My spree of style-hopping continues! Leaning into sporty + minimal + low key today.
Last week, I shared that I’m not interested in labeling or defining my style right now, even though I usually love that sort of thing. I am, after all, a person who thrives within structure.
Structure is usually a good thing in my life — but sometimes I can get a little too rigid with it. I tend to be a rule follower, which means I sometimes treat good advice as if it’s written in stone.
If you’ve been around Unfancy for a while, this might not come as a surprise. Ten years ago, I started this blog on the premise that a 37 piece capsule wardrobe was all you’d ever need.
The subtext, for me, went like this: if you can plan *perfectly* now, all your future questions will be answered, future frustrations sidestepped, and future discomforts eased.
I think back on that 2014 version of me. I really wanted to nail things down, make sense of life. Of course I did. Life is hard, life is unpredictable.
I still think the capsule concept is an incredible tool. But truth be told, I held onto it with a white knuckle grip, hoping it would make life feel more safe. Pretty much everything since then has been a process of slowly learning to soften my grip.
It turns out, softening my grip — not just in my closet, but in my life — is an intimately personal theme I’ve inadvertently and publicly chronicled over the last decade, here on the blog. It’s all there between the lines, between the clothes.
Looking back over the last 10 years, I now wonder if the point of all this was less about clothes, and more about learning to let go, accept change, and trust the process of living. <3
Okay, but no for reals, I love clothes. :-D
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OUTFIT DETAILS
(If you see something you like, you can shop it and support my blog at the same time by using the affiliate links below)
Madewell Denim Shacket (old) | Similar: Sezane Will Jacket & H&M Oversized Denim Shirt
Nike Tempo Shorts | Similar: Lululemon Hotty Hot Short
Wilson Socks | Similar: Bombas Quarter Socks
Polene Umi Bag (old) | Similar: Clare V Petit Moyen Bag & And Other Stories Shoulder Bag
JEWELRY
Madewell Sculptural Droplet Earrings
Madewell Mixed Pearl Beaded Necklace
James Avery Chain Necklace (wearing 20in) and Mini Heart Charm
Vintage Pave Ring | Similar: Quince Pave Diamond Slim Signet Ring (under $250) & Quince 14k Gold Micro Pave Ring
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Thanks for reading my blog today! <3
I love following this blog and I have followed for a very long time, possibly from the very beginning. In 2014, I was a new mom, who needed a simple, structured way to feel like me in my wardrobe. Thank you for that. I think one of your style words could definitely be fluid! Style, just like personality, sometimes needs to be fluid, to match our mood, to match our bodies, and to match our journey. Thanks for the structure, but also for sharing your journey and for being open enough to change.
Sarah, thanks for following along for so long! Your support means the world to me. I think you’re right — “fluid” might be a good style word for me since it keeps things open ended (and reminds me how I want to be in the world).
Caroline, I think this is my favorite thing you’ve ever written. I’ve been a follower from the very beginning when I was in my early 30’s. Over the past decade I also feel like I’ve learned a lot about approaching life with curiosity and flexibility and joy. My life didn’t look the way I thought it would in my 30’s and I think I hyper focused on clothing and my wardrobe as something I could control. But as you write so beautifully here, there’s something to be said for letting go and seeing where life (and our clothes!) takes us, even if it’s very different from where we started out or thought we should be.
This means so much to me Jessica, thank you! I really relate to what you shared — my 30s are not turning out the way I thought they would. Letting go is a process. We got this! <3
What a beautiful post and such deep reflection on yourself over the past decade. I’ve read your blog since the early days too and you were one of my pillars in my dip into capsule and minimal living. Evolution is an exciting thing and change doesn’t have to be scary. I’m glad you’ve got so much material to be able to look back on and see your change. Also, thank you for writing on here still and not locking your posts away on Substack, which seems to be the new blogging thing to use.
Thank you so much Cindy. <3 No plans to move to Substack! :)
Thanks so much for sharing your creativity and experimentation here! The resources you provide are so helpful. I’ve been following you for a long time too!
Thank you so much Camille! So glad it’s helpful to you! :)