JAKTOGO

While doing some research on an upcoming bag/suitcase entry, I came across this coat called JAKTOGO.  www.jaktogo.com  Oh my!  This is FABULOUS!  I wanted to immediately plunked down my credit card to purchase one.  We are planning a trip in a week or so and I think it would be fun to have this to go with my 6 items or less wardrobe.  (And I can promise you, my siblings would have a heyday laughing at me in this – but I won’t be the one paying the extra $25 - $50 for extra luggage – so there! :-p)

Mr. Powers, an engineer from Ireland, designed this due to his frustration with airlines and their baggage fees.  (I’m so there with you Mr. Powers – that’s one of the reasons we fly with Southwest Airlines every chance we get, no charge on up to two checked bags – even though I’m usually good with the standard 14” x 22” x 9” - aka 45” limit - carry on.)   You can pack the JAKTOGO with your overweight items and/or extra clothing.  When you get to the airport, you put it on over your regular coat (if you’re wearing one), put it on the security conveyor belt like a coat, wear it on the plane like a coat and then (discreetly) fold it up into the carry on bag that it can become once you’re on the plane.  Whatever you do – DON’T SIT DOWN in this JAKTOGO!  There are pockets in places you don’t want to sit.

The coat is stadium length and has 14 pockets of various sizes.  According to the video found on the website (also linked on my YouTube channel), you can pack 3 pairs of trousers, 3 dress shirts, 3 T shirts, 3 boxers, 1 large towel, 3 pairs of socks and a hooded sweatshirt.  When you find the pic with the pockets, you’ll see recommendations of what else you can pack where inside this coat.  After discussing this with my husband, we don’t think you would want to put your computer in the recommended inside inside pocket – it would be difficult to extract it when going through security, especially as the carry on configuration.  As I don’t have the actual coat, I can’t tell you if a laptop will fit in any of the other pockets.  The coat comes in three fabrics:  a lightweight durable material, denim, or leather.  The leather one looks really cool.

Another design of Mr. Powers (or did his wife come up with this one?) is the Dresstogo.  Now, I wouldn’t wear this one or carry it, just not my style, but it is still a WAY COOL concept.  Rosie Traveling on YouTube has a great vid (she is so enthusiastic, so fun to watch) on the Dresstogo and she sports it well.  She packed a lot of clothing and even commented that she may just take the Dresstogo and skip the suitcase next trip.  This is a sleeveless bodice, bubble skirt design of a dress.  I believe there are 7 pockets in this design.  (I recommend wearing this over a T shirt and leggings at least or like Rosie, a cute black dress.)

There is also a Ponchotogo.  I haven’t explored this design at all thus I’m not able to report anything.  Perhaps the people at JAKTOGO will do a vid on this so we can see its potential as well.  (hint, hint) 

 

These garments are not meant to be fashion statements (though the leather one…) so don’t even go there.  These are meant to be functional and used to get around luggage restrictions.  One reviewer mentioned that it was difficult to fold up into the carry on bag.  Some don’t like the logo blazoned on their derrieres as they are wearing the garments.  (NOTE:  JAKTOGO explains this is so it is recognizable by airline personnel and hopefully you won’t get harassed for your coat/carry on, plus it doesn’t hurt their advertising bottom line either, I’m sure.  But, if you want your JAKTOGO design logo-less, they will accommodate you under their Custom tab at their website – cool, huh?)

One wardrobe item I have not seen mentioned in the packing of the JAKTOGO (or its compadres) is shoes.  Not sure why – at least a pair of flip flops would fit in any one of those pockets.  Perhaps, this product is meant more for the business traveler than the leisure traveler. 

 

Can you imagine though, taking this on your trip unpacked and then coming home with all sorts of treasures.  (You might look like one of those guys in the alleys though – “Do want to buy a watch?”  ROFL)  I’m not a drinker of spirits, but you could probably get a fifth in one of those pockets at the duty free shop.  (Just had a friend return from Italy and had to leave her lovely Italian wine at security – sad.)  This would be much more fashionable to carry on board than a grocery sack and won’t count against your personal item limit.  I know my purse would fit into one of the pockets. 

 

So would you sport a JAKTOGO?

