Thursday, March 29, 2012

Herb, I think that woman's in her PJ's

Moments ago I almost pulled the trigger on a pair of coral skinnies. It was a close call.

This morning I spent some time reading blogs to see what's going on. Truth be told I don't get to do that as often as I used to, but when tax prep is the alternative it's amazing how suddenly there's a lot more time than I thought. Hmmmm. Anyway, after perusing several blogs I found myself thinking I needed this pair of denim.

I don't.

In fact, and this may strike as blasphemy here in blogland given the current trend, I don't really care for colored denim. It looks cute on other people, but the one red pair in my closet is enough for me.

Where am I going with this?

A few days ago I was talking to a friend about the pitfalls of blogging. I explained how last year I found myself really struggling to find more than a few things in my closet that I loved to wear. We all have those I have nothing to wear days, but it was more than that. I found myself disconnected from my wardrobe, having purchased things that no longer represented me. It was a wake up call.

Reading blogs can turn into mini shopping sprees. Real live women showcasing outfits in real time. If I see enough of them in the same trend I sometimes catch myself thinking maybe I should try it, even though it's not my style at all. Don't get me wrong: it's good to be encouraged to take a risk now and then, but it should still represent your aesthetic.

I wasn't going to post these pictures, but after nearly slipping from the precipice this morning I decided to pull them out. Yes, I wear loungewear in public. Rather frequently, in fact. It stems back to kindergarten when I insisted on wearing my cherry red sleeved baseball pj shirt with the kid drawn house and stick figure family, complete with floofy apple tree, on front to school. Regularly. Until I broke both wrists after slipping from some hay bales, getting casts and then having to have the sleeves cut off my beloved shirt in order to get out of it. Would've hated to be in my mom's shoes that day. Think flood of tears.
Getaways: that time others only stare minimally when they see you
roaming around in broad daylight wearing what they suspect is your nightgown.
A full suite of accessories will cause them to ponder.  
Disregard the looks of mild to moderate confusion.  
Just grin and carry on. 
~Vest: M2F, Dress:  Saturday/Sunday, Boots: Jeffrey Campbell~
Take in some lawn sport where you realize neither of you know how to use the 
color features on the camera and you might resemble an alien.  
And you need an arm workout?
See if there's a party going on. It might be a pajama party, after all.

Seriously though.  I'm not saying I'll never catch a trend and I'm certainly not saying all I ever wear is pajamas (uh maybe?), but I am saying it's important to remember who you are.  I'm happy to report I've rediscovered my footing and am allowing the wardrobe pendulum to swing again in a way that is true to me. Stand by for more jeans and pjs? Maybe even with a flat and a blazer. But most importantly mixed with pieces I love to wear just as much now as when they were purchased.

37 comments:

Danielle (elleinadspir) said...

So this post basically starts pjs as a trend right? I'm in.

Anonymous said...

I'm fine with the pajama trend. I may or may not have gone to the ATM in sweats before. Ok, it happens a lot.

Anonymous said...

I'm fine with the pajama trend. I may or may not have gone to the ATM in sweats before. Ok, it happens a lot.

this free bird said...

Heroes. I commonly go to the bank--right inside--to deposit and let's just say the manager has all but accused me, while I was decked in this attire, of printing my paychecks from home. He thought I was in college. No sir, I'm a full grown adult in my pajamas so you'd better deposit that money and never mind the discrimination. Thank you and good night.

Faith said...

:)

Pajamas make me happy if only I could wear them to work :)

And I'm loving your dress!

Despina T. said...

oh it doesn't seem like a pl at all!really nice denim vest too.

Boheme.Fille said...

Great dress!!

Courtney Erin said...

Great post - for me blogging cuts both ways, it both exposes to me to new trends that have me asking, should I try that? but it also reaffirms for me my personal style because I love looking at personal style blogs generated by people with totally different looks and being able to think, "looks great, but I would never look good in it/be happy in it/be true to myself in it." So blogging becomes a discovery of new styles and an affirmation/rediscovery of my own.

Courtney ~ http://sartorialsidelines.com

Tiffany Kadani said...

Yep yep yep! I'm the opposite- I see a trend and I automatically think "I could never wear that! I'm way too fat!" Stupid, I know, but old habits die real hard like those spiders that keep running away. I need to go out more and try some trends. And then judge, not vice versa.

Colored denim? Looks cute on a lot of people but if it's not your style, then that's a drop in the bucket of many styles to come.

Unknown said...

Hey girl! Haven't been here in awhile - but on FB u got me curious - I feel u on this post - I think blogging opens u up to a lot but can get wrapped up in it and sometimes stray away from 'home' - right on sister!

Kristin W said...

You're so right. I commonly get in this lull/depression where I not only feel like I have nothing to wear but also feel I have no money to buy all I want to wear. So much of this feeling has to do with reading a million blogs of J Crew or other even more "high-end" brand wearers.

I'm finally getting to that acceptance that I just can not afford those things, but it doesn't mean I can't look good. On the plus side, I can afford those $17 colored jeans from Forever 21. I can still work some of the trends without breaking the bank.

