I’m on the quest for the perfect comfy everyday bra. As I review bras, I’ll update this post with new links. Wishing you the breast in your bra shopping! (Sorry not sorry for the pun.)
Lively
Target
ThirdLove
Uniqlo
Like many fans of midcentury modern design, I love the lines of the iconic Modernica Case Study planter, which originated after World War II. It’s simple and elegant.
But I don’t love the price tag. One of these planters will set you back $160 to $295, depending on the size. You can find it at different retailers like this one, but they never seem to go on sale.
What’s a midcentury design admirer on a budget to do?
At first I put my hope in Target. I kept waiting for them to unveil something, especially since they launched Project 62, a housewares lines inspired by the midcentury era. (The name references the year 1962). In December, I saw these planters in a store.
Target Project 62 Wood & Stone Planters – Large $69.90 (White, Black, Gray), Small $29.99 (White, Black, Gray)
Hey, not bad, Target! They certainly echo the Modernica planter with the cylindrical pot and the four-legged wooden stand. I like what they’re doing here. But these planters didn’t stir my heart the same way the Modernica ones do. I think it has something to do with the legs. OK, this is picky, but I don’t like how the legs taper so that they’re wider at the base and rounded at the edges. (Strangely, the Target site shows two different types of stands: one with tapered legs, and one with straight legs.) I also don’t love how they cross at the bottom.
Even though I was excited to see these, I went with my gut and left them behind in the store. If I wanted to get one now, too bad! These are hard to get your hands on, especially the larger ones. They’re always out of stock on the Target site. Honestly, though, the quality seems so-so — the legs wobble a bit.
West Elm Turned Leg Planters – $169 – $179
West Elm has a midcentury vibe going on, so I looked there and found this turned leg planter. But at $179, it didn’t solve my price tag problem.
You know whose price tag works for me? Ikea. I already have a large snake plant housed in a 9″ diameter pot from Ikea (one of the Kardemumma pots, which I wrote about in this post). For years, I set the pot on an Ikea Frosta stool, but the height is too tall. What if I just looked for a stand?
Alas, Ikea doesn’t seem to make a stand for a single large plant (though they have options for displaying multiple smaller plants together as I wrote about in my post about Ikea planters). They certainly don’t have any with a midcentury look. (Frankly, I’m surprised that Ikea hasn’t capitalized on the midcentury modern craze. All they have to do is dust off some designs from their archives, which they did briefly in 2014, but if I recall correctly, most of these items were not available in US stores, except for the coffee table.)
Thwarted by big retailers, I was left with no choice but to look on Etsy. I don’t usually turn to Etsy because it’s all over the place. Sometimes it’s hard to find what you’re looking for and you have to slog through pages and pages of results.
As it turns out, there’s lots of people making midcentury modern-inspired plant stands on Etsy.
I looked at a lot of different shops and decided on a Canadian one called Hook & Stem as they had many good reviews. They’re a husband-and-wife team in Toronto who seem environmentally minded. Where possible, they use reclaimed wood, they say. And if reclaimed wood is not available, they look for local and sustainble sources. They also don’t use stains or dyes in their woodwork. They use the type of wood they say they are using, finishing them with a non-toxic oil. Their plant stands come in five types of woods, from Ash (the lightest) to Walnut (the darkest) — and in three heights.
I opted for a stand in the medium height. The total height is 17″ which means your pot sits either 8.5″ or 9.75″ off the ground depending which way it is flipped. Hook and Stem offers their stands in various widths to accommodate your plant pot. And if you don’t see the size you need, you can ask them to customize for you.
The stand took three weeks to arrive in California. (This includes the time it took to make the stand.)
The package was surprisingly slim as the stand was flat packed. Ample bubble wrap protected the stand.
There was a handy card with assembly instructions.
I got the stand in mahagony.
As promised, putting it together was super easy.
Ta-da! My Ikea pot fit perfectly.
I love my new plant stand and don’t have a single bad thing to say about its quality. It feels solid and stable and is beautifully made. My interactions with Hook & Stem were great as well. I had questions during the ordering process and they got back to me quickly. For something made to order the price isn’t bad either. The medium height stand for a 9″ pot cost $45 (I snagged it during a sale; the regular price is $50). Shipping was $15. My Ikea pot was only $8 plus tax. Total price paid: $68.67.
Although the pot I have isn’t perfectly cylindrical like the Modernica one, I achieved the look I wanted as it’s all about the stand. (Though, hmmmm, what if Target started selling its cylindrical pots separate from the stands? I would go for that.)
