What does our wardrobe say about us? About our style? Our likes and dislikes? Our personality? Lifestyle? And even our ethics?
If you look in my closet, you’ll see that my wardrobe says I don’t mind spending money on quality items I love. That I love classic pieces like blazers and loafers and cashmere sweaters. If you know fashion, you can tell that some of my blazers are from the eighties and early nineties. Most of them, in fact. Ha. So my closet says that I keep some of my clothes for a very long time.
My wardrobe also says that I live a pretty casual lifestyle. There are no longer any business suits in my closet, only one pair of heels, and a couple of silk blouses. I gave away much of my business wardrobe to younger friends when I retired. Now, most of my closet is filled with jeans, sweaters, and jackets. I have a couple of pairs of dress pants, two knit dresses, and a faux-leather skirt all of which could be styled as business wear. But which, when styled with flat boots, sneakers, a chunky sweater, or my short puffer jacket, work just as easily for running errands or meeting a friend for lunch.
My wardrobe also says that I don’t go to dressy events. If I were ever asked to attend a dressy event, I’d have to go shopping. But since any event I’d be likely to attend would be only sort-of-dressy, I’d be good with my one pair of heels, jeans, and a dressy top. I own a red velvet bolero that I bought at a vintage sale back in the early 2000s. It still works in a pinch with a cami, leather pants, and some cool jewellery. Or who could argue with jeans, suede low-heeled boots, and a sexy silk blouse? All of which I have in my closet. And have had for years.
I think it’s safe to say that if you look in my closet you can tell that, while I follow trends, I don’t buy trends as a rule. That’s where keeping things comes in very handy. When longer, more oversized blazers became trendy a few years ago, I just rummaged around in my storage cupboard and hauled out a couple of my old jackets.
Of course that doesn’t work with everything. When skinny jeans started to disappear in favour of wide-leg ones, I bought a wide-leg pair and packed a few select pairs of skinny jeans away just in case. When dress pants became very popular again, I was disappointed to find that my old ones no longer fit. So I had my Max Mara navy suit pants altered so I could wear them again. It was worth the investment, and I kind of wished I’d saved a few more pairs.
But often participating in a trend can simply mean making pieces you already own look more current. And that is all about styling, isn’t it? What goes with what. Or what doesn’t go with what anymore. I still buy the occasional trend piece. The black puffy, bomber-style windbreaker I bought early last spring from Uniqlo updated lots of other pieces in my closet. See above.
The other day to meet friends for breakfast, I wore my old, cream, wool sweater bought from Gap back in 2014, oldish cream cargoes from Aritzia bought in 2021, and black Stuart Weitzman ankle boots from 2016. I tucked the sweater in and bloused it over the top of my pants instead of wearing it long and, because it was cool at +5°C but not cold, I wore my new black spring Uniqlo jacket. The tucked-in sweater and the loose bomber-style jacket updated the outfit, I thought. And I felt good in it. Like myself. Finished but not too fussy, if you see what I mean. And current without following trends slavishly.
I’ve been loving the trendy triangle scarves I see everywhere, so I’m knitting a wool one at the moment. And I recently bought a vintage square, silk, Liberty scarf at my favourite vintage shop.
That’s how my friend Nancy and I celebrated Black Friday. By visiting Bellwethers Vintage for a browse and a chat, and then going for lunch. I tried a few things on. Including that 1960s Missoni silver metallic sweater, below. It was adorable. It could be the perfect festive top. The orange Ports jacket was pretty cool too. That’s our favourite sales associate, Emma, below. Hamming it up for me in what I called her Shakespearean page-boy-style outfit. Anyway. We browsed, tried on, and chatted; I bought a silk scarf, and then we decamped to Cantina Gia in the Glebe for lunch.
I guess you could say that my wardrobe reveals that I love vintage. This is more noticeably evident in my accessories, especially jewellery. I love vintage brooches. But I do have a few vintage pieces of clothing and a couple of vintage bags.
