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The Struggle: 10 x 10 Challenge – Week 1

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To start, what exactly does “10 x 10 Challenge” mean? A person doing the 10 x 10 will pick out ten items of clothing from their closet, and then wear only different combinations of these clothes for ten days. My friend Eowyn asked me about it one day, and wanted to know my thoughts. The long text exchange that followed can be pretty much summed up as such: these challenges were invited by minimalists to prove how great their minimalist wardrobe is.

It presented Eowyn and I with a problem. Neither of us has a minimalist wardrobe or style (in fact I would call mine a version of maximalism) and we wondered – could a 10 x 10 be done when you wear a lot of pattern and color? Thus began our two week long experiment.

Each person who does the challenge follows their own set of rules, so here were the rules Eowyn and I settled on:

  • Socks, underwear, and leggings do not count
  • Tank tops count as underwear (no one sees them)
  • Shoes do count
  • Coats, hoodies, sweaters, jackets, etc. all count
  • Accessories do not count
  • Work days only (weekends were free game)

With these rules in mind, I boldly forged ahead.

— PRE-CHALLENGE THOUGHTS —

I went into this with the expectation of failure, but fully desiring to prove the failure wrong. I wanted to show that yes, this could be done by people who don’t have an entire wardrobe of neutrals. I also anticipated I would hate everything chosen by the end of the challenge. I essentially follow a similar concept when I travel – and usually by about day eight of travelling, I hate all of the clothes I brought.

As I crafted my list, I already felt dismal. How many different outfits can I really make with these items? Will I be repeating the same outfit a lot? What if the weather is _______? I find that my anxiety increases with a more restricted wardrobe. This, in turn, only makes me want to do this challenge more. Take that, anxiety.

I ended up choosing the following list:

  1. black jeans – high rise
  2. blue jeans – high rise
  3. black tulle skirt
  4. grey sweater with “Hello” on the front and “Goodbye” on the back
  5. black blazer
  6. cropped button down short sleeve shirt with a french bulldog print
  7. floral sleeveless button down shirt
  8. blue long sleeve shirt with black design
  9. purple t-shirt with a whale design
  10. dusty pink leather sneakers

As I lay in bed, looking at the clothes I would be wearing for the next ten workdays, I felt strangely comforted that I wouldn’t have to work as hard to choose my outfit in the morning. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all…

— DAY ONE —

Immediately out of the gate I realized an error – I live in Seattle, and fall is the beginning of the rainy season. It poured rain the entire day and I regretted not including a rain layer. After chatting with Eowyn, we each decided that our items needed an edit – Eowyn exchanged a sweater, and I settled on raincoat being an accessory (like an umbrella). You won’t see my raincoat in any of these pictures but I ended up needing one almost every single day.

The outfit itself was great! Comfortable, warm, and easy to move around in. I felt ready to take on the work day. The outfit was funky, fresh, and professional.

— DAY TWO —

The morning of day two, I was once again concerned. The shoes I’d chosen are starting to fall apart (very sad) and the weather said rain all week. I worried that daily wear would both ruin the shoes and make my feet cold/wet. However, after re-assessing my bookshelf of shoes, I determined that this pair really did match the best with all the items I had picked, and decided to continue on.

At work, I was in a comfortable, functional outfit yet again. I had a strange thought trickle into my brain: could this be a uniform that I could get behind? I’ve often debated the concept of wearing a uniform, which many successful people claim is a key to being successful. It’s easier to start your day if you know you’re wearing clothes you love, and you don’t have to think about it.

In this case the fun sweater over a sleeveless, printed button down with high rise, well fitting jeans, was an outfit I could imagine repeating over and over again. It was comfortable. It could be professional. It could be casual. It had layers. I didn’t have to adjust or mess with anything throughout the day. It was… perfect?

— DAY THREE —

A day of firsts – first go round of the blazer, first outfit with the tulle skirt, and first day that it was genuinely cold on my way to work. Hence the scarf (accessory…)

Once again, the joy and whimsy of my clothing was fresh. I was comfortable for a full day of work, and even after work activities! Day three was full blown confidence at its height. I was not only doing this challenge, but I was owning this challenge.

— DAY FOUR —

This was the first day where I really wanted to add, change, or swap items. I kept thinking, “Oh this outfit would look so cute with these brown shoes.” But I pushed through the desire and decided to jazz it up with some adorable sheep socks. The socks helped.

The struggle with a 10 x 10 challenge is the rigidness – there is, quite intentionally, no flexibility built in. What if it’s actually much colder than anticipated (which happened) or what if you have a work event where you have to be dressier than your ten items allow?

