As someone who receives quite a few collaboration requests, I don’t say yes to every brand that reaches out. Yet every once in a while, I’ll try clothing that I wouldn’t normally try to push myself out of my comfort zone.
Quote of the day: “I believe great people do things before they are ready.” Amy Poehler
Recently, I’ve been working with two very different clothing companies, and I thought I’d share my perspectives. One offers affordable custom-made clothing, and the other creates artistic, statement-making pieces.
And if you’re interested in either of them, I have discount codes.
–TaleThread–code JODIE for 10% off
–Planet By Lauren G–code JODIEFILOGOMO for 10% off.
I hope you join my email Family. It’s the place where I share things even before creating on my blog. It’s also my space for fun and positive content. In addition, you also get my free eBook when you sign up, but that’s not the best part.
The best part is being part of my community, where we inspire and lift each other up.
Many of you may remember that I’ve featured Talethread before. I was ecstatic because it’s the same concept as the company, eShakti, that went out of business.
Their motto is “Perfect Fit, Infinite Options.” I Love that.
Instead of choosing a dress exactly as it’s shown online, Talethread allows you to personalize many details of the garment. You can choose (depending on the garment):
As someone who constantly talks about being the boss of your clothes, this concept really resonates with me. Why settle for a neckline that isn’t your favorite or a hemline that doesn’t work for your height when you can customize it?
The exciting thing is that Talethread has expanded its offerings. In addition to dresses, they now offer pants and jumpsuits, plus, there are many more options of prints and materials than when I first talked about the company.
For example, they have these embroidered dresses (like I’m showcasing) that just tickle my fancy.
Insider tip: I hope we can support this company because the concept is just ideal for those of us who struggle to find clothing that fits what we want right off the rack.
I always think every option we have has a pro and a con associated with it. That’s life, right?
Because the garments are made in India, the pricing is often much more affordable than that of many custom clothing companies based elsewhere. It’s one of those rare situations where customization doesn’t automatically mean a luxury price tag.
In fact, I think you can get a much better deal from this site than if you go to the mall. Even with something on sale, with Talethread, you can get your alterations done when the dress is made. Yes, there’s a fee for customized sizing, but it’s so reasonable.
Yet there is a downside. The customization requires preplanning. Especially if you are purchasing something for a special event.
Because your clothing is made specifically for you, it isn’t arriving in two days like some online retailers. In my experience, you should expect a timeline of about 3–4 weeks from ordering to delivery.
For me, that’s a reasonable trade-off for getting a customized garment, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind.
OMG, I was SO excited with this dress. The print is so “me”…whimsical and fun. PLUS, it’s 100% cotton and perfect for our summer heat.
The square neckline is the one I chose, and I like that it’s not too big. Some square necklines make it hard to wear a normal bra. This one was perfect.
While most of us would consider this a summer dress, I’m looking forward to winter, when I’m going to style it with layers just to show it can be done…and look great.
The second company I’ve been collaborating with recently is Planet by Lauren G.
This collaboration is a little different than most. Rather than sending clothing for me to keep, they send pieces for me to style, photograph, and showcase before returning them.
It reminds me of the rental clothing boxes that I’ve tried out and love. While it doesn’t apply to you, it’s truly one of the reasons I said yes to the collaboration.
As someone who already has a full closet (very full), it allows me to introduce you to interesting fashion without accumulating more clothing I may not need long term.
There was a part of me that thought I shouldn’t get involved with this brand.
Planet by Lauren G is significantly more expensive than what I typically purchase for myself.
I can’t say I’ve never spent higher amounts of Money on clothing. If I find unique items, I am willing to shell out more for those. And that’s one reason I wanted to check out this company.
Planet by Lauren G was founded by Lauren Grossman, who wanted to create clothing that wasn’t dictated by trends, age, or size. The brand is known for its artistic silhouettes, beautiful fabrics, and layering pieces. Their motto of “ageless, sizeless, and seasonless” fashion is one of the reasons the collection has developed such a loyal following.
That’s why they reached out to me because of the whole ageless, sizeless perspective.
Most of the designs are artistic, architectural, and unexpected. Many of the silhouettes are oversized and draped.
For women who love expressing their personality through clothing, I think that these pieces make a statement.
And as all the memes say, life is short, so if you like something, it’s okay to indulge.
Even when a brand isn’t necessarily within my personal shopping budget, I still think there’s value in sharing it.
Fashion inspiration doesn’t always have to lead directly to a purchase. Sometimes it’s about seeing new silhouettes, styling ideas, proportions, or creative approaches that inspire us to look at our own closets differently.
Another reason I said yes is that I wanted to experience for myself if the higher cost seems worth it.
The brand sent me 5 items this time. I was able to choose what I wanted or have them style me. I did a combo of both.
The gaucho pants are what I requested, and they are super cool.
I was super surprised at their cotton items. Neither pair of pants felt like the cotton that I’m used to. My contact said that it’s 100% Pima cotton with a different feel than regular cotton. In her words: “It’s breathable, holds its shape and color wash after wash, and only gets better with wear, so it’s lovely and low-maintenance to care for.”
I also loved the frayed tank top, but it’s quite pricey for what it is.
The Paintbrush sweater is a beautiful, lightweight sweater that is super soft and lovely.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the boxy t-shirt just because it was basic. But I love how it layers with the frayed tank top.
All in all, I didn’t opt to keep any of the pieces, but I am interested in trying out some others.
These two companies couldn’t be more different, yet both offer something that many traditional retailers don’t.
Talethread allows shoppers to customize garments for their bodies and preferences at surprisingly affordable prices.
Planet by Lauren G offers artistic, statement-making fashion that encourages creativity and individuality.
What I appreciate most is that neither company is focused on fast fashion. Both take a different approach to clothing, whether that’s creating pieces specifically for your measurements or designing garments that feel more like wearable art.
And as someone who believes we should be intentional with our wardrobes, I find them both full of good options.
I hope I thank you enough because your support allows me to continue this journey, which I LOVE!!!
Supporting a blog can be easy and free. Just visiting my pages, clicking my links (especially for Small Businesses and sponsored posts), and sharing the things you like on your social media make a huge difference. Spreading the word is how I can reach more wonderful people like you!
Or feel free to “buy me a coffee” which is a monetary way to tell me that you enjoy reading my blog.
Jodie Filogomo is a retired cosmetic dentist and fashion blogger behind Jodie’s Touch of Style, where she has been helping women over 50 experiment with style in fun, creative ways for over 12 years.
Find out more about the crew, because we love to showcase all ages, body shapes, and women who love different styles.
The post Custom Clothing vs. Artistic: Comparing Two Unique Fashion Brands appeared first on Jodie’s Touch of Style.
