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Everlane Slouchy Chino and Easy Chino Review: Models wear striped black and white shirts, olive or brown colored chinos, and black shoes. and chinos

Everlane Review: Slouchy Chino & Easy Chino

Published by welcomeobjects

Is it spring yet? I’m ready for spring, mostly for the daylight, as our weather here in San Francisco only rises by a few degrees. It’s perpetually in the 50s to mid-60s degrees Fahrenheit here, so I don’t often get to wear warm weather clothes. But that’s not stopping me from reviewing spring clothes. Today, I’m taking a look at two pairs of chino pants from Everlane: The Slouchy Chino Pant and The Easy Chino.

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The Slouchy Chino Pant

Everlane Slouchy Chino Pant – black and white $58 – green and coral on sale $29 to $47

If you keep up with me on Instagram, then you already know how I feel about these, but I thought I should do a proper blog review. So, here we go! I saw these in the Choose What You Pay sale in December, which I wrote about here. (BTW, many of these items are still on sale.) At the time, I thought: these could be cute or they could be frumpy. Well, there’s only one way to find out. So I ordered them.

The reviews were kind of all over the place in terms of sizing, though most people seemed to agree these pants run big (makes sense since they’re slouchy). I ended up ordering my regular size, one size down, and two sizes down.

Here’s how they look on a 5′ 10″ model. They’re pretty cropped on her.

And here’s how they look on 5′ 4″ me after taking them right out of the package. Um, no thank you.

I’m wearing a size 2, which is the same size that the model’s wearing. It’s one size down from my usual size. My usual size definitely felt too big, though it would have sat lower on my hips, and two sizes down was too tight across the waist for me. I’m generally a fan of high-waist pants, and these have an 11.5″ rise, but in an unflattering granny kind of way. I guess the pleats don’t help here either. I used to categorically not wear any pants with pleats. My opinion on pleats on pants has changed over the years, but this is just NOPE.

Everlane Slouchy Chino Review: A person models the chinos, showing the back.

Nope, not flattering from the back either. The inseam is about 25″ and landed right above my ankle bone.

Everlane Slouchy Chino Review: a person wears these pleated chinos with hands in pocket.

They look cuter when you put your hands in the pockets, but the verdict is still: frumpy! Maybe if you’re really tall, they’d work. (I feel like I say that a lot because I just assume everything looks better on taller people.) Well, I guess you know how this ends. I returned them. The pre-shrunk fabric seemed nice quality, though. It’s a lightweight cotton with 2% elastane, but it doesn’t feel too thin. Seems like you’d have to iron them a lot to keep them from looking wrinkly all the time, though, which is something I personally can’t be bothered with.

The Easy Chino

Everlane Easy Chino – $55 – black, ochre, stone, coral

I honestly had no intention of trying the Easy Chino because the Italian GoWeave Easy Pants were such a disaster on me and I figured they were cut similarly. But I found myself needing to throw something in my shopping cart to score free shipping, so I put these reasonably-priced pants in there.

Here they are on a 5′ 9″ model.

And here they are on petite me.

These pants also run big, so I also sized down. Again, the model and I are both wearing size 2. I’m wearing the same shoes and T-shirt (but in another color) as I did in my try-on of the Slouchy Chino above for the ease of comparison.

They’re hmmm … not bad! Are they the most flattering pants ever? No, they are not. They’re roomy in the thighs (and I got thick-ish thighs), but then again, they’re easy pants, so they’re supposed to be loose. I think they actually look better in real life than in photos, but maybe I’m kidding myself.

Everlane Easy Chino Review: a person models the chinos, showing the backside.

I found them to be comfy and easy to style since they’re just plain black pants. I’m not going to lie — I love the elastic waist. (Is this so predictable or what, though, since I’m getting older.) The rise is 10″ so it’s medium, but on the high side and the inseam is 26″.

Everlane Easy Chino Review: a person wears these pants with hands in pocket.

These are also cuter when you put your hands in the pockets. (Maybe all pants are.) The fabric (100% cotton) is not as smooth and crisp as the Slouchy Chino. These seem more casual, but also less wrinkly. Pleasantly surprised, I decided to keep them.

I haven’t worn them out much yet because, you know, 50 to 60 degree San Francisco weather, but I’m prepared now for warmer weather. The few times I’ve worn them, I noticed that they tend to sag a little bit as you wear them. (Definitely can’t put my phone in a pocket as that weighs the pants down and makes them sag.) I sometimes have to pull them back up to my waist. A belt would help with that, but there’s no belt loops. It’s a small annoyance though. I find myself reaching for these on the weekend when I want something comfy, and well, easy, to wear.

Both pants, by the way, are made in ethical factories in China, but in different cities.

UPDATE 6/17/19 – Now that we’ve had some warmer weather and I’ve gotten the chance to wear the Easy Chino some more, here are a few ways I styled them.

This is my comfy and casual running-out-the-door to grab coffee outfit. I think this works because the boxy tee is a bit short so it doesn’t cut me in half.

Everlane Easy Chino Review: a person wears the chinos with a gray t-shirt and slide sandals.

Everlane Easy Chino // Oak + Fort Cuffed Tee [similar & ethical] // DV Sandal

Here I cuffed the pants. (This is with two folds. They stayed in place no problem.) Rolling up pant legs or shirt sleeves is one of my quick tricks for looking a little more pulled-together. I tucked my tank top in and then wore a gauzy striped shirt over it. I often tie button down shirts in the front like this to make them shorter. Again, it’s all about giving myself better proportions.

Everlane Easy Chino Review: a person wears the chinos with a striped shirt and sandals.

Uniqlo Tank Top [similar & ethical] // Universal Thread Button Down Shirt [similar & ethical] // Everlane Easy Chino // AGL Sandals [similar] // Everlane Pocket Tote [review]

I have to say, these pants have really grown on me. They’re true to their name: Easy. I’m contemplating getting them in another color.

UPDATE 7/23/19 – I just realized that I forgot to talk about one aspect of these pants: what they look like when you sit down. Well, they’re bunchy, perhaps because of the pockets, which are a good size. This is not ideal, but it’s not a deal breaker for me (and I’d rather have good pockets).

Everlane Easy Chino Review: a person sits down on a stool wearing the chinos.

