You know how we all have those places inside where shame calcifies? The room in us that’s filled with junk we don’t want anyone to see. Mine hold money issues, and even though I live in a NYC apartment so have learned the art of economizing in the service of space, I still manage to pack a good amount of money-shame clutter into my emotional attic. It’s always been thus. Although I never wanted for, I did soak in a fair amount of confusing money issues as I grew from a tot into a teenager.
When I moved to NYC as a college student it just seemed like survival to eye the pawn shop down the street and wonder how much I might get for my grandma’s ring, or to box up and carry mule-like fifty pounds of books to the Strand so I could almost-just make rent. Hell, I even sold my wedding ring (post-divorce) to be able to pay a minimum on a credit card.
Sometimes there was a perverse pride in being able to live on a dollar a day. This was 1990s New York, so a dollar went slightly further. I’d walk an hour to buy a 5$ bottle of wine, which I would sip while luxuriating in a bubble bath with suds courtesy of a 99 cent bottle of baby shampoo from the bodega downstairs as Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life” would spin on my turntable turned up to eleven. And I’d feel rich for under $7.
I’ve also always loved clothes. I’ve had my solid share of shopping above my means. Of feeling sick to my stomach as I handed a cashier a bundle of cash I knew meant that my rent would be late or a check (again, it was the 90s…useless pieces of paper were still being used to pay for things) that I knew for certain would bounce. But yet I would go through with the sale and only occasionally consider returning whatever was in the bag. Mostly it was magical thinking, something along the lines of I’ll make it work. Also embarrassment. I didn’t want someone thinking I couldn’t afford the thing in hand—a point driven home after I’d gone fancy and had a makeup consultation at Berdorf’s on Fifth Avenue right before my wedding. When the sales lady sold me on buying a few things she’d used and the bill came to almost as much as we were spending on our rehearsal dinner, I swallowed hard, handed over a card, disappeared onto another floor, then snuck down a few times to check on whether a different cashier was on duty and maybe my sales lady had taken her break. When after an hour or so the coast became clear, I returned the whole stash and fled out into the streets, hot with shame and anger.
But as much as I love thrifting—and will write dedicated posts on that activity as well—I do enjoy me a brand-spanking new dud every now and then. Figuring out what’s worth the spend both economy- and ecology-wise has been a project of mine for the last year and I mean to share here what I’ve found and hope you, my readers, will share yours as well. My goal is to never post a single item that exceeds $300. Maybe because 3 is my favorite number or given that’s as much as I can justify spending on a piece of outerwear. Either way, it’s what I’m setting out to do.
I’m starting with a very cool designer whose socially conscious ethos and awesome designed silhouettes I can totally get behind: Zero + Maria Cornejo. A couple of her pieces live in my closet and I can honestly say it was worth the money in both the amount of time I wear them and the fact that I believe in her business.
So today, given most of the people reading this are experiencing summer-time temps (even considering global-warming weirdness) and those in fall or winter temps can always enjoy a nice frock with a cardigan thrown over the top, I bring you this dress that I think is fab and hits all the marks (on sale for under $300).
Another company I’m a little in love with for their give-back attitude is LACAUSA. Read their story here. I own some of their pieces as well and you’ll definitely come across me featuring them pretty regularly in future posts. This dress is kind of a perfect summer attitude. Hits the price point and supports a good vibe.
And finally (told you I like 3s), Ecoture is a company that rates really high on the fashion-conscious clothing front. And this simple t-shirt dress looks really easy for a summer staple. I have something similar that I wear all year round: summer on its own, chillier seasons with a long-sleeve underneath and maybe some slacks like this model’s sporting.
Overall, I’ve featured here sale items because I’m rarely able and can hardly ever justify spending over a hundred on a regular basis. The exception is about once a year on a really quality item that will be with me forever in a timeless cut (hello, Zero + Maria). But of course that leaves me with a jones for the everyday buy. H&M used to be my guilty pleasure. And I know they’re part of the fast-fashion network, but they’re also doing some good work on becoming environmentally aware, although I still try and only buy things that I really will wear and keep for awhile. You can read about H&M’s progress here. And other than that, there are my beloved thrift stores, where good stuff abounds with the proceeds going to solid causes. (Stay tuned for that post!)
Where do you satisfy your craving for fashion in a way that makes you feel good and look fab?
Does This Make Me Look 
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