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Alright. Enough review of last year and concentrations for this year, let’s jump right into it with my least proficient area of womanly knowledge: fashion (which may actually be tied for make-up or hair, but one focus at a time).
I really am hoping to hone in on my own style this year. My problems with doing this in the past are twofold. First, I have many facets to my personality. One day I want to be farmers market free-spirit and wear long flowing skirts and crazy wavy hair. The next day I want to appear somewhat trendy in skinny jeans and short hair bob. It’s impossible to have a wardrobe that covers my multiple personalities, ahem, varying tastes right?
Beyond that, I swear Cher Horowitz was onto something. Why do some outfits I put on look SO different in pictures than how I think I look in person? Does anyone else feel like this?
So these are some of the issues I’m hoping to overcome this year, and the only way I ever really advance with this is just putting it out there in all my self-timer, awkwardly posed glory.
So to get the year started I wanted to show you what I’ve been wearing lately. This clearly isn’t a “how to dress yourself” post but these are outfits I’ve been feeling pretty good in, though like I mentioned before, I swear some look better in person. Or maybe I have a skewed image in real life?
Ok, enough already, let’s get to it. In fact, let’s just start with my most awkward-feeling pose.
similar sweater // jeans // black booties
Observations: my go-to lately is these jeans and booties (so comfortable!) then tossing on any shirt that happens to have black in it. My friend, Kristin, is a fashion pro and is my same height. Because she’s a generous soul she has gifted me her closet clean outs since we were both in 7th grade. I can’t tell you how much I love/appreciate this and can’t wait to try on some of the dresses she sent my way when the weather warms up.
The dog sweater was a hand-me-down from her and I for some reason I’m hooked on it. I’ve actually gotten a lot of compliments on it while I’m out which is most definitely NOT the norm for me.
I’ve also been hooked on layering tanks lately. This is new to me as I used to think layering made me look bulkier, but now I feel naked without a layer underneath a sweater or shirt.
Moving on, may I present to you my whatdoyathink pose.
similar top // jeans // booties
Upon observance, I really should have switched my black booties to my neutral pair because I’m 95% sure the shirt is navy, not black. As for the shirt though, I’m digging it! I actually am digging a LOT from my last “fix” and let me tell you why.
My previous few Stitch Fix deliveries had been underwhelming and I was pretty close to giving up on the service. Then I changed a few things I was doing and my last fix was AWESOME. They really nailed it.
Stitch Fix Success Tips:
- Give feedback when you check out. What did you like or not like? Be thorough.
- Update your style profile. If you’re like me, you filled it out a long time ago and it may need some updating.
- Create a pinterest board with styles/looks you love and share it with your stylist.
- Be specific about what you do want. Really specific. For example, last time I said I was looking for a camel/neutral color crossbody bag that was a medium size. And look:
The Brooks Crossbody bag they sent me was JUST what I was looking for and only cost $58. I’ve gotten several compliments on it while out and about.
Next up is an outfit I’m obsessed with because let’s be honest, it feels like pajamas…. which may be why I’m sleeping in the picture? So EMO.
Similar leggings for only $14.99 // similar top
I love these leggings (MTLA Kristin Fleece Legging $38) that Stitch Fix sent me because they are fleece and incredibly warm. Like I said, pajamas.
When I put the outfit on in real life I feel pretty cute, but in a picture, I feel like it’s missing something. A necklace? A scarf?
This is when I give up and call my purse an accessory.
But I am open to more legit suggestions.
Finally we have an outfit that really feels like “me.”
Not quite sure what I’m doing with my hands here besides channeling my old cheerleader days, but I feel cozy just looking at this picture. The chunky cable-knit pullover sweater is from Banana Republic, which I think it having a 40% off sale right now if you’re interested! I always hesitate to wear white because kids, but I do adore the fresh look of it.
Chances are if you are my friend in real life you’ve seen me in these outfits on the reg. It’s pretty much my entire closet’s contents, but I am totally open to tweaking/adding/subtracting things so please don’t hesitate to offer suggestions. The only way we grow is through learning about what does and doesn’t work, right?
Do you feel you have a developed sense of style or is it a work in progress?
Do you feel your outfits look different in pictures than in real life?
What are your favorite staple items?
Karen says
Yoga pants/ leggings are a staple. I would live in them if they were warm enough to go outside during the winter in WI….which they are not!
julie @ peanut butter fingers says
I totally noticed your purse on Wednesday and meant to compliment you on it but got sidetracked just chatting away with you (as always 😉 ). You look so cute every time I see you — I think you’re way more fashionable than you think, my friend!!
