My August challenge: the results - YouLookFab Forum

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My August challenge: the results

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Hi all... still not very present on the forum, but hope to change that in a another week or two, when vacations, getting caught up from vacations, and back to school "stuff" are all out of the way.

But in the meantime, figured I may as well report in on my August challenge. My challenge was posted here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....hallenge-2

Main goals:
1. Figure out what makes a SOT (same old thing) and why I reach for them over all my other "nicer" clothes. This was pretty much done before I actually posted my challenge, so is described there. And I have been doing much better with this... even purged a couple of tees.

2. Not spend any money. Almost blew this with the BR leather vest, but YLF wisdom prevailed, and it went back. Patting myself on the back for this one.

3. Dress better for cottage life. AKA my "hot and sticky capsule". Below are the outfits I wore... some newer tanks, some of my favourite tees. It was a REALLY hot and humid week, so it was tanks not tees when I wasn't in my bathing suit. The dresses were worn in the evening,
When I packed to go, I decided I wasn't going to try to pack "light" - no need really, as we had tons of space. This way I had some choices for possible varying weather, so was easier to see what I really did want to wear, and hopefully learn from this. I did NOT take any "lets save this for the cottage" clothes, with the exception of my "campfire clothes".

Right after I made the above goal, I went to a friends cottage for the afternoon. She greeted me in a black tank top, white shorts, gold sandals, and was also wearing a gold long necklace and a gold bangle. She looked amazing... all we were doing was sitting by a pool, watching our kids. She didn't look overdressed, just put together. THIS is what I want for me... I was in gear shorts (we were playing soccer later so I went prepared for that), sport sandals, and a tank top. No jewellery. I was fine, but she was great. Very motivating. I always feel a bit silly putting on jewellery when going to a pool or beach... why is it I admire it on others, but can't/don't do it myself?

And now my goal for the next few weeks... to keep working Goal#3, and to wear my favorite summer pieces before we run out of weather.

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Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What a terrific cottage capsule! I love the fun owl graphic and the versatility of your pieces here. It WAS incredibly hot that week -- you picked a great week for holidays!

Sounds to me as if you have done a brilliant job with your challenge. The whole "SOT" conversation cracked me up but also struck me as really profound, as does your question about enjoying jewelry and "put together" casual looks on others but somehow eschewing this for yourself. It reminds me of some of Mo's dilemmas. When you need to be "ready for anything" it can be tough to wear anything "girly," somehow. I also struggle with this in ultra casual situations. I think it might be one reason why I've enjoyed my metallic sandals. The Eccos are basically like silver Tevas - seriously! Okay, the tops are leather, so not downright waterproof -- but I wore them today on a 12 k hike through wet grass, and I also wore them two weeks ago on the beach. And you know what? They did make me feel just that little bit more pulled together. I also wear earrings all the time -- another bit of metallic.

Anyway-- you did great with this capsule and it seems as if it really worked for you. Brava!!

Cerinda

Veteran

I'm following your cottage challenges with great interest. I split my time between city and mountain year round and I HAVE to stop demoting clothes instead of purging them. So, keep me honest, will you?

kerlyn

Veteran

I'm very interested in this challenge. My husband, daughter, and I just got back from a few days at a friends cabin. We were there with 2 other couples, so I didn't want to look sloppy. But we were also in and out of boats, the lake, hiking, etc. I felt OK in my tees and cargo shorts for the most part, but I'm glad I brought some jewelry along too. I just wore some silver hoops, a couple leather and bead bracelets, and a few silver rings. But it made me feel a little more put together. But your post has inspired me to step it up a bit next time! Our hostess always looked so perfectly sporty, casual, but put together...even in just khaki shorts, a chambray shirt, and tevas.

Your cottage capsule looks great, sporty and ready for anything, but really cute too! Nice job!

Joy

Veteran

"Cottage" sounds so much better than "cabin", which is where people here go to get away. We have a cabin holiday coming up in October and now I want some designated cabin jewelry. It sounds like you could use shell jewelry. Your owl shirt is especially cute, and I like your casual black dress in 12.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

See Suz, I just couldn't bring myself to wear metallic Ecco's on a hike, or to the beach. I just couldn't. (and then I'd see you and think "why didn't I dress more like that?") But I do always wear earrings! I generally wear little silver hoops for weekends and holidays. I think your comment about "ready for anything" and "girly" being in conflict is a great one, and one that perhaps needs further thought. I have this "thing" about being taken seriously (is that the right term?) when doing things outdoorsy or athletic, and this involves the "right gear" rather than jewellery and cute sandals. Regardless of their comfort. Hmm... something else to ponder, because they don't need to be mutually exclusive.

Cerinda, you get it! Demoting vs purging, that's it in a nutshell. And so silly for me especially, given my somewhat huge wardrobe.

Kerlyn, leather is the perfect jewellery for this situation isn't it. I actually went to the cottage wearing a black leather bracelet with a turquoise stone, but it didn't go back on. It truly was too hot and humid to be wearing anything extra. Sounds like you have a good role model in your hostess!

