Spring 10×10: Maternity Edition
My Spring 10x10 Maternity Edition is in the books! It was dedicated time for myself each day amidst a lot of pregnancy preparations. 8 months pregnant proved to be good timing. It was right before my energy started depleting quickly & the aches and pains became more of a nuisance.
I wish I had more maternity clothes this round but all of the dresses made it easier. I daydreamed about trendy spring maternity looks. The physical discomfort and all this staying home triggered it. Oh well, soon we’ll be welcoming our little one into the world & I won’t need any of it.
Considerations
Pregnancy Growth | Now that I’m in my third trimester, this tummy is outgrowing everything. I need pieces that will stretch with me.
Weather | Mid-50’s with a mix of rain, clouds, & hopefully sunny days. Spring comes slowly in Michigan so while I’ve chosen lighter fabrics I still need layering pieces for cold mornings & wet days. I’m not including shoes or accessories in my count.
WFH Environment | I’m back to a work-from-home environment similar to the summer 10x10. It’s nice in the sense that I don’t have any events to plan for but it’s mentally harder to get dressed when you know you’ll be at home all day. All of the team Zoom calls should help with this, I like feeling put together for them.
Goal
I want to be positive and upbeat this challenge. I’ve struggled to celebrate my pregnancy for a myriad of reasons. This phase is soon coming to a close and I don’t want to let the celebration & happiness slip away. I want to celebrate what it means, & what is coming, thanks to my ever-growing bump.
10 items
Dresses
Yellow maxi dress (Nordstrom Rack)
Floral maxi dress (Similar)
Black midi dress (Target Maternity)
Sage jersey dress (H&M Maternity similar)
Tops
Lemon Lime loungewear set (Aerie)
Denim jacket (Anthropologie similar)
White sweater (Similar)
White graphic tee (ASOS Maternity)
Bottoms
Green skirt (Thrifted)
Day 1 Can’t go wrong with a little black dress. I don’t have many maternity-specific items for Spring, trying to just work with what I got, but this simple number from Target maternity was a good choice. Side-ruching in maternity clothes makes a big difference. My bump was supported & black always feels slimming. I added pops of color with my silk Saludos but my swollen feet weren’t digging them midday.
Day 2 This was a great outfit for a cold rainy day at home. It was a last-second add borrowed from a fellow Mama. I love this cooler green neutral for Spring by way of succulents & eucalyptus stems but never thought to incorporate it into my wardrobe. Love the new hue discovery!
Day 3 My banana suit! This was a 3 am purchase I don’t recall making but I was deadset on having matching loungewear for this final trimester. There are many things about being pregnant that are disorienting. The least I can do is pretend I have my shit together when wearing this set. Normally I choose the neutral version of anything but I intentionally chose bright lemon-lime. A mood booster for sure.
Day 4 I’ve had this dress for 4 years. It was difficult near the end to wear anything with a waistband so this empire waist was a dream for comfort. Adding the denim jacket layer kept me warm for a chilly day and the florals brightened my spirits. Getting ready has been a big challenge this round, especially after nights where baby girl is doing her womb gymnastics. Braiding my hair made it easy to be ready for the next day though, a twofer. Did I just come up with a good Mama trick?!
Day 5 – MVP This sweatshirt-skirt combo is my favorite look. I love the neon-deep green combo and how comfy it was to wear all day. To make a skirt work as an athleisure style was a fun discovery I’ve never tried before but will definitely be turning to more often. Everything is soft and laidback. It’s all about comfort for my skin & sore hips right now.
Sweatshirt | Skirt | Tennies
Day 6 Super chill for a Saturday morning walk. I switched out my denim jacket for a rain jacket due to the weather. It grounded this outfit more than the denim could. I can’t get enough of my Saucony Jazz originals for my poor feet. We started our virtual birthing class which was eye-opening, to say the least. I was lazy the rest of the day — watched The Mary Tyler Moore Show from bed & ate everything in the fridge.
Shirt | Sweatpants | Tennies
Day 7 Sunny and 60º Sunday. I laid out in the backyard in my sundress. The sun felt so good on my skin. I had a renewed hope about our little one, getting on the water this summer, this lake life we live. I didn’t want it to end. Added some accessories and curls in a high pony to take videos of opening gifts from friends in the nursery to send to them as a thank you. I love everything about this dress except the fabric is very itchy on my sensitive skin. Not great for napping but great for everything else.
Day 8 Hardest day to get ready. I pushed it too hard the day before so I was out of it most of the day. Luckily I didn’t have to think much with my go-to maternity dress. I was inspired by the other ladies doing this challenge to add a headscarf. Yellow is finding her way back to me & breaking my neutral ways. I loved the hue in college. Yellow makes me feel like myself and less of who people expect me to be.
Day 9 – LVP Sunny & warm enough to wear my Chacos without socks. I like the skirt & jacket in this look but I don’t like the graphic tee. I’d like it better if it had fitted ruching instead of flaring out at the bottom. My belly already makes me feel wide & the flare accentuates that instead of enhancing. At this point, I was over the challenge. I wasn’t sleeping well & the discomfort was increasing big time. Oh well, going to finish strong!
Day 10 Floral maxi with a sweater for warmth. Spring sure does come slowly in Michigan. I added a blush floppy hat and dreamed of all the places we want to take baby girl when she arrives & when quarantine is over. I’m sure it won’t be as dreamy as I imagine to travel with a newborn but it’s worth letting yourself be optimistic & look forward to things. Especially when you see cold rain out your window. It was a great end of challenge look — comfy with a silver lining.
I love this 10x10 exercise but next round I want to try something else. The formula is getting tired. I’ve seen fun ones on Instagram like #May30x30, #GraphicQuarantees, & #notbuyingnew but they’re all sustainability-related.
That’s awesome, of course, but I’m happy with how & why I purchase these days thanks to a few years of habit changes. I’m more concerned with style in the sense of positive body image & contentment. I’m craving a lightness & organic approach to the whole thing. Especially with so many physical changes that pregnancy & postpartum bring. It gets to a point where you just want to be happy & flow, not count costs per wear & all the other crazy documenting I used to do. Call off the search & just be.
All that to say, we’ll see about a Summer 10x10. I’ll probably be in the throughs of new mamahood and I have no clue what to expect. I always feel better when I dedicate time to myself though. Look good, feel good, do good!
The 10x10 challenge originated from Lee Vosburgh of Style Bee.
Spring Denim
Taking the weekend, letting the weekend give to you. It isn't meant to be rushed through but rather to be savored. I'm hoping mine looks like a slow morning, coffee in hand, catching up on our week together yet apart.
Some music, a rhythm to a project here and there. Or maybe to change out my winter garments to spring (alas). Most definitely a walk to the lake. With ice cream. And Tiger. As if he'd have it any other way. And rest. Plenty of rest.
Winter life is hard. It always is yet always surprising just how difficult when you're in it. I've said it many times before; a Northern winter is not for the faint of heart. It will test your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Right when you think you are through there's another week of cold in the air you must push through.
So, taking weekend is a good place to start, yes? Little by little. Hour by hour. Rest when you need it. Move around and bask in the sun when you don't. It will be beautiful because it's what you've made of it.
Outfit details
White tee (similar)
Bell bottoms (similar)
Photos by Leigh Ann Cobb
Winter 10×10: Maternity Edition
My Winter 10x10 is a bit fuller this year. The pace of 10 days, 10 items, 10 looks is a good framework during this fleeting season of pregnancy. It was also a great way to discover my maternity style. When I started the challenge I was like, why aren’t there any 10x10 maternity styles?! I double-checked on Pinterest & Instagram and nothing. No one, in all of the internets, has documented a 10x10 maternity edition…until now!
I was on day 5 when I had extreme sciatic back pain followed by a week of influenza flu. I quickly understood why mamas-to-be don’t do shit like this while expecting. Your body undergoes so many changes from week to week. Planning anything too far in advance is too high of an expectation to set when pregnant.
But I powered through by pure spite & accountability to complete the first 10x10 Maternity Edition on record. If someone has done it, please let me know! I’d love to hear how it went for you.
Considerations
Pregnancy Hormones | Need pieces that easily layer to account for fluctuating body temperature
Weather | Mid-February temps are in the high 20’s with lake effect snow. I’m not including shoes, hats, or outerwear in my count. Michigan weather you need to be prepared for a range of weather, often on an hourly basis.
Office Environment | I don’t have any events but I’ll be in an office most days which isn’t something I’ve had to consider in the past. I work in a laidback environment with our brand being outdoor enthusiasts but I don’t want to wear an item on back-to-back days.
