What to Wear: Stripes!

So. There’s an entry on my 25 before 25 list that reads, “Do something that scares me.” Ladies and gentlemen, this is the thing that scares me!

Okay, that sounds worse than it is. I’m actually really, really excited to take part in the What to Wear series. Twice a month, I’ll be showing off an outfit based on a theme, along with a handful of other lovely ladies. Nicole has been after me to take part in it for awhile, and once the new year rolled around I figured it was time to stop hiding and dig into my wardrobe. Yeah, I’m a bit anxious — I don’t consider myself stylish, I am on a self-imposed unnecessary-clothing buying ban ’till spring (at least), and, uh, it’s dead winter and I am cold all the time thus my outfits are usually layers, layers, layers and another sweater on top just in case.

But! This is the year of saying yes to things. And maybe, if things turn out, a year for being a bit more fashionable. Here we go!

Today’s theme is stripes. I was tempted to put on my zebra footie pajamas and call it a day but there is already a photo of me in a Slanket on this blog, and therefore the whole wide internet, and I should probably avoid more pajama-esque photos getting out there.

I don’t wear a lot of stripes, most of the time. I have a few stripey tank tops, one stripey cardigan that fits weirdly, and a striped t-shirt, but that’s about it. My main problem is that most stripes seem to involve white, and white and our rusty municipal water don’t play well.

The shirt I’m wearing isn’t one that comes out very often, because I haven’t quite sorted out how to deal with its cropped blouseyness (I made up that word). I like it in this outfit, though! I think the neutral black and skinny silhouette of the tank underneath and my ponte pants (yes, those are pants, not leggings) helps balance the big shirt. And it’s really comfy.

You will probably see these boots often. Matt bought them for me in Michigan on our honeymoon and any time when I’m not going to be soaking my feet I put ‘em on! They’re a bit busted from me failing to weatherproof them, as I tend to do with all of my shoes, but I really like them. I know my scarf doesn’t match, but hey! Stripes! Ignore the close-up on my insane hair — I need a haircut.

Striped top: Warehouse One | Tank: Old Navy (I buy them in the tall size and they are my favourite!) | Pants: J. Crew Factory | Scarf: Gap factory outlet | Shoes: Famous Footwear (I think…)

Whew! I’m already planning my outfit for January 24, when we dress up for karaoke — I may have to share pictures of my actual karaoke days! Before that thought burns into your head, check out how my fellow What to Wear-ers dressed up their stripes this week:

Anyone else wearing stripes today? Or doing kind of scary things?