Finding Old Friends

Thistle

I have started unpacking some sweaters and seeing which fit at the moment and which might get eb through this winter, especially when I go back to work.

It is funny. Some pieces I am super excited to see again. I know they are comfortable, easy to care for, and generally flattering. Then there are others . . . And I am feeling more at peace letting them go. Even if only wore them for a season. (Looking at you polka dot NAS sweater that needs to be de-pilled after each wear).

For me, I am finding myself slipping back into my pre-YLF days a bit. My loves are:
1. Dark trousers. I am thinking of keeping my post maternity capsule with black and grey. Heck, all I had was black for my maternity capsule.
2. Soft, comfortable sweaters.
3. Nothing fussy.
4. Easy to launder.

I still do like the look of turtlenecks and cowl necks but have been reaching for them a lot less. This is because I feel like they are "in the way" when I am cuddling DD2. But that will change.

Over to you. What characteristics do your "old friends" have? Anything consistent in the pieces you are considering parting with?

11 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from Gaylene

Beth Ann

Veteran

You are wise for planning ahead, and I like the idea of a post-maternity capsule to keep things simple and organized.

I'm reaching for my blazers lest often, in favor of dramatic cardis. And I'm very unhappy with my layering tees --- too thin, not stretchy in the right ways.

I love my pencil skirts (5-6 of them) and booties! And my loungewear capsule is full of cozy things in great fits and rich, pretty colors. I've recently discovered JCP's Xersion line for workout and loungewear. It's not as amazing as Athleta or Zella, but it fits me far better and is good quality for the money. For example, their running tights have a drawstring at the waist -- valuable for a pear like yourself, so you can fit the bum without a waist gap.

11 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

I've been reaching for many similar things. Soft, cozy, machine washable sweaters and skinnies. I've always gravitated toward more simple outfits and that hasn't changed either. I can't even be bothered with my BFs lately because they require a belt and that is too fussy for me these days! I'm sure I'll feel differently when things around here settle down a little but my primary goal these days is just to get dressed and look presentable so I can just forget about it. My "new" favorite thing are my Target flannet shirts from the boys department. I could wear those every day--the only button down that feels like me probably because it's so soft!

11 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

That makes sense Thistle and it sounds great. I'm all about comfort now too. I've also come full circle on my style. I think Ornella described it as a spiral a while ago, which was a great image I think. You're back to the style you started with, but you wear it on a higher level. It's like that for me. I feel like I finally learned to wear the things I loved in the past, just a stylish rendition. But for that kind of learning I needed the experiments in between, so it's all fine.

11 years ago

abc

Veteran

It's funny, I have seen a lot of layering posts and tried fruitlessly a while back to layer a button-down (or up?) shirt over a sweatshirt, but I felt restricted in it all day and from minute 1 of putting it on I didn't like it. So that is the old me coming through. I never liked that combo and likely never will. I have to be at peace with it. It works for others, just not for me, and that is ok.

I have seen other posts (don't recall who authored them, sadly) that said they kind of settle into a groove after being on YLF for a while and notice that they do tend toward many of their pre-YLF pieces/silhouettes, so I don't think this is a strange phenomeneon.

Enjoy your cuddles with the baby and your clothes, life is too short.

11 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

Like Astrid says, I don't see this as backsliding. I think the things we love remain fairly constant. Your criterion are the same for a LOT of mothers. Heck, if I can't launder something, I can't wear it. So...

11 years ago

Anonymous

Yes, I hear you Thistle! I still prefer to go darker on the bottom and lighter on the top (been thinking about this a lot today, because I'm wearing my white jeans and a darker shirt). Belts are SUPER fussy for me (I'm sure Angie never needs to fuss with hers at all), so I'm back to no belts. I love a soft sweater too.

11 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Three cheers for Team Old Friends. That's one way to develop a signature style, actually. We cannot help but like what we like.

