Elizabeth Suzann clyde culottes (size 8 short)
Organic by John Patrick organic cotton striped shirt (small) | sold out
Birkenstock Birko-Flor sandals
I’m in a spew-whatever-randomness-that-happens-to-come-out-of-my-mouth kind of mood, so hang on…
Actually I’m writing this yesterday (Monday) after also writing a very stream-of-consciousness post on wearing my Lauren Manoogian skirt to Target & Whole Foods, so it could just be I’m in a “mood,” i.e. hormonal.
Because I felt sort of bad about writing that post. Like it’s enough already, no? Do I need to write again (remember harem pants at Costco?) about my struggle to wear what I want while also sort of wanting to fit in? And then I admitted that I can be sort of judgy sometimes, which is very out of fashion, as it were. Just like we’re not supposed to admit that sometimes we’re hard on ourselves anymore. It used to be that we were expected to be self-deprecating, and hard on ourselves to avoid seeming arrogant or bitchy (not that that’s right either). Now, we’re supposed to feel empowered and beautiful all the time. Well, I’m not perfect, are you?
More than anything I am a growing, evolving human being, with tons of faults. I am critical by nature, mostly of myself, but also of others. Like, seriously why do we need french pedicures? and bejeweled ANYTHING? I used to read Go Fug Yourself religiously and got sucked down the rabbit hole of Get Off My Internets years ago. Until I showed up in more than one discussion there, and realized I was reading it to feel better about myself because they were tearing down OTHER bloggers, not me. BURN. Yeah, I’m really ashamed of that, but I did it. I don’t anymore.
I just write what I’m thinking, and some days I think about what I’m wearing more than others. Today I’m not really thinking about my outfit. If I was, I probably wouldn’t wear it, because it’s very bright. Talk about standing out. But I put everything on and didn’t think about it again. I stayed home all day anyway, working on photographing new arrivals for slowre (hence the camera), until I burned my hand and had to go to walgreens to get more band-aids.
Anyway, a couple more random thoughts:
I didn’t order any underwear from Everlane, but of course they’re already getting glowing reviews *shrugs*. I was most interested in the body suit, because I think I’d wear one with jeans, or my florence pants, or even these pants, as a simple, stay-put layer. BUT, Everlane’s body suits don’t have snaps or a closure at the crotch. Excuse me? How are you supposed to use the bathroom? You would literally have to get undressed or pull it to the side, which yes, I have done in a bathing suit in an emergency, but no, I would not do that now. Ew. Also, it seems like everything is backordered and I don’t care enough to wait. Did anyone else order anything?
And it looks like Liz from Elizabeth Suzann is participating in the 10×10 this go-round. meh. I don’t like the 10×10 or capsule wardrobes anyway, and this one feels way too overdone (like how many times do you need to do a 10×10 challenge? Aren’t you supposed to learn something from your 10 items and use that to create an actual smaller wardrobe? I don’t understand…) and honestly no more than a lot of fangirling on the founders. So I was kind of disappointed that Liz would jump on the bandwagon and give it even more credence. And the gift card giveaway (Liz is giving away 10 $100 GC to one person each day) takes it to a whole other level; people will be “competing” to create the best outfits or whatever, just to get noticed and win a GC.
Yeah, also I may just be an old curmudgeon, but blogging, instagram, and challenges like this all feel SO contrived and over the top lately and not much more than a way to get noticed. I’m over it and will be taking a break from instagram during the 10×10 probably. I am happy with the people I follow, generally, and love to see what they post normally, but many participate in the 10×10 and I’m just not even interested…
Speaking of ES, the lead time on garments has gone up again, and Liz has been quite open on Instagram about facing new challenges with so many orders coming in. No word on what, if anything, is going to change…
Finally, so weird I clicked through Accidental Icon to this article yesterday after posting the questions I ask when getting dressed. From Lessons on the philosophy of Fashion from Roland Barths:
“In short, the woman who wears fashion finds herself asked four questions: Who? What? When? Where? Her utopian garment always answers at least one of these questions.”
Hmmm….