This is how I styled my new-old scarf to run errands in the village yesterday. Same outfit base as above: old Gap cream sweater, oldish Aritzia cream cargo pants, black Stuart Weitzman ankle boots. To which I added my silver and green earrings from COS, and my green Max Mara coat bought in Montreal in 2022. Such is my love for this coat that it still feels new even though it’s now three years old. But I guess when I compare it to my other Max Mara pieces it’s still just a youngster. I had hoped that the bright blue and the dull gold (might one even call it Dijon mustard?) of the scarf would go with my green coat. And I have to say that I think it does. And it even looks a bit unexpected. The wrong scarf. Like the wrong shoe theory.
You know, I think that shopping vintage or second-hand is the perfect way to spend Black Friday. You’re still browsing through some lovely clothes, if you like doing that sort of thing, which I do. You are NOT buying new. And you’re supporting local, small, owner-operated businesses, which most vintage and consignment shops are. Of course, I’m not talking about those huge corporate-owned thrift shops which shall remain unnamed.
If you browsed my wardrobe carefully and saw how many of the things I own are old, and how many are vintage, and that I am judiciously adding a few second-hand purchases, you might think that my wardrobe reveals more about me than my changing style and what I like to wear. To some extent my wardrobe reveals my changing views on shopping as well. And even though this past summer I blew through my Rule of Five Pledge, I still feel strongly about over-consumption. That we as consumers all have a part to play in cutting down on what and how much we consume.
And by extension, and if you’ve ever read this blog before, you’d know how much I hate Black Friday. The whole mad rush to shop for deals. The frenzy to consume that leaves me cold. The relentless exhortation to shop. The constant flow of emails from brands, the Black Friday “guides” from social media influencers, and the “don’t miss out” attempts to create FOMO panic in the minds of consumers.
Most of what is purchased in Black Friday sales, according to my reading, ends up in landfill, or donated after a couple of wears, or returned. In fact much of the Black Friday goods purchased end up being someone else’s problem, when the mountains of donated, unusable, unwearable, damaged goods end up the problem of resellers in the global south. Don’t take my word for it; have a look at Tiffanie Darke’s article “It’s All Waste” in her Substack publication It’s Not Sustainable.
The Black Friday hellscape is REAL. Except of course it’s not Black Friday anymore, is it? It’s Black November, with the entire month now a mass frenzy of slash and spend. -Tiffanie Darke
I know I think entirely too much about fashion and clothes. I always have. That’s why vintage shopping is so good for me. All the colours and textures and creative styling ideas of shopping in my favourite stores, without the guilt of feeling as if I’m contributing to the glut of new clothes in which our society is drowning. I actually prefer vintage shopping to shopping new now. Every piece is unique. And some of the clothes are absolute treasures. Like that vintage Missoni sweater I didn’t buy.
So what does our wardrobe say about us?
Mine says that I have had a thing about Max Mara for decades. Ha. That turtlenecks are de rigueur for me. As are blazers. That I own far fewer clothes than you might imagine if you’ve ever listened to me wax lyrical about fashion before. And if you looked closely, I hope it might say that I’m trying to put my money where my mouth is. I’m trying to do as I say. Instead of just saying and not doing.
I’m not always successful. I shopped for new clothes more than I’d intended this year. Here’s hoping the things I purchased last me a long while.
I know that some of my friends and acquaintances think I’m overreacting, or being preachy, when I quote some of the stats I’ve read about waste and the impact of over-consumption on our world. Including how much our waste affects those who live very far away from us. In fact, in North America our lives are pretty isolated, pretty protected, from the environmental impact of our relentless accumulation of “stuff.”
Now why do I hear Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly’s disdainful voice when I write the word “stuff”? Remember that scene in The Devil Wears Prada? Nobody does disdain better than Miranda.
