Style › The Next Stage

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I talk a lot of my style’s evolutionary journey and my pursuit of perfection in a curated wardrobe. Towards the end of 2011 I had never felt better about my style and expected this sentiment to continue to grow as I moved into 2012. But circumstances change and I’ve come to realise I’m floundering in the most unexpected of ways. Getting dressed every day was a joy, but it has become again a burden. It crept up insidiously, first a gentle nagging but soon a daily dejection. How did it come to be and why is it so?

No, it is not like before; where I was unhappy with what I had made available to myself – quite on the contrary. I have diagnosed my dejection and found that I’m feeling so unsatisfied with my wardrobe right now because I’m rarely ever wearing it. Lately my time is taken up largely with either uni or my casual job. I wear the same thing every day to uni and feel like a slob because I have so few workshop-appropriate ensembles. I wear the same thing every day to work and feel bored because I’m sartorially stifled by my uniform.

Some women can make a t-shirt and jeans look exquisitely chic, but on me it is a look of defeat. My beautiful curated wardrobe sings to me; begging to be worn — but by my day off I am tired. Conquered. No energy or desire left to make an effort. If my style is an evolution then it is good to remember that survival is only for the fittest; and it is plain to see I am simply not surviving as I once was.

I have always made jewellery but it is only in the last 9 months that I’ve been working more frequently with all kinds of chemicals and machinery. Since I plan on doing this for the rest of my life I seems clear to me that in order to survive the next stage of my evolution, I need to make my workshop wardrobe my priority when considering future purchases.

I imagine that re-educating myself on how to shop for this stage will be a challenge. I remain dedicated to my style, and now must find a way to channel that into a more practical collection of garments fit for this new lifestyle. It may mean giving up some of what I own to make room for what I need (check out what I am currently selling here).

Have you had a lifestyle change that required a new wardrobe? How did you handle the transition and how long was it before you felt comfortable again?

THOUGHTS ( 15 )

When I was in college studying metalsmithing my wardrobe shrunk to the following: a wide variety of black tank tops, flannel button downs, jeans, and leather boots (lots of them). I still wear this kind of wardrobe and now I prefer it. There’s nothing better than being comfortable when working in the studio, doing what you love.

nicolette shared this comment on 23 August 2012 at 11:21 AM

I’ve often been subconsciously shaped by my work environments. Almost always to the detriment of my personal style. With my marriage and 28th birthday both swiftly approaching I’m now determined to develop my personal style and refuse to deviate from it. This is being complicated by a current weight loss project. (I’ve already lost 25lbs) so right now I want to dress for me but I don’t have the wardrobe to accomplish it. I think it’s tricky not falling into a completely utilitarian category with your choices and making sure that they are all still appropriate with your style. I wish you luck. I know how important sartorial options and choices are.

Brandi shared this comment on 23 August 2012 at 12:00 PM

Interesting post! I love how you analyse these things to find out why you feel a certain way.
I’ve also come across the same dilemma this year. Being a girl who is most comfortable being overdressed in stockings, dresses and bright colours, I’ve been challenged by what to wear when I am on my Vespa. For most people I’m sure it’s not a big deal but the Vespa has been a new freedom for me since I’ve never had a car license. But I wasn’t willing to forsake my style for safety thinking that the two should not be mutually exclusive concepts. Its only the past couple of weeks or so (and I’ve been riding for all of this year!) where I feel I’m moving towards being able to express my style and still remain comfortable and safe on the scooter. I dont usually wear jeans you see! I’m slowly gathering a couple of outfits that still look good when I take my helmet off but there’s still a long way to go – my main issues being good shoes! I need to find a pair of awesome looking leather boots and they absolutely can’t be boring. ;-) And it would be real nice to one day have a REAL biker jacket with all the inserts that doesn’t look too bulky.
Also the hair is a problem – its ok if I’m going to be putting it up when I get to work but if it’s out then it goes flat.

I’m not sure what kind of solutions you could employ for your working wardrobe. Do you need to wear protective gear like a dust coat?