I’ve been really into this look lately, which I call my faux jumpsuit look.

Also, I wanted to report that on my last trip to Everlane’s San Francisco store, two colors of Easy Chino were available. Out of curiosity, I tried on a size 0 — two sizes down from my regular size. While they looked better in a way (they were slimmer in the leg, though that defeats the point of them being relaxed), they felt a bit tight in the crotch and thighs when I sat down. In any case, the try-on affirmed that going down one size is the right size.

I’ve been wearing the Easy Chino a lot lately and am surprised by how often I reach for them. They’ve loosened up in the waist a little bit (the elastic is not as tight as when I got them) and the black has also faded slightly from washing and air drying. Overall, they seem to be wearing well. I wore them on a four-hour flight recently and they were comfy. Happy with this purchase and am definitely getting more pairs in other colors.

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!

When old shopping habits die hard: A rack of clothing in various colors, mostly black, pinks, and grays.

When Old Shopping Habits Die Hard

Published by welcomeobjects

I mentioned in a prior post that I was good in January and didn’t buy anything. Well, that has all gone out the window in February. I’ve only bought one thing so far (it’s on the way and we’ll see if I keep it). However, I’ve walked into a lot of stores lately. I’m sliding back into my old habit of indulging in retail therapy when I’m feeling a little down.

Part of it is retail trickery. I know the tricks, yet they still get me sometimes. For example: J.Crew sent a $25-off-any-purchase-of-$25-or-more coupon. So, I feel like I have to use it. Because free money, right? That’s silly because unless I spend exactly $25, I’m still going to be paying out of pocket for something, something that I probably don’t need.

** this post contains affiliate links **

Still, I find myself looking at leopard print sweaters and browsing the sale section. J.Crew is a brand I’ve shopped less at in recent years — partly because I’m trying to shop more ethically (and they are not an ethical brand). But also, because their style doesn’t speak to me as much anymore.

They do carry petite sizing though, which is why I sometimes find myself taking a look. (If you know of any ethical brands that offer petite sizing, let me know in the comments.) I’m heartened by the recent news, though, that J. Crew and their sister brand Madewell are now producing fair-trade, more environmentally-friendly denim. They’re utilizing the same LEED-certified factory in Vietnam as Everlane, Saitex.

I also have about $30 in store credit from Oak and Fort due to their crappy return policy. You can return for store credit, but not a refund. So, when I’m nearby, I pop in to browse. I’ve been doing this for more than a year and a half now and I always leave empty-handed.

While I like their minimalist aesthetic, the quality of some of their items is meh. Other times, I pick up something that seems promising, then look at the fiber content and put it down because there’s nylon, acrylic, or polyester in it. Sigh. The hours of my life I have wasted trying to spend my $30! Lesson learned: always ask about the return policy when shopping in a new place.

Also, I blame social media. Looking at other’s people’s outfits and blogs, there’s always something that catches my eye. Suddenly I’m on a website looking at something. This is how I ended up ordering this Madewell sweater (not ethical, but it’s 100% cotton, and it was on sale). Then there’s this Modern Citizen dress that keeps popping up as an ad in my Instagram feed. Damn, Instagram, how did you know? (Well, I bet it wasn’t hard. They targeted women around my age who live in San Francisco, New York, and a few other cities who have used the hashtag #minimalism and who also follow Everlane and well, there I am.)

But of course, I can only blame myself. No one is making me look at websites or walk into stores. So what I’m going to do right here is make a list of wardrobe gaps — things that I feel are missing in my wardrobe that I’d wear a lot. I’m also going to put this list on my phone. And then I’m only going to shop for those things.

I might also try something that Xin from An Invincible Summer does, which is to pin items on a Pinterest board when you’re thinking about buying them, then coming back to them later to see if you still really, really want them. I already walk away from things when I first see them to determine if I’m just caught up in the moment. (Unless I’m at Nordstrom Rack.) That was my tactic upon seeing the Everlane V Heel for the first time. (I ended up buying them later.) But I like the idea of keeping a visual board too.

Up to no good trying on this J. Crew sweater.

Winter Wardrobe Gap Wish List

1. A short chunky cardigan
A few years ago, I realized that I never wore any of my cardigans because they were the thin kind and I didn’t like how tight they were on my arms. So, away they went and now I only have one thick cardigan. It’s long, but I feel like that limits me to wearing long coats over it. I find myself wishing I had a shorter one. Everlane released their texture cotton cardigan recently, but it’s too chunky looking for me. (It’s suspiciously similar-looking to the pricey Babaà cardigan.)

2. A cozy pullover sweater
I’m thinking something a little oversized and warm for chilly days, but chic and minimalist. Something like what Vince would make, but proportioned for petite me and ethical, if possible, but also not $400.

3. Other sweaters
Even though I live in a climate where layering is a necessity and where it’s not warm, I strangely don’t own a lot of sweaters. I could use more. I wear my Everlane cotton boatneck a lot, so I might just get it in another color.

4. A blazer
At one time I owned somewhere between 8 and 10 blazers, but last year I got rid of almost all of them. Most of them were cheaply-made fast fashion blazers and they looked cheap. I only have one cropped blazer left now (similar in style to this). So I’m looking for a regular-length one that I can wear with almost anything.

5. Ankle boots
I have a hard time with shoes and it seems like every year I’m buying a new pair of ankle boot. That’s the problem with shoes. You never know if they’ll work out for you until you’ve worn them for a while. I recently sold three failed pairs of boots on Poshmark. And while the ones I have now are not bad and have arch support (I even got them in two colors), I realize now that they’re a little too tight in the toe box for me. They squish my poor pinky toes. Plus I don’t love how they’re kind of distressed on purpose in front. I’m intrigued by Hopp Studios’ boots since I find their wedges comfortable, but they’re almost out of sizes.

6. Rain boots?
My shoe woes extend to my rain boots. I have a short pair by the Spanish brand Igor that’s handsome, but again, a bit narrow for my wide-ish feet. They seem fine at first but a few hours in and my poor pinky toes suffer. I wore them out in a downpour recently and water got into them, completely soaking my socks. I don’t know if this means I should get taller boots. Tall rain boots just seem like a lot of inflexible boot. Or, do I just need to find a short boot that’s better designed? I’ve read that the new Everlane one are comfy but I don’t really like the rugged look. Alice + Whittles is an ethical brand that makes a fair trade rain boot that’s more in line with my style, but they look narrow.

