Source: https://cupofjo.com/2018/10/cup-of-jo-clare-v-collaboration/
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 01:50:49+00:00

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This super soft sweatshirt says “girlfriends first” in French! It looks so cute for weekend adventures, and it’s 100% organic cotton, with an easy, pre-shrunk fit for layering. It would make a great gift for friends, colleagues, sisters, aunts, moms and any other comrades that make life feel sweet. Update: The sweatshirt sold out, but a new run is now available for pre-sale. We also were able to add more sizes, XL and XXL, and in future collaborations will be adding many more. Thank you so much.
My personal favorite of the collection might be Le Big Sac. The buttery Italian cowhide only gets softer with age, and the side snaps can adjust its size (small for everyday, big for travel!). It’s the perfect sidekick for work, dinner hangs, trips, or a day around town, and I’d love to wear it forever. Update: The bag sold out, but a new run is now available for pre-sale.
How cute is this personality-packed circle clutch? The zipper adds a pop of red. It comes with a crossbody strap, or it can be worn by its top handle (like above). The shape makes even the simplest outfits look cool, and it’s big enough to fit all those everyday essentials.
Meet a trusty companion to any bag or set of perpetually lost keys: the heart fob. It makes me smile every time I see it, and it makes it a million times easier to fish keys out of a bag.
For this Cup of Jo collaboration, we’re honored to work with a woman-owned company with ethical production, made in Los Angeles, that makes pieces that last forever. They’re the highest quality, and we hope you love them. We’ll be having more collaborations in the future — with different brands, different products, different price points — and hope everyone will find something they like among them.
Are these bags coming back? Finally decided to bite the bullet on the tote and it’s gone!
I have always loved the supportive comments on this blog; it’s too bad that this post brought forth so much negativity. Perhaps it’s because I’m 20 years older than most of your readers, Jo, but age and experience has taught me that it’s okay if you can’t afford what others can. My girlfriends range from single teacher friends who are scraping by with side jobs in order to make ends meet to women who are blessed by wealth that allows them to travel and own multiple homes and shop to their hearts’ content. In my own family I have a sister who is wealthy and a sister who counts every penny. What I am most impressed by is the grace with which we all handle our situations. My friends who can afford anything are cognizant that that isn’t the case for everyone and will suggest affordable restaurants. My sister who can only travel once every few years cheers on the travel of my sister who can afford amazing trips. My point? As my mother taught me, there will always be someone who is richer than you and someone who is poorer than you. You can’t afford the bag? Appreciate it’s beauty and be happy for those who can invest in such lovely leather and then move on. — Jo, this is an amazing blog. Keep up the wonderful content!
Thank you for adding your view point, I whole-heartedly agree. I am also a bit older than probably most other readers, and yes, it’s okay to not afford things and it’s fine to just look at them. We live a comparably modest life in the super-affluent Silicon Valley and if I felt hurt every time I can’t afford whatever the next person can, I would be a very sad person …. Another way to afford items that normally would be out of your budget is to look for sales and E-bay. I can afford my taste for nice shoes and the like only by finding deals on E-bay. Sometimes it takes months, sometimes it does not happen, and that’s okay as well. Sending love to everyone – this stuff is not really worth getting feeling hurt over. Material stuff is just not that important to me.
I wasn’t going to comment bc there were so many already, but I LOVE the Clare V. collab!!!! I am from LA and Clare is an inspiration. I am so proud these bags are made in LA. I have 3 Clare V bags and a few clothing items. I will def purchase something from this collection. I think Cup of Jo and Clare V have that same simple French but preppy with a twist aesthetic. I love it!!! Very cool to bring NY and LA together!!!
I won’t be buying, but I’m certainly admiring, this lovely collection! I think it’s less about the price and the product and more about friends who work down the street from each other collaborating, and that’s pretty rad. Congrats!
Congrats on the collaboration. I love the look of Le Big Sac and would totally buy it except……I just wish it wasn’t leather. We all know that we have to stop with the animal agriculture. It’s one of the main things that is hurting our planet.
Your level of engagement is unparalleled! Half of these comments reek of victimhood and self-centeredness — I wouldn’t give them one iota of attention — but you do and you make this space what it is. The others are wonderful and creative, but you, Jo, are the heart.
I waited a bit to write this post, because I didn’t want my words to be considered a knee-jerk reaction. As a young-ish person who identifies as female, I have come to really like the community here, and appreciate how considerate the content and comments tend to be, even if I don’t necessarily feel like I can relate most of the time. I’m not a mother. I’m not from a well-educated family. I’m most certainly nowhere near middle class. For those of us who come here for thoughtfully curated content and intellectual company, it stings to be reminded that we aren’t actually a part of your group. This isn’t about catering to the needs of everyone (every price point, every gender, every body type, every anything) at once. This is about being -aware- that those needs and abilities and identities even exist, and not being a jerk when someone speaks up.
This discussion about cost and sizing, added to the not-yet-addressed ethics of Amazon conversation make me question my level of engagement and support here. And so does the surprisingly negative reactions to followers voicing their desires. “Whine one one?” Really? Shame on you for mocking us. From a purely capitalist standpoint, this comments section just provided a ton of feedback about what the rest of us (lower class, I suppose) readers would actually buy.
Congratulations on a satisfying, intentional collaboration, and I’m glad so many people loved it. I’m curious to see how the voice of the other half of the readership is met.
oh my gosh, i really hope you do feel like part of the community here! you’re absolutely part of this group. there are so many different women here, and we love and write for them all.
here’s how i think of it: this was one collaboration of many; and this one had higher price points, but others won’t. the site overall also has a mix every week of styles, topics, prices, people, locations, careers, everything. this collaboration is a certain thing, and others will be different. it’s all a big mix, just like the site and life overall.
i very, very much welcome your feedback and will think a lot about it. i’m am so glad you wrote, krystal, and i’m so glad you’re here.
Oh my goodness, since when did we all spend so much time searching for something to be offended about?
Joanna, congratulations on your beautiful collection, it makes me really sad that so many readers have found so much to be disappointed in when your blog is one of the most inclusive and kind ones out there. Keep doing what you do so thoughtfully, you guys make the internet a better place in so many ways!
Congrats on the collaboration ! The pieces are all very pretty and classic!
Totally agree with your comment, Helen. Also, it’s Claire V. Her items are usually quite pricey. Whether these items are beyond my price point or not, SO happy for Joanna on her beautiful collaboration! Cheers!
Hi again! Thank you so much for all the feedback. We are glad to say that we were able to add more sweatshirt sizes — XL and XXL — to the collection. Clare and I hear you that we should have had more sizes to begin with, and I deeply apologize for that. And I wish we could have a wider range right now. But hopefully this will help a little bit in the meantime, and in the future, size inclusion will be our top priority.
Thank you for listening. I ordered my XXL sweatshirt this morning.
I love, love the sweatshirt! Thinking about getting one for my sister for Christmas. You created a beautiful line!
I also wanted to remind some of the commenters that not everything is a personal attack. It takes a lot of self-centerdness to see something, good or bad, and think it is about YOU.
Overall though, I love this group and the community it provides.
