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Help! When you favourites, aren't

Helena

Veteran

Hi friends, I hope everyone is enjoying the summer!

I have observed something interesting this summer - my stripes (generally my 'go to' pattern) are putting me off lately! I have a couple of striped dresses that fit great, and are in the right palette (easy blues), etc. - but the stripes are making me feel frumpy-dumpy for some reason (one is a vertical stripe, so it's not the orientation). Similarly, in the spring a red and white Breton-striped top wasn't feeling good, nor was a black-and-white bold-striped tee, and a red and navy sweater (also a Breton stripe pattern).

The only exception seems to be my neutral Breton-stripe tee, and a cardigan with a similar style of a stripe. Other than that, I am nooooot into stripes right now.

What's this about? I'm wondering if I'm feeling a more minimal vibe and the stripes are too busy or bold. Has this happened to you with a go-to favourite? Did you wait it out? Or embrace the change?

Photo (for fun) - me in my first (known) striped outfit and a haircut that screams "the child put gum in her hair; get the scissors" (with my lovely Daddo).

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Dressing

38 replies

Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

Cardiff girl

Veteran

You are so cute in that photo!
I have this with my clothes all the time.What I usually do is wait it out as I know that what ever it is that I ve gone off will come back into favour in the future if I have loved it before.l think it’s normal to get a bit bored with a look and need a change from time to time but l don’t get rid of clothes on that basis,maybe just put them out of sight for a while.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

CUTE pic

I'm off animal print! That is VERY typical though. I go through phases where I love it and wear it a lot - and then nada....no thank you...next. That's where I am now.

As for stripes. Still a favourite go-to. Along with dots, checks and some florals. I am painfully consistent and classic when it comes to patterns that I love and wear forever. I do not venture too far out from that sphere.

The scarf and coat are the only animal print in my closet. I know not to over do it - but learnt the hard way many years ago. I will be all over these items again come October/November I bet. And I am liking the J.Crew sweatshirt for Fall travel.

Just wear what you feel like wearing now, Helena. Follow your feelings.

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Cotton crewneck sweatshirt in leopard

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smittie

Veteran

Cute kid! Nice haircuts.

I’m not that into stripes right now. Or floral. Or any pattern. There are so many great, simple things out there—lots of variety without having to go down the pattern route.

I like the plain stuff at lululemon these days And recently purchased the On-the-fly 7/8 woven pant in navy (considering going back for the black). I also bought 4 plain uniqlo tank tops, plain black Reef flip flops, a black t-shirt from lulu and some plain black Levi’s.

All the basics. It sounds boring but I enjoy the look.

Yes, I do think we go through phases, and you will likely want to go back to your stripes after a while. Just pack them away for another day.

Personally, I think I might be “over” pattern. I have steadily edited it out over the past few years.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Some days I think more about color, and some more about shape, and some more about pattern.

I know what you mean about stripes, though. I occasionally love them, but sometimes I put them on and I'm just not feeling them. It's like anything. One day you might feel like red or leopard anything is too flashy, and another day another all-neutral look is so bland you can't stand yourself anymore.

Right now, because it's summer. I'm thinking more about what parts to cover and what parts to not cover in order to be comfortable, that is, some parts of the look are just skin.

Oh yes, also, I have pictures with bangs at least 2 cm shorter than this and they scream "child's mother should never have been allowed to own scissors."

Katerina

Veteran

I can relate to this. Although I don’t wear patterns much, I have different phases with different kinds of my accessories. Right now, I am quite tired of brooches (although I in fact do love them) and Iam taking a break from them. Also scarves don’t excite me as much - which is really, really weird being me. Right now, I am into necklaces or experimenting with plain necklines without embellishment. I know it is only temporary though, I will wear my scarves and brooches again when the autumn is approaching. Or so I hope, otherwise I am kind of lost stylewise, lol.
I think you should just relax into whatever it is this change in tastes means. Wear whatever pleases you at the moment. Time will show if you return to stripes or move on to something else more permanently.

Helena

Veteran

Ladies, as always, you are wise. Thanks so much! I'll tuck them aside for a while, sans analysis, and see when they tickle my fancy again

Marilyn

Veteran

YES! I've always liked stripes and have a bunch but I'm just not feeling them this summer. I'm a minimalist as well. Maybe they're skewing too preppy for me....I'm not sure. The only exceptions are an old black and white Club Monaco tee that I've worn to death but haven't found a replacement for....I love it with a black or white jacket.... and a new this summer CM dress in black and white stripe.

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Liz

Veteran

In my climate, it's been hot for 3 months now, and we have 2 more months of blazing hot weather ahead. About this time of the season, I"m merely dressing to survive the climate; I pretty much stop caring about outfits and style.I've noticed the same effect in people who live further north toward the end of winter; they are tired of the season and nothing looks or feels good to them anymore.

If anything like this is happening with you (I don't know how hot it gets in Toronto, or for how long), or if you're bored with life i some way, your normal favorites might look or feel better again when the season turns.

Roxanna

Veteran

I'm also not feeling stripes for my style anymore. Most are too high contrast on me and not luxe looking enough for my style - also they feel too busy when I am going more minimalist. But I see them being perfect on you with your high contrast coloring and classic style, Helena - maybe you just need to give them a break for now.

