Kit & Ace Loose is More shorts (size 10)
James Perse casual tee
Robert Clergerie Pepo sandals | sold out
I’ve been looking for a pair of shorts for a while. I don’t wear shorts, as a rule, but I want to. I do have a pair of denim shorts I cut off from my oldest pair of Goldsign jeans (12 years old), but they’re not very comfortable (low-rise) and rather snug on my thighs. So, I’ve been searching for a pair of shorts with lots of pockets, that are much looser overall, and potentially appropriate for wearing in public. I had this pair at Kit & Ace in mind, and tried them on, but they’re shorter than I wanted. Not too short, but short, and stiff. And then I tried on the shorts I’m wearing above. Obviously you see how it ended, but I thought about it for a LONG time, and really struggled with deciding to buy them.
In the end, I decided to get the shorts because while they look “dressy”, they’re not, and since they’re Kit & Ace, they’re entirely washable, pre-shrunk, and sturdy. AND they have lots of pockets, which is a requirement for me if I’m going to REALLY wear them (for life, and things like walking Dagny). The shorts, however, are well outside my comfort zone. But also not. I don’t typically embrace menswear this literally, and I don’t always like low-slung styles on me, but they are gray, and they cover my knees. They’re big on me, since I had to size up to fit my thighs, and could maybe stand to be shortened a bit, and taken in at the waist, but I’m going to wear them as-is for a little while before I make any tweaks.
*a note on Kit & Ace sizing, and sustainability: sizing at Kit & Ace is so wonky – I took a size 10 in these shorts, tried on a size 6 in the others, and my pants are a size 8. For that reason, I have a hard time recommending buying anything online, but they do have a very good return policy, and lots of stores popping up here and there. My shorts are final sale though. And sustainability – I can’t say that the company is “inherently sustainable,” and they don’t provide a lot of information about supply chain, etc., BUT they do pay very careful attention to the quality and longevity of their products, with regular life and wear at the heart of their designs, which lends itself to a more sustainable wardrobe. Everything is made with washable fabric, won’t change shape, and is designed to hold up to lots of washing and wearing. So in that way, the company does have sustainability in mind; the products are meant to be WORN and hold up over time, so you don’t need to replace them, or worry about them falling apart. I can’t really speak to longevity beyond a year, I’ve had my tank for about a year and it still looks like new, and is ridiculously easy to wash/wear.
Ulla Johnson Nadia overalls (size 6) | black in stock at Shopbop
James Perse slub crew neck tee
Beek Finch sandals
And here are the Ulla Johnson overalls I wrote about last week. If the leg was a little wider on me, I probably would have kept them, because they’re really cool, but I already sent them back. I knew the leg would be slimmer on me than on the model/Ulla Johnson, because I have thick legs, but I hoped they wouldn’t look as tapered as they do. Oh well. At least I tried them, so now I can get them out of my head; I know they don’t work on me and I can move on. Done, and done. IF you like them, and you are interested in denim overalls, then I do recommend these; they’re sturdy, easy to get on and off, have lots of pockets, and are really comfortable. They’re slouchy, and “different,” but that just makes them more unique and interesting. I don’t like that they’re made in China though….
Finally, I also ordered the James Perse linen romper with their free shipping code last week, and sent it back the day it arrived. I put pictures and more info in the forums if you’re interested. I will use the forums as a place to put short, quick reviews, so please check in over there every so often. You can do the same; post pictures, ask for advice, etc. etc – I’d love to see the community more active, I think it will be a great supplement to the comments section on the blog, and perhaps a little more organized?
OH, and in case you don’t check Shopbop as often as I do, they’re having an extra 25% off sale items code right now: EXTRA25 🙂 (these Goldsign Brigitte jeans are a great pair of gray slim/slightly slouchy jeans if you’re looking for that – they were a little snug on me in the calves, but if you’re more slim of leg than I am, they’d be wonderful!)
Awwww, I love the denim overalls on you – I wish they could have stayed. So cute.
thank you chris 🙂
I think the overalls look great! But if they don’t feel right, they don’t feel right. I wondered how they would look on a “regular” person , and they are cute!
I know you sent them back, but the overalls!!! Heart eye emoji!!! On the hunt for a classic vintage pair myself.
I absolutely LOVED, LOVED, LOVED those overalls on you! It’s my favorite look so far on you over the past week or so. I’m now inspired to wear my Eileen Fisher linen ones today with a white tank. I might need to try those Ulla Johnsons myself!
Not a big fan of the shorts, sorry….they look very “mom style” to me. But that’s my hang-up that you shouldn’t take personally. They look like the culottes I used to wear in the 80s. And they weren’t great then either. I remember specifically I had a green pair that I wore with a shrunken pink Lacoste polo… I shudder at the memory!
oh my gosh you guys!!! i PACKAGED them up to send back…but now you’re making me have second thoughts…….
i agree on the shorts, they ARE very mom style, or normcore, and 80’s culottes, which is why i had such a hard time with them at first, but they’re also sort of interesting, and different, and comfortable and practical 🙂 not particularly flattering…but…
haha 🙂
i haven’t actually taken the box back to the post office yet….it’s waiting all ready to go. and now you guys are making me wonder if i should keep them!!!
