April Fashion Challenge
When I originally got the idea in my head to do the April Fashion Challenge, I thought the challenge would be not wearing the same outfit twice. But I have a lot of clothes. So that was not a challenge.
The real challenge ended up being to try to dress nice each day and not wear the same outfits twice. So that was hard. Because I am at home A LOT. I actually find it easier to dress nicely when I go in the office. But if you look at the photos below, only the photos taken indoors represent days I was in the office. So for the month of April, that is 11 days (there were 21 business days in April). The photos taken outside represent days that I worked from home, had the day off, or was a weekend.
So. Most of the struggle was looking decent at home, while not repeating outfits (and I tried not to repeat outfits I have already put on the blog from other months, but some bits and pieces were borrowed). Let’s take a look at the outfits, and I will share my lessons learned (you can click on the photos to see them larger)!
Outfits I loved: 2, 7, 13, 15, 17
Oufits I don’t think did me any favors: 3, 6, 8, 12, 24, 26
Outifts that made me look like a librarian: 11
Outfits that made me look like a sexy librarian: 2
Outfits inspired by the 90s: 10, 14
Outfits I immediately changed out of after seeing how awful they looked on camera: 26
Outfits that made me want to drive a motorcycle: 27
Outfits that are not to be confused with me giving up, but are aiding in long run recovery: 29
For fun: nail polishes rocked out during this time (all OPI):
Lessons Learned:
- I had fun thinking of different outfits to wear, and do like wearing things that are a bit on the crazy side.
- Some days were just a pain to think of an outfit that wasn’t just jeans and a t-shirt (see: 27, 29) though.
- Getting dressed sure does take a lot longer when you care about what you are wearing.
- I have a lot of shoes, but none that I really like. And I don’t really care for shoes. As you can see, there was not much of a shoe variety.
- Steven confirmed his awesomeness by taking these photos each day.
- I definitely have a self-imposed wardrobe – skirt or dress, jacket or cardigan, belt.
- I have no idea how to style my hair and hardly wear makeup (this is more of a reminder than lesson learned).
- Trying to dress cute on the weekends made me feel better about myself.
- Putting on something to “nice” wear after a long run is not… natural.
- There are tons of outfits in my closet waiting to be discovered.
- A lot of my older clothes can still be accessorized to look current (in my mind?).
- Trying to dress nice each day made me notice other people’s outfits more.
- It also made me want to shop more. A few of these things were purchased during the month of April: yellow cardigan (7, 16, 25), waist belt (7, 25), white cardigan (9), blue blazer (10, 21), pink Star Wars top (10), waist belt (11), orange pleather jacket (14, 27), blue top (15), white belt (15, 16), blue top II (17), jean skirt (15, 18), purple cardigan (20), pink belt (21), red sweater – gift (22), gray jeggings (22, 28), black jeggings (24), We Run Chicago top (29). Ugh. That is a lot. Uhh… but at least I am mixing with things I already have?
- I still have a lot of stuff in my closet I did not wear (any of these dresses…).
- Dressing nicer got me lots of compliments.
Hmm, I think that is enough lessons learned for now.
So what do you guys think? Should I do it again? I think I would like to do it now without buying anything new. Maybe only accepting gifts. Ha ha ha.
Which outfits are your favorites and least favorites? (keep in mind the photo quality is not perfect on some, as all pictures were taken with my iPhone and I did not do any editing to any of them).
Themocracy
Such a great challenge. And something that I should really consider. Being that I work from home nearly every day (unless I am on the road for meetings) I am sure Nic would like to come home to me wearing something other than yoga pants, t-shirt and my hair up in a pony tail.
And I still think outfit #7 rocks.
Yeah, that was such a huge part of it! I love working from home, but feel crummy if I don’t get “dressed.” It really helps me feel more pumped for work too!
Thanks 🙂
Very impressive. I managed to wear something different everyday but some days I did just wear a t-shirt and jeans. One day I didn’t even change out of my PJs… because I didn’t leave the house and didn’t feel like it. That is a rare occurence for me though.
yes. do it again. Do you need hats and scarves and jewelry? I may know someone who works in that type of retail and may have a few boxes of nwt stuff to give to you!
