A year of style discovery and Evolution
AD INFO | The product links in this post are AFFILIATE links | For more info, see DISCLOSURE page.
Having spent an inordinate time reflecting on this, I wanted to share how my style has evolved this past year, why I’ve welcomed the process with open arms and what I’ve learned from it. It’s a longer read (remember those?) so grab a coffee and settle in for five minutes!
It was almost exactly this point in 2023 when I felt a fresh surge of enthusiasm for the art of getting dressed, sharing outfits again and collating style inspiration on Instagram and Pinterest that I could dig into at will. As the year wore on, the three style words I’d chosen a few years back - Minimal, Relaxed, Effortless – began to morph into more of a style statement. More fluidity, guidance and descriptors were required when it came to translating what was going on in the head and how that ended up on the body.
Lo and behold, just as this conclusion began to lodge itself in my brain, I stumbled across this Reel from Anna Cascarina who managed to put into words these thoughts I’d been brewing - Anna’s explanation of why having a mantra is better than three words really spoke to me and I’d highly recommend coming up with your own if you’re feeling a little off course in your sartorial lane.
If you’re wondering what mine is, I’d say this comes close to summing it up for now. I say “for now” because it will (and should) continue to evolve..
My style is built on a foundation of everyday basics, minimalist, contemporary staples and elevated details. It must be versatile, lifestyle appropriate and needs to include occasional subtle statement pieces.
That short paragraph pretty much describes the kind of stuff that always brings out my most comfortable, confident self. Wearable, relaxed and lifestyle appropriate all make perfect sense if we’re to avoid the dreaded “cupboard full of clothes but nothing to wear” syndrome and IMHO, every woman (and man) should be able to relish in those subtle, point of difference outfit details… and the odd statement piece here and there too. We are after all, here to live this life.
By sticking with the mantra and fine tuning how I use online style content for inspiration, the process of purchasing has also become more refined – which in an era of over consumption is only ever a good thing. In years gone by I would found myself susceptible to being influenced by what I consumed and as a consequence, shopped too frequently with a disorganised, emotion-lead approach. Now, by using Instagram and Pinterest as prompts for compiling outfits from similar pieces I already own, creativity is on the up and I’m learning how to home in on those all-important styling details. Some people have this natural ability ingrained into their style psyche and others need the visual prompts to get them started – I’m definitely one of the latter.
During the whole scroll/rummage/get dressed/repeat (style geek) cycle, if I find I’m regularly missing a staple component and know it will work for multiple outfits, then I might purchase a version of it along the way. If I have no budget to buy at that point or just as now, we’re almost at the turn of the season, I’ll add it to a note I keep on my phone that lists future staples and investment buys. A plain white layering top for instance is appropriate for every season but I currently have a long, dark grey wool coat and a medium weight, navy crew neck cashmere sweater on my list. These can both now wait until September - not only would usage be limited with spring just around the corner, but by delaying the purchase, I can be sure that they’re both definite staple requirements. I did warn you - this absolutely reeks of geek.
When it comes to elevated details and subtle statements, they have criteria to fulfil too. The most important being they work against a background of neutrals and should have multiple styling uses. When it comes to both these elements, care and consideration is required. In the past, these were where the power of suggestion crept in without me often realising it - so here is where I’m learning to pause and ask why, how and what with. Nine times out of ten, the answer is no – I don’t need it. This is not the elevated detail you’re looking for.
A notable exception were the white Adidas Sambas that I watched pop up everywhere last year and this winter, the red Gazelles. After pinning, saving endless outfit inspiration and checking in with my wardrobe, they both made great style sense for me. Having abandoned all but two pairs of heels years ago, I now live in some variation of flats, boots or trainers and wear the kind of clothing that they compliment. Think wide leg-jeans, trousers – your standard normcore, minimal attire. Both the Sambas I bought last March and the red Busenitzs purchased this January have already elevated loads of outfits from Mehhh to Magical. Better than that, every time I wear them, I feel joyously confident, comfortable and happy… the very definition of an elevated style detail as far as I’m concerned.
Finally - the subtle statement – what is that? Having gotten it wrong in the past, this category feels quite new to me, so I consider it a work in progress. I would wager that the long earrings and satin trousers I bought in December definitely fit the bill. Again, I found myself in need of online guidance and on this occasion, took it from Farrah Storr’s piece on Cool Girl Party Dressing. The resulting outfit for P’s birthday night out felt perfect and very me. The differences are understated but the end resulting combination was what made the subtle statement – dainty earrings and tailored trousers just wouldn’t have packed the same style punch.
