BORE Never Boring
Big Outfit Repeating Energy
It’s been an incredibly hot summer here in Colorado and I have found that while some of my creative gusto for styling myself every morning has evaporated with the heat I’m (instead) relying on Big Outfit Repeating Energy… or as I’m calling it BORE1
I’m leaning extra hard into the tried and true advice of repeating an item that you wore yesterday to create an outfit today. And anyone who has purposefully challenged themselves to piece-repeat or just does it as a point of habit knows that BORE is not boring at all.
I love when my clothes have range (read more about that here) and I’ve been pushing some of my new purchases to the brink of restyling in the last several weeks. So I present to you my July BORE Never Boring outfits (who knows, maybe this will become a series!)
Over the last few weeks I’ve started most of my outfits with a midi skirt. I find myself repeatedly reaching for a vintage Issey Miyake skirt or this midi skirt (ON SALE NOW!! here’s the direct link but it’s mostly sold out, another retailer with stock).2 And, as it turns out, the more I piece repeat, the more I see it positively affect my personal style.
Repeating pieces is a way to build a signature look. Maybe it’s the specific piece (like the midi skirt in this case), the color, the proportion it creates on your body, or even a simple detail (like the very small waistband that I love in my slip skirts and soft pants alike). Repeating pieces can work to create- in yourself and others- the imprint of that feature onto your style.
Piece repeating also reduces decision fatigue because you don’t have to start from scratch each morning; the biggest help for me. Honestly, sometimes we just need a place to start our outfit (more on that coming next week!) and then we can get creative within that boundary. I found that a slip skirt fits in so many different contexts- date night! dinner with friends! days running errands! etc!
There’s something really exciting about getting a new piece in the mail and, hopefully, we are wanting to put all of our purchases on immediately. That excitement is great, but once you’ve worn something multiple times, you figure out how it wears in the context of your life and that is more valuable. This skirt wrinkles a little but doesn’t look sloppy after a day of sitting, driving, running errands, etc. It’s breathable without being transparent. I know what this skirt can handle in a day because it’s already handled a lot of days for me. So while the “new thing” excitement wears off, the desire to reach for an item remains.
Last, but not least, there is often an unspoken expectation that every outfit we wear should be something completely unique. When we get good at BORE we can push back on the expectation and invite other people to do it too. I, personally, feel really inspired when seeing creators repeating pieces frequently as proof that the item is, in fact, good. On any given day someone who enjoys fashion may have tens of links shared with them but I’ve learned to watch for the pieces that my favorite creators wear over and over.
Recently Monica Ainley DLV interviewed one of the co-founders of Matteau, Ilona Hamer, and this quote summed up exactly how I’m feeling;
Real people wear real clothes repeatedly. You do not need a new outfit every time you leave the house.
Speaking of repeating, here are other things I’ve been repeating and rewearing recently.
Arielle Tylim wrote about how chic less jewelry is and I co-sign her newsletter. Most days I fall back on one pretty ring or a sparkly necklace to complete my summer outfit3.
This purple tube top went straight from the package on my doorstep to my body. I find the jewel-tone purple to be really easy to wear. And I was consistently falling back on the color-blocking outfit recipe (that I wrote about here).
I’ve spent a lot of time at the pool to keep my kids cool and entertained. In addition to reading this book, I’ve enjoyed wearing this cover up* for the pool to grocery store pipeline.
The Alex Mill team reached out to offer me this tote after I wrote about totes as the perfect bag and this one is such a good size without being overwhelming. I’m using it as my pool bag now and soccer bag come fall. Alex Mill’s next collection launches on Wednesday; they gave me a sneak peek and I’ve already spotted a jacket I want for fall.
Last but not least, I’ve had several conversations with friends looking for a very high vamp ballet flats (a la the Phoebe Philo flats) and I’m rounding up my favorite options;
To tie a nice bow around everything I talked about above is my MVP of the entire summer and, perhaps, the ultimate styling hack which is a simple and fresh red pedicure. If it were possible to have my toenails permanently colored red, I would probably do it because I just feel like every shoe that shows nails looks better when the nails are red.
In almost every outfit photo from the summer, I’m convinced that my simple red pedicure is a piece of the styling puzzle. As I was writing this piece, I was going to make an appeal to Celisse to make a great red to add to their line up but I got word that they are launching a full-coverage red TOMORROW. Not sponsored, just serendipitous timing. I do have a discount code for you all; use MIDIMALIST15 for 15% off the new red (or two other new shades they are launching).
For details on the products featured in this newsletter click here. Anything marked with an * was kindly gifted.
To be fair, I’m talking about PIECE repeating but BPRE doesn’t have the same ring to it 😉
Quick note: I’m 5’3” and took ~3-4” off
I’ve had a number of DMs about my thoughts on the Dorsey necklace (specifically) because the reviews of Dorsey aren’t always great and yet influencers rave about the brand. This necklace and ring are my first experiences with Dorsey (bought with my own $$, not gifted) and I have been so pleasantly surprised. The pieces are stunning and don’t feel like they are going to break. I’m not overly precious with jewelry (I really can’t be) and both pieces have held up well. I have my eye on another necklace (and charm) to purchase next.
A few years ago I decided to have a signature color for summer and winter for my toes. Always red in the summer and always wine in the winter. I never regret it and completely agree with your sentiment that it makes an outfit!
I love BORE! Genius!