Ladies,
Just because you live rurally does not mean your style has to suffer but it will definitely change. Take it from a woman who “dresses up” daily but I do it in a way that works for country living. These are the items you will find yourself decluttering that simply put, won’t work with your new country life. But there are country alternatives for every item!
1) Declutter: Wide Legged Pants
I grew up in the generation before skinny jeans existed so the bottoms of my bootcut jeans were constantly wet and muddy. Slim fit pants were such an incredible upgrade to feeling comfortable and looking more put together. I love slim fit pants be it leggings or jeans because they tuck into boots beautifully and they make my legs look slender. Having said that, I still like the look of bootcut jeans and those also work well over boots in dry weather. However, anything wider than bootcut has the same problems that maxi length skirts and dresses have, it drags in the dirt, rain, ticks, etc. Country pants need to protect your legs not leave them vulnerable.
Country Update:
Instead of wide legged pants wear bootcut pants or skirts and dresses. Need flowy fabric around your legs? A midi length skirt or dress will give you that and not give you the problems of wide legged pants.
2) Declutter: Maxi Length
Flowy and romantic maxi length will tangle around your ankles, trip you, make bending down or walking on uneven ground or steps a tripping hazard, not to mention ticks hitching a ride! Little did you know maxi length is a very “city” length, where it does best on smooth manicured surfaces like concrete sidewalks.
Country Update:
Instead of maxi, wear midi length. Hem your favorite maxi skirts and dresses to mid-calf. I only buy and sew midi length items now.
3) Declutter: High Heels
High heels are not friendly outdoors on anything other than hard smooth surfaces like concrete. Pea gravel, rocks, dirt, grass….prepare for them to get chewed up and look terrible and for your heels to poke into the ground. Walking or standing in the countryside in high heels is embarrassing when with every step the heel sinks beneath the dirt and then plucks up caked in mud and grass just to poke down again as you step. You will look like a wobbly muddy grassy spikey mess. High heels do not work. I have seen this spectacle a lot when city ladies attend dressy events out in the country at a ranch or barn setting.
Country Update:
Instead of high heels wear low heels such as wedges and block heel pumps. Wedges have one long flat surface so the heel cannot poke into the ground. Block heel pumps otherwise called “chunky heels” are heels that are much wider giving stability without piercing the ground. These work as the country high heel.
4) Declutter: Pencil/Bodycon Skirts & Dresses
Not to be confused with the sheath style. I have slender style dresses, but they are not body hugging. Pencil or bodycon styles are meant to be quite fitted and can restrict your bending and movement. These styles are not comfortable if you are doing anything related to country living. Gardening, taking care of animals, just walking around….this sexual style looks out of place. Sheath style is a classier version of these that is a fashion that works with movement and also looking chic.
Country Update:
Instead of pencil or bodycon silhouettes wear sheath or straight style skirts and dresses. They are still flattering while looking a bit relaxed.
5) Declutter: Faux Leather
Faux leather is a very thin plastic that flakes, creases and disintegrates incredibly quickly. This material does not even require rain or rocks for this to happen, but try walking for one day in a country setting and shoes made out of this material will look shredded. This is not a good material and it is not money well spent.
Country Update:
Instead wear genuine leather or extremely durable weatherproof snow boots. Those are your best options for country footwear. Real leather is best or if you need a waterproof shoe, buy ones made out of durable rubber and sealed properly. Footwear is more expensive for country living and your best investment will be a pair of low heel, real boots, not fashion boots.
Notice what you wear for everyday life in the country and you will notice the styles that are better left in the city
Country living does not mean frumping around and giving up fashion because no one sees you. Country living means fashion tailored to being comfortable and stylish in the loveliest place on earth…where food is grown, where birds singing is heard all day and never drowned out by machines or traffic. You don’t need to be on display to the world to look your best. Your family sees you. God sees you. Dress your best and enjoy your beautiful days.
Happy Country Living!
