Womp, womp. :)
I fully ran out of creative steam on this last outfit, so I’m left with something that looks eerily similar to outfits 5 + 6.
I mean, I still love this outfit. It’s just probably not very interesting for you to look at right now. Understandable.
I’d give it an A in real life (it’s comfortable, functional, and quite beautiful) but right now I’m feeling a little sassy so I’m giving it a B for boring.
Since the clothes are boring, let’s talk about something different.
Hair.
For the past four or so years, I’ve been firmly in the hair wand camp. It does it’s job, I know how to use it, and the curls stay put for days and days.
But lately I’ve been wanting softer, more relaxed curls. So I’ve been trying out a curling iron (using this tutorial, if you’re interested). I curled my hair with the iron right before we took these photos.
I’ve got to say, I really love what it’s doing … until about an hour later when all the curl falls out and I’m left with straight hair again. Hm. Still on a learning curve with it. If you’ve got any curling iron tips, share ’em in the comments — I’d be ever so grateful.
But back to clothes … because it is officially time for the happiest of happy dances, because WE DID IT!
10 outfits, 10 days!
Tomorrow, it’s wrap up + recap time! I’m so excited to share the things I learned about my style, my favorite + least favorite outfits, and a few favorite photos that you guys posted on Instagram.
And it’s not too late, you can still get in on it — just ‘gram one of your remix challenge outfits (even if you just decided to start today!) and tag it #unfancyremix.
See you tomorrow for the recap! WE DID IT!
• • •
Liked today’s outfit? You can shop it and support Unfancy at the same time by using these affiliate links below:
01 | White button up (old) | similar
02 | Shoes by Madewell (on sale) / similar (made responsibly) / similar slide (made responsibly)
03 | Jeans by Rag and Bone (made in USA) / similar by 7 For All Mankind (on sale + made in USA)
04 | Bag (old) | similar | similar (made in USA)
05 | Necklace in Yellow Raw Diamond by Julia Szendrei (handmade in USA)
xo,
Love the shirt and jeans combo. I have been living in this myself as it’s perfect for the warm, mild autumn so far. I have given up on open-toed shoes, though, as it’s too chilly in the uk mornings without covered shoes!
I haven’t strictly done the 10×10 but I have changed the way I organise my seasonal clothes and have a small number of transional pieces out. Now I have put each season separately, so that I actually have a limited amount of clothes out at any one time. So much easier! Our weather looks to cool down, so I am getting the thin autumn jumpers and scarves out…and putting away the fine knits and tees.
Tanya, i love to hear that! Thanks for sharing your process! :) xo, Caroline
Can’t beat a classic white shirt for comfort + style :)
I’ve recently discovered the magical hair wand and these two things seem to help curls stay put in my super straight hair: a little bit of mousse on damp hair (I use SheaMoisture Fruit Fusion Mousse) and let it air-dry. Then, after curling, I spray with a homemade hair spray (http://www.diynatural.com/how-to-make-hairspray/). It works!
Brooke, thank you for the tips! :) xo, Caroline
I just LOVE your blog and enjoyed these last posts! You mentioned using a hair wand and I’ve been too intimidated to try one but curling irons only leave a curl for about an hour. Any tips or tricks on how to use the wand? I also don’t like to use a lot of products so I know that is part of my problem. Thanks for the help!
Hey Jen, I don’t really have any tricks per say, I just keep it simple with dry shampoo and the curling wand. :) xo, Caroline
I DON’T THINK YOU WORE THE STRIPED SHIRT WITH THESE JEANS DID YOU? I WAS TRYING TO GUESS WHAT YOU WOULD COME UP WITH TODAY AND THAT WAS MY GUESS! :)
Sara, No, I didn’t style those two together for the fall remix in particular, but that was a great guess!! :) xo, Caroline
I’m so thankful for you! I just un-fancied my make up bag. I found myself always rummaging through it for the same 5 things. I took everything out, threw some away, and stashed some other stuff. Now I can drive and put my makeup on without a glitch. ?
Hey Leslie, I bet it feels like such a relief to keep things simpler :) xo, Caroline
ii would love to see your hairpulled back in a poney-have you ever tried it-or maybe half up/half down.
So casual!
Mireia from TGL
https://thegoldlipstick.com/
Nothing wrong with an easy-dressing day! I think EVERY day should be an easy-dressing day! And classic white blouse over jeans is never wrong. So…
I’m too spazzy for a hair wand but have been using a curling iron for years, which gives me more body/fullness than “curls.” Works better w a fresh cut, as soon as my hair starts to get too long the weight of the hair pulls the curling-ironed-body out almost immediately.
