This has been a fascinating thought experiment for me! I think of myself as holding onto clothing for a long time. But I went through my big clothing spreadsheet and there are only a few pre-2015 items in each category. I think of my 'modern' style era as starting in 2012 or so, but it turns out my style has shifted since then. The old items fall into three categories:
- Core signature pieces, like my R13 crossover jeans. Many of these items are slightly dressier than my current look but still have a place in my wardrobe.
- Old signatures that I haven't worn in years. This was the surprise. When I gathered them all in one place, it was clear that my taste has changed subtly but perceptibly. Example: a Helmut Lang wool top that has the asymmetric, slightly fitted look I preferred in the early 2010s. It's hard to get rid of them, but I hadn't realized how rarely I wear them.
- Useful basics that get steady use but have plenty of life left, like a plaid flannel shirt, outerwear, and leather boots.
There are also a lot of things I'd already marked as 'to give away' but haven't removed from the closet yet, plus dressy clothing I haven't needed for years. (All my friends have finished getting married, it seems!) Overall, this made it clear that I've moved away from statement pieces and towards mix-and-match basics. An interesting trend.
