1 Girl, 5 Outfits: Cierra Everette

After getting a lot of great feedback (and submissions) for the new series I wanted to start “1 Girl, 5 Outfits,” I’m back today with another entry. So many girls reached out from the DC area, and I wish Carter and I had time to shoot more people. With such a quick trip and other work obligations, I’d knew we’d only have time for one girl… and that’s Cierra! It was such a pleasure for me to get to meet her and I loved the outfits she put together for the post:

Hello everyone! My name is Cierra, and I’m a 24-year-old navigating life in the D.C. Metropolitan Area (Alexandria to be exact). I graduated from the University of Mary Washington (go Eagles!) where I studied psychology, biology, and neuroscience. Now, I’m a full-time grad student, full-time employee in the non-profit space, and a lifestyle blogger! As you can see, I often have a lot on my plate which is why I wanted my blog to focus on how I attempt to balance my ambitious lifestyle. To me, this means making a monthly bucket list in which I add components that I believe will aid my attempt at finding balance. Currently, I prioritize trying new things, being social with my friends and family, finding time for exercise and personal growth, and cooking up new tasty and healthy dishes.

If I had to classify my style, I would say that I value comfort and feminine details. Anything with a bow, ruffle, or monogram immediately captures my attention. Currently, I am also intrigued by statement sleeves. As far as comfort goes, I’m most comfortable in a dress and would wear one every single day if it were practical. You’ll almost never find me in heels unless it’s relatively low and attached to a bootie. When shopping for clothes and shoes, I like to stay within a reasonable price point with the occasional splurge on pieces that I’m sure to use year after year. Marshall’s and J.Crew Factory are my favorite places to find affordable, yet classic pieces to fill my closet. My advice for purchasing higher-end pieces: sales are your friend if you use them sparingly!

Black bell-sleeved sweater (Marshall’s, similar) // Herringbone sidewalk mini (J. Crew Factory) // Earrings (Kendra Scott)

I work as an assessment research assistant at a small non-profit organization. Our office is business casual, so this is an outfit I reach for when I want to be both casual and little dressy. In fact, this was the outfit that I turned to on a day when I had to leave work and head straight to an industrial-organizational psychology networking event (I’m studying I/O psych in grad school!). I have this mini skirt in two other colors, and I love the versatility of them. I can dress them up like in this outfit or dress them down with a plaid shirt and bean boots.

Purple Ruffle Trapeze Dress (Express) // Over the Knee Boots (DSW)

I like to dress up for Thanksgiving (even though the rest of my family would rather wear football jerseys or sweats). This outfit would provide plenty of room for all of the delicious holiday dishes that I am sure to consume. Also, my sister and I always start our Thanksgiving afternoon at our Grandma’s house, then often make multiple stops to visit other family members. The low heel on these over the knee boots will make sure that I am comfortable the entire night. And the dress? Ruffles AND a statement sleeve. Do I have to say more?

Peter Pan Collared Green Velvet Dress (Betsy Johnson from Marshall’s, similar)

Speaking of holidays, holiday parties are right around the corner. I spotted this green velvet dress and thought it would be the perfect, comfortable dress for an upcoming engagement. I love the collar detail. I’m notorious for forgetting to accessorize, so I like that this collar does the work for me.

Ruffled Collar Sweatshirt Dress (Marshall’s, similar)

This dress is one of my favorite finds. I constantly find myself running from place to place and yet I need to look put together. The material of this dress is sweatshirt-like which makes it a super comfortable dress to go from my little brother’s soccer game, to run an errand, then to making the hour drive to visit my friends in Fredericksburg, VA (this happens more Saturdays than you would think). It also has the appearance of being layered without the bunchy feeling that sometimes accompanies layers.

Ruffle Detailed Sweater (Marshall’s, similar) // Jeans (Express) // Boots (LL Bean) // Vest (similar)

When it is not practical to wear a dress, and I have to wear jeans (which are the worse), then I reach for the only pair that I have found to give me the slightest degree of comfort—my performance stretch jeans from Express. These jeans are great if you are a little curvier in the thigh region and want a pair that doesn’t make you feel like you’re suffocating the entire day.

I enjoy the ruffle detail of this otherwise plain sweater. Through on an Excursion vest from J.Crew and LL Bean boots and you have a classic fall outfit. I would wear this outfit on a casual Friday at work, exploring with my siblings, or visiting one of my favorite farms (Miller Farms) on a Sunday morning with my grandma.