On day four I pondered more about the 10 x 10 and it’s long-term friend, the capsule wardrobe. Is this something I could really do long-term? I think perhaps I could but I would need more than ten items. I think I would land somewhere in the 15-20 range to be really comfortable, and even then, I wonder if the lack of variation would get to me?

— DAY FIVE —

I cheated this day, and wore a new par of shoes for two reasons:

  1. I was really going for a #lewk with this outfit that could not be achieved with sneakers.
  2. This challenge is supposed to be fun and I just. couldn’t. put. the. sneakers. on. another. day.

This was the first day where it felt really silly to force myself to wear something I dread whilst staring at an entire bookshelf of shoes that I own and could wear at any time…

The outfit itself was super fun! I felt magical and witchy, like I had just stepped out of a Ghibli film and would be whisked away to a fantastical adventure at any moment. Also the cute dessert socks matched perfect with the shirt so #win.

— END OF WEEK ONE THOUGHTS —

Something that no one talks about when they do one of these challenges is the surprise laundry. Maybe I’m just not accustomed to doing laundry very often (I am not) or maybe I’m just messier/sweatier than most fashionistas (I probably am) but twice this week I had to wash the floral shirt and sweater because I was too smelly or dropped some food on them. I would look with dismay, then go scrambling through my house to find viable other things to wash with them (one day it was towels) because I just can’t bear to run a load of laundry for only two items. And what if I had to pay for laundry?

It’s interesting, both the freedoms and limitations offered by this 10 x 10 challenge. On one hand, you’re forced to be more creative with outfit pairings and how/when/how often you’ll wear specific articles of clothing. In a way, this is freeing. Yet the limitations always came like a slap in the face. I can definitely say I was looking forward to wearing whatever I wanted that weekend.

This is a two part post. Next week I will go into week two – the last half of the challenge. Be sure to check back in for my final conclusions!

Like what you read? Have more thoughts? Feel free to comment below!

Review: Zella Leggings

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Readers, I have a confession. I have a pretty big butt.

Not only do a have a large derriere, but also rather thick thighs, and hefty calves. As the cherry on top of my leg pie, I also have a lot of anxiety that surfaces around tight clothing. It’s similar to claustrophobia; a fear that I will not be able to get a pair of pants off.

For these reasons, among many others, leggings have been an elusive beast. I need my leggings to be thick. I need them to stay in place through either a lot of sitting or a lot of movement. I need them to fit comfortably over all of my bottom half. I need them to not dig into my stomach. I need them to be tight enough to look cute, but loose enough that I don’t feel trapped. I need them to be loving partners for adventures but also cozy enough for the couch. This is asking a lot of any article of clothing, and yet it’s what I ask of leggings.

I finally grew fed up one day with my search. I’d found a few pairs that weren’t quite right. One pair was loose, but thin, and continually slid down. Another pair was thin cotton – stretchy, and comfortable, but soon holes wore into the thigh region. Finally, one day, I asked my friend who is a yoga teacher (and always clad in beautiful leggings like the goddess she is) for a good, affordable pair of leggings.

“Zella is a good, mid-range brand that I’ve found success with” she told me, nonchalantly sipping on health tea, and probably glowing.

Turns out that not only are Zella leggings amazing – they fit ALL of the qualifications – they honestly don’t break the bank. For those of you functioning on mid-grade funds, you can buy a pair for $60. For those of you, like me, who needed something cheaper, Nordstrom frequently has them on sale in various different lengths and styles. I got both of my pairs for half off – $60 for two!

I purchased the Zella High Waist Live In Leggings – one pair regular length, and one pair cropped. AND LIVE IN THEM I DO.

My Zella leggings are a go to for:

  • travel
  • adventures
  • when I’m sick
  • when I’m on my period
  • when I don’t want to wear any clothes at all

They are thick enough that I’ve even ventured to wear them as pants a few times (which is not in my comfort zone) and they are warm and comfortable. Add a pair of tall socks, and they’ve gotten me through rain and snow and generally-just-cold weather. Wear them with flats, and they are cute for transitional seasons.

