On Elizabeth Suzann

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!