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Everlane day square tote in black and gray Blondo ankle boots on a white background.

July 2019 Shopping Diary

Published by welcomeobjects

What I Bought

It’s time for my monthly consumption check-in. This month I bought three things. Considering that in the first six months of the year, I added a grand total of five items to my wardrobe, three feels significant.

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First, my carefully considered Nordstrom Anniversary Sale items arrived. I only ordered two things (though in multiple sizes). I decided to keep a pair of Blondo waterproof ankle boots in gray. That some of the colors came in wide widths seemed promising. Maybe they’d fit better. Happily, this seems to be the case. I’ve worn the boots out once, and so far, so good. Maybe this is the end of my ankle boots search? I’m a little embarrassed by how many boots have cycled in and out of my closet the last few years due to fit and comfort issues.

An aside about the packaging, though: The rigid insert inside the boot was plastic. Boooo.

A gray boot on a wood floor with the plastic insert that was inside of it below it.

Next, I couldn’t resist snagging a Day Square Tote when Everlane put their totes on sale for one day. I’ve had my eye on it for some time. Most days I carry one of Everlane’s twill totes (no longer available). But after several years of constant use, they’re looking worn. I wanted to upgrade to a leather tote, which would hopefully last longer, look polished enough for a work meeting, but could also pair with a more casual outfit. The Day Square Tote fit the bill. (There’s also the larger Day Market Tote, but I figured the smaller square one would fit my petite frame better.)

Making this purchase also forced me confront the fact that I have a perfectly good leather bag in my closet that I never use: this AllSaints hobo bag. (It’s no longer in production, but this bag looks like the updated version of it.) I fell in love with its minimalist slouchy look when I first saw it in a catalog and impulsively splurged on it. But I’ve only carried it twice! It’s just a little too big and heavy for me. Time to sell it.

To reach the two-item minimum for free shipping with Everlane, I also threw in a pair of Easy Chinos. I have a pair in black (reviewed here) and have been surprised by how much I like them, so I thought I’d get them in more colors. I wanted the ochre, but they’re sold out in my size. So I ordered the stone. While they appeared to be light gray on the site, they’re more khaki-esque in person. I’m not sure what to do with this color, honestly. They’re going back.

Lastly, I was in Muji recently for stationery and gel ink refills. (They’re always out of the pen refills in black though. Grrrrr.) I picked up an organic cotton tee with French sleeves in gray. It looked like the same cut as a white one I bought last year and wear often — and it was just $12 too.

It hasn’t been entirely clear to me if Muji is an ethical and sustainable company, but perhaps that’s because they don’t shout about it. Quartz reports that they have a slow and purposeful production process. “Instead of outsourcing to the known conglomerate of sweatshops, Muji has invested in an eco-friendly dyeing and sewing plant in Cambodia and sources products from Kenya and Kyrgyzstan, abiding by sustainability principles set by the UN’s Business Call to Action.”

Even though only one of these items (the ankle boots) was on the wardrobe gap wish list I made earlier this year, I feel like they’re all reasonable purchases that will get a lot of wear.

Welcome Objects 2019 Wardrobe Count To Date
Additions: 3 this month = 8 items total for the year
Subtractions: 1 this month = 28 items ejected from my closet so far this year

What I Read

This is an older news story, but I shared it with my family recently because they didn’t know about it: How the Sugar Industry Shifted Blame to Fat. “The sugar industry paid scientists in the 1960s to play down the link between sugar and heart disease and promote saturated fat as the culprit instead.”

Waste Only: How the Plastics Industry is Fighting to Keep Polluting the World. Similarly, the plastic industry is derailing efforts to use less of its product. Among the many distressing things I learned from this in-depth investigation was that very little plastic gets recycled, and that recycled plastic “is increasingly recognized as posing threats to our health.” Plastic contains additives that are not regulated. Black plastic is particularly harmful. “The plastic is often sourced from recycled electronics that contain phthalates, flame retardants, and heavy metals, such as cadmium, lead, and mercury. Even at very low levels, these chemicals can cause serious reproductive and developmental problems.”

Factory Tour: Inside the Denim Factory that Your Favorite Sustainable Brands Use Loyally. An inside look at the Saitex factory in Vietnam, which makes jeans for Everlane, Eileen Fisher, and other brands. It was eye-opening to see all the work that goes into a single pair of jeans.

Everlane the wedge shoe in light yellow and black on a retail display.

Everlane Try-On: 7 Styles of Sandals & Shoes

Published by welcomeobjects

I’ve been popping into the Everlane store in San Francisco over the past few months to try on things for fun. So, I thought I’d share some thoughts on my first impressions of their spring and summer releases. Today I’ll start with seven styles of shoes. (Some of them are, interestingly, on sale already.)

Before we get started, if you’re new to my blog, here are some things you should know about my feet: mostly that they’re a half size (I’m a 6.5) and that they’re a bit wide and flat. Also, that I have a hard time finding comfy shoes, so I’m very picky.

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The Day Crossover Sandal

I’m starting with the Day Crossover Sandal because I was most excited about this one. Judging by how quickly it has sold out in various colors, including this dusty rose and a lovely neutral mocha brown, it seems I’m not the only one who feels that way. At the moment, the Day Crossover Sandal is available in camel and white.

What I Liked: Wow, this sandal is lightweight. And the leather on the upper is so soft. The bottom is a flexible and rubbery. It’s an easy shoe to slip into on your way out the door and look chic.

What Was Meh: The footbed is just how it looks: flat without any arch support. It’s also quite thin, which made me wonder how long they’d last. (I tend to wear out my soles, especially on the back quickly.)

Fit: It felt true to size, though as someone with wide feet, I leaned towards sizing up half a size to the 7s. I tried both 6.5 and 7 in the store and the sales person seemed to think that the 7s were better as well. However, since the leather is so soft, it seems like it would mold to your feet and stretch. I have a feeling my usual 6.5 would have been just fine.

Even though I love the way these look and how soft the leather feels, I didn’t end up buying these. Why? Because they’re thin and that means that my feet are too close to San Francisco’s gross streets. Sorry, I need more distance from the ground.