In the end I’m glad I bought from Hook and Stem, a small business with sustainable practices and obvious care in what they do. It makes me happy to look at my plant in its stand every day.
When I heard that Marimekko was collaborating with Uniqlo, I got excited. These are two brands I love — together! Marimekko’s bold prints brighten up my day. I was a fan of their collection for Target in 2016. Back then, I snagged a few housewares items. I also couldn’t help myself when it came to the cute clothing for girls. (I bought something for a friend’s kid.)
As for Uniqlo, I love them for providing clothes that fit petite me at prices I can afford. However, as someone who is trying to shop more ethically and avoid fast fashion, I’ve tried to temper my shopping with them. The chain was cited for abusive practices in 2016. It has since said it’s putting better processes in place.
As it turns out, my excitement for this collaboration subsided when I saw the promo photos. These prints just seem kind of hard to wear.
Nevertheless, I checked out the collection in store when it launched a few days ago as I happened to be walking by. (I swear!)
A mannequin wearing a top with big colorful circles and wide-legged pants greeted me in the store. Hmm. This is an outfit I can’t see myself wearing. This circles print, called Nonparelli, reminds me of a circus, though it’s supposed to invoke cakes.
The tote bags seemed a decent size. But in comparison to the ones made for Target, they were less of a deal at the same $20 price point. The Target ones were huge and made out of sturdy canvas. The Uniqlo ones are made out of a thin polyester.
Short Sleeve Dress – $19.90, Polle Print (Dots), Pompula Print (Flowerpots)
There’s a summery vibe in this collection with T-shirt dresses and sleeveless tops. I didn’t try on these T-shirt dresses as they seemed to run big and I already wear an XS. But I can see this being cute with a belt to define the waist. They even have pockets!
Sleeveless Blouse – $29.90
One nice thing about the collection is that most of it seems to be made out of cotton. Personally, I am trying to buy more clothes made out of natural fibers, as opposed to synthetic fibers, which pollute our oceans when they’re washed. Cotton isn’t perfect either as it takes a lot of water to produce, but I figured at least it’s not generating tiny bits of plastic that fish and other wildlife accidentally eat?
Short Sleeve T-Shirt – $14.90 – Tilkkutäkki Print (Patchwork)
One thing I didn’t see in store: the sneakers in the dots print. Or any sneakers, for that matter. (The sneakers also come in a plain black or white with the dots pattern as the interior. The sizing starts at 5.5, but only goes up to 8.)
I took a few things into the fitting room to try on.
Sleeveless Blouse – $29.90 – Kukkia Rakkaalle Print (Flowers for the Loved One) –
This sleeveless top was a bit tight in the arm pits. I’m a dress size 4 and usually an XS or S at Uniqlo. I’m wearing the XS here. It probably would have fit better in a S, but I didn’t try it because the trapezoidal shape was a no-go for me. It gave me a bunch of volume right in the middle of my body, which was not flattering.
See? Fitting room fail.
Sleeveless Dress – $39.90
This sleeveless cotton dress had the same kind of tent shape as the sleeveless blouse. Is it comfortable? Yes. Does it look good? No! As I noted on my Instagram stories, this is not a good look for petites. The shape overwhelms me and I’m wearing the XS here. I’m not sure who this would look good on. Someone tall and skinny?
T-shirt – $14.90 – Maija Print
The best fitting item for me was this cotton T-shirt. I like the boatneck, the elbow-length sleeves, and the boxy shape, which is a bit cropped. I’m wearing the XS here with high-waisted jeans. The length of the shirt is 23″.
T-shirt // Trouve Leather Jacket [review] // Uniqlo High-Rise Skinny Jeans // AGL flats [similar]
Out of all the prints, this floral one, called Maija, is my favorite. As someone who is a bit prints-shy, I think it’s the most wearable one.
T-shirt in Polle Print – $14.90 (also comes in blue with white dots)
I also thought the big polka dots were pretty cute too. So is the description of this print: “The Polle (horse) pattern is based on an image of round hoof prints left by a plump small pony.” Now I want a plump small pony as a pet.
You could pattern mix with a similar polka dot pattern in smaller dots.
Overall, I thought the quality was nice (with the exception of the totes). The cotton fabric used for the sleeveless dresses and blouses is finely woven and doesn’t have stretch. It helps those items keep their shape. The T-shirts have a nice, soft feel. The collection is available in select stores and online, though some items are selling out fast. (The totes are already gone from the website.) If there’s something you want that’s sold out, I’d keep my eye on the site. Sometimes things get restocked as people return their orders.