— THE PROS —

There are a few key reasons that the Zella leggings work really well:

  • Thick fabric that’s stretchy in all the places: they don’t feel too tight, but they definitely aren’t see through even when I’m bent over
  • Good elastic so they stay put: I have run through airports at horrible hours of the morning without these being even the slightest problem. I’ve climbed all over rocks and beaches without them moving.
  • The high waist band doesn’t fold over: while I’m sitting down, even after long hours in the car or at my desk, the band doesn’t fold over or dig into my stomach. I chose the high-waisted fit because that’s my preference – I can’t speak to the regular waist, but I assume it’s a similar deal.
  • They aren’t cheap, but they aren’t LuLuLemon expensive either: I like that I can get in at ground level without breaking the bank. I check pretty consistently, and Nordstrom runs sales on them often (though not in every size or style at a time).
  • They are minimalist in style: they ride that line between casual, sporty, and fashionable without sacrificing style or comfort. I find they work just as nicely with a velvet dress as they do with a sweater.
  • They are high quality: I’ve worn these leggings a lot, and definitely run them through several tests that have ruined lower quality leggings in the past. They’ve been through the washer, through the dryer, and through a thorough soaking of salt water. After two years of near constant wear I have no fraying or thin spots, no loss of elasticity, no change in color, and no degradation of softness.

— THE CONS —

There are a few downsides to these leggings (minimal but present) and they may not work for everyone.

  • The fabric tends to bunch at the knees, rather than pooling at the ankles all cute like. While I personally don’t find this an issue, it will likely bother others out there.
  • Affordable in fashion rarely means everyone can afford it: if you’re really tight on cash, these might not be very affordable for you. I have found some decent pairs on Amazon that run at the sale price for these leggings and would be a good working solution for a tighter budget. 90 Degree leggings have been my best find so far – varying from $15-$30 rather than $30-$60.
  • I haven’t found them in a bunch of cute patterns, and the cuts and styles all seem to be about the same: for someone looking for a lot of variation, or really fun prints, they likely won’t find that in the Zella leggings.

Overall, if you’re looking for a pair of quality leggings that won’t cost an arm and a leg, and will function as a comfortable basic in everyday wear look no further than Zella leggings.

Have any concerns or questions I didn’t address above? Found a better/comparable brand of leggings you think deserve a shout out? Feel free to comment below!

Style Spotlight! Cecily

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This week’s style spotlight highlights one of my best friends, and conveniently, my next door neighbor. Aside from being a domestic maven, Cecily consistently inspires me to play with color and pattern. She also inspires me to look a little fancier. She has a way with clothing that feels both very adult and very fun at the same time. She’s by far one of the best shopping buddies, because she has the same joy of looking at pretty things that I do. It’s a good yin yang relationship as well: she pushes me to be a bit thriftier and I push her to just buy the thing she likes.

Cecily’s wardrobe is full of vibrant, flowy clothing that brings life into any room. I really love how each item always has interesting details – a cutout in the back of a plain shirt, a polka dot pattern that’s actually boats, or gold detailing on all the buttons and snaps. She also successfully layers cardigans over button down shirts which I’ve been trying to do forever but never quite get right. It’s a skill of hers that I’ve always envied. Even on days where she hasn’t put much effort in, she still manages to look polished (another enviable trait). Cecily’s style is proof that comfortable doesn’t have to mean bland or casual.

Tell us a bit about yourself: I live in West Seattle with my beloved within sight of the sea and I love it!! Sitting on my deck looking at the ocean with a cold beverage and a book is one of my favorite ways to relax. I love reading mysteries and fantasy stories and I usually average about 9 books a month….  
Cooking and eating are my favorite hobbies – I especially like cooking Chinese & Italian food, and baking bread. I also make a mean cocktail.  Lately I’ve gotten back into sewing, which I hope will help take my style to new heights as I learn to make things that I can’t necessarily find or afford in a store! Me & my sweetheart love to travel, we try to take an international trip and a domestic trip every year. Obviously eating is my favorite thing to do on vacation!! I don’t have grand goals or anything – My aspiration in life is to be happy and live peacefully 🙂 (and of course continue to cultivate my domestic talents!)

Three words that describe your style: structured, loud, comfortable 

Biggest style inspiration: I love summer fashion – I like pretty blouses and skirts, and not needing to cover them up with layers. I really enjoy the silhouettes of the mid-20th century (who doesn’t?). My stylish aunt also inspires me a lot and I’m always thrilled when I get to pick through her cast-offs! 

What are your fashion struggles? Finding pants that fit, look good, and are practical. Bothering to wear fashionable shoes. Being even kind of fashionable in the winter (but I have plans to combat the last one!!)

How did you find your style? When I was in high school I discovered my love for loud colors and tacky stuff, and in college I developed a love affair with very structured mid century style clothes – think wool-like skirts and starched cotton blouses. As I got older I combined these two into a look that I think incorporates the elegance of mid-century clothing – collars, pleats, buttons – with bright colors and comfortable fabrics. 

Any tips for people trying to find their own style? Try things that you aren’t sure about – you might not love it on first sight but it might grow on you. Try shopping at stores you’ve never been into before, you might discover a brand you love. Especially if you like to thrift, you might have a piece from a brand you’ve never shopped directly – but if you like that one thing, you might find a whole bunch of stuff you like there! 