Thanks for being honest on the PJ front though (even though, I swear that looks like a legit dress!). I might get "looking nice" two days a week if I'm lucky. It's just nice to know we're all rocking the sweats more commonly than it seems :)

Deco Aurora said...

I have been seeing the Pajama trend...but not the nightgown trend. Which in my opinion is better :)

Johanna said...

No way those are pjs...serious? If those are pjs than you are the most stylish sleeper I know. My pjs are...hanging by a thread, literally.

Leeann @ Join the Gossip said...

I think I'm pretty good with blogging/buying. Just because someone features a style doesn't mean I like it. However, if I like something and am unsure of it but bloggers approve, I take that as a sign to buy hehe!

Josie said...

For the record, I feel the same way about colored denim. Looks adorable on other people but I just can't pull it off. And I totally feel you -- reading blogs can literally drive me to consume. But then I read yours and remember that there's most definitely more to life than clothes. That said... I love that nightgown. Just saying.
xo Josie
www.winksmilestyle.com

allison said...

Yep, blogging does force you to look at new trends and wonder. Glad to hear you stick to what you love. I refuse to give in to all the trends bc they don't all look good on me since I'm so short.

LyddieGal said...

Blogging has definitely opened my eyes to all sorts of trends that I would not otherwise see, since I don't live in a fashionable city and I'm pretty sure I'm the only girl in town who has three pairs of jeans that diverge from the usual color and that was definitely not something I ever thought I do a few years ago!

I kind of like where my style is now though.

Previously I thought the most stylish thing I owned was a pair of khaki trousers with pink pinstripes.

I'm not that girl anymore. The blogs have changed me, but I don't feel less like myself.

The Suburb Experiment said...

I did the same thing. Veered waaay too far into other people's territory. I still do, a bit, because I love what I see on other people. It's a learning curve. :)

Jenn
The Suburb Experiment

allergic to vanilla said...

LOVE those fringe boots and the fierce pj's! :)

x carlina
allergictovanilla.com

TheChambrayCountess said...

I love this look! When I saw this chemise in Anthro, I joked that I couldn't buy it because I would wear it as streetclothes, not pjs-- now I wish I had bought it! Love the way you styled it :)

Polly said...

No way is that pyjama's. I more than honestly would never have guessed.

You should see what the kids here get about in, flannies all the way without even blinking an eyelid

Melissa Blake said...

Taxes? NO!!! Don't utter that evil word hahaha!

I really love this outfit, though...those boots are awesome!

Jessica said...

Oh my gosh - you broke both wrists as a youngster? I winced just thinking about it!

I think you're right - sometimes blogs lead you down this must-buy road. On the flipside, I don't think I would have bought orange lipstick if it wasn't for blogs (and I love it!).

I adore your outfit - you look so darn comfy!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Oh so true...Blogging really does give me the shopping itch more...Like the one I'm getting from looking at your outfit. Ha!

OneCraftyFox said...

I have a friend who wears colored skinnies all the time and they look amazing... on her. I just don't see myself following that trend, maybe it's because I already sported purple pants back in the 80's. And although there is much to love about the 80's, I somehow feel far too young following those trends again.

I am guilty of wearing loungwear in public too, oh well, I guess sometimes I care more about comfort than much else.

Hope all is well with you in sunny Cali!!

xoxox Diana

Annie said...

I wasn't thinking pj's at all when I saw this outfit! I really love it. I sadly have been feeling disconnected from my wardrobe lately.. I think it's time for some shopping or at least, putting the winter clothes away! Hope you're having a great week so far Carrie xo

Gracey the Giant said...

Just found your blog through The Suburb Experiment and I love it.

Blogging and reading blogs can definitely mess with your head, but I'm happy to see you come out of it okay.

I can't wait to read more!

Gracey
http://fashionforgiants.blogspot.com

Cara said...

I too found your blog through the suburban experiment, but I'm with you - blogging has suddenly become an expensive hobby for me (ironic, since I started the blog to weed out duds from my closet. I think I've doubled or tripled them). Good for you for not pulling the trigger! I'm battling a very similar thing with animal print. I feel I should own something, but nothing appeals to me!

Leah said...

I am in the same boat. I often see other people rocking a certain style that I love, then I try it and totally hate it. I guess that's what happens when you try to be something you're not. Feeling comfortable in whatever you're wearing definitely makes it look better. Keep it up, you look great! I say go for those coral pants, you may surprise yourself.

Lilacandgrey said...

agree about the blogging thing...also not a fan of colored denim

Ashley, Lions Lace Lattes said...

I love this post and your outfit. I don't think it looks like PJs!

xo Ashley

Unknown said...

Croquet! I want to play SO bad!! I also love that print with all my heart.

S.I.F. said...

Oh love... if those are your PJ's, then MY PJ's need a makeover! ;)

Elle Sees said...

you are so delightful...always happy when i red your posts.

Dress Me Dearly said...

Such a great look. You have me yearning' for coachella.

www.dressmedearly.com

danielle said...

rad. you just gave me a new idea of how to style my fringed boots. now to find the perfect navajo print dress...

Sparrow Lyn said...

I love this entire outfit.....those boots...the print on the dress. Nice and very nice !

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