I’m so excited to jump in and experiment with my winter wardrobe. I often find this the most challenging season to dress for, because of the logistics of keeping warm and dry. I want to still feel like my style-loving-self, but not at the expense of being cold or uncomfortable. What better way to speed up my learning curve than with a little Winter 10×10 Challenge? I’ve participated in spring and summer 10×10’s, but this will be my very first winter challenge!
THE DETAILS
I chose ten items from my closet, favorites that I thought would easily mix and match, including the three items I added for the winter. I will style the them in ten different looks in ten days, thus the 10×10 challenge. (Accessories and outerwear are excluded.)
I want to add a big thanks to Lee over at Style Bee for creating this challenge. It’s a couple years old and has served many a blogger well. (See my links at the end of this post!) I’m really looking forward to seeing what she cooks up in the next few weeks!
MY PROCESS
What I love about this challenge is that it’s a great chance to really hone your instincts and style chops. You are pushed to create with a minimal amount, which forces you to think outside your typical box. You will win some and loose some, but ultimately you will likely gain insights into what you like and your true style. I find it very important to trust your instincts when selecting your items. I rarely pick my items standing in front of my closet. Instead, I do it somewhere else, quickly jotting down a list of my favorite items as they come to mind. It’s usually pretty easy, and I try not to over-think it too much. I have found it’s a good idea to have one ‘wildcard’ option like a dress or a vest, which works for layering. If you have an even split of pants and tops (that can’t be layered) your 10×10 may not net as many interesting options as you’d like.
MY TEN
I chose four sweaters, two bottoms, two shoes, one top and one dress:
1 | Black V-neck Sweater, Everlane | It’s been so cold lately, the only thing I’ve been wearing for tops are sweaters! I wouldn’t consider a day without a sweater right now. Naturally, my 10×10 is packed with them.
2 | Chunky Cream T Sweater, Jamie + the Jones | I am lucky enough to have snagged one of these before they sold out! I’ve had my eye on them ever since Lee featured the T Sweater last winter, which makes ten month of wanting before I eventually got one. And let me tell you, it exceeded my expectations! It is warm and soft, and something I want to wear everyday. I love that it’s 100% cotton and the fabric is woven in Nashville. It’s currently sold out, but I know they’re working hard to bring it back soon. In the meanwhile you can go admire their gorgeous Split Sweater.
3 | Camel Crew Sweater, Everlane | This shade is at the top of my list right now, it’s a great way to visually ‘warm up’ an outfit (without getting too crazy with the colors, ha!). I think it will make a great layering option too. Unfortunately this color is currently sold out in the crewneck style, but it’s still available in a v-neck. I’m pretty sure warm neutrals are my very favorite thing to wear – besides black of course.
4 | Oversized Cardigan, Zady | I can’t get enough of this sweater. When it arrived I was a little worried it would be too heavy, and I was concerned I should have gotten a smaller size. Now those thoughts are far from my mind. The soft alpaca knit makes a great layering option, I’ve even worn it over other sweaters on particularly chilly days! This option is sold out (I ordered it during their sale in the summer) but they have another great-looking chunky cardigan in a beautiful khaki shade. Everlane also has a great heather gray option.
5 | Wide Pants, Lauren Winter | Whimsy and comfort. I love these pants and I’m excited to remix them for a 10×10. They are so comfortable, and I’ve found a way to keep them cozy in the coldest of months, stay tuned! BTW, they are currently on sale over at Lauren’s site!
6 | Rigid Denim, Imogene + Willie | The jury is still out on these pants. I love the way they look, but by 5 p.m. I’m always ready to take them off. They are a tad too tight in the waist, but I’m hoping they’ll loosen a bit more with time. Or I’ll drop 5 lbs, but I am not sure which is more likely! Neither?
7 | Clogs, Bryr Studio, c/o | Probably the most beautiful pair of shoes in my closet. Love the warmth that they are bringing to my winter 10×10 color palette.
8 | Chelsea Boots, Everlane | Functional to a tee. And cute. Essential for mom-life. Michelle suggested having Vibram soles added for grip, which I think is an excellent idea.
9 | White Turtleneck, Everlane | A great winter layering option without adding bulk, I never go a week without wearing this one.
