Ethical Little Black Bag Round-up

Sorry it's going to be bag heavy review week but recently on Instagram I asked what you guys want to see reviewed next and lovely Sarah asked for suggestions of an ethical version of the little black bag (so Sarah this one's for you!).  And I love these kinds of questions because as you all know I'm such a bag lady.  So without further ado here are some of my picks!

Everlane Foldover Crossbody ($150)

Everlane

Of course I have to start with my go-to favorite ethical brand, Everlane.  Yes they're not sustainable nor slow fashion, but they are ethical in that they produce their goods in factories where they ensure they pay their workers a fair wage and provide safe working conditions.  Their leather bags are usually produced in Italy or Spain.  These bags are made in Ubrique, Spain, which is also where Polene makes their bags (and when I asked Polene about the ethics of production in this town they let me know that since this what this town is known for, everything is highly regulated and done by the book).  The leather of this foldover bag reminds me a lot of the kind of leather used in those lovely Comme des Garcons pouches (also coincidentally made in Spain).  This foldover crossbody is one of my favorite bags from Everlane because it's super practical and minimal but made with really yummy leather.  Also you can tuck in the straps and use it as a clutch in the evenings if you want, and the crossbody strap is adjustable (perfect for my short stature!).  I have the same one in oxblood and you can read my review of it here.  I traveled all over Europe with my foldover crossbody bag and I found it to be the perfect traveling companion!

Mini Bow Bag ($250)

Classic Shoulder Bag ($325)

Cuyana

Cuyana is also a well-known brand in the ethical space and they produce their bags in Italy at small artisanal factories.  I've tried their bags before and find that they are usually well made and quite durable.  My favorite black bags from current their line-up is their Mini Bow Bag (that Napa leather looks as amazing as Prada's!) and their Classic Shoulder Bag (which Andrea reviewed here).  I've tried their Mini Saddle Bag before (review here), but found it a bit too small for my needs, but if you like the half moon shape then the larger one might be a good fit!

Maya Folded Purse ($128)

Clara Crossbody ($158)

Nisolo

If you're looking for an ethical company that supports artisans from developing countries and pays fair trade wages then Nisolo is your brand.  They also produce a line of ethical black bags including their Maya Folded Purse, which is like the Everlane Foldover Crossbody but without the zippers or adjustable strap, or the one I really like called the Clara Crossbody.  Both purses are super simple yet elegant.  Full disclosure here I have yet to try their line of purses so I can't speak to how they wear over time.

Large Drew Bag ($90)

Bini Bag ($125)

Matt & Nat

Matt & Nat is everyone's go to bag brand if you want well-made ethical vegan bags.  They are also one of the few bag brands that you can call at least partially sustainable since they use 100% recycled water bottles for their bag linings and incorporate other recycled material in their non-leather bags.  I used to have one of their bags a long time ago and I can tell you they hold up well.  Also a lot of the times you can't even tell it's not real leather (until you touch it of course).  I like their Large Drew Bag which is a simple crossbody bag with removable straps and the Bini bag which is their version of the bucket bag.  Seriously they have so many great styles of vegan bags, so if that's what you're looking for then you need to check them out!

Rockwell Mini Venti in Noir ($350)

Future Glory Co.

So this is another brand I haven't tried yet, but I've seen this local-to-me brand pop up on my radar from time to time.  Each bag is hand made to order in SF, thus the price is a tad higher than the rest.  But I love all that Teresa, the owner, stands for and all the charities she gives back to.

Clare V Herieth Bag ($378)

Clare V Le Box Bag ($328)

Clare V

I've had a couple Clare V bags before and I have to say they are really lovely.  If you're looking for more fun and varied designs, then Clare V has a lot to choose from.  All their bags are made in Los Angeles so as long as they're following US laws, you know the workers are being paid at least minimum wage and are working in safe manufacturing conditions.  The couple of black bags that caught my eye are the Herieth bag and the Le Box Bag (I can see myself switching the short strap for a longer one and maybe wearing it crossbody).

Louis Vuitton Epi Segur Pochette ($450)

Lanvin Quilted Amalia ($495)

Lanvin Quilted Sugar Shoulder bag ($450)

Balenciaga classic shoulder ($360)

Secondhand from Fashionphile

Ok, you knew this was coming right?   How can I talk about ethical bags without talking about my favorite and most sustainable way to buy bags: secondhand from my favorite online consignment store Fashionphile.  I talk about them in-depth here if you want to learn more about them.  But as you know I'm a big believer in buying luxury bags secondhand since designer bags are usually well made and thus they last you for years if not decades.  Also luxury bags have a really good resale value, so even when you're done using it you can pass it on to someone else who would love it and give it a good home and you get some of your money back.  Above are some black bags that I picked that are currently in stock at Fashionphile, but their stock is always rotating fairly quick so here's a link to their selection of black bags under $500.

What are some of your favorite ethical brands that make a little black bag?  Would love to hear what you guys carry and recommend!

Whimsy and Row Review The Lilah Crop

Hi guys and I have another new ethical brand review for you today!  Wimsy & Row is an LA brand that makes small batches of clothing in LA from deadstock fabric (which they called "recycled materials" but I think is more accurately described as deadstock).  They are all about sustainability in fashion.  In that way they remind me of Reformation (my one review of them here), but I like Whimsy & Row more because I prefer their styling.  Reformation definitely skews young to me with their tight fitting dresses and short skirts, but W&R does a good job mixing it up.  They make a great pair of wide leg cropped pants and I love their Lilah Crop top that I'm reviewing today.  I first heard of them during my visit to West Coast Craft, which you can read about here.

I had never heard of W&R before West Coast Craft (WCC) so when I stumbled on their booth, I was intrigued to try on some of their stuff.  I walked away with this Lilah crop in raw silk that I absolutely love.  First of all, their raw silk quality is excellent and just as good as Only Child or Jamie + the Jones.  But because it is deadstock raw silk, their price point is much lower than either of the other two brands.  In fact this raw silk top only cost $68!  I think that's such a steal.  They do make this top in other deadstock materials as well like rayon, and for those I don't think the value is there since they are also priced at $68.  

{Wearing: Whimsy and Row Lilah crop, notPerfectLinen skirt (reviewed here), Everlane Day Heel (reviewed here)}

I'm wearing a size small here and I think it fits well, especially in the waist.  It's hard to find a cropped top that kind of nips in and defines the waist, so when I saw this at WCC I knew I found a keeper.  The shoulder are a bit wide but if I wear it with the crew neck in front, I find that I have no problems.  Ah, also this top is reversible so you can wear it with the wide v-neck in front, but then I find it just a tad too open at the chest for me.  You can see me wearing it reversed above.

I also love how the sleeves hang down a bit to give some coverage to the triceps.  Since this top is quite cropped (I would say as cropped as my ES Petra Crop but not as cropped as my Only Child Alta top), I wear them with my highest waist pants or skirts.

Anyway let me know if you have any questions about the top or about Whimsy and Row in general.  And definitely check them out if you're looking for responsibly made clothes sewn in LA from deadstock material!

Ethical and/or Slow Fashion Linen Guide: Comparison of Only Child, Two Days Off, notPerfectLinen, Linenfox, Ichi Antiquities and more {Updated July 2022}

Ichi Antiquities Linen dress

I have to admit, I'm quite a bit late to the linen game.  I've avoided the material for most of my life because I never liked the look of wrinkles and yet couldn't be bothered with an iron.  So even though I've grown up in hot climates all my life (Hawaii and then California), I've pretty much stuck with cotton.  But with the purchase of my handy dandy travel steamer and my further progression into slow fashion (where linen is the superstar material), I've begun to see the light.  And this year I've finally come fully around and now I absolutely love linen.  I can't get enough linen!  I've purchased linen items from several ethical/slow fashion brands in the last six months so I thought I would let you all know how they all stacked up against each other.  {P.S. If you're interested I've also done this before with silk here.}

ES linen petra crop and linen clyde skirt

First, why is linen such an amazing material?  My (internet) research has pointed me to these facts about linen that make it quite possibly the most best cloth on earth:

Why Linen Is So Awesome

- Everybody knows linen is the best material for hot weather.  Since linen has a high moisture absorbency but doesn't retain moisture, it doesn't get weighed down with sweat (unlike cotton) and essentially wicks away sweat.  Linen also dries quick to inhibit bacteria growth to prevent smelly odors.  The hollow linen fibers also allow for air permeability keeping you cool in the summer heat.

- It's hypoallergenic (great for those with sensitive skin like myself) and it's moth resistant.

- Linen is uber durable (just look to the Ancient Egyptians who used it for their mummies).  It's 30% more durable than cotton and doesn't pill.  In fact linen just keeps getting better with washings and age.  

- Linen is made from the flax plant which is a fairly hardy plant, especially when compared to cotton, and doesn't need nearly as much water or pesticides as cotton.  And that's because flax plant can grow in quite poor soil conditions.  Flax growing practices in China tends to be more agro-industrial while European linen tends to be grown more naturally since their climate is suited to the plant.

- Nothing in the flax plant is wasted with other parts of the plant making linseed oil or consumable flax seeds (high in fiber and omega-3 and considered a superfood).

