I’ve noticed that a lot of women have chosen to grow out their natural hair color, after getting halfway there by not being able to access hair services during lockdown. Every woman I’ve seen looks better in her natural color, I think nature is the best colorist there is.
This is a real issue, especially with lockdown! I haven't been to the hairdresser since April I think as we've been in lockdown since June here in Sydney. I desperately need a haircut and to fix up my colour. I don't think I've gone so long without a cut in a long time 😳
I do think personal style is constantly evolving through life. At age 61, I find I want simple, classic, sophisticated items. I try to get items that will serve for a long time, so I’m careful about trends. My Boho and froufrou years are long past.
Hi Lauren. Thank you for sharing these very insightful tips. Over the last couple of years, I have been extremely intentional about creating a more cohesive wardrobe and buying pieces that can be worn for work and casually. I previously had a wardrobe that was very disproportionate because it comprised of 25% corporate professional attire and 75% casual/evening wear yet I spend most of my time at work. I ended up with mostly casual clothes because those were fun to shop for but now are not practical for my lifestyle. I would recommend analyzing how much time you spend working vs activities where you can dress casually to determine which are practical and which to prioritize when adding new pieces to your wardrobe. I’m also have been intentional about buying lighter shades of neutrals that flatter my skin tone because my wardrobe previously was comprised of mostly black, burgundy, red, and navy. I feel happier, more vibrant and feminine wearing shades of white, ivory, camel, etc. so I would recommend making sure that wardrobe color palates include both dark and lighter neutral shades.
Hi Nyeema! 🙋♀️ my pleasure and hope it was helpful 🙏 I love your suggestion about analyzing time between working vs activities, this will certainly help with wardrobe planning and styling too 💯 And also love your recommendation about having a great balance between the light and dark neutral shades too, that's important. I have done a wardrobe review of my clothes tonight and am putting together my new wish list for the months ahead - I'd love to incorporate more stone, beige and white 🤞 Its also helpful for me to hear about your experience as well, so thank you so much for making the time to share, I really appreciate it! 😘
Hello Lauren! Great video! I totally relate! My style changed as well in different time periods of my life, and as I used to collet a lot of clothes, I went through the realization that they didn't work for me any more and had to accept that there was no chance of wearing them again. I would also add that from my experience, having too many clothes accessories, shoes etc can also make it difficult to create a cohesive style. The problem is that I like variety! Now with covid, I always change clothes when I get back home. I believe that a small capsule wardrobe will not work for me. But having multitudes of everything ( even though these are all nice pieces), it makes choosing an outfit difficult. I need to edit my wordrobe again, If i want to create a strong personal style, but it is difficult to choose what to part with!
Hi Katerina, thank you! So happy you liked this one 🤗 It's helpful to hear about your experience here as well and nice to know I'm not the only person going through this 🙏 I completely understand what you mean about how having too many items reduces the cohesiveness and this being a challenge when you like variety 💯 I get quite anxious when faced with too many choices myself, so I like to have a couple of options for each item but not too many... also I know what you mean about it feeling difficult to part with items! I need to do a wardrobe clear-out soon - if I haven't worn something in a few years (as in, before covid because lockdown has meant a lot of clothes haven't been worn) then I will need to be able to seriously justify why I should continue keeping an item. If it's not being worn the it's taking up valuable real estate in my wardrobe 😆 Thanks again so much for sharing your thoughts here, love hearing your take on this and your experience 💯
@@LaurenGraceHarding Loved the term "real estate" in my wordrobe! 😁😁😁This space is really too valuable to fill in with anything and everything! It is stressful to see everything packed, and i am using thin hangers! I also have one more wordrobe (sits on top of my everyday wordrobe as it is divided in height) for out of season clothes, although my summer clothes take up half the space, (or i have less pieces than spring autumn and winter) . So I fill in the gap with unworn winter clothes. And i have one more wordrobe for coats, puffer jackets, and evening wear, (that i rarely wear!). So I need to buy more mindfully if i don't want to constantly de-clutter, as I do! I have noticed though, that quite a few things that i don't wear any more, or not often enough, are good quality items (in terms of textile quality). The new which i have replaced them with, are not as good. I have coats bought almost 20yrs ago, that were 70% wool, and it was Zara, bought in a very reasonable price. A couple i bought last year from Marks and Spencer (a much better and more expensive quality British brand) have about 35% wool. These are fabulous coats, (not worn yet due to the lockdown) but i am wondering. Do i give away good quality clothes to replace with medium, just because they are old? Should i keep them all? But if i don't wear them as much what should I do? If you try to buy a similar high quality garment, it will be from the brand's premium collection (all known brands) and the price has gone to the roof. Previously good quality was considered a standard, and the price was were the polyester garments are sold now.( So, i feel this is all done to increase profit to the brands) . At the end of the day what to keep and what to give away?
