Welcome to the third and final instalment of this Ask Bee Anything Series! Today I’m answering an eclectic mix of questions like my thoughts on:
luxury goods
selling clothes online
finding a good tailor
how to mix metals
journaling
shopping priorities
workwear recos
my laundry protocol
and, of course, lots more!
If you haven’t yet, check out Part 1 and Part 2 (linked below) for LOTS of style insights, suggestions, recommendations, and honest thoughts.
2 - Style During & After Change
Now, without further adieu, I bring you part three!
Quick housekeeping note, this post has affiliate links and I’ve noted those with an * to keep things as transparent as possible.
Q1 - How many items do you have in your closet?
I’ve received this question many times over the years and I used to be highly fixated on the number of items I had. I even got rid of things to try to get the number down only to regret it later. Now I don’t worry about that and focus more on limiting what I add and editing thoroughly whenever I feel like pieces are being under utilized.
So my answer would be I don’t keep track of an exact number of items in my closet. I probably have more items than most and fewer than some but I’m planning to continue to downsize and shift my closet to more functional pieces over the next year. One thing about living in a climate with 4 very distinct seasons is that you really do need some items for a few months and then they don’t get used for the rest of the year. This means you end up with a larger closet than folks who live in a temperate climate can get away with.
Ultimately, I don’t think the number of items in your closet is really representative of whether or not your wardrobe is working for you. If you love variety and thrive on options then I wouldn’t be worried about how many pieces you have. If you’d rather a simplified approach to your style and getting dressed, then less options will likely lead to more contentment.
Q2 - I noticed that you re-sell using Depop instead of Poshmark. Pros and cons? I use Poshmark but am considering either also listing on Depop or switching over. Thanks! : )
I considered using Poshmark originally, however the app takes 20% of your sales and at the time they only allowed shipping within Canada (not sure if that’s still the case). I have a large US-based readership so I wanted to offer international shipping and Depop offered that along with taking only 10% of the sales, which helps me keep my list price down and include shipping within Canada.
I haven’t listed or sold anything on Poshmark so I can’t directly compare the two, however, I liked the seller dashboard on Depop and find the interface to be simple and intuitive. Depop now allow buyers to put in an offer on a listing too, which I know was something folks liked about Poshmark. As a seller I like this feature too.
I think the buyers on Poshmark are within the Millennial range and on Depop it skews younger in case that impacts your target demographic.
Find me on Depop here or search “Lee Vosburgh”. I’m not currently selling anything but I may host another sale in the new year.
Q3 - How do you find someone to sew you an article of clothing from a pattern and fabric you supply, and what do you think of this idea in general?
This is a great question. If you have a tailor or a fabric store in your area those would be the first places I would look for a skilled seamstress to work with. They may not offer the service but might have a name or two to contact.
In general, I think if you have a pattern and a specific fabric you’d like it in then it’s a great way to support a local small business and get the exact garment you want in your wardrobe. I wouldn’t expect it to be faster or more economical than buying ready-to-wear but it could lead to a better result and a special, custom piece you’ll treasure.
Q4 - How do you find a good tailor, and how do you know what good prices for tailoring clothes are?
I’ve usually found my tailor through Google searches or through a recommendation from a clothing boutique I shop at. You might also ask your dry cleaner as they usually have an in-house offering or are somehow connected with a tailor.
As for pricing, I’m sure it varies depending on where you are. Typically I’ve paid about $20 for any simple alterations like a hem adjustment, strap change or a waist resizing. For more complex work involving sleeves or linings or zipper replacements, you’re likely looking at something more in the $40 range but it all depends on what you need. You can usually get a quote from your tailor beforehand.
Q5 - Hi! I love your style! Any tips for looking stylish and also getting some protection from the sun?
Thank you!
Yes! Get a big hat, sunglasses you love, and a caftan or two. I also love linen or cotton sets that make it easy to stay cool but covered up. I’m also a fan of a long flowy sun dress. Here’s a list of recommendations:
Solbari does amazing Sun Hats with UPF 50+ protection. I have the Ultra Wide Brim Cotton Linen Hat with an adjustable fit, removable strap and a ponytail slot. The brim has a flexible wire that holds its shape. It’s washable, packable, lightweight, breathable, and very well made.
I love my Emerson Caftan* from Emerson Fry and would definitely look at The Sleep Shirts Kaftan selection* as they offer more sizing inclusivity and they’re made in Canada (LEE20 for 20% off).
I love my RayBan RB2180 sunglasses* in tortoise - so much I’ve actually bought them twice after the first pair got run over, oops. They’re comfortable, classic and offer coverage without feeling huge on my face.