So, what does your wardrobe say about you? Have a good long look. If you care to share, we’re listening.
P.S. Here are a few more articles which talk about Black Friday and overconsumption. Have a look if you’re interested.
Brett Standiland’s “Don’t Buy Sh*t for the Sake of It.” Tiffanie Darke’s “Make Things People Want; Don’t Make People Want Things.” And Katia Dayan Vladimirova’s “Welcome to the Dark Side of Overconsumption.”
52 thoughts on “What Does Our Wardrobe Say About Us?”
My wardrobe says I must not buy anymore navy clothes – It just seems everything looks better in navy . It shows I prefer the silhouettes , shapes & cut of clothes rather than patterns & trimmings . It shows I like quality & good fabrics which I can love & wear for years . It also shows I have occasional brainstorms when I lose my reason & buy something totally out of character . But none of us is perfect .
We’re all allowed to lose our reason now and then. Even grounded, sensible Yorkshire people. 🙂
I laughed out loud when I read your title. In a nut shell: Outfit uniforms are a must. I have worn the same fair isle cardigan several times in a week. Trends make me feel overwhelmed. I am uninspired by what is out in stores right now. And Gap sweaters from years ago were the best. Thank you for your inspiration.
I wish for colder weather so I can wear my handmade Fair Isle sweater. Although mine is an Icelandic style… much too heavy until the temps are frigid.
I love that combo of that scarf with your green coat! Unexpectedly complementary!
I’m currently rounding off a fourth week wearing what’s in a carry-on plus 25l backpack. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how content I am with the outfits I can put together, and looking forward to enjoying same for our last week—in Paris! AND I’ll be glad to swap this capsule for another when I get home!
Your trip looks fabulous. Good job with the packing too. 🙂
I think mine would say I’m confused. I still have outfits for business/working, even though I’m retired.
I’ve got far too many pairs of black trousers (still searching for that perfect pair!) and jeans that i hardly ever wear, because they’re not comfortable.
I defo need an overhaul in there… oh and all the boxes of smaller sizes that I’m convinced I’ll get back into, one day.
Trousers and jeans are the hardest when our bodies change, I think.
I am trying to be buy less and build a wardrobe I love but it is surprisingly hard and an ongoing challenge. I found that Patrick Grant’s book Less has inspired me to do better. I think you will enjoy it!
I follow Patrick Grant on IG although I haven’t read his book. I must see if our library carries it.
I have just finished reading his book Karen and really enjoyed it. i liked that he came at the topic from the angle of joy in our clothes and not just guilt.
Hi Sue,
My wardrobe say that I don’t know who I am, or how to dress anymore. I’m still buying clothes for a lifestyle I no longer have… being retired now and living in a “ver-r-r-ry casual” retirement community in Texas. When I dress well, I often feel like Eva Gabor on “Green Acres,” a TV show here in the late 1960’s. LOL. I’m sure I’ll figure it out soon, but knowing this about myself helps me make better decisions when I do shop. BTW the orange jacket was the bomb on you!
XO Donna
That pretty much sums up my situation. We have just moved from a city where women tend to dress up for dinner out or the theater to a retirement community in a vacation destination where everyone is casual all the time. Still trying to figure out if I should hold on to my beautiful jackets. (Most of those bought secondhand -figured out long ago that this was the best way to get quality in my budget.)
I really love this blog, and the comments are always interesting.
Thanks, Lisa. I’d struggle with that transition as well.
Same for me in our 55+. retirement community. I refuse to wear athletic wear outside of the gym, so am always over dressed, but I don’t care. I kept several of my professional jackets and I wear them with my denim. I do have some beautiful Pendleton and Peruvian Connection pieces that I just can’t send down the road even if I only wear them once a year. Dresses, I sent down the road., though.
