A Week of Outfits: Leah Sensible

“In elementary faculty, on the times my household couldn’t make it to church, I’d write a sermon, wrangle everybody into the lounge, and lead a service,” laughs Leah Sensible, a Houston-based Episcopal priest who additionally runs the moral trend weblog StyleWise. Right here, Leah shares 5 on a regular basis seems…

Clergy prime with collar: Clergy Picture. Pants: , . Sneakers: . Blazer: Matter Prints, “a now defunct moral trend model.”

“Rising up, my household attended a fundamentalist evangelical church. It all the time felt like a secure place, however as I acquired older, I began noticing the sexism and homophobia. By my mid 20s, I used to be uninterested in being in an setting that solely heard solely male voices. So, I ended going. A 12 months later, my husband and I visited an Episcopal church with a feminine pastor. Seeing her up there ignited my need to serve in ministry. Immediately, I’m an ordained priest and the curate at Grace Episcopal Church in Houston.”

Clergy prime with collar: Sacred Stitches. Slacks: thrifted, . Tote: , related. Sneakers: Crocs.

“I really like Fleabag and suppose the recent priest discourse is so fascinating, as a result of a lot of the issues he did would get him ex-communicated in actual life! But it surely was one of many priest representations in popular culture that felt most correct to me — heat, accepting. My favourite depiction of a church neighborhood is in Lars and the Actual Woman. The film takes place in a small rural Lutheran city, and Ryan Gosling’s character kinds a romantic relationship with a intercourse doll. As a substitute of ostracizing him, his family and friends reply with empathy and sensitivity.”

“Our church has a day faculty, and I put on this whereas main chapel for the preschoolers. Navy feels softer and extra approachable than black. I put on these Crocs — probably the most comfy footwear I personal — on daily basis besides Sunday. One in every of our church attendants, Celina, a candy girl in her 90s, all the time tells us monks ‘Don’t put on open-toed footwear whereas serving at Sunday service.’ It’s an old-school formality, however I’m joyful to respect it.”

Shirt: The Equipment, related. Denims: Madewell. Purse: . Sneakers: , “they go along with all the pieces as a result of they don’t go along with something.”

“A motto we use in our church is ‘God loves you, no exceptions.’ In the event you’re LGBTQIA+ or an ally, and looking for affirming church buildings in your space, you possibly can go to gaychurch.org. Take a look at denominational web sites to see in the event that they ordain girls and queer individuals, and for those who see variety of their management. If it’s not an excessive amount of of an nervousness, you may meet with clergy to ask them in regards to the church’s beliefs and values. Or begin by watching companies on-line.”

Sweatshirt: thrifted from Leopard Lounge. Bag: . Denims: . Flats: .

“Years in the past, I labored at Interest Foyer, the chain of craft shops. In the future, whereas unloading merchandise, I seen ‘handmade’ labels on these little collectible figurines. However the collectible figurines had been solely $3. Seeing the ‘handmade’ endorsement and low price ticket collectively made me notice that mass-produced items are typically handmade, not pumped out of a machine. And so they had been being bought for subsequent to nothing. So, what does that imply for the individuals who made them?”

“I began my weblog, StyleWise, so I might meet different people who find themselves excited about altering the fast-fashion system. Not everybody can afford sustainable garments or has time to thrift, however doing what you possibly can is nice, a bit at a time. I consider in approaching sustainable residing from a spot of solidarity. We’re exploited by capitalism, and impacted by components like wage suppression, hiring discrimination, lack of entry, and financial recession. So, there’s all the time a spot for empathy within the dialog.”

T-shirt: Everlane. Flannel: thrifted, . Denims: Madewell. Boots: Justin “for $6!”

“I wore this outfit to the Houston Rodeo, when everybody wears their cowboy boots. I’ve all the time cherished cowboy boots however felt like an imposter. Once we moved to Texas, although, everybody was so pleasant and welcoming. There’s a saying: ‘You weren’t born right here however you got here simply as fast as you may.’ So, as quickly as my husband and I settled in, I scoured the thrift shops for some boots.”

Thanks a lot, Leah! You may comply with her on Instagram, for those who’d like.

P.S. Extra girls share their week of outfits, together with an architect who loves coloration and a scholar whose wardrobe is 80% thrifted.

(Images by Julia Bri for Cup of Jo.)

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