It’s not often that I leave my comfort zone to traipse around in my discomfort zone. But, today I did:
Yes, people, that is a sweater dress. With bold horizontal stripes. Just writing the words makes me think, no, never, I couldn’t possibly. And yet, I did. And how I did it was to add pieces that are well within my comfort zone:
Although I think it’s good to sometimes take risks in my personal style, I don’t like to take too many because I don’t like to be uncomfortable in my clothes. I don’t like them to pinch or bind, but I also don’t like to be mentally uncomfortable. I don’t want to have to worry about what angle someone is viewing me from or whether the cake I ate yesterday is going to start pregnancy rumors.
So, yes, this dress (Old Navy) is a bit more body-conscious than I’d usually go for, but I made sure I bought an XL so it’s not super tight. I added the blazer (Gap) and my security blanket burnt orange scarf (Nordstrom) to disguise the cake baby. And I wore faux-lace up boots (Kenneth Cole Reaction) because I’m tall and maxi dresses are a little less maxi on me so used the opportunity to show the boots. And security blanket aside, I do feel quite visibile in this dress, so I've linked up to Visible Monday over at Not Dead Yet Style.
But, enough about me. What about you, Dear Readers? Do you have any tricks for trips to the discomfort zone?
Happy Monday, All!
Gracey
You look great! Horizontal stripes make me cringe too! The blazer and scarf are perfect and finish the outfit nicely.
ReplyDeleteyou look fabulous in this dress! I've been wanting one too but also would feel a bit self conscious. Would follow suit and wear a blazer and scarf like you did--so chic!
ReplyDeleteGracey this outfit is gorgeous on you. So well put together with your scarf aka security blanket. Thank you for dropping in lately, it is so nice to hear from you darling. I hear ya about uncomfortable clothing...I need to move and be able to bend. Love your boots too. Dawn Suitcase Vignettes xo
ReplyDeleteSo cute stripped dress dear!!! :)
ReplyDeleteIf you like my blog and you feel like drinking a sip of ABSOstyle, we could followed each other by GFC or wherever you prefer… :)
KISSES!
Estefanía J. ABSOstyle
You look fab, and the jacket obviously pulls everything together, but even without it the dress looks great on you. I love wearing horizontal stripes, which is not something I ever thought I'd hear myself saying ever in my life. Comfort zones are obviously very fluid.
ReplyDeleteI very nearly bought this same dress on Friday, but I had the same reservations as you did, so I passed it up. Plus, I couldn't figure out how I would style it if I did purchase it. I think it looks great with the blazer and scarf!
ReplyDeleteSometimes it pays to step out of your comfort zone, like today. You are rocking that dress, with or without blazer and scarf!
ReplyDeleteI agree with all the above, Gracey, you look fabulous in these stripes (I love the term cake-baby, however and I am going to steal it : >) Thanks so much for linking up to Visible Monday!
ReplyDeleteBoy, do I hear you, Gracey! I actually have outfit pictures from last week that I have so far elected not to put up on the blog because, although Mike did a wonderful job with the photographing, I look...dismayingly bulgy. Pregnancy-rumor-type bulgy. I've been having a mental argument with myself all this week that looking bulgy really isn't the end of the world, that I've been working so hard on my mental shorthand for attractiveness, and that nobody is going to care, but then I look at the pictures and cringe and put them away again. So, boy, do I hear you. I don't think you've got anything to worry about here, though; this is so great! I love the color pairings, and I like it both with and without the blazer. So cool!
ReplyDeleteI like the dress with the blazer. Cute! Pregnancy rumors after eating cake....lol. I love that and every women can relate to that sentiment.
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing look! No babies that I can see--only the gorgeous scarf and the adventurous spirit.
ReplyDeleteHi Gracey! I'm glad you've ventured out of your comfort zone cuz you look amazing in that sweater dress! Kudos to you!!
ReplyDeleteThat dress looks so fantastic! Keep taking risks like that :) I bet you'll get a lot of wear out of it.
ReplyDeleteI love the dress! I think it will be cute belted in the summer months! And I have the same problem with maxi dresses! Which is why I stick to low slung maxi skirts usually. lemme know if you find any abnormally long maxi dresses, I'll do the same!
ReplyDelete-Nico
www.SatinAndSalt.com
GORGEOUS! So very pretty. You should enter the discomfort zone more often! But I think I'll curse you, because now I want one of those dresses too!
ReplyDeleteOh my word you look DARLING! You should feel discomfort more often for our benefit ;) You have given me dress envy, dear...and I'd love to see you style it some more ways too. My tip for the discomfort zone is to wear something that I absolutely love with the item that makes me uncomfortable...that way it kinda makes me feel better :)
ReplyDelete<3 Cambria
jupefashion.blogspot.com
Oh man. That sweater maxi dress is too cute. I had no idea where the out of your comfort zone was going to be when I started reading this post, cause this totally looks Gracey-like to me! Especially the orange/blue combo.
ReplyDeleteI have the same dress!! I wore it with an army vest and boots. You look fanfreakntastic in this dress. Love how you styled it. I'm going to totally steal your styling for the next time I wear mine.
ReplyDeletexo,
Tracy
I would be scared to death to try and wear this but you did great! I love that dress and have seen it before and been like "I can't wear it!" but I bet I could now that I see it on!
ReplyDeleteThat's surely a lovely dress.A tip? Just wear it ,step out and watch how the earth keeps on turning.Most of the people don't even notice.
ReplyDeleteGreat example of how getting out of our comfort zones leads to some of our best looks ever :) Lovely, flattering, really pulled together!
ReplyDelete