A few more thoughts

I have loved getting dressed every day since I finished my project! I have a catalog of all of my clothes in my head now so it's easier to think about what I like and what I think looks good on me.  I have never thought of myself as a fashionable person, but I do care about what I wear and would like to become more fashionable. In the past year or so, I've been filling out my wardrobe and incorporating new pieces, and this blog was the perfect way for me to see what works and what doesn't, as well as what is missing from my wardrobe. 

Everyone's wardrobe is a work in progress, but here are a few things that I have learned from working on this project:
One of the most important elements of an outfit is the fit! You could have the prettiest dress, but if it's too big or too small, it won't be a good look, regardless of how you style it.
I no longer need to steer away from trends. In the past, I would ignore them because I didn't want to spend the money on something that might not last, but I've learned that If I actually like them, I shouldn't stop myself from picking them up at an affordable price. Leggings, skinny jeans, riding boots--they're been around for a while now, and it takes years for them to go from a Do to a Don't.

Shoes, accessories, and coats should not be an afterthought! They can make or break an outfit. 

I wore my wedding dress twice this year, but this may not have been the best idea because now there is a purple mark on it.  Perhaps from when the foosball controller poked me at Gill's Halloween party?

And a visual representation of my biggest take-away, which is that skirts are always more exciting than pants:

I am very excited about some pieces I received for Christmas and from the outlets in Rehoboth, Delaware the day after Christmas. The Banana Republic outlet was having an incredible sale when I was there! I'll try to share some of those looks with you, but I am still not sure how I'll be at braving the weather for outdoor outfit shots in the winter. I'm also getting nice and comfortable with my routine of leaving the house after Dave in the morning, leaving me without a photographer.

Happy New Year, and thanks for keeping me company in 2011!!

Assess the Dress

As I analyzed my wardrobe over the weekend, I found 3 dresses that I haven't yet worn since way, way before July 6, 2011. I like them, but I have no idea when I would wear them.  I'm not attending my company's holiday party this year, and I don't think I would have worn any of these even if I were.  I don't anticipate wearing them to any of the weddings I attend next year. So this is what it's all about: I gave these dresses away. They're currently in my sister's possession since she has singing performances and more opportunites for dressing up, and until she donates them, I could technically take them back if I find a time that I would like to wear them. But I want to know what you think. Do you think I should keep any of these dresses? Would you like to see me wearing any of them this holiday season?

Green dress: Was Betsy's, maybe from Francesca's?? Wore it in 2009 for a Theta reunion

Black dress: Very old, Not sure where I got it.  Last wore it for a Christmas party in 2007



Red dress: David's Bridal. Wore as a bridesmaid in Denise & Dan's wedding in 2009.
Happy almost anniversary, friends!! 



Day 120: Same skirts, rotating shirts

Yesterday I had a few friends over, and I was tempted to scoop up all of the shirts out of my "unworn" drawer and give them away. With the exception of my sweaters, since it hasn't been that cold for too long, I'm pretty sure that if I haven't worn a shirt yet, I am not that interested in wearing it. But I promise that I'll wear everything, and I anticipate that I will have caught up on my whole existing wardrobe by the end of the year. I do want to remind you that I haven't been photographing every single outfit I wear, but I've posted at least one picture for every day since I started on July 6.  For instance, I didn't take a picture of my "Good Game, Let's Go Eat" shirt that I wore for game night last night. But you can know that it was awesome anyway.

 Top: Gap, Betsy's

Black tank with lace underneath top: ??

Cardigan: LOFT

Skirt: Anthropologie

Boots: Old Navy

Necklace: From Kelly B.

Day 100: Hooray!

It's time to celebrate! I'm 100 days into this project, and it's going really well! I started to wear all of my clothes 100 days ago in order to take an inventory of what I have. Each day, I have worn at least one piece that I haven't worn since the project started, and I'm well over halfway through.  Right now, I have a bunch of casual, plain short-sleeve shirts left, as well as a whole bunch of sweaters. I also have a handful of formal dresses, as well as my wedding dress.  I feel pretty confident that I'll be able to wear everything I have, even if it means that I will dress up too much for Thanksgiving or I have a party with a theme of "Wear your bridesmaid or prom dress".  Dressing up for Halloween is essential this year, too.

Cleaning out my closet has always been one of my favorite hobbies, and The Everything Project was a result of the biggest purge, after losing some weight and a few sizes.  I restocked on the essentials and some fun new pieces, and I am lucky to share clothing with some friends and sisters.  Today, I realized that I only have about 3 pairs of jeans, and they're all nice and new.  It's important to have jeans like these, but I am itching to go to the thrift store at lunch today to find a perfectly worn-in pair of light-colored jeans with a boyfriend fit. All I have wanted to do is dress comfortably and casually lately.  Last night I was tempted to babysit in my pajamas!

Pink & gray striped shirt: Betsy's, from American Eagle

Sweater: Old Navy

Jeans: From Laura, from Gap

Shoes: Chuck Taylors via TJ Maxx

Bag: Banana Republic

Earrings: ??

Candle Necklace: Gift from Anthropologie at my birthday last year.

Did any of you get the same one?

A Wardrobe Update

Want to see how I'm doing on my project? Here are a few pictures of what I have worn and what I have yet to wear. I'm still aiming for a December end date; maybe I can get it to coincide with the end of the year.  I have a few observations about what I need to fill out my wardrobe: any kind of shorts, white pants/skirt/shorts that are cooler than my jeans, nice blouses, and a pair or two of boots.  I have been dreaming of a pair of riding boots for a while now. 

My half of the closet: it looks about half worn and half not yet worn, with the dividing line being that furry plaid vest, which you haven't seen yet. You can't see everything in this picture, which happens with a moderately sized closet that is shared with a husband whose wardrobe is also improving.  There are also shelves along the top of the closet.



Most of the tops I have worn so far.  I keep these in a duffel bag in my closet for now.

 

Remaining tops. Many of them are really not so work-appropriate. Lots of loose-fitting, plain colored tees.  At least I gave away most of my going-out shirts after college.



A few more tees: generally not work-appropriate, but also not gym-eligible.  Weekends and evenings, get ready for Evergreen Lumber.