Ethical and/or Slow Fashion Linen Guide: Comparison of Only Child, Two Days Off, notPerfectLinen, Linenfox, Ichi Antiquities and more {Updated July 2022}

Ichi Antiquities Linen dress

I have to admit, I'm quite a bit late to the linen game.  I've avoided the material for most of my life because I never liked the look of wrinkles and yet couldn't be bothered with an iron.  So even though I've grown up in hot climates all my life (Hawaii and then California), I've pretty much stuck with cotton.  But with the purchase of my handy dandy travel steamer and my further progression into slow fashion (where linen is the superstar material), I've begun to see the light.  And this year I've finally come fully around and now I absolutely love linen.  I can't get enough linen!  I've purchased linen items from several ethical/slow fashion brands in the last six months so I thought I would let you all know how they all stacked up against each other.  {P.S. If you're interested I've also done this before with silk here.}

ES linen petra crop and linen clyde skirt

First, why is linen such an amazing material?  My (internet) research has pointed me to these facts about linen that make it quite possibly the most best cloth on earth:

Why Linen Is So Awesome

- Everybody knows linen is the best material for hot weather.  Since linen has a high moisture absorbency but doesn't retain moisture, it doesn't get weighed down with sweat (unlike cotton) and essentially wicks away sweat.  Linen also dries quick to inhibit bacteria growth to prevent smelly odors.  The hollow linen fibers also allow for air permeability keeping you cool in the summer heat.

- It's hypoallergenic (great for those with sensitive skin like myself) and it's moth resistant.

- Linen is uber durable (just look to the Ancient Egyptians who used it for their mummies).  It's 30% more durable than cotton and doesn't pill.  In fact linen just keeps getting better with washings and age.  

- Linen is made from the flax plant which is a fairly hardy plant, especially when compared to cotton, and doesn't need nearly as much water or pesticides as cotton.  And that's because flax plant can grow in quite poor soil conditions.  Flax growing practices in China tends to be more agro-industrial while European linen tends to be grown more naturally since their climate is suited to the plant.

- Nothing in the flax plant is wasted with other parts of the plant making linseed oil or consumable flax seeds (high in fiber and omega-3 and considered a superfood).

- Linen is fully biodegradable (when undyed).

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

So why don't people just wear linen all the time?  Well linen is expensive to produce because of the laborious process to harvest the plant and weave the material.  It's a luxury fabric.  But if you're going for quality and not quantity, you can't go wrong with linen!  You know it's going to last and it'll only get better with more washings.  Also if you splurge on the best linen, you also won't need to be steaming/ironing it much either.

So here's what you guys really want to know, right?  Which brands use the best linen material? {Note: I use oz/yd^2 to indicate the weight of the linen with a higher number meaning a heavier cloth weight and thus a more premium product.  Also I only include 100% linen items and no linen blends} . Here's how the brands linen material stacks up from best to worst (also thickest to thinnest):

1) Two Days Off

{Added Jan 2021. I think it qualifies for the top position because of the all reasons listed below but especially because they prioritize deadstock material}

Weight: 5.90 oz/yd^2 (200 gsm)

Source: Deadstock for the colors clay, cactus, and soy; Canada for the colors black, moss, mushroom, bright navy

I love the fact that TDO prioritizes using deadstock first thus “recycling” in a sense. And of course Gina (the founder) would because she is a climate scientist. Plus they are a plastic-free company (only biodegradable garment bags) and she takes the extra step to be Climate Neutral certified (by offsetting the carbon footprint of manufacturing and shipping). Also this slow fashion brand makes all their clothes in LA in limited or made-to-order quantities. These are just some of the reasons why I love this BIPOC-owned, women-owned, California brand, and on top of all this Gina is a kind and warm human being who takes the time to connect with all her customers. Review of the linen Kaneko dress coming soon!

2) Only Child Clothing (no longer produced)

Weight: 7.5 oz/yd^2 (or 254 gsm) for 2018

2019 Update: This year I purchased the Cove Pants (reviewed here) and I don’t know the exact numbers on flax linen (which I read through their stories that they source from a different producer than all their other linen colors), but I have to say based on feel alone seems slightly thinner to Elizabeth Suzann’s flax linen. The OC flax linen seems slightly thinner, lighter and rougher than the ES material. Based on this I would actually rate ES linen to be number one in terms of thickness.

Source: Japan

Does this surprise you guys?  It totally surprised me since I for sure thought Elizabeth Suzann had the best linen out there.  But I have to qualify this rating by saying it only applies to linen items produced by Only Child this season.  Last year's linen is of a lower quality and is not the same as this year's linen.  So be careful when buying Only Child linen items on the secondhand market since this rating doesn't apply.  But it does mean that if you've been eyeing something linen from Only Child, this is the year to get it.  Having the linen Dune pants myself (along with a lot of other Elizabeth Suzann linen items) I can attest that the OC linen is of equal calibre (though slightly better according to the numbers.  But in an actual blind feel test I can't tell the difference between the two).

3) Elizabeth Suzann (no longer produced)

Weight: 7.08 oz/yd^2 (or 241 gsm)

Source: Japan

In a very close second is ES and like I mentioned above, it feels exactly the same to the OC linen to me.  You will not be able to feel the difference of 0.42oz/yd^2.  If you've been reading my blog, you know that I have a ton of ES linen items that I wear constantly.  These include the Petra Crop, Clyde Linen Work Pants, Clyde Linen Billow Skirt, and the linen Georgia tee (all links are to the reviews on this site).  I love love love ES linen and cannot get enough.  But with just those 4 linen items alone (2 tops and 2 bottoms) I'm really set for almost a week's wear of linen (okay with lots of outfit repeating).  Also while doing research for this post I came across this interesting article about Japanese linen from the NYT.  From my experience with Japanese made items, I’m pretty sure those weaving the linen in Japan are highly unlikely to be slave labor or paid poorly.

4) Pyne & Smith

{Added in 2019}

Weight: 5.90 oz/yd^2 (200 gsm)

Source: Flax grown in Belgium and France, fabric milled in Lithuania

The linen from Pyne & Smith is a great midweight linen that’s slightly thicker than the fabric from the Lithuanian producers below yet thinner and less heavy than the linen from ES and OC. If you want to support a domestic company and linen dresses are your thing, then Pyne & Smith might be your go-to. I love my no.12 dress (reviewed here) for both the simplicity and ease of wear.