As for me, I’m not sure if I’ll keep these T-shirts. I really like the cut, but I’m not sure about the prints. If you’re going to wear big dots, you gotta own it, and I don’t know if I can. I’m contemplating keeping the floral one, though. Sometimes it’s good to get out of your comfort zone.
In my last post, I mentioned I made it out of the Everlane flagship store in San Francisco with an item. That one item is the Soft Cotton Boatneck Sweater and I’m happy to report that I’m in love with it.
Unable to wear Everlane’s cashmere (as detailed in my review of the Cashmere Crop V-Neck), I Iooked at Everlane’s cotton sweater offerings. I loved the fit of the Cashmere Crop, so I wanted to try the Cotton Long-Sleeve V-neck Crop, but the store was out of it in almost every size. (They were out of a lot of things in store, which was disappointing. But the store had only been open for a week when I visited, so perhaps they were getting their sea legs.)
But then I saw the boatneck — and I do love a boatneck. It’s one of my favorite necklines for its elegance.
It’s interesting that Everlane named this sweater the Soft Cotton Boatneck Sweater because I don’t find the material particularly soft, though it does seem to be of nice quality. The fabric is 100% cotton and has a medium weight. It feels quite comfortable on. While it’s not heavy or warm enough for winter, it’s a perfect weight for transitional weather.
The fit is cropped and oversized. Here’s what the it looks like on a 5′ 10″ model. She’s wearing the small.
And here’s what it looks like on me:
Everlane Soft Cotton Boatneck // Everlane High-Rise Skinny Jeans [review] // Vionic ankle boots
I’m wearing the navy. In Everlane’s Cotton V-neck T-shirt, I wear a S. (My review here.) However, the S in this sweater looked too big and there wasn’t a single XS in the store in any color for me to try on. There was, however, an XXS, so I brought it into the dressing room and to my surprise, I liked the fit.
I think an XS would have worked as well for a more relaxed fit. Do keep in mind that I’m petite (5′ 4″) so while going down two sizes worked for me, this may not be the way to go for you, particularly if you have a long torso. (I’m wearing high-waisted jeans here.) I’d recommend going down one size, and perhaps two if you are petite or want a more cropped look.
I love the detail of the sleeves being fitted at the end. I often have to fold the sleeves of my non-petite sweaters, but I didn’t have to in this case. The sleeves were not too long. Hooray!
This sweater retails for $68 and comes in black, white, navy, light gray, and two striped versions. It’s ethically made in Dongguan, China. At the moment they seem to be out of the black and sold out of a lot of the other colors and sizes. It must be a popular item and I can see why. I want this sweater in other colors.
I guess I’ll have to wait like lots of other people for a restock.
UPDATE 11/7/19 – This sweater now appears to be completely sold out (and possibly discontinued) after being in the Choose What You Pay sale. I had a chance to order an XS, though, and compare to the XXS, so I thought I might as well record these details. The XXS is 21″ long while the XS is half an inch longer. The XXS measured pit to pit is 19″. For the XS, it’s 21″. That bit of extra material all around does make for a looser fit. I’m a dress size 4 for reference.
Soft Cotton Boatneck on 5′ 4″ me: XXS on the left, XS on the right.
You can find all my Everlane reviews here.
When Everlane first started, its founder swore that he would never open brick-and-mortar stores. As the brand has evolved, he changed his mind — and I’m glad for it. I’m one of those customers who prefers shopping in an actual store. I tend to browse online first to get an idea of the offerings, but ultimately, I like to see and touch something in person and try it on. Everlane opened its first store in New York in December. Its second location, in San Francisco’s Mission District, just opened on March 3.
Everlane’s San Francisco store opened in the Mission District.
I heard from a friend that shoppers mob the store on weekends, so much so that they have to form a queue outside, so I dropped by on a weekday. As you might expect from a brand that champions minimalist design in its clothing, its San Francisco flagship feels minimal and uncluttered. There’s lots of natural light filtering in and ample use of light-colored wood and the color white. When you walk in, the registers are to your left and a dedicated returns counter is to your right.
The store gets a lot of natural light.
Women’s clothing was to the left and men’s to the right. Up front is a new arrivals section, and then denim just beyond that. The organizing principal for the rest of the clothes seems to be color. This is how I organize my own closet and my bookshelves too, so I have no complaints there.
Cropped City Anorak – $78
At the back of the store is an area that looks like amphitheater-styled seating, currently used to display bags.
