everlane

Review: Everlane 90s Cheeky Straight Jean /  by Candice Tay

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!

Testing Sustainable and Ethical Leggings /  by Candice Tay

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Ethical & Sustainable Leggings

a review

Before I wrote this post, I didn’t realize how different black leggings could be! After testing all of these, I think I’ve got my favourites and I know what makes a good pair of black leggings for me. I hope this review helps you find the perfect pair for your body type and lifestyle! I often get questions about my favourite ethical, sustainable activewear so today I’m finally sharing with you my thoughts on six different pairs of ethical/sustainable black leggings. I’ll be touching on fit, fabric, where it’s made, and price point.

Nimble Activewear - Moto Mesh Full Length Leggings

Nimble is an Australian, female-founded brand I discovered and purchased from a few years back when I first started learning more about sustainable fashion and capsule wardrobes. I have the Moto Mesh Full Length Leggings, which I believe aren’t available anymore, but I still wanted to throw this brand in as an option.

Fit & Fabric: Unfortunately because I’ve had this pair for a long time, the size has rubbed off the tag, though I typically fall between XXS-S. I’d say the waist is like a mid-rise and it’s full-length. The fabric is 73% Polyester‚ 27% Spandex and is made from post-consumer used recycled plastics. The majority of their products are made in Taiwan.

My Thoughts: These leggings are my most “active” looking pair that I’m reviewing today. They have mesh panels along the leg making them look more like an athleisure piece. I’ve worn them to hot yoga, for at-home workouts, and at the gym and they’ve held up very well. I personally prefer a higher rise on the waist and a bit of a more cropped length, but if you are taller, the length of these would be great.

Price Point: $$$

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Everlane recently came out with these leggings and I was curious to try them out…read on, for my thoughts!

Fit & Fabric: I’m wearing the size XXS because I find that Everlane pants usually run a tad large for me. However, for these, I think I could have gone with XS. That being said, the XXS still fits because the material is extremely stretchy without being see-through. I absolutely love the high waist on these because, if you know me, you know I live in high waisted anything. The fabric is 58% Recycled Nylon, 42% Elastane and these are made in Sri Lanka.

My Thoughts: These are superrr stretchy, which I love because it makes it easy to move around in. The key thing is that they are stretchy but not sheer. It has a hidden interior side pocket which is different than the traditional slip pocket at the front of the leggings. They’ve got a very simple look to them with the minimal seams which I personally think makes them more versatile for working out or for every day casual wear.

Price Point: $$

I could not write a whole blog post on activewear and not talk about Girlfriend Collective. I bought these ones last winter because I had heard so much about them and I had been wanting to try them out for a long time.

Fit & Fabric: I have the standard Black Compressive High Rise Leggings in a size XS. The fabric is made up of 79% RPET and 21% spandex and they are made in Vietnam.

My Thoughts: I think these leggings have the perfect blend of stretch and softness. They honestly feel like butter and are so comfortable to move and work out in them. They have been perfect for all things active and are also extremely comfortable to lounge around in. They are more athletic looking with the extra seam detailing. The pocket placement is also not the typical pocket you find in leggings. It’s actually a small interior slip pocket at the back of the pants.

Price Point: $$

Encircled - The Dressy Legging

Now to move on to classic leggings to be worn from day to day — these are the Dressy Leggings from Encircled!

Fit & Fabric: I’m wearing the leggings in a size XS. These are made of the softest rayon bamboo material! They don’t feel as moisture-wicking as some of the more athletic-looking leggings, but these are great more for casual, every day outfits or for lounging. It is definitely a full-length fit on me and is a great option for those of you who are taller. These are made right at home in Toronto, Canada.

My Thoughts: I don’t normally wear these for vigorous exercise mainly because of the material. However, these hit all the right points if you’re looking for something that offers style and comfort. I love the high waist and the simple, yet functional features like the pockets! I wore these on the plane and they were the most comfy thing ever — not to mention the pockets on the side of the pants that are great for holding cards or your phone.

Price Point: $$$

Boodywear - Full Leggings

These are a more recent pair that I’ve tried from Boodywear. They make eco-essentials like undergarments, loungewear, and activewear.

Fit & Fabric: I’m wearing the size XS in these leggings. The material is 80% rayon made from bamboo, 13% nylon, and 7% spandex. I noticed that this pair is not as elastic as some of the other ones I’ve reviewed. This one also has more of a mid-rise, if you’re not a fan of high waisted leggings. For me, I would’ve preferred a higher waist on these. These are also quite full-length so they’re a great fit for anyone who is taller.

My Thoughts: Overall, these are comfortable, but compared to some of the other ones, they are not the most comfortable pair I’ve tried. They are however, the most affordable pair on this list and they do the job as a pair of activewear leggings. It’s a very classic pair of leggings and has the pocket at the front of the pants.

Price Point: $

I received these high waisted leggings from Miakoda a few winters ago and am still loving them!

Fit & Fabric: I’m wearing these leggings in a size XS. The material is 60% bamboo 30% organic cotton and 10% spandex. The rise is a mid-rise and sits just under the belly button. These are another great option for taller people as you can see from the photo above that there is still quite a lot of material at my ankles. These are made in New York, USA.

My Thoughts: These are a very classic pair of black leggings. They are an extremely soft bamboo cotton blend and are the perfect leggings for lounging around or for every day outfits. On me, I would have preferred a more cropped look at the ankles, but having them longer makes them a better fit for others who are taller. These are very minimalistic with no extra seams or detailing on the pants, so if you’re looking to invest in a pair of classic black leggings, these would make a great choice!

