Podcast

Clotheshorse with Amanda Lee McCarty

Arts, Fashion & Beauty, Society & Culture

Host Amanda Lee McCarty (she/they) decodes and demystifies the fashion and retail industries, and takes on topics like consumerism, workers rights, personal style, and why fashion is a case study in capitalism gone awry.
Your money is as powerful as your vote!
"If you wear clothes, you need to listen to Clotheshorse." --Elise
"If you are human and live in the world, you need to listen to Clotheshorse." --Individually Wrapped

Fashion & Beauty chart
#61
Episodes
183
Releases
Every two weeks
Typical length
1 hr 53 min
On air since
2020
Latest episode
1 month ago

Episodes

183 episodes, newest first

  1. Episode 264: pLEAsE, no more nostalgia slop (dELiA*s revisited)

    Show notes

    As we discussed in the previous episode, nostalgia is so @#$%ing lucrative. So of course, everyone is trying to cash in with some nostalgia slop of their own...including Target. In this "very special episode," we get started by dissecting the Target x dELiA*s "collab." The second half of the episode is pulled directly from the vault: a 2020 minisode all about the rise and decline of dELiA*s!

    In this episode, we will discuss:

    • More examples of "zombie brands" and licensing
    • Why a company like Target is desperate for a way to win back customers
    • The history of dELiA*s (with some stops along the way with Alloy and Moxiegirl)
    • The power of a mailing list in the catalog world
    • The origins of the iconic dELiA*s font

    And so much more!

    Want some more dELiA*s nostalgia? Check out this amazing tumblr account!

    The new Clotheshorse PO Box: 69 Main Street, Box 16 New Providence, PA 17560

    Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/

    If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.world

    Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/clotheshorse

    Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

    Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded by designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz. Ruby just launched CLO3D for Custom Fit: a 12-week beginner-friendly online course in virtual patternmaking with CLO3D software. Instead of making sample after sample, you can now customize avatars that match your real body measurements and fit-test garments virtually—before cutting into a single piece of fabric. You can also work from your pre-existing paper or PDF patterns!

    This course is designed to get you over the initial hump to working confidently in the program. It includes 300+ bite-size video lessons spaced out over 12 weeks, weekly live Q&A calls for accountability, a custom body scan to use as a you-sized virtual dress form, and a super supportive community of like-minded designers that are all learning together in a cohort. Perfect for indie patternmakers, emerging designers, or anyone who wants to design clothes that actually fit their one-of-a-kind body.

    Learn more about the course, as well as our in-person sewing and patternmaking workshops at http://www.slowfashion.academy/.

    Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at https://decodenim.com/to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

    Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts. Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one's closet for generations to come. Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.

    Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.

    Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points. If it’s ethical and legal, we try to find a new home for it! Vintage style with progressive values. Find us on Instagram at @CuteLittleRuin.

    1 hr 40 min
  2. Episode 263: Nostalgia for sale (featuring Esprit)

    Show notes

    From reissues of iconic toys to the resurgence of our favorite middle school brands, there is nostalgia for sale all around us. In this episode, Amanda unpacks why nostalgia is a powerful (and easy) way to sell us lots of stuff that we probably don't really need. Topics in this episode include

    • Why do we love nostalgia so much? And what is it?
    • Why does it seem like there is so much nostalgic stuff to buy everywhere we go?
    • Is nostalgia good for us?
    • How can we experience nostalgia without buying something?
    • What are "zombie brands?"

    Along the way, we'll talk about 50s diners, that viral Esprit sweatshirt (and the true story of Esprit), whimsy-maxxing, and more!

    Additional reading:
    Speaking of Psychology: Does nostalgia have a psychological purpose? With Krystine Batcho, PhD
    "The rise and fall of Esprit, San Francisco’s coolest clothing brand," Joshua Bote, SFGate.

    The new Clotheshorse PO Box: 69 Main Street, Box 16 New Providence, PA 17560

    Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/

    If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.world

    Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/clotheshorse

    Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

    Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded by designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz. Ruby just launched CLO3D for Custom Fit: a 12-week beginner-friendly online course in virtual patternmaking with CLO3D software. Instead of making sample after sample, you can now customize avatars that match your real body measurements and fit-test garments virtually—before cutting into a single piece of fabric. You can also work from your pre-existing paper or PDF patterns!

    This course is designed to get you over the initial hump to working confidently in the program. It includes 300+ bite-size video lessons spaced out over 12 weeks, weekly live Q&A calls for accountability, a custom body scan to use as a you-sized virtual dress form, and a super supportive community of like-minded designers that are all learning together in a cohort. Perfect for indie patternmakers, emerging designers, or anyone who wants to design clothes that actually fit their one-of-a-kind body.

    Learn more about the course, as well as our in-person sewing and patternmaking workshops at http://www.slowfashion.academy/.

    Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at https://decodenim.com/to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

    Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts. Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one's closet for generations to come. Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.

    Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.

    Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points. If it’s ethical and legal, we try to find a new home for it! Vintage style with progressive values. Find us on Instagram at @CuteLittleRuin.

    1 hr 42 min
  3. Episode 262: How to "background check" a brand (featuring Quince)

    Show notes

    In a world of greenwashing, wall-to-wall podcast ads, and affiliate marketing "listicles," it's really hard to know if a brand is actually as sustainable and ethical as it claims. Well, Amanda has been looking into this kind of stuff for years, so in this episode they will show you exactly what they do when they want to figure out the true story of a brand. And specifically, we will unpack Quince as an example!