Joy, you just reminded me that I have a silver dipped shell necklace, which I haven't seen for a while. MUST go look for that - perfect summer necklace! Funny about the cottage vs cabin thing. Here, a cabin is generally inland, and would be used for hunting, often used in the winter. A cabin would never be a summer place on the ocean. Of course the two places could look identical :). The dress in 12 is actually navy, and I bought it our hotel lobby on a trip to Cozumel in the mid 90's. It actually says "Cozumel" in a tiny tiny silk screen on the chest. Very casual, doesn't get worn much, but is perfect for that "I can't stand to feel any clothes touching my body" feeling that one gets in humid weather.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Great summer capsule Elizabeth. I like that you used a few neutrals and primarily blue/greens to mix and match. Very nice.

It is interesting how different regions use different terminology. We went to the "lake" and had a "cabin". I think it was 1200 sq ft on beachfront and had a chandelier in the dining area. A co-worker from TO goes "north".

Elly

Veteran

Proud of you, Elizabeth! You inspired my own purge, so I thought I would drop in and congradulate you. Let us know if you figure out the chic factor.

Our "cabin" is in the mountains and requires cargo pants, then again, I mostly gut fish there.

Anonymous

I could wear every single outfit here. I want that owl tshirt now, and you have reinforced my commitment to myself to buy more sports skirts and dresses for next summer.

What resonates with me here is the commitment to not just wear your "cottage clothes" and instead, wear actual outfits with some thought behind them. I have a huge pile of yard clothes - but I spend half of my summer outside in the yard working and puttering, so why do i think I need to save crappy old tank tops just for this purpose? What? I want my husband to see me all weekend long in cutoffs and a huge bad Gap tank in some awful colour ? I got a little better at that this summer, and next summer will be right on it

I know what you mean about your friend with the necklace and metallic sandals - I definitely do that kind of thing when I know I'll be with friends. Gives me a boost and a change from an everyday look.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Thanks Cheryle and Elly. Elly, I'm happy to have inspired you... amused actually, given getting to that purge stage constantly seem to evade me. Not enough hours!

I notice none of us head to the "camp". In my mind, they rarely have indoor plumbing

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Too funny. A friend from Thunder Bay called it going to the camp. I had no idea what she meant at first.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

It is terrific to have an aha moment that crystallizing where you want to go. Looks like you are well on your way!

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Lisa you must have posted while I was writing my previous response, I didn't see it until now. Thanks for the feedback, and I look forward to seeing your yard work capsule next year :).

Thanks Shevia.

Funny story about the owl tee... When I first tried it on, I grabbed a smaller size. The owl was placed a bit higher up. I took one look at myself in the mirror and burst out laughing. Let's just say it showed me a whole new interpretation of the word "hooters".

I'm heading down to the same friends cottage on Monday adternoon, with a car load of 11/12 year olds, for a pre-back to school gathering. I'm gonna nail this... Jewellery and all :).

Anonymous

When I first heard the term "bunkie" I had no idea what is was . One of those old school Muskoka words I went to the cottage - and a cabin was somewhere off in the bush and used for hunting - lol.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Lisa "bunkie" is a new one to me too!

viva

Veteran

I wish I had seen this at the BEGINNING of the summer - it might have saved me from a lot of really tragic looking days. Unless I put on a skirt or dress, I can't seem to do the summer casual with any intention. This is really helpful. Bookmarking for next year. (And i want an owl tee too.)

Anonymous

bunkie = guest cabin (it's ok to call the guest house a cabin)

unfrumped

Veteran

Love the name cottage capsule, and your plans for it. I need to name some at-home capsules more inventively.

I hear you on the simple poolside outfit, casual elegance. but hey, you can't go play soccer in white shorts. So, you've got to be practical, and if on the go to other events, can't "compete" with pool lady dressing for sitting. So, still a good goal --Suz's Aug challenge has great shorts outfits--but don't beat yourself up!

Elizabeth P

Veteran

unfrumped... my friend DID change her shorts and took off her jewellery for the soccer game, but hey, it was her cottage. She had stuff there. What I learned from that particular experience was - well, I'd never even considered taking white shorts to my cottage, what with all the rolling around in the mud that I do... :). So white shorts immediately went onto my packing list. And I wore them twice!! And I could have dressed up a smidge more, and then removed jewellery, and changed shoes (which I did, but from gear sandals to sneakers, could have be been nicer ones).

I am just so darn practical, getting me to think "casual elegance" and then make it look effortless (cuz isn't that the ultimate goal?) does not come natural for me. I have two role models in particular that manage to pull this off so freaking well. Sigh.

But hopefully getting there!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Well done, Elizabeth! Love the owls! Casual outfits can still be have their own sort of polish -- they are well cared for, have a proper fit, and seem "chosen" rather than "found on the floor" (lol)!

Hope you had marvelous holidays!

Anonymous

More love for your owl tees from me! Your cottage capsule looks very well put together. Just perfect--cool and, just as important, FUN. I'm with you on the non-jewellery wearing: I always feel a bit weird wearing bracelets or necklaces at the beach, like I'm trying too hard or something. But I don't think that when I see others do it (though I *do* think, "She must not have to do any housework").

LisaP, luckily for my recycled yard work capsule, my husband doesn't seem to notice what I wear--On Tuesday, I put on a brand new pair of glasses at 6am and still had to point them out to him before I took them off at the end of the day.