Sotela is a new ethical clothing brand creating “the last dress you’ll ever need.” Very good idea, but honestly by now the idea of “last” or “best” makes me stabby; I no longer strive for either because my tastes change and I appreciate trying new shapes/styles frequently, and also feel that striving for “perfection” leads to overconsumption.
BUT, I absolutely appreciate the idea of dresses that span multiple sizes, and are suitable for different life stages (i.e. pregnancy). It’s brilliant, I think, if you’re at that place in your life where you might be thinking about children in a year or so, or if your weight tends to fluctuate frequently. Or, if you just love a good, affordable, ethically made, super-comfy, cute dress 🙂
Sotela is currently on Kickstarter and taking orders for all three dresses with an expected September 2016 delivery. The project is just about funded, so it looks like it will be a go. What do you think of the idea/dresses? Is it something you would try?
Yes! I love the Marsh. I work with criminalized women and I REALLY need clothes that are not intimidating to limited resource clients, while allowing me to go in total comfort from meetings in shelters, to hospitals, to courtrooms, to dinner to relaxing at home listening to music or watching TV all in one day. This is it!
BTW, many thanks to you and your readers for introducing me to Cuyana, which I must say is bang on my style. When I first went on their website (recently) I could have happily bought everything except that, being bang on my style, I already owned facimiles of everything (although admittedly not as perfectly cut and fabricated.) A few minutes ago I was delighted to order their new silk top in navy with train. I clearly won’t be wearing it to work, and it may not work at all on my body, but I’m more than willing to try!
Yes! All of this. I practice family law and while some clients and court appearances require a suit, I find many of my clients and appearance do not require that level of formality. I am intrigued by Sotela and will check them out, and agree that Cuyana makes gorgeous things. When they were brand-new, I ordered the Alpaca pull over, promptly drowned in it, and sent it back along with my tears, but I’m thinking about getting the wrap in the same color because I miss the idea of it so much (years later).
rebecca, i got the alpaca cape and wanted to love it SO MUCH, but just didn’t. it fit strangely on me (was too big), was sort of “off” and i was really disappointed – which is why I think i haven’t tried again? but when i ordered it, i don’t think they had petite, so it may fit much better now…of course, i love the idea of cuyana very much, but nothing has pushed me quite over the edge enough to place another order.
kathryn, you’re right, i think these sotela dresses would be perfect for your type of work, and the marsh is very pretty. let us know if you get anything and what you think of it! ditto on the cuyana silk top, i’d love to hear how it works out for you.
In theory yes, but not as a kickstarter. The one-size-fits-all gigs never work on me because I’m tall, so I wouldn’t invest without trying on.
I’m also grouchy about the this-is-sartorial-perfection line from various entrepreneurs when the style is NOT new. I love sack dresses, own sack dresses, am not impressed that someone’s figured out a new way to market sack dresses. (Kinda like DVF never getting over herself for the wrap dress that had been around in some form since the 1940s.)
I don’t see any of these styles flattering. I’m tall and have chubby knees and arms, and even the longer length one will look ridiculous on me. No, thank you. Also, if I see another modal fabric marketed as breathable, blah-blah-blah, I’m gonna throw up. Sorry, but I’m just so tired of cheap quality these days… That and PMS. 😉
And, since we’re on the subject, there is no such thing as one-fit-all! We all have such different body types.
To be fair, they come in different sizes, they’re just meant to be flexible sizes.
true, there is no such thing as one size fits all, but these are multiple sizes, the idea is just that each “size” spans a couple “traditional” sizes, like s/m m/l, etc. at least that’s my interpretation of them…
i have a very hard time with one size items, i like what elizabeth suzann does with her one size plus, regular and minus, although isn’t that just s, m, and l?? not really, i think the one size is meant to say that a garment is “roomy” enough to fit multiple sizes/body types. which isn’t truly always the case.
anyway, these dresses aren’t truly “one size” since they come in different sizes, they’re just marketed towards the idea of no size, i think – or a range of sizes – which isn’t a terrible idea, really.
love your second point 😉
Completely agree! So much of the ‘minimal’ look that’s popular now really only looks good on a very specific woman: Tall, very thin with no curves. These dresses will look like a sack on most women-sorry. I actually think they look pretty bad on the models they show them on.
own company. If you have ever seen many Amish this is very similar to what they wear.
