Utility pretty might save me from a style rut

Apparently, this one resonated with me more than I realized at first read. My job is a produce stand, which means bits of food wind up all over my clothes and shoes; I only wear dark colors or things I'm OK with ruining at work. We're building a house, so my off-days are often held hostage to diy in an effort to save money and make the house OURS. I'm sick of feeling like Cinderella pre-fairy-godmother. I'm sick of not wearing things I love because I'm afraid I'll ruin them.

So utility pretty might be my way out of this style black hole.

Today's fit for working on the house: white ankle jeans that I had the guys use for target practice with their shotguns, a top I found at a vintage store, my Sperry sneakers.

Some other combinations I'm wanting to try out:
My olive slim trousers with a vintage white lace top and harness boots or tan ankle booties
Wine colored joggers with my ancient Just Cavalli top and tactical boots or pink glitter sneakers

I don't know if this is what Angie had in mind, but her utility pretty has definitely inspired me.

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Yoox

Joe's Sneakers

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Yoox

JUST CAVALLI Top

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H&M

Slim-fit Pants

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6 years ago

Sisi

Veteran

You have a collection of very pretty things ! I like your ideas for combinations. Those pink glittered slipons almost made me faint! Beautiful.

cindysmith

those slipons are so out of character for me because I usually run screaming from glitter, but when I decided that slipon sneakers were my new stiletto heels, I couldn't help myself LOL

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

LOVE THE FIRST OUTFIT ON YOU.

Ginger

Shotgun white jeans! That is SO you, quite unique. Brilliant. This is all a great idea for you.

texstyle

Good for you - and I think this is one of my favorite outfits on you, though I know I haven't seen them all. There is no reason to "save" your "good" clothes for a lifestyle you don't live. Enjoy your clothes now before they are out of style or you tire of them for some other reason. Angie taught me this here on YLF and it's made a big difference in how I dress on a regular daily basis.

I will add that I also consider price as an important consideration - I really think through rather or not I'm willing to risk my dollars on something more expensive if I can get basically the same style goal accomplished at a lower price point because I know I will likely be a bit rough on the item in my real life use. This has kept me from acquiring a few things that I have been drawn to, but realize wouldn't work. Typically I end up finding a more durable option (fabric wise) in a similar style at a lower price point. Like silk tops are lovely but they aren't my best investment so I try to stick with mostly cotton or cotton blends. Rayon and similar fabrics are a bit delicate for my daily use so I stick with just a couple of pieces for "going out" instead of creating a big wardrobe full of those. Nothing that requires dry cleaning is in my daily rotation.

Sara L.

This sounds like a good idea for going forward. It's not fun to spend all your time in clothes that you don't enjoy. I think the white top in your second combination is just beautiful.

Thistle

Fabulous! I love that top. So pretty on you.

karen13

#1 looks so great! Those jeans are amazing. Can't wait to se the others in action.

Laura G

Good for you! Feeling pretty is important. You have lots of nice options there--I'm especially eager to see the olive pants and lace top together.

Dianna

Hoy look great in outfit 1, and outfits 2 and 3 sound like they would work as well. It seems you found a formula that works for your preferences as well as your lifestyle.

anchie

Greta outfit. There is no use in saving the clothes, they are ment to be worn and enjoyed.

Style Fan

The white jeans in #1 are so unique. WOW! Great look on you. Target practice jeans.

Emily K

Utility pretty sounds like it's getting it done! And what a lovely white lace blouse--I'm super envious because it is an item I'm looking for...and not finding the right thing.

Emily, I found that lace top in a vintage shop. It's from Express if you want to try eBay or etsy or one of those thredup type sites

Texstyle, Anchie, Laura, and Sara, you're right. I just have a problem with risking my favorite garments at work--I have already ruined no less than 6 garments this year and it shows no single of easing off anytime soon since we sell firewood all winter. I'm probably going to have to find an apron to protect my clothes, because I'm tired of not wearing things I like. And Texstyle, yes, I am going to have to start opening my mind up to the more accessible-price brands for much more of my wardrobe. As much as I love my Rick Owens & Isabel Benenato sweaters, I would seriously be heartbroken if they got ruined; there are brands that do stuff with a similar feel at a much less painful price point.

Angie, Thistle, Karen, Dianna, StyleFan: thank you! The weight gain has had me feeling kind of "meh" about putting on anything fitted in the least. It helps to hear that it wasn't just my imagination, I really did look all right today. I haven't been posting WIWs because I've been so "meh" and y'all really helped my perception of myself!

Thank you, cindysmith, I will poke around eBay et al. It's amazing what you can find online, isn't it?

Jaime

You look fabulous in the first picture and my only reservation about the rest is white plus fruit.

Shevia, I'll probably use the white top on the days when I'm working on the house doing not-painting-type stuff

bridgie

You have a good plan for wearing and enjoying your clothes. I hate it when I have clothes unworn for season after season, all because of lack of planning.

skylurker

You look great in #1 : pretty, flattering top.

CWS--I found SO MANY pretty Express lace blouses available on eBay. Thanks for the reccy.

VioletMyra

Active Member

Glittery/sparkly flats really liven up a utility outfit imho. (I'm back to working in high school and have to move quickly across campus from one building to another every 50 mins.) Like you, I have utility outfits for my work days and some pizzazz on my feet makes me smile.

Enjoy your glittery sneakers . . . they're calling to me.

Best wishes
Denise

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