Goal
I want to feel confident in my bump by the end of this challenge. The state of my closet was the last thing on my mind when we found out our life flipped upside down, rightfully so. But my past style no longer fits, literally & figuratively. Getting ready has been frustrating with my new shape. I’m definitely grateful, humbled, & so excited to be carrying our little one. It’s easier to celebrate when I’m not feeling frumpy though.
10 items
Tops
Vanilla sweater (Burton)
Olive babydoll blouse (Pink Blush Maternity)
Black basic 3/4 length tee (Pink Blush Maternity)
White graphic tee (ASOS Maternity)
Bottoms
Black joggers (H&M Maternity)
Ochre chinos (ASOS Maternity)
Denim (Target Maternity - similar)
Olive joggers (Under Armour - similar)
Extra
Black ribbed midi dress (Target - similar)
Patterned fleece vest (The North Face)
Day 1 I love this babydoll top. At first, I thought it counterproductive to get a looser top thinking it’d make me look bigger. But the tiered look & ruching made me feel the most feminine out of all of the outfits. I should be able to wear it for the rest of my pregnancy too, unlike some earlier maternity tees I’ve already grown out of (5 months currently). Also a fan of these Target maternity jeans with crossover panel. This outfit made me feel like I was wearing a regular outfit which was nice after all my first-trimester style struggles.
Day 2 I loved this athleisure look and the color combination of blush, dark green, and vanilla tones. I’ve had these Under Armour joggers for years. This is the first time I’ve worn them in a work setting. Funny enough these joggers received the most compliments in a corporate setting, further proving the informal & athleisure trend is really hitting everywhere.
Day 3 – MVP I felt very Parisian leisure in this look. Probably not a thing, & nothing the Parisians would accept as “fashion” but I like it. This look was a good mix of comfort yet feeling put together enough for a day of meetings. Another jogger win with these maternity ones from H&M. I liked the mismatching patterns between my shoes & bandana too. Same color family, different pattern. I definitely want to do this more for the Spring!
Blouse | Joggers | Bandana | Keds Platform Sneaker (similar)
Day 4 The first day I wore my wild card vest from The North Face. I never valued the point of a vest until now. It seemed silly to keep your core warm while your arms are bare in the elements. Now I’m hot all the time, to the point that I’m not wearing a winter jacket in 32ºF weather, so I’m fond of vests now. Played with neutral patterns again & really liking the more playful aspect. My team inspires me — they pattern mix & play with fun colors all the time. I’m slowly breaking out of my neutral & basics shell, VERY slowly. These ochre chinos were an immediate fave from ASOS maternity. They don’t have a crossover panel which I prefer. Let the belly breathe!
Top | Vest | Chinos | Cabin Fever Ballcap | Fields Chelsea Boot
Day 5 A simple mix of items from the first half of the looks. The vest looks totally different in this look from Day 4. I love its versatility and how soft it is. This was a good Friday outfit at the office where I was moving a lot of things around to get a retail display ready for an upcoming Spring product launch. It was also the day my sciatic nerve pain was at its peak & I was completely miserable. Despite all the misery, I’m pleasantly surprised how not intimidating this challenge is anymore. I used to freak at the halfway point with how I’d manage to style for part 2 but no longer.
Day 6 It was still freezing by the weekend but I started enjoying the perks of my hotter pregnancy temps — fewer layers! It was Valentine’s weekend so I wanted to dress up a bit even though my back was on fire & we were going to a casual restaurant with some friends. I ultimately punked out & wore other items from the challenge for dinner but love this look. Super easy to piece together & I’ll be wearing again definitely.
Day 7 – LVP Bleh! I abhor this outfit. Maybe I was agitated by the continued back pain that wouldn’t let up, or that nothing in life seemed to be “working” this day but I hate this outfit. This top with these chinos just wasn’t it and matching the color of my blouse with my shoes felt weird too in this case. I maybe looked better than I felt but this outfit will never be on repeat again. lol.
Day 8 This is now my go-to lounge outfit for the rest of the winter. I love it. Think my hair & makeup done make it look cuter. This was day 1 of isolation due to catching the influenza flu. We were in triage the night before until midnight which was emotionally draining in addition to the flu symptoms I’d already been trying to fight for a few days. Probably why Day 7 look felt so shitty. I’m actually surprised I even continued to do the challenge with how miserable & scared I felt. I’m not one to quit.
Day 9 Still had the flu, no clue how I managed to put looks together. The athleisure look was perfect for my physical therapy appointment and laying on the couch, heading into a weekend of the flu that was the worst week of my life. Ballcaps & beanies were a go-to throughout the entire challenge. It made the casual looks put together but different enough from day-to-day.
Day 10 This black midi dress is the MVP. I’ve worn it since early on in my pregnancy and it just keeps working with my growing bump. I love that its long sleeve with a mock-neck and lightweight cotton. I dressed it down for work with a beanie, sneakers, and my moon crescent necklace after recovering from the flu. It made me realize that transitioning from pants to dresses for the Spring is probably my best bet for comfort.
There it is, the first 10x10 maternity edition to grace the internet. I actually only used 9 items in 10 days because I forgot about an item. I didn’t wear the white graphic tee! I realized on the last day which proves how much easier this challenge gets after having a few under your belt. I thought I’d need more items for pregnancy discomfort or emotions but apparently not.
It also showed me maternity style can be functional, comfortable, & stylish amidst weekly intense changes. It’s inspired me to do a Spring 10x10 Maternity Edition if I’m feeling up to it. Keep a lookout!
The 10x10 challenge originated from Lee Vosburgh of Style Bee.
A Granddaughter's Memory
We travel to Grandpa & Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving. The traditional dinner at my parent's house recently moved North to account for my grandpa’s broken heart. My grandmother passed unexpectedly two years ago.
We make Thanksgiving as joyful as we can amidst the gaping hole without her at the head of the table. Mom and Dad fix the turkey. Stir the gravy. I make her famous green bread. We used to sneak it pre-meal as kids. My aunt brings the best pies in apple, pumpkin, and chocolate. We add the new tradition of mixing in memories of Grandma as we rinse, chop, and blend.
Grandpa sent me home with pictures from their 50+ years of life together. He gives generously to ensure her story continues in each of our books.
One of my chapters? Grandma's three-opal stone ring. I wore it on my wedding day. I feel her touch as I slip the ring on my finger. It fits perfectly. Her assortment of misfit stud earrings is another chapter. Maybe she figured I could make a statement with them. Or she knew I'm a horrible keeper of jewelry and misplace mine often.
One of my grandmother's chapters? Her father was a talented jeweler in the Upper Peninsula. He made his daughter the finest jewelry throughout the decades. She didn't need a special occasion to wear his finely crafted baubles. Each finger shone with a gemstone. Each ear glittered with stackable diamonds. It was a regular Tuesday.
Her stories piled high on the stones with every passing year, and she shared some of them with me. Slowly her beloved jewels were given to her granddaughters. Her most prized dispersed between her most prized, I hope.
I didn't know Grandma's jewels held a hidden message until now: things aren't merely things when they symbolize a family you are proud of. She crafted it into our family with the same precision my great grandfather chiseled into his coveted pieces. A message honored as we gather 'round the holiday table each year.
Trinkets are not welcomed lightly into my collection anymore. The costume jewelry of youth has been replaced with meaningful pieces to reflect the mission of Grandma's hidden message, like this pair of earrings I added to her misfits. I like to believe it would make her proud.
This one chapter of my grandma's life inspired a tradition I hope to pass on to future granddaughters if I am so lucky to have them. I call it A Grandmother's Tradition.
I hope they will stumble upon the message my grandmother left for me:
It is not the materials we take but the materials we give. Also, the ordinary can transform with a touch of glitz and glamour.
In memory of Grandma Victoria Lee. A woman who brought charm to her every day. She is still the most glamorous woman I know.
Inspired by: Floral patterned pants
I found these floral patterned pants on a whim one day. It was a few weeks before Spring, the most tempting time for me to like things I usually don't and buy things I rarely ever will. These floral patterned pants are a testament to a little window of time that is always fun and deeply needed.
Wide-leg pattern by Blaire of Atlantic-Pacific
The first time I wore them was on International Women's Day. It was still freezing but the sun came out for the first time in weeks so I thought, "yes, white linen is a very good idea". I tip-toed through the melted snow that had turned to muddy water on the curbs and sidewalks to reach my destination.
Anthropologie Spring Collection. Love the soft feminine pattern & length.
