Making the transition from lifelong self-employed gal to full-time office employee was no small thing! But I’m now 6 weeks in, and I can confidently say I’m really happy with the way things are turning out.

I love the structure, the work itself, the camaraderie with my coworkers, and the ability to leave work at work. Oh, and a steady paycheck! I’ve never experienced such a thing in my 20 years of entrepreneurship, and I gotta say, it’s very nice.

I’m having fun settling into my office, too — yes, I have my very own office! It doesn’t have any windows, but it DOES have beautiful, wooden, built-in bookshelves on the walls! It feels like a little library. So I’m leaning into this dark, bookish vibe, and I included some of my office inspiration photos in the collage above so you can see what I’m going for.

As far as clothing goes, I’m still figuring out my work style, so I thought it would be fun (and maybe helpful?) to document the process from the start. So this post will be a journal entry of sorts — outfit photos with quick thoughts on what worked, what didn’t, and what surprised me.

Make sure you hang around til the end, too! I talk about how this job is changing my style — I even came up with my Three Words for this new era, and I’m curious what you think of them! I also share three things that are helping me navigate all these changes with a bit of zen.

Let’s get into it!

If you see something you like, you can shop it and support Unfancy by using the affiliate links throughout this post. When you do, I make a commission at no cost to you. These posts take hours to put together, and I truly appreciate your support.

Day 1

Awww, first day of school vibes! I mean, this was a BIG DAY for me. Going into an office after 20 years of working from home? That’s big!

And what a dream outfit for that big moment.

Just one problem. My feet were screaming by the end of the day. I guess they hadn’t been used to wearing shoes all day long, much less pointy toe shoes.

Setting aside the fact that the shoes destroyed my feet, isn’t this a great outfit? Understated, with some thoughtful details, like that silver cuff and the sharp cut of the blazer. Also, you can’t tell in the photos, but the pants are satin! Satin next to a plain cotton tee — doesn’t get any cooler than that.

Day 2

By day two I was in survival mode — at least as far as my feet were concerned.

I needed a shoe, any shoe that was:

1. Flat

2. Sock-friendly

At this point, I hadn’t built up much of a work wardrobe, so I had very few non-denim bottoms that were the right length for a flat shoe, and even fewer flat shoes that were sock friendly. Not ideal.

But! My cow print loafers came through for me, and I managed to put together this outfit.

Day 3

By Wednesday, my feet were calming down, but I still needed to wear flat shoes. And I still didn’t have that many pant options that would work with flats. So I pivoted, and went for a skirt!

I also surprised myself and threw a sweater around my shoulders. That’s never been my move, but I’m now dressing for a context where it makes sense — and I love it.

Usually, in Texas, sweater weather doesn’t start until November, and it’s always kind of a bummer to have to wait that long. But now, thanks to my freezing office, I’m getting my fall fashion fix early.

Day 4

Now this — THIS — is a Caroline outfit.

At this point, I still wasn’t sure if I could get away with wearing blue jeans during the week. But! I had my first (small) presentation that day, and I wanted to wear something that made me feel truly confident, truly me. And for better or worse, this is it for me. Jeans, white tee, blazer. 10/10 no notes.

Read more

July was a big month! I started my new 9-5! And surprisingly, I feel more inspired with fashion than ever, because of this new dressing challenge that I like to call girl-who’s-worked-from-home-her-entire-life-gets-office-job. It’s a whole new world for me, and it’s exciting stuff.

In July on Unfancy, I shared the fastest way to feel 10 degrees cooler featuring some of my favorite things that make the heat more bearable (including some breathable undies and cute accessories to get your hair off your neck).

I also shared a post in collaboration with Catbird, where I talked about the identity shift that’s come with this new job, and the little things that anchor me in times of change like this. I’m so proud of that post — especially the photography, which you’ll see in just a second.

Also! Earlier this summer, I shared a 16-piece capsule/packing list using the sudoku method. I still want to live inside the graphics + photos for that post:

Anyway, let’s get into all the little things that made July special — music I’m loving, my favorite work outfit so far, some new additions to my work wardrobe, and what I’m making for summer dinners.

MUSIC

Soft summer vibes

From time to time, I’ll loop on one song. Last summer, it was Baby Blue by Hazel English. This summer, it’s Tu and Yours, both by Maye. Give me a calm, unhurried summer vibe, and I’m all set.

I’ve started to dive deeper into Maye’s discography, and do I ever love it.

MY FAV WORK OUTFIT

Tee, blazer, and jeans

I have a whole post coming soon about what I wore to work for the first two weeks, but in the meantime, I wanted to share this one:

My favorite thing to wear so far is a tee and a blazer, preferably with jeans, though I can only wear blue jeans on Friday. These are my $4 Goodwill Levi’s jeans that I shared about in my Life Lately June post. Still my best thrift find of the year.

I’m such a denim person that I’m trying to find little ways around the “jeans only on Friday” thing. I was told that white or black jeans are okay during the week, so I recently got these white barrel jeans from H&M. Planning to wear them with a blazer and tee next week.

Also, look at me, wearing a heel and all! But full disclosure — I do keep a pair of black Birkenstocks under my desk. Remember when Miranda Priestly is on her way into the office and Nigel calls out, “Gird your loins!” in The Devil Wears Prada? And one of the girls quickly puts on heels and hides her crocs under her desk? Yep, it’s very much that.

A MOMENT FOR THESE PHOTOS

2007 me is so proud right now

I’m sure any fellow creatives can relate — the reality of a creative job often doesn’t line up with the vision you hold in your head. So when it does, YOU CELEBRATE IT. And that’s exactly what I’m doing, because getting to work with Catbird earlier this month was one of those magical moments where everything went exactly how I’d hoped.

When I look at these photos, I think of 2007-me, who had just gotten her first DSLR. She would be really happy that 2026-me is photographing project like this.

4 NEW ADDITIONS TO MY WARDROBE

The office wardrobe is underway!

After working from home all these years, I’m slowly building up an in-office wardrobe. I already had a solid rotation of blazers collected over the years — so my new purchases have centered on bottoms, shoes, and accessories:

Madewell silver cuff | This one is small-wrist friendly and it doesn’t get in the way when I’m working. And it does SO MUCH to an outfit!! Instant cool.

Sandal heels | I got mine from Bibi Lou, but sadly they aren’t available anymore. Pictured is the Miista Ernie Sandal (sculptural and cool!). The Vagabond Evie Sandal is similar for less.

H&M dark khaki green suede belt | I’m adding dimension to my outfits through subtle color that still feels neutral, but isn’t black.

H&M white barrel jeans | This is my first-ever barrel pant! Can you believe it’s taken me this long to try them?? I like that they’re baggy, but show a tiny bit of ankle. They’re easy to pair with flats.

SUMMER DINNERS

Chicken, apple, and lemon-basil orzo stuffed sweet potatoes

For dinners I’ve been making stuffed sweet potatoes with lemon-basil orzo pasta, shredded rotisserie chicken, purple onion, and apples.

I haven’t had time to cook the potatoes in the oven, but I recently read the best tip on how to cook sweet potatoes in the microwave — wrap them in a wet paper towel! It makes a huge difference in how moist and tender the potato comes out.

So I stick the potato in the microwave for 6 minutes (flipping it over, halfway through), then warm the chicken, onions, and apples, covered, on the stovetop. Covering it keeps the chicken from drying out, and makes the apples soft and delicious!

