To keep things extra classy around here, I decided to do a blog post full of mirror selfies. Okay, truth be told, this blog post is all about exercising my styling skills, and mirror selfies are just the helping hand.
A few weeks ago I got my first pair of Elizabeth Suzann Clyde Work Pants in the mail, and while I loved them, I was slightly perplexed by them. Do they look good on me? What do I wear them with? I peppered my friend Paige with texts and mirror selfies, styling the pants over and over again, trying to figure them out. Then I had a flash bulb of an idea: wear them for seven days in a row, as a test drive of sorts, with the goal of speeding up my learning curve for how to style that particular pair of pants.
Obviously I am not wearing those pants here (sadly, they had to go back, but a second pair is en route! More on that another day.) but I decided to apply the same idea to my new Tradlands shirt. The one I bought is sold out, but I’m linking to a similar one. I wore mine for almost seven days in a row (there was a small break over the weekend) and practiced styling it to my heart’s content. Not only did this give me a crash course on what works with it from my existing wardrobe, but it also made the shirt really feel like mine. As I’ve said before, I want to wear the clothes, not have them wear me. It’s important to me for them to feel broken-in and for me to feel at home in them.
Day 1 // You can see my day one look in the photo above. I wasn’t really sure how to wear the shirt at first, so I decided to have it peek out from under my cropped SiiZU sweater (c/o). Accompanying pieces: older Levi’s (similar), mules by Nisolo (c/o), sunglasses, Ray-Ban.
Day 2 // Tucked in with my trusty, favorite vintage jeans and cognac booties. It’s kind of embarrassing, the lack of lipstick in most of these photos. I am usually either too lazy, use just lip balm, or put it on in the car. Usually it’s just too lazy. But I do love lipstick.
Day 3 // Feeling experimental and going for wide pants and Cons. On days that it’s cool, I just don’t know which shoes to wear with these pants. I wear booties, and the whole look just feels too dressy. You see, that’s the thing about the PNW we are a bunch of casual-minded folks! I spend half my day worrying if I’m overdressed and the other half of my day wondering if I’m going to stay dry. Backpack is from Everlane (c/o) and I freaking love it. Hands free for the win. Cardigan is older J.Crew, try this instead.
Day 4 // I think it was extra dark on this day, sorry for the haze. Today it’s un-tucked and over raw denim. As usual it’s been rainy city around these parts, so hence the rain jacket (unfortunately sold out, but try this or this). Backpack FTW.
Day 5 // My name is Andrea, and I love having fun with clothes! This is a perfect example right here. I feel like I’m totally winning with this look. I love the dimension that stripes add to this outfit. I’m beginning to find that long-sleeved tops are quite versatile. Especially when you live in a climate where you need to wear them 75% of the year. I’ve paired the shirt with my trusty black slim-straight pants by Paige, the Mara Tunic Dress by Only Child (c/o), my sand colored Nisolo mules (c/o) and my little black backpack (c/o).
Day 6 // Back again with the vintage denim. I decided to chop the hem on them because the triple rolls felt a little bulky. Hoping I don’t regret that. But it takes time to get the fringy bottom in a lust-worthy state, so I’ll wait a bit before I decide for sure. This look also includes my Zady sweater (sold out, but try this instead), my Animal Traffic beanie and my thrifted rain boots. AND the most adorable little boy on the face of the earth, who happens to be super obsessed with that red shirt.
Day 7 // Underneath my fav T Sweater (it may be spring, but it’s still cold here!), modern 501’s (similar), and cognac booties. This ended up being one of my favorite looks from the seven!
Logistics: I washed the shirt about every two days. The fabric is fairly light, so it air-dried overnight pretty fast. When my ES pants come (hopefully later this week), I look forward to putting them into an instant 7 days of styling. I found this exercise to be really, really fun. I was wondering what else I could do this with in my closet, and while I’d love to do it over and over again, I honestly think it takes a particular (read: versatile) type of item for this exercise.
Overall review of shirt: Tradlands has been on my radar since I first read about them on Reading My Tea Leaves maybe a year and a half (or more?) ago. But they were always a little pricey for me, plus I don’t traditionally wear a lot of button up shirts. However, since I’ve been embracing looser pant bottoms, I’ve been gravitating more toward my chambray and my white button ups. This had me browsing Tradlands again, and when this shirt popped up in their anniversary sale (for under $100!) I was ready. Is it worth the money? That’s a tough one. I always say you vote with your $$ when you buy clothes. I think supporting this company is an excellent vote. Their shirts are all made in the USA, which is rare for a shirt this detailed. It takes time to make, which costs $$. I noticed the other day that there are no raw seams on this shirt! Everything is all sewn up, even on the inside. It looks beautiful. It reminds me of one of my husband’s work shirts, but of course it’s made for my shape.
