Elizabeth Suzann Review: The Silk Mara Jumpsuit

I am not a jumpsuit/overalls kind of person. Or at least I thought I wasn’t. But with a growing preggo belly, I am just firmly in the camp of no-waistband-land. Even if the waistband is made of elastic and pretty loose, I rather just not have something pressing against my belly. And so for the first 4 months of the pregnancy I’ve been happy enough with just wearing dresses. But now that the temps are cooling down and I’m less motivated to shave my legs, I finally caved and decided to give the good ‘ole jumpsuit a try. And you know what? I loooooove it and can’t remember why I resisted in the first place (actually I still can—it’s because of the hassle of going to the bathroom but more on that later).

I also decided to try out Elizabeth Suzann’s Mara Jumpsuit because I happened to find one on eBay. So at least I didn’t have to wait 4-6 weeks and I got it at a bit of a discount. They listed the size as a small at regular length and since I’m short (5’4”) I knew I’d probably have to get it altered. Well when it came, it was actually a small-tall but I figured I could work with that.

Here’s the before and after pictures of the alteration:

I had them take up the shoulders so it wasn’t as deep of a v-neck and hem about an inch off the bottom. And it worked out so well! The ES website does recommend getting a regular or even tall length and then hemming if you have a long torso (which I do). I can imagine paying $295 for this (and waiting over a month) and then paying more to have it altered is kind of a pain, but it could be worth it for a piece you’ll be wearing over and over. Though of course it’s even better if you can find it used.

{Wearing: Elizabeth Suzann Mara Jumpsuit, Everlane Boss Mules (reviewed here), Celine soft cube bag (similar here, reviewed here)}

As for me I’m a convert! It feels like wearing like PJs and I’m going to be wearing this until I’m bursting at the seams. I also like that there is a tie to define your waist. You can either tie it in the front or the back (I usually prefer the back but I’m wearing it tied in the front below).

The silk material is awesome and thick enough not to show an VPL even though it’s only one layer of silk and there’s no lining. It also helps that this is a fairly loose and flowy style for the jumpsuit. I also love that I can wash this silk jumpsuit at home in the washing machine (on delicate and with the laundress delicate wash).

As for the going to the bathroom issue, I’ve learned that the best way to deal with this is a rolling of the material as you take it off so that there isn’t excess material dragging on the floor. Is it inconvenient? Yes, but it’s doable and something I’m willing to do for the freedom of no waistbands.

Also I love layering a top over the jumpsuit to change the look of the whole outfit. Is it even more of a hassle to take off another later when using the bathroom? Yes. Do I have to use the bathroom more often now that I’m pregnant? Yes. But is it worth it? Yes.

Elizabeth Suzann Review: The Petra Crop in Linen

As I said in the past, I really love getting my slow fashion items secondhand.  Not only does that make them more affordable but since slow fashion items are meant to last, this means the items have a gently worn in feeling that I love.  In this case, this linen Petra crop from Elizabeth Suzann has some slight fading on the edges, which makes it look like a well taken care of and loved garment.  It gives the item character!

I purchased this on selltradees on Instagram, and it was the first time using this platform for buying Elizabeth Suzann.  It was such an easy process that I would definitely do it again.  The only drawback is that it's a lottery system so there are no guarantees.  But if you do get chosen, it's an easy Paypal transaction and you can find items quite reasonably priced.  To be honest, if I hadn't seen this on selltradees I probably wouldn't have purchased this because I'm not really into crop tops.  But when I saw it, I thought why not just enter my name (actually most people enter their zip code to get their name into the drawing) and see how it goes.  But now that I have so many high waisted items from ES (the 2 clyde pants and the clyde skirt), I find that this Petra crop is the perfect pairing item!

{Wearing: Elizabeth Suzann Petra Crop, Elizabeth Suzann Clyde Skirt (reviewed here), Everlane Day Heel Mules (reviewed here), Celine Nano Belt Bag (similar here)}

I got the Petra crop in a size small and it's the perfect fit (I'm usually a size 4 on top with a 36 bust).  The arm holes and neck hole are the perfect size and I love that my bra straps don't peek out anywhere.  This top reminds me of a cropped muscle tank, which is perfect for the summer (yay to no farmer tan lines).  Also I know I've said in the past I like tops that hide my chicken wings (my flabby triceps), but I've decided to stop caring about it and just embrace them.  You know, they're my arms, they're strong and serve me well.  So what if they're not model skinny?  They never really were and they for sure will never be, so it's time to stop caring and hiding them.

