Dressing For Fall: When Function + Style Come Together

31 thoughts on “Dressing For Fall: When Function + Style Come Together”

1. I ordered a couple of button down shirts from Tradlands recently and after washing once noticed both were in less-than-pristine shape. One had a button in which 2/4 holes had no thread, and on the other one the seams holding the little gussets on the sides in place were halfway undone. I contacted them about it and they (politely) said they had not received the same complaint from other customers and didn’t offer any compensation. They said I could return the items, but that seemed wasteful as it is an easy mend. I had already washed the items, so it’s not like they could re-sell them. I just didn’t feel I should have to mend (expensive!) clothes I had just received! Maybe I just had a string of bad luck but it has left me a little reluctant to order from them again.

   1. Hi Alice, that would bum me out too! Hopefully it was just a string of bad luck, as you said. I’ve been pretty impressed with the pieces I’ve seen from them. But I could see why you might be hesitant to order again.

   2. I actually had the same problem with three shirts I ordered. Two lost the buttons in a wash or during first wear (!!!) my the Clare which I really adore had even a bigger issue the fold of one of the cuffs ripped and unfolded. I asked mym mum to fix it as she is very good in menting clothes (me not) but she said she couldnt do it properly because the fold was veru thick and the needle wouldnt go through it. So I was also disappointed with them. I had probably 10 items in total but three are buttonless tops so basically jalf of my shirts/jackets had quite problems and now the move to sew in Mexico. I love Mexico snd Mexican people but it seems a bit cheeky and feels like a plan to pay less esrn more:( pity I loved them three years ago.

   3. Tradlands has been a bit of a miss for me. I found from my first order that the size guide isn’t correct, much to my dismay. I am also exchanging a shirt because the buttons on the one I received were so poorly sewed on. The threads were loose and one button wasn’t finished. I ordered the shirt in two sizes — the size that didn’t fit was put together well and had no button issues. Without seeing that, I don’t know if I’d have the confidence to exchange for a new shirt.

   4. Thank you so much to each of you for your feedback. I am so sorry about your experience with our shirting. I am heartbroken that you’ve all had a frustrating or disappointing purchase. Truly, it’s the stuff that keeps me up at night. I totally understand why you would feel this way and the quality issues you’ve experienced are completely unacceptable. To share a bit with you, we had a difficult partnership with our production facility in US due to quality issues. It’s always been our responsibility to deliver on our promise of great products and it’s never acceptable to have buttons falling off. We definitely fell short and I am sorry about that. We have since moved to a new facility with new machines, improved processes, and much better quality. We tug on every button before it goes out the door. ;) Please know we are on top of these issues and we take your feedback to heart.
      
      Also I want to personally offer to mend each of your shirts and offer you a gift card. It doesn’t make it right – but I want you each to know we’re here and we want to do everything we can to make this right for you. You can email me at sadie@tradlands.com. I am here to listen and help in whatever way I can. :)
      
      Thank you again for this feedback. I’m the owner at Tradlands and I greatly appreciate the time you took to share your experience. This business is my heart. We’re a 4 person team and we are still learning and growing. Your help lets me know how we can improve our customer experience from beginning to end. Thanks for your support. xo-Sadie

      1. Hi Sadie,
         Thank-you for your response, and your transparency about how your company’s process is growing and evolving. It is heartening to see a company that cares about its customers, and I am glad to hear Tradlands is addressing the issue!

2. They have such great stuff!
   That black flannel is my favorite, can see it being a major workhorse!

   Have a great weekend, and Thanksgiving if we don’t chat before!
   xo!

   1. Hi Jodie! I wore the flannel shirt today, and it is really warm. It also has some really nice structure, something I didn’t notice the first time I wore it.

3. Hi Andrea,
   I have loved your blog for a while now, but I feel compelled to speak up. The last three posts in a row were sponsored and c/o content. I find it really hard to reconcile when my favorite ethical and sustainable fashion bloggers post so much free apparel and sponsored content. I wasn’t going to say anything on your recent 7 Days of Outfits, when every item (4 of them) in the first outfit was c/o. But then another sponsored post today. Constant consumption and new apparel on a daily/weekly basis doesn’t really seem to jive with the principles of sustainable fashion.

