Hi, friends! I’m so excited to be recapping the Spring 10×10 Challenge with you today. (In case you missed it, you can read about the 10 items I chose for the challenge in this post.) This ended up being one of my favorite 10×10 Challenges yet!! Do I say that every time?! Haha. I guess that’s a good thing if it means I’m learning how to pick good quality pieces I don’t tire easily of over 10 days and that I’m continuing to grow and evolve in my style journey. But in all honesty, I was so happy with how each of my outfits turned out (hello, comfort!) and I was quite smitten with the springy color palette of my 10 items. This year’s Spring 10×10 was held a little earlier than last year’s. (If you remember, last year’s Spring 10×10 was held at the end of April, so there were quite a few more summery looks.) But I got around my desire of dressing for spring in the cold with bright bold colors in heavier fabrics that kept me plenty warm. You can see my 10 items below. (And as always, outfit links are listed at the very end of the post if you are interested!)
Also, just a quick note about some of the messages I received about the challenge and starting late…. The Spring 10×10 Challenge officially started on Friday, March 30th this year thanks to our hosts Lee and Caroline. But I didn’t end up starting until Tuesday, April 3rd. Coming straight out of Spring Break the weekend before, I was excited and ready to start the challenge. (I had some serious FOMO while I was in San Francisco on break and watching the #spring10x10 religiously at night.) To make things extra interesting, I came down with a horrible upper respiratory something at the end of our trip, so I waited to start the challenge until that following Tuesday (4 days late :P). Oh well! I actually received a lot of messages from followers on Instagram who wanted to do the challenge but were afraid to start late. My response to that is just start! No matter the day, try it out! Even though I typically have a pretty flexible schedule, the 10×10 Challenges always seem to catch me a little off guard and fall at randomly inconvenient times. I honestly don’t know the last time I started and ended during the official challenge timeline. All this to say, 1) I will be better about warning you all when the challenge is going to happen so you can start on time and 2) don’t feel bad about starting late if you need to (I always do! haha). So long as you are partaking in the challenge during some part of the “official” dates and can benefit from connecting with the #10x10friends community, I would say just do it! Start when you can and have fun with it! And always remember, the 10×10 Challenge is less about following the rules strictly and more about learning, growing, and finding contentment with what you have. It’s the fun kind of challenge that shouldn’t stress you out!
Ok, now that we have all the explanations out of the way, let’s get into the 10 different outfits I styled for the Spring 10×10 Challenge! (P.S. For future reference, you can always follow along “in real time” during these 10×10 Challenges on my Instagram. It’s much easier to post daily on that platform that it is on here.)
Day 1
Alright, Day 1! Since I started on a Tuesday (no class or meetings) and was still recovering from being sick, I kept things nice and simple on the wardrobe front. I mentioned this in my last post, but I recently invested in these jeans–Madewell’s perfect summer jean in Fitzgerald wash. After hearing such rave reviews about them and needing a new (bigger :/ ) pair of jeans for the spring, I decided to make the plunge. So today was my first time really trying them out. And let me tell you, they are a dream! Despite being more structured in material than I’m used to (read: not stretchy), they are incredibly comfortable and surprisingly flattering on. And I love that the lighter, brighter wash of the denim is perfect for this warmer transitional weather.
I paired the jeans with this cotton fringe tee that has the most incredible texture. If I had a favorite detail to add to any outfit, it would definitely be texture. That’s a detail right? 😛 I love how texture has the ability to add dimension to an outfit that can’t be added otherwise. It breathes life into a look. And just like food that you can almost taste by looking at it, pieces with texture allow you to touch the fabric in your hands without even feeling it.
For a subtle pop of color, I added on a new favorite necklace (featured here in teal) made by the Portland-local small business, The Pursuits of Happiness. It’s a modern looking necklace that is classic enough to never go out of style and goes with just about anything you pair it with (especially basic tees, which I wear constantly). I seriously have been adding it to every outfit possible since I got it last month. And I love that it isn’t like anything else I’ve ever seen–such a unique piece to have!
In these pictures, I’m wearing my beige mules, but in reality I wore my white sneakers since the weather was a little chilly. (An artifact of shooting these looks in a studio before the actual day of wear.) I also added on my new favorite cream knit sweater for extra warmth. I have actually been on the hunt for the perfect slouchy cotton knit sweater for a while now. So when I picked this one up on sale, it was love at first sight and I knew it would be coming home with me. Beyond adding warmth, I love the effortless (slouchy, not sloppy) feel of it. And it’s the perfect weight for spring when all of my heavier-weight sweater cardigans are too warm most days.
