11 real life outfits + 5 key style observations from May

This year, I started a new thing:

At the end of each month, I gather up my outfit snapshots and I look for common themes.

This simple practice gives me a chance to see what’s working and what’s not when it comes to my day to day outfits.

In short, it gives me instant style clarity.

Feel free to do this with your own closet in the coming month — snap photos of your outfits as often as you can. Then take a few moments to review them at the end of the month.

Keep scrolling to see 11 of my favorite looks from this month — and to hear 5 of my key style observations.

See the full outfit details: 

One | Two | Three

Four | Five

Six | Seven | Eight

Nine | Ten | Eleven

1 | Romantic dresses make a comeback! Outfits 7 & 3

I was humming along, feeling at home in my minimalist/sporty style — and then BAM. The need to wear something more romantic, detailed, and delicate hit me like a freight train.

It’s as if wearing these dresses is bringing light and validation to some part of my soul right now! I’m enjoying this sudden shift — and I’m loving every minute spent in a twirly dress.

One interesting thing to note: I’m drawn to these dresses in either black or white. Keeping the dresses solid and neutral is my way of putting a minimalist spin on things, so they still feel very much in line with my style — not overly sweet and not too cottage-core.

Looking forward: I want to lean into the romance! I may look for a dress or top with delicate details to add to my rotation.

2 | Button downs reign supreme. Outfits 1, 5, 6, 10

No other garment accomplishes polished nonchalance like an oversized button down.

Reformation is giving me life with their Will Oversized button down. (Ouftit 1)  It’s best button down I’ve ever worn. There’s just something about the fit — it’s hard to put it into words. Try it for yourself — you’ll see what I mean when you put it on.

It comes in fantastic patterns, colors, and fabrics (like cotton, linen, silk, and mesh).

Looking forward: Since I wear button down shirts so often in the spring and summer, I’m considering getting another one. Striped shirts are speaking to me right now, so I may go that direction.

3 | New outfit formula: running shorts paired with nice tops. Outfit 1

Okay, I didn’t see this one coming — running shorts with a nice top is my new fascination.

Combining two contrasting styles — sporty and dressy — into one outfit creates a bit of tension and a lot of visual interest. I love it!

If I ever feel like my outfit is too one-note, this is the antidote. It’s a nice little formula to have in my style toolkit for days when I don’t know what to wear.

Looking forward: I’m interested to play with variations on this formula. Maybe mix sporty and romantic next?

4 | A cool toned color palette is working for me.

Let’s see, I’m wearing solely black and white in outfits 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, and 11. LOL, safe to say, I love my black and white fits.

But I’m also beginning to embrace all shades of green and blue, evidenced by outfits 1, 5, and 6.

Since blue and green are cool tones, they play well with black and white. This color palette makes my closet feel expansive and limitless, since everything works together.

Looking forward: I’m so happy with this color palette, and I’m going to keep going in this direction.

5 | Flat sandals take over my style.

Birkenstock Arizonas and black flip flops are pretty much all I’m wearing these days, when it comes to footwear.

Sometimes I feel like I “should” add more variety to my shoe game. But these basic sandals are exactly what I want to wear. They work for my aesthetic and practical needs. I feel content with my shoe situation. So why ruin that lovely feeling with a “should”? :)

Looking forward: I’m just going to keep rocking the basic, flat, comfortable sandals. No need to “should” on myself.