I always look overdressed at our local coffee shop… unless I’ve just come back from my walk. I say, wear what you feel good in, and not what suits everyone else. 🙂
Oh, that Eva Gabor comparison did make me laugh Donna. I loved her character, emerging through the never finished sliding closet door in a feather boa. I loved that show.
Vintage clothing is all well and good if you can find your size and you actually like the item. I am plus size and usually there is a dearth of plus size clothing in vintage stores. The same applies to most department stores. I am sure you have seen it — the Woman Plus size dept. is shoved in the corner of the store and takes up the size of a postage stamp. That is why I order online. So much easier and less frustrating than going to the store. Then at home I can mull over whether I actually see how the item fits without feeling in a rush to make a decision. I do have lot of shirts/tops that are 10 years old. I recently added a few pairs of pants that are more current styling and fit my shape nicely. I donated my old clothing to the local Thrift Shop that funds a hospice center here in town.
I hear you about the dearth of plus-size sections in department stores, Linda. I don’t often find vintage clothing to fit me either. My shoulders are quite broad. But I still love to browse.
I think my wardrobe says I love classic clothing that is also quite modest. I’ve definitely slowed down on shopping the last year and I’m enjoying being more thoughtful about purchases whether new or used. I often regret buying into trends. That happened this year with barrel leg pants. I just don’t feel like they are me yet I purchases two pairs. Lesson learned again! On a good note I’m wearing all of my wider leg dress pants I’ve had for years on repeat. Love your blue scarf and I believe it goes wonderfully with the green coat!
I’m loving my dress pants as well lately. Not sure about the barrel leg pants. I’ve tried a couple of pairs on and they looked dreadful.
That green coat!!!! And the vintage Liberty scarf make a great statement!
My wardrobe says that I am a no nonsense woman who likes mixing and matching core basics…and living within a small footprint ( my half of the small closet)
No one knows (unless they know me well) that thrifted items make up a good portion of what I buy and wear…
Your posts are fun to read…I’m guilty of rarely leaving a comment but am grateful that you share your insights into fashion. (And that glorious green coat)
Leslie
Hostess of the Humble Bungalow
P. S. I’ve lost 9 pounds preparing for my hip replacement surgery and my jeans (2 pair) are sagging and falling off …my goal is to replace these quite soon as I love wearing jeans.
Thanks, Leslie. You are a great thrifter… much more patient than I am. 🙂
I’m in my 70’s now and most of the ladies I know are not especially interested in fashion. I on the other hand I love fashion and think it should be fun, creative and an expression of self. I also appreciate fine materials, craftsmanship and design. So for me although I don’t wear business attire anymore I spend my dollars on casual clothing. I will spend more on high end purchases like sweaters, coats and shoes and as little as possible on trendy items. I enjoy wearing clothing that makes me feel good, and I also enjoy the hunt. I’m having fun, why should that stop? and if I don’t treat myself now when? I don’t know what my clothing says about me or what others think other than my husband. I just want to feel good when I go out.
Well said, Paula. 🙂
A peak in mine and you can tell I love jeans. I have dark wash, light wash, and black…and one lonely pair of navy chinos. I feel most like myself in jeans. I think it comes from being a teenager in the late sixties/early seventies. As to tops, I have been trying to branch out from my preferred grey & black to more colour. Once my hair turned grey, I realized I needed more colourful tops, especially blue.
I don’t buy into this whole Black Friday sale. Unless, I wanted something in particular I don’t even look. Like you, my inbox is full of stores with sale ads and influencers trying to get us to buy, buy, buy. I just delete!
I hope you don’t get snowed in this weekend. I read a big snowfall is heading your way.
I feel as if jeans are in my fashion DNA too. Comes from being a teenager in the seventies.
My wardrobe would say that my lifestyle is mostly casual, that I haven’t shopped much for a long time, and that I love shopping second-hand.
Your new scarf looks great with your green coat and I absolutely loved the orange jacket on you!
