Style is something I’ve become increasingly interested in the older I’ve become. Over the past few years I've focused on making better purchasing decisions, learning about ethical fashion, and building a cohesive, neutral wardrobe. I wouldn’t call myself ‘stylish’; I'm not interested in trends, labels, or catwalks but I’ve definitely developed my own personal style. If I was pushed to describe it I guess my style would simply be called ‘minimal fashion’ although I’m not entirely sure it’s that easy to pin down. I’ve learned a lot about outfit styling especially in my 30s where I’ve become much more confident as a person and therefore much more comfortable in the clothes that I wear.
I Love Neutral Basics
I like to my outfits to be carefully considered but I’m not interested in making a statement. It’s all about those natural basics for me; I can’t ever get enough A-line dresses, black jumpers, and fitted cardigans. Mostly everything I wear is black or a dark navy with the odd light colour thrown in for contrast. While my wardrobe might seem a little boring to the colour-lovers out there, every item works together nicely. My wardrobe is cohesive and complimentary meaning I get lots of wear out of every single piece.
Colours and Prints Aren’t For Me
Prints and patterns aren’t worth falling in love with, they date quickly making them a bad choice for a long-lasting minimal wardrobe so I mostly avoid them. The closest I get to wearing prints is a Breton top or polka-dot shirt (although I still feel like Beetlejuice whenever I wear stripes!) Any colour in my wardrobe comes in the form of muted tones like grey, camel, and navy. I like to reserve colour for outerwear like coats and scarves, and keep my main outfit simple. Colours and prints aren't for me and I'm OK with that.
I Should Experiment More
When I say ‘experiment’ I don’t necessarily mean trying out new clothing styles (although that is a wardrobe resolution of mine) but rather simply trying new combinations from my existing wardrobe. Like most people, I get into a groove of wearing the same outfits repeatedly because I know they look good and are easy to wear. I get so comfortable with certain outfits, in fact, that I forget to experiment with what I own. I'm a creature of habit when it comes to style so when I do try something new I’m amazed I hadn’t tried it sooner.
Accessories Are Best Kept Minimal
I like my outfits to be fuss-free and find too many accessories - a bag, a hat, or lots of jewellery - can add bulk to an outfit meaning you end up tugging, untangling, and readjusting yourself throughout the day. If I don’t have to I won’t carry a bag and I like to keep my jewellery simple. I always repeat the Coco Chanel quote: “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take at least one thing off.” I wouldn't say I entirely agree with that quote but it's inadvertently affected my style.
I Don’t Care For Flattering Silhouettes
I’m very comfortable wearing what I like, when I want, and I think this confidence just comes with age; the older you get the less you’re bothered by what other people think. I’m not particularly interested in whether something flatters my body shape, I only care whether I enjoy the way something looks and how I’ve styled it. Style is as much about confidence as it is the clothes you wear. It’s really important to have a wardrobe that makes you feel good about yourself and, for me, that has nothing to do with “dressing for your body shape”.
