Live Simply, Live Slowly

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Posts tagged slow fashion brand
Review: Everlane 90s Cheeky Straight Jean

Today I’m putting my 90s Cheeky Straight Jeans to the test. I’ve had my original pair for over two years now so let’s see how they’re holding up. These are my most frequently asked about jeans and my most worn pair as well. I will be comparing my original pair to a new pair, which I received postpartum, that’s in a different size and wash.

Quick Thoughts

As a quick overview, you might have guessed it, but yes, I still love these jeans. They have held up so well and I love the overall vintage feel of them. I think the straight-leg fit is a very classic cut and will definitely be a staple in my closet for years to come. There are a variety of washes to fit your style as well as two different length options which contribute to an overall better fit.

Fit & Sizing

I get questions regarding fit and sizing the most, and understandably so. Buying anything online is hard and we want to make sure that we have the right size, especially when it comes to denim. I think these jeans fit quite true to size but with wear, like most jeans, they do stretch out a bit and mould to your body, giving off that “lived-in” look. If you’re looking for a more figure-hugging fit, I would size down. For my original pair, I went for my usual size, which is a size 24 and went with the ankle crop length. For height reference, I am about 5’5”. I have a longer torso compared to my legs so I do love the high-waisted fit of these jeans which make me look visually taller when worn with tops that are tucked in. Postpartum I was gifted a new pair of these jeans and this time around I sized up to a size 25 and kept the same ankle crop length. My new pair definitely runs a touch larger than I prefer, as I think I am currently in between sizes. It gives off a baggier fit than the 24 but is definitely more comfortable for me around the hips. Length-wise I think the cropped length is perfect for me because they hit me right at the ankle and pair nicely with boots, sneakers, and sandals. See the two images below for a side-by-side comparison.

Fabric

Let’s talk fabric! I love that these jeans are 100% cotton which really gives off that vintage-inspired denim look. The feel of the fabric is a nice rigid denim that gets softer with time and wear. I did notice that my newer pair are 100% organic cotton, but the original pair I have only say 100% cotton. So if that is something that is important to you, I would look out for that when purchasing. I’m not sure why it’s different, but it may be different depending on the wash you select. I also find that the pair that is 100% organic cotton has a softer feel to it.

Wash

I think it’s great that there are so many different washes — five blues, one black and one white. They’ve pretty much covered all your staple denim washes. My original pair are the Medium Blue wash, which I think is a great classic jean wash. It has really filled my closet gap as my go-to classic denim. I do find that the wash is more blue in person than displayed on the website. For my second pair, I went with the Vintage Mid Blue which is captured pretty true to colour on their site. Take a look at the side-by-side comparison to see the difference in the washes.

Design Details

Some other fun design details I love are the button-fly and the overall minimalistic look of the denim — no stitching on the butt pockets and the leather patch at the back is very simple and clean.

Have they held up?

After wearing my original pair consistently for over two years, I can confidently say that they have held up and I’m really excited to have a second pair of these jeans. The only kind of wear and tear I can see are in high touchpoint areas like the belt loops and button holes where there is a bit of fraying in the material. Styling-wise, I personally find that this style of denim pairs seamlessly with many of the pieces in my closet and I have found them to be a really versatile piece.

Style Ideas

Here are a few ways I’ve styled these jeans in the past and I hope it inspires you and gives you a good idea of how these jeans might work in your wardrobe.

Outfit Details

This post is not sponsored but contains some gifted items and affiliate links (marked with *). If you decide to shop through the links above, I may make a small commission that helps support this blog and other social platforms. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own.

Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!

howtostyle, capsulewardrobe, slowfashion, tips, reviewCandice Tayslowfashion, slow fashion, slow fashion brand, sustainable fashion, everlane, everlane women, 90s cheeky jean, denim reviewComment
Black Friday 2021

Pause. Read This First.