” I was most interested in the body suit, because I think I’d wear one with jeans, or my florence pants, or even these pants, as a simple, stay-put layer. BUT, Everlane’s body suits don’t have snaps or a closure at the crotch. ” YES YES YES MY EXACT THOUGHTS. I was mildly interested in the bodysuit, but the no snaps have me like, well that’s a waste. Such a miss. I can’t fathom what the reasoning for that was except a cost cutting measure. But the hype over the brand is such that enough people don’t seem to care. I do look forward to hearing people’s reviews though. The bra looks like something maybe I’d be interested in later on after hype has died down.
I had similar thoughts too seeing Liz talk about the 10×10. The giveaway around it seems to fly in the face of the intention, which is to do more with less. Liz wants to grow her business, but not too fast. Well, the train is kind of wildly running away already. Why would you do promotional giveaway an encourage people to buy more of your product when you are already struggling to keep up with demand?
But it’s hard. In a way, she can’t win. Once someone becomes successful, they get subjected to such scrutiny, no move is the right move. It’s easy to criticize. I acknowledge having critical thoughts like these but also I try to live my own life and not let the target of my critical thoughts actually influence my actions. After all, how does it affect me for other people to choose to participate in a “challenge” like this? It doesn’t. I’ll be over here, wearing what I wear, making my own decisions.
It’s interesting that you talk about GOMI because I think a lot of what started that as a place is people wanting to know that there were other people that had similar thoughts, unpopular opinions perhaps, about things they were reading and experiencing. That’s a valid thing. Tearing people down on the other hand — not cool. I think there does need to be room for conversation that isn’t always glowing and obsequious though. That’s just reality.
As we find our niches increasingly online instead of in person, it’s natural to seek out forums for things like that. It’s why I value reading blogs like yours Grechen, because you allow yourself to entertain ideas like these without censure. There’s room for respectful discussion of these issues!
thanks for your honesty as always, grechen. right now i’m wearing wide leg eileen fisher jeans and a giant oversized (secondhand) sweater from no 6 store, and i am well aware of how my weird/sloppy outfit costs more than a week’s worth of clothes for most. but i wear the same things over and over and over, so i tell myself it’s okay, even though i would never want anyone to know “who” i’m wearing at the risk of seeming like a shallow shopaholic.
don’t get me started on 10×10. based on the internet chatter i’ve seen, people feel compelled to shop in order to participate and make it fun for themselves, which totally defeats the purpose (i think that for some, getting something new is the only way to feel like you’re generating “good” social media content), + so many participants shop at the same few retailers, so everyone kind of ends up dressing the same, and to me it’s not very inspirational. the branding of it just comes across as gross to me (and i’m not sure how someone can claim to “own” a 10×10 challenge, sorry).
i am awaiting a petra crop top in linen right now, and afraid of how cropped it will be, but hoping to wear it with high waisted pants as well as over dresses…. i am not minding the wait at least, since it won’t be warm enough to wear it for quite some time!
YES! WTHeck were they thinking with no closures on the bodysuit. I can’t wear that.
And also, yes, I basically hate the 10×10. It’s really just a game people play that has been given too much philosophical meaning. I am also a very judgmental *cough cough* discerning person who works very hard to not come across that way in the world. But it’s not always a bad thing. You have to have critics. At least, that’s what I think.
No closures on the bodysuit? Wow. I wouldn’t even have thought to check….seems obvious.
As to ES….I have been put off, almost offended by her “hyping” style for some time. Why do they do it? They have almost more custom than they can handle, yet it seems they want to keep people on their social media every day or hour or you miss a video or something else. Deliberately creating fast sell-outs too, it seems. It seems more media buzz oriented than client oriented now, where it used to be the opposite. I haven’t decided yet, but I feel I may put my linen purchases towards Black Crane instead. I don’t know what the quality difference is, not having purchased Black Crane before, but it’s a lot cheaper and I like the styles and colours, and I also feel like I don’t need anymore beige, navy, white, black. Anyone out there have some recommendations for other ES similar styles in pure cotton or linen? I have one Miranda Bennett dress, and I feel like that is enough too.
