I'm feeling girlie and maybe a little young and hopeful and giddy about the return of sun. So, excuse me for a moment while I take myself not too seriously and just ramble about clothes!
I've always enjoyed fashion. As a young girl, I remember having quite particular taste. Certain items stand out in my mind: When I was 8 years old, I remember loving my red high-top chucks and bright yellow jeans. I've always loved overalls and had various pairs growing up. Then there are the vivid and fond memories of my railroad stripe bell bottoms, a lady bug vest, white daisy dukes with the botanical type butterfly print, peasant dresses and combat boots.... Oh yes, getting dressed was always a fun form of self expression. This continued on into womanhood. About a decade or so ago, I fell hard for vintage-inspired dresses and skirts. Stopping and browsing through Anthropologie after a tiring day of teaching was music to my soul. I just loved meandering through, touching everything, fondling fabrics, enjoying the scents of their fancy candles burning. Once or twice a year, I even splurged on a pretty dress or two from there.
And then I became a mother.
At which point, lack of time and budget collided to create the perfect storm of what is bound to be remembered as an utterly styless era of my time. When I became a mother, my love of clothing took the backseat at least when it came to dressing me. Bea has had her share of adorable items during this time and honestly, it felt like a dream for the chance to dress my little girl. Little girls don't stay little for long and I always knew my time dressing her was limited. So I let myself have a good bit of fun. I have no regrets!! Yet over the past five years my clothes have become outdated, threadbare, stretched, faded, and just sloppy.
Well, over the past year or so, I've been slowly trying to change this by choosing items that fit my lifestyle. I want my wardrobe to be durable and comfortable. It needs to be washable. I can't be bothered with dry clean items. I also still want my updated wardrobe to be pretty and femine. I love natural fibers most and will rarely budge into the synthetic realm. I'm not a trendy person. I want to choose items that will look lovely today and well into the future. I have no interest in keeping up with fashion forecast. In short, I am looking for well-cut items that will help to make me feel beautiful and like myself -- not just another dishelved mom! I want to pay attention to me again! I know what I like and if I commit to not settling for cheap Target t-shirts or the equivalent and instead invest in fewer classic pieces, I can create a simple, consise wardrobe that will serve me whether I'm roadtripping across the west, tending to the garden, tidying up the home, or going out to dinner with the family.
My little on-going fashion dialogue that I've had with myself this past year finally reached a new level of clarity this past weekend when after reading a fun chapter on clothing in Marie Kondo's The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Understand, I do not have a large wardrobe. I have never needed or wanted a walk-in closet. Even so, after reading her chapter on clothing, I was inspired to declutter my closet even more! I went through my stash of t-shirts, tank tops, tights, and socks and within minutes had two garbage bags collected of things that did not spark joy. That's a lot of stuff that I had no business holding on to. The next day I dropped the two bags off at the thrift store and I have had no regrets!
I can start fresh, slowly building a wardrobe that is representative and purposeful to my lifestyle. Also, my joy is sparked as I fall asleep in a bedroom that is sparse and not overflowing with unloved clothes stuffed away behind doors and drawers and baskets.
One of my all time favorite quotes is "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined," by Henry Thoreau.
Sometimes, we have to plod away in that direction by cleaning out our socks and t-shirt drawers.
Here's to finding my way back to me (and therefore my dreams) in 2015.
This was so special to read. I realized this past year that my wardrobe has gotten so bad and worn out. And I was living by "style rules" that really have nothing to do with who I am or how I want to look. I want to be a lady and look pretty and feminine. Actually, it was Pinterest who helped me realize it. I had pinned lots of lovely outfits that just made me happy to look at them. But, when I looked at my closet it was no where near what I loved on Pinterest (more like the opposite!). Obviously, I just had pictures there that were so lovely, womanly, and feminine. And I discovered that I loved a whole set of colors (pastels) than what my wardrobe was in (black- lots and lots of black). I guess that I was just trying to be frugal with my clothing choices and picked whatever I could find that was nice looking and inexpensive. But, I realized that I love pastels and I want to look like a lady!!! Anyway, I have slowly been going through my closet and throwing/giving away items. And slowly, here and there, I have only been replacing them with items that I love. I loved the title of your post "Spark joy". I am starting to feel that way about my new wardrobe and I love it.
