I love having it as the basic beginning of my outfits. The dress continues. I’m just going to stop counting days.
What did I learn? I learned that having less clothing and less decisions to make every day equals less stress for me. I feel more “myself” and comfortable in my own skin.
I used to worry continually about having chosen the wrong outfit for wherever I was going. I thought the answer was more clothes, but it turns out, the answer was less clothes! While I did occasionally feel like I was too dressy for an occasion (due to accessories) I stopped feeling like I chose wrong every day.
I was able to let go of lots of things from my closet. I let go of mental junk too. I can’t explain it exactly, but physical clutter and mental clutter went away hand in hand.
Things I didn’t like about the dress- I did struggle with static cling some- but finally figured out that it was being caused by my non-natural fiber tights, and not the wool dress.
Purchasing merino tights and merino leggings solves my static problem.
I did wish for a more exciting color than black sometimes. I like having pockets, but these were not the most attractive pockets ever. In the beginning of the challenge, one of the reasons I did lots of layered looks was that I did not love the placement of the pockets. However, I am not bothered by how they look anymore. I’m used to how they look, and I like having them.
More good stuff: I love having a uniform that is just “ me looking like me.” I got to use a lot more of my jewelry and scarves because the main clothing decision was already made. I love reducing my laundry both for my time and for the environment. I learned how to mend a wool garment (but never had to use that knowledge on my dress.) I’m really looking forward to experiencing spring and summer in my dress. #100daydresschallenge #woolandmaggie #sustainablefashion #woolie.
Question from a friends:
How tall are you? Did you feel under dressed for church?
Answer:
I am 5’8”. I did not feel underdressed for church. The fabric has a little bit of sheen, so it doesn’t look like a cotton t-shirt. I was able to dress casual or dressy just by which shoes and other accessories I paired with my dress.
I bought the long version of the Wool& Maggie. It barely brushed the top of my knee. At some point, one of my kids threw Maggie in the dryer, and she got an inch shorter. This made her feel too short to wear without tights or leggings. Here are some of my Sunday outfits:
In the middle of an elimination diet to figure out why Apple Pie’s tummy hurts all the time.
So far it seems like gluten, dairy, and eggs could be the problems.
I wanted to make sourdough pancakes this morning, but Nina was up first, so I figured I had better make her pancakes first (Gluten-free, Egg-free, dairy-free).
But we were out of gluten-free flour. So first I had to grind brown and white rice to make the GF flour so I could make GF pancake mix so I could make GF pancakes.
And then I was tired so I thought I might stop, but there weren’t enough pancakes, so I made the sourdough pancakes too. And now my back hurts! Time for yoga and a rest.
And here is a beautiful quote from a letter Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote to his daughter:
“Finish every day and be done with it. For manners and for wise living it is a vice to remember. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it well and serenely, and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense. This day for all that is good and fair. It is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on the rotten yesterdays.”
Source: Letter to his daughter Ellen, reprinted in The Letters of Ralph Waldo Emerson
When he says “it is a vice to remember,” I think he is saying it is bad manners to remember other peoples’ mistakes and especially to bring them up in conversation. We have to allow others to be human, to repent and grow. It is also wisdom to apply that to ourselves as well. Forgive yourself and allow yourself to grow.
Corrie Ten Boom said, “Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”
Corrie Ten Boom advised us not to let tomorrow rob today of its strength. Ralph Waldo Emerson is advising us not to let yesterday rob today of joy. Both are such good advice.
Day 50: I can’t believe it’s been 50 days. What I am noticing is how emotionally comfortable I feel when I go places.
I’m happy, physically comfortable, I feel like “me,” and I feel appropriately dressed wherever I go.
It’s funny, because I used to never feel like I’d chosen the right clothes for the occasion, and I used to think the solution was more clothes. Turns out that the opposite was true.
P.S. These leggings were a gift, and I love them.
P.P.S. I bought these cicada earrings on Etsy, and aren’t they the best?!
Especially for studying the Old Testament this year, am I right??
Marvelous Pigs in Satin 