In an effort to be (somewhat) brief, today’s letter is a combination of outfits I wore this past week and some quality closet clean-out advice. I had a great time on my trip and really enjoyed living with a pared down wardrobe for a week, which prompted a rather large purge when I got home.
// crop sweater. black cargos. bottega bag. studded denim jacket. red beanie, similar here. bomber jacket (on sale). Loewe sunnies. grey dress. grey blazer (editor’s note- I bought this 90% off on TRR, not my usual price range for a blazer). black sling bag. spiral manolos. red corset. flannel trousers (majorly on sale). cream crewneck. blue jeans. black boots. pink Chanels (can’t link, purchased at Neiman’s in Beverly Hills). //
Somewhere between becoming a mom and turning 30, my style majorly shifted. I craved ease while getting dressed, and pieces that transitioned in and out of my new routines with me.
A knit top that I could wear with jeans and a cardigan but also with heels and leather pants. Nice leggings, because those they help me look slightly more put together at daycare drop-off. Boots that I’d wanted for years and now wear at minimum 3 times a week. Larger purses because I refuse to buy an ugly diaper bag
toteme leggings. bomber jacket. sneakers.
Prior to this shift, my wardrobe was probably 50% statement pieces and random vintage stuff I never wore. I wish I could say I was a Marie Kondo girl, but her clean out method was always a bit too rigid for me. In light of the new year approaching (like, tomorrow), I felt compelled to share two pieces of wisdom that helped me reshape my wardrobe this year:
if you don’t wear it, you’re paying to store it. (!!!!)
when you hold onto something for too long, you’re trying to hold onto the person you were when you wore it (aka, keep the memories, ditch the junk).
The first is pretty straight to the point, and the second is a little woo-woo. For me, both of these things rang true as I felt compelled to hold onto multiple white dresses I bought for various wedding events that never happened (I was a covid bride, RIP to the big, beautiful wedding I planned that never happened). Of course, I will always hold onto my actual wedding dress, but the ones I never had a chance to wear aren’t really my style anymore. Why not send them off to TheRealReal so another bride can enjoy?
There has been a consistent theme with all the clothes I’ve gotten rid of which is that none of them fit. For those of you with a closet clean out in your future, I encourage asking yourself if the item of clothes you’re debating getting rid of fit……..
your lifestyle- For me, this means fewer one-off occasion dresses/bodysuits/miniskirts and more transitional, day to day clothes. (aka I grew the hell up and stopped buying stuff from Revolve, because those clothes almost always ended up in the donate pile). Asking yourself when you think you’ll be able to wear the item next and if you’re even excited to wear it again can almost always help give you a clear answer if you’re on the fence.
your taste- Maybe you used to buy trendier stuff and now you’re drawn towards Khaite and Celine. My taste changed significantly this year, leading me to several closet clean outs and the realization that certain colors and silhouettes aren’t for me anymore. If it’s something you bought two years ago and now you’d walk past it without a second thought, donate or sell.
your body- If it’s too small and you really love it buy it in the next size up and if it’s too big and you really love it, take it to a tailor. Otherwise, goodbye! Bodies change and that’s just part of being human. Everyone deserves clothes that they feel good in.
Sometimes a closet clean-out can bring a fun moment in nostalgia. I recently went through my swimsuit bin and couldn’t help but laugh as my daughter started pulling out the bikinis I wore on my bachelorette weekend (one minute you’re an influencer in an orange bikini partying in Palm Springs and the next you’re a mom living in the valley, or maybe that’s just me). The swimsuits I rid my closet of are too small, too neon and too much for me now, but they were part of an unforgettable weekend with my friends. You can hold onto the memories, but not the clothes, and I promise you’ll be just fine!!
this felt relevant.
Btw- I started a group chat here, would love for you to share your favorite purchase this holiday season and closet clean out tips.
As always, if you enjoyed this letter please share this with a fashion-loving friend. Happy New Year and thank you again for reading/subscribing. I’m so grateful for all your support this year and I can’t wait to see what 2024 brings for all of us. xo, Liz
Love this! Feel a closet clean out coming for me too! Motherhood definitely changes things. Also just excited to style the clothes I have new ways!