Amiable's Blog

WIW: orphan challenge day 1

October 25, 2013

A friend of mine is running a Facebook challenge to get rid of 40 bags of clutter in the next 40 days.  My home has way to o much clutter, so I decided to join.  

Then this morning I noticed that Imogen over at the InsideOut Style blog is running a "No Repeat November" style challenge - to not repeat an outfit all month.  Her point is to wear a greater percentage of your clothes

It seemed to me like the perfect combination - to make the next 40ish days ones of going through my closet orphans, and deciding which are worth keeping and which aren't.  I've already eliminated two tops, and three bags of kids toys.

So here's my orphan challenge day 1.

Gray jeans, black long-sleeved layering tee, black moto boots and belt, and red lumberjack vest.

The orphan is this lumberjack vest.  I tried it with white jeans last week, but haven't worn it successfully yet.  It's very puffy, which makes it strange to style.  But it's wonderfully warm, and delicious feeling for winter.  So it makes the cut - even if only for "slob wear".  

And it reveals wardrobe hole #1:  A black long-sleeved layering shirt.  I thought this one worked, but it has a hole in the elbow.  So it's on the chopping block, and I'll be looking for a replacement.

What do you think?  How should this lumberjack vest be styled?  Would you keep it?

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Posted in the What I Wore category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

20 Comments

  • El Cee replied 10 years ago

    You look great in the red/black buffalo check. I say keep it and play with it a bit more. Doesn't look puffy in the pics... but, with your sewing skills, you could easily adjust the puffiness. It might be a great casual winter item... and it is certainly more than a notch up from "slob wear". I could see it worn with a cozy black turtleneck sweater. I have a similar vest in a gray/black check that I have worn with a classic white button-down shirt, denim pencil skirt and tall boots.

  • Glory replied 10 years ago

    Amy I love this one you. Is it your plan to try an outfit each day and toss what you don't like if it doesn't work with the styling?
    I like the 40 bags in 40 days - although it does sound like quite a bit of hard labour  - how big are the bags?

  • amiable replied 10 years ago

    Glory - yeah, I have no idea how big the bags she has in mind are, and I don't think I can dejunk 40 trash bags in 40 days.  So I'm going for 40 grocery bags.

    My plan is to take something I've never worn (or that I'm not sure how to wear) each day, and make an outfit using it.  If I get it on and don't like it, I go on to the next (I won't force myself to wear something that clearly needs purging.  I'm hoping that it won't take nearly 40 days until I have at least one outfit I like featuring every piece in my closet, but who knows :)  

    (One consequence of consistently getting free or very cheap clothes is that I do end up with a lot of things that I like and fit, but I'm not sure how to wear... This challenge will, I hope, fix that problem and reduce my wardrobe glut)

  • Vickie KY replied 10 years ago

    I like the vest - how about with darker pants?

    I read Imogen's style blog too and had decided to do the "NO REPEAT November". I am so glad someone on this forum will be doing it with me. I intend to shop my closet for the "No Repeat November" and bring in no new items and see what I can come up with.
    Vickie

  • Emily replied 10 years ago

    I like the plaid, but it looks too big for you from the front.  What is the fabrication?  Fleece, wool, other?  I'd keep it for gear, I think.  

  • shedev replied 10 years ago

    I think I'd like to do No repeat November, at least on days I don't work. Are all the componets non repeating, or just the piece that is hard to style.

  • Lyn D. replied 10 years ago

    I think it is a keeper too.
    You could try it with the shirt untucked underneath, and I like the idea of layering with a turtle-neck.
    Red shoes or boots would add a Winter spark as well.

  • amiable replied 10 years ago

    For me, just the piece that's hard to style.  (Though I'll do my best to wear all of what I have - I don't have 30 pairs of pants, and it's too cold for skirts most days in my November, for example).

    On Imogen's blog, it's just no fully-repeated outfits.  So you can wear one top 10 times, as long as you change a scarf, or a topper, or bottoms, etc.

    Here's the link:

    http://www.insideoutstyleblog......lenge.html

  • amiable replied 10 years ago

    Emily, it's flannel, but stuffed (like a duvet), so that in total, it's more than an inch thick.  It's not actually too big for me (I don't think.... it feels almost snug) - but it's quite puffy.  Is that what you're seeing?  Or is it the checked pattern that's too big for me?

  • Sharon replied 10 years ago

    I like how you have styled this. I prefer it left open, although that may defeat the purpose of wearing it, on cold days. I think the idea of a sleek under-layer is the way to go. The other thing that might work is a simple round neck knit dress with tights and boots and the vest layered over the top.

  • amiable replied 10 years ago

    Ooh - Brilliant idea Sharon - and it may save another couple of orphans - knit winter dresses!

  • carter replied 10 years ago

    I like it. I think it would look great with a grey top and jeans. It doesn't look bulky to me at all. You look very balanced in that silhouette.

    I've been planning to do Imogen's No Repeat November too. Fall finally came to Atlanta 2 days ago, so I'll be busy switching my closet over this weekend. I'm so excited to get out of summer clothes that NRN is going to be heaven!

    I love the 40 bags of clutter in 40 days. I have donated/consigned probably 15 bags of clothes in the past month or so with a major purge, but I know there's more that still needs to go. I'll start there then onto the kids' game room, family room, my office and the garage. Great way to get ready for holiday guests. Thanks for the idea!

  • Stuti replied 10 years ago

    I am sooo doing this.
    I have learned so much with my 30x30
    And I think this time I am not buying new piece of clothing/accessory for whole month of November.

  • TraceyLiz65 replied 10 years ago

    I too need to not shop and will definitely be joining No repeat November and I think I will try to use as many different jackets and sweaters as possible to sort through them. Since the majority of my wardrobe is one to two years old...not planning a huge purge.

  • Joy replied 10 years ago

    I'm not sure I have enough weather appropriate clothing to get through a whole month without repeating but find the idea intriguing.
    As for the lumberjack vest, it seems like cozy fun gear and there is a place for that in a wardrobe. Red is a wonderful color on you.

  • Karie replied 10 years ago

    I always run cold, so anything cozy and warm I would keep! I think it would look great with black pants. 

  • Parsley replied 10 years ago

    I like the vest, and I'd love to see it paired with some really sleek black bottoms: maybe ponte knit skinnies if you have some? and maybe a crisp white blouse and some black ballet flats or smoking flats.
    The idea would be to play down the lumberjack aspect and play up the graphic nature. What do you think?

  • Beth Ann replied 10 years ago

    Oooh, Amy, I love Parsley's idea.  And someone mentioned a turtleneck, which would also be fab.

    The challenge sounds like a great idea for you.  Look forward to seeing the results!

  • jennifer replied 10 years ago

    Hmm No-buy November? might be a good idea! (Excepting Christmas shopping for others of course!)

  • amiable replied 10 years ago

    I too love Parsley's idea - I'm going to try it out!

    Thanks all for the terrific ideas!

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