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You might remember my friend, Erin, as my recent partner for Listen to Your Mother Chicago this year. With a sassy style and spunky personality, Erin was there when the Summer Leggings Challenge was born and has been a huge supporter ever since. I’m often envious of her clothing choices and feel she brings a style all her own that’s bringing sassy back. She’s sharing her take on #LeggingsWearDontCare today. Show her some love!
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I would say that I have a pretty distinct style. I like dresses, bright colors, big necklaces, skirts, cardigans, ballet flats, and I am always up for wearing Chuck Taylors (even with a dress). I like to do wear make up. I like to fix my hair. Even if I do the same thing every day, and am feeling low maintenance I would say I try to be “put together.”
Black Dress from Dress Barn
My upbringing probably had to do a lot with this. Attending Catholic school from Kindergarten through college had me checking every pair of pants I owned for years to make sure they didn’t have patch pockets and every skirt to make sure it wasn’t too far above my knees. Also, my parents had a lot to say about what us kids wore growing up. I can remember my Dad once telling me, “it’s better to be over dressed for an occasion than under dressed.” Also, my Mom has always said, “look good, feel good.”
Day 1 Caption: Shirt Dick’s Sporting Goods, Black Polka Dot Pixie Pants Old Navy, Glitter Chuck Taylor’s Kohl’s (Glitter DIY), Headband was a closet find.
And let’s not forget, I have been overweight my entire life.
Day 2: Dress Old Navy, Sandals Nike Flip Flops from Kohl’s
Which is why dressing the way I do has less to do with being a “girly girl” and more to do with being confident.
Day 3: Maxi Dress from Soma, Sandals from Kohl’s, Cardigan from Target, Necklace from Target
Add a cardigan to bring your look a night-time sophistication.
It is a suit of armor.
Day 4: Shirt Ava and Viv for Target, Skinny Jeans from Old Navy, Necklace from Target, Sandals from Kohl’s
You see, when I wear a dress, or a skirt, or a chunky necklace, or do my makeup it has less to do with who is looking at me, and more to do with how I am feeling about myself. The older I get, the more concerned I have become with feeling comfortable in my own skin, and lately I have found the clothes I wear help me do that. I am dressing to impress myself, and make myself feel good, confident, and pretty. I am dressing for the occasion and trying to be appropriate, but most importantly, I want to feel good.
Day 5: Shirt from Old Navy, Cardigan Merona for Target, Pants Lilly Pulitizer for Target, Necklace and Bracelet from DressBarn
Don’t get me wrong, it is nice when someone tells me they like my necklace, my hair, ask me where I got my shirt. However, I also like walking into a room and being comfortable enough with my appearance to strike up a conversation with a stranger. Let’s face it, I can walk three miles in the morning and drink a green smoothie but sometimes that is not what is going to make me feel secure enough in myself to stand in front of a group of people for a presentation, tell a story, network with other writers, talk to the other moms when I volunteer at school, or even be motivated enough to knock out everything on my to do list.
Day 6: Layered Tanks from Merona for Target, Skirt from Target (forever ago), Sandals from Kohl’s, Necklace from Kohl’s
When Samantha asked me to participate in her #LeggingsForDays #LeggingsWearDontCare series, I wasn’t sure I would have much to contribute as I like leggings, but not so much as to devote an entire post or even a sentence. I soon realized it’s not about the leggings. It’s not even about the clothes, really. It’s about feeling good, and I could write about that and Converse All Stars with chunky necklaces for days.
Day 7: Dress Ava and Viv for Target, Cardigan Ann Taylor Loft, Necklace from Target, Sandals from Kohl’s
On that note, what is one signature thing your closet, jewelry box, or makeup bag that always gives you confidence?
Is she not the cutest EVER?
In addition to being my fashion forward friend, Erin is the creator of Home Everyday, and ChicagoNow’s South of I80. Her true goal in life is to bring domesticity to late night television. Her works have been featured on several DIY sites as well In The Powder Room. You can follow her funny quips on Twitter.
My look of the week:
Leggings: Lularoe || Necklace: Lia Sophia || Black shirt + tank: 200 years old || Sunglasses: Charming Charlie
Love it!! This is such a cool blog girl