Thanks, Elaine. That orange jacket was great. But too snug for me. 🙁
To know me and my closet would reveal that I LOVE pullover sweaters. I have knit and crocheted at least 1/3rd. The rest are cashmere that I purchased on sale and four are from my travels in Peru. Next reveal would be my love for slim cut denim. Most of the jackets and ankle boots I own are 10-15 years old but I love every one! I am a navy gal, but love my sweaters in various colors. After seeing your cute scarf, I am going to get my scarf box down and resolve to wear some again. I avoid Black Friday, but it seems to me there are ALWAYS sales going on. There aren’t any cute vintage shops where I life. I think my daughter thinks I am one as she always leaves a visit with a sweater from my closet!
I love that your daughter shops your closet! 🙂
Go back and pick up the Missoni sweater! It looked fabulous on you!
It was a bit too tight… or else I would. 🙂
Leather cap, sparkle top and orange coat are fabulous on you. Fun!
I shop vintage/thrift and am oversized — mainly very tall, and quite elderly, but find many things in the men’s department as well, such as suits sometimes needing a little bit of tailoring, blazers, jackets, shirts, hats, really good quality, high end sweaters, etc. The selection is endless. My closet is bulging, and in constant need of culling, maybe even a complete overhaul. But, I don’t feel guilty since they are thrift purchases. Many of my friends are not thrift shoppers and are appalled at the thought of thrift shopping. However, they are heavy retail shoppers and we debate the sustainability issues often.
Your blog brings up many points plaguing the fashion industry which need to be discussed and solutions discovered albeit small ones, too. Thanks for making my Sundays interesting and also fun.
Thank you for bringing up about shopping in men’s wear, Claire. Sweaters and shirts in particular are often better than in the women’s department of vintage and thrift stores.
My wardrobe at first glance would read: funky nun gone awry! There is so much black…but black is where I put my money for the ‘good stuff’ ie cashmere. I purchase the basics in black if I like the style I will reorder in a colour that I like. Black cashmere is appropriate for everything. Funerals to weddings to brunch. I rarely wear jeans so black chinos or wide legged pants or leggings ( yes leggings) with this weather they go in the boot and can be washed of slush. Longer than hip top worn with them always! We don’t go anywhere requiring even dress casual and that can be pulled together quickly ( black cashmere to the rescue) I do not see any weddings nor embassy soirées in our future so no fancy dress needed. I have worn my black Sympli Grecian styled gown purchased years ago at Shepherd’s to every wedding over the past ten years with a sparkly topper and fancy shoes. That dress cost me a bundle but I’ve got my worth out of it. I have another dress that I wear to spring/summer grand social events purchased years ago from a California designer.
I have had to release my fantastic Nygard slacks that wore like iron. such a shame but that criminal is not worth my support.
I need to wade into that closet at some point as it’s out of control …Mother Superior would not approve!
I have two dressy party dresses purchased over the years. Sadly the extra ten pounds I’m carrying means they no longer zip up comfortably. 🙁
P.S. Good for you to boycott Nygård!
I’m a regular reader, but rarely comment. I don’t quite fit the demographic of your regular commenters/readers as I still work full time (I’m 64) and don’t travel (yet?). However, I always learn something from you and your readers, and appreciate the work you put into this blog. A look into my closet exposes someone who has worked in a fashion and fashion/adjacent career from a young adult until about 5 years ago. I am too susceptible to trends (looking at you, barrel jeans) and am too susceptible to images of women/influencers dressing the way I think I would like to. However, living in the suburbs of a reasonably big Cdn city, my life is very casual now, and my need for clothes is far less that it ever has been. I wish I had the confidence gene that goes along with successful vintage shopping (which I don’t have time for but hope to in years to come) as I buy almost everything at regular retail (and on-line at that). It always seems that other cities offer better preloved and vintage stores – which must be an illusion , I know. Also, fluctuating weight (up and down at least one size, often 2) since I was about 30 means that I don’t hang on to much, and turn my closet over more than I would like to admit. True confessions time here – it’s not pretty. I LOVE the orange Ports jacket, and the silver Missoni sweater on you! Kudos to you for walking away ;).