The Day Slide Sandal

What I Liked: The Day Slide Sandals are similar in construction to the Day Crossover Sandal. That means it has the same super soft leather upper, only there’s more of it in this design.

What Was Meh: We already went over this, but the footbed and bottom are thin.

Fit: I tried on the floor sample in 7 and they felt too big, confirming my suspicion that the leather upper stretches. I’d also take these in your regular size.

The Form Three-Strap Sandal

Form Three-Strap Sandal – $128, now marked down to $77

What I Liked: Last year I tried on the Form Crossover Sandals and wrote about how much I liked them as the footbed feels like it molds to your feet. Plus, there’s arch support and the outsole is rubber. The Form Three-Strap has the same comfy construction. And yes, they lift me far enough away from the grime of the street.

What Was Meh: The Form sandals are a little heavy. Also, those three tube straps are problematic. They’re kind of firm and it seems like they might dig into the top of your feet. Also, they’re not as good as the crossover design at keeping the sandal secure on my foot. The shoe seemed to flop around more when I took steps. I imagine that the similar Form Thong Sandal has the same problem. Maybe that’s why they have too much in stock and all colorways are on sale now. Both sandals come in black, lilac, and apricot (what I’m wearing above). The Three-Strap also comes in an aloe green, which looks like the color of guacamole to me.

Fit: The Form sandals only come in whole sizes. So, I sized up to 7, which seemed to fit fine.

The Wedge

Wedge – $165 (some colors marked down to $116)

What I Liked: Right off the bat, I should confess that I’m generally not a fan of backless, strapless heels. But I think these are really cute. I do love a wedge and the curve gives it a little something extra. It’s a classy-looking shoe. These also seem quite walkable as they’re not that tall at 2″.

What Was Meh: I found them snug, particularly at the front. These seems like they’d pinch your toes too much (if you too have wide feet.)

Fit: I’m wearing the 7s here and they still feet tight in the toe box area. I suspect they’d take a considerable amount of break-in time. I don’t recommend them for wide feet folks.

The classic colors of black and bone are regular priced at $165. Spring colors like lilac and apricot (which I’m wearing), have been marked down to $116.

The Block Heel

Block Heel – $145 – $155

When I first saw these sandals, they gave me flashbacks to my adolescence in the ’90s. That squared-off toe definitely screams ’90s to me. I’m not sure how I feel about that. In general, I’m not a fan of ’90s fashion.

What I Liked: The 2″ block heel is walkable. And I’m digging the colors. Rose and black are $145. Summer colors like this canary yellow are marked down to $87. And, there’s also a lizard print version (currently in cream, dusty blue, and sand), which cost a little more at $155. The moss green lizard is now $93.

What Was Meh: There’s not much cushioning in the footbed. And like the wedges, these felt a bit tight in the toe box.

Fit: Runs a little small (at least for my wide feet.) I walked around in the store in a half size up and they felt decently comfortable. I don’t know if I’d want to walk around a lot in these though since there’s not much cushioning.

Double-Strap Block Heel

Double-Strap Block Heel – $145 – $155

I’m not even going to list the “what I liked” and “meh” categories here because it’s clear that I have a thing against ’90s-era-looking shoes and that’s not fair to the shoe. The Double-Strap Block Heel basically has the same construction as the Block Heel but with two thin straps for the upper.

Fit: For some bizarro reason, these felt less comfortable to me than the Block Heels. That doesn’t make any sense as the footbed looked the same to me. Shrug. Chalk it up to sample to sample variation?

Again, like its sibling, the smooth leather version is $145 while the lizard print ones are $155. One color (strawberry pink) is marked down to $87. They come in black, bone, camel and sand lizard. One thing that’s different from the Block Heel Sandals is that the heel in the Double Strap remains black no matter the color of the upper. With the Block Heel, the heel is the same color as the upper.

The Day Glove ReKnit

Everlane Day Glove ReKnit in red, as worn by someone standing in front of a mirror.

Everlane has taken their ever popular Day Glove, which I reviewed last year and made a version of them in a recycled polyester fabric. (From plastic bottles!) There’s some nylon and elastane in there too. Are these meant to compete with Rothy’s? Hmmm.

What I Liked: They’re wide feet friendly! They’re also lightweight and have a rubber outsole. They footbed is lightly cushioned.

What Was Meh: The same complaints I have about the Day Glove, I have about the ReKnit Day Glove. Mainly, that I don’t like the way it looks, which is just a personal thing. I don’t like how much of the foot it covers. The fabric is … interesting. They look like little sweaters for your feet. I like the look of Rothy’s better, especially the pointy-toed ones. Fabric ballet shoes seem to be a thing now. Allbirds also makes one out of Eucalyptus fiber called the Tree Breezers. They’re at the same price point, and those even have a slight arch support.

Fit: They fit the same as the Day Gloves. Even with my wide feet, I fit in my usual size. They seem comfortable, though I wonder how they’d feel over a long period of time on your feet.

UPDATE 11/13/19 – I compare the Day Glove ReKnit to the Allbirds Tree Breezers.

Welp, that was a lot of shoes. Hopefully this review has been helpful to you.

Do you like any of these shoes? And what do you think of ’90s fashion? Am I being too harsh?

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

lo & sons edgemont convertible backpack tote review: a flat lay of the bag with a laptop, sunglasses case, and notebook.

Lo & Sons Edgemont Convertible Backpack Tote Review

Published by welcomeobjects

When it come to travel products, the word “convertible” will get my attention every time. Something that functions in multiple ways? Tell me more! So, I was intrigued when Lo & Sons created the Edgemont, a convertible backpack and tote. I like to travel with a backpack and suitcase, but once I get to my destination, I don’t usually use a backpack that much. I need a purse or a tote. So I pack one in my suitcase. But what if one convertible backpack/tote could do it all?

