For the last few weeks, I've been in a clothing funk. I'm uninspired when I look at my closet and the clothes in it, and I'm somewhat unsure what to do about it. Part of it is that work limits me so much (that skirts and dresses are pretty much out, as well as heels), and then of course it's the middle of the winter (hussy ankles be damned though).
On top of that, I've been putting pressure on myself to not just go out and buy random items. I want to focus on pieces that I feel will complete my closet, but finding those pieces hasn't proven to always be easy. I know that it'll take a while to find the perfect blazer or the right boots, but meanwhile I feel like I want something new to mix it up. I know that it sounds somewhat lame, needing to go out and buy something to feel happy about my closet. That feeling of "need to buy" is something I'm very much working on because it's not a healthy (mentally and financially) way to get dressed every day...
On top of that, I've been putting pressure on myself to not just go out and buy random items. I want to focus on pieces that I feel will complete my closet, but finding those pieces hasn't proven to always be easy. I know that it'll take a while to find the perfect blazer or the right boots, but meanwhile I feel like I want something new to mix it up. I know that it sounds somewhat lame, needing to go out and buy something to feel happy about my closet. That feeling of "need to buy" is something I'm very much working on because it's not a healthy (mentally and financially) way to get dressed every day...
....but that didn't stop me from buying these pants (although mine were cheaper in store). Nothing like polka dot pants to shake it up a little bit.
Please tell me I'm not the only one with the winter closet doldrums.
Please tell me I'm not the only one with the winter closet doldrums.
Tee: J. Crew {similar}
Scarf: gift from my girl Alexa
Jeans: American Eagle {exact}
Shoes: Tory Burch {exact}
Watch: Fossil {similar}
as a little social media update, I am now posting each post in its entirety on my facebook page so if it's easier to follow along over there, check it out! I also now have a "blogged" pinterest board.
I bet if you did a 30x30 you'd get excited about you closet :) hint, hint
ReplyDeleteGinny
mynewfavoriteoutfit.blogspot.com
Hey, now that Ginny mentions it, if you do a 30x30 for February, I'll join you!
DeleteI have the same exact problem. Shopping is cathartic, and I let myself have it. Of course, I'm trying to reign it in, too. However, those polka dot pants are FUN. Also, polka dot is right up there with leopard and stripes. It's a neutral, so you can mix it up with anything and everything, right? :)
-Danielle
http://littlebitofwowe.blogspot.com
I agree - somehow I'm coming up with a million ways (in my head at least) for the items I chose for my 30x30, maybe that would help you get inspired?
Delete-Elissa
Professionally Petite
Well... I certainly couldn't tell. Your outfits are as nice as ever :) LOVE the scarf.
ReplyDeleteSarah
I know what you mean about closet doldrums. I combat it by pinning to my Pinterest fashion board and reading tons of fashion blogs to try and find new combos...although sometimes it back fires and I want to buy mores clothes :)
ReplyDeleteYou're by no mean the only one. I too find myself standing for half an hour in front of my closet wondering what to wear. I seconded Ginny's suggestion - if nothing else, a30X30 (or 15X15, or whatever number you choose) would make you welcome back the rest of your closet with wide open arms once you're done :D
ReplyDeleteI totally understand! I'm trying to just "fill the gaps" as well. Right now, I only want to wear my black skinny pants and an oversized sweater, but I can't do that for work... Making a capsule wardrobe (like a 30x30) has been helpful for me, in the past.
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth, I love this outfit. Your pink cardigan is such a gorgeous color!
Your post came at a great time... I was sitting here pondering what to wear for picture day tomorrow (oh the perks of being a teacher) and am fighting the urge to go run to Gap or BR down the street to find something new.
ReplyDeleteHere are my two best tips (that I've found effective for myself): First, temporary shopping bans where you ban yourself from buying certain items. It doesn't take all of the fun away from shopping, but forces me to pay more attention to what I already have and look at at buying more specific needs for my wardrobe. The other thing I do when I'm uninspired is turn to Pinterest. I have over 1,000 outfit pins, so I go through those and look for new combos and ideas for items I already own.
Hope you get get over the cold weather wardrobe blues soon! You look fab no matter what!
oh picture day, I remember it well. the need to have the PERFECT picture. granted I was still in school then so I probably felt more pressure to be oh so perfect haha
Deletethank you for the tips - the first one especially! I
My Godddd you just read my mind and wrote a post for me. Seasonal closet depression? I think yes. And 30 for 30 is hurting instead of helping, because my pieces don't "go" as well together as they did last time and so on top of being uninspired I'm frustrated. Let's trade closets for a month!! :) Looooove that scarf.
