Feeling good and dressing better
Today, I'm so excited to introduce you to Nicole's labor of love: the Feel Good, Dress Better workbook! Nicole formerly blogged at Writes Like A Girl, and if you're into body positivity, playfully classic style, and general good vibes, then you should be following her—find her on Twitter and Instagram.
The Feel Good, Dress Better workbook includes everything you could need to overhaul your wardrobe. In Nicole's words:
Feel Good, Dress Better is a comprehensive guide to transforming your closet to better reflect your personal style. This workbook introduces the idea of intuition-based dressing using a body positive and lifestyle-oriented approach to building your closet and creating outfits you love.
Sounds amazing, right?
What the workbook includes: A closet clean-out, education on the different kinds of pieces that make up your closet, a guide to identifying your personal style, space to determine the holes in your closet, a helpful shopping journal, and outfit challenges to help you get dressed in a new way.
I'm especially excited for the outfit challenges! I feel like my wardrobe/personal style is pretty solid, but it's fun to mix things up every once in a while with limitations (why I do remix challenges like the 10x10 and style sudoku). Challenges allow you to really dive into your personal style and potentially come up with new outfits you never knew worked.
Another aspect of the workbook I appreciate is the fact that Nicole included sections on describing what's already in your closet in the chapter about identifying your personal style. These sections include determining which items are staples vs. statements, colors and patterns you're drawn to, and the items you love and why you love them. These types of questions are things I always think I already know until I actually dive in and really think about it.
Let's consider this outfit. I would say that every piece in it is a staple: stripes (pretty much a basic in my wardrobe), skinny jeans (same), cognac sandals and matching bag, and a classic trench coat. I did have to think hard about the tee, though. The fact that it has stripes doesn't make it a statement piece, but I do not own a lot of pieces that are this bright red, so I would consider the color to be a statement. Since I got it last month, I've wore it four times, so I'd say it's on track to be an excellent staple. ;) My only hope is to come up with other outfit combinations that don't involve blue denim!
Head on over to Feel Good, Dress Better to get all the details on the workbook and pick up a copy yourself! :) Nicole really poured her heart and soul into this and it shows! She also offers personal styling services with curated shopping lists if you’re in a style rut or transition and want some guidance.
P.S. These are the same jeans I last wore in this outfit with a slight modification; I took advantage of Madewell's free hemming service, finally! I wish they were slightly more tapered at the ankle, but that's being picky. I'm already wearing these jeans more since I don't need to cuff them anymore!
This post was edited in June 2020 to link to Nicole’s new website.
OUTFIT DETAILS
Ellen Tracy coat / old; similar or similar
COS tee / exact
Madewell jeans / old; similar
Madewell sandals / old; similar
Shaya necklace / exact
Coach bag / vintage; exact style on eBay
Moorea Seal sunglasses / old; similar by American Eagle Outfitters
Dior Addict Lip Glow in pink / exact