Pertinent Pacing Plaid

I suppose it's a little bit difficult to tell in the evening light, but the woods behind me are full of snowy blossoms albeit so high in the canopy the only way I could even get them in the distant background was by standing on top of the hillside.

Spring is finally here, Hallelujah! I am thrilled to see its arrival, fashionably late, as always.  In spite of the decidedly autumnal academia vibes of today's post, rest assured I have been reveling in all my pastels and florals.

You may be thinking that this outfit must be one that got lost in the shuffle from fall, but no, this dress is actually a thrifted ModCloth piece that I thought would be perfect for work.  My work environment isn't really conducive to joyful prints and bright colors.  Which isn't to say that the people there aren't hilarious and lively, because they are, it's just well, not the kind of place for whimsical clothing.

While whimsy may be right out, tasteful and timeless are welcome anywhere, so I have been searching for more serious fare that remains interesting and stylish.  In the 20-teens, I loved the vintage New Girl vibe dresses that ModCloth was producing and still have many of those pieces in my weekly rotation, (even I can't believe how well they've stood the test of time) and am always on the lookout for the thrifted remnants of that era.

I have been on a spending/shopping reduction this year, just basically trying to be very mindful of what I spend and how much stuff I am bringing into my life, so when I came across this Pertinent Pacing Plaid dress, I knew it would be the perfect pairing of vintage style with work appropriateness, but I still waited for a few weeks to think about it before buying.  

The things I take into consideration are 1. Do I really need it?  2.  Do I already have something like it?  3.  Would it be occasional or would I wear it all the time?  4.  Does it go with what I already own or will I have to buy more things in order to accessorize it?

I took two or three weeks, and thought through all these questions and decided that this dress really would fit right in with my existing wardrobe and be a real asset as it checks all the boxes for work.  I have stuggled for months to find the right balance in my work clothes and I think I am finally getting the hang of it at my new job.

Having these questions ready and taking the time to really think about them so that I am not spending money emotionally or impulsively has been incredibly helpful.  That's not to say I don't sometimes slip-up and make a silly purchase when I'm having a bad day, but I can tell that I am making strides toward getting things in balance and that is exciting.

I am also getting the hang of finding pieces that I feel comfortable in wearing to work.  It's taken a year of trial and error, but if a thing is worth doing then it's worth seeing it through.

Outfit Info:  Ecosusi Bag (Bow added by me) Shoe Carnival Flats, Ye Mak Honey Comb Sweater, Pertinent Plaid Dress by ModCloth