Day Market Tote – $165, Day Magazine Tote – $165
On one wall towards the middle of the store were listening stations where you could learn about Everlane’s factories. I didn’t stop to listen — I was too distracted by the clothing and shoes — but will take a listen next time.
One disappointment is that it seemed that only a small percentage of what’s offered online is actually out on the sales floor. For example, I didn’t see any zip totes or pocket totes or the cotton collarless shirt dress. For those items that were in stock, there were only a few sizes of each of them. In some cases, there were hardly any sizes at all.
I was looking for one particular sweater, but the store was completely out of XS in any color, both on the floor and in the back when a sales associate checked. Another item I wanted to try on was the cotton long-sleeve V-neck crop sweater, but I found only one and it was not in my size. I was there in the middle of the day, by the way, not at closing. Hmm, the inventory is too minimal, Everlane.
My favorite part of the new store: the skylights in the dressing rooms.
My favorite feature of the store, though? The circular skylights in the fitting rooms! I was delighted to look up and see a porthole to the sky. So many fitting rooms have iffy lighting at best. (Many of them have lighting that, frankly, sucks.) I loved having natural light in the fitting room.
And yes, that means I tried some things on. I even took something home. Stay tuned for new reviews! (To see all my Everlane reviews, go here.)
A few years ago at a cafe, someone stole my wallet. I went years without a proper replacement, using a Mighty Wallet, which was ingeniously lightweight but just didn’t have enough pockets for all my stuff. Finally, I got it together to do some research for a new wallet.
My priority was something not too big, but with enough slots and pockets to keep me organized. I admired a friend’s minimalist Comme des Garçons zip wallet but didn’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on one. So I decided to look at wallets with similar designs by Baggu, Cuyana, and Everlane — all brands with ethical production. Here’s a comparison of what I found.
My favorite reusable bag maker offers a simple square wallet made out of smooth fine grain leather. It’s currently available in seven colors with pastels for spring, as well as ubiquitous black, but my favorite is this orange-red color called “warm red.” The zipper is brass and the zipper pull is leather. Out of all the wallets I saw, this one felt the lightest, but I didn’t bring a scale with me, so I don’t know if that’s actually true or just my perception. One thing I like about the Baggu wallet is the subtle branding with the name stamped on the inside. I also like that it’s perfectly square.
Organization: It has a section for paper currency, four cards slots, and a coin pocket with snap closure. In addition, there’s space behind the card slots and behind the coin pocket, so you could store things in those locations too. One detail that I appreciate is that the first card slot has a dip to it, which makes removing that first card a little easier.
Size: 4.3″ x 4.3″ x .8″ deep
Price: $100
Where it’s Made: Baggu makes its leather products in factories in Texas and New York City. The company says its leather is produced in an ISO 14001 certified tannery which is an international standard “established to distinguish tanneries that document and manage their operations to minimize the impact on the environment.”
Where to Buy: Baggu’s stores in Brooklyn and the San Francisco Bay Area, though they are often carried by other retailers, too.
The nice thing about Cuyana’s small leather zip around wallet is all the options. You can get textured saffiano leather in black or red or opt for smooth leather, available in four colors including a gorgeous oxblood. Oh, and there’s a shimmery, textured silver option too. The zipper is bright gold and the zipper pull is also metal. Out of the three brands I looked at, these wallets felt the most luxe. They also make an even smaller version with just three card slots.
Organization: It has a section for bills, four curved cards slots, and a coin pocket with snap closure. While there is a slip pocket behind the card slots, there isn’t one behind the coin pocket. The coin pocket is situated on its side, so you have to turn the wallet to access it.
Size: 4″ W x 4.5″ H
Price: $115 for saffiano or smooth leather and $125 for silver shimmer leather
Where it’s Made: Cuyana says the leather is Italian and the wallets are crafted in the USA and Turkey. I’m not sure if that means some of them are made in the USA and some of them are made in Turkey or if each wallet spends time in both countries.
Where to Buy: Cuyana’s two stores in California and the Cuyana site
Organization: Like the other wallets I looked at, Everlane’s version has a currency section, four cards slots, and a coin pocket with snap closure. On the inside, it looks nearly identical to the Baggu wallet except the location of the card slots and coin pocket are switched. Space behind the card slots and the coin pocket? Check. The zipper on the Everlane wallet is gold tone, but not as bright as Cuyana’s. Its zipper pull is leather. I’m holding the bright red in the photo above, one of four colors offered. In addition to black, there’s also “natural” and this shiny silver, which is pretty great if you’re the kind of person who digs around in your bag trying to find your wallet.