@@katerina.steiak hehe, glad you liked it - our clothes aren't paying rent to our closets! 😆 and yes, space is so valuable! I don't have a large closet myself (am preparing for my move to Paris in a few years where I anticipate I won't have a lot of space, so...I'm preparing in advance!) It's good you can see your out of season clothes up top at a glance... mine are stored in two luggage suitcases (so I sometimes forget what's in there but I like that I'm using up the space in those or they would just be empty). I feel like I have less summer clothes as well, compared to autumn and winter, but maybe it's because we wear thicker fabrics and more items during the cooler seasons. Also, outerwear takes up much more space... I also feel like I'm decluttering a lot, especially since 2019 - not sure if this is good or bad? 🤔 and I have event or "going out" wear that hasn't been worn in sooo long too (and not just because of lockdowns!) So I completely understand where you're coming from... Re. the coats and quality of textiles changing over time, this is interesting...I've heard similar sentiments from other people as well, I think you've highlighted something important here...I'm not sure why the change over time. I know there's been a huge focus on fast fashion and a lot of production/manufacturing is done in certain countries whereas before certain production would be done in particular countries (like the UK for luxurious tweeds, for example). But still, not sure if those are contributing factors? I wouldn't give away good quality clothes because they are old. My black trench coat from Jigsaw is honestly probably more than a decade old now, I've gotten so much use out of it and although there's signs of wear on the buttons, I could simply update those to freshen it up. I can't bring myself to buy another trench (I'd love one in a tan colour) as I know I want to invest in a Burberry one eventually - and if I bought one in tan now, I can't envision myself reaching for it when I do finally get a Burberry trench. So I'm holding out for that in the future! I wear my black Jigsaw trench coat each year though. I do have a few new coats I received last year as part of a fashion collaboration but they're not my "ideal" coat to be honest. They look lovely but I have decided I will sell those and then replace them with a more classic black or camel coat, as there's no point having them sitting in my wardrobe if I'm not loving/using them. So I feel it comes down to usage of each item and how you feel wearing each piece. If you love your older coats or pieces and still reach for them each year, I'd suggest to keep them. Conversely, if you haven't worn them in 3 years (taking into account covid since 2020) then maybe it's time to let them go to a new home? Another thing is purchases made during lockdown! 🙊 I've made quite a few purchases and whilst I'm happy with most, there are some items I wonder what was going through my mind! 😅 Maybe it's hindsight, maybe it's lockdown boredom or fatigue. I'm waiting until Sydney reopens again before deciding what to let go, as I might change my mind on some pieces once life returns to "normal" 🤞 What to keep and what to give away? It's the big question and I'm not sure any of us have the right answer but I love thinking about it! I'd go for quality over quantity. Consider how you feel wearing each piece. Assess how long since you've worn it last. If it's new, maybe keep it for 1 year - if you haven't worn it then reconsider. If it still has tags on it, that's a warning sign but there may be a good reason for it not being worn. Look at the pieces you re-wear the most and keep those. And maybe create a spreadsheet to list each item you own. I did this and it really helps me monitor the current state of my wardrobe, analyse categories in terms of number of items, etc. Hope this helps, I loved hearing your thoughts and it's an interesting discussion for sure! 🙋♀️
@@LaurenGraceHarding I still smile when thinking the "real estate value" of my closet! ☺️☺️☺️Funny thing, I am an architect (studied in England) but since the first economic crisis, I am working in Real Estate! However, last year was a disaster! Not only i wasn't working i was e-shopping so much i really feel ashamed of myself! Quite a lot i bought is in the "what was i thinking" region!!! 🙄😳😁Or worse, my fantasy self! Some items I already sold, unworn. (Selling second hand items is a brand new concept in Greece!) Some i will probably sell but since i don't have much patience i already gave away some to friends. At least someone will appreciate and use them more than me. Some other pieces I expect to wear. Time will tell! About these "going out clothes" or going to a wedding /event /new year party, that are sitting there unworn, with the tags, that i bought because they were beautiful, and "who knows, i might get invited somewhere appropriate to wear it"? Not! With covid this hasn't happened for more than two years. And i realise that we go out less and less, and even when we do, people don't dress up as we used to 5 even 10 years ago! I really appreciate the time you spent replying to me and especially the advice!😊😊😊 Making a list of everything I have, is a great idea!!!👍😀 However i feel dizzy and overwhelmed by having to face a huge list, to which i am responsible for its massive length.😱🤔 I definitely need to size down. The "how i feel factor" will play a good role on this! And how many times i was wearing an item. Although here there is a problem! I grew up with a mentality that you keep your" good " clothes for special occasions! So unconsciously many times i refrain from wearing a good shirt, coat, trenchcoat so that i won't ruin them! So i have unworn clothes that i love and they are great like my Ralf Lauren trenchcoat, which i keep (for what occasion really?) and wear all the others which are good but not as much! I kept buying trench coats even in lockdown (still unworn) . It has gone too far! I have decided to stop shopping, or at least become really mindful and picky before i start shopping clothes again. Especially after the last year's derailment! Your approach to your favourite trench coat and your holding back until you get what you really want is the best! As a trench coatlover i do appreciate, and would wish to own one day a Burberry coat! (With all that mindless spending over the years i would have, but i was impulse buying!) It will be fantastic to move to Paris! It is known that Parisian apartments/ bedrooms and closets are small! English were also! So get your best clothes with you! Actually that was a declutering question i used to ask myself! " If i was to move would i take this with me?" So Paris awaits! Till then enjoy Australia, maybe show us some pictures from Sydney! Wear an outfit and take a picture in front of the Sydney opera for all of us who watch your channel and live abroad! If you can go out with the lock down, that is! Many thanks and good wishes to keep on going! If it makes you happy, it will make your viewers happy! ♥️
I'm hoping the market picks up for you soon 🏡🤞 And you're definitely not the only one who e-shopped this last year! I had a trip planned in 2020 and of course that got cancelled. I saved but did start trying to fill some gaps in my wardrobe, especially with knitwear. That's interesting to hear it's a new concept in Greece! I think you would love it, do you have eBay, Depop or Poshmark over there? I usually set aside a day on a weekend probably each quarter and take photos of the items, measure them and do up the listings on eBay. It's definitely worth it and then you can save the money or reinvest it back into your wardrobe! Time will surely tell - I have some going out pieces with tags still on them too 😅 for "just in case", so completely relate to what you described! The list really helps me because I look at it from a numbers point if view. E.g. if I can see I have x19 knitwear pieces in comparison to x 3 trousers then I know, I need to stop buying knitwear and pick up a pair or two of trousers...then I look at which knitwear pieces I'm not wearing and consider whether to sell/donate. So it takes the emotion out of it, for me. It takes a bit of time to set up bit once it's done, very easy to maintain 💯 Ah the "saving for best" perspective! I can understand this....I think this approach is very much taken on by a lot of people, especially with your best pieces. It makes sense, as the less you wear something the better condition it's in...I guess it also helps to consider about "cost per wear" and "life is too short"! 😊 I support you with your reduced shopping approach at the moment! 🙌 I really feel if I could go back in time to when I first startedworking and shopping, rather than buy 10 pieces of items (which I no longer have), I'd invest in a lifelong classic, like the Burberry trench! But it's easy with hindsight Yes, that's the question I'm asking myself too! 😄 I started intermediate level French last month, so need to finish this level before I can move but am planning to in the next few years. Looking forward to an adventure! 🤗 Thank you, I will definitely share some content of Sydney soon. I haven't taken any photos or videos for many months and am keen to share some here on the channel. I will be sure to include the Opera House for you as well, hopefully this month or next!