Price Point: $$$

I hope this review was helpful for you if you’re on the hunt for a pair of black leggings from sustainable/ethical brands. These are only the few that I’ve tried and I’m sure there’s tons of other ones out there! Let me know your favourites down below, I’d love to check them out!

This post is not sponsored but contains 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 my Instagram. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!

Review: Everlane ReDown Sleeping Bag Puffer /  by Candice Tay

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Everlane Re:Down Sleeping Bag Puffer

a review

The signs are here — snow covered trees, frozen fingers, and seeing cold puffs of air as I breathe out. Winter is here, and in my opinion it came way too early this year. I barely even had time to prepare for hibernation! Does anyone else feel the same way (unless you live in a sunny place, then if so, just know how jealous I am of your weather)?

Although fall was cut short, the plus side is that I get to start cozying up in all of my winter gear. Everlane’s Re:Down puffer came just in time and I’ve had some solid time to test out this coat. If you’re in the market for a sturdy winter coat this year, read on for my thoughts and to see how I’ve styled it!

Partnership Disclosure: This blog post was produced in partnership with Everlane and contains some gifted items. As always, all opinions are my own.

The Run Down

The Everlane Re:Down Sleeping Bag Puffer is the kind of coat you want to live in during the winter. It’s super warm, lightweight and nearly covers you from head to toe. It’s quite accurately named after a sleeping bag and I honestly don’t mind that sleeping bags are “in” right now. I mean, who doesn’t want to wake up and feel like they’re going straight back to bed while wearing this coat?

You may be wondering, “what is this Re:Down business”? Everlane’s Re:Down® fill is made from recycled down comforters and pillows — I think that’s pretty darn awesome. Down-filled comforters and pillows are collected from bins across Europe and then sorted for quality and cleaned in hot water to sterilize it at 275°F. Lab specialists inspect the down to ensure that it is high quality and that it meets IDFL standards.

The Material

Outer Shell: 100% Recycled Polyester, Fill: 100% Recycled Down and Feathers

The material of the coat very lightweight and airy, especially for its length. It has a bit of sheen to the finish but it's not too shiny. What’s great about the material is that it’s also water-resistant which is an important factor to consider in a winter coat. I’ve worn it in light snowy weather and also in temperatures just above freezing when the snow starts to get a bit slushy, and the water just slides right off. The shell fabric is also bluesign-approved, which means that the whole manufacturing process of the material is carefully and sustainably produced to meet this third party standard. Read more about it here.

Since it is a down-filled coat, it’s great for the Toronto winter and is recommended for 10 to 30°F or -1 to -12°C temperatures. When it gets to be like -30°C here I’ll be layering up a bit more for extra warmth.

The Fit & Details (The juicy part)

Sizes offered: XXS - XL
Colours: Black, Ochre, Bone

Overall, this coat has an oversized fit without being too overwhelming. It is the perfect oversized fit with just enough room to fit layers or chunky knits underneath without your armpits feeling cramped. Although it is an oversized fit, there isn’t too much excess material which makes it uncomfortable to wear purses on top. I’ve styled it here with my form bag, a relatively large purse, and it still wears nicely as a crossbody. I prefer winter coats to be longer because it’s so much warmer when the bottom half of my body is covered as well. The length of this particular coat hits me just below the knee giving me tons of coverage to brace the cold winds. I’m wearing the coat in a size XS and for reference I’m 5’5” (I typically wear size XS or S in Everlane pieces).

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You all know how important a good hood is on a winter jacket. This one does not disappoint! It’s very well insulated and even has a drawstring at the back to tighten the hood if necessary to keep out strong winds. A sturdy, long zipper seals the coat from top to bottom and is concealed by a flap with hidden button-snap closures. The zipper also goes high enough to cover the neck and part of my face. This is an excellent feature on the coat and offers great protection when it’s very windy. Since this is a relatively long coat, the zipper can also zip upwards from the bottom allowing me to move and walk around freely.

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We can’t forget about the pockets! I love simple details like good pockets and windproof sleeve cuffs. The pockets are nice and deep and also have a button-snap closure to prevent small items from falling out.

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The Final Verdict

Considering long puffer coats like this usually run from $350 - $1000 CAD plus, this coat is quite reasonably priced. I particularly love the sustainability highlights of this coat from the recycled down to the bluesign-approved outer shell. I think Everlane has made great strides towards providing recycled and eco-conscious products at a more affordable price. I will be testing it out more this winter during Toronto’s deep freeze days, but overall I’m really impressed with the quality, warmth, and style of this coat.

Hop on over to my stories to see more on this puffer jacket!

P.S. Not into down-filled coats? Everlane also has a ReNew collection where all the products are made with 100% Recycled Polyester. I also have a ReNew Long Puffer that I got last year — it’s not as warm as the Re:Down puffer, but if you’re not in a climate as cold as Toronto, it’d be a great alternative for you. Check out my stories from last year to learn more about the ReNew puffer!

Thank you to Everlane for sponsoring this post! The Re:Down Sleeping Bag Puffer was gifted to me to review and this post does contain some affiliate links. If you decide to shop through the links above, I may make a small commission that helps support this blog and my Instagram. As always, I only share products and brands I love and support. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!