Eileen Fisher Organic cotton blend dress | XS
3×1 The Principle jeans | sold out, exclusive to Shopbop
Teva flatform sandals
James Perse mini canvas tote
If you follow me on Instagram you already saw this outfit, which is what I wore on Friday. It was hot, and I wanted to wear this dress, but I wasn’t excited to show my legs/knees, so I threw it over these jeans (thanks also to a bit of a nudge from a friend with whom I was discussing styling challenges for this dress). I used to do this more frequently, wear a dress with jeans, but haven’t in awhile for one reason or another. Most of the time, the dresses I own aren’t short enough to wear with jeans, and since I’m short, total outfit proportion is crucial to getting an outfit to “work.”
Anyway, I loved it, and felt very “playful” which is rather unusual for me; in case you didn’t know, I’m pretty serious.
As I wore it and went about my business, I was acutely aware of my personal style and what it says about me – here in the suburbs, NO ONE wears anything other than workout wear and/or jeans & t-shirts, so I constantly feel the eyeballs on me.
Honestly, I sort of felt “edgy/modern older (mature??) lady” in this outfit. Not that I feel “old,” but more like I was channeling those ladies I always admire, with the shoulder length gray hair, who KNOW how to dress, and layer Eileen Fisher effortlessly. Or even Eileen Fisher herself. Although I’ve never seen her photographed in a bright color…
Then I was also reminded of Lyn’s (Accidental Icon) beautiful style, and was proud to think of this as something she might wear. If I HAD to choose someone as my style icon, it would be her.
In fact, I’ve been thinking a lot about personal style, capsule wardrobes (UGH), uniforms (hmmm), and have quite a bit more to say about that later, but this week, I’ve also decided to try and have a little more fun – and why not start with what I wear? (Have I mentioned how serious I am?) Incidentally, these Teva flatform sandals lend themselves REALLY well to fun.
How do you have fun with your outfits? Do you have a style icon? or multiple style icons?
I love this color on you 🙂 and I’ve been coveting that tote more and more (saw it IRL at my local Bloomies). Btw I also got the tote organizer that someone recommended to you and it’s awesome.
I don’t think I have as many style icons as I did in the past now that I’ve stopped worrying about body type dressing. In general I do admire street style shots where the subject is clearly dressed as pleases without any thoughts of what is the most flattering or makes me look the thinnest. Playing with proportions yes! Especially in a creative way. And Japanese oversized interesting textiles.
Good comparison, Grechen….altho you are a decade or so younger! I love the combo he I think it reads playful. Not middle-aged by a long shot! Creative? YES!
I think I can be creative when I try 😉
You look so freaking cool! Tevas aren’t generally my thing, but I’m definitely digging the flatforms. My style icon is Tilda Swinton, thank you for asking! She’s just so fearless and awesome. I’m a huge fan of androgyny and she pulls it off so effortlessly.
New reader here. Just had to comment that you look vibrant and fabulous in that color! I love neutrals, but sometimes brights wow you. I can’t pull off that red, but it really suits you. Also love wearing the dress over jeans.
thank you so much!
tevas are SO not my thing either, but i gave them a try, and i like 🙂
love tilda swinton also. her style is so amazing…
it’s definitely a “creative” look, but that’s never a word i would use to describe my style – interesting enough – i’m so confused about my style LOL
that tote organizer is so good. i love it, although i do think it makes it harder for me to remember where i put stuff. it’s easier to find things in it because they don’t get lost in a black hole, but i have to fish around in every pocket sometimes to find my lip balm 🙂
We are who we are! (“Good enough!”)
I love this look on you! The sporty Tevas do add a playful edge.
Accidental Icon is a good role model, especially for women who are still hesitant to really put themselves out there fashion-wise. I’ve always liked the pants/jeans under dress look and think this looks great on you. The color is definitely eye-catching. I also know what you mean about all the neighborhood eyes watching you. I’m sorta in the same boat. I’ve been getting into more over-sized clothing styles lately and get a few odd looks when taking my usual walks now. Most other people are in athleisurewear.
It’s kinda funny to think about but in the ‘burbs the most common outfits anymore seem to be workout leggings and tees with sports shoes or sandals for most women. When did this happen? I get that it’s easy and for the most part practical, but part of me also wonders if maybe we just forgot / gave up on presenting ourselves “best foot forward” in a way. Nowadays, the trend seems to be: if you can’t handle me like this, then you can’t handle me at all.
it’s athleisure’s fault – and now, i can’t even remember when it became okay to wear leggings as pants, and athleisure became so huge (10 years ago? more?), but before that we never saw people out in their workout wear, unless they were actually working out….right??
i do also think we’ve given up on getting dressed – for the most part. i still have to “get dressed” to leave the house, and hardly ever wear the same things i wear at home out. but i feel so alone in that LOL – nevermind though, i like it this way 😉
i understand the need to save time, and to be comfortable, etc., etc., but i don’t understand not wanting to “get dressed” to be out in public.
thanks for your comment! I’m just going through your blog now, and am looking forward to following along. thanks for the shout -out also 🙂
That’s very true. It’s rather mind-boggling how commonplace it is now for athleisure wear to be worn as normal clothes. Part of me would like to know statistically how many people actually do workout in those clothes or if they just bought them for the sake of them being comfortable.
I’m totally with you on being dressed to leave the house. I feel naked otherwise. It’s not even that I worry about being judged for how I look, but it’s more of a personal feeling of doing myself justice as a person by not being properly dressed to go out.
You look lovely, but I don’t know how you managed to endure jeans, especially fitted ones, in hot weather. I guess you’re used to it down there!
As to athleisure, I had always thought of it as separate from athletic wear, i.e. inspired by athletic wear (e.g. silk jogger) or mixed in with regular wear (e.g. navy sweatshirt hoodie over crisp shirt and tailored trousers), but apparently not! I admit that I head straight to comfy in my one mile wardrobe (which includes going to the movies) but other than that I am usually one of the more dressed up people at activities/events/outings/work which amazes me because I am really NOT a fancy person. Nothing elaborate, or fussy or blingy here, I swear.
You look great! I love this dress on you!!
thank you lisa!