    In this episode:

    • Is Quince as sustainable and ethical as their marketing seems to claim?
    • What are some obvious red flags that a brand is not sustainable and ethical?
    • Why are sustainable fashion organizations, writers, and activists no longer receiving as much funding as they once did?
    • Why does Amanda feel "weird" about the Commons app?
    • Why is a job review site (Glassdoor) a surprisingly useful addition to your slow fashion toolbox?
    • And why can't we shop our way to a better world?

    Also: Six years of Clotheshorse...and introducing, CONWAY!

    Helpful links and reading:

    @sustainablefashionfriend
    @alookbehindtheseams
    Good On You
    Eco-Stylist
    Cobbled Goods

    "Not everyone is loving Quince's dupes,"Chantal Fernandez, The Cut.
    "Williams-Sonoma sues Quince over sales of 'dupe' products," Jonathan Stempel, Reuters.
    "Beyond Compare? Quince Battles Class Action Over Its ‘Traditional Retail’ Pricing Model," ArentFoxSchiff
    "I got a cease and desist from Quince," Ecocult.

    Amanda's first post about the Esprit sweatshirt (you can also find this on IG)
    "About that viral Esprit sweatshirt...the revolution will not be for sale at Costco." (you an also find this on IG)

    The new Clotheshorse PO Box: 69 Main Street, Box 16 New Providence, PA 17560

    Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/
    Until the end of July, use promo code THEPRICEISRIGHT to get 50% off all merch! Amanda and Dustin care for a colony of 12 feral cats and they want to get them all fixed this spring. So help them cover that cost by picking up some hot deals on Clotheshorse merch.

    If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.world

    Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/clotheshorse

    Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

    Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded by designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz. Ruby just launched CLO3D for Custom Fit: a 12-week beginner-friendly online course in virtual patternmaking with CLO3D software. Instead of making sample after sample, you can now customize avatars that match your real body measurements and fit-test garments virtually—before cutting into a single piece of fabric. You can also work from your pre-existing paper or PDF patterns!

    This course is designed to get you over the initial hump to working confidently in the program. It includes 300+ bite-size video lessons spaced out over 12 weeks, weekly live Q&A calls for accountability, a custom body scan to use as a you-sized virtual dress form, and a super supportive community of like-minded designers that are all learning together in a cohort. Perfect for indie patternmakers, emerging designers, or anyone who wants to design clothes that actually fit their one-of-a-kind body.

    Learn more about the course, as well as our in-person sewing and patternmaking workshops at http://www.slowfashion.academy/.

    Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at https://decodenim.com/to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

    Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts. Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one's closet for generations to come. Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.

    Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.

    Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points. If it’s ethical and legal, we try to find a new home for it! Vintage style with progressive values. Find us on Instagram at @CuteLittleRuin.

    1 hr 39 min
  4. Episode 261: I'm With The Brand (Everlane + Stickergate), part ten

    Show notes

    This episode is part ten in an ongoing series about brands and how they influence our identities and drive consumerism. In this episode, we are going to examine brands and their values: their true values and then their marketing values (yes, most big companies have both and you might be surprised by the lack of overlap between those two sets of values). And specifically, we are going to use Everlane as a conduit for this discussion.

    • We will go all the way back to Everlane’s origin to identify what the brand’s values were from the beginning.
    • We will get some additional context around SHEIN’s purchase of Everlane.
    • We will learn just how much private equity is controlling fashion at this point.
    • Amanda will debunk that myth that Everlane’s sale marks the “end” of sustainability in fashion.
    • And we will explore how "Stickergate" involved emotional branding.

    Listen to Amanda on Creativity In The Time of Capitalism.

    So much additional reading in this episode!!
    Reddit post with more Stickergate details
    SHEIN finally confirms Everlane sale, Bella Webb, Vogue.
    Everlane: "You Don't Need to Pay a 7x Markup for High-Quality Fashion," Lauren Drell, Mashable.
    Price Transparency New Trend Among Emerging Clothing Retailers, CBS News.
    Everlane’s Promise of ‘Radical Transparency’ Unravels,The New York Times.
    EVERLANE’S CONVENIENT TRANSPARENCY (Ex Wives Club doc)
    Former Everlane Employees Claim They Were Unlawfully Fired After They Tried to Unionize [UPDATED], Fashionista.
    Everlane was never your friend, Andi Zeisler, Salon.

    The new Clotheshorse PO Box: 69 Main Street, Box 16 New Providence, PA 17560

    Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/
    For the next month, use promo code THEPRICEISRIGHT to get 50% off all merch! Amanda and Dustin care for a colony of 12 feral cats and they want to get them all fixed this spring. So help them cover that cost by picking up some hot deals on Clotheshorse merch.

    If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.world

    Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/clotheshorse

    Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

    Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded by designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz. Ruby just launched CLO3D for Custom Fit: a 12-week beginner-friendly online course in virtual patternmaking with CLO3D software. Instead of making sample after sample, you can now customize avatars that match your real body measurements and fit-test garments virtually—before cutting into a single piece of fabric. You can also work from your pre-existing paper or PDF patterns!

    This course is designed to get you over the initial hump to working confidently in the program. It includes 300+ bite-size video lessons spaced out over 12 weeks, weekly live Q&A calls for accountability, a custom body scan to use as a you-sized virtual dress form, and a super supportive community of like-minded designers that are all learning together in a cohort. Perfect for indie patternmakers, emerging designers, or anyone who wants to design clothes that actually fit their one-of-a-kind body.