5A) LinenFox

{Added in 2019}

Weight: 5.46 oz/yd^2 (185 gsm)

Source: Lithuania (Oeko-Tex certified)

I love my Linenfox Kimono Top (reviewed here) since it’s basically a dupe of the ES Georgia tee. LinenFox items are of the same quality as nPL with a linen weight of 185gsm (and I suspect they might be sourcing their linen from the same local Lithuanian linen producer though I don't have any real evidence of this--but how many Oeko-tex certified linen producers are there in Lithuania?).  I’ve also ordered their linen pants and plan to see if it’s similar to my OC Cove pants. I seriously love the styles they produce at LinenFox and their items are a great value (true midweight linen, made ethically, and at a great price). If you’ve been wanting to get some great ethical linen pieces, I would start with them (and even though the linen quality is the same with nPL, I slightly prefer LinenFox’s styling). The only drawback when comparing them to domestic brands is that 1) you’re not buying in the USA and 2) the lead times+shipping times are much longer so you’re going to have to wait longer for your item.

Linenfox Heavyweight Linen

{Added in 2020}

Weight: 340 gsm

Source: Lithuania (Oeko-Tex certified)

Released at the end of 2019, the heavy linen is a great option in cold weather for those who live in milder climates. Or a great transition piece. It truly is the heaviest linen of this bunch. This linen isn’t really suitable for summer. My review of their heavy linen jacket is here.

5B) notPerfectLinen

Weight: 5.46 oz/yd^2 (shown as 185 gsm on their site and converted with this calculator)

Source: Lithuania (Oeko-Tex certified)

When I felt the nPL linen (when I purchased this Marseille skirt--reviewed here) I knew it was good but not quite as thick and durable as the ES linen.  With a little bit of digging I was able to come up with numbers to prove my suspicions.  In a blind feel test you will for sure be able to tell the difference between nPL and ES/OC, but that doesn't mean that nPL is inferior.  The linen from nPL is still quite thick, opaque and durable and it has the added benefit of being Oeko-tex certified (meaning the linen was processed without harmful chemicals).  And though it doesn't have the same quality as ES or OC linen, I think nPL linen items are the best value out there since their stuff costs significantly less than either ES or OC (both of which are American-made brands). 

6) Quince (One Quince)

{Added in 2020}

Weight: 160gsm

Source: China, but it's 100% organic linen dyed without hazardous chemicals in a dyeing mill that meets bluesign® standards

I love my organic linen tank (Quince organic linen tank review here) and linen shorts. Quince’s linen feels like the best of the thinner, lightweight linen items (all those above are considered midweight to heavyweight linens). This linen is smooth to the touch and heftier than even the (very expensive) Ichi Antiquities linen listed below. The fact that this top is made of 100% organic linen and costs only $30 seems to good to be true (but it’s possible because of their shipping model detailed here). Also I really like that even though this is light colored linen (my tank is in the color “driftwood”) that it’s completely opaque—can’t see my bra at all. This is the perfect linen tank for hot and humid weather!

7) Ilana Kohn

{Added 2021}

Weight: Unknown

Source: Unknown

I am basing this on feel alone so it’s not the most scientific observation, but I would say the linen of my Eleanor top from Ilana Kohn (review coming soon) is about the same as the Quince linen and a tad thinner than the linen from Lithuania. It’s still an excellent weight and textured fabric though and items from Ilana Kohn have the added benefit from being made in the US (NYC).

8) Ichi Antiquities

{Added August 2020}

Weight: unknown/can’t find (so basing the rating on feel)

Source: I can’t find where the linen is sourced from but the garments are all made in Japan.

As much as I love the dress I got from Ichi Antiquities (reviewed here), I have to say the linen is definitely on the light-weight side. It definitely feels lighter than my Lithuanian linen items so I’ve placed it on the list here. It’s also too bad I can’t find where they source their linen from. Price-wise, Ichi is definitely up there (with ES and OC) but value-wise it’s not really there. This is a cult favorite, and I appreciate their silhouettes but I don’t think I’ll be purchasing from them again.

9) Everlane

Weight: 4.87 oz/yd^2 (165gsm)

Source: The linen is from China from a mill called HLC - it’s one of or the largest linen supplier in China

I love my linen collarless shirt, and still wear it 4 years later. This linen quality is the same as Quince’s which is a good lightweight linen.

10) Grana

Weight: 4.13 oz/yd^2 (converted from 140gsm) 

Source: Linen fibre is sourced from flax growers in Northern France and the fabric is woven and knitted in two separate mills in China. The final garment production process is also completed in China.

The linen from Grana this season is much softer and more sheer than any of the linen from the brands above, but Grana also does line their linen items (usually with a cotton lining).  The white linen items are especially sheer.  Grana's linen is definitely the softest and the least stiff of the bunch though it still wrinkles quite a bit.  Grana's Irish linen from 3 years ago was the best but every subsequent year has seen a decline in their quality.  I don't know if Grana's going to make it at the rate they're going.

11) Tradlands

Weight: Unknown

Source: Unknown

So in all honesty, this is based on one linen item I received from them last year but Tradlands no longer makes 100% linen items (they're all currently 70% cotton 30% linen).  So it must mean they stopped sourcing material from the producer they used last year.  And good thing too since based on the quality of that linen top, I have to rate them down here.  It was the only linen piece in my life that came out stiff as a board after washing and horrible to wear.  I can't figure out why since I washed it the same as I do all my other linen items.  Before washing it though I would say it had the same quality as Everlane's (on the thin side but decent). {Feb 2021 update: So I purchased the linen tencel blend Nico dress last year and love the material, though that is also not 100% linen.}

Grana on the left and Elizabeth Suzann on the right, both are washed and hung dry without any steam pressing. As you can see, the heavier weight linen doesn't need any steaming while the lighter weight linen piece could use a good press.

Anyway I hope this little guide about linen has got you thinking about adding linen into your life (if you haven't yet and if you have I hope it makes you appreciate your linen items more).  Seriously a high quality linen piece can be life changing!  We still have a couple more months of hot weather and with global warming and more record high temperatures in our future, investing in good linen is not a bad idea!  

Weekend Update/Ramblings

Summer 10x10 picks

Man, is it still No Buy July?  Lol, I know it defeats the purpose of a shopping ban month when you go out and purchase a ton of stuff right after (it's like abstaining then binging right).  But after a reader left a comment about the awesomeness of LinenFox, I now want to get a couple stuff from them (specifically the Georgia tee dupe).  Then I can do a quick comparison review to let you know the differences between them (other than the price point).  Also still pining for the Everlane Day Heel mules in natural suede and the cotton mockneck muscle tank.  Oh and the Elizabeth Suzann Harlow dress in linen (originally wanted the tunic but I think the dress is what I really want).  Of course I won't go out and buy it all at once and I'll probably pass on the Harlow dress since it's quite pricey (and by the time I actually get it, we'll be in the Fall season).  Also the ban did help me realize I don't need or want any of the crop tees and tanks from Everlane.  But it's funny how not buying something just means I talk about it more (and it makes me seem even more consumeristic even though I'm abstaining from buying).  