Bettye
Hey Bettye, that’s so interesting! I never actually considered the weight of the hair could be a problem. Thanks for sharing :) xo, Caroline
I would say maybe a bandana or scarf with color around neck, hair or wrist to give a plain outfit more pizzazz. But loved the whole experiment! As for hair curling I think some hair products may help the hold but some people don’t like to put a lot of products in their hair and it doesn’t always work depending on hair. Maybe give hot curlers a try.
Hi Amy, thanks for the ideas! :) xo, Caroline
I find that if the curling iron is too hot, my curls tend to fall out sooner. I think the really hot iron zaps all the natural body out of my hair. I started lowering the heat on my curling iron and flat hair is less of a problem for me now.
Love love this simple outfit. I feel like this is a very true “Unfancy” outfit. One of the things that drew me to your blog in the first place was outfits that were jeans, a white t shirt and sandals. Too many fashion blogs have complicated outfits that this regular girl would never wear. Keep it up Caroline! I love following your journey.
Aw, thanks Joey! I’ll keep in mind the heat of the curling iron too. :) xo, Caroline
A little tip for the curling wand – open the wand, wrap the hair around it from bottom to roots, then close the clamp and hold for however many seconds. I find this holds the curl way better than clamping the bottom in and twisting it that way. Hope this isn’t too confusing!!
Hey Joanne, I know what you mean. Similar movement to the wand, without the clamp. I’m sure I’ve seen a tutorial on it! :) Thanks for sharing! xo, Caroline
Oh no, this is an A! I was guessing you would either lead or end with this one as it is so classic and perfect – you’re not giving it enough credit! I love it especially with flats. And it is completely different from that safari outfit, which was my least favorite.
I’m so glad you posted a few outfits you didn’t like that much. I feel like that happens in life a lot – I see something on someone else or in a picture and when I try it it just doesn’t work, and I can’t figure out why – is it me? The pieces? Am I being too hard on the outfit or should I accept this is not my style? It is helpful to see someone else put on an outfit that just doesn’t work for them, and to see a-ha!, that doesn’t work and here’s why, and no wonder this or that didn’t work on me. So thank you!
Lynn, thanks so much for the thoughtful feedback! Imperfection kind of brings us all together, doesn’t it? :) xo, Caroline
My curls ALWAYS used to call flat when I used a curling iron. For the past year, I have been using a flat iron to curl my hair and it has been holding so my better. Recently, I cut my hair off and started to look up tutorials on how to style it. Now, I wash my hair at night, use sea salt spray and in the morning my hair has some texture to it. I then curl pieces with a wider (I think its 2″) flat iron. These gives my hair the more tousled look.
I love your blog and always look to your outfits for inspiration – even the ones you think are boring! I am trying to pair down and simplify my wardrobe…you have helped tremendously!
Hey Christina! Thank you for reading, and thank you for the curling tips! :) xo, Caroline
Buttoned all the way up with a black ribbon or leather bow loosely hand tied around the collar might be another way to rock this combo.
But you’re right, as is, it’s an effortlessly beautiful outfit.
Hey Laura, what a cute styling idea. I love when you guys leave suggestions like this, so everyone can see! Thank you! :) xo, Caroline
Hi there, can’t remember if I’ve ever commented but I wanted to send you a message to say “hey thanks” from Ottawa, Canada. Stumbled on your blog about a year ago. Re-discovered you once you came back from your little hiatus. I don’t do the capsule wardrobe thing but decluttering and keeping it simple definitely resonates with me. I have to tell you that when I peruse your blog more often it keeps me on track so to speak. It seems to be a gently reminder to me to stay true to myself, and who I am is a cool chick that stresses when I try to follow the latest trends and feels completely and utterly at home and comfortable with myself when I stick to what makes me feel good. I’m a neutrals lover and I’ve finally really REALLY accepted that. I love the way other women can style just about anything no matter what and rock it but that just isn’t me. I rock black, white, and grey. I’m a stunner in khaki, navy and army green. And I’m a sucker for ANYTHING striped (aaaand deck shoes). Maybe I secretly want a boat… Anyway, to me your blog stands out because it’s authentic and relatable. So thanks. Thanks for reminding me that I’m not boring, I’m unfancy, just like you :)
Oh Jacqueline! Thank you so much for the nice comment. I love that you have learned what works best for you and makes you feel good. Exciting stuff! :) xo, Caroline
This outfit couldn’t be more perfect – I would wear it to go anywhere – it’s practical, simple and comfortable – I could wear it everyday. At least, for me, not boring at all :)
So sad the challenge is over, I would love to see more outfit posts on a daily basis!
xo
http://www.simpleness.com.br
Hey Anne, no worries! Plenty more daily posts coming your way! :) xo, Caroline
This is where I am always surprised that you don’t do much for accessories. You could so easily take this to any level you wanted with just a few accessories and they don’t take up all that much closet space, are easy to store, etc., etc. and the best part is that there would be a million ways to style a white shirt with jeans.