    Learn more about the course, as well as our in-person sewing and patternmaking workshops at http://www.slowfashion.academy/.

    Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at https://decodenim.com/to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

    Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts. Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one's closet for generations to come. Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.

    Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.

    Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points. If it’s ethical and legal, we try to find a new home for it! Vintage style with progressive values. Find us on Instagram at @CuteLittleRuin.

    1 hr 51 min
  5. Episode 260: Your beliefs are your superpower, with Malena of The Slow Era

    Show notes

    Forget apps, AI, and "miracle" eco fabrics...the solution to the fast fashion and overconsumption crisis is…PEOPLE. The future is human! And one way people come into play as part of all of this is via their small businesses. In this episode, Amanda is joined by Malena of The Slow Era, a vintage store and slow fashion community hub in Ames, Iowa.

    In this episode, we are going to talk about

    • How Malena uses their own values as a decision making tool for their business
    • Why writing a business manifesto made this a lot easier (and why we should also be writing our own personal manifestos, too)
    • How they reconcile their own anti-capitalist beliefs with being a small business owner
    • How they connect with and educate their customers and community via the business
    • How to avoid compromising your values in business (and why/how it will open doors and bring in more customers)

    And so much more!

    Also: How Everlane and SHEIN are the perfect cherry on top of this slow fashion values sundae!

    Find The Slow Era on Instagram.

    Like Dylan In The Movies (Belle & Sebastian)

    "Everlane is Selling out to...SHEIN," Lauren Sherman, Puck.
    "Everlane’s Promise of ‘Radical Transparency’ Unravels,"The New York Times.
    "The $39 Million Shoe Company Allbirds Turned Into An AI Stock,"Jon Markman, Forbes.

    Thanks for being one of the elite few who read the show notes. Alexis and her four babies say "hi!"

    The new Clotheshorse PO Box: 69 Main Street, Box 16 New Providence, PA 17560

    Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/
    For the next month, use promo code THEPRICEISRIGHT to get 50% off all merch! Amanda and Dustin care for a colony of 12 feral cats and they want to get them all fixed this spring. So help them cover that cost by picking up some hot deals on Clotheshorse merch.

    If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.world

    Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/clotheshorse

    Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

    Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at http://www.slowfashion.academy/.

    Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at https://decodenim.com/to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

    Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts. Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one's closet for generations to come. Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.

    Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.

    Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points. If it’s ethical and legal, we try to find a new home for it! Vintage style with progressive values. Find us on Instagram at @CuteLittleRuin.

    2 hr 21 min
  6. Episode 259: I'm With The Brand (pyramids & price tags), part nine

    Show notes

    This episode is part nine in an ongoing series about brands and how they influence our identities and drive consumerism. In this episode, we will continue to explore how the price we are willing to pay for an item (aka "perceived value") is directly related to branding:

    • We will get to the bottom of those "compare at" prices at off price stores and outlets,
    • An introduction to the term "anchor pricing,"
    • Why thrift stores are making a major branding mistake by pricing up certain items,
    • Why trends are so emotional (and a key part of planning a product assortment),
    • And introducing...THE PYRAMID OF MERCHANDISING!!

    "TJ Maxx's and Marshalls' comparison prices aren't always what they seem," Jennifer Ortakales Dawkins, Business Insider.
    "TJ Maxx Sued Over 'Compare At' Prices," ABC News.
    "Bargains at Winners not always what they appear," Melissa Mancini, CBC.

    Thanks for being one of the elite few who read the show notes. Brenda says "hi!" Hutch does not because he is grouchy about a particularly intense brushing he had this morning.

    The new Clotheshorse PO Box: 69 Main Street, Box 16 New Providence, PA 17560

    Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/
    For the next month, use promo code THEPRICEISRIGHT to get 50% off all merch! Amanda and Dustin care for a colony of 12 feral cats and they want to get them all fixed this spring. So help them cover that cost by picking up some hot deals on Clotheshorse merch.

    If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.world

    Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/clotheshorse

    Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

    Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded by designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz. Ruby just launched CLO3D for Custom Fit: a 12-week beginner-friendly online course in virtual patternmaking with CLO3D software. Instead of making sample after sample, you can now customize avatars that match your real body measurements and fit-test garments virtually—before cutting into a single piece of fabric. You can also work from your pre-existing paper or PDF patterns!

    This course is designed to get you over the initial hump to working confidently in the program. It includes 300+ bite-size video lessons spaced out over 12 weeks, weekly live Q&A calls for accountability, a custom body scan to use as a you-sized virtual dress form, and a super supportive community of like-minded designers that are all learning together in a cohort. Perfect for indie patternmakers, emerging designers, or anyone who wants to design clothes that actually fit their one-of-a-kind body.

    Learn more about the course, as well as our in-person sewing and patternmaking workshops at http://www.slowfashion.academy/.

    Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at https://decodenim.com/to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

    Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts. Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one's closet for generations to come. Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.

    Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.

    Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points. If it’s ethical and legal, we try to find a new home for it! Vintage style with progressive values. Find us on Instagram at @CuteLittleRuin.

    1 hr 45 min
  7. Episode 258: Let's get hyperlocal, with Sara + Matthew of The York msprint

    Show notes

    There are so many ways we can be an active, positive force within our communities. Sometimes it’s just hard to know where to start! This week you’re going to meet Sara and Matthew, the people behind the hyperlocal small (free) newspaper The York msprint. They are going to share how and why they decided to start the msprint, along with how you can do something similar in your community. We will also explain how and why no community is too small for projects that bring people together.