Finally, I add the lemon-basil orzo. I use this recipe (minus the tomatoes) and I prep a big batch on the weekends, so it’s ready to go.

I repurpose most of the ingredients into a Greek bowl for lunch too:

This one doesn’t even require cooking — it’s served cold, which is super refreshing on these hot hot days. It’s shredded rotisserie chicken, field greens, feta cheese, cucumbers, onions, and lemon-basil orzo pasta. All tossed with a Greek dressing.

Next up, I need to figure out a good snack for the office that’s NOT Nerds Clusters. 😅 Any recommendations?

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR AUGUST

Lots of 9-5 inspo

I’ve been documenting my work outfits for the past few weeks — the mistakes, the breakthroughs, and the things that surprised me — and I’ve wrapped them all up in a post coming a little later this month.

We’re also going to chat about the 3 word method (a la Allison Bornstein). My 3 words — which have been sporty, minimalist, and casual for a long time now — have changed since starting this job. Do you have any guesses as to what my 3 words are now?

That’s it from me today! How was your July? I’d love to hear about the little things you loved this month — share away in the comments!

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More from me:

First up, I have to give a big thank you to Catbird for kindly sponsoring this post and making it free for everyone to read. Catbird’s sale of the season is happening right now for one week only.

I just googled:

Is 2026 a year of change according to numerology?

Because I’m suddenly going through a big one — one that wasn’t on my bingo card for 2026, but here we are! I mentioned it a few posts ago, but did it quietly, because even though I’ve been blogging for well over a decade, I don’t often share anything other than what I’m wearing.

But what I’m wearing is about to change drastically! Might as well talk about why!

So basically — I got a 9-5!! I’ve been self-employed since 2007 which, as any millennial knows, was just 5 years ago.

(19 years ago, you say? No. Couldn’t be. 😭)

Regardless of the timeline — to quote Elphaba, “Something has changed within me…something is not the same.” I’ve wanted more community, shared purpose, social sharpening, and to be exposed to new ideas and ways of thinking. So — hello office job!

This is such a massive change for me. Not only does my day-to-day life look entirely different, I’m also watching a lifelong identity (self-employed entrepreneur) shapeshift into something new. Throughout all this newness, I’ve been really aware of how valuable it is to have touch points in times of change — anchor points to keep me feeling steady.

Little things, like making my tea the same way each morning. Or always watering my bougainvillea the moment I get home from work. Or wearing the same ring every day.

That last one is actually bigger than I give it credit for. Anytime I go through a life change, especially the big, identity-rattling ones, I love to have a piece of jewelry that commemorates that season — and that I made it to the other side.

Then, later on down the road, when the next big wave of change comes, I have a visual reminder on my hand — I’ve made it through foundation-shaking change before. I can do it again.

Catbird was kind enough to let me put together a selection of my favorite pieces to photograph, and I went to town! I had such a strong vision for these photos, and seeing them come to life as I shot around my apartment made me really happy.

On a more practical note, I’ve been thinking of my jewelry as more of a cohesive collection with a through-line and clear point of view. It breaks down into four categories for me:

1 | COLOR

When gold was everywhere a few years back, I always wondered why I’d put on my jewelry and then take it off before I left the house. I thought I didn’t like jewelry, but it turned out I just didn’t love gold jewelry. Silver is my color, through and through. And whether you’re a gold or silver girl, Catbird’s sale has both solid gold and sterling silver, so there’s something for all of us.

2 | SHAPE

The other through-line is jewelry that’s both minimalist and sculptural in shape. It started years ago when I got a classic silver dome ring (like Catbird’s Grand Coupe Dome ring) but now it’s moving into organic forms, like the Grand Painter’s ring from Catbird (the slightly bigger ring on my index finger in the photo above).

3 | SIZE

I used to buy flashy, oversized jewelry to “get my money’s worth.” But I’d end up with costume jewelry that wasn’t my style and wasn’t great for everyday wear. It took a while to undo the “money’s worth” thinking, but over time, I shifted towards jewelry that wasn’t too big and wasn’t too small. It was just right.

Catbird’s Poppyseed ring is the prime example of a ring that seems so dainty it might fly under the radar, but nope — it has so much personality for such a tiny ring! It ended up being my favorite ring of the bunch.

4 | CONTRAST

Another through line? Contrast. I love a substantial ring stacked with a tiny one, or a delicate bracelet with an even daintier one on the same wrist. But, again — the contrast doesn’t need to be over-the-top to count.

Maybe now is a good time to go through your jewelry box, and give it a good edit. Think of your jewelry as a cohesive collection. Find your through-lines — color, shape, size, and contrast — and let them guide you.

And, if you feel so inclined, Catbird is having their annual sale right now. It’s just one week long, and it’s their only sale of the year. You can get 15-30% off select jewelry, including the Poppyseed ring and all the pieces I’ve shared today.

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High summer requires me to change a few things to stay comfortable — namely, the way I wear my hair and what kind of undergarments I reach for. These foundational things are the difference between feeling stifled and feeling breezy.

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Hair down → hair up

The back of the neck is one of the body’s key cooling zones, so getting your hair off your neck is more powerful than it sounds.

I know wearing my hair up will keep me cool — but I don’t always do it because of hair math. Like, if I just washed my hair, that’s a prime hair day! I don’t want to waste it by wearing it up. But during the hottest part of the summer, I’ve learned that hair math has to take a backseat, and it’s best to just wear it up. Even if I take the time to curl my hair (with a heat tool!? in high summer?!), I know it’s going to immediately collapse into a swamp situation the moment I step outside.

So! A bun, braid, or claw clip makes all the difference. I’ve been scouring Pinterest for some hair-up inspiration. I’ve also been collecting some pretty hair accessories to make it all feel more intentional and polished. Here’s what’s caught my eye:

Also, if your hair suffers from being outdoors in the summer, this overnight serum by Crown Affair is the stuff. I’ve been using it since May, and it’s making a major difference in my hair confidence. It smooths out any split ends or straggle-y bits, conditions and softens it, and also brings out my natural wave. Every time I use it, I get compliments on my hair.

I use one pump every couple of days, and months later, I’ve barely made a dent in the bottle — so it looks like one bottle will last me a solid year. Love a product that’s designed to last, rather than requiring a repurchase every few weeks.

2

Regular undies → mesh or sweat-wicking undies

I start sweating within 30 seconds of going outside. The bras I wear the rest of the year absoLUTEly won’t cut it in July. Instead, I go for sheer or active bras that have sweat-wicking or cooling properties. Since they dry quicker, I’m not left feeling like I’m wearing a wet sponge. Doesn’t mean I don’t sweat, just means it’s much more comfortable when I do.

Here are my top bra + undie picks for hot weather:

Overall:

Top Summer Bra Pick: Negative Cutout Sieve Wireless Bra (pictured above in ivory — that middle cutout seeeriously reduces boob sweat). If you don’t want a see-thru bra, try the Negative Sieve Stealth Wireless Bra.

Top Summer Undie Pick: Bombas SoftMesh Brief (pictured above in black) or Quick-Dry Thong (pictured above in dusty blue)

And there you have it!

If you’re wondering “How do I get dressed when it’s blazing out…and still look good?” head on over to my post 23 ways to layer when it’s too hot to layer. It’ll give you a wealth of ideas.

Want more?

★ Book a 1:1 styling session and we’ll turn the clothes you have into outfits you love.

★ Hop on the waitlist for my upcoming style masterclass.

♡ Like or comment so more people can find Unfancy. (It really helps!)

