a style update & my recent spring wardrobe favorites
I eventually want my closet to feel like a curated museum of “me”
Over the last couple of years, I have REALLY honed in on my style. It may not seem that way to an outsider, because I still have a lot of clothing in my wardrobe (both my spring/summer and fall/winter wardrobe), but I have narrowed down what I purchase. I have a few checkboxes now that each piece has to go through before I consider adding it to my wardrobe. I eventually want my closet to feel like a curated museum of “me,” and that each piece has a spot and a reason for existing as part of the whole.
The first criteria for me nowadays is color. I have figured out in recent years that my “color analysis” is a “true autumn.” Warm tones suit me best. I now opt for warm whites, tans, browns, olive-toned greens, burnt oranges, etc. I LOVE brown on me. I used to never wear brown! So this is big for me. Colors I stay away from now? Blue, grey (NEVER), cool-toned orange. Really, any cool-toned color. This is a huge change from my previous style. I realized over time that my eyes, natural hair color, and overall features suit a warm toned palette and feel extremely satisfying to wear. I can’t even wear a heather grey sweatshirt anymore, it just feels wrong and I feel like I look washed out.
Another criteria is fabric and materials. I am trying to stick to natural fibers. This is one I am still very much working on, but these pieces will last longer, wash better, and feel good on my body. Lately, since I am investing in each clothing piece and taking more time to deliberate and slot the piece into my wardrobe, I want it to last.
Lastly, style. I’ve realized more of the style of clothing I gravitate to, and pieces or outfits that actually feel approachable to me. I have tried many many many many looks over the years. I’ve gone for the boho, the 2012 tumblr, the Ariana Grande coquette, the thrifter, the French girl. I have taken great inspiration from various decades. I used to think I needed to wear one aesthetic or one decade to be satisfied with my style or to be cohesive, so I tried a bunch. With all of that exploration and experimentation, I actually ended up liking bits and pieces from each and which helped develop my style.
How would I describe my personal style now? It’s a mix of the aesthetics I tried. But I truly take huge amounts of inspiration from the 30s, 60s, and 80s. I stick with warm tones (for the most part). If it looks like something Jane Birkin would have worn, I love it. If Betty Draper would wear it to a cocktail party, I love it. If Claudette Colbert wore it in a film, I love it.
Of course those are all aspirational goals, and what I actually end up wearing is much more modernized and casual, of course. But I take significant inspiration from past decades and try to look past this minute’s current micro-trend. At least that’s my goal.
Let’s take a look at some of my current favorite spring wardrobe pieces
brown polka dot cardigan - reformation
I received this cardigan as a Christmas gift from a best friend (who works at reformation) and I LOVE it so much. I love that the polka dots on it are brown! That was the most exciting part to me. There were a couple weeks after I received this piece that I wore it for multiple days in a row. It’s also extremely soft.
how it fits in my wardrobe…
floral sweater - depop
This is an 80s/90s vintage sweater by the brand JH Collectibles. I actually got this one on Depop last year (for $25!) for my trip to Europe. It’s so incredibly soft, with fibers of mostly lambswool and angora.
What I love most is the base color is a creamy, warm-toned white. The fit is perfectly cropped enough to not be a “crop top,” but to also not be long enough that I need to tuck it into my bottoms.
how it fits…
cream mock neck sweater - depop
I have a lovely relationship with this wonderful sweater <3 Again, I bought this sweater on Depop ($35) for my trip to Europe last year, and I wore it almost every day. I knew for the trip I wanted a cream sweater to throw on over any one of my outfits. This was perfect.
The brand is Rafella, and it’s angora and lambswool. SO soft and incredibly warm. This will be a staple in my wardrobe for as long as possible.
how it fits…
parisian print denim jacket - vintage store
If this jacket ever leaves my closet, something has gone wrong. I purchased this piece at a Florida vintage store back in 2019. It’s the brand Paris Blues. I believe it was about $25 which is crazy!
The colors are amazing, lots of blue, green, pink, yellow. I will say it’s slightly cooler toned than I prefer, but the print is so amazing that I don’t mind. I am a sucker for a novelty print, especially if it’s illustrated and Parisian. This jacket is perfect for a Spring day that’s slightly cool in the shade.
how it fits…
“bettie” blouse - vintage store
This 70s beauty! This is one of the newest additions to my closet and admittedly I have not gotten to wear it yet. But I love every aspect of it, and it represents my style well so I thought I’d include it.
The script on the blouse with the written name “bettie,” is my favorite part. It’s brown and looks like it could also say “espresso” like the outside of an Italian corner cafe. The base color is kind of a beige / golden shade. It came with a tie that is meant to be tied around the neck, but I will also experiment with using it as a hair bow or belt.
I don’t love the material of this blouse, but everything else makes up for that! Sometimes we can overlook material if other aspects are aligning (I don’t make the rules)…
Within the past couple of years, I have gotten rid of SO much clothing that did not fit with my overall style. I have been ruthless in order to create a cohesive wardrobe. Again, I want each piece to make up the whole and fit like a puzzle piece or a sourced item in a curated museum.
Overall, I just wanted to share some of the pieces I’ve been loving and give a bit of a wardrobe reset. :)