10 pieces, 10 days, 10 outfits! We did it!
Well, kind of, but more on that in just a minute. :)
I had a fantastic time co-hosting this remix with my friend and 10×10 creator Lee of Style Bee and our first-ever guest co-host Liz of Elizabeth Suzann. I just have to give them both a big ol’ heartfelt thank you. Working with kind, caring, creative women like Liz + Lee is truly the best part of blogging.
This 10×10 was one of the largest ones yet! It’s incredible to see so many people reaching for mindfulness in their lives and closets. I’m particularly encouraged by seeing so many different approaches to it, and the way you #10x10friends celebrate every approach, even if it looks different than yours. Isn’t it special to know that each of our different perspectives and approaches have a place in the larger picture? Thank you for your positivity, your light, and your openness.
Now, let’s get down to recapping this remix!
Just as a refresher, here are the 10 items I included this time around:
01 / Linn Tee gifted by Elizabeth Suzann
02 / Petra Crop by Elizabeth Suzann
03 / Slide Sandals by Treasure+Bond (Runs large, I sized down a whole size.)
04 / Clyde Pants in Clay gifted by Elizabeth Suzann
05 / Cream Sweater (old by Nordstrom Rack) / similar by Everlane
06 / Artist Smock (old by Elizabeth Suzann) / similar by Elizabeth Suzann
07 / Black Skinny Jeans by Madewell
08 / Wild Card — I like to keep a free spot, so I have flexibility later on in the challenge.
10 / Mara Jumpsuit gifted by Elizabeth Suzann
(As usual, I didn’t include any accessories, outerwear, work out clothes, or PJs. Instead, they flowed in and out freely, as I needed them.)
10×10 Q+A
1 | What was your intention for this 10×10?
This time around, I simply wanted to have fun doing one of my favorite things — creating outfits I think are interesting and beautiful.
2 | Did your clothes work for the weather?
Kind of, hah. The forecast ended up changing dramatically over the course of the 10×10, so my little collection of warm weather clothes didn’t quiiiiite cut it on the unforeseen cold days.
On those cold days, I just decided to wear what was comfortable instead of what I’d planned in my 10×10. So technically I skipped two days of the 10×10 and wore cozy workout clothes instead. But I’m cool with it since I’m always the one saying things like, “It’s not about the rules — don’t follow the rules too closely!” and “There’s no such thing as cheating!”
This was the most laid-back, non-serious, lax-on-the-rules 10×10 I’ve ever done. Which was awesome because I’m in a state of shedding right now — shedding self-imposed rules, identities, and boxes I’ve put around myself. It felt so good to see that come through my 10×10 and it made the whole thing so much more fun.
3 | Were there any pieces you included that felt like mistakes?
Hm. Nothing necessarily felt like a mistake, but it might have worked out better if I’d included a cold-weather item or two.
I did include more tops than I ever have (five in total), and a couple of them (my ES Linn tee and ES Petra crop) felt underutilized. I think the challenge could have gone a little more smoothly if I’d swapped one of those tops for a jacket.
4 | What did you end up picking for your wild card?
I didn’t actually end up picking one piece, but since I wore work out clothes on the cold days, I’m counting that as my wild card.
5 | Which item/outfit was your favorite?
So hard to narrow down this time! But if I had to pick one single favorite, I’d have to say it was my Mara Jumpsuit. That thing is incredible, and I can already tell it’s going to be a travel champion. It can go from day to night in a snap, and the comfort level is off the charts.
The black linen does tend to pick up lint and dog hair, so if that’s a concern to you, you may want to try black silk or the flax linen instead.
As far as my favorite outfit — it would have to be outfit two. I wore my Mara jumpsuit with a grey tee underneath, and it just felt so cool and comfortable!
6 | Which item/outfit was the most outside your comfort zone?
