Mother jeans (just trying out, not sure if I’m keeping yet)
Everlane cashmere crew (a couple years old)
Hansel from Basel socks
Nicora vegan clogs
Mara Hoffman organic cotton corduroy jacket (small)
Remember a long time ago when I did that thing where I would just get dressed, then not change my outfit a million times afterwards? Well, I’m doing it again. My new mantra is just get fucking dressed.
I’m bowing out of the overthinker olympics, someone else can have my gold medal. I’m tired of overthinking everything.
I’m doing it with these jeans today, but have to sit in them a while before I decide to keep them. But this is the outfit I would wear today if I was just going to get fucking dressed. It’s easy, warm, simple, but chic (in my opinion), and suits me for today. I will be at the dentist’s office for a crown for a couple hours. Otherwise, it’s rainy and cool here again so I’ll be hibernating this evening with some soup.
And here are my new Nicora vegan clogs. I would really like to buy less new leather, but I’ve not often been tempted by a lot of the “vegan” alternatives out there. For one thing, most faux leather is petroleum-based, and NOT great for the environment, and for another, I’m not attracted to many of the non-leather brands/styles generally.
Until I saw these clogs. These are nearly identical to the No6 mid-heel clogs I was planning on ordering, except they’re made with Nicora’s vegan Kind leather, which is plant-based, not PVC, so it’s animal and eco-friendly. There’s definitely a difference in the feel of the “leather” and I’m not sure how they will wear over time, but so far, I am happy with them. They’re comfortable (feel like wooden clogs!) and fit well with socks.
I think the code “xiao” is still valid for $40 off, and I’m wearing the 39, which fits me well for a size 8. More on them later, after I wear them out more (I’ve worn them around the house for a couple of days).
Finally. Everlane again. In case you’ve missed all the hype (eye roll), Everlane launched their renew collection today with fleece and puffer jackets made from recycled polyester. I am 100% on board with this and was happy to support them by ordering a couple of pieces haha. Of course, I’ve had my ups and downs with Everlane, and I have a hard time with the way a lot of pieces fit, but I do appreciate that they offer a more responsible alternative to mass retailers, and fit a lot of people very well. And I am pleased with how open they’ve been about continuing to move forward and get better.
I ordered the fleece half-zip in oat, size small, and the lightweight half-zip puffer in stone, also small. I hope they fit, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they are too snug at my hips. We’ll see!!
Happy Wednesday 🙂
Why do you/we feel an urge to order with every new Everlane thing? So what, it is ReNew? Do we need it? Aren’t we (and the planet) better off staying away from falling into the cycle of consumerism if we don’t truly need an item?
i can only speak for me personally, not “we,” but yes, i did used to receive/order almost every new item Everlane came out with, but have stepped back from that for the most part. I’m not perfect.
i ordered the items because i desperately need a new warm pullover and puffer jacket to replace mine from patagonia that are now too big, and which i will happily pass on to my sister. i could have ordered patagonia, but i wanted to try these.
i also ordered the items to review them here for people who might be interested in ordering them and want to see them on a person and get an honest review of them. in that way, contrary though it may seem, i am trying to encourage mindful consumerism – i have always just tried to provide as much information as possible so that people can be educated BEFORE they buy anything. I do not mean to encourage mindless consumerism, but i have no control over how or on what anyone else spends their money.
of course we are “better” off staying out of the cycle of consumerism if we can do it, but it’s not realistic for many people. nor can we all do it, all of the time.
judging anyone doesn’t really help either to be honest.
I appreciate your reviews, Grechen. Living in Canada, it isn’t always easy to find eco-friendly clothing (in my experience) that isn’t too “granola”. So when I discovered Everlane, I was pretty happy. That being said though, if I order anything from them, I am super-mindful about it and want to be sure that whatever I order is going to fit, look good and last a long time, so I don’t have to go through the hassle of sending it back. Your reviews are super-helpful in this regard. Also with other brands. So keep ’em coming, if it works for you!
Which Mother jeans are these? I like the look…Mother are curvy-friendly and therefore work well for me. The Everlane pieces look really cute and cozy!
they’re the rambler ankle jeans – i ordered them from nordstrom and they seem to be sold out . i like them a lot, but they’re not quite comfortable enough sitting for very long, sadly…i’m wearing the size 28. i wonder what they would fit like in the 29 – maybe sit a little lower, they could be interesting!!
i’d never tried mother denim before, but now you have me interested in try again – what styles do you like?
Those clogs look nice. I feel the same way about the faux leather – it’ll take some getting used to but it seems high quality . I ordered some really lovely vegan sneaker-boots from Po-Zu, too, and the “suede” is wearing much better than I expected so far.