It’s here, the season of sales, giveaways, and more sales. It’s exciting but it can also be very overwhelming and easy to get sucked into all the deals. My goal here is always first to encourage you to style before shopping. So before you dive into the sales, take a peek at what you already own. Make a list of things you have been wanting or need, and while you shop, don’t get veer off your list! Black Friday and Cyber Monday often get a bad rep for being a time of overconsumption, which it definitely can be, but it’s also a great opportunity to support small businesses and invest in some good quality items at a lower price point.

So this year, I’ve listed the BFCM sales from a few of my favourite small businesses and brands. I’ve chosen the brands based on the products or pieces I use/wear the most. I’ve included products from a variety of categories ranging from ethical fashion, mama and baby essentials, to a few home goodies!

Tradlands — 11/25 - 11/28 (code bf30 for 30% off sitewide)

Tradlands has many options when it comes to timeless closet pieces. Tradlands is also a very size-inclusive brand, with sizing up to 5X. They are passionate about sustainability and also have a great pre-loved section on their site that allows you to sell and or shop pre-loved pieces.

Everlane — 11/25 - 11/29 (no code needed)

I find that Everlane is an excellent place to start for more affordable minimalist pieces. I like that their styles are very classic and simple, which make for great core closet pieces. Many of my closet staples that I wear frequently are from Everlane and have held up really well over time.

Kotn — 11/26 - 11/30 (code ‘candice10’ for 10% off), Canadian brand

Kotn always does something different on Black Friday and I’m here for it. For the 5th year in a row, 100% of proceeds from orders (up to $250, 000) will go to their initiative of funding the building of schools to encourage literacy and give back to the community in rural Egypt. Click here to learn more.

Sundays Furniture, 11/13 - 11/29 up to 20% off (discounts applied at checkout), Canadian brand

If you follow me over on Insta, you may have seen my recent collaboration with Sundays where they helped me out with completing the breakfast nook of my dreams! I love the simplistic designs and the quality of Sundays Furniture pieces. When we moved into our home, one of our first furniture purchases were the Take The Edge Off Counter Stools!

My Faves: Form Bench, Tuck In Dining Chair & Movie Night Sectional (if we had space for this haha)

dear frances — 25% off sitewide (bf25 auto-applied code)

My favourite boots are from Dear Frances and they are definitely investment pieces. If you’ve had your eye on a pair of shoes from Dear Frances, now is a great time to grab a pair at 25% off!

Solly Baby — 20% off from 11/23 - 11/28 (no code needed)

Solly Baby is a definite favourite of mine when it comes to baby essentials. The pieces are not just cute to look at but are super functional. All the materials used are the absolute softest which are so great on baby's skin. In addition to their sales this year, on Giving Tuesday, Solly Baby will be partnering with The Superhero Project to provide wraps to families in the NICU. For every wrap purchased, one will be donated to a NICU family. What an awesome initiative

Storq - 20% off 11/26 - 11/29 (no code needed)

I love this small, woman-owned business so much. Storq pieces have been lifesavers for me during pregnancy and postpartum. They made me feel comfortable while my body was changing and growing and now during my breastfeeding journey, their nursing staples have been such a game-changer.

Fable — from 10% - 20% off 11/22 - 11/29 (no code needed), Canadian brand

I adore this ethically and sustainably crafted dinnerware from Fable, a Canadian-based brand from Vancouver. They have the most beautiful, handcrafted dishes and cutlery, perfect for all those holiday dinners coming up! They really elevate dinner parties and simple home-cooked meals enjoyed with loved ones. They also recently released a super sleek set of durable glassware pieces!

Shop in Canada. Shop in the US.

the mugs

flatware set

glassware set

Harly Jae, 20% off in-stock items (discounts applied at checkout), Canadian brand

Harly Jae, an amazing slow fashion brand designed by Laila. I had the privilege of meeting her and visiting the Harly Jae studio during a trip to Vancouver a few years ago. Harly Jae’s pieces are vintage-inspired with a modern touch and are intentionally crafted to stand the test of time. I have a pair of wide-leg trousers from Harly Jae that are of superb quality and I really love that the brand is completely designed and MADE in Canada as well.