But maybe I don’t really need a new rain boot at all. I bought a tall La Canadienne boot at the Nordstrom Anniversary sale in 2017 that’s supposed to be waterproof, so I should test them out the next time it rains.

Stretch Goal: An Awesome Coat
Come on, gotta put a splurge on here for fun. True, I already have a decent number of coats and jackets, but I want something really high quality that goes with everything. Stylewise, something timeless like a long Max Mara coat in a dark camel color like this.

Well, we’ll see how this goes. I’ve kept a list of wardrobe wants on my phone before, but honestly, I’m not sure it helped keep me from shopping. Then there are those things you stumble upon that you end up loving and I wouldn’t want that to completely go away either. But I do need to put some measures in place. What are some ways that you keep yourself from indulging in retail therapy?

First Image: Laura Fleischmann/Unsplash

Snow Peak Sporks: Two sporks, crossed over one another, on a wooden background

Why a Spork is the One Reusable Utensil I Carry

Published by welcomeobjects

This year, I’m trying to cut down on my plastic consumption even more — and that includes bioplastics. But why not use disposable items if they’re recyclable or biodegradable? First of all, it still takes energy and resources to make those things. As far as plastics go, only 9% make it to the recycling plant, and the recycling process is not easy nor pretty. The factories — many of them small operations — sicken the communities where they’re located. I’m willing to bet that they disproportionately affect low-income communities.

In recent years, we’ve seen a proliferation of other options, such as biodegradable plastics and bioplastics, which, by they way, are not the same thing. Confused by the terms? You’re not the only one. But this isn’t ideal either. Biodegradable plastics are still made out of petroleum like regular plastic. They just have an additive that makes them break down more quickly. I don’t see how this is a good thing as it means tiny pieces of plastic get into the environment.

“Biobased” means the item is made out of organic material, but that doesn’t mean that you can throw it in the compost bin. When I asked my local waste management company here in San Francisco — a city with an aggressive recycling and composting program and a zero waste goal —about it, they told me that only items that are labeled “compostable” should go in the compost bin. And by compost bin, I mean stuff that goes to an industrial facility. I’m not talking about a backyard compost heap. (An aside here: I wish every city had a compost program like San Francisco. Farms buy the compost and the waste management rep said that they can’t keep up with the demand!)

The other items, even if they’re plant-based, go in the trash and to the landfill, where like other organic material, they release methane gas, a greenhouse gas. The best thing to do, the waste management rep told me, is to reduce and reuse first. That saying, “Reduce, reuse, recycle” — in that order — is the truth.

I’ve already written about some of the ways I’ve cut down on disposable plastics: carrying reusable shopping bags (my favorite kind reviewed here), switching to reusable produce bags when buying groceries, and bringing my own water bottle and travel coffee mug (this is what I use). It’s nothing revolutionary or new. There’s one more thing that’s part of my EDC (every day carry) that I haven’t mentioned yet and that is my spork. (Actually, two sporks.) A friend gifted my first spork to me and I realized recently that I’ve had it for 10 years now! So, I thought it was time to pay tribute to the spork with a post.

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Not Just Any Spork, But a Titanium One

Why a spork? Well, to be honest, I actually don’t like having to carry a lot of stuff on me. So I appreciate anything that’s lightweight and takes up less space. A spork, of course, is a little bit spoon, a little bit fork, so it takes care of two utensils. (I don’t carry a knife as I find that I rarely need to use one.) But isn’t a spork just a mediocre spoon and a mediocre fork, you might ask? Well, I guess if you want to be negative about it, sure. But I think it’s a handy compromise. I’ve enjoyed soup with it. I’ve eaten salads with it. And I’ve shoveled rice and beans into my face with it.

I highly recommend this particular spork by the Japanese outdoors company Snow Peak. It’s made out of titanium so it’s lightweight and made to last. They manufacture it in Japan. Like I said, I’ve had my first spork from them for 10 years and it’s still going strong. I got a second one for my spouse to use. (The sporks nest nicely.) Then I got two more. That way, when we’ve used the sporks, I put the dirty ones in the sink to wash as soon as I get home. Then I pull out the pair of clean sporks and put them in my bag immediately so that I am never spork-less.

The Snow Peak sporks come in four colors — but not with a carrying case. I looked around a bit before I found something that worked for me and that thing is a inexpensive plastic pencil case. When I finish eating, I wipe the sporks and put them back in the carrying case. I don’t own any of the colored ones, so I can’t personally speak to how well they hold up, but I’ve read that the color fades over time.

I frequent a farmers market every weekend not only for produce, but for a meal from a food stall. My spouse and I probably eat there about 40 times a year. Over 10 years, that’s 800 disposable utensils we didn’t use. I also use my spork when I travel, at food trucks and food courts, and at social gatherings where the host has put out disposables.

Other options exist, of course, when it comes to titanium sporks. Toaks, Vargo, and Sea to Summit all make one. Light My Fire makes a utensil they call a spork that’s a spoon on one side and fork on the other. (But I don’t consider it a true spork.) Perhaps you get more functionality out of each side, but it also seems like it might be awkward to hold. Not to be outdone, UCO and Outsmart both make a three-in-one utensil that’s supposed to work as a spoon, knife, and fork.

I haven’t tried those other sporks, but I don’t have any desire to. I love my Snow Peak sporks. They’re smooth, comfortable to use, lightweight, durable, and easy to clean. I also think they’re the most attractive of the bunch. It seems like whoever designed them put a lot of thought into them. I think they’re kind of perfect objects.

If you prefer a traditional cutlery set, Snow Peak makes a full set (also out of titanium) with a knife, spoon, and fork. But I’m sticking to my sporks!

Hopp Studios Wedge Slip-On Review: A hand hold up a red shoe, the Hopp Studios Wedge Slip-On

Hopp Studios Wedge Slip-On Review

Published by welcomeobjects

Hello February! I made it through January without buying any clothes or housewares. On social media, I saw many people committing to a No Buy January. While I didn’t set out to make this a goal for myself per se, in general I’m trying not to waste goods or money.

