by Leigh | Sep 7, 2019 | I Feel Pretty |
AUGUST $128
The Oversized Jean Jacket in Wortham Wash $128
I only bought one thing in August: a jean jacket. I’ve been wanting it for a while but didn’t want to pay full price. In the end I got talked into it. And I don’t regret it. I think a denim jacket is such a versatile piece and a good investment. I already had a denim jacket (an old one from H&M) but it is fitted and doesn’t have pockets. This oversized one really feels cozy and soft. I’m looking forward to layering sweaters under it when it gets colder. (Almost identical one from Nordstrom)
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Madewell
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Nordstrom
So, although I spent a lot, I only added one thing which makes me feel good. I strive for a minimal closet where I love everything I have and I wear everything I have. I have experimented with capsule wardrobes and participated in 10×10 challenges but mostly I just keep all my clothes in one place. Most things are hanging in a medium size closet, with underwear, socks, jeans, pjs and workout wear in a dresser. I don’t pack away off-season clothes. It works for me to see everything I have. I like the way it looks. It makes me happy and it makes it easy to get dressed. I rotate things out as needed. I did a huge Marie Kondo clean out of my clothes back in 2016 and I haven’t had to do it since.
I feel good about sticking to a budget and being very organized and minimal. I don’t feel good, however about the fact that I do contribute to an industry with a very dark secret. I recently worked up the courage to watch The True Cost and now I can’t un-know it. I have to make some changes. A cheap tee shirt from a fast fashion store is not truly cheap. Some of the imagery in the movie will haunt me forever. We just can’t keep causing so much harm, to other human beings and to the planet. It’s just not worth it. But with all social change the goal is not to wallow in guilt, but to make the small changes we can. You choose. It will make a difference. I think twice whether or not I need a new item. I look for it from a responsible company. I try to find it second hand. And I take good care of it! Then I find someone else who can use it after me. I am so grateful for the life and lifestyle I’ve been given.
What about you? How has your outlook on fashion consumption changed over the years?
by Leigh | Aug 10, 2019 | I Feel Pretty |
New Madewell tank top, purchased on my trip to DC with Madewell jean skirt and JCrew slides.
JULY $186
Athleta Swim Shorts $19
Suddenly decided I wanted more modest/covered-up options for the beach. These are perfect. They run big and I sized down to a small.
Madewell Tank $19
A trip to Madewell with my kids when we went to my home town, DC, and they talked me into this top. Not my usual style but I’m loving it! I can never figure out the knot thing but this comes with a weird front tail that forms a perfect knot without making the shirt too short.
Lucky Jean Shorts $45
I became obsessed with the AGOLDE shorts but couldn’t bring myself to spend $128. I ended up finding these and they’re the perfect replacement for my old Lucky cut offs that I’ve had since 2015!
Everlane Romper (Poshmark) $13
I wanted this when it first came out. When I came across it on Poshmark, I grabbed it. Looks and feels like PJs but I’m okay with that.
Athleta One-Piece Swim Suit $50
I bought this with every intention of returning it but it looked so darn good. God, I love it. Again, feeling like more coverage looks better on me.
J.Crew Rash Guard $40
Also within the theme of modesty, age-appropriateness and responsible skin care, I finally got a rash guard.
All of these pieces were great additions to my summer wardrobe!
by Leigh | Jul 27, 2019 | I Feel Pretty |
Hi, welcome to this random thought I had lately: Do I need a kimono? Like as a sort of fun, flow-y jacket? Or a beach cover-up. But I wondered: Is it overdone? Too Coachella Too millennial? Is it appropriation? Am I crazy?
This is what comes to mind:
I’m not sure I can/should try to pull that off. So, I looked at my favorite brands and liked these:
Thought Floral Coat $47
JCrew Floral Poncho $48
JCrew Embroidered Beach Poncho $60
Madewell Patchwork Wrap Jacket $70
by Leigh | Jul 6, 2019 | I Feel Pretty |
JUNE $236
J. Crew Brown Sandals $48
I LOVE these sandals. I tried a bunch of similar options and these were the winners. I wear them all the time, with everything. I feel like Jackie O. on holiday.
Nike Running Shorts $20
I’ve wanted these forever and couldn’t seem to allow myself to buy them. Why? Now I have them, run in them and am finally living my best cool-girls-track-team life.
Old Navy White Tank Top $7
I love this white tank and wear it so much. When it’s in the laundry, I long for it. Seroiusly perfect basic.
Old Navy White Crewneck Sweater $12
I get cold in the summer (?) so I love having this… just in case. It’s a soft and comfy cotton and I’ve gotten a ton of compliments on it so I feel validated for choosing it.