I was welcomed into a warm space with good company. The doubts about adding a new pattern to my wardrobe lingered no longer. The conclusion I came to is, you don't have to be so sensical about everything. So linen is the absolute worst fabric to wear in 30°F weather. We know this. But who cares really? Sometimes the very best you can do is ignore the rules.
Stripe & floral combo like Erea of All That She Wants
It's this reason alone I love floral-patterned pants for the Spring season. Not only are they playful, bright, and energetic but when I wear mine, I am intentionally breaking my own silly rules. I think I need another pair or two.
See my Spring style moodboard for more inspiration. Shop my floral pants here.
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The only tip you need for sweater weather
I am a person of practical solutions when it comes to style. It is all about staying warm in the winter and keeping cool in the summer. As we near cold winter days, a simple tip: layer your sweaters.
One sweater on top of another is how you won't get cold. It seems obvious but there are a few details to layering your sweaters that will keep this formula easy without bulkiness, itchiness, and discomfort.
No one and I mean no one wants to be this kid in A Christmas Story.
The only tip you need for sweater weather | Emily Bode blog | Photo by Leigh Ann Cobb photography
The only tip you need for sweater weather | Emily Bode blog | Photo by Leigh Ann Cobb photography
The only tip you need for sweater weather | Emily Bode blog | Photo by Leigh Ann Cobb photography
1 | Consider sweater length.
What's working here is the first sweater layer hits at the waist. The second layer is a longer sweater cardigan that hits around the knees. This reduces bulkiness, making the look more balanced with different lengths. Choose an open front second layer with buttons, zipper, or clasps to reveal the bottom layer and have more freedom to move.
The only tip you need for sweater weather | Emily Bode blog | Photo by Leigh Ann Cobb photography
The only tip you need for sweater weather | Emily Bode blog | Photo by Leigh Ann Cobb photography
2 | Choose soft fabrics.
There's nothing worse than an itchy wool sweater on dry skin. When I'm in a mood it's either because I'm hungry or I'm wearing unforgiving wool. The problem with this is winter wool is your best bet in keeping super warm. Tips here and here for why wool can be itchy (hint: chemically processed or not 100% wool) and what to do about it.
I've found the softest sweaters at Lee & Birch and Goodwill. I admit I haven't tried other places than those two this year but I'm guessing L.L. Bean, Patagonia, and Everlane have great soft sweaters too. Other soft sweater fabrics I love: cotton and thrifted-cashmere.
The only tip you need for sweater weather | Emily Bode blog | Photo by Leigh Ann Cobb photography
3 | Add a subtle pattern or different textures.
I love starting with a solid color base layer but after my Spring 10x10, I've been burnt out with neutral on neutral looks. It looks pretty online but in real life, an all texture-less neutral outfit looks drab. Add a subtle pattern or mix textures between sweater layers. Velvet with knits is fun or plaid with pearl embellishments is festive. It doesn't have to be super bold, just something to add visual interest.
The wide collar with the black and white chevron pattern on the cardigan and the turtleneck with dotted pearls on the base layer is making this a detailed yet simple look. It's in the neutral family but not boring.
The only tip you need for sweater weather | Emily Bode blog | Photo by Leigh Ann Cobb photography
The only tip you need for sweater weather | Emily Bode blog | Photo by Leigh Ann Cobb photography
The only tip you need for sweater weather | Emily Bode blog | Photo by Leigh Ann Cobb photography
The only tip you need for sweater weather | Emily Bode blog | Photo by Leigh Ann Cobb photography
Whether you're trying to stay warm or get away with a bit more elevated casual look for holiday events, keep this tip in mind to layer your sweaters this season. I hope this helps you stay cozy without the crankiness.
Similar sweater [here] and cardigan [here] by Lee & Birch.
Sorel Joan of Arctic II Wedge boots [here].
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3 easy tips for layering sweaters | Emily Bode blog
Fall 10×10: My 10 Looks
That's a wrap on my Fall 10x10! This one was very different from Winter, Spring, & Summer challenges because my 10 items were all from Lee & Birch and I planned my looks a week ahead of time.
The summer challenge influenced me with all the patterns, color, & texture! After 4 years of narrowing my focus on the items I bring into my closet, I needed to break free from my demanding rules a bit.
This 10x10 made me enjoy clothing again. It's since made me much more interested in the history of clothing from a political, cultural, and societal standpoint. I highly recommend the Articles of Interest podcast by 99% Invisible if the history of jeans or why we call it plaid sounds intriguing to you.
The first 5 days are a blur to me. My schedule is nuts this season so the fact that I didn't realize any issues or frustrations with my clothing as I ran around like a wild woman is a great sign they did the job.
Teacher Style I wore these black boots the majority of the challenge and they already feel like a staple as it gets colder. I wouldn't have been comfortable wearing velvet leggings with a shorter top if it weren't for the longer-length cardigan so the layering was a good choice. For my morning class, I buttoned the top of the wide collar because it's important to me I remain modest as a young professor. This outfit will be on repeat this season, it's so simple, fast, & comfortable for my 6 am get-up.
Buffalo check button-up | Black and white cardigan | Velvet leggings | Waterproof boots
Print Shop This look was one of my favorites. After dressing up for class days, I love dressing down for print shop days. The camouflage moto pants are my absolute favorite item of this challenge. I love the knee detail and the zippers around the pockets. Mixing it with the plaid scarf was fun & not something I'd usually think to do but the look needed color so I added it in. I didn't even get a speck of ink on my crisp white shirt!
White long sleeve | Plaid scarf | Moto skinnies | Slip sneaker
Teacher Style I don't normally wear denim on class days but this day we toured a print shop local to Grand Rapids, BrightFormat, so it made more sense. The denim and black boot combo made me feel like a boss. I felt confident and had a take no shit attitude pretty much all day. Win!
Buffalo check button-up | Black and white cardigan | High-waisted denim | Waterproof boots
After Work I like looks that can go from day to night seamlessly because I don't like spending time messing with multiple outfit changes in a day. Once the robe is on, I'm not going anywhere. I LOVE the hue of this orange duster — it's the perfect shade for Fall — and how it elevates a simple white top and black bottoms combo.
White long sleeve | Rust-colored duster | Velvet leggings | Waterproof boots
Casual Wedding I don't have much green in my closet so this cozy shirtdress was a great addition. It's super soft and has a nice pocket detail so I don't feel like I'm just wearing a sack. It worked perfectly for a more casual wedding I went to that involved a bumpy trolley ride. I felt super comfortable and the gold jewelry and metallic clutch elevated it subtly.
Shirtdress | Waterproof boots
Weekend at Home My parents came to visit for the weekend so I'm glad I had this simple white and denim combination. The day was all about catching up with my parents, making chicken chorizo chili, and walking Tiger. I worried a bit about spilling ingredients on my white sweater but ultimately was all good and super cozy for a lazy day in our cozy cottage.
Pearl-studded ivory sweater | Plaid scarf | Moto skinnies | Slip sneaker
Sunday Brunch I mentioned on Sunday that I failed to wear this look and that I really need to stop planning dresses on Sunday's! I simply don't wear them. As much as brunch sounds like this super cute thing to bookend the weekend, I've never done it so I'm not sure why I thought I would this day. This is the outfit I would wear if I were the kind of girl to do brunch.
ShirtdressLayer | Plaid cardigan | Waterproof boots
Lunch My favorite look of the challenge! It feels the most Me. I don't know if it's the shade of tan in the wedges and my glasses or the moto pants with the pearl sweater but it all just goes together in this cohesive and mismatched kind of way. I wore it for class then lunch with a friend. I'll be wearing this again and again.
Pearl-studded ivory sweater | Black and white cardigan | Moto skinnies | Tan wedges
Print Shop I wouldn't have worn this to the print shop if it weren't for this challenge. Velvet leggings in an inky shop just felt, unnecessary and the sweater was too hot. BUT, it's definitely a go-to look and quick way to feel dressed up when you're running out of time and would like to spend more time listening to podcasts on the commute than getting ready. This is how the cardigan looks when the two buttons are closed, I LOVE the collar it creates.
White long sleeve | Black and white cardigan | Velvet leggings | Waterproof boots
Halloween Style Had to save the most Halloween-ish for last. Not really a costume but the rust duster felt very festive. I really loved mixing the feminine floral pattern with masculine camouflage, it made for softness with an edge which is how I think I am (don't tell me if this isn't true).
White long sleeve | Rust-colored duster | Moto skinnies | Tan wedges
Insights
What am I trying to say? I faced a lot of doubts & demons this challenge. More than any other 10x10, I was concerned with what I was saying by partnering with a local boutique for all 10 items. The majority of my style posts are about capsule-inspired wardrobes, slow fashion, and clothing essentials. It worried me that some of you who know this about me might think it odd or worse, disingenuine, that I dedicated these 10 days to a somewhat different message.