** this post contains affiliate links, though not to hopp studios. i don’t earn any commission in recommending them. **

I actually did buy one thing (as detailed in this Instagram post): a Stutterheim rain jacket that I scored at Nordstrom Rack (in the men’s section). But, I’ve decided to return it. I already own a Stutterheim cape, which I bought while visiting Stockholm. (Check out my city guide.) I much prefer a cape or poncho to a jacket as I can carry my bag underneath it. The rubberized cotton of the Stutterheim cape keeps me dry on heavy rain days, but it’s a bit weighty. That’s why I was considering the jacket, which is lightweight, for days that it might rain on and off. I could stuff it in my bag, I reasoned. I should just get a lightweight poncho, though. I’m coveting this beautifully-designed one by Carol Young Undesigned, but I can’t justify spending $300 on it.

Anyhow, that is all a preface to say that I’m reviewing something that I bought back in November during Black Friday/Cyber Monday. I was judicious about my holiday spending and one of the things that made the cut was a wedge shoe from Hopp Studios. A woman actually stopped me on the street the other day to ask about my wedges, which reminded me to review them.

A pair of red wedge shoes next to a shoe box. The lid of the box has "Hopp" printed on it.

Hopp Studios Slip-On Wedge – $200 – red (on sale), black, white, light gray (on sale)

Founded by Eree Kim, a former Opening Ceremony knitwear designer, Hopp Studios makes comfy shoes with a minimal aesthetic. The shoes are produced in the Texas factory of another comfort shoe brand, SAS (San Antonio Shoemakers). I already knew about SAS since I’m originally from Texas and had actually browsed their store when I was back home last spring. But I didn’t find anything; their styles look like comfort shoes. (That is to say: they are not so cute.) So, I was happy to learn about Hopp, which is similarly comfy but more in line with my style. (You can read more about the company in the New York Times Style Magazine.)

Still, I was a little worried that they’d look dowdy on me. I’m approaching middle age and I don’t need help looking more middle-aged. Upon taking them out of the box, I was pleased to discover that they’re cuter in person than I thought they’d be. The leather is soft and the interior features back heel pads. A lightweight leather liner — with light arch padding — sits on top of a shock-absorbing insole. It’s not glued down so as to not damage the perforated insole.

The wedge is 1.5″ — a perfect height for every day walking. Made out of molded polyurethane, the soles apparently won’t wear down. (Really?! Will report back on this.) I was surprised by how lightweight the shoes are.

I ordered my regular size and they fit true to size. They fit perfectly length-wise and were even comfortable width-wise for my wide-ish feet. With all these good omens of comfort, I was excited to take them out on their maiden voyage.

Surprisingly, though, I found that these shoes require some breaking in. I didn’t think that would be necessary since the fit seemed great when I first tried them on and the nappa leather is soft and flexible.

But within 10 minutes of walking in them, they left marks at the top of my foot. I guess the vamp was somehow tight even though it didn’t feel that way. They were also, oddly, rubbing the back of my heels despite the built-in heel pads. I developed a blister on the back of my right foot and had to stay away from these shoes for a week as it healed.

Slowly over time, the shoes have gotten more comfortable and they don’t rub my skin to the point of blisters anymore. The third or fourth time I wore them I scuffed them up so now there are black marks on them. Oh well. I guess I got that over with?

Everlane cashmere rib round crew sweater as worn by a petite person in two different sizes.

Wearing my Hopps in the Everlane fitting room (doing research for my review on some of their sweaters.)

I’ve worn them for two months now — not everyday, but once or twice a week. “Hopp” means bounce in Swedish, and there is indeed a bounce to these shoes that’s delightful. I find the soles quite comfortable. As someone who mostly commutes by public transit, I walk quite a bit and my feet don’t tire in them the way they do in shoes with hard soles. I also love how lightweight they are.

They’re still a bit tight at the top (where it left a mark on me before), and they still rub slightly at the heels. But I expect that to subside over time. Overall, I recommend them and am happy with my purchase. Just know that they might take some breaking in.

A stack of red Everlane Cashmere Rib Round Crew sweaters

Fitting Room Review: Everlane Oversized Alpaca Crew & Cashmere Rib Round Crew

Published by welcomeobjects

It’s sweater weather, so I thought I’d review a few Everlane sweaters I tried on in the store. I’ve been on the lookout for a cozy sweater that I can throw on — something that’s casual and not fussy, but still chic. I actually don’t own that many sweaters — only four pullovers, two cardigans, and one short sleeve one that I treat more like a shirt. So even though I’m trying to own less, this is one spot in my wardrobe that I can add to.

** affiliate links below **

Oversized Alpaca Crew

I was intrigued by this sweater because it’s made out of alpaca fibers. Everlane claims that they’re better for the environment. “Alpacas are soft-hooved and gentle grazers, which makes them easier on pastures than other herd animals.” Is that true? A 2014 story from Quartz seems to confirm this. “The widespread ubiquity of cashmere, the wool spun from soft under-hairs of Asian cashmere (or Kashmir) goats, is no longer sustainable,” the reporter writes. Basically, there are too many goats and not enough grass, so as goats overrun grasslands in China and Mongolia, they’re turning them into deserts.

Alpacas, on the other hand, live in highlands of the Peruvian Andes, which are “for now a less fragile ecosystem.” And that part about their soft padded hooves being more gentle on the terrain is also true. They “graze without destroying root systems,” the article says. Plus, alpacas are cute!

Look at this baby alpaca! Awww.

OK, back to the Everlane sweater. First impressions? It’s chunky but also lightweight and fluffy. I thought it felt very nice. It definitely checks the cozy box. However, I checked the fiber content and though the sweater is mostly alpaca (60%), it also contains nylon (30%) and wool (10%). Doing some more reading, I learned that alpaca fibers stretch after the first wear, so it’s often mixed with other fibers. But damn it, Everlane, why nylon? I’m trying to avoid needless plastic.

Alright, how about the fit? Well, here it is on a 5′ 10″ model wearing a small.

And here is an XS on 5′ 4″ me. (I think I’m wearing the same color, the heather charcoal.) I generally wear a S or XS in Everlane, depending on the item. Since this sweater is oversized, I decided to go with the smaller size, which seemed fine.