{Wearing: Elizabeth Suzann Petra Crop, Everlane Denim Skirt (reviewed here), Everlane Day Heel Mules (reviewed here), Celine Nano Belt Bag (similar here)}

The Petra really is quite cropped (about 16" from shoulder to bottom hem) so it works best with high-waisted bottoms.  Even my Everlane chinos are a bit too mid-waisted to work with this top (unless you want to show some belly but I'm guessing most of us here are probably a bit too mature for that).  But if you're looking for a well-made but simple crop top to last you through the ages then I don't think you can go wrong with this Petra crop!

Elizabeth Suzann Review: The Clyde Billow Skirt in Flax Linen

Alright so I have to admit that the first time I tried on this Clyde Billow Skirt from Elizabeth Suzann I was not a fan.  It felt way too voluminous and I thought it made my mid-section look puffy because the skirt billowed out (well no duh, it's in the name).  I have never owned or worn a skirt like this before in my life.  It almost felt like a costume skirt from a theater piece.  But when I polled this skirt on Insta-stories, so many people specifically DM'd me to tell me that they liked it (and that I should keep it).  And so with some peer pressure and enabling, I decided to give this skirt a good shot (plus I knew if I ended up really disliking it, I could always sell this skirt on the secondhand market with just a small loss).  The second time I wore it I liked it a little bit better.  And now?  I loooooove it.  Funny how that happens.

{Wearing: Grana silk cropped tank (sold out, reviewed here), Elizabeth Suzann Clyde Billow Skirt, Everlane Day Heels (reviewed here)}

Here are some of the things I love about this skirt:

- First and foremost it's a really well-made skirt with a ton of linen material.  Linen isn't heavy (and I wouldn't call this skirt heavy), but with the amount of linen used in this skirt, this skirt is substantial.  Seriously, I don't think any other brand would use so much material for just one piece of clothing.  

- And all that linen is what makes the billow of the skirt, which makes it so fun to wear.  What girl doesn't like twirling around in a voluminous skirt?

- The flax linen material is so gorgeously textured and 100% opaque.  Also due to the billowiness and the slight wrinkliness of this linen, any dark spots or stains are hard to see (which happens a bit for me whenever I brush up against something in the Airstream garage).

- Like all my Clydes, I love love love the pockets.  These skirt pockets can hold anything and everything.

{Wearing: Only Child Alta top in raw silk (review coming soon), Elizabeth Suzann Clyde Billow Skirt, Everlane Day Heels (reviewed here), Celine Small Cabas Phantom (similar here, reviewed here)}

I'm wearing a size small here (I'm a 28 waist and a 37 hips, usually a size 4-6).  The first time I wore it I had to shimmy it over my hips a bit.  But after washing and wearing for a month the elastic waistband loosened enough so that it's not as tight over the hips.  I'm 5'4" and find the length a tad long and so I wear heels with this skirt to keep my legs from looking stumpy.  I might try to take the hem up a tad just so it's a tad shorter than the current midi length.

I think part of the reason I didn't like it at first, was that this is also not my usual style.  I don't normally wear big puffy skirts.  So this could just be another example of how slow fashion changed my style.  But now I love it because this skirt feels so unique and special.  Also by pairing it with more cropped tops or tucking in a shirt, I think it balance out the volume on the bottom.  

{Wearing: Clare V tee, Elizabeth Suzann Clyde Billow Skirt, Everlane Day Heel Mules (reviewed here), Celine Nano Belt Bag (similar here)}

Also, the puffiness of the skirt goes down a bit once you wash it and don't steam press out the wrinkles.  The photos above, where I'm wearing it with the Alta top, is the skirt right after washing (though I hung it to dry).  So it's a tad wrinkly but also when I wore it, it felt less voluminous (and I prefer it that way).  The one thing I noticed about really good linen is that after you wash it, you don't need to press it.  There's not major wrinkles and instead the linen just looks textured and casual.  In fact, I think it's better to leave it slightly rumpled.  

So what do you think?  Did I make the right decision to keep it?