Congratulations Cup of Jo team!! I love the collection—the design, the styling, beautifully done!! Although I can only afford the keychain at the moment, if I was more financially studious and squirreled away my money for such occasions, the cost is justifiable. For a well made, ethically sourced handbag in which I would easily use daily and year round…I mean, if I REALLY think about it, let’s be honest, it’s like two trips to Target for this four person family. Also, I feel like in general, we as women think about everyone else MOST of the time. For example, my husband could go out and have the confidence to drop over $200 on a new Xbox or iPhone and seemingly not even contemplate about how many diapers that equated. Yes, I’m wearing clothes I’ve had for a million years, I get my hair done at Cost Cutters, I’ve never had a manicure in my life, but gosh darn it, some day I will own a bag like that and I’ll cherish it forever, lol.
The large bag now says presale ships feb 15. Is that feb as in next year? Do I really have to pay now and not get it for 5 months?
the bag sold out quickly, so because of customer demand, clare v hurried to make more. the new batch is available in february. totally up to you if you’d like to order or not, of course! there are also other colors on the clare v site, if you’d prefer another version. thank you!
congrats on a beautiful collection! i adore this site and its community of readers for the positivity and support we give to each other. no judgments. i don’t expect the content to cater to me completely, because the site is not directly in service to me. but the comfort i feel when i do align with the content is all i can ask for.
That circle bag is the bag of my dreams! So beautiful! Way to go, CoJ. Chatting with a friend about a bag share…can’t justify it apart but together!
It has to be exhausteing to view the world in such a controversial way. Is everything really that personal? Are we all CERTAIN that none of us have ever bought, promoted or produced something that didn’t exclude someone somewhere at some time? Are we all really so confident that we are measuring Joanna with the same stick we ourselves would like to be measured by? Is this even the point of fashion/ selling and purchasing items that are not necessities? What about having a worldview that allows for the success and celebration of others without first ensuring that it benefits us. Isn’t this a selfish way to approach everything all the time? How does this benefit me….where’s MINE. Why can’t I afford it…. $400 is too expensive for me……..so should the bag be $200 in your opinion? What about the people who read this blog that can’t realistically drop that amount on a tote….should Joanna make it a $100 bag? Should she just give them out for free? Where does this stop? What makes one person’s budget better than anothers?If we follow this mindset that everything should exist to serve US, where does this lead? Let others make and design things that they choose, and have Grace for them knowing that that’s exactly what you’d want in return. Let’s celebrate with Joanna without caveates. I know for certain she did not set out to make anyone feel ostracised deliberately.
I have to agree with this. These are some pretty bags and a sweatshirt…and Jo’s excited (who wouldn’t be?) Can’t you just be happy for her even if your not the target audience for these particular things? Why do you think you should make her apologize?! Good grief.
I’m totally on board with your comment. It’s surprising how many commenters think that Joanna should have made the collection suit their price points and sizes. Yes, it would have been wonderful if there were items for under $100 and sizes that accommodated everyone and I get that it’s disappointing not to have an item be in one’s price range but that’s life. I would love to have that sweatshirt in my closet but I can’t justify paying $125 for it. Am I hurt? No, because the collection wasn’t made specifically for me. This isn’t about me. This is Joanna’s collection and this is what she chose to create. Let’s be happy for her instead of making her feel bad.
I agree – so surprised and disappointed to see people going as far as to say their feelings were hurt.
Completely agree. Sometimes I think people are searching for things to complain about.
Let’s remember that Joanna & team also make a really great FREE product for everyone to enjoy every day–this blog! I can’t afford the $400 bag, but I’ve received so much in the way of good advice, tips, moving stories and enjoyment from a typically gracious community…at no charge. How lucky are we?
I read this blog everyday and really enjoy all of the content. I don’t always agree with every perspective or choose to purchase things that are recommended but that doesn’t take away from my enjoyment. Take what you need, leave what you don’t.
1) I love this collab! Great work Cup o’ Jo team!
2) I am continuously surprised by the commenters who think they, as readers, get to choose the direction of a blog they do not write and the price points for items they did not make. If it’s too expensive for you, that’s fair! But to criticize the creators as “hurtful” for not including your specific needs and suggest changing the content of the blog to suit your lifestyle seems offensive to me.
It breeds negative feelings to see merchandise that is wildly out of your price range. It gives no one a good feeling to see something beautiful, then realize you can’t afford it. I think that is what people are feeling, understandably. And it also seems understandably that the blog wouldn’t want to cultivate such feelings in the readers.
I agree with both of your comments above. I am amazed, however, how civil the comments on this blog are, compared to many others where I usually just shake my head; even critique is usually addressed in a rather considerate and intelligent way. Pretty much with the exception of Edie’s second paragraph – was that really necessary? Thanks for adding to the divide.
I see many beautiful things that I either can’t afford or that don’t fit me (6 foot tall here). Oh well, I guess that’s life. I love the CoJ blog, even though there are posts that I don’t agree with or don’t support. Keep up the wonderful work.
Thank you Kori, that’s what I’m saying.
Could not agree more with your comment Liz. Just because I don’t like something or it’s not made for me doesn’t make it “hurtful”.
Great job CoJ team, beautiful collab, amazing content, keep it up! We’re cheering for you!
Kori, sticker shock is one thing but to the extent there is sticker shock, that’s only on account of those readers being unfamiliar with Clare v. All of their bags are that expensive! These aren’t an exception. The cup of jo team didn’t ask them to mark it up just to make sure only their richest readers could afford it. It wasn’t intended to be an insult. they contributed to the design of high quality bags made by a somewhat expensive designer. I think readers need to recognize that some things on this blog are fine left for inspiration, the coj team are not anyone’s personal shoppers.
I don’t have keys (all digital baby!), but I love the bags and sweatshirt!
Cup of joe, please call whine one one.
I love that model, her hair is so perfect. I have a Clare V buttery soft leather item on my Christmas list!
I absolutely love this community and blog. I’ve been reading for years and it brings me little bits of joy and comfort on a daily basis and I find things here that I don’t find elsewhere with such regularity.
That said, I feel like along with the success of the blog, CoJ’s lifestyle bits have become more and more unrelateable. For example, this expensive collaboration, the fancy AirBnB’s (i’m in the less than $100/night club), the pricey style suggestions. It just might be nice to channel earlier CoJ sentiment (budgeting, writing down expenses) or allowing some of the other contributors to have more of a voice about their tips and tricks for affording to live in NYC without being millionaires.
I agree with S! I love so many things about this blog – but sometimes the style posts are just completely unrelatable. I understand that you’re a business first, and that these product offerings are focused on profits: a $125 sweatshirt that costs $5 to make has a huge profit margin. But please make an effort to keep the blog topics and tips open to those of us who are regular, middle class people. I assume we make up most of your readership, and there is a cost (no pun intended) to becoming unrelatable.
Such a great point, S! I’ve noticed this change too.
I agree with you. I was interested in seeing the pieces, but had a feeling they’d be out of my price range. I can’t justify paying that much money for a sweatshirt. It does seem like more often than not the clothing shared is expensive, like dresses are closer to $200, tops over $100, etc.
thank you so much for this feedback! we actually strive to have a mix of price points in fashion stories, weeks of outfits profiles, beauty uniforms, etc. we’ll keep doing so, and also try to do even more lower price points moving forward. thank you so much!
I’d like to add a differing opinion, if I may. I both agree and disagree with your comment. On one hand, as a woman living in NYC myself (and a definite non-millionaire), I personally just see these prices as normal semi-luxury prices. On the other hand, everything about living in New York has gotten so astronomically expensive, I can see how we’d be out of touch with reality. I guess my point it’s possible to celebrate CoJ’s and Joanna ‘s success, without blaming her for it.
