I am pretty sure I’m going to live in some version of this outfit all summer. Especially the shoes. My feet totally swell in the heat, and well Birkenstocks are my feet’s happy place.
Because I run a style blog, sometimes I struggle with this feeling that I need to keep sharing more new items with you guys. But I believe that goes against the mission of this blog, my mission to encourage contentment. Yes, I will have new stuff with the seasons – and I’m really excited to share some of my new pieces for summer – but you are also going to see a lot of recycled pieces and even recycled outfits.
I really hope that this encourages you to look at your closet and think ‘I have enough,’ instead of looking in your closet and seeing only what you don’t have. The latter is something I struggle with.
Instead, I want to look in my closet think ‘I’ll feel beautiful in that,’ and ‘I will have fun in that’ and select what feels good, and then I want my mind to move onto the rest of my day.
If you’re struggling with contentment, and want to buy all the things…
- Take stock of your current closet and entertain the possibility that you already own something similar. Consider that it might muddy the waters of a pretty stream-lined closet.
For example, I saw some amazing shoes on IG, and I keep thinking about them. Remedy: remind myself that I already own something in a similar vein, and that if I added another pair it would have to be something I’d have to make room for in my closet, and store in the off season.
- Appreciate what you have and wear it. Find new ways to style it. Put yourself on a 10×10 and see how many looks you can come up with. You will probably surprise yourself.
- Remember, the high of something new is fleeting. True creativity and style comes from what you do with what you have, not from how many trends you can jump on.
It’s okay to want new things, that’s part of the fun of styling and why I share links to what I feature, but know when to pull the trigger, and know that it’s okay to wait it out too. Who knows, you might even change your mind!
This little white number has served me well over the last 3/4 of a year since I purchased it. It’s remained in my closet during the fall, winter and spring. I am getting a few more wears out of it before I tuck it away for summer. The thick knit fabric is perfect for transition weather and layering in the winter, but I’d definitely be a bit toasty in the summer.
Be sure to check back later this week, I’ll be introducing you to a brand new line of everyday, every girl dresses that is hitting Kickstarter as we speak!
OUTFIT DETAILS: dress, Brass Clothing (also cute in navy) / sandals, Birkenstock / bag, Baggu (made is the USA!) / hat, old (similar)
xo,
Andrea
Cute dress! I live in dresses all summer because I’m really not too much of a sorts person, although I do own a few pairs. I feel much more pulled together in a dress though! I also just bought my first pair of Birks and love them. No backaches this years when I’m on my feet a lot traveling!
Rebecca, I do not love shorts either. Too much leg for me! But alas, I do have a few pairs that are handy for playing at the park, etc. I agree, I feel like a kid in shorts, but I always feel great in a dress.
Which Birks did you get?! They are seriously THE MOST COMFORTABLE sandals ever. So good for traveling!
I got the Mayari sandals in the toffee color. The are great! My chiropractor wanted me to stop wearing sandals and wear shoes with orthotics. :-/ These were my compromise! Ha!
Ha! That seems like a pretty decent compromise. I used to be all about the flip flops in the summer time, talk about not the best choice for your feet!
Love this one, and I totes sympathize regarding the feet swelling – such a pain!
Glad I’m not alone on this one!
I love supporting kickstarter!! Can you give a hint so I can find?…don’t want to miss out on a supporter “freebie” ;)
Hi Bobbiejean! Yes, go check it out! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2075657725/the-last-dress-youll-ever-need
Great post! Love this, “Consider that it might muddy the waters of a pretty stream-lined closet.” I too find that if I have good quality staples (like Everlane tees), adding similar items of lesser quality sort of cheapens the overall look of my wardrobe. I still (often) get tempted by adding something new, but I’ll remind myself that it would mean my higher quality items don’t have as much value. This has really helped with keeping my purchases in check!
Great point!! It’s like adding ‘junk food’ cheapens the whole effect. I am trying to let enough, be enough. For example, sandals. I really do have plenty for the summer. And I focus on that instead of thinking ‘I need more.’ Plus, I totally suffer from decision-fatigue when getting dressed.
First, I love your reminders to really enjoy what I already have – I find that the transition to a new capsule always seems to be a slippery slope into wanting all of the things. Second, this look is ah-maze-ing!! Third, you got the bag! It’s a perfect size and style!
xo,
Paige
Thanks girl!!! It’s nice to have something smaller and lighter.
And yes, when I start buying it sort of feels additive, and I don’t like that feeling!
I’m in a “buy all the things” mood today. I managed to take like $200.00 worth of stuff out of my shopping cart on Synergy earlier this evening and just bought the 2 skirts I actually know I’ll wear. It was a close call.