Old Navy Black Denim Skirt $30
@jillgg made me do it. This is something I didn’t think I needed as a summer basic, but apparently I did! It’s stretchy, casual but an upgrade from shorts.
L.L. Bean Dress $119
I bought this for a recent wedding. You have no idea how long I looked for something wedding-y (but made me look hot, but not hotter than the bride, but also age appropriate and not too dressy…arg!) but I love this and I think I’ll wear more than the once. It’s also a great example of my current style shift I’m calling, “New England Matron”
by Leigh | Mar 18, 2019 | I Feel Pretty |
I’ve been on a quest.
I’ve been looking for the “perfect” pair of white sneakers. (Yet again I have been brain-washed by the blogeratti into thinking that I need a certain trend.) Not the kind you wear to workout, but the kind you wear all of your other waking moments.
Exhibit A, inside my sneaker-brain:
You don’t even want to know how many hours I spent researching all the options. And to make matters more confusing I asked my husband his opinion. An admitted sneakerhead, he had a very strong viewpoint and didn’t mind getting involved. Now I should mention, I have two pair of white sneakers: classic Converse and Adidas Superstars neither of which are “all white” and don’t quite have that “go-with-everything” style I’m looking for.
My current stable of sneaks:
I wear the Pumas a lot, my daughter has stolen the Chucks and I never wear the Superstars but my husband insists they’re really good and I must keep them. He has no opinion about clothes or fashion in general, this is the only thing he really cares about. Lol. He also pointed out that the New Balance options are in a different category as they are more of a running shoe than a “tennis” shoe. I’d agree, but I still like them a lot.
I had an exciting trip to Nordstrom Rack where I bought (and later returned) these Eccos as well as these New Balance. (With the NB, I needed to size down and they didn’t have them. Also, they were pink not white. But I did love them and may get them in the future.) While there, I tried on the Stan Smiths and decided they were too clunky. I haven’t tried on the Vejas but kind of love. The Jack Purcells, Tretorns and Supergas aren’t totally me but they are so iconic I thought I should consider them. Am I leaving anything out?
Anyway, this is getting long and boring… I finally made a decision, as you could probably guess. I ended up choosing the Nikes.
I think.
by Leigh | Mar 14, 2019 | I Feel Pretty |
This is me in my new high-rise button-fly vintage-fit jeans from H&M, wearing zero make up, the shirt I slept in and my new leopard flats from J.Crew. The jeans are VERY comfortable and I feel very good about them.
Here is what I know about this style of jeans: you see them all over the internet, but never IRL. Have you been obsessing about a pair of vintage Levi’s for the last few years? I have. This is basically what the inside of my brain looks like:
I have pinned and pined. I have tried on Levi’s at Nordstrom and found out what 0% stretch feels like. I have secretly wished for a $300 pair from Re/Done. I have scoured the thrift stores. I found a promising Etsy store that will work with you/your exact measurements.
My fear has always been that they wouldn’t look good on me, that they only look good on the super thin.
But then I was shopping at H&M and came across a cool look-alike pair that was high-rise (and comfortably so), a nice wash, somewhat stretchy and pretty flattering. At $29.99, I decided they were perfect. Later, at home, I almost changed my mind and returned them.
Once I decided to keep them, I had to make the call on whether or not to cut them. I was glad I came across this August Diaries post about how to cut the hem off jeans. I didn’t think there was anything I needed to learn, but I am glad I read it because she recommends washing your jeans first. Even pre-washed jeans can shrink. Once they’re washed, you should put them on and mark where you want to cut. Always start small and then try them on again and cut more if you need to. I found that once I washed the jeans (I always air dry jeans) — the tight waist was actually looser. As I wore them throughout the day, they got even looser. They had that I-never-want-to-take-these-jeans-off feel.
Here they are when I first got them.
And here they are after washing and cropping.
I think everyone needs a pair like this. Here are a couple other options I found: Levi’s Wedgie Fit | Madewell Perfect Summer Jean
Good luck!
I feel good about sticking to a budget and being very organized and minimal. I don’t feel good, however about the fact that I do contribute to an industry with a very dark secret. I recently worked up the courage to watch The True Cost and now I can’t un-know it. I have to make some changes. A cheap tee shirt from a fast fashion store is not truly cheap. Some of the imagery in the movie will haunt me forever. We just can’t keep causing so much harm, to other human beings and to the planet. It’s just not worth it. But with all social change the goal is not to wallow in guilt, but to make the small changes we can. You choose. It will make a difference. I think twice whether or not I need a new item. I look for it from a responsible company. I try to find it second hand. And I take good care of it! Then I find someone else who can use it after me. I am so grateful for the life and lifestyle I’ve been given.
