Read this when you want to invest in a shirt.

Read this when you want to invest in a shirt.

Lately, I’ve been trying to scale back my collaborations and focus more on the partners with whom I have a working relationship. All this thinking got me to the idea of wanting to write more posts that help you make informed decisions when it comes to making investment purchases for your closet. There are so many details to consider especially when you’re making online purchases.

In this post, I'll be sharing my thoughts on 5 button-ups that I own. We'll cover everything from fit and cutting, breathability, material, overall quality, and price point.

My sizing for reference: Height: 5’5, Hips: 34, Waist: 26, Bust: 31, my typical size is 00-0 or XS-S

Ready to hop in? Let's get started!

1 — Everlane Silky Cotton Oversized Shirt

Oversized button-up | Wide-leg denim | Sneakers

First up is this recent launch from Everlane, the Silky Cotton Oversized Shirt. I had been looking for a classic oversized, cotton button-up for a while and this one definitely helped fill that gap. Upon first wearing it, I loved the oversized fit and the breathability of the material, though that does affect the sheerness of the shirt. The price point of the shirt is $60 USD. I think this shirt sits at a pretty standard shirt price point. This shirt is 100% cotton so although it wrinkles, it does not wrinkle as much as a linen shirt would. The feel of the shirt is very silky, as the name suggests, and soft on the skin. It has a one large pocket over the left side of the chest and has standard white buttons that create a seamless look. The silhouette of this shirt is very relaxed and casual and I love it styled tucked or untucked.

TTS? - Yes, I’m wearing a size 0 in the colour Off-White.
Manufactured in Shenzhen, China
Recommendations: This shirt is one of the more budget friendly options, sitting at $60 USD (if you’re Canadian, look at my recommendations for shirt #5). I’m in love with the oversized fit of this shirt and definitely think it’s a great option if you’re just starting to explore capsule wardrobes and wanted to invest in a classic wardrobe piece. It’s versatile and can be worn in various different settings.

2 — Curator SF Work Shirt

Oversized shirt | Wide-leg denim | Sneakers

Next up, the Work Shirt in Blue Cloud from Curator SF. I have been a long time fan of Curator SF since I started exploring sustainable and ethical fashion. When they reached out a few months ago to partner up, I was ecstatic! That’s also when I was introduced to the this shirt. This shirt has a relaxed, casual feel and is made with a very sturdy material. Out of all the shirts I’ve reviewed, this one is definitely heftier and what I like to call “wrinkle-friendly”. It is 100% cotton so it also does not wrinkle as much as a linen shirt, but when it wrinkles it looks “lived in” rather than wrinkly. The Work Shirt is made with a bit of a thicker material so it is not sheer at all. Some noted special features of this shirt are the large, metal buttons and deep side pockets that are hidden along the seam of the shirt. The price point of this shirt is $132 USD, which is a higher price point, but is justifiable in how the company pays fair wages and chooses to keep its production local in one of the most expensive states while supporting their economy (I will explain more in another post — stay tuned!).

TTS? - Yes, I’m wearing a size XS in the colour Blue Cloud.
Manufactured in San Francisco, USA
Recommendations: This is your go-to if you’re passionate about supporting small, locally made businesses. It’s also a heavier material than the Everlane shirt so it’s great for cooler climates and seasons. I can see myself styling this from now through Fall and will probably only really retire it in the dead of winter.

3 — Tradlands 101 Martine Cameo Tencel

Button-up Shirt | Wide-leg Denim | Sneakers | Hoops

This 101 Martine Cameo shirt has been a closet favourite throughout the summer season. It has a classic fit and has similar features to the Everlane shirt such as the large pocket on the left side of the chest. This shirt isn’t wrinkle-free, but the Tencel-linen (77% Tencel, 23% Linen) blend fabric is great for people who can’t be bothered steaming out their shirts. I’d say this is a pretty standard shirt, and the only thing I noticed was that the sleeves are a bit longer than the usual cutting of the others, but this honestly doesn’t bother me. I personally love to style this one tucked into some high waisted jeans. The price point of this shirt is $167 USD.

