It’s 10×10 time my friends! It took me awhile to pick my pieces this round, but I finally whittled them down, and I’m so excited! In case you’re new to Seasons + Salt, I’ll share a quick intro.
The 10×10 is a closet challenge started by my friend Lee over at Style Bee. The concept: take ten items from your wardrobe (excluding outerwear and accessories) and remix them for ten days into ten different outfits. It’s a wonderful exercise of creativity and contentment. Every single time, I learn something about myself, my personal style or my relationship with clothes and contentment. The best part? It’s fun and everyone can participate! You can share your outfits on Instagram under #winter10x10, and you can leave a link to your blog/social media in the comments down below if you’d like!
Why I’m doing it.
My reasons for participating are simple: community + contentment. Sharing outfits and chatting with other people on here, other blogs, and Instagram is the best way to connect with the members of this slow fashion/ethical style community. There are so many smart, bright, intelligent women who challenge and encourage me. I love making these connections!
Participating in a 10×10 often brings me contentment with my wardrobe. This happens because I learn new ways to style what I have (due to the constraints of the challenge), which makes me love my items even more. Each round I’ve participated in (and this is my 5th!) leaves me with a new takeaway. I’ll share more on that below. I also come away feeling content when I am reacquainted with the rest of my wardrobe at the end of the challenge. It’s amazing that 10 days apart is enough to make you appreciate what you have!
MY TEN
1 // Isa Nubuck Bootie, c/o Nisolo. These and are my brown, go-to boots this winter. I like that they are completely flat, and work well in both casual and dressier scenarios.
2 // Clog Boots, No.6 Store. Are you surprised to see these here? Of course not. I can’t get enough. These babies go with everything.
3 // White Turtleneck, Splendid. At first I was going to include my white British tee, but I thought the turtleneck would be warmer.
4 // Cream Henley Sweater, old, old UO (5 years!). This is still a favorite sweater of mine, it provides warmth and texture, it’s like a fitted version of my beloved T Sweater.
5 // Black Crew Cardigan, Everlane. Perfect to give myself options for warmth, or to wear alone as a top.
6 // Vintage Levi’s 505’s. High-waisted, frayed hem, excellent shade of blue. I’ll probably wear these a lot.
7 // Black Jeans, c/o Everlane. Trying to mix it up in the pant department with a different color and shape.
8 // Striped Top, thrifted (similar). Classic striped top I can’t live without.
9 // Tencel/Rayon White Button Up, c/o Tradlands. This is a current favorite of mine, but I keep saving it for ‘occasions.’ I’m hoping to change that with this 10×10! (Unfortunately it’s sold out, try this or this instead.)
10 // Cardiff Work Jacket (OS), c/o Only Child. I am very excited for this piece of my 10×10 puzzle. I’m eager to incorporate this unique shape into my wardrobe. Usually I leave my unique shapes for the pants. This time, I am going for a jacket. Not to mention the color and the pockets. This is a brand new release by Only Child. If you’re in the market, use the code SEASONS10 to save 10%.
This is the first time I haven’t done a try-on of my outfit combos. In fact, I haven’t even mapped them all out yet. It feels a little risky going into this challenge, but it’s a good chance to be extra real, and hopefully you won’t judge me if I have some outfit flops.
What my past 10×10’s have taught me…
FALL ’17 : My biggest takeaway from this 10×10 challenge was appreciating the rest of my closet. I have a new appreciation for boots that might be a season old, and sweaters that might be pilly and harder to style. I’m thankful that I have such beautiful garments to wear and keep me warm!
WINTER ’17: My biggest eye-opener was when I started to pay attention to balance as I styled these outfits, particularly the wide pants. I found the outfits worked so much better with a nipped waist and a turtleneck or cowl to balance the volume of the pants. A symmetry of sorts. Previous to this exercise, I hadn’t given a lot of thought about balance in my looks. I hope to carry it forward when styling other items in my closet.
As always, my preference for oversized proportions jumped out to me. This 10×10 really reinforced how much I do not prefer a perfectly fitted outfit. Movement in my garments makes me feel more feminine and beautiful. I like the swing and flow that comes with oversized pieces.
I have not been giving enough time to consider accessories in my outfit. Most days I grab for a scarf or a necklace when my family is halfway out the door. To combat this issue, I plan to choose my accessories at the same time I select my outfit, so it’s a complete look from the get-go, rather than searching for final items when heading out the door.
SUMMER ’16: I’ve been thinking about why I like simple outfits so much, and I think there are a few things that separate a well-done, simple outfit from an unintentional, simple outfit. It’s all about intention. Intention determines how well a simple outfit comes off. Did you intend to pull together a unique, simple look, or were you absently grabbing the cleanest t-shirt and jeans?
SPRING ’16: I know I say this all the time, but it’s so true, less really is more. I feel like I slayed some of my outfits during this challenge. Yet, for some reason, when I look at my whole closet, I would have never seen them. The extra options just stymie me.
Wow, reading back over my post-challenge reflections is good for me. I highly encourage you to journal your own throughout and after this challenge. You can save them in a little note on your phone for reference later on. Part of the learning process is reflecting and remembering. Trust me, it’s worth the time!
If you’re on board with the #Winter10x10, please share in the comments below! Be sure to check out these lovely ladies – Lee over at Style Bee, Caroline of Unfancy, and Paige at Style This Life.
I’ll start wearing my outfits tomorrow, and I’ll do my best to post them in real time over on Instagram Stories. Cheers!