I expected the Clyde pants to feel most outside of my style comfort zone, and at first, they did. But it only took a few hours of wear to realized that I loved them. There’s something special about them! They make me feel like an artist or a designer. Dress for the job you want, right? ;)
Along those same lines, outfit one was probably most outside of my comfort zone because it was one of the first times I’d worn my Clyde pants and I wasn’t used to them yet. But it very quickly ended up being one of my favorite outfits of the challenge, too.
7 | Would you change anything about this 10×10?
I tend to not want to change the way things went down — even if they weren’t ideal — simply because I know I learn something interesting from the experience. So, while in hindsight I see I could have done this or that to make the challenge more “successful”, I don’t think it’s about pulling off a perfect 10×10. I’m much more interested in the bumps and twists and unexpected parts — and the things I learn from them.
8 | What did you learn from the challenge?
I learned I really love the use of unexpected shapes and silhouettes in an outfit. For example, the shape of those Clyde pants is so different than my typical uniform of skinny jeans. I had so much fun putting them on and then exploring outfit composition around them: What happens when I pair this top with them? How about this other top? What do these shoes do for the look? Yep, I had a blast playing with composition this time around.
And finally, I learned my thumbs start hurting when I try to post and answer comments on Instagram every day. Cheers that we can all get back to a slower social media pace now. ;)
• • •
And there you have it! The spring 10×10 is a wrap!
If you missed it this time around, don’t sweat it! We’d love to have you join us for the summer 10×10 in a few months. No dates selected yet, but I’ll let you know once we do.
Your turn! I’d love to hear how your 10×10 challenge went overall. Did you learn anything interesting? I’d love to hear about it!
xo,
I love that you emphasize not to stress about the rules. That was a good reminder for me when I ran out of ideas! This being my first ever 10×10, I learned how everything needs to be able to pair… Haha, so I had one piece that only matched one other piece. That doesn’t work.
I’m so happy I participated. Some of my friends on Instagram were inspired to pack for trips more lightly, and I learned so much.
Thanks!
That’s awesome Tamara! It’s always a learning experience, even for the veterans of the challenge. :)
It’s so nice to have you back! I love the insights, the outfits and just reading your words :) Hope you’re settling in well, hope you do a house tour when it feels right (although if you’re anything like me you’re always changing bits and pieces around the house! lol).
This was my first 10×10, and while it was really fun to participate in, and I’m already excited for the summer 10×10, I’m honestly so glad I can put the phone away again for a bit. :) It was rewarding and interesting and fun, but I’m such an introvert! Soooo much fun seeing the creative outfits, though!
I started having cellphone Instagram-induced thumb issues, too. THE STRUGGLE IS REAL. And it caused me to finally cut back on phone/tablet use. Which caused me to start reading more physical books again. And I love it! I forgot how relaxing they are.
And that weather lately…how interesting! ;)
Oh Meg! You are speaking my language! ;)
I didn’t participate this time but you can be sure I was following along! Instead I took the opportunity to go through Lee’s “define your style” worksheet and ended up creating a mini-capsule of my favourite clothes to see me through the last 10 weeks of this second pregnancy. I realised I didn’t like wearing some things as much as I liked looking at them on the hanger, so tomorrow they will be donated to somewhere.
I love that Sophie! Sometimes we just need to look around with fresh eyes to see what we really need. My best to you during these last couple months! xo
This is amazing!!!!!!!!!!
xx
https://closettostreet.com
Usually I’m pretty weary of the challenge by day 7/8, but not this time! I’m not exactly sure why this particular 10×10 went so well for me — I loved all the pieces, and even came up with 7 additional outfits once it was over. Shocker. It was great to have you guys hosting as always. Totally crushing on all that Eliz Suzann!
I like your attitude to the challenge. I didn’t participate this time as I had just been on vacation and it just didn’t fit with my plans around Easter. But I loved following the tag and getting lots of inspiration for outfits I might try.
I agree with the inspirational outfit ideas, Katja. This community is so creative and wonderful! :)
I completely missed this 10×10 due to our cold snap here in North Carolina, so I feel ya girl! Absolutely loved your outfits and I have my eye on that grey tee!
