Here is a confession: Sometimes I do dress rehearsals with outfits. Perhaps a bit over the top, but it's also fun. And, isn't it a good idea to try on the "new" things that you bring into your wardrobe, in case you want to return them?
But I don't always do dress rehearsals. Sometimes an outfit comes together quickly. I like the outfit the moment I put it on and I still like it when I think about it some time later. Other times, I put an outfit together without a dress rehearsal and while I like it when I put it on, by the next day, if not by the end of the day on which I wear the outfit, I am less pleased with the outfit. When this occurs, I usually need to rework the outfit to something that has lasting appeal to me. If at first I don't succeed, I will try again!
Sometimes I know what will work for me, but I either forget it or, for reasons I can't articulate, I choose to ignore what I know. Here is an example: I rarely (and I mean very rarely) wear belts that come with a skirt, dress, pants, etc. Why? Because these belts are usually fabric belts and I have yet to figure out how to make these work for me. I prefer leather (mock or otherwise) belts. Sometimes I decide to try the matching belts. I have yet to be finally happy with the results.
So why am I telling these stories? Because something that I wore today I wore before, but in a way that did not satisfy me. I feel much better now.
dress: Anthropologie
belt: H&M, from my accessories collection
vest: Gap
sweater: Lucky Brand, from my closet
socks: ?, from my sock drawer
boots: Fluevog, from my closet
bag: H&M, from my accessories collection