Monday Musings on Putting Yourself Out There
My Monday posts are generally when I chat about what’s on my mind and often include thoughts on my personal style. For example, I wore the outfit below for an outdoor party we attended on Saturday, and I loved how I felt in it.
The skirt swishes when I walk and has a feminine vibe that’s appealing to me these days. I’m determined to work at incorporating more skirts into my wardrobe. I’m not sure why I’ve steered away from them in recent years, but they really are perfect for warm days.
Here’s what I wore on Sunday for some errands, then a very casual Father’s Day dinner at my son’s house. Same Jack Rogers sandals again…because they’re sort of perfect with so many things this time of year.
I want to discuss a few comments and emails I got last week. I’m hoping to clear up some confusion people have about what I’m doing here on A Well Styled Life.
One reader commented that the proportions of this outfit in last week’s dressing room diary were unflattering on me. I explained that my dressing room diary try-ons are not about me and I’m not shopping for myself. Their only goal is to share what’s new in the store and show some ways to combine things. These are not clothes I’m adding to my wardrobe. I do occasionally find something I can’t live without, but that’s not my main goal. The shapes are often awful for my figure, and the colors are frequently not flattering.
Many bloggers order massive amounts of clothes to their homes to do their try-ons. They steam the clothes, photograph them, then pack them all up and mail them back to the store. It gives them the opportunity to style items with their own shoes and accessories, creating very nice-looking outfits. They have my complete respect because it entails a massive amount of work, and frankly, I don’t have the energy for that, so I’ve chosen to do mine in the store.
Another reader left a comment saying that my content and the clothes I shared made her feel old and unseen. This really surprised me because I try to style and share the brands my readers know, love, and shop. She suggested that I should write my blog as a personal style journey the way other bloggers do. That’s never been my goal for AWSL. This blog is meant to be a resource for women with all different styles.
It might get pretty one-dimensional around here if all I share is my style. I like to think my personal style is just a tiny part of this blog. I don’t pretend that all the clothes I style are my personal taste. I share them with you to inspire you to think outside the box and find what makes you feel most confident.
My personal style will only appeal to a small portion of my readers. This community is diverse and filled with many stylish women who are looking for new ways to wear their things. It also includes lots of readers who are feeling a bit lost and hoping to get inspired to try the new styles. AWSL readers are either retired, actively working, traveling extensively, or staying close to home as a full-time caregiver for a loved one. Your well styled life will be as unique as you are and there’s room here for every woman.
Thanks for reading and making this community as rich as it is.
Good morning, Jennifer.
I am glad you shared some of the comments you’ve received from readers. Some of them surprised me, but here are my thoughts. I subscribe to a few different blogs, many of which I have read and ditched after a short time, replacing them with others. I don’t know if I’m searching for a personal style as just trying to present my best self. Your blog, though, is one I have been with for more years than I can remember for several reasons. A big reason is one that you mention above–that you show a variety of clothing items that are frankly at a price point that is within my budget. I live in an area that is increasingly underserved by many of the retailers you feature, although that wasn’t always the case so I am familiar with them and miss them. I order a lot (instead of in-store shopping), and am grateful for the information you supply regarding size, and how something fits you personally. But, we are not identically proportioned, and some things you show us I would have walked by in a store if I had the chance or flipped by in a catalog. I think your final paragraph is exactly on point.
The other thing I really like here is the community of women. The helpfulness in the comments on topics like blepharitis and such, or book suggestions is just wonderful. A Well Styled Life is where I start my day.
Thanks Mary. I love the helpful comments too. We’re all in this together and it’s great to have the help and suggestions from wise women.
I have always felt that the wide leg pant did not flatter anyone. That is my personal opinion and it is not meant to criticize anyones choice of style. The skinny jeans or slim leg pants are out of style right now and that is my choice of pants style. I cannot stand pants that flap around my legs and that is just me. Everyone has a style that they think looks on them. If you like and it looks good to you , wear it. I do like that you do the dressing room try on session, It gives an idea on how things look on a real person
Please don’t change your blog.!
I enjoy reading several different fashion blogs and I think it’s wonderful that you make the time to go to the stores to try on for us.