I like the loose fit in the body. Though I’m generally not a fan of ribbed sweaters (just a personal preference), here the ribbing is slight and adds textural interest. And I love a roomy sleeve on a sweater. These sleeves end in a fitted wrist. But of course the sleeves were too long because I’m petite. Sleeves are almost always too long on me. Overall, I thought the cut was alright on me. Not bad! Would be cute tucked in too, though there’s a good deal of material to tuck in.

The main issue, though, is that I found it to be super prickly. I tried this on by itself over bare skin, not over a shirt. As soon as I put it on, I thought, “Nope! Take it off!” Then again, my skin is sensitive. Other people seem to think it’s comfortable. There are hundreds of reviews on the Everlane site and it’s rating a 4.65 stars out of 5, so clearly I’m in the minority.

It was quite warm, though. I felt very toasty in the few minutes I had it on.

Cashmere Rib Round Crew

Next up is this ribbed cashmere sweater. I didn’t have high hopes as I’ve found Everlane’s cashmere to be scratchy in the past. (I’m not kidding about my sensitive skin.) Not as itchy as the alpaca, though, which bothered me immediately. With Everlane cashmere, the scratchiness creeps up on me.

But I went ahead and tried it on because bloggery. First impressions: nice medium-to-heavy weight. It seemed denser than the alpaca, so it’s a bit heavier.

Here’s a 5′ 10″ model wearing the XS in a gray called loden.

And here I am wearing it in black. I’m wearing the S on the left and XS on the right.

Again, the sleeves are too long on my short limbs and would require some folding over. I felt that it was OK-looking but I wasn’t excited about it.

Hmmm. I feel like it’s going to be harder than I thought to find a sweater. These seem just OK on me and I’m not sure why. Maybe I need to look for something specifically made for petites. It did seem like a nicely made sweater, though, and the fiber content was grade A Mongolian cashmere. No nylon in this one. Compared to the alpaca one, it wasn’t as warm.

My favorite Everlane sweater is still the Soft Cotton Boatneck (review here), but it doesn’t work as well for colder months, so I’ll keep looking.

If you find my reviews useful, please consider using my referral link to make your first Everlane purchase. (Create your account before browsing.) That helps make my reviews possible. Thank you! You can find all my Everlane reviews (including of other sweaters) here.

Selling on Poshmark: Tips from a Posh Ambassador: A woman with dark hair models a purple and black plaid coat

Selling on Poshmark: Tips from a Posh Ambassador

Published by welcomeobjects

Today I’m sharing part 2 of my guide on how to sell on Poshmark. If you, like me, have been watching “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo,” then you’ve culled some things from your wardrobe and have set aside some of them to sell. In my first post about Poshmark, I laid out some info about how the app works, especially in comparison to eBay, and why it’s my platform of choice for selling women’s clothing. (Take a look at my Poshmark closet here.)

Make a good first impression

The most important step, in my opinion, is taking good photos. Like Instagram, Poshmark has a visual feed where people can browse through the items of people and brands that they follow. You want your items to stand out and elicit that you-want-this feeling.

1. Natural light is your friend.
What’s the key to taking good photos? A big part of it is the light. I’ve considered buying a lighting kit like this one (affiliate link). But that would be another thing I’d have to make room to store. If you’re a casual seller like me, you don’t need a lighting kit. You can use something for free: natural light. Photos taken at night produce grainier shots, so I always take my photos during the day to take advantage of the light. I’ve found that certain times of the day are better than others, though. Late afternoon light seems too harsh.

2. Don’t use the filters.
Poshmark gives you a bunch of filters to use. I don’t know why they do this as it distorts what the objects actually look like. Plus, I don’t think they look good. I recommend that you avoid them. Here’s one of the very first listings I created — using a filter — when I first joined Poshmark. The horror!

A listing for an item on poshmark: a black and white satchel bag. There is a filter on the photo, which was put a thick black frame around the photo and faded the edges of teh photo.

3. Choose the right kind of covershot.
The first photo in your listing is called a covershot. Take special care in creating it as it’s the photo that people will see in their feed. There are several styles of covershots I create depending on the item:

Styled – Sometimes I style a piece of clothing with other items to show what you could wear it with. It’s reminiscent of a magazine spread. This does take extra work as you need to put some thought into what you’re putting together, but I think it works well with wardrobe basics, say, a pair of black trousers. Help people see the possibilities of your item. Beware of overstyling your shot, though. Sometimes people include so many items in a shot that it’s unclear which item is for sale. I always try to display the item for sale most prominently in the photo.

Simple – Sometimes, though, it’s best just to present something straightforward. I’ll hang the item up on a wooden hanger and photograph it that way. It creates a clean and simple shot. I do this a lot with coats and shoes, letting the item speak for itself.

The Close Up – Some items have great details that may not be apparent from a distance, so I’ll take a closeup shot and just display part of the item. The houndstooth pattern and shiny buttons on this vintage sweater jacket are more intriguing when viewed up close.

Modeled – Then, there are clothes that look better on a person than on the hanger. I try to model most clothing so that people have an idea of what it looks like on. Of course, this is not always possible. (Some things don’t fit me anymore or they don’t look good on me in the first place which is why I’m getting rid of it.)

(Ideally, there wouldn’t be an outlet in this photo, but hey, this is the wall space I have. Later on, I figured out to hide it with a plant.)

4. Don’t steal photos.
Lastly, sometimes you can find stock photos of an item from a brand’s website. I think it’s OK to grab these. But I also always include photos of the actual item so that people can see the exact item for sale. But don’t be an asshole and take photos that another seller created. It’s their intellectual property. Also it’s just rude. On some occasions, I’ve found a blogger or influencer modeling an item I’m selling and I will include their photo to give styling ideas, but I always, always credit the blogger because it’s the right thing to do. (Technically, I should also be asking them for permission, but that would take time and I figure bloggers want publicity.)

Choose Your Words Carefully

1. Use keywords in your title.
Don’t just put “dress” or “shirt” in the title. Include the brand and describe the physical attributes of what you’re selling. What’s the style? The materials? Think about what people might use as search terms to find your item. I’m not just selling a “black dress.” I’m selling a “Banana Republic Black Fringe Knit Dress.”