Hey Jess, I totally hear you! I’m just a less is more person in general, I suppose. But I’m happy when you guys leave suggestions in the comments, because everyone can see — and even if a styling idea might not necessarily work for me, surely it will resonate with someone else! :) Thanks for sharing. xo, Caroline
Looking forward to reading your recap! I have an autoimmune disease, so I keep taking days off the challenge to wear joggers or yoga pants and my softest sweatshirt all day. Nobody said the 10 days have to be consecutive, right? ;)
Hey Ladylyn, that’s right! No rules, cheats, etc. Do it your way! :) xo, Caroline
WE DID IT!!!! :) :) :)
Caroline thank you so much for encouraging us to do this challenge! 10 days ago I thought it was crazy to try to get dressed with only 10 items. But I jumped in! Ten days later I am really impressed of how much one can do with so little! I had so much fun posting everything in @ahappiercloset and sharing with everyone who participated in the challenge. This is just the beginning… next comes my first attempt to a capsule wardrobe and now I feel totally confident that I can! :) BIG THANKS!!!!
Yay Paty!!! Job well done! Enjoyed seeing all the posts :) xo, Caroline
Hello Caroline :)
I love this outfit! and I love your blog :) I don’t think I’ve ever commented, but I felt I had to here because it’s an A, not a B! I love simple dressing, and it reminds me of your post 6.20 The Unfanciest Outfit – which was my favorite! Simplicity can be really refreshing and elegant…
This whole week I looked forward to checking what your outfit would be next, so thank you for the series! My favorites were probably outfit 3 and outfit 10.
Cheers!
Alex
Yay! I thought your 10×10 was a great success! As far as a curling iron, here’s what I do: take a 1-2 inch section and clamp the iron closer to the root and rotate the iron while slightly opening and closing the clamp as you get to the ends. Keep the tip of the iron facing up and curl away from your face. I find for my fine/thin hair that freshly clean and higher heat is better. I also don’t touch the curls until they are cooled so the curl has a chance to set. When I’m done I turn my head over and shake them out a bit and spritz a little hairspray. Hope that helps a little.
For the past few years I’ve only ever used a straightener to curl my hair- once you get the hang of it, you’ll never go back to anything else. The curls stay like no other, and can be loosened up pretty easily. Try it out sometime!
I love that you did a jeans and white shirt outfit. I just bought a white shirt and can’t wait till the weather cools down so I can wear it. I think it has an Audrey Hepburn vibe when worn with jeans and flats. Love the inspiration.
Aimee
http://www.lifetimeorganizing.com
Love this outfit! Looks amazing!
I really like this outfit! The jeans and the shirt are so cute xxx
http://fallingforablog.blogspot.com.es/2016/09/15-essentials-for-back-to-school.html
You need a texturizing spray! I used to have the same issue with my curls falling out through the day. A texturizing spray keeps them in place + gives you that texture/grit/undone look without feeling crunchy like a hairspray. Ouai and Oribe are good ones!
Love the simplicity of this look. I am always in black, denim, and white it’s my “happy place..” :)
I’ve been using this mousse to get longer-lasting curls: http://www.ulta.com/fat-tastic-thickening-plumping-mousse?productId=xlsImpprod3560145&sku=2204313&cmpid=PS_Non!google!Product_Listing_Ads&cagpspn=pla&CATCI=pla-125622581790&CAAGID=23091999870&CAWELAID=945269460&catargetid=330000200000348248&cadevice=c&gclid=CMmRn7W4t88CFQ-oaQodtOoKtA
It’s SO CHEAP and it really, really, really works!! Brush it through damp hair, then style as usual!! The other trick I use is to pin each curl straight off the curling iron and let it “set” if I want it to last longer. Then take it all down out of pins after 10-15 minutes and rake through with fingers. This is probably something I do like 5 times in a year, but it works like a charm! For reference, I have fine hair, but a ton of it. The weight makes curls fall out quickly, and I live in Missouri so humidity means curls last 10 minutes if I don’t use these tricks!! Check out TheSmallThingsBlog for a ton more hair recipes that work great, I’ve been her biggest fan for YEARS!