    Find the archives of the msprint here.

    Want to start your own local version of the msprint? Sara and Matthew are here to answer your questions:

    sara@msprint.media
    matthew@msprint.media

    Also: check out The Kitsch-enette!

    Thanks for being one of the elite few who read the show notes. I hope you have the best day ever!

    The new Clotheshorse PO Box: 69 Main Street, Box 16 New Providence, PA 17560

    Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/
    For the next month, use promo code THEPRICEISRIGHT to get 50% off all merch! Amanda and Dustin care for a colony of 12 feral cats and they want to get them all fixed this spring. So help them cover that cost by picking up some hot deals on Clotheshorse merch.

    If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.world

    Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/clotheshorse

    Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

    Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at http://www.slowfashion.academy/.

    Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at https://decodenim.com/to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

    Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts. Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one's closet for generations to come. Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.

    Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.

    Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points. If it’s ethical and legal, we try to find a new home for it! Vintage style with progressive values. Find us on Instagram at @CuteLittleRuin.

    1 hr 39 min
  8. Episode 257: There IS (more) ethical consumption under capitalism (part two) with Lisa of Retro Housewife Goes Green

    Show notes

    Yes, there IS more ethical consumption under capitalism, but it all starts with understanding the impact of where and when we spend our money. In this episode (part two of two), Amanda is joined by Lisa Sharp of Retro Housewife Goes Green. We discuss the following:

    • Recommendations for more ethical swaps for cleaning and personal care products,
    • How Amanda and Lisa make more ethical decisions about where to shop and what to buy,
    • Why you are probably buying and using too many cleaning products,
    • And why cleanliness does not equal morality.

    To get things started, Amanda unpacks some of the biggest food megacorporations and explains the impact of a handful of companies controlling most of the food we eat.

    Lisa's recommendations (Substack)
    Open Secrets
    Goods Unite Us
    Little Blue Cart
    Black Cat Bulk Goods

    Episode 199: Is there REALLY no ethical consumption under capitalism?

    The new Clotheshorse PO Box: 69 Main Street, Box 16 New Providence, PA 17560

    Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/
    For the next month, use promo code THEPRICEISRIGHT to get 50% off all merch! Amanda and Dustin care for a colony of 12 feral cats and they want to get them all fixed this spring. So help them cover that cost by picking up some hot deals on Clotheshorse merch.

    If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.world

    Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/clotheshorse

    Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

    Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at http://www.slowfashion.academy/.

    Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at https://decodenim.com/to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

    Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts. Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one's closet for generations to come. Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.

    Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.

    Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points. If it’s ethical and legal, we try to find a new home for it! Vintage style with progressive values. Find us on Instagram at @CuteLittleRuin.

    2 hr 32 min
  9. Episode 256: There IS (more) ethical consumption under capitalism (part one) with Lisa of Retro Housewife Goes Green

    Show notes

    Yes, there IS more ethical consumption under capitalism, but it all starts with understanding the impact of where and when we spend our money. In this episode (part one of two), Amanda is joined by Lisa Sharp of Retro Housewife Goes Green. We discuss the following:

    • How and when boycotting is effective,
    • How shifting up our spending habits is really an exercise in “progress not perfection,”
    • The "illusion of choice" in the area of cleaning products, laundry detergent, food, skincare, and more,
    • Some examples of the megacorporations that own a lot of the brands we already buy,
    • How some of these megacorporations are actually MAGAcorporations,
    • And the political impact of the brands we buy.

    Before we jump into that, Amanda reminds us of the origin of the statement "there's no ethical consumption under capitalism," and why/how it is misused all over social media.

    Lisa's recommendations
    Episode 199: Is there REALLY no ethical consumption under capitalism?
    Open Secrets

    Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/
    For the next month, use promo code THEPRICEISRIGHT to get 50% off all merch! Amanda and Dustin care for a colony of 12 feral cats and they want to get them all fixed this spring. So help them cover that cost by picking up some hot deals on Clotheshorse merch.

    If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.world

    Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/clotheshorse

    Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

    Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at http://www.slowfashion.academy/.

    Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at https://decodenim.com/to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

    Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts. Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one's closet for generations to come. Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.

    Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.

    Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points. If it’s ethical and legal, we try to find a new home for it! Vintage style with progressive values. Find us on Instagram at @CuteLittleRuin.

    1 hr 44 min
  10. Episode 255: I'm With The Brand (the price is right?), part eight

    Show notes

    This episode is part eight in an ongoing series about brands and how they influence our identities and drive consumerism. In this episode, we will talk about how the price we are willing to pay for an item is directly related to branding:

    • Why "perceived value" is almost more important than mathing the math,
    • How brands manipulate the perceived value via small changes to products,
    • Why even the graphic design of a brand's website will change your expectations around pricing,
    • How you often guess the prices in a store just by looking at the merchandising and fixtures,
    • And why we have to stop expecting small business prices to align with fast fashion/fast everything pricing.

    Add your address to get a postcard.

    Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/
    For the next month, use promo code THEPRICEISRIGHT to get 50% off all merch! Amanda and Dustin care for a colony of 12 feral cats and they want to get them all fixed this spring. So help them cover that cost by picking up some hot deals on Clotheshorse merch.

    If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.world

    Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/clotheshorse

    Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

    Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at http://www.slowfashion.academy/.

    Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at https://decodenim.com/to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

    Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts. Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one's closet for generations to come. Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.

    Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.

    Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points. If it’s ethical and legal, we try to find a new home for it! Vintage style with progressive values. Find us on Instagram at @CuteLittleRuin.

