Another week of my 75 Hard Style Challenge is in the books, and this one brought a whole new set of lessons—thanks in part to a winter storm that kept me indoors for days. As I continue my commitment to intentional shopping and mindful styling, I’m learning that comfort and effort can go hand in hand, even when I’m not leaving the house.
This week, I leaned into cozy outfit sets, tested the limits of my loungewear, and realized that while comfort is key, I still want to feel put together—even if I’m just moving from the couch to my desk. I also took the opportunity to experiment with layering, tried out some of my favorite thrifted finds for warmth, and paid closer attention to the little details—like undergarments and shoes—that can make or break an outfit.
Weekly Reflections
This week was a reminder that style is just as much about how I feel as it is about how I look. Being stuck inside for days made me realize that while comfort is important, I still crave a sense of intention in what I wear—even if no one else sees it. Outfit sets were easy and cozy, but after a few days, I noticed they started to affect my mood and motivation. I felt frumpy and uninspired, which pushed me to get dressed in real clothes, even if I wasn’t leaving the house.
I also learned that the little things matter: the right undergarments, a favorite cardigan, or a sweater with a bit of sparkle can make a big difference in how I feel throughout the day. Testing out my new cashmere sweater and wool coat for warmth was a practical win, and trying new ways to style my coatigan brought some much-needed variety to my week.
Most of all, I’m learning that putting in a little effort for myself—regardless of the weather or my plans—helps me feel more like me. This challenge continues to teach me about balance, self-care, and the value of dressing with intention.
Daily Outfit Diary
1/22 – Sparkle at Home
I absolutely love this sweater—it’s warm, soft, and has just the right amount of sparkle to brighten up a day spent indoors. I’m seriously considering bringing it to New York because it feels special and versatile. The only thing I couldn’t quite figure out was the shoes; none of my options felt quite right, but since I wasn’t leaving the house, it didn’t matter much. I’m already planning new ways to style this sweater for future outings.
1/23 – Cozy Layers, Short Pants
Today was all about comfort as I hunkered down for the winter storm. I wore a favorite cardigan and tee, but my pants were a little too short and it bothered me all day. They’re officially going in the donate pile after this. Even though I stayed home, I realized how much little details—like pant length—can affect how I feel in an outfit.
1/24 – The Outfit Set Experiment
Knowing I wouldn’t be leaving the house, I reached for one of my soft, cozy outfit sets. It’s the easiest thing to throw on, but after a few days of wearing sets, I realized they really do look like pajamas—even when I try to dress them up with a jacket or jewelry. I’ve decided I won’t be wearing these out of the house anymore; I want to put in a little more effort, even for quick errands.
1/25 – Frumpy Feels and Pajama Realizations
Another day, another outfit set—this one with wider legs that I thought would be more flattering. Still, I just didn’t feel good in it and ended up changing back into pajamas halfway through the day. I also learned that undergarment fit and comfort are just as important as the outfit itself. This set wasn’t as warm as I wanted, either, with the bitter cold outside.
1/26 – Scuba Set and a Mood Boost
I’m feeling a little better today, still in an outfit set since it’s 9° outside and I have no plans to leave the house. This set is made of a scuba material, which isn’t super warm but I do like the color and the subtle sparkle. It’s a small mood boost after a few days of feeling frumpy.
1/27 – Ready for Change
After nearly a week indoors, I was itching for something different. I got dressed in my new cashmere sweater and wool coat to test their warmth for my upcoming NY trip. The pants I chose were super comfortable, but not warm at all—definitely something to keep in mind for winter travel. I also spent the day working on the blog and reflecting on my wardrobe choices.
1/28 – Coatigan Love and Thrifting Plans
It’s finally warming up and the sun is shining! I wore my heavy coatigan from TJ Maxx, styled in a more casual way than I usually do, and I absolutely loved it. Today I’m heading out thrifting with my two little girls (leaving my teenager at home to help stay on budget). I’m determined to be careful with my purchases and not get swept up in the thrill of a 50% off sale. This coatigan will definitely be making more appearances in my outfits.