More from me:

Here’s what happened on Unfancy in June:

• In our Sunday ritual, Let’s Get Dressed Together, I shared a week of black and white outfits, and a peek at my plans for the summer solstice (which was exactly as lovely as I’d hoped).

• It’s hot! The question on everyone’s mind is: How do I get dressed when it’s blazing out…and still look good? So for paid subscribers, that’s exactly what we talked about. I shared 23 ways to layer when it’s too hot to layer, and a 16-piece capsule I packed using the sudoku method (with a downloadable planner!). Seriously, it was a GOOD month around here!

STORIES FROM THE ART STUDIO

Also known as my dad’s garage

I am not a painter, but I often feel pulled to various art projects, and decided to paint a very large, very dark abstract painting for my white-walled apartment. Something that would contrast all the lightness and be a resting spot for the eye — also something that would make you lean in and go, “What’s going on here?”

What I loved most was that it became a shared project between me and my dad. He helped me build the canvas frame, gave me advice when the painting felt “off”, and built a beautiful frame around it once it was finished. It took three months from start to finish! Here’s a photo diary of the entire process:

What really settled on me was that I couldn’t entirely control the outcome. Did it look different than how I imagined it at first? Yes. Do I love the way it turned out even more? Yes! * Life lesson *

WHAT I READ

All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley

In what turned out to be a stressful month with lots of unanswered questions, this book calmed me. It’s a memoir of Patrick’s time working as a guard at The Met — a job he took for solace after his brother’s cancer diagnosis. Reading the book felt like a reprieve from life-optimization content. There was not a single suggestion that I buy anything or climb any ladders or upgrade my existence. 😌

Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner

My mom gave me a copy of this historical fiction novel years ago, after she’d read it and loved it herself. I never got around to reading it — until now.

I cried so much, but in the healing way that you do when encounter a real human story, not the social-media template “I struggled with this, but then I found the answer — now everything is fine, and everything can be fine for you too if you buy xyz!”

I’ve noticed that even passively encountering enough buy-it-to-fix-it content reinforces this idea I can’t start living until I solve every problem and make everything make sense, which I can’t seem to do. This book met me there. The themes of what to do with regret, with dreams you never quite get to see through, with learning to forgive yourself — there was something deeply comforting about sitting with them.

INTERIOR INSPO

Lucy Williams’ layered home

Do you ever feel like you have to pick a lane when it comes to your style — home, clothing, or otherwise?

I sure do.

Over the past 10-15 years, I’ve noticed I’m most consistently pulled toward both cozy cottage vibes and minimalist art gallery vibes. Quite the different styles there! And I often get caught in a game of “Which one?”

But Lucy Williams’ home tour reminded me that the two can coexist and be all the better for it. Seeing that her home includes both a Noguchi paper lamp and floral wallpaper, cool modern art and skirted chairs — it got me excited about blending both my beloved cottage vibes and art gallery vibes.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect because I’d just recently replaced my worn-out bedsheets with some floral ones — a departure from my typical minimalist all-white bedding, so I was worried they wouldn’t “go.” But their cheerful quality brings me so much comfort every time I slide into bed. It was the right move even if it took me a second to acclimate.

I plan to paint another moody abstract and hang it over the bed. Can’t wait to see how they play off each other.

FAVORITE OUTFITS

White and khaki all day long

I put together some outfits I’m REALLY happy with this month:

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR JULY

A personal update

This is the part where I usually share what’s coming next on Unfancy. But this time it’s a little different, and that’s because I’ve recently taken a full-time office job. (!!!)

As I transition into this new season, I’ll likely slow down my posting schedule for a little bit, but I also know I have SOOO MANY THOUGHTS about this fun new dressing challenge.

For years I’ve been dressing as a self-employed WFH-er. Now I’m dressing for an office! And you KNOW I already have MAJOR thoughts about what to wear. Comfy shoes for all day in the office? Pants that don’t wrinkle? How to let your personality come through in a pretty formal environment? Now I’m getting first-hand experience, and I HAVE THOUGHTS!

So, for a little bit, posts may be less regular, but I’m excited to keep sharing here and find a new rhythm. Thank you for letting me take some time and get my feet under me. I’m really excited about all the new style thoughts this job will unlock!

In the meantime, how was your June? See any good movies? Read any good books? Have any style breakthroughs? I’d love to hear about them — share away in the comments!

Want 2026 to be your year of style? Here’s how I can help:

★ Book a 1:1 styling session and we’ll turn the clothes you have into outfits you love.

★ Hop on the waitlist for my upcoming style masterclass.

♡ Like or comment so more people can find Unfancy. (It really helps!)

More from me:

So! Let’s pack! I’m sure you (like me) have seen the sudoku packing method floating around the interwebs lately. It’s such a brilliant concept originating from Natalie Shaquer, that I found via this post by Jamie Lee (her Substack is a joy to read!).

What is the sudoku packing method?

It’s a capsule wardrobe strategy that uses a 3x3 grid to build outfits from 9 core pieces. You pick 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 layers. But! The arrangement is everything. It’s got to be laid out in a specific way to work:

Bottom | Layer | Top

Top | Bottom | Layer

Layer | Top | Bottom

You end up with a fresh outfit in every row, every column, and one of the diagonals (that’s 7 outfits, in case you were wondering). And apparently, thanks to math (ew), you can technically make a whopping 27 outfits — but I’m not interested in hyper-optimizing this trip. Just give me a few solid outfits and I’m happy.

From there, you can pack shoes and accessories that aren’t included in the grid.

It promises to eliminate overpacking and decision fatigue on your trip. Sign me up!!

Salt grain, incoming

Like any great idea, let it be a springboard, not gospel. I know that for me, this isn’t going to work for every trip. Something is bound to fall outside the lines and that’s a-okay. Like, if I’m packing for a wedding, I have no intention of “mixing and matching” my event dress with the rest of my clothes. It’s good to remember a successful suitcase doesn’t require everysinglething to be interchangeable.

Even still, I am delighted by the idea, so I’m giving it a go. Keep scrolling to see:

• The trip itinerary

• The inspiration

• The capsule as a whole

• The individual pieces

• A packing planner workbook you can download

• The outfits

The Itinerary

These days, most of my travel centers around visiting friends, and most of my friends are in the new-mom stage with babies or toddlers. This trip is no different, so the itinerary is decidedly chill — we’ll hang out around the house, go for walks to nearby coffee shops, and take outings to the grocery store.

There is, however, one fancy thing — my friend’s garden birthday party! So while most of the clothes I pack need to be able to handle sticky kiddos, shedding dogs, and sweaty walks, one outfit needs to be very chic and cute.

The Inspiration

I might not be going to Italy or the South of France, but that’s not going to stop me from leaning into that European summer feeling. Think cool blues and whites, simple lines, washed denim, and long shorts.

The Capsule

Don’t panic, but I decided to modify the typical 3x3 grid into a 4x4 grid. This means I get to include my shoes into the grid, instead of having them on the sideline. This also means I’m packing less minimally (gasp!). Who cares! Live a little! 😄

I’ve picked 4 tops, 4 layers, 4 bottoms, and 4 shoes — 16 pieces total:

Read more

Good morning!

First of all, I have a STUNNER of a post coming your way on Wednesday. It’s a travel capsule that I put together using the sudoku method — and the visuals have me swooning. Summer’s got me so inspired with it’s simple clothes and pool-blue palette, and it shows. If you missed last Wednesday’s post — 23 ways to layer when it’s too hot to layer — it’s a visual treat too. Anyway, stay tuned for Wednesday!