Elizabeth Suzann Review: The Marlena Midi in Heavy Weight Cotton Knit from the Alabama Chanin collab

I hadn't planned on purchasing anything from the ESxAlabama Chanin collection, but when I just happened to be online when the collection was released I couldn't resist!  I thought why not try it since I have the opportunity and I'm glad I did!  I decided to get the Marlena midi in the plum color in a small.  What do you think?

I actually really like the look of the dress though I'm not usually a fan of sleeveless dresses nor of midi lengths (though I've increased my number of midi dresses and skirts with my ES purchases).  Since I'm only 5'4", I definitely need to wear heels to pull this look off (the last picture of this post is without heels and you can see how without them, my legs start looking cankle-y).  I'm pretty much decided that I'm going to take this to a tailor and shorten this dress though (and I'll update it with more pics after).  I think it'll look a tad better on me if it was just below the knees.  But for this post I wanted to show you the dress as I bought it.

The cotton material from Alabama Chanin is really thick and substantial which is great for a a more body hugging dress like this.  The cotton is thick enough that you can't see any VPL.  The cotton reminds me of the kind of thick cotton used on some french striped long sleeve shirts (like this one) but this version is softer and stretchier.

{Wearing: Elizabeth Suzann x Alabama Chanin Marlena Midi, Everlane Day Heel Mules (review here), Hermes Lindy 30 (similar here, review here).

I like that this dress is reversible though I prefer the crew neck side since I'm not a huge fan of the seam running down the middle in the front when wearing the v-neck side.  But it's a cool option to have and I could see it being a fun way to mix it up when traveling and you have limited wardrobe options.

Anyway the last I heard from ES about this collection, it should be re-releasing in July (though not a concrete timeline).  They had some delays since it took longer than expected to get their material order from Florence (yep that's where they're getting this organic cotton material from).

As for me, I wore this out on several occasions and loved it.  It's definitely something you can dress up or dress down.  And like I said I'll be taking it to a tailor to shorten because I think it would like a tad better on me with it shorter.

What do you guys think?  Anyone else order something from the ESxAC collection?

Elizabeth Suzann Review: The Bel Skirt in Flax Linen

So you know how I was saying I'm at my enough point with pants?  Well I've now moved onto finding that point with skirts.  I think I've been watching too many of Jamie's Provenance Insta-stories over at AnnStreetStudio because I'm jonesing for a long linen skirt, which is a style that I've never even contemplated before.  Plus I'm a huge fan of skirts in the summer (who doesn't want to go pants free when it's hot?) and seeing as I'm now in my mid-thirties, I'm now looking for skirts that cover up my legs (plus this means I can prolong not shaving for even longer).  But at the same time I don't want to look Amish, which is why I've stayed away from long skirts most of my life.  

Since I had so much success with Elizabeth Suzann's linen Clydes (reviewed here), I thought I would try out their line of skirts as well.  I ordered the linen Clyde Billow Skirt in flax (which will probably take another several weeks before that's shipped).  But in the meantime I found this ES Bel Skirt in linen on eBay and snatched it up right away to try it out.  Like I said before, finding ES secondhand is seriously the best (it's a tad cheaper and there's none of the wait!).  This skirt is Gen 3 and a size small (for reference I'm 5'4" and usually size 4-6).

So what do you think?

{Wearing: Jamie+the Jones Blank Canvas Top in slate (reviewed here), ES Bel Skirt, Everlane Day Heel Mules (reviewed here)}

I probably could have style this a bit better by wearing a fitted top instead of this voluminous J+J top, but I was going for that easy country look.  My husband called this a "maid" look lol.  To me, this skirt definitely went into Amish territory.  First of all, the length is a tad too long for my 5'4" frame (but the current Gen 4 line comes with variable lengths, in which case I probably would have ordered a short small).  I could probably hem this and it would be more of a midi length on me and more flattering.  However I'm not going to bother because I'm also not a fan of the fact that there are no pockets on this skirt.  Pockets are a must for me at work (which is why I'm such a fan of the Clyde pants), and for any bottom to earn their place in my wardrobe it must have a pocket (unless it's like a fancy-ish item meant for going out, then pockets are just a nice-to-have).  But since I'm looking for a skirt I'll be wearing weekly if not daily, I'm going to need pockets. 

