The Things I Do To Make Getting Dressed Easier
+ Updates & how I'm styling some recent thrifted buys
A few updates coming soon to Elevate Everyday! I will be changing from a free for all content model to a half free, half paywalled content model starting soon. I’m so glad you’re all here and I hope you stick around to see the evolution of the content. Each month there will be paid and free content shared here, paid will have a beefy preview for those that remain in a free tier. I’m finding that I want to write and share more valuable content here and I’m excited to continue to inspire you to get the most out of your wardrobe and feel confident in your clothes.
Getting dressed used to take way more energy than it does now (ahem, sometimes still does!). Not because I didn’t have the clothes, but I lacked the tools. Often this is what I see in my sessions as well, that, or we’re too wrapped up in what always worked that no longer feels like us. Unless you enjoy it, getting dressed every day shouldn’t feel like a creative challenge. I am someone who enjoys that creative challenge; the weather, a piece I haven’t worn in a while, colors, shapes, friction….
Getting dressed should feel familiar, repeatable, low effort - but, in the best way.
Repeat Outfits:
With intention. If something feels good, I wear it again. Sometimes it’s a take one and rebuild situation - I love these jeans and how they feel with these shoes, what other tops can I rotate in with this?
Signature Manicure Color:
I’d really love to be one of those undone nails girlies, but I like what I like, and getting dressed is infinitely easier when I always have Big Apple Red on my fingers. It doesn’t have to be a red nail, but knowing your manicure is always a pop of color (and the same color) it really helps you build a wardrobe of items that can orbit that and complement it.
I play and pay attention to what I’m actually wearing:
Every couple of weeks I pull out a handful of pieces I haven’t been wearing as much and I put them on and try to build outfits around them that work with my life. This is a great way to edit, if you have a lot of clothes that you feel like aren’t serving you anymore this is a great way to explore and see if you can get them to fit with what you’ve got on regular rotation.
I Keep Things Visible and Accessible
Everyone doesn’t need a rolling rack in their closet, but my wardrobe is split between a couple of different closets in my house, so it’s nice to have a rack with some third pieces I’m enjoying at the moment at the forefront of where I get dressed every day. Also, while I do a slight seasonal change, I do keep the majority of my clothing out - I’ll wear some of my sweaters well into summer, and knits often add texture and depth to a look that can feel lacking. I do think that when you’re curating what you look at every day to get dressed, it should be the stuff you love to wear regularly.
I Don’t Buy or Keep for a Fantasy Version of My Life
This one is super important, and if you’ve recently gone through a life transition of any scale, it’s a great time to pause and evaluate. Often when I’m shopping online, I have to stop myself and really ask, “When and where am I wearing this?” Sometimes, we can have aspirational items that don’t really fit in the everyday, those definitely add personality and depth, especially when you can rotate them into what you wear all the time. But when your entire closet doesn’t match, it can feel like an identity crisis.
Let Things Be Easy
IIt’s easy to get wrapped up in feeling performative with your style and getting dressed—especially if you’re a founder, someone who’s photographed often, or speaking on stages. There’s this underlying pressure to look the part at all times. And there’s definitely a time and place for that. But I’ve found I love my outfits the most when I’m not performing. When I’m dressing for a feeling or a vibe instead of an expectation. Some days, that looks like wanting to feel structured and pulled together. Other days it’s soft, comfortable, a little undone. When I let that be enough, when I don’t try to override it with what I should wear, getting dressed becomes a lot simpler. And honestly, a lot better.
Recent Second Hand Additions & How I’m styling them:
Vintage Slip [Dress]:
I found this vintage slip at a local boutique I consign with, and it fit perfectly, and I can’t wait to wear it. I definitely think with a blazer, the most obvious and I am loving throwing a windbreaker over things styled with a sporty sandal to really
Leopard Jacket
I’ve been looking for the perfect little sharp leopard jacket, turns out this one is a little floppier than I thought it would be (poshmark find) but it’s still pretty cute. The picture doesn’t really do the coloring justice. These are screenshots from my Indyx and I need to redo the photo in there.
Hot tip: ChatGPT is actually great for this!
Lauren by Ralph Lauren Pants
I’m always looking for interesting pants that aren’t jeans to work into my rotation. I kind of have no need for chino style work pants but these were too fun to not buy and for a steal on eBay. I definitely have some playtime to do with these before I wear them out but these are two initial outfit ideas. Let me know in the comments how you might style them!?
Have a great week!
XO, Nina
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Love the track pants and denim shirt look! A signature nail color is so underrated. I have jt locked in for my toes— need to do better for my nails! Indecision paralysis js no joke!
Love all your thrifted items. We need to see that black dress on!