Day 30: finis!

And, I’m done! It felt appropriate to wear some of my most favorite items for the final day (sweater, shorts). I think I’m happy to be finished this challenge, although I definitely learned a lot. Like so many other bloggers, I learned that I should only have things that I really love in my closet, and that I can do so much more with so much less. I don’t think I used my 30 items very evenly: some things were worn over and over and over, and others just one or two times. I think this signals that I need to keep finding things that I truly love (so that I will wear them over and over), and get rid of the things that I only like so-so (since I will hardly wear them).

I think on a deeper level, though, I learned that I don’t have what it takes to be a fashion blogger, or even a low-grade fashionista. As this challenge progressed, I learned that I don’t actually care about clothes and fashion as much as I thought I did. I think this is partly due to the fact that I’m creative in many other areas of my life: writing, cooking, decorating, etc. I felt a little tapped out with my creativity, honestly, when I had to focus every day on putting together something new. It felt like the other creative venues in my life were suffering–and I don’t know why! I discovered that I actually crave simplicity in my clothing, and neutrals (with interesting accessories)–I think for so long I was trying to tell myself that my clothes needed to be brighter and flashier and more complicated. But at heart, I just want to look elegant, and that’s when I feel most like myself. So I feel like this challenge helped me to figure out my own sense of style, even if it ended up in a counter-intuitive spot.

So I am very happy that this challenge helped me to hone in on my true style. But I’m not sure that I will be keeping up this blog, since I discovered that I’m not that good at it!

tank top: target

sweater: anthropologie

shorts: loft

tights: simply vera (kohl’s)

boots: clarks

Below is all of my 30 outfits in one spot. They’re not in order, however, but it’s fun to see all of them in one spot.

Day 29: penultimate outfit

Another sunny, lazy Saturday. We were on a big “Curb Your Enthusiasm” kick today, so we spent a good deal of the day watching old episodes. Husband is at work tonight, so my big plans for the evening include taking a bath and reading in bed. Sounds nice, right?

peacock feather shirt: target

skirt: sewn by me

tights: target

boots: clarks

belt: gap

Day 27/28: a twofer

Yesterday was such a buy day that I didn’t even get around to posting either of the outfits I wore. The above outfit was what I wore during the day. I had an early meeting, then worked in the library, then we had a make-up workshop since we had missed a few earlier in the quarter. Before I began reading fashion blogs, I would have never thought to put red and purple together–it was one of those combinations that everyone said “didn’t match.” But I’ve since discovered that it looks great together!

red shirt: gap

blazer: h & m

shorts: loft

tights: we love colors

boots: clarks

elephant necklace: forever 21

 

In the evening, a couple of our professors took our workshop group out for dinner. I often don’t enjoy these big-group social events since I’m an introvert–I find socializing in big groups overwhelming, and I’d much rather have a meaningful conversation with one or two other people. However, the evening ended up being very enjoyable!

black shirt (under sweater): gap

sweater: anthropologie

skirt: sewn by me

lace tights: target

boots: born

Day 26: in the home stretch

Many things are winding up this week and next: the winter quarter is almost over, spring break is almost here, our huge road trip up north is coming up. And oh yeah, the 30 for 30 is in its final days! I wouldn’t say that I’ve missed the rest of my closet very much (unlike a lot of other bloggers), but it will still feel like an accomplishment to be finished!

gray tank top (unseen, I think): target

orange cardigan: target

wrap skirt: ebay

brown tights: target?

red flats: sofft

Day 25: smurf legs

That’s what I can’t help thinking today… For some reason, I am very conscious when my legs are brightly-colored, even though I like the look on other people. Anyway, trying to feel brave about it today. The morning started off sunny, but now clouds are moving in. We might actually get some rain!

dress: target

tights: we love colors

scarf: target

boots: born

Day 24: in like a lamb

Well, it’s March 1st, and it appears to have come in like a lamb. However, this is California, which pretty much guarantees that it will go out like a lamb too, just like every other month of the year. Anyway, back to the shorts again… I just love them! Probably my most-worn item in this 30 for 30 challenge. Once the challenge is over, I may have to look into getting a few more “winter” shorts. Then again, it pretty much feels like spring already. Now that I look at this picture, I wonder whether I shouldn’t have worn my black boots instead. Or red flats?