Style Fan

Veteran

Very cute picture, TG. I don`t wear any patterns. I do wear patterned scarves but not in the summer. My style is becoming more and more minimalistic.
Stripes might come back in rotation in awhile.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Adorable picture! I go through phases all the time - I put the moody in mood dressing! Right now I am very into pattern. Other times I am into solids or whites. That is part of the fun for me.

rachylou

Veteran

An interesting question. I don’t like stripes at all when I think about it, but I notice that I always have some kind of breton, several really. And I have quite a few other things that are striped. Many times one patterned item is not enough for me and I feel stripes are non-competitive as patterns go. Has a lot to do with context for me I think, how I’m imagining them in an outfit, whether or not I think I like them.

Anonymous

Stripes seem to be more of a spring thing in my way of dressing. I haven't had on a striped t-shirt in quite a few weeks now that I think of it.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I’m wearing considerably less jewelry right now-which came as a surprise- but I’m definitely not getting rid of it.

Gigi

Veteran

I'm experiencing the same thing. I love animal print but am just not feeling it right now. I'm also not enjoying the silhouettes that I have been wearing, or even my neutral-heavy color choices.

Right now I'm feeling wider, flowier silhouettes (wide-leg pants, blousy tops) and colorful items and colorful patterns...and I have very few of said items!

My experience is that my favorites will come back into rotation at some point, but in the meantime, it's best to try to buy a few pieces in whatever new style will make me happy. The few pieces are generally enough to tide me over until I want my old stand-bys again.

Mainelady

Veteran

What an adorable picture of you and your Daddo! IKWYM about being off certain things. I find myself in a different phase right now, too. I agree with Angie. Listen to your feelings on what feels right to you. Let the stripes take a break. In a few months you may find yourself reaching for them again. If not, that’s ok too.

Helena

Veteran

Thanks ladies ... Appreciate all your thoughts and insights! Perhaps deep summer is just a time of increased minimalism ... This would certainly make sense! Roxanna's comment about stripes not feeling luxe enough resonated ... There is a feeling of stripes feeling a bit, almost loud? Not visually, but emotionally when I'm wearing them, if that makes sense. Marilyn's comment about too preppy gives me pause too ... As the pieces that are annoying me all do have a preppy vibe.
Another thought is that the variations on stripes can look dated in a way I hadn't noticed before (if only because retail can't have all the choices, all the time - whereas the good old white with navy Breton is timeless). Hmm, great food for thought!
I shall put them aside and see what's calling to me! Thanks all!

Bijou

Veteran

Toronto girl, this happens to me often too, and with everything and is probably the reason I have a largish wardrobe with quite a few different styles, silhouettes and colours to play with. Being an emotional dresser, I just put them aside and then after about 6 months really consider whether it was a passing phase or whether I want to edit the items out of my closet.

nemosmom

Veteran

Late to comment, but wanted to say you are not alone - I go through this, too. Stripes, plaids, or florals... I can start to feel frumpy, "off" or annoyed, especially if the styling feels stale. Sometimes a different vibe of a favorite can make a difference, if that makes any sense. Like, tighter stripes, or an edgy cut could help a breton feel fresh again.

Another vote to put your stripes in holding until Fall and see how you're feeling then.

Daisy Stripe Tee

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RobinF

Veteran

Aww cute pic!

That definitely happens to me too. Sometimes it passes and sometimes it doesn't. I agree with Barbara, I am off jewelry right now, just keep on the same earrings, small necklace and rings all the time rather than switch them out. Also gray - one of my all time favorites! - just isn't doing it for me right now.

Runcarla

Veteran

Not me! though I haven't been wearing my Bretons this summer due to finding all knits over-warm for the summer. I am down to 3 striped tops though, and looking for best quality replacements for the classic blue on white and white on blue.

always trying

Veteran

I have 4 striped t"s an wear them lot. Linen blend striped cargos that are favs for summer. but they are all small thin stripes. I do not like wide stripes.

taylor

Veteran

Darling photo!
I am totally off animal prints , and only wear them in footwear!
I don’t wear stripes at all .
I think it must be a minimalist thing

Janet

(website)

Veteran

What Bijou said!

I seem to be off stripes this summer too, with the exception of one new dress. Interesting.

Sara L.

Veteran

This happens to me occasionally too. If it's something I usually love, I'll put the items away and pull them out a few months later. Sometimes, absence does make the heart grow fonder. When I pull them out, they can feel fresh again. Sometimes that doesn't happen though and that usually means it's time to pass those items on.

Susie

Veteran

Stripes don't play a big role in my wardrobe at all....one of those things that I feel I "should" like/wear but in reality I think they are a bit too preppy for me. Once I am "off" something I generally don't return to the same pieces. I used to wear animal prints and then didn't for a few years. Now I have added a few items for fall but I don't think I would want to wear the things I let go of previously. Or maybe that's just me always wanting to have some new things each season!

Susie

Veteran

Oh and I meant to add that I would have been thrilled to have my bangs that long when I was a kid! I don't think mine got within 2 inches of my eyebrows!

Gretchen

Veteran

I feel like stripes are more of a shoulder season thing for me, I love them in the spring when they feel crisp, and like them in the fall for layering.

I’m also still in a love relationship with my Boden sweaters that have just a bit of stripe. They are what I tend to grab as a just-in-case layer on my way out the door.

Cassandra Cardigan

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Elina VNeck Jumper -

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Anonymous

Aww! I've never been a stripe person but I get it. I have a bad habit of making 180 degree changes when I get tired of something. Only flowy skirts, then only pencil skirts, etc...Being much more cautious this year-planning microcapsules instead!
You may want to just put them aside for a few months and see how you feel about them later. It could be a seasonal thing, a permanent change, or a temporary feeling that they've been oversaturated in your wardrobe.

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