With little to no fanfare, I decided to start wearing the same dress for 100 days in a row. There has been a Wool& 100-day Dress challenge going on for several years, and those who complete the challenge are awarded with a $100 gift card to the brand. I first heard about the challenge when a colleague and friend decided to make the commitment of wearing the same Wool& Sierra dress for 100 days. Back then, I too, casually, thought I could do that and tried it out for a few days back in 2020. I think what made it stick better for her, rather than my failed attempt, is that she posted her photos in her dress daily on Instagram. The accountability, the community, and the action of posting it seems like it was more likely to be a success for her. Whereas, I was keeping track in a photo album on my phone and forgot several times very early on to take a picture of myself.
I also was intimidated, because everyone doing the challenge had these huge realizations or personal breakthroughs while doing the challenge. That felt intimidating or daunting, because I already had big changes going on in my life and I wasn’t ready to add another. Who knows if I’ll come out on the other side of this challenge with those same feelings, but I’m not adding any of that pressure at the start by any means!
So why now?
Well, that’s a good question. A question I wrestled with for a bit before buying a new Wool& dress. I was 18 weeks pregnant with our second daughter at the time. This was one of the main reasons to do the challenge and one of the main reasons to NOT do the challenge in my mind! The reasons I wouldn’t want to do it included — well, I sometimes like to stay in my sweatpants all day while I am pregnant AND maybe I didn’t want to take a picture of myself everyday that I am pregnant. Pregnancy puts your body through so many changes, and some days that is easier for me to accept than others! I also wondered if I would rather wear other maternity clothes or ways to show off my bump during this pregnancy, and that I might be tired of wearing the same thing.
However, the reasons I chose to do it seemed more convincing. Yes, I would be taking pictures of myself everyday, but that would cause me to shower, get dressed, etc. everyday which might help give an energy boost on those harder than usual days. Also, I would have so many bump photos for this pregnancy (most likely my last!) when I felt so sad I didn’t take many during my first pregnancy. Then, I decided to start adding photos to this online journal and writing about highs/lows/current happenings each week of the pregnancy that coincided with each week of the 100 day dress challenge! Lastly, my husband and I love to make stop motion videos and we have so much fun doing it. We thought this challenge might be a fun way to make a video on the growth of my bump in this dress week by week!
Week One –
That said, my 100 day dress challenge on Sunday, March 5 in the long, vintage blue Sierra dress. Here are photos from each day of the week. I had lots of Zoom meetings this week for work, so I did have to be camera ready most days this week.
Sunday, March 5 (day one)
While I may not be wearing a sweater/extra layer in this photo, it was a chilly day. Fortunately, I spent most of it indoors and enjoying the look of the dress on its own.
Monday, March 6 (day two)
Today was my first day back to work after a four week sabbatical, actually. It was a tiring day. Getting to pick out an outfit with my new companion, the Sierra, and taking pictures with my daughter and bump though, that was exciting!
Tuesday, March 7 (day three)
So far, this might be my favorite long-sleeved top layer that goes with the dress, but I look forward to the sunny, summer days of Las Vegas where I can wear the dress on its own.
Wednesday, March 8 (day four)
Well, you might notice today was a day that did not include on-camera meetings, so I went for the cute un-showered look most of the day. I also remembered to take the picture toward the end of the day, so I was looking a bit frazzled.
Thursday, March 9 (day five)
Trying out the cute little knot of my sweater over the dress today. I thought it worked well, but I still prefer it without needing a layer. Also, trying to figure out how to pose! Temperatures and Zoom meetings required the extra layer today.
Friday, March 10 (day six)
Hooray, TGIF! This sweater has been my go-to sweater for so many years. It is so thick and cozy, but it is missing a button now. 🙁
Saturday, March 11 (day seven)
What a beautiful day it was in Las Vegas today. The sun was out, it was finally feeling warmer. We woke up and had breakfast, then we went to the gym for a good swim workout, then we went and shopped at the Farmer’s Market. After coming home, and Leah taking her nap, we got ice cream and checked out a new playground!
Pregnancy Journal this week (Week 19)
This week was an exciting one! I shared the news officially with all of my co-workers, and I started to feel the baby move/kick a little bit! As I am wrapping up the last week of my first half of pregnancy, I’ve been enjoying all of the weird things that happen while your pregnant more so this time around. When I was pregnant the first time, I felt like I was constantly dwelling on all of the limitations it put on my life. This time, I’ve been recognizing what a special (and short) period of life to experience this magic! I’ve been in awe of how my body has been working so hard to create a little new girl so much lately. Let’s hope that same cheery attitude sticks around toward the end of pregnancy where things start to feel very uncomfortable! 🙂