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Hope news trousers
Vince Blair sneakers (haircalf version is sold out) | perforated leather version – size down 1/2 size
Splendid very light jersey v-neck
7 for all Mankind denim jacket (old) | similar one by Free people which is way cooler, and seen on Jennine
French enameled locket
I don’t know why I called this opposite day except I was thinking of making Friday’s outfits something “different” – inspired – maybe “opposite” of the types of things I usually wear, and/or asking you guys to pick out an outfit for me on Fridays featuring things I have and don’t wear very often; pushing me to be more adventurous with my clothing.
This particular outfit isn’t anything too extremely different from my norm, but it was inspired by something similar I saw on Eileen Fisher’s website. Although my denim jacket is SO CROPPED; I wish it was just a bit longer on me….which is why I never wear it. My other denim jacket is the opposite – SO big and oversized (fabulous really – and on sale now), it only really looks good with a few things.
Which leads me to what I was thinking about on my way home from Pure Barre EARLY this morning (my husband has started getting up at 4:45 in the morning for a boxing class, so I’ve been doing 6 AM Pure Barre….ugh…): that I want SO MUCH to have a curated, small, thoughtful wardrobe, but somehow I never pick the right things to include in that wardrobe. Take my denim jackets, for example. If I had one that was just the right length instead of two, one that’s too short and one that’s too long, I’d have “the perfect” denim jacket.
Of course, I do also like the option of having both jackets, and theoretically, who wouldn’t want to have THREE denim jackets, each one slightly different, and suitable for different outfits? At first, yes, of course, three is better than one, but after thinking for a bit, I’ve come to the conclusion that no, three is not better than one, and neither is two. ONE is enough.
But I’m not certain I’m that good at finding the ONE. Perhaps now, after some trial and error with denim jackets I can find the ONE denim jacket, but with other things? Is there the ONE?
Anyway, food for thought on Friday! Something to ponder for the weekend. My mother is in town, and she brought me one of her DLSR cameras to play with for a while, so I’m looking forward to experimenting a bit with my photographs. The ones above were not taken with the DSLR – I just wanted to see if there was any way I could get good natural lighting in my office. There is not.
Have a great weekend!! Don’t forget to enter to win the Kendra Scott necklace here. The contest will end on Monday.
I feel like such a lurker, can’t recall the last time I commented on your blog! But this post resonated with me. Each season I get an idea in my head of classic, simple staples full of the ONE. And often I purchase them to realize months later they aren’t as ONE as I believed them to be. Like you, it’s sometimes because they’re maybe too cropped, too full, too something but often it’s because I change and my idea of the ONE is different with the season, what’s going on with my life, or the current state of my body or mind. I dream one day of being that woman wearing the same pieces over and over for years and looking so effortless and chic, but don’t know if I will ever achieve that!
well, hello there! 🙂 we’re even then, because i can’t remember the last time i commented on your blog either, although i’m there every day! guess it’s time we changed that!!
i’m not sure there is a ONE for everything, but for denim jackets i believe there is. every time i put one of them on, i either wish it was longer or shorter, so my quest now is to find an in-between one. so now maybe i can work harder to identify the right ONEs for other styles in my wardrobe….
See, I look at it a little differently. You DO have just one of everything. You have one LONG denim jacket and SHORT one;).
and ONE short one, that should read.
haha! yes, that is true lisa, and if i really really loved each of them, i’d be okay with that, but i’m always wanting to change them….
Don’t get me started on denim jackets… Ok.. so I have
one medium wash denim trucker jacket
one dark wash denim trucker jacket
one denim light wash barn coat with peter pan collar
one dark denim duster coat with 3/4 sleeves
one cropped denim moto jacket
on my wishlist:
one denim blazer
one denim trench coat
one light wash denim trucker jacket
one oversize denim jacket medium wash
obviously I’m sick.
