Clotheshorse with Amanda Lee McCarty

Latest Episodes:

Episode 35: Oregon's Biggest Mall, Spirographs, and A Jeans-free Lifestyle: Meet Claire (part I) Dec 06, 2020

Show notes

Claire Doody is the designer and mastermind behind super stylish plus-sized brand, Copper Union and plus-sized fashion show Knock Out. In today's episode, we'll discuss her journey (it's a long one) from artsy middle school to true fashion innovator/rule breaker. This is the first half of our conversation and we'll be talking about all kinds of important things, including Project Runway, wearing jeans, and crazy mall shoplifting stories. AND SO MUCH MORE! Claire is a magical person with a magical story. You'll be so glad that you got to meet her!

Also, Elena of Gooder Gift Guide calls in to tell us about her carnivorous plant collection. And Selina Sanders calls the Clotheshorse Hotline THREE times to talk about AOC, the price of clothing, and #iquitfastfashionbecause. Amanda talks about the honor of being downloaded more than 10,000 times and shares the origin of The Anti-Brunch Society.

Want to support Clotheshorse *and* receive exclusive episodes, a weekly newsletter, and some swag? Then become a patron!

Do you have some feedback? An episode idea? Do YOU want to be a guest on Clotheshorse? Drop us a line at clothehorsepodcast@gmail.com. Or DM via instagram @clotheshorsepodcast.

And don’t forget The Clotheshorse Hotline! The phone number is 717.925.7417. Call us! Tell us about your own collections, your feelings about shopping, your Marie Kondo experiences, what you're doing for the holidays...really anything ! Or ask us a question! We love a research project!

If you want to meet other Clotheshorse listeners, join the Clotheshorsing Aroundfacebook group.

If you can’t get enough of podcasts, then check out our sister show, The Department. We talk about trends, taste, our obsessions, weird things that we think are funny, and so on. The week's episode is part two of our conversation about #girlboss and it's also part of a new "Tragic Trends" series.

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

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.

Gentle Vibes: A vintage shop for the psychedelic mind. Formerly inside Jean’s in Hamtramck, with a new Detroit location coming soon.

Picnicwear: a slow fashion brand made by hand in NYC from vintage and deadstock textiles. Picnicwear strives for minimal waste but maximum authenticity; Future Vintage over future garbage!

Shift Clothing, out of beautiful Astoria, Oregon, with a focus on natural fibers, simple hardworking designs, and putting fat people first. Discover more at shiftwheeler.com

No Flight Back Vintage: bringing fun, new life to old things. Always using recycled and secondhand materials to make dope ass shit for dope ass people. See more on instagram @noflightbackvintage

Late to the Party, creating one of a kind statement clothing from vintage, salvaged and thrifted textiles. They hope to tap into the dreamy memories we all hold: floral curtains, a childhood dress, the wallpaper in your best friend’s rec room, all while creating modern sustainable garments that you'll love wearing and have for years to come. Late to the Party is passionate about celebrating and preserving textiles, the memories they hold, and the stories they have yet to tell. Check them out on Instagram!

Vino Vintage, based just outside of LA. We love the hunt of shopping secondhand because you never know what you might find! Find our cute and sustainable fashion picks at the Silverlake Flea and on instagram @vino.vintage

Shop Journal:upcycled, handmade & vintage clothing and accessories. One woman owned & operated in Pittsburgh, PA. They love details, bright colors and everything extra. This month they’re donating to Fair Fight Action. Getting dressed should be fun! See more on instagram @shop_journal

Wide Eyed Vintage: truly covetable vintage curated in Minneapolis, MN. Giving each piece lifetimes of wear beyond the life it has already lived. See more on instagram @wide_eyed_vintage.

Episode 28: Diamond Tennis Bracelets, Toxic Glues, and The Return of the Beaded Sandals: Meet Selina (part II) Oct 28, 2020

Show notes

It's part two (of three) of our conversation with sustainable designer Selina Sanders. She shares her stories of being embedded in Chinese factories, the pettiness/ugliness of the fashion industry, and the saga of the $5 beaded sandals continues!

Also, Amanda answers listener Elena's questions about Fair Trade. Just like everything else we discuss around here, Fair Trade is both opaque and complicated.

Please send us your questions, feedback, and episode ideas! Drop us a line at clothehorsepodcast@gmail.com. Or DM via instagram @clotheshorsepodcast.

Thank you so much to everyone who as supported Clotheshorse via Patreon! If you're interested in joining this illustrious group of rad people, check out all of the details here.

