WIW - Sal’s July challenge - wk 1

For the first week of Sal’s July challenge, I tried to bring out items that I rarely wear in hopes of making them work, or editing them out. I also tried to make a point to add accessories. It was a great time for me to join the challenge because I go from contract work to chasing kids in the summer and my outfit creation motivation is at a low. Here’s WIW:

1: BR top (2013), Good American Good Leg Jeans (2018), Steve Madden blush croc flats (2019). I love the color of the top, but the shape and pleats feel dated to me. I’m not sure the elastic hem hits me at the most flattering place. These jeans are one of my favorite pair - super comfy. I ended up with sweaty feet by mid day, and swapped out the flats for my Birks.

2-3: Boden jersey dress (2018), JCrew denim jacket (2013). I love the weight of the dress - and the pockets!, but I realize the reason I never reach for it is because of the low vneck. I thought I could fill it in with a layered necklace, and took along my denim jacket for indoor layering, but I think it’s just too darn low. And, it’s too hot out to add a cami.

4: Halogen navy lace top (2018), JCrew factory white jeans (2017): the top is 95% polyester, and does not breathe. The jeans felt too tight, maybe it was the belt? Bonus points for trying a half tuck, I guess.

5: July 4th my Vagabond Mom version of red, white, and blue. We spent most of the day at a carnival where the heat index was 101F. My accessories were SPF50, waterproof mascara, and deodorant. Ugh! Summer

6: today, I am giving the white jeans one more shot, with a lace olive JCrew top. I’m not sure how my feet will fare in these shooties, and I may switch to my birks before afternoon ball practice.

Thank you for an awesome challenge, Sal!

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6 years ago

Anonymous

It is an awesome challenge.

First, let me say you look amazing in black/navy. That dress in number 2 is spectacular on you! I literally gasped with delight. I do see that the neckline is quite low though. That would certainly be a problem for me. I have never successfully added a camisole to any top. Would a tiny, lightweight scarf help this situation?

You also look spectacular in number 3. Love the colors on you! Polyester though. I get it. I would quite literally die wearing a polyester top. It could be a great layering piece for other seasons though. Does it have that potential?

You look adorable in number 5. Someone I would easily talk to at a Fourth of July event.

Are the white jeans fitting any better today? They look great in the pictures, but you have to comfortable .... especially in the summer months.

Finally, I have a hard time finding anything I like about number 1. Green should be your color and yet it strikes a discordant cord in the photo. Was it the green top you were testing? If so, I can easily vote it out of the wardrobe.

Best wishes.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

TOTALLY ROCKING IT. You have GORGEOUS hair. #2, 3 and 4 new my faves. KILLER.

Back later...

nemosmom

Veteran

Sterling - thank you for the thumbs up on the navy. Aside from one blazer, I didn't buy any navy for my top half until last year. I could try to layer the navy top if the lace neckline doesn't get in the way, or maybe with a less constricting pant.... For the dress, I feel like a flight attendant in a scarf - but maybe I could sew a snap or two in it to make it close higher... And, I am nodding along with you on outfit #1. I was testing the top; I just kept futzing with it all day, it felt off somehow, and with the pink shoes, it read 'watermelon' or something.... Happy to pass it on while it still has some life left. The jeans are better today!

Angie - thank you! I am growing out my 1975 Mick Jagger shag!

Helena

NM, I love all these! Navy and green are definitely your colours. I see your point about the top in #1 but to me it looks floaty and comfy for hot weather, and didn't strike me as dated. So if you're enjoying it then I say wear it. But if it's feeling past it's prime for you, onward! I think you're cute in your sporty mom look and kudos for keeping it real!

Jenni NZ

You’re so pretty! My absolute fave is number 6, the olive/white/shooties all look great together. I would personally be a bit uncomfortable in the dress with that low a neck but it does look gorgeous. Maybe you should just rock it and in 10/20 years you will look back and realise how stunning you were!
As for top 1, the colour is great on you. I’m not good at figuring if things are dated. Others could maybe tell you, but you may choose as I do to still wear it anyway

chouette22

I too love all of these. You look great! You should try a half camisole/bralette kind of thing for your #2. I totally get that it's too hot for a normal camisole and I cannot tolerate them in summer either, but when I discovered the half ones (find some that are very light) a few years ago, I bought several in different colors to simply wear over my bra and this solved the issue for me perfectly.

LaPed

#6 is sooo pretty, perfect bookending! I want to see the cognac shooties with the navy dress in 2/3... I think the dress is fantastic and not too low-cut, but would probably feel self-conscious in it myself. Maybe a lacy cami underneath?

Sal

You look great.

I love the dress as is - I would just wear it- pick your moments. It is conservative in length and not too tight so the overall look is not raunchy.

I used to have a tee or two the shape of one - I see it as flattering but maybe not super current.

Love your July 4th look!!

TG and JenniNZ - thank you! I do think the top is feeling past it's prime. I am happy to pass it on.

chouette - a half cami is a good idea! Is there a brand you like?

LaPed and Sal- thanks! I like the dress from the waist down, and the shooties re a good idea with it! I may try to pin the neck of the V and see if it warrants a snap or something.

Gah - you look great! I love the outfits in pics 4,5 and 6 best. I agree with you about the top in 1 and the low neck of the dress takes away from the look. Or maybe it's my squeamishness with cleavage speaking

Brooklyn

I love the dress and I think it looks fine as is, particularly if you are not wearing it to the office. I also really like your casual 4 July look and the last outfit. If it were me, I would pass on the poly top - but my thermostat runs higher than most people here. The first top is a great colour on you. Do you have a midi skirt that you could wear it with - tucking in the top? I thinking it would be a great look on you and make the top look more current.

Nemosmom what a good idea to start with items that you rarely wear. You look great in jeans. My favorite of your outfits is #6. Those shoes do a great job of bookending your beautiful hair. I like the top in #1 but you have a point, it does look a bit dated. Keep up the good work.

rachylou

1 and 4 are my favorites

anchie

You look fantastic. #6 is my favorite, this green is perfect on you, and booties are beautiful bookending with your hair, which is gorgeous too. I hear you on low neck in 2. I had a Boden top in similar cut, that was perfect in any other way, but I just never wore it, and eventually purged it. And agree about polyester, I purged also all my polyester tops and I am very picky about fabrics now.

LOVE the bookending in #6. Your '70s shag is sublime!

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