Ooo, that would be awesome! I might not “need” them, but it’s fun to have new things to play around with!!! 🙂
I freaking adore that yellow cardigan, and everything you wore it with. I also love #5. I think 26 is my least favorite, but I think if you chose a different bottom, the rest would be really cute. I also really LIKE #11, even though you said “librarian.” But I am old, haha, and fashionless 🙂
I am happy you liked #5. Someone who shall remain anon. said the oranges did not match. I didn’t think it mattered, lol.
I am not sure I can ever wear 11 again because a crazy acquaintance thought it looked good… so now I am doubting it 😉
My favs are 4 & 27. Please come to my house and help me! Because I work from home I usually wear workout clothes for most of the day so I can jet out of the house quickly. The hubby last week told me I’m rocking the frumpy look rather well these days. Yikes…I think it’s time for a fashion intervention!
How are you doing otherwise? It’s been a really long one since I’ve talked to you, hope that all is well! Don’t you have that half with your brother in law this coming weekend?
Ooo, you should have Erin come over and do one of her closet consultations! She will come up with a bunch of good stuff for you! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
I am doing good! Thanks for asking! I do have that half this weekend! My BiL already ran 13.1 twice, so he is more than ready.
I really like #5- you look great in orange!!! This is a really good challenge. I should try it! I have SO many clothes but I wear the same 6-8 outfits in rotation at work. It would be nice to mix it up!
You did a fantastic-arino job! I want your clothes. Send them over, thank you!
Great job on the challenge! I hate to admit that I really love weekends when I get to be a bit of a slob (or a total one). Plus, I feel that I wear like three different outfits per day. Sometimes four, depending on the activities (seriously).
I really like outfit 4, which I think someone else already pointed out. I also like number 5 – great color that sweater!
I love the yellow sweater – I have been looking for a nice one for some time now. I try to dress nicely for work every day and I know that people take me more seriously because they see I care about how I look. Outside of work I am the worst – I wear my baggy sweats at home all the time.
Wow – you put a lot of effort into your challenge! I think you did a great job – my favorite pictures were 5 and 11 – I guess I like the librarian look 😉
Awesome, awesome outfits!!! (Except 26…I give you full permission to burn that skirt)
It’s so hard to choose favorites! But, I do really like 2, 9, 13, 17, 19 and 27.
And, yes, you bought new things but you needed some new staples and other pieces of your wardrobe needed updating. It’s difficult to dress nicely when you don’t have the pieces that allow you to do so.
Yeah. That skirt… just no. No no no.
Those cardigans really helped. It’s funny, once I got the colored ones, the black one was in my hamper for most of the month! Doing this challenge meant I washed a lot less clothes because I could wear most things twice!
I think this was such a good idea, and it’s something I wish I put in enough effort to do myself. Honestly, even on my best dressed days, my outfits are so simple there’s no point in photographing them. I’m all about whatever’s the easiest, and if getting dressed requires more than 3 minutes of thought, I just won’t bother.
I am so impressed, when I work from home I consider it pretty big if I put on jeans instead of sweat pants! But I am inspired now to dig out some of the stuff I never wear from my closet and wear it.
I am surprised you didn’t like #24. It was actually my favorite. What didn’t you like on it?
I think the pants were too tight on 24 – like it created a weird illusion? I don’t know. LOL 🙂
Really? It doesn’t look like it in the photo. Obviously, you know better since you could wear it in real-life but I stand firmly my ground that I like the look. Isn’t that the same pants that you have on #22? If not, maybe you could try the same top with the other pair of pants that you feel more comfortable with.
I love number 16. That yellow sweater was a genius purchase! I think this is a really fun challenge – good job!
This is definitely a challenge I should consider doing! Since I wear scrubs to work, I never have to put much thought into what I wear outside of work since there are no guidelines! Usually I pair some sort of top with jeans…and either flats or flip flops. I’ve never been one to dress up, but sometimes I’m jealous of people’s cute work clothes…but I feel like I have no excuse to buy them since I won’t wear them much. (See how the grass is always greener?? Everyone usually tells me they would LOVE to wear scrubs to work. And I’ll admit that it is nice.)