I have learned alot from you Dian
I like what you do here and feel you help me figuring out what I DON’T want to buy just as much as what I do want. Your shoe features have helped me tremendously and I’ve I found your recommendations to be spot on. I follow several fashion bloggers across several ages and price points. One of my favorite only features items completely out of my budget, but I like her classic style and can easily find duplicates for most things. Another blogger only does solids and neutrals and wants us older women to toss ALL of our prints. Everything looks great – especially in videos and photos, but it gets a bit boring. You keep doing you. There are plenty of us that appreciate your input.
I seldom wear prints and I do love neutrals but recognize that’s not every woman’s cup of tea. I hope to serve more ladies by styling more than just what I like! Glad it’s helpful.
Thank you for your AWSL and all the effort that goes in to it.
Jennifer, your fashion presentations do not make me feel old and unseen! You have excellent taste, and present a variety of styles for different body types. Please keep doing what you do so well, for women that appreciate looking stylish!
Hello Jennifer, Keep doing what you’ve been doing. I love reading your blog and I think it is very helpful. There will always be naysayers, ignore them, they just don’t get it. Take care, feel better soon and have a great day!!
I’m improving each day. Thanks Violet.
Don’t change a thing! You are such a real, refreshing, accessible blogger! Of course my style isn’t the exact same as yours or others here – wouldn’t that be boring? Yet I love to see your ideas and your finds, many of which I have incorporated into my wardrobe and life. I so appreciate your work, and well, you! People will always criticize. Perhaps the most important thing we learn at this stage of the game is to be true to ourselves!
Love the outfit. I’m a sucker for navy and white. Glad you are feeling better!
I look forward to your blog and your perspectives. I can’t imagine the time and effort it takes to pull it off. I always appreciate the authenticity and enjoy living vicariously through your activities. Thank you.
You always look wonderful and I’m surprised to see the people were actually critical. I often get good ideas from you about how to style what I already have. Keep doing what you are doing!
Well said. I enjoy your blog and respect your intent.
Jennifer,
What you do and that you show us how an outfit looks (whether good or not so good) is what I love about your site. It helps me to decide if a particular item would look appropriate on me or if I need to try something else. Thanks for your your try-ons and musings. I look forward to reading them. Hope you have a great week!
Ginger
Thank you for all the work and time you put in to the blog. I enjoy reading and learning so much. I work at a pretty casual rural school in Mississippi but do enjoy trying to stay stylish and current each day.
We appreciate all that you do with the varied topics on your blog and the consistency and work that goes into a blog. As you know there will always, always, always be those who cannot (for whatever reason~ stress in their own lives perhaps)look at content at face value and either accept or move on to something else. You’re not here to hold us by the hand and direct our focus straight ahead. I see you as a long distance acquaintance showing up to offer various perspectives as we journey together. Please, you keep doing YOU, we’ll still be here listening and watching🫶🏼
Yes! That part always confuses me. If it’s not content that speaks to you, then move on! The rest of us truly appreciate your blog and the effort that goes into it!
Don’t change a thing…I love that you try on all those clothes! Saves me lots of time! I can see what is current at various retailers and decide if I want to visit or place an online order. AWSL is a great asset for me. Keep up the good work!!!
Jennifer, I appreciate very much what you do and give us your readers! You do a LOT of work finding and writing about different store, outfits , makeup, other products that MAY enhance our lives! I can’t imagine doing what you do!
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading and buying many products you introduce us to! Also, I realize all the clothes you try on are not for everyone but you let us see what is out there without us going to all these stores or ordering a bunch of clothes and having to send them back. I live on an island and I truly appreciate your suggestions. I bought a striped shirt from chicos that you featured in the winter and just knew it would make my narrow shoulders look more in proportion. Every time I wear it I get compliments! Even from very young women! Thank you so much for what you do! You are appreciated!
Beautifully stated. Thank you.
Jennifer, thanks for the great post! AWSL is such a supportive spot because it encourages us to think about how our clothing makes us feel AND it recognizes that we are all on unique journeys! Keep styling! Laurie
Keep doing what you are doing, Jennifer! I have been reading your blog for several years (5+)and I especially like DRD. Since we live far from a major city, I appreciate seeing what stores are selling and what the trends are.
Well , me I really like the variety you have on here ! Often because you are US based and I live in the UK the styles available are different but there is a lot of crossover , more than in my mother’s time .
Hi Jennifer! Im actually shocked ( a tiny bit) that readers actually critique your blog along those lines ( with that line of reasoning). You’ve always been quite clear that the fashions you present in the dressing room diaries are for us ( all of us) not for yourself.
Regardless, I just love your blog! Have a good week!