Disclosure: The underwear set in the photos was kindly gifted by Thief & Bandit. However, I am a repeat customer and superfan of this brand! None of the below links are affiliate. All opinions are my own.

I don’t know if anyone else feels the same way, but ever since the world shut down in March and I started working from home, I just cannot be bothered with overly fussy or uncomfortable clothing. Things that I wore without question in the Before Times strike me as odd now that comfortable dressing has become the new normal. I used to live in blazers, but now I feel they are restrictive and confining when working from home. These days my daily uniform consists of leggings and sweater dresses or comfortable tops. I want to look good in virtual meetings, but I also want to be comfortable.

One of the changes I’ve made is in the underwear category. I’ve started to reject underwire bras, which is new for me since I’ve worn them without question for many years. I will most likely take them up again when the world goes back to normal, but for now all I want is to wear something a lot more comfortable that still offers a little support.

I discovered Nova Scotia brand Thief & Bandit while I was Googling ethically made size-inclusive bralettes. It’s rare to find a fashion brand that is doing something completely different, but this one hits the mark. Not only is their clothing handmade in Nova Scotia from organic cotton, but they actually hand-print the fabric in-house. The brand carries sizes from XS-4X, but if you fall outside of that range they will custom make the garment for you. Amazing.

I am a huge fan of Thief & Bandit’s underwear sets. They are incredibly comfortable. I’ve washed mine many times and they still come out looking like new. They are ethically made in Canada and of beautiful quality, so the price reflects that. In my opinion they’re totally worth it.

A couple of tips if you’re thinking of placing an order:

• Consider sizing down. On the size chart it says that the garments have up to 5″ of stretch. They are not kidding about that.
• I recommend cutting the tag off the back of the bralette. It can be pretty scratchy. Once it’s gone, you’ll forget you’re wearing anything at all. [Update: Thief & Bandit messaged me to let me know they’ve swapped out the old tags for non-itchy satin.]
• Everything is made to order which cuts down on waste but adds a couple of weeks to the processing time, so be sure to take that into account when ordering.

Overall, I love this brand and what they stand for, and their designs are traffic-stopping. They just came out with their Holiday 2020 collection and I kind of want everything! I ordered the Stardust Turtleneck last week and am impatiently awaiting its arrival.

Be sure to follow Thief & Bandit on Instagram, and let me know if you have any questions or if you decide to make a purchase!

XO – Annette

Not only has my work situation changed, but 2020 is also the year that I decided to stop buying clothing from fast fashion companies. I’ve hardly bought any new clothing items this year (this dress from Tangente is one of the only exceptions), but I do have a wishlist that I thought I’d share. Although the initial cost of purchasing clothing from small, ethical businesses is higher, the cost per wear is so much lower as you get a lot more for your money in terms of quality and longevity of the garment. I don’t have the budget to purchase all of the items on my list, but I may open my wallet to add a beautiful piece or two to my closet and support a small business at the same time. (Bonus: everything on my list is made in Canada!) I’ve linked my picks below.

[A note on size-inclusivity: a couple of the brands below only carry up to an XXL. I have chosen to include them because they fit up to an 18/20; however, I know that this excludes many people from wearing their designs. I do my best to include brands that cater to more diverse bodies and will keep you updated on the blog when brands further extend their size ranges.]

Cherry Velvet Marie Dress in Floral Fireworks

Not only would this dress from Cherry Velvet look great on Zoom, it’s a timeless style that I could easily wear to the office post-pandemic. This dress also comes in an amazing glow-in-the-dark dinosaur print. Available in sizes XS-3X.

Smash + Tess Sweater Weather Dress in Teresa Tiger

This Smash + Tess tiger-print dress paired with my Lisa2 leggings from Miik would be a match made in heaven. In sizes XXS-XXXL.

Miik Emily Soft Blazer

Miik has been working on extending their size range this year and I am Here. For. It. They kindy gifted me a pair of their Lisa2 leggings in XXL earlier this year, and I’ve been living in them ever since. They released the Emily blazer in XXL in their Fall 2020 collection and I’m drooling over this colour. I love the idea of a structured blazer in a soft fabric that would look great on Zoom and still be comfortable enough for working from home. In sizes XS-XXL.