Don't forget to check out our sister podcast, The Department. Amanda co-hosts it with Kim. This week’s episode is about candy and someone may or may not have almost peed her pants from laughing.

Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following incredible independent sustainable brands:

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

Picnicwear, a slow fashion brand made by hand in NYC from vintage and deadstock textiles. Picnicwear strives for minimal waste but maximum authenticity. "Future Vintage over future garbage!"

Episode 27: Beaded Sandals, Shannon Doherty, and Coming to America: Meet Selina (part I) Oct 25, 2020

Show notes

Sustainable fashion designer Selina Sanders was pretty much destined for a career in fashion. She comes from a long line of creative and stylish people. She joins us to talk about her family, her mom's struggles as a mother/wife/designer and her own move from the the Philippines to the U.S. as a teenager. And of course: her concerns with how the industry is operating. This is part one of three.

Also: an introduction to the official Clotheshorse Patreon. Please consider supporting Amanda and the Clotheshorse mission!

Do you have some feedback? A burning question? An episode idea? Do YOU want to be a guest on Clotheshorse? Drop us a line at clothehorsepodcast@gmail.com. Or DM via instagram @clotheshorsepodcast.

If you can’t get enough of podcasts, check out our sister podcast, The Department. We talk about trends, taste, our obsessions, and other weird stuff.

Episode 25: Laundry, Les Miserables, and Raghouses: Vintage with Christine (part I) Oct 14, 2020

Show notes

Vintage expert and entrepreneur Christine of Ladyhogg Vintage joins us to explain the ins and outs of running a vintage business. It's a nonstop hustle! We will talk about the overhead expenses of vintage (it's more than just thrifting), the challenges of paying herself a living wage, and how she's coping in the era of Covid. And so much more!

Do you have an episode suggestion? A burning question? Just want to say hi or share a story of your own? You can either email at clotheshorsepodcast@gmail.com OR DM via instagram, @clotheshorsepodcast

Don’t forget to check out our sister podcast, The Department. We talk about trends, taste, weird stuff from our lives, things we are obsessing about, and so on. This week our special guest--and first guest ever--is Ty McBride from Intentionally Blank. He tells all about his rise from aspiring shoe dog to founder of Intentionally Blank. And if you want to know what a shoe dog is, you’ll have to listen to the episode!

Episode 21: More Bad Rompers, 5-7-9, and So Much Disappointment: Sizing with Meredith (part I) Sep 29, 2020

Show notes

You know how it goes when you’re shopping. You go into that store that you shop all the time and you grab your usual size in a few things. You go in the fitting room and….one thing is too big, one is just right, another one is falling off your shoulders but you can’t zip it, the next is flattening your boobs and you can’t lift your arms...but they are the same size. How does that happen? It makes you feel kinda terrible, right?

Technical designer and fit/sizing expert Meredith joins us untangle the mysteries of sizing. She will explain the history of sizing and how it has gone off the rails in the last few decades. And why it's still a long way from perfect!

This is part one of two. In our next episode with Meredith, we will be talking about the process of fitting a garment and how the industry is doing everything wrong when it comes to extended sizing.

Do you have some feedback? An episode idea? Do YOU want to be a guest on Clotheshorse? Drop me a line at clothehorsepodcast@gmail.com. Or DM via instagram @clotheshorsepodcast.

Please check out our sister podcast, The Department. Amanda co-hosts it with Kim. It's about trends and taste...but so much more! This week's episode is about single use plastics and the brands/products that are leading the march against it.

Episode 18: Copycats (how fast fashion knocks itself off every day) Sep 19, 2020

Show notes

This is part one of a three part series with our friend Dani from Picnic. Before she started her own slow fashion brand, she designed sweaters (knitwear) for several fast fashion brands. We already know that fast fashion knocks off everyone, both designers big and small, but did you know that they also knock one another off? Dani explains how this happens and why it is so, so silly. We also discuss what the internal culture of fast fashion brands is really like and why it's hard to leave as a designer or merchant.

Amanda also reminds us of Tuesday Bassen's fight against Zara. Articles of Interest has a great interview with her about it.

We have received a lot of messages about why/how retailers can just cancel orders on vendors (in the wake of Covid) without being sued. Amanda explains vendor manuals, chargebacks, and the force majeure clause. You can track who has and has not bowed to pressure to #payup here. Let's continue to pressure brands who refuse to #payup...and stop buying stuff from them. They don't deserve our money! Let's give it to brands and designers who do good things! #buylessbuybetter

Do you have a burning question? An episode idea? Feedback? Please reach out via email at clotheshorsepodcast@gmail.com. And find us on instagram @clotheshorsepodcast.

