June Challenge - week 1

I'm checking in at the end of the first week of Sterling's June challenge.  I challenged myself to photo every outfit, and rate both the items and the outfits - eventually purging items that don't work, and coming up with capsules of items that do.

I didn't photo every outfit this week (missed one), but there's extras tossed in here that I didn't post from the end of May.  Here they are reverse-chronologically.

#1 - gingham shirt ensemble (from today's post).  I was scheduled for my kids to play in the park with friends, and didn't want to try to pull off white jeans, so went with dark shorts instead.  In the mirror, this outfit seemed to emphasize my broad shoulders, and I didn't like that, but I like the photo quite well.  

#2 Worn out on business (hotel bathroom photo).  I'm loving this black and gray brocade pattern sweater.  It's a bit cropped, so I'm wearing a cami under it, and blue skinny jeans (it was casual dress code).  This may have been my favorite outfit all week.

#3 Another winner in my book - but a bad hotel-room photo (very little light in there) - it's a teal sheer top over a black tank and black bootcut jeans - topped with my black leather jacket because it was chilly.

#4 - a flying outfit - blue bootcut jeans and a plum lightweight sweater.  The sweater is fine, but the jeans make my butt look big, I think.  

#5 - A summer casual outfit - turquoise mesh sweater with navy stripes and darkwash jean culottes.  I'm not a fan of this outfit, nor of either piece - the shorts in #1 are much better than these, and the sweater is just weird proportions.

#6 Olive and black - black cropped pants with my olive shirt and the black vest I bought this spring.  I don't think this works right, but I can't quite figure out why.

#7 A new favorite-ish summer top (it's blue/white railroad stripe with blue extra thick splotch type lines - I'm not even sure what to call it, but it's more interesting than just a basic stripes shirt....)  With the culottes that need to be purged again :)  New-to-me watermelon bag in use - happiness is high on that!

#8 Trying to downplay the brightness of my floral cropped pants with black - does it work?  Somehow it doesn't seem quite right to me, even though I like all the pieces quite well.

What are your thoughts?  Life is pretty busy for me right now, but I'm working toward finding a better work-life balance, and assuming that I'll be successful, my participation here might be able to pick up again.

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13 Comments

  • Karie replied 8 years ago

    These all look great, but my favorites are definitely #2 and #3. And your hair and eyeglasses are very complimentary and make you look gorgeous! Cute hat, too!

  • Nebraskim replied 8 years ago

    Those floral pants are adorable. I think it's the high contrast between the black and the essentially white w/ print bottoms that feels off. Perhaps a lower contrast top, such as a more muted coral, ecru, gray or white would reduce the contrast. I love Look 1, too, and the "splotch" shirt.

  • carter replied 8 years ago

    Lots of great looks! Favorites are 2, 6 and 8. What will you be passing on this week? Anything?

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    Amy, you look AMAZING in the new hair and specs. Honestly -- wow. 

    I adore 1, 2, and 3. 1 especially makes me smile. 

    Good for you for making the challenge work for you when you are working so hard. I'm in awe. 

  • amiable replied 8 years ago

    Thanks you all!  I do really like both my hair and specs now.  I just got the hair cut into an A-Line wedge type cut - I'll have to take a side shot and show you.

    Carter, the culottes in #5 and #7 are out, I think.  And probably the sweater in #5 too (I might give that one more chance - I do like the colors).  The shorts in #1 fill the same role as the culottes, and do a much better job of it, in my opinion.

    The jeans in #4 will probably get boxed up for a thinner day (I'm still losing weight very slowly, so it's conceivable that at some point they won't visually create saddlebags, maybe...)  The other items I like well enough individually, at least right now, to try some more ways of making them work.

  • approprio replied 8 years ago

    You're looking great these days! New hair and specs can make such a difference can't they? And you look fab in a hat. I particularly like how you skilfully bookended with a chicken. 

  • replied 8 years ago

    You look fabulous.  I enjoyed reading your recap of week 1.  

    My favorites were numbers 1 and 2.  Like Carter, I really like number 6 too.  I find adding vests over shirts to be tricky.  Is it possible you aren't used to the look and feel yet?  As you get more comfortable, you'll like it more?  

    Congrats on your week.  

  • Aquamarine replied 8 years ago

    Great outfits! My favs are 2, 6, and 8. I think you nailed 8 and the elements work together. Maybe you are just feeling the neutrals more this week? Sometimes I get like that, and then when I wear a bright color, it feels jarring.

    I have been off the forum and WOW, your hair looks seriously fabulous. Love it!

  • catgirl replied 8 years ago

    I'm on the 1, 2 and 6 bandwagon.  The chicken adds authenticity!

  • Daria replied 8 years ago

    Wow what a great set of outfits! I especially like how you incorporate button down shirts - I should really challenge myself to wear them more often! 
    I like #6 a lot, but if you find it tad dark maybe try with a lighter top?

  • Helena replied 8 years ago

    You look terrific! Where is the plum sweater from; I love the color.

  • amiable replied 8 years ago

    Thanks TorontoGirl - the sweater is actually from GoodWill (no help, I know).  It's Talbot's brand, and came with a matching quilted vest, which I purged a few years ago (and now kinda wish I hadn't)

  • donnat replied 8 years ago

    Love the hair and specs. Some great looks there, I particularly like 1 and 2.
    I never tire of those pants in 8. I love those.

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