Size: 4″ H × 4.5″ W
Price: $98
Where it’s Made: The leather is from Spain and the wallets are made in a factory in Ubrique, Spain.
Where to Buy: Everlane has two locations, one in New York and one in San Francisco. Both of them are new as Everlane built its business online only first.
This is a tough one. I thought all the wallets were decently made. Cuyana seemed the nicest with its gold tone hardware, variety of leather textures, and metal zipper pulls, which perhaps would outlast leather ones. I also like the curved card slots. However, it has one big drawback for me — the lack of a slip pocket behind the coin pocket. From an organizational perspective, this puts it out of the running for me.
Between Everlane and Baggu, the wallets seemed similar to me in terms of quality. If pressed to choose one, I’d say the leather on the Everlane one felt a tad nicer, a bit more buttery. I think it comes down to what color you fancy. If you’re looking for a mirrored silver finish, then your choice is clear.
I’m a bit surprised that none of these brands offer a version of their wallet with more card slots in place of the coin pocket. From what I’ve observed, many people don’t carry change around, so a zip around wallet with eight card slots seems like a good offering.
For me, I actually ended up buying a wallet when I least expected to — while on vacation in Stockholm. (See my travel guide.) It was from raincoat maker Stutterheim, who has a reputation for responsibly manufacturing their raincoats — first in Sweden, and now in Poland. They make their wallets in India. But under what conditions? I didn’t think to ask about that until I got home from vacation. I hope their production values apply to all of their goods.
Though I’d prefer a brighter color than black, what really sold me on this wallet was that it had five credit cards slots when similar wallets only had four. It also has that all important space behind the slots and the coin purse. I don’t see the exact same wallet on their site now. But here’s a version that’s a combination of leather and rubberized cotton, which is what their famed raincoats are made out of. I snagged the wallet while it was on sale too. Score!
Stutterheim zip wallet
UPDATE 11/11/21 – It’s been a couple years since I wrote this post. Everlane and Baggu no longer make their wallets. Cuyana seems to have discontinued their wallet with four card slots. However, the 4″ x 4″ three-card slot version is still around. There’s even a zero waste edition of it. But a new option to consider is the Lo & Sons Small Wallet, which comes in five colors of saffiano leather and is priced at $125. (But you can snag it on sale. At the moment it’s $75).
Last weekend when I was at Target, I only had time to try on one pair of jeans from their new denim line, Universal Thread. But that didn’t satiate my curiosity. So I went back and tried on their $24.99 high-rise skinny jeans, which comes in three washes: dark wash, medium wash, and black.
I didn’t get around to any of the colored jeans or the ones with distressing or other details. To be honest, I’m not sure if they were even stocked at the Target I visited. I find the organization on the floor confusing sometimes. Some jeans were folded and stacked on shelves. Others hung from the racks. It’s easy to miss something, so I suggest taking a look online first so that you have an idea of what the options are and what you might want to keep an eye out for in store.
In my last post, I tried on the dark wash. Let’s review shall we?
** this post contains affiliate links **
Here’s the stock photo for the dark wash. Colors on the website seem pretty accurate — and fitting room lighting sucks — so I thought it best to include the stock photo so you can see what the color is supposed to look like. The dark wash is very dark, almost black.
I tried on my usual denim size and one size up. Visually, they were pretty much the same, but comfort wise, the bigger size won. The fit was great all around — no gaping and no sagging in the front or the back. I’m wearing the short here and the length was perfect for petite me. I’m 5′ 4″ for reference. These jeans also come in regular and long lengths. The fiber content is 90% cotton, 7% polyester, and 3% Lycra and the jeans were made in Pakistan. The dark wash was a little rough feeling, but not distractingly so.
Next, I tried on the medium wash. (Someone get this model a new pair of shoes! She’s hanging off the back of these.)
These had the same fiber content as the dark wash and were also made in Pakistan. I found the fit similar to the dark wash, so again, I decided to go up a size for comfort. I’m wearing one size up from my usual size in the regular length here, which of course, is too long for a shorty like me. It’s wrinkled in the knees, but maybe that’s because they’re too long. Interestingly, the fabric on this pair felt a little softer in comparison to the dark wash. The whiskering detail on the front is a nice touch.
These were made in Cambodia and have a different fiber content: 60% cotton, 32% rayon, and 2% Lycra. The fabric is thinner and softer than the other two pairs and I found that I didn’t need to size up in these. They’re so thin and soft you’d be forgiven for mistaking them for jeggings.