Yes, keep the overalls, absolutely!
…I think the shorts are adorable!
I ditto the love for the overalls! Do you think if they were hemmed that they would flare out a little bit more as opposed to how they look now rolled up? Is it possible that the extra fabric at the bottom may be weighing them down a bit, thus making them look more tapered? No pressure to keep them, obviously, since it only matters how you feel about them and if you’d actually wear them, but I think they’re so cute!
I’m delurking to tell you to keep the overalls. They’re so cute–unique and flattering and they translate really well outside of the model world. That being said, you should only if you feel you’re comfortable in them. I have one friend with whom I cannot shop, because she always encourages me to buy things that I don’t want to buy but end up buying anyway because she’s so persuasive. Don’t let us persuade you if you really don’t feel like they’re the right choice for you.
Seriously, take the overalls out of the box and keep them! Shorts definitely need some work…need some hemming and taking in. And definitely different shoes…the ones in the pic truncate your legs and make them look shorter than they are!
I think you look cute in the shorts; cool day outfit! And the overalls, they look crazy good on you! Sometimes stepping outside the comfort zone is a good thing. You may not feel comfortable at first, but in time you might–like the first day of a new job….not comfortable, but in time one grows into it!
What size are those overalls? I want them now!
Size 6
Love the overalls!!! You look great in them.
HOLY SHIZZ, Batman!!! Why on earth would you even consider sending those overalls back??? You look incredible in them. Seriously (said in my best “mother knows best” tone of voice).
And the shorts are just right, too, IMO. I love the length. They hit at the right spot. So cute!
I think the overalls look great on you. Just tight enough in the leg. I actually didn’t like them as much on the model (too slouchy)!
The shorts, not so much. They’re soooo conservative..
But it’s such a personal thing — shorts that cover the knee + pleats are two of my dislikes.
Seriously, maybe try the overalls with a few other things. I think they’d look cool with a blousy top underneath them.
Keep those OVERALLS and ditch the mom shorts!
BTW did you ever see the SNL Mom Jeans clip on You Tube! Hilarious!!!!!
lol
well if you say so 😉
Definitely keep those overalls! I think they are very flattering and look lovely on you. And I never ever like overalls!
I like the overalls on you! But I can see how a wider leg would be so great too. I know exactly what you mean about trying to stop the obsessing. I sometimes feel relieved when I finally try a style and it doesn’t work on me. It’s like whew, I can stop thinking about that now. Thank you for the info on Kit & Ace, I’ve been eyeing their site for awhile, especially the knits. Shorts is a weekend staple for me. I have curvy thighs and find it is easier not to cover them up with shorts or bathing suits. My first reaction to a 30lb weight gain was to go longer or more covered up but it made it hard to fit my shape and I didn’t like the look on me. I felt my thighs looked bigger and my legs shorter with a longer short. Also my thighs make the short move around too much when I walk and I feel like I’m constantly pulling. So I usually go for a soft denim boyfriend short with stretch & a cuff, something short but not super short. I size up so I can wear a little lower slung and belted. I have one or two pairs at any time that I wear until shredded. Usually in a premium denim brand (right now I have a Joe’s and a Current/Elliott). Same think with a bikini, something smaller actually works better for me.
One of my faves of all times!!!
Never commented but KEEP THE OVERALLS! Or sell them to me 🙂 They look rad on you.
I gotta say that the overalls looked so good on you! Bummed they were sent back but I get that you didn’t like them for yourself and in the end , that’s all that matters?
I think the overalls look great on you, but def understand you have to love them. BTW – the black ones were new to ShopBob today and I took the plunge. They completely sold out of them today as well in all sizes…
Yea, thanks for call=out to another canadian company!
Oh and the coveralls are amazing….sooooo cool and modern. There;s no way I can afford Ulla, but I can still enjoy vicariously!
I also vote the overalls up. I think they look great.
Gretchen,
I am what you might call a casual reader of your blog, and I have not previously commented, but feel compelled to after seeing that you were sending back the overalls. I will say that I’m not the biggest fan of overalls, generally, but these look good on you. Since I started reading your blog a year or so ago, I keep wondering why you wear clothes that seem to baggy? You’re not a big woman, bugt yet you wear things that jide tour figure. I get it, though. I’m bigger than you, but I’ve come to realize that baggy clothing makes me look bigger than I am. It would be my guess that the reason so many readers are encouraging you to keep the overalls is due to the fact that they look good on you. In the end, you have to do what makes you comfortable, and I get that as well.
Oh, one other thing unrelated to overalls :), after reading one your recent posts related to how you eat, I tried kombucha (minus the gin, though that could be in the offing), and I LOVE it!
Thanks, Marla
Those overalls are so freakin’ cute!