I love what amounts to an asperational collab…works for Goop so people are obviously buying, but would love to see the same quality offered at a price your average reader can afford as well.
What I crave, and feel would be an excellent COJ post, is a ‘nose to tail’ production post, so to speak – show the production process of one of the pieces, how it’s made in the US step by step, with brief introductions to each key person along the way (even cooler if their part of the cost is included in dollar amounts – no one is negating the need for profit at each level in appropriate amounts, it would just be great to see where it goes. I feel it would inspire more people to buy locally, in the US at least). It might illustrate why and who we are supporting by spending dollars in America in a good way!
I think radiolab did a podcast on the production of their logo tshirt – that is what I am thinking of! Would be cool to see here!
Great idea! Would be really educational.
I would love to see that too, or just a breakdown of how this collab worked, because I find the business side of things FACINATING!! Excellent idea!
I want to congratulate the Cup of Jo team and all of the blog’s readers for once again having the most respectful, thoughtful comments section on the internet. This is what makes CoJ feel like a true community, and I LOVE it here. Thanks all, for being a constant reminder that the internet can be a wonderful, welcoming place.
i agree! i’m always so happy to hear feedback, and i’m continually impressed by how thoughtful, kind and smart the comments are, even when offering constructive criticism and negative feedback. thank you all so much.
Everything cant be the price or size you want. That’s not how life works. That may come off as a spoiled thin person. Thats not the case. That’s not the intention. It comes from the perspective of a nanny who teaches little kids everyday, you can’t always get what you want but you get what you need. Thank you Rolling Stones.
Ouch. that price. i knew reading some of the comments that the price would be high but i didn’t realize it would be THATT high.
yes i realize that if you want to support ethically sourced and USA produced products, it won’t be h&m prices but does it really need to be THAT high?
echoing one of the comments above, you can do ethically source quality items that are moderately priced. an Everlane sweatshirt is about $50.
with that said, i realize this is capitalism. this is a business and the goal is to generate profit. don’t hate the playa, hate the game, right?
Everlane mass produces their products in china now. Im not sure they are the standard for ethical production anymore.
It’s an utterly gorgeous range! And an exciting collaboration (and lovely that you’ve become connected while working in the same office block!). It’s always inspiring to see the CoJ brand grow – and I’d buy all these things if I could afford to!
The fact I can’t afford to doesn’t personally offend me. Maybe one day my finances will be different and I’ll be able to splurge or save up for a beautiful investment bag (or maybe not – most of my cash goes on bikes and travel :D hehe) But I admire the designs and quality and ethos.
But I think perhaps what might come across as a little upsetting to many people among the comments on this post though is just a slight lack of acknowledgement of privilege.
Some people have voiced their upset and said it’s about having different values/realising values aren’t shared. I don’t think that is the case. The community on this site is SO full of shared values – the fact your life might look different sometimes (or you shop differently) doesn’t have to change that.
However – yes, being able to make expensive consumer choices based on ethics is admirable – as some of the comments have pointed out – but it’s also a huge privilege and luxury (even if you saved up and don’t ‘waste’ money on lesser quality ‘cheap’ stuff – some people don’t have the luxury of being able to save, or choose between the artisan local produce or the best bargain they can find in order to get by). I’m all for making ethical consumer choices and spending more, if you can, in a bid to do so. It’s something I hope to strive more towards in the future. But let’s not lose sight that often these things are luxuries and we’re privileged if we can choose them!
I LOVE the crossbody style! The big bag is perfect for a busy working mom. Thanks Jo! I didn’t see it in the comments, but I’m dying for sources for both the wide leg and straight leg denim featured in the post!
LOVE those pants and shirt! And I love that bag…if I hit my sales goals this year, I’ll treat myself because I do need a bag that holds EVERYTHING, lol.
Thank you to everyone who requested inclusive sizing and thank you Joanna for your gracious response and commitment to prioritize that in future! I also felt a sting when I read the Large fits small.
Perhaps pre-orders on certain items could help designers be more open to a broader range of sizes and price-points.
thank you so much for this feedback. i completely understand and hear you, and i deeply apologize for the limited sizing. our team and clare’s team have been working on this and we’re going to be able to have a few more sizes available shortly. i know there still aren’t enough, and they won’t fit everyone (and that’s a major priority for us in our next collaboration), but hopefully this will help a little bit in the meantime. thank you again for all these thoughtful comments.
This post has hurt a lot of feelings. Dang. It’s a tall order to make all of us happy isn’t it?? I admire so much of what Jo has created here. It’s truly the nicest (kindest, most inclusive and compassionate) place on the internet.
We are sad, left out, upset because our size wasn’t included (and so often isn’t), the items are light-years too expensive (and the nicest things often are), and they are cruel (leather being about the farthest thing from ethical there could be). Hugs all around. It’s tough when you realize that your values don’t sign as closely to someone you care about’s values as you thought. But I for one will come back, and keep sharing love and compassion and learning how to do that better. It’s not perfect here, my personal laundry list of complaints include glorification of alcohol consumption and lack of consciousness about animals, but we all together help make sure other voices are heard. A few years ago I wouldn’t even have noticed that the cute sweatshirt is appallingly size uninclusive, but because of this place I do now, and it makes me sad and angry on behalf of others. I can only hope that we all are listening and learning. I’m grateful for all of your voices.
I think you make such an interesting point, that communities like this have helped make us more conscious of things like size inclusion, so it is ironic to not find that here.
Beautiful! Can you tell us where they are made. Are the materials sourced in the States?
All made in LA, don’t know about the materials though!
While the collection is lovely, I’m really disappointed at the prices. The circle bag caught my eye because it is something different, but the price was beyond my budget. Does ethically sourcing have to mean expensive? I’ve recently retired, so I have to watch my spending.
I think the pieces are beautiful and will age very well without becoming dated.
I can see how the price point is disappointing for many readers (including myself [dual income, no kids!]) but at the same time, I don’t associate Cup of Jo with cheap, disposable “fast fashion”: I would very much expect you to focus on something designed to last and ethically produced in your home country, as you have done. That it is difficult to strike a balance between design, ethics, quality and affordability is evidenced by the relatively small number of companies which manage to achieve this.
For what it’s worth, I personally appreciate that the collection is quite well curated – it must have been so difficult to resist the temptation to offer an overwhelming amount of choices! – and instead focussed on a few things you clearly really love.
Love that this collection (esp the sweater) came out on the International Day of the Girl Child. I’m a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zambia and among all the projects I do to try and empower members of my host community, my not-so-secret favorite is GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) Club, in which we try to counteract the decidedly un-copines d’abord messages that are so pervasive throughout my host community’s culture.
That circle bag is the cutest thing ever! Maybe one day when I don’t have a toddler and baby and the backpack full of stuff that comes with them! ;) Congrats on a beautiful collection- can’t wait to see future collabs. Ooh, I vote for a homemare line with Food52!!
Beautiful collection, Cup of Jo! I’m a big fan of Clare V. so I was delighted to see they were your partner. Copines d’abord!
Love love LOVE the circle bag!!
Congratulations Jo and team and to the Clare V team. How exciting for you all to finally launch something I know you would have planned very thoughtfully.