I came to your website today specifically hoping you had said something about ES and 10×10! I’ve done it before and I’ve done 30×30 which I liked much better, but that was two years ago, and really, how many times can you do it and post about it?! I’m also not an outfit poster on IG so I’d never participate that way anyway…
ES (or maybe just Liz) has been coming across as a little gimmicky in my opinion these days, and it’s rubbing me the wrong way. I love ES garments and I liked the simple authenticity of the brand, although lately I’m turned off… I’ll probably buy some more items through STES and eBay as I find them, but not really interested in buying new from them at the moment. I’ve also heard about an increase in construction issues which I understand growing pains in a company, but the $$ + the wait time results in me having expectations that a piece be on-point construction-wise, not requiring an email to Customer Service.
i’ve actually thought about buying a pair of linen carpenter pants by black crane instead of ES florence or andy trousers. i think black crane’s linen is excellent – very close to ES, although i find ES to be more “stiff” and durable feeling? at least my harper top is, which is the only linen i have besides my woven petra top. i have had a pair of BC carpenter pants many many years ago and loved the fit, i just sold them because they were flannel, which i didn’t appreciate much in austin…
not perfect linen is an option also, but their pieces are definitely less substantial feeling than either ES or black crane. i’d try black crane first honestly…
haha!! yes, we are discerning 🙂
and excellent point about the 10×10 being a game given “too much philosophical meaning” – that’s exactly what’s happened! same with the capsule wardrobe craze altogether. which i have truly NEVER understood. i want a WHOLE WARDROBE, not capsules. and i don’t want to NOT wear what i’ve so painstakingly added to my wardrobe for periods of time as an exercise in abstinence. weird.
ha. i did a 10 piece challenge a million years ago by a different blogger (kendi everyday) and quit after a few days because i was like, wtf am i doing? why? i understand that they can be helpful to a certain extent, but you’re right – if you’re doing it for years on end and posting about it, what is the exercise?
i saw some comments about construction issues!! that is awful, really, especially having to wait another 4-6 weeks to get a replacement!! i would be so unhappy if that happened to me.
yes, that’s another thing i don’t get about the 10×10 or capsules in general, the shopping beforehand!!! i thought the whole point was to explore your closet and see the benefits of owning/wearing LESS. But people get caught up in having “the right” things for the challenge – which i totally understand; when i was trying to actually have less, i shopped MORE, trying to find the perfect this or that, because if i’m only going to have 10 0r 15 pieces, they must all be PERFECT, right? ha. that is not possible. it’s a never ending cycle…
so you do the challenge, learn what works and doesn’t work for you and move on.
and yes, whenever i see the 10×10 it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. and the sucking up to the “founders” (who you’re right, don’t own the challenge…), ugh.
Chiming in because I own two pairs of carpenter pants (black and tan/brown)! I love them for a lot of reasons. The fabric is very nice. They have huge pockets. Drape and cut is very thoughtful. No need to shimmy because there is plenty of fabric around the hips. They taper at the ankle almost a bit too much for my taste, but they make a great summer pant. Full disclosure, I’ve considered selling my tan pair especially now that I have added another blousy trouser-y pair of cotton/linen pants to my wardrobe. But I don’t know! Maybe. What’s nice about the Black Crane carpenters is they come back each year — so it’s a classic style you can choose to pick up or not. No hype.
I’m “young” and just DO NOT CARE about the 10×10 haha. I understand doing it once or twice (though, I personally haven’t) but it feels more produced every time. Meh. If other people are enjoying themselves and learning, that’s fine! Like Amy Poehler said “Good for her, not for me.”
I think I’m going to order some of the Everlane underwear. I need some new pairs anyway, and usually order from Pact, but the Everlane pairs are a little cheaper. I don’t really get the hype about it…I mean, it’s just basic underwear. Haha clearly I’m feeling a bit cynical today.
not having snaps on the bodysuit renders it completely useless though.. HOW DID NO ONE CATCH THAT?? like seriously , no WOMAN said, hey, uh, how am I supposed to use the bathroom in this ?? UGH. there aren’t any reviews on the body suit yet though, so that’s interesting. what a fucking waste of fabric, water, energy and time on everlane’s part.
on ES, i can’t even imagine how difficult it must be for her to run her business. it’s beyond my comprehension, seeing as how I’ve very deliberately chosen to stay small and niche-y both here on the blog and for slowre. the most important thing for me is to for both “businesses” to stay focused, and within my ability to manage them. and i think that’s what liz is struggling with now, but she simply cannot grow the company any larger without giving up some of that. it’s what founders have to deal with at small start-ups: giving up control and allowing the company to become something other than what they might have envisioned in the beginning. it’s also why founders don’t necessarily (hardly ever!!) make good CEOs. it’s a really hard balance though, and i don’t envy her at all.
