A handmade 90s vest, lace up platforms, a special necklace discount

Hey buds,

Happy one week til the election! 🤪 🤪 🤪

I’ve been channeling my absolutely mountainous anxiety into the search for the perfect pant: something comfortable but structured, an elevated basic. I’m a big fan of the shapes at Kowtow, and my friend Ellen has a pair she looks amazing in, but, surprise surprise, they don’t come in my size. It’s the world’s smallest nothing problem in the grand scheme of pandemic/fascism/etc, but boy, what I wouldn’t give for more of these smaller ethical brands to make clothes in extended sizes. Take my recklessly spent money!!!!

I’m ashamed to admit that, after getting annoyed about how hard it is to find good stuff in plus sizes, I tried the new Arc pant at Everlane even though I know they’re bad news now. I was rewarded for this decision by being completely unable to fit into the largest size they carry. Serves me right; it’s past time I stopped supporting them.

I thought I might have found the perfect solution in Roucha, a newish venture from the founder of Totokaelo, one of a number of luxury retailers to shut down this year. Roucha has a very cool inclusive sizing approach, 0-20, which they’ve translated into their own lettered sizes based on weight and height. I was so excited to try the canvas pant, the poca pant and the panch pant; I ordered all three and was hoping to keep the one I loved best. I got them all in “D,” which is supposed to fit sizes 16-20 for those over 5 ‘4. I found them SUPER comfy, stylish and well-made, but they just weren’t really working for me. Maybe I need a longer inseam; I was getting an unflattering sort of crotch pooch. And I’m pretty much over cropped lengths by now and would love something that hits me at the ankle, at least. Alas, back they all went.

All of this is to say: If anyone has thoughts on a killer plus-sized pant, I am ALL EARS.

Let down by The Brands, I’ve been doing a lot of Poshmarking (“poshing” ?) lately. (As a seller, I’ve mostly switched over to anxiety marketplace, btw, but I’ve still got a few things up on my Poshmark account.) It’s a very fun challenge to search for modern vintage-inspired trends from secondhand sellers. For example: hand-knitted vests are having a moment, and I wanted one to pair with my new giant-collar blouses I mentioned in my last letter. So I searched on Posh for hand-knitted vests and found this carousel-themed guy — orange, purple and green is such a great, loud combo — for 25 bucks. Made the year I was born :)

My other great Poshing successes from the last couple weeks: Candie’s square toe lace up platforms to pair with flares and my favorite faux fur lined green jacket I thrifted in Manchester last year. And I can never have enough sensibly heeled mules (I am, after all, a lesbian), so I also picked up some fun ones in a Southwestern color palette.

In other news: I released some new jewelry today!

I’m really, really proud of this collection, which ranges from $14 studs to custom, one of a kind gold-filled pearl and lampwork bead necklaces. They’re pieces that exist in different jewelry universes in a lot of ways. The range of styles and prices probably dilutes my ~brand~ to some extent, but I’ve decided to just put my whole self out there and make both the fun trendy clay earrings and the ultra-fine but still fun and whimsical pieces you’ll keep for the rest of your life. At least they’re all in my universe.

For newsletter readers, I’m offering 20% off all necklaces with the code 2020. The discount will be applied for you automatically via this link.

Thank you for reading, browsing, perhaps shopping, and most importantly, any and all pant recommendations!!!

Love ya,

S