Esz shared this comment on 23 August 2012 at 12:37 PM

My experience is that these shifts happen around life changing events. For me it was when I graduated from uni and started working in a professional environment, then when I had kids and when I moved interstate.
I’ve found that the more I try to resist these changes, the harder I make things for myself. But I’ve always found that my clothes and the way I dress myself, reflect how I’m relating to my life. I think it’s important to embrace change and constantly evolve. There is that part of me that always stays the same and the way I interpret my life and my wardrobe is uniquely my own so I accept that I’m staying true to my identity.
I’m fortunate that I have a large house but I rotate my clothes and only keep things out that I am wearing. I put things that I’m not wearing in vacuum sealed bags and store them in another room. But that is unrealistic for most people I understand.

I have a good friend who is one of the most honest and stylish people I know. She only keeps what she can fit in a suitcase and she gives away clothes when she feels that she has outgrown them. I like the idea of that; of inhabiting a certain image and then discarding it when it becomes no longer necessary.

Ultimately, I feel that those periods of discomfort are our minds’ subconscious way of reminding us that something isn’t exactly right in our lives and that we need to reflect, readjust and make the appropriate shifts in our life. I believe that those difficult periods are ultimately where we experience the most growth.

Lorena shared this comment on 23 August 2012 at 1:26 PM

That’s a tricky transition to consider, with wanting to wear something stylish, yet not too precious to survive the workshop. I think it’s important to consider fabrics, if you need things that are going to be machine washable if they’re prone to getting dirty.

Whenever I’ve had to change my wardrobe, I’ve learned to prioritize the type of clothing that will keep me together when I’m at my worst. For me that’s usually long black things: sweaters, coats, tees etc… (I think it’s why I can constantly justify the purchase of long black sweaters). And I like black because it’s easy to accessorize, and when you wear a lot of black–if you choose to wear the same sweater a few days in a row it’s not as noticeable as wearing the same pink sweater a few days in a row. In my experience these transitions took at least a solid year; however, these transitions required a change in my aesthetic. In recent years, I don’t have the time or desire to be experimental–so I stick to what works for me. My closet is full of 2357957024 variations of the same thing. So now, if my lifestyle changes or situations arise where I need to dress a certain way, my wardrobe is fairly adaptable but I may have to add a thing or two if necessity dictates.

Prêt à Porter P shared this comment on 23 August 2012 at 1:53 PM

When I shifted from spending most of my time at a clean desk to getting dirty pretty much everyday I had this play to work transition too. I realized that the reason I felt so slobby in my “casual” clothes was because they were so generic. I’ve since handmade everything in my closet, which is small with not many duplicates. It also feels great because I major in clothing design, to be my own model. I never feel plain anymore.

Skylure shared this comment on 23 August 2012 at 3:21 PM

It’s so important to feel comfortable in your clothes while you’re working. By ‘comfortable’ I don’t just mean easy-fit or casual clothes, I mean clothing that suits the wearer and makes him/her feel confident and like they’re expressing themselves aesthetically, as well as being suited to the type of work being undertaken.

I detest the idea of having ‘work clothes’ and ‘weekend clothes’, as I think we all would like to dress as ourselves in all situations. Unfortunately for your clothes this may mean exposing them to different conditions in which they may be ruined. A way that I get around this is to identify fabrics and silhouettes that can be improved with ‘wear and tear’. Of course this depends entirely on the image you are curating for yourself. I find that in my own wardrobe I wear materials that age well, and in some ways improve with imperfection, such as scuffed leather, speckles of bleach on black denim, minor fraying and holes in soft cotton. These items become standard ‘work wear’, which then interchanged with more pristine items for ‘weekend wear’ are still part of the same wardrobe.

Another key point for me is not spending too much $$ on something that may be ‘ruined’ rather than improved, for that is a heartache too painful to bear often.

ELK shared this comment on 23 August 2012 at 4:15 PM

Since having my business my disposable income for fashion has been reduced to nil. Nothing. Seriously. And it is really hard. I work from home – so really it doesn’t really matter 95% of the time – but on the odd occasion I do go out – I am totally lost for wardrobe options. The only appropriate things I have now either don’t fit thanks to a few extra kilos, or I just feel no connection with anymore. Before I started my business and I went out a lot and my clothes reflected that carefree time of my life. Now that I have responsibilities, and that I am older, I am CRAVING a quality, versatile wardrobe – that I can look professional in. That makes me feel like I can tackle anything and gives me confidence. But it is totally out of my reach. So Im stuck in this awkward raggedy ill fitting version of myself 5 years ago. And it just isn’t me.

