WINTER 10x10 — Taylor Mikiska

So, I'm really really going to try to be better about posting when things happen! But since I'm behind, let me jog your memory if you've be following along on instagram (and break it down if you haven't) I took part in the Winter 10x10 style challenge from Jan 21st-Jan30th. 10 days, 10 pieces, 10 different outfits using those pieces. Shoes and jackets count, but other accessories (bags, shoes, scarves, hats etc) don't. This challenge was created by Lee Vosburgh of Style Bee - read about why she started it here. I was lucky enough to have a partner in this challenge! My friend Sarah of The Fluf introduced me and helped me stick to it- find her thoughts and experience here.

I was expecting this to be a breeze, because I wore a uniform to school for most of my life, so I'm used to working with limited wardrobe and adding flair accordingly. But I ended up feeling some of my uniform resentments creeping up about halfway through. During middle school especially, I begged my parents to let me go to public school and one of the biggest reasons was that I hated wearing a uniform. By the time I got to high school, I accepted my uniformed fate and found some comfort in not having to decide what to wear every day. I haven't worn a uniform since though, and thoroughly enjoy picking out things to wear. I love color and texture and patterns. My closet is all over the place and I don't get rid of stuff as often as I should, which has resulted in me holding onto LOTS of clothes from my high school (and even middle school) days. I think the best way to be sustainable is to use what you have- and this challenge was great for that! I wore some things I haven't worn in a long time and found a new connection with each piece I chose. It's funny how attached to clothes we can be and how what we wear can bring up all sorts of different emotions. Obvs, I'm about to get real wordy here and let ya know how I felt about every thing I wore during this challenge...

DAY 1 (left) I kept all of these looks pretty simple. When I was choosing pieces, I went for a very neutral color palette. I wore my big glasses Miu Miu glasses for a little spice.

DAY 2 (right) Plaid pants, white t, heeled boots. The plaid pants were what I chose in place of skinny jeans. even though I keep reading that skinny jeans are out, I think I look good in them and wanted to have a more fitted bottom option. I also consider these one of the more business-y things I own. I've never worked in an office, so my "work-wear" is pretty much non existent, but these are a good option if I needed it.

DAY 3 (left) *SPOILER* this was my fave outfit of the whole challenge! It was super comfortable and I felt v ~cool&minimal~ minimalism was a big trend amongst others participating in this challenge, and this outfit made me feel like I kind of got it.

DAY 4 (right) this was my Disney Day look, and I was starting to feel a little burnt out at this point. Even though I hadn't worn 2 of the pieces pictured here yet, I felt confined having only 10 things to choose from to wear to Disneyland. I usually dress very practically and always bring a fleece. I knew I was going to get cold after dark, even with my leather jacket, so I was being a negative Nancy before I even started getting dressed. I decided to go full Disney with hair and makeup and that definitely helped me feel a little more into it.

DAY 5 (left) I liked this outfit a lot and will for sure wear again. At this point in the challenge, it was HOT- like temps in the 80s every day and I was really wishing I had put a dress in as one of my pieces.

DAY 6 (right) this was a lazy outfit. I was starting to get a bit resentful at this point- and like I said, it was hot. I call this "doing the J Crew" I used to work 5 am shifts a J crew and on those mornings I would pull literally anything plain and without holes in it and just kind of layer stuff on. J Crew employees were encouraged to wear a "third piece" and for me it was usually the chambray button down that's tied around my waist here. I haven't worn it much since my J Crew days, but kept reaching for it as a comfort blanket of sorts during this challenge.

DAY 7 (left) did I mention it was hot? I hadn't worn my leather jacket for any of my pictures since I took them during the day, but I usually threw it on over whatever I was wearing if I did anything at night (which I almost never do). I wanted to have at least one picture in it (lol) so I put it on, but didn't put my arms in. This was a little bit cheating because I basically wore this outfit already, but hot times call for desperate measures? Something like that.

DAY 8 (right) I knew I was in the home stretch and added one of my favorite silk scarves for a little pop here. I've worn it about as many ways as you can wear a scarf and it's a really beautiful gold paisley, which just makes me happy, especially with the stripes- I'm all for a good mixing of patterns

DAY 9 (left) this was the wooooorst! I'm J Crewing so hard right here. This whole thing was like very un-me and something I will never wear again. I'm also not great at layering- I'm not used to doing it tastefully. I'm usually just laying because I'm cold, and it shows. This was an attempt at layering for style's sake and I didn't feel like myself at all.

DAY 10 (right) this one felt pretty good, but I was excited to get back to the rest of my weird colorful closet. The top I'm wearing is actually one of my favorite things in my closet, and I wear it a lot, especially when it's chilly, so this one didn't feel like too much of a stretch. I added the headband because I don't make enough use of all the accessories I have, and figured it was the last day of the challenge, so why not?

IN CONCLUSION

This was more challenging than I thought it would be. The next time I do it, I will look ahead at the weather, include at least one skirt or dress, overalls or a jumpsuit, and post my recap right after I finish instead of weeks later lol! I'll say this too- it did make me feel really grateful for the other fun things I have in my closet and remind myself that every time I think I have nothing to wear, I absolutely have tons of exciting, colorful options to choose from. I will definitely do this challenge again the next time it comes around though. Have you guys done a style challenge or no shopping challenge before?? Let me know!!

xx

T