Monday Musings: Satorial Choices and Stress
Today’s musings are a bit stream-of-consciousness as I work through some things that have been on my mind. Hopefully, they’re coherent. If not, there is a save or splurge to have fun with. š¤£ My sartorial choices seldom include patterns, and if they do, it’s usually a stripe. I used to love polka dots, but even they are feeling too busy for me lately.
I find stripes to be classic, tidy, organized, calming, fresh, modern, sophisticated, and on and on. I’ve always loved stripes of all widths but I recognize that because I’m just 5’4″, narrower stripes are a more flattering proportion on me.
I was chatting with a fellow blogger last week, and we agreed that because we’re constantly trying on new clothes and surrounded by so many changing styles…we’ve managed to burn out our personal desire for fashion. I think this is part of the reason I love to wear neutrals so often. They’re quiet, easy to coordinate, and don’t demand much energy from the wearer.
I’m coming to realize that the smaller the wardrobe I own, the less stress I feel. I’ve written several posts on how wardrobe essentials make it easier for us to get dressed, and I fervently believe that owning fewer clothes of higher quality is better for the planet and our wallets.
I travel with a capsule wardrobe and basically live with one at home. I don’t like owning too many clothes because it feels wasteful and stresses me out. Opening my closet to a well-edited collection of things I love feels so much better than facing shelf after shelf of options. I do like to mix and match pieces for variety, but often repeat outfits exactly as I wore them the last time. A simple color palette in classic shapes makes it all the easier, so that’s what I’m gravitating to these days.
As a fashion blogger, I wear and style clothes that are not my personal style. I recognize that not everyone appreciates my aesthetic, and I like to be a resource to help women put their outfits together. Know that just because I wouldn’t wear something doesn’t mean I don’t have fun styling the pieces because I do. It’s a lot of fun to play with fashion outside my comfort zone, and I find it inspiring.
I may not always gravitate to neutrals, but for now, they work and I’m OK with it. All of that said, I was delighted to pull on my only red sweater to go out and watch the Super Bowl yesterday, so I recognize that none of this is set in stone.
Do I occasionally open my closet and feel bored with my neutral options? Yes, but that’s ok for now as I work through this process.
Save or Splurge
For this week’s save or splurge, I thought it would be fun to look forward to spring.
This outfit starts with a crisp pink and white striped shirt and a pair of medium-wash blue jeans. It’s accessorized with driving loafers, a shoulder bag, and a belt in a great neutral. I added gold earrings and a necklace with some subtle sparkle.
NEUTRAL BELT / HUGGIE HOOP EARRINGS / PAVE NECKLACE
These outfit comparisons are intended to inspire you to shop your closet and point out that great style can be had at all price points.
NEUTRAL BELT / HUGGIE HOOP EARRINGS / PAVE NECKLACE
The splurge outfit comes in at around $8607, and the save comes in at close to $244! Would you be able to spot the difference if two women walked toward you wearing these outfits?
More interestingly, is there an obvious piece that looks less expensive or cheap?
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident and happy.
I always love your save and splurge outfits. Iām in the doldrums at the moment. Iām ready for Spring.
Thanks for a wonderful blog.
Linda Robertson
Iām ready for spring too!
The save versus splurge posts are fun! Would you ever consider doing a post with items that youāve purchased from consignment shops? Those red bracelets you wore to the Super Bowl party were darling.
I havenāt had luck shopping at consignment shops.
First, your hair looks great in the photos above. I particularly like the length on you and the way it “curves” around your face. Very flattering. Usually the bag and/or the shoes gives away the “Save/Splurge” but missed it this time. Love the Save/Splurge features. And, yes, you look great in that shade of red. Glad you had fun at the Super Bowl party.
Thanks Christi. I am due for a haircut but I like this length too so I may just have her clean up the ends.
I agree, it was hard for me to tell which was the save. But after checking out the shoes and jewelry, I was shocked. I actually preferred the save! You do a terrific job with these posts. I usually tell by the shoes.
The ChloĆ© tote and Tod’s loafers were the giveaway to me only because of their detail and hardware otherwise I prefer the stripe pattern in the ‘save’ shirt however the Talbot one has an no-iron feature that appeals to me. As to shopping my closet; I find myself doing more of late as have become discouraged as to what is being described ‘as quality’ just isn’t, when comparing items both in garments and accessories that at one time you didn’t have to pay ‘an arm and a leg for’ to have it. i.e.: The ChloĆ© tote for example, have something very similar that is at least fifteen years old but is even far better designed IMHO. Whereas (being a hobby sewer) garments themselves are another total subject. i.e.: Quality of fabric and workmanship not to mention their sizing even in the same label that is all over the board. On that note; rather than rant I do agree with you that ‘great style can be had at all price points’ but shall also add ‘don’t be misled by designer labels and/or a hefty price tag as feel nowadays it is not always the case “you get what you pay for”.
-Brenda-
I agree with you Brenda. Quality is lacking many places these days and it’s so discouraging.
