Details: Lucy & Yak Boilersuit, Everlane Boots (affiliate link)
Lucy & Yak Corduroy Boiler
I walked into the living room, did a little spin, and asked Daniel, “what do you think?”
He eyed me quizzically and replied, “Are you in prison?”
You know, he wasn’t wrong. Still, I’m not normally deterred by the opinions of people who don’t see my vision, so I kept it around through Winter Break, trying it on then taking it off again before putting it back in the closet.
It’s not that it was bad. And certainly, if you take a look at the Lucy & Yak Instagram feed, lots of people look amazing in this boiler suit. It’s just that I didn’t feel like myself in it.
The color, I reluctantly admitted, was off. The proportions were maybe a bit too big, and honestly, it was hard to get on and off.
In the end, I sold it on Ebay at a loss. That’s what you get for stress-ordering a boilersuit when you actually wanted overalls.
It’s another good reminder that comfort zones aren’t all bad. I think I wanted to feel more carefree in this piece, but in the end it felt fussy, and too far outside the shapes and colors in my closet to get along. It’s ok to have a style identity. Just because your closet feels boring to you doesn’t mean that you’re doing something wrong.
Boring just means the novelty has worn off – which means, maybe, you’ve settled on something a little more sustainable.
I do wonder: are boilersuits and jumpsuits this tedious for everyone or do I just have a low tolerance for them? Maybe it’s my background in retail that makes me feel the need to get in and out of the bathroom in 2 minutes or less. But how are people ok with undressing and dealing with buttons in public restrooms?!
Leah Wise is the founder of StyleWise Blog. She has been writing, speaking, and consulting on sustainable fashion, the fair trade and secondhand supply chain, and digital marketing for over ten years. An Episcopal priest, Leah holds a B.A. in Religion from Florida State University and an M.Div. from Yale Divinity School. When not working, you can find her looking for treasures at the thrift store.