Style Archives - Clare Maxfield

Jul 24 2018

#100 days 100 outfits – days 61-80

Day 61-80 of my #100days100outfits challenge.

During these 20 days, I had some real highs and some real lows and it really forces you out of your comfort zone to expose your life this openly. I know I had a choice as to what I posted and I was very excited about the day I was dancing for my Gold Star medal in Latin ballroom dancing. That day I danced ChaCha, Rumba and one of my favourites Pasodoble.

For those people following me on instagram, they would have seen snippets of my skirt coming together. that was a great day. Sadly day 73 was spent farewelling a school friend. She was an amazing woman and we will never forget Jo (Spencer) Sharp. She was always on social media, commenting and keeping in touch with everyone. She was only pint sized, but very strong willed and always good for a laugh.

Day 75, I did what I never do and that was to stay in bed all day. I had the sorest throat and aching body and could see no value in getting up.

So what lessons did this past 20 days teach me? I truly thought I was going to run out of options yet I still surprised myself.

I’ve realised, in hindsight, that when I am not feeling well I turn to my jeans. Clearly, they are my fall back items. When my brain was foggy I could fashion jeans with a fresh top.

It was very exciting to rediscover my above the knee boots.

Finally, as I am planning my wardrobe to enjoy the final 20 days, I am now thinking about what I really want to wear. It now feels really important again as we remember what we first see and what we last see. I am even holding garments back for the last weeks.

I have to say. It has been a great exercise and i am really lovng what I am discovering about myself, my wardrobe adn what I really really, yes, really do like. It seems that the comments I am receiving, your taste is very similar to mine.

So to everyone who has been supporting me and commenting, thank-you. It has truly made this fun.

Jul 19 2018

#100 days 100 outfits – days 40-60

Days 40-60

Where has the time gone.

Today is truthfully day 80 so I am little behind my schedule in updating but that happens. here is what I have learned so far from this exercise.

It is possible
Highly recommend you shop for some new clothes before you make such a grand statement. I’m just a tad over last years clothes.
Highly recommend you do not put on any weight from the previous year. Sadly all of my leather skirts are a tad too tight this year.
Weekend photos are always better than weekdays as I’m able to get dressed in better light…and take my time.
The pieces that are still in my wardrobe, unworn, I clearly do not like as they haven’t even made the cut when I am desperate for something else.
Summer tops work really well with long sleeved t’s under them.
I can’t wait to get some new jeans.

It has been illuminating and I love how for the first time, so many of you are talking to me about what I do and giving me encouragement.

Thanks for all of your support and you really should try it. (maybe without the flat lays and photos every day) you will be amazed at what outfits are hiding in your closet.

As the last word, the other downside to this is that I cant just get dressed. There is nothing more annoying than realising that you have almost dressed and you haven’t photographed the outfit. First world problem of the social media kind

Jul 15 2018

Days 20-40 of 100 days of 100 outfits

When I started this challenge my thoughts were that I would not have enough clothes to wear.

Luckily as an Image Consultant most of my wardrobe mixes and matches. the greatest challenge has been preparing my clothes each morning, laying out my flat lay, photographing it and hoping that what I have put together will work.

I don’t have the time to put it on, check it, take it off and photograph it. One day though I changed three times as the first two outfits, which were vintage pieces of my Mum’s that I’ve had hanging in my wardrobe for years…just looked horrible. All of that space and time wasted holding onto something that I never wore and now know I never will wser. That very same week they went onto eBay and someone else loves them now.

It is interesting planning an outfit before I put anything on and committing to it. Normally, in the past when I have been getting dressed I put different pieces on and off as my mood takes me, but that is not the case with this exercise. Even down to choosing my necklaces and earrings, although, I will admit, I sometimes add those later.

I have also discovered that the pieces that I don’t really enjoy wearing are those pieces that I picked up thinking I’d try something new. Yes, they fit me and they suit me, but that does not necessarily mean I like wearing them. It has been a big eye-opener for me and something I’m always more careful of with my clients. Pushing someone into something new can work or can massively fail, especially if it doesn’t make them feel fabulous…no matter how great you and the world thinks they look.

So, have a look over days 20-40. I am really really enjoying this process. There are a couple of outfits up there that I won’t wear again. I wonder if you can pick which they are?

May 23 2018

Victoria Beckham, put your hands in your sleeves

Whilst everyone is talking about how wonderful the royal wedding was. how gorgeous everyone looks, how stunning the dress was, how wonderfully elegant Maghan’s mother was….and of course, how entertaining the preacher was. It has also been mentioned about Victoria Beckham refused to smile.

I would too if I was her. Did no one notice that her hands were not in her sleeves. That her sleeves dangled beside her body looking for a purpose. I would not have been too concerned were it not for the fact that those sleeves have cuffs! Cuffs! Cuffs go around wrists. Every time I look at that jacket I have to wonder. If she knew she was going to wear it with her hands out of sleeves, which I admit I have done with a few summer tops a few years ago when split sleeves were in, why include cuffs in the design. More the point, why put boring old buttons on the cuffs. Make them really simple or make them a statement.

So, I have to concede that Victoria’s lack of a smile was due to some form of a wardrobe malfunction. David sew her sleeves shut for a joke? Did they make the cuffs too tight? Or was it a fashion style, that just didn’t quite work.

I’d love to know your thoughts.

May 20 2018

Days 1-20 of 100 days 100 outfits – no repeats

So my first 20 days are over.

In case you are wondering what I am doing. I have challenged myself to wear a different outfit every day for 100 days and all without spending a money on clothes. I am shopping in my wardrobe every day.

When you consider that we wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time and I am now 20% of the way through this exercise I am assuming that I am about to head into unchartered territory of style. I am looking forward to wearing garments that kept falling into the ‘Not today’ territory. That piece that you pull out and place back. That is no longer a viable option, every autumn/winter item I have in my wardrobe will get worn at some time over the coming 80 remaining days.

Before anyone makes a comment, yes I know there are 22 outfits. Two days I had to get changed so I shared those outfits as well. So, come to think about t. It looks like I’ll now manage to wear 102 outfits in 100 days.

At first, I was not fully considering the impact my choices were having and based on some of the feedback I received I decided to step up my game. I am treating every day as special now and the unexpected impact it is having on my self-esteem is great. I never dressed poorly, but now focusing with such intent on my choices, planning my outfits and looking forward to my daily outfits is making me feel great. It’s so true, when you look good, you feel good.

I love the comments that I am hearing from so many people who are also now exploring what they have that is sitting idle in their own wardrobe. I am glad that this is encouraging you to ‘shop your own wardrobe’ too. What many of you may not know is that as I work from home, whilst I still get ready and do my hair and makeup every day I don’t dress always dress as if I am going into meetings, consultations or coaching each day.

This daily exercise of wearing a different outfit has me dressing up each day. The upside is I am enjoying getting ready each day. I am looking forward to what I can wear the next day and I am getting compliments from places I haven’t in the past. I am rediscovering clothes that haven’t been worn in ages, and in some cases, ever. I was all ready to dispose of an overcoat recently and due to our cold weather, I am ginally wearing it at night. These were all unexpected results.

What I have discovered is that I have a few pieces I rarely wear that I really really like. You will see more of my tunic, my tweed dress and my jeans.

I have also discovered that my latest purchase, really doesn’t suit me much…what a waste that money was.

I have also discovered that my accessories are gold. They are getting dusted off and used and reused to create interest in my outfits. Wait till you start seeing my scarves in the coming weeks. A scarf can completely change an outfit.

So, please, if you are enjoying watching this exercise, just give me a thumbs up or make a quick comment. It really does give me a boost.