I’m at the mid-point of my ‘blogging every day this week’ mini challenge to boost me back into a regular blogging schedule. Yesterday’s post turned out to be a somewhat patriotic one, sartorially speaking; red, white and blue, finished off with cool, white and very classic brogues. Well, I am British!
Today however, we’re traversing continents and oceans to portray an outfit with an oriental feel. We like to celebrate all cultural influences here at Vix Towers.
And it’s all been created from 6 pieces that are existing ones in my wardrobe – all old favourites – 5 of which have been seen on the blog before. The unseen one is the floral top, which is having its debut on the blog but has been a long standing Summer favourite of mine.
As bloggers I think we can often fall into the trap of thinking we must always show new outfits: that our readers will get bored with seeing the same items.
Taking my blogger hat off for a moment to put my blogger reader hat on, I actually really like it when I see bloggers creating different outfits from pieces I may have seen before.
Anyone can go into a shop and buy exactly what they see displayed on a mannequin. It involves much more creativity and originality to take pieces in your wardrobe and create several, different outfits.
The gains are maximum wardrobe efficiency for minimum expenditure!
With the explosion of fast fashion in the last 10-15 years, it’s as if we’ve become spoilt by too much choice. On top of that, many brands now drip feed collections throughout the year; sometimes on a 6 week basis, rather than the 2 defined collections of Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer of yesteryear. It’s created very much a disposable culture. If you buy a skirt for £15, what does it matter if you only wear it a couple of times before discarding it?
Back in the Autumn, Eco Fashion activist Livia Firth, suggested that women should always ask themselves how many times will they wear a garment before they buy it.
If it’s a minimum of 30 wears, then yes. If not, why not ask yourself, do you really need it?
I can honestly say, I’ll get more than 30 wears out of all the items I’m wearing.
Where have my 5 hard working items been seen before then?
The kimono appeared in my Styling Fabrics post when I wore it with contrasting materials of suede, chambray, silk and denim sandals.
The choker (plus the fringe bag) came out to play in my What to wear to a Gig at 40+ when Tall Brown Fox and I went to see trip hop duo, Lamb perform in London. Just as perfect when teamed with coated jeans, as with a floral top.
The sandals have make several outings on the blog with their debut being last summer in my Evening Floral Maxi Dress post.
And as for the skinny jeans… well, this Style Challenge will be showcasing them at least 13 times and this is number 6 in the run, so take your pick!
When there’s such gorgeous detail in the kimono from the devoré fabric, and you can almost smell the flowers in the print, then you don’t really need to over embellish with jewellery. My simple jet black choker and cuff are enough finishing touches.
Although I love floral prints, I don’t naturally gravitate to wearing them. My bias would be geometric or abstract patterns. Florals have to really catch my eye. Too many floral prints can veer towards being twee or really girly and although I may look girly with my curly hair, I’m not a ‘girly’ lass and I sure ain’t twee!
What made me buy this top was I loved the sharpness of the black and the olive green against the red and pink flowers. I like an unapologetic floral!
Oriental Footnote
I’m sure we’re all guilty of sometimes buying things and knowing that in our heart of hearts we probably won’t wear it for a minimum of 30 wears. When that happens to me, I always make sure I pass it on in some way; either to friends, a charity shop or selling it on second hand sites.
Will you be asking yourself the 30wears question the next time you buy an item of clothing???
Do pop by tomorrow for my third and final Seasonal Skinny Style Challenge outfit for this week. Friday’s post will be something totally different! A heady mix of music, polka dots and mud!
Linking with High Latitude Style / Happiness At Midlife / JerseyGirlTexanHeart / Eleganceandmommyhood / A Labour of Life / Fashion Should Be Fun / A Pocketful Of Polkadots / Jeans And A Teacup /
So much pretty here that I don't know where to start! The kimono, the bag…I absolutely adore. I often feature the same items on the blog. In particular, my sundresses show up year 'round because they're so easy to style in different ways. If I wore new things for every post I'd go broke…lol!
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
Ha, ha, I know, the budget stretches only so far, although you always seem to buy fantastic bargains, Debbie!
So much pretty here that I don't know where to start! The kimono, the bag…I absolutely adore. I often feature the same items on the blog. In particular, my sundresses show up year 'round because they're so easy to style in different ways. If I wore new things for every post I'd go broke…lol!
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
You gorgeous Vixen, you! The colors and textures are so elegant and fun at the same time — that's a hard balance to pull off, I think! If that wasn't enough, your writing is always fun to read. Everybody loves an "unapologetic floral." Reminds me of how I should be as a woman in the world — fierce and beautiful in my own way and unapologetic for it.
So glad you're getting back in the blogging game. Know too that I'm thinking of you and your dad and your whole family!
– Sherry
http://www.petiteover40.com
** blushes ** Thank you!
Exactly Sherry – we definitely need to be unapologetic in our choices whether that clothes or anything else!
And thank you for your sweet words and kind support. Means alot. xx
I think that's a smart, realistic thought that our clothing should be versatile and worn plenty (although I do admit–I'm guessing not everything in my closet gets 30 wears). But I love my series when I show the same item three times—it seems more realistic!!
So kudos to you Jacqueline!!
And I too have items that haven't made it to 30 wears – but that's ok because the majority of them have and that's the balance to keep in mind, isn't it. To wear most of what you have on a regular basis. I certainly wasn't doing that pre blog but I can definitely say I'm achieving it now so result!
And I love your series, Jodie – shows creativity!
What a great idea, 30 wears! I'll try it for sure. I like to try out different arrangements with clothes, it's something I've done for years. Normally picking a night on my own, getting clothes out and trying them all on to create different styles. Then I make a note of items that I need to complete a different look, hopefully finding them whilst out shopping for other bits and pieces. Jacqui
http://www.mummabstylish.com
A think 30 wears is a fair number to aim for where possible. And it's always good to play around with pairings. isn't it. I've often stumbled across outfits that way – ones I wouldn't have initially thought of and as you say, you often find holes in your wardrobe to fill. So win win, all round!
30 year is a good idea! This is embracing to admit in writing but most of my items just a few wears because I just have way too much clothes (oops). I try to make a conscious effort to wear things more frequently for the blog because like you said, anyone can keep buying clothes.
Love all the great details in your outfit!
Thank you for being a part of TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you soon!
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
I think we all probably have too many clothes really so I'm the same. I have a few items that barely get worn, sadly! At least with having a blog it does make you wear them more frequently – that's the bonus.