The summer solstice is on the horizon! It’s one of my favorite unofficial holidays, and I try to mark it each year by taking a walk as the sun sets late. The other day, I noticed streaks of pink clouds still lingering in the sky at 9:40pm!

This year, in addition to my golden-hour walk, I want to get some fresh berries, make homemade whipped cream, and enjoy it out in the garden after dinner. The first half of June disappeared quickly, lost in a muddled mix of day-to-day concerns. I know there’s no slowing life down, but even still, setting aside a little time to mark the moment really nourishes me.

So let’s get into some outfits! Neutral summer is going STRONG. Here’s what I’m wearing this week:

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If you see something you like, you can shop it using the affiliate links in this post.

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And there you have it!

When you see this post in your inbox each Sunday, I hope it’s an invitation to, yes, plan some outfits, but more importantly, to start the week with intention. I hope it reminds you that there really are some simple things we can do to make our days feel lighter.

See you Wednesday for the travel capsule post. And if you have questions in the meantime — how to navigate a change in your style, closet organization, capsule wardrobe creation, or anything else — I offer 1:1 support and would love to help. You can learn more here.

P.S. Want 2026 to be your year of style? Here’s how I can help:

★ Book a 1:1 styling session and we’ll turn the clothes you have into outfits you love.

★ Hop on the waitlist for my upcoming style masterclass.

♡ Like or comment so more people can find Unfancy. (It really helps!)

More from me:

In cooler months, most of us rely on jackets and layers to create visual interest. In summer, however, we lose that tool. Womp, womp. :(

But! The good news is that there are so many other tools we can use — once we know where to look. It’s like: When one door closes, another one opens, but you’ll only notice it if you stop staring at the closed one.

So in this post, we’ll turn our attention to the open doors. Twenty-three of them, to be exact! I’ll share my favorite ideas to help you dress for summer in a way that feels finished and rich with detail — no layering required.

Think of it as a resource you can return to throughout the summer, anytime you need a little inspiration.

Where you would normally reach for a jacket or layer, reach for any of these instead:

1. Bag charms: Make your own! With friends! Have a little party!

2. Brooches: You’ve got so many options — metal, fabric, gemstone, wood. Go antiquing or DIY one for yourself.

3. Layered statement necklaces: Not one statement necklace, but two! Try one long and one short.

4. Belts: Think a little outside the box. My favorite is the long tail belt (a braided men’s belt is the easiest way to achieve this look). But there’s also fringe belts, colorful belts, leather cord belts, or belt bags.

5. Hair scarf: Put one on with any simple dress and it’s instantly a capital O Outfit.

6. Headbands: Get a thin one and let it echo another color in your outfit. Similar to the whole match-your-belt-and-shoes thing, but more subtle.

Keep scrolling for 17 more ideas…

Read more

Holy neutrals Batman! It’s happened! Summer has taken possession of my being, and all I want to wear is black and white (and yes, okay, a little bit of blue).

This happens to me every summer. Like clockwork.

For most of the year, it’s: add more to your outfit, play with contrast, go for interesting silhouettes, try pattern mixing, etc. And YES to all that — when we’re in the mood for it.

But sometimes I feel most at home when I’m wearing denim cutoffs and a tee. Or a dress — just a dress, without any perceptible traces of styling. And at no other time is that more acceptable than in the summer. It’s too hot to layer (for any of us) which releases any pressure to layer…or over-style ourselves.

For a few blissful months, we get to be unencumbered. 😌

Alright, I know I’m about to lose some of you with my somewhat delusional romanticizing of 100-degree days. I know summer isn’t everyone’s thing, but it is my thing, and I welcome it with the openest of open arms.

So here are the (neutral, simple, amazing) outfits I’ve planned for this week.

I think number 3 is my favorite! Don’t miss the hair scarf detail — I shared about wanting one in my spring moodboard post, and finally found the one. Black crochet with a beautiful drape. When I tried it on, I stopped a random woman in the store to ask if it was cute. She told me it was very cute, and then hit me with the question of a wise sage:

“Where will you wear it?”

I replied I wasn’t exactly sure, but that it was a fantasy thing — I just wanted to feel whimsical. Without hesitation she said, “Get it and have fun. Life is too short!” (I love her. And I love that I got a little moment of human connection with a stranger — clothes are great that way.)

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I shared about wearing this outfit in last week’s Life Lately post. It may very well show up in every Sunday outfit post this summer.

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And there you have it!

I hope your week starts off well, and I’ll see you Wednesday for a fun post. If you have questions in the meantime — how to navigate a change in your style, closet organization, capsule wardrobe creation, or anything else — I offer 1:1 support and would love to help. You can learn more here.

★ Hop on the waitlist for my upcoming style masterclass.

♡ Like or comment so more people can find Unfancy. (It really helps!)

More from me:

I’ve got a lot of fun tidbits to share from May (including my recent thrifting find, a playlist, and the analog way I’m documenting this summer), but, first, here’s a quick look at what happened on Unfancy in May:

• In our Sunday ritual, Let’s Get Dressed Together, I shared:

  • how I plan to romanticize the summer (even amidst adult responsibilities)

  • how I make my outfits feel fresh when I’m in a no-shop phase

  • what I do when grey weather turns my spirits blue

  • and 3 ways to create more and consume less

  I’m loving the gentle topics that come up in these posts. Not to mention, dedicating some un-rushed time to planning my outfits for the week feels like an artist date à la The Artist’s Way.

• For paid subscribers, I did a 2-part series on building style confidence through a side-door. Part 1 was inspired by my cow-print loafers, and part 2 was inspired by Taylor Swift’s line “I took the miracle move-on drug, the effects were temporary.” And yep, the series comes with a downloadable printable! You can get access to Unfancy’s growing library of downloads for paid subscribers right here.

A GOOD DAY AT THE THRIFT STORE

Vintage Levi’s for $4!!

Earlier this month, I went thrifting for a pair of men’s jeans I could cut into long Bermuda shorts for the summer.

I found a great pair of Levi’s — so great, in fact, that once I got them home, I decided there was no way I could cut these absolutely perfect jeans. So now I have a new (to me) pair of slouchy-but-not-too-baggy Levi’s that hit right at the ankle and frame my flip flops really nicely. I was not at all mad at how this turned out, and I eventually ended up cutting a pair of my old jeans into the perfect Bermuda shorts anyway. Wins all around!

I also scooped up a braided leather belt with a silver buckle (for 50 cents!!). I am beyond excited about this little belt. A switch has flipped and I — a historically non-belt-wearing person — am now a belt evangelist, like, “Hey, have you heard about belts?!” And of course everyone has heard about belts. 🤭

What flipped the switch? What made me start wearing something I never wore before? It was a lifestyle shift — namely my new part-time job as a product photographer (more on that here if you’re interested). I’ve always loved my WFH life, but I’m also realizing that I feel a marked sense of purpose when I work with people in person. Not to mention, I have a lot more fun getting dressed! Maureen of Intuitive Style (love her Substack!) wrote about having this experience when starting her new substitute teaching job, and I was nodding along vigorously.

IN THE GARDEN

I’m relishing these early summer days with lots of time out in the garden (which I cannot take credit for — it is all my landlords’ doing, but they are kind enough to share the space with me). Reading out there in the evenings has become my routine.