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Edgemont Convertible Backpack Tote – $128 (on sale now for $89.60)

Design-wise, the Edgemont is pretty straight forward. It’s a rectangular bag made out of the same material as Lo & Sons’ Hanover backpacks (which I reviewed earlier this year) — water-resistant 600 D recycled poly. It measures 13″ x 14.5″ x 5″ deep and weighs 2.2 pounds (which is how much the Hanover Deluxe backpack weighs). It comes in three colors: black, navy, and this navy camo, which I thought was the nicest looking. I appreciate that the camo pattern is subtle.

Lo & Sons is known for the removable inserts in their backpacks and the Edgemont has one too. The insert in the Edgemont is the same one in the Hanover Deluxe, weighing 10 oz. It has a padded computer pocket (which fits a 11.75″ x 13.25″ laptop), two other large slip pockets, and two mesh pockets for water bottles or whatever. Small snaps hold the insert in place. Simply unsnap them to remove the insert.

How much stuff can it carry? Here are the typical things I travel with that I tried putting into the Edgemont. They’re the same things I put into the Lo & Sons backpacks that I reviewed.

minimalist backpack review: flay lay of items that I would put in a backpack, including a laptop, book, notebook, pouches, and more.

When Welcome Objects Travels: laptop, a book (and sometimes a magazine too), my journal, a meal and snack, water bottle (review), spork (review), sunglasses, down vest that packs down, Baggu reusable bags (review), and pouches for laptop power supply, cables, my wallet, and other small things (you can see what’s in them here).

The Edgemont as a Backpack

First, I tried the bag in backpack mode. Here’s the back of the bag. The backpack straps live inside the big pocket. Note the two zippers for side stash pockets. Also, note the zippers at the bottom. When you unzip these, they create a sleeve that you can put over the handles of a suitcase. I love this feature, which every travel backpack should have!

The back of the Lo & Sons Edgemont convertible tote.

Unsnapping the outside pocket reveal the straps.

The straps attach to two rings that are tucked away at the bottom corners of the bag.

Viola: you have a backpack.

Here’s the bag stuffed with all the things above. It was nearly at capacity. I would have been able to squeeze something else in, like a pair of headphones. While it holds a lot, the lack of bigger external pockets was not ideal for me as a travel backpack. I  wanted more organization so that I didn’t need to root around in the bag as much to find what I was looking for. (BTW, I’m 5′ 4″. I felt like it wasn’t too big as a backpack on my petite frame.)

The Edgemont in backpack mode on me, a 5′ 4″ person.

The Edgemont as a Tote Bag

OK, now on to tote mode. Here’s the bag on my shoulder with the insert and my laptop and a few other things inside.

What I Liked About the Edgemont

  • The material is tough. Like Lo & Sons’ backpacks, it seems well-made and able to withstand abuse.
  • The removable insert. You can just take the whole thing out (and leave your things in the insert). I don’t always need to carry my laptop and being able to remove the insert makes it a more versatile bag.
  • The insert also gives the bag structure, so it stands up by itself.
  • The straps had decent padding and felt comfortable.
  • The ability to create a suitcase sleeve. Being able to rest your bag on top of your suitcase as you rush through an airport really takes the load off.
  • The discreet zippered side stash pockets, which are super handy. You can easily grab something you might reach for often, like a bus pass or key card.

What Could Be Improved

  • The tote straps feel gym-bag like to me. I wish they were a bit more upscale. They’re also not the most comfortable straps for the shoulder if you were say, just wearing a light shirt. Plus, in backpack mode the straps flop around. Sure, there’s a little strap for them so you can keep them closed together, but then you’d have to unsnap them each time to get into the bag.
  • In fact, the whole look, while quite minimalist and simple, feels a little too plain. Its casual look doesn’t excite me. For a more professional look, see Lo & Son’s Rowledge, a more upscale convertible backpack tote with leather accents.
  • As a tote, with the insert in place, the depth of the bag felt too wide for me at 5″. It felt almost too big to stay on my shoulders. At 2.2 lbs, I also found it heavy to carry on one shoulder. I’m petite and small, though, so this may not be a problem for someone of a larger stature.
  • The metal zippers at the bottom that unzip to create the suitcase sleeve clang against each other. I guess you could unzip them a little bit so they’re not right next to each other making noise. But then that would preclude you from using that part of the bag as just a pocket.
  • The top of the bag has gaps on the side. This doesn’t seem like a big deal for most days, but I worry that it would be bothersome on very rainy days.

In the end, I returned this bag. It didn’t seem to serve my particular needs that well. I decided to continue packing a tote in my suitcase and using a separate backpack on travel days. (I kept the Lo & Sons Hanover Deluxe, which I reviewed here.)

However, I could see it working well as a work bag for someone else. And it seems like a handy travel bag for someone who carries less stuff than me. It doesn’t scream tourist and you could easily switch between backpack and tote mode throughout the day.

The Thrill of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is Gone: The Nordstrom store inside a mall. The photo is taken from above looking down on several levels of the store inside a mall, with escalators between each floor.

The Thrill of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is Gone

Published by welcomeobjects

This weekend, I noticed that my attempts to shop slower, cull my closet, and change my shopping habits might actually be taking hold. I’ve run the numbers before and noticed that I buy less than I used to. But this weekend, I really felt that I’ve changed.

Why? Because upon realizing that early access to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale started on Friday for card holders I felt …. nothing. (The sale opens to the general public July 19.)

In past years, I relished flipping through the catalog and planning what I might want to buy. I went to the store, tried on things, and blogged about it. After all, fall is my favorite fashion season, and the sale features fall staples and trends. This year, though, I didn’t even realize it was happening until the night before. (It helps that Nordstrom has stopped mailing me their catalogs.) And when I did realize it, I didn’t think of what I might buy. Instead, I thought, Crap, half the year is over already? Fall is around the corner?!

I did end up walking through the sale at the San Francisco store on Friday evening because I happened to be meeting up with a friend downtown. We were on our way to the Nordstrom Cafe to catch up, as the food is actually quite decent. (It sure beats the food court in the basement of the mall.) We walked through many of the departments just to look around. It all felt very meh to me.

