WOOHOO! 10 pieces, 10 outfits, 10 days — we did it! The summer 10×10 was one for the books!
Lee of Style Bee and I had a BLAST hosting this challenge, and I think it’s time for all of us to pat ourselves on the back for a second. Even if you didn’t quite make it all the way to ten. Even if you lost steam mid-way through. No matter whether you feel it was a “success” or a “failure” — the fact remains: you tried something new and learned from it. That’s worth celebrating.
Ready to get into to this last outfit? Let’s do it. :)
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Hah, I had so much fun with my other clothes that I almost forgot about my white button-down! I haven’t worn it all challenge long, and it’s definitely feeling like a treat to end on such a fresh outfit. Usually by the end of a 10×10, I’m repeating a look or just feeling uninspired — but not this time!
I focused so much energy on pushing myself outside of my style comfort zone this time around, and I loved every minute of it — I even discovered that the romantic + vintage style is definitely my thing. But you know what? Even still, this classic + simple outfit makes my heart sing.
It got me to thinking about my style and how I define it.
I think in our online worlds of pretty Instagram squares and curated content, it’s easy to want to define ourselves (or our style) narrowly and omit anything that doesn’t “fit.”
But real life isn’t like that, is it? :) That’s a lesson my closet is constantly teaching me, as silly as that sounds — it reminds me that I’m more than one thing.
So while this challenge introduced me to a romantic + vintage style that I love, I don’t feel the need to change or overhaul my style all of a sudden. It’s not an out with the old, in with the new thing. Instead, it’s an opportunity to embrace both. :)
STYLING NOTES
CHANNEL A CLASSIC | Soooo, I might have watched Dirty Dancing the night before we took this photo. I haven’t watched it in years, and I found myself getting so much style inspiration from Baby. Her iconic button down + denim shorts combo is 100% responsible for this outfit. :) Nothing wrong with channeling a classic. What about you? Do you have a fav classic movie that inspires a part of your style?
WEAR YOUR SIGNATURE COLOR PALETTE | Denim blue, white, and cognac — it’s been my signature for years and I love seeing this color palette stand the test of time.
STYLE FOR THE SEASON YOU’RE IN | I’ve worn this button down with a knot in the front countless times, but I’ve never tied it so that a little peek of skin shows. And to me, that tiny tweak puts this outfit squarely in the summer camp. I’m having fun with that summery vibe, and taking it a little further than I usually do. After all, summer styling won’t work as well in fall and winter, so I’m staying present and enjoying it while I can.
• • •
And there you have it!
Make sure to hop on over to Lee’s blog to see her final outfit today, too!
So tell me, do you have a favorite movie/character that inspires part of your style? I’d also love to hear about your signature color palette and how you discovered it. Share away in the comments!
See you Monday! I’ll be sharing what I learned during this 10×10 — can’t wait to dig in! Start thinking about what you learned during the challenge, too, because I’m definitely going to ask you about it on Monday. :) I can’t wait to hear your conclusions + insights about your own personal style. In the meantime, I hope you have a fantastic weekend!
xo,
Photo Credit: Katie Jameson
Liked today’s outfit? You can shop it and support Unfancy at the same time by using these affiliate links:
BUTTON DOWN (old by Cloth + Stone) / Similar / Similar (made responsibly) / Similar (under $15)
SLIDES (old by Nordstrom Rack) / Similar (under $25) / Similar (made responsibly)
SUNNIES by Ray Ban / Similar (for $20)
TOTE gifted by ONA / Similar (made responsibly) / Similar (under $65) / Similar (under $49)
Lovely combinations. Thanks and good weekend!!!
Mary Poppins is my style icon. More a winter inspo though. Strict and neat but colourful. Think boots and knee high socks, sharp jackets, midi skirts, pretty floppy scarves knotted pussy bow style. My partner once passed me on a bus dressed like this, saw the outfit and thought how nice I looked, then realised it was me! As for colour combos, I can’t go past cherry red, grey and baby pink. And I’m loving my dark denim skirt and mustard skivvy at the moment. Great 10 x 10 Caroline. I’ve loved every outfit!
Agree! Life does not always fit in an instagram box! With wardrobes and decor we can always blur the edges. Sometimes we discover a new look to try! Happy Weekend….what will you wear tomorrow!!!-Laurel
Hi Caroline! I love this look and I love that one of Baby’s outfits inspired it! I find myself watching Age of Adeline and the Notebook for fashion inspiration. :)
Can’t wait to read your post Monday!
Hi Caroline! I love following your blog. I saw on your instagram stories that you’ve been looking for requests for future posts– I’m in grad school and on a very tight budget, so I was wondering if you could do a feature on how to have a capsule/capsule-ish wardrobe, with high quality clothing, while also being cost savvy! Currently I try to only buy things I absolutely love. I also do consignment and try and wait til things I like go on sale (and then there’s a sale on sale!) but I’m wondering if you have any more tips! Thanks!!
I am about to enter grad school as well, but have been making due on a teacher budget prior to that. I go into the stores, try on what I like, and then try to find it on Poshmark. Sometimes, it is last season’s color or may be gently used, but the discount really helps and you can also sell your old clothes there too if you are patient enough to do so ;) You can also try to see which stores have discounts for students. Madewell has 15 percent off for students in store (I think) which can be taken off of sale items and on top of additional sale promotions. I shop there a lot for tops and dresses.
J Crew has 10% discount in-store for students, too!
I second the Poshmark suggestion from Steph! A couple months ago I found a really cute J. Crew sweater that I couldn’t afford in store, for about half the price on Poshmark, and I just bought some Madewell jeans for $55 instead of $90 on there. Sometimes you get lucky!
