I feel like my wardrobe is going through somewhat of a revolution right now. Whereas the last few years I was following bright coloured and floral trends, now I’m adopting a whole host of neutral knits and monochromatic pieces. I’m here for solid colours, with the occasional dabble in a statement jumper.
I’m finding myself looking for statement pieces on a loop, items that could last me a while. Rather than grabbing one brightly coloured knit because I saw it on sale and then milling around with it wondering it I should wear it because ‘it’s a bit too bright’ and refusing to throw it out, so it ends up shoved to the back of my wardrobe, I’m writing down what I want to purchase. Good for me, good for my wallet, better for the environment.
I have so much respect for people who wear what they want, when they want, and wherever they want. People who can so casually wear platform boots with zebra tights and a leather trench coat just to go to Asda for some grapes. Or those who dress to the nines just to eat at their local pizza express. How do you do that?
I’m sure this phase I’m entering has to do with my growing understanding of my own identity and finding what I really like versus what I’m influenced to buy. I think that the difference about how I feel in the clothes I wear has greatly changed as well. As much as I would love to wear bold colours, bright knits, and lots of florals, it really doesn’t suit me or my personality. I’m not a loud dresser. I like my neutrals, my quiet tones, my subtlety. I’m very much introverted, so tones that allow me to blend in actually make me far more comfortable in my surroundings.
At the back of the mind, I always think that the brighter the colour I wear, the more attention and looks people give me. Or at least I think they do. The reality probably being that they couldn’t care less what I’m wearing, but the paranoia and internal conversation that I have with myself about my regretful outfit very much bugs me.
On top of this, there’s this rather awkward hesitation, this thought that I could accidentally see myself in the reflection of a store window and horribly hate what I’m wearing. Rather than look like a summery flower in a bright blue dress, I’m instead the replication of Violet Beauregarde as a giant blueberry. Now that would send me right home.
The last few months have been a progress of selling what I don’t wear (hello Vinted) or donating it to charity, to free my wardrobe of items that I actually do want to wear. The beauty of reinventing and redefining who you are is you never stop learning. I tried to turn myself into being a cooler person - buying clothes that didn’t suite my body size nor make me comfortable - with the idea being that if I pushed myself outside of my comfort zone, I’d accept the wild and wacky clothes I bought. I was very much incorrect. I ended up feeling dreadfully unfashionable and awkward.
With the year still fresh, I’ve got this newfound confidence from finding pieces that make me feel comfortable and stylish. I don’t know what it is - call it your cliché 20-something discovery, “adulting” or “new year, new me” but it’s thrilling to find the clothes that give you that extra pep in your step, to strut like you’re on your way to conduct business, rather than clutch awkwardly at a dress you think shows a bit too much flesh.
I’ve started building a collection of pieces that I can style over and over again no matter what I wear. Items like my favourite single-breasted coat from H&M, my pleated trousers that I spent ages trying to find (story here about it) and my Reebok Club C trainers are on repeat.
I’ve started experimenting with colour combinations and textures that I never before would have considered. Pairing black straight legged trousers with some dressy loafers rather than sneakers. Or wearing a tight dress with a cropped green knit cardigan. Finally embracing funky sunglasses and not relying on my crooked aviators that I’ve had since I was 22. These are very small changes, I’m not reinventing the book on fashion or style by any means, but making little changes can do great things for ones confidence.
Life is too short to not wear what genuinely makes you happy. In a digital era where you’re so easily criticised, you have to be a bit brave to give less of a shit about their opinion. I’m developing a style that works for me and in doing so, I’m more excited to get dressed up when I go out.