Lauren, this has been such a fantastic video that I’ve watched it a few times. Each time I watched, I found myself stopping to think about the reasons why I am not happy with my style. And I found myself agreeing with each of the ten points you mentioned. The video came at the perfect moment for me as I start my style journey. I’m tired of having a closet bursting with clothes and finding myself with nothing to wear.
Hi Cristina, happy weekend! 🙋♀️ Ah that's amazing feedback, thank you, it's wonderful to hear this helps! 🤗 Yes, me too! It's annoying when we have that "nothing to wear" feeling, yet we now there's clothes in the closet 😔 I feel like refreshing our style is a fun challenge though, we get to be creative and explore new things which is fun! Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, that means a lot to me 😘
Loved the video. It's so useful to ask yourself these questions and really think about wardrobe building and where to invest lol. I completely agree with investing in basics and it's something I'm currently working on. I definitely fall into the trap of buying the beautiful colours and patterns first without really thinking how it works in my wardrobe lol
Thank you Michelle! So happy you liked it and I can relate to what you mean about investing in basics now 💯 oh my gosh, me too! I did that with the Patti jumper from Sézane recently 😉🧶😆 so I'm still making mistakes here at there but a bit more aware about it than before, at least! Thanks again for watching and sharing your thoughts 😊 Wishing you a wonderful new week ahead
Great Video 👍🏻 I lost in 2020 42 Kilos an had to by anything new🙈 I was a EU/German 44 and now I am a 34. I am still in the Process to build an Capsule Wardrobe an my style changed completely, but now I know my coloring and Bodytype, what makes it easier to find Clothes as before my weightloss😊 Lovely Greetings from Germany 🙋🏼♀️
Hallo linchen! 🙋♀️ That must have been a transformation for you and your life, congratulations on your efforts 💯 I can imagine needing an entire new wardrobe must have felt daunting yet exciting at the same time for you? Definitely your research and knowledge with colours and body types would have helped you in creating your new style, so that's wonderful to hear 🤗 Thank you so much for sharing your experience here and wishing you a wonderful new week ahead! 🍀
@@LaurenGraceHarding Hi Lauren, yes ist was daunting, exciting and a little bit overwhelming😊 startet with black, white and grey and added slowly some pale pink, burgundy, navy, beige/cream and taupe. Thank you for your Video and a have a nice week ahead also❤️
Hi Lauren, thank you for this great video! It summarised for me the different causes of why my style evolved and gave me some useful tips. I used to buy from the same brand all the time (e.g Cue) and so my silhouette always looked the same so I became bored with it as the dresses and suits I purchased for the office were often very fitted. I really didn't know what my style was and so for weekend/ casual events I experimented with similar fitted styles which didn't work out at all. I found purchasing clothing items that could not only be worn for work but also could be dressed down for casual scenarios has helped me get more wear out of my clothes. Wishing you a lovely week and that you enjoyed your birthday too! Thanks Trang
Hi Trang, thank you so much for making the time to comment, I really appreciate it a lot 💯 It's great to hear about your experience here and that really resonates with me too, especially about choosing similar styles or silhouettes for weekend/off-dury and becoming bored with it over time. I do remember when I first started working in the corporate environment, that Cue was the ultimate brand for me for workwear sophistication (and I'm sure for so many other women too) 🥰 I was so proud when I got my first piece from one of their stores! It's great you're getting more wear out of your pieces now, definitely a good feeling to have. Thank you again so much for watching and sharing your thoughts, I'm so happy I'm not the only one who has experienced this! Wishing you a wonderful new week ahead 🙋♀️
Hi Tina! 🙋♀️ I feel I'm slowly working to improve my colour palette too 🎨 Really happy you liked the tips and thank you for sharing your thoughts, I really appreciate it 😊
Such a great video Lauren! I can relate to losing my personal style. For many years I was consumed with building my business (I am a wedding cake designer by day) that I completely lost my way with fashion and lived in sweats and crocs because I get so messy in the kitchen (so embarrassing) but now I make sure to dress up any chance I get so I can feel more confident and polished. Thanks you so much for sharing your tips!