- Linen is fully biodegradable (when undyed).

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

So why don't people just wear linen all the time?  Well linen is expensive to produce because of the laborious process to harvest the plant and weave the material.  It's a luxury fabric.  But if you're going for quality and not quantity, you can't go wrong with linen!  You know it's going to last and it'll only get better with more washings.  Also if you splurge on the best linen, you also won't need to be steaming/ironing it much either.

So here's what you guys really want to know, right?  Which brands use the best linen material? {Note: I use oz/yd^2 to indicate the weight of the linen with a higher number meaning a heavier cloth weight and thus a more premium product.  Also I only include 100% linen items and no linen blends} . Here's how the brands linen material stacks up from best to worst (also thickest to thinnest):

1) Two Days Off

{Added Jan 2021. I think it qualifies for the top position because of the all reasons listed below but especially because they prioritize deadstock material}

Weight: 5.90 oz/yd^2 (200 gsm)

Source: Deadstock for the colors clay, cactus, and soy; Canada for the colors black, moss, mushroom, bright navy

I love the fact that TDO prioritizes using deadstock first thus “recycling” in a sense. And of course Gina (the founder) would because she is a climate scientist. Plus they are a plastic-free company (only biodegradable garment bags) and she takes the extra step to be Climate Neutral certified (by offsetting the carbon footprint of manufacturing and shipping). Also this slow fashion brand makes all their clothes in LA in limited or made-to-order quantities. These are just some of the reasons why I love this BIPOC-owned, women-owned, California brand, and on top of all this Gina is a kind and warm human being who takes the time to connect with all her customers. Review of the linen Kaneko dress coming soon!

2) Only Child Clothing (no longer produced)

Weight: 7.5 oz/yd^2 (or 254 gsm) for 2018

2019 Update: This year I purchased the Cove Pants (reviewed here) and I don’t know the exact numbers on flax linen (which I read through their stories that they source from a different producer than all their other linen colors), but I have to say based on feel alone seems slightly thinner to Elizabeth Suzann’s flax linen. The OC flax linen seems slightly thinner, lighter and rougher than the ES material. Based on this I would actually rate ES linen to be number one in terms of thickness.

Source: Japan

Does this surprise you guys?  It totally surprised me since I for sure thought Elizabeth Suzann had the best linen out there.  But I have to qualify this rating by saying it only applies to linen items produced by Only Child this season.  Last year's linen is of a lower quality and is not the same as this year's linen.  So be careful when buying Only Child linen items on the secondhand market since this rating doesn't apply.  But it does mean that if you've been eyeing something linen from Only Child, this is the year to get it.  Having the linen Dune pants myself (along with a lot of other Elizabeth Suzann linen items) I can attest that the OC linen is of equal calibre (though slightly better according to the numbers.  But in an actual blind feel test I can't tell the difference between the two).

3) Elizabeth Suzann (no longer produced)

Weight: 7.08 oz/yd^2 (or 241 gsm)

Source: Japan

In a very close second is ES and like I mentioned above, it feels exactly the same to the OC linen to me.  You will not be able to feel the difference of 0.42oz/yd^2.  If you've been reading my blog, you know that I have a ton of ES linen items that I wear constantly.  These include the Petra Crop, Clyde Linen Work Pants, Clyde Linen Billow Skirt, and the linen Georgia tee (all links are to the reviews on this site).  I love love love ES linen and cannot get enough.  But with just those 4 linen items alone (2 tops and 2 bottoms) I'm really set for almost a week's wear of linen (okay with lots of outfit repeating).  Also while doing research for this post I came across this interesting article about Japanese linen from the NYT.  From my experience with Japanese made items, I’m pretty sure those weaving the linen in Japan are highly unlikely to be slave labor or paid poorly.

4) Pyne & Smith

{Added in 2019}

Weight: 5.90 oz/yd^2 (200 gsm)

Source: Flax grown in Belgium and France, fabric milled in Lithuania

The linen from Pyne & Smith is a great midweight linen that’s slightly thicker than the fabric from the Lithuanian producers below yet thinner and less heavy than the linen from ES and OC. If you want to support a domestic company and linen dresses are your thing, then Pyne & Smith might be your go-to. I love my no.12 dress (reviewed here) for both the simplicity and ease of wear.

5A) LinenFox

{Added in 2019}

Weight: 5.46 oz/yd^2 (185 gsm)

Source: Lithuania (Oeko-Tex certified)

I love my Linenfox Kimono Top (reviewed here) since it’s basically a dupe of the ES Georgia tee. LinenFox items are of the same quality as nPL with a linen weight of 185gsm (and I suspect they might be sourcing their linen from the same local Lithuanian linen producer though I don't have any real evidence of this--but how many Oeko-tex certified linen producers are there in Lithuania?).  I’ve also ordered their linen pants and plan to see if it’s similar to my OC Cove pants. I seriously love the styles they produce at LinenFox and their items are a great value (true midweight linen, made ethically, and at a great price). If you’ve been wanting to get some great ethical linen pieces, I would start with them (and even though the linen quality is the same with nPL, I slightly prefer LinenFox’s styling). The only drawback when comparing them to domestic brands is that 1) you’re not buying in the USA and 2) the lead times+shipping times are much longer so you’re going to have to wait longer for your item.

Linenfox Heavyweight Linen

{Added in 2020}

Weight: 340 gsm

Source: Lithuania (Oeko-Tex certified)

Released at the end of 2019, the heavy linen is a great option in cold weather for those who live in milder climates. Or a great transition piece. It truly is the heaviest linen of this bunch. This linen isn’t really suitable for summer. My review of their heavy linen jacket is here.

5B) notPerfectLinen

Weight: 5.46 oz/yd^2 (shown as 185 gsm on their site and converted with this calculator)

Source: Lithuania (Oeko-Tex certified)

When I felt the nPL linen (when I purchased this Marseille skirt--reviewed here) I knew it was good but not quite as thick and durable as the ES linen.  With a little bit of digging I was able to come up with numbers to prove my suspicions.  In a blind feel test you will for sure be able to tell the difference between nPL and ES/OC, but that doesn't mean that nPL is inferior.  The linen from nPL is still quite thick, opaque and durable and it has the added benefit of being Oeko-tex certified (meaning the linen was processed without harmful chemicals).  And though it doesn't have the same quality as ES or OC linen, I think nPL linen items are the best value out there since their stuff costs significantly less than either ES or OC (both of which are American-made brands). 

6) Quince (One Quince)

{Added in 2020}

Weight: 160gsm

Source: China, but it's 100% organic linen dyed without hazardous chemicals in a dyeing mill that meets bluesign® standards

I love my organic linen tank (Quince organic linen tank review here) and linen shorts. Quince’s linen feels like the best of the thinner, lightweight linen items (all those above are considered midweight to heavyweight linens). This linen is smooth to the touch and heftier than even the (very expensive) Ichi Antiquities linen listed below. The fact that this top is made of 100% organic linen and costs only $30 seems to good to be true (but it’s possible because of their shipping model detailed here). Also I really like that even though this is light colored linen (my tank is in the color “driftwood”) that it’s completely opaque—can’t see my bra at all. This is the perfect linen tank for hot and humid weather!

7) Ilana Kohn

{Added 2021}

Weight: Unknown

Source: Unknown

I am basing this on feel alone so it’s not the most scientific observation, but I would say the linen of my Eleanor top from Ilana Kohn (review coming soon) is about the same as the Quince linen and a tad thinner than the linen from Lithuania. It’s still an excellent weight and textured fabric though and items from Ilana Kohn have the added benefit from being made in the US (NYC).

8) Ichi Antiquities

{Added August 2020}

Weight: unknown/can’t find (so basing the rating on feel)

Source: I can’t find where the linen is sourced from but the garments are all made in Japan.

As much as I love the dress I got from Ichi Antiquities (reviewed here), I have to say the linen is definitely on the light-weight side. It definitely feels lighter than my Lithuanian linen items so I’ve placed it on the list here. It’s also too bad I can’t find where they source their linen from. Price-wise, Ichi is definitely up there (with ES and OC) but value-wise it’s not really there. This is a cult favorite, and I appreciate their silhouettes but I don’t think I’ll be purchasing from them again.

9) Everlane

Weight: 4.87 oz/yd^2 (165gsm)

Source: The linen is from China from a mill called HLC - it’s one of or the largest linen supplier in China

I love my linen collarless shirt, and still wear it 4 years later. This linen quality is the same as Quince’s which is a good lightweight linen.

10) Grana

Weight: 4.13 oz/yd^2 (converted from 140gsm) 

Source: Linen fibre is sourced from flax growers in Northern France and the fabric is woven and knitted in two separate mills in China. The final garment production process is also completed in China.

The linen from Grana this season is much softer and more sheer than any of the linen from the brands above, but Grana also does line their linen items (usually with a cotton lining).  The white linen items are especially sheer.  Grana's linen is definitely the softest and the least stiff of the bunch though it still wrinkles quite a bit.  Grana's Irish linen from 3 years ago was the best but every subsequent year has seen a decline in their quality.  I don't know if Grana's going to make it at the rate they're going.