    1 hr 42 min
  11. Episode 254: How (and why) I worked in fast fashion, part 2

    Show notes

    In part two of two, Amanda explains how and why they worked in fast fashion. This episode picks back up at Amanda's worst job ever, takes a journey through the very opaque supply chain to (hopefully) find out who is making our clothes, and ends up back in Philadelphia (again). And yes, Amanda is trying very hard to not be a people pleaser.

    Learn more about the sustainability of clothing rental by listening to The Rental-sode.

    Add your address to get a postcard.

    Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/

    If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.world

    Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/clotheshorse

    Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

    Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at http://www.slowfashion.academy/.

    Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at https://decodenim.com/to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

    Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts. Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one's closet for generations to come. Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.

    Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.

    Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points. If it’s ethical and legal, we try to find a new home for it! Vintage style with progressive values. Find us on Instagram at @CuteLittleRuin.

    1 hr 38 min
  12. Episode 253: How (and why) I worked in fast fashion, part 1

    Show notes

    In part one of two, Amanda explains how and why they worked in fast fashion. This episode gets started in Portland, OR in 2002, travels to the Urban Outfitters home office in Philadelphia, PA, then on to Los Angeles (Modcloth and Nasty Gal), and ends back in Portland, OR. Yes, Amanda is really good at organizing a cross country move.

    Add your address to get a postcard.

    Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/

    If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.world

    Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/clotheshorse

    Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

    Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at http://www.slowfashion.academy/.

    Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at https://decodenim.com/to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

    Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts. Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one's closet for generations to come. Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.

    Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.

    Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points. If it’s ethical and legal, we try to find a new home for it! Vintage style with progressive values. Find us on Instagram at @CuteLittleRuin.

    1 hr 50 min
  13. Episode 252: Survival is Political, with Lisa of Retro Housewife Goes Green

    Show notes

    Survival *is* political. This week -- for the first episode of 2026 -- Amanda is joined by Lisa Sharp, aka Retro Housewife Goes Green. Lisa shares her own experiences becoming activated politically. In this episode, we will discuss the following:

    • What inspired Lisa to leave the Republican party in 2012
    • How Lisa avoided the "trad wife pipeline"
    • How she is inspired by the resistance of women and children in France, Germany, and Poland...and how we can be inspired by history today
    • How we can make a difference and show up for our communities
    • Where Lisa finds hope now

    And more!

    Find Lisa onInstagram and Threads.
    Retro Housewife Goes Green (website)

    Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/

    If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.world

    Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/clotheshorse

    Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

    Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at http://www.slowfashion.academy/.

    Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at https://decodenim.com/to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

    Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts. Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one's closet for generations to come. Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.

    Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.

    Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points. If it’s ethical and legal, we try to find a new home for it! Vintage style with progressive values. Find us on Instagram at @CuteLittleRuin.

    1 hr 57 min
  14. Episode 251: A Japan-isode, part 2

    Show notes

    You asked for it, so here it is: a recap of Amanda's first two weeks of her 2025 Japan trip!
    What Amanda covers in this episode:

    • Tips for finding the best prices on airline tickets. Special shout to Rebecca for being in the ELITE 1% of listeners who read the show notes! 🏆🏆🏆
    • Why you should pack your favorite clothes for every trip, rather than buying new vacation clothes
    • Amanda's strong feelings about travel size toiletries
    • Tips for having the best flight
    • Narita vs. Haneda, wi-fi devices and e-sims, Japan Rail passes, Suica, and Yamato
    • Amanda's experiences in Tokyo, Matsumoto, Kanazawa, and Kyoto
    • What Amanda bought in Japan

    And so much more!

    Here's a guide to the places mentioned in this conversation:

    Tokyo
    Hotel Graphy Nezu (Amanda and Dustin always stay here in Tokyo)
    Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo
    Mandarake
    Ninja Wi-Fi Rental Japan
    Visit Japan Web (for your visitor QR code)
    Japan Rail Pass
    How to add Suica to Apple Wallet/Android phones
    Yamato
    Punk Doily (Australian hand pies with vegan options)
    KawaeKayo

    Matsumoto
    Yayoi Kusama
    Matsumoto City Museum of Art
    Matsumoto Castle
    Toyoko Inn

    Kanazawa
    Hyatt House Kanazawa
    21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
    Barrier (the restaurant that Amanda wanted to visit but was afraid to go alone)
    Kenroku-en Garden

    Kyoto
    Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto
    Future Train
    Kyoto Botanical Gardens
    Cafe Soiree

    ALSO:
    Amanda's "potage maker" (please note that the price on this website is WAY higher than the price in Japan)
    Snowpeak collapsible coffee pour over
    "Angel Rain"from We Love Katamari (you really should listen to the whole song)
    "Hot Topic" by Le Tigre
    Shinkansen melodies

    Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/

    If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.world

    Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/clotheshorse

    Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

    Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at http://www.slowfashion.academy/.

    The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingly renewed by fairly paid artists and artisans, with something for every budget. Discover more at http://thepewterthimble.com/

    Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Wher...

