Bear with me, this is just free form thinking out loud here.

I feel a style shift going on.

I used to wear lots of print tops. Now I reach for solids. I think bc I've finally caught on to buying solid color tops with a more luxe fabric or detail that can help it stand alone and not be plain. I'm experimenting with fluid fits (now that they're on the way out, hee hee) and semi-tucking.

I'm wanting some wider leg jeans - I live in leggings and skinny jeans. They're comfy and casual, but I'm wanting some more variety. On my next shopping trip I want to try bootcuts, flares and trouser jeans if I can find them. Hoping to bring a pair or two home with me.

Which brings me to footwear (per Angie's post this week re jeans and footwear refreshes). I haven't bought shoes in a while. I distinctly remember thinking a while back - oh, I can focus on clothes bc my shoes are in good shape. Well, guess what - now, my shoes are in horrible shape. I literally wore out a pair of silver flats. I can't tell you the last time I actually wore out anything, this is a first in a loooong time. On one hand it feels good from a consumerism perspective, but now I am freaking out bc they're my most used flat and I have no replacement. I also am moving away from totally flat shoes to small heels but with comfort. I'm searching for some boots that fit this bill and will really bring cohesion to my fall/winter outfits. I hope to replace the silver flats with peep toe wedges instead, or at least pointy toe flats rather than the round ones I've had for years.

Which brings me to the whole SYC / shop less mantra. I've cut down on my shopping in the last year for various reasons. Pros: less wasteful spending, less orphans, making me think before buying, overall advancement on the self-awareness curve regarding fashion/buying/spending/choices. Cons: now that I finally have a trip to the USA scheduled, I'm freaking out bc I need SO MANY THINGS. Some are needs, some are wants, I will admit. But by not shopping much, it's like I am bulking up when I do have the chance. Part of this is brought on by me simply not having time to shop locally. I'm taking a methodical approach to my list and prioritizing bc I know I can't get it all in this one trip. When I went once a month it was shopping madness every time in a bad way, but now that it's been 6 months or more, it's also becoming more to manage in one big trip.

I also have found myself moving toward more structure. I have some tops with dropped shoulders and I wore them because they were comfortable, but they do nothing for my L/XL size body and sloping shoulders. I'm shocked that I'm finding myself reaching for button down tops with collars. I used to avoid them like the plague but now that I think I've finally figured out the fabric has a lot to do with it, I am craving more shirts with structure. They don't have to be fitted but I do like the structure on the shoulder most of all (see my recent BR tunic as example).

Anyway, my list is long, I may post again to get input on some of my ideas/thoughts for fall items.

Sorry for the rambling...thank you for listening about my style shift. It's funny bc I thought I was in an ok place, but I think I still have quite a bit of work to do. I'm still making mistakes but less often, and I guess that's the point.

If anyone has similar experiences or can express better what I'm trying to say, please go ahead! Share your stories so I don't feel so alone