Favorite fashion find: I have a green crepe-like (but actually polyester) skirt that I got for $4 at Kohl’s like 10 years ago [pictured above]. It is one of my favorite items and I’ve never seen anything like it since.  Also my beautiful crinoline that was 100% worth the money I paid for it at a vintage shop: I wear it with every skirt I can get away with using it under. 

One thing you have learned about style or fashion:  If it doesn’t fit, don’t wear it. Get rid of it. Don’t keep it because “you might fit into it eventually.” You won’t. You should only wear clothes that fit you comfortably! (unless it’s something irreplaceable, then you can keep it!! I have a true 50’s vintage dress that I will never get rid of even though it’s a little tight, because it is a treasure.)

What part of your style do you feel you really excel at? I love matching (or power-clashing) colors and patterns!!  

What is one thing you wish you did better? My accessory game is so weak. I used to wear a lot of jewelry but these days I really can’t be bothered… since I wear scrubs at work it looks weird and is deeply unnecessary. It seems like too much work to wear jewelry for travel to and from work, and then I don’t think about it once I get home – but I want to start wearing more jewelry again! At least when I’m at home 🙂 

#ootd: Fall Layers

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FINALLY FALL. Oliver and I have decided that the fall version of me is by far the best version of me, especially when it comes to clothing. Layering in dusty fun colors and interesting patterns is what I’m built to do, and I adore it. This outfit is a prime example.

These pants are amazing – and definitely the foundation of the outfit. With the embroidered flowers down the sides, I really like to showcase them which I did here by color blocking in the same fall color story. This scarf is made of dreams; I literally found it on the side of the road and it’s been a favorite of mine ever since. The sweater I found while thrifting as well as the mustard yellow top. The colors just made sense, and the layers are all warm enough that I was fine going to work in 50 degree weather and coming home in 75 degree weather. Each layer could be easily shed or added to keep me the right temperature without suffering loss of joy or integrity as a whole.

Scarf: A fluffy warm layer, I throw this scarf into just about every fall outfit because it easily adds warmth without becoming a problem. It worked here, despite being patterned, because it’s a neutral black and white.

Sweater: This green acrylic sweater from Mexico (brand unknown) is quickly becoming one of my favorite thrift store finds of all time. It’s warm without being itchy, and the slight balloon in the sleeves makes it an easy layer to throw on top. I chose it here because of the forest green hue and cable texture – perfect for those #fallvibes.

Ribbed T-Shirt: A mustard yellow top from H&M (thrifted) that I think will be a fall fixture. It’s quite thin but still long sleeved which makes it perfect for layering. The cut is slightly cropped, so it doesn’t work in every instance, but I love the color and the texture of the ribbing. I fixed the cropped issue in this case by adding a red tank top underneath. Quick Note: usually I tuck in my tank tops because it’s warmer, and they aren’t really part of the outfit. However, the tucked tank in this situation made the crop top style of the t-shirt look like it didn’t fit. I left the tank untucked to keep it looking intentional instead of unfortunate.

Pants: A Kut from the Kloth classic, these embroidered pants are always the star of any show. When I wear them, I always use them as a base for the outfit, since they will upstage anything else.

Shoes: I kept it simple and casual with my brick red Converse, a classic sneaker that manages to be stylish, casual, and comfortable in one neat package. These make a lot of showings both for fall and at Christmastime where they are particularly festive feeling.

Accessories: Since the rest of the outfit was a lot I kept the accessories simple. My faux wood sunglasses, simple gold stud tree earrings, and (though you can’t see them) green fox socks. I have a small grey scrunchie holding up my hair.

How To: Shop at Thrift Stores

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As tempted as I am to start this post with a quote from Macklemore’s song “Thrift Shop,” I won’t. I will, however, explain that the feeling of the song (and the reason it quickly became popular) is exactly why so many people love shopping at thrift stores. The thrill of the hunt, and the quest for a bargain can be intoxicating. It can also be why so many find it difficult and laborious.

One time, while flipping through the clothes in a local thrift store, my mom stopped and looked at me.

“I will never understand how some people look like they shop at the thrift store. I shop at the thrift store but I don’t look like I do.”

It took me a minute but I realized exactly who she means – the people who pick out the ill fitting denim shorts that look like they are from the eighties and pair them with a t-shirt for a resort they’ve certainly never been to. The people wearing the button down denim coverall dress that goes to their ankles without a hint of irony. It is a look that I think most people dread (though if it’s your thing – rock it!) and I believe is another common reason for hesitation to really enjoy thrift shopping.

