Tradlands Tourist Shirt in Jet (gift for review from Tradlands) | small
Levi’s Wedgie icon jeans | size 29
Play Cdg X Converse sneakers | 10 years old?
Shopping/Wearing
I received my “dirty white” Levi’s wedgie jeans and am sending them back. I sort of like them, and I think I’d like to have a pair of light/white jeans, but they need to be WAY more loose on me, like my shorty jeans. I was trying to find a more affordable version, but I think I’ll hold out for this Chimala pair when/if it goes on sale (they’re 20% off this weekend at Mill Mercantile…)
Andie swimsuits – I don’t know how I overlooked that all these swimsuits are high-leg, which makes them a total no-go for me, so I sent them all back. The suits in general were very nice, high quality, and thick – they would have been perfect had the leg not come up so high on me. I recommend trying them if you’re in the market for swimsuits.
Beklina swimsuit – I ordered the medium and it’s wonderful, although more like a body suit than a swimsuit, BUT I really don’t like the shorts style on me, I just need a regular leg-style. Ugh. And I can’t return it for a refund, only store credit, so I will either keep it and try to wear it anyway, or sell it. We’ll see. I love the halter top, and could wear it with a linen skirt or something (if I had one…)
Tradlands – I received the Tourist Jet, the JJ and the Catt in chalk to review for you this week! I settled on smalls in all the tops and they are WONDERFUL. I’m going to wear them this next week and during our vacation to Costa Rica the week after and be back with more comprehensive reviews of each, but my first impressions are very good; the quality is superb – the buttons even are substantial, and there is NO GAP at the bust. And the t-shirt is opaque, and simple, but well-fitting. More later!!
Everlane linen – I received the dress in black (size 8) and the white collarless shirt in size 6. I haven’t worn them yet, but I do love Everlane’s linen shirts, not so much the linen t-shirts. You may remember I got last year’s dress in the blue color, but gave it to my sister, because…blue. This year’s is the same I think, and nice, but sort of overwhelming on me. It’s not too big, because of my hips/butt, but I swim a little in the top part, and wish it was more open. And the white shirt is good and a nice shape to wear with high-waisted pants, or with jeans – I’ll post an outfit next week. Out of all Everlane’s linen, the relaxed linen shirt is one of my favorites; it fits really well, and is great for a nice relaxed, easy look for summer.
Reading
What about recycled polyester? – following on our discussion of washing polyester/synthetic fabrics, here is a nice look at the eco-friendliness of recycled polyester. Still, the microfibers-in-the-ocean problem from washing said garments persists though.
Also, take a look at the hierarchy of shopping for fabrics she mentions:
1. 100% organic, natural fibers.
2. 100% recycled polyester.
3. Blended organic and recycled polyester.
3. 100% natural fibers.
4. 100% polyester.
5. Conventional blended.
I have always put any “natural” fiber (cotton, linen, hemp, etc.) above synthetic, but if it is NOT organic, perhaps that’s a mistake. Ugh. I’m trying. But I know I should do better about forgoing conventional cotton.
14 Sustainable and Ethical Fashion Myths that Need to Die
And…I did not forget, just late in choosing winners for the Everlane giveaway. Carolsue won the shoes and Gillian Leonard wins the $50 gift card! Look for emails ladies, and thanks for playing 🙂
First things first: please, please, please keep and wear your Beklina swimsuit. Changing the leg is a cheap and easy fix…..easier than hemming a skirt (but one does have to have the right machine stitch to prevent fabric tears and running!) Think of it as an opportunity to customize the legs to your exact preference given the extra fabric.
Next: Almost completely disagree with first article and almost completely agree with second! lol! My problem with the first article is basically giving up too soon. We did have stretch before polyester, back in the neanderthal days ;-), and can do even better now, due to much more sophisticated knitting/weaving techniques and fabric blends. In addition, would vigorously challenge her “noble hierarchy.” It’s not just what (poly vs “natural”) but in what proportion. For
basic stretch and shape retention in a product, very little synthetic can go a long way, if properly done. Not talking about shapewear here! Just comfort and reduction of bagging out. Finally, her hierarchy doesn’t include consideration of what is meant by “organic”, growth vs. processing vs. shipping vs packaging. An issue I know she is aware of, because she’s written a great post about it previously!