DOCUMENTING SUMMER WITH A DISPOSABLE CAMERA

In March, one of my friends gave me a disposable camera for my birthday, and I’ve been toting it around in my bag ever since. I use it somewhat slowly, snapping one photo here and one photo there — my goal is to end up with a record of my whole summer in just 27 frames.

Honestly what I love most is that I can’t remember what I’ve taken photos of so far — so I know when I get it developed, it’ll be like a time capsule of happy memories. Highly recommend getting yourself a disposable camera this summer.

A RECENT BEAUTY FIND

This overnight hair serum from Crown Affair is doing wonders for my hair, especially now that I’m outside more. The sun, wind, and pool chlorine always do a number on my hair in the summertime, but this stuff is keeping it soft and hydrated. And beautiful! I audibly gasped the morning after the first treatment.

It seems like it’ll last a really long time (I just use 2-4 pumps a couple times a week). Plus it smells heavenly!

AN OUTFIT ON REPEAT

Ballet flats with denim cutoffs

I’m a big fan of the longer Bermuda shorts that are trending this summer, but my ultra short “lake day” denim cutoffs will always have a place in my heart, no matter where they fall on the trend scale.

Lately, I’ve been wearing them with a belt and ballet flats — instead of my typical flip flops or Birkenstocks — and they feel entirely beautiful that way. Like Hill Country lake meets Parisian cafe?

Here’s the breakdown:

• loose black tee (half tucked)

• belt

• denim cutoffs

• ballet flats

• claw clip

Easy peasy but I feel amazing in it.

A PLAYLIST FOR SUMMER MORNINGS

Morning Coffee Summer ‘26

I’m big on a playlist series — I’ve been making morning coffee playlists since 2017 (!!). Relatively chill, but energetic enough to get you into your day. For this round, I picked an opening song that makes me feel like I’m floating the river, sun all slanty and golden, cicadas singing. And don’t miss the song Andrew by M.Field near the end — it’s a favorite of mine.

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR JUNE

In June, on Unfancy, we’ll be focusing how to dress well in the heat — including dressing for summer events and travel. I’ve got an in-depth (and gorgeous) travel capsule coming your way mid-June and I’m SO excited about it! If you want, drop your most frustrating heat-related style conundrums in the comments, and I’ll try to cover it this month.

In the meantime, how was your May? Got any music, books, or favorite outfits to share? I’d love to hear in the comments!

Want 2026 to be your year of style? Here’s how I can help:

★ Book a 1:1 styling session and we’ll turn the clothes you have into outfits you love.

★ Hop on the waitlist for my upcoming style masterclass.

♡ Like or comment so more people can find Unfancy. (It really helps!)

Good morning!

I’ve been out of sorts for a bit, so last week I tried to do the thing everyone says to do — create instead of consume. Anytime I was on the verge of a spiral, I’d whisper to myself, “It’s time to create something.” And it helped. It would get my mind off whatever I was stressing about (that was usually outside of my control anyway). What a welcome relief. What a creatively fulfilling week. I’m grateful for it.

Here’s what I made:

1 | Homemade corn salsa. I decided a summer-y corn salsa would be yummy for dinners this week, so I made a big batch and have been eating off it all week. I’ve been off my meal-prepping game and have barely had time to make it to the grocery, so it felt good to slow down and prepare this. Nothing like chopping veggies and herbs to calm your mind.

2 | Long, loose Bermuda shorts. I really had no idea if I would love these or hate these, but curiosity got the best of me — I held my breath and took fabric shears to some old jeans. I originally intended for an above-the-knee length, but ended up going with a longer length. Love them so! You really never know until you try. Things can surprise you.

3 | A painting. Back in March, I corralled my dad into helping me make a gigantic canvas (it’s taller than me!!) and I’ve been painting on it ever since. I painted a lot last week, and it was therapeutic. Hoping to end up with a cool, dark, abstract I can put in my living room.

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Okay, let’s get into some outfits! Here are the outfits I’ve planned for this week.

(Also just so you know — about half the time, I wear something other than what I’ve planned. There’s no sticking-to-the-plan-at-all-costs here. I’ve found the real benefit of Sunday outfit planning is styling practice. It’s only been a few weeks, but I’ve gotten much more nimble at putting looks together in real time.)

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If you see something you like, you can shop it using the links in this post. They’re affiliate links which means I earn a commission at no cost to you. Your support keeps Unfancy going, and for that, I’m grateful.

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And there you have it!

If you’re navigating a change in your style, rethinking your closet, or just trying to figure out how to dress for the heat — I offer 1:1 support and would love to help. You can learn more here.

P.S. Want 2026 to be your year of style? Here’s how I can help:

★ Book a 1:1 styling session and we’ll turn the clothes you have into outfits you love.

★ Hop on the waitlist for my upcoming style masterclass.

♡ Like or comment so more people can find Unfancy. (It really helps!)

More from me:

When I’m feeling anxious, breathing — making my exhales longer than my inhales — can help.

When my body is creaky, doing legs-up-the-wall — just 2 minutes of it — can help.

But sometimes, I brush these things aside. I give them a condescending little pat on the head and decide my current state needs a bolder solution. Like analyzing every life choice I’ve ever made or waiting til I have time to do a real workout.

I’m sure you can already guess — these bolder solutions don’t help, while the smaller things would’ve.

Small things really can provide relief — it’s just easy to brush them aside in search of a mythical, miracle cure-all. Ironically, that dismissal postpones relief. It keeps us looped in the search for a “worthy” solution — while the accessible solution, sitting right there, gets overlooked.

It’s the same with confidence and style.

Buying a bunch of new clothes, doing a knee-jerk closet purge, or overhauling our style identity — strangely, these big solutions don’t work as well as we think they will.

But you know what does?

Reminding yourself of what’s already working.

Not that long ago, I started keeping a file of outfits I’ve worn and loved. I designed some cards, printed them out, and anytime an outfit worked, I’d write it on a card and tape it to my mirror. The cards became an external memory system. Very second brain.

They helped because they became visual evidence, reinforcing what I’ve always known to be true, but sometimes lose sight of — that I know myself and I have what I need.

I think of them as a side-door to confidence. So much of modern advice treats confidence like something you buy, optimize, or achieve through massive reinvention, when really, it’s not always like that. Sometimes it’s built through something as simple as recall.

Try it and see how it goes. Document your wins tangibly, through pen and paper and tape, and watch your confidence deepen, like roots of a tree.

(And hey — this isn’t limited to just clothes. You can do this with any area of your life, whether it’s parenting, work, creativity, healing.)

WHAT’S ON MY CARDS

10 OUTFIT IDEAS

Now let’s get into some outfits — everything I’ve written on my cards so far. Look for an idea or two to try this week. And scroll to the end to download the cards for yourself.

1 | Track shorts with a trench jacket | Running shorts, plain tee, swing trench jacket, flip flops or loafers, tote, baseball cap

2 | Graphic tee side-tucked into baggy jeans | Baggy jeans, graphic tee (side tuck), kitten heels, tote, hoops

Read more

Good morning!

I’m writing this as rain taps on the window for what feels like the 75th day in a row. It’s not, but when you’re used to endless sun, it feels like it. You know what really makes me feel better when grey weather turns my spirits blue? A flickering candle and some George Shearling. Nothing smooths me out like a little jazz piano.

The rainy weather has thrown me off some of my healthier habits, and I’m trying not to overcorrect or overhaul. Instead, I’m settling into arrangement. Not changing what I do, but changing when I do what I do. Like listing out my daily to-dos the night before (instead of the morning of), or picking my outfits for the week on Sunday (instead of 5 minutes before I need to leave the house).

