11.22.2010

30for30: My Thoughts Half Way Through: Part I



Thoughts and lessons learned thus far in the 30 for 30 Challenge

I don't need more clothes. I have so. so. many. and there are several ways to mix, match, and remix for hundreds of new looks. Now, I'm not saying I'm going to stop buying clothes... but I will think twice. 

And this takes me to the next point: my future purchases will be made with thought. Several thoughts. Do I need this? Can I incorporate this into at least three different looks? Do I already have something like this?

Accessories are your friend. It's almost safe to say that maybe we should sometimes splurge more on belts, tights, and scarfs as they can completely alter an outfit and help with creating new looks.

Try new things. This adds an entirely new dimension to a.) your looks, b.) your wardrobe, and c.) your confidence. Since 30 for 30 started I've incorporated two looks that I have never attempted before: scarf into belt and socks above boots. I've seen these looks all over the place. Wanted to try them. And finally have. Now... let's see if I am brave enough for socks with heels and/or fur vests...

There is such an incredible support system within the fashion blogging world. Everyone supports each other. You may be weary of your look today, but someone is going to stop by and love it, comment letting you know they love it, and that's exactly what you needed to let you know, it's ok.

In addition to the support, I've "met" a ton of amazing bloggers. Women with impeccable style that is beautiful and inspiring. Women whose blogs I would have never come across if it wasn't for the challenge. 

Fashion doesn't have rules. Sure there are trends, faux pas, and do's and don't, but who cares? Who's to say what you are to wear? Fashion is an outward expression of who you are, how you feel, and what you love. That's it. Be who you are.

If you are in a rut, look for inspiration. It's everywhere: Fashion blogs, websites, magazines, catalogs, window shopping. Sometimes I've even gotten inspiration from home decorating photos. I loved the color palette and instantly programmed the color combo in my head. 

I am really excited to get my entire wardrobe back! I appreciate it SO MUCH MORE now - and we are only half way through. If I can make 30 outfits with such few pieces, no telling what I can come up with from everything else. I'm excited to make new combinations, I'm excited to know that I can change the entire look of something with accessories, and I'm excited to see what I actually do. I may even continue style blogging.

On style blogging: it's a lot of work. It's intimidating putting yourself out there, and as if that wasn't enough, I'm throwing myself into a pool of fashionistas (Kendi, Jessica, Jen, Sydney). I was scared people would judge. Call what I am doing narcissistic. Think I'm full of myself. I'm not. I'm not at all. I enjoy it. I enjoy sharing what I am wearing and hearing what other's have to say about it. I enjoy seeing what others are wearing and letting them know what I think about it. I've been a "stalker" of the fashion blogging community for a couple years now and to now be minutely a part of it, is just plain fun. I am 100% a fan of fashion and style and showing what I am wearing today or tomorrow is a lot more fun than posting a dress from Anthropologie and saying I lust after it.

And knowing that an unknown number of people are going to be looking at what you are wearing with a critiquing eye makes you dress yourself differently. Before sharing my daily outfits it was nothing to just throw on a tee, jeans, and flats and throw my hair up - which is A-OK in my book, but it's not something I want to do everyday. I like getting dressed for the day. Even if I have nothing to do.

I could ramble all night... So to sum it all up: I'm so happy I've participated in this challenge; I've learned so many different things and I've had a ton of fun thus far. I'm looking forward to the next 15!

12 comments:

  1. I'm not doing 30 for 30, but I've really enjoyed looking at peoples remixes! I've also learned a lot from just reading others' blogs!

    I agree that I was a tshirt and jeans gal too and wouldn't get dressed up because I had nothing to do that day, but I feel better after I do even though I have no where to go!

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  2. i love how evenly spaced the hangers are in that photo. be still my heart! srsly.

    i'm with you also on the socks above boots - i had stuck mostly with tights, but fell in love with the look. thankfully socks i can do - now to attempt belts!

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  3. Perfectly stated. I thought this challenge would be fun. I never thought it would be this time-consuming, and I doubted my ability to make myself presentable-looking enough every day to want to post a photo. It's definitely motivated me to be more creative with my wardrobe, but also change up my looks with makeup, different hair styles, and mixing up my shoes! (I have a tendency to always wear the same shoes with the same pants -- it's a short person thing.) And, I know I've said this a million times in comments and on my blog, but it's so refreshing to have something creative to concentrate on that has nothing to do with my job and that so many others are participating in.

    I'm so glad we "met"! :)

    ~Lisa

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  4. I was just talking about the narcissism. I have this fear that my friends and family are going to find my blog and think I am so full of myself for taking my pictures everyday. But you are right. It is not about being full of ourselves. It is just fun to be a part of this community - I started out as a "stalker" too.

    I've enjoyed "meeting" you and other great women through this project. Is seems like we are getting to know each other much more than just for our clothes.


    The Auspicious Life

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  5. Well said. I find I'm feeling sort of "pent up" and will treat the larger wardrobe with all due respect once the challenge is over.

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  6. I am totally on the same wave length- I definitely appreciate my wardrobe more as a whole right now, and I'm coming to the viewpoint that if I'm going to add to it (after the 30 for 30!), it needs to be a piece that is going to bring something fresh to the table (or the closet, technically)!

    The fashion blogging community is pretty great eh? I gather so much inspiration from fellow bloggers and it's fun to participate in such a supportive online network!

    http://www.maritimeshopaholic.com

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  7. Linley,

    I absolutely love this post - it's great! It's been such a fabulous experience "meeting" new friends, finding {at least trying to find} new daily inspiration and holding yourself accountable.

    Looking forward to part II!

    Love your new bloggy friend,
    Liz

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  8. I am not even doing the 30 for 30 this time around but I love this post!!!

    http://www.afashionfixation.blogspot.com

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  9. I enjoyed this post!!!
    I'm not doing 30 for 30 but I really have fun finding new ways to wear what I already have or my mother's vintage pieces :)

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  10. thanks for sharing your thoughts…i feel the same way! like seriously, i could copy and paste this :) except that my blog is mostly for style blogging. but i never thought i would learn so much! and i will think twice before buying more clothes, too!

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  11. Linley, I totally agree that this challenge really makes you look at your clothes so differently and you can make outfits so different by just adding different scarves/ tights. I also have tried new hairstyles, etc. And blogging is a lot of work, even though it is kind of fun. I was concerned about so many of the same things- looking vain to my family and friends for doing it or that people just wouldn't understand it. You put into writing pretty much everything I was thinking!
    P.s. You could totally pull off socks with heels and or fur vests....

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  12. I loved this post . . . I am starting my first 30 for 30 next week and I worry so much about the whole narcissism thing. But I love clothes. I love reading about them, so why not share a little bit of myself? Not that I'm not scared, because totally I am. :)

    I love your blog, so glad I found it.

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xo,
Linley