Hi Maria, thank you so much, it's lovely to hear your feedback 😊 and also to hear about your experience as well with your personal style journey 🤗 what an amazing job and business to have, very creative and delicious too! 🎂 I can understand why you would be careful when creating the wedding cakes as you wouldn't want to ruin your clothes so that makes sense! Love seeing the new pieces you have and how you style them too! 🙋♀️
Great summary! For me I've become of what colours suit me, while also my body size/shape changing with age, and growing out my natural silvers. I think a boho style is great on me but it's taking a long time to declutter the old (I really don't like button up shirts on me unless a very casual denim) and find pieces that suit me. It's a process!
Hi Lisa, thank you so much for making the time to watch and share your thoughts here, I really appreciate it ❤ Completely understand what you mean in relation to the time to decluttering...going through this myself at the moment too. Definitely is a process but hope you're finding it enjoyable and a way to get creative too! 🙋♀️
One wardrobe change I want to make is to get rid of the colors that I find difficult to style. I have a fairly small palette, but even some of these “good colors” for me just never seem to work with anything except white/cream. I want more outfits than that out of each garment.
That's a good change to be thinking about! Which colours or colour palette do you have at the moment out of interest? I remember you mentioned you have some turquoise/aqua items but weren't reaching for those as much?
Great video...I too just started capsule wardrobe in last 2 years but really understanding it in my 2nd year...Soo many more outfits and chic and classy... because of you I brought a stripe RL shirt like yours (without floral pattern) and I love it...thanks Lauren...
Hi Donna, thank you so much, I'm really happy you liked it and also glad you were able to add the shirt to your collection too, RL make great shirts 💕 It's also interesting to hear how your 2nd year with capsules is increasing your understanding with capsule wardrobes too - I feel there is so much to learn and explore on this topic! Wishing you a wonderful new week 🍀
Reason 3 for me I think depends where you work. I work at one for three largest music labels globally as a royalty analyst in the states. First day as a temp, literally came with a business suit but looking around me it was casual to business casual (still looked good lmao). Like I could wear T-shirt, a polo shirt, short to long sleeve to khaki pants/other type of pants except jeans. It was very interesting that it’s not a corporate environment that’s dress code is pretty liberal that I can feel comfortable to office/casual wear.
Hi Irvin, thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts and experiences, I really appreciate it 🙏 Totally agree it depends on where you work...I feel workplace's (even some of the corporates) have become slightly more relaxed in recent years with dress code, especially if you're not in a client facing role. But, I do believe it's better to be overdressed than underdressed, especially on your first day in a new job, as you never know what to expect! I would do the same 😉
Great video! Ditto with the style rut! I’m so used to work clothes during week and jeans and tee for weekend! Also, older and not sure what is suitable and doesn’t make me look like I’m trying to hard.
Thank you and so glad this resonates with you as well! 🙏 I think classic pieces are great at any age (like shirts, jeans, tees, knitwear, smart trousers) and then it's trying to add your own twist via accessories, footwear, jewellery. This is easier said than done for me at times 😳 I think how you feel in certain items also speaks volumes - as long as you feel great, that is all that matters! ❤
Hi there - new to your channel and really enjoying it! I am personally looking to make some changes to my jean collection. I want to embrace a more classic look - I'm not a college student anymore and am working to dress more like a lady! I was wondering if you have any guidance on selecting a good pair of go-to denim jeans. For example, what do you look for when choosing a pair? Do you have any brand/designer recommendations?
Hi Elisabeth! 🙋♀️ Thank you so much for making the time to watch and share your feedback, I really appreciate it 🙏 🤔 That's a really good question...I think for me I try to consider the style of jeans I'm looking for, at the moment I'm trying out different styles to my standard skinny leg jeans, e.g. straight leg, flared, high-waisted. 🎨 Second is the colour, so I'll consider if I need to introduce a new colour into my wardrobe. Usually I steer towards an indigo/dark blue denim colour - but I'm including white, cream, mid-blue as alternatives. ❤ For skinny leg jeans, my favourite brand is Ted Baker as I find the stretch in the material lasts a long time and they're made really well. I also have a pair of Lee skinny jeans which have lasted me many years. 👖 For straight leg and flares, I've recently purchased some from Sézane and have been really happy with the quality. I've also heard great things about denim from the Arket brand, so have placed an order for a couple of their regular straight leg in their cropped style. Waiting for the order on that to arrive, when it does I will create a video and share my thoughts on the jeans here on my channel. I think another thing to consider is body shape as well. I'm petite, so I know high-waisted jeans help with creating the illusion of height. Having a pair in white or cream is lovely for a fresh spring (or possibly summer) look. Black is obviously great for autumn and winter. And blue for all year round! 🧶 I'm also loving the "heavier" jeans which have a high cotton % in the fabric composition. I feel these jeans will last longer than those with a high elastane (or high stretch) composition. They seem to retain their structure well. Hope this helps, let me know if you have any questions 😘
@@LaurenGraceHarding This is all great, thank you for sharing! I have never shopped Sezane or Arket, so I will definitely check them out. Looking forward to hearing how your order turns out!
Such a nice video, Lauren. I can connect with most of the reasons :-) I also discovered the Austin pants by Sézane and it was completetly the same like for you. A step out of my comfort zone. Did you get them in another colour?