Gaby shared this comment on 23 August 2012 at 4:30 PM

I recognise this problem, but it was slightly different for me. Going to college after studying at a strict school for years was a big transition. Suddenly I needed different clothes everyday, instead of just the weekends and holidays. I found myself sewing a lot of new clothes to fill the gaps but they were not truly my style, just what was quickest to make.
Over the two years there, my wardrobe evolved into something I am much happier to wear and also my attitude. I didn’t really need tons of new clothes, just select pieces that could be rearranged into different and interesting outfits.
Keeping in mind practicality for your course, start slowly introducing new pieces into your wardrobe and have some fun with it!

Sophia shared this comment on 23 August 2012 at 9:01 PM

Okay, I can completely relate to this post, because I’m feeling the exact same way. I’ve been working so often lately, in my work uniform that by my day off, I’m so exhausted, I don’t even get a chance to enjoy getting dressed so I end up looking quite dull and uninspired. It sucks.

Magnet shared this comment on 23 August 2012 at 11:55 PM

I’ve had a few lifestyle changes, requiring wardrobe choices which weren’t exactly glamorous. When I was an art student (I was a messy painter, ha)…When I lived on a small Caribbean island working on yachts…And now, I work in the visual arts – no Rick Owens when I’m painting or teaching a messy class, that’s for sure. (To be honest, sometimes I do wear my better clothing in the studio but for those times, I wear an apron.)

Odyssey Home shared this comment on 24 August 2012 at 5:29 AM

I can understand you, totally. I have a large collection of goth-type clothes in my wardrobe and i’ve never wore that stuff enough. Working in an embroidery factory before and in a retail store now made me always slip into casual simple black stuff. And guess what – that became my go to style now. I’ve switched gowns for skin tight capris and leather pants, corsets for asymmetrical tank tops and platforms for Melissa x Pugh rubber shoes.
In the end i think this went all for the best – yet i still wear frilly skirts and rubber corsets at times.

Nero shared this comment on 24 August 2012 at 9:00 AM

I used to make all of my own clothes (lots of hardware, spiderweb mesh, fishnet, skulls), but a few years ago my sister gave me a makeover to be more…socially acceptable. It was strange at first, but within a few weeks I had made it my own again and I was waaaay happier. It was nice to have that kick-start to think differently, instead of being stuck in my crappy teenage clothes well into my twenties. For some reason I couldn’t see how lame my wardrobe was until things were different. Now I’m 27 and my closet is shop clothes (skinny jeans and torn up super soft $1 thrift store tees), and nice day/evening wear (frilly to witchy dresses) for when I leave my house.

KtB_Insidious shared this comment on 29 August 2012 at 8:58 AM

ELK said a lot of what I was thinking as I read this post. In the workshop, safety comes first (so drapey stuff can be a problem!) but aside from that you want to have some clothes that will age well with a few scuffs, holes, or drips of paint.

To start out, you might want to consider thrifting some things like jeans, t-shirts, or chambray work shirts so that you don’t feel like you are wearing things that are too precious to get spilled on. That way you can find out what materials will age gracefully in the crucible of your workshop. And, aprons or a large cotton button-down to cover up what you are wearing anyway can also be really helpful.

f. shared this comment on 11 September 2012 at 7:43 PM

Style dilemmas are my occupation! Whenever I think of someone in jeans and a t-shirt, Kate Moss springs to mind, effortlessly cool. There’s nothing effortless about Kate, she has spent a long time defining herself and perfecting her style to one that suits her body and her personality so that everyday she is communicating in her own style language. You seem to have found yours for when you are not at work or studying. Don’t lose sight of who you are, but do remember that you need to stay safe in the workshop and that you need to look amazing for when you sell your product, this is where you will use this curated wardrobe. Don’t lose hope of wearing your well-loved clothes, they are there for a purpose and that time will come sooner than you realise. Your style personality will never change, to keep it simple for now, wear colours that suit your complexion and styles that suit your body and you will feel effortlessly cool.

Susan shared this comment on 11 October 2012 at 6:36 PM

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