Outfits I Wore While Avoiding My Notifications
no more apps? except this one. here’s my week in outfits
ANOTHER APP??? I DON’T WANNA!
Warning: Substack says this post might be too long for email. Click “View entire message” to see the full masterpiece or read it in the Substack app!
I always say my head is just above water. Anytime someone tells me there’s a new app I need to get, or my kids’ school switches to an online learning app, or there’s a Remind group for the soccer team, I typically opt out.
The WhatsApp for my daughter’s class has over 100 unread notifications on my phone, and anytime I think of it, I shudder. However, shout out to the parents and teachers who are out there communicating and helping us “lost/confused parents & guardians” in the trenches. It is SO appreciated.
Let’s be real, I can barely reply to my Mom’s “Are you alive?” text, let alone catch up on 105 missed messages.1
My husband is a pro at managing many things at once, my superpower is not that. For me: every chat is silenced, every app has 9,231 notifications, and whenever someone tells me I need the newest, coolest app, I feel myself die inside.
So when I started hearing everyone discussing the Indyx app, I was apprehensive. But, I decided to give it a go.
Basically, Indyx is an app that helps you organize your wardrobe digitally, plan outfits, get styling advice, and more.
I’m aware this is basic-level Substack journalism. I know most people have already vetted this and are either enjoying it or opting out. But remember, I’m your mom friend who’s always late, doesn’t know what time the event starts, and forgot to put crazy socks on her kid for “Crazy Sock Day.”
No, seriously, my daughter’s socks were white in the class picture.
I finally started using Indyx properly. I was nervous my inability to finish simple tasks, like emptying the dishwasher or folding laundry, would keep me from enjoying it.
Let me preface that Indyx is not paying me for this post, they do not even know I exist.
One day on a drive home from the lake, instead of browsing online shopping, I started uploading photos of my clothes and got a lot in quickly, perks of hyperfocus.
Here are my personal thoughts on the Indyx experience thus far.
LIKES
Seeing my wardrobe all laid out was strangely fascinating. I realized I really lean into a modern Americana vibe Is that a thing? I’m not sure.
I have favorite colors and stick to them, which is fine (because I feel good!) even if I’m dressing quite repetitive.
Less chaos. Planning outfits on the app earlier in the day saved me from late-night closet digging and meltdowns.
I used it to help decide whether to invest in something. I’d upload a photo of the item, mix and match it with my clothes, and see if it felt worth buying.
It made me appreciate my wardrobe more. I remembered pieces I’d forgotten because they were buried or awkwardly hung together on the hanger.
You can style your friends! Both
and have discussed having other people style them using their wardrobe on Indyx. I love the idea of someone else being able to give me a fresh POV!Less of a Screenshot Graveyard. Like
I screenshot everything that inspires me. I call it my screenshot graveyard! But instead of letting them pile up, I’ve started saving the look on Indyx right away—so when the manic purge hits (for more iPhone storage), the style still lives on.
VERY NICHE DISLIKE
When I can’t find an online image of the clothing item, I have to take the photo myself. My pics don’t look as good next to the professional ones. Not a deal breaker, just my own quirk.
TAKEAWAYS
Now, I’m still using the free version. I have a tendency to get excited about something, and then all of a sudden it becomes my complete identity.2 So as much as I want to upgrade, I need to make sure I can stick with this and that it remains a helpful tool in the long run.
Instead of browsing and shopping, I found myself instead styling MY OWN wardrobe. That in itself is very big and exciting.
So here are my outfits from the past week of consistently using
:
Three words to describe my style as per Indyx: classic, minimalist, edgy
Lots of neutrals and basics: black, white, off-white, warm beige, and brown
Some accent colors: baby blue, red
Mesh ballet flats are getting BIG use this summer
My summer wardrobe is very different from my fall one, which tends to lean more western IMO. I pretend I was adopted by the Dutton Family from Yellowstone
My bag game is pretty weak and an area for improvement in the future
And now that I’ve gotten into a rhythm with it, I’m noticing some things about my closet that I hadn’t really seen before.
Let’s explore what I’ve been wearing recently!
Here’s the structure:
Outfit diary narrative (where I wore it, style notes, fit tips, etc.)
Outfit Photo + Indyx Flat Lay
OITW (outfit in the wild) photo
LOOK 1: red stripes & black!
Worn to: Ubering my children/daily life
Notes: Loafers + shorts still my favorite unlikely BFF this summer. My daughter says it’s giving, Where’s Waldo. I don’t see jeans or a ski hat, but okay.
Also for a masterclass on stripes, please see
’s post, Intro to Stripes at Sturm University. I shall classify myself as a novice in the stripes department.
LOOK 2: stripes on stripes
Worn to: Dinner with my family at the lake!
Style Notes: Loved wearing stripes (shirt) on stripes (side of Adidas shorts). This is a favorite color combo (blue + red). Amazon mesh ballet flats are doing. the. most. for me this summer.
“Some nourishing moments that have “nothing to do with style” but that remind me of who I am. An often missing key to unlocking your personal style POV.
How will you know if jelly shoes is for you if you don’t even know how you like your eggs cooked?”
I re-read it a few times and really took time to reflect. While we were at the lake, I made a point to observe my surroundings, appreciate small, silly things like the colors of the kayaks, and just paused to reconnect with what I love.
LOOK 3: black + denim go-to
Worn to: Dinner, shopping & ice cream with my family at the lake!
Notes: My forever love for jorts continues. Added a raffia bag for some texture and contrast.
Comfort Fit: Definitely my safety outfit (black top + denim + black shoes): when all else fails, I always land here.
