Whether I’m traveling or not (which I am not this year), the week between Christmas and New Years is a time when I start to slowly take stock of the year that is coming to a close. This covers topics both big–the general direction of my life, and small but still integral to who I am, such as my closet. I’m not one for confessionals and this is a style blog, so we’re sticking with clothes here.
When it comes to clothes, I start to consider what worked and what didn’t, because come the first few weeks of January, I am generally ready to really purge the excess and focus on what made me feel my best and how I can add more of that into my life. While I promise to delve into the nitty gritty of cleaning out your closet next month, a first step can be to get pull together some general thoughts (mine, below are with some IG Story images).
This fall and for winter, I am wearing trousers in place of jeans when I go out and I really like the switch. I feel a bit more pulled together. I can dress my look up with my Toteme low-heeled boots, or for run-around days, take it down with my Nike sneakers (my only fall shoe purchase). Always a cashmere sweater on top (with a Frances de Lourdes turtleneck or tee underneath) and then my oversized HommeGirls coat or my camel belted coat from Acne Studios I bought a few years back. I find myself wearing the same pieces on rotation and feel really good about it. I have a fall/winter uniform of fewer, better things, that works.
I find warm weather months are hard if you’re a minimalist and looking back at Spring and Summer I struggled more, but it’s getting better (and I have a very definitive short list of Spring items I want that I will share when the time is right, meaning when you can buy them). That being said, my favorite go-to outfit was a black Xirena Channing shirt and pair of off-white Nili Lotan cotton pants, and for dressing up my black cotton Frances de Lourdes tank dress and my Matteau silk printed trousers and matching top (which I paired separately with tank tops and black shorts). My bag purchases this year–a The Row Bindle in luggage brown for summer and a Bottega Jodie mini in black for evening this fall, have both been worth it.
What didn’t work? I spent too much money on two things 1) a black Celine boucle tweed jacket with a tie top and 2) a Prada black shacket a friend had and I then really wanted. I’ve only worn each once. Cringe. I spent a good chunk of change on those two items. I also think the pandemic and the general upheaval of early last year might have had a bit to do with these purchases, because I just really wanted to splurge on something. In retrospect, I should have saved the money. Plus, if I sell them, I will get pennies on the dollar, so they’re staying in my closet in the hopes I’ll wear them more in the future. Lesson learned.
Such a fabulous and thoughtful post Jennifer! And I have to say I agree regarding denim. I don’t know if it’s the over-saturation of the denim space these days, but I have become so fatigued and overwhelmed by what style to wear that I have completely given up and made the switch to an inky black sturdy legging as you suggested before. And that Linda Evangelista IG post you put up was perfect inspiration.
On a separate note, your blog has been such a spot of joy these last two (very bleak) years and I so look forward to seeing what you have up your sleeve in the new year!
Happy new year to you and your family!
Thank you for such kind words Jennifer!
I agree with Jennifer’s comment (although I wear jeans daily) – a real bright spot and you always give me something to think about (other than everything that feels overwhelming and bleak). Two questions on bags….1. Do you feel you’ve gotten enough use out of your vintage Chanel to have been a worthwhile purchase?
2. Love the Bindle, but have always worried that my stuff would be in a black hole – do you find that, or is it an easy to use bag?
Looking forward to your upcoming ideas, and thank you for helping me hone my own wardrobe.
Thank you Kathy!! Yes, I use my vintage Chanel and will have it for years to come. And yes, the Bindle is a black hole, but I don’t carry much in my bags anyway, so in this case, it weirdly doesn’t bother me.
Thank you for the post. I love the Bindle bag and I was wondering what color you have? You described it as luggage brown but I’m wondering what The Row named the color?
I have it in Caramel. And thanks Liz!
I’m inspired. Going to take a long look at my close next week. Maybe I can convince you to help:)
My favorite and most used purchase was a tobacco colored large pouch from bottega.
This could happen! That bag is a good get.
Wonderful post! It’s incredible how little clothing we need, much as I love it. I’m obsessed with denim and still reach for it in the fall and winter but in spring and summer, really enjoyed trousers! I used to wear a lot of denim in the summer too.
Thank you and yes, it’s just a question of getting out of the mindset that you need things when you don’t.
Favorite post. Ever.
THANK YOU!
Thank you for this post & for all your terrific content this year! I share your other readers’ sentiment that your posts have been a much appreciated bright light. Practical Q: I have been wanting to switch to trousers but have a hard time buying pants online & don’t have a reliable in-person resource. Do you have any tips for finding a good fit/style, especially on sites like the real real? Thank you!
Pants, like jeans, are tough. Every designer cuts them differently so it is hard to generalize and say “flat-front straight trousers will look best on you”…..so buying from TRR is going to be trial and error. If it’s a very classic style you’re looking for frankly Theory usually gets it right.
Great post! Is the Bottega Jodie big enough for a phone?
Yes! All my evening bags/clutches must fit my cell, at least one pair of glasses, car keys and a lipstick. A second pair of glasses in this bag is a squeeze, but everything else fits easily.
Regarding the items that you bought and only wore once, did you just buy them this fall? If so, there hasn’t been that much time to wear them! Overcoats and bags can basically be worn everyday but our actual clothes cannot be reworn everyday (except maybe jeans) so maybe give yourself a little more time…
Or did you decide you didn’t like them as much as you originally did? Curious…
Hi Jennifer!
I am on the hunt for a beautiful gold watch. I would love to have a forever piece. My favorites are the Cartier tanks, preferably the tank americaine with a gold band. I have found a beautiful used one, but it is a chronograph, so I feel that it is too sporty for day to evening wear. I would really appreciate your advice.
Sounds like heaven! For dressy dressy evening maybe not, but most evening attire absolutely! Make it your signature.
Thank you for your encouragement!!
It will be here tomorrow—
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