When I did my spring cleaning earlier, I saved one place for later — the closet. It really reflects how much of an introverted homebody I’ve been over the past few years. During the pandemic, I completely lost track of what was happening in the fashion world. The only things I bought were new basics to replace worn-out items. My focus was solely on staying warm and comfortable. Now, with a renewed interest in being more social, my appearance naturally requires an update.

So, this week, I finally tackled the closet. It was full of lovely items, but 80% of them were no longer usable. As a result, I’ve gotten rid of several bags of clothes and shoes — pieces that were outdated, too tight, or just wrong in some other way. Photos of their glory days are stored in my old blog, so I can always look at them without needing to keep them physically.

Now I’m binge-watching YouTube videos from fashion gurus to update my knowledge on current trends and where fashion is headed. While I’m not one to jump on every trend, it’s still important to look current. And yes, having a classic style lasts longer, but even then, you need to make updates.

My wardrobe contained shoes with rounded toes, tight coats and jackets, jumpers with batwing sleeves, and waterfall cardigans. All of those were fashionable for many years but aren’t wearable anymore. And even though some trends come back, like ballet flats, the new versions often look different. So, it’s not worth saving things in the hope of using them again later.

Updating one’s appearance is especially important for those who have lived longer than just a couple of decades. For some reason, many people get stuck on the styles that were in fashion when they were in their twenties, as if that was the only right way to dress. But fashion evolves and updating your wardrobe is necessary to keep up. You can easily look ten years older just by wearing outdated clothes. Here are two outfits that, despite being basic, reveal exactly how old they are:

As you can see, fashion has come a long way since the early 2000s. Back then body-hugging silhouettes and intricate detailing was very popular. Outfits were designed to make a statement, often sacrificing comfort for the sake of style. Modern outfits shift towards simplicity and elegance. The silhouettes are looser, allowing for greater comfort and fluidity of movement. There’s a noticeable emphasis on minimalist aesthetics, with clean lines and a sophisticated, understated design. The fabric appears softer and more flowing, reflecting a broader trend towards comfort and practicality in fashion. Modern styles prioritize comfort, simplicity, and sustainability.

To my relief, the oversize style, which is quite challenging for my figure, is slowly giving way to more feminine and form-fitting models (although these won’t be as tight-fitting as those from the 2000s). Additionally, I finally understand the intended idea behind oversized fashion. When worn correctly, it’s actually supposed to create a contrast that accentuates the slender, feminine parts of the body, not make you look like a sack of potatoes.

Another thing I’ve reassessed is my relationship with the color black. I used to love wearing lots of black outfits, finding them chic and easy to match. However, I don’t find them as flattering anymore. The dark color seems to wash me out and highlight shadows on my face. A better option for me is shades that brighten my face and add a touch of freshness.

I’m still collecting outfit ideas and considering when and where I’ll need what and how. But here are some items I’ll definitely be trying on in hopes of finding new favorites:

✴️ slingback pumps and sandals / raffia wedges
✴️ asymmetric skirts / tulip skirts / pencil skirts
✴️ overlap blazers
✴️ red or blue striped shirts
✴️ wide pants with pointed high heels
✴️ anything in cool shades of brown
✴️ shirt dresses / wrap dresses / crochet dresses
✴️ vests and wrap tops with knots

And here are some trends you’ll never see on me: thick socks with sandals / visible pantyhose above the skirt hem with the cardigan tucked into them / underwear on full display / the all-denim look with dirty jeans and dad sandals / micro shorts / dresses over pants / hair full of small bows. Yes, my open-mindedness has its limits.

And what’s with the quiet luxury trend? I love it, of course. But isn’t this like making a trend out of saying please and thank you? “Listen up, kids, being polite is trendy this year but might become an anti-trend in a couple of years. So, don’t invest too much into it.” 😂 Come on, people. Wearing clothes without being vulgar or visually screaming, “look at how much dough I dropped on this outfit!!!” isn’t tied to any particular time period. It’s a timeless norm.