I am really pleased to see the thought people are putting into their purchases in the questions about the production. However, I am surprised by comments stating this is inconsistent with the CoJ brand. This has blog has always promoted special, beautiful and well-made products (featuring Veja, Everlane, Of a Kind…). This is also a collaboration, so it needs to work for all brands involved – the pricing is consistent with Clare V’s positioning.
I understand the comments on the sizing, but also appreciate that it is difficult to offer a big size range for a limited run. It may have been better to leave apparel out of it… albeit in the face of even more criticism for not having lower priced items in the collection.
Congrats, CoJ team on your new project! I started reading this blog years ago, when Jo and Alex were just dating, and it’s been lovely to see it grow organically into what it is today. I imagine the team worked really hard on putting this together and are quite rightly proud of themselves.
Having said that, I do understand people’s disappointment at not being able to participate in this, especially the limited shirt sizing.
This is well out of my budget too, but I respect your decision to choose a producer who reflected your own ethics and values. Is it possible to create ethically-made items at a lower price point? Sure! But often the companies that can do that are much larger and producing much higher volumes (which gives better economies of scale), or still producing overseas (at factories with decent working conditions, but still much cheaper than producing in the US). I’m fairly certain that had you chosen a mass-market retailer, you would cop flak for not being ethical enough.
I think it could be an interesting idea for future CoJ content – how to shop more ethically at various price points, and how to resist the constant barrage of fashion and shopping content which makes us feel the need to buy more stuff. As someone who would really like to make more ethical purchasing decisions, but is on a strict budget, the struggle is real! I understand the “invest in less but better pieces” theory, but it can be hard to come up with the money, especially if you need to buy multiple things at once (i.e. starting a new job with a different dress code, after losing or gaining weight), and second-hand stores don’t always have the thing you need. A huge part of the problem is fast fashion, and the constant pressure from magazines, websites and social media to follow trends (which CoJ itself is a part of – not that you ever *pressure* people to follow trends, but the site features fashion and makes money from it). How do you hold strong to your own values and make smart purchase decisions while still feeling fabulous and gorgeous?
Love your suggested post: how to shop ethically!
That’s a great idea, and I think many of us would like to learn more. There’s a lot of “fluff” out there (like organic cotton) and it would be nice to know what really matters, and be pointed to some brands (in different price points) who have high standards.
Congrats on the collaboration. The products are beautiful, truly.
One thing to consider: Many women who are gay/ lesbian/ queer, myself included, take issue with the casual use of the word “girlfriend” from straight women. It makes me cringe every. single. time. In my twenties, coming out was not an easy thing to do, especially because I “look straight”. Coming out is not a one shot deal, but rather a continual process. I’d work up all the courage I had to refer to my girlfriend (who was my romantic partner), only to have people think I was referring to a female friend. It was the worst and it happened over and over again. Honestly, it’s one of the benefits of being married now; the word “wife” isn’t nearly as ambiguous. I’d wager that most women who refer to their boyfriends don’t have the same issue and take this privilege for granted. Especially today, on National Coming Out Day, please pause to reconsider using the word girlfriend, both on sweatshirts and in conversations.
An interesting thing to note is that the word “girlfriend” was originally used in the 1800s to mean a woman’s female friend in youth. It didn’t start to be used to mean “a man’s sweetheart” until the 1920s. Actually my grandmother always said “my girlfriend” to refer to her gal pals – the truest sense of the word.
Hi Sarah Jane! This is so true about the word “girlfriend.” That must be incredibly frustrating and dismissing for queer women.
So in my mind, I actually think the use of French here retains the female friendship sentiment without glossing over LGBT relationships. However, we 100% need better language in English, though!
Thanks, Jess. Your point about the French/ English translation is well-taken. I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of it! And thank you for validating the frustration and dismissal– they are real and awful.
And Elizabeth, yes, it is interesting and worth noting, *and* I believe that our current common vernacular falls short on this one.
After reading through all the comments, I just wanted to share my perspective. Joanna and team, congrats on launching a special project you clearly worked hard on–the items are lovely.
Are they out of price range for many? Sure. Me included. Can I still appreciate and admire it as a cool and creative collaboration? By an amazing blogger who provides free, quality content to me every day? Of course!
It’s a lot of pressure to put on Joanna to make every post, every collaboration, for everyone. Can you imagine how it makes her feel to read that people are hurt and sad by this? I understand feeling disappointed that this particular project is unattainable in price and size for many. But this is just one collaboration. I don’t expect everything to be tailored to me and my budget. I can still get style inspiration from it and then find something elsewhere that I can afford. Sure, if every post Joanna did felt unattainable for me, I wouldn’t keep following. But she does SO MUCH CONTENT that caters to so many different types of women. There are a lot of clothes and bags out there to choose from if this particular collection doesn’t work for you. (I write this while wearing a $17 top from Target. Honestly even if I was rich I’d never spend $400 on a bag! And that’s ok!) From her responses, it sounds like Joanna is going to do different collaborations for various price points and sizes down the road. Let’s remember she’s doing her best and doing a damn good job every day providing this space for all of us–even if we don’t get to wear the sweatshirt.
I agree. She can’t please every single person every single time. There are actually more posts about plus size on here than I’d like, but I just move on through bc obviously it’s pleasing other readers and that’s fine.
Well said! I agree with every word.
CoJ team, your receptivity in the face of criticism requires real courage and humility, and I hope you can all take pride in that. Truly. People are seldom so brave in real life, let alone on the Internet, where it’s even easier to hide behind our screens!
And a special shout out to Jo, the OG! You’re so thoughtful and seem to try your sincere best, always. It’s inspiring. I really appreciate your hard work. We are all so lucky to read and know you.
And my name is Clare, spelled the same way, which is kind of unusual.
After reading lots of comments, it seems like this unwittingly (hopefully) hit a lot of people in two of our most vulnerable spots-body consciousness and finances. Both can be very tender and its never easy to feel intentionally left out. No, not everything on the internet is meant to be attainable for everyone, but choices like these feel alienating.
Beautiful work!!!!! My mom and I just bought two things, she got the big bag and me the key chain. Thank you for for the blog and for the collaborations ahead and the hard work you and your team do.
thank you for the party tonight! my friend and i came by and had a great time. the bags and sweatshirt were beautiful. you were so gracious to us and others. thank you, joanna.
An aspect that feels like it’s contributing to hurt feelings about the collaboration is that it’s both out of many of our budgets AND time limited. A lot of us need some advanced notice to save up for a three-figure item…but with a collection like this, by the time we get the funds together, the items will likely be sold out. I think you’re in a difficult situation of not being able to please everyone and also having lots of vocal fans.
Love!!! Can’t wait to set a goal, reach it, and buy one of these bags!!!
Congratulations on your collaboration and on these beautiful, thoughtfully designed items! What a cool new avenue for CoJ, and a totally natural fit for this super style-savvy crew. I read the comments and completely understand disappointment because of the size limitations and price points of the collection. I think and hope that it can be useful to provide feedback that can help shape future collaborations. I hope that this still felt like a really special day for Jo and team. The bags are beautiful, the sweatshirt is delightful and the heart is a perfect touch of whimsy. This is such a special space, really unique unto itself. G-d help any of us if we buy everything we want on the internet, and perhaps not every post or product is for every reader, but sending lots of gratitude to the team for making this such a thoughtful, creative, inspiring, and comforting space for all of us.
