Sort of WIW :: In my gear I was here...

Hello everyone,

Disclaimer: All credit for catchy title goes to Suz, her original thread is here and well worth revisiting.

I am back from my best holiday ever. We are determined to make the most of being located very conveniently almost in the middle of Europe and many destinations we always wanted to visit. After eventful and stressful year and nerve-wrecking several weeks prior to the house purchase at the beginning of February, we needed a break like never before. So, last week we headed to the Dolomites in Northern Italy and, oh boy - was it fantastic on so many levels. We had wonderful weather all week, the location is breathtakingly beautiful, we were in the company of our good friends from university days, my men braved the ski slopes while I had decided to enjoy my favorite activity - exploring the new surroundings on foot. To top it all - I had the best time wardrobe wise.

Did it ever happen to you that something you once read on YLF pops to your head because everything you'd read suddenly makes perfect sense 101%? It happens to me all the time because I really enjoy all the discussions here and everything I read obviously plants itself in my subconsciousness only to resurface at the right time.

So, probably on the second day of our stay as I was walking through deep snow that was glistening in the sunshine, I became aware I was experiencing completely new feeling - being comfortable while it's freezing cold outside, and the penny dropped - it was because I had the right clothes on, the right GEAR. And I instantly remembered the title of one thread Suz started a while ago, determined to read it again when I return (did I mention I was not on-line for a week at all and only receiving few phone-calls, what a bliss!).

When I got home I searched for it and every single word Suz wrote back then (How Gear got me Here) could have come from me now.

Suz: I had no choice. I knew I needed clothing for the weather, so I had to buy some stuff. And because I planned to do a lot of outdoor activities I needed gear!

Biting the bullet (and grateful that it was sale time!) I bought a pile of things... we are talking GEAR, ladies, not high fashion. But I bought it, and I took it with me, and I wore it.
...As a result, I truly enjoyed the outdoor time. And every morning I felt great. I knew what to wear. I didn't get that awful panicky feeling. I had probably a 10 item capsule of regular clothes while I was there (all uber casual - jeans and Ts and sweaters) but that, too, served my purposes perfectly -- and again, it was an entirely new experience to feel happy with the clothes I had available to me to wear.

My own other clothing consisted of 3 layering turtlenecks, one cardigan, one woolen sweater, a pair of jeans, dressier boots and one silk scarf that matched all my toppers and which I used for both going out for dinner and keeping my neck warm under the gear during the day. And that's all I truly needed for this kind of holiday.

What I've learnt?
A little goes a long way - IF it is the right stuff. My recent realizations of what matters to me most in clothing are reinforced. And I am more determined to wear only what works for me and the circumstances 100%. It is so liberating to wear fewer things which don't require any compromising.

Now, the photos...
1-2 :: Daily gear
3 :: When dining out and travelling
4 - 7 :: Scenery
8 :: Winter white
9 :: Happy mum moment, kiddo picking up the trophy for 2nd place in children's slalom

Thanks for reading... time to catch up with what's been going on here

13 years ago

lyn67

Veteran

Wow, what a breathtaking backgrounds here!
I hear what you, and Suz- say, and of course, gear or not- YLF Ornella!

Tina.b

Ornella, from the pics you look like you had the most fabulous vacation! You look fantastic in your gear, and I think it is so important to have those pieces in the wardrobe to enjoy outdoor activities to the fullest. You also look amazing in the black drapey coat and the tall boots.

rute

Hi! I'm glad you had fab vacations! Gorgeous photos!

Ornella

(website)

Thanks ladies.

lyn67 :: my boots are actually 12 years old and were bought in Budapest... still going strong

Tina :: thanks, I completely agree. Wearing clothes that work means not thinking about it, hence having more mental space for anything else. My drapey cardigan has proved to be worth its weigh in gold - 10 times over. I love it and already panic a bit for what will be its successor once it's on its last legs.

rute :: thank you. I had to exhibit huge self-control and not overload you all with huge amount of photos, I was snapping like there's no tomorrow.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

How fun!! Thanks for sharing, Ornella. Your musings are always fascinating and your attention to detail is mind blowing. You and your cherub look perfectly geared up!

Anonymous

Thank you for sharing your wonderful vacation and thoughts with us. It is amazing how much we learn here, often without realizing it.

abc

Beautiful all around - you, your family, the story about the gear and of course, the scenery!

Louise

What gorgeous scenery glad you enjoyed your holiday.
I think gear totally has its place. BF and I have thrown ourselves into hiking recently and I've had great fun building up a gear capsule. It's the only wardrobe capsule I've managed. BF thinks I'm a loon but all my gear is based around grey, black, navy, lilac and purple and complements each other beautifully. I'm on the hunt for a backpack to go with it all as my orange and black one doesn't really go. He told me off at the weekend and said I can't choose a rucksack purely because of the colour but come on it has to be a consideration, right? x

Thank you Angie, Joy and abc.

Louise :: I totally agree. By pure accident my gear ended up being black, pink, red and purple - and I liked how it all worked together.

Suz

Ornella, I am so honoured that you thought of my post!!! Thank you for the shout out.

And WOW -- I don't know what is more beautiful -- the gorgeous scenery, you and your adorable son, or your wonderfully detail-rich prose!

It truly IS a great feeling to enjoy a holiday in cold weather without a worry or a care about the temperatures. And it really is the same message that Angie tries to impart, time and again -- to pay attention to the practicalities and the function, which are a big part of true beauty.

You look wonderful and your wardrobe for this trip sounds perfect. An ideal capsule!!

Caro in Oz

Thanks for the positive reinforcement of PPP especially the practical Ornella:)

Sounds like you had an amazing holiday on all levels. Beautiful photos.

WOW, the scenery is breathtaking. I do place an enormous weight on being dressed for the weather and the activity, I can totally relate to this post- and Suz's

Suz :: the pleasure is all mine. You have no idea how many times I smiled humming "How gear got me Here" while I waited to return home and on-line to re-read your thread.

caro :: practical could probably be my middle name

Zap :: thanks. To me personally, adequate dressing for activities in sub-zero temperatures was a real eye- (and style-) opener.

I think being properly dressed for the weather adds to our confidence. If we are cold, damp, too hot, or out of tune with our surroundings, we cannot feel fab!

Aida

So fun! Thank you for sharing your photos, your strategy, and your musings Ornella. You've inspired me to work harder at making my gear work for me, as I usually dislike spending money and time on it but am in dire need of upgrading nearly all gear capsules in my life. I LOVE your red coat ^^

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