Thursday, January 7, 2010

shopping my closet

Recently, I left out one whopper of a factor for my big goal for Athenista in 2010 (more personal style/outfit posts).  Basically... I have waywaywaywaywaaaa-a-ay-yy-y too many clothes for my needs, as I'm sure my husband will attest to.  Yet... I can find at least five more reasons to buy just one. more. piece.  They're pretty much always cheap one.more.pieces but the key is that I don't need them.  (And really that makes it worse because usually I am of the camp that you should invest in good, key statement pieces rather than a bunch of get-me-through-the-season pieces.  Whatever.  Another day.)  And with the holidays still fresh on our wallets and G.'s first birthday coming up (Monday! omghyperventilate), we really don't have the cash flow for them either.**  Enter my style 'resolution' of sorts... shopping my closet. 

If you're already reading other style blogs or fashion magazines, you've probably heard that phrase more times than you can stomach but you're about to hear it at least once more if you keep reading. I have a busting-at-the-seams closet, this motivating blog at my fingertips, and a whole community of other style bloggers to draw inspiration from... so I have a goal in mind for the next few months/year to literally shop my closet.  Not a shopping ban or anything crazy.  Just shoppin' the laundry pile. 

In my grand that-would-take-forever-and-two-days scheme, I would take pictures and number everything in my closet by category (type, fabric, fit, occasion, etc.).  And maybe if I was feeling real crazy, I would even photograph some potential combinations and post them all over the walls of my closet.  Like a million Polyvore sets.  But for my own closet.  But it kinda makes my noggin hurt just thinking about how completely mammoth that task would be.  So I'll just let Polyvore do it's thing until I find whoevenknowshowmany hours to get started on that. 

Since I have no idea where else to start this little adventure, I'm going to show you a Polyvore of two pieces in my closet (Not because there aren't more.  Don't worry, there are plenty where these came from.  These were just the two I could most easily find on Polyvore and it's best to go in baby steps, right?  Rest assured this could and probably will turn into a never-ending shop-and-style here on Athenista.).  I love these but often have trouble styling them in a way that is fun and still appropriate for work but then comfortable enough for the weekend.  Cue visual:

1. Drawstring Bubble Dress from F21.  The top/cowl portion is a sweater material.  Just a little holey but maybe enough that I might need a cami for coverage, especially at work. And it's a little muddier than the color conveys.  Not quite brown but also not grey.  Love that I can dress it up or keep it natural... it's just a matter of figuring out how. 

2. Plaid Ruffled Flannel Button-Up from Old Navy.  This isn't the type of shirt I normally buy or wear for the weekend or, really, for work.  But I loved the print and the very subtle ruffled neckline.  I also love that it doesn't button all the way to the neck - that makes me chlostrophobic.  Can't handle.  The cut is pretty flattering so the few times I've worn it I just go with a black cami underneath and either skinnies or boot cuts with flats.  But I want to style it up a little.  Make it more work appropriate and feminine.  And then style it down but still keep it fun for the weekend. 

How would you stylin' ladies wear these two pieces?  What combinations would you try for work and for weekend?  I'll post some of my polyvore'd picks tomorrow.  (Or this weekend, depending on how wrapped up I get in this whole snow-in-Georgia-omg-Second-Coming thing.)

5 comments:

Sidewalk Chic said...

I wish I had time to make a closet catalog of everything I had, like Cher from Clueless. Polyvore is a fun alternative though!
Love your two picks...I'd wear the dress with patterned tights and the plaid shirt with a bright sundress :)
- JoAnn, Sidewalk Chalk

kjlangford said...

Thanks for the love... I think I will post some outfits (Being a dancer, constantly in and out of rehearsal clothes at times, I don't know that I can commit to loving my wardrobe the way you do... sometimes I wear yoga pants and a t-shirt, and I don't know how to fix that), and you (and academichic, hello BEAUTIFUL stuff, lovelovelove) inspired me to put some thought in my clothing art. I went shopping today and bought 4 items (including an 80stastic dress) that I would normally NEVER buy, but I'm really excited about it. Get ready to seem my fashion unveiled!
holla! :)

Shannon said...

If that shirt is long enough, I'd wear it with some skinny jeans and boots with a cardigan ... basically my standard uniform for this horrible weather. I've worn nothing but boots all week. You could also put it over a long-sleeved shirt or tuck it into a pencil skirt with some tights. The neckline looks like it'd be good with a simple necklace, and I'd probably add some bangles or even a brooch on a cardigan if not a necklace.

As for the dress ... I'm probably just put a cute cardigan over it, to be honest (if you have one that matches, like olive or brown?). Definitely add some patterned tights, like Jo said, for some pop, and a fun pair of heels (if it's not too icy). I'd add some big earrings with that outfit too.

Viktoria said...

Hmm I try to be more classic than crazy, so I would probably pair the dress with a pair of tights and a cardigan. I'd wear it with boots if I had a pair, but since I don't I would add my new plaid flats.

I think I may be one of the few bloggers who is adding to her wardrobe!

Michelle @Lipstickrules said...

I have this shirt! I need to find a way to wear it too so this is great.

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