My Faves: House Blouse, Pierott Pants & Reversible Coat

Vetta Capsule — up to 50% off

I’ve been a fan of Vetta Capsule since the start of my exploration of sustainability and slow fashion. They were also one of the first brands that I ever worked with so this small brand is very dear to my heart. If you’re looking for versatile, ethically-made closet heroes, look no further. Vetta Capsule’s pieces are creatively designed to be worn multiple ways and are sure to become wardrobe staples.

These are just a few of the brands and sales that I wanted to highlight this season and I’ve also listed some of my favourites from each brand. These are tried and true pieces that I personally own and a few are just ones that I love! I hope it helps you shop smart and intentionally during this time as I know it can be overwhelming. As always, thank you so much for supporting my content and shopping through some of my affiliate links. As a part-time digital creator, it really helps keep my blog and social platforms running and I’m so appreciative of you guys for sticking around with me!

P.S. Some sales have not started yet so I will be back to update those details once everything is live!

This post is not sponsored but may contain some gifted items and affiliate links. If you decide to shop through the links above, I may make a small commission that helps support this blog and other social platforms. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own.

Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!

slowfashion, capsulewardrobeCandice Tayblack friday, black friday sales, ethical brands, sustainable fashion, slow fashion brand, bfcm, slow fashion deals, small business, shop small, small brand, small business gift guide, black friday 2021Comment
Styling Spring Knits

It’s finally Spring here in Toronto but if you’ve ever lived in Canada, you know how the weather can take you for a rollercoaster ride during the Springtime. As I’ve slowly transitioned my winter wardrobe into my spring wardrobe, I’ve made sure to include a few lightweight knits for chilly Spring days and cool Summer evenings. If you’re curious how to style knitwear for Spring, keep reading on!

I’m also extremely excited to be partnering with a Canadian slow fashion brand, that I’ve admired for a long time, to bring you today’s styling post. I’ll be sharing three styles from their collection that are absolutely perfect for this transitional weather but also make great layering pieces throughout all seasons. If you’ve been looking to invest in high-quality knitwear staples for your closet, Bare Knitwear is definitely a brand to consider. I’ve also got a limited time exclusive discount code for my readers - see more below!

Partnership Disclosure: This post is produced in collaboration with Bare Knitwear and the Bare Knitwear pieces shown in this post were gifted or loaned as part of this partnership. I earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) on all sales made with the exclusive code CANDICE10, valid from April 30th - May 14th.

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About The Brand

Before we get to styling, I wanted to share more about Bare Knitwear because they are doing amazing things. (Scroll on down if you want to hop to the styling first!) I recently met founder Kelsey Adair via email and really admire her passion for creating change in the fashion industry through her brand. Bare Knitwear is created in slow batch collections, which is the epitome of slow fashion! — It’s rare to see a lot of fashion brands working with this slow batch model these days. They only produce one refined collection a year, which reduces waste and eliminates excess inventory. They are also a brand committed to sustainable sourcing, working with fibres native to Peru, from suppliers who are committed to supporting local farmers. They only use dyes that have a OEKO-TEX 100 certification which ensures they comply with international standards on consumer and environmental safety — this is a huge deal! Bare Knitwear strives to empower local artisans while preserving the heritage of traditional Andean artisanal techniques. There is SO much skill required to make these pieces and each Bare Knitwear garment is handmade! Bare Knitwear’s fair trade certified garments are crafted in the Huamanga Region and employ about 150 - 300 artisans at the height of production season.

Reading more about Bare Knitwear and the process that these garments go through has made me recognize how much of an impact these pieces have. At the end of the day, it’s not just a long-lasting closet staple, it’s a hand-crafted piece of art that has helped preserve artisanal tradition and empower and promote the well-being of local Peruvian women. If you’re interested in learning more about their artisans, you can read more about Olga, a featured Bare Knitwear artisan.