Go check out www.JAKTOGO.com and tell them Pauline from Convertibles2Go sent you.

Completed - The Six Items or Less Challenge

I did it!  I did it!  I went 30 (actually 31 days – I’m mathematically challenged) wearing 6 pieces of clothing plus two accessories.  I began almost on a fluke.  I had decided – committed – to finally do this challenge, but was still waffling on the pieces I was to use.  For some reason, on that Saturday, I decided that I was JUST GOING TO DO IT! 

The reason I chose these pieces was for their versatility.  I work outside the home, I attend church at least weekly, I go on dates with my husband (almost weekly), plus other various and sundry activities that a wife/mother/girl about town has to attend.  The season was late fall in Georgia, so not too cold though occasionally cold for someone that has gotten acclimated to Georgia’s moderate climate.

Probably the two biggest advantages to this challenge were one – it was fairly easy to get dressed in the morning and two – laundry was SUPER EASY. 

The only piece I had in this particular grouping that couldn’t be worn more than one way was the jeans (though I wore the yoga pants only one way also).  The other four pieces could be worn as tops at least.  Two of the pieces (Oval Tunic and Fractional) could be worn as dresses, skirts, and jackets.  The Trapezoid Shirt could be worn as a skirt and vest (for me).  I wore more dress/skirt combinations to work than I ever had before during this challenge period.  And laundry!  That was an eye opener.  This challenge doesn’t limit your underclothing (thank Heaven!), but when I did laundry that first week I had less clothing to wash and fold than my husband which has probably never happened before.  One time, when I had misplaced one of the pieces at laundry time and I was in a panic - when you are that limited wardrobe-wise every piece counts.  Gratefully, it was found the next morning and one of my daughters laundered it for me.  Hanging up 8 pieces of clothing is so much easier (duh!) than the many other pieces I use to do.  Hopefully this won’t gross anyone out, but I only laundered once a week.  I did use Febreze® on occasion.

Over the course of these 30 (31) days, I learned some lessons – primarily about my designs and a little about myself.  Most of these pieces had been in my wardrobe for over two years, except the Fractional.  (This was a fairly new piece - quite possibly finished just in time to be part of the challenge.)  They all went together well in the combinations and variations.  Since the Fractional was the newest piece, I wasn’t sure how it would work.  It did well.  In fact, one week, I wore it 5 days straight – putting it through its variations.  Since this was more or less a prototype, it will probably be modified in the next revision.  The Trapezoid Shirt was also in its prototype stage and the sleeves were WAY too long – I didn't take the time to figure out to what length to shorten them. 

I also used decorated safety pins at the neckline to close the shirt.  I could have used another pair (once again too lazy/busy to make ‘em).  Due to the rayon lycra, some of the pieces were sheerer than I would have liked, but then I wore the Tube as a slip.  I learned that I could survive with just 8 pieces of my wardrobe AND I wasn’t too bored (day 31 pushed the limit).  I don’t know if anyone would have remarked on my clothing choices if I hadn’t mentioned that I was doing the challenge.  (I have two friends at work that seem fascinated by the clothing pieces’ ability to change functions.)  So this is a reason to do the challenge again – don’t tell anyone. 

What was the ugly about the challenge?  As mentioned before, it did get a little, tiny bit boring towards the end.  Otherwise, I can’t really think of anything else that was bad about doing this.  I did miss my leggings and my white button down. shirt.  Oh, I almost forgot about wearing black – it does show some “dirt” when other colors wouldn’t show it so blatantly.

The variability of the pieces is very likely what saved me.  But, I didn’t use all the variations of the pieces either.  Some of the pieces can literally be worn more than 20 ways and I know I didn’t stretch any of them to that limit.

If I was to do this permanently, I would probably up the number of pieces to 10 at least – to include my leggings and some more tops.  (Stay tuned – this is one of the purposes of this blog – to explore wardrobes and convertible pieces.)

I now have a huge boxful of clothes in my closet.

I did literally take all my clothes off the hangers, folded them and placed them in a huge cardboard box.  The question is:  Do I really need all those clothes?  Some of them are definitely destined for Goodwill, others though – I’ll have to deal with the separation anxiety.

