Happy Friday to you! I’m officially half-way through my Winter 10×10 and I’m not tired of repeating my items yet! Today I’m sharing looks three and four, but in real-time I’m on look five. There’s a bit of a delay between shooting, writing and publishing, so that’s why the blog is a tad behind. Plus we’ve had like 5,999 snow days this week, and I’ve had kids up to my ears around the clock. Makes it kind of hard to string together sentences!
Since we’ve been snowed for three days, it’s been pretty easy to wear these looks because we aren’t really leaving the house. And yes I even wore my dress yesterday, just to stay home! It actually was kind of nice to not be wearing sweats all day.
LOOK THREE:
[ sweater, s/o (similar option by the same makers) | turtleneck | rigid denim (same style also in stretch denim now) | boots ]
I wore this during the first day of our epic snowfall, and it was nice and toasty. The snow can be a major pain, but in some ways the forced slow down has been really nice. Our breakfasts have been slower, we have done more activities like games, puzzles and coloring… amidst some sledding of course!
This T Sweater is pretty much the sweater version of the T Top (another favorite of mine, which you can see styled here). After this Closet Challenge is over, I look forward to figuring out all the ways I can layer underneath it. I’m thinking linen button up, chambray, even another thin sweater. Before I got this, I had the hankering to hit the thrift stores in search of a chunky wool sweater. Something circa 1990’s men’s J.Crew. No tall order at all, right? But once I put this baby on, my chunky knit dreams were fulfilled.
STYLING NOTES:
>> The design of chelsea boots makes them extra flattering because they give the illusion of heeled boots with their slim-fitting shaft. My favorite way to style them is with loose, raw-edge jeans that are wider cut at the bottom. But, I also think they work great with straight-leg jeans (seen here) or cropped flares. Keeping the hem length of the pants just above the ankles (by cropping or rolling) looks best because it shows off the slim shaft.
>> I kept this outfit super simple because sometimes you just don’t need any accessories. I have my watch, my anniversary cuff, and my wedding ring, three things I wear every day, one of them I never even take off. Somedays it’s just nice to not think too much about what I’m wearing. The texture on this sweater keeps things interesting enough on its own!
>> Overall, I felt great in this outfit. These jeans are super structured, so I always feel pulled-together in them. They are thick (13.5 oz denim!) and warm in these cool temps.
LOOK FOUR:
[ turtleneck | dress | hat (see how I made it here) | boots | tights (similar) | necklace, c/o (use code: seasonsandsalt10 for 10% discount) ]
STYLING NOTES:
>> I am a big fan of flat boots with dresses. Previously I could not figure out why dresses always felt so, dressy in the wintertime. During the summer I live in them, and they always feel like a perfect match to my casual lifestyle. But in the winter they always feel too formal. It may seem obvious, but I finally figured out it was the footwear. I was always trying to wear them with heeled boots. Take the same dress and the same tights, and add flat boots, and all of a sudden it’s a much more casual look.
>> In the interest of staying warm, I donned wool tights and a wool hat (that I made) to this outfit. These two seemingly small items made the difference between being chilly and comfortable in this look.
>> The dress is a great season-less addition to my closet because of the layering possibilities. It makes for a great, simple shift in the summer – and layers nicely over long-sleeved tops and and sweaters in the winter.
Looking for more Winter 10×10 fun? Check out Lee @ Style Bee / Paige @ Style This Life / Harben @ Harben Porter / Michele @ My Life in Japan / Kimi @ Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair
I have the same issue with dresses in the winter! I even have a dress I wear with sandals in the summer and feel casual, but I throw a cardigan over in the winter and add boots and I feel too dressy! Your dress is perfect and I can’t wait to see what you do with it int he summer! I’m really loving those boots,too, but I have spent enough on winter clothes so I doubt if I will add them to the mix, unless I find a quality pair on consignment for cheap. I’ll be anxious to see how they work/wear for you and maybe I’ll invest in the fall.
Chelsea boots are so classic, I bet if you keep looking something might turn up on consignment, or I am sure there will be even more great options in the fall. I feel like we are going to blink and it’s going to be spring!
