My girl Lee of Style Bee and I are hosting a 10×10 wardrobe challenge, using 10 pieces to create 10 outfits over 10 days. And it’s not too late to join us! We’re all working on our own time table here — some are wrapping up, some are just starting, some are right in the middle. So hop on in. You can get started in 15 minutes flat — details here.
Now, let’s get down to outfit six!
FIRST IMPRESSION
Overall, this look is fine. Just fine. It’s perhaps a little masculine for my preference these days — I’m thinking I should have added a necklace or something a little shiny — but this dark look matches the vibe of this dreary day.
And like yesterday’s outfit, I’m wearing this dress as a top again. I have to say, this time it’s working much better than when I tried it in my fall remix. The dress I wore in the fall wasn’t the ideal dress to tuck, and I felt a little self-conscious and kept checking the tuck to make sure it wasn’t giving me a fabric pooch. But when I wear this one out, I’m not even thinking about it. It just works.
So the success of this really comes down to the particular dress you’re trying to tuck. Not every dress will work as a top and that’s okay. Just try it if you feel like it, see if it works, and either way, How Fascinating!
In case you missed yesterday’s IG Story on how to wear a dress as a shirt, you can watch it right here.
Also! This is the fourth day that I’ve worn this dress (actually the fifth, because I wore it over the weekend too), and it’s still fresh. No need to wash it yet. My secret? A soft base layer underneath, a sweater freshening spray … and deodorant. :)
(Want to see more on how to keep your sweaters fresh between washes? Right this way.)
WEATHER + DAILY ACTIVITIES
I typically steer away from wearing all black at home because of my sweet pup and his incessant shedding. But today, I’ll be out, working from a coffee shop, so I can get away with it.
The weather is going to be rainy and quite cold again, with temperatures in the 30’s and 40’s. So I’ve got on three layers — a soft base layer, my thrifted cashmere dress/top, and my long cardigan.
And honestly, with it being so cold today, I might end up topping it all with a real coat.
Now, I didn’t include a coat in my 10 pieces, but I’m a firm believer that there’s no such thing as cheating when it comes to capsules and fun wardrobe challenges. The word “cheating” adds this weird element of guilt to something that’s meant to be lighthearted and fascinating. So I’m calling it: There’s no such thing as “cheating” — just creative solutions.
So a coat will be my creative solution for today’s cold weather. See what I did there? :)
This outfit works for today because:
- I’ll be out of the house, so I can wear all black and not worry about getting dog hair all over me.
- These boots are virtually indestructible, so I can traipse around in the rain and not worry about getting ’em wet.
- Very important: it’s comfortable for a long day of writing, and warm enough to keep me toasty through the day.
- Plus, it’s just got this great rainy day vibe, don’t you think?
PIECE #6: LONG CARDIGAN
I wasn’t a cardigan girl for the longest time — no idea why. But I sure am now!
A soft, cozy layer that I can throw into my tote and grab for instant warmth? I’m in! For me, it’s all about finding a cardigan with good weight and drape.
This long cardigan has quickly become a fav. A few details about the fit + fabric:
SIZE + FIT: I got an XS petite to get a shorter hem length. However, because it’s petite it’s a little short in the wrists too. I don’t mind though because I usually wear it with the sleeves pushed up. The sleeves are fitted, but not tight, and they loosen up nicely over time (without bagging in the elbows). However, if I were doing it again, I would get a S petite so the sleeves would be a touch roomier.
FABRIC: It’s a thin linen blend, so it’s portable and more appropriate for mild weather. But even though it’s a light layer, it adds a decent amount of warmth, when layered over other pieces like I did today. Overall, it’s got great weight, great movement, and great texture.
Want to see three other ways I’ve styled this cardigan? Right this way.
STYLING NOTES
DRESS AS A TOP, WITH A LONG LAYER TO MAKE IT EASIER: Getting this right is a little hard to explain without a visual, so you can watch the how-to video I made right here. This time, I topped it with my long cardigan, so I don’t even have to worry about making sure the back of the dress lays well — making the whole dress-as-a-top thing a little easier. If you’ve wanted to try it, but feel a little nervous, try it with a long cardigan or coat over it first.
BLACK + BROWN PALETTE: Since it’s going to be rainy today, I was feeling the all-black vibe, but with some brown accessories thrown in to add a little bit of interest.
A LONG CARDIGAN FOR SOME VISUAL INTEREST: This outfit is pretty simple — and essentially all one color — so I decided to break up the fitted-bottom-fitted-top silhouette with a long cardigan. It adds a little volume and drama to an otherwise basic outfit.
