New but not Good

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I look like I have zoned out in this picture.  Which actually happens to me a lot in real life.  I’m an introvert and tend to have Walter Mitty moments quite frequently.  Anyone identify with that?  It can create some awkward moments. But that’s not what we’re here to talk about.  I realize that I wear white a LOT.  As in almost every day.  As a mom, it feels a little bit like I’m being dangerous and it gives me a little adrenaline boost.  At any moment I could be thrown up on, pooped on, or be the canvas of modern art.  What can I say?  I like to live on the edge.  But really, I love white because its a blank canvas.  You can take a simple white top in so many different directions.  I would probably wear this type of outfit for a lunch date, but put on some heels and I’m good to go for dinner.  Done and done.

I had a huge epiphany the other day.  I was looking at old pictures of myself and I was seeing all of these clothes that my love of waned super quickly.  It hit me that I didn’t like the clothes because they fit me well, fit my style, or were comfortable.  I liked the clothes because they were new.  Period.  I would get a little high for a couple of weeks and then need a new piece to keep that feeling… sounds like an addict right?  Scary.  Stopping that cycle in its tracks is teaching me how to really determine if I like something or not.  If I decide I don’t like something, its not just because the newness has worn off.  And vice versa: if I like something its because it truly works for me.  This process is sooo good y’all. Have any of you ever felt that way?  Do you find yourself in similar cycles?  I’d love to hear that I’m not the only one in the comments below.

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White Blouse: Old Target. Similar

Jean Shorts: Old Gap. Similar

Sandals: Old Marshalls. Similar

Clutch: Old Madewell. Similar 

Until next time,

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19 Comments

  1. 7.24.15
    Rebecca N said:

    I can certainly relate to the cycle! I went through the same thing for years. Buying clothes to impress other people instead of because I actually needed them or even because they looked good on me……..all while spending money I didn’t have. One of my most memorable purchases was a Ralph Lauren sundress back in 2003. A girl I met who had a on a pretty sundress and she went on and on about how it was Ralph Lauren. Not to be outdone I went out and bought my own Ralph Lauren sundress, which which was beautiful, but it’s cut did nothing for my figure. I always felt frumpy when I was wearing it….even though it was pretty and Ralph Lauren! I think I wore it twice and then it hung in my closet. I had the high you spoke of when I bought it and the first time I wore it….all until I saw a picture of myself wearing it. πŸ™‚

    My capsule wardrobe has really helped me to buy something only when, 1) I need it, 2) I love it, 3) it looks good on me. I usually try it on, take a picture, and put it back on the rack while I think it over for a few days……or sometime an entire season! I might send the picture to my husband, my daughters and my best friend to get an unbiased opinion. This has really helped me! At times there are a few things that I get and wear for a month and decided they really didn’t work as well as I thought, but it is far less often then when I was just buying for “fun”. πŸ™‚

    • 7.25.15
      Karin said:

      I think its so easy to just assume that something will look good on me because it looks good on someone else. Funny how that works right? I love your idea to take a picture and then sit on it for a bit… and ask for feedback. That’s an awesome idea! I have found that I’m getting better at passing by on things I know won’t look good on me. It’s almost like I had to take a course on my body type. πŸ™‚ It cuts down on time in the fitting room!

  2. 7.24.15
    Lesley said:

    I have never been one to spend tons of money on clothing. I have to really, really love it. If is over 30.00 dollars I really have to love it. My friends call me cheap, but I’m okay with that. I call it thrifty! I build my wardrobe around staple pieces. I rarely go for items that are “trending”. It’s nice if I have a piece that is trending, but not necessary. Most items I buy are on-sale. Finding jeans for me is tricky, but I still always manage to get a percentage off. I always think about my purchase, and don’t let the sales person influence my decision. “We all know the it’s the last size bit”.
    My handbags and shoes are a different story. But, I have had most of my handbags for years, and really take care of them. Storing them in the box and bag in which came with the purchase. I sole my red-bottoms to get extended wear. It’s easy to get into the cycle of spending, and spending on stuff that you will never wear. I have found that it’s important to build a wardrobe around versatile pieces that can be worn over and over! I almost always have to link to similar, but loving fashion doesn’t mean that everything you post has to be brand new and now.

    Great post!

    • 7.25.15
      Karin said:

      That is a great mindset Lesley! I’m trying to be more like you. πŸ™‚ I am kind of forced to spend less on clothes now because I am a stay at home mom so we’re living on only one income. Things were a lot different when I worked outside the home as well. It’s good for me though! And I think it makes complete sense to spend more on shoes and handbags. It’s a lot less likely that they will go out of style… especially if you invest in something that is classic and not trendy. Thanks for your insight!

  3. 7.24.15
    Maggie said:

    Well said! When I hear the siren call of “new,” I find it helpful to hold it up against “old faithful.” (Sometimes literally – the perils of shopping with three little ones often = online orders!) E.g. I have a hole in the “dressier tops” section of my wardrobe. I ordered a silky tank and when it arrived? It fit. It was on super sale. And when I looked at it, and thought about how I felt in it, as compared to the tuxedo shirt that I reach for over and over and feel amazing in with everything from cutoffs to denim to a pencil skirt? It looked fine against fabulous and I’m going for fabulous! And to Lesley’s point above (bravo!)? The fabulous tux shirt was bought years ago from Old Navy and owes me nothing.

    • 7.25.15
      Karin said:

      That’s a great idea to hold it up against something you love! I’m definitely going to implement that strategy. I hear you when it comes to shopping with little ones. I just have one, but she already makes it difficult! I love those items that last forever. I’m excited for my fall capsule because I already have most of the items that I need. Summer was hard for me because my body has changed so much since having a babe. Fall clothing is a lot more forgiving and so I will be able to lean on my old favorites. Thanks for posting! I appreciate your insight.

  4. 7.26.15
    Andrea H said:

    I completely relate! I am starting to untangle myself from the addiction of that high and it feels so good. And white is probably my favorite “color” to wear too. πŸ™‚

    • 7.27.15
      Karin said:

      Good for you! I feel like there’s a lot of us out there. ????

  5. 8.1.15
    Alfred said:

    What i don’t understood is actually how you are not actually much more well-liked than you might be now. You’re very intelligent. You realize therefore significantly relating to this subject, produced me personally consider it from numerous varied angles. Its like women and men aren’t fascinated unless it is one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs great. Always maintain it up!

    • 8.2.15
      Karin said:

      Thank you Alfred! That is very kind of you to say.

  6. 8.3.15

    Howdy! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I really enjoy reading your blog posts. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that cover the same topics? Appreciate it!

    • 8.3.15
      Karin said:

      Hi there! Thank you for the kind words! I was largely influenced by Caroline at Unfancy, but my blogger buddies Krysta at hellokrystashore.com and Andrea at seasons-and-salt.com talk a lot about capsule wardrobes. Happy reading!

  7. 8.12.15

    Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit
    my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing
    all thst over again. Regardless, just wanted
    to say great blog!

    • 8.13.15
      Karin said:

      That is so frustrating! I’m sorry to hear that. And thank you! You are very sweet.

  8. 8.15.15

    Fascinating blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
    A design like yours with a few simple adjustemments
    would really make myy blog stand out. Please
    let me know where you got your theme. Thanks a lot

    • 8.15.15
      Karin said:

      Hi There! Thank you! I purchased my theme through Etsy. The creator is Mai Love Design. She was great to work with!

  9. 9.1.15
    Lauretta said:

    Very well written post. It will be supportive to anybody who employess it, including me. Keep up the good work – looking forward to more posts.

  10. 2.6.16

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