11) Tradlands

Weight: Unknown

Source: Unknown

So in all honesty, this is based on one linen item I received from them last year but Tradlands no longer makes 100% linen items (they're all currently 70% cotton 30% linen).  So it must mean they stopped sourcing material from the producer they used last year.  And good thing too since based on the quality of that linen top, I have to rate them down here.  It was the only linen piece in my life that came out stiff as a board after washing and horrible to wear.  I can't figure out why since I washed it the same as I do all my other linen items.  Before washing it though I would say it had the same quality as Everlane's (on the thin side but decent). {Feb 2021 update: So I purchased the linen tencel blend Nico dress last year and love the material, though that is also not 100% linen.}

Grana on the left and Elizabeth Suzann on the right, both are washed and hung dry without any steam pressing. As you can see, the heavier weight linen doesn't need any steaming while the lighter weight linen piece could use a good press.

Anyway I hope this little guide about linen has got you thinking about adding linen into your life (if you haven't yet and if you have I hope it makes you appreciate your linen items more).  Seriously a high quality linen piece can be life changing!  We still have a couple more months of hot weather and with global warming and more record high temperatures in our future, investing in good linen is not a bad idea!  

Unsponsored Only Child Clothing Review: The Alta Top in Raw Silk {March 2021 Update}

Hi guys and welcome to my first review of Only Child Clothing, another purveyor of beautiful slow fashion pieces.  For me, Only Child is local with all their items made by hand in Oakland, CA.  I first talked about Only Child here, when I mentioned meeting Haley (the founder of OC) at West Coast Craft.  It was there that I purchased this Alta Top in raw silk, and it was love at first wear.  Since then (about 1 month) I've worn this top 10 times.  That might not seem like a lot but if you break it down, that's at least twice a week, and sometimes three.  I've also washed it multiple times and it's held up like a champ!  I really really love this top and would someday like to buy another one in raw silk in a different color!

{Wearing: Only Child Alta Top, Everlane Easy Chino pants (reviewed here), Everlane V Slingback (reviewed here), Polene numero un bag (reviewed here)}

First a note on sizing: I'm wearing a XS/S here and find that it fits perfectly.  Since this is a naturally more oversized top, I went with a smaller size.  The sleeves are on the more fitted side because of that, but not too small that it gets stuck on my bicep.  Also since I'm on the petite side, the smaller size fits me well.  

I really love that the neck-hole on this top is not that wide.  My 2nd generation Elizabeth Suzann Georgia Tee is of a similar shape and style but sometimes I find that the neck hole is too large and my bra straps show.  I have no problems with that with the Alta Top.  I also really love the parabola shape at the hem of the Alta top, which makes it more cropped in the front than in the back.  I find the cropped look goes really well my high-waisted elastic bottoms like the Everlane Chinos up top or the Elizabeth Suzann Clyde skirt below.  But at the same time, it's not too cropped.  It falls somewhere between my Petra crop from ES and the Georgia Tee.  Also I love that the sleeves of the Alta top are more fitted than my Georgia Tee (don't get me wrong I still love the wing tips of my Georgia Tee sleeves but sometimes you want a more fitted sleeve to fit under a jacket and the Alta top is the perfect candidate to layer with).  I think if you don't want as much of a cropped front, you can size up (so I would size up to S/M).

{Wearing: Only Child Alta top in raw silk, Elizabeth Suzann Clyde Billow Skirt, Everlane Day Heels (reviewed here), Celine Small Cabas Phantom (similar here, reviewed here)}

And last buy not least, I love that raw silk that this Alta top is made of.  The eggshell color is the perfect white but it's opaque enough not to show a nude bra.  I also think because the top falls away from the body, you aren't as likely to see the outline of your bra.  I'm a huge fan of raw silk not only because it's machine washable, but also because it has a nubby texture that makes it way more interesting than a cotton top.  Also the raw silk is structured a bit like linen so it can hold its shape well, but at the same time doesn't wrinkle as much as linen.  I've been a fan of raw silk since trying out the tops from Jamie and the Jones (review here and here), but I decided to let those pieces go because I don't wear them as much.  I think in the end it comes down to styling, and for me Only Child fits my style to the tee.  Also if I were to compare this to the J+J blank canvas top, this Alta top is not nearly as wide and not as cropped.  And the neck-hole is smaller than the J+J one.

{Wearing: Only Child Alta Top, Elizabeth Suzann line Clydes (reviewed here), Everlane V Slingback (reviewed here), Celine Small Cabas Phantom (similar here, reviewed here)}

Anyway I can't recommend this Alta top enough.  Like I said I really want to get another one of these (maybe in black) because it's the perfect casual yet elevated tee!

{March 2021 update: I’m still in love with this cream-colored raw silk Alta top and wear it weekly 2.5 years later. I also loved it to much that I got it in black raw silk in a true XS/S size (pictured above), which I also love. My first eggshell Alta was a sample, which I realize is more cropped and all around smaller than the true XS/S. Having tried this black one in the right size, I’ll say the XS/S runs tts and isn’t too cropped nor too oversized. I got another black Alta after I tried and then sold my linen Alta top which I reviewed here. Currently OC is phasing out the raw silk (but they still make it in eggshell and black, the two colors I currently have) and instead use a cotton/silk (70/30) blend for their new colors (that sand dollar greige is pretty dreamy). I’m curious to try it out and may splurge on another Alta, in which case I’d update this review again!}

Unsponsored notPerfectLinen Review {Updated June 2019}

Hi guys and here's a review of this Marseille linen skirt from a new-to-me slow fashion brand called notPerfectLinen.  If you're not yet familiar with them, notPerfectLinen is a small family run Lithuanian business that sews ethically-made garments out of Oeko-tex certified linen.  Each garment is made to order like other slow fashion brands (and so like other slow fashion brands, they have crazy long lead times but more on that later).  You can find their items on Etsy.

I heard of notPerfectLinen (nPL) through the slow fashion grapevine lol.  Since I've been purchasing and blogging about Elizabeth Suzann for a bit, other readers have asked me what I thought about them.  But I waited a bit to purchased because even though I'm a huge fan of Etsy (mostly for fine vintage/antique jewelry), I've never purchased clothing from the platform before so I was a bit cautious because of potential sizing issues.  But when I wanted to add a linen skirt to my wardrobe, I knew I had to try their version.  Also since skirts are more forgiving when it comes to sizing, this was the perfect chance.

{Wearing: Everlane Notch Collar Popover Shirt (reviewed here), notPerfectLinen MARSEILLE linen skirt, Everlane Day Heels (reviewed here), Smaaks Amsterdam bag}

So what do I think about the linen quality of notPerfectLinen?  It's really great.  It’s slightly less in weight than Elizabeth Suzann linen, but nPL has the added benefit of being Oeko-tex certified.  {June 2019 Update: And for those who are wondering about how the linen quality from NotPerfectLinen compares to other brands like Linenfox, Elizabeth Suzann, and Everlane check out my ethical linen comparison post here.}

I'm wearing a size S/M here and I'm 5'4" with a 28" waist and 37" hips.  I usually wear a size 4-6 on the bottom.  And I think I got the perfect size.  It's not loose at all nor is it too tight, so make sure you double check your measurements with their sizing guide that's listed.  The color that I ordered is called "light elephant gray" and it's a bit more gray than the color on their site (but I love it).

The waist is just an easy elastic waist and the skirt goes down to past my knees.  If I were to order it again I would probably ask for a custom length that's a tad shorter (currently it measures 28.5" from top to bottom).  The nice thing about it being made to order is that they allow for customizations (I think you can just add it to the comment section of your order).  

This skirt comes with pockets and I really love the brass snap buttons.  I could unsnap the bottom ones if I want more leg showing.  Also the brass buttons help weigh down the skirt so it doesn't fly up with a gust of wind (of course if it's super windy, good luck and you probably shouldn't be wearing a skirt lol).  I was, however concerned that the pleats at the waist would add bulk to my hips but it doesn't really.  I think the linen material keeps it from getting too bulky.  Also wearing your top tucked into the skirt helps to define the waist more and keeps it slimming I think.  In the outfit pics below I'm wearing the skirt with some cropped tops and I think it looks pretty good there too.  I also wear heels with this most of the time to prevent a cankle-y look (which happens a lot for these midi lengths on me).

So right now their lead time is 4-6 weeks and when that happens they tend to shut down shop until they're caught up again.  I think that's a great way to keep people's expectations in check.  They open up shop again when they've caught up, and right now it looks like that's going to be July 2nd.  Shipping is about $8 from Lithuania and that's beyond reasonable.  It does take about another week or so for shipping to the US, but if you've already been waiting 4-6 weeks, what's another week?  Yes that may seem like a long time to wait, but guys it's worth it!  Quality items that you've mindfully chosen for your closet should take time, and when it comes you'll love it even more because you waited!