Anyway I also came across this post from a fellow sustainable closet blogger that really resonated with me.  This is the conflict I feel every time I think about getting free Everlane items to review.  Oh by the way my contact forgot to send me the luxe cotton tee dress to review which is actually a blessing since now it ends up that I have added zero items to my closet this July, thus fulfilling my No Buy July goal.  And it looks like the polka dot items are coming in August (if she doesn't forget to send it anyway).

So now I'm thinking of doing shopping bans on months with a "y" in it (lol arbitrary maybe), but I figure that gives me "consumption pauses" in January, February, May, and July.  So that's perfect for a pause after a spendy December and still lets me spend in March (my birthday month).  Ideally of course I would not be buying closet items for the bulk of the year but at least this way I won't be buying for a third of the year.

Anyway I'm doing the summer 10x10 challenge (10 items styled 10 ways over 10 days).  This is my first summer edition so I'm pretty excited.  You can see all 10 looks from my Spring 10x10 here and the Winter 10x10 before that here.  I usually do the Fall and Winter challenges because I like dressing for cold weather, but finally with the addition of a bunch of linen items to my closet this year, summer dressing has become a joy as well.  Can't wait to share with you guys (it'll all be on Insta, not the blog).

And finally this article really hit the nail on the head: sometimes going zero waste feels like hammering a nail to halt a falling skyscraper.  Okay I know that doesn't make a whole lot of sense but read it and it will :)

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!

Rothy's $200 Giftcard Giveaway {Closed}

Hi y'all, so since I haven't had the chance to write up a good review for you guys (see yesterday's vent sesh, lol) I've decided to do a giveaway instead!  I'm so lucky to have so many of you guys support this little blog of mine (thank you thank you, a million times thank you!).  So once in awhile I'll get more than I need.  In this case it's a Rothy's gift card accumulated from all those who bought through my referral link posted in my review.  Since my own pair of Rothy's are going strong and I don't really need another pair, I decided to pass along the $200 gift card/promo code along to you guys.  Giveaway open to all and ends July 31st at 12am PST.  Winner will be announced August 1st.  To enter, just fill out the form below (again email is just so I can contact the winner--no spam I promise).  Oh and please no repeat entries.

Weekend Update

I'm not sure if it's the summer heat or what but I'm feeling so sluggish and lazy lately.  Consequently, my writing has slowed down majorly (notice the lack of a Friday review), and no it's not because I've started the process of revamping the format of the blog (that's realistically not going to happen until after September when our Airstream biz busy season ends).  Also right now, my mom is visiting from Hawaii so I've been busy taking her around everyday (she refuses to drive in Cali with all these aggressive drivers, lol).  And to top it all off, we're sleeping in the new house with a new bed and my quality of sleep has severely deteriorated (the new bed is too soft and the new bedroom is super light in the morning which is majorly affecting my night owl lifestyle).  Sorry to start off this post with just whining and complaining.  This is probably better suited for a personal journal vent instead of my ethical style blog, but hey not all moments are rainbows and sunshine right?

Ok thanks for letting me vent, lol.  Anyway we need new sheets for our new bed since we decided to upgrade to a king size.  I was thinking of reordering from Brooklinen again (reviewed here), despite a hassle-filled return process on my last order.  It's just so hard to get high quality percale cotton sheets for a decent price and I think Brooklinen provides the best value.  If I feel like splurging I might go with these Coyuchi organic percale sheets, but we'll see since spending over $225 on sheets is pretty ridiculous.

In other news, did you see Everlane's sneak peak of their fall shoe line-up?  I am majorly digging both the pointed mules and blunt toe slingback (though they're so much like my V-sling backs that I don't know if I can justify the purchase).  But I'm really loving that granny toe sling back look.

In other news, I've officially finished 3 weeks of No Buy July and I've got another week and a half to go.  So far I have not purchased a single item for the closet (yes, I am buying stuff for the new house but I seriously need the furniture and housewares.  The great thing about living in a trailer is that we didn't have to furnish it--though the styling of it all leaves a lot to be desired.  But now we are starting from pretty much scratch).  I wonder if it's the no buy july thing or what, but this month just seems to be crawling.  There's a handful of things I want to buy when the month is over but luckily I've had minimal interest in the Nordstrom sale.  I just don't think anything I buy there would be something that I would wear over and over again.  I did click over to the site once (out of habit, without thinking) but quickly clicked away.  I dunno but the more I see other bloggers and instagrammers touting the Nordstrom sale, I get more and more turned off by it.  I mean are you really buying closet staples or just because there's a sale?

Everlane Review: The Denim Skirt

I've always loved a good denim skirt.  My most worn item in college was a mini dark denim skort from Old Navy that I wore until it turned into a light denim skort (lol remember skorts?  I kind of wish they would come back into style haha).  But sometime in my late 20s, I stopped wearing denim skirts.  It might be because I went into the work force and wore more "professional" clothing or it might be because the denim skirt went out of style (or so says my much younger millennial friend--though I disagree).  Anyway I'm just so glad Everlane has decided to their version of the denim skirt, from sustainable denim produced in Vietnam.  

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

The skirt fits true to size, with my usual size 28 fitting just right.  I love that it's a high-waisted skirt so I can wear really cropped tops like the Elizabeth Suzann Petra Crop in the photos above.  Also the skirt is a good length since I wanted something that wasn't too mini (I'm no where near college age after all).   Since the skirt is 100% cotton there's no stretch to it, which I love!  It really holds you in and helps to keep a slimming shape.  Also the A-line shape of the skirt is really flattering and is great for someone like me who has thick thighs.

Unfortunately I see that a lot of the sizes are out in the various colors  (sorry for writing up this review so late, lol I'm still playing catch up with all my reviews!).  If you live near an Everlane store I think you're still in luck since I saw them there when I visited last week.  Or if you are a smaller size, they have plenty of those left.  Otherwise I hope you can snag one on the secondhand market or petition Everlane to make more!

P.S. As a lot of you guys pointed out, this skirt is definitely for short people.  I'm 5'4" and find it the perfect length.  I think any taller and it's going to be a very mini skirt on you!

Unsponsored Only Child Clothing Review: The Alta Top in Raw Silk {March 2021 Update}

Hi guys and welcome to my first review of Only Child Clothing, another purveyor of beautiful slow fashion pieces.  For me, Only Child is local with all their items made by hand in Oakland, CA.  I first talked about Only Child here, when I mentioned meeting Haley (the founder of OC) at West Coast Craft.  It was there that I purchased this Alta Top in raw silk, and it was love at first wear.  Since then (about 1 month) I've worn this top 10 times.  That might not seem like a lot but if you break it down, that's at least twice a week, and sometimes three.  I've also washed it multiple times and it's held up like a champ!  I really really love this top and would someday like to buy another one in raw silk in a different color!