    1 hr 57 min
  15. Episode 250: A Japan-isode, featuring Mr. Dustin Travis White

    Show notes

    Hey! It's a little end of year treat: Mr. Dustin Travis White joins Amanda to talk about the two weeks they spent together in Japan, traveling from Nagoya to Fukuoka to Beppu to Tokyo. They touch on all kinds of things in this episode:

    • How and why one can hear more Christmas music in one month in Japan than they have heard in their entire adult life
    • What is Kentucky Christmas?
    • Physical media and "extinct" media are still more relevant than ever in Japan: magazines, books, cassettes, cds, and more
    • Secondhand shopping in Japan
    • Finding vegetarian and gluten free food in Japan
    • How to be thrifty while 6000 miles away from home
    • How not to flood a hotel room in Fukuoka
    • Weird dudes at the public foot bath
    • Tourist traps are a global experience
    • Yes, you CAN do laundry while you're traveling

    And so much more!

    Here's a guide to the places mentioned in this conversation:

    Nagoya
    Hotel Resol Nagoya
    Stiff Slack(incredible record store and venue)
    Aichi Art Triennale
    Matsuzakaya Art Museum(museum in a department store)
    Lee Jeans (Japan)

    Fukuoka
    Hello Kitty Shinkansen
    Motorpool Records
    The Lively Fukuoka(hotel)
    With The Style Fukuoka (fancy hotel)
    Sonu Sonu (vegan restaurant with great burgers and taco rice)
    Evah Macrobiotic Vegan Deli (multiple locations in Fukuoka, including Hakata Station)
    BOOKOFF

    Beppu
    Amanek Yula-Re Beppu (hotel that Amanda has stayed in multiple times)
    Taco Nargo (Dustin's favorite meal)
    Showa museum in Yufuin (you can take a city bus from Beppu Station to get there and the ride is epic)
    Beppu Jigoku ("Hells of Beppu")

    Tokyo
    Hotel Graphy Nezu (Amanda and Dustin always stay here in Tokyo)
    Extinct Media Museum
    Parco (Shibuya)
    Masaka Vegan Izakaya
    2foods (Amanda's favorite meal...vegan!)
    Loft
    BEAMS
    T's tantan(vegan ramen and curry, locations around Tokyo)
    Punk Doily (Australian hand pies with vegan options)

    AND ALSO...
    Kentucky Fried Chicken Christmas (1981) Japanese Commercial
    KFC Christmas Japan All Commercials
    Yamanote Line Music
    Amanda's "potage maker" (please note that the price on this website is WAY higher than the price in Japan)
    "Jeans Town" Okayama
    Yamato

    Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/

    If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.world

    Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/clotheshorse

    Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

    Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at http://www.slowfashion.academy/.

    The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingly renewed by fairly paid artists and artisans, with something for every budget. Discover more at http://thepewterthimble.com/

    Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at https://decodenim.com/to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

    Vagabond Vintage DTLV is a vinta...

    1 hr 57 min
  16. Episode 249: I'm With The Brand (in Japan), part seven

    Show notes

    This episode is part seven in an ongoing series about brands and how they influence our identities and drive consumerism. In this episode, recorded in Kyoto, Japan, we'll unpack how the importance of IRL shopping in Japan impacts the ways brands build emotional connections with customers:

    • How nature creates the ultimate "Call To Action" for food shopping (and how the US has made most food non-seasonal),
    • How Trader Joe's has built an intensely loyal customer base,
    • Examples of the "collab madness" happening in Japan right now,
    • Why many big brands in Japan includes cafes and other experiences in their stores,
    • And how and why western brands are so popular in Japan.

    ALSO: Listen to Amanda on Embodied by WUNC North Carolina Public Radio!

    Additional reading:
    "A Century of Produce: The First-Aisle Department," The Packer.
    "We Need to Talk About Trader Joe’s,"Adam Reiner, Taste.

    Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/

    If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.world

    Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/clotheshorse

    Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

    Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at http://www.slowfashion.academy/.

    The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingly renewed by fairly paid artists and artisans, with something for every budget. Discover more at http://thepewterthimble.com/

    Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at https://decodenim.com/to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

    Vagabond Vintage DTLV is a vintage clothing, accessories & decor reselling business based in Downtown Las Vegas. Not only do we sell in Las Vegas, but we are also located throughout resale markets in San Francisco as well as at a curated boutique called Lux and Ivy located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jessica, the founder & owner of Vagabond Vintage DTLV, recently opened the first IRL location located in the Arts District of Downtown Las Vegas on August 5th. The shop has a strong emphasis on 60s & 70s garments, single stitch tee shirts & dreamy loungewear. Follow them on instagram, @vagabondvintage.dtlvand keep an eye out for their website coming fall of 2022.

    Located in Whistler, Canada, Velvet Underground is a "velvet jungle" full of vintage and second-hand clothes, plants, a vegan cafe and lots of rad products from other small sustainable businesses. Our mission is to create a brand and community dedicated to promoting self-expression, as well as educating and inspiring a more sustainable and conscious lifestyle both for the people and the planet.

    Find us on Instagram @shop_velvetunderground or online athttp://www.shopvelvetunderground.com/

    Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts. Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one's closet for generations to come. Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.

    Salt Hats: purveyors of truly sustainable hats. Hand blocked, sewn and embellished in Detroit, Michigan.

    Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.

    Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points. If it’s ethical and legal, we try to find a new home for it! Vintage style with progressive values. Find us on Instagram at @CuteLittleRuin.

    Thumbprint is Detroit's only fair trade marketplace, located in the historic Eastern Market. Our small business specializes in products handmade by empowered women in South Africa making a living wage creating thin...

