I'm sad that I've had no time to read and comment on all your 30x30 and thoughtful year-end / year-beginning posts.

I'm halfway through my month of interviews -- on a plane to Chicago right now. I don't know that my future wardrobe will ever need all this business wear but at least I like everything I've bought!

Assorted thoughts and things I've learned:

1. I'm sooo bored with my travel outfit! Same each time I fly: boyfriend jeans, Dr Martens, and a plain black tee. It's practical and reduces decision fatigue but I'm counting the days until February when I'll try to wear different shoes each day of the month!
2. A good steaming lets me wear silk shirts more than once, especially if I've worn an undershirt.
3. I am a pro at neatly folding silk shirts with tissue paper. Hang them near the shower or a quick pass of my mini steamer and they're good to go.
4. The packing cubes my brother gave me are amazing for keeping shirts and trousers from getting crushed.
5. In keeping with Angie's blog post - all black is hard with wool slacks instead of jeans. Too flat. I'm glad I found a white silk shirt. And for black outfits, different textures and layers save it.
6. I wish I owned two more duplicates of my favorite Uniqlo IDLF silk shirt!
7. I really wish I had time to get things cleaned between trips.
8. And I wish the weather were a touch warmer since I have some great short-sleeve tops as well.
9. I am incredibly indecisive (oh, you noticed?) and most trips I've just thrown three shirts, three pants, and two blazers into my suitcase and deciding on two outfits once I arrive. Good thing my clothes are small.
10. My boyfriend got me a gorgeous Rimowa carry-on last year. It's the cheaper, lightweight (read flimsy) end of their line but the green color makes me happy every time I use it and it rolls so easily.
11. I am stress-shopping (justified by the search for a HEWI tweed blazer) and I need to stop. At least these purchases are all great.

The final test will be my combined trip at the end of the month: a full week, New Haven and then Boston. Four days of interviews, and no way to clean anything in between. Plus, I'm adding two days in NYC ahead of time, to relax and adjust to the time zone. I'd love to have more interesting clothes for that than my default travel outfit but packing space will be tight.

Assessment of new purchases:

1. J Crew silk bodysuit -- game changer. Buy this shirt. Fits beautifully with perfect drape, has stretch, stays tucked in! I prefer untucked shirts with most outfits, but it's great with jeans and a blazer. Considering wearing it alone with slacks for the second day of this week's interview.
2. Equipment white silk shirt with stars -- cute and fun, works well under a blazer. Bought used and I discovered a tiny wine stain on the arm, alas, but it's ok.
3. Everlane bold stripe relaxed silk shirt -- still unworn. I think this is more of a casual look with jeans for me.
4. J Crew Collection Minnie pants in Italian wool -- perfect. Flattering, versatile. Not really a new purchase -- I duplicated an old pair with a larger size off Poshmark. The waist is low by current standards so they're best under longer tops.
5. Everlane slim wool pants -- these pants are really great. A little boring, but the cut is excellent and they're a thicker wool than most suit pants. Pockets gape and the fastener at the front pulls -- on the model online, not just on me -- so I'll see if my tailor can do something.
6. Helmut Lang cropped blazer -- I bought this a few months ago and worried I'd never wear it, but I love it. The cropped length is great on my short frame. Must be worn with a long, untucked shirt or else I look like a waiter.
7. Dries van Noten navy pinstripe wool pants -- to be determined! I bought them yesterday at a consignment store and I hope I don't regret it. Gorgeous wool, flattering, but a bit tight in the thighs when I sit.

An old black silk shirt, pointed flat boots, and a long, tropical-weight wool blazer are also getting a lot of use. I collected all my interview-appropriate clothes on this Pinterest board to help brainstorm. Many of these weren't quite right for the setting but I guess I have a lot of options now!
https://www.pinterest.com/mono.....iew-armor/