My life has become far more about utility than fashion, making me want to produce fewer fashion posts. I leave the house a few times a week but it’s not for fashion events. While I do miss dressing up and wearing oversized pink coats and snakeskin boots, it just doesn’t make as much sense for me in this “season of life”. So I’m far more interested in cute basics (that look like I still know what I’m doing and care) and ones that are comfortable but don’t scream “I’ve given up”. I had an Instagram partnership with Madewell so I went shopping and here is what I found that I actually need/love and will wear frequently. I found a lot that I love, but again am resisting the urge to hoard so know that these had to really grab me in order to add them to the closet.
Chambray Shirt | T-Shirt | Jeans | Sneakers
Do you guys remember these Cali jeans????? I bought them when Madewell first launched like 8 years ago and wore them til they fell apart (around year 4). When I put them on last week I was like “oh hey there old friend” and was reminded how good they are (they went away but somehow the little boot flare is back already!!). They are stretchy and therefore comfortable but without the feathering near the crotch (we really shouldn’t do that) that makes the stomach look like it’s protruding out. I find them very slimming (I wish I could have shown you all the jeans that I tried on that DIDN’T look good on me, but it’s not in my nature to go around bagging on myself or on other styles of jeans). So you’ll have to trust me that after trying on 12 pairs of jeans, these are the ones that were a solid “HELL YES” in both comfort, fit, and style. And I know that I’m not supposed to care about clothes that are “flattering” but I do, and these just are it you are into that. Right now I’m a solid 6, (I think) and first tried on the 28s (Madewell’s sizing is confusing), and they fit ok, but strangely the 26s were not tighter, just better scaled and more flattering. That’s all to say to size down a little bit in these (and they definitely stretch out).
Chambray Shirt | T-Shirt | Jean Shorts | Sneakers
Those sneakers are SO CUTE, and the T-shirt underneath says, “Let’s go Outside” and is a really good fit (flattering not too boxy, not too tight) I bought a small – which in Madewell world is a medium. The chambray shirt is boxy and these days I’m into wearing them unbuttoned and open. It’s a thing. OH and the shorts were so cute, with a little flare, and really cute in the butt (these more rigid than the Cali jeans so less good for sitting down all day if you know what I mean).
Blazer | T-Shirt | Jeans | Chelsea Boots
Same jeans, same shirt with an excellent tweed blazer with pretty details. It reminds me of a long tweed coat that I’ve been wearing since Charlie was born, but the shorter version. And these boots – oh these boots. I thought I had all the boots that I needed, but I didn’t have any (except clogs) that have a heel anymore. And y’all it’s been a while since I’ve worn heels and forgot what it does to your legs (and confidence). These are really comfortable and don’t feel like I’m wearing “heels” yet they give you the lift that is nice to have, visually. I’ve worn them so many times since I bought them (you can snag them on sale right now – they are typically over $200). I wear them with shorts and cute socks and they look utilitarian enough to even wear with stretch pants and an oversized sweatshirt without looking try hard. Big fan here.
Airpuff Long Shirt-Jacket | Jeans | Chelsea Boots
And then there’s this jacket that is so lightweight that it feels like you are wearing nothing, yet it’s so warm and cozy and looks cool. These are the same jeans that look great with the boots. This is a solid fall outfit that I can wear anywhere (soccer, a brewery, running errands). It was comfortable without being athleisure. Please note my trendy one-legged squat pose that my team laughed hard at me for EXECUTING LIKE A BOSS.
Blazer | T-Shirt | Cargo Pants | Chelsea Boots
Lastly, I tried on these cargo trousers that have this cute baggy almost balloon shape that I thought looked really cute with the more tailored tweed blazer. I cuffed them a bit and wore them with the same boots and felt pretty darn cute (TBH) which I really hadn’t felt in a while. Living on a construction site and working from home makes it so difficult to pull yourself together. Brian reminded me that I have a version of these pants already (some expensive brand I bought at a consignment shop years ago that I still love and wear) and he said (and I quote) “Do you really need two pairs of olive green drop crotch cargo pants?” and he was right. So I ended up returning them but if you don’t have even one pair of “olive green drop crotch cargo pants” then are you even living? Hot Tip! Men hate drop crotch pants! Hot Tip, Men! We don’t care! 🙂
Anyway, there are a lot of other cute things, including jeans that I really really really wanted, but didn’t let myself buy even with the discount because I don’t leave the house enough to warrant buying and hoarding the clothes (having less clothes is way more fun to manage both physically and mentally, TBH, not to mention better for the planet). But if you need new awesome basics, right now is a good time to buy what with the sale and all. I also bought these sunglasses, these socks, this cropped top tee, and my purse is still holding strong after 2 1/2 years if you need a good day purse (just grab yourself a cute strap to make it look cooler). That’s all. xx
**This post is NOT sponsored by Madewell – The Instagram stories were/are and we do affiliate links as you know, but we just love Madewell and I love recommending things that I love/use to others who might also love/use. xx
THIS POST WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED HERE.
