What I Wore: The Beginning
jacket | tee | striped shirt | fleece leggings | boots | bag | bandana | sunglasses | button
Jacket: MICHAEL Michael Kors (XL; plus option) | Tee: Women's March | Striped Shirt: Hinge (similar; plus option) | Leggings: LL Bean (L; standard and plus non-LL Bean option) | Boots: Merrell | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban | Bandana: Gift (same) | Button: Etsy | Bag: Had forever (similar)
After so many posts about what to wear to the Women's March, figured I HAD to do an outfit post, no? Since the day was in the 50s, I wore my fleece leggings without thermals underneath, lightweight layers, and a waterproof coat with hood. I've had this bag for so long… I think I bought it at Target over a decade ago. It's microfiber with a pocket on the flap, two pockets inside plus small pockets for an ID and cards (I used to hold packets of gum). It's been with me across the globe and to a few music festivals. I wore a Maryland flag bandana to show my state pride. These new boots did me well – no blisters or hot spots and we walked over 6 miles. Karl shot these photos just before my sister picked me up and we caught a chartered bus in our town to Union Station.
We arrived with a group of almost 50 but my sister and I went off on our own. It felt right to spend this day with my sister who is also one of my best friends. We tried to get up close and ended up at 4th and Jefferson near the corner of the Native American Museum, but we couldn't hear or see anything and we were packed like sardines. We stayed for a while, the energy and attitude was amazing, but decided we needed some air.
We waded out to the Mall where it was far more open and felt more like a festival vibe. We decided to find a museum for a bathroom break; the Archives was surprisingly empty and we got in no problem. After that, we walked a while enjoying the vibe, the people, the posters. We walked up to an early part of the march route and picked it up when it came by. It was exhilarating to be with so many from all across the country and even globe, all peacefully uniting and showing the government we're not going to lie down.
Whether or not you attended a march, our work has just started. Take the energy from Saturday and use it as fuel to keep going. Saturday was just the beginning. Not sure where to start? The Women's March has a great guide to help you know how to make a difference. It's called 10 Actions / 100 Days and it's exactly that. At this link, they offer 10 activities you can do over the next 100 days to make positive change. I hope Saturday showed you the power of the individual. You may think your one voice, your one phone call, your one vote doesn't matter but Saturday all those one little voices joined across the globe to make a major statement. If all who attended Saturday do these 10 actions over the next 100 days, imagine the positive change we can make!
For those from out of town who attended the DC march, if you have a leftover Metro SmarTrip card, even if it's empty consider mailing it to Martha's Table, an awesome local nonprofit that helps women and children. SmarTrip cards cost $2, money some do not have. Your card could help a woman get to a job interview or take her child to the doctor. Attach a post-it note with the remaining balance (if you know it). Consider contacting those you traveled with and gather up their cards as well. Cards can be mailed to:
Martha's Table
Attn: Trish/Martha's Outfitters
2114 14th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
If you have suggestions on how to make positive change and keep the momentum going, do share in the comments!
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I marched with 15,000 in Tucson; family members marched in Seattle, Portland, and Corvallis, as well as my brother-in-law attending a march in Paris. I walked with lots of people I know, including life-long Republicans. This is not about politics as much as about humankind, and about real democracy–where many voices are welcome. The particular group of friends I marched with will gather tomorrow morning to plan what social action we can take up in our own community to support others, be it women, immigrants, LGBTQ folk, or whatever. I’ll bring the 10 actions/100 days thing along as one option, so thanks for sharing that, Allie!
Agree, this is about humankind! Thank you for marching and continuing to be aware, involved, and active with change!
I marched in Spokane, WA with my whole family and many friends. Unprecedented turnout with 8000 people in a town of 200k and in a red part of the state. I had other friends and family in DC, SF, Chicago, Indianapolis, France, St Louis, many other places. We were so moved and thrilled to see that we are stronger together. And I am so glad you write about your passions.
Thank you for marching Jenny!
Like Dana, I am a long time reader and come for the fashion advice! Allie has always been an inspiration. As much as I enjoy being informed it is nice to come to a spot that isn’t “political”.
I do not like Donald Trump but I also disagreed with many of Obama’s policies! I am tired of all the negativity on both sides!
