THE ARCHIVE
STYLE CHALLENGE RECAP SEVEN
Okay, it’s been a while since I’ve done one of these recaps. If you have been wondering if I am still doing this style challenge, I am! :) It’s just super slow, mostly because I feel like it rained almost every day in December and January… so that was fun. 😏 And when it rains like that it is super hard to take outfit photos, so it’s been a bit sporadic, but I’m still here. This recap is a mash up of styled outfits and flatlays. The flatlays have been super fun and I finally have been able to style some shorts! Not because it’s warm out, but because I went to the gym and I’ve been putting together outfits for Maui, which has been super fun!
OUTFIT 38
TOP // SHORTS // NEW BALANCE
This is one of my favorite outfits to workout in and to wear in general. I really enjoy working out and workout clothes, so this is a win win for me. I am also really loving these New Balance Trainers.
OUTFIT 42
TOP // JOGGERS // NEW BALANCE
This is another outfit that I’ve been wearing on the regular. These joggers are so comfy, I have another pair in green and this sherpa sweatshirt is so soft and cozy.
OUTFIT 43
TOP // JOGGERS // NEW BALANCE
These joggers are great for workouts too! I’ve run in them, done HIIT workouts, done cross training, and strength training. I love them! I paired it with my favorite Under Armour muscle tank.
OUTFIT 45
EKOUAER SWIMSUIT // DOLCE VITA TOP, BOTTOM // SANDALS // CARVE SWIMWEAR
Swimsuits for Maui! I am so excited about these! I don’t remember the lat time I owned more then one swimsuit at a time. I love each of these and I can’t wait for our trip!
THOUGHTS ON MY STYLE CHALLENGE
My style challenge is doing exactly what I hoped it would do. While my daily documenting of outfits has slowed down… it’s too cold to get outside to take photos, I still plan to complete the challenge even if it takes me longer then I hoped. I’m not much of a rule follower so it’s not killing me that things are changing midway. I actually prefer it that way. I have a tendency to grow weary when I’ve been put in a box.
MY HOPES FOR THE CHALLENGE
I wanted to discover myself again. We spent a lot of years in New York just surviving and paying off debt. I rarely shopped and I didn’t really want to think about clothes because I didn’t want to spend money on clothes. By the end of our time in New York, I had basically forgotten what kind of things I liked and I even had a hard time spending money. I was conditioned to save not spend. The one time we did shop for clothes was on our birthdays. I recall many birthdays not knowing what to buy because I didn’t know what I liked. I usually just bought the things I needed.
I wanted to put my clothes to the test. Did I like everything I owned? Did everything fit me well? Was I only keeping things because I had them and not because I liked them? I really wanted to get to a place where I knew exactly what worked best for my body and what I liked most. I didn’t want to spend time guessing.
I wanted to have fun! It had been a long time since I really had a lot of fun with clothes and I wanted to get back to that.
WHAT I’VE LEARNED
I definitely feel like I’m finding myself again, even it’s just in the clothes I like. The one thing I absolutely love is seeing each outfit photographed. It has made such a difference seeing everything in photos. I’m able to reflect on whether I like each piece I’m wearing and if those items work well together. I know that my style will continue to change and evolve, but I’m glad that I’m able to figure out what I like again.
My favorite part of the challenge so far has been getting rid of clothes that weren’t working, which is something I really hoped for. When we traveled home for Christmas I took a bunch of clothes home to donate because I either didn’t like the fit or I didn’t like the style. There was no point in me keeping things that I didn’t feel good in.
CHALLENGE UPDATE
My wardrobe has gotten smaller, so my challenge has gotten harder, haha. Because I took items home/donated, I don’t have as many items to work with. Though I have replaced a few things. I’ll include a new list of items below.
It really didn’t make sense for me to include “summer” clothes in this challenge. It has been way too cold and raining.
I definitely won’t be completing this challenge is 100 days. This doesn’t kill me at all. Looking forward I really just want to create 100 outfits regardless. Plus, with our trip to Maui in the Spring I will actually be able to wear my shorts, haha.
UPDATED WARDROBE
Bottoms
1 pair of jeans
1 pair of black leggings
1 pair of joggers (I probably won’t wear until spring, bah!)