Brittany Dixon says
Aw, that is such a compliment coming from you because you always look so coordinated and put together! Teach me your waysssss! xoxo
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
I can totally relate to feeling like I have multiple personalities when it comes to style! Some days I want to be all professional and pulled together and somedays I just want to be a hippie 😉 I think you look great, though!! I love that dog sweater and that cream cable knit sweater is a great one.
sherry says
You are as cute as can be. You have more fashion sense than you give yourself credit for! I’ve been using the same purse for eight years because it goes with everything—or at least I think it does 😉
Stephanie says
I really love the purple top and leggings. I think the top hits you in a really good place. A long gold necklace or a pretty scarf would add to it.
My only problem with the outfit with the dog sweater is the tank underneath. I think it’s a tad too long and cuts you off.
Same with the plaid top. It’s a really cute outfit, but if you tucked a little of the front in, it would elongate you a bit and show off your waist.
Everything is really cute though! Just a couple of tweaks.
Brittany Dixon says
These are such helpful tips- thank you! Now that I’m looking at the dog sweater I totally see what you mean about it cutting me off. And I’ve always been hesitant to try the half tuck, but I will give it a shot next time. I really appreciate the ‘tweaks’!!
John J. says
Wow! Lovely pictures of a great looking chic! And your poses are so stylish. Runway modeling next!?
Brittany Dixon says
If this doesn’t scream ‘comment from dad’ then I don’t know what does 😉 Love you daddy!
julie @ peanut butter fingers says
LOL!!! I love this so much.
christina says
i want to help with this mission!!!! and by help i mean online shop with you haha! i think the chunky knit cable is the cutest on you. you can def pull off skinny jeans with boots. nice job. the only thing i’d really change is the blank cami under the dog sweater — too long. if you need the cami, just tuck it in your jeans. nothing at all wrong mixing black and navy — go for it. maybe with the chunky cable sweater you could do tan or brown booties instead of black bc the black is a little harsh. ok that’s just being honest but otherwise i think you’re adorable!!! ps: your hair looks GOOD twisted like that. love it. xoxo
Brittany Dixon says
Please shop for me!!! I know you are petite too and you always look SO great in your clothes. Actually, can you just send me your discarded items please? Haha, but really! Great tip on the dog sweater cami- I really didn’t realize it was too long until I took a second look at the pic. Thank you for the help and pleassssssse keep it coming!
Jen says
I can’t help you with the style but you are gorgeous and the lighting is lovely. xoxo
Brittany Dixon says
You don’t give yourself enough credit- you always look great! And you could totally help me with fitness apparel- it’s next on my conquer list 😉
Parita @ myinnershakti says
I want to do something similar this year as well because my style…is nonexistent at this point. I have nice clothes but I feel like I don’t know how to put everything together in a fun way that fits my body shape.
I’m going to wait until I move to Chicago though so my sister can help me!
Katy H says
I love these posts! Unfortunately I pretty much suck at fashion, so I can’t necessarily help you, but I love reading them and looking at the outfits you choose! Literally every outfit I put on that is not sweats or leggings and a sweatshirt was probably a Pinterest inspiration. It’s where I get all my outfit ideas. I’ve really tried hard to focus on purchasing staple pieces because I’ve found they last longer style wise and also you can mix and match them to make them different! I have a ton of tanks from target a size too small simply for layering. I also love my leggings, dark skinny jeans, riding boots, chambray shirt and all the puffy vests. What can I say, I’m a basic beotch and I’m def not going to be making any NEW style statements anytime soon haha!
Kate says
I think style just constantly evolves. A few years ago I was much more into feminine outfits – dresses and skirts – but now I only wear them occasionally. Now I mostly wear skinnies and Chelsea boots.
As for your outfits I think they are cute. I like the white knit because it looks cozy and comfy and it’s a bit chunkier which gives a nice silhouette with skinnies, which is why I prefer this look over the dog-sweater- even though that one is adorable! As for the plaid shirt, I really like the look. Have you considered a half-tuck? I think it looks cool if you tuck one part of your shirt in your jeans – especially because the shirt is a more relaxed fit.
Have a great weekend!
Brittany Dixon says
I haven’t tried the half tuck because I wasn’t sure I could pull it off. I am definitely going to try that next time though! Thanks for the suggestion 🙂
Reid says
LOL at your “farmers market free spirit” comment. That is how I feel when I wear my beloved Birkenstock sandals. Your hair looks fabulous twisted like that! I also love your outfits, especially the one with the white sweater. I am almost 25, so I feel like I have just started to figure out my style within the last year or so. Completing my wardrobe with quality staple pieces that reflect my style is still a big work in progress though haha! My staple items are similar to yours; in the winter my go-to outfit is ankle booties, skinny jeans and a comfortable top or sweater. In the summer I love loose/flowy skirts and dresses.
Brittany Dixon says
I love flowy skirts too! Where do you find your favorites?