Great outfit, and Eileen would be proud! I hadn’t owned a jean jacket for decades, but recently bought three. What can I say? I’m the queen of clothing overkill. Two of them are Old Navy and cropped, while the other is a Joe’s Jeans dress jacket. The longer length is like a car coat on me, but it works with leggings and jeans. I decided that I enjoy having a variety of styles to choose from. BTW: Your Joe’s jacket inspired my purchase. After seeing how cute you looked in it, I found mine on eBay. I don’t know if there is one perfect anything for me (except, my husband), so I’ll settle for a few of each.
Jennine, I laughed at your comment. I feel better now, about my new jean jacket obsession. Maybe I need to buy more?! You’re not “sick” just stylish;).
Love this casual look on you! Unlike everyone else, I don’t own a single denim jacket, but I really want one! I am also having a hard time figuring out exactly what I want…there are so many cute styles, that it’s hard to choose (I think one denim jacket would be enough for me, too). I’m thinking something pretty classic will be what I end up. I like the Mother Denim “Bully” jacket, though it’s more than I’m willing to spend. I often think “if only I could just find the one _______”, but agree that that doesn’t always work because I don’t have the capsule-everything-goes-together wardrobe I’d like. Working on it. Those pants looks so great on you–I ordered them but ended up selling on eBay, as they were just way too big on top and then too tight through the calf. Looked odd on me. Oh well…
I’m laughing, too, Jennine. The things we do to convince ourselves it’s a “need”! But your comment at the end reminds of how my dad, “Mr. Jokester,” always replied to my mom when she’d say, “I feel so fat and ugly!”: “Aw, Hon, you’re not ugly.”
Maybe a little OCD, but not sick. ????
Gosh dang! This is so perfect! I love the contrast of dark/ light, and the casual, yet spot-on, style of the whole ensemble. And the ponytail is so adorable on you cuz it highlights that pretty face!
I can see what you mean when you weigh the option of several denim jackets vs. one in your quest for a curated wardrobe. It makes perfect sense to pare down to the “perfect one.” You’ve taught me SO much about not just “settling” for so-so items in my closet, but rather “ne plus ultra.” and being willing to PAY for the best item for me. And so that’s what I’m striving for…as soon as my back decides to cooperate. (Do you know how frustrating it is to be so highly motivated for change and yet my body is not getting in line?!?)
Grechen, I am so amused that you are standing in a very barre-like pose with your feet in this picture.
I only have one denim jacket and feel like it’s good enough. Not that I’m settling with it but it’s basic enough to work for what I want. I’m pretty sure it took me awhile to even find a denim jacket that wasn’t some extreme wash or cropped.
I completely understand your idea of searching for this perfect thing for your wardrobe. I make list every season of something that I’m looking for. There have even been years to go by with an item or two that hasn’t been fulfilled. I think for some things you might have to get what’s perfect in that moment in time for your style/likes. It’s hard to really say whether something will have longevity in your wardrobe. Of course that doesn’t mean buy a certain item to fill a particular void. You still want things you love and that makes you excited to wear though.
haha! i didn’t even notice that 😉
you are absolutely right – what’s perfect right now may not be perfect in 5 years…but i also think it’s important to work with your body shape and what generally looks good on you, and ultimately, that joe’s jeans denim jacket i got isn’t the MOST flattering style on me, so of course, i’ll get tired of it quicker. at least this EXTREME cropped version shows that i have a waist!!
ugh…i’m sorry about your back. i would have a very hard time with that!!
and yeah that’s why my hair is back in a ponytail LOL – not because it’s a MESS right now 😉
i found an acne studios denim jacket that was AMAZING. i might even call it PERFECT. but of course, it was a million dollars, so i gave up on it instead of trying to work on saving up enough money to buy it.
the pants are like that in general i think – these are a size too big on me, so that’s why they’re not tight in the calf, but they are pretty huge up top. i just cover that part up with a longer tee/top! i’d like to try on a smaller size and see if that fixes the problem with the waist/hips being too big, without the calves being too tight, but i think that’s just wishful thinking….
haha!! not sick, you just like denim jackets 😉
the question is, how often do you wear each of them???