Thanks for the kind words, Lisa. One of these days I’m going to take more of a plunge into vintage outfits. I am often inspired by other younger shoppers when I do shop there…and they give me ideas.
I try to dress to look decent every day, jeans and tshirts mostly, I’ve been refusing to go to even look at new clothes unless I absolutely need it. Did go black Friday shopping to a local kitchen store, call themselves a ” candy store for cooks” Scored a half price toaster my daughter wanted ( hers died) though she said it was still a ridiculous price even at 50% off and no tax. Lots of drool worthy goods
I have a friend who loves to shop kitchen stores… she would appreciate the candy store label. Ha.
My closet says I live in a rural area with frequent messy weather. Since retirement I’ve concentrated on building a small cohesive wardrobe for my very casual lifestyle. I stick to denim, a few neutrals and two of my best colors. I still enjoy perusing special occasion clothing but am mostly relieved I have nowhere to wear them.
Ha. I love that last line, Cathy.
Sue, love your blog, I am a librarian in a small Nebraska town but I am known for my style! I’m not your stereotypical librarian, though I do own many cardigans! My closet has many items from Chico’s, Ralph Lauren & j. Jill.
I shop consignment a lot & wish we had one like you visited, I do try to check out the consignment stores when I travel.
I have a gorgeous Max Mara coat that I purchased in Kansas City 10 years ago, it is darker green than yours but it is beautiful, so well made.
I retire next year & have started to purge the items I know I won’t need. Hopefully, I will work part time & only need nice casual.
Happy holidays to you!
Happy Holidays to you too, Denise. The store I visited wasn’t a consignment store. The owner purchases her stock from estate sales, and various contacts, so the clothes are much older than what is usually available in consignment shops. I do shop at a couple of consignment stores here in Ottawa though.
After so many decades, I am moving away from black. And onto brown, which I love. And tan, chocolate, fudge, ecru. It feels completely right. Comfort first, new styles second. Living with something of a capsule wardrobe has refined my preferences and made me think creatively. I foresee old items being jettisoned in the near future. But I must practise my scarf tying – I was a whizz in lockdown, thanks to YouTube, but not so much now.
I’m the opposite. Since my hair has been white I have moved more into black.
I finally had time to read this and I do agree with the over consumption of our fashion industry and just about everything else. I haven’t shopped much vintage but my granddaughter shops vintage stores first when she is looking for something. You have motivated me to read these articles because when I look in my closet I get overwhelmed and need to stop buying unnecessary clothes. I have a comfortable style uniform and it is much like what you wear and when I get swayed by bloggers pushing maybe Amazon clothing I think I’ll try it. I end up not wearing it much at all.
This has helped me a lot.
Also I just love you Max Mara coat!
Thanks, Paula. It’s hard to resist that dopamine hit that comes from buying something new. I know the feeling.
My wardrobe says… I’m in transition. When I retired and we moved to Portugal, I jettisoned most of my “work” clothes, knowing that I was moving to a more relaxed locale. But then I discovered I still like dressing up some, and not living permanently in athleisure and jeans. And then I’ve lost 40 pounds this year, which has meant figuring out what my style is now. And since we’ve been here we’re visiting Paris and London a couple of times a year, and I definitely enjoy looking more put together when I’m there. So transitions.
I love your vintage try-on, and especially your Liberty find! It’s fabulous with The Coat, and your coloring. Excellent choice.
It must be fun, though to figure out what works for your new life, Carol. Especially the trips to Paris and London. And Lisbon, of course. 🙂
Thank you for publishing such a thoughtful and informative article. I learned quite a bit from this post, and it answered several questions I already had about the topic. Keep up the great work, and I’m excited to read what you share next.
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