2. Don’t skimp on details.
I don’t know how many times I’ve seen a seller include just one phrase in the body of the description. And I always think: Really? In my descriptions, I try to give some sense of how the item would work in your wardrobe. Is it a versatile piece? What does it look good with? Is it a wardrobe staple or a statement item? I indicate features (number of pockets, where the zipper is located, interesting design details) and the fiber content. And I always give the size. Yes, it’s a required field, but I’ll restate the size and include measurements such as the bust, waist, and length. I also indicate how I think it fits. Is it true to size? Does it run small?

3. Disclose flaws.
Carefully examine your item and describe the condition and any flaws. If it’s brand new, by all means, indicate that, but don’t throw the words “perfect” or “mint” around. People do it so much that’s it’s become meaningless. The first item I bought on Poshmark was a brooch in “mint” condition but it arrived with scratches all over it. As a buyer, I now run away from a seller if I see those words. It’s better to be upfront about your item’s flaws so that your buyer won’t be disappointed and feel cheated. Better to over-describe flaws than to under-describe them. Also, photograph these flaws clearly.

That being said, if something has a lot of flaws, it’s best not to sell it at all. Just don’t.

Price It Right

How to sell on poshmark: six items, all shirts or sweaters, listed for sale on poshmark.

People search for things online and shop secondhand for several reasons. Sometime they’re looking for something specific from several seasons ago or they like shopping secondhand for ethical reasons. But let’s not forget that one big reason is that they want to save money. Price accordingly! I am guilty of thinking, “I paid $X for this, so I want to recoup $Y for it.” But that’s not going to help you clear closet space.

Put yourself in the buyers’ shoes. How much would you pay for something that you’re buying online, can’t try on, and can’t return? People are here for the deals. To me, this means that an item needs to be at least 50% off retail, unless there’s something unique about it or it’s not easy to find. For something gently worn, I price it even lower. On average, my items are about 60% off retail.

That being said, people can make offers on your items, so leave yourself some room to negotiate. I always price my items a little higher than what I’d be willing to let them go for, anticipating that people will want to negotiate.

Be Attentive

1. Socialize, but just enough.
I went into this in my last post, so I won’t repeat myself here. But Poshmark is a social app, so make sure to share your items to parties and in general on a regular basis so that your items are always updated. That way, they’ll show up higher in a search.

2. Respond to inquiries quickly.
I don’t like leaving my notifications on for most apps. Those little red numbers stress me out. But I do leave them on for comments in Poshmark. I aim to respond to all inquiries in a day. On the flip side, if I ever buy something, I always ask a question of the seller to see how quickly they respond and how detailed of an answer they give. That lets me know if I’m dealing with someone who is more likely to be responsible.

3. Make a deal.
Poshmark allows buyers to make an offer to you. But, as a seller you can also make an offer to everyone who has liked one of your items. When doing so, your offer must be at least 10% off your listing price and include a shipping discount. (Otherwise, Poshmark won’t notify likers of the offer.) I try to send offers within a day of someone liking an item while it’s fresh on their mind. But I also periodically go through my closet and put offers on everything.

4. Ship with care.
When you make a sale, wrap the item with care for shipping. Some sellers wrap their items up like gifts. I personally don’t do that since I don’t like using excess materials, like wrapping paper, that just gets thrown away. (Did you know most wrapping paper can’t be recycled?) But I do protect items with tissue paper and other materials that I’ve saved from my own online shopping. Instead of using regular tape on tissue paper, I use washi tape. Not only is it more festive, but it’s better for the environment. (Washi tape is usually made out of natural fibers like hemp while regular tape is plastic.)

I also make notecards out of catalogs or other nice paper that was already destined for the recycling bin and write a quick note. (Usually the note tells them that I laundered or dry cleaned the item so that it’s ready to wear. I also ask them to kindly reuse or recycle the packaging.)

Hope these tips have been helpful. This is what has worked for me. (Now, of course there are people who take crappy photos, write one-sentence descriptions, and still make sales. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  )

New to Poshmark? Consider using my code, MELISSITA, when you sign up to get $10 off your first order.

UPDATE 6/11/19 – Poshmark has added a new category: home decor, which includes bedding and bath.

UPDATE 3/20/21 – You can now include a video clip (up to 15 seconds) on a listing.

View of shoe as worn from above. Shoe is against a black pavement with white paint lines.

Top Posts of 2018

Published by welcomeobjects

Happy new year, dear readers. 2018 marked my second year of blogging, chronicling the objects I love, the things I wanted that didn’t work out, and also my attempts to be a more conscious consumer. Here’s a look back at the most-read posts of the year.

Most-Read Posts of 2018

1. A First Look at Universal Thread at Target
2. Lively Review: My New Favorite T-shirt Bra
3. Fitting Room Review: Marimekko x Uniqlo
4. Fitting Room Review: The Everlane GoWeave Easy Pant
5. Fitting Room Review: Target’s Universal Thread High-Rise Skinny Jeans
6. Ethically-Made Zip Wallets by Baggu, Cuyana, & Everlane
7. My Search for a Midcentury Modern Plant Stand
8. Summer Stripes: The Everlane Collarless Belted Shirt Dress
9. Vintage Vibes: The Everlane V Heel
10. In Love with Everlane’s Soft Cotton Boatneck Sweater

A woman with black hair wearing the striped Everlane cotton collarless belted shirt dress. Her hands are in the pockets. A hand holding a red textured Cuyana small zip wallet
An Eames shellchair with a colorful pillow next to a white plant pot with a snake plant on a wooden midcentury style stand with 4 legs. Me wearing the Everlane GoWeave Easy Pant. They are baggy. I have my hand in one pocket.

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Some of my favorite buys of the year:


In 2018, these things also happened:

Thanks for visiting my little corner of the internet!

a navy button up shirt with white polka dots

Picks for Everlane’s Choose What You Pay Sale – Winter 2018

Published by welcomeobjects

It’s the end of December, which means that Everlane is running its biggest Choose What You Pay Sale of the year. (Though they have them throughout the year as well.) Here’s a list of a few items I recommend, which took twice as long for me to pull together because I’m visiting my folks and they have very slow internet. Argh, the holidays!