Yet thrift shopping can be a beautiful thing for both your closet and your wallet. It’s no secret that thrift stores offer clothes at an extreme discount, since they are all donated. A thrift store can be a great place to upgrade your style if you’re on a tight budget, try out a trend without investing too much money, or fill out basics that you wear a often.

I’m hoping that these tips will help make thrift shopping into something that is easy and enjoyable for anyone willing to try.

thrifted items pictured: purple leather jacket, gold velvet shirt dress, blue velvet dress

—–> Tip One – Have a Broad Goal in Mind

Goals or quests or things you’re hunting (or whatever you call it) make thrift shopping fun and provide structure and purpose to a place that’s built around chaos. Many shoppers suffer from two common thrift goal problems. The first set has no goals at all, and often leaves the store regretting half the things they purchased. The second set has goals that are too specific and leave empty handed and frustrated. I like to have two or three main goals that I keep pretty broad: comfortable dress pants, black sneakers, and chenille sweaters have all been thrift shopping goals of mine in the past. Sometimes I find what I’m looking for, and sometimes I don’t, but making the goals broader gives more room for success. Having multiple goals helps too, because if you realize it’s just the wrong time or place for one item, you still have other things to look for and it won’t feel like such a waste of time. Keep an open mind though – if you’re too laser focused on your goals you might miss something amazing.

—–> Tip Two – Size Is Just A Number

Never has this statement been more true than when you’re at the thrift store. If you struggle with sizes, try starting a thrifting experience with self acceptance – this is who I am right now, and that’s okay – because starting positive will color the experience in a positive light. Also, remember that at the thrift store you’re working with sizing through the ages. A 10 in the seventies won’t be the same as a 10 today. Not to mention that sizing can change drastically from brand to brand. I start with a base range of medium for shirts and 10-14 for pants. If I try on a bunch of pants or shirts in a row that don’t fit, then I expand the range in whatever direction I need. Remember: no one will care what the number says if the clothes fit well.

thrifted items pictured: grey pants, red sweater, green pants

—–> Tip Three – TRY EVERYTHING ON

This is probably what I would call the golden rule of thrift shopping, so I will say it again – try everything on. I don’t care if it’s not your style, or your size, or you don’t think it will work, or whatever… you really do not know for thrifted items until you try them on. So many of the items you pick up and laugh about or scoff at will end up being favorites, and just as many pieces you think you love might not work. If it catches your eye then it’s worth trying on.

—–> Tip Four – The Buddy System

Thrift shopping generally works better if you bring a friend (or a few) for several reasons:

  • having someone to chat with makes sifting through the piles and piles of things less of a chore
  • a friend makes a good editor to help you if you are on the fence about an item. Sometimes even just saying your reasoning for or against an item out loud is enough and this comes off a lot less crazy if you’re with someone.
  • more sets of eyes means higher likelihood that you will find what you are looking for.

thrifted items pictured: teal sweater, purple skirt, flower raincoat

—–> Tip Five: “But It’s Only $3!”

This is by far the greatest thrift store struggle and one that leads to the most post-thrifting regret: buying an item because it is cheap. When an item of clothing is surprisingly cheap, a switch flips in our brain and we start to rationalize why it might be worth it. This is the reasoning behind the impulse shelving at stores – it’s easy to throw a bag of chips or candy bar in at the last minute because it’s only ___ amount of money. This is even more problematic when it comes to clothes, especially if there’s one thing we already like about an item. Here’s an example from my most recent thrift:

Sifting through the sweaters, I find a cardigan in a light peach color made of suede. The garment fit okay, and it was so soft, and it was only $3, and I was so tempted to buy it.

I eventually decided against it because a) I don’t really wear suede, b) it’s not a color that goes with anything else I own, and c) I knew I wouldn’t wear it

When you’re stuck in the impulse, it helps to ask yourself some key questions that weed out things that just won’t fit in your wardrobe. Here are some of the key questions I use:

  • Does this go with things I already own? try to mentally create three outfits
  • Do I actually like this color/style/fabric?
  • Is this an item I usually wear? i.e. if you’re always hot but tempted by a coat, you should probably put it back
  • If I was exhausted, would I pick this item to put on?
  • Where/when would I wear this item?

If the item misses three or more questions in a row, then it’s not worth it.

Any of these tips helped you? Feel like you’ve tried all these and are still stuck? Have any tips of your own? Have a specific question about thrifting? Feel free to comment below!

#ootd: She’s a Pirate!

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When I asked Oliver what I should wear on Monday, he proudly exclaimed, “oh you should dress like a pirate!” It was certainly on theme for the planned Monday activity of building characters for the new pirate roleplaying game that Oliver has been working on. Of course that meant that pirates were on his mind.