Jamie and the Jones Review: The Staple Basic Split Tee in black raw silk

Hi guys, and another Jamie + the Jones review for you today.  This is my 3rd J+J item, but my first one purchased secondhand (from eBay).  Like I said in the past, I love buying slow fashion secondhand because not only do you pay less and not have to wait for it, but you can also get a good sense of how an item wears over time.  I was worried the raw silk would pill like crazy and be extra "nubbin-y" after washing and wearing, but after trying this secondhand raw silk tee I've found that isn't the case.  In fact, the texture stays fairly the same when I compare my yet-to-be washed blank canvas tee with this used staple basic split tee.  In fact, I'm really loving the texture and easiness of this black raw silk tee because it's different from cotton but isn't as fussy as most other silk.

{Wearing: Jamie + the Jones raw silk split tee, Frame jeans (similar here), Everlane Day Heel Mules (reviewed here), Hermes Lindy 30 (similar here, reviewed here)}

I'm wearing a small here and I think it's the perfect size.  It's meant to be a bit oversized but the split stops right at my waist which is great (don't want to be flashing belly).  I don't own a lot of tunic-type long tops because I feel like it makes my petite frame look even shorter.  But I think in this case the split helps the shirt from being too overwhelming. Also the neckline is on the larger side and helps balance it out.

I also like that I can tuck the front half in easily for that half tuck look (though TBH I don't know how often I would really wear it this way).  I also like that the longer length covers my butt so if I decide to wear this with leggings, it would look appropriate as well.

In general, I'm a huge fan of this tee since it's like a classic black tee with a twist.  I also love the that I don't have to hand wash this.  I think if you're a fan of black tees (or any tees really) but want something other than cotton, J+J's raw silk ones are a good choice!

P.S. For all those wondering about the M.Gemi promo code giveaway, I've closed the contest and emailed all the winners.  Thanks to everyone who entered!

Lola Tampons vs. Cora Tampons Review

In my quest for trying to buy better in different aspects in my life (and I know I'm very lucky for the privilege to be able to pay more for things that I think are better), I decided to try out Lola Tampons and Cora Tampons.  Now I feel like a lot of you out there reading this would tell me that a better period product instead of tampons (with plastic applicators), is the menstrual cup.  And believe me, I tried.  Actually I tried two, one from Luna and one from Diva Cups (both in their smallest sizes).  But unfortunately for me I bleed way too heavy and have a narrow canal so not only do I leak with the cups but I can actually feel the cup press on me internally (it doesn't hurt but there's an uncomfortable pressure).  Couple that with major cramps, and I can't handle it.  And then on top of that every time I took out the cup, I made a mess (though I'm sure I would have gotten better at it with practice).  Lol, sorry if this is TMI, but it's just to illustrate why I just can't deal with menstrual cups.  I'm all for saving the environment, but sorry I can't give up my tampons.  When I'm feeling bad from my period, I just want to be comfortable.

So I've been using Playtex tampons for forever and a day, without ever thinking about the brand or product much.  Then the other day I heard about Cora Tampons, which then led me to Lola.  I decided to try Lola first since they are a bit cheaper than Cora ones ($0.50 per tampon vs. Cora's $0.67-$0.92 depending on the subscription).  But both offer the same thing (organic cotton feminine products) and have a charity arm (Lola donates feminine products to low-income women in the US while Cora donates abroad).  So yes even though Lola tampons are more expensive than Playtex ones, I'm happy to pay a bit more for the organic cotton and for the donations Lola gives.  But only if they are as comfortable as my Playtex ones.  And I'm happy to report, they are!

I personally like plastic applicators, though I think I will make the switch to cardboard (for the environment and all).  But I like that Lola allows you to customize each box to tailor it to your specific needs.  I'm a heavy bleeder so I don't really need any light tampons (and I usually use my Thinx on the light days).  I also don't like their Super+ ones since they're quite large and uncomfortable for me, but I do like them for the heaviest nights (since I don't move around and won't feel them, but during the day and moving around I find them a tad uncomfortable).  So I usually have a mix of regular, super, and a couple Super+ thrown in.  It's great that you can edit your box and the shipping dates really easily from your account on their website. 

The only negative thing I have to say about them is their shipping speed.  My order shipped on March 8th and I got it on the 21st (which by then I already had my period so I had to go out and buy another box of Playtex again).  So I've learned to have at least an extra months supply on hand when timing the shipping from Lola.

Now I didn't order Cora tampons online (so I can't speak to that experience), but I was able to find some at my local Target.  One box of 32 tampons (16 regular and 16 super) was selling for $10, which makes it $0.31 per tampon and cheaper than buying either Lola or Cora online.  To be able to compare apples to apples, I purchased the plastic applicator tampons from Cora.  And they are the exact same product guys.  So it makes me wonder if there's only a handful of places making organic cotton tampons and both Lola and Cora source their products from there.  According to Cora's website, these tampons are made in Ljubljana, Slovenia.  If Target keeps stocking Cora tampons, I might make the switch since it's more cost-effective.

So I'm not advising everyone to go out and buy Lola or Cora tampons because you really have to do what works for you and your budget.  But I just wanted to share my experience with these new brands.  As for the feeling of organic cotton vs. processed and bleached cotton tampons, I don't really feel any different (well not yet anyway, but if you think how some drugs can be absorbed through the vaginal membrane, why couldn't chemicals from your tampon be different?).  Anyone else try out Lola or Cora and what did you think?

Unsponsored Rothy's Review: The Point

I am so very lucky to have friends who really know my taste and what I like.  And I am extremely grateful for one friend who not only paid attention to what I like but also read through a bunch of my shoe posts to figure out my shoe size and nailed it (thanks Samm!).  Seriously how lucky am I?  And best of all, she got me Rothy's the sustainable shoe made from recycled water bottles.

At first I was skeptical of Rothys because of its heavy marketing on Facebook and other social media.  But much like Away, this is one of the brands that I found that are worth the hype despite the heavy advertising.  Who knew wearing recycled water bottles could be so comfortable?

So first a note on sizing: I'm usually a 7.5-8 in shoes (and an 8 in Everlane).  And with Rothy's I am an 8 as well (so as most people commented below go a half size up from your regular shoe size).  The shoe does look extremely narrow out of the box but the knitted plastic fibers quickly expand and form around your feet for the perfect fit.  Everlane may say they have the "Day Glove", but for me, these are the true Day Gloves (as in the form around your foot and you can wear them all day).  I had zero problems with fit or chaffing, and no blisters since day 1.  The knitted fibers are soft and flexible.  In fact the whole shoe is quite flexible.   

I also love that these shoes have a good rubber sole to prevent any slipping and how lightweight these shoes are (true you can't resole them, but they will last you a long time and you can recycle them--more on that below).  But best of all, these shoes dry very quickly if they get wet.  I wore these during my Spring 10x10 (all looks here), and one of those days required a rainy-day site visit to some Airstreams sitting in the middle of some wet grass.  My Rothy's got soaked, but since I didn't have a change of shoe I just kept wearing them.  By the end of dinner though my Rothy's were pretty much dry.  I was amazed.  When I look at their About page, I see why my Rothy's were able to dry so quickly: they are purposely made that way so they can be machine washable.  I haven't washed these yet, but I'll update this post when I do.  But this means these flats are the perfect summer flat since I can easily wash them when they start to smell.

Above are some pics from my Spring 10x10, and as you can see these look good as an office flat or a casual flat.  I love their pointed toe design which helps to elongate the leg.  Also unlike a lot of other pointed flats, the point on these are quite durable and so even if you stub the point into things, they look untouched (this is definitely not true of pointed leather shoes).

The only con to this shoe is that the inner sole is not glued to the shoe so at times the sole might come off with your foot if it's sticking to it.  Nothing major, but sometimes annoying when trying to get your shoes off in a rush.  Also even though this shoe doesn't come with arch supports I've found that I don't have any problems (despite having high arches).  So maybe something in the design helps with that.

I really really love this shoe and am tempted to get another pair.  But seeing as how I'm trying to be more mindful of what I buy, I really don't need multiples of the same shoe (especially since these heather gray ones are perfect with pretty much everything in my closet).  Instead I'll wait until these are super beat up, then I'll recycle them (yep Rothy's has found a way to semi-close the loop on their products--they don't recycle them into other shoes but at least they use it to make other goods), and then purchase another pair.  If you're interested in a pair, here's a referral link for $20 off your first Rothy's purchase (thanks for your support!).  Who knew recycled water bottle shoes could be so pricey.  But quality usually comes with a matching price tag, and guys, these shoes are worth it!  

P.S. If you're in the SF Bay Area, they just opened a new store on Fillmore in SF.  I'll have to check it out the next time I'm in the city!

Everlane Underwear vs. Wama vs. Lively vs. Naja (vs. PACT vs. Hesta)

Lively, Everlane, Wama

*This review is unsponsored though I purchased the Wama underwear at a discount and used my referral credit to purchase the Everlane underwear

I've become quite the underwear tester these days, or maybe it's just because there are a lot of ethical underwear on the market today.  Well I've reviewed PACT in the past (which I loooove love love) as well as Hesta (which I don't like).  Today I'll add Lively, Everlane, and Wama to my ethical underwear reviews.

