Week 10 of the 75 Hard Style Challenge has me feeling a little bit like I’m living in “groundhog day”—cycling through outfits, working my way through t-shirts, and noticing which pieces I actually love and which are ready for the donate bin.
With the Florida trip just around the corner, I’ve been prepping, thrifting, and trying to make sure everyone in the family has what they need (including new suitcases for the kids!). The weather has been all over the place, from warm and rainy to a sudden cold snap, and daylight savings time definitely threw me for a loop.
As the challenge nears its end, I’m starting to feel the effects of daily outfit planning and the reality of style fatigue. Some days, getting dressed feels like a creative win; other days, it’s just about getting something on and moving forward. But even on the “blah” days, I’m learning a lot about what works for me, what doesn’t, and how a simple change—like a new belt or a pop of color—can make all the difference.
Here’s how week 10 unfolded!
Weekly Reflections
This week really brought home the reality of style fatigue—when getting dressed every single day starts to feel more like a chore than a creative outlet. I found myself defaulting to jeans and t-shirts, and even though I tried to mix things up with new belts or a different sweater, some outfits just didn’t feel right. It’s been helpful to use this time to work through my t-shirt collection and be honest about which ones I actually like and which are just taking up space.
The weather swings and daylight savings time didn’t help, either. Some days I was too warm, others I was reaching for jackets and boots again. I realized how much my mood and motivation are tied to both the weather and how I feel in my clothes. Still, there were bright spots—like a fun lunch date with my husband, thrifting adventures with my girls, and the satisfaction of finally finding belts that fit and make my outfits look more polished.
As I get closer to the end of the challenge, I’m more aware than ever of what I want to keep, what I’m ready to let go of, and how much I’m craving a little more color and variety in my wardrobe. I’m looking forward to the Florida trip for a change of scenery and some fresh style inspiration.
Daily Outfit Diary
3/5: T-Shirt Try-On & Thrifting Prep
Started the day with an outfit that just didn’t work—so the top went straight into the donate bin. Feeling lazy, I threw on a t-shirt and realized I might need to work through my whole tee collection to see what I actually like. Ended up loving the shirt I picked for the day! Paired it with cropped Levi ribcage jeans and sneakers for a warm, rainy day. Headed out thrifting to hunt for more pieces for our upcoming Florida trip.
3/6: Errands with the Hubby & Outfit Uncertainty
Thought it would be a chill day at home, so I put on jeans and a Target tee. Plans changed and we ended up running errands and getting lunch together. Added my new thrifted belt and boots for the outing. I wasn’t a huge fan of the outfit—something felt off, but I went with it anyway. Still, I enjoyed the spontaneous time with my husband.
3/7: Thrifting with the Girls & New Suitcases
Took my girls out to the thrift store and Marshalls to get them new clothes for Florida. We found lots of shorts, skirts, and warm-weather tops. I also picked up two new suitcases since the kids’ clothes are bigger now! Wore a sweater from TJ Maxx, H&M jeans, boots, and my new belt. The sweater felt a little short, and after wearing it all day, I’m still unsure—might be another one for the donate pile.
3/8: Daylight Savings, Green Tee & Belt Love
Woke up to 40°F and the lost hour from daylight savings. Threw on my new thrifted green long sleeve tee, Levi 318 jeans, sneakers, and a jacket for a grocery pickup. My new belt has quickly become a favorite—it goes with so many outfits and adds a nice finishing touch. Spent the rest of the day at home, cozy and comfortable.
3/9: Snake Print Blouse & Jeans Combo
Opted for my new-to-me thrifted snake print blouse and jeans. I had a possible meeting later, so I wanted to look semi-put together but still casual. The jeans dressed down the blouse (or maybe the blouse dressed up the jeans?), and I loved the combo. Made a mental note to try this with my leopard print blouse soon. The meeting didn’t happen, but I felt great working from home.
3/10: Fitted Tee, Cropped Jeans & Sick Days
Kept it super simple with Levi cropped jeans, a fitted Target tee, Walmart sneakers, and my new TJ Maxx belt. Stayed home with my son, who was sick, but remembered a last-minute orthodontist appointment for my daughter, so we did get out for a bit. Hoping everyone is healthy for our Florida trip next week!
3/11: Cotton/Silk Tee, Ribcage Jeans & Groundhog Day Feels
Feeling a bit of outfit déjà vu lately—maybe it’s the daily challenge, maybe it’s just the weather. Wore a thrifted long sleeve cotton/silk tee and Levi ribcage jeans for a cooler, stormy day. I’ll be working from home while my husband is out of town, and I’m planning to take a break from shopping since we’re already over budget for the month.