    1 hr 41 min
  17. Episode 248: ATTN: Confidential with Maggie Greene

    Show notes

    This year, Clotheshorse all star, Maggie Greene (The Halloween Queen) embarked on an epic international, cross-country adventure that she called The Tragic Optimist Tour. Along the way, she recorded conversations with the people she visited, eventually turning them into a new podcast called ATTN: Confidential.And of course, she and Amanda had to record a conversation together…but with a twist: For the first half of the session, she interviewed Amanda. For the second part, Amanda interviewed Maggie. This week’s episode is part 2 of the conversation, where Amanda interviewed Maggie. You can listen to part 1 here.

    This conversation follows the format of ATTN: Confidential: self-awareness, curiosity, and advocacy in a safe container. Those three themes are expressed as the Mirror, the Magnifying Glass, and the Megaphone. See if you can spot them as Amanda and Maggie talk about internet friends, cats, Keith Morrison, and so much more.

    Need another dose of conversation about convenience culture and overconsumption? Check out Andi Zeisler's interview with Amanda for Salon: The true cost of convenience culture

    Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/

    If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.world

    Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/clotheshorse

    Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

    Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at http://www.slowfashion.academy/.

    The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingly renewed by fairly paid artists and artisans, with something for every budget. Discover more at http://thepewterthimble.com/

    Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at https://decodenim.com/to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

    Vagabond Vintage DTLV is a vintage clothing, accessories & decor reselling business based in Downtown Las Vegas. Not only do we sell in Las Vegas, but we are also located throughout resale markets in San Francisco as well as at a curated boutique called Lux and Ivy located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jessica, the founder & owner of Vagabond Vintage DTLV, recently opened the first IRL location located in the Arts District of Downtown Las Vegas on August 5th. The shop has a strong emphasis on 60s & 70s garments, single stitch tee shirts & dreamy loungewear. Follow them on instagram, @vagabondvintage.dtlvand keep an eye out for their website coming fall of 2022.

    Located in Whistler, Canada, Velvet Underground is a "velvet jungle" full of vintage and second-hand clothes, plants, a vegan cafe and lots of rad products from other small sustainable businesses. Our mission is to create a brand and community dedicated to promoting self-expression, as well as educating and inspiring a more sustainable and conscious lifestyle both for the people and the planet.

    Find us on Instagram @shop_velvetunderground or online athttp://www.shopvelvetunderground.com/

    Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts. Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one's closet for generations to come. Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.

    Salt Hats: purveyors of truly sustainable hats. Hand blocked, sewn and embellished in Detroit, Michigan.

    Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.

    Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points. If it’s ethical and legal, we try to find a new home for it! Vintage style with progressive values. Find us on Instagram at @CuteLittleRuin.

    Thumbprint is Detroit's only fair trade marketplace, located in the historic Eastern Market. Our small business specializes in products handmade by empowered women in South Africa ...

    1 hr 53 min
  18. Episode 247: Let's build the future we want (LIVE IN PORTLAND)

    Show notes

    Live in Portland, OR at Holocene, Amanda is joined by Karen, Cassie, and Frances to talk about how sewing is an important part of a better future. We will also discuss:

    • Maybe instant gratification isn't really that gratifying at all?
    • Where and how sewing became an uncommon skill
    • Why our lack of knowledge about sewing makes us overconsume (and expect things to be cheap and fast)
    • Ways for teaching more people how to sew
    • How sewing and making things actually makes us happier
    • Thoughts on the ethics of the textile supply chain and how to minimize our textile waste when sewing
    • How sewing and community are inextricably linked (and very important)

    And so much more! Also, Amanda's dad helps everyone on and off the stage all night long.

    Cassie: Altar, @shop_altar
    Frances: Sincere Studio, @sincerestudiopdx
    Karen: sorry, you have to email Amanda if you want to be in touch with Karen!

    MAJOR SPECIAL OMG THANKS TO:

    Christine and Casey of Care Instruction, Portland's radical (and cool) vintage store and mending/sewing studio.
    Ruby of Slow Fashion Academy

    Need another dose of conversation about convenience culture and overconsumption? Check out Andi Zeisler's interview with Amanda for Salon: The true cost of convenience culture

    Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/

    If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.world

    Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/clotheshorse

    Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

    Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at http://www.slowfashion.academy/.

    The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingly renewed by fairly paid artists and artisans, with something for every budget. Discover more at http://thepewterthimble.com/

    Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at https://decodenim.com/to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

    Vagabond Vintage DTLV is a vintage clothing, accessories & decor reselling business based in Downtown Las Vegas. Not only do we sell in Las Vegas, but we are also located throughout resale markets in San Francisco as well as at a curated boutique called Lux and Ivy located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jessica, the founder & owner of Vagabond Vintage DTLV, recently opened the first IRL location located in the Arts District of Downtown Las Vegas on August 5th. The shop has a strong emphasis on 60s & 70s garments, single stitch tee shirts & dreamy loungewear. Follow them on instagram, @vagabondvintage.dtlvand keep an eye out for their website coming fall of 2022.

    Located in Whistler, Canada, Velvet Underground is a "velvet jungle" full of vintage and second-hand clothes, plants, a vegan cafe and lots of rad products from other small sustainable businesses. Our mission is to create a brand and community dedicated to promoting self-expression, as well as educating and inspiring a more sustainable and conscious lifestyle both for the people and the planet.

    Find us on Instagram @shop_velvetunderground or online athttp://www.shopvelvetunderground.com/

    Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts. Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one's closet for generations to come. Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.

    Salt Hats: purveyors of truly sustainable hats. Hand blocked, sewn and embellished in Detroit, Michigan.

    Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.

    Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points. If it’s ethi...

    2 hr 10 min
  19. Episode 246: Doomerism is boring (LIVE IN SEATTLE!)