The outfit does look better with the top tucked in, so I would probably make an effort to keep the waist defined whenever wearing this skirt.  And though it doesn't look so voluminous here, the skirt definitely felt really bulky at the hips.  I'm not sure if it's because I'm more pear-shaped so the skirt feels bigger around there or if it's just how the skirt is made (I looked at some of the reviews on the ES site and it seems that I'm not the only one who feels like it's too big at the hips).  I also can't take wide strides in this skirt, though I can still take medium ones.  The reviews on the ES site says the new Gen 4 skirts allow for slightly larger strides than previous iterations.  I think if this was a bit more of a true midi length for me, I would be able to take larger steps.

What I do like about this skirt though is the beautiful flax linen.  It feels thick and substantial and even though the flax is a really light color, the linen is 100% opaque.  You can't even tell I'm wearing black underwear here, but it also helps that the skirt falls away from the body. 

I do think this is a beautiful skirt, but this one just isn't meant for me.  The no pockets thing are a deal breaker for me.  But I think this would definitely work better on someone who is 5'6" or taller.  You can find this skirt for sale here and in the meantime I'll be pinning all my hopes on the ES Clyde billow skirt to fill my daily skirt needs *fingers crossed*.

P.S. Here are some pictures with a more fitted top.  I'm still not in love with this even though a lot of you guys voted it as a 'keeper' in my instastory.  And that made me pretty conflicted, but in the end I decided if I don't feel like myself in this skirt, then it's totally ok to let it go to someone who will love it more.  So yep, still decided to sell it.

Elizabeth Suzann Georgia Midi Dress in Silk

Just like I said in my Elizabeth Suzann Georgia dress review, I love getting ES secondhand since I don't have to wait for production and I get to see how an item wears over time.  Well this ES Georgia Midi dress (link is to new Gen 4 version) is definitely old, in fact it's a Generation 1 version (so probably from around 2013 I think).  And you know what?  It feels as almost good and as new as my Generation 4 silk Georgia tee (I won't say it's equal but you'll see why in a bit).  And actually this is a piece of ES history since I purchased this from Liz's friend and first hire Lydia thru Instagram (and I still learn about archival ES pieces from her since I'm still fairly new to ES).  So this is a very special dress indeed.

First a note on sizing, this dress is an OS, which I thought I might be too long for (5'4") but I have found that it's the perfect size.  On the hanger, this dress looks large and I was pretty sure it would look blah on me, but in fact when I wear it, I find it's anything but!  And I think a large part of that is due to the fluidity of the silk.  I added a lot of similar pictures to this post because I feel like depending on the wind direction and my stance, the dress looks different each time.  And yes, at times I think I look a tad big in this dress (especially in static pictures), but that doesn't bother me because I don't feel big in it.  In fact, I feel quite chic and a tad artsy, lol.

{Wearing: ES silk Georgia midi, Everlane Day Heel Mules, Celine Seau Sangle bag (reviewed here, similar here)}

The silk of this Gen 1 dress is not as thick and luxurious feeling (since it's 18mm) compared to the 23mm of Gen 4 silk (for reference Everlane and Grana usually use 16mm silk).  But since it's such a loose and flowy dress, the extra thickness isn't quite needed.  Also the Gen 1 neckline is a lot larger than the Gen 4 Georgia neckline.  But I don't really mind since the extra room around the neck prevents me from choking myself in the front when I sit down (which is the problem I had with the regular Georgia dress, but that's also because that was an OSM which I found is too small for me).  I think the Gen 4 neckline is better though if you don't want to show your bra straps (which happens time to time in this dress).

All in all, I really love this dress.  It's perfect for buffet lines as well as nice dinners out.  The silk material is what makes it so versatile.  I don't think I would get this Georgia midi dress in any other material (like linen), because any material that's stiffer will make the dress more voluminous (and to me, less attractive).  Also I think the midi dress works for me even though I'm on the petite side, because of the fact the dress is slightly shorter in the front than in the back.  And thus there's enough leg showing to help make it look slimming (and also a heel helps, preferrably in a nude color).

Anyway I'm so happy to have this newest ES addition to my closet!  This dress is really fueling my addiction for ES even more.  For me, this midi dress is my modern day take on the Hawaiian mu'umu'u which I'm totally comfortable with (coming from Hawaii).  So be prepared to see this dress all summer (and maybe even layered in the fall)!