A Few Tips For Fine Tuning & Evolving Your Style
Do the research
The Sambas are a great trainer option but not if they don’t fit with the existing vibe of your style. Look at the outfits you already wear and any possible other wardrobe combos you might put together – would they become the perfect full stop point? We’re shown so many “viral” style trends on an almost daily basis but the percentage that will truly mesh with our wardrobes is pretty low. Do you want it because you’re seeing it everywhere or because it works on you?
Consider the usage of every purchase
Is what you’re buying versatile enough to be used in the longer term and over multiple occasions? I bought those satin wide leg trousers to wear out of an evening. But I also wear them with sweaters and Sambas in the day and for lounging about indoors with a soft cashmere top too. Don’t always jump straight to the concept of party or occasion wear that we’ve become so used to - instead think about different ways of combining some unexpected pairings that you might already own.
Book yourself a dress up day and record the results
I recently booked myself a day off to go through the contents of my wardrobe, try on a whole load of outfits and snap a mirror pic of all the results that I liked and would wear again. I started off with my trusty outfit inspo sources to hand to get the creative brain moving and a few outfits in, I found I didn’t even need the reference anymore. I was honestly amazed at how many combinations of things I could come up with and now having the pics in a folder on my phone means I’ve got a stack of things to wear on the mornings when the brain fog is dense. Which is often! Keep an eye out for these on Instagram as I’ve already shown a few examples and will be sharing future results on the regular.
Be selective about the style content you consume
Especially when it comes to which creators you follow and the looks that you pin/save for inspiration. I follow a wide range – some are around my age and others older, with that goddess-like ability to add that one unexpected detail to an outfit. Some in their mid 20’s early 30’s possess the kind of style that suits every age bracket. On occasion, I’ll discover an account where I might admire one outfit but have to accept that the rest of the content really doesn’t apply… unless I actually was twenty two, travelling the world on a loop and genuinely did look awesome in a neon thong on a Maldivian beach. I’m all for a bit of escapism now and then but generally feel the need for more than just Reel upon Reel featuring a purposeful model-esque stride across the street followed by a “fit check” in the shop window. If I sound a little old and cynical it’s because I am… and for all eternity, will remain bewildered by the need to call our outfits “fits”.
Organise your inspiration for quick wins
My style Pinterest boards where already organised into seasons, and I recently split my Saved Style folder on Instagram into Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer. Perhaps not the way you’d choose to spend a couple of quiet hours on the sofa on a Sunday but if you’re as getting-dressed-obsessed as I am, you’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to find some inspiration when needed. Think of it as a virtual wardrobe organising session.
Notice all of the details, all of the time
By that I mean the finer points such how has she layered her necklaces, where was colour added to make a subtle statement (Hello red socks!), have the sleeves been randomly pushed back or were those cuffs rolled in a very particular way? Whereabouts have those trousers been cropped to show the perfect amount of ankle/sock/shoe combination and why on earth does it look so chic when someone throws a sweater about their shoulders atop a trench coat?? These are not questions that should keep you up at night… but the answers will always make your head turn when you see it executed well.
In conclusion (finally), I was recently having a discussion with my always-wise friend Lou about the whole concept of style and “influencer” culture. That word still makes me squirm by the way - possibly due to the connotations of someone wielding that much power that they can dupe you into thinking you need something… that and the well-known fact that not all influencers are created equal when it comes to the scruples department. Side note: I don’t follow the “pushers” - the ones purely there to sell 100% of the time. Curate your feed with what makes you feel good and you’ll feel instantly more inspired whenever you indulge in a scroll. Anyhoo, Lou and I agreed that when it comes to the positive side of the world of female style “influencing”, it really is just another form of fluid self-expression. Its a visual way of saying “This is who I am – I like how I dress but if you don’t, that’s okay… there’ll be someone along in a minute whose style you will like!” By dressing in what you love and putting it out there, you attract others with a similar vibe, not matter what their age and I’m very much here for that concept.
A point underlined when I got a DM from H a few days ago saying she loved an outfit I’d posted and would very much like to borrow some of it… Err… I don’t think so! Closely followed by a voice note from Lou saying that her mum, who happens to be 80 and also Danish, said she’d been admiring my outfit posts of late. My whole year made by both of those messages from style lovers that ran the gamut of 18 - 80!
The thing I feel I’ve woken up to more than ever of late is that style can and should transcend age. Hone yours, get geeky about it if you want to, wear what you truly love – and leave the rest behind.
