A few years back, I was sitting next to my friend, who's a stylist, talking about what we were going to wear to an upcoming wedding. I’d spent the whole week—no, the better part of the month—clicking through websites, trying to find something, anything, and failing. Like, completely. And I’d started to come to terms with the idea that I was going to spend too much money on a dress I didn’t even really like, and that would be my fate.
But she, meanwhile, hadn’t even thought about it much. She said, “Oh, I already have something in my closet.”
This concept was so foreign to me that it might as well have been in another language. She already owned something that worked. She had confidence in her wardrobe like a well-stocked pantry—everything she needed was already there, waiting, no last-minute runs to the store or frantic searching for missing ingredients. She said she’d worn the same (albeit flawless) black dress to so many Black Tie events, and the fun part for her was switching up her hair, makeup, and accessories to make it new again.
It was exactly the opposite of what I’d been doing. My approach had been more scattered and unplanned, like grabbing random puzzle pieces and hoping they’d somehow fit together. So I remember the exact moment I thought, “Okay. I can do this differently.” I could make a shift. And with that, I decided to change things up.
I may never have a perfectly equipped closet for every occasion like my stylist friend’s—nor one of those impossibly neat capsule wardrobes filled only with essential pieces I wear on repeat. But I’ve reached this place where the foundation is solid. No more gaping holes where I panic-buy something I’ll regret later. And now, as I think about fall clothes on this balmy 106° day, I’m pretty content. Because most of the things I’m excited to wear aren’t new at all. They’re just different versions of things I already own, quietly waiting for their moment again.
That’s not to say there aren’t a few things I’m looking forward to buying this season (I’ve linked some new and pre-loved options below). But the realization made me want to do something different—like taking a few saved outfits from my phone, the ones I thought I needed to shop for, and recreating them with what’s already in my closet.
Oh, the chokehold barn jackets have on me (and seemingly every girl on the internet). I bought mine last spring, but every time I went to put it on, I felt frumpy and a little disheveled. Usually, I think things look best when they’re balanced - an oversized jacket paired with more tailored pieces, but after going through my inspiration folder, I saw it’s not how I’ve liked it on others. Here, everything is oversized - jacket, bag, and white denim paired with a slim top that hits at the waist. This felt…different for me, but in a good way, and it’s made me reconsider how many other pieces in my closet would benefit from being styled in an updated way.
Denim on denim isn’t new, but the new proportions are. I used to wear a slim-fitting chambray tucked into boyfriend jeans (again, balance!), but that’s all out the window. Instead, I’ve been wearing chambray jackets, chore coats, and oversized button-downs left mostly undone, with just a glimpse of midriff showing. This picture inspired me to pull out my new Khaite-inspired studded belt to break it up. I tried it on with loafers, but it felt a little too androgynous, so I wore a heeled sandal instead.
The outfit I saved is about as straightforward as it gets, but all the details work. The tiny glimpse of a white tee poking out from a classic sweater with black accessories (sunglasses, bag, belt, ballet flats) to match. I’ve worn iterations like this many times, but there was something that felt new and (slightly moodier?) about the way she combined the colors of the darker trench offset by lighter jeans. Also, side note: I initially tied my hair back like her, which did not work with this outfit - a gentle reminder that your inspiration should be a jumping-off point, but not set in stone.
Most of the jeans I’ve worn recently have been almost exclusively wide-leg, so it was a good reminder to switch things up. I pulled out an oversized blazer, white tee, vintage jeans, and white Mary-Jane flats - even though I kind of wanted to justify getting her mesh variety. Her look felt polished but relaxed, which is the vibe I’m sort of always after.
The Western-wear trend isn’t one that I’m ready to commit to fully, but I’m down to incorporate a few pieces here and there. I didn’t need to invest in new boots as I’ve owned this pair since 2015, which does the job, and though I think this look might be best for those without a big chest, the proportions felt fun and flirty without trying too hard.
One of the things I am planning on buying is a small suede bag, preferably in chocolate brown. I rounded up 12 I’m loving right now, most of which are second-hand with the cutest details (braided and bamboo handles!).
"She had confidence in her wardrobe like a well-stocked pantry" — I love this metaphor! I've been trying to refine my wardrobe more over the past couple of years, but I can't say I'm quite at the "well-stocked pantry" stage yet—I guess I'm kind of where you are. And this is such a great idea for something fun to try: "like taking a few saved outfits from my phone, the ones I thought I needed to shop for, and recreating them with what’s already in my closet." Love your roundup of brown suede bags!
So inspiring! I would love to be the person that says, oh I haven’t thought about it already in my closet! Definitely a goal 🙌🏼🤩 love the looks you recreated with your own pieces.