So. I am gonna do a thing that's kinda weird because internet and, well, society, and I'm just gonna say it... I am 35.
And 35 has been way more... with all the feelings about age/appropriateness/identity than 30 was for me. There's also the part with juggling a big move right before that big birthday and the changes that came with that, which is all to say that it's been a topsy-turvy year, and I have been on a hunt for fewer choices and more bandwidth.
So, wardrobe planning is a part of that.
But who even am I at 35?
So, Style Workshop gave me space to think about that. I did have to stop and start, but this is where I landed, quoting my post in the Design Your Wardrobe community:
And 35 has been way more... with all the feelings about age/appropriateness/identity than 30 was for me. There's also the part with juggling a big move right before that big birthday and the changes that came with that, which is all to say that it's been a topsy-turvy year, and I have been on a hunt for fewer choices and more bandwidth.
So, wardrobe planning is a part of that.
But who even am I at 35?
So, Style Workshop gave me space to think about that. I did have to stop and start, but this is where I landed, quoting my post in the Design Your Wardrobe community:
I have gotten to a place of a closet full of nothing to wear and am realizing that when we moved, and I had this walk in closet for the first time in years, I did some mindless filling up of the space.
I haven’t gone on a hard buying/making freeze but have found myself trying to be more mindful of why I’m spending so much time in thrift stores searching for more and doing style workshop was a really affirming exercise in that it reinforced some of that mindfulness.
I haven’t gone on a hard buying/making freeze but have found myself trying to be more mindful of why I’m spending so much time in thrift stores searching for more and doing style workshop was a really affirming exercise in that it reinforced some of that mindfulness.
All of the words kind of fell under 4 umbrellas so I’m trying to distill them and that in and of itself is an adventure.
my words, right now…
SUSTAINABLE- thrifted, vintage, classic, genuine. Part of sustainable for me is environmental- which first means turning to the wardrobe I have- but also sustainable, as in… it’s important that I’m able to care for the things and they fit in with my life.
AUTHENTIC- rooted and grounded, Southern, instinctive, fun, feminine, strong, wild hair, maintaining self expression. This isn’t going to work if I don’t feel good in my skin and whole in my body. I don’t want to feel like or dress like “just a mom” “just _____” because who I am is never just anything. Who I am is enough.
PUT-TOGETHER- appropriate, fitting in, classy, chic, capable, professional, attractive, red lipstick, capable. Because my vocation and place in the community call for these things, and because the baggage of growing up a woman in the South comes with Expectations and that’s not something I am going to shed overnight… but it’s also a piece I want to claim and carry with authority. I want to show my daughters how to navigate bodies and clothing and the way we go about doing the “put together” thing with authenticity. With strength. With sustainability.
my words, right now…
SUSTAINABLE- thrifted, vintage, classic, genuine. Part of sustainable for me is environmental- which first means turning to the wardrobe I have- but also sustainable, as in… it’s important that I’m able to care for the things and they fit in with my life.
AUTHENTIC- rooted and grounded, Southern, instinctive, fun, feminine, strong, wild hair, maintaining self expression. This isn’t going to work if I don’t feel good in my skin and whole in my body. I don’t want to feel like or dress like “just a mom” “just _____” because who I am is never just anything. Who I am is enough.
PUT-TOGETHER- appropriate, fitting in, classy, chic, capable, professional, attractive, red lipstick, capable. Because my vocation and place in the community call for these things, and because the baggage of growing up a woman in the South comes with Expectations and that’s not something I am going to shed overnight… but it’s also a piece I want to claim and carry with authority. I want to show my daughters how to navigate bodies and clothing and the way we go about doing the “put together” thing with authenticity. With strength. With sustainability.
&- not a word but it’s the best thing I could come up with short of saying split personality. Because every week spans getting dressed in athleisure and in a suit and heels, plus a couple of stops in the middle. While I’m never going to rock a sports bra and yoga pants in a board meeting, I do want to find/embrace some chameleon pieces that can fill multiple functions to lean into more simplicity and sustainability.
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So grateful for good tools to identify values as they show up in my clothes, so I can work towards showing up as myself!