My friend wasn’t impressed either. Perhaps part of our reaction has to do with aging. Our tastes have changed and while we didn’t chase trends much before, now we really don’t care about them. Not only did much of the clothes seem too trendy to me, but a lot of it was synthetic fabric or blends. I pay much more attention to quality and fiber content now.

With those two parameters, many things don’t make the cut. (Yes, there are pricey, better-made designer goods on sale too, but those things aren’t in my price range.) In my friend’s case, she also felt that becoming a mother (and thus having less leisure time) and using a clothing subscription service killed any interest she used to have in browsing in a store.

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The only thing I bought that evening was the Stila beauty set because it contains the waterproof liquid eyeliner I wear. The eyeliner by itself retails for $22, and the set is priced at $20. But even that was kind of a bummer this year because the eyeliner was paired with a glittery eye shadow that is, quite frankly, horrible. (In past years, the set included a mini size of their Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick, something I actually used.)

I did order a few things over the weekend, but I stuck to the wardrobe gap wish list that I made earlier this year. Sweaters figured highly on that list, so I ordered this wool sweater by Eileen Fisher, one of the handful of ethical brands at Nordstrom.

I also bought ankle boots in a few sizes because I’m constantly looking for a pair that fits me well. (My current ones have good arch support but are too tight in the toe box). Two styles by Blondo are on sale: Valli and the Villa, which has a slightly shorter heel. Blondo makes some of their boots in wide widths. Hoping that improves my chances of finding a pair that works for me, but I could very well end up returning everything.

By the way, if it seems like every influencer hypes up the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, there’s a reason for that. While the sale is a good one with many items marked down by 30%, bloggers have an incentive to push it. Adweek published an article last year about how the sale has “become the Super Bowl of fashion influencers.” From a business perspective, the sale can be a money-maker for bloggers who are part of their affiliate program, especially those with large followings. Bloggers earn commission through affiliate links. (I, too, use affiliate links.)

So, keep that in mind. The emotional tug and excitement of any sale is by design. And well, shopping like that can lead to buyers remorse. (Exhibit A: a shirt I bought one year at the Anniversary Sale, wore once, and have been trying to sell on Poshmark since.)

I’m all for saving money. But you’re not saving money when you buy something on a whim that doesn’t actually serve your needs. I used to feel like I had to browse through sales online to make sure I wasn’t going to miss out on anything, but now I realize that’s silly and a waste of my time and money. I’m writing this, coincidentally on Amazon Prime Day, another sale I feel good about not browsing.

Everlane Form Mini Bag in a khaki color. The bag is rectangular.

What Fits in the Everlane Form Mini Bag

Published by welcomeobjects

It’s no secret that I love the Everlane Form Bag. I devoted not just one, but two posts to it. (You can read about my thoughts on its construction in part 1 and see what fits in it in part 2). What about the mini version, though?

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The original Form Bag has a square-ish shape. It’s 13″ tall x 10.5″ wide x 5″ deep. The mini one is about half the height at 7″ tall x 8.5″ wide x 3.5″ deep. It has a similar construction with an adjustable fabric strap connected to a piece of leather on either end, which is then looped through the sides of the bag.

Just like the larger version, the strap on the mini is 1 5/8″ wide. The strap length runs from 27″ at minimum to 44.5″ max, so you can wear it on the shoulder or crossbody. As I mentioned before, I am a fan of the fabric strap as it’s easy to adjust and it’s not too heavy. The whole bag feels quite light.

Other features that are the same as the larger bag: the magnetic closure, one interior pocket, and smooth Italian leather. A 31-person factory in Prato, Italy run by an immigrant family produces Everlane’s handbags. 

But how much can it fit? Here’s what I tried putting in the bag:

Things I Carried: wallet [review], standard Baggu [review], sunglasses, titanium spork [review]

And here they are in the bag, which I could not get to shut! I didn’t even put my phone in it since I was using it to take this photo.

It’s kind of disappointing that these few things didn’t fit. I guess my sunglasses case, which is about 2.5″ in diameter, is too big? My spork in its case probably also contributed to the problem since it’s about 3/4″ thick. Perhaps those items plus my wallet exceeded the 3.5″ depth of the bag.

Just like its larger sibling the Form Mini Bag tapers up at the top, so it holds less than I thought it would. Plus, the top 1.5″ of the bag is for the closure, so the usable height is 5.5″ max. In practice it’s even less given the narrowing at the top.

Surprisingly, I could get all of these items into my Baggu Soft Circle Purse (my review here), even though visually, it looks like a smaller bag to me. Although its width is only 2″, the Baggu Soft Circle Purse is made out of less structured leather. Somehow everything fit.

If you just want to carry the essentials — wallet, phone, lip balm, a reusable bag — then this bag could work. I do love the structured look and how easy it is to pop open and to close. But for me, it’s not that useful since my Baggu Circle Purse serves the same purpose and holds more. (Not that I would kick this bag out of my collection if someone gave it to me. It’s a beautiful bag and more polished-looking than my Baggu Circle purse. And like the original Form Bag, it seems well-made from high quality materials.)

Everlane Form Mini Bag in cognac – $190

The Form Mini Bag comes in three colors currently: black, cognac, and light khaki, though other colors existed before. I saw light blue and white in the San Francisco store about a month ago.

I kind of wish this bag also came in a medium size, something between the two versions. Everlane seems to have read my mind. Did anyone catch their Instagram Stories from the other week? Looks like a bag to rival Madewell’s Transport Crossbody bag is in the works. (UDATE 7/12/19: It’s called the Day Tote Mini and it’s out today.)

Curious about other Everlane products? You can find all my Everlane reviews here.

Welcome Objects Shopping Diary: Flat lay image of a black T-shirt dress from Target's Prologue brand and Everlane trainers.

June 2019 Shopping Diary

Published by welcomeobjects

This month I added two items to my wardrobe. One of them is the pair of Tread by Everlane trainers, which I recently reviewed. Receiving them — they were a gift from Everlane — made me take a closer look at all the sneakers I owned.

