Sandra here, with something new. We are trying to make this our weekly newsletter for updates: one post a week, right here, with whatever landed. Samples off the plane, my chicken scratch drawings, your comments, what is next. Phone photos, taped in whole, no polish. If you are on my email list, you get the nudge first. Here is week one, short version first.
Sleepwear plans
You said petites and pockets
A couple of weeks ago I asked which piece should come first: tank set, petite, pockets or men's. Quite a lot of you wrote back, and I have read every reply. The Cool Squad has spoken: petites and pockets. Those two move to the front of the line. No dates from me yet, on purpose, but they are next.
Pockets came up so often that every sample below that could take them got them. Petite is next in line: a true petite length that keeps the drawstring. You will see the first sample the week it lands.
Two comments I keep thinking about
Two comments on the last post, exactly as I read them.
I sleep on my side, and the pressure of the side seam irritates my hips. Many nights I ditch the pjs. If only there was a nightgown with a front seam.
a side sleeper, in the comments
Make the petite pants with drawstring! Also: do more with built-in shelf bras, please. I would especially like tunic length tanks with shelf bras. Longer length tops (tunic length), in general, would be much appreciated.
another of you, the next day
The first one sent me to the drawing board, below. The second is three asks in one: petite pants with the drawstring, front of the line. More built-in bras: in this week's nightshirt and last month's top, with a shelf-bra nightgown in the cooling fabric in work. Tunic-length tanks with a shelf bra: noted, not yet.
So I started drawing
A wrap nightgown: 3/4 sleeves, midi length, a tie belt. The closure sits at the front, so nothing presses on your hip when you sleep on your side. Pockets, a snap so it closes easily, an inner lining for an optional bra pad, and a belt that ties on the left or the right. Worn open, it is a light robe. It is a drawing today.
For the comments: belt ends square, round or pointed? Pockets outside, or tucked in? Would you wear it open?
This week's samples, taped in as they landed
Seven samples went on a plane this week, photographed in the sample room and shown whole. The colors are sample colors: army green, royal blue, red. I have heard you asking for more colors, and we are looking to explore them. Tell me which ones.
Coming in October: four new nightgowns and the robe
Real samples, photographed flat on the sample room floor: no models, no lighting, just the garments. One cooling knit, some with pockets, and the long robe, back, in unisex sizing.
The rest of the year, in pencil
- Hopefully by November. The men's long sleeve top. You asked more than once, and winter is on its way.
- Aiming for December. The gathered long sleeve family in three lengths, and the capri yoga pant.
- Along the way. Scrunchies, face masks, and a few more small things.
The state of your asks
Everything you asked for, honestly accounted, updated every week.
Community plans
The Pajama Party has moved home
The $300 Pajama Party has moved from social media to our website, because this is where the heart of the Cool Squad is. It is the first piece of something I am building so that loyal customers feel supported, not just sold to: first the VIPs who get these notes first, then the budding Cool Squad, the people just joining us and working out which fabric is best for them. One subscriber wins a $300 Cool-jams gift card every month, one click enters you, and the letter is right here.
Dear Chill Seeker,
Not yet? Sign ups are free, and one click puts you in this month's draw.
Cool Wishes,
Cool-jams team
P.S. One winner every month, drawn on the 5th. Entries close at the end of the month, so count yourself in again next month.
Already a subscriber? Same box, same one click, and you are in for this month.
The same letter, with the full rules, lives on the party page.
Your comments run this page
I've received a lot of feedback about certain products, the Tulip Shorts and the Wide Leg Pants in particular, and it looks like both of them need a rework to get the fit right. I'll be honest: these designs were already on their way to our warehouse before I joined, so I wasn't able to stress test them. They're not perfect. The shorts are a little too breezy, and if you're 5'2" like me, the Wide Leg Pants need to be worn at the high waist so you do not accidentally trip over them. I'm very sad that some of you had a bad experience with these, and it is my top priority this week to reach out to reviewers about their concerns. If I haven't reached out to you yet, I've sent Vivi your way.
General updates
New labels
Every new production order for NightCool is getting an updated inner print that says NightCool, and a Kottinu tag, so your sleepwear tells you what it is.
The new website, and a mini celebration on Friday
If you noticed, last week we launched our new website. We are going to do a mini celebration this Friday. Details then.
The science page got nerdier
Our science page has had an upgrade: a more interactive, nerdier explanation of how our fabrics work. Four things on it respond to your touch, and every number has its test method printed beside it. If you like knowing why, it is for you: go and poke at it.
Lace out, white piping in
The V-neck top and the V-neck nightshirt lose their lace trim for a clean white piping. If you loved the lace, say so.
Talk to me
Comments are open below, and I read every one. One word is plenty. Or hit reply on any email from me, or write to [email protected].
As always, much gratitude to everyone who supports our small brand, and for sticking it out with us even through our rough patches.
Sleep well, and stay cool.
Sandra
Brand Owner, Cool-jams
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