How I Dressed for the Heat in Brooklyn and San Diego
In January, I challenged myself to a six-month shopping "fast" in order to save some money and curb my consumer impulse. It was good for me; I learned to stop making excuses to shop (pre-travel preparation, forgetting to pack certain items, etc.), and gained a deeper appreciation for the ethical wardrobe I'd so painstakingly built over the past few years. Most importantly, though, I realized how freeing it is to remove extraneous decision-making from my life for a little while.
So how did I do? Well, first of all, I only made it about five-and-a-half months, as I really did need some lightweight summer pieces for my upcoming trips. I also let my mom buy me a dress while she was up visiting in April (She insisted! I was powerless against her motherly doting!). But this challenge wasn't about the pursuit of perfection, it was about changing my perspective and proving to myself that I could be happy with less. And in that, I believe I was successful.
When I did decide to shop again, I chose pieces from three of my favorite brands: Marine Layer, Reformation, and Madewell. The first two are obvious choices (Marine Layer's clothes are manufactured in the U.S. and responsibly abroad, and Reformation's L.A.-made clothing is highly sustainable). And while Madewell hasn't always been at the top of my list in terms of ethics, they've made a lot of progress recently in terms of transparency and responsible sourcing, and partner with nonprofits like Fair Factories Clearinghouse to continuously improve workplace conditions. And their denim fits me better than any other brand I've tried, especially now that I'm all about the high-waisted mom shorts.
When I packed for my summer trips to Brooklyn (solo) and San Diego (family in tow), I kept it pretty simple:
- Two black tank tops (one from Amour Vert, one thrifted, both old)
- Linen blend striped button down (new purchase)
- Cotton high-waist mini skirt (new purchase)
- High-waisted denim cutoffs (new purchase)
- Linen midi off-the shoulder dress (new purchase)
- Leather slightly-heeled sandals (mine are Kork-Ease and I've had them forever; I've even had to glue the soles back on a few times)
- Black leather tote (I originally bought my Cuyana tote for work, but it now doubles as a travel/ diaper bag)
- Panama hat (mine has been with me for at least six summers)
- My secondhand military jacket in case it got cold... which it never really did
I basically wore the same 2-3 outfits the entire time, but that's the beauty of travel: no one cares. You can shop the capsule here if you feel so inclined (note: this post contains affiliate links)...
My Summer Travel Capsule:
I don't have any photos of the Hattie dress yet, because I bought it specifically for a family portrait session that we did in Balboa Park. I'll share those out once we get them back (it was a balmy, magical evening in the park, so I can't wait to see how they turned out!). In the meantime, here are a few more shots of the basic tank-shorts-skirt-button-up rotation I've been wearing for the past month...
Jon, Avery, me, my little bro, sister-in-law, and nephew at the San Diego Zoo
A British-Made Duffle in a Goldrush Town
I bought this Gloverall duffle coat almost two years ago, just before I got pregnant with Avery. I'd actually planned to send it back – partly because I didn't think it fit me right and partly because I felt guilty about spending so much on it. Instead I let it sit in the back of our car, return label affixed, for the duration of an entire pregnancy + baby year before finally resurrecting it this winter.
And as it turns out, I absolutely love this jacket. Whatever fit issues I thought it had back in 2016 I no longer notice, and it's a little late to worry about the price tag – that money's long spent.
I love the slim cut, the buffalo horn toggles, the rich navy hue, and the cozy deep pockets. But most of all, I love the weight. It's not your typical stiff pea coat wool, but rather a breathable, medium weight 80/20 wool-poly blend that feels a lot like performance fleece. I know that polyamide fabrics aren't the most sustainable, but in this case I'm willing to compromise for the sake of wearability (in temperate California, a truly heavy wool coat will make your swelter).
The Gloverall brand also has a cool history. It was founded in 1951 when Harold & Freda Morris were approached the by Britain's Ministry of defense to help make good use of their surplus World War II Naval ‘Monty’ duffle coats. Once the public got a taste of these stylish and functional coats they went nuts, and Gloverall's stock ran out by 1954. At that point, the company designed their own version of the military-style duffle using a lighter fabric and special cuts for women and children. Over sixty years later, their coats are all still made in the U.K.
All the boxes are checked in my book: classic style, ethical cred, top-notch quality, and comfort.
So even though my hometown of Temecula is quite mild at the moment, I'll just play British dress-up while enjoying the cool desert air. And leaning listlessly against refurbished 19th-century saloons, naturally.
These Autumn Evergreens
Although our neighborhood is filled with orange and gold these days, you'll also find pockets of eternal summer. Northern California is filled with conifers, live oak trees, and ivy varieties, all of whom provide just enough green to offset their dreary deciduous cousins.
I like the idea of having evergreen pieces in my wardrobe, too. This Woolrich jacket is one of them: light enough for summer evenings but warm enough to provide a cozy top layer in fall and winter. Same with my Viktoria + Woods denim skirt, which can be winterized with boots and tights. All of the pieces pictured here have become wardrobe staples and, with the exception of the Amour Vert top, have been in my closet for over three years. It's all part of the clothing philosophy I'm trying to live by: investing in well-made, relatively timeless pieces that will stay with me for many seasons to come.
Outfit details: Woolrich jacket (fabric made in U.S.A., similar here) | Viktoria + Woods high-waisted denim skirt (similar here; made in Australia) | Corso Como boots (I've had these for over five years and love 'em; similar here) | Amour Vert ribbed tank top (made in U.S.A., similar here).
Eva Franco Does Gingham Right
Ubiquitous as the fiddle-leaf fig, the black gingham skirt is the stuff Pinterest dreams are made of. I've seen minis and maxis, tie-waists and ruffles, paired with a crisp button-up or faded rocker tee. But I wasn't about to hop on the bandwagon until I found an ethical alternative.
Head's up: this post is not sponsored, but it does contain affiliate links.
Ubiquitous as the fiddle-leaf fig, the black gingham skirt is the stuff Pinterest dreams are made of. I've seen minis and maxis, tie-waists and ruffles, paired with a crisp button-up or faded rocker tee. But I wasn't about to hop on the bandwagon until I found an ethical alternative.
This lace-up midi version comes from Eva Franco, whose gorgeous designs are all made in Los Angeles. Eva Franco is actually one of the first USA-made brands I ever discovered — way back in 2011 when such things were much harder to come by. Franco is a Hungarian-Romanian immigrant, which could be why her designs speak to me and my mouthful of a maiden name (Palhegyi, which means "man of the mountain," is Hungarian). It could also just be that I'm a sucker for a high, lace-up waist.
I've paired it here with a thrifted Joie silk blouse, my trusty black wedges, a woven Indego Africa bag, and a Hands Producing Hope bracelet.
Shop the look here (ethically, of course):
Photos by Cue The Light
I'm Not (Always) Perky
These days I'd say I'm a pretty happy, well-adjusted person. But there were days in my late teens and early twenties that were not so sunny – days steeped in self-doubt, too much vodka, and Belle and Sebastian on repeat. Days I wandered the Berkeley campus in a haze, trying to suppress my soul-crushing sadness so that I could just get to class. Just make it to work. Just get my diploma and get out.
I guess I'm comfortable talking about this on the blog because it's over, and because that time sits in such a humorous juxtaposition to my current happy, stable life. I mean, I work in corporate communications. I do Crossfit and barre method. I’m practically a cheerleader!
But I still have my days. My gloomy Autumn days, when the idea of smiling is actually painful and I reserve an extra scowl for the cat callers on Mission Street. For those days, I have my Wednesday Adams dress.
Found at La Loupe Vintage in San Diego.