Elizabeth Suzann Review: The Georgia Dress in Silk

I find that the best way for me to try out Elizabeth Suzann pieces is to buy half of them new and the other half used from eBay, Poshmark, or Instagram.  I actually really love buying my ES stuff used because not only do I not have to wait months for a piece, but I also get to see how the item wears over time (without actually having to put in the time to do all the wearing).  Then I can say with a better degree of certainty if a garment holds up well or not.  Plus secondhand ES is always a smidge cheaper (though not by a lot and ES clothing is probably one of those things that hold their value even better than most designer clothes).  This ES Georgia dress in silk crepe was my second ES eBay purchase (the first one being the linen Tilda's reviewed here).

This was my first time purchasing a dress from ES so I wasn't sure about my size.  I'm an OS in the Georgia silk top, but I'm 5'4" so I thought the OSM might work for me.  Well I really liked the look of it, but I think the Georgia dress in OS would fit me better.

I'm pretty sure this is a Generation 3 Georgia dress, though I can't be certain since I bought it secondhand.  This is for sure not the current Gen 4 since the neckline is wider and feels different from my Gen 4 silk Georgia top.  Like I mentioned in that review, ES uses a silk weight of 23mm which is thick enough to feel substantial.  Since the dress is made of a thicker silk and flows away from the body, you don't have to worry about VPL.  I also really like that the back is a tad longer than the front to help cover your butt, but it also makes your legs look longer in the front.

But this is what happens when I raise my arms:

{Wearing ES silk Georgia dress, Everlane Day Heel Mules (reviewed here), Chanel crossbody (similar here)}

Guess I can't participate in a "wave" in a stadium with this dress, lol.  I don't like not being able to raise my arms in a dress, though I don't know how often I need to raise both arms like that. But still, for a dress to have a place in my closet, I need to be able to move freely in it.  Also because of the shorter length, when I sit down, there's not as much fabric as I like under my butt and thighs.  And then sometimes as I sit the collar comes up in the front and I end up choking myself.  So this is definitely too short for me.  I would probably recommend this for truly petite people around 5'3" or shorter.

{Wearing (for my Spring 10x10): ES Georgia Dress, ES linen Clyes, Rothy's (review coming soon), Polene numero un bag} 

The shorter length does make for a good tunic length though if I wear it with pants.  But I'm not really a dress over pants kind of gal.

So even though this particular piece didn't work for me, I would definitely buy the Georgia dress in OS, in either silk or linen.  But I'm not in a rush to acquire one just yet since I also purchased the Georgia silk dress in the midi length secondhand from Instagram (will review that soon).  And with 2 Georgia tops and 1 Georgia midi dress, a short Georgia dress would be nice to have but not a need. 

Elizabeth Suzann Review: The Gen 4 Linen Clyde Work Pants (vs. the cotton canvas Clydes)

Please excuse the terrible hair from a non-glam lazy blogger lol

After I got my cotton canvas Clyde Work pants from Elizabeth Suzann (which I reviewed here), I knew that I needed to try out the linen Clydes next because as much as I loved the canvas ones, they just weren't the 'unicorn' pants I was expecting them to be.  And would I consider these linen ones my unicorn pants?  Well they come pretty darn close.

So first a note on sizing: I got both these and the canvas Clydes (both Generation 4 versions) in size 4 short (I'm 5'4" with the legs of someone closer to 5'2").  And even though I got the same pants in the same size, the canvas Clydes felt a lot tighter at the waistband than the linen Clydes.  And it amazes me that there's such a difference in identical pants but in different materials.  To get the canvas Clydes on I really have to shimmy the band over my butt, but I have no such issue with the linen ones (which already makes me like the linen ones way more). {Update: I stand corrected, they are actually two different sizes even though both Cyldes are a size 4.  Thanks to Kathryn below who let me know that ES makes the cotton canvas Cyldes smaller on purpose to better hold up the heavier fabric.  The waist and hips are about .25 inches smaller in the canvas Clydes compared to the linen ones, and oh boy those .25 inches make a big difference!}

{Pic above taken for my Spring 10x10; wearing: Jamie+the Jones Blank Canvas Top (review coming soon), ES Linen Clyde pants, Rothy's pointed flat (review coming soon), Celine small cabas phantom (similar here, reviewed here)}

As for differences in how it looks, I think the canvas ones in general look and feel more fitted around the leg and around the hips.  The pockets on the linen ones tend to flare out more while for the canvas ones, they lay closer to the body.  

linen clydes

canvas clydes

Here are some side by side comparisons.  I'm wearing the linen Georgia tee (reviewed here) and the linen Clydes on the pictures on the left (or the first pics if you're looking on phone) while I'm wearing the silk Georgia tee (reviewed here) and the cotton canvas Clydes in the other photo.

