As a blogger, I find looking back over the past year of outfits a very encouraging thing. It’s fun to see how my style has evolved and to remember how excited I was when I came up with an outfit combo or to realize, in looking back, how often I now copy the same outfit formula. It’s helpful for me to look back over my favorite outfits of 2018 and I hope it will also be helpful for you.
As I shared in my last post, 2018 was a year of big changes for me. (Thank you so much for all the kind comments on that post…it’s hard to be vulnerable that way but you all met my feelings of failure and struggle with compassion and understanding, for which I’m truly grateful.) In April 2018 I succumbed to my teaching over-exhaustion and gave up on the blog. At that time I wasn’t sure if I would ever pick it back up again. I continually tell new teachers to make time for the other things you love because a happy, balanced teacher is a better teacher. But, we all get into situations where it seems like there is no way out. I ignored my own advice about keeping balance because I was so darn exhausted. Ultimately, my way out was to leave teaching and finally, in August 2018 I had the head-space and desire to pick up blogging again.
The crazy thing in looking back is that what I remember about last winter and spring is how my exhaustion killed my creativity, but many of my favorite outfits from 2018 came during that time! I still re-wear many of them!
And so, without further ado…here are my six favorite outfits from 2018.
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Number 6: Leopard Shirt dress and Leather
I was so excited to find this leopard shirt dress at such an affordable price and loved how it paired with my leather moto jacket!
Original post HERE
Number 5: Black, White and Orange
This was my absolute favorite work outfit of the year. I love how the white edged blouse pairs with the white ankle pants. The orange coat is the perfect affordable pop of color and my leopard pumps make every outfit fab!
Original post HERE
Number 4: Over-the-knee Boots at Work
Ah yes, this was when I finally found my perfect pair of OTK boots and was bold enough to wear them to school! You too can wear OTK boots to work!
Original post HERE
Number 3: Crop Top for Work
…when I learned that layering a crop top over a longer top can make it appropriate for work!
Original post HERE
Number 2: Layering a Blouse Over a Dress
…When I found one MORE way to wear my favorite lace dress by turning it into a skirt for Valentine’s Day!
Original post HERE
Number 1: White Skinny Jeans for Work
This has got to be my absolute favorite, most-copied work outfit ever. It’s amazing how easy it is to change up this outfit combo.
The monotone white base allows for infinite outfit combinations. Change out the heels or the cardigan and you have a slightly different outfit. It makes sense that this is also my most popular post from last year.
Original post HERE
Reflecting on my favorite outfits of 2018
Here is what I realized when I looked back at my 2018 favorites:
- My obsession with leopard print is no joke, lol! Half of the outfits above include some form of leopard print.
- Layering pieces gives them new life! (I layered the crop top over a collared shirt and the pink bow top over a lace dress and totally expanded the ways I could wear those pieces!)
- Shein has become one of my favorite retailers. Four of the six outfits above include pieces from Shein and many of the outfits that didn’t make the cut also included Shein pieces. Their shipping has gotten quicker, exchanges easier and products better quality.
- I really like a white base, either skinny jeans or a white skirt.
It was so fun for me to look back over at my 2018 style! As you reflect back over your style this year, what do you see? Is there an item (like my leopard pumps) that you just wanted to wear over and over again? Do you notice that you’re drawn to certain colors? I’d love for you to share your own style reflections from 2018 below!
(And if you’re interested in last year’s top five outfits, go HERE!)
Thanks for stopping by!
-Virginia
Linking up with: Style Nudge | Glass of Glam | Pink Sole | I do deClaire | Color and Grace | Pumps & Pushups | Straight A Style | On the Daily Express | Curly Crafty Mom | Mummabstylish
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Your outfits are lovely! This is a great way to look back on a stylish year. I think that first outfit is my favourite though! 🙂
Hope that you’ve had a wonderful start to 2019 so far! 🙂 I’ve just started a new linkup on my blog for the new year, I’d love for you to check it out.
Away From The Blue Blog
Thank you! 2019 has gone very smoothly so far and I’m getting excited about what’s in store for the new year! Thank you for the invite! I will make sure to stop by!
I love that all your outfits include color and print, they feel fun and yes – clearly a pop of leopard is always a good idea!
Chic on the Cheap
It’s so funny you mention color and print because, yes, that’s totally my style! But, I was content-planning this morning and I noticed that I’ve been gravitating away from color! I don’t know what’s wrong with me! Either my style is changing or winter is getting me down! That being said, my love for leopard will never die, lol.
super pretty!
kiss, Elodie
https://www.luxetoutou.com
Thank you!
What a year it has been Virginia. I am glad that you decided to come back to blogging. I know that it is a lot of work even if it just a hobby. It feels like there’s never enough time in a day to do everything. These are all beautiful outfits and my favorites are the leopard dress and the floral print top. I hope your 2019 is off to a great start and happy Tuesday!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
Thank you for your kind words Maureen. 🙂 Blogging is a lot of work! Lately I’ve been enjoying it so much though, and that makes all the work worth it! Plus, isn’t it awesome that our blog is our own? Something we’ve created, that we can look back on. I love that about it! My 2019 is off to a great start and I hope yours is too!
You have had such a stylish year! I think my favorite of these is your pink blouse over your dress! I can’t believe it’s a dress, you paired them together so well!
Thank you Laura! Layering tops and skirts over dresses was one of the tricks I learned early in blogging to make my wardrobe last longer! I frequently forget about it though, so it’s always good to look back and remember!
So many great outfits! My favorite though has got to be the taupe OTK boots with that floral top. SO pretty!
Lee | LegalLee Blonde
Thank you Lee! I have to say I’m partial to that outfit too. That floral top was a Shein find years ago and every time I wear it I feel bright and cheery!
I spy some of my favorites too! I especially loved that orange jacket!
Brooke
Pumps and Push-Ups
Yay! Yes, the orange jacket was one of the finds I was most proud of this year!
So hard to pick a favorite, I love them all! I really like that olive cardi and the white lace dress with the pink top. Have a great weekend!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Thank you! Yes! I sure love my white with pops of color! Have a wonderful week!
These are all so cute dear, especially the pink blouse over a dress. Such a sweet and chic look!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Thank you Jessica! I have worn those two pieces so many ways but this one was one of my favorites!