Thief & Bandit Stardust Turtleneck

I own a couple of pairs of Thief & Bandit’s organic cotton underwear, and the fabric is so incredibly soft. The organic cotton Stardust turtleneck has been on my wishlist for quite a while. The patterns on all Thief & Bandit’s fabrics are hand-printed at their workshop in Nova Scotia. Pro tip: if you are planning on ordering from them, take the size down. They say in the size chart that their fabric has five inches of stretch, and they’re not joking around. Available in sizes XS-4X. They do custom sizing as well.

Encircled The Comfy Blouse

The Comfy Blouse from Encircled is just so pretty. I have never made a purchase from this Toronto-based brand, but this top has me tempted. Available in a variety of colours, although this soft pink is my favourite. In sizes XS-XXL.

That’s it for today! I hope you’re staying safe and well. Be kind to yourself. XOXO – Annette

I’ve spoken before on the blog about how difficult it is to find ethical and sustainable clothing in plus sizes. There are some great ethical brands out there, but most are simply not accessible to anyone above a size 14. So you can imagine my excitement when I was contacted by Canadian company Miik to let me know that they were planning to expand their size range to XXL and asked me if I’d like to try a pair of their Lisa2 leggings, the first design they’ve rolled out in the new size.

I am not exaggerating when I say that they are the most comfortable pair of leggings I’ve ever owned. They’re made from rayon from bamboo and are soft and breathable. I’ve been practically living in them since I received them (I’m wearing them now, in fact!) and after owning them for a few weeks, I can’t picture myself without a pair of these in my closet. They are perfection.

I decided to pair the Lisa2 leggings with my super-comfy crop top from local Ottawa designer Rebecca Rowe. I love the versatility of this sweater – I wear it both on its own and over a flowy top or dress, and have found myself reaching for it regularly ever since I purchased it at her pop-up shop this winter. It’s a workhorse that truly belongs in anyone’s capsule wardrobe.

If you’re looking for the perfect leggings, I strongly recommend the Lisa2 from Miik. You can use the discount code Annette15 for 15% off your purchase (not an affiliate code, just a discount if you’re interested in giving them a try. )

I’m excited for Miik to release more designs in larger sizes. I’m always on the lookout for ethically made styles in my size, and I’m crushing hard on Miik’s comfortable yet professional aesthetic. Thanks Miik for listening to your customers and offering your clothes in my size!

[Side note: this was my first-ever solo photoshoot! It took a lot of tries to get this right, but I’m happy with the results. Still, I can’t wait until we don’t have to self-isolate anymore and I can work with a photographer again (Charlotte Rosalyn Photography I miss you!!!! )]

xo – Annette

Hi there. I hope you’re doing well. We all woke up to a strange new world a few weeks ago, and with no immediate end in sight, it’s more important than ever to take care of our physical and mental health. Stay home, stay safe. We’re in this together.

I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately on the fashion industry and sustainable fashion. Since we’re all stuck inside I thought it would be a good time to share a few of my favourite books on the subject. If you have any additional suggestions, please feel free to add them in the comments below. Happy reading! – Annette

The End Of Fashion: How Marketing Changed the Clothing Business Forever by Teri Agins (2000)

Written by Wall Street Journal fashion journalist Teri Agins, this book provides a fascinating glimpse into the marketing of clothing brands and the shift in focus from design to brand recognition, a change that went hand-in-hand with the takeover of fashion houses by multinational corporations like LVMH. Written two decades ago, The End of Fashion nevertheless remains relevant in our brand-saturated world. I recommend this book if you’re looking to educate yourself on the wide-ranging effects of fashion marketing.

Key Quote:

Today, a designer’s creativity expresses itself more than ever in the marketing rather than in the actual clothes…In a sense, fashion has returned to its roots: selling image. Image is the form and marketing is the function.

Teri Agins, The End of Fashion

Deluxe: How Luxury Lost its Luster by Dana Thomas (2007)

This book provides a fascinating look at how luxury brands have evolved over the last hundred years. I loved reading about the birth of the major fashion houses (Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior…) and how they morphed into the giant global companies they are today. I was especially interested in the chapter on the “it bag” phenomenon and the marketing machines behind the iconic bags that made it to the top. A very enjoyable read and one that will have you asking the question: are “luxury” goods that are mass-produced and sold at dramatically inflated prices really that luxurious?

Key Quote:

The luxury industry has changed the way people dress. It has realigned our economic class system. It has changed the way we interact. It has become part of our social fabric. To achieve this, it has sacrificed its integrity, undermined its products, tarnished its history, and hoodwinked its consumers. In order to make luxury “accessible,” tycoons have stripped away all that has made it special.

