Shopping Small and Smart for Femmes

I very often see other people going to stores like Forever 21 and buying three shirts and two pairs of pants for what I'd normally spend on one top and one bottom elsewhere, and I just can't bring myself to join in. Mass consumerism is a tricky thing, because we've been conditioned to focus more on the "bang for your buck" factor while completely overlooking the quality component of our purchases. If researchers did a study on people that shop primarily at stores like Forever 21 versus people who buy less but focus more on quality, I am CERTAIN that they would find that the bargain shoppers are ultimately spending just as much, if not more, because the clothes they buy do not last and need to regularly be replaced. This, my friends, is how marketing works. Oh wow, you got 3 shirts for $20?! That's awesome! Then they go through the wash once or twice and the fabric is threadbare and falling apart, and the stitching is coming out. Big mass-production companies like this would like us to think they're doing us a huge favor and giving us deals, but really they're just scamming you into spending more over time. I am not too proud to admit that stores like this do have their utility. If I get a last-minute invitation to a party or social function that I don't particularly care about and I need a quick outfit, I'll go to one of those stores and grab a dress for $30. Guilty as charged, but that's fine, since convenience is definitely a relevant factor to the way we spend our money.

My attitude towards my wardrobe is obviously similar to my shopping philosophy. The wardrobe to me is a living, changing organism: it evolves constantly, but essentially remains the same organism. I don't pay too much attention to trends, particularly ones that stray too far from the overarching color palette/vibe of my style. By doing this, I eliminate the need to shop en masse for new clothes each season and discard/donate the unwanted tattered wears of last season. I instead shop each season for a few new pieces that can enhance, update, and coordinate with things I already have. The pieces I have last for years because they are well-made and cost a bit more, but it evens out. A "must-have" in my book isn't something super lavish and on-point with the trend of the moment, it's something fresh and new but still versatile and timeless. 

My lecturing is through for the moment. To further argue my case, however, are great pieces that are made in USA and will stand the test of time and the seasons. You can start taking notes.

Shelter Half is a Los Angeles collective of made in America brands that started up about a year ago. They share my ideals of "conscious commerce" and mindful encouragement of manufacturing and design talents within the USA. The site has an extensive variety of goods, including apparel, housewear, furniture, and accessories. While I adamantly support their cause, I will say that I find the pricing on a lot of their goods to be rather prohibitive for the average starving artist (myself). For example, their eyewear averages from $340 to $595 for a pair of "Retrospecs" frames, with little to no description of the glasses themselves to justify the pricing. Anyone that desperate to look like a character from Mad Men could easily just go to Warby Parker and get a pair for less than a hundred bucks. My pricing criticisms aside, I did find a dress that I felt was worth the price.

Clothilde "Biarritz" Dress from Shelter Half, $185

Behold, the Biarritz dress. This kimono-style dress from Shelter Half is a color that I ordinarily wouldn't go for, but the simplicity of the dress allows for accessorizing to suit multiple seasons. The $185 for such a minimalist design finds its value in (I'm assuming) the craftsmanship of the piece and its versatility. This dress would be super comfortable for warmer weather with a floppy hat and a pair of espadrilles, and for fall/winter, i.e. now, I'd pair this with textured knit tights and short boots like Blundstone 500's or even L.L. Bean boots. Up top, throw on a cozy scarf with complementing colors like the 10,000 Lakes Scarf from Mrs. P.Hicks (below).

Mrs. P. Hicks 10,000 Lakes Scarf in Gray (top) and Blue, $62

These scarves are proudly made in USA at one of our oldest knitting mills. I'd probably opt for the gray with the Biarritz dress just because I'd want to neutralize the orange, but the dress is simple enough that you could more or less go crazy with chunky knitted accessories to spruce it up.

My point here is that you could spent $185 on a dress, which with the right accessories you could basically wear year-round, or you could spend $185 on several dresses, poorly constructed with low-quality fabrics that will look like garbage after a few heavy rounds of use. If your sense of self-worth is not dependent upon the sheer quantity of garments hanging in your closet, my less-is-more-is-less philosophy should appeal to you. If up until this point you've been driven solely by bargain hunting, I hope that this crash course in quality-economics has been a least a little enlightening. 

Shelter Half

Mrs. P.Hicks

Made in USA Riding Gear and Innovative Equestrian Style

Whether you're a rider or not, equestrian inspired designs are eternally relevant. So as not to alienate non-horsey folks, I'm offering a mixture of technical riding gear made in the USA or by family owned brands alongside some traditional, undeniably good looking pieces of outerwear. Like everything else, a lot of riding gear from respected brands is made in China. Sure, the leather is "English cowhide" or whatever and the materials are their own, but it's confusing to me why their manufacturing has to take place in China, especially given what their retail prices are. I find this problematic, but I'm sure there are   financial/economic reasons for it beyond my understanding. For my part, I try to buy locally made products whenever I can.