Universal Thread High-Rise Jeggings – $34.99
Speaking of jeggings, Universal Thread high-rise jeggings exist, so I tried them on too. They’re listed as “short” on the website, which I guess is why they look cropped on the model.
Universal Thread High-Rise Jeggings – $34.99
They’re really soft. Super soft. I’ve tried on legging pants from Uniqlo before (which totally do not work for me). Those are more leggings-like whereas these Universal Thread ones retain a denim-ness about them, at least visually. Made in Vietnam, the fiber content for these is 48% cotton, 43% lyocell (a kind of rayon made out of dissolving wood pulp), 1% polyester, and 2% spandex. I tried my usual size and while it was snug to get into, it didn’t feel uncomfortable due to the softness of the fabric.
Universal Thread High-Rise Jeggings – $34.99
I also tried a size up and I’m torn! If I were to buy these, I’m not sure which size I’d get. They look the same in the photos, in which case I’d usually go with the larger size for comfort. Yet, I worry they’d stretch out over time and get baggy since the fabric is already so soft to begin with. So go with your regular size? The regular jeans had a tag touting the inclusion of Lycra Xtra Life, which implied they would retain their shape. The jeggings did not. Who really knows, though?
Something different about the jeggings is that they were manufactured via Kitotex (which I went a bit into in my last post) and have a Chitosan finish. That process consumes less energy, water, and chemicals than conventional means. It also involves shrimp. Yes, shrimp. The high-rise jeans I tried on didn’t include any information about how they’re made, so I take this to mean they are made in the conventional, water-hogging way that most jeans are made.
I don’t need any more jeans (especially since I caved several posts ago and bought a pair of Everlane high-rise skinny jeans that were made in a LEED-certified factory). For me, personally, the most environmentally friendly thing I can do about my clothing is to resist the new thing and wear the jeans I already own. I’m trying to consume less in the first place and get more wear out of what I already have.
If you’re in the market for denim, I hope my info about fit has been helpful. If you own some Universal Thread denim, I’d love to hear how they worked for you and whether or not they stretched out.
I didn’t leave completely empty handed, though. I ended up loving the button down shirt (manufactured in Indonesia) that I tried on with the jeans. It’s made out of a gauzy-feeling cotton with just a touch of spandex for warmer weather, something that I lacked in my wardrobe. I’ve worn this outfit three days in a row during a streak of unseasonably warm weather here in the Bay Area and I love it so much that I don’t care!
Universal Thread Tie Front Striped Button Down Shirt – $19.99 // Everlane High-Rise Skinny Jeans [review] / Vintage Sandals // Everlane Twill Zip Tote [review]
Target has rolled out another new brand called Universal Thread. It’s an ambitious attempt to tackle denim. The retailer says that it researched 1,000 women “to better understand their needs when it comes to shopping denim.” What they found is that women hate shopping for jeans. So they created a line with a wide range of sizes and cuts. There’s also sensory-friendly and adaptive clothing, according to Disability Scoop.
The line launched February 4 online and in stores. I saw it in person today.
** this post contains affiliate links **
My first impression is that it has a Madewell vibe going on. I mean, look at these logos.
The lines carries lots of basics like T-shirts.
Monterey Pocket V-Neck Stripe T-Shirt – $8.00, Plus Size – $8.00
There’s button down shirts galore.
The blouses have a boho look to them.
And it’s not just clothes. There are shoes, bags, and jewelry to complete your casual look.
Wenda Cut Out Booties – $32.99 (Looks just like these flats from Free People)
Kerrigan Slide Sandal – $12.99
Canteen Crossbody Bag – $21.99
This tote bag is faux leather, but couldn’t you see a real leather version of it at Madewell? It reminds me of Madewell’s Transport Tote, down to the way the straps end in an arrow shape.
Hayden Core Tote Bag – $29.99 (Comes in 6 colors)
The language about Universal Thread on Target’s website also reminds me of another brand. “Do-good denim,” it says. Everlane, anyone? And just what’s so do-gooder about it? Target says the pockets of the jeans are made from recycled plastic bottles; that their high-rise jeggings are made using Kitotex, which reduces water usage and chemicals; and that some of the jeans are made from recycled cotton.
When I clicked on the link for recycled cotton, just four pairs of jeans appeared.
As to Kitotex, yes that appears to be a real thing. As I learned while writing my review of Everlane’s jeans, it can take 1,500 liters (that’s 396 gallons) of water just to make one pair of conventional jeans. Everlane manufactures its jeans in a closed-water system that uses just .4 liters of water per pair of jeans.
