I am going to start by saying:

Yes, I understand your business philosophy, no – I do NOT need you to explain it to me.

Okay, now that is out of the way, I hope you do not feel the need to lecture me for the third time about what it is you do, exactly.

I have been following your Insta for a year or so (though I did just block you after your head of marketing decided to contact me via my personal email about an exchange I had with other people about the cotton poplin shirt on Insta – see below), and I know many lovely style bloggers that are obsessed with you. I had been coveting some of your pieces for a while, but there had never been a great time to invest in a piece. Side note: it is an investment – your price point is freakishly high for what you do.

Finally I was able to order two pieces for you for my summer 17 capsule wardrobe. I was so excited! I did plan ahead – I ordered them in April for my summer capsule. The email said they would be ready in 3-4 weeks. I eagerly waited. Nothing. I contacted you around week 5, and your customer service was lovely (though she did lecture me about what you do). She felt bad about the misquoted delivery date and decided to refund my money.

I did NOT ask for this, I only wanted an ETA on my two shirts – that I had paid for in April, but had yet to hear anything about.

My shirts finally came on Thursday, 6/15. Immediately I was underwhelmed. The shirts were much smaller than I expected – length wise. The cropped design was not work appropriate. I wore the black cotton poplin Linn tee with some grey skinny jeans from Madewell. I posted an Insta about it. Another side note: I post a picture of what I wear EVERYDAY. I started doing that when I started my capsule wardrobe journey.

My mistake.

I had no idea that when I expressed my honest opinion – which in the morning was mild disappointment, it would cause such a problem.

I think I underestimated the loyalty of your customers. I was attacked. One lady, who I honestly had never interacted with, accused me of all kinds of strange things. People who shop ethically have very strong opinions. VERY STRONG. I get it, I also shop ethically.

However, I have three things that have to happen:

1. My piece must be ethically made
2. It must be beautiful AND fit within my capsule
3. I must get it in a timely manner

I stared capsule wardrobe-ing when I was writing my dissertation in January of 2016. Slowly, that has lead me to be really mindful of where I buy my clothes. However, I am also a planner. I start planning my seasonal capsule pretty early, because I know the lead time on ethically made pieces might be long. For example, sometimes I think Everlane takes forever to process and credit returns/exchanges.

That is why I ordered my piece from you in APRIL. To be worn in JUNE.

I am not being unreasonable here.

Honestly, I am confused by this whole interaction with you. I think you do not understand me as a customer. Especially as a potential loyal customer who would have continued to shop with you for years.

I will never shop with you again.

I have many more places that I can shop, IMBY, Sotela, garmentory, Eileen Fisher – just to name a few.

I wish you all the best in your next ventures,

Dr. Ari V

PS If you had waited for your head of marketing to attack me via email, you would have known I actually love the linen blend top – I have been living in it all weekend.