I just visited a site for decorating advice and the blogger was so proud of her daughter for flying from LA to DC for the March. I just thought such a waste to fly across the country to hold signs. All I could think of was how proud I am of my daughter – who while the others were marching – she was returning from the Dominican Republic where she had just spent two weeks serving others and loving on the children. To me that is making a difference!
I guess I need to stay off the internet!
I am rethinking my post. I am glad that people are exercising their first amendment rights and am glad that we live in a country where we can do that! I do think it was unclear what exactly the march was for – and if it was to speak about concerns regarding the new president – I think that was good. I don’t think it is a waste to voice your opinion –
Thank you for marching!
<3
What a great day we had on Saturday! I marched in Little Rock, Arkansas and we had over 7000 at our March! This is a big deal to us here in AR b/c our entire state population is less than that of New York City. We were thrilled with the participation and the March was peaceful and motivating. I love hearing all about Marches all over our country & world!!
That is amazing Lee!
I also marched in Washington with my sister (and my brother) – and I did it all with happy feet and no blisters thanks to the socks you recommended in your “what to wear to a protest” post. Thank you!
Woo hoo glad to hear it!
My family was represented at marches in DC, NYC, Chicago, Albuquerque, and Concord, NH! Very energizing! I will pass on the link for 10 Actions/100 Days to keep the energy going. Thanks for sharing, Allie!
That is wonderful Fran!
We, in New Zealand, marched with y’all! Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
Obviously what we do down on a couple of islands at the bottom of the South Pacific really has no effect on what is going on for y’all in the States but I marched in solidarity and to tell people that what you say matters.
But it DOES make an impact. Our country affects others, and it’s so inspiring and motivating to know every single continent and so many countries joined us!
I marched in Seattle and it was a very uplifting experience. I think there were almost 200K participants and as we started, two bald eagles circled overhead, which I took to be a great omen. I hope we can all work together to ensure that this wasn’t a one-day affair. Thanks for the 10 Actions/100 Days link. To echo another poster, I appreciate this content and the open-minded way you present it. Thanks, Allie.
Oh I love the eagle story! And thank you for marching!
Thank you for sharing your experience at the march, as well as what you wore. (You looked great, btw!) I marched in Honolulu, HI, and it was such an energizing and positive experience. I look forward to continuing our work. I know that you risk losing some readers who don’t want to read about this part of your life, but I appreciate you writing about it and will continue to read your blog for as long as you want to write it! 🙂
Thank you Lindsay!
This is great!! I attended the Memphis Women’s March with MY sister (and mom and niece). It was an amazing experience and all of our first march – I took march tips from your other post into account!
Awesome, thanks for marching Brenda!
Love your outfit, love your attitude, love your posts. This blog is your voice. Thank you for speaking up. Please do not let naysayers silence you.
<3
I am a long time reader and first time commenter. I read your blog for the fashion / clothing ideas etc. I really wish you would reconsider the political activism posts. I am not at all like minded with you and don’t prefer to read about your political opinions. I can do that on other sites. This site is supposed to “breath life into your closet”, not convince me that your “work has just started”. If this is what you envision this blog turning into, you have lost a long time reader…..
One thing that a lot of us on the left talked about after the election was how we needed to interact with people outside of our bubble. Its very easy to narrow our exposure to people who agree with us, both online and off-line, but for true progress we need to understand how the other side feels, and to have reasonable discussions. The media is full of sound bites for the other side, but very little substance. I know its annoying to see opposing viewpoints when you’re not looking for them, I see them in my Facebook feed a lot. But unless my friends got ugly, I did not un-friend them (actually, none of my friends got ugly, so they are all still there on FB). There are plenty of fashion blogs on the Internet, so I’m not saying you have to stay here, but maybe reconsider what your deal-breakers are for following a blog. I think seeing opposing viewpoints helps me to learn more about an issue and make my own opinions.
It’s a tricky thing Allie is doing, sharing wonderful fashion advice and tips and making it her own by including tidbits about her own life and passions. I wonder – if, for instance, you didn’t drink – if you’d also stop reading after a post where she talked about having a glass of wine while wearing a particular outfit. My guess is you wouldn’t. All this isn’t to say you shouldn’t have your opinions – because you should – but that some posts might make mention of things you don’t agree with, and it might be easiest to just not read those posts if you still enjoy the rest of the content.
At this point, Dana, the activism is no longer optional. I prefer to know Allie as a whole person, including her politics as they inform and affect her life. I loved seeing women, men, and children stand strong in the face of a hostile Presidency – and I love how many bloggers and friends of mine have been involved in those marches (including my infant daughter).