Idea! What about committing 10% of profits to a nonprofit that works on closing the income gap through education? Or something similar?
I like the bag design with a top handle and cross body option. That is perfect for a mom purse and I’ve been wishing bags had that design for a while.
The bags are clairev normal prices. It’s so weird everyone feels like clairev would lower their bag prices or something for this launch. Prices are standard and everyone could have looked at the website prior to the launch or looked at other recent Collabs and known what to expect.
ClaireV is not an expensive, exclusive brand. The bags are on the mid to lower price end of bags.
I agree about the placement of quality and price range of ClaireV, but because they were working with the Cup of Jo, maybe we were expecting something different, that the prices, sizes and stocks will be more inclusive and go more towards the views of this brand. I can not wait for some more affordable cooperations because these leather products are wonderful.
These bags are amazing! I can’t wait to get my hands on one!
I am happy for COJ and this collab, the items are beautiful. However I feel like this really caters to a certain type of woman only and to be honest that kind of hurts. I have been reading this blog for 10 years and I feel like it’s been a place for ALL women to come and share stories and feel comfortable. This however just feels really fake… the items are SO expensive and really I don’t know any of my girlfriends who would be able to afford these items and I hate that the sweater only goes to a large (especially since it runs small!!) I just feel this isn’t really accessible to a wide audience… which makes me sad. I do love this blog and I love reading the real and honest stories and what all the lovely commentators have to share but this whole line just really turns me off.
thank you so much for your note, carole! i really appreciate it. we do love this collection in so many ways, and we respect clare v hugely. i understand that the price point is high, and please know that we will do more collaborations in the future (this is the second collaboration we’ve done, and there are many more we hope and plan to do), and there will be a huge range of products and price points throughout. i’m excited to share more, and i thank you so much for your feedback. thank you, tuly, so much.
I was so excited to see this collection with Jo’s input and stamp of approval. Then I was equally as sad (a bit hurt even!). I know many have commented echoing the same sentiments – but I wanted to add my voice to the crowd so CoJ knows how many women are feeling this. It rings as highly hypocritical to read on a blog within one week a Style post that is about celebrating a woman who is above a size 12 with great style, who has one of her main hashtags as “makemysize” – to then see this collection come out without a disclaimer that has limited sizing and high costs. I feel like if you are going to talk the talk about being inclusive – you should walk the walk. Take the time to find a company that can work with you to support the values you display. We are counting on you and ready to champion you for it. Keep all your girlfriends on here in mind.
Same as the rest: these are beautiful, but wildly out of my price range.
i love the big bag with the red strap! need!!! you can tell this leather is only going to get better with age. great collab!
Just want to say that I think this collection is absolutely beautiful and it looks like a lot of hard work went into designing it, so great job CoJ!
I understand why people get frustrated about the accessibility of some of the items, but I also think it’s possible to admire something without having to look at the price/sizes as an affront to you or your socioeconomic status. CoJ seems to have stated upfront what their priorities were in creating this line (ethical production, high quality) and this was the outcome. Some other collaboration will maybe be more focused on size inclusivity, or multiple price points, but as someone who would need to save for a few months to afford the (very pretty) bags and who may find the Large sweatshirt a bit tight, I still admire this line and the work that went into it. You can celebrate the positives of the collection and recognize it’s limitations without tearing down its creators.
Also maybe an interesting question for a future post though: what does accessibility and inclusivity mean? Should it mean everyone should have access to everything, all the time? Does that mean couture fashion houses shouldn’t exist, as their price points and sizes don’t include everyone? Not making a false equivalency to CoJ, just thinking out loud.
You make an interesting, thoughtful point.
Oh my, CofJ – get Caitlin to write regular posts! She smartly articulated a very relevant position. Hooray!
Savor beauty wherever it appears!
Really appreciate this thoughtful perspective! And totally agree!!
Yes! So whole heartedly agree. It looks so lovingly created and while not available to me for size or price, i am happy the COJ ladies are spreading their creative wings.
I have been reading CoJ for around a decade and have never commented, but Caitlin’s response deeply resonated with me.
Thank you Joanna and team for being so thoughtful, considerate, and responsive to your community. We are a very demanding group, and you are doing an exceptional job – with this collaboration, as well as your daily content.
I certainly see your point — it’s okay to be niche! But I think saying “people past this size are not worthy of this clothing” is different than saying “we maintain a high standard of ethical production and this is the price point that allows us to create in the way we want.” One is a value judgment, the other is a business decision.
Yes to Caitlin’s comment! Congratulations Cup of Jo on a beautiful collaboration. As a society we talk a lot about ethics, locally sourced materials, fair practices, etc, but don’t always want to pay the price that creating those pieces costs (or maybe don’t really understand what it takes to do so?). I haven’t always been in a position where I could afford one of these bags, but that never stopped me from admiring beautiful and well crafted products. I have also saved for many months, even years, for a product I really wanted. Keep doing awesome you, Cup of Jo team!
Yes to this too! I love how the collection perfectly captures the CoJ aesthetic, even if I’m not in a position to buy any of it. The question about inclusivity is thought-provoking. Although I’m not a mom, I still think it’s fun to see cute baby pajamas featured here. I know that’s not the same thing or as special as a full-on collaboration (although maybe it should be one! ha!).
Thank you, Caitlin! You articulated that beautifully.
I fell in love with the large bag when I first saw it and had a brief moment of disappointment when I realized the price was out of my reach. But these moments happen often when trying to live within one’s means and I see it as just a part of life. You will always have more than someone and less than someone else. And while the CoJ team is always mindful and do their best to be inclusive, it would be IMPOSSIBLE to meet everyone’s needs, all the time.
So while I won’t be able to purchase anything from the collection, I will appreciate it’s beauty from afar as I do with most other blog posts. Thank you, CoJ team, for the inspiration!
Amen! To this and the awesomeness that is Jeopardy commercials.
Good analogy! So true… definitely makes me feel better! haha.
Going to echo what a lot of folks are saying here: Clare V. bags, while beautiful, are incredibly high-priced and out of range for many buyers. And only offering clothing that fits a certain size women is disappointing. I don’t mean to berate CoJ, but instead to voice my opinion, which is something this blog highly encourages. I think it’s important that in your effort to be inclusive, that you consider every decision that you make, especially when it comes to branding and collaboration. Otherwise, it really subtracts from the power of the messages you share here, making them seem less authentic.
That circle bag is too cute! I like the sturdy handle, and its flexibility (clutch/handbag/crossbody) is very appealing.
looooooooooooove them. want everything. thank you for choosing to work with more ethical brands, it is worth the cost!
The pieces are lovely, they really are. I can’t afford those prices, not even come closer. But the high prices don’t take the beauty away.
Some time ago I suggested that I would be happy to purchase some CoJ merchandise. Of course you don’t have to go with a low quality stuff, but, for example, if you made simple and affordable white mugs with a CoJ logo on one side and the word “Houseplant” on the other side, surely I would purchase at least one.
I appreciate your effort and I say congratulations, it’s a very nice collection.
Love the girlfriends first, but its out of my budget and I wish the bag was vegan.
Yes agree! Would love to see a cruelty free option.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I am so excited about this collaboration!