ReplyDeleteSamantha @ Sam ipsa loquitur
i hear ya, lady. thanks for commenting on my similar post from today, good to know i'm not the only one out there in a funk. i find that i keep reaching for the same items in my closet and i want to keep wearing them the same way. i need a burst of creativity. and what gets me down is wanting to wear skirts but needing to wear tights and feeling frustrated about having to coordinate my tights to my shoes and skirt.
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way... until I reorganized my closet. Before, I had tops color coordinated; after, they were still coordinated by color, but separated into sleeveless, button-ups, and others. I folded my pants, and put some dresses on hangers (even though they probably won't see light of day until spring). Honestly, just moving things around a little bit made a HUGE difference and would strongly recommend any one in a winter funk to try it, too. Best wishes!
ReplyDeleteKate @ A Journey in Style
You look really cute! But I feel you on those winter blues. I need to probably go through my clothes again and remind myself of what I have.
ReplyDeleteI often find myself in funks during the winter and while I think you've got the right idea to work on creating your perfectly curated closet, that desire to get something new to spark your creativity and make you want to put on clothes rather than stay curled up in pjs is important too.
ReplyDeleteI should know, i've done more than my fair share of shopping these past few weeks!
Chic on the Cheap
You're not alone! Hence the reason why I've used my entire "fun" money budget this month buying tons of clothes. I've felt so uninspired by my clothes, but I think I was also lacking a lot of things. But I'm finally hitting this wall of like... the things I pick up and consider buying are just not necessary. I don't regret anything I got this month, but I think for the next few months, I'll be a lot more selective about what I buy!
ReplyDeletecute cardi! you're so pretty :)
ReplyDeletejoin my galaxy leggings GIVEAWAY!
http://sittingwaitingwishin.blogspot.com/
Well you look great so if that is a style rut then "WOW"!!! Haha! But seriously I so know what you mean but since I have placed myself on a shopping diet again I am going to make my closet work for as long as I can. I know I need a stack of new tees and a shopping trip to VS and a new pair of skinnies but I have to make it work until i is so worn out I need something new. I at one point owned just about all of the women's section at American Eagle. That is not ok. I know I cannot just shop to shop because I just end up giving it away. And though I feel like I'm in a rut I am trying to be creative so it doesn't seem like I am in a rut or lazily dressing (because I am just so over it). But that I actually have a style of my own and that it can shine out no matter what. (or so I tell myself)!
ReplyDeleteChao
Poppie
http://thepoppie.com
Girl. It's winter. Even I have the blues, and our "winter" was ONE week of 55 degree weather. I get like this about once each season. However, you do have a lot of constraints on what you can wear for work. What about some colored jeans? Or we could do an online clothing swap thingy?
ReplyDeletehaha I KNOW you lucky duck with your warm Cali winter! I think I'm going to look for some olive jeans to mix it up a bit - I've seen some really cute outfits with olive and it's a neutral enough that it can be worn with heaps!
DeleteOh, I hear ya. I've been buying more basic things, yet every morning, I just think, "Nothing goes, this is boring....blah...." I'm toying with just not allowing myself to buy anything for a month or two, just to force myself to be creative, because it's just been a white/gray/navy striped top with a skinny neutral pant for WEEKS. I'm in a serious rut. You, however, are faking it well. I would have never guessed that this was a "funk" outfit for you.
ReplyDeleteLol. Every now and again, I do end up in a funk and can't for the life of put an outfit together. I don't get inspired with my wardrobe but I don't want to go out and buy clothes. Ugh the dilemma in fashion. Lol. So what I do is look up fashion ideas and try to recreate them with clothes I already have in my closet and that helps me. Loving the look. Hoping you are staying warm:)!
ReplyDeletekikistyles101.blogspot.com
Girl!!! I'm in the same funk....which explains the lack of outfit posts on my blog this week:/! I've been hearing it from a few other bloggers too, so we're not alone! BUT.....I have no idea what you're talking about! I have not seen one bad outfit from you. I especially love this pale pink cardi with the outfit! It looks great with your skin tone too!
ReplyDeleteI know what ya mean! I definitely go through closet funks. I think I need to get better at picking out pieces that are really versatile. But when I can't go out and buy something else, pinterest usually helps to inspire me!