Sometimes, when I’m thrown off my habits, I think the solution is a complicated new routine — but that just adds more to my plate when I’m already low-energy. But when I just lean into thoughtful arrangement of what I already do, I feel dramatically better about myself. More sure, more confident — even on the greyest of days.

Okay, let’s get into the outfits! It looks like the sun will return this week and I’m leaning in! Particularly excited about pulling out my favorite black summer maxi dress and my colorful beaded necklaces.

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If you see something you like, you can shop it using the links in this post. They’re affiliate links which means I earn a commission at no cost to you.

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And there you have it!

If you’re navigating a change in your style, rethinking your closet, or just trying to figure out how to dress for the heat — I offer 1:1 support and would love to help. You can learn more here.

Want 2026 to be your year of style? Here’s how I can help:

★ Book a 1:1 styling session and we’ll turn the clothes you have into outfits you love.

★ Hop on the waitlist for my upcoming style masterclass.

♡ Like or comment so more people can find Unfancy. (It really helps!)

More from me:

Good morning!

I live near a university, and last week it was all moving trucks and cardboard boxes, graduation gowns and parents’ SUVs. This week, in stark contrast, it’s quiet and still. You can hear everything — a dry leaf rustling in the breeze, a bird cooing softly to itself.

This palpable shift in energy is more pronounced than New Year’s Day. It goes from thousands of college students buzzing with hopes and nerves for their next chapter — to an utterly still and empty campus. The vacuum of energy stuns me every time. And I’m grateful for it, because it marks the moment so clearly. It makes it unmissable that a new season is upon us. Summer (according to the school calendar) is well and truly here.

It’s got me asking, what do I want to do with it? A whole summer stretches out before me — what do I want to make of it?

I’m spending some time with this question this week — not rushing to figure it out, but sitting with it for a few days.

Here’s what I know so far: I may not get to take a vacation from adult life responsibilities and I may not have any dreamy trips planned, but even still, I have every intention to romanticize this summer.

I want to water my bougainvillea in the cool of the morning. Read outside in the evenings, when the light is all slanty and golden. Smile and talk to the grey striped cat who wanders around the neighborhood — she still won’t let me pet her, maybe it’ll happen this summer! Drink a chilled La Croix out of a cute glass. Eat a peach on the porch. Get a fun new claw clip and test out some new ways to wear my hair up. Swim at the local pool and float on my back in the deep end — I’m convinced that floating is one of the best sensations we get to experience as humans. Lean into simple summer dressing, the lack of layers, and how that makes dressing and undressing so much easier.

These things aren’t impressive. But they don’t have to be impressive to be meaningful. And when I think of the summer ahead, I know that a bit of intention is all I need to make it special. ♡

Okay! Let’s get to some outfits. This week I revisited my white woven ballet flats (which I’m trying to make work til I get some comfier ones), my linen tiered skirt (it’s May after all! Summer linen season!), and some deep red hoops for a hint of color.

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And there you have it!

Now I want to hear from you: What are some small ways you might romanticize this summer? I’d love to hear in the comments!

When you see this post in your inbox each Sunday, I hope it’s an invitation to, yes, plan some outfits, but more importantly, to start the week with intention. I hope it reminds you that there really are some simple things we can do to make our days feel lighter.

If you have questions in the meantime — how to navigate a change in your style, closet organization, capsule wardrobe creation, or anything else — I offer 1:1 support and would love to help. You can learn more here.

Want 2026 to be your year of style? Here’s how I can help:

★ Book a 1:1 styling session and we’ll turn the clothes you have into outfits you love.

★ Hop on the waitlist for my upcoming style masterclass.

Enjoying Unfancy? Here’s 2 free ways to show your support:

♡ Shop the links in this post. When you do, I earn a commission at no cost to you.

♡ Like or comment so more people can find Unfancy. (It really helps!)

More from me:

I walked into Nordstrom Rack one day last fall with the express intent to try on shoes until I found a pair that was so comfortable I didn’t want to take them off. I had no particular style in mind — it didn’t matter what they looked like. They just needed to be comfy and closed-toe and not a sneaker.

When I slipped into the cow-print loafers, I knew they were the ones. Not because of what they looked like, but because of what they felt like. They weren’t my typical style, but I told myself they were still neutral and it’d be nice to have a printed shoe.

Then they sat in my closet, entirely unworn, for six or seven months. I struggled to style them in a way that felt natural to me

Until!

I had a Pinterest-induced breakthrough — loafers with track pants! A little classic, a little sporty — YES! Just my style.

I was riding high on this breakthrough. It felt like I’d unlocked a whole new world!

And then…I forgot about it. Life kept moving, things needed to get done, and it got lost somewhere in the shuffle. And I went back to not wearing my cow-print loafers. Even though I knew how to style them now. I just…forgot that I knew.

I’m guessing I’m not the only one who’s experienced this. It’s shocking how fast our best outfits disappear from memory, like morning dew on spring grass.

Half the battle in our closets comes not from having the wrong clothes, but from not remembering our ideas. “I have nothing to wear” is often just “I forgot what works.”

So what do we do?

We keep track of our wins, good ideas, and breakthroughs and purposefully place them in our line of sight. Not on our phones where they can get lost in a sea of notes or buried under more photos. But with good ol’ pen, paper, and tape.

At first I used post-it notes, but then I wanted something cuter, so I made myself a set of printable cards — and today I’m sharing them with you, too.

Print them out, and then, when you have a particularly good outfit idea, write it on a card, and tape it to your mirror or inside your closet door. (Bonus points for pretty washi tape.)

A CONFIDENCE PRACTICE

These cards interrupt all-or-nothing thinking. You know what I’m talking about: I have nothing to wear. Why is getting dressed always so hard? Why can I never put together a good outfit? etc. They also interrupt the constant urge to fix your closet, because you realize you’re actually doing pretty great with what you already have.

And that’s what I love most about them — they give you proof of self-knowledge, a reminder that you know what you’re doing. They build confidence.

Confidence isn’t always a feeling. It’s more of a relationship with yourself.

Think of your relationships. When you care about someone, you tell them. You do things for them. You remember the best things about them and reflect them back to them when they are down.

What if we did that for ourselves, too?

It’s easy to think that confidence comes from big, impressive things, but in real life, confidence is built in much more ordinary ways. Like fun little cards taped to your mirror that remind you of your best outfits.

GET THE CARDS

Here you go! A set of 16 printable cards to document your best outfits, make getting dressed easier, and build style confidence:

Read more

Quick note for my fellow Texans: I’m going to be in Austin, TX next weekend (May 15-17th) for a couple of in-person styling sessions — if you’d like to schedule one for yourself, reach out to me here. We can strategize on how to navigate a change in your life and style, work on a capsule wardrobe, create new outfits from what you already have, or anything else you may need.

Good morning!

I’ve lately started playing around with my outfits in a new way, which sounds lovely, but stemmed from frustration — I want to feel new in my outfits, but I’m not making any new purchases at the moment.

How the heck do you infuse newness into your outfits without buying anything new? You take a keen eye to what you already have that you’re underutilizing.

So, somewhat begrudgingly, I did this. I combed through my wardrobe (and accessories! and jewelry!) looking for interesting pieces I’d forgotten about or written off.

I ended up with a small pile of things like rose-pink sunglasses, a one-shoulder tank top, a swingy khaki jacket, and cow-print loafers. I’d take one piece from the pile, and sandwich it between familiar pieces, like my parachute pants, running shorts, or favorite graphic tee.

