This morning I wanted to wear high waisted trousers with a silky button down tucked in. I have one pair of pants like these, but after I put them on I discovered they are too short to wear with heels, and because I'm a bit bloated today and carrying a few extra pounds, were fitting too snug. I had to change fast in order to not miss my bus and train. That's when, as I was reaching for familiar items to quickly and easily create a new outfit, I realized that I do have a fast fall back outfit, I just had never thought of it as such.

The first thing I went for is a pair of light grey bootcut trousers. I have an exact duplicate in a smaller size, but the pair I'm wearing today fit perfectly within a range of about 10 lbs. Then I grabbed a cute and comfortable sweater. It's navy blue with colorful umbrellas embroidered on it, and has a definite vintage feel. Since I'm still in no-heels mode, I picked up my cognac Oxford detail flats and was out the door.

At first I felt frustrated, frumpy, and dissatisfied with my outfit. But the more I thought about it, I realized that this outfit is comfortable, flattering, and stylish. What more could I ask for? It seems so simple now, but it's a huge revelation for me!