Seven days, one charcoal gray dress, and an increasingly predictable obsession with French Terry.
Well, friends, I've officially survived the first seven days of another wool& 30 Day Dress Challenge!
And by survived, I mean I've spent the last week wearing what might be one of the coziest pieces of clothing in my closet. So let's not pretend this has been a tremendous hardship.
This time around, I'm wearing the wool& Sierra Tank Dress in Charcoal Heather, size XXL Long. If you've been following along on Instagram, you've seen the daily outfits. Now that I've made it through the first week, I have thoughts about fabric, fit, styling, and exactly how much breakfast one dress should be expected to survive.
First, Can We Talk About This French Terry?
I LOVE wool&'s French Terry fabric. Seriously. LOVE.
It's the same material as the Eliza dress I wore during last year's 30 Day Dress Challenge, and the Aspen collection I already own and adore. It's substantial without being stiff, soft, and feels like wearing a warm, cozy hug. If I could wear it 24/7, I probably would.
I'm fairly certain I own everything wool& makes in this fabric. I clearly have a type.
Let's Talk About Sizing, Because I Might Have Gotten This One Wrong
I've lost about 70 pounds over the last two to three years, with hormone replacement therapy, GLP-1 support, and of course diet and exercise all part of my journey. I'm incredibly proud of that accomplishment, but apparently my brain hasn't entirely caught up with my changing clothing size.
When I ordered the Sierra, I was excited to order an XXL. Seven days later? I think I could have ordered an XL.
Which really shouldn't have surprised me. Most of my other Aspen pieces are already XL. But I didn't want this dress too tight, so I sized cautiously. What I underestimated was how much the Sierra's naturally relaxed, A-line shape handles that for you.
My XXL works, and it's wonderfully comfortable. I suspect an XL would give me a slightly more tailored fit through the upper body without sacrificing the swingy shape. It's a pretty fantastic feeling to realize I may have sized up when I didn't need to.
Seven Days, Two Washes, and a Breakfast Incident
One question people always ask about a 30-day wool dress challenge is how often you need to wash the dress.
Well. I've already washed my Sierra twice. And before anyone starts questioning merino wool's odor resistance, let me explain.
Neither wash was because the dress smelled. The first involved a lovely little drip of butter. Super oily. Immediate attention required.
The second? A runny egg. ALL. OVER. THE. FRONT.
Apparently I cannot be trusted to eat breakfast in nice clothes.
Happily, both stains came out completely. My personal wool-washing routine is a delicate cycle in cold water with Eucalan, a short tumble on ultra-low heat, and then hanging the garment to finish drying. After two washes there's been no shrinkage, and the fabric is still as soft and cozy as ever. That's my experience, not a replacement for the manufacturer's care label.
At this rate, I may need to wear my Garden Party apron to breakfast. For everyone's safety. Especially Sierra's.
The Tank Style Is Where the Fun Begins
One reason I chose the Sierra is its sleeveless design. I've worn shirts underneath, cardigans and a sweater over, and a hoodie on a casual Saturday. Every combination changes the feel of the dress without changing the dress itself.
Some days, it's office-ready. Other days, it's full-on cozy weekend mode. And apparently one day it's a floral apron and a date with my sourdough starter.
The Long Length and Those Boots
I ordered the Long version, and I love how the hem works with my VIVAIA Filipa boots. They're flat boots, comfortable for real life, and the dress shows them off instead of hiding them. Add leggings or compression socks and I'm set.
Charcoal Heather: Not Quite My Usual Black-on-Black
I wear a LOT of black. I could have made this easy and chosen a black dress, but I went with Charcoal Heather. Black still works, cream softens it beautifully, and Purple Iris turned out to be a surprisingly great pairing.
The gray is neutral, but it makes me think a little harder about color. I like that. Ask me again around Day 23.
Seven Days, Seven Outfits
Day 1: Back to the Office
Sierra, the black WoolX Liza Crew Neck Tee, and VIVAIA Filipa boots. Simple, comfortable, and office-ready.
Day 2: A Little More Layering
A white Universal Standard Artist Oversized Poplin Shirt, black WoolX Chessy tank, VIVAIA Urban Boots, and black knit leg warmers. Apparently I decided Day 2 was the right time to test my layering skills.
Day 3: Cozy Cardigan Weather
My black wool& Aspen Cardigan, Bioflect compression tights, and Filipa boots. French Terry layered with more French Terry? Yes, please.
Day 4: Cozy Saturday Casual
Sierra plus wool& Summit Crops and a black WoolX Ryann Hoodie. No effort required. Perfect Saturday energy.
Day 5: Kitchen Duty
Sierra and Summit Crops, topped with my Hedley & Bennett x Rifle Paper Co. Garden Party Pinafore Apron. Because even my kitchen attire is participating.
Day 6: Purple Iris
The WoolX Anna Sweater in Purple Iris, Bioflect compression leggings, and Filipa boots. The purple and charcoal combination is definitely going into the repeat rotation.
Day 7: Buttercream and Boots
My WoolX Hannah Long Sleeve Top in Buttercream underneath the Sierra, with Everstride compression socks and Filipa boots. Cream is another keeper with the charcoal gray.
Seven Down, Twenty-Three to Go
So, am I sick of the same dress? Not even a little. The French Terry remains my favorite, the tank silhouette is versatile, the length works brilliantly with my boots, and apparently this dress can survive my breakfast habits.
Now the real question is whether I'll finish the next 23 days without talking myself into a Sierra in another color. Or an XL. Both seem entirely possible.
Have you tried a 30 Day Dress Challenge, or do you have an item you could happily wear every day? Tell me about it!
Challenge note: At the time of writing, wool& says there's no deadline to join the challenge. See the official challenge page for current rules. This challenge isn't sponsored; wool& does not accept affiliate partnerships promoting the 30- or 100-day challenge.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
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