What I’m Buying and Not Buying This Fall
I donated six bags of clothes yesterday, which will certainly make you question your buying strategy.
I suspect many of us reach a point where we look at everything we own and wonder how it all got there. Between the things I buy and the clothes brands send me, I’ve ended up with a lot of clothes, but not necessarily a wardrobe that pleases me.
I still love sophisticated, elegant clothes, neutrals, and fairly minimal dressing, but lately I’ve wanted my clothes to feel more expressive and more individual. I’ve spent years making buying decisions based on whether something is classic, neutral, and goes with everything, and I think I’ve backed myself into a bit of a corner. Maybe turning 70 has something to do with it, but I feel less inclined to follow all my old formulas simply because they’ve always worked.
So I’m looking at my wardrobe with a more critical eye this fall. I want to curate what I already own and be much pickier about what I add next.
Today I’m joining my stylish blogging pals Cindy and Susan to talk about what each of us is buying and not buying for fall. We have very different styles, which is what makes these posts so interesting.
What I’m Buying This Fall
Things That Ring More Than One Bell
Being a good color for me and looking perfectly nice isn’t enough anymore. I want pieces that interest me for more than one reason.
I’m also questioning how much “flattering” should factor into every decision. We can become so focused on wearing the most flattering color, shape, or proportion that we edit some of the creativity out of getting dressed.
I’ve gotten into the habit of buying things I can link for you because I know it’s frustrating when I wear something you like and can only find something similar. Somewhere along the way, that started influencing what I bought for myself.
This fall, I want to buy things because they interest me, whether or not they check all the usual boxes.
More Texture
I’m looking for more texture because it brings interest and dimension to an outfit. I tend to buy clothes with very little texture, and I realize I miss it.
I love chunky knits, nubby fabrics, quilting, suede, and anything with a surface you can actually see. Texture gives a simple outfit something to look at without adding more color or pattern. Some of it may overwhelm me, but I’m willing to risk it.
Some Pattern
I’ve worn my patterned Johnny Was jacket quite a bit this summer and really enjoyed the slightly artisanal feel of the print, so I want to experiment with more pattern this fall.
I’ve always been drawn to minimalism, and I still love looking at it on other people. I’m just not sure I love wearing it as much as I used to. All of a sudden, it doesn’t seem to express as much as I want my clothes to express, and a little pattern feels like one way to change that.
You’re probably not going to catch me in a floral because I really dislike them on me, and buying another stripe isn’t exactly branching out. I don’t know what I’m looking for yet. I want to see what catches my eye.
More Unique Earrings
Most of my jewelry is extremely classic, which has always made sense to me because it goes with everything. But I’m starting to think “goes with everything” may not be what I’m looking for anymore.
I’d like to find earrings with some individuality and real presence. Something a little longer than I normally wear, perhaps with some movement, and definitely not another stud or hoop. I’m drawn to something more artistic, maybe an unusual shape or material, that can stand on its own without a necklace.
I don’t know exactly what they’ll look like yet, and I don’t want to decide in advance. I want to find something that makes me stop and look twice.
Comfortable Booties That Still Have Style
I’ve talked plenty about how important comfortable shoes have become for me, but this fall I need to rethink some of my boots. I don’t have time to deal with surgery on my big toe right now, so I’m managing it with inserts and orthotics.
That means some of the boots I’ve loved, especially those with a bit of a heel, probably aren’t going to work for me anymore. I need something flat, with enough room that it doesn’t put pressure on that big toe joint, and preferably enough space for an insert or orthotic. Finding all of that in a bootie I actually want to wear may take some hunting.
Dark-Wash Straight-Leg Jeans
It’s hard to believe I could possibly need another pair of jeans because I own so many, although I did just donate quite a few that were duplicates. What I don’t own is a dark-wash straight-leg pair. Most of mine are medium or pale washes, and some have distressing, so I’m looking for a clean, dark wash with no distressing at all.
I want them straight but not narrow, and I want them to skim my legs rather than cling to them like Saran Wrap. An ankle length will work with virtually every shoe I own, from sneakers and loafers to the flat booties I’m now hunting for. Dark-wash jeans are also having a moment this fall, but in this case they fill a real hole in my wardrobe.
What I’m Not Buying This Fall
More Versions of What I Already Own
I know what I like, which makes it very easy to buy it again. But I don’t need three beige cashmere sweaters, and in fact, I don’t need another crewneck cashmere sweater at all. I just edited quite a few of them out of my wardrobe.
I suspect many of us do this. Once we know something works, buying another version feels like a safe choice. But I do laundry frequently, so I don’t need backups of everything I love. I’ve got the classics covered.
Less Traditional Styling
I’m craving less structure and a little less of the traditional, classic look I’ve worn for years. I’m certainly not giving it up. I just have plenty of it.
I’d like to experiment with more fluid shapes, especially pants with some movement, softer knit tops, and pieces that don’t feel quite so tailored or buttoned-up. I’m not looking for anything bohemian or overly romantic, just a little less rigid than some of the clothes I’ve gravitated toward in the past.
This fall, I’m more interested in pieces that take my wardrobe in a slightly different direction.
Now let’s hop over and see what Cindy from Cindy Hattersley Design and Susan from Une Femme X Susan Blakey are buying, and not buying, this fall.
What are you being more selective about this fall? Is there anything you’ve decided you have enough of, or something you’d like to bring more of into your wardrobe?