More of me reconnecting with things I love….Hershey’s Cappuccino Crunch ice cream, my all-time favorite!3
LOOK 4: dress + a hat
Worn to: Camp pickup & daily life
Notes: This Memphis Redbirds hat has zero to do with team loyalty and everything to do with nostalgia from my time living in Memphis after college. Also, it’s baby blue and I like that color. Baseball hats are such a FUN accessory with any look.
Style Tip: Dress was a bit sheer, so I layered with nude bike shorts underneath. Could also be a good swim coverup.
LOOK 5: safe color combo
Worn To: Camp pick up, daily life + hair appointment
Style Notes: Ivory, black, and blue my go-to trio. Forgot I had these shorts….shout out to my Indyx app for reminding me.
Layering Tip: Started off wearing the blue button down top. Then I tied it around my waist thanks to a tip from my Substack pals (
yet againnnnn). LOVE the added dimension!
LOOK 6: neutrals….again
Worn To: Camp pickup & a dinner out
Outfit Goal: Comfortable, yet put together (outfit that transitions from day to night)
Style Notes: Love white and off-white together. Would’ve added a pop of red if I could redo it. Probably in the form of a ballet flat, sandal, or maybe even a bag (if I ever invest in one).
Fit Tip: These pants are definitely more of a mid-rise!4 If you try to tie them high rise they’ll keep sliding down.
LOOK 7: vibe was off & then on
Worn To: Coffee date with a friend!
Style Notes: Started the day with one look, then quickly switched when the rain and frizzy hair combo started. Ended up in this cozy athleisure look. PERFECT to sit criss-cross-apple-sauce in a moody coffee shop.
LOOK 8: “picnic pants”
Worn To: Family BBQ
Style Notes: My husband called these my picnic pants. I informed him the correct term is “gingham,” to which he looked at me, genuinely puzzled, and said, “What the hell is a gingham?” All of this while wearing a Wrestlemania T-shirt, one of his four. Opposites attract, people.
Fit Tip: They’re technically “beach pants.” They’re slightly sheer. I personally would (and did) wear these out as actual pants.
Our pups also had their own pool party, and it was just too cute not to include.
LOOK 9: happy anniversary!
Worn To: Breakfast date, 12 years married!
Style Notes: Linen shell top, long jorts (aka my personality), a chunky gold earring, woven bag, and tortoise accents on the sunnies for a little twist. I think I keep going back to these jean shorts because the length is just perfect. Also: belts are BACK (for me…. I’m not sure why they ever left, tbh)
CONCLUSIONS: dressing in alignment
I wore those mesh ballet flats, white tank and jorts on REPEAT this week. And honestly, I’m not even mad.
posted on IG that if you’re repeating outfits or items you love over and over again, it’s not laziness, it’s clarity.So maybe these combos I keep coming back to— the colors, the pairings, the go-to pieces (shoutout to my jorts)—are just me “dressing in alignment.”
A way to feel like myself and show up feeling comfortable and confident!
Love that for me. Love that for us!
LITTLE EXTRAS
I almost skipped this because I’m definitely hitting a hidden Substack word limit. But here are a few little things I’ve been loving lately.
SSK Portable Drive: I’ve been using this to upload photos from my iPhone to a little portable storage device. I even organize them into folders. It’s been saving me from the usual meltdown over having no iPhone storage and trying to convince my husband that I suddenly need a whole new phone………which is never actually the case.
Music: I have been in full Beliber-mode enjoying the new album SWAG. Obviously I am obsessed with the song DAISIES. My husband now says, “you can’t listen to Biebs all day…” but actually, I CAN and I WILL!
Epsom Salt Baths: We’re Team No-Sleep over here, which means my daughter and I have a tricky time falling asleep most nights. We have been trying a wind-down routine that includes a warm Epsom salt bath (this is the one I use), plus a few drops of lavender and eucalyptus essential oils. So far, it’s been working for us and all is good in this world.
Let’s Chat:
What are your favorite looks?
Do you use Indyx? What’s your experience with it?
Are my style words really: classic, minimalist, and edgy? I’m unsure.
I hope this gives you some outfit inspiration, companionship if you also have 4,653 unread emails, and food for thought when it comes to wardrobe cataloging!
May your apps stay few and your socks be crazy xo,
✨ If this made you smile, tap heart, re-stack, or send it to a friend! It helps others find my work.
📸 Follow me on Instagram @rambling.in.style (NEW, join the fun!!!)
📬 Got collab ideas? Send me a DM or an e-mail!
☕ Triple shot energy powers these posts — if the spirit moves you, buy me a coffee and keep the fun going!
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you.
My mom is probably reading this somewhere, nodding vigorously (she lovingly describes me as joyfully oblivious), clearly agreeing that I, in fact, don’t reply to her texts all that often.
When marathon running became my identity, I carried a ton of GU, wore unflattering sunglasses (on me), and had a superiority complex about telling everyone how many miles I ran each day.
Not quite sure if this is what
meant (eating large amounts of ice cream), but here we are.Same pants from my Are You Gonna Invest or Not post — these are the ivory color.
I saw Indyx and I came running. I love being able to catalog my wardrobe and what I wear so much - it's the most genius app. I feel the same way about taking my own photos - I'd rather spend 30 minutes searching for a flat lay online or than have my poor photography/lighting skills sully my otherwise pristine digital closet :)
Obsessed with Indyx and loved everything about this post. For days I don't get ready (or it's strictly dog walking / sofa attire), I log my fave robe and a selfie I use on repeat or I'll just log the individual items rather than make an outfit: handbag for TJ's run, fave hoodie, etc. There's something so satisfying about a full month of data!