WIW -- Caro's JPW exercise and a sandal recommendation

After reading Caro's thread about tracking wears (both CPW and JPW = joy per wear) I decided to do the same, at least tracking the JPW aspect. So here you have some truly everyday outfits with complete transparency. I admit to adding a little lip color for the photograph's sake but that's it.

1. With Mother jeans, Splendid top (both last year). And my new workhorses, the A Wang backpack and the Corks by Cork-Ease (their lower end brand) in a pinky-coral color. I got these at DSW and they are holding up. Super comfortable, all day shoes, work for high volume feet. Soft leather and supportive in spite of comfy squishy footbed. They look sort of frumpy from the photo but I think they are not frumpy when worn, what do you think? If you are looking for sandals still, I can't recommend these enough.
JPW for this simple outfit = High (5)

2. With True Relgion jeans, and a Three Dots top. Same sandals.
JPW = High (5)

3. With Kohl's shorts, Chaser Kinks tee, Wang bag and Dolce Vita slides.
JPW = Medium Low (2). It would have been a 1 if it weren't for the Kinks. I don't think this tee flatters me at all. Sadly it must go.

4. Changed into this Raquel Allegra top instead.
JPW = Medium High (4)

5. Outfit to purchase supplies for restaurant. Extremely physical work in 99 degree heat, packing/loading/unloading etc. I got this tee from Kohl's as a 1-2 time use top. It was like, $6. I have learned not to ruin my other clothes from this kind of manual labor.
JPW = Medium (3). The functionality made me happy plus the color is joyful. I wore a cropped camisole so I wouldn't flash stock boys in the aisles. Bonus shot of kitty, I usually crop this part out but thought you might enjoy Roxy.

6. Outfit for super hot day at home. I ran some errands in town in it too. JPW = Medium plus (3.5). I like the tonal color scheme and was very comfortable in the heat. Stateside tee and ancient Kohl's shorts, I feel both carefree and defiant wearing short shorts at my age.

So none of these are killer I think but it's been really interesting taking pictures everyday and tracking how I feel!

Thanks for looking, any questions or comments about JPW please dive in!

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8 years ago

skylurker

Veteran

What are your criteria for JPW ?
Reading you, they seem to revolve around comfort/function and figure flattery.

On the subject of flattery : all bottoms work well.
I much prefer the fitted tops on you than the oversized ones - tops #1 and #3, yes the Kinks tee, I think it looks fabulous on you (ok, I love the Kinks, but I don't think it influences my judgement here
Also love #6, you look so great in a light palette.

Love the sandals.

Suz

(website)

Okay, I love this. Especially KITTY in #5!!!!

I need to come back to engage more fully -- more later.

CocoLion

Skylurker, good question. Criteria for JPW:
- Abstract feeling -- how do I feel in it, great or just Meh.
- Comfort & practicality for task and temperature
- Color
- Figure flattery

In that order.

Suz -- I knew you would like Roxy! She's very loving.

I think I've also realized that some days it's ok to not have a high JPW because function is trumping other factors. I.e., outfit in #5.

I definitely have higher JPW in longer pants than shorts, but when it's 99 degrees, what am I to do?

Maneera

Denise, I think these are all terrific summer looks! In fact, I quite like #3. But then - JPW is a personal thing since it's all about what brings *you* joy; not necessarily what others think looks good on you. #1 and #6 are my favourites. And the kitty is SUPER CUTE!

Love your bag too!

Anonymous

I'm with skylurker here - I like the Kinks t- you have nice arms and shoulders to show off, so why not? I think I might not tuck and belt it though.....but that's just me.

And no, those coral-ish sandals are not frumpy at all - they look perfectly "normal", pretty and functional. I love your cat sticking her head sideways into the picture

RobinF

I like these on you, the patchwork jeans are really fun. My favorites are 1, 2, and 3 but I can see why you like 4 and 5, sometimes usefulness trumps other factors. I like the coral sandals.

