Hi, friends! Are you excited to have a look at what I wore on Day 3 of the Spring 10×10 Challenge?! This look pairs crisp white denim with worn-in chambray for the dreamiest color palette. Read on to find out all my thoughts on the look!
I have always LOVED how a chambray button-up looks on other people. But besides this one time, I haven’t actually felt comfortable wearing the look myself. Something about how the lower portion of the button-up crinkles and bunches around my stomach (…you know, that area of the shirt that bends when you sit and seems to have an eternal crease in it once you’ve sat down just one time). At any rate, I just never thought it was a style for me and opted instead to just layer my chambray button-ups under/over other pieces (like here, here, and here).
But because I know just how versatile chambray button-ups can be, I decided that including it in my 10×10 picks was a smart, practical choice. I knew I would be forced (happily) to style it in new ways that I wasn’t yet comfortable with and I was ready for the challenge! And let me tell you–oh am I glad I forced myself out of my comfort zone for this one because I absolutely love how it turned out!
And guess what else? The way I ended up styling it here with a high-waisted skirt, there is no bunching or creasing at the problem area! None whatsoever! So not only did I ended up wearing this button-up in a new-to-me way outside of my comfort zone, I also found a way that solves the problem that was keeping me from wearing it more. That’s a win-win in my book! It’s only day 3 and I’m already learning so much about my personal style from this remix challenge–what works and what doesn’t–and how to think creatively about re-working pieces in new ways. I love it!
Another reason I think this outfit works? The color combination. The creaminess of the white denim skirt paired with the soft chambray of the button-up just works! It’s almost like an inverted version of the classic jeans and white tee look. Same colors, just different implementation. And I’m a fan!
On today’s agenda was another long day like Monday–2 classes, one at 8:30am and the other at 6:30pm. But no research meeting, so I could go a little more casual at the office. The weather was slated to be a little more on the chilly side today too (somewhere in the low 50’s), so pairing the thicker fabric of the chambray button-up was a nice layer of warmth that wasn’t too hot but also didn’t require another sweater on top.
You know, to be completely honest…I was actually a little worried about how my 10×10 picks would be able to handle the ups-and-downs of springtime weather in Colorado (especially since I picked these pieces out when it was much warmer and sunnier a couple weeks back). But so far I’ve been completely content with every piece I’ve worn. And even today, when I thought it might be a little cold to wear a skirt, I was happily surprised to find that this ended up being the perfect balance of cool and warm.
A couple quick styling tips on this look. Firstly, I rolled up the sleeves of the chambray button-up and unbutton the top few buttons to give it a more relaxed and casual feel. I actually use this little trick every time I wear a button-up because it feels too stuffy and serious otherwise. It’s one of those things that I think looks completely fine on other people, but doesn’t feel like my style, you know what I mean? So just adding in a little casual styling can completely change the feel of the piece for me.
Another little change-up I made was twisting my bracelet to the back side of my wrist. It actually happened by accident–you know how bracelets can twist and turn all over the place throughout the day! I went to turn the bracelet around, but ended up noticing that I loved how it looked turned around the other direction. It’s a new way to wear an old classic and I love it! It gives just a peek of gold on either side of your wrist and I’m obsessed. Who would’ve thought something so small could be so fun!?
And one more styling note to add. Because I’m wearing 10 pieces for 10 days, making each piece feel fresh and clean (without having to wash everything each night) has been at the forefront of my mind. So far I haven’t reworn any items, so I can’t speak to this like an expert quite yet. But I can tell you I have been adding base layers when possible and hanging everything up at the end of the day to air out until I wear it again. For instance, in this look, I layered on a silky cami underneath my button-up to keep it fresh for the next wear (which I’m thinking will be as an over layer, rather than styled on its own). Layering a cami underneath also keeps me from being too paranoid about the buttons opening up unexpectedly and showing too much, if you know what I mean. The silky material also allows the button-up to move freely over-top, instead of causing too much friction and making the outfit feel cramped and constricting.
I also have a great steamer that I will use on each piece before I re-wear it. Steamers are a great way to freshen up and sanitize clothing before it needs another wash and I use it religiously to get wrinkles out of clothes fresh out of the wash (I don’t even own an iron!). As for tees and other pieces that need it, I will wash those before rewearing! (Don’t worry! 😉 )
And that is my Day 3 look of the Spring 10×10 Challenge. What do you think so far?! Interested in joining in on the fun with me?
What about you? Have you ever tried styling a piece differently and found a new favorite out of the experience?
You might also like…Summer Denim on Denim and Light Wash Denim in the Spring.
Photos by Allen Ream
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Get the Look…
Top: J. Crew | Skirt: J. Crew | Cami: J. Crew Factory (similar) | Shoes: Lucky | Bracelet: J. Crew Factory (similar, love this one too!)
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