It’s not about the size. It’s about the cut and the fit. They look baggy, and that style only truly looks good on certain tall, slender women (as Mallory stated above). I’m tall but I’m not slender and I have a post-baby pouch, and if I wore this type of dress people would be asking me if I’m expecting again. I’m a firm believer in dressing to complement your body type, not just wearing what’s popular or what you like on others. No matter how much I love something on someone else, if it does not work with my body type I won’t wear it. Period.
yes, i understand your point! 🙂
i would just say we should wear what we feel comfortable in though, not only what complements our body types – but those go hand in hand quite often. for me they do less frequently than they should maybe LOL, but nevertheless…
i was thinking yesterday that if i wore only things that “suit” my body type, i’d be limited to things i simply don’t like . like a-line skirts, or bootcut jeans.
To answer your question – nope, it is not something I would try. I am tall and slender but I wouldn’t do this to myself:-) The dresses look sad and frumpy, and I cannot imagine there is a silhouette they would flatter. The silver lining is the affordable price but September delivery? No, thank you.
I am all for sustainability but honestly what those ‘conscious’ brands offer is less than attractive and way overpriced.
I totally get your point! I have been wearing every loose thing I can find for years, and I have gotten asked when I’m due more than a couple of times! lol. (I’m actually small, so I don’t think size makes a difference 😉 ) Nevertheless, I personally just love the freedom of space. Even if other people don’t: I wore a very slimly fitted tailored suit into the courtroom last summer and one of my colleagues blurted out “I love your outfit….you look soooo much better than you usually do!” You’ve got to follow your heart, right? No matter which direction it leads you.
AMEN kathryn 🙂
I’m still ranting here. Modal stretches and becomes shapeless pretty quickly, even with spandex. So, the dress will become a horror. The prices! Oh my word. But I guess if a Hollywood celebrity ends up wearing one, it has a chance to become popular. The whole thing just look annoying and pretentious.
Well, I like this concept and I can totally imagine wearing the Jersey Swing dress. I do like the simplicity of these styles.
There something that I just don’t find particularly flattering about the cut of these dresses. I’m not sure if it’s the photographs, the styling, or the garments themselves. Plus, as one who has been pregnant three times, I ask, “Is there anyone out there who even wants to THINK about your maternity clothes after wearing the damned things for a good 6 months straight???” I was ready to burn mine! 😉
I received the Cuyana top already. Here’s the review. Gorgeous! Definitely meant for someone who is both young AND modelishious. I can vaguely remember being the former, in the distant past, but never the latter. That said, I knew it before I ordered….just could not resist. Which is unusual for me when it comes to skin bareing cuts. Very unusual. The fabric is a good weight, so it hangs well. What with the breezy style it shouldn’t be too hot, the way most silks are in the summer. IMO, it would not be appropriate to wear a regular bra with this top, even one that is a pretty colour. IMO, again, it would ruin the almost architectural line. Same for strapless bras unless they are bandeau-style (i.e. solid with no clasps, lace, or other distractions) or have a front clasp. Be warned that even strapless bras will show at the back, so pick something minimalist. Due to the dark colour and weight, I think one could go braless, if one was so inclined. But don’t quote me on that! I took a small and it fits perfectly. The straps at the shoulders and back fit comfortably without any gaps. The small is meant to fit both size 6 (me) and size 4 (not me.) I’m not a professional fitter, but I suspect the small might be too loose for a 4, given the lack of stretch. My final verdict? I’m keeping it, even if I only wear it for my beloved and by candlelight!
Yeah…I tend to think it’s semantics.
thanks for the review kathryn!!