A Change of Uniform

I've written about my style before on the blog, discussing everything from the wearing of "uniforms" to box-shaking wardrobe changes. And while I almost put the word style in that last sentence in quotation marks, one of the things that I have learned over the last year is that my style might be different than yours, but that doesn't make it illegitimate. I might wear my Mary-Jane Crocs because they're comfortable, while you might read the word "Crocs" and think this...

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But that's really what style is, isn't it? Finding something that works for you, which allows you to perform your daily activities in comfort, and let's you express yourself in a (hopefully) tasteful and modest way.

Late last summer, I discovered the beauty of wearing skirts and loved the instant de-frump-i-fa-cation (fun made-up word, eh?) that I experienced. It's a normal occurrence these days to find me puttering around the house one or two days a week in something like this or this...

    

After purging most of my Capri collection (they didn't do much for my 5'2" frame), I view these knee-length skirts as the perfect compromise between shorts and pants. Apparently I'm not the only one who thinks that way, because as I was browsing around What Not To Wear to add a link to this post, I came upon item #6 from the "10 Must-Have Wardrobe Basics" list: Skirts. While Stacy and Clinton's rules aren't law, it is nice to feel backed up in my new casual wear decisions.

One aspect of turning 30 that has taken me by surprise is the feeling of being completely comfortable in my own skin. To be honest, I've always been comfortable with being different from the crowd, following my own path, and not caring what others thought. However, it's like my 20's were the practice run, and my 30's are going to be fun. I finally found a hairstyle that I adore, which makes it so much easier to get ready each day. Because of my new-found desire to live simply, I've purged my closet to the point that it only holds items that I wear and love. I've chosen to focus on a few key pieces and have learned how to shop in such a way that I've filled in the gaps to complete a wardrobe that is uniquely me.

What I've Learned...

Lesson #1: Throwing on a skirt gives me an instant feeling of confidence. I walk a little taller, stand a little straighter, and feel a bit surer of myself in a skirt. Perhaps it's tapping my inner Audrey Hepburn, or maybe I like the distinctly feminine feeling that wearing a skirt gives me - either way, I like it. 

Lesson #2: Don't save your "good" jewelry for those "special occasions" - use and enjoy! There's just something about wearing a string of pearls while running everyday errands or loading the dishwasher that makes me happy. I finger them as I work at the computer and am reminded of the man who gave them to me. I feel them hanging from my neck as I lean over to throw wet laundry into the dryer and it makes me smile.

I remember my grandma wearing the most beautiful 3-diamond ring that my grandfather bought for her while he was away on a business trip. I've been told that he had no intention of buying a ring, but when he saw it in the store window, he knew it belonged to my grandmother. She wore it every day. After Grandma died, my mom had the diamonds made into three necklaces, which she gave to my sisters and me. Sure, it could get lost or stolen, but isn't that all the more reason to enjoy it now? 

Lesson #3: Getting dressed all the way makes me more productive. I've found that when I like the way I look, I get more accomplished and I'm more prone to view my work-from-home job with Weaving Influence as a real job. In other words, there might be something to the idea of being "Dressed for Success". When I'm schlepping around the house in a pair of shorts, an old t-shirt, and my Wicked Good house-shoes, I don't get as much done as I do on the days when I'm fully dressed (hair done, teeth brushed) before Peter leaves for work at 6.  

Added Bonus: Every time I select a skirt over shorts, Peter makes a comment like, "Well, don't you look cute!" I've yet to figure out why they solicit such remarks and my simple khaki shorts do not (maybe I should ask), but I'll take them! I think most women would like more genuine compliments, right? 

How has YOUR uniform changed over the years? 

Do you prefer shorts, skirts, pants, or Capris?