I've always been a big advocate of dressing extraordinarily even on the most ordinary of days. However, recently, I've found my long-held resolve in this area slipping slightly.
I have my excuses, we all do, but the truth is that I haven't dressed up as regularly since we moved here. The kind of clothes that are comfortable in 85 degree heat with 85% humidity in a non-airconditioned home while chasing little ones around all day are not necessarily the clothes that also look amazingly pretty. And when you no longer have conveniences like a dryer at your disposal and have to hang-dry everything you wear (and hand-wash everything that won't survive the washing machine)...laundry conservation becomes a little more important.
So sometimes, even 'dress up everyday' Rachel slips into the default mode of wearing denim capris and t-shirts Monday-Friday. At least I wear my black leather belt with the metal studs and that makes me feel cool. But I only wear it because the capris won't stay up without a belt, and I only have one belt. Getting dressed out of necessity is boring. And it's so annoying to feel boring. So on Friday I wore this outfit to the grocery store, and then to the library...that's inside our apartment complex. More of a 'book room' than a library, if' I'm honest. Because even ordinary days deserve pretty clothes.
Sometimes people ask "What's the occasion?" or "Oh, are you going out?" when they see me dressed in a manner incongruous with the ordinariness of my days. For me, the occasion is that I've got lovely dresses in my closet and colorful sashes in my dresser drawers. I strive to find the perfect balance between comfort and practicality on the one hand, and fabulous, colorful ingenuity on the other. Because what's the point of having beautiful clothes if we let them get moldy in our wardrobes while waiting for extraordinary occasions?
I love ordinary days, but I must admit, I love them a little more when I remember to wear the clothes I actually like wearing.
I love this perspective! So happy and all :)
I used to feel the same way and then I had a baby #leggingsforever
I also love to dress up but have similar issues as yours. Not with the heat and humidity, but with cold and pug hair. I swear that my pug sheds her weight in fur every week.
I totally agree though, ordinary days are much better when wearing something that delights us.
bisous
Suzanne
I've been the same way since I've become a SAHM...I'm a little disappointed about it!
Lovely way to do an "ordinary day"! Thanks for linking,
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
I am so glad to see you in such a pretty, feminine and bright outfit today. In this outfit you found back your groove, despite the heat and humidity. I love the addition of the sash tied into a bow. The outfit has a Super Woman vibe to it and I mean that in a positive way.
Happy 2016 pretty Rachel. Welcome by.
That is exactly the best way to think - even if real life intrudes occasionally. Well put. Great to see you frocked up for absolutely no reason at all but that you like it! Enjoy your now extraordinary day!
Charlie
Fur Earwig
I love this. Now that I find myself home most days with no reason to dress up, I'm getting really tired of my sweatpants. I've started doing my hair, putting on a little makeup, and wearing my favorite clothes just to make myself feel better, and it's helping so much. Why have pretty clothes if you aren't going to wear them?
I love the outfit! I totally agree-often, a "dress up" outfit is just as easy to put together (and just as comfortable) as sweatpants and a t-shirt. I've noticed that other people always seem to be in awe when they'll see me or others wearing totally awesome and unique outfits-it will appear that they WANT to do something like that, but don't feel like they CAN since they would look "different" than the people in jeans and t-shirts. I guess I've just always felt so weird (thank you, homeschooling childhood!) that I don't care. Yes, I wear my Austrian dirndls and 1960s-looking hippie tunics to the grocery store or around the apartment complex, and it's wonderful :)
You're adorable! I have to dress "nice" every day for work, but I love it because it makes me feel better about myself. I always heard that if you're feeling down to dress nicely. I feel that way about curling my hair or putting on make up, too. If I have enough time in the morning, I love treating myself to taking an extra while to play and blend with colors of eyeshadow. And you, my friend, are never ordinary, even if your days are.
Yes yes yes! Dressing up really improves your confidence, and I've been trying to do it a little more even when I'm just around the house. I'm good about doing my makeup and hair, but since I'm usually getting messy and making art, I tend to wear leggings and a big shirt, haha! But even if I just decide I'm going to bake or run to the store, I've gotta dress up.
I love that little bow/sash tied around your waist--so lovely!
I am a flannel girl - obsessed with it, as a matter of fact! I have every color in the rainbow and I can wear them on any day of the week. They are my perfect blend of comfort and pretty - I just love colors! I do wish I had more sashes....I think I would tie them in my hair! Your outfits are always adorable, I don't know that I've ever seen a single picture of you lookin' uncute.
Side note, I think the feelings a well-put-together outfit gives you are so incredibly interesting. I feel completely different when wearing my business garb than I do in my flannels and jeans....and don't even get me started on dresses. For some reason when I wear dresses I either want to walk down the beach reading a book or pick fresh flowers to keep me company in the kitchen while I bake. Super feminine, in fabric! :)
I need to get back into a better routine with this! I have been working from home so much lately that I'm getting into a super bad habit of just wearing basically PJs all day! This is good inspiration though! :)
You look darling as usual in that fun skirt, Rachel! I think it's OK to dress down when it's just not practical to wear anything but jeans and t-shirt. But I agree, I too love ordinary days a bit more when I make an effort to dress myself in clothing I like! (I also hang dry most of my clothes, so I KNOW that struggle.)
- Liz @ Downtown Demure
That outfit is so fun!
I think dressing up just because is fun too but it is so easy to be lazy and wear comfortable clothes. I recently purchased some stylish tee's and a stylish sweatshirt so it is a win win for me right now.
I love that mindset...a little bit of extraordinary makes each day a bit more exciting and fun ;-)
Oh, I love the contrasts in your outfit! Gorgeous!
I love getting dolled up. Currently, we've been snowed in with the blizzard, and I wore pajamas for about 5 days straight. Today I was just like "I can't take this anymore!" So I did my makeup and my hair even though I had nowhere to go. It made me feel good. :)
-Shelly
Cute shoes! I've been wanting sparkly tennis shoes and those are fantastic!
I think it's funny when people ask "Where are you going" because I'm wearing a dress or a nice shirt. I must admit, when I get home the pj pants come on. :) However, I still take time to make myself look and feel pretty must days.
XOXO
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