Last month, I shared my January Outfit Review (you can read that post here), where I focused on elevating my everyday casual looks.
January was all about getting out of my default Vuori jogger set and getting a little more creative with outfits that could carry me through a typical day — work from home, walk the dog, lunch or coffee with friends, hit the treadmill, meal prep, etc. — often all starting with the same base layer.
It turns out this challenge worked really well for me. The outfits were still cozy and casual, but they felt a bit more intentional – like I made a little extra effort.
So for February, I decided to try something a little different.
Instead of reaching for the same reliable pieces, I challenged myself to build outfits around things in my closet that hadn’t seen daylight in a while.
Some worked. Some absolutely did not.
But that’s kind of the point.
Below is a look at what I actually wore in February.
A Closet Experiment That Changed How I Choose My Jeans
One of the most interesting things I did this month had nothing to do with trends and everything to do with comfort.
I tried on every pair of jeans I own — without a mirror.
Yes, really.
Instead of asking the usual questions —
Are these flattering? Are they still in style? Do people still wear this wash? — I focused on something much simpler:
How do these actually feel on my body?
Each pair went into one of two piles.
Comfortable, back into the closet. Uncomfortable, stored in a clear bin – within reach – on a shelf.
Not donated, not banished forever — just out of sight but still accessible.
If you’ve ever put together what feels like a great outfit, only to get in the car and immediately wish you could go home and change… You know exactly why this exercise is helpful.
“Instead of asking if my jeans were flattering, I asked a better question: Do I actually want to wear these all day?”
Suzanne Bell
We all have those jeans.
I did the same exercise with my skirts, and what surprised me most was how helpful it was to simply reduce the number of options. With fewer pieces in rotation, getting dressed actually became easier.
Less overwhelm. More clarity.
Highly recommend.
What I Learned Styling Barrel Jeans/Pants
One silhouette I played with quite a bit this month was barrel jeans/barrel pants — a style I’ve been experimenting with more lately.
For the longest time, I assumed the most flattering way to style them was with a cropped jacket.
But after a month of experimenting, I realized something interesting:
I actually prefer a longer layer over barrel jeans and pants.
Once I figured that out, the outfits started coming together much more easily.
Left to right: 1. Citizens of Humanity ‘Miro’ Cheetah Barrel jean, HERE | 2. Mother “Curbside” jean, SIMILAR IDEA, Quince Hoodie Dickey Insert, HERE, Veronica Beard Scuba Jacket, sold out, SIMILAR HERE, Longchamp Le Pilage Energy Crossbody bag, HERE | 3. Longchamp Le Pilage Large Tote, HERE
The Third-Layer Pattern I Noticed
Looking back at my outfits from the month, I also noticed a clear pattern.
I really like a long-line third layer over almost any outfit.
Jackets, coats, longer cardigans, button-down layers — if they create a longer vertical line, they just feel “right”.
Left to right: 1. Faux Suede Barrel Pant, brown and olive green, on sale $39.97, HERE, V-neck tank, Ruti, now 20% off, HERE | Outfit 2 & 3 older pieces from my closet.
After thinking about it a bit, I suspect this is because I’m short-waisted, and longer layers visually elongate my top half. It creates a balance that feels better to me — especially with wider-leg silhouettes or barrel jeans.
Sometimes it takes a full month of outfits to see those patterns clearly.
A Few Favorite Outfits From February
A few outfits stood out along the way — mostly because they pushed me to wear pieces I hadn’t reached for in a while or style them in a way that felt new.
Left to right: 1. Veronica Beard Scuba Jacket, sold out, SIMILAR HERE, Veronica Beard ‘Beverly’ flare jean, HERE | 2. Julie Vos silver Solara pendant necklace, HERE , Longchamp Le Roseau belt, HERE | 3. older pieces from my closet
For more on experimenting with layers, visit last week’s blog and Live From My Closet video: How I Turn a Style Idea Into a Real Outfit (here).
What I’m Learning From Tracking My Outfits
Tracking my outfits in the Indyx app continues to be one of the most helpful style tools I’ve used.
Seeing everything laid out — both the outfits and the elements that make them up — makes it much easier to spot patterns, repeat what works, and notice where I’m getting stuck.
And sometimes the biggest lesson is a simple one:
Clothes you actually feel good wearing will always win.
Your Turn
If you’re feeling stuck with your outfits lately, try the no-mirror test with your jeans, skirts or any items you feel challenged by in your wardrobe.
You might be surprised which pieces make the cut.
And I’d love to hear from you —
Have you discovered any unexpected outfit formulas lately?
Drop a comment below and share.
