Latest Posts

In Love with Everlane’s Soft Cotton Boatneck Sweater

Published by welcomeobjects

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.)

** this post contains affiliate links **

But then I saw the boatneck — and I do love a boatneck. It’s one of my favorite necklines for its elegance.

Flat lay photo of Everlane cotton boatneck sweater in navy.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.

Closeup of the neck line of an Everlane boatneck sweater.

The fit is cropped and oversized. Here’s what the it looks like on a 5′ 10″ model. She’s wearing the small.

A black model with natural hair wearing the Everlane soft cotton boatneck sweater in navy. She is sitting on a stool.

And here’s what it looks like on me:

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.

A black model wearing the Everlane boatneck sweater. It's white with black stripes. She is sitting on a stool.

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.

Everlane soft cotton boatneck worn by the same person in two different sizes.

Soft Cotton Boatneck on 5′ 4″ me: XXS on the left, XS on the right.

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

Shelving and racks of clothing at the Everlane store in San Francisco.

A Look at Everlane’s New San Francisco Store

Published by welcomeobjects

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.

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.

** this post contains affiliate links **

Interior of the Everlane SF floor, which has lots of natural light from ceiling. Space uses white and light-colored wood.

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.

At the back of the store is an area that looks like amphitheater-styled seating, currently used to display bags.

Day Heel – $145 [Review]

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 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 hand holding a red textured Cuyana small zip wallet

Ethically-Made Zip Wallets by Baggu, Cuyana, & Everlane

Published by welcomeobjects

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.

** this post contains affiliate ilnks **

Baggu – Square Wallet

A hand holding an orange colored Baggu square zip wallet. There are 4 credit card slots and 1 coin pocket.

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: Besides Baggu’s own stores in Brooklyn and the San Francisco Bay Area, you can also find Baggu products carried by other retailers like Nordstrom, Need Supply, and Shopbop.

Cuyana – Small Leather Zip Around Wallet

A hand holding a Cuyana small zip wallet open. The wallet is red. It has 4 credit card slots and a coin pocket.

A hand holding a Cuyana small zip wallet with the coin pocket portion open.

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

Everlane – Square Zip Wallet

A Hand holding a red-ish Everlane square zip wallet open. It has a coin pocket and 4 credit card slots.

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 this factory in Ubrique, Spain.

Where to Buy: Everlane has just two locations, one in New York and one in San Francisco. Both of them are new as Everlane built its business online only first.

(If my reviews are helpful to you, and you decide to make your first Everlane purchase, please consider using my referral link. Create your account before browsing. Thanks! You can find all my other Everlane reviews here.)

Choosing a Winner

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 didn’t compare these wallets side by side on the same day, so it’s hard to say. 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!

Hand holding a square wallet, which is black

A hand holding a wallet open.

UPDATE 11/11/21 – It’s been a couple years since I wrote this post. Everlane and Baggu no longer make their wallets. (Baggu is phasing out their leather products.) 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).

A stack of blue jeans.

Fitting Room Review: Target’s Universal Thread High-Rise Skinny Jeans

Published by welcomeobjects

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.

Next up: the same cut of jeans in black.

Me, a petite Asian woman, trying on jeans and taking selfies. Wearing the black high-rise jeans. Image is split in half, and on one half is the front view and on the other half is the side view

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.

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.

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.

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!

7 women of all different shapes and sizes, including one in a wheel chair, wearing Universal Thread, Target's new denim line.

A First Look at Universal Thread at Target

Published by welcomeobjects

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.

There’s button down shirts galore.

The blouses have a boho look to them.

Mannequin wearing a red top with flouncy sleeves and riped denim at at Target display

And it’s not just clothes. There are shoes, bags, and jewelry to complete your casual look.

A hand holding a pair of cutout booties that are a white-gray color.

Wenda Cut Out Booties – $32.99 (Looks just like these shoes from Free People)

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. 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.

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.

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.

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). I’m looking forward to seeing more of this line. 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.

A hand washing a pot with a red silicone sponge

Is a Silicone Sponge Better than a Disposable One?

Published by welcomeobjects

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.

** this post contains affiliate links **

A hand in a dish-washing glove holding a yellow and green silicone sponge. In the distance is a dish.

