why i don't talk much about body types

I often get asked “I have ____ body type, what should I wear?” My answer is usually “wear whatever the hell you want to wear.” That probably annoys people, and I understand if that doesn’t sound very helpful, but the truth is that what you should wear should come from you. It doesn’t have to be based on your body shape or your coloring. You don't have to wear what's "most flattering".

An example: as you may have noticed, my favorite silhouette is the skinny on bottom/drapey on top. This look is technically best for someone with a midsection that they want to hide, a smaller bottom half and great legs. I am pear shaped, with bigger hips, bigger thighs, a bigger butt, and smaller shoulders and upper body. I’ve gotten to a place where I just say these things as statements of reality. None of it is necessarily negative, just body parts in proportion to other body parts.

Since I have a smaller top half and waist, most experts would say that my ideal silhouette is a high-waisted full skirt or dress. But you know what? That silhouette doesn’t fit my personal style. My style is not girly or retro or overly feminine and I would feel super uncomfortable wearing clothes that are. I’ve had clients with the same issues and while I could say objectively that they looked smaller in the “flattering” items, they would rather wear something slightly less flattering that felt more like them.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m going to give you my opinion. If the color of your top is too close to your skin tone, I’m going to tell you I don’t think it’s a good idea. If you are wearing something that hits you at the exact widest part of your body, I’ll talk to you about proportion and line. But what we’ll do is figure out the look that you want FIRST, and then make it work for your body SECOND. Different body types can all work with the same kinds of looks.

When you’re wearing what you love, you exude a confidence that’s more authentic than any flattering item will give you. It took me a long time to get to this place. Hopefully I can make the process faster and easier for you! Check out "work with me" for more on how you can get help with your fall wardrobe. 

(Sign up for the mindful closet Making Space course to follow the process I use with my clients to define their style, edit their wardrobes, and move to a mindful way of shopping. )

replacing a wardrobe staple

Last summer, this top bit the dust. It was a bummer, because I didn't feel like I'd worn it for as many years as I would like. Since a relaxed white top is a pretty important component of my summer uniform, I set out to search for a replacement.

I tried all of these tops (above) and ended up with the cheapest version, simply because it fit best. The length wasn't too cropped, the sleeves hit in a good place and it also has the added benefit of being machine washable.

I don't normally advocate buying multiples, but because this one hit so many of my criteria and because it's so integral to my wardrobe, I bought two. Yes, both in white.
Currently on sale at The Limited for $25 ;)

P.S. Keep your eyes out for a special event I'll be hosting at The Limited in August!

hackwith design house dress review

I wasn't going to post again so soon (two posts in a week!), but I got this Hackwith Design House basic dress that I mentioned in my last post and I've been wearing it every day since. 

It's machine washable, seasonless, fits all body types, ethically made, and super comfy. About the only thing that could make it better is pockets. Pockets make everything better. I'm telling you this because Hackwith is having a Memorial Day Sale with 20% off everything that I almost wish I had waited for, but that you can catch now. Madewell shoes on repeat.

Happy Memorial Day!

summer wardrobe updates

Oh hey there - it's an outfit post! To be honest, outfit posts don't really seem too inspiring to me these days. You've all seen most of my clothes and you know I prefer to repeat things and wear a lot of black, so there's nothing earth-shattering going on there. Even though this post is old, I just came across it, and I pretty much feel the same way. I've stopped reading most of the fashion blogs I used to read, because it's so apparent that the bloggers are wearing a new outfit every day that they didn't pay for. That not how I live, so why would I want to see an example of that? I want to see people who wear what they already own and who have to plan and budget for pretty new things. 

So anyway, here's a boring outfit that I happen to love. Dress I've had for several years, purchased at a consignment store. Necklace also had for years. Shoes are new and are one of my summer wardrobe updates, planned for months. I talked more about these sandals over on my cool friend Jennifer's new website hey ENNUI. 

I've purchased a few other things for summer, a few tops (one from The Vault, one from The Real Real, so both on consignment), and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of this dress. I'm hoping it's going to be the one I wear all summer. In addition to the one above, of course. 

Speaking of summer, we're again planning to be in Boulder for a good chunk of time. If you need some help with your summer wardrobe planning, you have a few more weeks to book something, or you'll have to hold your horses until mid-August! Go here to see available appointment times, there are only a few left in June!

what to wear for school dropoff

Just because you're a mom doesn't mean you get a pass to wear workout clothes all day. However, sometimes I do have a session scheduled with my (kickass) trainer, Kourtney, in the middle of the day. I don't want to change multiple times, but I also want to look decent while at preschool dropoff. Here's my solution: camouflage your workout clothes as real clothes. I wear my workout clothes as my bottom layer and then add a top layer of "street" clothes. Athletic leggings pass for the regular version, throw a sweater on top, and wear street shoes instead of sneakers. 

Cute outfit for drop-off:

Sweater, leggings, boots, scarf, bag (affiliate links) 

Shed the top layer and change your shoes for working out. 

Tank, running shoes, sports bra, leggings (affiliate links)

P.S.  I recently heard a podcast interview with Tim Gunn in which he gave his approval for wearing workout clothes as long as you're actually coming or going from a workout. Good to know. 

fall capsule wardrobe review

I spent the month of December planning, organizing, and shopping for my next capsule wardrobe, but somehow never got around to blogging about it. Today, I'm at jury duty, which turns out to be the best place for me to get some work done!

First and foremost, I really do like the concept and decided to continue it, adapting it to my needs. I learned a lot from the fall version and will try to avoid making the same mistakes. One mistake I made was having too many warm weather items. Once cool weather hit, I felt like I was wearing the same sweater constantly. Even I need a little variety, and yes, I did start to get a little bored with what I had. Also, a few of the items in my fall capsule only got worn once. Some of those made it to the donation pile. Some were for special occasions, and in the future, I don't think I'll include them in the capsule.

Since I didn't have enough cool weather items, I bought a few (this layering tee, this tunic, this sweater, these jeans) towards the end and started wearing them. It would have been ridiculous to wait until January 1 to get use out of them. I'm also not going to limit myself on accessories next time - I'll be wearing necklaces and scarves with abandon. 

Because I've focused and edited my wardrobe over time, many items got worn multiple times a week. Yes, clothes do wear out faster when you have fewer things you wear more often. I'm choosing to think of this as a positive (replacing things means I get to shop, which is my favorite activity), but it is a little frustrating when you invested so much time looking for those pieces only a few seasons ago. I knew many of these things were on their last legs, but it seems as if they've all given out at the same time. I ended up with quite a long shopping list of items to replace. One was a dressy black coat, and I "invested" (I don't think clothes are ever a real investment, but at least I could resell this easily if I wanted to) in a Rick Owens jacket from the online consignment store The Real Real (above, similar version here). I also got this Madewell purse as a Christmas gift from mr. mindful closet and I really love it - lightweight AND functional!

I'll keep working on a post about my shopping list and the full winter capsule, but I'm not stressing too much about the fact that I didn't have it ready to go on January 1. It's all a process and I'd rather buy the right things at the right time than buy something mediocre in order to have it by an arbitrary date. 

Happy New Year!