A few notes on fit: After consulting their size chart, I ordered a small. I used their measurements and compared them to the measurements of my favorite chambray top. I am very pleased with how it fits my body, it’s close, but not too snug, nor is it too baggy. I really like the button line up. There seems to be an extra one, which is awesome because there really is no boob gap. Furthermore, the multiple buttons allow me a few different configurations for how high or low I want my neckline. I love having options.
Any questions? Just let me know. And I promise, high-quality photography will be returning next week.
Looks 1, 5, and 7 are my favs! I love your style.
Thank you Erika! Those are some of my fav looks too… it’s all the in shoes!
#7 is my favorite look on you as well. I don’t do button ups often because of my large bust and broad shoulders, but if I were ever to order one I would from Tradlands. I love their prints and the fact they have more buttons. I may try a sleeveless button up this summer; I really loved the linen one Reading my Tea Leaves wore last summer. Looking forward to seeing the Clyde pants!
I used to not wear them a lot either (broad shoulders here too) but I’ve found lately since I am wearing skinny jeans less, I like them. But I still only have four (plus one oversized flannel), and probably won’t buy anymore. I’ll have to check out Erin’s (RMTL) shirt! Sounds cute. I am still waiting for my Clydes, but eager to share when I do get them! I hope you’re enjoying your weekend!
What a great post! I totally agree that styling a new piece on repeat is a great way to fold it into your closet. In fact, I’m trying to do that with my Elizabeth Suzanne Rhodes mockneck which was surprisingly harder for me to wear than expected. I’ve been mulling over getting the Clyde pants (in olive) and would love to see how you will be styling it. Also curious about your story of sending it back and re-ordering.
Hi Edwina! It’s not a terribly exciting story, but I’ll share more as soon as I do my post about the Clydes. I expect them early next week, and then I’ll be styling them for 7 days. Should be fun. I’d love to hear how styling your Rhodes mockneck has been. Which color did you get?
I love 1, 2 & 7! I’ve been doing this as well. As soon as I get something, I wear it every other day or so until I figure out my favorite way to style it. I did it with my Lou Jumpsuit, which was way out of my comfort zone, and my Everlane wide-leg crops. Now they feel mine and more in my comfort zone. Love these looks :)
Woohoo! I love hearing that! Do you find your Lou Jumpsuit warm enough to wear on cooler days? I keep waiting to bring mine back into rotation, but it’s just so cold!
Ha! No cooler days here really (Miami). I wear it year-round with maybe a denim jacket if it’s “chilly”.
What a great experiment! I’m definitely going to give the 7-day styling a shot. And I hear you on the Clyde pants. I kept second-guessing myself on them, if they fit right, if they looked right…and ultimately I decided that since they weren’t a “hell yes!” then they were a “no” for me. I hope you have better luck with this second pair! Can’t wait to hear a more about them :)
Totally, for that price point they have to be something you love. I hope I love my next pair. Are you still taking your course? I’d love to hear more about what you’re learning about yourself and style.
This is my last week of the course! I’m still processing it all, but if left to my own devices I could write you a novel…will work on a concise report and get back to you.
I am so excited to hear! Maybe shoot me an email??
Excellent idea. Consider it done!
I’ve been going back and forth about buying a Tradlands top – I love this one! One day, I’ll definitely make the investment.
Also, this: ” I spend half my day worrying if I’m overdressed and the other half of my day wondering if I’m going to stay dry.” #PNWproblems haha! I totally relate.
HAHAHAHA! I’m glad I’m not the only one Stacy!! Too funny, right?! This town! Anyway, as for the Tradlands, they seem to have pretty good sales, and then you can use the first time buyer discount (I think it’s $25). Maybe one of these days the stars will align for you. Hope your weekend has been lovely!
This is my favorite post of the whole year! Keep real ones like this coming! Re wearing and styling a piece is something I look for in a blog and why I only follow 3 fashion bloggers (including you).
Every single look 1-4, 6 and 7 I could see myself wearing and have worn a few versions of them.
The converse look was one of my favorites! I live in a small ,super liberal, super earthy, ivy league college town (we have 4 colleges within 20 minute radius, lol) and are the coffee shop capital of New York State so I got that comment so much! Lol!
The t sweater was probably my favorite look if i was forced to pick, and my second favorite was when you styled it solo with the slouchy jeans.
I want a pair of those everlane wide leg pants so bad, but not able to since I am pregnant. They also just released all these new amazing t shirts today. I am a t shirt girl so I might try to order some in a large ( usually wear a small/medium- we run about the same size) to see if I can squeeze them over the bump.
Just tried their brixton stripe dress (WIDE arms, super weird fit), and camp shirt like dress (weird arms too). Anyways, sorry to ramble but I know you love Everlane like I do.