I also want to say — I own a small product design company in Detroit and it can be so hurtful when we get comments on our social media with outrage about the prices of our products. For example, we have a popular Desk Clock that costs $75. It’s designed and assembled in Detroit with 100% of the materials sourced in the USA including the mechanism – not an easy or cheap task! We work only with manufacturing partners that use the highest quality of materials and have excellent working conditions for their teams, all of which goes into determining the price.
The truth is that most people have no idea what goes into making something locally and ethically that’s built to last. The price of using the best materials, hiring people at higher than minimum wage salaries, and keeping production within the US is often more than what most people expect.
To us, making things ethically + sustainably is of paramount importance. I know Clare V. carries the same values in her brand, and I’m sure that the prices are as low as they can be to use those lovely materials and produce everything the way that they do.
I look forward to saving up for Le Big Sac! I can’t wait to see what collaborations you do next. Bravo COJ team!
Hi Chelsey! I’m trying to reply directly back to you, hope this works!
So sweet of you to ask, we’re TAIT Design Co. : )!
Hi Audrey! I just purchased your clock in tangerine. Oh, I’m going to love it!
Your products are gorgeous and fun. Thank you!
Audrey, those perpetual calendars are awesome! What a find for a comments section!
And, OMG–Ray Tait is a beauty!
Audrey, I used to live in West Village Detroit (just moved to Philly for a new job!) and love TAIT! Keep creating beautiful products that make Detroit residents proud. Big fan of your company (and basically everything that Nora sells!).
Audrey — Go Detroit! Gorgeous clocks and calendars! I cannot wait for the wall clocks and I know three kids who will get a cool yoyo this xmas!
Thank you so much, Jan!! I just saw that come through : ) I hope you’ll love it!
And A, so funny! My co-founder + co-owner Matt’s last name is Tait too : ).
Love your shop, Audrey! I am bookmarking it for Christmas. Oh that rose clock…swoon!
Audrey, I live in the Detroit area and was not familiar with y’all, until now THANK YOU! Looks like really cool stuff.
Love your designs! Do you make wall clocks? I need one for my kitchen and would love the desk clock design but larger! Thanks!
What a beautiful desk clock it is! I live in India (Bombay) and was in NYC over the summer and saw your clock at Goods For The Study. Took a picture (was considering the purchase – I need a wall clock more than a desk clock at the moment) but didn’t manage to make it back. So happy to have discovered what brand it is here! I loved reading about your brand here, and I’m adding it to my list (for myself perhaps, or when I need to send a friend a gift in the US). Much love.
Awww, c’mon, this is the best exchange ever in the comments. Now I have to go and check out TAIT. I hope your clocks aren’t made from buttery cowhide.
These messages were the sweetest thing to see, thank you all so much! Feel free to reach out to me (Instagram is best @taitdesignco) if you’re ever in the area and want to see our studio!
Lauren – Ray is the best studio dog, she sleeps under our desks all day. She’s a wire-haired visla, and she just turned 6! We got her a pink bandana to celebrate.
Maggie – West Village is the best neighborhood! I feel so lucky to live here. I’m thrilled Nora picked up our line, they’re such an amazing shop. This message was so kind, thank you so much <3 Best wishes in Philly!
Mary Margaret – Thank you so much!! I hope the kids will love them : ) And yes, wall clock countdown is on! Keep your eyes peeled, we’ll be launching them at the end of the month!
Amy – Thank you so much! It took us a second try to formulate that rose, I’m really happy with it now. We work with a company that’s been screen printing metal for over 100 years in Michigan! I keep it on my desk and it really does make me smile every day.
Katie – Such a nice message! Thank you so much for sending!!
Also Neysa I just saw your comment!
Goods For The Study is such a beautiful store, I was over the moon when they wanted to add our line! I actually just shipped out a re-order to them yesterday, and my friend Emma who lives in Brooklyn saw one in the window last week…such a small world. Also, we have had quite a few requests for Wall Clocks, and we listened! They’ll be launching by the end of the month, same 5 colors, same beautiful maple wood, just larger and meant to hang on a wall :). You can sign up for our newsletter on our website if you’d like to get an official notification when they’re up, but we’ll definitely post on Instagram too.
omg. I just went to your website!!! Love!!!! I live in LA and this is why I will pay for a made in LA bag. Your clocks are adorable, I need a pink one for my bed side table! Thank you!
Hi all! I just wanted to let you know that our Wall Clocks launched! Thanks for keeping us in mind, means a lot as a tiny little company.
I was really looking forward to this launch. And I LOVE the sweater, what a fantastic sentiment and a beautiful piece of clothing. But I’m echoing a few voices here when I say the price point is way, way beyond my budget which was a bit disappointing. I’m all about supporting ethical brands but I think those important things can be kept at the forefront of the collaboration, while still making the pieces more accessible. To all wallets & bodies!
Such a bummer… I am in love with the sweatshirt but I would need a larger size. Perhaps in the future you’d consider us XXL or other plus sized, D-Cup gals in the “girlfriends first” club.
Shoot–I want that white shirt. Where is it from?
Reading through the comments, it feels that some of the statements unnecessarily put COJ on the defense. Instead, we should remember what this blog is all about– strong women uplifting strong women, regardless of background (in this particular case, financial). I think this is a beautiful & stylish collection– you can tell a lot of hard work and thought was put into it. I will hopefully support it as a customer one day. Bravo COJ team!
I’d bet that every person commenting on the high price points has spent well over $400 buying cheaply made bags that fall apart and are thrown away in their lifetime. The point of a bag from a place like Clare V is to have it FOREVER and use it over and over and over. It is not meant to be a throw-away accessory, it is an investment piece. I applaud Joanna and team for choosing QUALITY pieces for their first collab!
I really dislike it when people talk about clothing as an “investment”. Clothing is not an investment. I’ve had cheap brands from goodwill last a really long time, and I’ve had higher end things last a very short time. Not to mention styles change over time, and most people like a change now and then.
Umm, no, not every person commenting on the high price has spent over $400 on a cheaply made bag. That makes as much sense as spending $400 on a quality bag when you.don’t.have.the.money. I love the tote, its style, its everything. But I will not forego groceries for a bag. Window shopping is what this is all about for most of us.
Hi Lindsay, I disagree with your thoughts that clothing is not an investment. I’ve worn the same 6 suits to work (with some separates mixed in) Monday- Friday since I graduated 6 years ago. There is no way that fast fashion brands could provide quality clothing that would allow me to wear it with that frequency and still look polished and not ragged. I can’t imagine the luck you’d need to have to find them at goodwill or another second hand store. While not everything from goodwill or h&m is trash, there is definitely value in buying ethically made, high quality clothing that lasts longer and is in classic styles (aka not short term trends). That is an investment in my opinion, both for the way I present myself to the world and for the environment. And that usually costs more money. I think the same “investment” logic can be applied to many types of clothing/products we need.
Some people commenting may very well not be able to afford these price points. If anything we’re all all admiring the lovely items! They definitely are high quality.
However, some of us may have to thrift or whatever necessary to find more affordable options.
I once was gifted a more expensive bag, and it didn’t last as much as some of my $20 bags.
Great job, CoJ team! I’ll also be only browsing through the items, but wish you well on the project!
Just to counter the point, I personally cannot afford these bags. Which is fine with me. But I have also not spent a total of $400 over my lifetime on bags, cheap or otherwise. Most my bags come from Goodwill and I can only think of one bag I bought new, probably for under $50 (and what a great bag it was).
Some of us literally can’t afford to spend money like that on cheap or expensive bags. That’s fine with me, I’m just wanted to present another perspective.