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And there you have it!
Make sure to hop on over to Lee’s blog to see her outfit today!
See you tomorrow for outfit seven! :)
xo,
• • •
Liked today’s outfit? You can shop it and support Unfancy at the same time by using these affiliate links:
01 | Cashmere dress (old) | similar (in cashmere, $286) | similar (chunkier in a cotton blend, $89)
02 | Black cardigan
03 | Black jeans (old) | similar (made responsibly)
04 | Chelsea boots (old) | similar | similar (on sale)
I like how you are using the dress as a shirt! I also am waiting for the dress-over-jeans/pants look to come back. A 2002 trend I truly miss.
I have fallen off the 10×10 wagon — I have been only using my ten items but I haven’t been documenting. Oooops! Can’t wait to catch up on my posting this afternoon.
Yes to “no such thing as cheating” — I’ve pulled out my down jacket as needed during the challenge, and I had two pairs of shoes in my 10×10 and left one of them up at my parents this weekend (won’t see them for 2 weeks!), and my only other pair is sneakers. SOO. I improvise, and decide to challenge myself by pulling out a pair of boots I love but have trouble styling into my wardrobe. It’s working out so far!
please do a workout outfit capsule!!
I second this!
Ok, you are blowing my mind wearing the same dress, what, 5 days in a row??? But then again, I am home all day with 2 small children. We run around, we play in the dirt, they have mysteriously sticky hands…. We are way beyond sweater freshening spray here. You look very nice, though! I’m enjoying this 10×10 thing!
Love your look! – Elle ♡ http://ellebenet.com
love this look. i’m partial to black so this is right up my alley. and i love the inclusion of the video! ox
I would wear a jumper dress over skinnies, as it’s essentially a long jumper, but only if it was quite short and the shape was right.
I don’t think I could manage to wear a jumper for so many days, as thanks to children, I usually end up washing them after a few wears. But a layer underneath, makes all the difference, lots of thin layers are warmer than one thicker layer.
Hovering around freezing in the UK today, bright and sunny but very cold.
Yeah…I cheated today myself… I mean “creative solution-ed” and counted a fleece navy blazer as outerwear. But, I think we embraced the spirit of the 10 x 10…if not the hard and fast rules. ;)
Our bags are similar today…mine is a second hand Frye campus bag…I’ll post pictures this evening. Leather is so easy to care for and find used.
Holly J
http://closetmatters.blogspot.com/
I had many creative solutions during my 10×10 thanks to the weather, haha! I plan to do this again in the summer, which would hopefully not be so affected by crazy weather. (Who knows, though, really…)
Love your outfits. I had a question- I ordered that bag and the one I got seems so much smaller than the one in your pictures. I used a link from your blog to order, so I think I got the same one. Hmmm…
Hey Linda! Sorry to hear it wasn’t what you were expecting. I’m sure you got the same one, as they only sell one saddlebag that I’m aware of. Did you check the measurements?
I really like this outfit, Caroline! Especially the way you incorporated the colour brown. Very nice. :)
My failure with the 10×10 was shoes. I realized that I rely on shoes much more than I thought to complete my outfits. Using 3-4 pairs reduced my options and I only ended up with 2 shirts and a dress (untuckable) for the 10 days. I lasted 5 days. It was an interesting math problem though, and I’ll try it again. Thanks!
Love this outfit! Also love reading what temperatures mean in different parts of the country…..it’s going to be 40 in Wisconsin today and we are ready to break out shorts! :)
Hi! How tall are you? I am loving the black cardigan – it’s exactly what I have been looking for for months! I am perplexed by the sizing as I usually am far too tall for petite sizes but love the idea of this being more mid-thigh rather than knee length. I would normally go with x-small regular so am stuck between xsmall p or small p. Thank you!
Hey Jennalynn, I’m 5’5″ :) If it didn’t have pockets, I would just recommend going with the larger size and getting it hemmed, but not so sure it would work for this style!
Hi CAROLYN, just love this look! Too, cognac leather is not a win for me. However, the brown shade or boots and purse would work great in my closet. Where did you purchase boots nad purse on this blog?? Thanks!
Just realized you listed where to find-sorry!
Love reading your posts! I am thinking about buying that Black Cardigan. Not sure what size to buy though-how tall are you? I’m thinking either xs-p or s-p. I’m 5’4 and about 105 lbs.
Hey Sarah! I’m not much taller than you at 5’5″ and went with the XS P (XS is my usual size). I just wish the arms were slightly longer, but I love the length! :)