Goodness, this has been such a fun 10×10 so far! I have spent way too much time the last two days browsing posts and outfits on Instagram. I love seeing and reading what everyone is doing! It truly feels like a cozy little community. It’s fun to see how setting strict parameters brings about beautiful creativity! Although I have a hunch the true creativity will be coming in by the end of next week when we are all starting to feel a little bored with our combos. It will be fun to see the results!
Here’s what I’ve been wearing so far…
LOOK ONE:
[ sweater, s/o (similar option) | pants (currently on sale!) | boots | bag | necklace ]
I’ve been waiting all fall for the right boots to wear with these pants. And these black chelsea’s are definitely it. Previously, I wore these wide-leg pants with my heeled black boots – a look I love – but my everyday life calls for mostly flat shoes. The slim ankle on these boots balances out the wide volume legs nicely. But the best thing I learned while trying to style these pants for colder weather – treat them like a skirt! Wearing tights underneath makes them incredibly warm. No pant-draft here!
Wearing this outfit I felt a little unsure of how I liked it – there’s so much volume here. It’s funny how, as women, we are almost conditioned to think we must show off our shape to be attractive. I remember learning in a college psychology class about how there’s an actual ratio of waist-to-hips that men find more attractive, because on a biological level it signals fertility. So maybe we’re not conditioned, maybe it’s biological, I don’t know. But sometimes I like to buck the hourglass trend and wear something totally different, because it’s fun and I like to feel like I’m not always following the crowd (because plenty of the time I actually am).
I’m not sure if I’d wear this again, but if I did, I’d probably use a different bag. A spring version, complete with bare ankles and open-toed clogs, would probably be quite cute.
LOOK TWO:
[ cardigan, s/o (try this one) | tan sweater, (camel is s/o, try oatmeal) | denim | boots | bag | necklace (similar) ]
The quickest way to stay warm? (Besides wool stockings…) Put on two sweaters! I am pretty sure this is the first year I’ve employed this tactic. Either Oregon is getting colder, or maybe I’m finally slowing down after seven-straight years of having babies and toddlers and my body temperature is getting a chance to drop. The nice thing about these cashmere sweaters from Everlane is that they’re thin enough to layer without bulk, but still substantial enough to stand on their own.
When I put these pants on – incidentally, after three straight days of working out – they were a lot more snug on my legs than normal. I’m hoping it was just the exercise and I’m getting swole haha! Let me know if you have any tips for stretching out rigid denim. After reading this article I’m seriously considering wearing them in the shower. Is that ludicrous or what?!
I really like this look. It’s no-fuss, super warm, and a great color palette.
HOW IS YOUR 10X10 GOING? DID YOU SET GOALS BEFORE YOU GOT STARTED?
Cheers,
Andrea
YES to not feeling obligated to show off your shape to be attractive. I definitely feel most comfortable and more like myself in pieces with more volume. I hope to get my hands on one of those Jamie + the Jones sweater tees one day, and if I hadn’t already spent my Christmas money I’d be snatching up those pants! Your first look is an absolute dream (both, really) and you look fantastic :)
Thank you! I thought someone would agree with me on this. It’s a relief, right? Thanks for your kind words on my looks Gabi, it means a lot. (And I am loving what I’m seeing on your blog…)
I love your style! It’s so approachable and put together! As for my 10×10, I really wanted to get a better sense of my style and whether the reality of it aligns with the Pinterest worthy world I have created in my head. Looking forward to seeing the rest of your outfits!
Thank you Brittany! What a great idea! It’s crazy how we can at times create alternate universes on Pinterest (on accident!).
I love the second look best – but the first is more fun. I feel like everyone could pull of look nr 2, but look number one requires more – bravery..
Love this challenge as well. Are you styling and shooting as you go, or did you pre-plan?
I agree Johanne, number 1 definitely took more bravery, but it was fun! Since I can’t shoot daily (logistics are too challenging) I did a lot of pre-planning. Which actually makes getting dressed even easier because I just look at my pictures to see what I’m supposed to be wearing. ;)
Your hair is perfect in these photos! It’s making me think seriously about chopping mine. And as I have said many times before, I have Jamie and the Jones sweater envy. Loving both looks on you and could totally see myself in #2. As far as wearing your jeans in the shower, as a child of the 80’s and early 90’s, I can attest to this method of making jeans fit better! :-)
Thanks so much Rebecca! I have serious hair-hate, so that means a lot! It’s naturally pretty straight so I take a curling wand and curl the top and bottom layers. That is HILARIOUS! Tell me more about this method! Did you use it in the 80’s/90’s?
It happened by accident to me, I wore a pair of tight, heavy weight jeans to a outdoor concert in 1992 It rained heavily and the concert was called off, so we had to walk the 1/2 mile back to our car in the pouring rain. Of course, we were drenched by the time we got there, but being teenagers did not go home. I wore the wet jeans the rest of the day until they were almost dry and they fit perfectly by the end of the night! When I told my Mom later she said a lot of girls did that in the 70’s and 80’s to make their jeans fit better! Ha! Uncomfortable, but works!
That is too funny Rebecca, what a great story! When I emailed I+W they told me to go hike around in the snow in them, haha. I’ll have to wear them in the rain! ><
I love how your brought the wide leg pants into winter! And your sweater layering and cuffed jeans is just too good. Off to a great start!
Thank you friend! It’s been really fun wearing them (the wide leg pants) more. I think the two bottoms I picked couldn’t be more opposite, haha!