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Yellow Everlane V Heel as viewed from above

1. The V Heel. This is the first Everlane shoe I actually bought because most of their footwear fits funny for my wide-ish feet. All four colors (black, light blue, pink, mustard) are on sale! (I was contemplating getting these in another color, but my size is already sold out.) My review here.

A pair of navy colored shoes with a rounded toe and elastisic back

2. The Day Heel. Perhaps Everlane’s most well-known shoe. Looks like most of the suede ones (plus 1 patent and 1 regular leather) are now as low as $85. Here’s my review.

A black and white striped tank top against a white background.

3. The Relaxed Cotton Tank. This tank top is one of my wardrobe staples. Only the black and white mini stripe version is on sale. My review here.

Black and white striped tank dress against a white background

4. The Cotton Tank Dress. I also get a lot of wear out of the tank top’s cousin, the Cotton Tank Dress, during the summer. Again, only the striped one is on sale. My review here.

Stock photo of Everlane Form Sandals, taken from above. They are a light gray color and have crossover straps on top.

5. The Form Crossover Sandal. This simple slide sandal is comfy and molds to your feet. Six colors have been marked down to as low as $70. My review here.

a navy button up shirt with white polka dots

6. The Polka Dot Oversized Shirt. I love a simple polka dot shirt that’s not too loud. The button up also drapes nicely. Both the navy with white dots and white with black dots is on sale at 20% off.

A pair of wide leg pants in a rusty red color

7. The Wide Leg Crop Pant – These wide leg pants have a high rise, all the better to lengthen your legs. Four colors are on sale.

A red and white striped shirt dress

8. The Cotton Collarless Belted Shirt Dress – I have the blue and white striped version of this. (Review here.) The red and white striped one has been marked down by half, to only $38.

A red and navy striped boatneck sweater against a white background

9. The Soft Cotton Boatneck Sweater –  If you’re a fan of stripes this sale is very good for you. It seems like Everlane put only the striped version of some of their goods on sale. I love this sweater, but honestly, I prefer it in a solid color. Review here.

There’s a few things on sale that I don’t necessarily recommend because they didn’t work on me (a petite with wide feet), but your mileage may vary. Check out my reviews for the Japanese GoWeave Tank Dress, the Silk Short-Sleeve Square Shirt, the Street Shoe, and the Editor Heel.

I put in an order myself for the Slouchy Chino Pant. Can’t decide if they’re cute or frumpy. There’s only one way to find out. [Update: I found out.]

If you’re new to Everlane and find my reviews useful, please consider using my referral link to make your first purchase. (Set up your account first before browsing.) I’ll receive a credit and use it towards more items to review. Thank you! You can find all my Everlane reviews here.

A rack of clothes in neutral colors, pink, and navy

A More Minimal Closet: The Year in Shopping Less

Published by welcomeobjects

2018 marked my second year into trying to shop much less. I’ve kept a log of almost every piece of clothing I’ve bought over the past 8 years. So, how did I do? Looking back over those years, I succeeded this year in spending the least I’ve ever spent, dollar wise.

This year, I spent about $1,100 on clothing — and I covered the costs by reselling clothes that didn’t work for me anymore (mostly on Poshmark, which I give tips on in this post). Not including socks and underwear, I bought 31 articles of clothing. Here’s the breakdown:

Shoes – 8
Tops, including sweaters – 9
Dresses & Jumpsuits – 4
Pants – 3
Accessories – 3
Pajamas – 2
Bags – 2

When I see it broken down that way, some things seem excessive. Wow, 8 pairs of shoes? I have a hard time finding shoes that are comfortable, though. You never really know until you’ve worn them for a bit. So that’s one part of my wardrobe that’s a constant revolving door.

A pair of red wedge shoes next to a shoe box. The lid of the box has "Hopp" printed on it.

One of the 8 pairs of shoes I bought this year, from ethical brand Hopp Studios. These are a keeper. (My review.)

Of the new items I bought, I’ve already decided not to keep three. Two of those — a set of seersucker pajamas and a pair of shoes — were the result of my feeling compelled to buy something because it was on sale. Learning to control my impulses around a sale has been a big part of cutting down on my shopping. I’ve gotten better at it.

Still, I caved this year when I saw those pajamas marked down at Muji. I didn’t stop to consider if I needed another set of short-sleeve pajamas living in the temperate climate that I do. (I did not.) The shoes I didn’t keep were a pair of sandals that checked the comfortable box for me. But I was never entirely happy with the way they looked on me. I felt they were a bit “old lady” on me, but I told myself that I could style around them. The third item was a backpack from Muji that was not comfortable for me once I loaded it up with stuff.

Lessons learned to cut down on shopping:

1. Be strong in the face of a sale and don’t let your emotions overtake you. Sales manipulate your feelings. Just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean it’s a good fit — literally or stylewise — for you.

2. But, also, listen to your feelings because it might be telling you something. (I don’t feel good about how I look in the sandals so I never wear them.)

3. If you find yourself rationalizing a purchase, then you probably shouldn’t buy it.

4. Also, test out a backpack as soon as you buy it so that you can return it in time! Duh.

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Me, a woman with black hair, wearing the Everlane cotton boatneck sweater with high-waisted jeans and ankle boots.

Some of the things I bought this year: Everlane boatneck sweater (review), which I wear often, and Vionic ankle boots (similar).

Compared to five years ago, I’m doing much better. In 2013, I bought 88 items of clothing and spent $3,000 — nearly three times as much! That was a particularly excessive shopping year, though, fueled by my getting sucked into the hype of designer collaborations at Target. (It was the year of Prabal Gurung and Phillip Lim). Plus, a few of those purchases I blame on serving as a bridesmaid.

About a third of my purchases this year were from ethical brands. A fair number of things were from Muji, which strives towards sustainability. (However, I don’t know whether their production is ethical.) And then I still shop sometimes at fast fashion spots, namely Target and Uniqlo.

I also went through my wardrobe and weeded out a lot — about 40 items — which I either donated or set aside to sell. So overall, I only really reduced by closet by 12 items (40 went out, but 28 came in). I’m hoping those 28 items are ones that I will wear more often, though. And I can probably weed out more too.