While testing out the trainers for review, I also tried on my other sneakers for comparison. That’s when I realized I never wore one pair due to its color and that another pair was too small for me. I put them both up on Poshmark. So, I added a pair of shoes, but subtracted two. That puts my current sneaker count at two pairs, not including workout shoes.

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I’ve been steadily decreasing the number of shoes I own. A few years ago, my shoe collection numbered around 50. Today, it’s closer to 30. Some of that is because my style keeps evolving. These days, I gravitate towards a more minimalist look. In the past, I would have worn more heels, vintage looks, and the occasional whimsical piece.

My feet are more finicky than they used to be too, so I’m less likely to compromise on comfort. (My right foot has been bothering me lately, so I should probably get that looked at.)

The other item I bought was fast fashion. I know. I, a self-proclaimed ethical style blogger, bought an item of fast fashion. It happened at a place that I have a particular weakness for: Target. Like many people, I love Target. (I have to say: I loved it even before it was cool and offered so many stylish things because it was the one place my family visited regularly. So, I have fond childhood memories of roaming Target.)

I’ve been pretty good about not even walking into the fashion stores I used to frequent. But you know how it goes at Target. You’re there to get something boring like toothpaste and you pass by the housewares or clothes and start to browse. And then you leave with a new dress or throw pillow but forgot the thing you came in for.

This time around, I spied a T-shirt dress from their women’s minimalist clothing line, Prologue. Checking the tag, I was surprised to see that it was actually made out of cotton. (I reviewed the line when it first came out in the fall and it did not impress me. Polyester galore!)

I tried on the dress and immediately loved it. While a lot of minimalist style T-shirt dresses end up being too boxy on me, this one felt comfy and roomy while not being too shapeless. The fabric is a nice medium thickness too.

Target Prologue T-shirt Dress – $22.99 (on sale now)

By the way, the Target I stopped by had recently remodeled. It definitely felt like a step up and more department store-like with more clearly demarcated areas. The fitting rooms were in the center of the clothing floor with round mirrors on the gray doors. Inside was a gray and white patterned wall, reminiscent of wallpaper, and mirrors lit by a strip of light down each side. There were even plush chairs in a waiting area.

Anyhow, I’m not perfect. I still shop fast fashion now and then. That may make me a hypocrite, but on my budget I can’t buy everything from a slow fashion company. Sure, I can thrift, but it takes a lot of time to find something that suits me and fits. I think being mindful, making an effort, and trying your best counts for a lot. Making sure that you’re going to use something counts for a lot.

My most well-loved sweatshirt is a Proenza Schouler x Target x Neiman Marcus one from 2012. I’ve worn it so much that it has developed holes. I should probably retire it. I think that was a better buy than the $200 ethically-made pants from a small boutique that I never wore. They never fit quite right, even after alterations. After trying unsuccessfully to rehome them with friends, I ended up donating them (where I hope someone thrifted them).

The most important change I’ve made, really, is in consuming less in the first place. I shop way less than I used to. And when I want to buy something, I’m much better about asking myself questions like: Will I wear this a lot? Does it seem well made? Is it made from a natural fiber?

In her own reflections on recent shopping, Xin wrote about “that faint but sometimes recurrent desire to shop for the sake of novelty or entertainment.” That resonated with me. I grew up with shopping as a form of entertainment (hello Target trips).

I don’t know if this is necessarily true, but it almost feels cultural to me. If you consider the culture of my family, that’s certainly true for me. And when visiting cities in Asia where I have relatives, I’ve noticed that shopping very much seems like a form of entertainment there. Stores stay open much later than they do in the States. It’s not uncommon to take a stroll through a store or mall after dinner. (And yet, the apartments there are tiny compared to American homes. Where do they put all the things they buy?!)

I think I’ve come a long way in pushing against the tendency to shop for the sake of fun or novelty. But that feeling is still there. I’m not going to lie: that shopping high felt good. I felt absolutely giddy about my new dress when I bought it.

The Buzz of Wearing New Things: Target Dress // Everlane Trainers [gifted] [review] // Everlane Bag [review]

Welcome Objects 2019 Wardrobe Count To Date

Additions: 2 items = 5 items total for the year
Subtractions: 0 this month = 27 items (more or less)

A hand holding up a navy blue Everlane trainer sneaker

A More Sustainable Sneaker: Everlane Tread Trainer

Published by welcomeobjects

It’s an exciting day around here in Welcome Objects land! I’ve been reviewing Everlane products for two years on this little blog and Everlane recently noticed and got in contact with me. They sent over a sheet with new products and asked if there was anything I was interested in checking out. So this is my first post with a gifted Everlane product. While I started this blog for fun (and hoped that other people would find it helpful), blogging takes a fair amount of work. So, it’s nice to be noticed and taken seriously.

This post is not sponsored but it contains affiliate links and a gifted item. 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.

I decided to review the trainers from their new sneaker brand, Tread. They were released at the end of April and have gotten a fair amount of hype and press. (Everyone from GQ to Wired has written about them). But, I thought I’d add my opinion to the mix as someone who has wide feet and problems finding shoes that comfortably fit. If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you know that Everlane shoes have been mostly misses for me.

Sustainability & Construction

So, what’s the big deal with these shoes? Everlane calls them “the world’s lowest-impact sneakers” and they reportedly took two years to develop. I gotta applaud a brand that keeps trying to figure out how to manufacture more sustainably, as they did when it came to denim.

A conventional sneaker has 15 to 20 different components, many of them plastic, says this story in Vogue about efforts by Everlane and Adidas to do things differently. According to stats on Everlane’s site, the sole of the Tread trainers is a mix of recycled and natural rubber and it’s 94.2% free of virgin plastic. (Everlane has pledged to nix virgin plastic entirely from its supply chain by 2021.)

The leather is from a Gold-certified tannery, Saigon TanTec, that uses solar energy, 42% less electricity, and 56% less fresh water than other factories. (Everlane seems to work with a few Vietnam-based factories that are on the cutting edge of more sustainable manufacturing. Their denim comes from Vietnam-based Saitex.) The laces and lining are made out of recycled plastic bottles, 9.5 to be exact, per pair of shoes.