   I understand this is your business, but it seems that it’s something that should be addressed. I want you to know that I’m not singling you out unfairly, I’ve brought this same topic up with at least 2-3 other bloggers I followed for a long time, and I appreciated their thoughtful and candid responses.

   1. Hi Kate,
      
      Thank you for the thoughtful comment/tough questions. You are right, this is a business. I don’t have a traditional job, I work on this blog instead, which allows me to be at home with my kids most days. In order for my blog to be profitable I rely on sponsored posts and items being gifted instead of purchased. I am very, very selective about the brands I work. You’ve probably noticed I’ve developed relationships with a few key places like Tradlands and Everlane and I work with them repeatedly. Madewell reached out to me this fall but I turned them down because their business and manufacturing principals and standards are not in line with mine.
      
      Yes, there are a lot of gifted items and sponsored content right now. I am constantly wrestling with what is ‘too much’ so I appreciate you weighing in. I note if an item is c/o every single time I use it, even if it is YEARS old. Not every blogger does this (though I think it’s the law). So after time, it starts to add up. But I am always striving for transparency, so I mark my c/o items no matter how long I’ve had them. Also, one thing to note, Fall is VERY busy for the apparel world, and it’s particularly busy in the ethical fashion world, which typically runs on two major release cycles: Spring + Fall (verses a lot more in the non-ethical sector). That is why there has been a flurry of sponsored activity/gifted items on my blog in the last bit. January and February, after the season slows down, will look a lot different.
      
      Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I am sure if you are thinking them, others have concerns as well. Your guys’ input always weighs on my mind, and I appreciate that you felt like you could share. Please let me know if you have further questions!

      1. It’s so hard to strike the right balance, isn’t it? For what it’s worth, I think you do a lovely job. I appreciate your kindness and transparency, and I love reading in this space.

         1. Thank you so much Celia, I really appreciate your support!

   2. Kate,

      Popping in here out of the blue because I feel the need to speak in Andrea’s defense here (although I’m sure she will have an eloquent response all her own as well). A sustainable fashion blogger myself, I’m keenly aware of the dichotomy that presents itself when fashion bloggers post sponsored content AND promote the “fewer better” mentality. Know that this content isn’t meant to inspire mindless consumption, but rather, BETTER and more intentional consumption from brands who are making a difference in the industry. I’ve spoken with Andrea (and many other bloggers) on the topic many times and this is where I fall, both as a blogger and a woman trying to curate an intentional and minimal-ish wardrobe:

      1. Blogs are publications, first and foremost. They’re meant to advertise, to a certain extent, and raise awareness about an industry that is vastly underrepresented in the fashion blogosphere. Word of mouth and digital advertising is hugely powerful for spreading the word about ethical fashion and blogs with an audience base like Andrea’s have an incredible platform for promoting good/slow fashion. There is a difference between the blog and the person.

      2. You don’t have to buy everything she blogs about.

      3. Getting these sponsorships doesn’t happen overnight. Blogging, although it may not look it, is incredibly hard work that deserves to be compensated fairly, much like the brands we work with promote in their supply chain.

      4. Although there is definitely a balance between going overboard with sponsored content vs. unsponsored, Andrea has likely turned down countless paid opportunities and hand selected the brands she does choose to promote.

      I know on the surface it can seem like another outlet for mindless consumption, but please give her (and other conscious bloggers) the benefit of the doubt…and keep having important conversations like this. It’s how we continue to improve and grow.

      Just my two (or four) cents on the topic :)

      1. I think what Kate is trying to say is that there is too much advertising on this website. It’s a subjective negative experience her long time readers, including myself are facing. We are seeing an organic blog about style and slow fashion turn into a catalog, and even though that catalog is supporting ethical brands, no one wants to read ads, period. This is just feedback about the blog and the ads, and not about Andrea, the person. So making statements to justify the ads, although valid, is sort of besides the point.

         1. Hi Beth, that’s a fair comment, and I understand what you’re saying. I constantly wrestle with what is the right balance for my blog (and myself). I don’t take reader feedback lightly and I’m glad you and Kate weighed in.

