Oh hey. In the mood for a rambly blog post? You’re in the right place.

I’ve had a bit of a style realisation over the past few weeks as we’ve started to come out of lockdown properly. Trying to plan outfits for actually being able to go out is giving me fashion anxiety. Obviously, the horrific weather doesn’t help that we’ve been having recently but I have felt that guilt-inducing ‘I hate all my clothes’ thing when I open my wardrobe. Does anyone else have this at the moment?

Being in lockdown for basically a year means that my style has changed so much. I’m really not a fan of loads of stuff that I own (hence my constant Depop and eBay addiction – the post office people do not know what’s hit them!) and I feel like there’s so much boring stuff in my wardrobe and it is just not giving me the feels.

When I was younger, maybe 22-24 I think I had quite funky style, I loved a retro print, some different things that maybe you wouldn’t see on everyone, a bit of vintage, lots of colour. As I’ve gotten older (I’m 28 now) I’ve felt like I accidentally adopted some styles through maybe aged 25-27 from influencers I followed like Emma Hill and The Anna Edit who’s style I loved (on them) but really doesn’t suit me. Essentially, it’s too ‘boring’ for me and I feel really frumpy when I try to emulate their style. I just can’t wear a mannish shirt or ‘minimalist’ Scandi style outfit and feel good about myself in it. And, a loafer just isn’t for me.

I hate not feeling like myself and as you probably know, it can make you feel a bit crappy. So, over the past few weeks I’ve tried to ‘ignore’ posts by people I like on Instagram but their style doesn’t suit me and even unfollow pages that aren’t inspiring me at all and tried to engage with ladies style that is really exciting me. I love Darylle, Faye Ellaby, Amy from The Little Magpie, Laura Whitmore and of course, Jamie.

I need a big ol’ wardrobe sort AGAIN and this’ll definitely kick in better and I think I’ll feel happier once we have some sunnier weather but I’ve definitely be trying to shop a little braver, get inspiration from some ladies whose style I really love and I *think* I’m getting there and feeling a bit more like myself again.

I’ve also started to get a few more ‘investment’ pieces and fun items like an Anine Bing sweatshirt second hand on eBay, this ASOS playsuit and my new Marc Jacobs tote bag (I have this is in blue!) with the money I made selling a bunch of stuff I didn’t want. I’ve also got my eye on these New Balance trainers and this amazing Never Fully Dressed dress.

Essentially, I want less stuff in better quality but pieces that really feel like me. The old, braver, younger me! Style is hard when you care about it right? What do you think? Have you had a style refresh or epiphany recently as we head back into ‘normal’ life? Thank you for coming to my TED talk about clothes.