The weather has been beyond amazing in Portland this week. So good, I even took my legs out of winter hibernation.
Even though I am not currently ‘shopping’ I did pick up this skirt a few weeks ago at Crossroads (on trade) when I was selling some older items from my closet. I about flipped my lid when I saw it because never in a million years did I think I’d be lucky enough to score something by Steven Alan. But here we are looking at this beautiful, a-line skirt, with some of the best construction I’ve seen, in a silhouette that I can’t get enough of.
I am sharing about a zillion pictures of this outfit and here is why: it marks a realization point for me, style-wise. When I first set out on this style journey (in July 2014) I was feeling frustrated because I felt frumpy in the basics-type pieces I was buying. I didn’t know how to define my style in a way that was really me. I always bought what I thought ‘worked’ and not necessarily what I loved.
This skirt is something I bought because I loved it, and it works.
But it took a lot of steps to get from the former to the latter.
It took putting myself on a shopping diet and taking a close look at my closet. When I stopped adding items constantly, it became a lot easier to look and analyze what I had. After decoding what I liked I could determine what worked for me. After that, I could look at my closet holistically, which helped me see the ‘missing pieces.’
When I add to my closet, I feel like the item should complement what’s already there – I should be able to easily imagine a handful of quick outfits with it. It shouldn’t be something that leads me to feel like I need to buy five more items to go with it.
As the missing pieces begin to fall into place I feel like my closet resembles a beautiful puzzle of interlocking, yet interchangeable pieces that, together, portray the picture of my style – or at least I hope!
[ skirt, thrifted (similar styles here and here, both made in Canada / shirt / bag / bracelet / necklace / shoes ]
Happy Friday! I hope you have an amazing weekend!
xo,
Andrea
Andrea, I think it is no coincidence that I keep thinking your outfits look so “you”! You deserve a hearty congratulations for getting to this point (and for scoring that beautiful skirt!).
Yesterday I was thinking about the steps I’ve gone through in recent months to streamline my closet and my getting-dressed process, to tighten the focus on my style, and to curb shopping — the shopping diet exercise was the first right step (thanks, Style Bee shopping fast and workbook!), as it encouraged me to use what I had, document what worked and what didn’t, and stop buying the little piddly things that kept me distracted but never satisfied. Similar to your process, I’ve felt so out of place in the basics I love but somehow never seem to work…thank you for being an inspiring “basics girl” to encourage me on this journey! Little by little, I’m feeling more comfortable in and content with what I have.
Erin, you always contribute the most thoughtful comments! I am excited and encouraged to hear about your progress. I too was stuck getting distracted by the ‘piddly’ things. Making purchasing decisions has gotten a lot easier (and a lot more infrequent) when I stopped buying things just because they were ‘cheap.’ Lee’s workbook sounds really helpful!
Yes, I do love my basics. When they are interesting enough to stand on their own is when I feel most at home in them.
Yes, yes, and yes!! First I LOVE this skirt on you – the color is so refreshing and versatile. Second, I feel all of what you said…loving the basics but feeling blah, adding pieces that you thought should work but never did, and finally studying and experimenting with your closet to get to a good style place. I feel so much closer than I did even 6 months ago! Thanks for always being an inspiration and support (and friend😉)!
I am honored to inspire and support you my friend! I love watching you sharpen your style. I can’t wait to see where you are in another 6 months!
I am in love with that color, and your necklace! I definitely agree, it takes awhile to really define what are YOUR basics, versus the basics we are told we should have. I own no orange, but am told by many color palettes that I should be wearing it (no thank you). I recently put together my spring capsule, and it was harder than I thought! It is so hard to trim down clothes that I wear every once in a great while. Thanks for the reminder that when you FEEL like winning, you are ;)
Ah, thanks for the encouraging words Vivianne!
Yes, you are so right! I think defining our own basics (rather than following everyone else’s or trends) goes a long way to helping us feel content with our wardrobe. I hope you feel like you are winning with your spring capsule!
I REALLY love that skirt!
Thank you my friend!! And I almost didn’t try it on!
Those moments are magic when you find something that you love and it works! It happened to me about a month ago, I found a super stylish summer dress at a second-hand shop and fell in love with it. I can’t wait for the weather to warm up. I’ve been putting a lot of focus lately on trying to figure out my style, which is how I found your blog. I no longer want to settle for boring basics and your advice about creating a wardrobe full of complementary pieces is so spot on!
Yay! So thrilled you’re here Katherine. Finding my style has been such a journey, but the further in I get, the easier buying/selecting/getting dressed seems to become, and I feel so much more at home in what I am wearing. It is oddly liberating. Your dress sounds interesting! Way to go on the score. Best wishes on your style journey, stay in touch!
Ohhhkay this is gorgeous and a perfect example of why thrifting, consignment, and trading is a great way to shop. I love your reflections on style and fashion, I appreciate it!
Kate
Kateintheclassroom.com
Hey girl! Nice to see you coming ’round here! I know, this type of thing wants to make me run out and check the consignment and thrift stores weekly, but alas, I’m reigning it in. Thanks for the kind words! :)