Mission: Put Together

When I hit Publish last Friday, I had a tiny fear that, upon reading about my fledgling fashion strategy and seeing what I thought to be the pinnacle of my outfit-assembly, the Internet would lash out and mock my well-intentioned plan and/or raise a critical eyebrow at my ensemble. But, no! Any Philistines kept their mouths shut, and all of you nice folks made your happy thoughts known! It warmed the cockles of my heart.

I got to thinking. When that happens when I am online, I usually IM someone to do a sanity check, and since this type of thinking involved clothes, I IMed Jen. She, who persuaded me to go for the chunky red necklace (”That’s what gift cards are for!”) and always has time to check out a link from an online retailer. So after all of this thinking and IMing, the two of us concluded that the Put Together Phenomenon should not be limited to one post and one picture — no! Allow us to introduce the Mission: Put Together Photo Pool!

[Cue spy theme music]

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to photograph your most put-together looks, both professional and casual. During the whole month of May, add those pictures to the pool and check out others’ ensembles for new ideas.

First off, let’s get it straight about what this pool is NOT:

  • A forum to criticize others
  • A source of pressure to appear to be 100% on the ball 100% of the time
  • A motivator to go out and spend a lot of money

However, we do want the pool to be:

  • A way to share and gather fashion tips
  • A motivator to be thoughtful and creative with everyday looks
  • Fun!

Starting tomorrow, your photos are welcome into the pool! If you don’t have a Flickr account, feel free to e-mail me or Jen with your pictures and any accompanying descriptions, and we will be sure to add them for you.

Personally, I am using this pool as a challenge to produce a couple of outfits each week that might be considered put-together, but without the purchase of any new items. I may need to adopt Laurel’s weekly planning system! On another note, I am terrible at taking self portraits, so I hope to brush up my skills there, too.

Can we accomplish this mission? I believe we can. Show us what you’ve got!

17 comments

#1 Jen on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 1:13 pm

I LOVE this idea! I think this is the catalyst for me to finally buy a full-length mirror so I can participate. I definitely straddle the fine line between put-together and slob, so now it’s time to step up my game.

#2 Jess on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 1:18 pm

This is a great idea! I don’t know if I am enough of a self-portrait taker to join, but I will try… and definitely check it out!

#3 Kate on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 1:34 pm

I’m new to your blog and right off the bat I’m impressed! MIssion: PT is a great one– and I can use all the fashion tips you can throw out there!

#4 janet on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 1:36 pm

I will definitely play! Just as soon as I get a decent outfit. I seem to hate all of my clothes lately.

#5 heidikins on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 1:58 pm

Ooooh! Time to dig out new fabulous outfits! Must find full-length mirror!

xox

#6 Operation Pink Herring on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 2:15 pm

I am not the only one without a full-length mirror! Who knew?

#7 rialeilani on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 2:31 pm

oh cool idea :)

#8 Audrey on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 2:55 pm

I joined! This is going to be fun!

#9 lfar on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 3:13 pm

Awesome idea! I’m put together about… once a month. Or less. So I don’t know if I’ll have anything to contribute between now and the end of May (think: Birkenstocks, tshirts, jeans!) plus I have a different “put together” style from you guys. But maybs I’ll send something in!

#10 Erin on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 6:30 pm

This is a great idea! I think it will definitely motivate me to try and be put together. Plus, I love seeing what other people are wearing!

#11 Stephanie on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 8:47 pm

Such a cute idea! I am actually wearing a cute and put-together outfit today but I don’t have my camera! Perhaps I will recreate it at a later date for the purpose of this wonderful project? :)

#12 Zeister on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 10:50 pm

Ok…my full-length mirror hasn’t yet been up on the wall…so I can only see from mid-chest down to my feet…at an angle. However, since I will be travelling for a majority of May, perhaps, I can pull of a few decent pictures of my version of PT from the hotel mirrors. ;-)

#13 Laurel on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 11:53 am

Oh I totally want to play!! My only barrier is figuring out how to take a good photo of my outfit in the morning in my tiny bedroom, but I see from the comments that that is a common problem!

Would a photo of my Word document with each day’s outfit suffice? Just kidding.

#14 Michelle & the City on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 12:32 pm

i love this idea! only probelm – no full length mirror in my house. (i know! it drive me crazy too)

but i will make sure to check out everyone else’s looks for new ideas :)

#15 erikka on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 2:44 pm

i don’t see any jenn in that pool yet. JUMP IN JENN!

#16 Jackie on Friday, May 16, 2008 at 11:38 am

So I know I’m 16 days late in starting, but I just found your blog today. I saw Janet’s link to an outfit a couple weeks back, but didn’t understand what “the Mission” was until today. Hope it’s okay that I joined the group…I plan on putting myself together this afternoon :)

#17 Lisa on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 12:36 pm

I want to participate SO MUCH! But I’m never put together! Well.. very rarely. In a dressy way. I don’t really own any accessories. Headbands, only. And usually I’m wearing running shoes, jeans, and a baggy tshirt. But let me tell you: when/if I ever DO feel put together? I am SUBMITTING that sh*t.

I can’t wait.

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