An Almost Complete Rainbow Week (Also, hi. Hello! I’ve Returned, Again.)

Hey, Rule Breakers. I’m back. (Yet again!) I’m back, and, fashion-wise, I hate everything. It’s a problem.

Before we moved, I restarted this fashion experiment. Early parenthood had left me feeling unattached from my old self. I thought getting dressed again, and breaking fashion rules again, would help. (The Style and Motherhood series can be found here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. Part 3 was my favorite.)

Now, we’re in London. I’m attempting to go out and look decent and feel snazzy, and it’s not working. Clothes-wise, I feel lost. Unmoved. Apathetic. There are no styles that currently excite me and all of my clothes feel just… fine. (Or worse!) Before, I was looking to reunite my personal style with my new mom identity. Now, I’m just looking for any clothes to move me, in any positive way, at all.

In an attempt to spark some fashion enthusiasm, I gave myself a difficult challenge: in one week, I’d wear an outfit that featured a different color of the rainbow everyday.

(Why is this challenge so difficult? I’m pregnant! As baby grows, my wardrobe shrinks!)

Below are each of the outfits and a spark measurement out of 5. If an outfit receives a 5/5, I’m feeling inspired again, and a 0/5 sparks nothing.

day one

Please forgive the layer of tiny handprints all over the mirror.

COLOR: Green

SPARK: 4/5

This outfit surprised me. I was sure I’d hate that grassy green and I was sure I’d hate it with prim polka dots. Once on, however, the green was flattering. The polka dots toned down the zip of the color and tied in easily with the sneakers. I even pulled out a pair of small green hoops from my oft-forgotten jewelry box to tie the whole thing together.

I’m not ready to say this outfit epitomises my personal style, but I enjoyed it.

Day Two

COLOR: Red

SPARK: 2/5

It was too blustery for the red dress I’d intended to wear on this day, so I attempted to improvise. It was fine and fairly mundane.

Day Three

COLOR: Orange

SPARK: -1/5

This outfit crossed the threshold between making me feel nothing (a 0/5) to full blown irritation. I thought I’d love this outfit. On paper, I should love this outfit. Perhaps if I wasn’t pregnant, I’d love this outfit.

In reality, I felt huge and heavy and pumpkin-tastic all day. We spent a large portion of our Saturday out of the house and I was overcome with relief when we finally came home and I could return to my comfy sweats.

Day Four

COLOR: Indigo

SPARK: 1/5

It’s hard to feel sartorially sparked when your outfit screams, “HEY, WATCH IT. PREGNANT LADY COMING THROUGH.”

I loved this navy linen dress when I purchased it, but it lost most of its shape after being washed. In an attempt at pizzazz, I added a small collection of blue bracelets. That helped a little. I felt less like a mobilized caftan.

Somehow the little handprints on the mirror seem to have duplicated in this photo.

It was here in this experiment that I hit a wall. I’d run out of clean clothes. I had no options in yellow that fit. Somehow, I managed to stain my purple dress right across the stomach, which is rather difficult to hide. So, I called it. Rainbow Week, complete.

What’s the verdict, then? After that green outfit, I’m feeling slightly more than nothing. I suppose that’s something. But, all in all, dressing by color isn’t the tactic to get my style enthusiasm back.

Have you experienced this condition? Did you become apathetic to your closet? How’d you combat it? I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment in the box below, shoot me an email (costumeparade@gmail.com), say hello on Instagram, I’m always around!

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