Let her march. It’ll have been worth you having to read a few posts about what mattered to her.
I don’t have any interest in the types of music festivals Allie attends. That doesn’t mean I can’t benefit from practical tips for dressing and planning for outdoor events. This is really no different.
Thank you for marching, and thank you even more for the suggestion about the metro cards. I copied that part of your post to my facebook page. I hope Martha’s Table is flooded with cards for women in need!
Excellent!
Amazing message sent. People all around the world heard us. The White House … not so much. Interesting so many more people turned out to protest this inauguration than to support it.
Yes!
I love your Maryland flag bandanna. I think it gives a subtle (or not so subtle?) message that we are doing this because we love this country. I think I’m going to have to find a bandanna to represent my state with.
Awesome!
I marched in Sacramento with my friends from work and my 26 year old daughter and her friends. Organizers were expecting 7500, and more than 20,000 marched. It was very moving and exciting.
Love it Natalie!
I walked in St Louis. What an amazing day to be a part of. I work for a non profit that serves adult who live with disabilities. I felt like I was walking for many on Saturday. We do our best to make their lives better every day.
How wonderful Tina!
I marched in Atlanta–John Lewis led the march. It was a great experience. They estimate 60k in attendance despite rain and early morning thundershowers. Even though it was crowded and the parade started late and moved slowly, there was such a positive and hopeful energy. Everyone was patient and respectful–in fact the group cheered and waved and said thanks for being there whenever we walked by a group of police officers that were there for traffic control. It was a mix of young and old, straight and gay, a rainbow of skin colors and probably 1/4-1/3 men (my 15 yr old son walked with my group).
Thanks for sharing that link. The most important thing we can do is stay fired up, get involved and make a difference in 2018 midterms. If the tea party (which was smaller in number) could reverse the house in a midterm election, we can do it too!
What an honor to march with Representative Lewis! I love that your son joined you.
That is amazing! And agree, we must stay fired up, we can make change!
I was filled with hope and joy at our state march in Helena, MT. 10,000 people showed up — 1% of our widely-distributed population!
Amazing and inspiring!
I marched in Portland, Oregon and took your advice to heart. It was really useful as a first time protest marcher. Arriving at the march by foot on the Morrison Bridge I had an amazing view of the sea of people who came out in the pouring rain to stand together. My heart just about burst with love! Thank you for the link to our next steps. We have to take concrete action from here and this is a good start. Love your bandanna, what a great way to represent your state!
That’s wonderful Pam!!
Great post! Thanks for sharing the link to 10 actions/100 days. I plan to follow it and am spreading the word. Thank you, Allie!
Wonderful!!
I did not march in Lincoln, Nebraska, due to other commitments that day but thank you for representing. We had 15,000 in Lincoln; 18000 in Omaha; and most noteworthy: 123 in tiny Loup City, Nebraska, which has 1,029 residents. Smack dab in the middle of Red Red Red Nebraska, women (and men) were marching.
That is awesome!
I marched with you in LA and am starting the morning calling my congressmen. Hope you have a positive and productive week.
Thank you Kirsten!
I was proud to attend the rally in my home city, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, in solidarity with all of our American sisters and women around the world! It was an amazing event that I hope will inspire all of us to continue our work. Thanks for the info, Allie (and you looked great!) 🙂
That’s amazing, and thank you!
I’m proud of you and all of our sisters and brothers around the globe who got out there and marched in solidarity! I marched in San Jose, CA. Although it was a tiny march compared to the D.C. March, it was still pretty amazing to see the turnout. Our downtown was overrun with pink-hat poster-toting marchers. I saw numerous multiple-generation family groups: elderly grandma in a wheelchair, pushed by daughter and surrounded by grand daughters. Amazing! I’ve never seen anything like it! I took tons of photos of the wonderful signs. I met a group of women who will be meeting one Sunday a month at what they are calling “Solidarity Sundays” to take concrete steps for change. I’m excited to join them. Oh, and your outfit is perfect. I followed your very practical tips and wore a very similar outfit and it worked out well for me. Carry on!!
I was at the San Jose March, too! 🙂
And Allie, thank you for the 10 Actions/100 Days link!
Fabulous!
Awesome, and so glad my advice helped!!