Monday Musings- Editing Your Wardrobe To Redefine Your Style
Happy Monday, ladies! Today’s musing is pretty stream-of-consciousness, so grab another cup of coffee… you may need it to follow along. The change of season is a great time to cull your wardrobe, so that’s what I’ve started to do. In the process, I’m realizing that I’ve gotten into a style rut. I’m not the same woman I was last fall, and my style objectives have certainly changed, but it’s more than that. I’m sure living out of a suitcase for three weeks has contributed to my boredom, but I think a change has been in the wind for longer than that. Let’s talk about editing your wardrobe to redefine your style…here’s my story.
I’ve been reworking my 3-words to refine my personal style so that my closet can once again be filled with things that represent the woman I want the world to see. As I’m going through and identifying what I reach for all the time and actually wear, I see too much sameness for my taste. Oh sure, there needs to be cohesiveness, but there shouldn’t be boredom. Just how many pairs of jeans does one woman need in her closet?
My love of neutrals has not gone away by any means, but I have been slowly adding some color into my wardrobe and am enjoying it. My style has narrowed down to a somewhat limited classic look over the last few years, and I’ve begun to miss the fun and creativity of other styles. Don’t get me wrong; I will always have classic as a big part of my style equation because I love it. I just want more.
I just bought these semi-classic black and ivory wide-leg pants, and I adore them. I say semi because they’re not a trouser. They’re a pull-on style in classic Houndstooth, but they do make me feel different because I’m most often in jeans. They have a slight feminine vibe because the leg is swishy and wide. I love that, so I’d like to lean into more feminine styling without going girly.
So, how could I make this outfit more interesting? Lots of ways. I could add a color on top, and I already have some ideas about that. I could carry a unique handbag…which reminds me I need to go through my purses and bring out my fall ones.
I did add a deeper lip color, and that changes things from my usual. But I’m looking for more, so I’ll be combing through my accessories next because they are what really give an outfit its personality for me.
I realize I could have worn my black hat, which would have added some attitude. I also could have put a belt over my sweater. My Jennifer pearls would have jazzed it up because they’re anything but classic. I felt totally like myself in this outfit, and it was easy to wear so perhaps what I need is some subtle tweaking rather than a radical shift.
As a fashion blogger, I end up with things in my closet that aren’t my style, so my hope is that as I weed those out and donate them, I will get more clarity on where I want my style to go. It’s still warm here, so there’s no rush, but I certainly feel an urgency. I just need to go slow enough to listen to my gut instinct.
I’m struggling the most with my third style word, which describes and defines the aspirational part of your style formula. It’s the most personal of the words, so it makes sense that that’s where I’m stumbling. It feels like fine-tuning, and a subtle shift may make a big difference, so I’m excited to continue and see what happens. Stay tuned…
** I plan to take a few upcoming Wednesdays off, so don’t be surprised when you don’t see an email from me. I’m rethinking my content calendar and need some time for an upcoming project.
I had a reader mention that she always buys her own gifts because her husband buys her things she will never wear. That’s certainly a way to tweak your style in a new and unexpected way! Another reader mentioned she likes it when her husband picks out her clothes.
What about you?
Have you tweaked your style lately?
My style is still classic, chic which suits my over 60 age. I have gone to more colorful clothes since my hair is now light silver/white. I wear less neutrals , except black looks good on me now. I switched to white shirts instead of cream or off white.
My husband will give me a gift card for birthday or Christmas for clothes. If I like a certain clothes item I share a link of it. We play Santa for each other. We give each other a suggested list for Christmas. So it still is a surprise at Christmas. My husband likes to give me a list of what he would like as well.
I really like your outfit today. I wish the pants came in petite.
Your thoughts about reworking your closet and “how many pairs of jeans do you really need” struck a cord with me. Can’t wait for you to continue….
Naniscah Apperson
I have tweaked my wardrobe with the fall turnover. I went through my sweaters and only kept the ones that spoke to my current style. Sweaters that are shorter remained, while any longer ones were donated. The reason for this change, a change in pant style. I switched over to straight in the spring and donated any skinnies. Straight leg looks better with a shorter top and I do not mean cropped. Being a slight pear shape, the shorter tops do not come over my hips, both bringing attention to them and emphasizing the size difference. Tops with shoulder interest, boat necks, square necks balance out my top and bottom half.
The surprising change is, I recently bought three pairs of pants and am enjoying wearing them. As a die hard jean girl, this comes as a surprise, even to me. Iām not giving up my jeans but branching out.
Branching out is a good thing. Iām doing that too.
Thanks for the great blog today. Iām bored with my wardrobe. I donāt want to be the same person as last winter. I think it would be great if you showed us an outfit using different accessories and tweaks to spruce things up. I remember years ago you did this and I really like it.
That’s a great idea
Well, to change your outfit about and add some femininity, Iād go for color in the top-something unexpected maybe a light blue? Then definitely add the pearls you talked about and the belt, maybe. I think Iād button up a short cardi and use that as a top. Then Iād change the shoes. Heavier clogs like you have on are masculine looking. A kitten heel or cute platform sneaker even would work.
I know what you mean about boredom with your wardrobe. Time to chang3 over to fall stuff here and excited to see what Ive got that does and doesnāt work for me any more.
I always go for the fun factor! Check out Zuri dresses which are ethically sourced in Kenya.
I love this outfit! I am trying to find my clothes style after retirement and itās very hard. A lot of my problem is shoes I have terrible bunions on both feet and I come from you donāt look dressed up unless you have on heels š now all I can were is hokas. Itās hard to dress an outfit up for me and Iām also 5ā2 which I need petites! I feel like Iām loosing all the way around. I donāt always want to look like a bag lady!