It’s a stretch to call this brand “do-good denim” when only 11 styles of jeans are made with more environmentally-conscious practices.
With Kitotex, “this innovative process allows a water and energy savings equal to 40% with a consequent 40% reduction of CO2 emissions,” according to Canepa, the Italian textile company that developed the process. Is it as good as Everlane’s process? I don’t know, but compared to conventional methods, it does sound like there’s a significant difference. Vegans may want to avoid Kitotex, though, as it involves “recycling the exoskeleton of crustaceans, a waste by-product of the food industry.”
I’m glad that Target is sourcing fabric that is made through a process that reduces water usage, energy consumption, and chemicals, but they used this fabric only for seven styles of high-rise jeggings, not the bulk of their denim. Textiles production — and denim production in particular — is a toxic process. So good on Target for moving in the right direction. However, it’s a stretch to call this brand “do-good denim” when only 11 styles of jeans out of 102 are made with more environmentally-conscious practices. There’s also no transparent information about the labor that goes into making these jeans.
Alright, you are probably wondering how they fit. If you’ve been reading my blog, then you know I’m all about the high-rise skinny, so that’s what I tried. But there are many different silhouettes and rises: mid-rise, boot cut, flare, wide leg. There’s also a bunch of colored denim, which I didn’t see in the store, but am very curious about. The Target I visited had three washes in the high-rise skinny. The jeans retail for $24.99 and come in three lengths: short, regular, and long.
I decided to try a dark wash. They were so dark that they almost look black.
Trying on my regular size.
Here I am wearing my regular size. I’m wearing the short, which was great length for 5′ 4″ me. I found it a bit tight (though I had also just eaten a big dinner). The fabric is a little rough feeling; it’s 90% cotton, 7% polyester, and 3% Lycra. The tag made a big deal of saying that the Lycra Xtra Life would help the jeans with “great stretch and recovery.” But there’s no way to really know until you’ve worn them a while.
Trying on the next size up.
I then tried a size up. That created a few more wrinkles in the knee area. It was still tight, but gave me more breathing room. Looking at these photos now, I don’t know that I can tell the difference between the two sizes, so I would go with a size up, at least in the dark wash. The pockets were not ridiculously shallow like Madewell’s jeans. And the fit was not bad at all! It didn’t sag in the behind, nor did it gap in the waistband or create little rolls of excess fabric across the front. So, I feel the fabric was of OK quality, not great. But the fit seemed pretty damn good. I wonder how these jeans wear over time and whether they loosen up significantly or not.
Style-wise, I think Target’s on point (even if they’re taking heavy inspiration from Madewell). And I appreciate that Target offers so many styles for all sorts of body shapes — and that they continue to create adaptive clothing for those with disabilities and include them in the visual marketing as well.
However, I wish they would use environmentally-friendly practices more frequently throughout this line (and with all their clothing brands). The bulk of denim in this line runs $25 to $30. The jeggings made with Kitotex are priced at $35. I know that $5 to $10 isn’t in everyone’s budget, but why not use Kitotex more often? I don’t mind paying an extra $10 for a more environmentally-friendly product, and I’d like to know about the labor practices too. (The jeans I tried on were made in Pakistan.) I don’t think I’m the only one. As a huge retailer, Target can make a big difference if it chooses.
UPDATE 2/12/18 – Well, I can’t stay away from Target. Went back to try on more high-rise skinny jeans and jeggings. Read my next review.
About a month ago, I picked up a silicone sponge from Sur La Table. I was intrigued by its claim of drying quickly, not harboring germs, and lasting much longer than your typical sponge. A typical foam sponge lasts how long? I can’t say I’ve been keeping track, but I throw them out when they start to look gross. I hand wash all my dishes so I go through at least one a month, probably more.
Sure, you can sanitize them so that they last longer. The best way to do so, according to this story in SELF, is with bleach and water. (I admit to being too lazy for that.) Then there’s the ever popular microwaving method, which I was a fan of until this New York Times story said it could be making things worse. The strong bacteria survive microwaving and multiply. Ewww.
So I decided to give the silicone sponge a try. I’ve been using it for about a month.
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Dual-Action Silicone Sponge. Yes, I know these gloves are too big for me.
The sponge has two different surfaces. One side has stubby triangular bumps with the tips of the triangles sticking up. The other side has softer, flexible bristles. It’s safe for non-stick cookware and for the dishwasher, too.
Dual-Action Silicone Sponge. Soft bristle side.
