With my favorite season coming to a close (and bringing on cold weather, UGH), I thought it would be a good time to look back at what I wore, what I liked, and what I learned over the summer. I have all these outfit pictures now, so I might as well use them as data! Getting dressed can be annoying and sometimes makes me miss the days of my Catholic school uniforms. But aside from passing frustration, do we ever analyze what we like and dislike about what we wear? Do we ever stop and think about which shapes, colors, textures make us feel our best (or not)? I sure don't, even though doing so would probably make my life easier and help me to create a fun "uniform" of my own.
With that in mind, I revisited the outfits I posted on the blog over the summer and came up with five favorites, so that I could see what they had in common. (I limited myself to everyday outfits because, while I love my fancier summer looks, I'm not going to wear them to work or, more importantly, to Target!)
Here are some things they have in common:
- Pops of color
- Neutral patterns
- Fun necklaces
- Interesting shapes (like boxy tops with streamlined bottoms)
- Blues and greys
The fourth outfit above (the black and white romper) would seem to be the best example of my "uniform": a neutral pattern with pops of blue, thanks to a fun statement necklace and pretty cardigan.
But what about things I dislike? To deter me from buying cute things that I just won't wear, I started keeping the thoughts below in mind when I shop. It's really helped deter me from impulse purchases that will inevitably be disappointments. To thine own self be true, right? ("That Polonius guy said it!")
Here is the list of summer things that I now know I just won't wear:
- If I have to wear a different bra so that I don't look like a slob in a particular a shirt or dress, it just won't happen.
- Similar to #1, although I mainly feel awkward with my bra inevitably showing, and then I don't feel like I can take my sweater/jacket off.
- WHY. Why do these exist? Short-sleeved sweaters just don't work for people who are cold all.the.time.
- If it's 90 degrees, the last thing I want to do is layer, no matter how cute the end result is.
- I'm not tall enough to rock a midi skirt and flats, and I don't wear heels on a regular basis.
Before, I would shop all willy-nilly and buy anything, especially styles and colors that I didn't have in my closet... but there was a reason they weren't in my closet: I didn't actually like them or feel comfortable/confident in them! Now, armed with the above tips and insights, I am working on curating a functional, workable closet of things that make me feel good. :)
Have you ever analyzed your clothes, outfits, wardrobe to find what works and (what doesn't) for you? Has it helped you to streamline your closet or keep to a budget?
