Dear friends it has been a real pleasure to read all of your end of year reviews.It is pleasing to see how many of you are feeling content with your purchasing this last year and the state of your own wardrobes.lt has also been lovely to see how the more longstanding contributors‘style has evolved since l have been looking.All have gone from strength to strength showing the value,l think,of being able to share fashion thoughts,photos etc in a safe space with like minded individuals.
As for my own wardrobe,2023 has been rather a definitive year for me in wardrobe terms .For the first time in 21 years l am contemplating a significant wardrobe upheaval.This is due to tangible things I.e getting older and less tangible things,emotions etc.
l went into the pandemic fit and well with a child at home.Now my DD lives away,l have health issues ,been through the big M and DH is retired.l have never really felt big birthdays in the way that others describe but turning 55 for me in combination with the above really made me feel that l am entering a different chapter of my life.
l cannot tolerate ANY discomfort in clothes,things l have had for years no longer fit comfortably and this is a big NO theses days.l also no longer want to outline my body in tight or body con clothes or show a lot if skin.l don’t want to wear things l wore in my thirties,l am a different person now.My husband can’t cope with me letting anything go so l am smuggling stuff out of the house as well as selling pieces on the web.
Surprisingly,for me,l haven’t particularly felt the urge to shop a lot.Don’t get me wrong,l have purchased 19 items this year so not a no shop year.l have been pleased with everything l have bought and worn it almost straight away.
l am fed up having things hanging in the wardrobe that l don’t wear and l actually need very little these days.l am also embracing the value of outfit planning and thinking in terms of outfit building rather than individual items and l think this has paid off.
l have stopped shopping the sales(!)the only exception is for a long stalked piece.
l still struggle to articulate three words and a style descriptor.l kind of know what l like but not really how to decribe it succinctly.l have been through all my Pinterest boards and pulled out common themes -this has been really useful.l also find Alyssa Beltempo’s approach to taking the vibe of an outfit as inspiration rather than the individual pieces very helpful.
So as this is becoming an Essay-to sum up

1- no sales shopping
2-Prioritize stylish comfort
3-Lifestyle-obvious!