Lively Underwear

First up Lively, which quite frankly doesn't really fall under "ethical" IMO, even though they have their own factory where they can "extend [their] company values and standards to our LIVELY factory family" (taken from their website).  When I asked for further details about their production practices, this is what I got:

Our supply chain is supported by a world class manufacturer that has been in the business for over 60 years! They are experts and engineers in this category of business, which is why we partner with them as it is important for us to have not only a well designed product, but one with amazing quality. 

Our manufacturers have partnered with us to ensure that our LIVELY ethos holds true to the factories and workplace in which we produce. They built a factory dedicated to LIVELY that we have owned for 4 years; it is brand new, full of light and a beautiful place to work in southern China. We meet and exceed fair labor practices and wages. The staff of thirty is comprised of mostly women who have the finest workmanship and passion for their craft. We know that in order to make a great product, everyone involved in the LIVELY brand has to be happy in the work they do and we want them to be #livingLIVELY!

So yes technically they can be considered ethical, but something about their copy here seems fake (like really, the factory women have a passion for making underwear?).  Anyway either way I won't be purchasing underwear from them again since theirs are made from rayon and spandex (all synthetic) and I like my underwear to be 100% cotton.  Also the instructions for washing call for hand-washing and there's no way I'm hand-washing these undies every time.  Fit and feel were okay.

Everlane

Ah, the much marketed Everlane underwear.  I purchased the black bikini undies in medium (I'm a size 4-6 on the bottom but prefer my underwear to be on the loose side--nothing worse than an underwear band constricting my belly).  And well, they're good.  I can wear them all day without giving them a second thought (a sign of good underwear since you're not supposed to have to think about or deal with undergarments).  In fact, they feel pretty much the same as my PACT bikini underwear.  Everlane's is made with 92% supima cotton and 8% elastane while PACT is 95% organic cotton and 5% elastane.  So if I have to choose between the two, I'm going to stick with my PACT since those are made with GOTS certified, fair trade organic cotton (for almost the same price as the Everlane ones, and the PACT ones do go on sale periodically).  Conventional cotton (even the supima kind) rely heavily on pesticides and fertilizers that pollute the waterways and the environment, so whenever I can, I try to purchase organic cotton preferentially.  As much as I love Everlane, PACT is still a clear winner for me on this item (you can read my PACT review here).

Wama

Now here's something different in the ethical underwear department: underwear made from hemp from Wama.  Well 53% hemp, 44% organic cotton and 4% spandex to be exact.  These are not your everyday underwear.  The material is a lot thicker and feels more substantial but still very soft.  It's like the light sweater of undies, but don't worry it won't make your bum hot since the material is quite breathable.  Right now they only come in a boy short form, which I'm not a huge fan of (I just prefer plain 'ole bikini bottoms).  Also because of the thicker material it will show some VPL with some of the clingier fabrics and form fitting bottoms.  But if you're a boy shorts kind of gal, this brand is definitely worth a try.  Since they're quite pricey, use TEMPORARYHOUSEWIFEY20 to get 20% off your order until May 31st.  Also check out Leah's review of them here (and learn more about hemp production as well)!

Naja (not pictured)

When I did the Naja bra review, I also ordered one pair of their cheeky knickers (which are basically boy shorts to me).  These are made with 94% "Peruvian" cotton and 6% elastane, and claim to "save the environment" because they digitally print the designs on the undies (opposed to dying them I guess).  The fit on these were not great (kept giving me wedgies-- not fun) and the designs are all pretty weird and ugly.  And then they're $22 a piece so I'm going to say just pass on these.

Conclusion

So which is the brand I'm going to replace all my ratty VS underwear with?  You probably guessed it, PACT!  Can't beat comfort and organic cotton.  Next I'll be trying PACT's organic cotton tees and do a PACT vs. Everlane vs. Grana vs. Cuyana vs. Amour Vert tee review so stay tuned for that!

Unsponsored Jamie + the Jones Review: The Blank Canvas Top in Raw Silk

So another Jamie and the Jones review for you today.  This was the second item in my first order from J+J (the first was the heavy weight T sweater reviewed here).  I gotta admit, at first I wasn't a huge fan of this J+J Blank Canvas top in raw silk.  Or at least I wasn't a fan of the shape and cut of Blank Canvas (but I love the raw silk material, more on that in a bit).  However I included the top in my Spring 10x10 Challenge, and after styling it a few ways I looooove the top!  Funny how some items of clothing grow on you, even if you don't like them right away (and to me that's also the beauty of the 10x10 challenges because they can clarify those feelings for you).

{Wearing: J+J Blank Canvas top, Everlane ponte skirt (similar here, reviewed here), Everlane Street Sandals (reviewed here), Celine Seau Sangle bag (similar here and here, reviewed here)}

When I first tried on the Blank Canvas top, I didn't like how cropped it was.  I do have a fairly long torso (well compared to my legs) so it might be extra short on me (I got this in a size small).  But I can only wear this top with really high-waisted bottoms.  My favorite bottoms to pair with this is my Everlane ponte skirt (reviewed here, shown above) or with my ES Clyde pants (shown below).  And even with high-waisted bottoms, if I raise my arms, you can still see my midriff.  I also didn't like how wide the boatneck was and so my bra straps sometimes showed.  

But once I started wearing the top for my 10x10, I fell in love with the way it draped.  Also I really love the longer sleeves that make my arms look skinny.  And most of all I really love this raw silk material.  The nubbiness doesn't bother me and I love how the raw silk feels substantial and less delicate than regular silk.  It's somewhere between cotton and silk.  So far I haven't tried handwashing it yet so I'll update this post when I do.  But as recommended in their care instructions, I'm trying not to wash it very often.  

So even though J+J's sweater didn't work for me, the top is a winner.  So much so that I'm already planning my next purchase in raw silk! Any advice on which style of top I should try next?

Bryr Clog Review The Chloe Peep Toe Clog

Bryr Clogs have been on my radar ever since I started seeing Andrea wear them.  But I'm not really a clog person so I had no real intention of purchasing them.  But when I saw these Chloe peep toe clogs for a pretty good price on Poshmark, I thought why not?  I think these are the natural leather Chloe clogs in a high heel and in size 37.

First a note on sizing.  Since this is my first pair of Bryr clogs (well actually clogs ever), I wasn't sure of my sizing but I'm usually a 7.5 (except I'm an 8 in Everlane since their shoes tend to be narrow).  So I thought the 37 in the Bryr clogs would work, but well the size 37 is definitely too big for me.  The 37s have a bit of a gap in the back but it's not so big that it would hinder walking around in them.  So I would say these run a tad large. 

{Wearing: Elizabeth Suzann Georgia tee in silk, Elizabeth Suzann Clyde work pants in cotton canvas, Celine small cabas phantom (similar here), Bryr Clogs}

If you don't know about Bryr, you can learn about them here.  But basically they're handmade in San Francisco by 5 women, using American leather and European wood bases.  I love that they're a woman-led, local, ethical business.  Seeing as they are based in San Francisco, I probably should have gone straight to their store to try these on before purchasing to get the sizing right.  But oh well.

As for the clogs, they're super lightweight and even though these are the high heel version, are easy to walk in because they are platformed.  I also love that they make me  couple inches taller. Another plus, the natural leather color helps lengthen my leg and I loved how they look paired with my ES cotton canvas Clyde pants here.  Oh and I also love that the bottom sole has a rubber layer to prevent slipping.

The only thing I didn't care for was how the leather wasn't finished on the inside so it's a bit rough on the side that rests on the top of the foot.  It's a minor detail and TBH wouldn't dissuade me from keeping them.  But since I happened to get the Everlane Day Heel Mule at the same time and the two shoes are quite similar to each other, I'm only going to keep one pair.  And since the Bryr clogs are a tad too large, I'm going to keep the Everlane ones (which I'll be doing a review on soon, but FYI I find them super comfortable and easy to walk in).

But if you're a clog person, or want to be a clog person I highly recommend these Bryr clogs.  They're well-made clogs and built to last.  And if you happen to be a solid size 8 and want a lightly worn pair for a good price, you can find this for sale here.

P.S. Coincidentally, Andrea has posted about her clogs today too.  Guess it's a clogs on blogs kind of day! :D

Unsponsored Naja bras review/try-on

I've been wearing my two ThirdLove 24/7 bras (reviewed here) for over a year now and though I love them, they are definitely worn out.  The cups gape out even though I tightened the straps and I'm pretty sure it's from constant use (I have worn these bras daily for the last year) and machine washing them (I know I know I should be hand-washing bras).  So since I'm in the market to replace my bras, I thought I might as well try out an ethical alternative {side note: back when I first did the review on ThirdLove bras, I asked their customer service for a bit more clarity on where their bras are made and their manufacturing standards and got nothing.  Too bad since I do like their product and if their bras are made with as much care as they profess, then why wouldn't they be more transparent about their production?}.

Anyway, so I googled ethical bras, and Naja (<-- $10 off referral link) is one of the top companies to show up.  I loved that they offer real bras with underwire and cups.  I'm annoyed that most ethical underwear/bra companies only offer bralettes.  I'm not busty by any means but bralettes just remind me of my adolescent years.  I want a real bra please, and ethically made please.  Is that too much to ask?  