Overall, manufacturing these shoes emits fewer greenhouse gases than conventional sneakers. To further reduce their impact, Everlane offsets its carbon emissions by working with NativeEnergy, a leading carbon offset provider, to support projects that reduce greenhouse gases.

Style

First off, I love the look of this sneaker. It’s kind of retro and slightly chunky. I find the contrast of materials (regular leather and suede) satisfying. There are 10 colors currently, and I thought Everlane did a great job with them. Many of them are neutrals or muted shades like blush pink, light grey, or pale yellow. Most of them are monochrome. I’m a fan of this! I love when the whole sneaker, from the laces down to the soles, are one color.

Though I was very tempted to get the yellow (called butter), I was practical and went with navy because my wardrobe is mostly dark colored. In fact, I just purged a pair of sneakers from my closet that I barely wore because they were beige-ish and I felt like they never went with anything.

A hand holds up a everlane tread trainer, showing the bottom sole.

Sizing & Comfort

Tread only comes in whole sizes, from 5 to 12 in women’s and from 7 to 13 in men’s. I am a wide-ish 6.5, so I ordered a 7. They fit me, but snugly. I have to loosen the laces quite a bit to get my foot in. But thankfully, my toes don’t push up against the front of the shoe. I’m pretty lazy when it comes to laces — I don’t like to tie them every single time. So I prefer to keep the laces a bit loose and use a shoehorn to get my foot in, which turned out to be a bit challenging with these sneakers.

The only other sneaker brand I have around here to compare with is New Balance, which also tends to run small. I also wear a 7 in that brand. But my New Balance 574s (which has a similar look to these Tread trainers) in 7s run roomier than the 7s in Tread. If you’re between sizes, you should definitely size up. But even if you’re not, you still might want to size up.

Now, these are not sneakers for actually running. I mean, I did run to catch the bus in them and they were fine for that. But I wouldn’t run a race in them. These are fashion sneakers. They don’t have the bounce of running shoes. They’re also a tad heavy. My New Balance 574s weigh 11 oz per shoe. The Tread trainer weighs in at 13 oz per shoe. But those 2 ounces per shoe feels noticeable to me. For running or working out, I’d get proper running shoes designed for those purposes. (Not that I actually run. I hate running. But if I did run, that’s what I would do.)

Everlane tread trainers in navy on someone's feet.

Everlane Tread Trainer: a snug fit.

Although I had no problem walking around in these sneakers right out of the box, initially, I found them to be stiff. Stiff and sturdy. But after wearing them for a few days, they relaxed a bit. I’ve worn them every day for more than a week now and find them comfortable and supportive. They still have a sturdy kind of feel to them, as opposed to a bouncy feel.

They’re not comfortable in the cloud-puffy way that I found Allbirds to be. But they also haven’t given me any problems like blisters or rubbing in spots. Compared to other sneakers, I find them similar in terms of comfort level, though the sturdy feel of them is different. Also of note: the insoles are removable, so if you want to put your own in, you can do that with these shoes.

As to styling, the monochrome aspect of them makes them easy to wear. I think they’re pretty cute. Here’s a casual outfit I wore over the weekend.

And here I paired the trainers with a T-shirt dress. While I’m generally not into wearing sneakers with dresses, I think these sneakers might change my mind.

Overall, I am a fan. I find Tread to be stylish, easy to wear, and reasonably priced at $98. (Shipping is free too.) I’m also so glad that they’re more sustainably-made.

UPDATE 1/3/20 – The newer Tread releases come in half sizes now! For the sake of being thorough, I tried the newer Tread Trainers at the store. The sizing is the same as the prior releases. I am a wide-ish 6.5. (Sometimes I wear wide but mostly I wear mediums in wider brands.) I tried both the 7 and 7.5. The 7 was snug and took a bit of finagling to get my foot in. The 7.5 was much easier to put on and roomier in the toe box. I still recommend going up half a size. If you have wide feet, long feet, or just prefer a roomier fit, go up a full size.

If you’re new to Everlane and find my reviews useful, please consider use my referral link to make your first purchase. (Create your account before browsing.) You can see all my Everlane reviews here. Thanks!

A hand holding a cardboard box for a Guppyfriend Washing bag.

I Tried the Microfiber-Catching Guppyfriend Washing Bag

Published by welcomeobjects

Earlier this year, I bought a Guppyfriend Washing Bag and added it to my laundry routine. STOP! Micro Waste, a nonprofit initiative started by two friends who surf and who co-own German outdoor apparel company Langbrett, developed the Guppyfriend as a way to trap microfibers during laundry. Microfibers — teeny tiny plastic fibers barely visible to our eyes — are generated whenever we wash our clothes. Too small to be caught by current waste water management systems, they end up in our rivers and oceans, in animals, and in our food supply.

When I first learned about the big problem with tiny microfibers, I vowed to stop buying synthetic clothing. But it’s hard to avoid synthetics in some items like bras or athletic and outdoor wear. Plus, I wasn’t about to throw out perfectly wearable clothes just because they’re synthetic. Hence, the need for a Guppyfriend.

I know that a minority of people washing our clothes in a special bag isn’t going to solve our plastic pollution problem. We really need to think about it on the macro level and implement systemic change — something that STOP! Micro Waste acknowledges. But I figured that I can do my small part. I don’t know how much using a Guppyfriend helps, but it certainly can’t hurt.

How to use the Guppyfriend Washing Bag

The Guppyfriend is basically a very fine mesh bag. It’s made out of untreated, undyed polyamide. (Yes, this is a plastic bag for catching plastic.) This begs the question: Does the Guppyfriend itself release microfibers since it’s plastic? No. The website states, “The mesh is made out of monofilaments, which are more like sticks than threads, and thus does not release fibers itself.” With the exception of the zipper, the whole bag consists of this material. When the bag reaches the end of its lifecycle, you can send it back to STOP! Micro Waste for recycling.

