearing are on the slimmer side, which keeps the outfit from looking too sweats-like.

During the past month, I’ve played with variations on these looks. And of course, I’m an outfit repeater, so some of these looks I wore a lot. Hope this post has brought you a few helpful ideas! How would you wear ugly sneakers?

UPDATE 11/23/19 – I just found these sneakers on Opening Ceremony’s site and am tickled. They even collaborated to make their own sneaker for the store. More proof that ugly sneakers are in.