I have been on an Everlane kick recently because I have SO MUCH store credit from referrals. It’s kind of worth it to buy stuff for resale on ebay and do a review on the way. I have a puffer from last year’s line so I don’t have a reason to try the Renew one. I was thinking about getting a fleece but then I would feel like I needed to buy one of those poly-microfiber catching “guppy bags,” too.
I love this look 🙂 A black T or sweater + jeans was my usual just get dressed look for a long while. Now it is pretty much an oversized linen dress. I’m a bit heavier now so the jeans and top combo isn’t what I’m most comfy in. I do head to Seattle next week so I need to get comfortable with it stat as it is too cold now for my at home wardrobe.
Mother jeans are so great but I haven’t tried these. Both of my pairs are the Looker skinny style (high waisted).
Btw, I loved the Andy trousers from Slowre (I think they were probably your personal pair too?). I do need to hem the length so it’s cropped. It’ actually full length on me now and I tried to wear them that way but the wider leg threw off the proportion with any shoe I tried (my feet are really small so showing ankle with a wider pant usually helps balance me out with any fullness on top of a full figure). I’m so glad they fit loosely. I have the Florence silk shorts in the same size and they are a bit tight on me. The Andy was nice and comfy. I do need to wear them high for the pleat to lay right and look flattering, as intended.
I didn’t read it as judgy, but as a question any sustainable / ethical blogger should be asking themselves with every purchase and review. Its unfortunate you took offense and responded this way.
Agree with you, Jen, and that’s why I’ve stopped reading this blog. Swung by to see if things had changed, but no they have not. Bummer.
The Hustler styles are my favorite, but each pair seems to fit differently, so it can be tricky! I find that they run more or less true to size, but the higher rise styles I tend to need a larger size in to be comfortable. They all tend to have a good amount of stretch, but it doesn’t seem to compromise the quality. I will admit they won’t last you years and years, but the two Hustler styles I have I have been wearing a lot for the past two years and they are still going strong.
I also agree about Grechen being very thin-skinned, and hypocritical when it comes to clothes.
As a reminder, Patagonia has been using recycled polyester for almost 30 years and offer a lifetime warranty. There are many companies that use recycled plastic for fleece. I feel Everlane’s latest launch of their renew collection is just one more example of marketing.
yes, of course, other companies do it, lots of companies are working with recycled polyester. and i appreciate that patagonia’s been doing it for a lot longer. i’d rather support patagonia, honestly, than everlane. but i realize there are people out there who prefer everlane’s price point, so wanted to give a perspective on what everlane has to offer right now.
But also, it’s all marketing isn’t it? patagonia engages in smart marketing too…
hi rebbecca – just curious, what is it that you’d hoped had changed?
you’ve read for a while, i’m genuinely interested in what turned you off about me recently.
you’re right, the “question” itself was a valid one, and i took it a little personally.
it’s hard to not take certain things personally on a blog that i put so much of myself into though. i’m human. and a very sensitive one at that 🙂
but also, it was in fact, a judgement on us/me and our/my falling into the cycle of consumerism. with everlane specifically.
i can’t win. i know that. i can’t make everyone like me, or understand me, or believe that i’m trying to balance things in the best way that i can. i believe and know it myself and most of the time that’s enough. but sometimes the criticism cuts harder. and the idea that what i’m trying to say and do isn’t getting through to some people feels frustrating sometimes. that’s all.
Marketing is how all companies reach their targeted consumers. Consumers decide whether that particular retailer offers an item at their preferred price point, aesthetic, etc. In my opinion, Patagonia and Everlane are trying to reach two different groups, and although the concept of recycling plastic into clothing or outerwear isn’t new at all, Everlane is probably going to be successful with their campaign and targeted demographic. If that’s a demographic another company wants to reach, they should probably step up their marketing game too, I guess.
Hey Grechen, I know how hard it can be to put yourself out there as this is a personal blog. Also, any time one chooses to blog about sustainability and being eco friendly it is always rough as it is difficult (make that impossible) to have no impact.
That said, I didn’t read this comment as a judgement of you but rather saw it as rhetorical and in line with your own narrative about the hype of the release. I saw it as a comment about Everlane and not you personally.
I totally get you blog about clothing and it is part of your job to review new items. It is one of the reasons I found you and also one of the reasons I search your blog when I’m looking to buy a new piece. I think many of your readers get that.
Hugs to you my dear…
It’s also annoying when you use lowercase letters like “i” to start sentences. It’s sloppy and grammatically incorrect.