{Wearing: Only Child Alta Top, Everlane Easy Chino pants (reviewed here), Everlane V Slingback (reviewed here), Polene numero un bag (reviewed here)}

First a note on sizing: I'm wearing a XS/S here and find that it fits perfectly.  Since this is a naturally more oversized top, I went with a smaller size.  The sleeves are on the more fitted side because of that, but not too small that it gets stuck on my bicep.  Also since I'm on the petite side, the smaller size fits me well.  

I really love that the neck-hole on this top is not that wide.  My 2nd generation Elizabeth Suzann Georgia Tee is of a similar shape and style but sometimes I find that the neck hole is too large and my bra straps show.  I have no problems with that with the Alta Top.  I also really love the parabola shape at the hem of the Alta top, which makes it more cropped in the front than in the back.  I find the cropped look goes really well my high-waisted elastic bottoms like the Everlane Chinos up top or the Elizabeth Suzann Clyde skirt below.  But at the same time, it's not too cropped.  It falls somewhere between my Petra crop from ES and the Georgia Tee.  Also I love that the sleeves of the Alta top are more fitted than my Georgia Tee (don't get me wrong I still love the wing tips of my Georgia Tee sleeves but sometimes you want a more fitted sleeve to fit under a jacket and the Alta top is the perfect candidate to layer with).  I think if you don't want as much of a cropped front, you can size up (so I would size up to S/M).

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

And last buy not least, I love that raw silk that this Alta top is made of.  The eggshell color is the perfect white but it's opaque enough not to show a nude bra.  I also think because the top falls away from the body, you aren't as likely to see the outline of your bra.  I'm a huge fan of raw silk not only because it's machine washable, but also because it has a nubby texture that makes it way more interesting than a cotton top.  Also the raw silk is structured a bit like linen so it can hold its shape well, but at the same time doesn't wrinkle as much as linen.  I've been a fan of raw silk since trying out the tops from Jamie and the Jones (review here and here), but I decided to let those pieces go because I don't wear them as much.  I think in the end it comes down to styling, and for me Only Child fits my style to the tee.  Also if I were to compare this to the J+J blank canvas top, this Alta top is not nearly as wide and not as cropped.  And the neck-hole is smaller than the J+J one.

{Wearing: Only Child Alta Top, Elizabeth Suzann line Clydes (reviewed here), Everlane V Slingback (reviewed here), Celine Small Cabas Phantom (similar here, reviewed here)}

Anyway I can't recommend this Alta top enough.  Like I said I really want to get another one of these (maybe in black) because it's the perfect casual yet elevated tee!

{March 2021 update: I’m still in love with this cream-colored raw silk Alta top and wear it weekly 2.5 years later. I also loved it to much that I got it in black raw silk in a true XS/S size (pictured above), which I also love. My first eggshell Alta was a sample, which I realize is more cropped and all around smaller than the true XS/S. Having tried this black one in the right size, I’ll say the XS/S runs tts and isn’t too cropped nor too oversized. I got another black Alta after I tried and then sold my linen Alta top which I reviewed here. Currently OC is phasing out the raw silk (but they still make it in eggshell and black, the two colors I currently have) and instead use a cotton/silk (70/30) blend for their new colors (that sand dollar greige is pretty dreamy). I’m curious to try it out and may splurge on another Alta, in which case I’d update this review again!}

Weekend Update/Ramblings

So Everlane has asked me again if I wanted anything from their July line-up to style and feature on the blog.  Since I told myself this is a No Buy July I debated on whether or not I should pass up this option (sorry if you already went through this on Insta-story with me since I'm just rehashing it here).  In the end I decided to pick out two things (originally I had decided on one, but ended up also picking out the split tee dress because I'm bad at balance like that >.<).  Also I've been working on this blog and reviewing Everlane for three years now and I'm finally getting gifted pieces so it's kind of a bummer that I've somehow headed into the minimal/sustainable closet movement as well.  But then again when you know better, you have to do better.  And better in this case means less.

Also speaking of balance, everyone's balance is going to look different.  My definition of balance is probably on the side of excess since I'm a blogger and the main way I get views to this blog is by putting out new content (which for me are reviews).  So unfortunately getting new stuff is the life blood of this kind of "review blogging".  But I'd like to think at least I'm supporting brands that are trying to do better (and I still turn a lot of brands down).  Also I'm thinking of trying out new content that will slowly get away from reviews of new items.  So we'll see how that goes.  

But as a side note, I did go to Everlane this past week because I really wanted to try their new crop tee and double v tank in person.  I mentioned in last weekend's post that I wanted to buy them after No Buy July was over.  Well unfortunately they didn't have them in stock at the store so I didn't get to try them on.  But now that I look at more pictures of them, I think I'm over them (yay for waiting on buying them and then losing interest).  BUT I did try on the cotton mockneck muscle tank (size small) and I fell in love.  I wanted to buy it right then and there but I respected the No Buy July and decided to just put it on the running wishlist.  I loved it because in some ways it kind of reminded me of a soft cotton, non-cropped version of my linen Elizabeth Suzann Petra crop.  I think in my old age I like a top that comes up high on the neckline so as to cover my chest (since I'm already starting to get wrinkles there, boo) and I appreciate the the sleeveless-ness to prevent farmer tan lines.  I debated not telling you guys about this top on the off-chance it sells out before July is up, but then thought that would be selfish (but please, don't all go and buy it now in the size small because I reeeaaaally want to buy it in August).  Also speaking of the running wishlist, I also want to get the new Harlow Tunic in linen over at ES.  It looks like a fun breezy top and another unique silhouette I would love to experiment with.

In other news, we're going to be moving out of our trailer by the end of the month and so I'll soon be a regular-suburban-house wifey, lol.  I've come up with a new name (sorry not going to reveal it yet), but now I've got to work on updating the site and moving everything over to the new url.  I feel like it's going to a big (but necessary) pain.  In the mean time, posts may become slightly sporadic while I put more time in the the other parts of the blog that's not writing.

Everlane Review The Form Two Strap Sandal

If there was one Everlane purchase I regret this year it would be this Form Two Strap Sandal.  I purchased the Form Sandals last year in the plum color (now on sale at Everlane), and though I wore it a lot I always thought it was on the ugly side.  So when I saw Everlane's new sandals for this summer, I impulsively purchased them thinking they would be my new leather sandal for the summer.  I especially liked the green fabric stripe on the larger band (it looked a tad Gucci-esque to me) and I loved that they added a rubber layer at the bottom so that it's grippier than last year's version.

