What I Learned From Taking Daily Outfit Pictures
the beauty of a ritual
I’m almost two months into taking daily pictures. Well, taking pictures most days. I still forget sometimes. Overall though, it’s been a rewarding routine. Part of me gets to relish in the outfit I’ve put together and the other part of me is proud of the daily ritual I’ve built. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way.
Not Everyday Is A Win
There are going to be days that you just hate everything you put on. There are external factors that affect how we perceive ourselves that are out of our control. These days just aren’t going to be ours. It doesn’t matter what you pull from your closet, you may even find yourself disliking an outfit combination you’ve previously loved and worn proudly. I remind myself that not everyday has to be a good outfit day. Simply trying is the most important part.
It’s More Than The Outfit
Accessories and hair have a huge impact on how much you like your outfit.
It wasn’t until last year that I realized the impact my accessories and hair style have on how much I enjoy an outfit. I had seen a video of someone having the same outfit base, but changing their hair style, jewelry and sometimes even just adding a coat to give the illusion of different outfits. Since then, I’ve spent some time figuring out ways to air dry my hair to my liking and practicing at home blow outs. At the same time, I’ve been strategically acquiring jewelry that could elevate any outfit.
Outfit Repeating FTW
I often find myself reaching for the same pieces over and over again. I may have a little problem with obsessing over my latest purchases and wearing them into oblivion. This practice of reaching for the same basics and layering a rotation of my favorite sweaters (at least during winter!) and accessories made me realize I don’t need as much clothing as I previously thought I did. For me, this really drove home the importance of having pieces in your closet that are buildable. It also reminded me of the 333 method — where 3 tops, 3 bottoms, 3 shoes and a few accessories when paired correctly can often result in 15+ outfit combinations.
What Are You Waiting For?
Wearing your clothes on a “regular day” is just as good as a special occasion. I’ve been pushing myself to wear that special top or pull out a bag I haven’t reached for in a while that I may have otherwise deemed too fancy. I often think that we wait for the perfect moment to come along in order for us to enjoy something. Guess what — right now is a special moment! So put on that item you’ve been saving and wear it to do whatever you want. I recently pulled out my structured Lady Jacket to grab burgers at a food truck and I loved every minute of it.
Wishlists Are Forever
Getting dressed and pairing different outfit options together will typically highlight things that are missing or you’d like to add to your closet. I doubt there will ever be a day when I don’t have something I’m interested in buying. Part of the joy of crafting and evolving your style is thinking of new configurations to try. Sometimes that includes buying a new item or replacing an existing one. So, wish lists are here to stay – regardless of how good you are at outfit repeating. There will always be something you look forward to adding to your closet.
Below are a few things on my wishlist! Some are general and some are items I’ve been eyeing for months. To find out about how I manage my wish lists and why I think they are good for you, you can read more about that here. If you have a wishlist, and are curious about ways to prioritize it, look no further and read about my prioritization strategies here.
If you’ve been taking pictures or videos of your outfits, I’m curious to hear about your experience. I’d also love to hear what you’d like to read about next!
xx Ofelia
Totally agree with just needing to try and being willing to not have the perfect outfit every day, some days are just a win because we got dressed. Are you just saving pictures in an album on your phone or are you using an app? I’ve been doing a similar journey to document my daily outfits and catalogue my closet with this app called whering. It’s been a game changer for me and gives you really interesting stats on cost per wear, most vs. least worn, etc.