I have figured something out about myself: I will never have an exciting sense of fashion.
And I’ve also figured out that I am completely ok with that. I used to try to stop wearing so much black and white and grey and so.much.neutral…but recently I’ve stopped trying to stop. I’ve stopped trying to force myself to buy something with color and have a fun sense of style. I just can’t do it.
I went into major clean out mode the day before New Years, and wiped my closet clean of anything that I’ve hung onto because I “might” wear it someday, but in all reality, never do and never will. My closet is literally now only denim, black, white, gray, a little brown, a little mustard yellow, a little dark green, and one red plaid. And it is absolutely liberating. A few years ago, I went to one of those parties where the lady holds up fabrics and colors next to your face to find out what you should be wearing that best accentuates your skin tone and features and etc. The colors she picked for me? Purple, red, and blue. And I literally started laughing and got into a small argument with her…whether she’s wrong or I’m wrong, it doesn’t matter. Those colors just aren’t happening very often for this girl.
I’ve been obsessed with grays lately, which is funny since a few years ago I thought it was one of the unflattering colors to wear. And denim…I have about five different denim tops that I’ve somehow collected in the past six months, and they are some of my favorite pieces to wear. Black is the color that dominants my closet the most…not because I’m gothic, but just because black always works. It’s the most versatile color and makes me feel most like “me” when I wear it.
Maybe some people think caring about clothes and fashion isn’t something to care about…I guess I feel differently. Not every woman is the same in this, and that is so ok…a person should never ever ever attempt to force themselves to fit into a kind of mold or model just because someone else is a certain way. But clothes and style is something that can be almost like art…it’s a way to create. And to create is a good thing…we were made to create. I’m not big into the whole argument that we all need to “express ourselves” and we should do that however we jolly well please…but in an essence, that is somewhat true. I guess I believe that God placed within each of us different ways of creativity and expression, and for us to do so is a good thing. Some people do that with actual pieces of art or design or photography or woodwork or food…and all of those are good and blessed expressions of creativity.
So back to clothing…as with anything in life, if it’s taken too far, well, it’s taken too far. I know women who don’t merely use fashion as a way to show creativity, but who use it for affirmation or attention. It’s no longer fashion but an idol. I think with any kind of art or expression in life, we can all fall into that trap if we don’t guard our hearts. We can all spend too much time or money or effort on something that is of small value and not nearly enough on the things of big value.
But the fact remains and will always remain that we all have to wear clothes, and for me, that is a fun part of life. I don’t frequent any high-end shops for clothing…Target, H & M, Forever21, and Gap (clearance section, hehe) are the labels you’ll find in my closet, with the occasional foray into ASOS or American Eagle when there’s a good sale or savings code.
Some of my favorite clothing pieces to wear are cardigans, long and loose tops (which for a five-foot-eighter woman is really hard to find…if anyone has a secret source for tops made for long torsoed women, please do share), dark wash denim, and my newly acquired fur vest (that i want to wear with evvvverrrrything).
Here are some of my favorite photos for fashion inspiration:
What about you: do you find yourself trying to fit a certain kind of fashion sense based on what someone else finds exciting or “fashionable”?
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
I think your clothing choices and the way you look in them is absolutely fabulous!
Neutrals are anything but boring! To me it's more fun to have a closet of basics and neutrals with lots of texture than it is to have lots of color and patterns. I find joy in being able to pair almost any top with almost any bottom in my closet.
Neutrals play a huge part in French fashion, and French people are known to dress well so, yeah, I'd say you've got quite the sense of style.
Also, that last picture… that will be you in just a few short months!
Well, thanks! Right back at ya, sis. 🙂
Truth. Neutrals are so handy-dandy for pairing with anything! It's just efficient. 😉
And I just had to include at least one preggy-mama shot for inspiration. 🙂
This is so good. I love all of your blog posts BTW.
A few months ago I purged my closet (like I do every 6-ish months). It is such a good feeling to get rid of those pieces that you keep telling yourself to wear but they just don't quite work for you. I was tired of buying things because they were a good price and it fit what I needed in the moment. I wanted pieces that would last me several years and that I would want to wear until they have holes because I love them so much. I labeled my wardrobe with 3 words that described my style (Classy, Timeless & Feminine) Those are my words and if an article of clothing I am thinking of buying doesn't fit in those words, I don't buy.
This post was liberating for me as well in that I always feel like I need to try new colors. In the past few months I have been challenging myself to use what i have and be creative with it. Next time I make a clothing purchase I will make my decision based on those 3 words and whatever color I like best. Not the new color that I don't have in my closet and if that means I have 10 purple shirts so be it! Why does it matter if they are all different.
I am also contemplating choosing 25-30 pieces from my wardrobe and only wearing them for a few months…I think it would help me see what I really like and what I don' t like.
All this Blah blah…sorry but i loved this because its so important to be content with what you have and be you at the same time.
Heidi. S.
The purged closet feeling is uh-mazing! It's liberating to walk into my closet and know the pieces hanging there are things I will actually use and wear and feel comfortable in. I love your idea of labeling your personal style with a set of words and filtering purchases through that…what a good idea! I'm not sure what my words would be…I'll have to think on that. 🙂
This is so funny because I think we are almost opposites….I LOVE neutrals and wish I could get myself to steer more in that direction, but my closet just ends up looking like a rainbow.:) I think neutrals are very vogue right now, embrace it! And I love your style.:)
Well someone has to be the one to bring some COLOR to the world. 🙂 I think colors are so fun and always wish I could somehow incorporate them effectively into my style without feeling like I look like a stranger in my own clothing!
Haha, me too, actually. 🙂
I'll second, third, or fifth that…you have great style! It's good to know you are embracing it! I'm more like Shellley…color! It seems no matter how much I admire all you beautiful wearers of neutrals my closet always ends up with a hodge podge of color and patterns…and in need of purging and organizing!
Hey Alicia, I came across your blog awhile ago and have recently been taking the time to actually read some of your posts. I love your blog style – it’s fun to read, beautifully designed and I feel inspired afterward! 😉
I’m pretty sure I’ve met you. Long ago….maybe at your childhood church? My family used to visit my cousins in SC and I’m just sure you might’ve been a friend to my cousin Juli Miller (Schwartz). Anyway, how fun to follow you here! 🙂
Anyway, I’m so inspired by this peticular post about neutral closet picks! I love neutrals and solids and I have the hardest time getting out of those boxes. It’s kind of bothered me and I’ve tried hard to buy things with patterns and bright colors because I think “Maybe I look really unfashionable!”. But inevitably, i just don’t like a lot of bold colorful clothing. I’m so inspired to stick with what I love and let that expand in my closet. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
-Amy
Sorry for this second comment….my iPad was acting funny so I couldn’t select to be notified of replies and future blog posts….hopefully this will work. 😉