{Day 12} Keep it Real. Wear it Well.

Yesterday was so much fun I decided we needed another day to dish about what we real moms and women actually wear. 

Apparently I'm not alone in my indecision and frustration over clothes that are both appropriate and stylish.

Judging from the comments, there also seems to a universal tension between the sort of wardrobe we think we like and the wardrobe that is actually realistic and authentic for each of us. 

Let's face it. There are a lot of identity issues wrapped up in the things we pull off the hanger each morning. Like it or not, clothing is like a walking advertisement for yourself. I think that becomes less important as we get older {thank goodness}, but I'm still years away from style apathy.

I don't think there's a hard and fast formula for figuring out what works for each of us. Trial and error is part of the package. And I think that's just fine.

But I have begun to think of my closet as valuable real estate. I don't want some freeloading blouse taking up one of my hangers when she's not paying rent. And though I'm in the process of a major closet purge, I don't plan to replace what I'm getting rid of. 

As I mentioned yesterday, I just want to have fewer, truer pieces. 

Recently I read an article in an old issue of Domino magazine. The article is entitled, "Our Closets, Ourselves" by reporter, Cynthia King. King turns herself over to two stylists in order to define and refine her style. It's brilliant and witty and I've read it numerous times. I'm sort of weird like that.

King says that, "....growing up, I was taught that you shouldn't worry about what to wear--but you should always look great." 

Isn't that the truth? What's a girl to do?

She says we can learn something from French women, who seem effortlessly well-dressed. I've been to France and it's true. Ironically, they have small wardrobes. Says King,  "They've honed their looks, scout accordingly and purge ruthlessly."

Hone. Scout. Purge. 

Got it.

I'd like to add one more thing though. I think that a key ingredient in looking good is feeling good about whatever you're in. And that's an important question to ask yourself: Do I feel good in this? Do I feel like me? 

Yesterday I was in Goodwill and a woman nearly mowed me down with her shopping cart. She was brimming with confidence and was clearly on a mission as she sashayed through the aisles in her knee-length denim skirt, fitted red sweater, perfectly coifed blonde hair and red, anklet cowboy boots. With fringe.

She was in her 70s. 

I got a kick out of this lady. She was adorable and looked cute as could be because she knew who she was and that outfit was working for her, fringed boots and all. 

It beats SAS shoes and a rain bonnet, no? 

Though honing and owning one's style can take time, introspection, and observation, I think it's well worth it in the long run. Especially if we are sashaying through the aisles in our flirty boots when we're 70.

I'm beginning to feel more inspired than tired as I survey my closet, bare though it's becoming. 

Maybe I'll even do a closet update post. I forgot how fun it is to chat about clothes!

Repeat after me: Hone. Scout. Purge. Own {It}.

So what about you? Do you have some honing and owning to do?

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If you haven't checked out Tiny Twig's 31 Days to a No-Brainer Wardrobe, you should. She's got some great advice and inspiration for all of us who feel a bit stuck.

{Click on the button for the list of all the days 

& topics thus far.}