But here's the thing, I also purchased a pair of Birkenstocks (similar) in May after swearing never to be caught dead in them...ever.  But when I was in a Nordstrom Rack in Hawaii (tagging along with some friends), I tried on a pair.  And ohhhh maaaaii they are so comfortable.  It was kind of love at first wear.  So with two new sandals in my collection, sadly these Everlane ones got neglected.  As I mentioned on Monday, I've worn my Birkenstocks so much that they made it into my top 10 most worn items (so far I've worn them 23 times since May).  On the other hand, I've only worn these Everlane sandals a grand total of 3 days (woomp woomp).

So I don't know if I can honestly recommend these Everlane sandals.  Compared to the Birkenstocks, the sole feels a lot thinner while the straps aren't nearly as comfy.  However, aesthetically, I really like the look of these sandals.  But for me, that's no longer enough (I'm firmly in the old lady camp of comfort over looks).

But if you are interested in these sandals, they are true to Everlane size (which for my slightly wide feet is a half size bigger than my normal size, ie I get a size 8 in Everlane but 7.5 in most other shoes).

Anyway since I'm not wearing these sandals and they're just sitting around in my closet, I figure someone else could get better use out of them.  Like I said, I've only worn them 3 times.  So you can find the for sale here.

P.S. My Everlane giveaway for a $50 gift card ends today on Instagram so enter here if you haven't yet! :)

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?

The Stylebook App 6 month recap: What did I wear the most so far this year

Wow can you believe it, half the year is over already?  Spring has come and gone and we are now in full summer mode!  Well I did a recap of what I wore the most after the first 3 months of the year, so I thought I would do another one for the 2nd quarter of the year.  I really loved writing that first post since it helped me 1) be mindful of what I'm actually wearing in my closet and 2) helped me realize that even with a ton of clothing, I only really wear the same stuff all the time (so maybe I don't need so much clothing?).  Well I at least do not need to buy any more clothes for the next several months, especially since I got an influx of new things in June and don't know when I'll get those wear counts up!

Anyway just like last time, I'm not going to count the bags here since they're used on the daily and I also don't log my tees on the app since I wear them all the time as well (and treat them somewhat like undershirts).  So as you'll see the things that end up being worn and logged the most are my pants and shoes.

1) Vince Blair Sneakers (similar here): Still holding the number one spot.  I guess when you end up wearing it almost everyday in the winter, it keeps its number one position.  I rotate shoes more in the summer, so the wear count for each shoe is less.  I'm just a summer shoe kind of person, while I don't really care in the winter so I wear the same darn thing.

2) Elizabeth Suzann Linen Clydes (reviewed here): This is hands down my favorite pair of summer pants.  The linen breathes and I never sweat in these.  And I also love that they're high waisted and cropped at the ankles.  When I first got it, I wore it everyday for weeks.  Even though it cost a pretty penny ($255), I'm down to $5.20/wear which isn't bad at all.  Compare that to the Zara stuff that I bought impulsively for $40 and $50, which are still at $10/wear and $25/wear respectively.  Aaaand I'm already ready to get rid of the Zara stuff.  This really shows me that it's not how much something costs so much as how many times are you really going to wear it.

3) Frame Denim (old, similar here): Also still holding on to it's position, which isn't surprising since like I said before it's my favorite pair of jeans.

4) Everlane Street Sandals (no longer available, reviewed here): This has been my favorite summer shoe for the last 3 years running and I'm on my second pair, having worn the stuffing out of my first pair.  This time I cut off the elastic before it got all gross and dirty so now I can slip my feet in and out easily (but the 2 leather straps keep it secure enough to keep on, even when running).  I actually have one more pair of this exact shoe ready for when this second pair putters out.  Yep, that's how much I love this simple-looking lightweight shoe.  And it's no wonder that these were in my lowest cost per Everlane post here.  It'll probably show up on that list for this year as well.

5) Birkenstock: I recently purchased this shoe in May after resisting wearing Birkenstocks for years.  I've always viewed these shoes as very granola and a tad ugly.  I didn't want to follow the trend but in the end resistance was futile.  And there's a good reason these shoes are so popular, they're comfy as heck.  And it shows since I've worn them 23 days already in a month and half.

6) Everlane Day Heel Mule (reviewed here): This shoe is my current favorite pair of heeled shoes.  I wear it constantly and it shows on the app, though not on the shoes (these still look great due to the awesome leather quality).  Now that these shoes are broken in a bit (it took about one day of 4 hours of wear), they are hands down the comfiest heels I own.  Plus I love that I can just slip in and out of them without having to fuss with straps or buckles.  I've worn these shoes everywhere and plan to wear them even more (and just yesterday I even talked about getting a second pair in the natural suede).

7) Rothy's Pointed Flats (reviewed here): Another summer shoe has made the top 10.  I've worn these everywhere as well and are my favorite pair of closed toe flats.  They're the perfect summer shoe since they breathe pretty easily and are easy to wash.  I've washed mine already and yep I can attest they're as good as new when you do.

8) Everlane Modern Utility Jacket (reviewed here): This was my spring jacket this year.  It really was the perfect light spring jacket, especially for my job since I needed all the pockets for walkie-talkies and other Airstream gear.  Can't wait to bust this jacket out again in the fall!

9) Everlane Long Sleeve Cotton Crew Sweater (reviewed here):  And this was my spring sweater this year.  It was the perfect layering piece and it fit under my Modern Utility jacket.  This was my go to combo all spring.

10) Everlane Wool-Cashmere Sweater (no longer available, reviewed here): This sweater was in the number 3 position (with 16 wears) back in March.  I haven't worn it since then but because it was my most worn sweater in the winter it's still holding on to the top 10.  

So what lessons have I learned from the last 3 months of keeping track of what I wore?  Well first of all, the items that can be worn over multiple seasons are the ones that are naturally worn the most and so you get the best bang for your buck.  Also new items that become fast favorites also are worn the most.  And again this exercise has driven home to me the ole' 80/20 rule: I wear 20% of my clothes, 80% of the time.  But of course a girl always wants to have options so I plan to keep the rest of my clothes around (especially now that I have a closet to actually fit them all in).  But in general this logging of things I wear is a really useful way of making sure I'm being mindful of wearing what I buy.  And since I'm having a No Buy July, I plan to get my wear counts up even more.  Anyways can't wait to see how the next 3 months play out!

Weekend Update/Ramblings

Had some Airstream retrievals in Napa this week and Oxbow is my fave spot to grab lunch

How was everyone's week?  Mine was pretty uneventful other than a fun BBQ with friends on the 4th of July, oh and also playing a new board game with friends (we played Puerto Rico, have you played it before?  It was fun if not a tad long).  Anyway it was very weird not to post all week on either this blog or on Instagram.  I thought I might catch-up on posts during this hiatus but nope, I hardly wrote anything and it felt kind of nice.  Also it was nice to take a break from Insta (though I did a couple Insta stories, but that's fun for me).