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Day 2
Day 2 included an early morning class followed by working at home (still recovering from my cough and running nose). Luckily, just about every piece I picked out for the challenge is super comfy to wear, making picking out an outfit in the morning a breeze (since just about any combination will work). However, this particular combination of purple and pink was one I was excited to try!
When I originally invested in these coral pink pants, I envisioned them mostly with neutral colors like cream, gray, and black. Maybe even a light blue button-up if I was being really adventurous. But honestly, purple wasn’t anywhere near my radar at the time. So I took a chance on this super bright look and ended up loving the final result.
It also didn’t hurt that I had an amazing colorful necklace from 31 Bits that pulled the pinks and purples together perfectly. (P.S. This necklace is made out of recycled paper that supports working women in Africa. If you don’t know about 31 Bits, you can read about their story and mission here. It’s a great company to support if you love well-made jewelry with a equally beautiful back story.)
I again added on my beige knit cardigan for warmth and loved that it toned down the brightness of the outfit by just the perfect amount for class. Note to self: Adding on a neutral colored cardigan to a super bright outfit tones it down so that you aren’t making too much of a statement in public. Anyone else love wearing bright colors but hate the attention from it? 😉
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Day 3
Day 3 of the challenge and I was finally starting to feel like I could breathe through my nose again, haha. It’s the little things when you are sick! This day I channeled my weekend vibes on a Thursday and I wasn’t mad about it. I did actually intend to wear this look to the farmers market over the weekend, but seeing as it was supposed to SNOW (what?!) I decided to wear it on this day instead.
There’s honestly nothing too monumental about this look–basic tee + jeans + sneakers. (…or really any outfit I put together in this challenge! ha.) But there’s something about this combination in particular that just feels so classic, cool, and casual.
I’ve also noticed with high-waisted pants and jeans that they tend to be cropped at the bottom, whether it’s a true crop or a rolled hem. I can’t figure out why I like it so much, but it just works. So every time you see me wearing these jeans, you ‘ll be sure to see this kind of rolled cuff at the bottom. It’s a simple detail, but it’s also a great way to make any jean feel a little more springy!
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Day 4
I was especially grateful to have included a sweater in my 10×10 picks today because snow is no joke! But that is perhaps just the reality of springtime in the Rockies. One day it is summertime in the 70s and the next it doesn’t get above 30 and is blizzard-ing. It makes things exciting for sure!
On Day 4, I paired my wool sweater with my cropped coral pants. I was a little worried about my ankles freezing, but luckily I swapped in my waterproof ankle boots to save the day. I don’t count any of my “outerwear” (rain boots included) in my 10 picks since the weather here can be so unpredictable. If I were to include them, chances are (when you are prepared to use them) they would never get used and I would be left with only one pair of shoes for the 10 days. So to combat this, I let rain/snow boots and jackets/coats flow freely into my wardrobe as needed throughout the challenge.
This sweater makes me feel incredibly classy and put together. Between the slimmer fitted style and the beautiful speckled weave, it’s just so pretty to wear and have on. As such, I always try to pair it with classier accessories, like a simple gold bracelets and my favorite diamond necklace. When you have such a classy sweater, there’s really no need to overdo it with statement accessories. In this case, less is more.
Like I mentioned above, I swapped out my shoes for waterproof ankle boots, but I’m loving how this outfit looks with mules. You can bet I will definitely be trying out this combination again after the challenge!
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Day 5
I took Saturday off to lounge in my beloved yoga pants. Because honestly, is there anything better to wear on a lazy Saturday at home? I did pick the challenge back up on Sunday morning however for brunch with Allen at The Huckleberry. And I was pleasantly surprised in my rush to put something on quickly to get out the door (Allen hates to wait in brunch lines) to stumble upon the perfect brunch look. If Saturdays are made for lounging in yoga pants on the couch, Sundays are made for eating brunch in a loose, flowy dress. Those are just the facts, people.
In all honesty, this look is a little more loose and billowy than I’m used to wearing. But I’m glad that I gave it a try. After all, layering tops over dresses seems to be a favorite combination in all of my 10×10 challenges past.
Since the fringe tee and dress are both a bit oversized, I wanted to add accessories that tied the look together and hid some of the oversized-ness (to keep it from looking sloppy). It was also a weekend too, so I knew I wanted to add something that wasn’t too fussy or clunky. So I went with a pretty purple bandana tied around my neck for a stylish pop of color that also hid the layered neckline of my two pieces. I was a huge fan of how the resulting purple and golden yellow combination turned out too!