Tasked with dress-like-a-pirate-but-for-work-though I turned to a blouse that I picked out from Zara a while back which is so much fun. With the flowy sleeves, excessive ruffles, neck tie, and fish pattern, it was giving me all sorts of pirate vibes. From there I picked my skinny pants with leather accents, and some leather shoes that are 17th century style (minus the buckles). For my chilly office I put my blazer on top, but outside this outfit was perfectly comfortable to survive Seattle’s “last vestige of summer” heatwave.

Also this blouse is amazing, and I should definitely wear it more often.

Blouse: This is from the Zara Basics line, which is such a misnomer for this anything-but-basic blouse. I love the flowy sleeves and the looser fit which played so nicely in the late summer breeze. I adore this necktie too – being attached to the shirt, it doesn’t move around or get lost. It’s long enough and just the right weight of cloth to make the perfect floppy bow. I started here for my pirate outfit, then worked my way out.

Pants: A great thrift store find, these pants from Paige will likely show up in many future outfits. I adore that they are basically thick legging material but made to look like pants – comfort and style! The leather accents are amazing, and add the right kind of edge to almost any outfit. This edge made them a perfect choice for the pirate theme.

Shoes: These are a pair I picked up from Clarks a while ago on sale. Living in Seattle, a lot of my shoe quests now focus around “but are they waterproof” and these certainly fit the bill. They are well constructed leather, and definitely built to last, so they are perfect for dressier events in the rainy season. I picked them here because they have an essence of modern 17th century about them with the short, stocky heel and the pointier toe.

Accessories: This outfit was a lot so I kept my accessories super simple with my diva sunglasses (the little bits of gold, and the flamboyant shape screamed pirate to me) as well as some circular gold dangle earrings that reminded me of coins.

Style Spotlight! Kimberly

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I am so excited for this style spotlight because it highlights where my love of fashion began: my amazing mother. This woman is such an inspiration, not only to me, but to almost everyone whom she encounters. Her style is so very different from mine but shopping with her and planning outfits are some of my fondest memories growing up. It was always a joy when I would come home and find something on my bed that she’d picked out special for me. We spent many a night bonding over simply trolling through thrift store racks.

My mother also taught me extremely valuable lessons about how to find clothes for cheap but make them look nice, or how to mix patterns like a pro. Not to mention she’s been rocking brave fashion choices for as long as I can remember – from knee high combat boots to a leather corset to fishnets. Kimberly definitely lives my fashion motto: anyone can wear anything, and a lot of her lessons have become core parts of who I am and what I believe fashion can be.

Tell us a bit about yourself: I spend my work days helping people look their best by cutting hair. My main focus is men’s grooming. I like to play roller derby when I can and hope to get back on a team in the future.  My most favorite thing to do is dance. At the club, in the kitchen, at the store… I just love to dance.

Three words that describe your style: eclectic, maximalism, rockstar

Biggest style inspiration: One piece of an outfit usually inspired the whole finished look.

What are your fashion struggles? Finding jeans that fit. Wanting to wear heels all the time but also needing to be able to move without pain. Learning that every piece you buy can’t have patterns or textures because you need solids to pair them with.

How did you find your style? Just always observing the world around me. I will see beauty and want to recreate it. 

Any tips for people trying to find their own style? Love what you wear. I don’t care what a person’s style is so much as I want them to love themselves enough to have a style. Don’t settle for easy or comfortable.  Put effort into making you feel the best most powerful self you can be.

Favorite fashion find: Leopard print pants with leather lacing and inserts down the sides

One thing you have learned about style or fashion: Buy what fits.

What part of your style do you feel you really excel at? Putting a look together. Buying cheap clothes but still making them look expensive.

Any final thoughts? Here are some tips:

  • When you think you hate all your clothes look at fashion shots or window displays. Chances are you have pieces to recreate those looks already you just need a fresh look at how to pair items. 
  • Don’t say you can’t wear a look. That’s a thinking problem. Pants are pants… shirts are shirts… we all put them on the same way.
  • If you love it, wear it!
  • Dresses are the easiest thing to wear: they are one item, you don’t have to decide what goes with what, and everyone thinks you’ve made a great effort when actually they are super easy.

#ootd: Sailor Moon

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This outfit garnered a lot of comments throughout the day.

“Wow, so princessy!” “Makes me think of the 50s.” “Very modern witch.”

Honestly, I really liked this outfit, which made every comment feel like a compliment. I started with the Sailor Moon baseball t-shirt, and built the outfit up from there. The skirt for a little starry sky sparkle, the belt with its moon theme, the shiny star sneakers, and then my blazer to give it a final touch. I enjoyed the monochrome feel of this outfit – it’s a lot of black, but in a good way. And there are still lots of interesting parts to break it up.