Donated bottoms
1 pair of jeans (donated)
1 pair of plum leggings (donated)
Tops
1 long sleeve flannel
6 long sleeve tops (3 of these are new/replaced the items that were donated)
3 Sweaters
3 Sweatshirts
7 short sleeve tops (Hoping to style these more in the Spring)
Donated tops
1 long sleeve flannel (donated)
1 long sleeve (donated)
1 sweatshirt (donated)
Outerwear:
Rain Jacket (Donated then replaced)
Down Jacket
Lightweight utility jacket
Vest
Shoes:
Merrell waterproof leather boots
New Balance Street shoes
Under Armour Running shores
Under Armour Crosstrainers
Leather Sandals
MISCELLANEOUS
2 summer dress (brought back for Maui)
6 pair of shorts
5 pair of workout shorts
3 pair of workout leggings
2 workout tops (took 2 back to the states, looking to replace)
CURRENT COUNT: 45 pieces of clothing (did not count shoes)
CURRENT NUMBER OF OUTFITS STYLED: 35
NUMBER OF ITEMS USED IN CHALLENGE SO FAR: 28
SHOP TODAYS OUTFIT
OVERALL
I enjoy the challenge to style different outfits, but I don’t love a deadline, haha. That’s a classic Samantha move on my part, I really don’t like being told what to do. I’m happy to keep the challenge going regardless of the timeline, because I would love to get 100 outfits. I love getting photos of each outfit, because I love seeing how each outfit looks. I’m really looking forward to warmer weather and changing things up with shorts. I prefer warm weather and wearing shorts anyways, so I’m excited about that. I do plan on replacing and adding a few items. I need to replace a few workout tops and I’ll be picking up a few things specific to our Maui trip…I’m sure I’ll do a post just for the things I find. I’m also sure that I’ll donate more items too. Each time I style a new outfit I think about if like what I’m wearing and how it fits…I’m already thinking about things I’m not 100% in love with. Okay, that’s all for now! xo. Samantha
STYLE CHALLENGE RECAP SIX
The outfits in this recap were really fun… and yes, I’m wearing a t-shirt, but I took that picture on a day that wasn’t super cold. I’m not quite half way through this challenge, but I will say that I’m learning how versatile just a few pieces of clothing can be. Every week feels like a challenge and man, the weather in Vancouver has kind of been the pits, but I do love learning how each piece works together with different things and I love looking back over photos and really loving outfits I tried. And I keep trying to make mental notes of what items work best together, haha. I’m hoping as the challenge goes on that I will get better at really utilizing each piece in my wardrobe. I’ve also already decided on a few things I’m getting rid of… things that really weren’t fitting right or things that I just don’t love. With only so many pieces of clothing I keep whittling them down more, but I love that is happening too.
OUTFIT 27
TOP // VEST // LEGGINGS (OPTION 1, OPTION 2) // NEW BALANCE
I loved how all these items came together! Basically everything I’m wearing is a favorite of mine. I think I’m always learning towards a more athletic style and I’m not mad about it. :)
OUTFIT 29
TOP // BOTTOMS (OPTION 1, OPTION 2) // NEW BALANCE
I always see shirts tied really cute in the front or back, so I decided to give it a try. I liked ti!
OUTFIT 30
VEST // TOP (OPTION 1, OPTION 2) // JEANS // NEW BALANCE
I love anything paired with a hoody and my vest. This is pretty close to my everyday uniform, but I’m more apt to wear leggings then jeans.
OUTFIT 34
TOP // BOTTOMS (OPTION 1, OPTION 2) // NEW BALANCE
This one was super fun too. I love the front tuck with these leggings.
Until next time! xoxo. Samantha
STYLE CHALLENGE RECAP FIVE
32 outfits in and I’m still making it. Can’t say that I’m going strong, but I am making it, haha. I did pull one of my favorite tops from Tyler’s wardrobe. I’m wearing his Patagonia quarter-zip, I like that it’s oversized on me. I will say that while the whether has been a slight challenge with the rain, it’s not to crazy cold like in New York, so hopefully I’ll be able to keep putting together outfits and taking pictures outside. We’re not sure what Vancouver is like in January and February, but I guess we’ll see.
OUTFIT 28
TOP // VEST // LEGGINGS // NEW BALANCE
OUTFIT 32
TOP (wearing mens OPTION 1) // LEGGINGS // NEW BALANCE
Until next time! xoxo. Samantha