Linen separates are a long-standing go-to in my closet. I love Elizabeth Suzann’s Florence Pant and Georgia Tees. The Sleep Shirt* also does some gorgeous linen styles (styled by me here). I bought a linen/cotton set from Naked Cashmere* last summer I’ve been eying the linen collection from POSSE* an Aussie brand that does beautiful minimal pieces.
My favourite dress last summer was the Kyra Midi from Daughters of India. I go for 100% Linen or Cotton and look for relaxed styles that have a lovely print or unique element to give a loose fit some interest.
Q6 - Have you found any really sturdy work clothes for gardening/construction etc? I really struggle with finding clothes that fit me well and are useful - meaning they don't wear out in one season!
I’m currently in the process of exploring answers to this question. The struggle is real! I find my main struggle with a lot of workwear is that the sturdy fabrics, like heavy canvas cotton, aren’t very comfortable or easy to move in so I don’t like wearing them. I will often end up just wearing leggings (with joggers on top if it’s cold) and a big sweatshirt over my thermal long sleeves. Not exactly chic but it gets the job done.
Shaina Mote, a designer I love, released a workwear collection this year. Everything is beautiful and they kindly sent me the Painter Coveralls to test out. So far they’re exactly what I had hoped for. The fit is great, the construction is top quality and the herringbone cotton is sturdy but still soft and easy to move in. The Canadian boutique, Field Study also carries them and at the moment they’re on sale.
I also have my sights set on the Get Dirty Workwear Overalls from Alder (a Canadian, size inclusive outdoor apparel brand).
Mate the Label* released a gardener pant and jacket set* that I allllmost bought but the colour I wanted (Bark) sold out.
Dave wears The North Face jackets, Dickie’s pants (I like the look of their women’s Overalls), and often goes to Mark’s for his builder basics. He is really brutal on his clothes though so it’s rare that anything is around longer than a year or two. The only thing that has lasted well is his Tough Duck Chore Jacket (they have a women’s line too) and the heavy duty Champion sweatshirts we had made for his contracting business.
I’m planning to order a pair of Elizabeth Suzann Clyde Pants in black linen to wear while working next spring/summer. I’ve been wearing an old pair of linen Florence pants to garden in and nothing beats their comfort and breathability in the warmer weather, I just need pockets and a tapered leg for better safety on the job site.
I’d also check out Frank & Oak*, Altitude Sports*, MEC and L.L.BEAN. I’ll be sure to share any gems that I do try out and love in the future!
Q7 - What are your thoughts about designer/luxury goods and if you've ever considered any specific items for your capsules?
I was recently chatting with a friend about buying designer products, specifically designer bags. I used to have the Celine Classic Box Bag in Black as my ultimate wish list item but over the years I’ve realized that that isn’t where I want to spend money on my closet. I love the idea of having a vintage designer bag one day but for now it’s not even remotely a priority for my wardrobe budget. You can find extremely well made, beautiful bags for a fraction of the price that will still offer a very high end, elevated aesthetic without the price tag.
Personally I love the following accessory brands that ring in far more reasonably:
The Curated (they do a beautiful rendition of the Celine Box Bag)
Opelle (Canadian)
ELA* (Canadian brand that uses vegan leather. Great price point for the quality) Use LEE10 for 10% Off
Poppy Barley* (Canadian)
I don’t mean to discourage anyone that has a designer item on their wish list, however, I will say that the most impeccable style rarely has an obvious label involved. Whenever I find myself lusting after something that’s associated with high status I try to think a little harder about why I’m drawn to it. If it’s not for the fundamental design, craftsmanship, and functional elegance, regardless of the label, then I know it probably won’t satisfy me in the long term.
Q8 - I want more colour and pattern in my wardrobe but find it hard to balance that with slow fashion and quality brands. It feels like most of what is out there is basic black white and browns, any tips on places to look companies to follow?
I think colour is on an upward trend in the fashion world so I expect you’ll be seeing more and more in the coming seasons. Even the most diehard neutral devotees were donning pops of red this season. A few of my recommendations for colourful, prints, and patterns are:
Colorful Standard (STYLEBEECS10 for 10% Off, customs/duties incl.)
KOTN (Canadian brand, 10% Off for first orders, no code needed)
Girlfriend Collective (for colourful activewear)
Power of My People (10% Off through the link)
If anyone has suggestions please feel free to leave them in the comments.
Q9 - I'd like to know how to mix metals properly. Like if the hardware on my purse is brass, does jewelry and/or shoe hardware need to match?
This one can often come down to personal preference. I generally stick to warm metals exclusively so everything tends to be gold or brass. I just find its the simplest approach. However, if a bag has a silver or cool tone zipper on it, I won’t worry too much about mixing that with a look that has gold elements. My advice would be to stick to all warm or all cool if you really want to keep it simple.