Dana Thomas, Deluxe

Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth Cline (2012)

Overdressed offers an in-depth look at fast fashion: its desirability, its ubiquity, its cheapness, and its tremendous human and environmental cost. Sparked by the desire to know more about how the clothing items in her closet were produced, the author embarked on a journey that took her to New York’s garment district, to clothing factories in China and Bangladesh, and even to H&M with Youtube influencers. It’s an entertaining and thought-provoking read that brings our wear-once, throwaway culture into stark relief.

Key Quote:

Building up a wardrobe over time, saving up and investing in well-made pieces, obsessing over the perfect hem, luxuriating in fabrics, and patching up and altering our clothes are old-fashioned habits. But they’re also deeply satisfying antidotes to the empty uniformity of cheapness.

Elizabeth Cline, Overdressed

Wardrobe Crisis: How We Went from Sunday Best to Fast Fashion by Clare Press (2016)

Written in a conversational style by VOGUE’s first-ever sustainability editor, Wardrobe Crisis is filled with anecdotes, interviews, and interesting facts about fashion history. The author doesn’t shy away from the ugly side of the fashion industry and is frank in her descriptions of terrible working conditions, toxic pollution, and animal cruelty. I learned a lot from reading this book and recommend it if you are interested in diving deeper into the issues surrounding our global addiction to fast fashion.

Key Quote:

Eco is no longer a dirty word. As public opinion swings, it is beginning to look like guzzling resources without thinking about the consequences for people and the planet might make crap business sense.

Clare Press, Wardrobe Crisis

Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes by Dana Thomas (2019)

This is another great read by Dana Thomas, the author of Deluxe (above). Opening with a history and impact analysis of fast fashion, the book goes on to look at businesses and techniques that are revolutionizing the fashion industry. From small-scale ethical clothing production to cutting edge technology and the textiles of the future, this is a fascinating up-to-date look at the current state of the fashion industry and the ethical and technological breakthroughs that are on the horizon. Definitely one to add to your reading list!

Key Quote:

The revolution is not only going to be born from the makers. We all have to step up. Buy less. Wash our clothes differently. Repair or upcycle them more. Consider the impact of the material they are made of. Consider the supply chain that produces them. Consider the tenets of the company that created and distributed them. We need to fashion a personal style that does more good for the world than ill.

Dana Thomas, Fashionopolis

The Conscious Closet: The Revolutionary Guide to Looking Good While Doing Good by Elizabeth Cline (2019)

This is the latest book by Elizabeth Cline (author of Overdressed, above). I enjoyed Overdressed so much that I bought The Conscious Closet on the day it was released. I was not disappointed! The Conscious Closet is a guidebook on how to build an ethical, sustainable wardrobe that you can look good in and feel good about. From finding your personal style and ridding your closet of clothes that don’t serve you to identifying quality fabrics and construction and making minor clothing repairs, this book has it all. (Am I the only person who discovered they’ve been sewing buttons on wrong this whole time?). Having a closet full of clothing items you wear and truly love is life-changing. This is one of those books you’ll come back to again and again.

Key Quote:

By buying less, sharing more, choosing sustainably, and acting together, we really can change the world.

Elizabeth Cline, The Conscious Closet

xo – Annette

I’ve been gravitating lately towards timeless accessories that I can enjoy now and 50 years from now, and this one definitely fits the bill.

The maker of this particular brooch had a big booth at the fair with hundreds of jewellery pieces. There was such an overwhelming selection that I’m surprised I found the spider at all! But when I saw it, it took my breath away.

I can’t really explain why I was so drawn to this brooch. I’m scared of spiders (I know I’m not the only one!), but I respect them. They are incredible creatures that play an important role in their ecosystem. They’re terrifying in real life, but boy do they look good in jeweled form!

I wear this brooch on my white tweed blazer when I want a little extra sparkle in my day. It’s very heavy so it needs to be placed on a thicker fabric that can support its weight. It would also look great on a wool coat lapel, or pinned at the waistline of a dress.

Hope you’re having a great day! xo – Annette

Jakke collaborated with Canadian brand Addition Elle to do a plus-sized run of coats, and I am totally in love. (I own the robin’s egg blue version as well!) Addition Elle has been doing a good job lately of bringing more ethical, sustainable, and high quality brands to Canadian plus-sized consumers and I am here for it.

This is without a doubt the most luxurious faux fur I’ve ever encountered. It’s warm enough even for a Canadian winter, which says a lot! I get lots of compliments when I wear it and it makes me feel like a million dollars. And what are our clothes for but to make us feel good when we wear them?