4. I have the chore coat in carmel and I’m wearing it right now as I do almost every day. 😆 I took it on my trip to Europe last year and it’s just one of my favorite items I’ve ever owned. My washer ripped it up in a few places though, which was super sad, but I stitched up the holes and I just pretend it adds character…

   1. I love it! The chore coat in camel would be awesome. I love your perspective. Whenever I see ‘imperfections’ in my clothing, I try and tell myself the same thing. I need to remember that sometimes perfect is a fantasy, and it’s okay to for my clothes to show signs of wear. I’m bummed yours got holes, but it sounds like you were able to take care of them!

5. The black chore coat looks so good on you! Your styling helps me envision that coat in real life – as opposed to only on a model in a studio.

   1. Thank you Erin! I am really enjoying it – more than I thought I would! I was worried it would be too masculine, but I love the way it shapes up an outfit.

6. That black chore coat is beautiful!

   1. I agree! It’s very well made. Excited to see what it will look like when it is worn in.

7. Thank you so much for the beautiful post, Andrea! And thank you for the support. Doing the work I love wouldn’t be possible with the customers and sponsors who support us. Thank you, Andrea! You look stunning in these photos. :)

   1. Thank you so much Sadie! Your support means the world to me. <3

8. So I feel like chiming in Re: sponsored posts/items. I have been thinking what Kate said for a while, as a reader who doesn’t own a blog, I actually don’t care how much free good or money you receive, because if this is your full time job, of course you need to be compensated in whatever way possible. However, I just find it hard to digest that for someone promoting the idea of “ capsule wardrobe “, many items only appeared once in this blog. For example that maxi sleeveless dress made of a chambray like material( sorry I don’t remember the brand), you styled it with leather jacket when the weather was still cool but I don’t remember seeing it afterwards especially in your summer 7 day outfit. Forgive me if I’m wrong because I can’t say I have read every single post. I understand readers don’t need to buy everything advertised in any blog it just seems that you have a much larger “ capsule” wardrobe than is regular people.

   1. Hi Jessie, thanks for weighing in. Sometimes items that I think are going to be a good fit don’t end up being a good fit after all, and it is hard to know that until after I’ve worn it a few times. If this is the case, I will often pass the items along to friends, sell them or donate them. Seasons + Salt started out as a ‘capsule’ focused blog, but about a year and a half ago I shifted my closet out of the capsule model (you can read more about that here). I still highly believe in, and strongly strive for a lean closet. I truly believe that less is more when it comes to our closets, and especially when it comes to our signature style. And decision fatigue is a real problem. However, part of my job is to showcase new styles from my favorite makers to you guys, so naturally more clothing comes across my ‘desk’ than the non-blogger person. A lot of it I keep, and some of it I don’t. But at the end of the day I am really happy to support small makers and ethical brands, and help women take the guesswork out of finding responsibly made clothing that works for them. I am glad you felt like this was a safe space to speak up, and your comment has been heard. <3

9. Hi Andrea,
   I have been enjoying your blog on my maternity leave! I find your style of writing very sincere and down to business.
   Re-sponsored posts-I appreciate the sponsored posts and brand-you-believe-in promotion! Non -sustainable and fast unethical fashion is getting so many outlets in media, we are drowning in it, I believe brands that you and other blogger like you research and promote need every break and outlet they can get to rise to the surface, so to speak!
   Also I appreciate how you put yourself out there and think it must be quite hard on you knowing some of your readers might count your clothing items and clock how many times you wore them….so thank you for blogging and all your honesty! I am impressed how positively you take some of the criticism.
   Take care, love from Nika from Wales!

   1. Hi Nika, wow, love that you are reading from Wales! Thank you so much for the encouraging words, it means a lot. And you’re right, the lion’s share of the fashion marketplace does NOT go to ethical apparel, and we need to band together to support those brands that are doing right by the industry. Thank you so much for your support. <3

10. hello andrea,
    a quick question – the origins of the small gold pendant necklace in the white blouse ensemble?
    cheers,
    tara

    1. Hi Tara, that necklace is a small diamond on a gold chain, I received from my husband as anniversary gift several years ago. He bought it at a local jeweler. :) I am so impressed that you noticed it!

11. Kind of late to the game with this post, but do you think the Chore Coat would be ok to wear to work or over wide-leg pants? I have been looking for a polished but lighter-weight jacket for our Phoenix “winters”!

    1. Hi Alissa! Hope you got it all figured out!

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