As you can see, the linen Clydes show a lot more wrinkles so if you're looking for a more refined look, then the cotton canvas Clydes are probably a better bet.  But I love that the linen Clydes are just way more comfortable.  The material is softer and breathes so well.  There have been a smattering of hot days this past spring and these linen Clydes worked perfectly.  It covered my legs but I could feel the wind blow through the material to cool me down.

So why don't I say that these are the unicorn pants with a resounding yes?  Well I actually really like the look of the canvas Clydes but the fit and feel of the linen ones.  But the combo of that is technically impossible (a true unicorn).  So I guess I was looking for a mythical pair of pants after all.  But in the meantime I found a truly awesome pair of pants for work (the linen ones) and a great one for going out (the canvas ones).  With these two pants, I pretty much have my bases covered!

P.S. Henny asked about how these compare with the Tilda pants (I reviewed the linen Tilda pants here) and I have to say I love the Clyde pants waaay more.  I like the silhouette of the Clydes better and I love that there are big pockets (the Tilda has no pockets).

Elizabeth Suzann Review: Generation 4 Georgia Tee in Silk Crepe

*unsponsored review

Lately, I feel like I'm apologizing at the start of every review for making people wait for them.  Maybe it's because I preview them on my insta-stories and then wear it for a month before reviewing the item.  But I also have a back-log of things to review, which is probably an indicator that I'm buying too much again (>_<).  Anyway here's the review some of you guys have been waiting for (and sorry for the wait, lol): Elizabeth Suzann's generation 4 Georgia Tee in silk crepe.

{Wearing: Elizabeth Suzann silk georgia tee, Elizabeth Suzann Clyde pants in cotton canvas (reviewed here), Bryr clogs (review coming soon), Celine small Cabas Phantom (reviewed here)}

First a note on sizing, I ended up getting the OS in this Georgia Tee even though I'm petite.  But since I have a fairly long torso I think the OS works well for me.  I also have the linen Georgia Tee in OS (a gen 3 version) so I decided to stick with the same size.  I did notice some differences between this silk gen 4 version and the linen gen 3 version that's due to the updated fit (and not just due to the material alone, but I'll get to that too in a bit).  The biggest difference is the neckline.  My gen 3 linen Georgia tee is more of a boatneck compared to this gen 4 version and you can definitely see my bra straps on the old linen version but not this one.  So I do think the fit of the gen 4 version is better than the gen 3.  On their site, it also says the gen 4 version has more length, but when I tried it on I couldn't really tell.

Now even though they're pretty much the same tee, the silk version feels very different from the linen (no duh, lol).  The linen version, since it's so much more structured, feels a lot more oversized while the silk version feels more like a normal blouse due to the drapey-ness.  Also the sleeves on the linen version are more pronounced because they can hold their structure.

This is my first silk item from ES and I have to say I really love the quality!  The silk that ES uses is 23mm which is a heavier momme weight than what both Everlane and Grana use (they both use 16mm silk, which is not bad either especially when they do a double-layer of silk like in my recent Everlane review).  Only Cuyana uses a thicker silk with a momme weight of 25.  TBH you can't tell the difference between 23mm and 25mm, though you can tell the difference between 16mm and 23mm silk.  You can read my original post comparing Everlane, Equipment and Cuyana silk here (though the Cuyana silk tee used in this old comparison post is unlike the silk they use now for most of their clothes).  And you can read all about ES's silk here.

Anyway I'm in love with both of my ES Georgia Tees.  The linen one made it onto my top 10 favorite items I tried through blogging, and I have a feeling this silk one will be on that list next year!

Elizabeth Suzann Review of the Signature Generation 4 Clyde Work Pants in cotton canvas

Funnily enough, I had a dream last night where someone stole my Elizabeth Suzann credit (from my return of the Clyde Jacket).  Well it was more like a nightmare, lol.  Anyway I wonder if my subconscious was telling me to finally do a review of these Clyde work pants, which I've had my eye on since January of 2017 (when it was still made out of cotton twill instead of these current cotton canvas).  

These pants were the first thing I ordered after the official end of my shopping ban.  Were they all that I dreamed they would be?  Yes and no.  