Still, I feel a little embarrassed writing down these numbers because it goes to show just how much stuff I have. 31 items averaged out over the course of 52 weeks means I bought one thing every 1.5 weeks. I don’t consider myself a shopaholic anymore, but these numbers — especially from 5 years ago — indicate otherwise.

I recently downloaded one of those closet apps where you can catalog your wardrobe and track how often you wear things. Have you tried one? On the one hand, I think it might be a time suck as it really hits that organizing/cataloguing button of mine. But maybe it will also help clarify even more what I really need and what I should do without.

Everlane authentic stretch high-rise denim review: a person wears washed black jeans with a gray cardigan.

Everlane Authentic Stretch High-Rise Denim Review

Published by welcomeobjects

Ever since I reviewed Everlane’s denim last year, I was hoping they’d come out with something stretchier. While I get a lot of wear out of my High-Rise Skinny Jeans, they’re made out of a stiffer denim that doesn’t stretch much. Well, Everlane read my mind (and probably many other people’s) and released their Authentic Stretch jeans this September. I visited the San Francisco store to try on a few pairs. I only tried on the high-rise options since that’s what works for me.

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The Authentic Stretch High-Rise Cigarette Jean

Everlane The Authentic Stretch High-Rise Cigarette Jean – Regular – Ankle – $78

First up: the Authentic Stretch High-Rise Cigarette Jean, shown above in regular and ankle lengths on models who are 5′ 7″ and 5″ 10″. It comes in three colors right now: black, mid blue, and washed black (which reads kind of dark gray to me). The color above is the washed black. The fabrics between the washes felt similar. They were thick and similar to denim, though the washed black felt softer than the black. The fiber content is 87% cotton, 12% elasterell-p, and 1% elastane. I hadn’t heard of elasterell-p before.

According to Wikipedia, it’s “an alternative to the generic term “polyester” for a specific subgroup of inherently elastic, multicomponent textile fibers.” In other words: a stretchy synthetic. I’m trying to avoid synthetics, but I guess it’s hard to make stretchy jeans without any.

Here is 5′ 4″ me wearing the ankle version of the jeans in my regular denim size.

Compared to the High-Rise Skinny Jeans I bought last year, the rise on the cigarette jeans is a little higher (11″ versus 10.5″). Because these jeans feature a button fly instead of a zipper, they seemed to add a bit of bulk from the side. I didn’t love the way these hung on me, particularly on the legs. They’re a little baggy, especially around the knees. Not for me, but your mileage may vary. If you don’t want a super skinny leg, this is a good option to check out.

Authentic Stretch High-Rise Skinny

Everlane Authentic Stretch High-Rise Skinny – Regular – Ankle – Tall – $68

Next up: the skinny leg version of these jeans. Above: the jeans on a 5′ 10″ model, again in the washed black. These are available in four colors, including a dark blue wash. Like the cigarette jeans, these also feature an 11″ rise, which falls just above my navel. Again, I tried on my regular denim size. Upon getting them on, I thought, “Wow, these look great!”

However, they also felt tight. Yes, I could get them on, but it was a bit of a struggle with my thighs. I kept wondering how the next size up would fit. They were out of that size in the store, so I ordered them.

Here’s a comparison between my regular denim size, a 27, to the left, and one size up to the right. The larger size wrinkles more at the knees, and also doesn’t fit as tightly against the legs (which you can really see when comparing the bottom hem). Neither size looks like they did on the model. On her, they looked like jeggings.

From the back, they’re similar. I went back and forth trying to decide which size to get. I read reviews on the Everlane site where it seems the majority of people bought their regular denim size. But I felt a bit constricted in my regular size. In the end, I decided to go with the bigger size — the 28 — for the sake of comfort. (My hips are 37″ for reference.)

I wore the jeans around for a few weeks. The fabric loosens up a bit as you wear them, but it also holds its shape. They don’t sag in the waist or butt.

Here are the jeans on me after I spent an afternoon walking around. (I didn’t fix anything or look in a mirror before this photo was snapped, by the way. This is how they look out in the real world on a real person.) There’s some serious wrinkling going on around the knees. I don’t know what that’s about.

The High-Rise Skinny Jeans I reviewed last year, which are 98% cotton and 2% elastane, also wrinkled at the knees. At the time, I attributed the wrinkles to the stiffness of the denim. The Authentic Stretch High-Rise Skinny is 77% cotton, 17% modal, 2% elastane, and 4% polyester. It has plenty of stretch, debunking my original theory.

I don’t know if it’s possible to make a pair of stretch denim jeans without some wrinkles in the knees, though. My favorite high-rise skinny jeans up to this point (though not ethically-made in a LEED-certified factory) are Uniqlo’s High-Rise Ultra Stretch Jeans. Those also get baggier in the knees as I wear them.

Other than the knees, I think they fit well. There’s no gaping at the waist. I also really love the washed black color.

However, a few days after these photos were taken, I noticed a defect in my jeans. The stitching was coming undone near the top of the zipper. It had unraveled almost half an inch, leaving a gaping hole. In fact, you can see it in the very first photo at the top of this post if you look closely. (I didn’t notice it at the time I was taking the photo.)

I contacted Everlane’s customer service and they refunded my money within a day and sent a shipping label so that I could send the jeans back to their production team. Shout out to Everlane’s customer service! They’ve always been prompt and done right by me when I’ve contacted them about an issue.

This isn’t the first time I’ve had a problem with the durability of stitching with Everlane jeans, though. The first pair of High-Rise Skinny Jeans I tried last year in this review also had stitching come undone near the zipper, though in a different spot. Everlane replaced those jeans for me. The second pair has held up fine, though. I’ve been wearing them on the regular for a year.

Overall, I’m a fan of these jeans and plan to replace the pair I sent back. Part of me is still wondering if I should go with the smaller size even though they felt too tight initially when I put them on. I’m a few pounds more than I usually am at the moment. But it’s not like my hips are going to change.

UPDATE 12/18/18 – I went back to try on the Authentic Stretch High-Rise Skinny jeans in the dark blue wash, and in those I fit my usual size. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ The black washes seem run tighter than the blue washes.

If you find my various Everlane reviews helpful, please consider using my referral link to make your first purchase. (Create your account before shopping.) This generates a credit, which helps me keep reviewing Everlane products. Thanks so much!