First off, Naja ticks off all the boxes when it comes to ethical production standards and they earn bonus points for empowering women by providing their women workers with flexible work hours, above market wages and healthcare.  They are also working on improving environmental sustainability.  You can read all about it here.

But well I'm disappointed to say that I'm still on the hunt for well-made ethical bras.  The bra that I tried was the Anais Bra Nude 02 and though it looked really promising in photos, it just didn't fit my boobs.  It was a more balcony-style bra, which I find uncomfortable.  Oh and just so you know I ordered my regular size and found it fit TTS.  So I have to say that it just didn't work out for me (though it might work out for you).  I guess that's why I liked ThirdLove so much because it just fit me well personally.

And since I was trying to get free shipping, I also decided to try out their sports bra.  I ordered the Samantha Bra in Borneo.  I sized up to a medium on this one (having learned my lesson with the Outdoor Voices bra in small that I never wear).  And I loved the pattern of the fabric but was not a fan of the fit.  The band that sits under the boobs was really tight while the rest of the fabric wasn't so the only 'support' was coming from the band.  Also the material didn't feel as luxe as my usual sports bras from Lululemon.  So unfortunately this went back too.

I also ordered Naja's cheeky underwear though I have yet to try that out.  I'll probably do a quick separate review of that once I wear it a couple times.

Anyway, anyone else try Naja?  And does anyone know of a bras with cups and underwire that are made well and ethically? If I don't find something soon I might just reorder more from ThirdLove >_<

P.S. Did you hear, Everlane is getting on the ethical underwear bandwagon?!  Though their bras are sports bra types, but the underwear looks promising (a lot like PACT's, though PACT's is made from organic cotton while Everlane's is not).

P.P.S The returns to Naja are a bit of a pain.  Not only do you have to arrange to ship it back yourself on your own dime, but even 3 days after tracking says they received it no word about getting my refund...{update: as soon as I wrote this, the refund came through that evening.  So FYI it takes about 3 days from receiving of shipment for the refund to come through.}

Unsponsored Jamie + the Jones Review: the Heavy Weight T Sweater {Updated April 2018}

Hi guys and here's the review some of you had been asking for: Jamie + the Jones Heavy Weight T sweater.  I had heard of J+J for a long time but since I was on my fashion ban last year I didn't buy anything from them.  And so when they had their 20% off b-day sale, I jumped at the chance.  I purchased this sweater as well as the Blank Canvas top in raw silk.

So first of all I love that the yarn for this sweater was spun in North Carolina and the 100% cotton fabric is woven in Chicago, IL, then finally made to order in Nashville.  Way to go for 100% American made, which is so rare these days I feel like it needs to be especially celebrated.  

Now onto the actual review.  So I will say from the start I have very mixed feelings about this sweater and you're going to see why in a sec.  But the main points boil down to: I love the texture and the uniqueness of this sweater but I hate the weight.  And a note on sizing, I ordered the sweater in a small (I'm usually a size 4 on top).

When I first put on the sweater I felt like I was wearing either a knit kitchen rug or some kind of upholstery fabric.  I think it's mostly because of the weave of the fabric, it's a very tight knit and heavy.  Also the material is quite stiff and not soft and fluffy as you would expect a sweater to be.  But then again it's great at holding it's shape.  

{Wearing: J+J heavy weight T sweater, Elizabeth Suzann canvas clydes (reviewed here), Everlane modern loafer mules (reviewed here), Celine small Cabas phantom (similar here)

Once I got used to the stiffness and the weight I sometimes felt like I was Sandra Bullock wearing one of those oversized 90's sweaters in While You Were Sleeping (one of my all-time fave movies).  Cute, but casual chic.

I also like that this sweater is machine washable so I don't have to spend money at the dry cleaners.

But here are some of the cons of this sweater:

- Because of the stiffness of the sweater, the collar props up and sometimes touches my jawline area and I get make-up on the collar.  Because of this I only wear this sweater on days where I know I'll mostly be sitting around (and not days where I'm working on Airstream stuff).  When I raise my arms, not only does my collar get makeup on it but you can see my midriff.

- The bulk of the sweater makes it hard to layer under jackets.

- This is a slightly cropped sweater and I'm not a fan of how it makes my hips look so wide.  It's a combination of where the sweater ends on my frame (right at my widest point) and the fact that it holds is voluminous shape.

- Lastly but most important, the weight.  This sweater weighs 1 lb. 10 oz.  Compare that to my Everlane cotton sweater which weights 9.2 oz.  That's over a pound more weighing down my shoulders.  I already have a pretty bad posture with shoulders that slope down, so when I have such a heavy sweater on, I feel like my posture gets even worse. 

So in the end, as much as I wanted to love this sweater, I'm not sure it's for me.  I think first of all it would look better on a taller person (with better posture) like on Andrea (who's 5'8") and Lee (also tall though I don't know her height).  I think also by being tall, the sweater doesn't crop at their hips but rather above that. 

Also, I prefer to be efficient in my clothing.  I don't have a lot of space in my closet for a bulky cotton sweater that can't be layered under most of my jackets.  Also because it's a cotton sweater, it doesn't provide warmth like my cashmere ones.  So I don't know really.  I keep reaching for it and wearing it (partly to get my cost per wear down-currently it's at $49.60).  Well we'll see, I'll keep wearing it for now but I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it since I don't love love it.

{Update: So if you're confused about sizing (which I was), I got the definitive answer from Ashley at J+J.  So the length as well as the width changes with size (ie it's not just the length).  Here's the full run-down in her words:

As for how the sizing works on our sweaters, they do change measurements between sizes.  They are graded to scale to each size from the bust, to the sleeve opening, to the neckline.  Since they are a bit cropped, we find that some people do choose to size up for a bit more length.  However, I always advise people to stick somewhat close to their actual size, because the more you bump up in size, the more the fit is going to be slightly off in the other areas (neckline, sleeves, etc.).  I also know that some customers have chosen to take their sweaters to a tailor to have the hem let out and love the results!  That way they are keeping the width manageable and still getting that slightly longer length.   The only other thing I will mention is that the confusion with the sizing may have stemmed from people getting it mixed up with our T Top.  Our T Top, not our T Sweater, does not change in width.  That was one of our original pieces we started J+J with and at the time it was a one-size-fits-all top.  When we started expanding our sizes, we chose to keep that one as a hybrid of the one-size-fits-all fit that we loved, but we adjusted the sizing in the neckline, sleeve opening, and hem, to reflect the scale.

Hope that helps and if you have more questions about sizing, you can email support@jamieandthejones and they will know all the answers!}

{April 2018 update: In full transparency, I wanted to let you guys know I sold it.  I only wore it a handful of times and machine washed it twice.  But I just didn't feel like storing such a bulky sweater until it gets cold again, especially if I'm a bit iffy about it.  But I did sell it for a good price and only lost about $25 in trying this sweater out, so to me it was definitely worth it.  I think I might try one of their other sweaters this fall.}

Hesta Organic Cotton Underwear Review (and how they compare to PACT)

source

I first heard of Hesta, a organic cotton underwear line from one of my favorite conscious style blogs, Dr.It Girl, soon after I did my PACT underwear review.  I love that I now have options for purchasing organic cotton underwear.  I purchased the set of 4 organic cotton Hesta undies from Amazon for $38 (compare that to 2 for $23 for PACT's organic undies at full-price so the Hesta underwear is a tiny bit cheaper).  It's interesting to note that Hesta also makes reusable organic cotton panty liners and incontinence pads.  

So what did I think of Hesta's organic cotton underwear?  Sorry to say but I'm not a fan.  And that's mostly because the elastic band around the leg holes ruin it for me.  I ordered a size medium (which is what I also ordered for PACT) and even though the waistband fits fine, the leg bands are tight (and the rest of the underwear feels big).  I also much prefer the flat elastic bands that Pact uses for their leg and waist bands.  I would say the Hesta underwear fits like boy shorts/hip-huggers but look like full-on granny panties.  

I emailed them to ask about where their undies are made, and they quickly replied letting me know their production factory is located in South Korea.  When I heard that, it clicked with me that these undies feel like my undies from childhood (since my mom used to buy my underwear from Japan all the time).  So if you're used to Asian-style underwear, this is what Hesta feels like.  

So I'm glad I gave Hesta a try, especially since I now know I will be reordering PACT again for the rest of my underwear needs.  But I have relegated these Hesta panties as back-up underwear and we'll see if I ever wear them.  

P.S. Did you see Leah's post about some other ethical undies brands?  I might try one or two of them (after I do a bit more research).  Have you guys tried any of these brands?  Or I wonder if I should just stick with PACT since that's what I like?

P.P.S. Actually since writing this post (about a week ago), I've ordered some items from Naja (bra, sports bra and cheeky underwear) to try out.  I really liked their message of female empowerment and eco-consciousness, but I hope their underwear is good too.  I guess I need to try more than one other brand to know whether or not Pact is the one for me!

Unsponsored Reformation Review

Reformation has been the cool kid on the eco-friendly clothing brand block for awhile now.  They're probably one of the first and the biggest brands to be anti-fast-fashion and all about sustainability.  I find their RefScale to be an interesting way to keep track of how sustainable a garment is, and I love that Reformation works to reduce their carbon footprint by purchasing carbon offsets.  They really are an example of an environmentally friendly and all-around thoughtful company.  I think the bulk of their clothes are made in a factory in LA.