{Wearing: Grana crop cashmere sweater (similar here), Elizabeth Suzann Clyde work pants, Sevilla Smith Terilyn booties}

But first a note on sizing.  Having tried out the linen Tilda pants in a medium and following the ES stories on Instagram I knew I probably should go with the smaller of my two sizes (usually I'm between a 4 and 6 on the bottom).  So I got this in 4 short (I'm 5'4" but have the legs of a person who's 5'1").  And I have to say it fit perfectly in how I wanted it to look, which was more fitted than baggy.  But I do have to shimmy these pants over my hips/butt area because it's really tight (I have to stretch the elastic to the max).  But once they get over the hips, they fit perfectly in the waist and hips.  The elastic also loosens a bit over time so it's not as difficult for me to get them on now than when I first got them.  And to take them off I just hook my thumbs over the wrap-around crescent-shaped pockets and pull down (super easy!).  I didn't take my measurements because I'm a lazy blogger but I absolutely recommend measuring yourself and using the ES detailed measurements to find your right size.  

{Wearing: Grana striped pima tee (similar here), Everlane wool-cashmere rib cardigan, Elizabeth Suzann Clyde work pants, Everlane modern loafer mules, Saint Laurent Universite bag}

So onto the pros and cons.  First the pros:

- I love the look of them because they're neither fitted nor baggy.  Kind of like my favorite Grana silk ankle pants but better. 

-The crescent pockets are awesome.  Since my pants are more on the fitted side, they don't fit as much stuff, but because they go from front to back, it's pretty easy to fit even the bulkiest of items.

- I love the front seam because I think they visually help to elongate my short legs.

- I love that they sit right at my natural waist and so are a bit more high-waisted than my usual jeans (and so I can wear all my cropped sweaters with this without showing the midriff area).

And the cons:

- I'm actually not a huge fan of the stiff cotton canvas.  It does soften over time but it's quite thick and rough, and since I got it on the fitted side, sometimes the seam that runs along the front of the legs will rub against my knee (especially when sitting down for long periods of time) and irritate the skin in that area.

- Also this cotton canvas picks up dog hair like a mofo.  I am constantly lint rolling to remove it.

- Also now that the elastic is a bit more stretched out, I find that sometimes walking in it will start bringing the waistband lower because my knees are pulling it down (essentially making these pants sag a little like harem pants).

So yes, these weren't exactly all that I dreamed they would be, but I still really like them and wear them often.  Oh and don't wear them when you know you're going to eat a lot since the elastic will only stretch so much and the canvas only stretches a bit too (so wear instead some stretchy denim).  That was the only time I regretted wearing these pants.

But since these weren't my 'unicorn' pants, I've been looking at the Clyde work pants in linen.  Especially since San Jose in the summer is going to be HOT and I probably won't be able to comfortably wear the thick cotton canvas version of these pants.  I already ordered them with my ES credit (along with a silk Georgia tee so then I can do a Everlane vs. Grana vs. Cuyana vs. Elizabeth Suzann silk review post).  So I'll do a comparison of the Clyde work pants in canvas vs linen and see which one I like better.  I might just end up having a winter version of these pants (the canvas ones) and a summer version (the linen ones).

Anyway if y'all have any questions about these pants shoot me a comment below.  

Update: Here is my review of these Elizabeth Suzann Clyde pants in linen.

Elizabeth Suzann Review Signature Generation 4 Clyde Jacket

Hallelujah the shopping ban that wasn't really a shopping ban is over!  Which means I can buy and try brand new things like this Elizabeth Suzann Clyde Jacket in cotton canvas.  Since I'm new to ES cotton products (I've only ever tried their linen before here and here), I don't know what the cotton twill was like.  But this cotton canvas is super heavy duty and sturdier than most cotton canvas bags I own.

First a note on sizing, I ordered the XS since I didn't want this jacket to be oversized.  I usually wear a size 4 on top and found that this jacket fit well with just a tee on.  If I tried layering it over a sweater though, there was some tightness around the shoulders.  I didn't actually measure myself before ordering so I chanced it a bit.  All in all I was fine with the size.

{Wearing: Elizabeth Suzann Clyde Jacket, Frame Le Skinny De Jeanne Crop (similar here), Everlane the cotton crew, Everlane Day Heels, Celine Seau Sangle bag (similar here)}

So what do you think?

