After 2 years of admiring Lee's work from the sidelines, I've decided to join her 10×10 Challenge.
Transitioning from one season to another is a great time to take a close look at your closet. Fall is the start of a new era (Have you ever heard the "Fall is the new January" saying?), so one can be tempted to want a fresh start, buy a new school bag, new office supplies, and... new clothes. I'm totally guilty of that, but, year after year, try to repress that urge and find ways to be contempt with what I already own.
I've been meaning to join the challenge a couple times, but never got around to it. "I don't own a clothes rack anymore" (I literally sold the 2 I owned last week after our garage sale!), "I don't have the right background", "I should rent a studio and shoot al the looks at once", I found every excuse not to jump in.
And then, this morning, after finishing a time-consuming project last night, I realized I had this photo series in my camera...
What's the 10×10 Challenge
Here are Lee's guidelines:
- Pick any 10 items from your current closet
- Style those items into 10 different looks
- Use 10 days to do it
- Have fun and don’t take it too seriously!
This includes outerwear, tops, bottoms, and shoes. Accessories don't count (yay!).
My 10 Items
Well, to be honest, I haven't selected them all yet... So I'm gonna compose with the items included in this outfit and add as I go. This might not be the easiest and most productive way, but as long as I'm having fun and respect the rules, I'm fine, right?
I might spend the evening playing dress up, check out my Insta Stories to see how it goes, and I'll report on my selection tomorrow.
For now, this is what I have in mind:
- 2 Sweaters
- 1 Shirt
- 1 Top
- 2 Pants
- 1 Skirt
- 1 Duster
- 2 Pairs of shoes
My Day 1 Outfit
Cozy sweater, airy pants, bare ankles, and a little height.
This is an outfit I've been wearing non-stop for the past couple weeks. This my go-to outfit when the morning air is crisp, to go meet a friend for an early brainstorming session.
Pants - These are by Portland maker Lauren Winter. I got this pair last summer at Johan and I can tell you that not one day passed without someone complimenting it on them. "I love your pants. They look so comfy." "I love your pants, that high waist!" "I love your pants, that's something my grandma would wear" (OK, now I realize that guy was ironic. Or was he?). Well, you get the picture, I'm never taking these off. They have definitely perfect for this "fuller" period in my life (hello, couple pounds gained during my month back in Europe!) - though they do not help me control my food intake (hello, elastic waist!) - and are the only pair of high waisted pants I can wear all day long while seating at my desk!
Sweater - That sweater, what can I say? A consciously made cashmere sweater! It doesn't get better than this. It's my (second) morning warm embrace (after Octave's). I've had them for a year now, and try really hard not to buy them in all the colors of the rainbow.
Shoes - And finally, clogs! I also got these at Johan (Laura knows my style). Perfect color, perfect height, no socks! Understated heels. Maybe I'll try a look with socks later. Just kidding, or maybe not?
Oh and I should mention my tote bag. I got it a couple months ago at the opening of Project Object, a shop that focuses on women, LGBTQ, people of color, artists and designers works. 100% of the profits from their sale will be donated to the girls who survived the horrific Portland Max attack that happened last summer. Now go get one!
Some 10×10 Challenge Inspiration
Check out these stylish babe's take on the 10×10 Challenge:
- Caroline of Unfancy.
- Lee of Style Bee.
- Andrea of Seasons and Salt.
- Allison of The Thoughtful Closet.
And don't forget to check these hashtags on Insta for more lean closet inspiration #FALL10x10, #StyleBee10x10 and #UnFancyRemix. As for me, I'll be using #consciousxchloe10x10!
And that's it for this first Fall 2017 10×10 Challenge outfit. I hope this was a fun read and you'll tag along, either by following my experiments during the next 10 days, or by joining the challenge yourself!
Have you ever tried that kind of challenge? Share your links and thoughts with me, I'd love to know what you think!
Pictures by Octave Zangs for Conscious by Chloé.