Ordered the “similar” shoes from Nordstrom Rack. Love them!! So versital to wear & looks good with anything. Thrilled to wear them with a summer dress instead of my flip flops! Thanks ?
You did it – congrats! Enjoy the rest of your closet!
Oh I get clothing inspiration from movies all the time: You’ve Got Mail, Romancing the Stone, She’s the Man, Annie Hall, Manhattan, When Harry Met Sally…and pretty much anything either of the Hepburn Ladies are in. Kind of classic, but romantic style. A lot of men’s wear mixed in, but in a feminine way. Hmm, I’ve never listed them all out like this, I think I just learned something about myself!
Hi Caroline, I once got inspired by Keira Knightley wearing short hair (I think it is called a bob) in film on women football, so I went for the same hair style.
I also loved the dresses Emma Stone wore in LaLa Land but I really have enough already in my wardrobe at the moment :-). Have a nice weekend!
Multiple styles- yes! I’m a little preppy, a little goth, a little granola, a little rock -n-roll. The heart wants what the heart wants and I’m content to just call that MODERN!
This is a great, classic outfit, Caroline, and you wear it with panache. Have a great weekend, Ardith
Hi Caroline — I’ve read your entire blog in the two months since I discovered it, but this is my first time posting. First of all, thanks for hosting the 10×10! It was a lot of fun and I found three new work outfits by incorporating my “regular” clothes, which is something I probably never would have tried on my own. This is my favorite look of your 10×10 but since I had a white linen button up and jeans in my 10×10 that’s not a huge surprise. ;) Thanks for taking us along on your fashion journey and inspiring us to be more mindful with our choices and more creative with what we have.
So glad to hear you’ll be posting on Monday, Caroline. You haven’t said what your future posting schedule will be, but I’m hoping you’ll return to the four outfits per week format.
Oh, movies as style inspiration! Yay! (I maaaaay have had a blog series called Cinema Style actually….. ) My favorites to draw inspiration from are golden age Hollywood actors like Katherine Hepburn,and Lauren Becall but I also really like Diane Keaton’s style and Audrey Hepburn too.
This is a lovely outfit too. Very crisp and cool for summer. One thing I was thinking about when you talked about trying a romantic style was…. you did and that flair is there but it still was you mix and your take on that idea. Seems to fit in with what you were saying about not “out with the old; in with the new” but “in with the new.” Good food for fashion thought!
In high school I was obsessed with Rory’s outfits on Gilmore girls. They’re a little dated now – very early 2000’s trends – but some looks I still love! For timeless style, I think you can’t beat Audrey Hepburn in anything. I love how you put a modern take on this iconic look. Very fun! :)
Such a beautiful and minimalistic summer look! Love it!
xx, Jeany from http://www.vogueetvoyage.com
Thank you so much for your perspective and writing, Caroline! I keep coming back to your blog for your thoughtfulness and wisdom that goes even deeper than style. I appreciate the perspective you bring and am consistently pushed to think better and more broadly about my clothing (and life) from you! In particular, I loved your point about not trying to fit yourself into an IG box, but to BE more than one thing.
(Also, this was my favorite look of the challenge!)
Oh man, I feel inspired by almost any movie I see, but definitely lean towards the classics from the 1950’s and 1960’s. And all of Mad Men (not a movie, but so cinematic)!
A couple favorites: Catherine Deneuve in Umbrellas of Cherbourg and Young Girls of Rochefort; all of the women in the film Il Sorpasso. A lot of the women in French and Italian New Wave.
I find it difficult to find a perfect white button down shirt – still on the hunt to find one that clicks with me. I LOVE the knot in the front! so fun and so summery. YAYYY for another successful 10×10, can’t wait for the next one :)
http://www.hintofgrey.com | Hint of Grey
haha umm I am also definitely inspired by Dirty Dancing. I recently made an entire weaving that I didn’t realize until I was finished was inspired by the album cover lol and between Baby and Taylor Swift I will be wearing Keds forever ;)
see? :) https://www.instagram.com/p/BV2Gl8HH1rf/?taken-by=j_e_s_s_i_c_a_weaves
Random but reading your blog has really helped me to come to terms with my perfectionist tendencies and helped me to learn that mistakes aren’t THE END OF EVERYTHING just part of a learning process. It might sound crazy but that mindset had never occurred to me before! I’m slowly getting there but you’ve really helped me learn to give myself more grace and understanding. I’ve been applying these ideas to my weaving and I think its helping me a lot. Thank you for that <3
Jessica,
I just checked out your instagram and you are so talented! Just wanted to let you know I was wowed by many pieces, especially the Endo inspired one. <3
Is it weird that I like to channel Beetlejuice? I have this pair of striped black and white pants and am on the hunt for a similar blazer. I fully plan to wear them together with a white shirt and black boots as soon as I track down said blazer!
Or, well, perhaps I’ll just stick with a statement t-shirt and ballet flats, in case people think I’ve gone mental.
I don’t think I have a signature palette, really – I like all colours too much!
Lovely outfit to end the challenge, Caroline! The blue of your jeans look lush, I wish I have a pair of jeans in a similar shade and quality!
xo, Liyana | Affordorable
This looks like a beautiful versatile and comfortable style for you! I loved all the pairings.
However, I’m afraid on my not-so-petite not-straight-size body, this style would only make me look frumpy. Since I can’t work the jeans, I will appreciate the tops and outfits as a whole with a jean style and length that work for me. :)
I love all of them. So sad that summer is gone