Shoes can and make or break many outfits. A longer pant that covers your shoe may help.
I did this several years ago, we called it upcycling your closet. It made a lot of sense as the stylist pointed out we wear about 20% of our clothes and really love about 10%. We gathered basics and added a signature piece and then tweaked accessories. It was a fun exercise in streamlining and feeling confident in new looks!
Jane
I love these pants on you. Yes, they are more classic than jeans and I am drawn to classic, but I think they also give a better proportion to your outfit. Perhaps, it is the photography, but you look taller. In addition, you tend toward very pale neutrals and this black top and black patterned pants give you more presence. By that I mean putting your best real self out there as you go about your day; not to draw attention, not in an egocentric way, but as a whole woman who knows who she is (or whose clothes tell her who she is on the days when she is too tired to remember).
Gosh, I should take this to heart for myself.
The clogs do add a few inches which is one if the reasons I love them. I do love wearing black and shoes away from it as I got older, but now with my hair so silver, Iām circling back to it.
I love those pants! They look very good on you. Im allergic to wool so would need to find a different top for them. This is a great classic outfit.
Good morning……I started changing my closet over and didn’t finish. I’m finding I have too much stuff (too many choices) and then I put an outfit on and realize later that it could have looked even better. I think I’m going to go through my items (accessory/third piece) that can be incorporated into an outfit to give it that “spark” it needs to elevate or make it different (I’ve seen some of yours in your pictures and it does make a difference. I think I need to get better organized and do some outfit paring as well.
Thanks for the inspiration, Jennifer. Iāve worked really hard to rationalize my wardrobe to fit my current lifestyle, body type and coloring. āTweaksā is a good way to describe an approach to keep things from getting too boring.
I am going to focus more on adding accessories. The right ones are seasonless, versatile, and pack easily for a trip. Itās an easy way to add color and interest.
I feel compelled to pull out my silk scarf collection. These havenāt been on trend, but I saw a woman with a beautiful silk over a sweater this weekend. It was just the pop a casual outfit needed. Back on the office days, Iād treat myself to a classic silk on trips as they were easy to pack and would remind me of the place. I might give some of my favorites a little tour!
I recommend Allison Bournsteinās new book āWear It Well.ā She is the creator of the three word system. She sheds new light on going through your closet, especially the āneverā pile, to really focus on why we donāt wear certain items. I find style to be constantly evolving. Some of the edgy/punk items I used to love now seem costumey to me and Iām circling back to more of the āJ Crew of oldā items worn in a minimalist way. Iāve figured out Iāve always liked the straight lines and boyishness of those styles. Thinking back those styles were very unisex. Iāve also had a change in weight and I realize the styles I used to wear no longer work.
I must have missed your first blog on 3 words so I went and read it, so interesting! I have been trying to pare down my wardrobe and feel my style has been changing. I love clothes with a little twist, like clothes from Evereve, and WHBM. I like classic with an edge. I know I want fewer clothes but ones I love. I will have to do some thinking on my 3 words. Thank you for inspiring us!
Good morning Jennifer, I like your idea about reassessing my wardrobe choices. The pants you modeled today look so comfortable, stylish and classic. I know what you mean about too many jeans. I bought a new pair last week and have decided thatās it for the rest of the year. A day off during the week is an excellent mental health day which many of us fail to do.
Have a great day!
Happy Monday Pat
I understand the need for change and re-evaluation. I didn’t quite understand how much of an ongoing process this would be and that it would impact so much of my life. I look foward to hearing where your journey takes you.
I do like what you are wearing and I would have liked your black hat with it. Curious what jewelry you would pick. My jewelry choices appear to be changing too.
I really like the pants and will have a look at that blend. I have been a ‘feminine style without the girly’ for years, and it is often hard to describe but that says it rather well. I don’t feel finished without a scarf, jewellery or other softening touch. This explains why I have never felt right in a jean jacket or chore jacket style. It wasn’t until I found out my personality type (ESFJ) that made it all make sense and when I look back has always been there, but others influence has sometimes had the wrong effect. Not anymore, I can tweak but not really change how I feel in something and how I express myself and feel totally ‘me’. Sorry about the rambling, but just want to say it must be hard with all the people to please with a blog.
I laughed out loud when I read about the reader who buys her own gifts, so true here as well, it just works out so much better. It only works the other way if it is something I have vocalized on numerous occasions and then a ‘surprise’ is just right.
Good luck finding your new path to feeling yourself
Thatās why Saturdays mannequin was so out of my style wheelhouse.
I had better tweak my style! Itās become pitiful. I need to figure out where Iām going. Your outfit there is great. I love it.
When I worked I had a very easy predictable (ugh) style – tee or shirt, blazer and slacks or dark jeans depending on my mood, the weather etc. I did incorporate some fun jewelry into my style though.
Now I’m retired- and I’m a jeans woman ( light, natural mid-blue and deep dark blue or black- even grey). I do vary my tops and try to add that third piece or a scarf. Still pretty predictable but I’m comfortable!
My life ( otgervthan many exercise classes) revolves around book club, my herb garden or babysitting family dogs or children. We do have lunches out but nowhere needed to dress up, so to speak
I love your outfit today! The pants do add a bit of feminine but not too much! Now I am a straight up and down body type, so I need something to break that up. Your idea of a belt is a good one if it’s the right belt. Even a white shirt peaking out below the sweater….anything to break up that line, for me that is. I also have the lippy in “Fashion” and love it although it is a darker color, it is great for Fall.