Thanks Susanna, it's lovely to hear your thoughts on this, much appreciated! 🙏 How great are the Austin pants! 🥰 Yes, I ended up purchasing the charcoal grey as well, so will be sharing those in an upcoming video! Which colourway in the Austin pants did you decide on?
@@LaurenGraceHarding ♥️♥️♥️♥️ Yes, they are so great! I got them in black and grey like you 🥰 I also like the rosewood colour…can‘t wait to watch your next video.
@@susanna4957 ooh we are pants twins, hehe! They are such great colours and yes, the rosewood also looks lovely 😍 The black and grey are almost sold out online, we're quite lucky to have added these to our collection
I hope this is useful and please let me know which reason out of the 10 resonates with you the most! 💯 Happy Sunday everyone 😘
I’ve noticed that a lot of women have chosen to grow out their natural hair color, after getting halfway there by not being able to access hair services during lockdown. Every woman I’ve seen looks better in her natural color, I think nature is the best colorist there is.
This is a real issue, especially with lockdown! I haven't been to the hairdresser since April I think as we've been in lockdown since June here in Sydney. I desperately need a haircut and to fix up my colour. I don't think I've gone so long without a cut in a long time 😳
I love your honesty with your own journey x
Hi Vicky! 🙋♀️ Thank you so much, I really appreciate your feedback a lot ❤ Wishing you a wonderful new week ahead 😘
I do think personal style is constantly evolving through life. At age 61, I find I want simple, classic, sophisticated items. I try to get items that will serve for a long time, so I’m careful about trends. My Boho and froufrou years are long past.
It really does evolve, it's fascinating how we individually change our preferences and perspectives throughout life! 💯
Hi Lauren. Thank you for sharing these very insightful tips. Over the last couple of years, I have been extremely intentional about creating a more cohesive wardrobe and buying pieces that can be worn for work and casually. I previously had a wardrobe that was very disproportionate because it comprised of 25% corporate professional attire and 75% casual/evening wear yet I spend most of my time at work. I ended up with mostly casual clothes because those were fun to shop for but now are not practical for my lifestyle. I
would recommend analyzing how much time you spend working vs activities where you can dress casually to determine which are practical and which to prioritize when adding new pieces to your wardrobe.
I’m also have been intentional about buying lighter shades of neutrals that flatter my skin tone because my wardrobe previously was comprised of mostly black, burgundy, red, and navy. I feel happier, more vibrant and feminine wearing shades of white, ivory, camel, etc. so I would recommend making sure that wardrobe color palates include both dark and lighter neutral shades.
Hi Nyeema! 🙋♀️ my pleasure and hope it was helpful 🙏 I love your suggestion about analyzing time between working vs activities, this will certainly help with wardrobe planning and styling too 💯
And also love your recommendation about having a great balance between the light and dark neutral shades too, that's important. I have done a wardrobe review of my clothes tonight and am putting together my new wish list for the months ahead - I'd love to incorporate more stone, beige and white 🤞 Its also helpful for me to hear about your experience as well, so thank you so much for making the time to share, I really appreciate it! 😘
Hello Lauren! Great video! I totally relate! My style changed as well in different time periods of my life, and as I used to collet a lot of clothes, I went through the realization that they didn't work for me any more and had to accept that there was no chance of wearing them again.
I would also add that from my experience, having too many clothes accessories, shoes etc can also make it difficult to create a cohesive style. The problem is that I like variety! Now with covid, I always change clothes when I get back home. I believe that a small capsule wardrobe will not work for me. But having multitudes of everything ( even though these are all nice pieces), it makes choosing an outfit difficult. I need to edit my wordrobe again, If i want to create a strong personal style, but it is difficult to choose what to part with!
Hi Katerina, thank you! So happy you liked this one 🤗 It's helpful to hear about your experience here as well and nice to know I'm not the only person going through this 🙏 I completely understand what you mean about how having too many items reduces the cohesiveness and this being a challenge when you like variety 💯 I get quite anxious when faced with too many choices myself, so I like to have a couple of options for each item but not too many... also I know what you mean about it feeling difficult to part with items! I need to do a wardrobe clear-out soon - if I haven't worn something in a few years (as in, before covid because lockdown has meant a lot of clothes haven't been worn) then I will need to be able to seriously justify why I should continue keeping an item. If it's not being worn the it's taking up valuable real estate in my wardrobe 😆 Thanks again so much for sharing your thoughts here, love hearing your take on this and your experience 💯
@@LaurenGraceHarding Loved the term "real estate" in my wordrobe! 😁😁😁This space is really too valuable to fill in with anything and everything!
It is stressful to see everything packed, and i am using thin hangers! I also have one more wordrobe (sits on top of my everyday wordrobe as it is divided in height) for out of season clothes, although my summer clothes take up half the space, (or i have less pieces than spring autumn and winter) . So I fill in the gap with unworn winter clothes. And i have one more wordrobe for coats, puffer jackets, and evening wear, (that i rarely wear!). So I need to buy more mindfully if i don't want to constantly de-clutter, as I do!
I have noticed though, that quite a few things that i don't wear any more, or not often enough, are good quality items (in terms of textile quality). The new which i have replaced them with, are not as good. I have coats bought almost 20yrs ago, that were 70% wool, and it was Zara, bought in a very reasonable price. A couple i bought last year from Marks and Spencer (a much better and more expensive quality British brand) have about 35% wool. These are fabulous coats, (not worn yet due to the lockdown) but i am wondering. Do i give away good quality clothes to replace with medium, just because they are old? Should i keep them all? But if i don't wear them as much what should I do?