yellow shirt: target

shorts: loft

cardigan: don’t remember

tights: target?

boots: clarks

Day 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23

Well, some things are becoming clear to me during this 30/30 challenge. The biggest is that I am not good at it! For the record, I’m not having trouble putting together outfits, nor am I even tempted to go on some kind of shopping spree. However, what I AM struggling with is sitting down every day to put up the pictures and make a post. And so… as the new week begins, here I am logging in a whole pile of outstanding outfits from the past few days. Not ideal. Please forgive me?

Without further ado…

Day 17: For some reason, this checked shirt makes me feel a little… Farmer Sarah. But it could just be the combination with the skirt and boots?

shirt: target

wrap skirt: ebay store

tights: simply vera (kohl’s)

boots: clarks

 

Day 18: My love affair with these shorts continues. Perfect for a day of reading in the library on a Friday afternoon, then walking home afterward.

peacock feather shirt: target

cardigan: target

shorts: loft

tights: we love colors

boots: clarks

scarf: local boutique

 

Outfit #19: Went out with the hubby in the evening, and changed into this purple explosion (I don’t know if the various shades of purple with the shirt, blazer and shorts show through on everyone’s screen). I can’t believe this is the first time I’ve worn this ruffled shirt AND this blazer!

ruffled shirt: target

blazer: h & m

shorts: loft

tights: we love colors

boots: clarks

 

Day #20: This felt a little dressy for a casual Saturday, but that’s part of the problem with the 30 for 30! It was still comfortable and relaxed, though.

shirt: ralph lauren (macy’s)

skirt: sewn by me

tights: we love colors

boots: born

belt: thrifted

 

Outfit #21: Went out yet again in the evening. This time you can see the kimono sleeves on the dress. I’m not totally in love with the dress, but for a sewing project, it’ll do. Plus it was good experience.

dress: sewn by me

tights: target

shoes: sofft

belt: forever 21

necklace: forever 21

 

Day #22: Another sunny Sunday. Seriously, the weather around here is unreal!

shirt: gap

wrap skirt (inside out): ebay store

tights: simply vera (kohl’s)

red flats: sofft

 

Day #23: This is what I’m wearing today, and I’ll confess that I don’t love it. What I mostly dislike is the tights. They are a pale purple (lilac), but on my legs they look like a strange shade of pink. Odd! When I looked down at my legs in the library today, I wasn’t loving what I saw.

shirt: gap

skirt: sewn by me

tights: simply vera (kohl’s)

red flats: sofft

scarf: target

 

Phew! I think I’m finally caught up! I’ll try not to get behind again for this challenge.

Day 16: second stretch

Finally into the second stretch of this challenge, although I’m way behind where I should be. Oh well! I had a terrible headache yesterday, so I didn’t even get out of my pajamas. The headache was still here today, but I just couldn’t afford to miss my various responsibilities, so I made the effort and got dressed and headed to campus

shirt: macy’s

skirt: sewn by me

tights: simply vera (kohl’s)

boots: born

scarf: gift from former friend/roommate (she was from ethiopia and gave me several scarves)

Day 15: boring

It was an early morning, and I just couldn’t force myself to do anything creative with my outfit. So this is how boring I was today, minus the red scarf that I wore in the library and walking around campus. That’s OK, right?

striped shirt: macy’s

cardigan: don’t remember

jeans: target

shoes: sofft

 

Day 14: orange-lover

I am an admitted orange-lover (burnt/rust orange, to be exact). But even I hesitated a bit a few months ago when I opened up the package with these orange tights inside–they were so incredibly bright! I’m finally wearing them for the first time today. I layered some black lace tights over top, and they muted them a bit. Still, I’ll probably save these orange tights for days when I’m feeling bold!

dress: target

cocoon cardigan: target

orange tights: we love colors

lace tights: target

belt: gap

boots: born

scarf: local boutique