TTS? - Yes, I’m wearing a size XXS.
Manufactured in China
Recommendations: If you’re looking for a classic, durable shirt from a small ethical American business, check out Tradlands for staple wardrobe pieces. This specific shirt also comes in a luxurious black Tencel material if you’re looking to invest in a more neutral coloured piece.

4 — Power of my People Philosopher Shirt

Linen Shirt | Wide-Leg Denim | Sneakers

Of course I had to sneak in a few Canadian brands for you! It’s always a treat to discover Canadian-made brands and I’d be lying if I said they didn’t hold a special place in my heart. Power of my People is a Canadian brand based in British Columbia. They are truly the “shirt people” — the entire collection is filled with women’s and men’s shirts. It’s most definitely a brand to explore if you’re looking to invest in a shirt. The Philosopher Shirt is a 100% linen shirt and is perfect for summer and spring. It’s breathable, lightweight and has a casual oversized fit. Since it is a linen material, it can be a little bit sheer. However, since I have it in black, it’s actually quite opaque. I especially love the two giant pockets on the front, not the mention a little pen holder pocket! It has black buttons down the front that creates a very seamless, monochromatic look. The price point of this shirt is $165 CAD

TTS? - I have it in an XS (the Wayward Fit) and found my shirt to be a bit larger than expected, so I would recommend sizing down in this particular fit.
Manufactured in Richmond, British Columbia
Recommendations: If you want to support a Canadian-made brand, Power of my People is a clear winner. All of their clothing is made with high quality, natural fibres like cotton and linen, so if you’re trying to avoid synthetics, I’d take a peek here!

5 — KOTN Essential Shirt

White Button-Up | Wide-Leg Denim | Sneakers

Last but most definitely not least, is another amazing Canadian brand based right here in Toronto, Canada. The thing that sets Kotn apart from other brands is their undeniable efforts of authenticity with their consumers in revealing their traceability. This brand is all about transparency in their supply chains and it’s very evident in all their collections and new launches. The Essential Shirt is from their new “Wovens Launch”. It features the softest lightweight twill material that’s 100% Egyptian cotton. The twill material gives the shirt a very subtle woven texture, which I really love. Although this is a white shirt, I did not find the material to be see-through. Some other features to note would be the pleated cuffs and the tasteful faux horn buttons that run along the front of the shirt and on the cuffs. The fit is pretty standard and classic, and I also noticed there are darts on the side of the shirt over the chest which give it a more tailored look. The price point of this shirt is $75 CAD.

TTS? - Yes, I’m wearing a size 0 in the colour Alabaster.
Manufactured in Egypt
Recommendations: This shirt is a great option for you if you care a lot about traceability and ethics of where your clothes are made. Kotn also puts 1% of every sale along with other additional revenue towards funding schools in their very own farming communities. This shirt combines great quality, fit, and ethics all in one!

You’ve made it to the end! I hope you enjoyed this review and found it helpful. After reviewing these shirts in more detail, I noticed small differences and things that made each shirt or company unique. I would recommend using this review as a guideline when you’re looking to invest in a shirt that works for you; whether that be based on quality, fit, materials, company ethics, price point, or where it’s manufactured! There are a multitude of factors to consider when you’re investing in slow fashion, so I hope this is a helpful guide as a starting point.

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This post is not sponsored but contains some gifted items and affiliate links. If you decide to shop through the links above, I make a small commission that helps support this blog. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!

Capsule Wardrobe 101

how to:

capsule wardrobe 101

Capsule wardrobes have been all the rage for the past few years now. Although I think they have navigated away from the original, more traditional definition of a strict number of classic, high-quality, versatile pieces, I still love the idea of capsule wardrobes and thought I’d give you my take on how to build your own capsule wardrobe. It’s definitely not the original method or the only method to build a capsule, but I hope this gives you some starting points or some ideas to tackle capsule wardrobes your own way.

But first, let’s talk about the why.