It’s important to note that about half of what I tried didn’t work out. But the other half did.

It made what I have feel brand new — without buying anything. And it gave me this delicious sense of possibility that I haven’t been able to shake since. (Make sure to notice the last outfit — it’s so fresh and I love it!!)

So, if you, like me, are craving some newness, make a little pile of interesting, underutilized pieces in your wardrobe. Sandwich ‘em between familiar pieces and see what happens.

One small change can bring on a whole wave of inspiration.

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And there you have it!

When you see this post in your inbox each Sunday, I hope it’s an invitation to, yes, plan some outfits, but more importantly, to start the week with intention. I hope it reminds you that there really are some simple things we can do to make our days feel lighter.

Want 2026 to be your year of style? Here’s how I can help:

★ Book a 1:1 styling session and we’ll turn the clothes you have into outfits you love.

★ Hop on the waitlist for my upcoming style masterclass.

Enjoying Unfancy? Here’s 2 free ways to show your support:

♡ If you see something you like, shop it using the links in this post. They’re affiliate links which means I earn a commission at no cost to you.

♡ Like or comment so more people can find Unfancy. (It really helps!)

More from me:

The change from winter to spring threw me off, and here we are in May and I’m still finding my footing. 😅 April started out energetically stagnant, which led me to make some small, yet profound changes — like, going on walks when I can, getting more sweet potatoes and roasted veggies into my life, and planning my outfits for the week on Sundays — which brought on some serious blog inspiration.

Here’s what happened on Unfancy in April:

• We started a new ritual around here! Tentatively named Let’s Plan Our Outfits Together. Every Sunday, I put together 5 looks for the week ahead and invite you to do the same — so we can all avoid the dreaded “I have no idea what to wear!” panic first thing in the morning. I’m loving it so far, and hope you do too.

• For paid subscribers, I did a 3-part, deep-dive series on building signature uniforms. If you find yourself bumping up against indecision, frustration, or that exasperated desire to throw away all your clothes and start over when you go to get dressed — this series is for you. It even comes with a downloadable workbook! Here’s part 1, part 2, and part 3 if you want to catch up.

FAVORITE THINGS IN APRIL

MUSIC

April was a month of discovering good music, so I have not one, but THREE albums to share with you:

• The Sims x Lofi Girl | I grew up playing The Sims so this one’s nostalgic for me. The perfect background music for writing or working.

• Morgan Saint’s Out of the Blue | A synth-y pop album great for an afternoon lift.

• Kacey Musgraves’ Middle of Nowhere | I mean! I love it! Some of Kacey’s past albums tug at my sensitive heartstrings too much for the middle of a work day, but this one is just fun.

MOVIE

Project Hail Mary | I hadn’t read the book before watching the movie so I had no idea what was in store. Let’s just say I was either gripping the edge of my seat, smiling dopily, or crying in welcome catharsis. So good. SO GOOD! Now I’m listening to the audiobook and thoroughly enjoying it.

BOOK

The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry | It’s been a minute since I’ve been into fiction, but consider me back! I wanted something cozy and spring-y and went for this mysterious, sweet, historical fiction novel. Although this book isn’t set in spring, much of the book is set in the Lake District in England and is so beautifully written, I feel like I’m there. Plus, my inner Folklore girlie loves it. “Take me to the lakes where all the poets went to die.”

3 FAVORITE OUTFITS IN APRIL

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I love this one because it fully represents my style comfort zone, and something I wear multiple times a week. Running shorts, plain tee, flip flops.

For the longest time, I dismissed running shorts as part of my style even though I wore them constantly. In my head, I was like, “Yeah, I wear these, but not when I’m Getting Dressed™. And anything other than Getting Dressed™ doesn’t count as my personal style.”

But it totally counts! I think our most supportive, life-giving outfits are on the other side of what we dismiss.

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I typically default to plain white tees, so the graphic tee was a fun shake-up. I also rarely wear heels — but I’m so drawn to them these days! So I went for it, and wore this outfit to a cute little lunch with some friends. It was a winner! And it was cool to show myself something outside my style comfort-zone worked.

Speaking of pushing myself out of my regular style zone…

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My friends and I dressed up to go see The Devil Wears Prada 2 — this is what I wore! Totally experimental, totally powerful. At first, I thought, “Is this too much? Will anyone understand this look?” Miranda Priestly would likely not approve, but I decided I felt great in it, so I wore it without waffling and WOW it feels amazing when you decide you like something enough, it doesn’t matter if anyone else does.

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR MAY

On that note, in May on Unfancy, we’re focusing on cultivating confidence in our style. And not just in a vague, pep-talk kind of way, but through real, tangible steps and habits. If you’ve been second-guessing yourself when you pick an outfit, or if you’ve felt a little wobbly lately, you’ll love it.

In the meantime, how was your April? Got any music, books, or favorite outfits to share? I’d love to hear in the comments!

Also! I’m going to be in Austin, TX May 15-17th for a couple of in-person styling sessions — if you’d like to schedule one for yourself, reach out to me here.

Want 2026 to be your year of style? Here’s how I can help:

★ Book a virtual 1:1 styling session and we’ll turn the clothes you have into outfits you love.

★ Hop on the waitlist for my upcoming style masterclass.

♡ Like or comment so more people can find Unfancy. (It really helps!)

Good morning!

As a kid, I was obsessed with creating clubs. The Pet Club, The Horse Club, The Beanie Baby Club. Whatever I was interested in, I made a club for it. No one was really in them — just me and my childhood best friend, Emily.

I would take the entire contents of my closet floor and dump it onto my bed (my mom loved this) to create a “clubhouse” in my closet.

Everything was very official. The first meeting of any club was always dedicated to holding elections for club president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer (which was adorable, because, ya know, there were only two of us).

The second meeting was crafty — we’d cut poster board down to the size of a credit card and use Crayola markers to create our membership cards that we would literally carry to school with us, hidden in our backpacks.

I often think that those days were the start of my entrepreneurial journey, and the reason I love running a small business so much.

The thing about running a creative business is that it never feels quite as steady as you hope it will. One day you feel like you’re really doing it, you’re going to make it. The next day something knocks the wind out of you and you’re not sure if you have it in you anymore.

In these moments, I think of the kid version of me who made clubs.

Last week, I stumbled across an old newsletter I’d made for my Beanie Baby club, probably around 1995:

When I found it, I thought, Just think how excited this kid would be to learn that she grows up to write a newsletter (what you’re reading right now!) as part of her job.

Sometimes that younger version of me feels far away or out of reach, buried beneath the cares of adulthood. But when I come across something like that newsletter, it’s like I catch a glimpse of 8-year-old-me — and reconnect with that sense of childhood wonder and joy.

Whatever’s ahead of you this week, whatever rooms you’re in this week, look for a glimpse of your younger self there. She might surprise you.

Okay, let’s plan some outfits! Here are five looks I’ve planned for this week. Each one represents a calm morning, and an easy starting point for the day.

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We’ve got some cooler days coming up, so I had to take the opportunity to wear my beloved leather jacket.

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And there you have it!

When you see this post in your inbox each Sunday, I hope it’s an invitation to, yes, plan some outfits, but more importantly, to start the week with intention. I hope it reminds you that there really are some simple things we can do to make our days feel lighter.

See you next Sunday!

If you have questions in the meantime — how to navigate a change in your style, closet organization, capsule wardrobe creation, or anything else — I offer 1:1 support and would love to help. You can learn more here.