clearly the business isn’t suffering though, so she’s doing a lot of things right. how long that will last, who knows? and then again, nothing lasts forever either.
yes on GOMI – totally agree. i read it for a long time, because there were discussions about legitimate issues and bringing to attention unethical things that were going on on a lot of the really big blogs. but as always happens on message boards, it turned really ugly and I didn’t want to engage with that anymore. being a focus of that negative energy really sucked too 🙁 and there was no “constructive criticism” of me, anyway, just opinions abounding on how poorly i dressed, and that i looked like i was 65, etc, etc., which sure, are valid opinions, but they’re just opinions. what am i supposed to do with those? everyone has one, and they’re all different 🙂
I don’t understand the 10X10, I don’t IG and I’m not a style blogger. I just like reading Grechen and seeing the slowre clothing 🙂 Wondering if you wore your striped shirt today because Une Femme wrote her blog yesterday about “how to wear a striped shirt”? 😉 I love it on you! (as a short busty woman, I do not wear stripes that thick – but I *do* still wear horizontally striped tops! Most conventionally flattering? Probably not. Do I care? Probably not….)
oh good one! “good for her, not for me” – i have to remember that 🙂
cynical is healthy!! we need more cynics i think…
let us know what you think about the underwear – i’m interested in it, just not enough to order and wait right now haha.
haha! no, i don’t read une femme anymore actually. i like her, but the blog just feels way too commercial/shopping centric to me lately and it’s not interesting 🙁
i REALLY wore the striped top because it’s one of the pieces i am trying to decide if i should hold on to or not. honestly, if it was white, or black, it would be a no brainer, because the fit is PERFECT on me (aside from the super-long sleeves). but the stripes are JUST SO STRIPEY LOL – i do like it though. it’s different for me, while not being too different…
I received a Georgia linen tee last week (took about three and a half weeks). I like it, but to be honest the bottom seams are not sewn straight and it’s a very simple design that I am not sure is worth the hype. The linen is nice though, and the price point seems reasonable if it were sewn impeccably. That said, I don’t know that I’d order more…I’d really like to see more designers emerge don’t keep repeating the same silhouette. I’m very bored with what’s available right now at non couture prices!
As for the 10×10…don’t get it. It seems like everyone is in ES or Kamm pants. It is more about showcasing clothes then ones individual style.
And seriously, I think I will vomit if I see a positive review of Everlanes bodysuit without snaps. I go to the bathroom a lot…and am not into stripping or peeing on my hand!!
No snaps??? WTH? I am sure that was not designed by a woman. Passing on the underwear too. I am wary of the sizing.
I only own 2 ES peices, both Harper tunics – one I bought from you and one I ordered from ES. I did get caught up in the last colab frenzy and ordered a few pieces. I will let you know how I like them. But I agree with the lead time and “commercial-ness” of ES. I love the aesthetic but it does seem like every blogger I follow wears ES, Jamie & the Jones, Everlane and Kamm. I do own some of those pieces too , but not because I am trying too emulate the looks. I truely like the stules and fabrics and see them as good basics that will last a long time.
10×10 no thank you. I use Cladwell to organize and track my clothing and feel like that is enough of a capsule for me, but mine would be a 143×143 (including shoes) LOL. I recently cleaned out my closet and got rid of 7 bags of clothing. What I have now I love and am committing to wearing what I have . If I do bring something new in it has to replace something or fill a need. I will try to do that with second hand, consignment pieces or new sustainable brands.
For other linen clothing, Not Perfect Linen has been a go to. I love the fabrics and style. They are pretty sturdy and I love that you can gt whatever you want made. Amae ( a friend and local designer) has great pieces and she will be re-launching her brand with only Women’s clothing (yay) soon. Only Child and Neve and Hawk , also local to me, has beautiful things too.
Yeah, someone should write a piece about how capsule wardrobes are rooted in evangelical abstinence culture!
I have been doing a thing I’m calling a “capsule” that’s really just putting things away for a season if I’m bored with them and then seeing how I feel about them after a few months. It’s been a good experiment and doesn’t feel restrictive at all.