So one week into No Buy July, and I already want to buy stuff (*facepalm*) but instead of buying it I will just talk about it here.  First up is the new line of cropped tees from Everlane.  I know I don't need any of these, nor does Everlane have the best quality tees.  But they would look so cute with my high-waisted Elizabeth Suzann (ES) Clydes, my linen skirts and even my new Dune pants from Only Child.  But I will resist.  If there's any available in August I might think about it (though I originally planned for a no buy July and August, I'm rethinking that August bit).  I also want to get Everlane's Day Heel Mules in this natural suede color.  I really love my cognac Day Heel Mules (reviewed here)  and I've worn them a ton now (okay well 23 days so far to be exact, and they are now at $6.73/ per wear).  But I don't like how the cognac color is a tad too warm to go with my ES linen Clyde skirt or my notPerfectLinen skirt.  So I think this natural suede color would be the perfect cool-toned neutral to go with my other cool-toned clothes.  And lastly I just saw this cute belt bag from a Parisian brand named celine lefebure and I really love it.  The brand is a small one and their site doesn't go into their ethics too much except to say the bags are made in Italy.  I probably won't get it since I'm not sure how practical such a small bag is, but I can still admire it from afar, lol.  But these are all things I don't need so I will wait and see if I still want them at the end of the month.  Anyone else doing a No Buy July and how's it going?

Also anyone planning to do the summer 10x10 challenge?  I usually skip the summer version because in the past I've pretty much worn just a tee and jean shorts all summer (plus it's peak season for the Airstream biz).  But this year I've got my ES linen clyde pants and skirt, my notPerfectLinen skirt, my Only Child alta top and ES petra top so I feel like I've got a ton of fun options.  So it's about time I finally participated in the summer one.  It starts July 27.  Anyone else with me?

Weekend Update/Ramblings: 10 Things I'm Grateful For RN

While I was searching for an old review on the blog, I found this old post and read through all the things that I was grateful for last May.  Well it's probably a good reminder to catalog the things we are grateful for every once in awhile.  Plus it was pretty fun for me to read back through it.  So please excuse this indulgence while I catalog what I'm grateful for this year.

1) Yoga.  Last year it was swimming, this year it's yoga.  I've been doing it 2-3 times a week for a couple months now and I'm starting to see my strength build.  Plus it's been a great way to get some meditation time in as well.

2) Hiring another hand at the Airstream garage.  Not only am I not cleaning Airstreams this year but I'm also doing less prep work and tours.  This also means I've been putting more time into the blog and I think it's showing.  

3) You guys, my readers!  I can't say this enough, but thank you guys for your support.  Seriously I don't know how long I would be writing this blog if no one read it.  

Pasture-raised chicken necks, from my local farmers market, for chicken broth.  It was only $3 a package!

4) My Instant Pot.  I probably cook with it 1-2 times a week and it's been great for getting me to eat more whole foods and buying less take out.  Here's my laziest recipe: 1lb frozen pasture-raised ground beef with about 2 cups of water in the instant pot for 25 minutes (natural release) to get a block of cooked ground beef with some beef broth.  Save the beef broth (or drink it right then, very delicious!) and then take out the ground beef.  Throw in pasta with sauce and pressure cook it for 12 minutes (depending on what kind of pasta but I usually go with some curly macaroni type).  When that's done throw chunks of ground beef back in and mix.  One pot pasta plus natural beef broth.  I also do the same with frozen or fresh chicken but instead of taking out the chicken broth, I leave it (but take out the chicken) and add rice and cook rice in there for some chicken rice.  You can also add veggies in by keeping the pot warm with the sauté function and throwing in spinach or something.

5) Saturday's farmer's market (this was on the list last year too).  I love my local farmer's market (we just finished up cherry season and now it's peach/plum season).  Even though I'm moving about 25 minutes away, I think I'm going to keep driving down every once in awhile to get my fix of fresh fruits, vegetables, grass fed beef and pasture raised chickens.

6) Moving into a house and getting a bloffice.  I'm definitely going to miss trailer life but I won't miss everything about it.  I plan to write more about this transition when we finally move in fully (which won't be for another couple of months).

7) But in the meantime, I'm also very grateful for the current trailer we live in, our Rockwood.  This was a peek into tiny living that I could do indefinitely really.  And I am very grateful for the current trailer park (well it's more like an RV resort) we live in. Surrounded by nature and with the view of trees and endless golden grass outside.  (P.S. This is also why California burns)

8) My Elizabeth Suzann Clydes.  I have three Clydes now: the linen pants, the canvas pants and the linen skirt.  I love all three though I wear the linen pants the most.  Seriously my bottoms (as in pants and skirt) game has been vastly improved since last summer (which consisted mostly of jean shorts).

9)  Friends and family (that's gotta be on every one of my gratitude lists).

it doesn't have to be white privilege, it's just privilege

10) My privilege.  Ok I know that sounds super snotty but the truth is I'm privileged because I was lucky enough to be born into a family that has supported me (and still does tbh) financially as well as emotionally and mentally.  I don't deserve it any more than the next guy.  I recently watched a new documentary on HBO called "It Will Be Chaos" about refugees and asylum seekers and it made me sad but also so grateful.  I'm so very lucky to not have had the kind of struggles these refugees face.  I know I should do something with this "privilege" and I'm thinking about it.  Giving money doesn't seem like enough.  You can't pay your way to ending these problems, though of course it helps.  But I want to do more.

Thanks for reading through all this and just to let y'all know I'm going to take a week break from blogging.  Things are picking up at the Airstream biz so I haven't had time to do as much writing.  So instead of putting out posts just to keep up with some kind of self-imposed schedule, I'm going to let myself have a break and I'll be back with more reviews in a week.  And hope you guys all have a great 4th of July!

2018 Celine Medium Strap Wallet Review (vs. 2013 Celine Zip Around Wallet) {Updated January 2021}

Hi guys, so for my bag-people readers this one's for you.  My high-end bag and SLG (small leather good) addiction doesn't normally translate to the ethical fashion world, except I hope for the most part Celine and other brands I support are paying their workers fairly.  H&M they are not.  But I get it, I'm lucky and most people are not looking to buy Celine wallets.  However, if you're looking for a bag or wallet to be a workhorse for years (if not decades) then I recommend getting luxury accessories secondhand.  That's how I got my 2013 Celine zip around wallet (from my favorite secondhand seller, Fashionphile).  And well I'm doing this review for you today to let you know that used can definitely be better than new.

