Ozma California Raw Silk Cypress playsuit (medium)
Birkenstock Birko-flor arizona sandals
With Turkish cotton kimono/robe
Shopping/Wearing
I hope I’ve made it clear here, but whenever you use my referral link to Garmentory to sign up for an account, you’ll get a $20 credit, and so will I. I use the credits I earn to order things to review here – that’s the only “compensation” I get for linking to Garmentory. I would link to Garmentory anyway, even if I didn’t get anything for it; I love it so much, and it’s become my primary shopping resource lately. It’s an amazing way to try independent designers.
In my last order was this raw silk jumpsuit by California designer Ozma, and this Turkish cotton kimono/robe. I posted on Instagram last night about the jumper, because I was conflicted about hemming it. The overwhelming consensus was to NOT hem it, and I won’t. I like the length as-is, actually, but I am always so concerned about the proper length of pants; for me, that can really make a world of difference in how something looks. For this jumpsuit though, I think because I’m showing A LOT of skin up top, I don’t need to show my ankles as well. Generally, I default to showing my ankles with oversized pieces lest I look completely overwhelmed…
I love the jumpsuit, and wore it all afternoon/evening at home after first putting it on. The tie waist is quite low, and looks funny tied tight, so I will leave it loosely tied most of the time. I could remove the tie and belt loops altogether, but I don’t mind the overall “look” with the tie sort of undone; it seems very “effortless chic” LOL.
The robe/kimono is wonderful too – I bought it to wear as a robe at home, I will probably not wear it “out” although I’m not opposed to how it looks with the jumper.
A few more things shopping-related of note:
I love this new Hoibo kangaroo bag (video of it on Instagram). It’s actually made from Kangaroo leather, which I’m not sure how I feel about, but the company itself is very concerned about sustainability and eco-friendliness, so I’m fairly confident they’re using leather from kangaroos dying naturally. I hope so, anyway.
ScarfShop organic cotton scarves – I love my ScarfShop wool cloud scarf, and am intrigued by these super-lightweight organic cotton scarves. I don’t know how I’d wear one – I just can’t do the scarf-around-my-neck thing just to look cute – but they’re lovely if you CAN.
Reading/Watching
More thoughts on Elizabeth’s talk on EconTalk I mentioned the other day: Her business model is naturally restrictive – it will cap her growth at some point, with rising demand, and she will have to figure out a way to sustain her business going forward. Listen to the talk for more details, and read her latest blog post about the 8-10 week lead time on her clothing, but this is going to be a huge challenge for her business to overcome – she’s basically created her own business model without a lot of other examples to learn from.
I understand and respect wanting to stay small, and niche – I appreciate that very much, and that her focus is on her employees, and customer service, but I also REALLY REALLY want the company to stay around for a very long time, and finding a way to scale without sacrificing quality or raising prices so much they’re prohibitive will be a hurdle to get over.
(I am very much into economics, so this stuff fascinates me…I’ll stop before I get too geeky)
I started using this Mad Hippie vitamin c serum recently, and then, as happens, goop tells me I’m doing it wrong. Haha. I noticed a brightness immediately, and I still do, but according to Jean at goop, vitamin c serum loses its efficacy pretty much as soon as it’s exposed to air. Which is any time you lift up the dropper to use it. Of course, their solution is to buy their (spendy) recommended powdered Vitamin C powder. With research though, I’ve found much more affordable alternatives, and recipes for making your own serum, but I’m not great at DIY. Has anyone done this? Do you use Vitamin C serum? Do you buy it or make your own?
Speaking of goop, did you know wearing clothes can kill you? ha, well not exactly, but there’s an article this week about toxic clothing, from a different perspective: being exposed to carcinogens, etc., from WEARING the clothes we buy. Good points, all, and it’s important to be aware of these things, but good grief, can we not do ANYTHING right??