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Day 6
Back to the Monday grind with class in the morning and a research meeting in the afternoon. I chose simple classics like this purple tee and my new favorite high-rise jeans for a full day of working. I started out in my white sneakers since the morning was cold (coming off a weekend with snow) and then ended up switching into my beige mules for my meeting in the afternoon as it heated up. In fact, it was so nice outside in the evening that Allen and I ended up taking advantage of the gorgeous sunny weather to walk (instead of driving) to the grocery store. I already can’t wait for all the sunny days ahead!
Ok, can we talk about this necklace for a second?! It’s my absolute FAVORITE one from 31 bits. I love, love, love all the bright colors. And I especially love how it pulls out the lighter purple beads while making the yellow ones really pop against the darker purple background. You could not design a more perfect, beautiful necklace in my opinion.
Also, this outfit wouldn’t be complete without adding on my beige sweater for a warmer variation. Since the sleeves can be a little long (I sized up for a slouchier fit), I like to roll them up in a slightly undone kind of look to give a more casual cool, effortless vibe. It’s a subtle detail I can’t get enough of recently.
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Day 7
I spent the morning working at Wonder and then went home to work for the rest of the day. Throughout the challenge, I tried to switch off as best I could between my coral pink pants and my jeans each day. Mostly so that I wouldn’t get tired of one or the other. But it’s kind of funny because doing so, I would always wear my pink pants to class (which are pretty unique and easy to make an impression), which meant I felt like people could tell I was wearing the same thing every day. No one ever said anything haha, but I was glad that somehow over the weekend, I was able to switch things up and wear my jeans to class during the second week.
Anyways, back to my Day 7 outfit. I love this one! It made me feel like a summertime watermelon. Haha! And I loved it!
Instead of fully tucking my tshirt into my pants, I opted instead to tie up the front using a clear elastic hair tie. (It’s my go-to trick for getting around trying to tie my shirts into a knot…which is impossible for me!) This little trick is always a welcome variation to my tee + pants uniform during the challenge. It’s one I seem to only remember when I’m in the challenge, but hope to use more this upcoming summer!
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Day 8
Day 8 brought with it gorgeous weather. So gorgeous and sunny in fact that I felt compelled to wear my dress. But after trying to convince myself that I should wear the dress because I should be creative during this challenge, I realized that I was trying to force an outfit that I didn’t want to wear. Being a blogger can be wonderful at times and bring out such creative ideas that I never would have come up with otherwise, but other times I need to realize that listening to my gut instinct and wearing what I want to wear (instead of wearing what will look best in my Instagram feed) is the best course of action.
So on Day 8, I said to heck with it! And I wore exactly what I wanted to wear–my outfit from Day 1. That’s right. I re-wore an outfit for the first time in my 10×10 Challenge history. And I loved every second of it.
Sometimes going with what works and not messing with your go-to classics is the best for a reason.
Little changes like wearing a bright, bold pink lip and swapping out the necklace shown below with a teal beaded one were all it took to make this outfit feel fresh and different from the first time I wore this outfit.
Also, it ended up being a godsend that I didn’t wear a dress today because the wind was crazy. One thing I didn’t know about Colorado before moving here, the wind gusts are no joke.
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Day 9
Day 9 and I’m back to my creative spirits. I layered on this pretty golden yellow shift dress over my deep purple tee and loved the color combination it created. To play it up, I even added on a bright purple beaded necklace that made my color heart sing.
I’ve also recently fallen in love with the look of a dress with sneakers. It was definitely one I had to warm up to, but now it’s one I can’t get enough of. Bring on all the comfort.
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Day 10
Day 10 Day 10 Day 10! It was back to the cold weather again today, including (you guessed it) snow! So I happily donned on my cashmere sweater, comfy jeans, and waterproof boots for class in the morning. I was also having one of those weird hair days where I wasn’t quite sure what to do with it, so I put it up into a low bun and tied a scarf around my head, Rosie the Riviter style. It was the perfect casual Friday look.
Since it was Friday and I had no need of a purse at school (I just carry my wristlet wallet in my backpack during the week), I didn’t style this look with a purse, as shown below. However, I wanted to include it as an option here, because adding a pop of color to an outfit can be as easy as tying a scarf around the handle of your handbag. It’s a great way to instantly summer-ize an accessory you already own and to match it to whatever outfit you happen to be wearing. Here I especially loved adding the pop of red to an otherwise neutral outfit.
Also, sweaters on sweaters are a thing, right? Super cozy vibes on a super snowy evening.
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Extra Look
Since I re-wore my Day 1 look on Day 8, I had one extra look to wear as a part of the Spring 10×10 Challenge. I intended to wear this look at some point over the weekend, but never got around to it. To be completely honest with you, I was ready to have my closet back and style things I had had my eye on for 2 weeks now and couldn’t touch. So guess what I did? I didn’t force it. And my soul was happier for it. One thing that I am consistently reminded of throughout each of the 10×10 Challenges is to not force things. It seems like it would be pretty easy to just go with the flow, but somehow that challenge mindset always seems to creep in on me and makes me want to invent some look that is unique and totally out of the box (and tends to be super fussy, not practical). Instead, I say have fun and follow your gut! Take note of those fascinating bits of information you learn about yourself along the way.
