Let’s Stop Putting So Much Pressure on our Clothing

I’ll be honest with you guys, this summer capsule has been one of my favorite capsule’s I’ve ever put together.

I think it reflects my style really well and it’s full of pieces I know will be with me for a really long time (for the most part, but more on that in a future post).

But,

even though the clothes are fantastic, it’s taken me almost a month and a half to really figure out how to create outfits out of the pieces.

I talked a little bit about it a couple of weeks ago, but a large part of this is due to the fact that I have to relearn how to dress my body (hello, three under three).

I think sometimes when these things happen (body changes, life changes etc.) it’s easy to feel, and give in, to the urge to shop.

And while there might be a legitimate need to do so (there was for me), giving into that urge can sort of be like slapping a bandaid on a knife wound…

i.e. it’s not going to solve the problem.

Because adding a bunch of new clothes to your wardrobe isn’t necessarily going to teach you how to dress your body, or find your style, or… whatever it might be.

What will help you learn is (breathe) pausing…

taking the time to think about where you’re at, and what changes need to happen moving forward.

In my experience, taking that time to stop and breathe for a minute helps me to move beyond my gut reaction for more and helps me to see what is already in front of me.

I’ll be honest with you guys, there were a few things that I purchased for this capsule that I’m now realizing I didn’t really need after all (again, more on this to come).

But, instead of pausing, I purchased them in a “band aid” sort of way. As in, these shorts are the key to making me feel better about my new hips.

I knew better (deep down), but no clothing item is going to make me feel better about my insecurities in the long run.

What has ultimately helped me feel confident in my skin has been rediscovering who I am now. Now that I’m a mom of three. Now that I’m almost three years removed from the workforce. Now that I’m several years over the age of thirty.

It wasn’t, and never could be, those shorts.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that clothing is never going to be the thing that saves us.

It’s certainly a helpful tool and it has it’s place.

But we have to stop putting so much pressure on our clothing to do something it was never intended to do.

Let’s instead remove the bandaid and treat the knife wounds (that sounds so dramatic).

What do you think? Have you been putting too much pressure on your clothing? Have you fallen into a cycle of feel bad, shop, repeat? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time,

Outfit Details:

Dress: Everlane’s Last Year Version of This Dress.

Necklace: NandiJewelry

Shoes: Birkenstock