june recap
what I wrote, wore and bought this month (+ fashion news)
Running around headless the last few days organising last-minute things for next week’s trip to Fiji.
As someone who tends to wear a bit of concealer, blush, and lip balm, and loves a backpack on a holiday, packing for full-glam has been difficult. And sometimes I’ll take a pause and look at the apartment (including a box of clothes that still needs to be itemised and photographed for a consignment store in Melbourne)…and think, I just need ONE GOOD DAY where I’m not knackered.
Nah, let’s be honest. I’ll use that day for nefarious reasons (extra sleep, reading and art-making).
Anyway, I’m feeling generally organised?
Except, on top of Fiji, there’s been another major life change which has shifted plans, including the future of this newsletter.
I’ve decided to pause paid subscriptions from 7th July.
Next Tuesday I’ll be sending out a newsletter with more details.
How has June been for you?
Selkie’s American Woman collection faced significant public backlash. Mostly, the criticism echoed the view that, with the current political climate, this was not the moment to release a collection with the American flag as a focal point. After the initial backlash, they announced they’d give proceeds to the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) and UN Women. However, this Instagram story felt particularly telling…
How do you all feel about Selkie rn?
Maybe old news for some of you, but I only realised a few days ago that What Lo Wants has closed down. This one was particularly sad because this brand covered a style gap in plus-size fashion — summer dressing including body-con fits. The thing is that even though ‘sustainability as an action’ doesn’t have an aesthetic, there are a lot of similarities between brands that exist within the independent fashion space.
In good news, Tuesday of California is back! With a made-to-order selection of a few of their classic styles.
Is there a brand that you miss or missed out on?
For me, it’s Aidy Bryant’s Pauline — a handful of dresses in the same shape. This blue gingham caught my eye. I found out about the brand YEARS after they shut down.
The usual start-of-month check-in
Circles of fashion access — I created a visual that illustrates how sizing differs across top fashion brands. The ‘inner circle’ is what most fashion writers promote, leading to a cycle of exclusion.
Sharing what I’ve been making so far in my art practice
June’s selection for the postcard club
Lastly, a deep-dive into buying lehengas for a wedding in Fiji, including the tension between resident Indian vs. diaspora fashion alongside the emotional obsession and anxiety of trying to buy clothes last minute
Okay, this was technically at the end of May, but I snuck it in. It’s the new Uniqlo top with my black and white co-ord pants from Happi Space
Next up was my Pride outfit. Dress is NBNW (on sale and amended the bust and length during sewing class), and green tights from Snag
Purple shirt from Donkii, thrifted Punyus skirt and same green tights. Wore this for pottery. Also tiny toast earrings ;)
Errand outfit. Pants are from last year’s birthday purchase and a green cotton turtleneck from Nissen (mainstream brand in Japan)
An established oldie but goodie. The red linen pants with Little Tienda Maps blouse. Btw, Little Tienda is having a sale right now. Up to AU 24, but their blouses are oversized with elasticated cuffs, so I think they can fit larger. Saw a couple of exhibitions and had soy boba tea in Yokohama.
Last month’s altered linen skirt with yellow socks and the red Merakus blouse for a couple more exhibitions.
The buttoned abstract floral with purple socks for sketching at the Bunka Costume Museum
My Loud Bodies dress for a psych appointment and Courtney Barnett concert!
Thrifted light blue saucy tee on top of my brown gingham dress (also thrifted) for pottery and drinks at a sake bar
My cotton cat tee and blue skirt. I was feeling pretty polished and casual to pick up my psych meds, only to realise when I took photos, there was a tiny yellow stain on the shirt…
Lemon yellow shirt (thrifted GAP) and the Punyus skirt for pottery and dinner with a friend
OKAY! These were by far my favourite outfits of the month —
Green Merakus blouse with my dusty pink linen pants. Had a dental appointment, lunch catch-up with a friend, then watched The Devil Wears Prada 1 and 2 in a special showing! I thought it was alright? To be fair, I’ve never been that obsessed with the first movie anyway. And now, with years of working in shitty workplaces and looking at layers of exclusion and exploitation in the fashion industry, it didn’t exactly warm my nostalgic little heart. What did you think??
Red Merakus blouse with the red linen pants with blue socks (they have apples on them!). Wore this to a perfume workshop. I don’t usually wear perfume, and the scent is quite strong. But I’ve been wearing it while working at home and really enjoying it. It’s a woody-earthy-rose blend with spicy notes and a hint of ginger.
Footless pink compression socks (on the way). I went with a Japanese-made brand cause I don’t have much time till my flight. But I was looking at Bombas too.
My parents picked up some anti-chafing shorts from Taking Shape (plus-size chain in Australia, up to AU 30).
Period Aisle had another majorly discounted offer: a boxer brief mystery box, and I went for it. I finally invested in period undies and so far, so good. Just been wearing them at home, but so far no leaks.
A strapless bra. Again, for this upcoming wedding, and my bra situation is complicated. For ages, I’d just wear compression sports bras because my size was so difficult. Then I found a bunch from Natori, and I fit their largest size in a B cup (38” band). Turns out Natori is good for shallow boobs (??), which I guess I have cause it’s the perfect fit. But their strapless bras are pricey for an unexpected purchase. So I looked up alternative brands for shallow boobs, and Aerie came up. Yes, that, inclusive for two seconds, Aerie. I bought the same size, and my god..the band is TIGHT. The cup fits, so I’m hoping with an extender, it’ll work out???
What did you buy in June?
Desperate for this tee by Cabonon Clothing (XXL and custom sizing, 50 USD) but the shipping is a lot. I absolutely acknowledge that it’s not a small business’s responsibility to make shipping low cost or free, but it’s almost the cost of the shirt, and I’m struggglinggg. Might need to wait it out and balance the order with more items??
Anything you almost purchased in June? What was your reason for holding off?
As always, in gratitude,
Sushmita