Isn’t it weird how it comes in waves? My friend Paige was just writing about how when she’s adding to her closet for a season or capsule, it can totally be a slippery slope! It’s almost like turning on the faucet… how do you get it back off?
I am looking forward to seeing how you style your skirts!
I really needed to hear this today. I’ve been struggling lately with wanting to buy all the things. But at the same time, I’m trying to stick to a monthly shopping budget and keep an edited wardrobe. Budgeting and careful planning of items I want to purchase are tricky for me since I shop mostly at thrift stores and consignment shops. I never know what I am going to come across, and feel like I need to snap up something good right away if I find it.
Totally Kristy, I feel ya. Do you use Poshmark? I find that helps me find more of a selection of a particular item I am looking for. But if I go to a thrift store, I try to only do so when I am ready to spend! Otherwise it’s soooo easy to go off course, budget wise.
I love this dress! And I’m so sad they don’t offer it in white anymore :(
I struggled with these same problems this time last year (and wrote about it). Having hind sight, I realize now that my closet unhappiness was directly related to some other unhappiness in my life at that moment — which for me it was only being able to wear a handful of my non-maternity clothes being freshly postpartum. It took me awhile (and few unthought out purchases) to realize this. I totally agree with you ladies, it comes in waves!
One thing that has helped me hugely is browsing brands/stores where there is little to no turn over in clothing selection (like Everlane!) I can tame the “buy all the things beast” in knowing that it will likely still be there when I can actually afford to buy it and have truly thought it through. Also, there’s always Ebay. Lol. I set a saved search with the keywords being the product name — it’s my way of “saving it for later” and letting my mind rest about it. I also do this with a pin board of mine I titled “windowshopping”, and half the time I find myself coming back only a few days later and deleting it because it was something I just impulsively wanted. I think being able to “save” these items to deal with at another time helps my brain de-clutter and think about it more rationally.
Rest assured my dear, you are not alone!
Thanks Laura. I love the white too, but it’s kind of like living on the edge every time I wear it. Because dirty kids, you know.
That is a really introspective insight. Postpartum is THEE hardest time, style wise. So many things going on, strange shaped body, hormones, newborn, etc.
I love this! Yes, I need to brain de-clutter all the time! For me, it is lists on my phone. Then my mind can rest. But I like your approach. And SO TRUE about places like Everlane. Although they are adding new items regularly now, and I love them all, eek! But online browsing is definitely a slippery slop for me. I do my best to avoid it when I can.
Great outfit Andrea! Simple, chic & comfortable is my favorite kind of look too! I just got my first pair of Birkenstocks for this summer (black thong- style), and I’m so excited to wear them today, since it’s going to be mid-70s here in New York!
Have a great day!
Thanks Jodie! Have fun with your Gizeh’s! Be sure to give your toes time to adjust to the little piece that connect the thong to the footbed, each summer I have to re-adjust to that! Hope your springy weather continues!
Cute outfit! We’re into monochromatic and capsule wardrobes and can see you have an appreciation for the same thing!
Agata Kozak
Fashion Designer
http://cossac.co.uk
You do gorgeous work! Thanks for stopping by! :)
Hi Andrea! I’ve recently found your blog and am really enjoying it, particularly your posts on ethical fashion, lean wardrobes and curbing the endless desire for more. I’ve been working in ethical fashion directly in India for a few years which has been amazing but ironically I can’t afford to buy these clothes when they’re retailed because of the (understandable) mark-ups – which leaves my wardrobe pretty cheap & cheerful and while I definitely wear things out to breaking point, it’s a little disheartening not to practie what I preach. I’m battling temptation to spend money needed elsewhere on a big overhaul and some decently quality ethical basics but your blog calms that inner voice a little and makes me realise that creating clutter or waste is no good thing either. I’ll start replacing worn-out cheapies slowly with much better things. Thanks for advocating for a more conscious closet in so many ways!
Yay! I am so glad I could encourage you. The challenge is real, right?! I keep telling myself, slow and steady, and haste often does make waste. What kind of work are you doing in India? It sounds really interesting!
Love this outfit! Question about the dress…is it see-through at all (like most white things?) And I’m 5’8″, I’m wondering if it’ll be too short for me. Sometimes with heavier fabric, dresses tend to pull up a bit more. Hmm.
Hi Katie! I do not find this dress see-through, but if I wear dark undies, I can kind of see them, so I just stick with nude tones. However, I do know they changed up the fabric since I bought this dress, and the new version I think is still thick, but I heard it’s definitely longer! I hope that helps!