What I’m Learning
This week, I’m learning that style challenges are just as much about letting go as they are about trying new things. Working through my t-shirts and sweaters has shown me that it’s okay to admit when something just isn’t working—whether it’s a top that doesn’t fit right or a sweater that feels off all day. The donate bin is my friend, and it feels good to make space for pieces I actually love.
I’m also realizing how much a small change, like a new belt or a different accessory, can make a basic outfit feel fresh. Even on days when I’m feeling uninspired or lazy, putting in a little effort (or just getting dressed at all) can shift my mood and help me feel more put together. And while outfit repetition is real at this point in the challenge, it’s also a sign that I know what I like—and that’s a win in itself.
Most of all, I’m learning to give myself grace. Not every outfit will be a favorite, and not every day will feel exciting. But every day is a chance to learn something new about my style, my habits, and what makes me feel my best.
My Current Wardrobe “Needs” List
As I keep working through my closet and prepping for warmer weather, my wardrobe needs list is getting more focused—and a little more fun. Here’s what I’m still searching for (and a few things I’ve happily crossed off):
- Long cream overcoat (calf/ankle length)
- Long black trench coat (calf length)
- Black boyfriend blazer
- White boyfriend blazer
- Brown suede jacket (with or without fringe)
- Brown leather bomber jacket
- White wool/cashmere sweater
- Black wool/cashmere sweater
- Brown/camel trouser pants
- Plaid cotton/wool midi skirt: Found a cute red/black skirt at Thrift Giant for $5, but still searching for a darker one (green/blue/black) and would love to confirm it’s true wool.
- Brown or black suede midi skirt
- Large oversized black sequin clutch
- White faux fur bag: There’s one at the Goodwill Boutique for $27, but I’m holding out for a better price or style.
- Vintage Coach bag (any color)
- Cow Print Brooklyn Style Bag
- Blue suede cowboy boots (mid-calf or higher)
- Brown suede cowboy boots (mid-calf or higher)
What I’m craving now:
- Tanks and tees with color, pattern, or personality to break up all the beige, black, and white basics.
- Better layering options that aren’t just cardigans—think lightweight jackets, cropped sweaters, or vests.
- More belts that actually fit and add a pop to my looks.
- Statement or patterned blouses (after loving my snake and leopard print blouses).
- Spring/summer pieces for Florida—tanks, tees, shorts, and skirts, especially with fun prints or colors.
I’m excited to keep hunting for these pieces and to see how my style evolves as the seasons change.
Wins, Challenges, and Surprises
Wins:
- Finally started working through my t-shirt collection and was honest about what I actually like—anything that didn’t make the cut went straight to the donate bin.
- New belts have been a total game changer, making even the simplest outfits feel more polished and pulled together.
- Enjoyed some spontaneous quality time with my husband and girls, whether it was running errands, thrifting, or prepping for our Florida trip.
- Discovered that a fun print or a new accessory (like my snake print blouse or green tee) can instantly lift my mood and make an outfit feel fresh.
Challenges:
- Style fatigue is real—coming up with new outfits every day is starting to feel repetitive, especially as the weather and my motivation swing back and forth.
- Some pieces I thought I’d love (like the short sweater) just didn’t work out, and it’s tough to let go of things that seemed like a good idea at the time.
- Sticking to the budget has been hard with all the prepping and shopping for the upcoming trip, and I’m feeling the need to take a break from thrifting for a bit.
Surprises:
- How much my mood can shift just by getting dressed, even if it’s a super simple outfit.
- The difference a well-fitting belt or a pop of color can make in how I feel about my look.
- Realizing that I’m craving more color, pattern, and personality in my wardrobe as spring approaches—and that it’s okay to let go of basics that no longer spark joy.
Looking Ahead
With the Florida trip just days away and the 75 Hard Style Challenge nearing its end, I’m feeling a mix of anticipation and relief. I’m excited for a change of scenery, warmer weather, and the chance to try out some new spring and summer pieces—especially those tanks and tees I’ve been craving. I’m also looking forward to taking a little break from shopping and just enjoying what I have, letting my style breathe and evolve naturally.
As I wrap up the challenge, I want to keep focusing on what makes me feel good: color, comfort, and a little bit of fun. I’m ready to let go of what’s not working, keep experimenting with new combinations, and celebrate the progress I’ve made—both in my closet and in my mindset. Here’s to finishing strong, enjoying the journey, and welcoming whatever comes next!
Comments (0)