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.

A hand in a dish glove holding a silicone sponge.

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.

A silicone spoge on a dish in the sink.

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.

A model wears the Everlane GoWeave Easy Pant in olive green with white sneakers and a black sweater.

Fitting Room Review: The Everlane GoWeave Easy Pant

Published by welcomeobjects

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.

** this post contains affiliate links **

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?

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

Two BAGGU nylon pouches in large and small size, along with a succulent in a pot, as viewed from above in "flat lay" style.

How to Organize Your Purse with Pouches

Published by welcomeobjects

Back when I reviewed the Everlane Twill Zip and Pocket Totes, I wrote about how I used a lightweight purse organizer to keep the contents of my bag in order.

** this post contains affiliate links **

A mesh purse organizer with items in it, and other items such as a water bottle and sunglasses case, flatlay style.

After a while, I abandoned the purse organizer for what I call The Pouch System. The problem with the purse organizer, at least for me, is that I carry too much stuff. Despite my best efforts to lighten my load, I often carry a water bottle, scarf, magazine, and more. That’s in addition to the purse organizer. All these things piled on top of the organizer. So, if I wanted to grab something out of it — say, a packet of tissues — it was actually hard to get to. I had to remove all the things blocking access to the organizer, or pull the whole organizer out of my bag.

The Pouch System is exactly what it sounds like. I keep things in pouches. When I want something, I root around in my bag and retrieve the pouch that stores that particular item. I keep three, sometimes four, pouches in my bag. Each one is visually different so that I can remember what is in each pouch. I’ve always enjoyed looking in other people’s bags to see what they carry, so I’ll share what’s in mine.

At first, I bought all my pouches from Daiso, the Japanese dollar store, because like most everything in the store, they were only $1.50. Why not! I found the pouch below to be especially handy since it has three zippered pockets. Yay for compartments! In one pouch, I keep things like facial tissues, gum, hand lotion, and medicine. (Yes, that’s a mask in the bottom left corner. It’s handy for allergies and bad smells.)

A pouch with three zippered comparments, and the contents of what's kept in the pouch laid out around it. This includes tissues, hand lotion, gum, band-aids, nail clipper.

In a second pouch, I keep my headphones, ear plugs, purse hook, small tape measure, phone charger (I recommend Anker brand which hasn’t died on me when others have), and a pair of travel chopsticks. (I’m a fan of carrying your own utensils to avoid using single-use disposables. I also carry a spork for this reason.)

A pouch with three zippered comparments and the items stored inside the pouch laid out around it, including a purse hook, phone charger, earplugs, headphones.

In a third pouch, I keep my wallet, a small notebook, a click pen inside a plastic sleeve (in case I forget to click it closed), and a plastic envelope for coupons and receipts.

A pouch with a palm print, a blue plastis envelope, pen inside a plastic sleeve, red notebook, and black wallet, all organized neatly on a white surface.

For this third pouch, I started out with another Daiso pouch but upgraded to a Baggu flat zip pouch. In this particular case, you get what you pay for. The Daiso pouches shed bits of string because the edges inside are unfinished. Sometimes the strings stick in the zippers. Baggu’s pouches are many times the price, but well made from heavyweight nylon. All the edges are finished so they don’t have this annoying shedding problem. Baggu is also an ethical company. (The company says that its nylon and canvas bags are ethically made in China.)

3 zippered pouches stacked on top of each other, largest on the bottom and smallest on top. The large one has a green frond print, the middle one is pink and has 3 zippers, and the small one has white dots on black.

Here’s the Baggu medium flat zip ($12, 10.25″ x 8″), compared with the Daiso triple zip ($1.50, 8″ x 6″), and the Baggu small flat zip ($8, 5″ x 3.5″).

A small pouch with a transit card sticking out of it.

The little one is good for holding cards and other small items.

A woman holds a large nylon pouch in front of her. It is large enough to serve as a clutch purse. The pouch has a frond print.

The Baggu medium zip is actually large enough to use as a clutch in a pinch. There’s even a larger size (15″ x 12.15″ – $15).

