Sal's July Challenge - week 3 (navel gazing)

Heading into the final week of Sal's July "wear everything" challenge, I thought I would share my findings from week 3. The hot, humid weather here was a MAJOR challenge for me last week. I have finally realized AND accepted that my lifestyle in the summer is drastically different from my lifestyle in any other season, and I need to dress and shop accordingly (and not grumble about it). Most of my summer days and evenings are spent outside at ball practices and camp events with my two boys. My outfits last week were completely uninteresting -- bordering on sloppy -- so I didn't take photos. It's difficult to look or feel cute when standing in mucky ball fields wearing Deep Woods Off as your signature fragrance. But, I will find a way...!!

I took some time to comb through Angie's archives on lifestyle and style monikers, and revisit notes about my own Refined Californian style goals to flesh out some outfit ideas for the rest of summer. So, while it wasn't a productive week of WIW's, I feel like I've learned some valuable things during this challenge that will help me going forward:

Hoop earrings can elevate ANY outfit. Even joggers and a tee.
I have a major craving for texture. Recent outfits with the highest
happiness factor included linen, lace, stitching, open weaves, layered jewelry, etc. Plan to experiment more here for Fall/Winter.
Hair and makeup can make or break a look. Too many of my outfits were fine - but only from the neck down.
I have a growing intolerance of “conditional clothing”, e.g., tops that require special undergarments, summer-weight tops that can't be worn without a topper, blazers in lengths that only work with skirts, etc. I want my everyday pieces to have high levels of versatility so I can mix-and-match/grab-and-go. I don't want the mental load of clothing that has "rules".

I must keep my style moniker and descriptors top of mind when shopping AND dressing.
My lifestyle has changed. I will be ok with the fact that my everyday looks won't be killer, and not buy the dressy pieces that I don't have the occasion to wear. I am grateful to have the freedom to dress however I want, but I must not get lazy. What is the image I am projecting?
I must to plan outfits ahead of time, especially until I have a handful of go-to's that make me feel happy; I stare at my closet too much...

Thanks again to Sal for proposing this challenge. I am learning so much!

6 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

so many good lessons.

i hear you on conditional clothing.

Cardiff girl

Sounds like you have really thought this through.It is difficult to be a fully engaged parent and feel cute especially if it’s a totally different way of dressing to your life before.Practicality trumps style but there must be a middle way,good luck!

Anonymous

Yes to all

Katerina

Excellent findings! Your point about tolerance of conditional clothing really resonates with me. I have quite many such clothes in my wardrobe that I should try to phase out. Like white thin silky tops that are too see through and need undergarments. Thank you for the reminder!

Thank you, nemosmom, for your observations from this challenge. I especially related with this statement:” I have a growing intolerance of “conditional clothing”’. I am feeling the same way as I try to downsize my wardrobe, but don’t have any answers yet. Maybe I hold onto things too long.

Sal

What great points! I agree re conditional clothing - I have really cut back in this area because they are too annoying!! And yes keeping your moniker or aspiration at the top of mind..... when I make a mistake it is often when I don’t consider this such as my recent chunky sweater.

I think we share some character traits - or suspect so! I can be lazy with hair and makeup - it does make a huge difference when I make even 5 minutes effort.

I love your style so don’t get too despondent....

Great read! I love your comment about "conditional" clothing!

LaPed

These observations are totally on-point. Nodding along with everything. I have *no patience* for fussy clothing, especially in the summer. I am ruthless about culling or demoting. The clothes have to work for me, not the other way around.

I found that once I got used to using SPF on a daily basis the rest of my grooming fell into place (really just combed brows and MLBB colour for lips). I make a point of choosing one accessory per day (usually necklace or hat, sometimes scarf); any more than that feels overwhelming. Thinking in terms of complimentary components really helps pull everything together. Burgundy is my go-to year-round accessory colour for bags, shoes, sunnies, etc. I almost always have two burgundy pieces, or one burgundy item echoing something red in my outfit. It took a lot of discipline to build up that selection, but it's made my most casual/gear-ish outfits feel so much more intentional.

cheryl

Great challenge and I am so with you on conditional clothing. I'm over it.

Tina

I find it so interesting regarding the conditional clothes! It has been almost the opposite for me, when I finally realized the power of a tank or camisole I had a much easier time shopping for tops. Before that I was often struggling with this being too low and that being too see through or the armholes were just a bit too big, now I put on my ‘security blanket’ and then my top. I realize this is not an option in the most extreme heat but depending on the top layer it could still be fairly breezy. I also don’t have months of very hot weather, more like weeks.

Tina - I do wear camisoles too. I have three tops that require one, and one dress that requires a slip (all quite see through). And I do wear one for warmth or smoothness sometimes.

Helena

AMEN to all of this! How old are your kiddos? *Rant alert and hope I'm not veering too far off topic* As a SAHM (well I work p/t but that's also from home), it's a constant balancing act between dressing well and dressing 'for the job'. Except when the job is mom, there is judgement. Do we judge construction workers for their bad outfits? No, we'd think they were idiots if they wore a suit to the site. But some corners of the blogosphere (not here, it goes without saying!!) seem to imply that we should be able to cook, clean, and jump in as third base coach, all while wearing heels and a blazer. I mean, for God's sake ... Same for retirees, people committed to active lifestyles and many other lifestyle choices ... There is a big difference between dressing for the task at hand, and letting oneself go!

I think you've got great ideas here. Hoops for the win! Same for a 2-minute polished makeup look for everyday, and of course your amazing hair.

Carla

I LOVE the ON THE GO discriptor and have adopted ROTG with the R for retiree, though maybe I should change it to SOTG with S for senior. I think the common denominator of an OTG wardrobe is washability followed by durability! Everyday involves household chores, gardening or an urban ramble. There is a risk that cleaners will bleach, dirt will transfer, sunscreen will stain, food will spill. Clothing can't be too precious or too high maintenance. But jeans can be stylish, easy tops can be colourful or have interesting details, durable shoes can be trendy, and a little grooming can go a long way!

nemosmom

Thanks everyone for your comments. I am glad I am not alone in the battle of conditional clothing

LaPed - I am ruthlessly editing now! I can handle a bit more fuss in colder months when layering is necessary, but not summer - no way! Your idea of complementary components for accessories is very interesting to me, and I love that you have one color that you use all year. I bet that takes a lot of the mental load off.... I wonder if I could do something similar... thanks for the tip!

Torontogirl - my kids are newly 5 and almost 7. I also work part-time, but rarely in summer (I take on contract work when they are in school, and even then it's mostly working from home). I love your rant! The judging bothers me a lot. Of course SAHMs want to look fab, but practicality has to win sometimes. There's that balance I am still looking for. I think my disconnect is in the shopping - I am drawn to the fancy pieces FIRST, but need to keep myself in check that I really have no place to wear them.

Sal - yes! The moniker is key... I, too, see that I veer away from it in mistakes I've made.

Carla - YES! 100%!! “On the go” is a great descriptor. There *is* daily cleaning, going, getting dirty, and risks that go with that. Thank you for the reminder that tops can be colorful, jeans stylish, and practical footwear can be trendy. I forget so easily...

Hooray for the OTG posse ... great way of framing it Carla!

Jenni NZ

May I say, as a good 15-25 years past the stage you are currently at ( kids are 28,25 and 22) that I think you are doing wonderfully well in thinking about how your clothes look at all?! I barely did. Most days I was going for comfort and practicality and that was all, I think I “dressed up” for special occasions only. Hair and makeup- a comb and a bit of lippy?

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