Otherwise I would say the most important metals to keep cohesive are the ones in close proximity to your face and/or to each other, because that will be the most noticeable.
Q10 - Chic sandals (I know not the right season ;) that you can walk in for miles on vacation. Everyone I follow seems to recommend flat, no arch support, sandals. While ok for everyday, I can’t rock those when I’m walking for extended time. Oh and not too spendy! I’m sick of being pushed Frida Salvador. Ha! Thank you! 😁
I’m definitely guilty of packing flat sandals that have no support and my lower back has paid the price. Never again! I love my Eva Birkenstocks, of course, and my Teva Original Universal’s for a more adventurous trip.
For more stylish options I like The Tavira from Maguire looks very supportive and comfy but definitely on the substantial side, I’d keep an eye on their spring releases for sure. St.Agni* does some great minimal options with a sculpted and supportive footbed but they are pricier. Poppy Barley* doesn’t have any flat sandals right now but their shoes are very comfy so I’d keep an eye on their spring launches.
Q11 - I need inspiration for new pants for work. It is still a rather formal environment, most people wear blazers and shirts. It should not be jeans and in best case also allow to ride a bike, which is how I get to my workplace.
I would check out the Tailored Ponte Pant* from Encircled (a Canadian brand), use LEE10 for 10% Off.
I also really like the Washable Stretch Ponte Pants* from Eileen Fisher and there are lots of styles to explore. I styled the Blazer* and Wide Leg* set in this post.
I think both options would be great for your workplace and for cycling to work.
Q12 - What do you do with different items of clothing. That can’t be worn anymore?
These days I rarely end up with pieces that cannot be sold or donated but if I do I try to relegate those to my “painting day” pile or if it’s something that can be turned into a rag I will chop it into squares. If it’s a natural fibre I will cut it up for compost.
If anyone has a good resource for discarding clothing please feel free to share.
Q13 - You write about journaling and share great journal prompts, any tips you could give people on how to start? I’d like to keep a journal but need a bit of a nudge in the right direction.
I’m so glad you asked about this! Journaling is such an important part of my life and one of the best habits I’ve developed. It has helped me through so many difficult decisions and hard times. I don’t know how I would have managed the unexpected loss of my dog Dobby without my journaling practice.
I’ll recommend starting the same way I did:
Start by getting a notebook just for journaling (& a cute pen if you like)
Set a timer for 5 minutes and list:
3 things you’re grateful for
2 things you’re thinking about
1 thing you’re looking forward to.
I often turn to this practice when I’m short on time and just need to collect my thoughts for the day. Journaling has such a grounding effect on me and always helps to ease my anxious mind and overthinking tendencies.
Using prompts helped me get into longer form entries and to delve deeper into my thoughts and patterns. Be sure to check out my Pinterest board Journal Jottting for lots of prompts to get you going.
One bit of advice I could give when you’re not sure what to write is to literally write out what you’re thinking, even if it’s that you don’t know what to write or just a to do list. It amazing what will flow when you don’t fight your own thoughts.
I would love to talk about journaling more in the future so hopefully more folks are interested in this topic.
Q14 - Can you tell us about how you launder your clothes and any other maintenance tips?
I’ve been meaning to share a proper “How I Care For My Closet” post for years but I can never seem to find the motivation, which is not unlike my feelings about doing laundry!
I have a very low key approach to laundry and it involves about three loads every week-ten days. I separate lights and darks and wash almost everything on cold (unless its my working clothes for renovation and gardening). We have a Miele TwinDose washing machine that uses built in detergent cartridges and it’s safe for our septic system.
I hang dry most of my clothes except for socks and more durable items that go in the companion Miele dryer. This reduces shrinkage and prevents damage to the fibres from harsh drying, which keeps my clothes in better condition for longer.
I use this Stain Solution to pretreat stains prior to washing and works very well.
One trick I use for air drying, is to put shirts, dresses and t-shirts onto wood hangers so they don’t get creases from the rack. I also hang my pants with pant hangers. This saves a lot of ironing and everything is ready to go right into my closet.
I dry clean my knitwear verrrry sparingly, as in once a season, and spot clean as needed. You can read more about my knitwear care here.
I will also say that having a lean colour palette really helps keep my laundry manageable.
Q15 - I would love to see a product review of 100% cotton tees, denim, and sweaters that don’t break the bank. No $90 tees or $250 jeans and sweaters. I think fast fashion can be slow fashion if it’s quality material.
I agree that fast fashion is often more about how and what we consume than where we consume it from.
In case you haven’t seen it, I have a spotlight post on 7 white cotton t-shirts in my closet, almost all of which are 100% cotton and under $90. You can read it here.
My favourite denim over the years has been from Everlane (90’s Cheeky*), which are more approachable in price than the usual influencer faves like AGOLDE and Citizens or SLVRLAKE.