If you try to buy a similar high quality garment, it will be from the brand's premium collection (all known brands) and the price has gone to the roof. Previously good quality was considered a standard, and the price was were the polyester garments are sold now.( So, i feel this is all done to increase profit to the brands) . At the end of the day what to keep and what to give away?
@@katerina.steiak hehe, glad you liked it - our clothes aren't paying rent to our closets! 😆 and yes, space is so valuable! I don't have a large closet myself (am preparing for my move to Paris in a few years where I anticipate I won't have a lot of space, so...I'm preparing in advance!)
It's good you can see your out of season clothes up top at a glance... mine are stored in two luggage suitcases (so I sometimes forget what's in there but I like that I'm using up the space in those or they would just be empty).
I feel like I have less summer clothes as well, compared to autumn and winter, but maybe it's because we wear thicker fabrics and more items during the cooler seasons. Also, outerwear takes up much more space... I also feel like I'm decluttering a lot, especially since 2019 - not sure if this is good or bad? 🤔 and I have event or "going out" wear that hasn't been worn in sooo long too (and not just because of lockdowns!) So I completely understand where you're coming from...
Re. the coats and quality of textiles changing over time, this is interesting...I've heard similar sentiments from other people as well, I think you've highlighted something important here...I'm not sure why the change over time. I know there's been a huge focus on fast fashion and a lot of production/manufacturing is done in certain countries whereas before certain production would be done in particular countries (like the UK for luxurious tweeds, for example). But still, not sure if those are contributing factors?
I wouldn't give away good quality clothes because they are old. My black trench coat from Jigsaw is honestly probably more than a decade old now, I've gotten so much use out of it and although there's signs of wear on the buttons, I could simply update those to freshen it up. I can't bring myself to buy another trench (I'd love one in a tan colour) as I know I want to invest in a Burberry one eventually - and if I bought one in tan now, I can't envision myself reaching for it when I do finally get a Burberry trench. So I'm holding out for that in the future! I wear my black Jigsaw trench coat each year though. I do have a few new coats I received last year as part of a fashion collaboration but they're not my "ideal" coat to be honest. They look lovely but I have decided I will sell those and then replace them with a more classic black or camel coat, as there's no point having them sitting in my wardrobe if I'm not loving/using them.
So I feel it comes down to usage of each item and how you feel wearing each piece. If you love your older coats or pieces and still reach for them each year, I'd suggest to keep them. Conversely, if you haven't worn them in 3 years (taking into account covid since 2020) then maybe it's time to let them go to a new home?
Another thing is purchases made during lockdown! 🙊 I've made quite a few purchases and whilst I'm happy with most, there are some items I wonder what was going through my mind! 😅 Maybe it's hindsight, maybe it's lockdown boredom or fatigue. I'm waiting until Sydney reopens again before deciding what to let go, as I might change my mind on some pieces once life returns to "normal" 🤞
What to keep and what to give away? It's the big question and I'm not sure any of us have the right answer but I love thinking about it!
I'd go for quality over quantity. Consider how you feel wearing each piece. Assess how long since you've worn it last. If it's new, maybe keep it for 1 year - if you haven't worn it then reconsider. If it still has tags on it, that's a warning sign but there may be a good reason for it not being worn. Look at the pieces you re-wear the most and keep those. And maybe create a spreadsheet to list each item you own. I did this and it really helps me monitor the current state of my wardrobe, analyse categories in terms of number of items, etc. Hope this helps, I loved hearing your thoughts and it's an interesting discussion for sure! 🙋♀️
@@LaurenGraceHarding I still smile when thinking the "real estate value" of my closet! ☺️☺️☺️Funny thing, I am an architect (studied in England) but since the first economic crisis, I am working in Real Estate! However, last year was a disaster! Not only i wasn't working i was e-shopping so much i really feel ashamed of myself! Quite a lot i bought is in the "what was i thinking" region!!! 🙄😳😁Or worse, my fantasy self! Some items I already sold, unworn. (Selling second hand items is a brand new concept in Greece!) Some i will probably sell but since i don't have much patience i already gave away some to friends. At least someone will appreciate and use them more than me. Some other pieces I expect to wear. Time will tell! About these "going out clothes" or going to a wedding /event /new year party, that are sitting there unworn, with the tags, that i bought because they were beautiful, and "who knows, i might get invited somewhere appropriate to wear it"? Not! With covid this hasn't happened for more than two years. And i realise that we go out less and less, and even when we do, people don't dress up as we used to 5 even 10 years ago!
I really appreciate the time you spent replying to me and especially the advice!😊😊😊
Making a list of everything I have, is a great idea!!!👍😀 However i feel dizzy and overwhelmed by having to face a huge list, to which i am responsible for its massive length.😱🤔 I definitely need to size down. The "how i feel factor" will play a good role on this! And how many times i was wearing an item. Although here there is a problem! I grew up with a mentality that you keep your" good " clothes for special occasions! So unconsciously many times i refrain from wearing a good shirt, coat, trenchcoat so that i won't ruin them! So i have unworn clothes that i love and they are great like my Ralf Lauren trenchcoat, which i keep (for what occasion really?) and wear all the others which are good but not as much! I kept buying trench coats even in lockdown (still unworn) . It has gone too far! I have decided to stop shopping, or at least become really mindful and picky before i start shopping clothes again. Especially after the last year's derailment!