Grechen, I always appreciate your honesty and self-examination. It makes me think. And sometimes we don’t want to think, we just want to DO what we want even if we know it’s wrong. I used to love to hear a juicy story about someone, until it dawned on me that: 1) It’s mean. 2) They are probably talking about me in the same way. 3) It’s petty and “small” of me. And 4) Its mean! Now, my MO is to shut it down before it starts. My response to, “I heard something about so and so…” is “Ya know, I really don’t want to know because I’m friends with them” (Substitute your own reason…”I go to church with them,” “I work with her,”). I guess my motto is “When you know better, do better,” so that’s what I work on. (A work in progress!)
And as to your other point, NO! I do not feel “empowered and beautiful” all the time. During different times of our life I think we feel like we’re just getting by and then sometimes, like we are at our best. I look back at old photos taken when I was a young mom of 2, and my hair and wardrobe were less than stellar. 😉 I think as I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten better! I know what looks good on me, what I like, and how my hair and makeup make me look my best. And I’m comfortable with that.
Great post! And I LOVE the outfit. (STRIPES!)
Omg the fangirling and the fawning over the 10×10 is just. too. much. It’s a total snoozefest as far as I’m concerned and didn’t everybody JUST DO ONE??? I will say I enjoy a good bodysuit with my Flo pants and jumpsuits so I’ll throw in a plug for Miakoda, Grechen. They have some colors on sale right now and CROTCH SNAPS because they are a women owned company with brains that use the bathroom.
i thought everlane’s whole spiel with the underwear was that it was supposed to be designed with women in mind? or by women, or whatever? what was with all those “women of everlane” things?? i think they got carried away with the “no frills” idea and completely lost functionality LOL – snaps on a body suit and adjustable shoulder straps aren’t frills IMO, they’re necessary
thanks for the rec for miakoda! i’ve looked there before, but it’s been a while
So, I binged watch The Mindy Project on Hulu this weekend. When you talked about the snapless crotch on Everlane’s bodysuit: “Excuse me”, I was hearing it in Mindy’s voice (exsqueeze me) and almost spit out my latte. Maybe snaps are so yesterday, not millennial. I don’t plan on ordering any of Everlane’s release (haven’t even looked at it). In general most lingerie lines doesn’t work well on my body so I tend to stick to the brands that do The only thing I’ve ordered from Everlane recently is some 100% Human pieces, which I’ve been waiting weeks for (it takes about a month to get to me).
I enjoy the 10 X 10 exercise but agree it isn’t helpful to see the 10 X 10 done by the same bloggers over and over. I’ve thought of doing it myself but unless I’m going on a trip it doesn’t seem like the most productive exercise. Plus I don’t have a cool clothing rack to keep my 10 items on 😉 I have been finding it more helpful to try on one base piece with different options to figure out what proportions work with that piece. Then I jot down what works in a notebook. This has helped me expand the use of my wardrobe and my notebook is a quick no think reference to figure out what to wear on a busy morning. It also is helping me figure out what pieces work with nothing and keeping should be debated. It is also a good exercise when I feel like shopping to quell that urge. I would be interested however in seeing 10 X 10s for clothing lines that I am interested in, it gives me more ideas on how to wear those pieces in my own life.
Have you heard of Pyne and Smith? Limited styles but lovely handmade in CA linen dresses. They have a community on FB and I found it interesting that so many of their customers layer their linen dresses for the winter. That was eye opening for me.
One more thing….Grechen, sorry to hear about the being talked about online. It always hurts no matter how self aware and assured one is. I would say however that it says something positive that your blog was big enough to warrant the attention in the first place. You do you…
I just want to say, thank you. This post sums up so much of what I have been thinking about the fashion world and Insta and all things in general. Thank you.
you’re welcome 🙂
I will admit being interested in the 10 x 10 as a capsule kickstart—I’ve never done it before. I’ll also admit to being interested in the Elizabeth Suzann gift card because ES is way out of my budget right now (debt reduction goals). But there’a a lot of really good food for thought here, and even getting down to 30 or 40 pieces for the rest of spring would be a huge reduction in my out-of-control wardrobe right now. I can’t shake the feeling that it just wouldn’t be helpful or worth the time and energy, and 100% agree that while I love these blogs and the aesthetic they are curating, it’s all the same pieces and even the same palettes (black-white-cream-rust).