I share a different perspective about 10x10's than most of the 10x10 community anyways but my partnership with Lee & Birch was an opportunity to connect and collaborate with fellow local women in business. I felt it important to celebrate a boutique in my backyard and the women who have been running it for over a decade. A very hard feat in a fast-paced, ever-changing retail industry. This was not a sponsorship, meaning I wasn't paid to talk about their clothes, nor did I purchase all 10 items for the sake of this challenge. I purchased around half because one of their stylists was AMAZING and helped me discover items I was looking to fulfill after the Spring 10x10 when I became disenchanted with my whites and lack of color in my closet.
Anyways, this could very well be me overthinking things but it feels right to tell you. My goal with 10x10's and anything for that matter is never to encourage you to buy things you don't need or want. If you like it, buy it, and try out a local boutique that I personally enjoy. But if you don't, then don't and I hope the looks inspire you to mix items you already have in your wardrobe or find it at other places you enjoy.
Clockwise from left, images from: Yoke & Bore / Mom Basics / Lined Notes / Sol Soleil Soul / Ali Wayys
10x10 Representation Matters. If you participated in the challenge or follow someone who does, I'm hoping you heard of the #10x10representationmatters hashtag. It was started this season by a group of women who are most definitely underrepresented in the slow fashion movement. In all movements actually but the focus was on ethical clothing in this 10x10 instance. It took off like wildfire, thank God, and has unearthed a lot about culture, politics, white supremacy, hurtful pasts, and pain that is woven into their everyday lives because of all of these things and more. I've often grappled with myself that all this time & energy spent talking about clothes and personal style is shallow and why am I doing it? What has been shallow is my lack of understanding.
I urge you to read through the posts and follow the hashtag #ethicalfashionrepresentationmatters for continued dialogue. I hope it changes you and your perspectives like it is doing for me.
Inspiration
Still pining for wide-leg pants. Add Ochre to the wish list. Love how Raven hopes to pass on her sisterhood denim jacket. Leaning back to black & tan. Still admiring Candice's style & photos. These green pants & Gina prepping for elections. Corduroy's making a comeback, my Mom started it. Everything Bo has said, especially this.
You can see my inspiration + my 10 items for the challenge here. For more wardrobe inspiration see my Pinterest board and Style posts.
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Fall 10x10: My 10 items
It's time for my fourth 10x10 challenge, the Fall 10x10, starting Monday, October 22! The challenge is to create 10 outfits from 10 items for 10 days in a row. Created by Lee and co-hosted by Caroline. For more challenge details see my Spring 10x10. I've enjoyed the last 3 challenges because each one is different from the other. Not only because I live in Michigan, meaning every season has different weather to plan for, but also because it's helping me grow in my personal style.
Lee & Birch Partnership
This 10x10 I've partnered with Lee & Birch, a local Michigan boutique with 3 locations in Grand Haven, Rockford, and Grand Rapids. One of the things I love about Lee & Birch is how they treat their customers. Have you ever walked into a boutique and walked right back out because the vibe felt uppity or the stylists didn't make you feel welcome? Or they were too pushy? I have, many times, & I hate the way that makes me feel.
When I walk into Lee & Birch, I'm greeted warmly, am left to wander on my own taking in all the options, and receive styling advice in time or when I ask for it. The ladies there are great at giving you current trends and ideas that complement and elevate your personal style. You'll get a part of this experience throughout the next 10 days here as they've shared some great advice for fall style I'll be sharing with you!
Goal
My main goal for the Fall 10x10 is to find versatility and layering options while mixing classic neutrals with pattern and texture in a playful way. I want to build upon the color and texture I explored in my Summer 10x10.
Inspiration
I gained confidence in pairing my go-to neutrals with patterns and texture thanks to the summer challenge. It's nice to express more shades than ivory, black, and gray, which I did last winter. I still can't do bright red though, it just is not my color. Moving back to the lakeshore has me swooning over all things cottage & cabin this season. Practical fabrics like flannel and heavy knits with tones that reflect the wild neon sunsets we have this time of year are inspiring me deeply.
The weather is going to be high 40's, low 50's, partly cloudy and showers. Pretty moody and common for fall in Michigan. Neon sunsets, moody gray waves, deep greens surrounding me, changing of the leaves, and all the cabin vibes are my inspiration.
My 10 items
I'll be splitting my time between teaching a college design course, getting my hands dirty at a print shop, and some time in my home studio. The range of environments I'm in this season is my biggest challenge. Going from a professional classroom environment to a dirty, inky print shop and then casual studio vibes are a bit of a whiplash. I really focused on selecting versatile and durable items to account for this. I also have a wedding, meetings, and business lunches mixed in. I'm NOT counting shoes this time. I removed them from my count to have a few more items for layering since layering is a challenge for me (some great tips from friends here).
10 items from Lee & Birch
6 Tops
Pearl-studded sweater
Buffalo check button-up
Black and white cardigan
Plaid cardigan
3 Bottoms
Camouflage moto pants
Hudson Jessi high-waisted denim
1 Dress
Supporting Items
3 Shoes
Sorel Joan of Arctic Wedge II, Ash Brown
Sorel Margo Chelsea Boot, Black
Sorel Campsneak Slip Sneaker, Cattail
3 Jewelry
Nakamol Earrings
Nakamol Layer Necklace
Crescent Moon Necklace
My looks
I shot 10 looks ahead of time again, this time with my pal Leigh Ann Cobb. My approach to the challenge continues to evolve. Based on the great conversations with you guys each 10x10 season, the inspiration route (vs. "live" outfit documenting) seems more helpful for you. I, of course, will link to what I'm wearing because sometimes a piece or two is all we need to get started.
Lee & Birch has some great brands for the Fall. If you're local, they have all the styles and items I'm wearing in-store right now so you can get exactly what you see during the challenge. If you're following from afar (hi Canadian friends!), the Lee & Birch website will have all the styles available early November so keep a lookout for that.
My 10 items for the Fall 10x10 | Free Guide Sheet for download | Emily Bode blog | Partnership with Lee & Birch
I want to elaborate on my statement last challenge re: retail therapy. I still stand by not needing retail therapy as much as we think we do. There are multiple perspectives to everything – even within one person. When certain areas of my life get hard or I've had a shitty day, shopping is a good avoidance tactic. So is wine. And TV. And the list goes on for all of us, doesn't it?
Shopping can also be a treat or a gift to your hard-working self. I haven't done that much the last couple of years so dang it if I won't get a few new items. ;) I've been in a rut this fall and while I'm definitely proud of having 134 items in my year-round closet, I want to refresh some classics and bring in more color. Now I have 140 items, fresh sparks of inspiration, and continue to build my wishlist as I keep saving.
I did a quick poll in preparation for this 10x10 and most of you responded you won't be joining but plan to follow the challenge. Awesome! You can follow on Instagram [here]. Happy 10x10 friends!
A special thanks to Lee & Birch for providing all the items for this shoot, style tips, and brand information. Follow them on Instagram [here] for more fall styles. And thank you to Leigh Ann Cobb who shines a positive light on the goofiness I feel when getting my photo taken. All the upcoming challenge photos are by her.
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3 quick ways to layer flannel
Call me a typical white girl, but I've always been obsessed with Autumn, especially the perfect month of October. How could you not love it? It's the season of bonfires, falling leaves, apple cider, chilly evenings & one of my favorite things, flannel. I might be borderline obsessed with this wonderful plaid fabric (6 & counting, is that too much?). I seriously have to restrain myself when I go into stores this time of year because I have a hard time resisting the urge to buy more. I've decided it’s a problem that can only be solved by wearing it as much as I can. Here are a few ways I work the ever-versatile flannel into my Autumn wardrobe:
3 quick ways to layer flannel | Guest post by Lauren Pinner | emilybode.com
The Professional
Confession: One of my secret goals for fall & winter is to come up with endless ways to integrate flannel into my work wardrobe. Don't tell anyone, ok? I recently completed my search for the perfect tweed blazer & discovered it was an absolutely fantastic thing to pair with my flannel! I added a woven belt to dress it up & to add more definition to my figure. A pair of comfy ankle boots finished off this work-ready outfit.