I watched To Catch a Thief for the millionth time this week. Sigh. I just love that movie, and anything Alfred Hitchcock and Grace Kelly, and Cary Grant for that matter. I also watched Rosemary’s Baby again – it had been many years since I first saw it. And we started watching House of Cards a little, but I’m just not into it anymore, I’m just watching because I feel like I have to…
Doing
I’ve been a busy, busy bee this morning packing and shipping new slowre orders! But I’m looking forward to a relaxing afternoon tweaking slowre.com with some new content, and creating a customer survey to go out next week. I have ideas!!
What are you plans for the weekend? I hope you enjoy!!!
How do you wear silk as a dog owner??? I like silk, but am deathly afraid of it – it seems so delicate and is usually dry clean only. Get one cat claw near it, and it’s all over.
haha. i feel like raw silk is much less “delicate” than silk crepe, for one thing, and i have washed it by hand successfully (my elizabeth suzann marlena dress is raw silk), so dry cleaning isn’t an issue…
but yes, cat claws are dangerous 😉
dagny’s nails are worn down from walking outside so much, so hers are quite dull. the hair is another thing altogether, but i just ignore it mostly…
Grechen, get geeky!
How do you see this growth economy problem? Because I have huge issues with it. I see continuous growth as a false need, not to mention an unsustainable ideal—nothing can grow forever and rapid growth is only done at the expense of resourses, and future generations, and fairness of wealth distribution. And why would a business die without growth, when it can generate steady, continuous profits? What has happened to the small artisan who only serves their village and has steady work their entire life, providing enough for their livelihood (though not enough for them to become ultra-rich with multiple generations of descendants who don’t have to work for a living). I don’t understand why everyone must become a global corporation “just to survive?” Of course, I am not an economist, but I know there are plenty of experts who agree with this point of view.
Anyway, I haven’t listened to the talk, maybe I get a chance this evening while I’m cooking.
Oh, and I also read a lot about vitamin C serums and reached the conclusion that they are so unstable that there is no way to ever know if you’re getting something viable. Making it at home is also a very exact, rather complex operation. I gave up on it.
i totally agree with your thoughts on the “growth economy”, and think there’s something admirable and sustainable (although ironically so) about staying niche, and small. I choose to stay small and niche, and I chose to open a TEENY TINY niche consignment store with no intention to become huge. the irony is that at a certain point demand can become too much, and the only way to counter that is to raise prices so that you can (hopefully) curb supply a bit.
as i said, i want elizabeth suzann to be around for a long time, BUT i think her prices are at the top of my range, AND i do not like the idea of consistent 8-10 week lead times. i know she has said that she will be getting that under control, but that necessarily requires more employees, more equipment, and more capacity (each seamstress makes a garment from start to finish, instead of assembly-line style, so each seamstress has to have all the equipment she needs at her workstation, which is expensive). so she will have to GROW just to keep up with demand, or else, shrink demand somehow.
i don’t think every company needs to become a global conglomerate just to survive, that’s not sustainable in my opinion, and it’s not the direction i see small business moving in nowadays. if ES can keep demand relatively small, then, she can definitely keep doing things the way she’s doing them, but if demand keeps growing…i don’t see how. Of course, there are also spikes in demand, and hers may wane over time, but it doesn’t look likely any time soon.
There’s some great info on vitamin C (as well as a very affordable powder) available through Deciem’s label “The Ordinary” (theordinary.com). Their powder is actually a stable suspension so it doesn’t use water or silicone. I’m awaiting the arrival of a water-based serum from them as I experiment with vitamin C for the first time, but if I like it I may go the powder suspension route! It’s extremely affordable, as are all their products. I have 4 at home that I love and another 3 on the way!
