Oh, Janet - you don't know how much this resonated with me:

"Sometimes I’ll put on an ensemble that recalls something I’ve seen on one of the style YTers, usually a simple tee and pants, and think yeah, minimalist and modern, baby! And then I look in the mirror and think I look shapeless and matronly. I don’t have the 30 year old, narrow-hipped, boobless build that seems to make these things look cool and intentional,"

It really doesn't help that I work with university students, who are truly amazing in every way. I feel extremely lucky to be exposed to their energy, enthusiasm, vitality, curiosity but also it reminds me that youth is moving away from me a little bit with every cohort. It is a challenge to look effortlessly chic.

Bella, you get me!

It’s getting harder to find the sweet spot where effortless doesn’t look sloppy and thoughtless, and applying a little more effort and detail doesn’t look overly-styled.

Lisa, I love your inspiration pics too! But I feel like I can dress like that in the cooler months! Cool jacket, denim, tee, etc. it’s when the weather warms up I personally feel less confident. Denim and jackets no longer fly once our heat and humidity emerge. So I find myself needing to try other strategies to feel like myself. A few years ago, skirts with casual tees and chunky sandals seemed to be my solution. But increasingly my skirts are going unworn and I’m pivoting to (currently trending) wide-leg pants in light breezy fabrications. I’m also feeling fortunate that cropped length tops are trending, as long as they are just slightly cropped and not midriff baring. Of course, this makes me wonder what will happen once these things look “dated” in a few years and I’ll still want to be wearing them. LOL

I think this style struggle is more pronounced with big seasonal changes, when our comfort zone lies in layering to convey personality. I kinda wish I lived in a climate with 50-70 temps all year long!