Blazer (H&M) / Flannel (Eddie Bauer)
3 quick ways to layer flannel | Guest post by Lauren Pinner | emilybode.com
The Bonfire
There's nothing better than gathering with friends around the fire pit on a cool fall evening. An essential when venturing outdoors in Michigan right now is a BUNCH of layers. Cue my go-to outfit on the weekend: Boots, vest, flannel, scarf. You really can't say "Autumn" better than that. It's outdoorsy, warm, practical & I love it!
Vest (Lands’ End) / Scarf (Eddie Bauer) / Flannel (Eddie Bauer)
3 quick ways to layer flannel | Guest post by Lauren Pinner | emilybode.com
The Holiday
The holidays aren't quite here yet but they're all I can think of when I wear this outfit. It feels festive & cozy. Flannel + sweater = heaven. Ya feel me? The other beautiful thing about this duo is that it makes for great office wear as the leaves change. I love letting my flannel peek out under the edges of top layers like this. Roll up the sleeves for even more peek-a-boo.
Sweater (H&M) / Flannel (Eddie Bauer)
3 quick ways to layer flannel | Guest post by Lauren Pinner | emilybode.com
My favorite places to discover the perfect flannel:
Thrift stores If you're going for good ole oversized shirts, thrift stores like Goodwill & Salvation Army are perfect. You'll have to do some digging—often in the men's section—but they're a good place to find super inexpensive shirts.
Higher-end secondhand stores I seek out higher-end secondhand stores like Plato's Closet for flannel with a better fit & quality, especially for work outfits that I use for layering.
Eddie Bauer My favorite place for buying new flannel is Eddie Bauer. There's an outlet store I drive by a few times a year that has great sales around the holidays so in the rare moment's I do splurge on flannel, this is where I'll go to spend a little extra.
Join me in my flannel obsession? Get out there, rock those fall patterns & make sure you enjoy the rest of this absolutely beautiful season! Thanks for listening, brave girls. —Lauren
3 quick ways to layer flannel | Guest post by Lauren Pinner | emilybode.com
Summer to Fall Closet: A procrastinator's closet clean out
This is how my fall closet looked all week while my piles of summer and upcoming winter clothes sat nearby. You probably know by now I don't do many things quickly and my closet is no exception. I wasn't ready to commit to the switch but as Midwesterners, we know it has to happen at some point, right?!
“Procrastination may be the enemy of productivity but it can be a resource for creativity.”
If there was ever a doubt I needed to speed my process along, this quote from The Originals by Adam M. Grant completely helped me rationalize my pause. Yes, yes, it's for "creative purposes" that my clothes are taking up our bed for days on end.
Summer to Fall Closet: A procrastinator's closet clean out | Emily Bode blog
Fall 2018. Winter wardrobe on the left, summer on the right.
134 items in my closet total!
Fall 2014. Organizing my clothes for my first capsule wardrobe. The beginning of being more intentional with my clothing.
I don't have enough room in my closet for both warm and cold weather items in the same space. Each Fall and Spring I have to transition my closet for the seasons when the weather starts to change. I was surprised to find that my box in the basement, where I store my off-season clothes, wasn't full. My closet of summer clothes wasn't either. Makes sense; I only have 134 items including shoes, outerwear, and activewear.
I'm down 46 items since 2016 when I had 180 items total.
This is nuts! Especially when you consider I was the girl in high school who you couldn't see over a pile of Forever21 clothes. They don't have an item limit in their dressing rooms and I took full advantage.
Fall 2018. Donating items to Goodwill. Tired whites repurposed as rags.
Getting down to under 150 items for a 4-season closet was no easy feat. It's been 4 years in the making. In 2014 I took stock of everything I owned and started my first capsule planner in an effort to discover my true personal style.
There are a lot of eye rolls about capsule wardrobes right now because so many people are doing it but it led me to my personal style and I'm so grateful for that. I'm also lazy and don't want to spend valuable time in a day getting ready. A capsule helped me pair things together in less time, allowing me to focus on my creative work and still appear like a sane person out in public. So a capsule was a no-brainer for me. I don't keep one as disciplined anymore but the intentionality behind my closet is the same.
Fall 2018 Items
Why I love the 10x10 challenge
The 10x10 challenges [Winter, Spring, and Summer] this year have helped immensely, as well. They allowed me to get creative with items I already have and mix in a few new items. Each season I donate items that aren't appealing to me anymore. The pile I donate is getting smaller and smaller because I'm consuming less = my version of poor girl's slow fashion. I mentioned in my Spring 10x10 that a lot of my whites were feeling tired so those will be rags soon, like my Happy Camper tee sadly! We had a good 2-year run but the poor pits are donezo. I definitely got my wear out of my favorite graphic tee though.
Fall closet inspiration
Summer to Fall Closet: A procrastinator's closet clean out | Emily Bode blog | Image via Pinterest
Onward to my Fall/Winter closet! I can already tell I'll need a couple of pairs of shoes and some lighter-toned blouses to liven up my style a bit. I discovered in my Summer 10x10 that I want more color, relaxed silhouettes, and classic cuts than I currently have. Skinnies and button-ups have been my go-to and while I love them, I'm looking for something fun to add.
Summer to Fall Closet: A procrastinator's closet clean out | Emily Bode blog | Image via Pinterest
Check out my capsule-inspired Pinterest board [here] for more & stay tuned for an exciting Fall 10x10 challenge I have coming up on October 22nd! I can't wait to share with you.
May your Fall be cozy, knitted, and offer a warm glow. xo, Em
This Week. The end of August.
Phew, this is the first time all week I've had a moment to take a breather...Thursday night at 11 pm.
Joel's out celebrating some killer work accomplishments with his team and I'm in bed, writing like I'm Carrie Bradshaw. Tiger's with his grandparents up north at his favorite place and I'm missing him. He usually lays right next to me when I write. This week was nuts. I figured it would be but nothing can really prepare you for starting two new jobs after working in solitude from your home studio all summer.
Monday and Wednesday I had my first two classes as an adjunct design professor at GVSU. I'm teaching typography and print design to juniors and boy are they antsy to get in the field. It's interesting that people say Millennials and younger are lazy, entitled, and purposeless. The students in my class so far are ready to take on the world and motivated to pursue their design careers. They want to learn everything. Some students have already come up to me with personal matters and while I'm surprised at the openness, I also felt a purpose in my class I've never felt before. I don't know what will come of it but that feeling, wow it's a beautiful thing to feel.
August Moodboard by Emily Bode | Emily Bode blog
A lot of new this week
Then Tuesday and Thursday I started working at a print shop in town. We print a lot of blueprints and signs for the construction industry but I'm the "graphics technician" which means I do the more detailed print jobs like making copies of artists’ original works, color correcting, and printing them on high-quality art paper. It's miscellaneous and the atmosphere is so relaxed and I'm surrounded by paper and ink all day. It's not fancy or stylish and I love it. I'm basically doing what I'm teaching in real-time.
Today I scanned all these photos of presidents of the Women's Literary Club. The club dates back to 1888 so there were a lot of president’s pictures to scan! I noticed all of the women's names were "Mrs. [husband first name, husband last name]" up until the late 90's presidents. It baffles me why married women didn't go by their own names. Did they feel like they had their own identity despite being called Mrs. John Walker? Why, as the president of a female club, did they put up with that? I don't know, it was something I was thinking about after editing all these women's photos today. We still get mail that says Mr. & Mrs. Joel Bode and it pisses me off. MY NAME IS NOT JOEL. I AM MY OWN PERSON.
That's a full week in and of itself and then we had a few events after work that kept us out late. I co-worked with Kherington for a bit tonight. It was great to catch up with her and chat about our projects. She has some awesome partnerships coming up and is just so easy to talk with. She helped me see I'm more than capable and experienced to get compensated for working with companies in town. I do this all the time with my design clients but when it comes to my blog, not so much. I usually shy away from it because I don't know how to go about the conversation or I don't want to come across inauthentic. But I think I can be authentic and still be compensated for a lot of the work that I put into this space of mine.
My Aunt texted me this the night before my first class. Perfect. Timing!
There's so much change going on right now, which makes me anxious and want to cry from exhaustion a little. The people I love and adore so much have supported me so much with thoughtful texts, snail mail, phone calls to just listen to me ramble on. To have angels let me be me and cheer me on makes me really happy.
Midwestern fall living room style | Emily Bode blog
I'm loving these Jesse Kamm pants right now, a wish list item for sure. I'm thinking a lot about teacher style and pinned some inspiration tonight. John Mayer's instagram is reminding me why I love his music so much. Found him from another instagram I'm loving, What Kate Finds. Anything using this typeface. These illustrations from Duvet Days are on my list to get for my studio. I'm working on the newsletter for it to launch in mid-September. This book is my next purchase and this book is on my nightstand. Y'all might have helped me save this chair.