Perfect timing with your mention of Vitamin C serum because I bought one just last week (from sérumtologié) and then a few days later found out about Mad Hippie. I’ve seen results already with the one I got and I’m pleased, but I’m planning to try the Mad Hippie version next so I can see which one I like best. I’ll be curious what you think of it in a couple weeks/months. I read that the type of Vitamin C in sérumtologié and Mad Hippie (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate) is more stable and thus doesn’t have the same issues with rapid oxidation as other serums. So thankfully we didn’t totally waste our money 😉
oh, good news, I hadn’t read that! here’s hoping 🙂 i keep my bottle in the cabinet, and minimize how much air i let in when i open the bottle LOL, but i’m not sure that’s very effective.
so far, i really love it, and have noticed a difference.
i used to use evan healey’s immortale hydrosol mixed with rosehip oil after cleaning and that was pretty much it.
now i swipe with witch hazel, then use the vitamin c serum, then the rosehip oil and i’ve seen some brightening.
Which Vit C serum from The Ordinary are you using? I tried one– the one with Vitamin F, I think?– and did not love it. Specifically, the texture was offputting. Luckily, at least, with The Ordinary you’re never out much money when something doesn’t work out!
Having used various Skinceuticals serums for a while, I’ve switched to Drunk Elephant. It’s not only half the price of Skinceuticals, but I prefer the packaging (easier for travel), (lack of hot dog) smell, and I’ve been pleased with the results.
Apparently some studies– not just ones sponsored by Skinceuticals– show that ferulic acid massively improves the stability of vitamic C. I remember one compared an old serum with ferulic acid to a fresh vitamin C serum without it, and the one with ferulic was more still more stable. Given there is some fear that oxidized vitamin C is even worse for one’s skin that not using it at all (I should step away from Beautypedia, probably), this is greatly to my interest as my post-40 skin really likes vitamin C’s brightening powers.
This is where I’d really like one of The Ordinary’s serums to work, since I have the tendency of trying to make expensive things last, which I shouldn’t be doing in this case, and I’d have no regrets about smearing large quantities of The Ordinary all over and using it up quickly.
You can also search the various natural product online stores for vitamin C serum that comes in a pump container (Drunk Elephant’s does, as does MyChelle, but they are both much more expensive than Mad Hippie). Mad Hippie’s Facial SPF comes in a pump and includes Vit. C and ferulic acid. I like it, but I have a very high tolerance for heavy sunscreens that leave a slightly white cast — I feel like I’m wearing a protective barrier on my face. Not everyone likes that feeling. Let us know what you find! My skin has always been too sensitive for vitamin C, but lately I’m better able to tolerate strong treatments.
I have been using the Mychelle Vit C Serum for years! I has a pump dispenser so you don’t have to open the bottle. I also love the Vit. A Serum at night. They are more $ than Mad Hippy, but there is always a sale on their site and WF or Sprouts has them on sale periodically.
I love the Turkish robe with the jumpsuit….it’s quite “kimono-ish” so it works well (also picturing it over a white tank and distressed jeans with Birkies!).
Re: The scarf shop little scarves …In H.S., we used to call those hickey covers because when a girl wore one, you KNEW what she was up to!!! 😉
My mind is not an Econ mind. Give me arts, culture, lit, or psych anyday!!!
Damn that Gwyneth and her Vitamin C powder, poison clothes and jade eggs! No. I don’t think we can ever live up to her standards. But of course, it’s effortless for her. I use Drunk Elephant Vitamin C and I LOVE it! In fact, I seem to be making the switch to almost all of their products…I love the brand that much. But I’ve used other great Vit.C’s by Skinceuticals and others. And they made a difference for me, FWIW.
Hanging out with my brother-in-law & sister-in-law this weekend and having lots of belly laughs.
I trim my cat’s nails with a nail clippers. You have to be careful not to go too close!
I have raw silk, too, and it’s fine.