I don’t disagree with you about garments being an investment, but I think there’s a happy medium. I have a leather satchel that I’ve used nearly every single day since 2011 – timeless style, high quality – and I think it was $110 or $120. Accordingly, I did balk at the over $400 price tag. But I also understand that not everything is made for everyone’s budget, and that’s okay. Congrats to CoJ on a beautiful collection – I just won’t be able to purchase anything!
It’s important to recognize the privilege in being able to invest in your wardrobe. Not everyone can come up with $400+ at once and those $20 bags you referenced may have been a special treat one bag at a time over many years. It’s a similar concept to why buying in bulk is a privilege. Many budgets just can’t afford the upfront cost, even if it’s technically cheaper in the long run. I’m sure you didn’t mean it this way, but suggesting someone is wasting their money by purchasing a $20 “throwaway” bag instead of investing in a $450 one can be quite insulting.
It’s interesting to look at “investment pieces” from different times in history – things in 80s magazines, especially, that an article said “would last forever” look so very dated now! Think of tall leather boots from just a few years ago: people bought them for “forever”…and then somehow needed to buy booties a bit later. Antiques and vintage clothing can be cheaper than new luxury items, better made, and–maybe most importantly–have already passed the test of time. Of course sometimes new things need to be made, or people just want to shop for brand new things, and it’s great when companies produce things ethically. Although a person could say that producing things overseas is actually more ethical, because people in poorer countries might need jobs more than people in Los Angeles do.
I think a lot of that is so personal, though. For example, I’d happily pay $125 for a quality, ethically + locally (USA) made sweatshirt (don’t know where this one is made, just saying). But I am the person who only fills half her closet and buys just one or two new items a season. I prefer fewer pieces so I can invest in them. However, some people like LOTS of clothing and they would make different choices! One of my girlfriends has a *packed* closet and piles of clothes and is always buying new things, but shops mostly at thrift stores and Target which is how she affords it. So I don’t think there’s one answer to this question – I think it’s about your own choices.
+1 to this idea for a Paco column! I always try to weigh my values against the cost of an item, but it is often so challenging to shop ethically and within my budget.
I’m not Paco, but here’s my take. If it’s something I’m going to wear a lot, such as a rain coat, I’m going to get the best quality I can afford, which means looking for a good sale. I had a rain coat from Nordstrom I wore for many years before it wore it. I loved it because it was burgundy, had a removable liner, and I could wash the coat and liner, and hang it up to air dry. I was sorry when it wore out, but I got my money’s worth. I found a comparable replacement at Sam’s Club-a London Fog. I have a pair of Frye boots only because I stumbled on a close-out sale at Ross’ Dress for Less. I got them for a 1/3 of the original cost. I’ve had them re-heeled twice. I’ve bought my Kate Spade bags on sale with an additional discount. I don’t follow trends. I make a lot of my clothing, so I go with classic styles and styles that suit me. Fabric has gotten really expensive, so I look for a sale. If I’m investing my time and energy into making a garment, I want to use the best fabric I can afford. My clothes last for years.
hey, i just want to say that i feel totally okay that you’re offering stuff i can’t afford to buy and a sweatshirt that would be a little tight on me. like, sincerely, it’s fine; i don’t feel personally outraged. do things differently in the future—or don’t! the blog is accessible to every reader & i know you work hard to be as inclusive as possible. it’s cool that there’s merch that’s out of reach for me.
Since you are not a budget, ethical, infinite-size-offering retailer, I don’t think most of us expect you to magically offer everything we’ve ever wanted out of a clothing line. The collaboration is lovely.
Congratulations Joanna on such an exciting venture! I’ve been following your blog since before you and Alex even got engaged(!) and it’s such a warm comfort watching you and your family continue to grow. My husband knows when I refer to “Jo”, that’s you. He’ll ask what happened today with Jo lol.
Although I only know you through this space I want you to know I am very proud of you!
I’m 24 now, which means I followed your blog since I was a teen, and it was always a source of stability and warmth when I didn’t always have that. The stability includes you + your team’s prose, your safe space to talk about a wide range of topics, and your sense of style. I now associate the words “sweet” (as in: “a sweet summer blouse”) and “crusty loaf” with you :P Also, please continue to say slam-dunk whenever you please!
Jo, although I can’t purchase anything this time around, I will be on the sidelines, with my Plebian thrift store purse, cheering you on as loud as I can :) Woohoo!
Shelby, this comment was such a supportive and sweet comment! I suspect that the disappointment comes from that fact that we regular readers all feel part of this very special, uniquely inclusive Cup of Jo community. The rare moments when something on offer is not inclusive of all feel all the colder because they contrast with the usual warmth. All to say, thank you Cup of Jo for creating this special space online. I love this collaboration and I know you’ll continue striving for inclusivity going forward.
processed for shoes/clothing/purses). Love the sweatshirt though.
Yes! Agree! So many great cruelty free bags out there.
Oh wow, I’m really bummed the sweatshirt doesn’t come in my size! Was really excited about buying that. I’m used to brands not being interested in women over size 12, but this one in particular hurts, after reading CoJ for so many years.
While I fully recognize wearing leather is an individual decision (which unfortunately knocks me out of this round of the CoJ capsule!), I feel compelled to call out that using “ethical” and “cowhide” in the same description is, imo, quite contradictory. I’ll be in line next time!
100% agreed. There is absolutely nothing ethical about using leather or suede, regardless of where the products are made.
Actually, that’s not true. Leather sourced in the US is typically a byproduct of the meat industry and would otherwise be thrown away. One of my dear friends is a handbag designer who lives in LA and is vegan; she has done a lot of research into this and the relative processes and labor for ‘vegan’ leather. Yes, the meat industry itself is problematic, but making sure that a byproduct doesn’t go to waste is not the part of that that is troubling.
Beautiful! I have been hunting for an investment bag. I think the larger bag is going to be it. Congraultations on this collection.
Absolutely love the bag!! And I was hoping the white shirt was a part of the collection – so cute!! Congrats on a great collection!
Agreed! Would love to know. It’s my experience that companies don’t like to answer this question or don’t even know what full grain means, which I take to mean the leather is not full grain.
Hi Marie, I was looking for this too and found this on the site: https://www.clarev.com/pages/customer-service-faq-repairs-and-product-care. Seems like the items are made in the US..
Love that you’re partnering with a women owned company with ethically made goods. Way to go!! Also everything looks beautiful.
Listen, I’m a fan -been following this blog for probably 10 years. But maybe I’m not the right audience. I was pretty excited to see what you guys launched today. But uh, $400 for a purse? If that is what the majority of readers can afford I salute you. That sweatshirt is killer too, but again, just way out of my budget. The struggle is real.
INCREDIBLY disappointed that Cup of Jo did not partner with a brand that made more inclusive sizing. Only up to a size L, and a size L that “runs a bit small”? The average size for women in the US is a 16. I know that you know that, and I know you can do better than this.
I applaud you for choosing a brand that cares about ethical production, and if you had only offered the bags and left out the sweatshirt this would be an incredible new line. But you did include the sweatshirt, and you knew its limitations on inclusive sizing but you went ahead with it anyway. And when you choose to offer only certain sizes, you alienate those who don’t wear those sizes.
thank you so much for your note, niki. i really appreciate it, and i hear you. this will be a top priority in our future collaborations, i really appreciate your note.