The outfit definitely had issues though. The skirt is one that I purchased which I probably shouldn’t have because it’s a bit too big. And the belt is definitely too small – halfway through the day I had to take it off because I was struggling to breathe. My blazer ended up being too warm on this muggy Seattle day. It was definitely a lesson in “looks cute, but not wearable.” However, I do plan to recreate it either with different pieces or at a different time of the year, and I’ll still count this as a success because it’s so darn cute.

Blazer: This is another Ross find. The brand is 89th + Madison, and it’s a true gem. I cannot tell you the last time I had a good blazer that fits as well as this one does and is still comfortable. I don’t often give into the “Five Items You Must Have” advice train, but I certainly feel a good blazer deserves a place in most closets. I added it last to this outfit to round it out and make it a little more professional.

T-Shirt: The place where the outfit began is this lovely Sailor Moon t-shirt that I found in some online store (brand is Canvas… whatever that means?). I personally like to represent my nerdier side in ways that are a little more subtle. If a Sailor Moon fan looked closer at this print, they would see all the wands, necklaces, and devices that the scouts use throughout the series represented. But to anyone else, it’s just a pretty design. You can’t see the sleeves here but they are 3/4 sleeves in white.

Skirt: Another A New Day find from Target. As mentioned above, it’s a smidge too big for me, so I don’t get as much wear out of this lovely, swishy skirt as I would like to. I love the sparkle from the rhinestones, and the volume the skirt has. Also – being the paragon of comfort that I am – the elastic waistband speaks to my soul. Pretty and comfortable? A win. I paired it here because it felt like a starry sky to go with my sailor scout theme.

Shoes: I got these as a free option from Just Fab. While I don’t have a great opinion of Just Fab as a whole, these sneakers are really awesome and I do wear them with a lot of my outfits. They are pretty comfortable but don’t breathe very well so I tend to save them for cooler days. I picked them for this outfit because of the star pattern (in white, hard to see in pictures) and the shiny pink base (very Sailor Moon).

Accessories: I feel like the belt is a real winner in this outfit, and I will definitely work to find a really good replacement for it as it’s officially too small. The black velvet with the shiny gold half moon is perfect for the essence of Sailor Moon I was shooting for. A black scrunchy and some pink striped star earrings close out the look.

#ootd: Flower Pants

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According to Oliver, this outfit is a quintessential example of my style, and I’m inclined to agree with him. I have a hard time wearing this sweater at any other time of year because it’s too warm for summer and too thin for winter, but it’s perfect for the fall transition. These flower pants are amazing as well – comfortable but still nice enough to count as official work pants (not that my office cares – it’s pretty casual – but I could wear them to a marketing event or some such).

Red and black is always a good pairing for me; I kind of blame my high school for training me into this (red and black were our school colors, and I had a lot of school spirit) but in all honesty I have always gravitated toward this color pairing. It feels cool and chic to me for… reasons.

This outfit is also proof that I’m a proud pattern mixer – though the black and white stripes are minimal enough that they still give the spotlight to the pants.

Sweater: This is an American Living sweater that I picked up at Ross ages ago (probably high school?) and have had for a long time. I appreciate the interesting neckline that this sweater has, and the cool striped sleeves have always appealed to me. I wish it was a bit thicker, but that’s neither here nor there at this point. I chose it because it adds interest without taking away from the pants.

Pants: Definitely what I built this outfit around. I love this floral print from H&M and they are almost magic pants – my friend bought the same pair and they fit her great too even though she is built quite a bit different. These colors also play well in both summer and fall, making the pants pretty versatile.

Shoes: I have no idea what brand these are; bought them a few years ago in a small mall store in Del Rio, TX that has since closed down. I’ve also worn them a lot – they are quite comfortable, and super breathable so perfect for summer – and worn away any sort of label. I liked the casual oxford style to tie in the business-y pants and the casual sweater.

Accessories: I picked the Willy Wonka sunglasses because they add some funky flair to the outfit, along with my gold and peridot flower earrings and my favorite mustache necklace.

How To: Shop on A Budget

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“Oliverrrrr” I call out, laying on the bed and looking at our closet. He comes to the bedroom.

“I hate all my clothessss” I cry, with a dramatic flourish of my arm toward the closet and dresser.

“What about that colorful striped sweater you love?” He asks, confused.

“Yes, but I already wore it this week, and I wear it all the time, and I hate everything else.”

Me, literally all the time.