One of my nurse blogger friends always has cute clothes (dresses, skirts) when she’s out and about, and it inspired me to go buy a few dresses/skirts. Especially with the warmer weather coming, and I love the idea of just throwing on a cotton dress. Fingers crossed I actually stick with it instead of just wearing shorts and a tank. Maybe a challenge is due…
You should do the challenge! You are already so cute, you can only get cuter!
4, 14, 16 are my favorites. It’s so hard to do these kinds of challenges so good for you for completing it with such creativity!
I liked that challenge you did that one time that had prompts! I wonder if I should try something like that!
Loved it! It does take a lot of effort to put together good outfits, but it’s so worth it because it just makes you feel better. (I used to watch a lot of “What Not To Wear” and tried to listen to their advice, but I just get lazy and/or don’t allow myself enough time.) My favorite outfits are 5, 7, 9, 17, 22, 25, and 30. I think 17 is my favorite favorite!
Wow lots of great looks! I love 5 and 13. Why has it never occurred to me to try to look cute while at home? You mean race shirts are not fashionable?
LOL. I know what you mean. I sometimes live in old race shirts!
I like number nine, that is such a pretty color on you. And I like the color combo on 25!
Are you also obsessed with OPI, I have this new addiction to OPI and Butter.
Yeah, I really only buy OPI because I have had such good luck with it! 🙂
My favorite was #5!! The “accessory” in #2, 6, 13, and 25 is too cute though! :o)
I am so very impressed with you and your April fashion challenge!! I hardly ever get dressed up anymore- actually, thinking back, I don’t remember the last time I did get dressed up. Maybe after we get the house done I should try that!! Very inspiring!!
=^..^=
You should wear something cute when you meet Gina!
Can you believe Data only photobombed 4x?!
My favorist outfits on you are nos. 4, 7, 13, 14, 16, and 19! Hot!
Can you believe I only wore the awesome jean jacket once?!
I really like 12 and 19!
i’m tempted to do something like this because i KNOW i’m super lazy with my outfits these days… but i don’t want to have to admit it! 🙂
Wow, what an accomplishment! Dressing up on the weekends is a foreign concept to me. Actually, I always say, “I look crappy” and then Harrison says, “Well, we’re going to Meijer. I think you’ll look better than 95% of the people there.”
I think all of your outfits look really nice, so I was surprised when you had some negative-sounding categories down below all the pictures.
Also: I just had my consultation with Erin over the weekend. We decided we should all get together in the fall.
And also also: maybe I’m inspired to dress up for when I come see you in a few weeks! YAYAYAYAY!
Ha ha ha – that is a very good point from Harrison! 🙂 Dressing up on the weekends does usually make me feel better, but boy, sometimes I do just want to wear jeans and a t-shirt without trying to dress it up.
Thanks for liking them. Some just felt a bit meh to me. But I am happy I tried 🙂
We should all get together in the fall!!!
Favorite outfits: 4, 9, 23.
I should really try this challenge. I can be so lazy when it comes to dressing cute, lol.
I have the same challenge when I work from home. Which I say while wearing some too-big yoga pants, t-shirt and a hoodie. I’ll put on real pants before my fiance gets home, and so we can walk the dogs, but I just don’t care on my at-home days.
You should definitely do this again though! I did a 30 day challenge of not repeating AND not shopping last year, and it definitely helped me find forgotten pieces in my closet.
This is fun! How did you get the skinny belts to stay in place? Mine end up too high or too low and look weird. I haven’t actually tried wearing them in public because of that.
I kind of looped part of the skinny belt under the rest of the belt… you can kind of see it in this pic – http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/120416Outfit16.jpg. That definitely helped!
I love this!!! I totally want to do something like this! I feel like my wardrobe is so boring and I find myself wearing the same things over and over again. I love how you mixed things up! I especially love your belts! The skinny yellow one and big black one are awesome! Oh, and I love all your fun nail polish!!! 🙂
Thanks 🙂 I hope you try it! It’s a lot of fun!!!