I also recently came upon this post:
http://www.secondandedgemont.com/2014/05/13/do-i-truly-love-this/
And it has made me realize that I need to do this with my whole house too! Simplify by having only things you love or find useful.
Posted by: Lauren | January 19, 2015 at 07:59 PM
This was a wonderful post! I am a long time reader here, but have never commented, and today I thought... I hope she knows how many people read and are touched by her words! I need to finally comment! Anyways, just wanted to say that I completely identify with this on so many levels. I too completely lost my spark for clothing after I had kids. I can pick out a nice cute outfit for my kids any day, sure, but when it comes to myself I've become completely lost. What do I even like anymore? haha. My whole wardrobe is full of cheap basics that I don't love, whereas everything else in my home I try to keep of good quality and beautiful (Not to mention as minimalist as possible). But shouldn't I personally try to advertise these values on...myself? So when people see me, they kind of get what I'm about before even stepping foot into my home. And I too can have the luxury of feeling put together in a way that emphasizes my values every day. Well, at least I know I have a kindred spirit in this ;) . Its become my goal this year as well to start moving towards a more well made, beautiful, authentic wardrobe. My only thought now is...where do I start?
Posted by: Mindy VanderLinden | January 21, 2015 at 09:08 AM
Nichole, such synchronicity! I just read that book and did the exact same closet-clearing task this past weekend. Though I'm ashamed to admit that I had a total of eight bags of clothes for our local shelter, all because I let clothes that I did not love or that did not fit well pile up and up over the past six or seven years. The sheer number of single, lonely socks that I found... it boggles the mind. But ahh, now I feel as though such a weight has been lifted. And in between all of those filler clothes, I've found those few gems that I love to wear. Now I just need to apply this same philosophy to the rest of the house, since we are quite in danger of drowning in books, fabric, yarn, or all of the above...
Posted by: Catherine | January 21, 2015 at 08:00 PM
Ah...thank you for chiming in! It feels so nice to chat about this! I think all too often, our group pushes the topic of *our* wardrobe aside for more pertinent issues that come along with motherhood. Best of luck as you slowly rebuild your wardrobe! I too, have loved Pinterest as a way to pinpoint my sense of aesthetic.
Posted by: Nichole | January 22, 2015 at 09:50 PM
Well, hi Mindy! Thanks for commenting! No, I have no idea who reads these posts unless you take the time to write a few words. :) Yes, We must be kindred spirits. I could have written your comment myself! I know exactly where you are coming from. Best of luck as you work towards your goal of wardrobe updates. Maybe I'll post a few links of where I've found myself starting and we can share. :) Take care, Nichole
Posted by: Nichole | January 22, 2015 at 09:54 PM
Hi Catherine! How funny we've been up to the same shenanigans. :) I feel so excited for you as you rediscover those wardrobe gems! What a great feeling. One really can not underestimate the internal shift that can happen when we make ourselves a priority (and I'm not talking about becoming high maintenance, but just taking a moment to think about what we can put on that accentuates our inner and outer beauty most authentically). Hugs to you and your sweet family!!
Posted by: Nichole | January 22, 2015 at 09:59 PM
Oh, and I also read 2nd and Edgemont. I really enjoyed that post as well. :)
Posted by: Nichole | January 22, 2015 at 10:01 PM
Love your post (and all of them, btw) and these comments! I guess it's good practice to let go of the clothes that don't spark joy in one's wardrobe. I asked a friend who I've always enjoyed as a snappy yet casual dresser to come over and pair up outfits on my bed with essentially the same basic pieces. Then I photographed them. So many combinations I never saw myself! I wasn't born with the outfit making gene, so it has really helped me to see how interesting a small (2 feet of closet space and 2 drawers)but good casual wardrobe can be. Good luck :)
Posted by: Ruth | January 25, 2015 at 04:44 PM