I think it’s important to consider why you want to have a capsule wardrobe before you start, or else this whole process might only be something that lasts for a few weeks, or maybe a few months. Here are a few pros and cons to consider when starting a capsule wardrobe. Maybe the following are some reasons that piqued your interest in the first place. Ultimately, we want to build a capsule wardrobe that features your favourite styles and is functional and practical for your lifestyle so that it becomes a sustainable process.

Pros:

• budget friendly

• great for small closets

• can be more environmentally friendly

• longer lasting

• easier to get ready

• bonus: may help you discover your personal style!

Cons/Challenges:

• style/trend constricting

• possibility of being less environmentally friendly (will discuss this point below)

• seasonal constrictions

Considerations…

Consider your lifestyle

Before gathering pieces for your capsule wardrobe, it’s important to know which pieces are best suited for your lifestyle. For example, I used to work in a more corporate setting, so pieces like trousers, shirts, and blazers made a lot more sense than they do now in my more casual work setting. Maybe you’re a new mum or a student. These things all affect what we choose to wear each day and what pieces we incorporate into our capsule wardrobes.

Consider your environment

Another factor that I personally found affected my capsule a lot is weather. After moving back to Canada from Sydney, I’ve found that I need a few more pieces than I did living in a warmer climate to get me through all four crazy Toronto-weather seasons. If I lived in a purely warm, sunny place, I might need fewer pieces in my capsule. So all that to say, consider your environment, and where you live when creating your capsule.

A system that works for me is having a basic, year-round core capsule that consists of pieces that are worn all seasons. Then on top of that I have a seasonal capsule for fall/winter and then one for spring/summer where I can have a bit more fun and change things up each season and include pieces that I wouldn’t necessarily wear all year round. You can read more on my core capsule here. Keep in mind, that I’m quite flexible with my wardrobe and I sometimes swap pieces from my seasonal and core capsules because I’m still figuring out which pieces I actually wear through all seasons.

Consider your personal style

What do you personally love to wear? If there are pieces you often gravitate toward, these will most likely be your capsule wardrobe staples. If you’ve been following my sustainable style journey for a while now, you’ll probably know that turtlenecks and high waisted pants are my jam. I go to these items time and time again for reasons such as comfort, practicality, and function. Take a look through your current wardrobe, I’m sure you can pick out some tried and true pieces as your capsule foundation.

Go easy on yourself!

I know traditionally, capsules are about numbers and having a certain number of pieces in your wardrobe. However, I personally think it’s fine for each individual to have a set a number or range for themselves, according to the factors that I mentioned above. In the end I’ve learned, through this process, to be intentional with my budget and what pieces I choose to invest into. It has also taught me that I need less than I think I do. I’ve also learned more about my personal style and it has invited more creativity into my wardrobe by learning to experiment with different ways to style pieces.

Let’s get started! (finally)

Wardrobe Evaluation

First, evaluate what you already own! This is SO SO important to being sustainable through this whole process. The point of a capsule is to curate a wardrobe that you love and can easily style each day that fits your lifestyle. I’m sure there are at least a few things in your wardrobe that you love to wear. So pick out a few dearly loved pieces and make sure you include those in your capsule! If there are pieces you no longer wear or are ill-fitting, declutter it sustainably! Try to repurpose the item or fabric (Tip: old t-shirts make GREAT cleaning rags). Sell it through online platforms such as BUNZ, Poshmark, or ThredUp. Donate it or gift it to someone else who loves it and would want to give it a second life.

Gather Inspiration

Next, gather style inspiration! This is such a fun part for me. I’m always so inspired by others’ style and I love to create mood boards each season on Pinterest. This not only keeps me from impulse purchases, but it also shows how my style changes from season to season - it’s like a digital style diary. I also love the “save” function on Instagram which I use often as I’m scrolling, to save inspiring outfits and styling techniques.

List It Out

Now that you’ve gathered pieces from your existing wardrobe and hunted for style inspo. It’s now time to identify wardrobe “gaps” or maybe some “wants”. Maybe there’s a particular trend that you love this season and you want to include - write it down! Maybe you’ve been on the hunt for high quality high waisted denim for a long time. Write it down! For example, this spring/summer season, I was on the lookout for some white pants and more “summer” material pieces for my capsule. Whatever wardrobe gaps you identify, make a list! Having a list in mind helps to guide your shopping so that you will be less likely to make an impulse purchase. It’s like going to the grocery store with a list rather than going to the grocery store with no list and an empty stomach!

