What I Wore in October
My Looks as a Personal Stylist and Busy Woman in Midlife
All of a sudden the calendar flipped to October 31 and I thought, “Oh shit, I’ve done a terrible job at photographing my outfits this month.” Not terrible, but not as consistently as I did in September, so that gives me something to aim for this month. Starting to make this a habit again, I truly see value in it. How/why? Seeing my outfits in photos versus looking at myself wearing them in a mirror helps me to see things in a new way and make decisions about my wardrobe. For example, last month I made peace with the fact that it was time to bid adieu to a pair of denim shorts I was trying to make myself like, and this month it was the opposite—I learned that I actually like a top I thought I was over.
So here are my looks from October—the ones I remembered to capture—for a busy mom in midlife juggling running my own small business, family stuff, attempting to have a social life and last but not least—corralling two feisty dogs. Some of the places I wore these outfits in October include:
Working at my desk in my office at home (because I feel immensely more productive and more like myself when I “get dressed”)
Seeing the Gold Over America tour with the GOAT, Simone Biles
Helping with fall portraits at my daughter’s school
Picking up my daughter and a few classmates from a camping trip
Going to get my hair done
Going to a neighbor kid’s birthday party
Drinking wine on my neighbor’s deck
Going to the Post Malone concert
Attending the Dress for Success Austin’s Little Black Dress Soireé
Going to the doctor/getting an MRI
EARLY VOTING
Pieces I wore on repeat in October include several pairs of Madewell jeans, my J CREW Sailor slim-wide pants in stretch corduroy and of course, my beloved Clare V. CV x WWAV t-shirt.
I’ve only just dipped my toe in the water with styling these cords despite the fact that they became an instant favorite when I bought them. Austin has been really dragging its feet with the fall weather so the temperature hasn’t been quite right just yet. What I love most about the pants is how comfortable they are; they have the tiniest bit of elastane. The color—Rich Coffee—is also something I was excited to add to my closet as I had nothing like it yet, and I’m a big fan of the cropped length. I opted for the petite size as the regular length wasn’t cropped enough; it just felt like pants that were too short but not cropped, per se. For what it’s worth, I’m 5’3”.
My Clare V. When We All Vote t-shirt got so much wear these past few months. I’m really impressed with the fit and quality. It’s true to size and has held up really well despite being washed so frequently (never put in the dryer, though!).
I’ve shared here and on Instagram how certain social events can be tricky to dress for. I don’t know why this has become such a challenge in midlife but I know I’m not alone when it comes to things like kids birthday parties or concerts, though I thankfully have a better handle on both these days. Anyway, the three outfits above are from three events in October, the first (blue/white striped linen top and linen-blend boxer shorts) being something I wore to a neighbor kid’s birthday party. It was so hot and humid but I was really over my summer clothes which is why I reached for the long-sleeved top. Still kept me cool, though, since it’s linen. The outfit in the middle—the va-va-voom black dress—was something I picked up at Nordstrom this summer with the intent of potentially wearing it to one of our events in India in June but I didn’t end up wearing it. Still, I loved the fit so much that I opted to keep it because I know I’d have an opportunity to wear it. It was perfect for the Dress for Success Austin’s Little Black Dress Soireé. And lastly, the final look was what I wore to the Post Malone concert.