So I got my new medium strap wallet from my mom as a birthday present (I'm so grateful!).  I've been wanting a new wallet because even though I love my pink zip around wallet, I really wanted a bill fold to hold cash.  I don't do well when I have to neatly tuck my bills in a gusset, which is what I was doing with the zip around wallet, because I'm not neat (maybe my new blog name could be The Messy Blogger lol).  I hated fumbling and unfolding all my cash, especially since most of the time the bills were crumpled.  So when I saw this medium strap wallet, I knew it was the right one for me.  It has more than enough card slots for me plus it has a bill fold.

But here's the thing, in this day and age of a highly competitive market, even Celine has taken to cutting some corners.  One of the biggest difference between my 2018 wallet and 2013 wallet is that the card slots of my 2018 wallet are no longer all leather like they are in my 2013 wallet.  Celine has taken to making the slots (at the bottom where you can't see it) out of nylon.  My 2013 zip around wallet is all leather.  It's not a big deal but that's a sign of a loss of quality.  Also the leather quality of the zip around wallet is all around better.  I've only had the strap wallet for a couple months and already there's quite a bit of scratches on the soft leather interior. 

But in the end, I really like my new wallet for the added functionality.  However, I'm keeping the pink one as a back-up for it's durability.  But either way I'm set in terms of wallets for at least a decade now so this should be my last review of wallets ever (I hope!) lol. 

Also here's my original review of the 2013 zip around Celine wallet and how it compared to Everlane's.

And you can find my other Celine reviews here.

{January 2021 Update: I still have my strap wallet and I love it! It hasn’t worn much and I’m impressed how well its held up. A winner for sure!}

Unsponsored notPerfectLinen Review {Updated June 2019}

Hi guys and here's a review of this Marseille linen skirt from a new-to-me slow fashion brand called notPerfectLinen.  If you're not yet familiar with them, notPerfectLinen is a small family run Lithuanian business that sews ethically-made garments out of Oeko-tex certified linen.  Each garment is made to order like other slow fashion brands (and so like other slow fashion brands, they have crazy long lead times but more on that later).  You can find their items on Etsy.

I heard of notPerfectLinen (nPL) through the slow fashion grapevine lol.  Since I've been purchasing and blogging about Elizabeth Suzann for a bit, other readers have asked me what I thought about them.  But I waited a bit to purchased because even though I'm a huge fan of Etsy (mostly for fine vintage/antique jewelry), I've never purchased clothing from the platform before so I was a bit cautious because of potential sizing issues.  But when I wanted to add a linen skirt to my wardrobe, I knew I had to try their version.  Also since skirts are more forgiving when it comes to sizing, this was the perfect chance.

{Wearing: Everlane Notch Collar Popover Shirt (reviewed here), notPerfectLinen MARSEILLE linen skirt, Everlane Day Heels (reviewed here), Smaaks Amsterdam bag}

So what do I think about the linen quality of notPerfectLinen?  It's really great.  It’s slightly less in weight than Elizabeth Suzann linen, but nPL has the added benefit of being Oeko-tex certified.  {June 2019 Update: And for those who are wondering about how the linen quality from NotPerfectLinen compares to other brands like Linenfox, Elizabeth Suzann, and Everlane check out my ethical linen comparison post here.}

I'm wearing a size S/M here and I'm 5'4" with a 28" waist and 37" hips.  I usually wear a size 4-6 on the bottom.  And I think I got the perfect size.  It's not loose at all nor is it too tight, so make sure you double check your measurements with their sizing guide that's listed.  The color that I ordered is called "light elephant gray" and it's a bit more gray than the color on their site (but I love it).

The waist is just an easy elastic waist and the skirt goes down to past my knees.  If I were to order it again I would probably ask for a custom length that's a tad shorter (currently it measures 28.5" from top to bottom).  The nice thing about it being made to order is that they allow for customizations (I think you can just add it to the comment section of your order).  

This skirt comes with pockets and I really love the brass snap buttons.  I could unsnap the bottom ones if I want more leg showing.  Also the brass buttons help weigh down the skirt so it doesn't fly up with a gust of wind (of course if it's super windy, good luck and you probably shouldn't be wearing a skirt lol).  I was, however concerned that the pleats at the waist would add bulk to my hips but it doesn't really.  I think the linen material keeps it from getting too bulky.  Also wearing your top tucked into the skirt helps to define the waist more and keeps it slimming I think.  In the outfit pics below I'm wearing the skirt with some cropped tops and I think it looks pretty good there too.  I also wear heels with this most of the time to prevent a cankle-y look (which happens a lot for these midi lengths on me).

So right now their lead time is 4-6 weeks and when that happens they tend to shut down shop until they're caught up again.  I think that's a great way to keep people's expectations in check.  They open up shop again when they've caught up, and right now it looks like that's going to be July 2nd.  Shipping is about $8 from Lithuania and that's beyond reasonable.  It does take about another week or so for shipping to the US, but if you've already been waiting 4-6 weeks, what's another week?  Yes that may seem like a long time to wait, but guys it's worth it!  Quality items that you've mindfully chosen for your closet should take time, and when it comes you'll love it even more because you waited!

Everlane Review: The Japanese GoWeave Short Sleeve Mini Wrap Dress

So don't tell me I look good in this dress.  I mean I appreciate any and all compliments (of course) but for this one instance let's just say it looks so-so because I ended up returning this Everlane Short Sleeve Mini Wrap Dress.  I was very torn about whether or not to keep it, and more so after a poll on Insta-story had 89% of the voters saying keep it.  But in the end, as they say, you gotta do you and "me" is not this dress.

But man, I could see this being me some day!

{Wearing: Everlane GoWeave Wrap Dress, Everlane Day Heels (reviewed here), Celine Nano Belt Bag}

This would be "office worker Elaine" who's efficient, no-nonsense and makes the big bucks (lol, all 'not me' attributes at the moment).  But as it stands, I'm really a garage-working blogger so this dress would only see the light of day on rare occasions (maybe a bridal shower or a fancy dinner).  And not to say that all my clothes need to be workhorses but I have enough special occasion dresses (including the Grana dresses I reviewed couple weeks ago), so I don't need another one.

Anyway for those who do work in an office or more formal environments, I would recommend this short sleeve wrap dress.  The mini version works great for petite gals like myself (I'm 5'4"), while taller people could probably rock the regular length.  I'm wearing my regular size 4 here and it fits great! 

The design on this dress is awesome with an inner tie and an outer tie, so it'll never accidentally unwrap.  I also really like that the sleeves overhang a bit to minimize the tricep area.  The material works great for this dress but having owned Japanese GoWeave before, I know this triacetate doesn't breathe.  So this dress is best suited for air conditioned offices or cooler climates. 