Knitwear is definitely a category I tend to spend more on because it really does make a difference in the quality of the fibre and the caliber of the construction. If cared for well, it can last generations. That said, I’ve had luck with UNIQLO and Everlane knitwear in the past. I also did a blog post on my Jenni Kayne Cocoon Cardigan after 2 years in my closet and shared lots of less expensive dupes.
My current favourite brands for knitwear are Bare Knitwear and Gillian Stevens, both Canadian, woman-owned, small businesses.
Q16 - Which do you prioritize and why? Local fibre, made in living-wage circumstances, healthier for the environment, locally made (supporting local economy) woman-owned, black-owned, price point. etc etc.
This is an interesting one for sure. Right now the prioritization process by which I decide to buy something usually involves the following questions:
Does this fill a need in my closet and will I wear it for 3+ years?
Is this item truly aligned with my style and functional needs?
Is it within my budget (that accounts for fair production as often as possible)?
Does it support a Canadian business, better yet, a small Canadian business, even better a small Canadian, woman-owned business?
Is it made of a natural, sustainably sourced material, or at least a very durable one?
Can I find it somewhere other than Amazon? 9/10 I can and I’m willing to pay a bit more to support a smaller business.
For instance a few of my recent purchases have been from small, woman-owned, Canadian businesses with a focus on sustainable sourcing and fair labor:
Skincare from CASCADIA (Canadian, small, sustainably sourced, natural materials) Use CASCADIA15 for 15% Off
Undies from HUHA (Canadian, small, woman owned, sustainably sourced, natural materials)
Candles from MALA (Canadian, small, BIPOC-woman owned, sustainably sourced, natural materials)
Separates from ENCIRCLED* (Canadian, small, woman owned, sustainably sourced, natural materials) Use LEE10 for 10% Off
I also bought an iron from Amazon, sunscreen from Sephora, and a dog bed from Mr. Fluffy Friend because it’s the only thing Genie likes to sleep in. So my track record isn’t perfect but I do make a genuine effort to shop from companies that align with my values whenever possible.
Q17 - Hello, I love the look of leggings with an oversized sweater. I’m 62 yes old and 6’ tall. I don’t feel comfortable in a pair of leggings. Can you recommend a pant that would be long enough and have the same relaxed feel? Living in Canada I struggle with finding good quality clothing that fit me.
I would definitely check out ENCIRCLED’s Dressy Sweatpant* because they are super comfy, very well made (in Toronto) and come in a Tall inseam length. They’re a great elevated casual option to pair with oversized sweaters. Use LEE10 for 10% off anytime.
Q18 - Hi! I hate the feeling of tight, close-to-the-body clothing, but because I'm short, I look swamped in loose-fitting clothes. How can I style loose clothing in a more flattering way? Thanks!
I like loose fitting clothes too and to keep the outfit from wearing me I like to incorporate visual balance. This might mean pairing a very loose top with a slightly slimmer fitting pant or by choosing materials that have contrasting drape, so a flowy top with a more sturdy pant material.
I also tend to create a high visual mid point, meaning a break in the look at about my natural waist. This can be done with a cropped layer up top or through a front tuck or a top layer that has an element that draws the eye up. Accessories like a silk scarf, belt, statement earrings, or layered necklaces all draw the eye up in this way too.
Q19 - Hi Lee - I subscribed but I don’t know what the difference is - do I need to sign into see different content or just be content that I’ve helped a little to support your writing?
Thank you so much for becoming a paid subscriber! Right now I haven’t put a paywall on any posts so there is no hidden content. Your support makes the Friday Digests and resources like this Ask Bee Anything possible because I’m able to take on less sponsored work and dedicate that time to this space instead. I’m so grateful for your support!
Thanks to everyone who submitted their questions and to you for reading! While I didn’t get to every question, I did my best to get to the ones that I felt would be most helpful. I sincerely hope this series will be a great resource for you to revisit as needed.
Have a wonderful Sunday and I’ll be back with a new Friday Digest this week!
Sincerely,
Lee the Bee
I really enjoyed this post!! Thank you so much for the concrete advice and suggestions.
About Q8 wanting more color and pattern in the wardrobe- I select accent pieces from talented global artisan brands like https://oseiduro.com, https://www.wanderingsilk.org, https://www.shopzuri.com (their dresses button all the way down so they are incredibly versatile- I wear mine as a jacket over a t and jeans even more than as a dress), and Maiwa is wonderful too! https://maiwa.com/collections/all-clothing. Also look to your local artists as many artists are creating out of repurposed materials and use natural dye. I hope you enjoy these suggestions. I used to be a fashion rep for global brands and am very passionate about it! :)