No matter how many different styles of top I try on (some I even purchase) - I ALWAYS prefer my old friends: shirts, turtlenecks and crew-neck knitwear. But an assortment of colours, fabrics, fits, sleeve treatment and patterns in these three silhouettes is essential. That is how I create variety - which is the spice of life.

Claire, you're right. I don't seem to fuss with a belt. I DO fuss with scarves though - which is why I stick to my Burberry and that's it. It has been the only scarf that I wear for 4 years. I wonder when that will change?

11 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Love this thread - Thistle, you are really speaking to me!! I echo the sentiment that you it sounds like you are refining your style - coming back to those pieces that are "you" but with a keener eye and great sense of the possibilities.

My "old friends" are anything black, tailored t-shirts or fine knits, skinnies, and a light neutral scarf or two. Strong color and unfitted clothing are two that I keep trying to party with, but we never really click

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It's fun to find old friends! And yours make absolute sense. I know what you mean about that "pilly" dot sweater, by the way. And hey -- does "our" Amber Sun colourblock "sweater" (AKA a knit TOP) make the cut?

Because I have a similar body type to Angie's, my old favourites include turtlenecks, crewnecks, and button front shirts. But like Beth Ann, I find myself reaching for cardigans at home -- and this is a big shift for me from previous years. It helps that there are more interesting styles available.

I never, ever fuss with a belt. I love them!!

Scarves are debatable. I don't fuss with the right scarf. (Slippy silk ones are my nemesis, but a cashmere or wool or cotton blend can work really well.) But they're sometimes too fussy visually for my style. And yet I find myself wearing them anyway for warmth. Ugh.

11 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

Just wanted to come back and say that to me, my old friend is what you may call "inconspicuousness". I was always wearing neutral, fairly low key looks. For a while I went totally crazy with patterns and colors, but I've come back to more pared down and low key looks recently and I love it. It just feels more like me.

11 years ago

viva

Veteran

Here's an old friend of mine that we never seem to talk about on YLF: the graphic tee. I just love a good tee -- love it with a cardigan, love it with a blazer (and love it with pajama pants). I have kept from buying tees most of the year but lately I have picked up 3!!! And in winter!!! (That's because they were on sale -- plus, there was something wonderful and soothing about the comfort of the familiar.)

I'm so excited to try these tees with my jackets (finally -- something to wear with my jackets!) and skinny or BF jeans. For me, these tees are super comfy (cotton and/or linen) and they have personality which I really, really miss.

Thanks for this post, Thistle. It makes me happy to think I am not the only one reaching for a favorite. I would really hate to think of re-connecting with old friends as backsliding.

11 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

I think it makes perfect sense to want to hang out with old friends when we are faced with challenges in other parts of our lives--old friends who are quietly in your corner when you don't have the time and energy to cope with anything more. And, as Angie has said, you can learn a lot about yourself from your old friends, so it's wise to listen when they have something to say. Jeans, boots, sweaters, duffle coats, trench coats, pea coats, and equestrian-style blazers will always be in my wardrobe. I feel most like me when I wear them. They have always been, and will continue to be, at the core of my personal style. I'm not a girly dresser, nor do I feel much like myself when I wear pencil skirts, sheaths, or heels. Those items may look good on me, but they don't reflect ME to the rest of the world.

But I also need to remind myself it's also good to get out of my familiar circle and meet new people. Sometimes new friends become lasting friends, while others will fade into memories--some fond and some "what was I thinking". While old friends give us comfort, it's often our new acquaintances who let us push beyond our self-imposed boundries. That's why a stretchy, black, cotton lace dress just made it's way into my closet (do you suppose Angie's posts had a subliminal effect here?), along with an designer necklace (the first time in decades that anything other than a scarf has hung around my neck!). The dress is as comfortable as a pair of sweats and I love it--ladylike but spunky. Perfect for dinners out with friends or a party. My friends will raise their eyebrows at seeing me in a dress instead of my trademark pants, but I'm looking forward to that reaction. As for the necklace, it drapes perfectly on me without any fussing and is made by a local artist whose work I adore. I suspect my old friends will approve of these new additions to our circle.

11 years ago

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