10 | Shift Dress, Hackwith Design House | I am excited for the layering options of this dress which can we worn with the ‘v’ in the front or back. It might be a good candidate for another ‘dress over jeans’ combo.
WHY DO IT?
1) Out of my love for learning to live with less. I truly believe when we clear out the excess and unwanted clutter in our lives, they are richer and more full. Because when you clear the crap, you have more room to see more clearly what you love, and when you dump the unnecessary, you have more time for the necessary.
2) As an exercise in creativity. Every time I limit my options, my creativity grows. It’s exciting and fun. I don’t have any hard and fast goals, I am just looking forward to ten days of trying new things and the ease of getting dressed quickly!
3) I love the community building that goes on. Lee has done such a beautiful job of bringing us ladies (any guys out there?!) together. It’s great to be able to support and encourage one another in our closet challenges and be inspired along the way.
Participating bloggers: Lee @ Style Bee, Paige @ Style This Life, Caroline @ Un-Fancy, Harben @ Harben Porter …and more to be added!
If you’re posting on Instagram be sure to use the #winter10x10 hashtag so we can see your looks! I’ll be sharing my outfits every other day-ish on the blog, but I’ll try to post them in real-time on my IG stories.
xo,
Andrea
I always love to see what you come up with in the 10×10! I have Jamie and the Jones sweater envy! :-)
Rebecca, it’s a beautiful piece! If you ever make it to Nashville, there are so many great shops you should check out!
I’m on the fence about whether to join in! I started a fall one but quit in the middle because I didn’t feel like I was learning anything new – I already know how to use and mix and match a small number of basic pieces, and I sort of felt like I was “wasting” the full breadth of my fall wardrobe – why did I buy/own those pieces if I wasn’t going to use them? But that feeling might’ve come from the fact that fall is short here in NYC whereas winter is often ENDLESS – plenty of time to play with cold weather clothes. Either way, sometimes I feel like the real challenge isn’t how to work with a small group of core pieces, but rather the opposite: incorporating all the “edges” of your wardrobe, getting good out of the full range of what one has chosen for oneself. Whaddya think? Should I do it?
Koyuki, you always weigh in with the best of perspectives! YES, I think you should do it. I agree, winter can seem endless compared to fall, and I like your point about fall. A few of the girls who are doing this have included some of their ‘fringe’ pieces in their 10×10’s to see if they’re worth keeping. To give them a chance to be styled some more, and see if they could figure out how to wear them better. Perhaps that could be your take? Include a few fringe pieces. Per the learning, patience young grasshopper! I feel like most of my lessons are realized at the end or afterwards, something to keep in mind! I hope you’ll join!!!
I’m doing it with you guys! I always waffle on these over whether to focus on using my usual favorite pieces in new ways with each other or focusing on using pieces I’m unsure of. I went with several of my normal favorites but also added in a couple new things I got for christmas, so hopefully I can start to understand how best to use them in my wardrobe.
I think that’s a great idea! I think for spring I might try including some pieces I’m unsure of, to see if I can learn to make them work better! Good luck with your outfits!
Yay, excited to see what you do with these 10!
Thanks Lo! It’s always fun to experiment with limits. :) I think I’m most excited for trying out fun combos with the dress.
I’m so excited to join my first 10×10! I think it will be a great mindfulness challenge. Really taking the time to think about what you put on your body and what works for you style wise on a larger scale! Love all your item pics btw!
Hi Brittany, I love your perspective on how this can be a mindfulness challenge. I was almost thinking the opposite, but I like this perspective too!
Good choices Andrea!
Thank you Jodie! :)
I LOVE the clogs.
I just started an index post for all the bloggers participating in this challenge, so we can keep up with each other and get inspiration. I plan on making my first post tonight! I’m joining last minute, because I just saw Caroline from Un-Fancy’s post last night. Here’s a link to the index: https://lesslessyes.wordpress.com/2017/01/10/10-x-10-blogger-index/
Hope you don’t mind being added.
Can’t wait to see how this challenge goes! It’s so hard in the winter when weather is unpredictable.
Hi Louise, what a great idea!! It is so fun to see how many of us are participating. I’ll definitely hop over and check out your list! Thank you!
And thank you!! I am in love with these clogs too. :)