I highly recommend Baggu’s pouches for your organizing needs. If you need more room, they also make a pouch with more depth that they call the Carry All (medium size and large size). I wish they made a small-medium size that was similar to the Daiso pouch size (8″ x 6″). Actually, I wish they made a small-medium size that had triple zippers just like the Daiso one, but of course, with better materials and cute prints, as is the Baggu way. I’m still using the Daiso ones even though they have the string-shedding problem because I find the multi-compartment pouch super handy. But, if you’re reading this, Baggu, please make some triple zip pouches!

A green and a black zip pouch on a white background with the text "how to organize your purse with pouches, WelcomeObjects.com"

Top Welcome Objects posts of 2017, featuring a totebag, some outfits, some shoes.

Top Posts of 2017

Published by welcomeobjects

Happy new year, readers! As I look back on 2017 — my first year of blogging — I wanted to share the most popular Welcome Objects posts for the year. These are the five posts that received the most views. Interestingly, these were all fashion posts.

5. Drape Collection at Uniqlo

Uniqlo 2017 drape collection jogger pants outfit as modeled by me, with black heels.

4. A New Day at Target – Fitting Room Review

side by side photos of me, a petite woman, wearing a short sleeve floral shift dress, and a maroon anorak

3. Everlane High-Rise Skinny Jeans Review

Everlane high-rise skinny jeans from the front.

2. Allbirds Wool Loungers Review

Allbirds wool loungers in black, sitting on top of a shoebox.
1. Everlane Twill Zip Tote & Pocket Tote Review

Everlane twill zip tote and pocket tote bags held up side by side for comparison. The pocket tote has a vertical shape with the twill tote has a horizontal shape.

Thank you for reading Welcome Objects. Here’s to shopping more mindfully and sustainably in 2018!

Everlane day heel, as seen from above. It has a rounded toe and elastic back.

Is the Everlane Day Heel As Comfy As Everyone Says?

Published by welcomeobjects

When Everlane released its Day Heel back in April, it was so popular that it sold out in a day, generating a long wait list. People rave about it. As I am always searching for a comfortable, chic shoe, I tried them on recently.

The shoe comes in regular leather, suede, and velvet. They’re all quite soft, much softer than the leather on any other Everlane shoes I’ve ever seen. Inspired by the ballet flat, it has a rounded toe, an elasticized back, and a walkable two-inch block heel. It retails for $145 for the regular leather and suede and $155 for the velvet. (Pssst! Right now for five days the navy velvet and the silver velvet are on sale for as low as $109 as part of their Choose What You Pay clearance.)

** this post contains affiliate links **

It’s made ethically in Montopoli in Val D’Arno, Italy and crafted out of leather both inside and out. Among the dozen colors that it comes in, this orange is my favorite (Everlane calls it red). What a great pop of color for an outfit!

I haven’t had success with Everlane shoes. Most styles run too narrow for my slightly wide feet, and even when they’re wide enough (as was the case with the Editor Heel), they’re uncomfortable.

Much to my surprise, the Day Heels were true to size for me. I tried my usual size and a half size up. With the half size up, they felt a bit long, like my foot wasn’t matching the footbed in the right place. My regular size felt just right.

Even more surprising, they were comfortable! I’m a person who has difficulty with shoes, probably more so than the average person, and even for me, they felt walkable right out of the box. (Sometimes you put a shoe on and right away it’s ouch!) However, I only tried them on for a little bit. I’ve read that the elastic can dig into the back of your heels, which seems like a deal breaker. Some people have also experienced blisters in the toes, so even though they are made out of a very soft leather, it appears there’s still a break-in time required.

In the end, I decided not to get them. Why? I’m not in love with the look. I’m trying to be pickier about clothing (and stuff in general) in an effort to consume less and use the things I do own more. When I asked myself if I loved these, my heart did not go aflutter. I guess I’m not much of a ballet shoe fan to begin with.

The top of the shoe covered more of my foot than I liked. Perhaps if I were cut lower I’d like the look more. I also don’t love the tab on the back. I can understand the Day Heel’s appeal, though — ballet flats, but with heels! They seem like they’d be a good staple piece for the office if they worked for you. (If you do end up with one of the suede pairs, I highly recommend treating it with a suede protector before wearing them out.)

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

Save