Right now, the Guppyfriend comes in one size: 19.7″ × 29.1″ (50 × 74 cm). STOP! Micro Waste says they plan to make other sizes, but that this medium size is the most efficient for reducing fiber shedding. According to their website, “If you put all your clothes into one large Guppyfriend Washing Bag, they would lose more microfibers by rubbing against each other than if you used two medium sized Guppyfriends.”

As you can see, it’s a pretty decent size, though you should not fill it more than two-thirds of the way. Clothes in the bag need some room to move around to get clean, so don’t overfill it. After loading the bag, zip it shut, making sure to secure the zipper pull in the fabric band.

A band keeps the zipper pull shut in place during washing.

The instructions say to launder in water no hotter than 40 C/ 104 F. I’ve never really thought about how hot the hot setting on a washing machine is. I googled it and it’s about 130 degrees. The warm setting is 90 to 110 degrees. In other words, wash in cold or lukewarm water.

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STOP! Micro Waste also recommends using liquid detergents, though they specify that you shouldn’t use detergent that contains liquid plastics or abrasives. When I read that, I thought, “WTF are liquid plastics? There’s plastic in liquid form in normal laundry detergent?!” They’re referring to “abrasives, binding and film-forming agents, rubber and silicones, opacifiers, acrylates, and cross-polymers.” (I use naturally-derived, biodegradable brands like Seventh Generation or Method.)

I put the Guppyfriend in one side of the washer and balanced the load with some cotton towels.

After washing the clothes and removing them from the bag, this is what I found inside the bag: little gray smudges. I rubbed the gray smudges, gathering them up with my fingers and disposed of them in the trash. Do not rinse the bag, as that would defeat the whole purpose of using the Guppyfriend!

A hand holding a mesh bag with black particles on it

Honestly, though, sometimes I’m too lazy to collect the little fibers as it does take some time, so I just leave them in there and use the bag again. (STOP! Micro Waste says this is A-OK. Whew!) The fibers tend to migrate to the corners of the bag or the seams, so I wait until there’s a critical mass in those spots, which makes them easier to remove.

Does the Guppyfriend Work?

STOP! Micro Waste says three institutions tested the bag. “The determined fiber retention capacity in all tests was above 90% — mostly close to 100%.” However, “nanoparticles, like production residues, often found on cheaper textiles can not be hold (sic) back by the Guppyfriend Washing Bag.” It also notes that bag significantly reduces the amount of fibers breaking in the first place, which extends the life of garments.

Also, by the looks of these gray smudges, I’d say yes. Sometimes I don’t see that much gray stuff, but that doesn’t mean the bag isn’t working. Microfibers are, well, micro, so you may not see them until they accumulate. Also, these fibers are probably gray because I washed dark-colored clothes, which feature abundantly in my wardrobe. Fibers from lighter-colored clothes are not as easy to spot on a white bag. (Yes, this means that I broke one of the cardinal rules of laundry and washed a bag of dark clothes with white towels in the photo above! Doh!)

As to my clothes, I felt like there was no negative impact on their cleanliness. They were just as clean as if I had washed them without the bag.

One thing that I was a little confused about was which fabrics I should put in the Guppyfriend. Obviously: polyester, nylon, and acrylic. But how about synthetic fabrics that come from cellulose like rayon or modal? And what about clothes that contain a bit of spandex like my jeans? With a garment that’s 97% cotton, is it safe to assume that the likelihood of it generating microfibers is low?

Using the Guppyfriend has made me take a closer look at the fiber content of my clothes. I found that my Muji socks, which I thought of as cotton, contain some nylon or polyester. Some of my shirts and sweatshirts, I realized, are actually cotton-polyester blends. This interesting article about textiles calls cotton-poly blends “the Styrofoam of the clothing world — since the fibers cannot be separated from each other,” rendering them not recyclable. While it seems some strides are being made in figuring out how to separate the fibers, it’s easier to recycle a fabric that’s made out of one material.

Overall, I find the Guppyfriend easy to incorporate into my laundry routine and I’ll continue to use it. I might even get another one. There’s another microfiber-catching device out there: the Cora Ball, but it catches fewer fibers (26% of microfibers).

The Guppyfriend site has a pretty lengthy FAQ if you want to learn more about it. One thing’s that’s missing from it, though, is manufacturing information. Where exactly do they make it? (The box says it’s made in China.) What are the factory conditions?

The Guppyfriend retails for $29.75 and can be found at REI or Patagonia, which helped fund its development and was the first retailer in the United States to carry it. I ordered mine from Reformation because there was no minimum required for free shipping.

Everlane Choose What You Pay Sale: Product shot of three items against a white background: an orange red dress, a yellow silk shirt, and black jeans.

Everlane’s Choose What You Pay Sale – My Reviews

Published by welcomeobjects

Everlane’s summer 2019 edition of its Choose What You Pay sale is on. Since I’ve reviewed quite a few of their items, I thought I’d create a post where I link to all the items on sale that I have personally tried on and reviewed. Hopefully this is helpful to you if you’re trying to decide whether or not to get something. Meant to do this sooner, but, you know, life.

** this post contains affiliate links **

Japanese GoWeave Short-Sleeve Jumpsuit – This just came out recently, so I’m so surprised to see it on sale already. Only the olive colorway is marked down. My review here.

Japanese GoWeave Tank Wrap Dress – The poppy and yellow are up to 40% off. My review here. There’s also a mini version in rose marked down as well as a sleeveless version which I didn’t try on, but it seems similar in construction to the sleeved version that I did. I’m partial to the magenta.

High-Rise Skinny Jean – The light blue and washed black versions are on sale. I reviewed the same jean in the dark indigo wash. (I wear it often!) Note that sometimes the different washes fit differently, though.

Slouchy Chino Pant – Three colors are on sale: washed black, off-white, and covert green. Honestly, I am not a fan as these were frumpy for my particular shape.