Kerri Kent founded the Kerrits brand in 1986, and started making riding apparel in 1991. All of their breeches are manufactured in the USA, and this year they made a commitment to partner with domestic fabric mills and production facilities. In the current global economy it is financially challenging for businesses to manufacture goods in this country. With that in mind, I give a huge "E for Effort" to any brand who acknowledges the need to move production back to our shores while still keeping costs down. What I like best about Kerrits, though, is that their breeches are awesome. I have two pairs of the Flow Rise Performance Tights, (one black, one charcoal), and I don't like riding in anything else. The materials they use are reminiscent of running/biking gear -- very 'outside of the box' for a horsey brand. It really works for them though, and they've been innovative enough to create a line that addresses performance needs unique to the sport while utilizing some unorthodox fabrics/cuts.

Kerrits Flow Rise Performance Tight

Kerrits Power Stretch Full Seat Tight

On my wish list for this winter are their Power Stretch Full Seat Tights. They feature a four-way stretch Polartec fabric that ensures your legs will stay toasty without feeling too hot or bulky. The "GripStretch" full seat is a great and increasingly more popular feature in breeches these days. I haven't tried a full seat out yet but if it helps keep my rear in the saddle I'll definitely be a fan. Reasonably priced, made in the USA, Kerrits breeches get a huge stamp of approval from me. 

Swedish, family owned brand Mountain Horse was founded by Lars Sjosward with the intention of creating a winter riding boot that would keep his daughter's feet warm. From that, an entire line of riding footwear, apparel, and accessories have been created with warmth and utility in mind. His daughter and two sons are now a part of the company, and each contributes something different from their individual areas of expertise. I purchased a pair of their Ice Rider Paddock Boots around 2004 to wear when I worked at the barn in the winter mucking out stalls all day and riding. I still have them, and they still look great. My feet never got wet or cold. I even took them hiking in upstate NY and they performed beautifully. The style has changed quite a bit since then but I'm sure the current version are just as awesome as my "old reliables." 

Mountain Horse Ice Rider Paddock Boots

Mountain Horse Regal Down Jacket

My relationship with winter outerwear is paradoxical: I hate being cold, but I also hate being so bundled up that I feel bulky and restricted. It is truly a struggle to find outerwear that is both warm and relatively low-profile. Mountain Horse's Regal Down jacket uses real duck down, the warmest stuff around, and the outer lining is treated to be water repellent. Huge plus: the coat has two outside pockets AND an inside pocket for your phone. I have on more than one occasion launched my phone into the snow from romping around with it in my pocket, (don't ask...), so that's a huge selling point for me. The high collar/hood combo is perfect for claustrophobic maniacs like myself because it eliminates the need for a bulky scarf. At $210, I'd say the price is pretty on point for a jacket of this caliber made with real down feathers. Remember, "expensive" and "over-priced" are two very different things.

The Ariat brand started out small around 20 years ago and has done a lot to support the sports of both English and Western riding in the US. From humble riding boot roots, they've steadily expanded to making all sorts of other riding and lifestyle gear. I've been getting some heavy use out of my aforementioned Ariat paddock boots, and a perusal of their site today exposed me to the current object of my desire: the Barnsley Fleece Boot.

Ariat Barnsley Fleece Boot

They are fleece lined and waterproof, with spur rests, stirrup-friendly outsoles and stabilizing footbeds for riding. Personally, I wouldn't use these for riding, just because of how handsome they are. I've always craved the warmth and comfort of a quilted, fleece-lined boot, but could never get on board with the sloppy look that most of them have. These are sleek and streamlined, the wintry love child of the classic L.L. Bean boot and my favorite paddocks.

They will be mine. Oh yes, they will be mine. 

AS USUAL anything you see here can likely be found at your friendly local tack shop rather than online from a big retailer. Plus, November 24 is Small Business Saturday, so shop then and show your support!

Kerrits

Mountain Horse

Ariat

Hurricane Sandy

Long Island and the surrounding region are still reeling from the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy. Gas stations are running out of gas because people are panicking and filling up their tanks and getting extra gas for their generators, thousands and thousands of people are still without power, and many have suffered irreparable damage to their homes and vehicles. The situation in NYC, Staten Island, NJ, and parts of Connecticut is horrific. Homes, neighborhoods, and businesses have been destroyed. If there ever was a time when communities needed to come together and help one another out, it's now. Local communities, national community, and even the global community is the best resource we have to recover and rebuild.

If you are reading this from another part of the country that was untouched by the hurricane, or even from another country altogether, I urge you to make a donation to the Red Cross to aid relief efforts.

Donations can be made by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, online at redcross.org, or by texting REDCROSS to 90999 (donates $10). 

It doesn't feel right to me to blog about things that you can buy, when there are people out there who have lost everything waiting for help. I was one of the only people I know who didn't lose power as a result of the storm, and I'm suffering a bit of "survivor's guilt." Thank you in advance for any help you're able to give.