Lastly, in honour of Fashion Revolution Week, I would like to commend to the attention of your readers People Tree, a UK fashion brand that has won numerous accolades for it’s sustainable and fair trade fashion. It’s not cutting edge stuff, but it’s inexpensive, pretty, functional and ethical. And I find it can easily be made a little more arty and upscale than is presented on the site: e.g. wearing the dresses loosely instead of with the ties, mixing the dresses with the wide pants, etc.
I have the Chimala jeans, they’re a little more baggy/slouchy on me than my shorty jeans. I wasn’t sure about the ivory color but it turns out I wear them often.
so….if i was to get them, should i take my same shorty size???
now i feel i must.
If you can alter the Beklina suit I vote for that! Especially since I reminded you about it so I feel partially responsible for your purchase. 😉
Excited to hear your thoughts about the Tradelands shirts! I’ve been wanting to check those out. Oh, did you see Elizabeth Suzaan’s home feature on A Cup of Joe blog? She seems like such a lovely person?
haha! well, i’m going to wear it as-is this trip, and then see what i think. honestly, if i just fold the legs under a little, it give me the desired effect for right now. altering things ALWAYS makes me nervous. like i’m going to ruin them. so i might take it to my mom over the summer and use her expertise!
i will keep it, and maybe alter it, maybe not. that always makes me so nervous. like i said in response to jen’s comment, i might take it to my mom over the summer and see what she thinks (she used to be a “tailor”). the weird/good thing about it though is that it’s all cotton – so it’s more like a body suit instead of a swimsuit. which is a little odd? but don’t know why it wouldn’t work? i guess i’d be more nervous about it falling apart faster though, from sitting on the concrete in the pool or in the sand? AND, it will DEFINITELY take longer to dry LOL
i completely dropped the ball on fashion revolution week because i didn’t plan anything, and got caught up just trying to keep my head above water every day. thanks for mentioning people tree. i appreciate the brand, but have a hard time finding pieces i like…
and love your input on alden’s articles – agree on needing much less “stretch” than we think – and after reverting back to 100% cotton jeans, and natural fabrics for clothing, i don’t really feel like i need a lot of poly in my clothes, except for workout wear. i’ve shifted mostly over to 100% cotton panties and bras, although i know the elastic, etc. has poly in them.
I love my Tradlands shirt– completely agree with you about the quality– amazing!! So glad you are trying them. Have a terrific weekend.
Grechen, do you think the Beklina suit would work for a long torso? I am hesitant to purchase because of the no refund policy. It’s too bad…I like a lot on the site but have very rarely purchased due to not being able to get a refund if something doesn’t work.
i didn’t think i could love her more…
and she’s only 27. wow.
well, i have to admit i probably wouldn’t have bought it either because of the no refund policy, but i didn’t even look that far. and who am i to be frustrated with no refunds since i myself don’t offer them on slowre? ugh.
anyway, yes, i do think the suit would work on a variety of body types – it fits really well, and maybe if my torso was longer, it wouldn’t look SO short-y on me? keep in mind that it’s not “swimsuit” material, so there’s no sucking in happening (which is both good & bad LOL).
100 percent cotton in a swim suit? Bold! Please try asap and report back. (I went back and read the reviews…..which are all 5 star……but none of the reviewers has admitted to whether or not they’ve swam in them yet (…..or sat on rocky shores.)
As to People Tree, I hesitated before including it in my post (I knew it wouldn’t be for you!) but I just like to spread the word for some who don’t have the resources to buy designer level product.
Yes! The reviews are amazing which is why I went ahead and ordered. And I think Alyssa has it? But you’re right, no one mentions swimming. To be fair I don’t swim I just sit or play in the waves at the beach lol
I always want to do better at featuring brands that may not necessarily be my “taste” but are still doing great things. I just tend to get caught up in the things I really fall in love with instead!
In regards to synthetic fibers ending up in the watershed/ocean, someone actually created a device (looks like a plastic sea anemone) on Kickstarter (it is fully funded already) that you put in your washing machine that is very effective at grabbing the loose fibers. It is called a Cora Ball and they are available for pre-order on Kickstarter still.
Obviously it doesn’t completely mitigate the environmental impact of synthetics, but there are drawbacks with every type of material, and recycling plastic into things like fleece sweaters and yoga pants is better than putting them into landfills.
