Is it time for your next style chapter?
The 5-year fashion itch is real
While getting ready for my work’s Christmas lunch last week, it dawned on me how much my outfit prep has changed over the years.
What used to encompass weeks of planning, numerous ASOS orders (and their inevitable returns) and several layers of makeup, was now a 3-minute wardrobe grab. My mentality was different now too; I wanted to feel comfortable, chic and absolutely definitely not overdressed.
My most recent H&M order made things easy by way of this matching denim shirt and jeans. Comfy, but structured enough to prevent things looking too casual. The shirt is so flattering because it keeps you nipped in at the waist but leaves plenty room for post-turkey bloat.
I teamed it with the shoes I picked up in Primark a couple of months ago, and some House of Harlow (via TK Maxx) earrings.
Anyway. All this led me to reflect on the different chapters my style has moved through, and after careful analysis, I can confirm my theory as such: our taste in clothes works in 5-year cycles. During that period, our style evolves but generally fits within one ‘vibe’ before a new chapter begins again. When I roughly worked out my own stages, I realised I’m nearing the end of one right now, and it made total sense.
See below ramblings…
Aged 16-21: The party girl chapter, which usually aligns with that fleeting time in life when all you do is eat, drink and not-sleep but somehow look your best ever. Every night out warranted a box-fresh outfit, even if just from the new-in rack at Primark. I worked in fashion retail and would spend quiet periods sketching what I’d wear that night on blank till receipts. Inspiration came mainly from ripped magazine pages and Carrie Bradshaw stills. While there’s no doubt that these early days are about experimentation and ‘finding’ our style, I can also see that my taste back then was quite authentic — the internet hadn’t yet found its way into our palms 24-7, and choosing clothes was one of my favourite creative outlets. We’re too quick to cringe and complain about our younger selves sometimes; mistakes and mis-steps are part of it all, but there was a lot of fun and freedom of expression before life got serious.
Aged 22-27: This was when I segued from retail to journalism; still very much in love with fashion and beauty (and now writing about it) but my focus slowly ebbed away from night-out ensembles and became more about work and business trips. Fashion blogs, Pinterest and Instagram were starting to influence me, and I think my sense of style got a little lost during this period. When I think back to key moments I’d meticulously planned outfits for, they’re always tainted with a feeling of not being true to myself and thinking WHY DID I WEAR THAT. I once borrowed a red embellished dress (not me at all) to a London awards thing that stipulated ‘cocktail attire’ and rocked up to find everyone in jeans and blazers. Mortifying.
28-33: I hadn’t realised till now how seismic this stage of life was and all it encompassed: a big promotion at work leading to my ‘dream job’; a house move; a mental breakdown; lockdown/Covid; being made redundant from said dream job during lockdown/Covid; starting a new career; becoming pregnant with my first child. Whew. It’s safe to say my style took a back seat. However, regardless of all that, I feel that slide out of our 20s is a pivotal moment when it comes to getting dressed. You can’t really be in denial about being an adult anymore — shit stuff is going to happen and a new ASOS dress won’t make it feel better.
33-38: I fell pregnant a few months before turning 34, and it’s only now my daughter is 2 and a half that I feel the post-partum cocoon begin to open more and more every day.
I’ve just turned 37, so I’m currently in my final year of this chapter, which makes total sense — I can truly feel myself creeping closer towards finding my next ‘true self’, and weirdly she’s more like chapter 1 than any of the others. Well, not metabolically obvs, but I’m back embracing my curly hair and big hoops and feeling drawn to silhouettes I liked back then too.
I think this chapter has been about finding myself again, as cheesy as that sounds. Hopefully the next one is about building on that (with less leggings involved).
If, like me, your current phase of life makes it very hard to ringfence quality time with friends, I’m here to recommend the 6pm TK Maxx Catch-up. Doesn’t have to be TK Maxx — any retail park within a stress-free radius of both of your homes, with decent parking will work. No need to book tables, venture into city centres or plan an outfit. My friend, Rach and I did this the other week and it truly filled my cup like nothing else does. Sniffing candles is my love language.
I've seriously neglected my body moisturising over winter, mainly because I cannot stand the feeling of cold lotion on my skin. The other day, while feeling particularly shit about myself, I realised that this small act of self care was vital because smooth, hydrated skin will absolutely make you feel better about the body it encases. So I went on a search for a product that would make the act more appealing. Something oily and French. I found this on Amazon and it's lovely. My only complaint is that the smell isn't very strong because it's the dream marriage of Marseille soap and argan oil.
I blow dried my hair for the first time in ages before my work do to switch things up a bit. I couldn't believe how much longer and healthier it's become since I went heat-free. So this is simply a reminder to find a way to wear your hair as close to its natural state as possible because the rewards you'll reap are numerous. I've been letting it dry naturally and wearing it curly ever since this post and it's made a bizarrely big difference to my life. I don't dread hair wash days (which are less often anyway), it takes me about one minute to do my hair instead of 30, my hair is growing more…and I feel more myself. The best product I've found along the way is the most basic of basic cheap hair gels we picked up in a Spanish ‘pound’ shop. You do not need expensive products. This is, in fact, exactly the point of my Substack — finding ways for people who enjoy fashion and beauty to cut through the noise and simplify looking good.
On that note, thank you so much for reading. Wishing you and yours a lovely festive season — see you in 2025!
Lou x