…I’m over it. First day I didn’t think this would be a challenge and here I am on day 4 like ughhhh I have to get dressed because I made a promise to myself and the internet. So you could say the challenge IS working to that effect — it is making me get dressed. But yeah, I’m missing my give up clothes and I just washed them too so they smell of lavender fields of laziness.
So this is something we haven’t really talked about here but I’ve gained weight this past year (a mix of medication and depression) and it’s frustrating, I”ll be honest. Most of my jeans don’t fit and it’s hard to get dressed. I’m trying to un-bulk my closet and not buy a ton of new things but the truth is it’s getting hard to get dressed because not many things fit me right now. On the flip side, this has done wonders for me cleaning things out because if it doesn’t fit, no use me keeping it. So that’s my current conundrum as I am trying to lose weight so I don’t necessarily want to buy new jeans. But then I don’t really have super trend-forward jeans that fit for outfits I need to put together for my job here. What would you do — buy a pair of more trendy jeans that fits you right now or wait it out with the few pairs I have that fit?
However, this pair of 90s Madewell jeans fit as do a couple of others I received last fall for sponsored posts (like those J.Crew dark denim ones I keep wearing!). I don’t know if this is my *favorite* Madewell fit of denim but I do like how comfy this pair is. (Perfect vintage jeans will always be my favorite from them and I like the kick out crop, too.) It’s like a high rise skinny jean up top with a straight jean on bottom and I like that and at least they’re comfortable. I’m also trying to decide if I even like this straight leg jean trend — it feels very, very late 90s to me and that was hard for me to conquer in 7th grade, hard to conquer now in 39th grade.
Oh and by the way, my sweater is on sale over at Shop Kendi — in fact everything is on sale! We are moving things out for winter to make room for more. So if you buy 2+ things, you get 50% off everything! I am in the large of the sweater, it is a roomy fit but overall true to size with a boxy fit. Find it here!
22 Responses
Thanks for the real talk today! i’ve been in your situation before and feeling like nothing fits and it’s frustrating. i appreciate you sharing.my self talk motto this month is be kind to yourself so that said i would buy another pair of jeans that fits comfortably now 🙂 I do enjoy this causal, real life outfit. i like the straight jeans but will be honest i’m struggling with adapting to them too but i like them here. And we both know you can never go wrong with stripes.
Oh so cute! Loving this challenge, and rooting for you to keep it going! You got this. Plus, tomorrow seems like a good day for another give up outfit. Just sayin.
I think the biggest challenge with current fashion trends is that it’s almost anti-flattering. As someone who also turned 39 this past November, i find it a hard concept to wrap my mind around because it requires a lot of embracing of my body. I grew up hearing my mom lament about her perceived physical flaws. It’s very hard to undo all of the direct and indirect messaging about the ideal female body that has been with me for a lifetime. Not to mention that high-waisted jeans that show off a waist are not the best look for my body type. But I like to feel on trend and I have found it a good mental exercise to try to embrace my body for how it is. Lastly I have also gained weight this past year but I am almost certain it is connected to perimenopause since there is no other explanation — fun
I am loving this series/challenge and getting a look into you and your real life, with some challenges I would never have guessed (as a non-style-blogger) and some I can totally relate to (wanting to wear give-up clothes every day, not having any jeans that fit but not wanting to invest in new ones). Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability!
Thank you for sharing this. I feel similarly postpartum looking at a lengthy road to my old size. Or accepting a Permanent new size? Either way its disheartening and tough to know what to buy in my current size and tough to be excited to get dressed. Thanks for being real <3
Such a cool one I like it.
Thank you for sharing. I love this outfit, and i hope you don’t give up on the challenge! I appreciate the vulnerability in your posts, and i’ve been coming back each day to read. i think so many of us 30-somethings women can relate to this experience. i say buy a pair of jeans that fit and you like!! Makes a world of a difference to be comfortable every day. Sending hugs!
My dear sweet kendi, this is what Nuuly is for! You can rent for a few months up a size from your standard without the commitment of purchasing.
Thanks for the real talk – im in this spot and it does make getting dressed less fun. Good to know im not alone.
Love this outfit! I work from home and more days than not I wear leggings or sweatpants all day. Similar to your day 1, I like to exercise and I don’t want to change my clothes a gazillion times in one day. AND I want to fully utilize my wardrobe. One thing I’ve liked to do in the fall/winter is wear a fun sweater with my leggings or a pair of joggers. Throw on some fun sneakers and I can run errands during the day, plop in front of my computer, or snuggle with the pups! All that to say – I fully support posting your “give up” clothes if that happens to be what you would naturally put on that day!! We all wear “give up” clothes and some days we want to be comfy but still cute!
Buy a pair that fit now! Why wait?! Be nice to current Kendi and get that girl some trendy jeans that make her feel great!(might I reccomend Levi’s Wideleg +size up+, or Baggy Dad +size down+…and they’ll still look great when they’re a little loose later)!
Girl. You are awesome. You look great. Your writing style is so real and fun and engaging. I was refreshing this page like 20x yesterday like what is kendi going to wear!!!!! Thank you for sticking with it. Getting dressed is hard for me and i appreciate the inspiration. Also, rent pants! I’m between sizes and that’s All i’m doing. My experience is Postpartum bodies are postpartum foreverrrrrrr. My mom told me the other day—i’m 34 years postpartum 😂
Oh man, doesn’t it feel like that scene in mean girls when nothing fits? “sweatpants are all that fits me right now.” “you can’t sit with us!” ahhhh. that being said, thank you for the real talk! i have also gained weight for the same reasons (and lost hair and stuff, so i’m feeling extra hot.) I am with you for the ride and you’re empowering me & all of us to get dressed anyway and love the clothes we have right now!
yes!! I feel that scene every day. I also say ‘get in loser, we’re going shopping’ all the time, lol. Oh hair loss you say? SAME. Then when one little strand grows back it’s WHITE. Like am I part Dalmatian or…
I agree with the other comments – I am loving this series! Sometimes we all need some inspiration to just get dressed. You look great all the time, but i hate that you aren’t feeling the best about your current size. I have always heard that you should just dress for the size you are, not the one you want to be. So i say you buy yourself a pair of jeans that makes you feel awesome now! Thanks for being real with us.
In a similar boat as you, gained some weight over the last year and come fall, many jeans didn’t fit. I still let myself buy new pairs (because, i need pants lol), but bought a few wider leg styles like the 90s Straight (since those will still likely look good when i lose the weight), and a few bootcuts that, if they start getting baggy, I might see about getting them taken in a bit to fit a smaller me so I can still wear them. I also made sure to buy them during the super sales at the end of the year ($50 for madewell jeans? SOLD) so I won’t feel so bad if I have to donate them later.
Your honesty and vulnerability is beautiful. I’ve always loved your sense of humor too. 🙂
Thanks so much for your honesty, Kendi – You are the most relatable. I know the feeling of trying to get dressed when you don’t love your current weight. Somehow you manage to look amazing in every post. I love seeing what you are wearing each day, but don’t feel bad if you need to skip a day. As for pants – i love what someone said about renting pants! I wish I had thought of that in all my yo-yoing. You’re the best!
thanks for being real. here for it all.
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