What did I wear on my first day not on the challenge?  More plum and black…;-)

Would you do this challenge?

CAVEAT:  Full disclosure:  Items not “numbered” by the challenge include:  undergarments, coats, workout gear, pajamas, accessories, shoes, socks and work uniforms.  I did have two pairs of pajamas so I could do my laundry in one pair while I was washing the other pair and the wardrobe.  I did wear only one coat (when necessary) throughout the challenge – a stadium length black leather coat.  Shoes were limited because of the black pieces to mainly black (though I might have snuck in my brown Clarks® when I wore taupe and plum).  I don’t work out and I don’t have a work uniform.

The Six Items or Less Challenge

Less is more...or so the saying goes.  There seems to me to be a movement to do with less.  Can YOU do with less?  Can I do with less?  especially clothing.

Sometime during the summer of 2010, I learned about a challenge between two friends (Heidi Hackener and Tasmin Davies of NYC) they called Six Items or Less.  The premise of this challenge was to have only six items of clothing (not including outerwear, underwear, workout clothes, sleepwear, work uniforms and accessories) and wear only these pieces for 30 days.  This challenge received publicity and expanded around the globe. 

Shelley Seale  http://www.austinchronicle.com/blogs/design/2011-02-14/adventures-in-fashion-six-items-or-less/

This challenge (obviously) intrigued me.  By the summer of 2010, I had amassed a few pieces that I really liked and wanted to try the challenge.  I kept putting my participation off for various and sundry reasons.  A couple of weeks ago, I finally got my act, my focus, my resolve and decided FOR SURE which pieces I would use. 

These are the pieces I chose:

The Two Way shirt - a fairly basic short sleeve T shirt made of cotton lycra with a V neck AND a ballet neck.  It was inspired by a top I saw at TranquiliT and in Sewing a Travel Wardrobe by Kate Matthews.  I can wear it either way.  (personal design) 

Yoga type pants - full length pants also made of cotton lycra.  The pattern is based on the concept of the wrap around pant with some added features.  They can be worn three lengths (I hope).  (personal design)








Jeans - are a staple in anyone's wardrobe.  I'm fortunate enough to be able to wear jeans to my office job.  The color may be a mishap, as I had chosen the color because I was going to use different colors in the wardrobe and ended up with a different color palette.  These are my favorite brand of jeans - Gloria Vanderbilt.  They have lycra.  They fit.  They are relatively inexpensive.







The Trapezoid Shirt - this extra long sleeve shirt made of rayon lycra.  It is based on a design I've seen by several designers, namely Norma Kamali, the Wilbourn sisters, and Ralph Drake plus many others (check out my YouTube channel).  It can be worn a number of different ways - primarily as a shirt (obviously) and a skirt (yippee!).  (modified personal design)

The Oval Tunic is a long sleeved oval with buttoned armscye slits and a buttoned, cased neck.  This design is made of rayon lycra and probably the most worn piece of clothing in my ENTIRE wardrobe.   It was inspired by the the Circle Dress designed by Lemuria, the Singing Ring by Emami, the 1001 dress by Picabo, the Vest-S-Cape by Saf-T-Pockets, a design by the Wilbourn Sisters and probably a few more.  This can be worn so many ways and I LOVE IT!!!  It can be worn as a tunic (duh!), a dress, several tops, a  cardiwrap aka jacket, a skirt, and pants (think Hammer Time).  (modified personal design)






The Fractional is a buttoned (20!) tube of fabric with casings made of rayon lycra.  This is my newest piece though I've had a prototype in my wardrobe for awhile.  The rayon lycra isn't four way stretch so it's not my favorite.  It was also inspired by several other designers:  Emami, the Butterfli (Russet), Trudy Miller, Baylene, and Inala London.  It can be worn as a top, dress, shrug, skirt, scarf, and if I'm really desparate - funky capris.  (modified personal design)







My main acessories are: the Button Scarf and a tube. 