My favorites are 1,2,5 and 6. I like the silhouettes and easy wear looks of 1 and 2, the high functioning but still cute practicality of 5, and the softness of 5.
There's something sensitive and almost wistful about your expressions that contrasts very well with darker colors but for warm weather day wear the clear pastels and brights are so flattering.

Kate

My favorites are 1, 3, and 6, but I like 'em all, and you look cool and comfortable. I'm older than you, and #6 is my default summer look. I've tried all lengths of shorts, but short shorts look and feel better on me. Besides, It's too dang hot & humid here on the east coast to wear much else. Since I work from my home office, this is pretty much my daily look. If I could get away with less, I would. In summer, my least favorite season, comfort trumps joy every time. JPW only factors in with the other seasons.

Were your criteria articulated before you began the exercise, or did you discover them "in process" as it were?

I like all these outfits on you but especially 2, 4, 6. You look fabulous in short- shorts!

The bag is already a workhorse. Beautiful with your hair. I like the coral sandals, too -- not frumpy but practical and fun.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

(Kitty in #5 almost steals the show, Denise. And your eyes are extra sparkly in that photo because of it!).

Assessing how your feel in these outfits is gold - pure gold.

I'm joining Isabelle and Lisa - the Kinks outfit is my favourite tied with #1 and #2. Loving you in the more fitted silhouette. But you have to dress practically when you're schlepping in scorching temperatures - so I vote you look FABULOUS all round.

Thank you everyone!
Maneera and Lisap and Angie and RobinF -- interesting that you like #3 with the Kinks tee. I usually don't buy this kind of silhouette, I bought the top strictly for the Kinks. Good idea Lisa to wear it untucked, I'm going to try that before the top is gone.
Isabel -- thank you for your kind & insightful comment about my expression which contrasts with the dark colors. Yes I do know that lighter colors are more flattering on me. But they show every coffee stain, that's why some days I need dark!
Kate -- Yay for another member of team short shorts. And nodding my head to your comment "if I could get away with less I would."
Suz -- I have discovered my JPW criteria in process not beforehand. I am going to continue taking pictures and perhaps posting my thoughts with other outfits.

Here are some thoughts so far:
- Tonal looks make me happy, I don't always like high contrast tops and bottoms, the exception is outfit 2.
- If I can find a tee with interesting details (like the one in #6) I am going to be much happier. Sometimes it's just a rounded hemline and better cut to neckline and sleeve, that's enough. Contrast tops in 1 and 6 with #5.
- I just realized that instead of buying a cheap top for my rough schlepping days I could wear a demoted item, like ones with tiny holes. I have a few in this category, and the holes are imperceptible but they are more interesting than the pink top in #5.
- Confirming my love of footwear and bag matchiness. This will always have a halo effect over the entire outfit!
- I am a jeans and tee girl. Moving into acceptance mode on that one.

YES. Matching bag, shoes, scarf and belt - although no need to match them all at once! - are like waving a magic wand over an outfit. It's REALLY good that you're assessing what gives you outfit joy at the moment, Denise. Perhaps I should write a post about JPW.

Style Fan

This is a great idea. JPW. I like the coral sandals too. Outfit #1 and #2 are my favourite. I like the Kinks T. They are all great outfits. Cute kitty.
I like shorts on the shorter side. I realized that a few years ago. Long pants or shorter shorts. I can't do in between.

Janet

Wait, what? You don't think the Kinks tee looks good on you? What are you smoking? I think it looks amazing.

Off to look at everything else. That just jumped out at me and I had to respond!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Good thing you are a jeans and tee gal, because you wear them so well. You just look so cool in seemingly any jeans (or jean shorts, as seen here) outfit. I'm with skylurker--I really like you in the Kinks outfit; I'm not seeing any lack of flattery here. I like the cut of the tank on you. This is an interesting exercise, and reading what makes you happy in an outfit (and seeing the outfits themselves) is really making me think.

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