reviewing my Pinterest board: keepers

      I was a dedicated Pinterest user for a while, and then life took over. So it was interesting to take a look through my style/fashion Pinterest board. I was surprised to find that a lot of my pins did not appeal to me anymore. Many of them elicited the thought, "Cute ... but not me." I pulled the keepers, then grouped them, rated them based on how much my outfits actually reflect these aesthetics, and analyzed their appeal and key elements. I also looked through my archives to find any outfits that reflected the three groups. (If I was able to do so, I linked the Pinterest images to their source.)

Boy-ish

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

Rating: Aspirational.
The appeal: To me, fashion with a masculine edge is fun because it's a balancing act. 2 and 3 still make me sigh at the sheer COOLNESS of these looks. These looks really resonate with me, but I can't picture myself wearing them at all. I'd like to try oxfords, but then I think about how wearing a covered shoe with a slimmer-cut pant makes me think my feet look big. I adore the untucked slouch of 3, but I can't help but think that it would be a flop on my 5-foot-tall, short-waisted self.
Elements: slim-cut pants and a blazer or cardigan, a strong necklace to play up the feminine aspect. A masculine-inspired shoe can be a great finishing touch, but isn't necessary.

                                                                             1 / 2

Straight-on color

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Rating: Achieved. I have so many examples, I had to pick and choose.
The appeal: color and prints are FUN. And as an introvert, sometimes it's great to let a bold pattern or color combination show that my usually reserved exterior isn't the whole story. I wish that computers came with buttons that would transport an entire outfit from the Internet to my closet ... because I would happily wear 3 to work.
Elements: straight-cut skirts or dresses, a waist-defining belt, casual elements (sneakers, chambray, a bright bead necklace, an oversized tote).

Top row: 1 2 3

Bottom row: 4 5 6

Flutter + Sparkle

Clockwise from left: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

 Rating: Aspirational.
The appeal: bring on the floofy skirts, sequins, artsy splatter prints, and chic pattern mixes! These looks all have an elegant, modern vibe.
 Elements: standout details like studs and sequins or an artfully constructed waistband, bold silhouettes, black and white prints, and jewel-tone hues.

1 / 2 / 3

Takeaways

   I'd like to:

• diversify my shoe collection. I have sensitive feet, and the wrong shoe (basically, any non-comfort brand) will leave me hobbling and with cuts/blisters. I have no tolerance for shoes that pinch or make my feet cramp. It's always a challenge to buy a quality shoe that doesn't look too old-ladyish, and thus I only have a few pairs for work. I'd like to work on styling a chic pair of sneakers with something other than jeans, find a "real" pair of shoes for interviews and special occasions, and maybe try out an oxford. I like the patent leather accent on these, and Clarks are usually a reliable brand for me. And look how cute the oxblood version is on this blogger! I ordered these shoes and am now patiently waiting for them to arrive in the mail.
• keep my hair on the short side. Looking back through my archives, I couldn't believe how heavy and overwhelming longer hair looks on me. A shorter cut is easy to care for and looks more polished. 
• buy clothing and accessories that I know I'll wear, but also honor the spirit of fun and whimsy. Details can make all the difference, and be uplifting. While I know what silhouettes I prefer and feel the most comfortable in, I'd like to step out of my comfort zone from time to time. 
• diversify my collection of bottoms. I've fallen out of the habit of wearing skirts to work, mostly because I start every school day sitting on the floor with my students. In hot weather, I tend to reach for dresses instead. I'll have to think about whether I want to retrain myself to wear skirts to work once in a while, or go with the flow and add some different kinds of pants to my collection. Shopping for pants is always a tedious endeavor, but sometimes it MUST be done ...
• review my Pinterest board for outfit inspiration. Maybe once a month I should choose a pin and create a related outfit. I own lots of clothes, and this would help me be creative with what I already own.

How do you use Pinterest in your style journey?