ReplyDeleteLove your striped shirt and the printed scarf :-)
~Jessica
Jeans and a Teacup
So true! I am having a hard time coming up with exciting new outfits too...it is so cold that I just live in jeans and sweaters and boots this time of year. But that is what I love about reading blogs like yours - new ideas! I love your stripe shirt and printed scarf combo - may have to copy this. ;)
ReplyDeleteAvec Amber
Your post came a day too late for me ... but hope I won't do further damage to my bank balance.
ReplyDeleteI will temporarily swap some stuff with my sister when I go back home in few days. That should keep my wardrobe interesting and still keeping it intact at the end ...
I love your pattern mixing here and that blush sweater pulls it together so well... and I totally hear ya - when I feel like I need to have something new - I usually pick up an inexpensive item like a scarf or accessory - even those little things can give ya that shopper's high :)
ReplyDeleteXO
Pearls & Paws
I think it's important to buy fun items too. It keeps you excited about getting dressed and expressing yourself. A closet can't be full of basics! Some of my most well-loved pieces are the unexpected ones (a bright pink purse, or a striped coat, for example) - and most unexpected items are impulsive.
ReplyDeletethe "a closet can't be all basics" has really got me thinking - you are so right. every once in a while it's nice to buy something fun to mix it up.
DeleteLove the mix of prints!
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain, lady - I definitely get that closet boredom too. I'm sure this has been said, but usually what helps me is looking through pinterest/inspiration photos from anywhere. Once I see a bunch of cute outfits I haven't done, it helps me think of tons of new things I can do with the clothes I do have. I actually end up feeling like there's not enough time to wear all of the possible outfits and then I can't decide what to do, haha - if it's not one thing, it's another, right? Also, your scarf is fantastic, love the mix of that and the stripes!
ReplyDeleteI literally JUST posted a very similar sentiment over on my blog yesterday. After the initial excitement about boots and sweaters and layering wears off, I really fall into the outfit blahs. And I'm struggling with the same "don't go buy a million things just because you're bored with winter!" mentality, too. Don't worry...it's gotta end sometime! We just have to make it through to that point :)
ReplyDeleteremember when we were all so excited in September for fall and layering? ha, look at us now!!
DeleteI feel your pain - especially at the moment when so much of my closet is languishing at home in Australia. I won't be getting any pieces until my mother comes in APRIL! The upshot is that I buy too many clothes.
ReplyDeleteAs for Winter, I am not a fan. I always feel fat in all the layers and they're never enough to keep me truly warm. And I live in Silicon Valley. It's not like it's PA or something, haha.
Definitely not alone, I hate winter (I feel like I have typed this comment on your blog before, I'm sure of it) and it feels like a real effort putting on clothes that aren't joggers/hoody and to hell with anything else! It helps having a blog at this time of year, it forces you to be more creative. I think I started in November when I blogged the first time around in 2009, this time September. Definitely something in that!
ReplyDeletegirl, I hate winter too :( it's just so cold and dreary. I completely agree about having a blog helps - I feel I'm held accountable to not just wear a sweatshirt every day!
DeleteAwesome idea to post your looks on a Pinterest board! I was thinking about doing that with outfits or my DIY/Home Decor projects, but I'm not sure I want to unveil this blog to my friends/family/coworkers that follow me on Pinterest just yet--eek!
ReplyDeleteYep, I am in the same boat! I think it is just hard to get inspired when it's so cold outside! I've been thinking about doing a 30X30, but I am a little bit nervous!
ReplyDeleteThose pants you brought are super cute. I know 30x30 help me out a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteUGH. I'm totally in a funk right now. It's hard to be creative with your closet when it's so cold (yet a few months ago I was complaining it was too hot and I couldn't wait for it to cool down so I could start layering. I TAKE IT BACK.)
ReplyDeleteI always have that "need to buy" mentality to make me feel happy about my closet, and that's not good for my wallet.
Perfect pattern mixing!!
ReplyDeleteSuper cute combo! I feel like I'm in a complete outfit rut too, and I got a few new items for Christmas! I'm hoping to get back on the style horse soon and post some pictures!
ReplyDelete-AJ
FitTravelerAJ.blogspot.com
I feel you. I really do. I go through ebbs and flows when it comes to shopping and this time of year is the worst! Shopping patterns aside, I love the outfit - great styling all-round.
ReplyDeleteYou're not! I also made a resolution to only purchase items I have on a "list" and while my wallet is really appreciating it, my closet quite resentful. Back to your outfit, I LOVE your scarf and you still look really cute even with your "hussy" ankles!
ReplyDeleteWow! amazing work! congratulation for this information. I have come some advice to about Monthly Budget. Thanks for sharing.....
ReplyDelete