I am super blessed to live near a city that has one of Reformation's brick and mortar stores.  Just like I did for Outdoor Voices, I wanted to visit their store to not only reduce my packaging waste from online orders but also to try a bunch of things at once without the upfront cost.

I had a really fun time shopping there because they have completely changed the retail experience.  You can still browse the store as usual, but instead of taking that garment to a fitting room, you tell a sales associate and they input what you want in their iPad mini.  Then when you get to your fitting room, everything is all lined up for you by some unknown person who works on the other side of the closet (which I think is their stock room).  When you want to change the size, you can do it digitally via the screen in your room.  Then you close the closet, they add what you want, and then like magic the garment is hanging there for you when you reopen the doors.  You no longer have to deal with sales associate yelling at you through the door asking if you need another size (and the introvert in me loved this way of shopping).  You can also just shop digitally on a big screen and they will add all those garments into a fitting room.  

Each fitting room is also equipped with various lights and a place to plug in your phone for music.  I played with the lights but didn't bother with the music. 

In the 4 pictures below, I'm wearing Reformation's Galaxy top (100% silk, kind of reminded me of Grana's Georgette Satin silk) and trying out all 4 light settings.  Also wearing my Mott & Bow jeans and Sevilla Smith shoes.  I think the quality of their silk is good and I liked the cute frilly collar on this top but ended up deciding not to buy it since I'm actually trying to cut down on the number of silk items I own (since I never wear them).  

But here's the thing about Reformation that is kind of a deal breaker for me (well actually three things).  First of all, most of their clothes are made out of synthetics.  I know a lot of it is dead stock so it's not like they're producing more synthetics to make clothes but rather finding already-made synthetic material and using it for clothes.  But the end result is still synthetic clothing that not only requires dry cleaning, but also doesn't biodegrade or adds more microfibers to the environment.  Also I just don't like the feel of wearing synthetics anymore.  I've spoiled myself with Everlane, Grana, and Elizabeth Suzann clothing that are almost all made of natural fibers.  The second reason I will never be a Reformation gal is that their styling definitely skews young, like 20's-ish.  A lot of their styles is just not me.  And last but not least, a lot of their clothing (dresses and pants) are made for tall people.  The proportions just don't work for 5'4" me.

Wearing the Ray top here, which was my second favorite item

But again, I want to give them a fair shot and a fair review so I purchased my favorite out of all the items I tried on, which was this Cardinal dress in navy.  It's made out of a material they're calling eco-rib and it's made of 88% tencel and 12% spandex.  I haven't worn it out much yet since it's still so cold here.  But I know this would be a cute summer dress and I love the long-ish sleeves and flared skirt.  It reminds me of a figure skating dress.

I'll periodically update this review once I wear this dress more (and wash it).  

Anyone else try Reformation and if so, what did you buy?

Unsponsored Outdoor Voices Review {Updated March 2021}

I love doing reviews of brands that are really hyped that also give away a lot of free stuff to "influencers" because I am always dying to know are they really that great or do bloggers think they're great because they got it for free (and it's their 'job' to promote the brand).  And Outdoor Voices seem to fit that description to a tee.  Well here's an unadulterated review of their items from someone who paid for their items.

Outdoor Voices first came onto my radar via social media and because of their claims for sustainability and transparency.  And for the most part, it sounds like it's true.  Their practices seem comparable to that of Everlane's and Grana's.  You know they're at least trying so that's good.

I went to their store located in San Francisco since 1) I was already in the city for a dentist appointment and 2) I'm making an effort to visit brick and mortar stores when possible to cut down on my waste of packaging from online deliveries.  Also this way I could try their whole line-up without having to spend a fortune first (because believe me, their stuff ain't cheap).  

I tried a variety of stuff.  But first up: their Textured Compression leggings.  These are the bulk of their items (they only have 2 types, this one or the Tech Sweat which is up later).  These are the ones you see in 99% of their ads, that come with cute muted colors and chevron patterns.  In the pics below I'm wearing the 3/4 Leggings in Blue Quartz.  The 3/4 length is perfect for my 5'4" frame and for taller people you probably want to get the 7/8 length (unless you're looking for cropped leggings).  I'm wearing a medium (I'm usually a size 4-6).  I tried the small but the compression was too uncomfortable for standing so nevermind trying to workout in them.  And I'm wearing the tri-tone slash-back crop in a small (I'm a 36A on top).  

I love the color coordination and the overall color palette that they use.  I've never really liked that workout clothes were traditionally made with really bright colors or black.  The fit was good and I do think the leggings held me in and were flattering. 

But here's the secret I learned from the sales associate, their Textured Compression stuff doesn't "breathe" very well so if you're planning to do some serious sweating in your workout gear (which for me is a 'duh') then you're not going to want to get these.  When I heard that I was like 'whaaaaat?' lol.  So basically the Textured Compression is meant for walking your dog, hiking, and not-hot yoga, which means it's meant to be athleisure with an emphasis on the leisure.

{side note: Also for those who tried on Grana's athletic gear last year (they called it Taiwanese Tech, lol), this Textured Compression felt similar to that.  There's some stretch (but not a lot) and the matte-material felt less smooth than traditional sportwear.  I never ended up reviewing those items since I did not like the feel at all, and was able to sell them at Crossroads--that's right you can buy/sell athletic clothes at Crossroads now!  I scored a cute Calvin Klein Sports bra there the other day.}

So since I plan to actually work-out in my workout clothes, the sales associates pointed me towards their Tech Sweat stuff.  Now this is what I'm familiar with.  It feels like my usual Nike and Lululemon leggings thats made of a smooth non-matte material and with a lot more stretch.  Above, I'm wearing the Tech Sweat 3/4 leggings and Steeplechase bra (which is made from Textured Compression, but I liked it because it has removable cup inserts).

I ended up purchasing the outfit in the pic above (the Tech Sweat leggings and Steeplechase bra) mostly so that I can give an accurate review if I'm being honest.  I actually have more than enough workout gear from a Lululemon binge from 3 -4 years ago, and I love my Lulus a lot (more than these Outdoor Voices leggings and bra).  But after reading this blog post from To Universe with Love (scroll down to #77, #78 and #81 where she talks about reviews), I was inspired to do even better with my reviews.  So I decided to make it a fair review I need to buy these items and use it.  So I've been putting them through it's paces at the gym.  I've been loving the leggings fine, (though I find them to be a bit slippery when trying to do the tree-pose in hot yoga) but I've not reached for the bra after using it once.  The Textured Compression is just not a favorite for me so I just find myself reaching for my old reliable Lulu sports bras.  It's just too compressive or maybe I should have sized up for a more comfy fit (which is actually what I did for some Lulu bras).

Anyway If you're interested in trying them out, here's a $20 off referral link for first-time buyers.

{March 2021 Update: For those who are interested, I did a leggings comparison review here (where I compare OV with Everlane Perform leggings and Girlfriend Collective).

Unsponsored Sevilla Smith Review of the Terilyn Booties {Updated February 2021}

Ok guys here it is, the review that several of you asked for: the review of the Sevilla Smith Terilyn booties (if you're not familiar with Sevilla Smith, it's a woman-run shoe-making biz that makes all their shoes by hand and thus its customized to your specifications).  I got this one with soft powder grey leather (in the 2cm heel height).  And as you could tell from my Insta that I love love LOVE these shoes!  Out of the box, I had no issues whatsoever with my usual problem, a particularly wide forefront of the foot.  They truly do feel like a leather glove for your feet, especially with the softness of this leather.

{For the first picture I'm wearing: Everlane waffle cashmere sweater, Levi's 501 jean, Sevilla Smith Terilyn booties.  For the picture above I'm wearing: Grana cropped cashmere, Elizabeth Suzann Clyde pants,  Sevilla Smith Terilyn booties}

First a note on sizing.  I ordered these in a 7.5 (my usual size), which is a 38 in European sizes.  I had thought about paying extra for the wide lasting since I do have a wider foot.  But in the end I decided if the leather will stretch, I should be ok (and I am!).  I do however 100% recommend measuring your foot before ordering and following her very detailed sizing guide.  I didn't because I'm a lazy blogger and I think I might have been able to go with a size 7 (with possibly a wider last).  As you can see from some of the pictures, I'm really stretching out the leather and you can see the outline of my toes and the forefront of my foot.

I also say that I could have gone with a 7 because I found that I had a smidge of extra space around the heel and because the leather is so soft, it kind of folds into that space (you can really see it in the sideview picture of the booties).  It kind of bothered me in the beginning that it would slouch/fold like that, but now it doesn't bother me.  Especially since I added these heel pads:

I'm just not used to such hard soles for shoes.  There's zero padding, which I think is good for your foot muscles but I'm too old to retrain my foot muscles.  I found that if I wore these too long (before I got the heel pads), it would aggravate my plantar fasciitis (damn you old age and decades of running).  Now that I've got these heel pads, I've got no complaints.  So for my next pair of Sevilla Smiths (and you bet there's going to be a next one) I might just stick with the size and add the heel pads from the get go to avoid the folding-at-the-heel issue (or choose a sturdier leather for the boot).