Layering that dress over a turtleneck is so cute! You look like a modern version of Rooney Mara in “Carol.” https://clairestbearestreviews.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/clairestbearestreviews_filmreview_carol_toys.jpg
I love it! She is too adorable.
I have a similar but different issue with dresses – I don’t feel too dressy but I feel too lumpy with a turtle neck under and a cardigan or sweater over, and great swathes of fabric. I haven’t solved the styling issue yet.
However, I love outfit #4 because turtleneck-under-dress is always a winner in my book. I went for turtleneck-under-vest in my first look, which gives a similar feel. The vest is actually really similar to the shape of your dress – but slightly shorter and with a deeper V. https://lesslessyes.wordpress.com/2017/01/10/winter-10×10-outfit-1/
I’m really impressed by everyone finding so many variations with the same clothes. People have created so many distinct outfits! I literally just wore the same thing for the first two outfits. My second outfit looks almost like outfit 1. https://lesslessyes.wordpress.com/2017/01/11/winter-10×10-outfit-2/ So far, I haven’t seen any other outfit repeaters in the challenge :/ — so much so, that I was even thinking of making a challenge to outfit repeat twice in a week and have participants collect data on whether anyone would actually notice.
It IS hard in the winter, like you said, too much fabric! Sometimes I just want to give up on dresses and skirts this time of the year for the effort factor. But after awhile I do get bored in pants day-in day-out.
And yes to the slip! it is such a forgotten technology!
Good luck with the rest of your outfits. I’ll be curious to hear if anyone notices.
Such great looks, Andrea! I’ve been eyeing a similar dress from Elizabeth Suzann (saving up my monies $$$) and I’m excited to see how versatile that style might be in all sorts of weather. Thanks for sharing and enjoy the snow for me!
Ha! The snow is fun, but we are going on day 6 of almost a foot of snow, and I am starting to get tired of it because the roads aren’t totally plowed. But it sure is pretty! Excited for your dress!!
(Did you ever find pants?)
Ah yes, pants! So I ordered Clydes and returned them for a larger size so they’d be roomier in the bum/thighs. Still waiting on the new size to come in, and I’ll let you know how that ends up. But I also pulled the trigger on the Cecilia pants (totally opposite style) and they are AMAZING.
Yay!!! I bet both look amazing on you. With the Clydes did you get the olive or the black?
I decided to play it safe with the black. But I still love the olive!
Okay, I want to hear every detail about them after you get them and wear them a few times!
Always love your posts, but this one was especially helpful!
The “dress thing” is my biggest challenge this 10×10. I put a never-worn, Elizabeth Suzanne dress in my 10 items to compel me to…well…wear a dress. It was on my wish list and gifted to me…but I NEVER wear dresses, so feels quite at the edge of my uniform comfort zone. (Think: black and grey cashmere sweater overlaying soft T’s…with various types of black pants – that’s me.)
I love your realization that wearing boots changed things. For me, this will mean wearing my long, black, raw silk dress…with the brown combat-ish boots that I wear every day.
Also helpful that your dress is sleeveless – mine too, as well as reversible – with the “V” in front or back. You gave me “permission” both to wear it in winter…and with my security boots. Blessings!
Dana, this brings me so much happiness to read!!! I have ah-ha moments like this every once in awhile when reading other bloggers’ insights, and I’m delighted to have been able to do that for you! I hope you love wearing your Elizabeth Suzann dress with your security boots,it will be a great way to personalize that dress to your style. It’s funny how a small detail like shoes can totally make a difference. Glad we can both think outside the box together. >< Thanks for sharing!! :) :)
Both looks are lovely! I especially like the dress over the turtleneck with tights. It looks casual and comfy yet stylish.
Thank you Jenine! I was surprised at how cozy the combo was too. :)
What size are you in the shift dress? I like how it looks on you but not on the model on their website. Still torn if I want to go with this dress or with the t dress from Jamie and the jones.
Hi Laura! My Shift Dress is a medium. That’s a tough choice! Going into the summer, a sleeveless dress could make sense. But maybe you would wear the T dress more in the colder months? Good luck!