As evidenced by the major wardrobe clear out I did over the long weekend, sometimes your closet just needs a bit of a refresh. For me, this meant going back to my roots and scaling my wardrobe down to a more minimal aesthetic in a colour palette of mostly black, grey, white and the odd neutral.
Wearing Everlane stripe top, Frame denim skirt (similar option here), Everlane denim jacket (also love this option), Everlane v-heels, Phillip Lim pashli bag, Linjer watch, Mejuri earrings
The above outfit is pretty reflective of what I’ve been wearing lately. A balanced silhouette, in black and white, with a neutral-toned bag to add an element of interest. It might sound boring, but it’s my style comfort zone. It’s what I feel most naturally myself in, and if my Pinterest boards are anything to go by, the silhouettes are slightly masculine, or a relaxed take on feminine elegance.
It’s okay to change your tastes
Our style is constantly evolving as we grow, change, and adapt to what life throws at us. For me, it’s clearly evident in the ongoing shift towards more relaxed silhouettes, the prevalence of trousers in so many of my daily outfits, and the back and forth between colour and neutrals.
And it’s taken me years to understand the cycles in my purchasing behaviour and tastes, but it’s when I get a little too comfortable, that I start to crave colour, and that variety which comes from having a slightly bolder or more eclectic wardrobe. Inevitably this always shifts back to an equilibrium of neutrals – as you know if anything at all, I’m definitely a creature of habit.
Wardrobe 360
My wardrobe has taken on more forms that I care to admit, but it’s all part of the journey. One minute, I’m loving the addition of colour, the next, I want to wear #allblackeverything. Perhaps I’m just fickle, but I love having the freedom to make those decisions unapologetically – it keeps things interesting, both from a styling perspective and also when it comes to having options. I try to make sure that the majority of my purchases stack up to an ethical and sustainable code, but there’s one area where I always seem to fall flat: shopping less. Part of this probably lies in the fact that I like the process of “re-inventing” myself, and the other in my love of fashion. Somehow, I think this is going to be something that I continue to try and work on. I keep track of how often I’m wearing certain items, which I hope will give me a deeper understanding of what I’m wearing and why.
Stay authentic
Wardrobe analysis aside, it’s when I realise that the contents of my closet don’t quite seem to reflect my authentic self, that I begin to question whether I need to consider a refresh. This could be as simple as finding some new ways to pair my existing belongings, a complete wardrobe declutter, or a new piece or two that encapsulates the way you see your style. For me, it’s all about classic style staples, often with a slightly interesting detail. Whether that’s a frayed edge hem, the gold heel on a pair of black pumps, or a white speckle on a charcoal cashmere sweater, they’re the kind of basics that feel effortlessly me.
How do you know if your wardrobe needs a refresh?
Right now, Im putting everything in, even though it’s too much, with the hope of better evaluating what works. I have a lot of “okay” things and want to find the cream that rises to the top (through repeated wears)!
I like your honesty, Jamie. It is a journey, isn’t it and we are allowed to change our minds about what we like and feel most comfortable in.
Although I like your Karen Walker outfits from years past, I really like the outfit in this post. Can see myself wearing it!
This is very recognizable to me… especially the part where one minute you’re this and the other you want to explore new things, including the never-ending story of shopping. I constantly feel like I need a wardrobe refresh, almost every month. That’s why I revisit my wardrobe every month and just wear on repeat what I’m loving at the moment, without thinking too much about it. Sometimes I feel that wanting to have less or buy less just makes me do more of it.
I dyed my hair the other day and then the next morning had a fashion emergency and couldn’t find anything to wear 😂 I think because it’s all of a sudden quite a bit cooler here in brisbane, I need to relearn how to layer after a scorching summer.
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I always feel the same when a new season begins! I’m starting to think having some quick folders with go to outfits on my phone might be a great way to avoid that 😀
Yes! I’ve started putting this together too. All the outfits I can easily emulate with my current Closet 👍