Can DIYers dress fashionably? I tried; you decide

Livin’ the life of a stay-at-home mom, DIY blogger and National Guardsman can be challenging. After leaving the corporate world a little over a year ago, I now joke that I traded a white collar job for a blue collar one. Nevertheless, I love what I do, even if I have to break a sweat daily to do it.

One thing I miss, however, is dressing nicely for work. My current uniform of the day is often yoga pants and whatever clean t-shirt I can find. I knew things were getting bad recently when I received an unexpected visitor and I greeted her in a ratty tank top and paint-stained shorts. It was then that I knew I needed to stage my own intervention.

Fortunately, at Haven this year, I met up with some folks from Duluth Trading Company and they agreed to let me try out a few of their pieces (at no cost to me) in exchange for an honest review. (Don’t worry; there are goodies in it for you, too. Keep reading. ;))

Duluth designs tough, functional workwear that bends, stretches and flexes with you as you get down and dirty with whatever DIY project you’re working on. But they also make you look fabulous in the process. Now that’s what I’m talking about!

I chose to try out the Double Soft Henley shirt in Natural and the Bogey Windshirt in Cayenne.

Duluth-Trading-Company(I apologize that these photos are not as crisp as I’d like. My photographers – aka the husband and kids – work for free and I take what I can get. ;))

Duluth-Trading-Company-CUDuluth-Trading-Company-CU-2

Here’s what I think of the Double Soft Henley shirt:

  1. I love that it has one color outside and another color inside. It feels heavy and warm. Most of the shirts I find in the mall feel paper thin and they shrink and lose their shape after one washing. Has anyone else had this experience?
  2. It feels super soft and comfy and supposedly will not develop those ugly pills no matter how many times I toss it in the wash.
  3. It has a trim fit without being tight. Duluth’s shirt sizes do seem to run a smidge on the larger side. I ordered a small and it is pretty roomy. (And I’m not a particularly small person. ;))
  4. The thing I love THE MOST about this shirt is that it is 2″ longer to keep my backside covered. All the shirts out there that get short and tight after one washing? My sisters and I call them “baby tees.” And we try to avoid them. Duluth does not make “baby tees.” 🙂

Here’s what I think of the Bogey Windshirt:

  1. It is lightweight but really does a great job of blocking the wind.
  2. It has a drawstring at the waist and I love the collar.
  3. It has zippered side pockets for your stuff.
  4. It has a very soft, comfortable feel.
  5. The color I chose rocks! The cayenne is perfect for fall.

Now for the best part. Duluth has agreed to give away a $50 gift card to one of you lucky readers so you can go “hog wild” on their website.

Duluth-Trading-Company-Gift-Card

I’ll start the giveaway next week, so be sure to keep an eye out for that. In the meantime, head on over to Duluth’s website and pick out what you want. Right now, they’ve got the cutest flannel shirts with a microfiber shammy cloth sewn into the shirttail for cleaning your glasses. Love!

All you DIYers like me out there: Let’s stage a fashion intervention and quit walking around in public in all that paint-stained, holey stuff. What do you say?

Oh and for the record, yes I stacked that wood myself.

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26 Responses

  1. Karen Wilson says:

    I’ve been receiving catalogs from Duluth Trading Co and was wondering how the quality was. I’ll watch for your giveaway!

    • Susan says:

      Karen, I think the quality is pretty good. And the clothes are super comfy. They are not the cheapest, but lately I’ve been trying to look for a few really good pieces instead of buying a bunch of stuff that wears out fast.

      • Karen Wilson says:

        I’m with you on that. I’ve always felt that it pays in the long run to spend a little more on something that lasts.

  2. I’ll agree, great quality! But sizes run quite large.

  3. Joanne McMillen says:

    Mommies are pretty people but sometimes don’t feel that way because of getting stuck in a “pj all day” or a “whatever I can find that fits” day. This was a great word of encouragement…good job!

  4. Pam P says:

    First of all you are just so gosh darn cute! You have a great sense of humor and style. Wish I’d thought of the shammy on the tail of a shirt idea I’m always wiping my glasses that way. Will have to check out their web site. Thanks for sharing. P.S. stacking wood is better then a gym workout any day. 😉 Blessings and have a great weekend

  5. michelle says:

    Love Deluth!!!!! And as I stated before you could wear a garbage bag and look stunning. I do love both peices!

  6. teresa says:

    I’ll definitely be on the lookout for the promo. My current work pants are held up with a BINDER CLIP! I’ve been told I can not get rid of them, however, that doesn’t mean I have to wear them ALL the time.

  7. I just stumbled across your blog this morning and I love it! My daughter is 12 and I still find myself working hard to wear something other than running pants! I have never heard of this company but I am loving their free swinging plaid shirts! Great colors! I would pair one with some leggings and tall boots for a comfy fall look! I look forward to reading more of your posts! Blessings! Susan

  8. lisa says:

    I recycle my clothes and am in clothes to wear around the house that are too big or too old. I have so few good clothes I don’t want to ruin them. But if I need to run quickly to the school or store I’m in a bind! I would love to try some new clothing. I need comfortable and casual. Thanks for sharing. I will be checking out their clothing.

  9. I love that they look nice but are super functional! You look perfectly put together for fall. 🙂
    xo Heidi

  10. Dianna says:

    That double soft Henley shirt is looking great to me. Does it come in any colors? I will look for the give away.

  11. joyce potter says:

    I will be watching for the promo.

  12. Jerri says:

    I would love to trade in my yoga pants (or stretchy pants really, because I so do NOT do yoga in them,) for real clothing. I love the cayenne color of the windshirt. Shirts that are long enough to cover your backside are a total must in this household too. Thanks in advance for the giveaway, Susan!

  13. Big Mega says:

    Your blog has it all sis! The variety is so interesting. I love that you commented on how the Duluth shirts are long enough to cover your back. I seriously appreciate that in shirts nowadays, not all of us can rock a “Baby Gap Tee” and still look good. Duluth’s website was delightful, I just had to sign up on their email list, their clothes are adorable and their rustic attire caught my eye right away. Oh and you look great modeling, Love the outfit choice! Unfortunately I too have gone more for the comfortable sweatpants look way too often lately, it’s so easy haha, but it’s gotta go!

    • Susan says:

      I’m tickled you’re back on the grid (i.e. your Internet is fixed). 😉 How’d you like my comment about my “sisters and I call them baby tees?” Ha! You are too sweet with the kind words. Sadly, I’m sure I’m in paint-stained yoga pants and barfed-on shirts way more often than you. Thanks for stopping by!

  14. Monica Converse says:

    The boots have me drooling and oh the cutest bags!

  15. Maree LMeehan says:

    I am trying to find a working coupon for Duluth trading co., Do you have any suggestions.

    • Susan says:

      RetailMeNot.com and Coupons.Answers.com are a few of my favorite sites for checking for coupons for particular stores. Perhaps you’ll find one there?

  1. September 23, 2013

    […] Can DIYers dress fashionably? I tried; you decide […]

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