Clean Silk Relaxed Shirt – The very spring/summer colorways of mint and pale yellow are on sale for as low as $59. These shirts didn’t fit my petite arms, but if you’re rolling up the sleeves, then it shouldn’t matter too much. My review here.

The Clean Silk Boatneck Blouse – $69 (regularly $98)

Clean Silk Boatneck Blouse – This is another one that didn’t work on petite me but otherwise, I liked how elegant it was. The grey-white color is on sale.

Modern Point – This slim, stylish flat in burgundy and black is on sale. They didn’t work for my wide feet. But I do love the way they look.

V Heel – This one has been on sale since the winter. Only the light blue in size 11 is left at the moment. I love my mustard ones.

Form Crossover Sandal – This sandal has also been on sale for a while, so it looks like there’s only size 5 left in navy and wine. My review. However, there are also newer sandals that have the same comfortable footbed, but with different straps on top, like the Form Slide Sandal (in pale rose) and the Form Thong Sandal in three colors.

Leather Street Shoe – There’s only size 11 left in a dark gray. I found these don’t work for wide feet either.

The Midweight Slim Chino – $41 (regularly $68)

Also, I did not review the men’s Midweight Slim Chinos, but I wanted to mention them because my partner has a pair and loves them. They’re his favorite chinos (and yes, he ordered another pair.) Eight colors are on sale for as low as $41. There’s a straight leg version on sale as well.

There’s much more on sale for both women and men, but these are just the items that I am familiar with. Also, a shopping tip: If you have your eye on something but it’s sold out in your size, check back again. I’ve noticed that sometimes sizes pop back up, perhaps as people make returns.

I know sometimes the hype of sales can lead to shopping regrets when you buy something that doesn’t work out. So, I hope these reviews are useful and help lead you to the items that you’ll get a lot of wear out of.

If you are new to Everlane, please consider use my referral link to make your first purchase. (Create your account before browsing.) You can see all my Everlane reviews here. Thanks!

A woman, her head not in the frame, wearing an oatmeal-colored cropped shirt, black jeans, and a gray cardigan. She is also wearing a black purse cross body and is standing in front of blue siding.

May 2019 (Not) Shopping Diary

Published by welcomeobjects

Just a quick check in on my consumption in May. I bought only one thing this month (in both the clothing and housewares categories.) I finally used up the store credit from Oak + Fort that I mentioned a few posts ago. I’ve been trying to spend it for almost exactly two years!

Oak + Fort used to draw me in with its minimalist style. However, once I started paying attention to fabric content, I realized that a lot of their clothes are acrylic and polyester. And who knows how they make their things. I can’t find any information on their practices, which probably means they’re not ethical or sustainable. So, I decided I should avoid them — but after I spend my store credit. Let’s not waste money I’ve already spent, right?

I bought this boxy blouse, which was pleasingly just a few dollars more than my store credit. I like its loose, cropped shape, texture, and the neutral oatmeal color. (It pairs well with my high-rise jeans.) However, it’s a viscose linen blend. Viscose, a variant of rayon, is a cellulose-based fabric, so it’s made out of wood most likely. But even though it’s sourced from a natural material, the process to create it involves lots of chemicals and is polluting. Sigh. At least it’s not a plastic like polyester?

The fabric content thing has made it difficult for me to find things in most stores that a) are made out of natural fibers and b) fit me well. Hence the two-year time lapse trying to spend this store credit. I had a suspicion that I’d have better luck in the summer when cotton and linen make more of an appearance.

I think the shirt will work well in my wardrobe and can see myself wearing it often. It almost didn’t happen though. I had already made several sweeps through the store with no success. But on my last round, I spied this on the garment rack by the fitting room. It was the only one of its kind left (or at least the only one out on the floor.)

So far this year, I’ve been pleased with how much I haven’t bought. I only added two things to my wardrobe in April. (Though of course there was some buying and returning.) So, my grand total for the year thus far is three items. Compared to a few years ago, I’ve cut down on my consumption significantly. (Insert here a pat on the back.)

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I do still feel pulled to shop, though. Sometimes it feels like I’m holding back a dam. I keep eyeing things and trying to justify them. For example: Maybe I should get a pair of Allbirds Tree Skippers because I love how comfy my wool loungers are (review here), but sometimes they’re too warm. Or: I should get these Vetta high-waisted cotton pants because maybe they’re the perfect pants for me but how will I ever know if I don’t try them?

I’m also kind of a sucker for the sale section at Club Monaco even though they’re not an ethical retailer, but their clothes have been well-made in my experience. Oh, what’s that, a relaxed boatneck sweater on sale, you say? (Weirdly though, they don’t even mention the fiber content for this item, so I take that as a sign to stay away.)

I’ve tried to distract myself by attempting to improve garments I already own with a little basic sewing. And by basic, I mean super, super basic. (I don’t really know how to sew.)

For example, I bought this Amour Vert dress back in the fall. I had deliberated between sizes and ended up getting the larger one because it gave me more room across the belly and hips.

But then the neckline was a little too big on me. I turned the dress inside out and just stitched the neckline closed a little by about an inch. This helped with keeping my bra strap from sight too. The sleeve still doesn’t sit on me like how it does on the model, but whatever.

Amour Vert Atica Dress // Eileen Fisher wedge heel [similar on sale] // Vintage purse

Similarly, I stitched the side splits on a Target dress (one that I wrote about back when I was still buying polyester.) The split sides showed too much of my thighs for my liking when I sat down, so I just closed up each side by two inches.

Me (a petite Asian woman) modeling a black floral dress, paired with maroon ankle boots. Braided leather belt has been tied over the belt.

Dress pre-sewing

These little improvements — in inch here, two inches there — make a difference. It’s a good reminder to myself to attempt little fixes or bring things to the tailor.  The more something fits, the more likely I’ll be to reach for it and to keep it in my wardrobe. And hopefully, the less waste I’ll create.

Welcome Objects 2019 Wardrobe Count To Date
Additions: 1 item (but I also returned 1 item that I bought last month, the Everlane Wide Leg Crop) = 3 items total for the year
Subtractions: 0 this month = 27 items (more or less)

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