I will advocate for the P333 as a year-long thing in places with four distinct seasons (like St. Louis) as a “check your wardrobe size” thing. I know from my last yearlong P333 that I like about 40-50 seasonal things and at least a dozen shoes, but forcing myself to choose favorites makes it easier to cull what I like but don’t wear (shoulds, and used-tos, and maybes and the like).
Mom Edit is one I liked for styling inspo when it was just Shana, but which has become so big and largely advertising at this point. At some point some blogs become like MLMs – I don’t disparage people figuring out ways to make a living/extra cash without having to work outside the home, but that doesn’t mean the product makes sense for me and that’s okay. I, too, find myself to more authentic and critical voices lately, and continue to enjoy this corner for Grechen’s perspective (and the comments section)!
i haven’t watched the mindy project but i love mindy kaling !! and i often say to myself “exsqueeze me” too LOL
haha…snaps aren’t millennial…
i’ve had a pyne & smith dress come in to slowre and i was interested to see it – but when it came in i thought it was very nicely made but just not my style AT ALL. the dresses are just too frumpy for me IMO, but very cute on others whose style they mesh better with…
oh, it might be fun for you to try the 10×10 then…just to see? i don’t doubt that those types of challenges can be helpful for curating, and really honing in on your style, but you have to do the work also…not just go through the motions, you know? learn something, use it, and then move on to something else. don’t just keep doing 10×10 challenges LOL
oh, i used to be glad i wasn’t “big enough” to get noticed by GOMI. i don’t think i ever really was, honestly, they found me because a bigger blogger linked to me LOL – but whatever 🙂
Holy crap! (No pun intended 😉 ) You’re right, Leah!
Isn’t linen considered durable by nature? I mean, not necessarily if you’re talking about a knit construction, but woven? Yes. I’ve loved my Black Crane pieces! Very easy care and I love the color stories, which are always good with black.
LOL. A good thing about not using social media that much + living on a island at the bottom of the South Pacific means that I have no idea what this 10×10 thing that you are talking about is!
But also, who the hell doesn’t put snaps on a bodysuit? What the actual fuck?!
I don’t follow Liz so I don’t know if her marketing is crazy hype or not, but I feel like most blogs I read doing all the hyping for her. I think I see more bloggers going gaga for her than anything else. That’s not a bad thing, just an observation. I don’t see myself wearing her clothes in general – maybe a pair of pants – but I don’t really feel much for the styles. It’s the same way with EF for me. I get that the clothes are ethically made, etc… all that is well and good, but the styling in and of itself just doesn’t really do it for me.
I used to find 10x10s interesting, but they are a dime a dozen now with fashion bloggers and got very boring very fast. I’ve never done one and never will because I don’t like limiting myself. The point of 10x10s is to shop your wardrobe and realize what you have is enough, right? I don’t think my wardrobe is so big I need to do that. If anything, I feel like I might need to expand it a bit. Also, for as odd as this may seem, I don’t have time nor want to make the time to pick out 10 items of clothing to wear. I know that many say doing 10s is a means of making faster decisions for getting dressed, but mine are already fast enough. I think I’d be wasting time trying to figure out a 10 x 10 wardrobe, let alone being bored sick of it after day 4. There are some blogs though that do them regularly I find interesting. Their boats, their floats.
Your outfit looks comfortable today and the best outfits are the ones you don’t think about when wearing them.
But it’s white AND black! Even better in my opinion.
right? everlane does (not put snaps on a bodysuit), that’s who!! 😉
if you actually want to know what the 10×10 is, i’m sure a google search will come up fruitful.
oh, but not really LOL – search 10×10 wardrobe challenge, not just 10×10 (haha!) and you’ll get some hits…
basically, it’s 10 pieces, for 10 days. you’re not missing much!
yes, you’re right, but i guess i mean “more” durable? i wouldn’t consider my EF handkerchief linen very durable, necessarily, although it is by nature. maybe i mean more sturdy? hefty? has more weight?
>goesofftodoagoogle<
Nope, not missing much at all. I already wear a "uniform" for work so I guess doing this "challenge" wouldn't add much to my life eh?
P.S. That Rag and Bone sweater finally arrived. Thank you, I love it! Things get here from the States in a couple of days but then they end up hanging around in Customs for AGES.
I see what you’re saying.