Your approach to your favourite trench coat and your holding back until you get what you really want is the best! As a trench coatlover i do appreciate, and would wish to own one day a Burberry coat! (With all that mindless spending over the years i would have, but i was impulse buying!)
It will be fantastic to move to Paris! It is known that Parisian apartments/ bedrooms and closets are small! English were also! So get your best clothes with you! Actually that was a declutering question i used to ask myself! " If i was to move would i take this with me?"
So Paris awaits! Till then enjoy Australia, maybe show us some pictures from Sydney! Wear an outfit and take a picture in front of the Sydney opera for all of us who watch your channel and live abroad! If you can go out with the lock down, that is! Many thanks and good wishes to keep on going! If it makes you happy, it will make your viewers happy! ♥️
I'm hoping the market picks up for you soon 🏡🤞 And you're definitely not the only one who e-shopped this last year! I had a trip planned in 2020 and of course that got cancelled. I saved but did start trying to fill some gaps in my wardrobe, especially with knitwear.
That's interesting to hear it's a new concept in Greece! I think you would love it, do you have eBay, Depop or Poshmark over there? I usually set aside a day on a weekend probably each quarter and take photos of the items, measure them and do up the listings on eBay. It's definitely worth it and then you can save the money or reinvest it back into your wardrobe!
Time will surely tell - I have some going out pieces with tags still on them too 😅 for "just in case", so completely relate to what you described!
The list really helps me because I look at it from a numbers point if view. E.g. if I can see I have x19 knitwear pieces in comparison to x 3 trousers then I know, I need to stop buying knitwear and pick up a pair or two of trousers...then I look at which knitwear pieces I'm not wearing and consider whether to sell/donate. So it takes the emotion out of it, for me. It takes a bit of time to set up bit once it's done, very easy to maintain 💯
Ah the "saving for best" perspective! I can understand this....I think this approach is very much taken on by a lot of people, especially with your best pieces. It makes sense, as the less you wear something the better condition it's in...I guess it also helps to consider about "cost per wear" and "life is too short"! 😊 I support you with your reduced shopping approach at the moment! 🙌
I really feel if I could go back in time to when I first startedworking and shopping, rather than buy 10 pieces of items (which I no longer have), I'd invest in a lifelong classic, like the Burberry trench! But it's easy with hindsight
Yes, that's the question I'm asking myself too! 😄 I started intermediate level French last month, so need to finish this level before I can move but am planning to in the next few years. Looking forward to an adventure! 🤗
Thank you, I will definitely share some content of Sydney soon. I haven't taken any photos or videos for many months and am keen to share some here on the channel. I will be sure to include the Opera House for you as well, hopefully this month or next!
Lauren, this has been such a fantastic video that I’ve watched it a few times. Each time I watched, I found myself stopping to think about the reasons why I am not happy with my style. And I found myself agreeing with each of the ten points you mentioned. The video came at the perfect moment for me as I start my style journey. I’m tired of having a closet bursting with clothes and finding myself with nothing to wear.
Hi Cristina, happy weekend! 🙋♀️ Ah that's amazing feedback, thank you, it's wonderful to hear this helps! 🤗 Yes, me too! It's annoying when we have that "nothing to wear" feeling, yet we now there's clothes in the closet 😔 I feel like refreshing our style is a fun challenge though, we get to be creative and explore new things which is fun! Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, that means a lot to me 😘
Loved the video. It's so useful to ask yourself these questions and really think about wardrobe building and where to invest lol. I completely agree with investing in basics and it's something I'm currently working on. I definitely fall into the trap of buying the beautiful colours and patterns first without really thinking how it works in my wardrobe lol
Thank you Michelle! So happy you liked it and I can relate to what you mean about investing in basics now 💯 oh my gosh, me too! I did that with the Patti jumper from Sézane recently 😉🧶😆 so I'm still making mistakes here at there but a bit more aware about it than before, at least! Thanks again for watching and sharing your thoughts 😊 Wishing you a wonderful new week ahead
Great Video 👍🏻 I lost in 2020 42 Kilos an had to by anything new🙈 I was a EU/German 44 and now I am a 34. I am still in the Process to build an Capsule Wardrobe an my style changed completely, but now I know my coloring and Bodytype, what makes it easier to find Clothes as before my weightloss😊 Lovely Greetings from Germany 🙋🏼♀️
Hallo linchen! 🙋♀️ That must have been a transformation for you and your life, congratulations on your efforts 💯 I can imagine needing an entire new wardrobe must have felt daunting yet exciting at the same time for you? Definitely your research and knowledge with colours and body types would have helped you in creating your new style, so that's wonderful to hear 🤗 Thank you so much for sharing your experience here and wishing you a wonderful new week ahead! 🍀
@@LaurenGraceHarding Hi Lauren, yes ist was daunting, exciting and a little bit overwhelming😊 startet with black, white and grey and added slowly some pale pink, burgundy, navy, beige/cream and taupe. Thank you for your Video and a have a nice week ahead also❤️
@@linchen672 that is a gorgeous mix of colours you selected! Love them all 💕 Thank you! 😘
Hi Lauren, thank you for this great video! It summarised for me the different causes of why my style evolved and gave me some useful tips. I used to buy from the same brand all the time (e.g Cue) and so my silhouette always looked the same so I became bored with it as the dresses and suits I purchased for the office were often very fitted. I really didn't know what my style was and so for weekend/ casual events I experimented with similar fitted styles which didn't work out at all. I found purchasing clothing items that could not only be worn for work but also could be dressed down for casual scenarios has helped me get more wear out of my clothes. Wishing you a lovely week and that you enjoyed your birthday too! Thanks Trang
Hi Trang, thank you so much for making the time to comment, I really appreciate it a lot 💯 It's great to hear about your experience here and that really resonates with me too, especially about choosing similar styles or silhouettes for weekend/off-dury and becoming bored with it over time. I do remember when I first started working in the corporate environment, that Cue was the ultimate brand for me for workwear sophistication (and I'm sure for so many other women too) 🥰 I was so proud when I got my first piece from one of their stores! It's great you're getting more wear out of your pieces now, definitely a good feeling to have. Thank you again so much for watching and sharing your thoughts, I'm so happy I'm not the only one who has experienced this! Wishing you a wonderful new week ahead 🙋♀️
Definitely need to get my color palette right. Also investing in wardrobe basics. All the tips were helpful though. Thank you.