Jakke has shared more about the company’s sustainability practices here if you’re interested in checking them out.

Apparently the groundhog didn’t see his shadow, so hopefully we don’t have to endure the cold weather for too much longer. Here’s to staying warm until spring!

Stay cozy – Annette

Looking back on the last ten years, it’s almost hard to believe how much has changed. I’ve had a lot of good times, and a lot of difficult times. I’m personally ending 2019 on a high note, having been offered my dream job earlier this month. I can’t wait to see what the next decade has to bring.

These photos are from my last shoot of 2019 with Charlotte of Charlotte Rosalyn Photography. I arrived at her place completely exhausted, having had an absolutely crazy few weeks at the end of November/early December. I had been finishing up at my current job to prepare for my new position in January and was feeling the strain. I felt torn because I loved my job and the people I’d been working with, but when an exciting new opportunity came along it felt like the right time to pursue it. I’m certain I’ve made the right choice, but I was still sad to walk away from something that has helped me grow so much, both professionally and personally. Looking back at the photos, it seems to me that this shoot really captured how I was feeling – a little drained both physically and mentally, but over-the-moon excited about the next chapter in my career.

I have lots of personal, professional, and financial goals for the coming year. I also have lots of plans for this blog. I’ll be posting a lot more, and being more conscious of how my clothing budget can be used to support small businesses that are doing positive things for their workers and for the environment.

In 2020 I’ll be sharing more on the blog about how I budget for clothes, new sustainable brands I like, and how to choose quality clothing that will last for years. So stay tuned for more content in 2020!

Everything I’m wearing in these photos is ethical and/or sustainable. The dress is from local Ottawa designer Rebecca Rowe. I love purchasing from local designers; not only are they as excited as you are when you love one of their pieces, but they can do alterations for you on the spot, as Rebecca did when I wanted more room in the sleeves on this dress. Thanks Rebecca!

These incredible shoes are by Jimmy Choo, purchased secondhand through Poshmark at a fraction of the price I would have paid had they been new. The quality of these shoes is unreal, and I feel lucky to have something so unique and striking in my wardrobe.

The tights I’m wearing in these photos are from Canadian startup Sheertex. These tights are comfy, look great, and are made of something that can’t be torn by human hands. You have to try them to believe them. I didn’t buy them for a long time because of the price, but I’m glad I finally made the leap. They are worth the money and will last a long, long time.

2019 has been absolutely transformational for me. I can’t wait to see what 2020 brings.

Wishing you peace, joy, health, and happiness in the new year – Annette

Hope you’re having a wonderful day! xo – Annette

I’ve noticed this year that, along with the crazy advertising and door-crashing deals that go along with Black Friday, some smaller slow-fashion retailers are taking a different route. LNBF for example is offering free shipping, but instead of discounting their clothing they are donating ten percent of sales to the Amazon Rainforest Conservancy.

At a time of rampant consumerism, it is refreshing to see people who are trying to do better. I can get behind that. You can read about LNBF’s Better Black Friday initiative here.

Have a great day! xo – Annette

While I’m busy counting down the days until my next blog photoshoot (still one more week to go!), I thought I’d try something new. I read about Poshmark in The Conscious Closet by Elizabeth Cline (a fantastic resource on building a sustainable wardrobe) and thought I’d give it a go.

I know I’m not alone when I say that I have a lot of items in my closet that I rarely wear, if ever. Since I started this blog I’ve been thinking a lot about my clothing choices, and I only want to keep things that make me happy to wear. With that in mind, I’m beginning to clear out items that are no longer of use to me. I’m sorting them into two categories: items of saleable quality, and items that need to be recycled.

Did you know that clothing donation bins often recycle used clothing? I learned that from the Ontario Textile Diversion Collaborative, an organization dedicated to keeping textiles out of the trash. I had no idea – I assumed that once an item of clothing was worn out, I had no choice but to throw it away. Their website has tons more info and is worth checking out if you’re interested in learning more.

For those items of saleable quality, I’ve started listing them on Poshmark. I’ve been finding the listing process super easy. I haven’t made any sales as of yet – I’ll be sure to update the blog when I do and let you know what the experience is like.

If you’d like to check out my Poshmark closet, you can do that here. (Yes, I’m selling that sequin jacket ;)) You can also use my code MUSEINBLOOM for $15CDN off your first purchase!

Talk soon! xo – Annette