Want 2026 to be your year of style? Here’s how I can help:

★ Book a 1:1 styling session and we’ll turn the clothes you have into outfits you love.

★ Hop on the waitlist for my upcoming style masterclass.

♡ Like or comment so more people can find Unfancy. (It really helps!)

More from me:

I’m putting together a few spring uniforms to make my life easier — today, I’m sharing my third one. In case you missed it, here’s the first and second.

I’m excited about this post! It’s a long one, and it’s all about a new life chapter I’m entering — and how a uniform is helping me find my footing. I take you deep into my thought process behind outfit-making, so settle in and get cozy.

Quick refresh: A uniform is a tweak-able outfit formula tied to a specific activity or life scenario. They help me bypass common dressing woes — indecision, frustration, or that exasperated desire to throw away all my clothes and start over.

Let’s get into it!

For all of my 20s, I was a wedding photographer. Without my camera, I was socially anxious and self-conscious, but with it, I could connect with people in this effortless, medicinal way. I loved the art of photography so deeply that I met every challenge that came with it — high-pressure jobs, traveling on my own, learning to run a business. It was a pivotal time in my life, and it grew me into adulthood.

When Unfancy took off in 2014, I made the decision to hang up my camera and dive full time into fashion and writing. Words on a page had a similar effect on me as taking photos. It was a way to communicate and connect with people without having to be “the outgoing one.”

I thought my photography days were behind me. But you know life — it’s full of surprises! And recently I found my path winding back around to photography. I started working part-time as a product photographer for an interior designer, and I’m so happy I get to reconnect with this beloved art form!

But…what do I wear?

Nothing like a new setting to make you question everything.

Most of my adult life, I’ve worked from home, but now I go into a beautiful shop where I’m around interior designers and customers. It’s rousing this artistic, sculptural side of my style that’s been dormant lately.

I want to dress the part. I’m excited to dress the part!

But how?

My solution is to create a uniform — an outfit formula designed for that specific setting — and it’s not as limiting as it sounds, promise.

If you too are finding yourself in a new chapter with something new to dress for, here’s my process, step by step:

STEP 1 | DEFINE THE FUNCTIONAL NEEDS

→ A good uniform is rooted in your daily activities.

We’re getting right into the weeds here, so stick with me. Here’s 4 things I need from my clothes for this new photography job:

• Sturdy: I’m lifting heavy objects, moving things, and getting dusty — can’t be wearing delicate things that snag or stain.

• Unrestrictive. Need to be able to move about freely and quickly.

• Cool, temperature-wise. Important because it gets hot when I’m shooting — either from lights or windows or the constant movement.

• Cool, vibe-wise (and professional too). This is the tension point, because it’s asking me to put sturdy, unrestrictive, and cool (temp-wise) into something that looks beautiful, artistic, and professional. Working within that tension can be perplexing at first, but there’s no feeling so good as finding a solution after pressing through the puzzle. (That feeling is why I’m a stylist.)

STEP 2 | MAKE A TINY MOOD BOARD

5-8 images only

Here’s mine for my photography job:

Just a few photos will do — the less, the better, actually. You can even collage your inspo photos together in Canva if you want.

To take it from vague inspiration to actually helpful, jot down what you like about each photo. Keep it short. This creates a concise visual reference you can come back to.

STEP 3 | PICK ONE KEY PIECE

Err…well, except sometimes you’ve got to invert the structure to make it work

In previous posts, I’ve harped on about how:

→ A good uniform is built around one key piece that’s so easy to wear, you can wear it without even thinking.

Buuuut…sometimes you’ve got to change up the approach. Since I’m dressing for a new job (and what feels like a new world), I’m not sure what my key piece would be. So I took the opposite route.

This time I picked an anti-key piece — a piece that’s not allowed in this uniform — and it’s: plain t-shirts.

Gasp! I know. A plain tee is the cornerstone of my typical style. But taking plain tees off the table signals to me that this uniform is different. This one’s about creativity, pushing myself a bit, and trying new things.

STEP 4 | PLAY WITH CLOTHES

Now it’s time to take my functional needs, tiny moodboard, and key piece (or well, anti-key piece) and ask myself:

What do I own that might work? What do I own that has similar energy?

Sitting with these questions is where the juice is! Don’t scan your closet for 30 seconds, then proclaim, “I don’t have anything, I’d have to buy something.” Nooo. Open up your closet and really look. You likely won’t have the exact pieces you think you need (I didn’t either), but pull things that have a spark of possibility anyway. Anything even remotely reminiscent of your tiny moodboard.

If you have clothes in a spare closet or in storage, look there too. I did this — pulling pieces I hadn’t worn or seen in years, like some old Elizabeth Suzann pieces (IYKYK) — and it was magic! These pieces have been zipped into garment bags, just waiting for their day in the sun again. And that day has come! I was DEE-LIGHTED to style these old pieces in updated ways! So much so that I had to do that obnoxious spelling!

Lay everything you pulled on your bed and start trying things on. Play and expect a lot of failure. But keep iterating, zhuzh-ing, and trying until you…

STEP 5 | LAND THE UNIFORM

Without further ado, here’s the formula for my photography job:

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Good morning!

Ever notice how sometimes getting dressed in the mornings flows easily, and other times not so much?

I mean, getting dressed should be pretty straightforward. You match your clothes to your energy, activities, and weather — and there you go. Technically, it’s not hard.

So why does it feel hard — but only sometimes? What’s the common denominator?

I think I figured it out:

The other day, I needed to get out the door like 5 minutes ago. But I hadn’t even gotten dressed yet. I put on an outfit, it was an instant no, and suddenly my inner critic got real loud.

What’s funny is that I’d only tried one outfit — rarely does anything in life work on the very first try — but because I was short on time, I had no room for second tries.

Incoherent thoughts tumbled into my mind. Why do none of my clothes work? Why can’t I dress myself? Why is my body this way? Do I even know myself at all?

These thoughts weren’t even true, but in my rushed state, they felt like facts.

And there it is — the common denominator:

When you’re in a time crunch, getting dressed feels exponentially harder. Time affords room for error or creativity or experimentation — and without it, even the most basic task can suddenly feel pressurized.

Fortunately, there’s a workaround: plan outfits in advance. It sounds so simple — and it is. What I love is that it doesn’t require you to buy new clothes or purge your wardrobe or rethink your style identity.

I think of it as mindfully rearranging time. I already spend time getting dressed each morning — why not transfer all those (stressful) daily minutes into an (enjoyable) weekly block?

I do this on Sundays. (Well, technically Saturdays because this post goes out first thing Sunday, but you get it.) The point is that I do it when I’m not needing to walk out the door. I like to put on music, dance around, hum to myself, and be entirely unrushed.

Here are the outfits I’ve planned for this week. I can always change them day-of, but having a starting point gives me some extra calm going into my week. It’s like getting to close an open tab in my brain before the week begins. 😌

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See you next Sunday where we’ll plan our outfits together again!

If you have questions in the meantime — or want to talk through your style, organize your closet, work on a capsule wardrobe, or anything else — I offer 1:1 support. You can learn more here.

When you see this post in your inbox each Sunday, I hope it’s an invitation to, yes, plan some outfits, but more importantly, to start the week with some intention. I hope it reminds you that there really are simple ways to make our days feel lighter.

★ Hop on the waitlist for my upcoming style masterclass.

♡ Like or comment so more people can find Unfancy. (It really helps!)

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