Hi Grechen, this is my first comment as a long-time reader. I’m also in Australia, so a lot of the brands you showcase are tricky to find here, but I just love your sense of style. Anyway, re the Hoibo bag – I would query any claims of sustainable practices in relation to kangaroo leather. Kangaroos are culled in their millions for meat, leather etc – I have no idea how sustainable these numbers are, but they are often considered a pest by farmers. They are also undomesticated (unlike cows, sheep etc), so the chances of just using those that are dying naturally would be very slim, given they live and roam over vast distances, and yes turn up in city streets now and then…anyway, just my thoughts. Have a great weekend 🙂
Thank you for that! I haven’t done any research at all yet on this, but now I’m very interested! I will also reach out to the company to find out why kangaroo leather…it’s an interesting choice!
Thanks for your comment 🙂
You look gorgeous! I wish I had beautiful shoulders and arms. The turkish kimono is lovely, but please don’t wear it with this jumpsuit. Show yourself off!
As for safe clothing: in the 1990’s, I bought a white cotton shirt imported from Germany that had a code that indicated it had passed ISO standards and was safe to wear. My friends/colleagues and I were amused that even when I wore the shirt, I couldn’t be sure of being safe, due to my unqualified other garments, but there you go.
I have a 7 month old tuxedo cat and I still carry her when I’m wearing silk but I do keep my closet doors closed (she is obsessed with tassels and fringe!). Raw silk is very different than silky silk. It is a rougher texture. I also think the loose fitting more casual style (I dress very similar to Gretchen) allows for some imperfection. Getting a snag on a tailored silk business attire blouse ruins the blouse but it’s not so bad on a drapey oversized piece. I honestly don’t worry about kitty damage to any of my things, expect the tassels/fringe because she’ll swallow those.
More of this! The bare shoulders and flowy jumpsuit looks fantastic on you. Honestly, it’s a very flattering look for you.
I love the Turkish robe and although it can be worn out, it would be something I’d love to wear at home too, over sleep/lounge clothes. I can also see it over a bikini at a resort.
Regarding the growth, I do know there have been some designers throughout the year who have intentionally remained small and focus on their local/regional markets. Isabel Toledo comes to mind. I haven’t bought anything ES but I do buy from Only Child, who also has a long lead time. I don’t mind so much but if I did live in the same city as her, I would love to be able to try on items at in person events and buy straightaway. But the lead time via online is fine for me. That said in Hawaii, our climate doesn’t vary too much so it’s ok for me to wait a month or two for an item. I wear most of my clothing year round.
The scarf shop scarves are darling! I just got one of their Cotton Giants through their “Seconds” section. It’s mostly a deep, dark gray although slightly discolored in places, but I don’t care. It’s a great wrap and I think will double as a picnic blanket when we head to France this week. I recently went to Sephora and the lady put Vitamin C serum on me and somehow got it in my eyes, because I could not open them without stinging pain! Lots of Caudalie Grapewater did the trick fortunately. So no Vitamin C Serum for me these days!
Also, YES to Hitchcock movies! In college I became obsessed with his portrayal of women and the idea of feminism and how it played out in his films. You really can’t go wrong with Hitchcock.
I’ve been getting into Ozma lately! I have one of their 1930’s bandanas, and am hoping to get something else from them soon.
Yes, not all forms of vit c are equally unstable. And the stability of unstable forms of vit c can be increased by combining it with other ingredients (feurlic acid, vit e). I’ve been making some of my own beauty products for the past 10 years, and if I buy beauty products, I pay close attention to product formulas to ensure that I’m actually getting what I pay for. I’d previously been using Drunk Elephant vit c (as well as Sunday Riley’s retinol and chemical exfoliation products), but recently switched to Mad Hippie products because their formulas are just as good at a fraction of the price. Because I make my own beauty products, I have a supply of tops, and I switch the droppers to pumps (http://www.specialtybottle.com/glass-bottles/amber-boston-rounds/pumps/2oz-bra2tb) because I prefer pumps to droppers. Some products are too viscous to use the pumps though, so sometimes I’m stuck with a pump. But if you wanted be super conservative with your vit c, you could switch to a pump to minimize exposure to light and air.