How my style has changed over the last five years

I love a good bit of retrospection, and as I’ve found myself reflecting on the items in my wardrobe that have managed to stand the test of time, I’ve also been thinking a bit about how my style has changed over the last five years. I’ve always considered personal style to be ever-changing. It evolves as you grow as a person, as your tastes change, and as you age.

Wearing Boden mini dress, All Saints leather jacket, Veja sneakers (also here), Holly J pearl earrings and necklace (15% off with code ‘JAMIEXHJ15’), Linjer watch, ABLE bag, Stella McCartney sunglasses

The main thing that’s driven these changes, has been my own desire to approach fashion differently. I’ve had periods of wanting to experiment, contrasted against periods of careful curation. I’ve gone from “haul-ing” masses of clothing that I couldn’t possibly wear (at least not frequently) to being more mindful about what I buy or add to my wardrobe, and considering where it comes from.

So, how has my style changed over the last five years…?

I’m not afraid to wear a bit of colour

When I first embarked on my closet declutter and capsule wardrobe journey, anything that had a hint of colour (except for navy) had to go. It didn’t fit in with my idea of what the “perfect” wardrobe looked like. As a result, I found myself shying away from anything that wasn’t a neutral tone. This was such a stark contrast to my wardrobe as it was fresh out of uni. There was so much colour and prints galore. As I honed in on my personal style at the time, I stripped my closet of anything that was vibrant or fun.

For years, I’ve said it’s been a resolution of mine to wear more colour, and ultimately each year I’d come to the conclusion that it just wasn’t me. What I’ve realised now, is that I just wasn’t adding in the right pieces that would not only enhance my personal style, but make me feel confident too. The base colour palette of my closet is still primarily made up of white, grey and black (as evidenced above), but it’s now supplemented by safari-style neutrals, rich terracotta hues, blush pinks, and cornflower blues. It feels a little bit like I’ve come full circle, and I’m not complaining.

It’s a bit less girly

Right through my twenties, I found myself influenced by the Harajuku girls of Japan. I was borderline obsessed with Japanese culture during my teens, spending a lot of my free time immersed in manga or catching up on a new anime I’d discovered. From a style perspective, I really admired how bold and unapologetic their outfits were. The level of attention to detail was astonishing, and I found myself wanting to incorporate those silhouettes into my outfits. While I toned it down a bit by the time I was 25, I still went for styles that were quite girly. They felt youthful and fun, though I quickly realised that I felt awkward and silly in them.

Perhaps it took moving to Sydney to finally recognise it, but it just wasn’t me. I’m now more drawn to skirt silhouettes that have less volume, and dresses which are more minimal in design. I’ve also developed a taste for wearing trousers as an alternative to jeans, which has slowly overtaken my love of skirts and dresses.

That being said, I still love a bit of whimsy and playfulness in my silhouettes. Clothing that is a trifle more exciting that a straight simple cut like the dress I’m wearing above. I mean, who can say no to a flounced ruffle hem?

Flats over heels

Probably the biggest shift for me has been in the shoe department. Back home in Wellington, there was barely a day that went by where you would catch me in anything other than a pair of super high heels. Ten centimetre stiletto, or a platform that added some serious height. They had become such a big part of my style identity, that I felt like something was missing anytime I tried to wear flats. I walked less, and instead did long-distance running to get my steps in.

While I still love a good pair of heels, I now look for something more practical. Some of my favourite shoes are flats (these pointed toe slingbacks rank up there), and if I do want to wear a heel, it’s usually three inches or less.

The vibe is more relaxed

I’d say my office dress code probably played a role in this, but I’ve noticed that my outfits are decidedly more relaxed these days. But it could also be in part due to our move across the ditch. Aussies – particularly those around Bondi, where we first lived – have a certain way of dressing, and I feel like it’s influenced my personal style in a big way. I’m less inclined to feel like I need to dress up on my down days, instead opting for something that looks tidy and smart, but is still comfortable. I’ll mix in sneakers with mini dresses for an effortless weekend look, wear linen with suiting, or relaxed silhouettes with tailored pieces.

I’d love to know whether you think your personal style has changed over the last five years and if so, how? x