Well, I'll tell you. I feel really pleased, looking at the pics.
The haircut made the biggest change, and was completely in keeping with my sense of myself (having worn my hair short most of my life). So, I have Angie to thank for that prompt.
With the hair came many other changes. Necklines that seemed possible with my long, thick hair no longer work (alas -- I miss you, V neck tops!). But others that I loved equally (like collared shirts) became much easier.
With a better paying job, I was able to buy more items new, and this has allowed me to evolve towards a more modern, minimalist look, which is the kind of outfit I've always felt best in. My hair allows me to wear classics more easily without looking merely "nice." (Not that there is anything wrong with nice, by the way. It's just not me.)
Karie, you hit the nail on the head. These days when I shop (the stores or my closet) I ask myself: Does this item work, or can it work, with my style persona? It has to pass the item/ outfit/ capsule test and make me feel like myself. I still make mistakes, of course, but there really is a process of constant refinement going on.
By the way, I still have all the items in outfit 2 and would wear them in a similar but not identical way -- I would switch out the footwear to my Cons and probably leave off the cami, plus I would wear a different belt.