Preference changes

anchie

I was looking at some boots and realized how my shoes preferences changed over the years. About 10 years ago I would be all over the first pair. 5 years ago I started looking for a smaller heel, lighter color to go with my lighter hair and zipper for easier access, like second pair. And now? Looking for something like third pair. I still like first 2 pairs, my taste has not changed that much. But they just don’t work for me anymore. Anyone else went through similar changes in preferences?

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3 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from Jaime

Anonymous

Sure! Even boots purchased last year with a bit of heel seem daunting to wear now. I'm possibly just out of practice though, and if I had somewhere to go other than to work, I'd give them another go. One thing I've started to become a bit nervous about is my predilection for edgy and punky (not RATE exactly because there is nothing "rough" and worn about them) footwear with chains, studs, grommets, etc . Just this fall I'm starting to feel a bit like mutton-dressed-as-lamb and have to be more careful of that look. Cleaner designs is where I need to go.

3 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh yes. Preferences change all the time -- with circumstances, age, locality.

I like all these boots and would wear any of them...but chunkier styles are having their moment, and practically they make sense on my suburban streets and paths, so that is where my eye goes right now.

3 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I think most people’s preference does change over time. My changes are glacial, if any. Someone on YLF once complained that I haven’t made adequate progress with my style since joining that blog, as if I was in school and being graded.

It’s probably been two years since I saw Angie’s posts about head-to-toe tonal matching, thought “eureka, that’s it!” and decided I want to be able to do that in various berry shades. These outfits have much more tonal matching than I would have worn a few years ago (but even so, the tights, footwear & brown jacket fall out of the “berry” scheme. I just got mulberry tights, and look forward to adding them in). Some of the clothing in them is newer, some are things I’ve had for years, and have combined in a new way.

The boots+mini with warm tights look was another big “eureka” moment for me—20+ years ago!—and I still wear it happily.

Part of this is that I rarely go extreme with trends. I’ve bought two pairs of skinnies and these flairs since joining the blog—for my closet, they are extreme. I’m glad I have them, especially enjoy wearing the flares. I’m much more likely to edit things out because they are worn than because my tastes have changed. That said, I don’t have much yellow or real orange anymore (colors I did have a few items in) and I got rid of some mom jeans before our move. So yes, my preferences do change but no, not in a time frame where anyone is likely to notice it.

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3 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Anchie, I think that some of our preferences never change, some are fluid, and some change completely - Your boot progression has adapted to the changes in your life quite organically. Makes sense.

To latch onto what Suz said, our lifestyles, age, hair colour, context and climate can cause major changes in sartorial preferences.

I've hardly ever worn black shoes - not even in the '90s. This has not changed.

I've loved the same types of colours, and white pearls since I was a child.

I used to wear a lot of dark blue. Then switched to black. Am back to dark blue and not switching again.

I used to wear a lot of gold. Then switched to silver. Am back to gold and not switching again.

I used to wear 2 inch heels more frequently. Even threw in a 3 inch pair for weddings. Now I don't go past 1.5 inches, but am in one inch or sneakers daily.

I used to gravitate towards maximal playful and pretty outfits. Then I switched to a minimal and strict androgynous vibe. I switched back to maximal and pretty.....and am staying put.

I've always loved '60s, '70s and '80s style!

I used to love wearing belts. Now I don't

I NEVER wore corduroy pants as an adult. Now I do

3 years ago

anchie

Veteran

It seems that is quite normal to have style preferences changes. It happened to me before. For example there are years when I am more into pants and others when I am more into skirts and dresses. There are times when I crave color and other times when I feel more neutral. I switched from wearing cardigans to blazers. But this footwear preference changes made me feel little nostalgic for my former self, because this change seems like a non reversible, unlike others.

3 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

@Anchie - I don’t think it’s an irreversible change! The first boots you show are ‘refined’ when compared to the stompy combat boots. You can switch back to refined down the road, but you might prefer a low or lower heeled refined boot.

3 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I agree with Carla. Sometimes I change back to things I thought I'd moved on from. FWIW, I have a similar pair of boots to the combat ones you are looking for, and I had to duplicate them because I killed the first pair by wearing them for farm work at an animal sanctuary.

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SOREL Phoenix Lace Up Boots

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3 years ago

cindysmith

Veteran

I've definitely seen my preferences change over the years, most especially since I started participating here. My color palette has gotten a lot tighter (and lighter), plus I've been able to hone in on what sort of silhouettes and cuts feel right on me. My footwear preferences have definitely changes, as I now refuse to wear things that hurt my feet. I have fussy wide feet with high arches and 3 broken toes that never healed right, and I've become intolerant of foot pain. I'm ok with tired/achy feet after a long day spent ON my feet; I'm NOT ok with shoes that pinch or rub or don't support my arches. I could go on, but you get the point.
Love that lace up boot!

3 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Anchie, interesting that this one feels permanent. Can you explain how/why?

3 years ago

Sal

Veteran

Interesting Anchie - I like them all but I can see how your preferences could have changed and why with your back and feet issues and this strange year.

I love the 2020 version!

3 years ago

Anonymous

Absolutely! Sometimes slow changes, sometimes 180 degrees. Right now all my brights feel all wrong, and want to toss half my closet. But then I heard a hunter while out biking this afternoon and think I'd better keep them!

3 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

My preferences definitely change, and sometimes change back. I never was a big fan of heels, mostly because I could never walk in them comfortably. This is probably related to the shape of my foot or something anatomical. But barring this kind of restraint, my preferences are still informed by the world and my current place in it.

3 years ago

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