The Button Scarf is made of a poly printed semi sheer crepe.  It has eight buttons.  I'm not very good at wearing prints but I love this one (another "old" piece in my wardrobe).  This is a prototype so it's not perfect - actually, I just added a feature to it - casings on the short ends.  It was inspired by the Buttoned Scarf and you can purchase these at  www.magicscarf.com.  The part that I don't like about this particular piece is it's semi sheer.  It can be worn as a shrug, skirt, vest and scarf.  (modified personal design)

The Tube is a cased tube of fabric made of rayon lycra.  This is also a prototype and I'm still becoming comfortable with its uses.  It is inspired by the Buff ®.  I added casings because I wanted to extend the variations.  I use it primarily for a slip as the Trapezoid top is a bit sheer for me, but it is suppose to be a hat and neck scarf.  Later, I'll show you how I intend to extend its variations.

INTRODUCTION

I love clothes! I love designing them, wearing them, researching them, not necessarily constructing them - but I love knowing I can construct almost anything to which I set my mind.

This is a blog about my lifelong obsession with a square/rectangular piece of cloth, the gradual understanding of the geometry of clothing, and finding MY perfect wardrobe.

I remember as a young child taking (stealing!?) my dad's handkerchiefs and grabbing some rubber bands to dress my BarbiesTM. I made the most elegant gowns for my dolls with those pieces of cloth. I graduated to using pieces of fabric to clothe my Crissy and Jennifer dolls. I had learned at my grandmother Pace's knee how to sew (she thought it would keep me from sucking my fingers - and it worked!). 

Fast forward to college. I took classes in patternmaking, clothing construction, and tailoring but somehow missed draping. But I did take two classes in handwork at BYU-Idaho and two classes in fashion history at BYU-Provo. (Side note: DO NOT take watch Disney's Sleeping Beauty while taking fashion history - it hurts the time continuum.) While taking fashion history, I was introduced to the simple clothing pieces of the tunic and toga.  During these same college days, I also had the opportunity to visit Hawaii and fell in love with sarongs.

While serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was struck with the idea of having the perfect LBD with different accessories (not just jewelry and flowers but different sleeves and skirt lengths) so I could wear it over and over again and few would be wise to the fact that it was the same dress.

Fast forward again,about 16 years, my children were mature enough they didn't need mom's constant supervision and I re-visited my fascination with the sarong. As I did research on the sarong, I was introduced to many other pieces of clothing that were simple in construction but vast in the variations. I learned about the Cameleon, the Infinite Dress, No Fuss Scarves, HipKNOTies (a recent find), designers: Lemuria, Emami, Inala-London, Magic or Button scarf, cardiwraps, bog coats and many more - which I hope to introduce you to through this blog.

While being mom to four wonderful children, we do the usual activities - sports, theater, music and home school (well, that might not be so usual, but it's our life). Being a stay-at-home mom is a pretty easy wardrobe - jeans and a T shirt and some days (very few, mind you) pajamas. But one day, we were about 25 miles from home to attend music lessons for my children. Later that evening was their recital at a church even further from home. I wasn't thinking and wore jeans that day. I was raised that you don't enter a church in pants, let alone jeans. I felt so uncomfortable in that church because of my upbringing; it was difficult to enjoy the recital. I remember thinking - "Duh! If I had just brought one of my (many) sarongs, I would have been fine."

Approximately two years ago, two friends in NYC came up with the concept wearing 6 clothing items during a month long period. (The restricted wardrobe did not exclude workout clothes, outerwear, underwear, and work uniforms as well as accessories). About this same time another young woman wore a dress design for 365 days - blogging daily and having fun accessorizing as well as raising awareness of a plight in India. (Yes, I promise to share more about these events later blog posts.)

My dream is that one day my husband and I will be able to just get up and go travel whenever the mood takes us. That dream includes an always packed suitcase that's not too cumbersome. (We did a cruise a number of years ago and I took WAY too much stuff!) Also with more luggage restrictions and fees becoming the norm when flying, I want my life to fit in a carry on and my personal piece.

These events and the dream lead me on a quest to find the perfect wardrobe. And now, I would like to share my quest with you.  I hope you'll share with me any discoveries you have made with clothing that is convertible.  I hope you enjoy this journey. 

CAVEAT: While I believe in being a good steward of my environment, I would not call myself an environmentalist. I just find it fun and interesting to conserve where I can without inconveniencing myself.

Here we go again!

Nathan and I are trying to make this work.