THE OUTFIT: I have a bright pink long sleeved t-shirt that lives in the back of my closet. It keeps company with old theater t-shirts and pajamas and the occasional stray sock. I never wear it because it's pink and pink is against the rules. Today, that shirt had it's day in the sun (and clouds and rain). I pulled it on, and was determined to create an outfit around it. I decided on black cropped pants, black Adidas, and my camo jacket with a grey Prairie Underground sweatshirt underneath.

THE EXPERIENCE: Wearing this outfit all day was, dare I say it, uneventful. The top is cotton and long-sleeved, so I was warm and comfy while working. My trip to the grocery store wasn't notable. No one saw the pink and immediately began mansplaining. No one seemed aghast by my appearance. I brought my groceries home, cracked open a La Croix and felt just fine.

THE CONCLUSION: I can't believe I'm writing this. I really like this outfit. I like the mix of the feminine details- the pink and the big fairytale hood of the sweatshirt- with the more masculine everything else. Before the experiment, I would have worn this outfit with a black top. That would be fine. Totally unoffensive. But, I have to say, I like that the pink gives it just a little kick. It's like an element of surprise, but in casual wear.

Tomorrow my schedule will return to being a bit more packed, so I'm glad that I chose this quiet week to break this particular rule. I'd been feeling a bit lost, and choosing to wear more girlish, feminine items gave me some much needed perspective. Who would have thought? Certainly not me!

Until next time, friends!