Reid says
Loft, Ann Taylor and J. Crew are my favorite stores to find them! From Loft I love their knit circle skirts, which are a little high-waisted, super comfortable and can be dressed up or down. I always wear a top tucked in to show off my waist a little since they are pretty flattering! Ann Taylor and J. Crew have a great selection of dressier skirts that hit at the knee and calf. Some of mine are flowy, and some are more structured but still have that flared/flowy shape. Hope this helps!
Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life says
Love the outfits! I totally feel you on thinking something looks great/bad in person and then seeing a picture and thinking otherwise. I’ve done that on more than one occasion with my own Stitch Fix deliveries!
Cassie says
Oh the camera! Right now being a new mommie, it’s pretty much jeans or yoga pants and a tshirt or sweatshirt. Glam, huh?
Brittany Dixon says
Congratulations new momma:) Rock those yoga pants! That’s my kind of glam for sure!
Kim @ Racing Bananas says
These outfits are wonderful! Loving the cable knit sweater and purse – both would be staples in my closet!
Monika says
Love the plaid! Love the purse! Love the ankle boots!n Love all the sweaters (the color of the purple one is amazing – and I love the white). I agree with the comments about the cami underneath. And maybe not rolling the jeans? I would want to see what they looked like unrolled – I remember you writing a long post about that before haha. Love these style posts! Can’t wait for the next stitch fix review 😉
Brittany Dixon says
Yes, I keep going back and forth on rolling the jeans! I’ve gotten comfortable with them rolled but feeling a breeze on my ankle is odd- ha. Thank you for the input!
Jenny Pittsburgh says
You’re so adorable I can’t even stand it. I’m also fashion challenged and have never hit a trend even by accident. I’ve stopped trying. If it ain’t comfy, I ain’t wearin it! That fuchsia/purple is such a good color on you.
Love these fashion posts! Keep em coming.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh you are so kind- thank you! I love comfy too. I think the yoga pants trend was started by people like me who want to figure out a way to wear pajamas all day long 😉
Kathy says
My fave is the cream cable sweater and then the purplish sweater! I struggle so much with fashion too. My teenage girls try and help me but…it’s hard for me to go with some of the things they suggest. I totally always want comfort over anything else. 🙂 I also swear and agree with Elaine on a Seinfeld episode that every store has trick mirrors !! 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
I love Seineld!! And I’m with you; I value comfort over anything else. Hailey already tried to help me out too (mom, where a prettier color- ha!) so I can only imagine her shaking her head at me when she’s a teen 😉
Ashley says
Asking for the purse in my next fix. Love. Went to order the booties bc I’m in the market for a black pair – but at $298 Ryan might kill me. Worth it???
Brittany Dixon says
Oh I know! I about had a heart attack paying that price (so far from my norm, trust me!) but I’m not a big shopper and am working my way around to the quality over quantity side of things. I wear them 4/7 days a week on average and probably will for a while. They are really comfortable too, which is nice since I’m not a heels person. If you aren’t planning on wearing them as much as I do, I’d think looking for a less expensive pair would be a great idea, but the classic look and comfort hooked me in!
Tracy says
Love the chunky cable sweater! I just ordered it in blush 🙂
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
I’m adoring that Brooks Crossbody bag right now! I’ve been looking for something similar to that. Plus for only $58? That is a steal for a quality bag.
My ideal outfit feels like pajamas, so that’s why my favorite outfit is your “emo” one. Love that color! Especially on you.
Katie says
Brittany, are you in my brain?! Haha seriously, I related to this entire post. Especially what you said about loving different style extremes! I feel like, as a SAHM, I sort of have an identity crisis. I really think honing in on my style would help. You and I actually look a lot alike so I’m totally gonna follow along for ideas! Thanks for sharing!
Brittany Dixon says
Glad I’m not the only one who hasn’t multiple personas she can identify with 😉
Maria says
Love these posts! You look cute in everything of course, but I especially love the purple outfit (comfy is a priority) with the crossbody purse. I’d add a scarf or a necklace for some additional detail, but it’s perfect best of all, you look really confident in it 🙂
I can definitely relate to the multiple clothing personalities thing. Over the past years I’ve tried various “styles” and started really paying attention to what I felt comfortable in. In the, now cliched, words of KonMari, “Does this bring me joy?”. Since doing that, I’ve gravitated to more a comfy boho, farmer’s market look myself. I love simple pendent necklaces, long flowy skirts, sandals, TOMs, rain boots, and poncho or flowy cardigans. But who knows what personality this year will bring!
Cindy Hoffman says
Hey there Brit, you are a genius fashionist, and I must admit that gazed at those pics for minutes 🙂 That brooks crossbody bag is a killer and I must must get it (for real). Thanks a lot for the inspiration.
Cinsy