Cape Jumpsuit (Top) by Vetta Capsule
Donna Jeans by Cheap Monday

Black Tee by Muji
The Carpenter Pant by Everlane

Shop Intentionally

Finally, it’s time to shop for those missing items. Start to keep an eye out for the items you’ve identified on your list and shop with intention. You may be wondering, “what does shopping intentionally even mean?”. That is a great question because honestly, I think shopping intentionally can mean different things to different people, depending on your WHY (see above). I can only speak for my own why, so here’s my story and how I define “shopping intentionally”. I originally began exploring capsule wardrobes because of my interest in living a more low waste life. This exploration very quickly led me to the nasty discovery of how wasteful and unethical the fast fashion industry is and this has really affected how I shop. For me, shopping intentionally means being aware of my ecological footprint by shopping sustainably and also supporting ethically-made brands where I can. As tempting as it would be to start from zero, and build my wardrobe from the ground up, I would end up leaving an even larger environmental footprint by throwing out all my existing clothing. Instead, I try to “shop my closet” as much as I can but still give myself the freedom to enjoy fashion by making purchases from ethical and sustainable companies and investing in high quality pieces that I know will get a lot of wear.

If you don’t know where to look for sustainable and ethical brands, I have a whole brand directory where I’ve been keeping track of all the brands I’ve tried or have collaborated with in the past.

Now what?

Well, if you stuck around all the way to the end, thank you so much - I really appreciate it! I hope this post was insightful and helpful if you’re looking to build your own capsule wardrobe or are just curious about all this capsule talk. It may seem a little complicated at first, but trust me, you’ll get the hang of it! I’m going to leave a few more tips below that you guys shared with me through my latest #capsuleconversations post, and hopefully they will help someone out!

Tips from you!

• try smaller capsule challenges as a start to see if the capsule wardrobe system is for you (spring 10x10, may 30x30)

• have a visual overview for your capsule wardrobe

• choose pieces based on fabrics

• have a “capsule” when travelling to test out the system

• make sure your pieces can be styled at least 3 ways before purchasing

• have fewer pieces that are patterned for simpler styling

Let’s continue the conversation below! Please let me know if you have any other questions or things I should blog about. It was already so hard to cap this post…I’m thinking there may need to be a part 2!

Do you have a capsule wardrobe? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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This post is not sponsored but contains some gifted items and affiliate links. If you decide to shop through the links above, I make a small commission that helps support this blog. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!

Winter Layering

Winter Layering

turtleneck edition

Alright friends, I don’t think I need to reiterate again just how much I love turtlenecks. They are such staples for me throughout the fall and winter seasons. Funnily enough when I was a kid my mom used to make me wear turtlenecks underneath my T-shirts and sweaters and I hated it because most other “cool kids” didn’t wear turtlenecks. Now looking back I think mom was just a pure style genius with a side of practicality! I‘m so glad I grew out of being self-conscious (definitely not completely, still a work in progress) and worrying about what the “cool kids” wore.

These days turtlenecks are a timeless staple in my closet. I love the simple elegance and modesty they exude and I find them extremely versatile both in casual and business settings. I recently, read an article one The Good Trade, which by the way, if you haven’t checked them out yet, definitely do, about the history of turtlenecks. Give the article a read here if you’re interested in a bit of a fun history lesson! It may give a bit of an explanation to maybe why I thought it was uncool as a child haha...

Turtlenecks: The Base layer

Turtlenecks are like the Swiss army knife of my closet. Since turtlenecks are traditionally a more fitted garment, they can be worn alone and under almost anything! I find that they really transform my outfits, taking them from a casual cozy weekend to the office and then to a night out with friends. Turtlenecks are also very practical because they add a ton of warmth to an outfit, which is what my mom was doing with my childhood outfits. I love the practicality of turtlenecks especially in the winter and will often just wear a turtleneck for warmth under all my sweaters.

let’s get layering!

