Document the Moments You Feel the Most In Love With Yourself
Document the moments you feel most in love
with yourself – what you’re wearing,
who you’re around, what you’re doing.
Recreate and repeat.
~ Warsan Shire
Lately, my jam has been dressing like a preppy teenage boy. Untucked button-down shirts, baggy sweaters, sneakers. It’s easy, it’s comfortable, it never feels old. I want all the hoodies and oversized long-sleeved tees!
This outfit was perfect for a day of walking at Wave Hill Garden in the Bronx. It was mid-40s/low-50s (almost my ideal temperature). The primaloft-filled jacket is super light, just warm enough, and very un-bulky when I want to take it off and just carry it around. If it had gotten even warmer, I would have pulled the grey crewneck off and worn just the white buttondown. It was an ideal, light layer situation.
Every once in a while I get an outfit Just Right. This was one of those. So I dissect it to try and understand why it felt so good…so I can replicate it with other pieces and make more outfits that feel this good.
Fit has a lot to do with it. The loose, long tails of the white blouse…the boxy, slightly cropped shape of the crewneck sweater…they weren’t tight on my body so they had some movement and I didn’t feel constricted in any way, or like I had to keep adjusting, smoothing, tucking, etc. I like the loose upper layer over the slimness of the skinny jeans on the bottom. The cropped jeans allowed just a little glimpse of ankle…and the white sneakers (while still dirty!) are classic and perfect for walking. The coppery jacket has the same loose, boxy fit as the other top layers, and the collarless style has a minimal appeal to me.
As far as the color palette, I’m really liking dark, monochromatic outfits lately. Not sure where that came from, but…it is what it is.
I’ve been on the lookout for cropped-length, boxy sweaters…and even knit vests – but I want them really oversized, and that has been a challenge with American plus-size brands. I see that look more with European and Asian retailers, but not in my size or that ship to the US. Grrr.
Once you’ve figured out a formula for outfits that feel like you, are comfortable, and are suited to your life, You’re Golden. This will save you so much time and effort in both shopping and getting dressed.
Do you have an outfit formula? Or are you happier in a different type of look every day?
What I’m Wearing
- Loft White Blouse, size 22/24
- Catherine Malandrino grey cashmere crewneck, size 3x
- Charlotte Russe Refuge black skinny jeans, size 24 short
- Madewell copper quilted liner jacket, size 3x. Out of stock, but there are a bunch on Poshmark.
- Keds Champions sneakers
- Target sunglasses
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Shirley Horst
I like your style formula on you also! You may have achieved nirvana for you! I too have a style formula that is working for me right now. It makes dressing so much easier.
bettyewp
Ha ha, yes, this day was pretty much style nirvana for me 🙂 Let’s see if I can recreate!
What formula have you found success with?
Linda Root
Another reason this works, IMHO, is because it keeps the eye moving. White collar, shirt tail, shoes. I like how you achieved that without a bunch of fussy accessories. An outfit formula is best for me but nothing has felt right yet.
bettyewp
Yeah, and narrowing down the formula is the EASY part, ha ha. Now the challenge begins to find all the right pieces. That fit. That I like. That I can afford. Ha ha. Even when something seems figured out, there are still so many factors! But at least I feel I’m on the right path.
What formulas are you optioning?
Linda Root
When I see a fashion blogger, such as yourself, get a formula and silhouette right then I do this: I take a screenshot minus their head (sorry), lol 😀 It’s not personal, really ! At that point, I try to take away the blogger’s personality and uniqueness. As a pear, I get tired of bootcut jeans. So I have screenshots of YOU when I like what you pair with narrower pant legs. My “outfit formula” hasn’t got past the headless screenshots 😢 I’ve tried. Are my expectations too high? It’s all so complicated with the hemlines, fabric type and shoes. I started with the silhouettes I like: #1. Classic yet comfortable blazer and various pant styles. #2. Looser/longer tops and jeggings. #3. A-line dresses with toppers. It’s so frustrating without the right shoes, perfect length cardigan or ideal fabric. PROBLEM: I’m stuck. WHY? I don’t know, lol.
Leslie Susan Clingan
First of all, that backdrop is gorgeous. What a beautiful place to show off your great look. I like the idea of being very conscious about documenting the moments when I feel my best. I am usually aware of them but don’t really take time to analyze why I am feeling that way. Great idea, though.
Lovely
Wow! You look amazing! I love all the pieces here. And what beautiful pictures!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
bettyewp
Aww, thanks!