Turns out that riding my bike a lot leads me to wearing out my clothes at a quicker rate than before. My usual outfit of jeans and t-shirts is losing it's steam. I'm down to one pair of jeans that hasn't worn through the crotch and knees and most of my t-shirts are black with bicycles on them. It's getting harder and harder for me to find something to wear each morning. Also, jeans and cotton t-shirts just aren't going to cut it as the weather starts to change. However, I'm also steadfast in my decision to stop buying into our disposable clothing culture. I can't justify a cute top that was made by a worker in dismal conditions who can't afford to feed their family.
So, I'm on the hunt for sturdy, quality clothing that isn't directly linked to deadly factory conditions. Oh right, and it also has to be within our budget. We've been lucky that many of our friends have boys and have been willing to pass along boy stuff for us and we're excited to return the favor and pass down our baby clothing to the next-in-line. However, clothing for me has not been as forthcoming. Now I'm on the lookout for hand-me-downs from strangers ala thrift stores. Truthfully, I suck at thrift shopping. I'm much better at donating things because I love to get rid of anything I can. Thrift stores kind of creep me out and they take so much concentration to look through every rack to find the one gem in between all the velour jumpsuits and scratchy sweaters. However, one of my dear friends built up an entire closetful of adorable and flattering outfits as well as snagging multiple Icebreaker tops. It's time for me to try harder. My Twitter-friends who live in Portland and Seattle rave about the benefits of wool--how it keeps you warm even when it's wet, it's classy, and holds up to the rigors of biking.
It's time for a change! My dear friend was nice enough to distract my monsters WHILE pulling a few skirts off a rack for me. I ended up with two cute skirts! One is going to be perfect for biking in all weather--quick dry for rain and airy for the summertime. The second skirt was wool and I decided to take the advice of my rainforest-living bike friends. It's a pencil skirt, very classy but "dry clean only." For the first time in my life, I brought something to the dry cleaners (feeling horrible about taking the plastic cover because he didn't want to take it off when I picked it up. I'll know better next time). ALSO for the first time in my life, I had something tailored! They sewed an 8.5" slit up the side of my skirt, just enough to make it bike-able. For less than $20, I now have a lovely, functional skirt. I'm so proud of myself--such adult things to do!
Most recently, I did buy some rubber boots and wool or wool-like tights. One was from Smartwool and the other two were Muk Luks, they were all on sale from REI. Unfortunately, I worm the Muk Luks today and the pattern was already unravelling. They'll be going back soon. However, overall, I was pretty excited about my new look.
So, I'm on the hunt for sturdy, quality clothing that isn't directly linked to deadly factory conditions. Oh right, and it also has to be within our budget. We've been lucky that many of our friends have boys and have been willing to pass along boy stuff for us and we're excited to return the favor and pass down our baby clothing to the next-in-line. However, clothing for me has not been as forthcoming. Now I'm on the lookout for hand-me-downs from strangers ala thrift stores. Truthfully, I suck at thrift shopping. I'm much better at donating things because I love to get rid of anything I can. Thrift stores kind of creep me out and they take so much concentration to look through every rack to find the one gem in between all the velour jumpsuits and scratchy sweaters. However, one of my dear friends built up an entire closetful of adorable and flattering outfits as well as snagging multiple Icebreaker tops. It's time for me to try harder. My Twitter-friends who live in Portland and Seattle rave about the benefits of wool--how it keeps you warm even when it's wet, it's classy, and holds up to the rigors of biking.
It's time for a change! My dear friend was nice enough to distract my monsters WHILE pulling a few skirts off a rack for me. I ended up with two cute skirts! One is going to be perfect for biking in all weather--quick dry for rain and airy for the summertime. The second skirt was wool and I decided to take the advice of my rainforest-living bike friends. It's a pencil skirt, very classy but "dry clean only." For the first time in my life, I brought something to the dry cleaners (feeling horrible about taking the plastic cover because he didn't want to take it off when I picked it up. I'll know better next time). ALSO for the first time in my life, I had something tailored! They sewed an 8.5" slit up the side of my skirt, just enough to make it bike-able. For less than $20, I now have a lovely, functional skirt. I'm so proud of myself--such adult things to do!
Most recently, I did buy some rubber boots and wool or wool-like tights. One was from Smartwool and the other two were Muk Luks, they were all on sale from REI. Unfortunately, I worm the Muk Luks today and the pattern was already unravelling. They'll be going back soon. However, overall, I was pretty excited about my new look.
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