I like to use turtlenecks to add a pop of interest in outfits. Whether that be with a classic black turtleneck as I’ve styled below, or with a coloured turtleneck. Below I’ve layered a black turtleneck under my grey sweater, but only allowing the neck and a bit of the sleeves to peek out. I think it’s like adding borders to a picture, but instead I’ve added a thick black border to my light grey sweater, making it pop more.

Turtleneck: UNIQLO
Knit: Max Studio
Jeans: Cheap Monday (Donna)
Boots: Sorel

Another way of adding a pop of intrigue in a more obvious way is to style it under a t-shirt or some sort or a piece that has more of the turtleneck exposed. Not only does it keep you warm, it also allows you to wear summer pieces longer, making them great for transitioning between seasons. Here I’ve styled my black turtleneck under a simple shift dress over slim pants.

Turtleneck: UNIQLO
Shift Dress: Vetta Capsule
Pants: Citizens of Humanity
Boots: Frye

As I mentioned above, turtlenecks are great for a variety of settings, and I personally often wear them to work but I easily style them casually on weekends as well. This is one of the main reasons why I have included multiple turtlenecks in my core capsule, simply because they get a lot of wear. My core capsule is comprised of items that I wear often and through many seasons. It’s definitely still a work in progress and something that I’m developing as I go, but if you’re interested in learning more about my core capsule, you can read about that here in a previous blog post.

Below, I’ve styled a typical outfit I would wear to work in the winter. I’ve styled this camel cotton turtleneck under the softest grey flannel, along with a pair of classic black work trousers. To finish the look, I slipped into my black Chelsea boots and accessorized with simple understated gold jewellery for an office-appropriate look.

Turtleneck: Kotn
Flannel: Tradlands
Trousers: Oak + Fort
Boots: Frye

To further demonstrate the versatility of turtlenecks, here is a more casual outfit that you would definitely see me sporting on the weekend. This look is also one of my favourites because it incorporates two hand-me-down item/“stolen” from my parents. Here I’ve thrown an oversized denim shirt on top of my ribbed turtleneck. In this outfit, I’d be ready to catch up with friends in a cafe or run errands on the weekend.

Turtleneck: old from mom
Denim Shirt: old from dad
Trousers: Aritzia
Boots: Sorel

Last but not least! This is my take on a classic 90s-inspired look - the spaghetti strap tank layer. Maybe I’ve been watching too many Friends re-runs and am getting inspired by one, Miss Rachel Green. Does anyone else remember this iconic look? For my final turtleneck outfit, I’ve layered a similarly toned spaghetti strap blouse over my tank top, tucked into a pair of black trousers, a finished off with my black Chelsea boots This is more of a clean, feminine look - maybe an outfit for a date night!

Tank: Aritzia
Turtleneck: Muji
Trousers: Oak + Fort
Boots: Frye

Turtlenecks aren’t for me!

Well after all this turtleneck talk, maybe you still think turtlenecks aren’t for you, and that’s totally fine! If you’re still interested in trying out some of these tips, maybe opt for a mock neck top as an alternative. Mock necks have a similar silhouette except there is less fabric and height covering the neck, helping to elongate the neck. Maybe turtlenecks are too form fitting for your liking, try styling them with higher waisted bottoms or with another layer on top. This could be a whole other blog post on its own, so I won’t get too into that! If your turtlenecks are itchy, maybe opt for cotton or a soft merino wool when purchasing a turtleneck. Both of these fabrics are extremely comfortable, not to mention cozy. If you’re interested in reading more about fabrics, I discuss more on wool and cotton in my previous blog post.

Now that you know just how much more I love turtlenecks, let me know below your favourite layering tip. I’m curious if you’ve tried any of these layering tricks? Do you have any questions about styling turtlenecks for your body type? I would love to hear your thoughts!

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This post is not sponsored but contains some gifted items and affiliate links. If you decide to shop through the links above, I make a small commission that helps support this blog. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!