Featured Pieces

These are the three garments that I’ll be walking you through today to help offer some insight into the pieces and help you make a more informed decision if you’re looking to invest in Bare Knitwear.

*Shop Bare Knitwear with 10% off using the exclusive code CANDICE10, valid through May 14th. (code does not apply to the sleep shirt pop up)

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The Styling

Spring is usually a time that I like to bring in light neutrals. For this first outfit I’ve styled the mock neck in a light and bright, Spring-appropriate monochrome look. I love how the beige sweater pairs so nicely with bright white pants and a pair of tan flats. Inspired by staying at home, in the second outfit I’ve styled the mock neck with a pair of slouchy trousers for the perfect cozy, at-home outfit. This outfit is great for lounging around or running out to do errands. I love that this knit can be styled tucked in or untucked.

The Material & Fit

The Mock Neck is made of 85% Pima Cotton and 15% Baby Alpaca. The blend of cotton and alpaca wool make it so soft (not itchy at all!), yet breathable and is a great light-weight piece to wear during transitional weather. This piece has a bit of weight to it allowing the garment to slouch nicely on the body. This pullover knit features a beautiful seamless mock neck collar and small slits on each side of the garment allowing for easy movement while wearing the piece. The sweater styled untucked hits me just slightly below the hip (I’m 5’5” and I have a longer torso). The sleeves hit at the perfect length and isn’t overly long or too short.

  • I’m wearing the Mock Neck in the colour natural in the size XS/S. This garment fits TTS.

  • Other colours: Olive and Black

  • Sizes available: XS/S, M/L, L/XL

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The Design Details

This sweater is a great no-fuss, every day piece. With the neutral colour “Natural”, classic and elegant silhouette, along with its relaxed fit, this sweater is so simple to pull together an outfit and can easily be dressed up or down. This mock neck features a delicate ribbed detail all throughout the piece that adds a bit of texture to this garment. I personally love how understated this piece is with the contemporary style as well as its seamless, minimal detailing. The garment drapes beautifully on the body and I love the straight sleeves that are intentionally left un-cuffed, completing the seamless, relaxed silhouette of the garment.

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The Styling

Next up is this classic henley! First I went for a casual, comfy style, pairing the henley with a pair of straight fit, boyfriend jeans and sneakers for the ultimate casual-chic outfit. This is another piece that can be styled tucked in for a more relaxed look. The second outfit I pulled together is another monochromatic outfit, pyjama-inspired outfit. I like to call this style “pyjama-chic”, again most likely inspired by all this staying in. Who says you can’t wear your pyjamas out?

The Material & Fit

The Seed Stitch Henley is made of 85% Pima Cotton and 15% Baby Alpaca. This garment is another lightweight piece from the collection that is incredibly soft and breathable. This is another great option for transitional weather when it’s not full on t-shirt weather but also not sweater weather. This piece, though made of the same fibres as the mock neck, a little more lightweight. It features a high neckline and a boxy silhouette with a relaxed fit. On me, this sweater hits me just at the hip and is the perfect length for styling with all types of bottoms. Because of the slouchy fit and the lightweight material, it makes this piece really easy to tuck in and is not bulky at all. The sleeves again hit at the perfect length and isn’t overly long or too short.

  • I’m wearing the Seed Stitch Henley in the colour Olive in the size XS/S. This garment fits TTS.

  • Other colours: Natural and Black

  • Sizes available: XS/S, M/L, L/XL

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The Design Details

I really appreciate all the intentional design decisions in Bare Knitwear pieces like this seed stitching all throughout the henley. It adds just the right amount of intrigue and texture to a classic shirt. Not to mention the sturdy, wooden buttons down the top centre of the shirt and the minimal ribbing on the cuffs, collar, and the hem of the shirt. It’s a great piece to be worn on its own or layered because of the loose-fitting silhouette. The muted olive-toned colour of this garment adds a subtle pop of colour to any wardrobe and although it’s not black or white, because of its earthy hue, it pairs nicely with a variety of bottoms.