    Show notes

    Live in Seattle, WA at the Here-After, Amanda is joined by Nivi, Kim, and Janelle to talk about optimism, activism, and why doomerism is just so @#$%ing boring. We will also discuss:

    • What it means to be a steward of your clothing
    • Why it's more than "just clothes"
    • What we sacrifice in favor of convenience culture
    • How to lead by example for those around you
    • And how to keep the conversation about difficult topics going

    Nivi: Soapbox Project, @soapboxproject
    Kim: @heavydutyvintage
    Janelle: @janelleabbott

    Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/

    If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.world

    Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/clotheshorse

    Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

    Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at http://www.slowfashion.academy/.

    The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingly renewed by fairly paid artists and artisans, with something for every budget. Discover more at http://thepewterthimble.com/

    Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at https://decodenim.com/to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

    Vagabond Vintage DTLV is a vintage clothing, accessories & decor reselling business based in Downtown Las Vegas. Not only do we sell in Las Vegas, but we are also located throughout resale markets in San Francisco as well as at a curated boutique called Lux and Ivy located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jessica, the founder & owner of Vagabond Vintage DTLV, recently opened the first IRL location located in the Arts District of Downtown Las Vegas on August 5th. The shop has a strong emphasis on 60s & 70s garments, single stitch tee shirts & dreamy loungewear. Follow them on instagram, @vagabondvintage.dtlvand keep an eye out for their website coming fall of 2022.

    Located in Whistler, Canada, Velvet Underground is a "velvet jungle" full of vintage and second-hand clothes, plants, a vegan cafe and lots of rad products from other small sustainable businesses. Our mission is to create a brand and community dedicated to promoting self-expression, as well as educating and inspiring a more sustainable and conscious lifestyle both for the people and the planet.

    Find us on Instagram @shop_velvetunderground or online athttp://www.shopvelvetunderground.com/

    Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts. Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one's closet for generations to come. Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.

    Salt Hats: purveyors of truly sustainable hats. Hand blocked, sewn and embellished in Detroit, Michigan.

    Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.

    Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points. If it’s ethical and legal, we try to find a new home for it! Vintage style with progressive values. Find us on Instagram at @CuteLittleRuin.

    Thumbprint is Detroit's only fair trade marketplace, located in the historic Eastern Market. Our small business specializes in products handmade by empowered women in South Africa making a living wage creating things they love like hand painted candles and ceramics! We also carry a curated assortment of sustainable/natural locally made goods. Thumbprint is a great gift destination for both the special people in your life and for yourself! Browse our online store at http://thumbprintdetroit.com/ and find us on instagram @thumbprintdetroit.

    Picnicwear: a slow fashion brand, ethically made by hand from vintage ...

    2 hr
  20. REWIND: Why new sweaters are kinda garbage, with Dani of Picnicwear

    Show notes

    Sweater season has arrived for many of us, so let's revisit a favorite episode from last 2023!

    Dani of Picnicwearjoins Amanda to explain why (most) new sweaters are low quality, (near) future garbage (instead of future vintage). It's a complicated tale of synthetic blends, increasing margin targets, and lower prices.

    • We'll explain how the fast fashion industry has kept prices low and profits high by swapping out yarns, cutting out details, and making copies of copies, while walking through the design process of most big retailers/brands.
    • We will unpack why it's really difficult to find sweaters made of natural fibers.
    • Amanda will explain how natural fibers aren't the "cure" for the impact of overconsumption.
    • We will give you advice about how to choose the right sweater (hint: read those content labels).
    • Dani will give you advice about how to care for your sweaters properly.

    We were inspired by Amanda Mull's piece for The Atlantic, Your Sweaters Are Garbage. Go read it!

    ALSO: get your tickets for Clotheshorse LIVE!

    10/23 Seattle, WA @ Here-After
    10/26 Portland, OR @ Holocene

    And preorder your copy of the MEGA-zine, The Clotheshorse Guide to Synthetic Fibers & Fabrics.

    Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/

    If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.world

    Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/clotheshorse

    Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

    Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at http://www.slowfashion.academy/.

    The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingly renewed by fairly paid artists and artisans, with something for every budget. Discover more at http://thepewterthimble.com/

    Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at https://decodenim.com/to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

    Vagabond Vintage DTLV is a vintage clothing, accessories & decor reselling business based in Downtown Las Vegas. Not only do we sell in Las Vegas, but we are also located throughout resale markets in San Francisco as well as at a curated boutique called Lux and Ivy located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jessica, the founder & owner of Vagabond Vintage DTLV, recently opened the first IRL location located in the Arts District of Downtown Las Vegas on August 5th. The shop has a strong emphasis on 60s & 70s garments, single stitch tee shirts & dreamy loungewear. Follow them on instagram, @vagabondvintage.dtlvand keep an eye out for their website coming fall of 2022.

    Located in Whistler, Canada, Velvet Underground is a "velvet jungle" full of vintage and second-hand clothes, plants, a vegan cafe and lots of rad products from other small sustainable businesses. Our mission is to create a brand and community dedicated to promoting self-expression, as well as educating and inspiring a more sustainable and conscious lifestyle both for the people and the planet.

    Find us on Instagram @shop_velvetunderground or online athttp://www.shopvelvetunderground.com/

    Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts. Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one's closet for generations to come. Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.

    Salt Hats: purveyors of truly sustainable hats. Hand blocked, sewn and embellished in Detroit, Michigan.

    Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.

    Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points. If it’s ethica...

    2 hr 26 min