I’m joining in for the first time! My overarching goal is to get more creative with what I have. One mini-goal is to figure how to wear a tradlands tunic I bought a few months ago but only wore once. Looking forward to seeing what you and everyone else come up up! I’ll be posting on Instagram @curatedcassi
You are doing great Cassi! I can see why that tunic is tricky! I think it would look cute with lighter-colored tights! Or black leggings… or worn open like you did the other day!
What a beautiful jacket from Only Child! I have last year’s iteration with shorter sleeves and love it. Is this a pretty structured canvas, or is it more flexible? Ahem, asking for a friend…
It is midweight canvas, so some structure, but not like duck canvas. Hope that helps ;)
I’m looking forward to seeing how you style the Cardiff jacket. I seriously love everything on the Only Child site (I have the bandanna but want so much more!) but though it’s not in the budget right now, I’m grateful for the coupon code! How long is it valid?
Have a great weekend!
Hi Krystal! It will be valid at least through the end of the 10×10 (29th) but I just checked to see if I could keep it open through the end of January. I’ll update you when I know! :)
I am so excited to be embarking in my first 10×10 challenge ever. I haven’t participated in the past because I thought “my clothes weren’t stylish enough” or “I’m not creative enough” and then thought to myself “this is no way to live!” So I’m diving in and am so excited! Will be posting on Instagram @mykillercloset
Hi Rainey! So glad you see you joining in on the fun!! And you’re mastering those outfit selfies. ;)
I’ve been doing a no-buy month and I decided last week to carry it over to the first two weeks of Feb. I think I’m going to complement that with a slight deviation and do a 15×15 during that timeframe in the hopes of further narrowing down extras in my closet and changing my frame of mind from ‘instant gratification’ to ‘thoughtful additions’ when it comes to buying new things!
I DO have a question about activewear – I’m not sure how much of it you wear, but is this something you curate or is it more of a crapshoot? I work out often, so I feel like having a lot of activewear pieces that I like and are functional is important, and they’re not exactly longterm investments no matter how well I take care of them. That said I’m not sure if there’s a better way of sourcing & cycling through them than just buying what is functional and trying to get as much wear out of them as possible before they’re just a bit too gross to wear in public…
Hi Jenny! I’ve been doing a no-buy this month too, and it has been really interesting so far! Do you know what has helped me the most though? Cataloging my wardrobe as I wear it, and tracking how often I wear each piece. It’s kind of shocking really! I think that’s going to be the biggest thing this year that slows me down on the buying. You should try it!
As for activewear… I really like Grana’s sports bras and workout tanks. Pants are a harder matter. Have you looked into Outdoor Voices?
Great choices Andrea!
Glad you’re doing the challenge again.
Both your shoe choices are perfect. I need to invest in some more winter ethical shoes next year.
Have a good weekend :-)
Thanks Jodie! I really like both of these shoes! Hope your Monday was off to a good start!
I really like the colour palette you’ve chosen! I’m also looking forward to seeing how you style the jacket. It’s gorgeous! I’m going to participate in the 10×10 on a Monday to Friday basis (weekends off) as my work wardrobe is quite different from my casual one. I’ve chosen some pieces I’ve been ‘saving’- for what I don’t know- so I can finally get some use out of them. Not sure about posting on Instagram though- I’m a bit too self conscious for that! Looking forward to following along with everyone else and getting inspired!
Hi Jen! I hope your 10×10 was off to a great start today. I hear you, it is so weird to take and post selfies. It took me a long time to get used to it. >< But it gets easier! Maybe you could create a second, secret account. ;)
I’m going to do a Made in America 10 X 10 challenge (and try to feature pieces in my wardrobe that are Made in the US (well, as many pieces as a I can!)
https://sites.google.com/view/americancloset/the-blog
PS-I’m so stoked you’re writing down your wardrobe (and tracking number of wears and cost) this year–I shared that a few months ago with you and Lee and Paige too and now you’re all keeping track of it!! YAY!!! I find it super helpful–hope you all do too!!!!
Can’t wait to see what you wear!
Hi Ophelia! Yes, tracking is so insightful! It’s only been 3 weeks, but already, I am kind of amazed!
Aww, I love what you say about community! Ditto – a big motivation for why I’m trying this challenge for the first time! So in the interests of community – http://www.onefairday.com or @onefairday.
I want to see your outfits Ashlee! Great picks!
How fun! I love it when the 10×10 comes around, even when I don’t join in it’s fun to see everyone’s closets and outfits during it and I love all of the postive vibes from everyone. I’m going to suck it up and try the winter on this year however, your fall 10×10 was great. I’m excited to see your posts with those clog boots and the jacket, you seem like you’ve been loving the boots and that they have fit really well into your closet. (Clog boots are just the best.)
Hi Katie! I’ve missed you around these parts! Clog boots ARE the best!! I will say one key strategy when doing a 10×10 is to pre-plan or pre-brainstorm outfits. If I don’t do that, I start to get bored really fast. Great to ‘see’ you!!!
I’d love to see a 10×10 challenge where the influencers/participants incorporate more affordable items into their rotations. I love seeing everyone’s outfits and get a ton of inspiration (both fashion & ethical) from what you all post, but I honestly can’t afford all of these items in the $150-300 range that everyone’s featuring (nor am I an influencer receiving c/o’s), and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
It would be really cool to see a 10×10 with, say, a $100 cap per item. I do understand how and why ethical fashion costs more, but I’m sure there’s a middle ground between a $250 sweater and a $20 piece fast fashion piece from Target. It would be an interesting challenge to see you all work with thrift store finds and sale section purchases!
Hi Dana, that’s a great idea! I am not sure if you noticed but half of my items were under $100 (cream sweater, black jeans, white turtleneck, thrifted jeans, blue striped top), and a few of them were thrifted too!