I very recently bought this and haven’t worn it yet. It does work on longer torsos (I am 5’4″ with a longer torso and shorter legs). I’m possibly going to return for store credit (I’m still within that window) because I just know I won’t wear it as a body suit and I wanted it to be multi-purpose. I can’t see wanting to walk around with an exposed back all summer, mainly because I am so fair skinned. If you are interested in a size medium, let me know – I would absolutely discount it instead of returning for credit! Not sure if there’s anything else I am interested in online.
my jaw dropped when i saw she was 27! i feel so old and unaccomplished!
I do have it! And I used it for swimming and it worked WAY better than I expected it to for feeling like a bodysuit instead of a swimsuit (aka it dried quickly, which is really all I expect of a swimsuit!)
It seems like a great vacation item to pack since it works just as well as a bodysuit as a swimsuit, IMO.
I need to fangirl for a moment because Liz answered one of myES Customer Support questions yesterday… !!! I practically squealed in my office! I didn’t see the Cup of Jo post yet but I’ll go find it now… she’s only 27?!?! Geez.
oh!! what question did you ask?? LOL 🙂
to be fair, i didn’t notice when that post was published, so it could be old, but still…
Ha! I asked about sizing Clydes/Tilda pants for my fiance, because he liked the look of them in the CWC shoot where Liz’s husband is wearing them and is shamelessly obsessed with linen in the summer. I just figured it was such an “out there” question that only Liz could answer, but I was SO excited to get a personal email from her!
I’m glad you made the point about when it was published, because I had the same thought… I couldn’t help but wonder if it was an old interview, based on how they look in pictures (compared to more recent pictures I’ve seen) and I thought that they bought a house offsite (from my very stealthy Instagram stalking)?
WHAT? where is this picture of liz’s husband in her pants??
as if i could get my husband to wear any such thing. he is sooooooooooo old-fashioned and conservative in his dress.
https://elizabethsuzann.com/blogs/stories/cwc-the-es-team
6th picture down, 10th picture down, 18th picture down….
I think so, they run pretty true to size. They are a really substantial denim so it takes a while for them to relax. They’re very comfortable but I don’t tend to wear them on super warm days, not much of a problem in the Bay Area!
If you do get them it’ll be interesting to see what you think.
Me too!!!
I got the Everlane linen dress in black too… It hasn’t arrived yet and I hope I got the sizing right. I have to exchange about 50% of what I buy from Everlane. I wish I could figure out the sizing.
Grechen, I’m so excited to have won the Everlane gift card! There are several things I’ve been eyeing–the linen shirt dress (Did you find it too long? I notice the model is 5’10”), the silk square shirt dress, the linen collarless square shirt …. I’ve never ordered from Everlane and am really looking forward to placing my first order. Thank you! Also looking forward to wearing the Eileen Fisher tank dress I bought from Slowre earlier this year. It fits perfectly!
the shirt dress is a good length for me, it hits about an inch below my knee – which is where i like things to hit, although it’s longer generally than what is typically “flattering” – it does tend to overtake me since it’s bigger up top on me. shirt dresses just aren’t great for me in general because of my wider hips and smaller waist. and the button gaps when i sit. argh.
the sizing is all over the place. i have a size 8 in the dress and it barely fits my hips, although it will stretch.
Lol! Same here.
I love that dress, but hesitate because of the sizing, too. But now I’m in love with the Relaxed Linen Shirt in Indigo.
I think I may be the only one that wasn’t crazy about my Tradlands shirt! Their customer service was exceptional, and so was the quality, but I just felt too “sturdy” in it! This was right after they started up, tho, so maybe things are a little less “preppy”?!?
ES is only 27? Dang!
Lol. I have a slim torso/stomach and the areas that needs sucking in are my hips and thighs…so no bathing suits help with that! I do fear that the bottom of this style suit may not be very flattering on me, but the reviews make me want it! Thanks for your input.
Hi! Thanks for letting me know. Can you email me about what you would be willing to sell it for? [email protected]
Thanks!
I am about the same size as Grechen in most things, but more straight up and down in shape. (I used to have the same my bust doesn’t match my waist doesn’t match my hips issues prior to menopause, but am more “industry standard” now…due to loss of breast tissue and gain of waist tissue. ) For me, in Everlane, the sizing is very predictable. I size down for boyfriend (I fit the boyfriend in 6, but due to my tiny head feel a little overwhelmed), take a 6 for classic cuts, and size up for form-fitting (I can fit into the 6 but don’t like showing the shape of my belly and thighs.) So for anyone who is curvy, some fitting may be necessary. For anyone who is straight up and down, I would take your usual size. If you have a short waist, maybe stay away from the pants!