Fashion Is Not Effortless

All fashionistas have their bad days. Even when the finished look is great, there is often a lengthy back-story that would make people chuckle, if they only knew it. Sometimes the perfect outfit comes together almost magically. On other days it takes a little bit of work.

Despite this deceptively simple look, last Sunday was one of those latter days. I was excited to have a new top to wear and had my shoes picked out (well, that wasn't hard considering I have only like two nice pairs this summer :P). But when it came to a skirt, I ran into some problems.

Note: When you've got a top that cuts down over your hips, it's hard to make it look right in proportion with a skirt (pants are easier with this style). Length and fullness can make or break the whole look.

• White was the color of my choice and so I pulled out my favorite summer skirt. After ironing it, I discovered it was was too short and full for the top. The proportion was wrong.
• The second skirt I tried (which I was smart enough to try on before ironing) was longer and more fitted, but it still looked off. Hmm...
• White skirt #3 had some beads that matched my top exactly. Ahh, I thought, this is the one! But when I slipped it on, IT slipped down to my ankles. The waistline elastic was shot. Go figure!
• I had one more white option left and - thank goodness! - it looked great. Of course, while ironing it, I noticed a big stain right on the front.

There goes my white skirts. Grr...

Feeling hot and tired from running up and down between my bedroom and the iron and full-length-mirror in the basement, I was pretty near the end of my "fashion & style rope" when I finally pulled out a linen skirt in a light tan shade. I hadn't worn it in a while and, actually, I wasn't even sure if I liked it anymore. But I was desperate at this point. If I could just find something that fit and wasn't destroyed in some way, I'd wear it.

Fortunately for everyone involved (myself, the skirts whose lives were in danger of destruction, and my family who was getting a headache from my feet pounding up and down the two flights of stairs), it worked. Not white, but pretty near the perfect style. I sighed with relief and fainted away on the 4 white skirts on my bed.

OK, so that last part was fabricated (sewing pun intended), but I think you get my point. I hope this little glimpse into my real life dispels any illusions that us "wannabe" fashionistas have it all together. I certainly don't, and am not sure if I'd even like to meet someone who does. Everyone should, and will, have their bad days. This fashion stuff is not easy! ;)

What I'm Wearing:

Ruffled Knit Top by FASHION BUG

Linen Skirt by Christopher & Banks

Shoes by MUDD - from Kohl's

Jewelry from Thailand

Now, does anyone else want to relieve some fashion-y stress? Feel free to rant away in the comments! LOL. :)