TBH I was a little meh about it.  I paired it with skinny jeans to balance out the volume on top.    I think the length of the jacket is perfect, cutting right below the butt.  And I liked the sleeve length and pockets as well.  

I guess my problem with the jacket, and it's completely personal, is that it looks and feels like a Japanese Happi coat (festival coat) to me.  See what I mean?

It's hard to pay over $200 for a Japanese style coat that I can get on eBay for $20.  Also I guess the volume and excess material on top is just not for me.  It would get in the way if I bend over to do things at the Airstream garage.  And since I was going to treat this as an everyday work coat, that doesn't really function well for me.

Anyway in the end I returned the jacket and the Elizabeth Suzann customer service is excellent.  They sent the exchange gift card even before I sent back the jacket, which requires a level of trust of the customer.  Anyway I now have some ES credit burning a hole in my pocket.  Hmm what to get next? 

Elizabeth Suzann Tilda Pants Review

Since these Elizabeth Suzann Tilda linen pants were one of the 6 items I used in my Spring 10x10 challenge, they got used quite a bit and in all kinds of ways.  Up top you can see I tried rolling them up, and I also tried them under dresses (pic below).  These are my first ever linen pants, and my second item from Elizabeth Suzann (the first one was the Georgia Tee, reviewed here).

To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of how wide the pants are in the hips and the general bagginess in the butt.  I know that's how they're supposed to look, but after decades in fitted jeans, it's hard to get used to the ballooning butt look, lol.  I'm wearing a medium short here, and I feel like I probably could have gone with the small (for reference I'm 5'4'' and usually wear a size 4-6, or about a 27-28 in jeans).  

I'm also not liking the fact that these pants don't have pockets.  It makes my daily life a bit more difficult when I don't have a pocket to stuff my keys or phone in (though by wearing the Grana silk sleeveless blazer, it gave me pockets for the day).  But I did like that the ankles flared a bit, and the pants look especially cute when layered under a dress or a similarly long tunic.  Basically, I like the pants best when I hide the butt and hips area.  

Also the linen fabric is thick and a tad on the scratchier side.  But they feel heavier and more substantial than the linen from both Grana and Everlane.  Plus the black linen is fully opaque.

So for now I'm still a bit undecided about these pants, though I'm leaning towards letting them go.  What do you think?

Elizabeth Suzann Review Georgia Tee {Updated May 2018}

So back in February when I said I cheated on my shopping ban, it all started with this one top from Elizabeth Suzann.  This is the Georgia Tee in linen.  I had been wanting this specific top in this specific color since December and when I saw it pop up on eBay I let myself buy it under the guise that it could technically qualify as a trade (just like I would trade clothes at Crossroads, which I did allow in my ban rules), meaning I sold some stuff on eBay that would more than cover the cost of this purchase (plus that money was just sitting in my paypal account so....).  Anyway I bought it and I don't regret it one bit, even if it meant I broke my ban.

{Wearing: Elizabeth Suzann Georgia Tee, Grana silk ankle pants (review here), rag & bone booties, Mansur Gavriel mini lady bag (review here)}

The Georgia Tee has proven to be everything I dreamed it would be.  I know that's quite a statement about a linen top.  But maybe that's the quality you get when you purchase something that is made thoughtfully by a skilled artisan.  The Georgia tee comes in OS-, OS, and OS+ and here I'm wearing it in OS.  It's such a universally flattering shape that I'm pretty sure almost everyone can pull it off.  On me, the Georgia tee is the perfect cropped length, and it has a wide neckline so I feel it makes my neck look longer without cutting deep in the front.  And my favorite thing about this top is the sleeves: I love how they perk up at the ends.  It really minimizes the chicken wing (tricep) area.  

{Wearing: Elizabeth Suzann Georgia Tee, Grana silk ankle pants (review here), Everlane modern point shoes (review here), Valentino glamlock bag}

And the washing and care for this is super easy.  Just wash cold and I steam out the wrinkles with my handy dandy travel steamer (which I love so much that I think I might do a separate review devoted to this indispensable tool).  As you can see, so far I've only paired this with my Grana silk ankle pants (because they go so well together), but stay tuned for more outfits incorporating this top!  

{May 2018 Update: After consulting my resident Elizabeth Suzann expert Lydia (Liz's friend and first hire), she has identified this item was a signature piece from the SS14 signature collection.  So Gen 2.  Also have had this for a year and I still love it and wear it often!}