Sale PSA: A classic linen/cotton light coat from Uniqlo, now under $30, a very cute script print dress from RHODE, now 40% off, a classic tie front shirt from Madewell, now 40% off, this very cute striped sweater from Halogen x Blair Eadie, now under $50 (I really like Atlantic-Pacific, to be honest I don’t follow much anymore but she’s always seemed very true to her style), and I also just noticed that nearly all Everlane is quietly 25% off on the Nordstrom site right now!
Last week, one of my favorite brands, Elizabeth Suzann, announced they were closing (in their current form) due to the economic impact from the pandemic. If you’ve been reading this blog for awhile you probably have seen me wear an ES piece – I started buying around two (?) years ago, and their products are some of my favorites in my wardrobe. I love that she uses silk and linen, two of my favorite fabrics, and that almost all pieces are machine washable. I’m sad I didn’t have the chance to buy a few more. Including the olive “Andy” pants below – they are some of my favorites and I’ve been debating a larger size for a while (Covid snacking not going away anytime soon), and honestly I should have just done it. A top regret for sure.
Anyway. I know this is likely a niche topic (though if there are other ES fans I’d love to hear from you!). But I truly loved the brand so wanted to document this. I loved everything about it – the material, the quality, the customer service, the marketing, everything. Their entire business model. I don’t review a lot of the clothes I get on this blog but I always tried to review my ES items to support them in my small fashion. And I really loved how the founder, Liz Pape, stuck to her values and used her business to express that. I think of myself as a fairly progressive/liberal person but to be brutally honest it’s often in a fairly bougie way, where I just issue statements and don’t think much after that. After all, I’m already doing good right…not like all those other evil people, right? (uh huh). And I know that there are still many areas I can work on, where I’m likely still like that now. BUT because I liked the brand so much it actually made me think so much more about other values and what I should be doing….it changed how I bought and thought about many things and to me that’s really incredible. Because it’s “only” a clothing brand.
I also feel some guilt. There were quite a few items I’d been eyeing, which I held off from buying these last months, just overall being more mindful about money given the economic situation. They basically announced their closure and within that same day had reached their capacity for the forseeable future (aka no more orders). I do have a few pieces in progress (she works on a made to order system). But now I feel that I should have bought some more. Because where better to spend during a situation like this than a small business? I believe in voting with my wallet and I should have done it more and wish I had the opportunity. But at the same time, I’m also conflicted…because I had wanted to lessen my clothing spending and that shouldn’t be a bad thing either. There actually a few times when I wanted to buy something (not necessarily from ES) and I ended up donating the amount instead because spending for another consumable just seemed so frivolous and unnecessary. I’m still trying to find my personal balance in a period where there is so much uncertainty and fear. It is such a complicated thing and I’m sure something that many brands that encourage responsible purchasing have struggled with.
Anyway, I guess this post ended up almost like a love letter. Just my public thanks for a company and designer I loved so much. And have any of you ever found a brand that you really “loved”? How do you support them? How are you thinking of small businesses during this period? And how you balance your support with your own finances? I want to hear more!
9 Comments
Sonya
May 11, 2020 at 9:33 amI was a big fan too, actually from your blog. Was shocked to read the news 🙁
Catherine
May 11, 2020 at 9:39 amKat,
This is very sad indeed. Thanks for informing us on the closure of Elizabeth Suzann. I know many people will miss the brand. I have also struggled with the same – to buy vs to donate mentality and have actually spent more in the past few months than I had previously. I have tried to spend my money with more women-owned, family-owned businesses to ease the guilt and boredom to consume.That being said, the balance you speak of is one of the characteristics of living in this capitalist society.
Also – I believe you can still shop the Elizabeth Suzann online sample sale to get any final pieces.
Sharon
May 11, 2020 at 1:13 pmI’m also sad about this. When I saw it on Instagram, I ordered one more piece…I do hope I get it eventually. They were really incredible…fabulous Customer Service. I had a problem with sizing…they were very helpful. I finally settled on a tunic top, wore it a few times, and decided it was way too big. I asked them for some hints if I took it to be altered – due to the construction. They actually told me to return it, even though I wore it, for a smaller size. Who does that? Sorry to see them go…
Susan
May 11, 2020 at 2:24 pmNice post. I read the ES post and was bummed about it too. Really respected their hard work ethic and was rooting for them to succeed. I hope the owner and her husband get a second wind and eventually decide to go back to pre-covid business. Also, I know it’s just clothes, but I gotta admit I really like fashion.
A
May 11, 2020 at 2:38 pmVery sad news indeed. My strong desire to support a company I really believed in seemed to run directly up against my equally strong desire to be really mindful about my purchases (I really don’t need everything I love in every color made). So I ordered what I really wanted and held off on the ‘maybe’ purchases. On reflection, I think I made the right choice but …
Revanche @ A Gai Shan Life
May 11, 2020 at 10:53 pmI’ve tried very hard to be mindful of where our dollars go for the past few years, it’s a work in progress, but even more so now! In addition to buying from small businesses where possible, I’m focused on actively donating to food banks, animal shelters, and other organizations doing good work that don’t necessarily get funding from the government or other stable sources and may be losing support now that everyone is being less spendy. To be honest the only thing that’s really changed is the scope of our giving and how much we’re giving (wider and a bit more). We’re still paying all our bills and checking off wish list items that are long term good things to help keep us sane, we’re just stretching a bit more to help others at a really bad time in history. I’ll always feel like we can do more and I’ll always look for ways to do more within reason and budget. We’re not such high fliers we can give the moon but we can give enough to make a little difference in people’s lives.
Xin
May 12, 2020 at 9:57 amI too was really sad to hear about ES! I’ve only been able to be a customer of ES since last year, but I’m very fond of the pieces I have. ES really is the best embodiment of what I personally believe are the best possible ideals of an ethical fashion brand, in particular for the care that Liz Pape has shown to her employees in these uncertain times. Committing to pay her employees in full through several months after COVID-19 decimated their business is very admirable to me, I can only imagine how difficult that. ES’s transparency and Liz’s commitment to her values are all things I’ve admired.
Around mid-March this year, when the COVID-19 situation started getting serious and when they reported that they would potentially have some trouble, I made an order that I was already planning to make later this summer. When they announced their closing, I ordered one last item right before they hit capacity. So I have two pending orders coming, but those would likely have been the only items I could see myself ordering from ES in the next 2-3 years, even without the closure. I’ve been happy to support ES as best I could in these times, and I’ve tried to shop from other small businesses as well, or to donate to the barista relief funds at two of the independent coffee shops I frequent. Our household is very lucky that we have not yet seen disruptions to our income and job security, but I’m not sure how much longer that will last. We’re able to spend and donate a bit more now because we tend to keep an overly large “emergency fund” of cash savings.
Mai
May 13, 2020 at 12:31 amI found ES through your blog and have a few pieces now. When I read about their closure it was too late to order another piece. I would have ordered earlier, it is just that their clothes are quite expensive and I always hesitate. I will just have to wait until Autumn then.
Ty
May 13, 2020 at 3:19 amI have been reading your blog for years, starting from H love, staying for your excellent writing. I’m really with you about finding beautifully made companies with amazing integrity in their design, product, and supply chain. I am sorry to hear this brand is folding but please look into an amazing Australian company called Made 590. They’re known for their prints but I’ve got gorgeous basics including tops, knits, and these fantastic Peta pants that I think would give your pants above a run for the money. They’re keen on natural fibres and wear beautifully. Female founder owner (Chris, who is lovely) and her team have been with her some over a decade. And possibly the best swimming costume I’ve ever owned.