This fall, I’ve been really interested in pushing against my style boundaries and expressing the bold side of my personal style. So of course, this means I’ve been intaking lots of information on the subject through books, YouTube videos, Substacks — you name it! It’s been fun and invigorating!
I’ve been particularly drawn to the styling concept of “elevating” an outfit. The idea is, you start with an unremarkable outfit you would usually wear and then swap out a few pieces, transforming an average outfit into something distinctive. You might swap casual shoes for a statement ballet flat, add vintage jewelry, wear a colorful handbag, add a belt, etc.
But I think I’m at that critical tipping point where inspiration becomes inspiration overload. I’m like, can we just chill for a minute on trying to elevate everything?
So I’m happily backing off just a bit and retreating to my most familiar outfit.
It may be ordinary, but if you look closely, you’ll see glimmers of my personal style — sporty (shorts), casual (Birkenstocks, canvas tote), and a little bit modern/minimal (sculptural earrings).
Could I have made some swaps to elevate the outfit? Sure. But I didn’t want to. I just wanted a comfortable, functional errand-running outfit. I wanted the outfit to feel like me, but I didn’t need it to feel like fashion.
So, just a reminder: you can enjoy fashion and be utterly enamored with it — and yet that doesn’t mean that every outfit has to serve.
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OUTFIT DETAILS
(If you see something you like, you can shop it and support my blog at the same time by using the affiliate links below)
Anine Bing Rory Denim Jacket | Similar: Levi’s 90s Trucker Jacket
Nike Tempo Shorts | Similar: Alo Ivy League Shorts
Banana Republic Factory Pearl Necklace
James Avery Foxtail Chain Necklace (wearing 18in)
Birkenstock Arizona Exquisite Sandal
Jenny Bird Tome Medium Earrings
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I appreciate each and every one of you. <3 Thank you for showing up here and reading my blog!
Hi, the denim jacket looks beautiful on you. May I ask what size you got? Do you know how long it takes to get it once you pre-order it? Thanks so much.
Hi Linda! I got the XS. I was nervous that the XS would be too small because I’m a big fan of an oversized silhouette, but I’ve been so impressed with the fit. It’s clearly been designed well — for example, it’s oversized in all the right places (I could fit a sweater underneath easily), but the wrist cuffs, sleeve length, and collar are perfectly proportioned and actually FIT. On Anine Bing’s site it looks like it’ll ship around late December. On Farfetch, it looks like you can get it by the beginning of November. https://rstyle.me/+JaMfwtyi0oMs1lMpuJxpuA
Cute! I feel like one of your gifts is the opposite of elevating — “chilling out” an outfit. Like how do we chill out an outfit? I feel like that’s what your gym shorts do so beautifully here.
Thank you for saying that! I needed this reminder. <3
I would be very interested in hearing which books and Substacks you’ve been reading about style!
I’m reading The Creative Pragmatist by Amy Smilovic (founder of Tibi). She also has a free Style Class on YouTube every week, where she talks about a lot of principles in the book. My favorite Substack right now is Almost Scarlett by Tara Smith. Definitely check them out! :) https://almostscarlett.substack.com/