Would love to see you style each spring item like this. Also, I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier this week and I think you should include your freebies in your 3 (or raise the number) since if you love them and would have bought them anyways you would include them in your count and if you don’t love them you shouldn’t accept them. Just my 2 cents. :)
Have a great day! xo!
Hey Jodie! I love your honest feedback, especially what you said about including ‘freebies’ in my seasonal count of new items. That is a great idea. I definitely try really hard to only accept things I’d actually buy, ie. if they’re too dressy or too $$$ I will pass. But, all this considered I’ll still keep this advice in mind for the next season! Summer is usually lean on new small designer roll outs, but I’m sure fall will see plenty of new stuff on the market.
Thanks for the feedback on the Everlane dresses! I kept seeing those, but yeah, I wasn’t feeling them. It’s always good to hear about someone’s real life review.
Congrats again on your pregnancy! Super excited for you and your growing fam! xo
Such a variety of opinions! My favorite is look 3. Doesn’t seem too dressy to me at all, but really comfortable and well balanced in both silhouette and color.
Thank you Lori! That look definitely feels the most playful/interesting to me. :)
I can’t wait to see how you style the Clyde Pant. I got a pair and while they are interesting and practical (pockets), I cannot figure out what the heck to wear with them or if I look ridiculous in them.
Haha! That’s I think a curve ball that is par for the course with them. I found when I photographed myself in them (via a mirror selfie) I appreciated the shape of them more than when I was standing in front of the mirror. It takes getting used to for sure. I do think it’s a refreshing change from so many other predictable pant shapes that I usually wear. Excited to share mine soon!
Andrea! I LOVE this post!! I am 100% going to try this…once I get the courage to be a very obvious repeater while standing in front of a group of the same teenagers every day. I wonder if they’d notice? Or if they’d even care? Either way…I love seeing every day photos and I think this is a great way to “break in” a piece or renew the love for an older piece.
You nailed it!
Thank you thank you thank you Paige! Your feedback means so much to me. I really hope you do this! (Maybe with your T-top?)
Great post! I love look number 2. It’s very flattering and I think I will copy it very soon! I have a similar pair of Levis and I know what you mean about the rolls. I’m tempted to cut mine off to get a fringed hem but I’m worried the trend won’t last. I do like the way yours look though!
In all honesty I saw a girl at Steven Alan last weekend and she had her vintage jeans cut off and ironed in about a 1.5 inch cuff, and it looked so good. It was kind of like the best of both worlds. I ironed my hems today and it definitely looked better. I also saved the hems I cut off, because I know a good tailor can sew on the original hem. So I guess that’s my safety net. Thanks for weighing in!
I’ve been wearing raw-hem or cuffed Levi’s for like the past 6-7 years. I think it’s a classic enough look that you don’t have to worry about it. :) But then again I can tend to not care very much about wearing off-trend things as long as I like them still.
LOVE! What a great point!!
wondering if you decided to size down in the clydes? can’t decide if my usual size 6 was tom big or if they are not suited to me. i had to send back but maybe the 4 would have been more to my liking?
Yes! I did size down. I had the 6’s and I ordered the 4’s. Haven’t gotten them yet, but hope they fit well!
Hi Andrea! Thank you for featuring your Tradlands shirt so beautifully in this post. I love each and every look. Thank you, thank you!!
Thank you for stopping by Sadie! Love what you guys do and what your brand stands for! xo It’s an honor to support you guys!
Love this! Every outfit is a winner.
Ah, from the expert styler herself. Thank you LO! xx
The shirt is amazing and I love all these looks! I’ve lusted over the Tradlands shirts but the price is pretty eyewatering and returns/exchanges would be difficult for me.
I always forget that delivery outside the US can be a pain. I don’t blame you Jane! Also I believe Everlane has international shipping coming back again in a few weeks (in case that helps you out!).
I have this shirt as well and you’ve given me some great styling ideas! Also I feel ya on feeling too dressy for the PNW. As Jim Gaffigan says “Everyone in the Pacific Northwest is always dressed like they’re about to go on a hike. Cuz you never know when an impromptu hike might break out.”
Ok, now I want to move to the PNW!
Looks great, Andrea. This is a great idea. Don’t ya just love stripes? So french-chic crossed with American comfy!!! Love it!
Yes, what a great description – french-chic crossed with American comfy – love it!
Oh man, I keep coming back to this quote Emily, it’s too funny! I told my husband too. Yes, it’s so true! I think we dress like that to stay dry though, rather than a hike. Though a hike sounds so much better than a rain shower!
I just bought my first Tradlands shirt, too! I’ve been watching one for a while and when Reading My Tea Leaves announced a major discount a finally splurged. I received it this weekend and planning to wear it to work this week! Hoping it works out because I love that I know it’s ethically made in the USA!
https://bybreannamarie.com/
I am curious to know – did the shirt work out for you? I hope you love it as much as I love mine!