I am a pants size 14 and assume I would wear an XL in the sweatshirt. I am also a little surprised it doesn’t go up to at least an XL.
Niki, I understand your frustration. There are many of us who would love to purchase something from this line, but cannot for one or many reasons (price, size, living internationally, etc).
However, I don’t agree with your argument that she should have left out the sweatshirt entirely because she couldn’t fill all sizes. “If I can’t wear it, no one should be able to” isn’t supportive. She also promoted it this entire time as primarily about the bags which are not sized. In production lines, often times you don’t know something “runs small” until the garments have been assembled, so they most likely didn’t have advance notice of the downsizing until the products had been made.
Yes, Cup of Jo is a large blog, with influence. As much as we, the readers, often see Jo as a superwoman, she is still a person. She has only done one other product collaboration before, which was shoes. We need to give her time to grow and explore this new passion. We know she’s very particular about who she works with on sponsored posts and collaborations. We know that she strives for high-quality, long-lasting pieces and ethical consumption. We know she supports women-run businesses and she has for years. We know she works to be size-inclusive, looking at the Weekly Outfits, Beauty uniform posts, etc. We know she tries to include different price points in her holiday guides, clothing roundups and product suggestions. We don’t know behind the scenes what happened, but I’m sure Joanna tried her best. We can’t expect her to be 100% perfect all the time. It’s hard when that one oversight or misrepresentation affects us personally (I can’t afford anything but the key fob in the collection), but overall, I think she did a good job and will continue to strive to improve in the future.
Hi Jo & team, I went to Clare V’s website and couldn’t find anything on there about ethical production. Can you elaborate or tell us more about the production practices and sustainability of the company?
These are super cute but I totally am bummed at the price point. My sister is a high-end designer in LA (all of her items are made in LA, sustainably) so I believe in avoiding fast-fashion. However, $125 for a sweatshirt? Maybe your reader base is easily able to swing that, but I kind of doubt it. A $25 key fob doesn’t make a $125 sweatshirt (although it is so adorable) more reasonable. Congratulations on the collaboration though! These pieces are beautiful.
oh how i love all of these! i have acquired several Clare V. bags over the years (when they were on sale) – my first being Le Trop. bag…which i still love and use frequently. I would love the Le Big Sac (i have been eyeing her other colors of that same version for months now but I LOVE this one and would get it in a hearbeat if i could afford it!). And that sweatshirt is awesome! I just need to save a bit b/f i can make an indulgent purchase. Congrats on a beautiful collab with such a wonderful company!
No way I can afford the $415 price point but bag looks gorgeous.
I’m really interested in the beautiful white blouse the model is wearing in several pictures – can you kindly track down its origin? Thanks!
There’s gotta be a way to make quality and good standards affordable… just gotta be! Anybody know any brands trying to make that possible?
I find that buying used is a good way to go affordable and ethical on a budget. Also, generally keeping less stuff out of landfills is a plus!
Everlane! :) Definitely more money than fast fashion, but much more reasonable prices for the items you get.
I’m disappointed in the sizing, which range from XS-L (and the sizing runs small).
68% of women in the U.S. where a size 14 or above. I’m trying to be cognizant of the fact that brands are still catching up to the demands of women—but this is a bummer.
Love love love their stuff but wish their apparel was more size inclusive. Girlfriends first, but apparently only the skinny ones :( Would love to see more collabs from CoJ especially if they came in a wider range of sizes!
The pieces are beautiful. Congratulations!
Those wide-legged jeans are my DREAM denim that I’ve been searching for high and low – do y’all know where those are from!?
Just in case it helps, Madewell has the same style of pant (looks identical), but for 1/4 of the price (it’s the Emmett pant, and it comes in a ton of colors, including denim and velvet). Hope it helps!
Hey Lydia, I’m actually selling a pair of these Jesse Kamm pants on ebay right now – I’m bummed they are too big for me. If you want to take a look, listing is here.
Collection is beautiful but so sad to see it’s only made for thin people. Doesn’t feel coherent with the cup of jo philosophy at all? Would love to hear your thoughts on that.
I completely agree. That sweatshirt would have been such a fun splurge, but at a size 18 (or even a 20 in that since it says it runs small and I have a large chest) it feels like such an off-brand choice for Cup of Jo to not be inclusive.
More than a little sad to see so much leather here. I know it reads as “quality,” but it’s also the skin of slaughtered animals, no matter how you spin it (or how well the bags will look as they age!). I know it’s hard to please everyone, but I’m disappointed that CoJ would consciously choose to go with cowhide instead of one of the many other, truly ethical choices for fabric out there.
Yes! Thank you for saying this. I’m trying to move away from leather and animal skin and this is such a bummer. I will be echoing the hundreds of voices here who have already pointed out the extremely steep prices and other complaints which I completely agree with. $415 is not something I will shell out for a bag!
Also, won’t it be prudent on the part of the CoJ team to draw attention to brands that work with materials other than animal skin? How is ‘ethical’ and ‘cowhide’ even a combination? These animals go through pure hell…I wont go into the gory details but we as consumers are so far removed from tanneries and it is a heartbreaking sight to see! I guess the question of ethics won’t rise if we paid a visit to the leather factory. What happened to caring about the planet? I think COJ has enough influence to swing shopping trends towards truly ethical, recycled choices.
If something is so expensive, is it automatically “high-quality”?
May I suggest next time you offer your clothing in a wider range of sizes? The sweatshirt is fantastic but sized only up to a large, which the description says runs small. That excludes lots of women.
I was just going to post the same comment. It just seems antithetical to the CoJ ethos to be limiting to a select group.
yes, thank you so much, jen. we would love to and will absolutely prioritize this for our next collaboration.
I agree with SB – thank you CofJ. I am only recently in a stage of life when buying a tote like this is realistic for me so I understand the frustration of seeing something lovely that one knows will never be in the budget. Buying things that are made by people who were paid a fair wage, using practices that are ecologically sound is a privilege but it is one that gives rather than depletes. And these offerings are so beautiful!
Oh no, I missed it in my size! Will they be restocking?
yes!!! the sweatshirt is almost fully sold out — but we are able to restock! will keep you posted!
Yay so glad :) Thanks for the response, and congratulations on the beautiful collection!
bummer, the large sweatshirt isn’t avaliable! very cute!
haha agreed – I’m here for the white shirt and jeans!
Not for everyone’s pocket , pretty though!!
I love the jeans the model is wearing with the white button up! Where are they from?
Hi Jessica! She says they are Jesse Kamm!
$415?! Many of us cannot afford something even close to that price point.
I have a gorgeous tote by WP Standard that I LOVE – amazing quality, ages beautifully, and it was less than half the price… Does ethical automatically equal very expensive?
I understand Joanna’s answer about focusing on ethical production, but there really are so many ethical companies that have more affordable options. Even a $100-$200 tote is something you can dream about and plan to save/splurge on but a $415 one doesn’t even enter the realm of possibilities. I’ve been a daily reader for the last six years, but more often than not I feel like the current content is meant for someone with significantly more of a disposable income than me. Having a $25 option in your new line is a great idea, but for those of us who have to budget purchases for our families, spending that much on a key fob seems like a ridiculous waste.
I’m hopeful that you’ll return to promoting items that the average reader could enjoy. I really used to look forward to discovering new trends and brands through your site.

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