Notes on Styling | 45 | Just some things I wore in March that felt good.

Hello my lovely reader,

Before we are fully taken over by a new Month, I wanted to share just some things I wore in March that felt good to me and to remind you that good comes in many forms and not all of them picture worthy - but then isn’t that the point?

Good is yours to explore.

A common theme for me this month was just ‘busy’ like a proper Wood influenced busy bee! It’s been a mainly working-from-home Month apart from one trip to Belfast and it’s fair to say, things haven’t been all that dressy. Devon is quiet 😄 and the clothes I wear here have been a work in progress for me, striking that balance of a place that is oh-so casual with loving clothes and wanting to feel good in said clothes as much as I can.

1. Outfits posted online are just a snapshot of a bigger picture of a style story. There were 31 days in March and I am only posting 7 outfits :-) Not every day is a photo day even at a casual level.

2. Old or New this is about what felt good. There is one item pictured here that’s new. The camel wool coat, was found second hand on Vinted. All other items are things I’ve owned and wear a lot. That’s not to say I would beat myself up if I bought more/ or for anyone buying (I’m not here to be the buying police) but this is shared in the spirit of seeing what felt good to me, owned and bought, what added to my day, to my wardrobe and what I know sits well with my Style right now.

3. It’s good for you to have things you like and don’t like about what I wear. That’s the point. Your style is yours and mine is mine. If you ever doubted you can and have a style of your own, here is the proof. Your likes and dislikes of what others choose to share.

4. Creating your own monthly picture file is a good practice. Taking photos (just for yourself, file away in a little folder on your phone) is an exercise that helps you see what you are actually wearing. Over 4 weeks, what does this little folder teach you? It’s not about sharing them. It’s about learning from them. What would your March outfits be?

5. Most of us need more thoughtful consideration of our day-to-day casual pieces over life’s fancier things. These photos always remind me that we need clothes for the lives we live, not the lives we wish we had or have 1% of the time. Most of our days are spent doing day-to-day things, aka, not overly dressy things (unless you have a specific thing to go to or a particular way you dress for work). It’s always good to think whether you feel like there is a disconnect for you, between what you buy and what you actually would like to have to wear day-to-day. These are the things we need to spend more of our money on. They will result in more great photos at the end of the month.

6. When you're having a bad day, it’s good to feel you have a go to uniform to call on. Thinking about iterations of a look you can play with and like to go to as your nice, easy option. No effort but still feels good to you? It could be jeans and a jumper combo (me) or a particular style of trousers with a bright-coloured top to give it a pop. We each have a go-to way of dressing our top and bottom half that gives us comfort, ease and hopefully and feeling of ‘good’. If I’m honest, this month for me was mainly my Varley black bottoms and this Helen Steele Jumper (below) and some variation of a stripe top underneath but on the days I wanted to feel a little fancier it would be denim and a soft knit of some description.

Outfit 1

This Helen Steele Sweatshirt was a goooood buy about 3 or 4 years ago (in Dunnes Stores). I love that it’s such a good match for my eye colour which just makes me feel at home in it. It’s the perfect mix of undone, effortless and a bit of something cool! Wearing almost religiously with the Varley Slim Cuff Pant in Black.

OUTFIT 2

Then it’s my March purchase. This 12Storeez Wool Coat which I found on Vinted for £90. You will find this brand stocked on Far Fetch and other websites but honestly, this find made my month as these coats are expensive. I’m wearing with my Topshop Awkard Barrel Leg Jeans in ‘Pebble’, Arket brown suede loafers, black socks (see this post on recent sock purchases) and an old stripe top from Mango. Beads are glass pearls, which were a find in a local vintage jewellery shop.

You might also like my Denim Post from a while back, where I wrote about these jeans.

Outfit 3

It was my birthday in March and this was what I wore for a lovely birthday dinner. Honestly, I don’t love these shoes but I’ve been really considering and culling my shoes lately and I wanted to give these a go to see how they felt. I was still undecided. I like the quirkiness but they felt a little too Wizard of Oz for me and to be honest it was having this picture that helped me decide. They have to go to a better home.

I’m wearing cream denims here from Massimo Dutti (similar here), a cream waistcoat from H&M (this is the one but it’s a while ago I bought it) and a vintage bag which was a find in the best big vintage homewear warehouse (that also sells fashion bits) in Topsham. If I have an hour I love to have a browse!

Outfit 4

Nothing too fancy to see here but I love this combo. Massimo Dutti Cord Trousers (similar here) in Navy, which are high-waisted and just so comfy. They are the perfect combo for me to feel a little chic, a little nerdy and a lot comfy ;-) Wearing the same stripe Mango top from outfit 2. Boots are black leather pointy-toe heels from Mint Velvet. Similar but probably cooler! here. I’m wearing with my tan ballet flats from Zara.

Outfit 5

This was a coaching day for me and I like to feel comfy being at my desk. This is a little Whistles cardi I have a long time. Teamed with my favourite chunky gold chain, bought at a vintage market on holidays. Embracing the dress-down comfy vibes I popped my favourite light khaki cargo pants from M&S, which honestly I wear with everything from oversized sweaters to prettier cardi’s. They are just an all-rounder for styling up and down. I can’t see the exact match but lots of lovely similar options here.

Outfit 6

I’m nothing if not consistent and I love me for it ;-) My go-to out and about, want to feel chic but relaxed would be this outfit, which I wore at least 3 times in March. Vintage Levi’s in worn black with Men’s XL Brown Cashmere Crewneck Jumper, with my Everlane leather city boots. This is IT for me. I am in outfit heaven ☺

Outfit 7

It feels like bad luck to end on an odd number but here we are. Although we most definitely did not have the start of Spring weather in March, I was determined to get out my Levi Dungarees. Made it feel more (torrential rain) appropriate with the Men’s XL Cashmere Crewneck (same as above). I think from memory I just wore it with my navy New Balance trainers. Forgot to take the full head to toe!

Have a great week and see you soon,

Julie x

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