Trying Something New

I won’t lie. I was a little nervous about trying this trend. But excited at the same. Bike shorts? Really? The fashion world is a bizarre one, but street style images kept popping up on my Pinterest of cool girls wearing their bike shorts with structured blazers. Or with slip dresses tucked lazily up on one side. Even simple graphic tees and belt bags proved worthy companions. To be honest, I first noticed the trend at Coachella this past spring. I didn’t want to believe it – I wrote it off as a Coachella oddity – but it kept happening. And all of a sudden I, myself couldn’t get enough of the bike shorts outfit.

Although the journey to finding said bike shorts is a story in itself (I ended up buying the Old Navy pair Aimee Song from Song of Style linked), I think the more interesting anecdote is what I took out of the entire experience. It may not seem like a big deal, but when going after a “super cool” trend like this, I knew I had to do it right… and have the confidence to pull it off. The latter being most daunting. However, once the journey began, I realized how much fun I was having trying something new. Why don’t I do this more often? Why do I get stuck in a rut with my outfits when I clearly remember my younger self experimenting all the time.  This bike shorts outfit has given me new life.

Not only was it fun to style and gather inspiration for…

it also helped my photographer & I branch out of our normal locations. I immediately knew something edgier was needed & I had seen a local artist post about a new Ballet Des Moines installation spread across downtown. Turns out – perfect backdrop for this shoot. I’m in love with the art, and I’m refreshed in inspiration. All because I tried something new. All because of Coachella and those dang bike shorts.

This art installation was completed in collaboration with Liz Lidgett of Adore Your Walls & Jami Milne, a local Des Moines artist. The work is fantastic & reminds me how lucky I am to live in a city where art is so appreciated.

xoxo.  B