I'm so ready for bed now! Thanks for being here. xo, Em
Summer 10×10: My 10 Looks
I'm really happy with how this challenge turned out. I made all my selections and took all the photos ahead of time. The Fall challenge will look different because my schedule has changed with teaching. It'll be fun to try more professional and dressed-up looks. I love following the #10x10friends on Instagram because there are so many perspectives, careers, & lifestyles being taken into account. The first 5 days went great. Not needing so many layers made this round a lot easier. I've also been a hermit this summer with a lot of studio time to write & work on projects remotely so that made it easier for me as well.
Friday I wore this for a day in Grand Rapids. I went to a Creative Mornings event where one of my lettering heroes, Molly Jacques, was speaking on Intention. Then I had lunch with Joel & his co-workers & finished the day working at the library. The skirt is thrifted. I love the texture & it always makes me feel very feminine when paired with heels. This gingham top is shorter so my midriff felt a bit exposed for a professional event. I threw a jean jacket over it. I love bringing more yellow back into my closet.
Gingham top (TJ Maxx) | Skirt (Thrifted) | Mules (Steve Madden)
Saturday I wore this slip dress to a family wedding by the river. It was a casual wedding so I traded my mules for flip-flops. I layered on a chambray top at sunset. You can feel fall in the air in Michigan which made the rust color of this dress feel in season. I love the shape of this dress because it fits well up top and flows more loosely at the bottom. Wearing flats made it feel more casual than I like but heels wouldn't have worked in the grass. I paired it with gold jewelry. I liked this look for a midsummer wedding!
Slipdress (Nordstrom Rack) | Mules (Steve Madden)
Sunday I threw this on for the coffee shop. The coffee shop is near our little cottage. I love writing there & was happy to sneak some time in before we went out on our kayaks for the day. I got these jeans at Anthropologie for $20 in the clearance section last year & call them my "artist" pants. The bleached hem next to the pink pattern of my espadrilles is a fun detail. I'm surprising myself by how much I'm mixing patterns & adding color.
Local tank (Ink & Threads) | Light-washed denim (Anthropologie) | Espadrilles (TJ Maxx)
Monday Is it weird I looked forward to Monday so I could wear these shorts? haha. I went back to the coffee shop to write in the same shirt but no one seemed to notice. I saw this Local tank at a market & loved it immediately. I'm super picky with graphic tees and how the type is set. The typeface needs to speak to me & this one definitely did! The shirt fabric is also super soft.
Local tank (Ink & Threads) | Camo shorts (Target) | Crossover slides (Sseko)
Tuesday Studio day to put together the August newsletter and prep for the week with my assistant. Super casual. I love the embroidered mermaid on this tee but the fit isn't my favorite. I like it for a beach day over my swimsuit but that's about it. The pink of her hair matches my espadrilles so that's a nice touch. :)
Mermaid tee (TJ Maxx) | Light-washed denim (Anthropologie) | Espadrilles (TJ Maxx)
Wednesday It was a casual studio day so this outfit was perfect for cleaning and organizing my space. This is probably my least favorite outfit so far. It was just, blah. But it was nice not to wear anything fussy while I was under my desk trying to plug-in the printer & going through bills that needed to be taken care of.
Mermaid tee (TJ Maxx) | Camo shorts (Target) | Espadrilles (TJ Maxx)
Thursday My favorite outfit so far. I LOVE this top my mom gifted me years ago. The gold shine and the v-neck really work with my figure. I hate how scoop necks feel on me and don't experiment much with differently shaped collars because none make me feel as confident as a v-neck. Maybe that's why I don't care for the mermaid tee. I wore this look to a design event in Grand Rapids. A friend recognized my pants from across the room so she knew I was there. Ha, the power of denim! The heels were great until we stood outside for a while listening to music. I'm a wimp in heels even though I enjoy wearing them.
Green sheer blouse (Gifted) | Light-washed denim (Anthropologie) | Mules (Steve Madden)
Friday While I loved this look at home and with the sticky heat we got this weekend, I didn't end up wearing it to the outdoor concert as planned. The shorts are a little cheeky if you know what I mean and the short top was really bothering me. One of those looks that are great until you have to move in it. I wore this instead. Kind of close with the ball cap and shorts, haha.
Gingham tank (TJ Maxx) | Camo shorts (Target) | Crossover slides (Sseko)
Saturday Once I went rogue on Friday, there was no stopping me! Our plans kept changing with the festival in town and the skirt with the felt hat was too heavy for the crazy heat we had. I was most looking forward to this one too. I will wear this in the final weeks of summer though. It's a good outfit for going to some farmers and flea markets I hope to get to this yet this season.
Mermaid tee (TJ Maxx) | Skirt (Thrifted) | Espadrilles (TJ Maxx)
Sunday Joel and I had a lazy day that required shorts, so I'm actually wearing this outfit now that challenge is done, instead of yesterday. We played cornhole, went for a bike ride, and grabbed a beer riverside at one of our go-to outdoor bars to finish the weekend.
Local tank (Ink & Threads) | Slipdress (Nordstrom Rack)
Insights
+ Took lightweight fabrics for granted. I never understood the need for lightweight fabrics until I went 10 days without them. My bottoms were heavy fabrics, making it uncomfortable in the 80-90° weather. I've paired down my closet SO MUCH in the last 4 years, I didn't realize how many light and flowy fabrics I donated. Probably because I don't need them as much in Michigan. My perspective has changed about that due to this challenge and I really need to invest in some summer fabrics for comfort.
+ Liked adding more color and patterns into my wardrobe. This was the biggest question I had starting this challenge and I'm happy to have experimented with more patterns and colors than I have since I started my capsule wardrobe. While I love neutrals, too much has become boring for me. I needed the blank slate to discover what I liked. Now I feel ready to bring color and pattern back little by little.
Images clockwise: @inkdiplettering / @jessekamm / @jazzyhwang / J.Crew
Inspiration
Mustard/goldenrod hues for fall. Striped linen. Workmen's pants, large pockets, bold colors. Need these Jesse Kamm pants on my wish list. Loving Candice's photos. Jasmine's message on body positivity is one we all need to hear, again + again.
You can see my inspiration + my 10 items for the challenge here. Thanks for following my Summer challenge! For more wardrobe inspiration see my Pinterest board and Capsule Wardrobe posts.
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Summer 10x10: My 10 items
It's time for my third 10x10 challenge, starting Friday, July 27! The challenge is to create 10 outfits from 10 items for 10 days in a row. It was created by Lee and co-hosted by Caroline.
My items aren't current or on-trend necessarily so my main goal is to inspire you with the items you already have in your closet instead of trying to mimic the same exact outfit I have. For instance, if you like a top I'm wearing, what is it you like about it? The color? The texture? Maybe the shape or cut? Find something similar you already have. I hope these outfits will encourage & inspire you to play with your style!
My inspiration
I want more color, patterns, & texture! My spring & winter challenges were very neutral. By the time this summer rolled around I was over solids, basic & ivory tones. To start, I took notes so picking items didn't feel so overwhelming. I like to have the main goal, list out any important events I have, a general idea of forecast & inspirational images to help me narrow down my 10 items. The heavy lake air of peak summertime, deep greens surrounding me, my favorite time of day golden hour & beach day picnics are my inspiration.
My 10 items
I'll be in the studio and coffee shops for the majority of the 10 days. I'm grateful for the season I'm in where this is possible & I can be very laid back with my outfits. I have a networking event on day 1 and an outdoor wedding on day 2 so those are my most dressed-up days. Other than that it's super casual.
50% of my items are new. I was really frustrated with my options when getting ready after the spring 10x10. My whites were worn out & everything was SO neutral. I felt like my personality was being washed away. I look at it like the last 4 years I was creating a blank canvas. Now I'm ready to infuse more fun into my wardrobe again.
I'm FINALLY counting shoes in my 10 items! I'm not counting layers. It might rain during the second half and I'll need a rain layer but it's too unpredictable for me to add items in I might not need. We'll see how it goes with only 8 items of clothing & 2 pairs of shoes.
4 Tops
Gingham Tank (TJ Maxx)
Mermaid Tee (TJ Maxx)
Sheer blouse (Gifted)
Local tank (Ink & Threads)
3 Bottoms
Camo shorts (Target)
Patterned skirt (Thrifted)
Light-washed jeans (Anthropologie)
1 Dress
Rust-colored dress (TJ Maxx)
2 Shoes
Pink espadrilles (TJ Maxx)
Tan crossovers (Sseko) or Mules (Steve Madden)
My looks
Here are some of the looks I'm planning. I use the Stylebook app to organize and document everything. It tracks cost per wear and has a calendar to plan ahead of time. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the app if you're looking for a way to organize and see different options you can make out of 10 items.