For doing dishes, it’s OK, but I can’t say I’m impressed. I’m not sure that the bumps and bristles on the silicone sponge are as effective at cleaning dishes as a regular foam sponge with a scrubby side. There’s also the problem of it not holding on to soap that well. I felt like I was using more soap than I normally would. Keeping a bowl of soapy water to dip the silicone sponge into helped. But it’s hard to get the silicone sponge to generate suds. That stock photo (from Sur La Table) at the top of this post is misleading! What can I say? I like a good sudsy action.
Next, I tried it on some surfaces. Something had spilled and dried into a crusty layer onto the bottom of my fridge. I used the bumpy side of the silicone sponge with just a bit of soap and water and it was a champ at scrubbing it all off. It also performed well on my bathroom sink.
One advantage of this sponge is that it dries quickly. Even with a sponge drying rack, typical sponges take a while to dry. They’re moist homes to germ parties. The silicone sponge clearly has an advantage in this area. It’s supposed to be mildew and mold resistant, and in in my month of use, it seems like this is true. It also doesn’t smell. So far so good.
At $8 a piece, a silicone sponge costs more per unit than your typical disposable Scotch Brite sponge. Those tend to go for about a buck and some change. The silicone sponge is designed to be more durable. Given that I go through an estimated 12 to 18 dish sponges a year — and assuming that the silicone sponge lasts a year — the silicone sponge is cheaper. However, it does use more soap, so maybe not.
Perhaps it’s just a matter of me getting used to it. I’m going to keep trying it with the dishes, though I have a feeling that it’s not going to replace my usual kitchen sponges. I prefer the performance of a scrubby foam sponge. But I like the fact that the silicone sponge is not home to a germ city. I’m also trying to produce less waste.
I do think it makes sense for the bathroom. A germ-resisting sponge in the bathroom sounds like a good idea since it’s a room that gets damp and is mildew-prone.
If you want to try one for yourself, you can find the dual action silicone sponge at Sur La Table, which also sells it on Amazon. There’s also a version with the soft bristles on both sides, made by Kuhn Rikon, a Swiss brand. I like having the option of the different textured sides, though. Both sponges are made in China.
UPDATE 5/11/20 – I’ve been using this sponge for more than two years now to clean my bathroom sink and it’s still going strong and looks practically new.
UPDATE 9/25/24 – For dishes, I returned to a squishy sponge that suds. Lately I’ve been using this cellulose sponge from Blueland, which is plastic-free (my review here). So, while it’s disposable, at least it’s not plastic.
OK, I’m over winter and thinking about warmer weather. (I know I shouldn’t complain since I live on the West Coast, but these gloomy, cloudy days are getting to me.) Anyhow, this is all to say that today I’m reviewing something that is better suited for spring: the Everlane Italian GoWeave Easy Pant.
What is GoWeave, you ask? It’s a magical fabric that Everlane says doesn’t wrinkle, keeps its shape, and regulates your temperature. Everlane has two types of GoWeave: Italian and Japanese. The Italian GoWeave is made out of wool yarn that’s spun in Italy, of course. The Japanese GoWeave fabric (used for this dress) is made from triacetate, a synthetic fabric which contains cotton or tree pulp cellulose. It has a silky drape and is cooling.
As its name suggests, the Italian GoWeave Easy Pant are the wool variety. It comes three colors: black, navy, and an olive green color called “surplus.” Made in an ethical factory in Suzhou, China, it retails for $88. I like the idea of it: casual two-pocket pants with an elastic waist, but made with such nice fabric that you can get away with wearing it to the office. Casual and comfortable, yet polished, you say? Sign me up, please.
Here’s how it looks on the model.
And here’s how it looks on me.
OK, I know I don’t look like a model, but out of all the Everlane items I’ve tried on, these pants are the farthest away from how they appear on the model. Look how big they are on me — and this is after I went one size down from my usual size. They’re oddly proportioned; the crotch hangs way low. The thigh area is quite generous (and I am not in possession of skinny thighs). Perhaps this has to do with my height. I’m 5′ 4″ and the model is 5’10” — we are both wearing the size 2.
Alright, now from the back. Model:
And me.
Dear reader, as you might have deduced, I did not buy them.
I have to say: the fabric’s quite nice. It’s lightweight and has a bit of a sheen. Even though the pants are wool, I didn’t find them itchy. Maybe if you’re tall they might work for you. They do run big though, so I suggest going down a size. Maybe even two?
Interested in other Everlane clothes? You can find all my Everlane reviews here.
