Jen and I have had lengthy discussions via Gchat on how we aspire to be “put together.” It’s not that we want to be trendy or have expensive clothes, but we want to look as though our appearance is somewhat intentional and cohesive. We’ve talked about how our wardrobes seem run-of-the-mill and tired, but we don’t know what to do about it. We don’t think we qualify for a fashion makeover show, but we were missing something. Neither of us is totally brand-loyal (with the possible exception of Ann Taylor Loft), but we both believe that knock-offs are fair game, as long as they’re cute. Between finances and unsteady fashion sense, how do we achieve some sort of happy balance?
Lately, I’ve adopted a strategy that I think is helping me progress in this mission toward being put together. I’ve accepted the fact my wardrobe consists almost entirely of solids. I don’t know how to work with prints, and they usually seem too loud to me. I’m comfortable with solids, boring as they might be, so I’m going to stick with them. With a neutral base of clothing, I’ve slowly added in jewelry and shoes to add accent color, thanks to the help of gifts from Christmas and my birthday. Since the purchase is technically a present, I don’t feel as guilty about spending over $30 on a necklace, for example. I’ve found that I’m taking more risks than I normally would, and I figure that a turquoise necklace and flats can do a lot to liven up black pants and a gray sweater.
Yesterday, when I finished getting ready in the morning, I felt so proud of my outfit that I had to IM Jen: “I have to share with you how put together I feel today.” She cheered and made me describe the outfit:
- Black and white faux wrap dress: Ann Taylor Loft, bought with gift card last year
- Black cardigan: Gap, have had it forever
- Chunky cranberry necklace: Ann Taylor, bought with gift card
- Red patent leather flats: Bandolino, bought on sale in DC last summer
I felt cute and chic, like I had finally won a battle with print and color. I tend to err on the side of matchy-matchy, but the necklace and the flats weren’t the same shade of red, so I think I’m improving.
All of this is to say that maybe, just maybe, I have finally built a sense of personal style after foundering for several years. I don’t think I can manage yesterday’s level of put-togetherness every day, but it’s a start. Today’s ensemble is a leafy green top, a flared black skirt, pearl drop earrings, and a pair of paisley flats bought with — you guessed it! — a gift card during a “buy one pair of shoes, get the second half off” sale. I wish I had a long necklace (maybe black or silver) to wear with it, but that might have to wait until another gift card falls in my lap.
19 comments
GREAT post! You should post some pictures.
I’m afraid of prints too - much easier to go all solids and dress it up with something else.
Ooh, that DOES sound put-together! I love it. Also, I’d like to officially offer my boutique-owner-shopper-lady services to you and Jen if any of us are ever within say, 80 miles of one another.
Do you accept? Oh good, because I am TOTALLY bringing my recipe binder for you to pimp out!
I plan my outfits every Sunday afternoon. I have a Word document that is revised each week with each work day, the weather forecast and meetings / after-work activities that may affect my outfit choice. I definitely thinks it helps me be more creative and thoughtful in my outfit choices.
You know, just in case you wanted to know THE MOST OBSESSIVE AND REGIMENTED WAY TO CHOOSE CLOTHING EVER. (If anyone would understand this process, it’s you!)
The only print I wear is plaid and only as something to keep me warm. I won’t wear plaid as a blazer, pants, or skirt but I will wear it as a jacket.
Prints make me feel physically uncomfortable. I just can’t settle into clothes if they have a print on them. And it’s too bad because I love polka dots and other prints but I just can’t bring myself to wear them.
Congrats for being able to live outside your solid box! You looked fab!
I think a lot of people are floundering in that same boat. I’m glad you have started to feel like you have more of your own style. Yay you.
Sounds cute! I go through the exact same dilemma with my wardrobe choices. It’s solids all the way. Sometimes it makes me long for the grunge fashions of the 90’s where I could get away with plaid.
Yay! Yesterday’s outfit looks just as cute and put-together as I imagined. All our Gchats in action!
Laurel’s system cracks me up. I am not as obsessive-compulsive as I thought, I guess. Sometimes I accidentally wear the exact same outfit twice in the same week because by Thursday I couldn’t remember what I wore on Monday if I tried.
I LOVE those paisley flats!!
I think you have a great strategy. Wear basics/classics, and dress them up with seasonal accessories. It’s terribly cute and cost effective. Sounds like you totally know what you’re doing to me!
also — jewelry shopping on Etsy — SO CHEAP (if you are patient enough to sift through stuff online)
I’m the same way with clothes. My wardrobe was so drab and boring, but I really don’t like to be “trendy.” Plus, teaching special ed. preschool can really limit my wardrobe choices. I like to look professional and put together, but I also have to be able to crawl around on the floor and get covered in boogers.
Now that I have some decent basics, I’ve had fun dressing them up with accessories. Shoes and jewelry are my new loves! Plus, it’s a lot easier to take risks with jewelry than it is with crazy clothing items!
Prints and bright colors are both something I will shy away from…
I found a great silver long chain at H&M for about $5 last fall…
You look great in that pic! I am awful at putting together outfits. Awful. I think it’s because I don’t accessorize well, but who knows.
Love the red necklace!
You look super cute in that outfit. I think I have the exact same Gap cardigan, that I’ve had for years and years but refuse to get rid of. Also: love your necklace and flats. Now I need red shoes!
Love that dress! So chic on you! You look fantasitc!
xox
You sound way more put together than I am! I really need to put more effort into my clothing. I just HATE to spend time (and yes, money) on clothing…
I saw the pictures of the outfit on flickr, and you most certainly did look put together! I was tres impressed!
RA! Totally rockin’ outfit.
i’ve found that the only thing limiting me from being put together all the time is money. it costs money to buy the little things that bring an outfit together. Jewelry and shoes…gosh I need more shoes. I have about 13 pairs, yup, that’s it, 13. And they do not go with everything. But I work what I got because I can’t bear to spend even $20 on a pair of shoes that will go with one outfit. I need versatility.
Sigh. Onward and Upward with your quest. You’re doing awesome so far.
Love the outfit! I too struggle with trying to look put together. I can’t quite put my finger on what my “missing piece” is though. My problem is planning ahead, I think. I need Laurel’s spreadsheet system! Wow–is that ever organization at its best!
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