This happens to me roughly every three months. It’s strongest at the end of winter, when I am so very tired of being cold all the time, but definitely occurs in varying doses throughout the year. Usually a conversation like the one above will happen, and then Oliver will kindly remind me that we are saving for XXX. This year it’s our wedding and honeymoon. In the past it was some other big exciting vacation, or moving to a new place, or to buy furniture for our apartment, or many other very logical things people save for.

This often means that my budget for buying new clothes is roughly $100 (and often much less). On top of that, I’ve recently set myself with a goal of upgrading my wardrobe from cheap, fast fashion pieces to quality garments that will last. This can make shopping super difficult. Here are my tips and tricks that help me keep my closet and style fresh without breaking the bank.

—–> Step One: Thrift What You Can

I will eventually write a longer post on how to shop at thrift stores, because these can be essential when the fashion duldrums set in. While $100 might not last very long in the mall (or will get lost in fast fashion pieces that will fall apart the minute you wash them) it can buy you several quality items at the thrift store. I find this especially useful when I’m looking for pants because I’m not relegated to a few different brands or styles – and pants can be so expensive in up front cost to get something good. Plus, if you do end up with some fast fashion pieces, they cost you $3 instead of $25 and you’ll feel a lot better when they inevitably fail you.

—–> Step Two: Shop in the Off-Season

You know when swimsuits are super cheap?? August. This is a really great strategy for splurge items, where you know exactly what you’re looking for, or seasonal pieces. Give your heavy coat another season, and then in March start scanning through end of season sales. Most brands and stores start transitioning into the next season about one-two months early, so keep this in mind. It’s also a useful trick when you want to get something in a certain brand but don’t have the money to do a full buy in. BE WARNED — sales can be a huge pitfall. This isn’t a ‘trick’ if you’re scanning every sale for something you might like. Be very focused on what you’re looking for, and intentional about when you’re shopping, or you’ll spend money you don’t have on things you don’t need and be unable to afford garments you really do need to fill out your wardrobe.

—–> Step Three: Fast Fashion for Trendy Items

If you’re looking for something that’s super trendy now, but might not be wearable later, don’t splurge a bunch of money on it, especially if it’s out of your normal style or comfort zone. For these items, say trendy purses/bags, funky unusual shoes, or trendy patterned clothing, you will be fine finding something at a fast fashion store (Target, Forever21, H&M, etc.). The smaller price tag lets you try a trend without feeling like you wasted your money if you hate it, and if you end up loving it, you can always upgrade later when your budget has had time to grow.

—–> Step Four: Don’t Be Afraid to Online Window Shop

… That’s right, online! What I do is while mindlessly scrolling through some website that caught my eye, I’ll save links to items that I like in a specific folder. Then come present-giving events, I have lots of different links I can send to people of things I already know I want but can’t necessarily afford to buy for myself. These links also give me a good idea of what I am really hunting right now. Say that all of my last four links were a specific style of hoodie, then I know that is an item I really want to search for. Also, a lot of sites have an option to email you alerts when they go on sale or come back in stock. For an item you really know you want, this is a great option. Finally, this step helps you slow down on impulse purchases. If you get in the habit of saving a link instead of clicking purchase, you’ll end up saving money too. Give it a week and if you still can’t get it off your mind, then see if you have enough money to buy it.

—–> Step Five: Watch Impulse Buys

While this sounds more like an entry on “10 Ways to Cut Coffee and Save!!!” I promise this is a real tip for finding clothes on a budget. Learn to recognize your impulse buys and stop them before they happen. I find that trying items on helps a lot. As soon as I start making excuses for an item – “Oh, it doesn’t quite fit on my waist but it’s something that I’ve been looking for!” – I know that I really should put it back. I also know that if I texted an item to a friend, it’s likely because I am on the fence. If you’re on a tight budget – on the fence means no, every time. You don’t have the money to waste on maybe. Learn what your triggers and habits are: do you always fall for fall colors? Do you get sentimental around hats? Do you have a weak spot for sale prices, even if they aren’t that good? Once you’ve identified problem behaviors and thoughts, you can take measures against them and keep your bank account ready for the items you actually want.

—–> Step Six: Have Patience & Save Up for Important Pieces

I will write a larger post going into more depth on what items it’s worth splurging on and what items you can afford to buy cheaper. But here’s my golden rule: if it’s something really central to your style or that brings you a lot of joy when you wear it, then it’s worth the patience to save up some money and find the right one in a good, quality brand. Whether this be shoes or coats or sweaters or jewelry or jeans… if it’s important to you then it will be worth the wait, and the larger price tag. I have found throughout my life that the items I splurge on, especially when money is tight, end up being items that I wear every single day.

Any of these tips helped you? Feel like you’ve tried all these and are still stuck? Have any tips of your own? Feel free to comment below!