I Overthink Every Outfit, So You Don't Have To | 05
Last week's looks!
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And we’re back! Back for another full week of outfits. Sometimes, as I get ready to write these posts, I start to reflect on different highs and lows from the week. This week, I’ve been thinking a lot about things my kids have said to me. Sometimes when our kids say things, we just laugh them off and don’t credit them with potentially being the next Socrates.
I was speaking with my daughter’s teacher at parent conferences. She shared that my daughter doesn’t like to write in the lines during her sessions. We discussed ways we can encourage her to fine-tune her wild handwriting, and the conversation was productive as always.
At the end, the teacher shared with me my daughter’s response to when she would try and correct her to write inside the dashed lines. My daughter said to her, “That’s just my personality.” She literally defended her wild writing to the teacher and chalked it up to being a personality trait. In more or less words, she told the teacher, “I’m different, I’m not conforming, and this is just who I am.”
I secretly burst with joy when I heard this.
I honestly low-key loved it. However, we can't have her filling out her marriage certificate one day and being unable to sign her name or fill out her information on straight lines. Her response makes me think a lot about clothing, among other things. The way I present myself daily truly is my personality. Don’t worry, I can write inside the lines. I used to be so scared to wear something bold. I was afraid of what people would think or how the workplace would judge me.
I've finally reached a point of realization: my style, my clothing choices, and my daring risks are part of what make me, me. When I wear a lime green vest, red snakeskin mules, or a hot pink dress, these are expressions of my personality. I don’t believe in toning down who you are to appease society. You have one chance at this thing called life. One chance to create—create in a way that feels authentic to you. For me, it’s through fashion and styling. Yours might be through art, writing an amazing lesson plan, creating a stunning Excel sheet (if so, please call me, I need help), home decorating, journaling... you name it.
We all need to find something that truly represents, as my daughter says, 'our personalities.'
Don’t shrink yourself to fit in or to go unnoticed. Unless, of course, that is what makes you feel comfortable—and if so, that’s perfectly okay.
But let’s all try to be a little more like my daughter, who just put on a full face of makeup to look like “Red” from Disney Descendants: Rise of Red and went out bike riding in public. She had zero shame. Makeup is her creative outlet, and I love that.
Coloring inside the lines might not be her personality, but creating a full smokey eye with a matching red lip? That definitely is.
Let’s dive into this week’s outfits… all key parts of “my personality.” If you make a mistake at work, I do not recommend saying to your boss, “It’s just my personality.” Chances are, your boss will not think it’s cute and will most likely discipline you.
Monday
Monday was a beautiful day off. I was able to run around and finally complete some errands that had been lingering for far too long. It made me think about how nice it would be to consistently have a three-day weekend. I feel like I’d recover faster—and just feel more refreshed.
This outfit is a go-to weekend uniform for me: a white sweatshirt, leggings, chunky sneakers, and a long down vest. I’m feeling a bit salty about wearing a down vest during Spring, but here we are.
Links: Green vest (similar) // White sweatshirt // Black leggings // New Balance sneakers // Black sunglasses
Tuesday
I love Peter Pan collars. I was so happy when they came back in style a few years ago—and I still love them today. They make any shirt feel more interesting. I also love putting my daughter in them. We can have a real mommy and me moment—if she’ll allow it.
The wide-leg white denim is so good. I love how I can wear it to work, out on the weekends, and spruce it up on vacation for those effortless resort vibes. Black boots give me a little height with the long pants.
10/10 day!
Links: Black blouse // Black blouse (short sleeves) // Black belt // White jeans // Black boots // Gold earrings // Black sunglasses
Wednesday
I think this was my favorite outfit of the week! I wanted to wear these black work pants to give a sleek, straight-leg look. I was struggling to find an oversized button-down that didn’t make it look like I had a diaper on when I tucked it in. So, I pivoted away from my usual poplin shirt and reached for my go-to linen collection instead. It gave that button-down look, but with a material that tucked beautifully into a fitted pant.
The red mules are EVERYTHING! Of course, now they’re out of stock and impossible to find. I’m on the hunt—but I’ll link some similar ones here!
The slicked-back bun is giving me life lately. It creates a polished look with the least amount of effort.
Links: Blue button-down shirt // Black pants // Red mules // Red loafers // Black sunglasses // Black Sunglasses (less expensive)
Thursday
I used to have a college professor who wore all black every day. When a classmate asked her, “Why do you always wear black?” she replied that she was mourning the death of Hamlet.
Perhaps that’s what I was doing this past Thursday as well.
By Thursday, I get tired. I find comfort in an outfit formula that feels easy to me: monochromatic blacks—a black bodysuit, black-wash denim, and two-toned ballet flats with black accents. Throw on one of my favorite oversized Zara blazers and call it a day.
Links: Beige blazer // Black bodysuit // Black denim (similar) // Ballet Flats // Gold earrings // Black sunglasses
Friday
You know I love a good lady jacket. Now, let’s make it striped! This is my #1 item for outfit repeating. I styled it with a simple white tank underneath, buttoned the jacket all the way up, and paired it with light-wash denim.
I love matching my shoes to my belt, so the brown loafers/belt combo was a big win in my book. Gold shell earrings because—well, duh.
I bet you’re starting to see how once something enters my wardrobe, it cycles through. I always make sure to get my use out of it!
Links: Striped lady jacket // Light denim (similar) // Brown belt // Brown loafers // Gold earrings
Saturday
Shocking—I got dressed on Saturday. We took my daughter to see a local play with her friends. It was based on Disney’s Descendants. I literally knew nothing about it. The plot? Absolutely wild. I had a moment where I was like, “Did I like stuff like this as a kid?” And then I remembered—I grew up on AAAHH!!! Real Monsters and Catdog.
But what’s even more wild is the fashion. My herniated discs made it hard to turn my head and actually watch the play, so I had the pleasure of staring at a wall instead.
I went with one of my go-to outfit formulas: straight-leg denim + oversized button-up + red statement mules. I can already tell these red shoes are going to get a lot of wear. Slicked-back bun, because I needed to avoid washing my hair for yet another day.
Links: White button-down // Barn Jacket (similar) // Jeans (similar) // Red mules // Gold earrings
That’s all! I’m looking forward to being back in your inbox this Saturday. As always, thank you for supporting me and my work. I’m so grateful for all the positive feedback.
I just wanted to give you a heads-up that Saturday’s post will be a bit different from my usual. It’s a more raw, personal, and heavy topic. I hope you understand why I felt the need to hit publish on it. There will be a “trigger warning” at the top of the post, so please read it and decide if moving forward is best for you.
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Discussion Questions:
1. What were your favorite looks or items from the week?
2. Should we be mourning the death of Hamlet in a more visible or formal way?
3. Are you also a fan of outfit repeating? Let’s all channel our inner Lizzie.
4. Is writing within the lines overrated?
Love your style & your writing! Never shrink it 🩷