My approach to this challenge is different than past ones. I shot 10 looks ahead of time and will show the inspiration vs. the reality each day. I'm not sure if it's appearing this way to you, but I'm being a lot looser with this challenge. The other one's I spent A LOT of time each day getting ready, taking photos, & editing. It was a time suck.
This time I really hope to inspire others on their own closet journey. You don't need on-trend items to discover your personal style & you don't need perfect photos to share your personal projects online. If it can inspire even one person to love what they have in their closet & love how they look before they go out I'll consider it successful. We don't need retail therapy as much as we think we do.
Join me on Instagram
I’ve started a local group of 10x10 Michigan friends in my Instagram DM’s to share style discoveries & encouragement with one another in a more intimate setting. Shoot me a message & I'll add you. There are so many unique reasons each of us has decided to do this. From trying out new maternity clothes to using it as a test to clean out the closets there's a great variety of women in the group right now. You can also keep up with my daily looks on Instagram. Happy 10x10 friends!
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How I Define a Capsule Wardrobe
One word: Loosely.
I started a capsule wardrobe 4 years ago to discover my style and reduce time getting ready. A capsule wardrobe is a collection of essential items of clothing that don't go out of style and can be worn seasonally. I get completely overwhelmed in the toothpaste aisle. Seriously we don't need a full aisle of toothpaste options, ya'll sellin' the same thing. So, it's no surprise I needed to reduce my options in other areas of my life.
Keep reading if you've ever felt shame or guilt about LOVING to shop, hitting the seasonal sales, & not owning any sustainable or conscious clothing. Even if you don't want to start a capsule, this post is for you too. You might find they're not exactly what you think...
How to easily start a capsule wardrobe | Emily Bode blog
54 items per season
You can find all over the internet different "rules" for a capsule. Some say 37 items, some 42.
I like 54 per season. I split my wardrobe into 2 seasons so I have about 110 items. This includes outerwear and shoes. It does not include jewelry, activewear, undergarments, or pajamas.
Living in Michigan I need to account for the 4 seasons of weather. Living by the lakeshore I need to account for weather patterns changing multiple times a day! This is why my capsule wardrobe is loose & I often refer to it as a seasonal wardrobe. I've since found a lot of staple items that transition well between 2-3 seasons. It allows me to keep my total count modest.
The main goal for me is to reduce EXCESS. I’m working to reduce excess in all categories. I simply don’t need 10 pairs of yoga pants. There are 7 days in a week and I wear them 2-3 times before washing. This would change if I were a yoga instructor because I'd probably live in yoga pants! Have a number that fits your lifestyle & don't hold tight to it if it makes you feel bad.
How to easily start a capsule wardrobe | Emily Bode blog
Bring one in, take one out policy
This is usually not difficult as I've paired down my wardrobe to the essentials. For example, if a white shirt is tired I replace it with a new one. Shoes are another story.
Free inspiration guide sheet for 10x10 challenge here | Emily Bode blog
Wardrobe inspiration each season
I note colors and trends inspiring me at the beginning of each season. Then, I take inventory of what I own by hanging my summer garments that have been boxed up during the cooler months. I noticed darker shades peppered through my summer wear this year. Since the shades are darker and fabrics a little heavy, I plan to uplift for the summer little by little.
I do a 10x10 challenge each season to help me curate outfits with ease. This challenge guides me to mix and match everything I unpacked in unique ways. It can also point out areas I may need to improve or change the fabric or color of my items.
Here's a starter sheet I use to take notes of my inspiration & top items in my closet if you need a starting point for your closet: my inspiration guide sheet.
How to easily start a capsule wardrobe | Emily Bode blog
Why I Capsule
I started a capsule wardrobe 4 years ago aided by the Unfancy worksheet guide by Caroline Joy. It started as a way to enhance my wardrobe for my career after college. My eye for quality started to improve after a few seasons. I noticed the poor quality of fast fashion on the racks; the wrinkles in the fabric caused by being shipped in a plastic bag from an unsafe factory overworking their employees; the loose threads on hems due to efficiency over expertise; I even noticed how the ink on the fabric for patterns and letters was blurry and haphazardly done.
A few trips to other parts of the world opened my eyes to all the WASTE on our planet. Waves of plastic rushed up the shore in Aruba where clear water and sand should be. I see it on the beaches of Lake Michigan as well. I started my capsule wardrobe to reduce my carbon footprint and be a more conscious consumer with the items and materials I bring into my home.
How to easily start a capsule wardrobe | Emily Bode blog
Not sustainable, not yet
While my goal is to be conscious and intentional with my wardrobe, I'm not a purist. My paycheck doesn't allow it yet. There are many brands changing the expectation of how garments are being made. I love these people and companies and give my money to these places when I can.
My favorite sustainable fashion brands:
Aerie *not sustainable but promoting real women with untouched marketing campaigns
These are my wishlist items. I've had my eye on Bryr clogs for a couple of years but can't decide which color I want. Someday, I will.
How to easily start a capsule wardrobe | Emily Bode blog
Other ways I try to be intentional:
Shopping at secondhand stores (Goodwill and Rock Paper Scissors are my favorite)
Trading items with friends and family
Do a different activity when I feel the urge for retail therapy (workout, read, etc.)
Surprisingly the urge goes away. If it doesn't, then I must really really want something & go from there.
How to easily start a capsule wardrobe | Emily Bode blog
Don't be hard on yourself
Roughly 54 items per season with intention behind each purchase I make. If I don't follow it one day or insist on retail therapy, I do it and don't feel bad about breaking the rules. There are so many things we can do to be better, stronger, healthier, kinder. However if the thought of a capsule wardrobe brings you stress, negative self-talk, or less joy, no diet, workout, or clothing challenge is worth it.
At this point, it probably seems like I don't even have a capsule wardrobe! It's true I make my own rules.
The biggest point I want to make about them is YOU DO YOU. If you want to join me in a fun wardrobe challenge because you're thinking of starting a capsule or really you're just bored & want to do something to mix up your daily grind, then let's do it!
If you're not a capsule person and you love fast fashion, that's great too! You're probably doing some other great thing for the world. Like reducing carbon emissions by riding your bike to work, donating to a great cause, or being a kickass sister or something.
I really don't feel like it needs to be either/or here & we can all just give ourselves a break. At the end of the day, it's all material things anyway.
What are your thoughts on a capsule wardrobe? If you have one, how do you go about it? What are sustainable fashion brands you love? I'd love to know more!
How to easily start a capsule wardrobe | Emily Bode blog
Summer Capsule: "Local" tank
Sunday's seem to be my time to write lately. An unwinding of the past week before the winding up of the next.
Lately, life has been enjoying the transition to Summer with walks to the lake, playing darts in the garage, having bonfires by moonlight, and sleeping/watching movies/eating ice cream when it rains mixed with A LOT of house projects and navigating around the piles from our move back to the Lakeshore.
I've been trying to balance this with taking care of my mind, body, soul more intentionally (freakin' HARD) and continuing to navigate & define my design business (freakin' HARD). Truly I am tired & frazzled. If there's one thing I've learned from having my own business it's understanding deeply that things are cyclical.
High highs, low lows.
The vision I had of myself when I was younger is so different from who I am now. That used to scare me but it has to be one of the most liberating feelings ever. When all those things you thought you'd have or you thought you'd be this type of person fade away, it seems to be where the real growing begins & wonder is waiting.
I don't know – thoughts on a Sunday after a fun weekend with my parents, brother, & Joel are muddled yet memorable. A feeling of belonging in your inner circle, your family, community, cubicle, tribe, favorite bar, your inner self within, is a comfort I wish for everyone. It's one I've struggled with & probably will again & again in different seasons of my life but when the feeling comes around I hope you don't run away from it. I hope you can feel like a LOCAL wherever & however with whomever.
Thank you for being here. More & more I realize this space isn't for me to strategize, implement, or goal-set but is rather a corner where self-reflection is judgment-free, the path uncertain, & the conversation nothing if not honest.
I hope you have a great week! Mine's looking like a bit of catch-up on the task list, getting my new studio organized, & damnit if I can't get to the grocery store. xo, Em
"Local" tank from Ink & Threads apparel
Spring Capsule: White & Denim
“I promise to tidy up before company arrives, wouldn’t want my socks & daydreams all over the carpet.”