But another reason I ended up returning this dress is because triacetate is quite a toxic material to make and also won't biodegrade like a natural fiber.  So I would only feel worse keeping this around in my closet, not being worn and then knowing how this toxic-to-make material will fill a landfill indefinitely.  Nah, I rather send it back (and never get Japanese GoWeave again) and let Everlane sell it to someone else so they can have that "problem."  

Anyway I can't say I exactly recommend this dress, though it is a good dress.  But if you're going to be wearing it a lot to work and it fills a need in your wardrobe then I would say it's probably worth it.  

P.S. See more in the comments (in response to Renee from goblinshark) for some better links with the specific chemicals it takes to produce triacetate!

Weekend Update/Ramblings

A shot from my visit to a Tiny Home Festival last weekend.  Wearing my Whimsy+Row top with Elizabeth Suzann canvas Clydes

So I had mentioned in the past that I was going to keep track of my purchases this month because I started to feel the overconsumption creeping back into my life.  And holy moly, did I really go overboard this month!  I blame it partly on free stuff from Everlane and West Coast Craft, but trying to stick my 5 item/month budget was not possible this month.  So here's the quick update of what entered my closet this June: 1) Everlane (EV) linen tank, 2) EV denim skirt (both technically purchased in May but came in June), 3) Elizabeth Suzann (ES) Clyde skirt (purchased in April), 4) Dolan dress from Anthro (gift credit), 5) ES petra crop (from @selltradees), 6) EV easy Chino (gift), 7) EV notch collar shirt (gift), 8) Only Child Alta top, 9) Only Child dune pants (in the process of exchanging), 10) Whimsy and Row recycled raw silk top.  I sold an Everlane tee, my Jamie and the Jones Blank Canvas top (since I got 2 raw silk tops from West Coast Craft I decided to sell the one I don't wear as much), a Steven Alan tank, an M.Gemi sneaker, and my first Away suitcase (because I got a second one in black last month and it's so much sleeker).  So 5 things out, 10 things in?  And I like to think I'm a minimalist, lol, I must be delusional.  Anyway this is just to say it will be a no buy July (and I'm thinking of making No Buy July a thing every year just because it rhymes lol), but also a no buy August.  Instead if there's anything I want, I'll put it on a list to purchase at a later date.  And since I finally will have a bloffice (blog office), I'm going to get a couple more things up for sale on my Closet Sale page starting next week.

Also I should confess that I fully regret purchasing the 2 Zara items last month (so all of you that disapproved, you were right).  One of the items (the one I like more) has already gotten a rip in the wash somehow, while I don't reach for the second item because the polyester in it makes it scratchy.  So no matter what an outside app tells me, Zara and other fast fashion brands are not better to me than Everlane.  At least Everlane clothes are mostly made with natural fibers (with a few notable exceptions) and they last me a really long time (I have yet to get a rip like the Zara item).  And then when I'm ready to let something from Everlane go, the quality is still good enough for reselling and there's usually someone who wants to buy it (and that's not true for most of Zara's stuff).  I'll be lucky if I can offload Zara at Crossroads (after I mend the rip of course).  It crossed my mind that this last visit to Zara was like sleeping with an ex long after you've broken up.  You think it's for good time's sake but then you just regret the mistake.  Because you know, there was a reason you broke up in the first place, right?

Everlane Review: The Cotton Short Sleeve Popover Shirt

*I received this item free as a gift to review and style and thus this is a type of sponsored post

Hi guys and welcome to my review of the second item I picked out from Everlane's June line-up of releases.  The first one was the Easy Chinos that I reviewed here (and I noticed are all sold out in the ochre color I featured--did I do that?  Or am I just getting a big ego lol >.<).  The second item I picked out was this cotton notch-collar popover shirt.  I chose it because I tried Everlane's soft cotton popover shirt and loved it (though I didn't keep it since it was pretty expensive for a shirt).  This version is $20 cheaper and has short sleeves which are perfect for hot summer days!

I went with the classic white color because I wanted a simple crisp white shirt and I'm happy to report this top is fully opaque!  The material is a sturdy lightweight cotton that does wrinkle a bit, but nothing my handy dandy travel steamer can't fix in a jiffy.  I love this popover style without buttons because it makes the shirt easier to tuck in and there's also no gaps where the shirt pulls away from the buttons.  And the notch collar is a subtle but cute touch on a fairly plain white shirt.

{Wearing: Everlane Notch-Collar Popover Shirt, Everlane Denim Skirt in Indigo Rinse (review coming soon), Everlane Day Heel Mules (reviewed here), Celine Seau Sangle bag (similar here, reviewed here)}

I'm wearing a size 2 here, which is one size down from my usual 4.  And the shirt is still a bit oversized.  If you're looking for a fitted button-down type of shirt this isn't it.  But I actually like how it falls away from the body since it helps balance out more fitted bottoms like this Everlane denim skirt.  Also the sleeves were a bit long on me so I rolled them up once.

When I first took a look at this shirt in person, it reminded me of my school-girl uniform I had to wear during elementary school (yay for private Episcopalian school).  It was a shirt just like this with either a skirt or a jumper.  And so that thought must have stuck with me when I first styled it with this skirt:

{Wearing: Everlane Notch Collar Popover Shirt, notPerfectLinen MARSEILLE linen skirt (review coming soon), Everlane Day Heels (reviewed here), Smaaks Amsterdam bag (should I review this?)}

Doesn't that looks like some kind of school uniform lol?  

Anyway this shirt is being released today and thanks to Everlane for gifting it.  But more importantly thank you guys for your continued support of my reviews!

Also, this recent article about the classic white shirt is an interesting read if you've got the time.

Hawaii Goods Giveaway {Closed}

Hi guys, so when I went back to my hometown last month I picked up some of my favorite items so I could do a giveaway as a thank you to all of you guys who support me with your time and your clicks!  I really appreciate your comments, messages on Instagram, and taking the time to read my opinions here!

In this giveaway: 1) My favorite hot sauce made in Hawaii, and coincidentally hot sauce number 5 on the YouTube show "Hot Ones"; 2) My favorite cuticle cream also made in Hawaii.  It's made of natural ingredients (though sorry about the plastic); 3) A reusable drawstring bag made by mom from Hawaiian kapa-cloth-patterned material (I use these bags whenever buying bulk or for fruits and veggies instead of plastic bags); 4) Stainless steel straw and 5) Island Bamboo utensils.

So not quite a zero waste giveaway but almost.  Anyway if you're interested in winning this little package, just enter the form below.  I will only email you if you win and don't plan to use your email otherwise (email marketing is not my thing).  Open to international shipping.  Giveaway ends in one week!

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?