Don't forget to check out our sister podcast, The Department!

Episode 14: Leisure Suits, Chemistry, and Hemp: Let's talk about fabric Sep 06, 2020

Show notes

We know that cotton is natural and polyester is synthetic, but what about all of the other names we see on the labels inside our clothing? What is rayon? How does that relate to Cupro and Tencel? It's really challenging to figure out which fabrics are the best for our world and for our lives when we don't know what these words mean! Fabric expert (and professional weaver) Janelle is here to break it all down for us. Janelle is one half of All Roads Design, but before she lived every fashion professional's dream of leaving the industry/doing something rad, she worked in fabric sourcing and development. She will shed some light on the primary fabrics being used right now, explain how fabric is sourced by major brands, and share her feelings about the future of the industry. Also: she shares her love of hemp. And no, she's not a stoner.

Amanda has a mini special report on the history of polyester (hint: there is a lot of science). And we can't talk about synthetic fabrics without getting into about MICROPLASTICS, right? Learn more about different filter options for your laundry here.

We are working on an upcoming series of episodes about retail workers, their struggles, and their fight for fair wages and better conditions. If you have worked retail, we would like to hear your stories! Basically, collecting your stories will help us frame out what we need to research and discuss. You can either send your stories via email to clotheshorsepodcast@gmail.com or via instagram where you’ll find us @clotheshorsepodcast If writing isn’t your thing, you can also send us a voice memo recorded on your phone or computer! It can be as confidential and anonymous as you want it to be.

Please don't forget to check out The Department, hosted by Amanda and Kim. It's about trends, taste, and products. It gets pretty weird sometimes!

Episode 11: Blue Butts, Blue Legs, and Blue Office Chairs: Denim Part I Aug 22, 2020

Show notes

We dive into the HIGHLY problematic world of the denim industry, with special guest and mega denim expert Michelle.
"Am I profiting off of someone else's misery?" Michelle said this during our conversation and it has stuck with us since we recorded this weeks ago.
Denim is the All-American fabric and jeans are the quintessential uniform of Americana, yet the denim industry is one of the most environmentally devastating parts of the overall fashion industry. We will dig into the processes and treatments our jeans undergo before they get to us. It's so fascinating and sure to make you think a little bit more about your denim buying habits! Also, WTF is "coated denim?"

This episode also includes a special report about a recently published batch of studies from Princeton University about a pervasive and destructive societal bias about people living in poverty: the fundamentally untrue belief that poor people are happier with less and somehow "thick-skinned" about hardship and suffering. It wouldn't be an episode of Clotheshorse without a conversation about classism!

Also! We are debuting a new "Ask Amanda" advice segment in our next episode. Send in your greatest shopping and clothing quandaries! Or simply questions you have about the industry. We want to help you make the best decisions! Send your questions to clotheshorsepodcast@gmail.com.

Episode 8: A Conveyor Belt Pooping Out Clothing (Even more tales of excess inventory) Aug 08, 2020

Show notes

Brands like Burberry and H+M have come under fire (pun intended) in the past few years for incinerating millions and millions of dollars in unsold inventory. In fact, this practice of destroying product is widespread, practiced by most luxury and mass brands in one way or another. How do they get there? Why is destruction so wide spread?
In this episode, Janine joins us again to discuss the path to widespread destruction, with a few stops along the way for DEALS DEALS DEALS and the challenges of donating product. We will also be talking about the ways we can manage our own "excess inventory."

Questions, comments, corrections? Email us at clotheshorsepodcast@gmail.com
Find us on instagram @clotheshorsepodcast

And don't to forget to check out our new podcast with Kim, The Department. It's about trends and taste!

Episode 7: TEN THOUSAND STRAW FEDORAS! (tales of excess inventory) Aug 04, 2020

Show notes

Every year 15 billion garments head to the landfill pre-consumer. These are garments that either never made it to the store or were marked down aggressively and still did not sell. H+M made headlines by burning $4.3 billion worth of unsold clothing. How does this happen? Clotheshorse all-star guest Janine is back to unpack this with us. It’s an exciting story, filled with hubris, despair, and straw hats that are really made of paper, with a bad zipper thrown in as a twist. Also: another look at the #payup movement and how you can help!

Email us with questions/corrections/episode suggestions at clotheshorsepodcast@gmail.com
Or find us on instagram @clotheshorsepodcast

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