Style Buzz: Why You Love It But Never Wear It
- Eugene Stylist
- Aug 7
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 12
Ideas to Inspire Your Style This Week!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"I care more about what I wear - now as an adult - because I feel like it's more on my terms. Because I care less about what other people think."
- celeste barber
You may have heard of Celeste Barber, an Australian comedienne who's known for poking fun at influencers on social media. She presented The Way We Wore, a program about Australian fashion, this comment of hers really stuck with me. She admitted to feeling like an outsider as a teen because she didn't have the confidence to wear what her peers were wearing. But look at her now! Draw from her inspiration to be yourself and even if you lacked the confidence as a teen or just last week, you're allowed to change and care about what you wear now.
xxx rachel
YOU LOVE IT...SO WHY DON'T YOU WEAR IT?
I'm pretty sure you've heard the rule that says that if you haven't worn something in a year, it's time to let it go. I think that's far too simplistic. Many fabulous pieces aren't designed for everyday life. Formalwear, ski clothing, or a blazer for interviews might only come out occasionally, but that doesn't make them unnecessary and purge-worthy.
But what about the pieces you genuinely love and like how you look in them... yet somehow they never make it out of the wardrobe? You know you have them. The beautiful dress, the perfectly cut blouse, or the gorgeous shoes that make you smile every time you see them. You're likely telling yourself that I'll hold onto it just in case I fall in love with it again. Or, I'll need this if I go to brunch or a party, or get a job that requires business attire.
But you're still not wearing them. So should you keep them? It's time to ask yourself a few questions.
First, does it fit your life today? Perhaps you loved wearing heels before having to chase small children around, or a tailored suit made sense in a previous job. If your lifestyle has changed, your wardrobe should change with it.
Next, identify what's stopping you from wearing it. Did you give away pieces that worked with it, like a trouser with just the right cut for that shoe, or items with a complementary color? Do you need a different bra underneath? Are you missing the right layering piece or top to make it work? Just one small adjustment might help reignite your love of it.
Also be honest about whether you're keeping it for the person you were or are now, or is it for the person you hope to become (like the floral dress for the tropical vacation but you never go to the tropics.) Aspirational pieces can be motivating, but if they've been waiting for years with no realistic opportunity in sight, they may simply be taking up valuable space
Practice life without it. Pack it away into a box and see if it's something you go looking for after a few months. If you've forgotten you have it and didn't miss it, that's pretty telling. Or imagine if you give it away, would you end up replacing it? But if you do replace it, would you be excited to find an updated, more current version?
Finally, consider whether you love wearing it, or just love looking at it. Those are two different things. Some clothes are beautiful objects and while you used to wear them all the time, they don't make you feel like yourself anymore (and that's ok!). If you still love looking at them and have the space, you're allowed to keep them as art. I know a woman who keeps her unwearable Manolo Blanhik heels on a pedestal in her living room!
However, your wardrobe isn't a museum of lovely things for future events. It's a hardworking collection of clothes that should earn their keep by making your life easier, not guiltier. If you truly love something, give it one last chance. Style it differently, have it altered or wear it somewhere that isn't "special." If it still stays on the hanger while everything else gets worn, you've got your answer. |
A FAVOR, PLEASE!
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ANATOMY OF AN OUTFIT
This is a peek into my favorite outfit of the week where I break it down for you: why I've put it together and why it works, what elements could be swapped out, things to consider, etc.
I took my own advice and looked through my wardrobe for a summery piece that I don't wear very often and found this sleeveless wrap top (a fun souvenir from Chicago!) What was stopping me from wearing it? Pairing it with any kind of button-front bottoms. They're too bulky. So I tried it with a side-zip skirt and voila! It works. (It also works with anything elastic-waisted, fyi). The teal linen of the skirt softens the bold structure of the navy cotton poplin, and the nude heels keep the focus on the clothes and elongate my legs. I chose salmon earrings and bracelet as a gentle pop of color and opted to not add a necklace so as to not draw too much attention to where I don't want it.
Shirt: Banana Republic
Capris: Ann Taylor
Shoes: Marc Fisher
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