I like the āspring inspirationsā and plan to shop my closet to see about putting together the first one for a sunnier day. Jennifer, I had to smile when I saw your Save / Splurge outfits. I had a couple of good quality pink stripe shirts ā¦one was from UK shirt maker Thomas Pink and found on a trip to Edinburgh. But I later realized that pink is not my best colour ( I am a soft Autumn) out they went to the consignment store. I kept the blue stripe shirts that are better suited to me. For my next bag to the shop I have tops and sweater jackets in different bluesā¦ baby blue, turquoise and navy that just arenāt me, but for someone who is a summer or winter perhaps. Itās quite the job to go through my things ā¦accumulated over several yearsā¦ that either donāt fit so well, donāt represent my style now, or are the wrong colour. I take good care of my wardrobe and some things are taking up space because of āwhat ifā ā¦ or sentimental valueā¦ thatās not helpful. I bring in quality brands usually which the shop likes, and pieces tend to sell quickly. Fairly lucrative , and the money goes to my travel fund. āļø āļø Because thatās my focus for the next year or soā¦some adventures planned for my 75th ā¦ I think āediting , not adding,ā is my plan.
I thought the more fitted blouse was the splurge but then was surprised that it was Talbot’s! But it was the shoes that gave it away for me. I can’t believe how crazy expensive they are!
I want to thank you for the shampoo you recommend last week. I’ve had an itchy scalp for years and the products my dermatologist recommended turned my hair to straw. My hairdresser recommended Nioxin products which helped my scalp some but never cured the problem. I’ve used the Nizoral shampoo once so far and love how soft and manageable my hair is. Thank you!
Thatās awesome Cathy. I like how it leaves my hair and scalp feeling too.
I prefer the Old Navy save shirt. It’s more subtle than the splurge shirt. It really is easy to duplicate affordable items. Thanks for doing this.
Save or splurge choice for me usually comes down to shoes or bag. Leather products are hard to duplicate at a lower price point.
I like the Save loafers too, especially the grips on the sole of the shoe. They look as if they’d be great for driving. The bag is the big give-away to me. I like stripes a lot: they are my go-to pattern. Boden has a good-quality polka dot shirt that I know is on-trend, but dots still feel little girl to me. I love that you said, “I fervently believe that owning fewer clothes of higher quality is better for the planet and our wallets.” Thank you!
Itās good for my stress level too! Happy Monday.
I really liked your red bracelets with the red sweater, so cute. I agree with you about having too many clothes. I’ve decided awhile back that I’m just not buying anything new unless I really love it. I love the splurge/save outfits. I could only tell by the handbags and shoes.
I love splurge or save! It really shows that true style isn’t a matter of money, but of taste.
I recognized the Talbots shirt and assumed that was the “save” option. Wrong! lol
It might be interesting to see an outfit that you’re showing for “blogging” purposes and then comparing it (or a similar outfit) as you would actually wear it to suit your personal style.
I can do that.
I do like your outfit inspirations days…..I’m curious do you put them together or is it done for you. The reason I’m asking is that I think pink is a hard thing to pull off for an older person and not to look grandma-ish. The pink stripe shirt is styled to look “cool” and not old looking :).
On another subject I have slept using a silk pillow case for years…theory is less tugging of the hair and less wrinkles on the skin…..It also feels sooo good to lay on.
Have a great day….
Pink is very hard to pull off in a modern way over a certain age. I’ve been sleeping on silk pillow cases for many years for the exact same reason!!
I completely missed on todayās Save or Splurge. Nice to know and love the way you styled these pieces.
Me, too.
Jennifer, you do a great job on this feature!
Must say that I am not a fan of polka dots, but love stripes, too!
I purchased the red Eileen Fisher sweater that you wore in your Valentine’s red/pink clothing posting. I love the slightly non-bright red color and the loose but not too loose fit. In the past, I’ve returned Eileen Fisher items that seem way too long and baggy. Maybe it is current cropped style, but I am finding more of their its to my taste these days.
I think the shapes better lately too. They’re offering more variety which is nice.
I actually like the save outfit better than the splurge outfit.
Wow! What a price difference! Iām curious what you meant by Google advising you on your wardrobe choice to go out last night. Iāve heard of the app Stylebook, where you enter pics of your clothing items and the app will store and create outfits for you. Have you ever used it? I seem to wear the same things over and over, simply out of habit and neglect other things. Any advice?? Thank you for sharing with us! Xxoo
I haven’t used that app. I simplly typed into the search bar, “what color to wear to a super bowl party. You can learn anything on Google š
Wow, what a grea Slurge & Save! This was very difficult to tell the difference. The tiny āChloeā logo was the only thing that tipped me off to which was the splurge! I love Splurge & Save posts. Please keep them coming.
Will do!
Yes! The splurge or save are fun. I would never have located the fun jewelry online. Thanks again Jennifer!
Glad you like them.
It took a minute to decide which was save or splurge. The loafers was the giveaway. But honestly, I would buy the save version. I like a good splurge but for a jeans outfit I think the save is great value. Love when you do these side by sides!
I love the side by sides too. They look so similar!
That red sweater looks great on you every time you wear it.
In todayās Save/Splurge the Save loafers are so much cuter than the $895 Tod pair!