I noticed a very definite shift in my wardrobe over the past five years. What I wore and wanted to wear pre-pandemic is very different from what I wear / want to wear now.
This is a short list of the obvious wardrobe changeovers that I’ve observed.
NOTE - this is just my observation of my personal wardrobe changes - not an indication or opinion if you should make these things out or in for yourself. I actually still like some of these things, and they could come back for me or I could be done with them. Who knows?? That’s the lovely thing about wardrobe shifts. It can go either way.
OUT
Skinny jeans
Low rise jeans
High heels for all the events
Dark eye liner / eyebrows / signature red lipstick
Scarves
Tight / cropped jackets
Long vests
IN
High rise in all the pants
Cropped/shorter tops
Low shoes!! Chunky sandals, sneakers, flat boots
Little to no makeup / berry or nude lipstick
Oversized jackets
There are of course, things that have stayed the same and shifts that I see crawling their way in.
SAME
Shopping - I don’t shop very much. I look a LOT, but don’t actually buy a lot.
Second hand - I still primarily search for buy second hand when I do shop. I would rather have a vintage item than new.
Patterns - I still prefer solid colors over patterns. Just last week, I finally got rid of the patterned blouse that’s been hanging in my wardrobe for 10+ years and have actually only ever worn less than 5 times.
SHIFTS
I focus more on textures and shapes when buying items. I ask: is it cool, different or sort of weird?
I have a quicker NO response when things don’t fit or feel weird in a try-on session. It’s less personal / emotional and about me and more about the clothes just not working.
I’m developing more of a willingness to let go of / sell pieces that physically are too small. I’m 15 pounds heavier than I was 5 years ago. I am not planning to try to get back to that weight. I think being at that weight was a hold over from previous eating issues and being in a very negative, long-term marriage. Exercise was a great form of control for me when everything else was bad.
I’m bringing in more COLOR to my wardrobe! This is one of the more surprising shifts for me - I’ve added accent colors of vibrant red and grass green. Turns out it is pretty fun to wear color.
I have a better understanding of what I like in my outfits. For example, I love a midi skirt with tall boot - no skin showing. Style “experts” might say it’s not the most “flattering” but it’s a look I feel so comfortable in. For me, it’s that element of an outfit being “off” that is fun.
I’m learning to listen to and have a stronger guidance by my “style gut” when it comes to what to add or pass on in my wardrobe. This is a muscle that is always in progress, but I’m learning to identify and listen to the signals. For me, this is usually an immediate recognition of something that (to me) screams FUN. Whether that’s a pair of hot pink watermelon earrings or a silver metallic pleated skirt. If it’s FUN and I get an immediate draw, it’s usually my signal to buy it.
Some of these changes and shifts could be chalked up to trends. All of a sudden, high rise, wide leg pants and mom jeans were everywhere. But the trend did what trends are supposed to do: opened my eyes up to wardrobe possibilities. I liked what I was trying on, and didn’t look back.
I love thinking about wardrobe shifts. Like I wrote in Why I don’t agree with Forever Wardrobes, we change, shouldn’t our closets?
Sometimes closets change because we’re in a world-wide lock down and we crave all things cozy + comfy.
Other times they change because we get older, have kids, gain weight, loose weight.
Sometimes, personalities or temperaments change.
There ties also to the importance of de-personalizing clothes. Removing emotion (the highs and lows and making clothes mean something they do not) from your wardrobe lets you shift more easily - you can make swaps, get rid of things, add things, without a lot of angst. This does mean you need to pay more attention to yourself. You’ll want to ask yourself questions: how are you changing, what do you want to wear, how does that make you feel, what do you no longer want to wear? Wardrobe shifts, like you, are never one and done. You, and your closet, will constantly evolve.
THOUGHTS FOR YOU:
What’s OUT or IN with your wardrobe currently?
What’s stayed the same?
What’s shifting?
Related style programs:
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Related style articles:
〰️ To Capsule or Not to Capsule. thoughts from a maximalist minimalist
〰️ Letting Trends Pass You By. Choosing what you pay attention to
〰️ Navigating Your Style When You Gain Weight. Because bodies change
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