Overall I just really love these shoes and Sevilla Smith.  Yes, they're expensive but they're also made start-to-finish by one person (and compare that to uber expensive designer shoes and you can really start seeing the value of these).  The shoebag that comes with the shoes are so cute (and practical with a slot for each shoe so they don't rub against each other).  Also I've never owned a hand-lasted shoe with no glues and binders and so I was really enchanted with the way the soles are held together with nails.  The shoes come with special instructions on how to maintain them (ie when you're going to need to take them in for repair), so I look forward to using these for a long time to come.  And of course I'll be periodically updating this review as they age!

{February 2021: Hi there, sorry this post is due for a major update. So the heel things did not help with the sizing issue (though they did help with the hard soles issue). So I have to say it’s key to make sure you get the right sizing, especially for these soft leather type of shoes. If you go for the soft leather, I would recommend sizing down (and I probably should have gone with the wider last for my wide-ish foot). Anyway in the end I sold these shoes on ebay since I just wasn’t wearing them that much, but I do miss them from time to time (cuz they’re such good looking shoes).

Unsponsored PACT Organic Cotton Underwear Review {Updated July 2020}

lol you'll never see me up here in my undies so here's the picture of the model

*This is an unsponsored review and I purchased these items myself

I apologize if this is TMI, but I've been wearing the same undies from Victoria Secret since my college days (um over a decade now).  Some of them have holes in them and some have period stains (too much?), so I finally decided I needed to be an adult and replace them.  And PACT apparel, with their GOTS and Fair Trade certifications and use of organic cotton, has been on my radar for some time.  When their Black Friday Sale came around I jumped at the chance of getting their 2-pack undies for $10 (normally $23).  I tried out their classic bikini and their lace waist brief.  The punchline of this review: I loved them both and can't wait to slowly convert my whole underwear drawer to PACT!

I purchased all my underwear in medium since that is the size I wore for my Victoria's Secret undies (I'm usually between a size 4-6 in pants, currently a 6 lol).  But I found the medium for PACT is larger than for VS, so these undies have a bit of a granny panty look on me.  I don't really care since it's underwear, but I think my true size is a small (this is especially true of the lace waist brief which I found was bigger than the regular briefs).

The underwear itself is made of very soft and smooth cotton.  The elastic bands are comfortable and have a good amount of stretch to them.  The lace waisted briefs are also really comfortable and well made.  I'm not sure what else to say but these are good practical underwear and feel of a much better quality than my VS ones.  But the true test is of course how they wear over time.  I'll periodically update this post and let you know!

Since the retail price on these PACT undies are quite a bit more than VS ones (because the VS ones are produced via slave labor), I recommend waiting for their sales (and a friend informed me that they sometimes can be found on sale at Whole Foods Market).  Or if you're a first time buyer, here's a referral link for 20% off your first purchase (and thanks for supporting my dreams of converting my underwear drawer to PACT)!

P.S. I also got an offer for free socks from PACT with purchase (I just had to fill an online form with my purchase number), and true to their word I got them in the mail about 2 weeks later.  Score!

{March 2019 Update: So I would be remiss if I didn’t update this review to let you know that it seems like the quality has gone down a bit for some of their undies. I no longer buy the classic bikinis because it doesn’t seem to last very well. The cotton gets stretched out and doesn’t feel as substantial as the lace waist briefs. I have only been purchasing the lace waist briefs recently}

{July 2020 Update: I’ve been using exclusively PACT underwear now for over 2.5 years and I still love them. As I noted above, I stopped buying the classic bikini so I can’t speak to their quality. But I’ve noticed the some batches of the lace waist briefs also had a momentary decline in quality (sometime in mid to late 2019). Yet the newest batch that I got are great.}

Akamai Review

*This is an unsponsored post and I purchased all items myself

So I first heard of Akamai from EcoCult and since I’m in the market to change up the daily beauty/cleaning products I use, I decided to give them a shot.  I have to admit, I was also really drawn to Akamai products because Akamai is a Hawaiian word and since I was born and raised in Hawaii it has special meaning to me.  You see, Akamai means ‘smart’ in Hawaiian and I was secretly (though maybe not so secretly) pleased when someone called me Akamai. 

But even if I like the name and even if I feel akamai for using eco-friendly, minimalistic bath and beauty products, I can’t really get behind their products and their subscription service.  Yep first of all to buy their products, you have to sign up for a subscription (which IMHO is a total pain).  One because it means you have to buy everything as a set and two because I had to go and cancel that subscription so I wouldn’t get repeated billing and more products that I don’t want.  Yes, it’s only one extra step online to cancel, but still…a pain.

Now on to the actual products.  The subscription comes with a 3-in-1 bar that's supposed to be soap, shampoo and shaving soap.  This one I don't mind since bar soap is bar soap (I'm already used to using bar soap since I made the switch about a year ago).  It doesn't lather too well but it gets the job done.  But I don't really like using it for shampoo.  I can't get used to using bar soap for my hair.  It does the job for shaving just fine.  The soap doesn't actually smell like anything really.

The skin oil is meant for your skin and hair as well.  It has a very slight botanical smell and the oil is fairly light and not too greasy.  So far I've been using this on my body instead of my usual Accure body oil spray and it's alright.  I still prefer the Accure body oil spray, especially the rose scent.

But the thing I could not abide by was the toothpaste.  It was like a gritty clay mixture and it was gross.  Also I use an electric toothbrush and the grit was too harsh for my gums.  Sure I want to be use minimal, eco-friendly and sustainable products but not if they're like this toothpaste.  No thank you.

So that fact that 2 out of 3 products were meh and one was ick, I decided I did not want to continue the subscription and then had to cancel it.  I'll use up the oil and bar soap but sadly I'll have to throw away the toothpaste.  Anyway what eco-friendly/sustainable/minimal bath and/or beauty products do you use and recommend?  I also ordered some Plaine products and will do a review of them too.

Everlane Spring 2016 Shirts: Slim Crew Shirt, Micro Stripe Tees, and Muscle Tank Review

When I saw Everlane release their Slim Crew Shirt, I was super excited to try them out because I love shirts with longer sleeves (to hide my bat wings/chicken wings, you know that flabby tricep area).  Why workout your triceps when you can just hide them?  I also tried out their muscle tanks, which just confirmed that yes, it is better to hide my unworked triceps.  But first a note on sizing: these shirts are made in the factory in LA, so even though the shirt is called slim, it's nothing like the Pima Stretch Mid-sleeve shirts made in Peru.  So like all the other cotton shirts made in LA (the U-neck, V-neck, box cut), get your usual size.  I usually wear the S, but I was thinking they're going to be more fitted, so I got a size M.  But it turned out the M was a tad too large and I should have stuck with the S.  (And to make a short story long, I loved the shirt in the olive color, but now Everlane won't have them back in stock until May 12th!  And so I won't be getting my order for the small olive slim crew until next month! #firstworldproblems).

Anyway onto the review, the slim crew shirt is my new favorite simple tee.  I like the longer sleeves and the more fitted shape.  But at the same time, it doesn't cling like the pima stretch mid-sleeves (which I have to admit I don't wear because it's too fitted).  The Slim Crew material is supima cotton, which is slightly thicker and feels more durable than the pima cotton from Peru.   I'm wearing a medium in the pics, and it fits fine but it felt a little too big, especially in the shoulder and chest area.  I'll update with pictures of the small when I get it.  Also, the overall length of the shirt is a bit longer than I would like but I can just fold it under (and I'm hoping the small will be a better length).

{5.5.16 update: so I got the slim crew in small in gray today, and it fit much better than the medium.  And the slim crew in the micro stripe was definitely a size smaller than the solid colored ones.  So lesson here is stick with your usual Everlane tee size for the slim crew shirt!}

The Muscle Tank

I got Everlane's muscle tank in a small and it fit well.  The arm holes were a good size, not too large so that you could see my bra when I lifted my arm.  The neck hole was a bit small so I had to squeeze my head through to get it on (or maybe my head is just too big, lol).  Overall it's a good tank top, but muscle tanks in general are not my thing.

The Micro Stripe Tees

So the interesting thing about these tees is that even though they are in the same style as the U-neck and Slim Crew made in LA, the micro stripe tees are actually made in their Vietnam factory.  I got both the gray/white stripe in the U-neck style and the blue/white stripe in the Slim Crew in size small.  The U-neck shirt fit great, even though it felt slightly smaller than the usual U-neck shirts made in LA, but that's fine since the U-neck shirt is an oversized fit to begin with.  But when I tried on the Slim Crew in blue/white micro stripe in a small, it felt super tight.  Unfortunately I can't compare it with a small Slim Crew made in LA to verify if there's a difference in the sizes (not until May 9th that is), but I'll update this info once I get it!  As usual, reviews are done on items I've purchased for myself and are not sponsored.  Check out my other Everlane reviews here and Everlane's items (referral link).  

Anyone else try out their new tees?  What do you think?