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The Styling

The final piece I’m styling is this incredible oversized cardigan - the Marine Cardigan. It has just the right amount of “oversized-ness” without making me feel like I’m drowning in a ton of fabric. In the first outfit, I’ve styled a simple, classic outfit with a t-shirt and a pair of straight leg jeans allowing the cardigan to shine. In outfit two I’ve paired the cardigan over top of a classic black maxi, going for an overall casual, laid-back look. This cardigan honestly doesn’t need much “styling” because the beauty of this piece really speaks for itself.

The Material & Fit

The Marine Cardigan is hand loomed and is made of 43% baby alpaca, 43% merino wool and 14% polyamide. Considering the size of this cardigan, it’s incredibly lightweight and probably the lightest piece out of the three. Although it’s lightweight, it’s also the warmest of the three pieces and I can see myself wearing this piece from the dead of Winter into mid-Spring as an extra layer on cool nights. This cardigan has an oversized fit and hits me slightly below the hip. It features a drop shoulder and airy balloon sleeves. I’m wearing the cardigan in the colour Cloud Grey, which I think is a perfectly fitting name for this soft, fluffy cardigan.

  • I’m wearing the Marine Cardigan in the colour Cloud Grey in the size XS/S. This garment has an oversized fit and fits TTS.

  • Other colours: Taupe

  • Sizes available: XS/S, M/L, L/XL

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The Design Details

The Marine Cardigan is the ultimate, staple cardigan to have in any wardrobe. It’s not only a pretty investment piece, but it’s also a practical garment complete with deep patch pockets on the front of the cardigan. It can be styled up or down and has the most beautiful billowy silhouette that leaves you feeling like you’re wrapped up in the biggest hug. I also like the attention to detail shown in the vintage, fishermen knit inspired ribbing that adds a lovely textural element to the garment.

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Shop the marine cardigan in cloud grey and use the code CANDICE10 for 10% off + free shipping over $200 (Code does not apply to the sleep shirt pop up)

Concluding Thoughts

Thank you so much for reading my thoughts and joining me in learning more about Bare Knitwear. I love discovering and sharing ethical, slow fashion brands with you. Overall, if you’re looking to invest in knitwear for your closet, I would highly recommend Bare Knitwear. From the intentionality of their classic, simplistic designs combined with traditional artisanal craftsmanship, to the sustainable sourcing, to the ethical manufacturing that helps empower women, Bare Knitwear is a brand that I am so proud to be partnering with and is one who’s mission I can really get behind. Although it is a larger up front investment, these pieces are high-quality, long-lasting, and crafted with care. On a side note, now more than ever, I think it’s important to voice our opinions about slow fashion by supporting small businesses with our purchases or by simply sharing about them where you can. Bare Knitwear is produced in small batches, so if you’ve got your eye on something, I’d love to partner with you in supporting Bare Knitwear by offering the code CANDICE10 valid through May 14.

If you’re not looking to purchase something right now, I hope you’ve been inspired and encouraged by all the wonderful things that Bare Knitwear is doing and the beautiful pieces they are creating. I’m happy to have simply introduced you to a new slow fashion brand that is making a positive impact in the fashion industry.

Other Outfit Details

Thanks for stopping by! This post contains affiliate links and if you decide to make a purchase through the links above, I may make a small commission that helps support this blog and other social accounts. As always, I only share products and brands I love and support. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!

 
slowfashionCandice Taycapsule wardrobe, canadian brand, made in canada, knitwear, styling knits, spring capsule, spring capsule wardrobe, styling spring knitwear, sustainable fashion, sustainable fashion blogger, ethical fashion, slow fashion, slow fashion brand, slow living, conscious fashion, conscious living, minimalist fashion, minimalist style, minimalist wardrobe, capsule wardrobe basics, how to capsule wardrobe Comment