I’m always impressed by fashion bloggers who put up an outfit the same day they take a picture. This particular is from the first week of November, back when it was warm enough to wear things like this without a coat. I miss those days (I’m not complaining about the winter we’ve had this year though, it’s been uncharacteristically warm in Chicago and I love it).

Scarf: Gift from my mom
Pink tank top: Thrifted
Short sleeve sweater: From our last trip to Poland
Skinny jeans: Not Your Daughter’s Jeans
Boots: Born Bitsy

Sometimes I do a little dance called “No-I’m-not-giving-you-this-remote-little-baby”.

This shirt is impossible to wear with black. If I try to do so, it looks like I’m celebrating Halloween. In February. With this animal print skirt from my mom, a belt, the pearls my gifted me on my wedding day, and these fabulous coral heels I purchased for my best friend’s wedding day, this outfit feels nothing like the Day of the Dead. It makes me think of Spring and lightness and happiness.

Shirt: Ann Taylor, thrifted
Belt: thrifted
Skirt: Ann Taylor, borrowed from my mom
Shoes: Purchased several years ago from Endless
Pearls: Wedding day gifts from my parents

By the way, I’ve mentioned the Gibson Tuck a few times now as a new go-to hairstyle for me. You can see how it looks from the back in the photo on the right.

I’ve loved this fashion series, and I can now understand why so many women put up pictures of their outfits online. I like the suggestions you provide, and I looooove when people say they like a clothing item I have. I don’t have a lot of confidence when it comes to fashion, but I feel like this series has helped me to take risks and explore interesting combinations. The best change has been my move away from wearing so much black. This certainly coincides with my weight loss, but I agree that I look so much better in tones that aren’t quite so harsh.

I have decided to make a change though, and move away from using the phrase Fashionably Modest to describe these posts. As you can see, this one is titled Style Files. Certainly not original, but I felt like devoting my brain power to other areas instead of coming up with a unique title.

I made this switch because I’ve recently become disillusioned with the way modesty is interpreted in the LDS Church, the way this interpretation generates shame, and how it is often used as an excuse for judging someone else’s choices. And being modest isn’t just about clothes, it’s about homes and cars and lifestyles too. I don’t know what the exact definition of a modest lifestyle is, I guess it would be different for each person, but it’s something I’d like to work toward and I think using it as a title for a series on what clothing I wear reinforces the idea that it’s about nothing more than not wearing a low-cut top or a skirt above the knees. It’s something I’m still working through.

I’m not changing the way I dress, just the way I interpret and use the term modest.

Shirt: Ann Taylor, thrifted
Jacket: thrifted
Jeans: Not Your Daughters
Shoes: Born

I have a thing for vests lately. I want to buy more of them.

I’m also going to stop attaching prices to the description of my items. I’m tired of keeping track of what things cost and looking them up for my posts, so from now on you’ll just see where I found the item, and possibly the brand.

Oh, and I’ve taken a few pictures of T1 in a few of my favorite outfits he has. I think those “mini style files” posts will be really cute.

I could wear a version of this outfit every single time I go out and be very happy. I think it’s the boots. They are hands down one of the best clothing-item-purchase decisions I’ve ever made.

Undershirt: Downeast, $10
Jacket: Nordstrom, $80
Jeans: Not Your Daughters, $65
Shoes: Born, $175

Total: $330

And my jeans are a really dark wash, not black, like they look here.