Oh god, another 10×10? WHY?! They are really beating a dead horse at this point. I guess I don’t have to witness it which is why I unfollowed all 10×10 bloggers and stay off instagram. It’s frankly quite boring and after the second 10×10 if you are still hyping on all that you’ve learned about yourself, you aren’t fooling anyone. It’s so contrived and gimmicky as you say. I am disappointed ES is now taking part. It might have made more sense a few years ago but it’s SO stale now. I guess there are still plenty of fresh young consumers new to this world who might find it interesting.
ES has left a sour taste in my mouth lately. I was really turned off by the grab bag sales – that just struck me as truly blind consumerism. And the way products launch, in limited enough quantities where they sell out immediately – that’s scarcity model approach has always struck me as training consumers into blind impulse based consumerism. When in Nashville visiting a friend, I toured the factory and tried on everything. Most of it didn’t work for me – I left wanting to buy maybe 4 things. But I think that’s totally normal! I think a lot of the online fawning over ES is just a bunch of internet hype by people who have a couple of pieces they truly love, but would probably be disappointed if they tried on everything in the store.
I ordered a Georgia tee in silk last fall and the construction issues were present then as well – my shirt arrived with two small pock marks and the sleeves are uneven. I didn’t send it back because it took longer than usual to receive it since I adjusted my order. It bugs me now, though, so I probably should have addressed it when it arrived. Oh well.
I’m participating in this 10×10 but it will be my last. I’ve done the Fall and Winter versions, and it’s basically already Summer here. It has been helpful to hone my style and packing skills even further, and I think I will have been glad to have tried it in all seasons. So long as I’m learning something from it I think it’s worth it. But I’m tired of the fan-girling (it makes me so uncomfortable), and I also expressed my concerns about the challenge turning into a competition. I read later that the giveaway is supposed to be random, but I’ve also read articles about brands who do giveaways choosing the entrants with the most followers. We’ll see, I suppose.
I was already turned off by the low back on the bodysuit (I can’t go braless) and failed to notice the missing snaps. OMG.
I was so busy ranting yesterday I forgot to compliment you on this outfit. Definitely top 5 of all the outfits I have seen you in. You can go anywhere in this outfit, very versatile, and you look great. What’s not to love? 😉
Thanks everyone for all the recs on linens!!! I will be checking them all out 🙂
Why is it so hard to find bodysuit without snaps?! Seriously, it seems like it should have been a no-brainer for Everlane. There’s a couple pieces from them that I have my eye on, but I’m just not as excited about their new stuff as I used to be.
I understand where you’re coming from on the 10×10 thing. It’s just really got blown out of proportion, and now with the gift cards, I don’t know—It leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Like what is this really about anymore?
I was thinking about participating again, but that’s because I do like the push to try outfits and combos I wouldn’t normally wear, especially if a piece is newer and I don’t feel like I really know it yet. I tend to default to combos I’ve done before and since SF doesn’t really have seasons, that can get so boring. But I *hate* limiting my shoes, so even if I give it a shot, I will be skipping that part. I tend to rotate about 6 pairs per season, since my shoes and coats tend to be my only seasonal clothes. We’ll see! I’m glad you’re writing about your take on it, the world needs healthy skepticism 🙂
Having slept on it, and just read Simple Dollar and Leah Wise posts on capsule wardrobing, I think I’ve nailed down what I do and don’t like about them…
Project 333 (for me, about 50 things) is not an exercise in deprivation but gratitude and a great way to figure out what works and eliminate (temporarily ) the stress and overwhelm of paradox of choice.
10×10, if and when I get a suitably limited wardrobe (more IF than WHEN) might be a fun way to test what I have.
BUT when I was trying to “re-capsule” my wardrobe after my twins, I found myself feeling frustrated that useful and lovely things I was packing away JUST BECAUSE might not fit later, or have holes, or be out of style, before I could use them again, all in the name of suitably limiting my choices for the sake of limiting my choices.
I’d really love to get my wardrobe to a place where it naturally evolves season to season and doesn’t have ridiculous overflow. Full stop. Project 333-ishing can help me get there, but isn’t a permanent way of live so much as a framework for my goals…
I suppose if the body suit was absolutely amazing otherwise, you could cut the crotch and put in a set of snaps, but good grief, what a massive fail on Everlane’s part.
I know it’s basic, but I have never found a more comfortable underwear than Victoria’s Secret “5 pairs for $25” bikinis.