At the end of each month, I gather up my favorite outfit snapshots and look for common themes. I really enjoy this moment of reflection, and it helps me continue to hone in on my style.
Keep scrolling to see 8 of my favorite outfits this month and 5 takeaways from July.
See the full posts for each look:
1 | I feel incredibly at home in my style. And yet, I experienced a whole lot of “I don’t know what to wear today” this month.
Isn’t that fascinating to observe?
I think it’s because I was feeling a lot of feelings this month and I wasn’t exactly sure what I needed each day to feel supported from my clothes.
If I was feeling low, did I want to lean into more whimsy? Lean into looking more fierce? Or go more shapeless and soft?
I tried my best, but I felt off in my outfit most days — even if it looked pretty good on the outside.
All the ingredients/components/pieces were there, hanging in my closet. But I felt like I temporarily didn’t have the energy to figure out how to best use them to support myself.
And that’s okay. Normal, in fact. I don’t know about you, but for me, this kind of thing happens so regularly that I’m starting to see these uninspired, unsure moments as a vital part of the process. This is so comforting to me.
It means I can relax and know that I’m still on the path, even when I feel uninspired.
2 | So yes, I didn’t feel awesome this month. But when I look at this collection of outfits, they are actually a WIN.
These outfits truly represent me and what I actually ENJOY wearing — not just things that look good in photos.
It all comes down to choosing pieces that match my own definition of comfort. Mid rise bottoms, tops that aren’t tight, running shorts, flat shoes — all pieces that are exceptionally comfortable to me.
It’s taken me a loooong time to stop buying clothes that might look great in a photo but don’t feel great on my body. But I’m finally getting there! Woohoo!
3 | Basics come back strong
This return to familiar basics felt like a welcome exhale. Button up shirts, plain tees, and soft denim were on heavy rotation in July.
I know that “denim” and “July” don’t usually play well together (in the Northern Hemisphere at least). I usually skip the denim during this hottest part of the summer. But for some reason, I felt drawn to its classic vibe and wore it regularly.
4 | I carried totes the most.
(Heh, see what I did there?)
In summer, I like being able to bring my Hydroflask everywhere I go, so it’s nice to carry a tote.
Two totes topped my rotation — my ultra casual canvas bag and my very fancy Little Liffner tote. My canvas bag falls right in line with my unfancy style, while my Little Liffner bag plays a key role in elevating super casual outfits.
5 | I’m already feeling excited for fall fashion, and I’m leaning into it!
Look, I’m a summer gal through and through. Summer is my season. I’m usually the one that’s like, “Stop with the fall talk! It’s not time yet!”
But I can already feel my excitement for fall fashion coming on strong. Things like dark wash denim jackets, chocolate brown bike shorts, and striped sweaters are on my radar. And I’m just going to follow my inspiration — life’s too short to tamp down your enthusiasm.
• • •
How about you? How did you feel in your style this month? I’d love to hear in the comments!
I hope you’re having a lovely day. Make sure to take good care of yourself today.
As always, thank you so much for reading my blog. Feel free to subscribe to the blog at the bottom of the page so you don’t miss a post, and find me on Pinterest and LTK for more outfits.
I thoroughly enjoy all of your posts, Caroline, but these end-of-month-takeaway posts are my favorite. Your candid introspection is thought-provoking and it speaks consistently to both the aesthetic enjoyment of clothing and the deeper drive toward self-expression that getting dressed can communicate.
And as an older gal, I would like to say that I have learned–and am continuing to learn–that times of uncertainty (or even of feeling off or wrong or not quite right somehow) are necessary to growing and to staying open-minded. They are never fun to experience (at least for me, although I am trying to greet them with curiosity and even excitement for what they may ultimately yield), but when I look back over my life thus far, I can see the many gifts they have left in their wake.
Blessings on you, on the work you do, and on the mind and heart with which you do it.
Beautifully said. ❤️
Thank you, Lisa! ❤️
All summer bags must be capable of holding my emotional-support-water bottle.