What I’m Learning
This week has taught me that comfort and intention can (and should) coexist in my wardrobe. While it’s easy to default to outfit sets or loungewear when I’m stuck at home, I’ve realized that putting in a little extra effort—even just swapping out a set for real clothes—makes a big difference in my mood and motivation. I’m learning that the details matter: the right sweater, a favorite cardigan, or even comfortable undergarments can completely change how I feel about my day.
I’m also discovering that not every piece in my closet deserves to stay. If something doesn’t fit right or makes me feel frumpy (like those too-short pants or certain outfit sets), it’s okay to let it go. This challenge is helping me refine my style and focus on what truly works for my lifestyle, not just what looks good on a hanger or feels cozy for a moment.
Finally, I’m learning to be more mindful with my purchases—especially when the thrill of a sale or the urge to “just buy something” hits. Sticking to my budget and my wishlist is helping me build a wardrobe that feels intentional, functional, and uniquely mine.
My Current Wardrobe “Needs” List
As I continue refining my closet and paying attention to what I actually wear (and love), I’m keeping a running list of wardrobe “needs”—pieces that would truly add value and versatility to my style. This helps me stay focused while thrifting and avoid impulse buys that don’t serve a real purpose.
Right now, at the top of my list is a cashmere scarf. After testing out my new cashmere sweater and wool coat for warmth, I realized a soft, cozy scarf would be the perfect finishing touch—especially with my upcoming New York trip in mind. I’m looking for something neutral that will pair well with most of my outerwear, but I’m open to a pop of color if I find the right one.
I’ll keep updating this list as I notice new gaps or needs in my wardrobe, making sure each addition is intentional and truly useful for my lifestyle.
Wins, Challenges, and Surprises
Wins
- I stuck to getting dressed with intention every day, even when I was tempted to just stay in pajamas or outfit sets during the winter storm.
- Letting go of pieces that didn’t fit or made me feel frumpy (like too-short pants and some outfit sets) helped me refine my closet and focus on what I truly love.
- I experimented with new ways to style favorite pieces, like my sparkly sweater and coatigan, and found fresh combinations that made me feel good—even at home.
- I stayed mindful of my budget and my wish list, resisting the urge to buy just because of a sale or boredom.
Challenges
- Staying motivated to get dressed and put in effort when I wasn’t leaving the house for days was tough. The line between comfort and feeling “blah” got blurry.
- Realizing that some cozy pieces I thought I loved (like certain outfit sets) don’t actually make me feel my best, especially outside the house.
- Shoe and undergarment choices can make or break an outfit, and I’m still figuring out the best pairings for some looks.
Surprises
- How much my mood and motivation improved when I put in a little extra effort—even if it was just for myself.
- Discovering that I actually enjoy experimenting with my style at home, not just for going out.
- The satisfaction of letting go of “almost right” pieces and focusing on building a wardrobe that truly works for my lifestyle.
Looking Ahead
As I move into the next week of my 75 Hard Style Challenge, I’m feeling re-energized and ready to keep building on what I’ve learned. I want to continue refining my wardrobe by focusing on quality over quantity and making sure every new addition truly fills a gap or brings me joy. I’ll be keeping my updated wish list top of mind while thrifting, and I’m determined to avoid impulse buys—even during tempting sales.
I also want to challenge myself to style some of the pieces I haven’t worn yet, especially those that feel a little outside my comfort zone. With my New York trip coming up, I’ll be testing out more cold-weather outfits and making sure I have everything I need to stay warm and comfortable.
Most importantly, I’m reminding myself that this journey is about progress, not perfection. I’m excited to keep experimenting, learning, and sharing what works (and what doesn’t) as I continue to build a wardrobe that feels intentional, inspiring, and uniquely me.
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