Spring Capsule 2018: White & Denim #anthrostyle | Brave Girl Blog
Have you had that moment yet? When your denim lightens. When your blouse gets thinner – a sheer veil replacing knitted armor. The socks come off. Barefeet a bit unsure after hiding from months of chill. The movement inward to stay warm suddenly expands outward to warmth all around you.
Do we mimic the seeds around us? Do they lead by example?
These are the thoughts I have as I slowly remove the dust bunnies from their corners. I daydream about what this space can be – for the outward to reflect the inward – as I wait to welcome a friend into our unfinished living room.
I will resist the urge to say, “Sorry for the mess.” May I not apologize for the place I'm in.
I wonder where the candle should go. Moving it from one surface to the next, stepping back to see if it made a difference. Thinking this will spark a solution for where the rug needs to lay. Is a room like an outfit in some sense?
White top. Loose denim. Hair pinned back. No shoes.
I can always count on this formula when in doubt – for the outward to reflect the inward. And I think, just like this outfit, the solution for this space will come in time. I only need to wait for the moment I'm just as sure.
Classic. Simple. Light.
I hear a knock at the door. My friend has arrived. I step over the dust bunnies and the prints. The candle is fine where it is.
“Welcome! I'm so happy you're here.”
The prints on this floor really look best on walls. Shop them here.
Spring Capsule: Taking Weekend
Taking the weekend, letting the weekend give to you. It isn't meant to be rushed through but rather to be savored. I'm hoping mine looks like a slow morning, coffee in hand, catching up on our week together yet apart.
Some music, a rhythm to a project here and there. Or maybe to change out my winter garments to spring (alas). Most definitely a walk to the lake. With ice cream. And Tiger. As if he'd have it any other way. And rest. Plenty of rest.
Winter life is hard. It always is yet always surprising just how difficult when you're in it. I've said it many times before; a Northern winter is not for the faint of heart. It will test your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Right when you think you are through there's another week of cold in the air you must push through.
So, taking weekend is a good place to start, yes? Little by little. Hour by hour. Rest when you need it. Move around and bask in the sun when you don't. It will be beautiful because it's what you've made of it.
Outfit details
White tee (similar)
Bell bottoms (similar)
Photos by Leigh Ann Cobb
Spring 10×10: Fave looks + insights
That's a wrap, friends! I've finished my second 10x10 challenge by Style Bee x Unfancy! Here's a recap and what I learned wearing 10 items for 10 days in a row. I didn't count shoes or accessories as my 10 but stuck to 2-3 pairs of shoes and added a jacket as one of my 10 this time (a challenge I wanted to do from the winter10x10).
Best: Day 6 | Worst: Day 4
My shirtdress looks didn't make me feel good at all. It's 3 years old and I've worn the life right out of it. I LOVED Day 6 because it felt effortlessly me. Unbrushed hair, holey jeans, white tee, and a touch of blush. May this remind me of my Spring go-to.
Best Runner up: Green trousers on Day 5
Worst Runner up: Navy trousers on Day 3
MVP: Gray wash jeans | LVP: Blush blouse
I love the fit, the wash, and the copper button details of these gray wash jeans (from Urban Found in Holland). These jeans with a white shirt and boots are my plan for the rest of Spring basically. Not so much with the blush blouse. I loved wearing it and probably will again. It just didn't go with any of my bottoms BUT my dark denim flares so I couldn't wear it as much as I thought I would.
Spring 10x10: Style Stats
Denim: 30%
White: 30%
Price ($25-50): 45%
10x10 items total: $310
Spring 10x10 Top Takeaway: Quality is Key
I discovered quality is key because my white tops and dress are pretty worn out. Quality isn't something I cared about in my early 20's. It's now a requirement before making a purchase. It's a mindset shift to realize quality doesn't have to equal EXPENSIVE. I try to budget for what I want and often find quality brands at thrift stores (hello $2 denim from Rock Paper Scissors). It's nice to treat yourself every once in a while of course but what I love about this challenge is it reminds me what I have is enough.
In case you missed the looks: The first 3 days / Halfway point / The last 4 days
I've mentioned throughout the challenge these #spring10x10 posts are inspiring if you're looking to refresh your wardrobe for Spring. I also recommend Stylebook app to get a feel for your cost per wear and other fun style stats like the ones I shared above from my 10x10 challenge.
Thank you for following along with another 10x10 challenge. I might be helping with a local 10x10 for the Summer so stay tuned! xo, Em
Spring 10×10: Last 4 Days
Day 7 | If you saw my last set of looks you're not surprised with this look and a ball cap to hide Day 4 (yes, 4!) hair. Haha. Creating isn't often pretty but it's addicting to see what comes of the mess. I worked from home to continue on creating a big project and threw on my fuzzy sweater because I was freezing.
Crewneck sweater (Target) | Striped shirt dress (Target) | Gray washed jeans (Celebrity Pink) | Perforated leather booties
Day 8 | Flares and sweater to stay warm and put together for a student portfolio event at my alma mater a few hours North of town. Worked great for a night at our local bar catching up with friends we haven't seen in a year! I like simple outfits like this that are practical, basic, and don't take much thought to put together.
Ivory sweater (Urban Outfitters) | Dark flare denim (thrifted) | Block-heeled boots
Day 9 | Saturday vibes big time! This one was fun to discover the items I usually consider as "office wear" can be worn super casual. I was concerned I wouldn't care for my professional clothing or wear it as much when I went freelance full-time. This outfit proved it's just a mental shift. Shoes alone can dress this up or down. Wore this around the house and then to play darts with Joel at the pub.
White-collar button-up (Madewell) | Navy trousers (Zara) | Nike high-top sneakers
Day 10 | I almost quit on the final day. But then I put on my dress, layered with the jacket, and wrote from the couch in a blanket as the sun streamed in. The simplest of looks for the simplest of days and a great way to end the challenge.
Dress: Striped shirt dress (Target) | Long denim jacket (gifted)
Spring 10x10: Last 4 Days
I shared in the last set of looks why this 10x10 was so challenging but it's worth repeating that I struggled with this one. I'm happy for the observation though because it's brought to light that my Spring Capsule needs some love and attention. So now I'm on the hunt for a striped tee dress and a white tee. I'm thinking Joon+Co for the dress and Everlane for the tee but you might know by now it takes me FOREVER to pull the trigger on a purchase.
Where do you shop for basics like this?
Then & Now: The difference 4 years can make
2014 | 2018
The picture on the left is from 2014 for an Unfancy guest blogger submission and on the right from 2018 last week for Spring10x10. Unfancy is the capsule wardrobe blog that inspired me to start a capsule of my own that year. I didn't get the gig but got the sweetest "no" I've ever received. I just looked back at our email correspondence and oy! I was a bit pushy to connect. Even after I was told I didn't get the guest blogger spot I asked Caroline if I could interview her for a blog spotlight series I was doing. Then I got the second sweetest "no" I've ever received.
The only thing I still have from this photo is my Cuyana bag & this Lake Superior agate necklace I made.
No's are an opportunity and mostly not personal. I kept applying for other guest submissions and getting No's until I got Yes's. Soon after applying to Unfancy, I had two articles published in Driftless Magazine. I'm not saying this to brag but to share an example of how No made way for Yes.
“I’m rooting for you — like a maniac. And I think you should keep putting your particular flavor of good out there — the world needs it.”
My photo set-up circa 2014
See, the sweetest right? I wasn't the right fit at the time. I now see my outfit and photo quality weren't that inspiring. However, those weren't reasons to quit writing and exploring my personal style, even though I was tempted to at first.
Through trial and error, I found what I liked wardrobe-wise. I also kept going with my blog visuals and tweaking things here and there. I don't shoot lower than me anymore and have a mini tripod with a remote for my camera phone for ease. My understanding of natural light has improved and I've taught myself how to use some Lightroom presets.
I suppose what I'm trying to say is this "Then & Now" photo is a testament to keep going. If we don't look up once in awhile we miss how far we've come in pursuit of how much further we think we need to be. You don't know what you don't know until you know it. And that comes with patience, perseverance, and most of all, time.
Do you know what's really crazy? Four years after my guest blogger submission, I stumble upon a 10x10 wardrobe challenge Unfancy co-hosts with Style Bee. At the end of the 10 days, Caroline shares my winter10x10 on her Instagram. That same day I receive 350 new friends who share a similar passion for capsule wardrobes as I do.
An old No turned into a new Yes.
You just never know how things will play out. But you have to stay in the game to find out. With all the tough yet delicate Love I can muster, Em
PS: I'm selling that camera from above right now for $150+shipping [SOLD].