Can’t wait for the summer 10×10!
Yes Ensley! Summer is coming!! xo
I loved seeing your 10×10 choices in action each day! This challenge was less-satisfying to me than my previous two. I think it’s mostly because I felt so restricted to wearing what I’d initially selected. I think it was still worth it, because I’m a bit more aware of what items need tailoring in my closet.
Krystal, I’m still glad you participated. Even if the lessons are small, they are always there. And I think tailoring can be a huge part of a successful wardrobe. :)
So nice to see updated posts on the blog again! I enjoyed following everyone’s 10×10 Challenge. Once again I INTENDED to participate but then just…couldn’t. Cuz life. Sigh.
That black jumpsuit is *so* darling on you!
Bettye
https://fashionschlub.com
Thanks Bettye! Next time! xo
This sounds so much fun !
Love the shape of the trousers. Love them all actually :) x Hsinwei
http://stylebyh2w.com/
Thanks so much for hosting again, Caroline. Glad you took such a relaxed attitude because I can see how taking it too seriously would also take all the fun out of it! I also made up a lot of my own rules, like not choosing anything ahead of time and making the 10×10 up progressively as I added pieces :) I just posted my wrap-up here:
http://sustainablefashionchat.com/spring-10×10-wrap/
Love that Mara jumpsuit on you! I have it in silk crepe and can’t wait for the weather to warm up more so I can start wearing it again :)
Hiya Caroline,
It’s so nice to see you back! I’m not a subscriber (of things generally – not just you!) – but I have enjoyed your blog for the last couple of years and click on it all the time to see if you’re back…and now you are! And you’ve got a new twist to your style and your blog and your life, which I am loving – it’s inspiring to see how someone else can change and adapt whilst staying true to themselves, and gives me courage that I might be able to do it too – not just in clothes, but in life as well. Your photos are as gorgeous as ever, and your style of writing is lovely – oooh, I’m pleased you’re back. I’ve not done the 10×10 challenge – but I’m struggling with changing my style a bit, as I’m finding it hard to transition into accepting myself as someone getting older (I’m 40 this year) and the changes in my body and face and sense of self that ageing brings. My old style and way of dressing doesn’t fit somehow anymore, and just observing your ideas and everyone else’s throughout the challenge too are really helpful and encouraging – and don’t at all make me feel comparatively inadequate like fashion/celeb/insta-stuff normally does. Thank you, happy new home to you, and I’m looking forward to more of what you have to share. Xxx
Will those slides fit for wide feet? I love how simple they are and the price is amazing as well!
This 10×10 was so laid-back! I really enjoyed your approach, it made me feel like I don’t have to achieve perfection to do this. I hadn’t the chance to join you this time, but I’ve done it last year and in fact I didn’t take it too seriously either – I completed 10 outfits with 10 pieces, but I couldn’t do it in 10 days in a row, so I did it in a longer time, and that was perfect for me!
xo from Brazil :)
I love experiencing with new clothing silhouette too. Those Clyde pants look like a great alternative to skinny pants. I mean, as versatile as skinny pants are, we are bound to get tired of them at some point!
http://www.hintofgrey.com | Hint of Grey
This was such a great post. Im really trying to simplify my wardrobe and this really helped. So glad I came across your blog!!
-Teeara
http://www.thestylishvagabond.com
Hey Caroline, loved this post!! Thanks :)
What are some responsibly made brands that you’d recommend buying from as I think about updating my wardrobe with lasting and high-quality items?
Thanks!
Rebecca
Hello! I know you posted before but could you please let me know where your round straw bag is from? I lost the link :(
I just want to thank you for how much you have inspired me and helped me <3
Caroline,
Have you seen any other pants like the ones from Elizabeth Suzann that aren’t quite at that price point? I love those, but they are a little out of budget for me.
Mandi