Friday, July 23, 2010

Grey matter


Grey matter, originally uploaded by Cohabitating_Closet.

Lately, I've been really focused and (unfortunately) stressed about my work, so I haven't thought much about clothes. So in the mornings/late mornings (darn you, unstructured work schedule), I tend to satisfice with my look. If it's good enough, I go with it.
This obsession with work will get worse with August, so I am trying to figure out something to do with my last month of not teaching, clothing wise (with some modifications).
One possibility was the "6 items or less" for 1 month challenge that the NYTimes and the Consumerist was talking about. It's less than a challenge for me since I don't go to work everyday, but maybe not thinking about my clothes will be liberating. I will get to have free reign over accessories.
I would have to make allowances for the wedding in August and a one week overseas trip, and the first day of school (August 30), so it would only be in the spirit of the project, but it still might be interested.
Is 6 items or less a month too crazy? Would it (or something modified) be something you'd be willing to try?
Have a lovely weekend.

Tunic: Arwyn, via Cliche (Minneapolis)
Cardigan: JCrew, thrifted
Jeggings: Hue
Shoes: BC Footwear
Belt: Not Just Vintage, Brooklyn

19 comments:

  1. You rolled your jeggings. Because you're a GENIUS.

    And I could never do the 6 item challenge. There are challenges that are fun and fruitful, and then there are the painful, pulling-teeth ones. 6 items would be the latter for me.

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  2. I don't even know if I could do 6 items in a week, much less a month! It's not like I'm buying new things, I just have a LOT of clothes. Then again, I'm only in the office 3 days a week, so I guess I wouldn't repeat work outfits too often. Hmm...

    I didn't even realize those were your jeggings at first - nicely done!

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  3. I could totally get into a mode where I was wearing the same six items for a month. But it would not be a happy-times kind of month. When I'm wearing the same few items over and over it's usually all black and it means I'm depressed.

    I'm still up for a professorial fashion 30 x 30 in the fall though.

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  4. I think that a 6 items challenge would be difficult in my workplace, but I can see how it would be relaxing.

    The rolled jeggings look great on you. They make you look very leggy.

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  5. I like this look and the shoes : )

    6 items I think would be tough- I guess it depends on your work/lifestyle. I'm in an office 5 days a week and meet with clients and have to wear business casual clothes 95% of the time and bussiness professional clothes the rest of the time- with a blazer a blouse slacks shoes - thats four items in one outfit.

    But if you can do something similar go for it! : ) I like the idea of simplifying

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  6. I lurve this outfit, perfect proportions, accessory colors, and it looks smashing on your frame. I agree 6 pieces would be hard, but what about the 30 items/30 days thing some of the fashion bloggers have been doing? It's like packing a bag for a month-long writing retreat. Crap, maybe I'll do that myself, as long as I don't take up too much time deciding what to pack in my 'bag.'

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  7. Hey Rad, thanks for the kind words.

    I read the 6 articles. Kendi from kendi everyday also wrote something about it. I even checked out the "great american appareal diet" and I'm thinking about joining. I have more than enough clothing to last a year, yes a year, without buying something new. My son has challenged me to try it till his birthday, July 1. I've been thinking about this for a while. I'm not sure how difficult it will be. I know what I like to wear and I've purchased along those lines with the occasional "let's try it" item bought from time to time. I need to think about it a little more. One year is a long time and I don't like to "lose".

    p.s. you are rocking the grey! and jeggings, oh my!

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  8. You look fabulous in this outfit, Rad. Very unstated, very polished. Nice.
    Sometimes when I've been traveling and had a very limited wardrobe, I'm very happy to just mix and match. SIX items is pushing it a bit, but maybe TEN I could do for a month (who decided SIX anyway? why not five? or seven?). I usually can't even plan what I'll wear ahead of time, though, because what I wear on a given day is so tied up in my mood that day. If I wear the outfit I put together two days ago, thinking it would be perfect, and I'm not in the mood for it, I feel awkward and out of sorts. Classes for me start exactly one month from today.

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  9. I am thinking of doing that 6 item challenge too. I have a little trepidation though because I like having variety! I shall have to think about it a bit more.

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  10. Gah! 6 items? It's not enough. I, too, am freaking out about work right now, and clothes are the only things that get me through. I am intrigued by the shopping diet SU mentions, though. Hmmmm.

    Also, you are, once again, effortlessly rocking your jeggings. And the little pops of colour with the always-lovely gray & denim combo are jeanius. (See what I did there?)

    And finally, hold on, woman! The work'll get done. It always does. And there's still a month left. (I repeat this mantra daily. Sometimes hourly.)

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  11. I also thought about the 6 thing, and thought it might be easy bc I so often wear the same skirt at least 3x a week ANYWAY, but I think it depends on how good your pool of accessories are, honestly. That and what your hair and shoes can do.

    I honestly believe hair, shoes and bag are the best style indicators and totally "push" a look.

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  12. 1. whose wedding? (i.e. anyone I know?)

    2. I WANT this outfit.

    3. sorry you are stressed. don't be stressed.

    4. i start work a week earlier than you -- boooooo!

    5. i haven't read the 6 items stuff yet so sorry this is off topic.

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  13. Just read the linked post--love it. Maybe next trip.

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  14. Hi S,

    Thanks for the recommendation! I think I'll try that. Although I am not an assertive person so I don't know if my introvert side could handle it..

    I don't like to do remix challenges just because I feel limited in my wardrobe already. Maybe if I had more clothes :D

    clothed much, a modest fashion blog

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  15. Hey readers! I made a surprise visit to Chicago for Anne's fella's surprise party and to see a beautiful baby, and now I'm back.
    @Cynthia: I have a feeling August won't be too happy, but I will see if I can try to let a lack of clothing variety not affect my mood.
    @SU: the diet is awesome. I might have to join you too, now that Cynthia will be starting soon. Maybe we could do some clothing swaps during the year between eachother to keep things interesting?
    @Minerrva: I didn't do the 30/30 with Kendi because I don't go to the office during the summers, so I wanted to save the challenge for when school starts again. I agree it's a good challenge, but the 6 or less seems even more intense!
    @Charlotte: Let me know if you decide to do it, even if it's for a week.
    @Pinneapple Mint: Did you see Jesse's comment? I think accessories are key to avoid boredom.
    @A-Dubs: jeanius= genius. Also, I am trying not to panic! I know it gets done, but it always feels just out of reach. When do you start teaching again?
    @JAO: I actually don't have the best accessories but I think I will try to keep that in mind as I do something like a 6 or less for August.
    @Koo: The beautiful blonde woman who sang at my wedding, whom you know but not one of our g-school buds.

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  16. So, I am finally wandering over from In Professorial Fashion and must say, fabulous blog. I am not so up for the 6 for 6 experiment, but it would be fun to watch you try! I actually had a really strong reaction to the article and am contemplating pulling myself away from my focus on (and hysteria about) work to write a blog post about said reactions....

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  17. I actually really really love this look and would wear something like it myself.

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  18. So, I am finally wandering over from In Professorial Fashion and must say, fabulous blog. I am not so up for the 6 for 6 experiment, but it would be fun to watch you try! I actually had a really strong reaction to the article and am contemplating pulling myself away from my focus on (and hysteria about) work to write a blog post about said reactions....

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  19. Just read the linked post--love it. Maybe next trip.

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