I did, however, want to share this extra look with you as another option to how I could style these pieces. Because why not?! Right? It’s fun!
This outfit felt very cool girl California style to me. Both cute and functional. It was a little outside my aesthetic with the oversized top and oversized bottoms, but I’m glad I gave it a shot. It feels very laid back and casual, which I love for summer.
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Overall Thoughts
So those are my 11/10 outfits from the Spring 10×10 Challenge! What did you think?! Overall I really loved how all of the outfits turned out and even have plans of recreating some of them again (especially Day 1 and Day 4!). And even though this is my 5th 10×10 Challenge, I’m always still learning a thing or two about my personal style. So here are a few of the lessons I took away from this challenge…
1. Stick with what works. | Going into this challenge, I was afraid my choices were too simple. I essentially put together a micro-capsule full of tshirts and jeans, which isn’t super earth-shattering or novel. But guess what? These pieces are what work for me and my lifestyle at the moment. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s a lot better to openly acknowledge this and make the best of it, instead of going for pieces that are too dressy for my work and don’t feel comfortable to wear. Once you decide you are ok wearing what looks and feels good to you, you can focus on getting back to living your life instead of feeling lost getting ready in the morning.
2. Repeats are ok! | I can’t say I’ve ever repeated an outfit in a 10×10 Challenge before. But there’s a first time for everything, right?! And while I felt a teeny bit guilty at first for repeating a look I had already worn, that feeling only lasted a few minutes. The rest of the day, I felt so at ease in what I was wearing and my decision to wear it. Some outfits are too good not to re-wear. How fascinating that I found a look I am 100% ok re-wearing within the span of only a few days. I say that’s style gold I stumbled upon, and something to celebrate!
3. Sweaters are your friend during unpredictable weather. | I felt so incredibly lucky to have included a sweater in my Spring 10×10 picks. Who knew it would snow multiple days during the challenge?! That’s not to say I couldn’t have added a heavier coat over anything lighter weight I was wearing without “cheating”, but it was just better this way. And it turned out that the lighter-weight cashmere sweater was the perfect weight for spring since I could style it both on warmer and colder days.
4. Bandanas are the magic accessory. | After this challenge, I am fully convinced that bandanas can fill just about any accessory need you have. In need of a no-fuss necklace? Tie a scarf around your neck. Having a bad hair day? Use a scarf as a headband or wrap it around your bun for a fun alternative. Want to give your bag a fun make over? Tie a fun scarf around the handle. The options are endless! Needless to say, instead of taking a bunch of necklaces to my work tour in Maryland this summer, I’m going to instead bring a few colorful bandanas to style.
5. I totally get it now. These jeans are the BEST! | Ok, ok. I get it. The perfect summer jeans from Madewell are a dream. If you are in the market for a new pair of spring jeans, these are the ones. Don’t believe me? Just read the reviews! And I’ve heard they get better with continued wear, so don’t be surprised if you see me in these all summer long! I sized up to a 28 since they don’t have much stretch in them. I honestly wasn’t sure if I’d like the fact that they were a more structured, tough material, especially since they are high-waisted. But they just feel so good to wear! I can’t even explain it.
6. Spring in color not in style. | I was a bit worried about this challenge feeling too similar to the Winter 10×10 (which happened only a few months ago) since the weather is still quite cold here. To combat this, I made sure to pick hearty, warm materials in bright, springy colors. In this way, I was able to adequately dress for the weather (even if just by layering my pieces together) while still feeling like I could celebrate spring and warmer weather on the way. So if you are as impatient for spring weather as I am, try mixing in brighter colors to the mix to keep you satisfied until summer.
What about you? Did you partake in the Spring 10×10 Challenge? What were some of your biggest takeaways this time?
You might also like…Last Year’s Spring 10×10 Recap and Another Springy Look + A Favorite Sandwich Spot.
Photos by Noah Berg
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Get the Look…
1. Purple Tee: Gap | 2. Teal Stripe Tee: Madewell (similar here, here) | 3. White Fringe Tee: Madewell | 4. Gray Cashmere Sweater: Everlane
5. Yellow Shift Dress: The Stockplace (similar) | 6. High-Rise Light Wash Jeans: Madewell | 7. High-Rise Pink Wide Leg Pant: Everlane | 8. Beige Knit Cardigan: Gap
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