Hi Tina! 🙋♀️ I feel I'm slowly working to improve my colour palette too 🎨 Really happy you liked the tips and thank you for sharing your thoughts, I really appreciate it 😊
Such a great video Lauren! I can relate to losing my personal style. For many years I was consumed with building my business (I am a wedding cake designer by day) that I completely lost my way with fashion and lived in sweats and crocs because I get so messy in the kitchen (so embarrassing) but now I make sure to dress up any chance I get so I can feel more confident and polished. Thanks you so much for sharing your tips!
Hi Maria, thank you so much, it's lovely to hear your feedback 😊 and also to hear about your experience as well with your personal style journey 🤗 what an amazing job and business to have, very creative and delicious too! 🎂 I can understand why you would be careful when creating the wedding cakes as you wouldn't want to ruin your clothes so that makes sense! Love seeing the new pieces you have and how you style them too! 🙋♀️
Great summary! For me I've become of what colours suit me, while also my body size/shape changing with age, and growing out my natural silvers. I think a boho style is great on me but it's taking a long time to declutter the old (I really don't like button up shirts on me unless a very casual denim) and find pieces that suit me. It's a process!
Hi Lisa, thank you so much for making the time to watch and share your thoughts here, I really appreciate it ❤ Completely understand what you mean in relation to the time to decluttering...going through this myself at the moment too. Definitely is a process but hope you're finding it enjoyable and a way to get creative too! 🙋♀️
I’m very happy with my style, I just like to watch your videos!
Your comments make my day, Kimberly, thank you! 🤗
One wardrobe change I want to make is to get rid of the colors that I find difficult to style. I have a fairly small palette, but even some of these “good colors” for me just never seem to work with anything except white/cream. I want more outfits than that out of each garment.
That's a good change to be thinking about! Which colours or colour palette do you have at the moment out of interest? I remember you mentioned you have some turquoise/aqua items but weren't reaching for those as much?
Great video...I too just started capsule wardrobe in last 2 years but really understanding it in my 2nd year...Soo many more outfits and chic and classy... because of you I brought a stripe RL shirt like yours (without floral pattern) and I love it...thanks Lauren...
Hi Donna, thank you so much, I'm really happy you liked it and also glad you were able to add the shirt to your collection too, RL make great shirts 💕 It's also interesting to hear how your 2nd year with capsules is increasing your understanding with capsule wardrobes too - I feel there is so much to learn and explore on this topic! Wishing you a wonderful new week 🍀
Reason 3 for me I think depends where you work. I work at one for three largest music labels globally as a royalty analyst in the states. First day as a temp, literally came with a business suit but looking around me it was casual to business casual (still looked good lmao). Like I could wear T-shirt, a polo shirt, short to long sleeve to khaki pants/other type of pants except jeans. It was very interesting that it’s not a corporate environment that’s dress code is pretty liberal that I can feel comfortable to office/casual wear.
Hi Irvin, thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts and experiences, I really appreciate it 🙏 Totally agree it depends on where you work...I feel workplace's (even some of the corporates) have become slightly more relaxed in recent years with dress code, especially if you're not in a client facing role. But, I do believe it's better to be overdressed than underdressed, especially on your first day in a new job, as you never know what to expect! I would do the same 😉
Agree. I work in financial services and its very casual in my area of the business. Even when meeting customers, business casual is absolutely fine.
Hi Lisa, thanks for sharing your thoughts here, it's great to hear about what other's are experiencing 😀
I really enjoyed this content! I would include with basics your undergarments! My gosh these can break an outfit once they stop fitting properly.
Hi Sharon 🙋♀️ I'm really happy you liked it! 🙏 Thank you for sharing your suggestion here, I couldn't agree more with you on that! 💯
Great video! Ditto with the style rut! I’m so used to work clothes during week and jeans and tee for weekend! Also, older and not sure what is suitable and doesn’t make me look like I’m trying to hard.
Thank you and so glad this resonates with you as well! 🙏 I think classic pieces are great at any age (like shirts, jeans, tees, knitwear, smart trousers) and then it's trying to add your own twist via accessories, footwear, jewellery. This is easier said than done for me at times 😳 I think how you feel in certain items also speaks volumes - as long as you feel great, that is all that matters! ❤
Couldn’t agree with u more !
Thank you Adila and appreciate you making the time to watch and comment 🙏 Happy new week!
Hi Friend
Very nice sharing 👏
Stay safe Stay Connected 🙏 💕 👏
Hi there, thank you and so happy you liked it! 🙏
Great video and wonderful tips! 😍
Thank you Irena! Which tip did you find that resonated with you the most?! 💯
Lauren Grace Harding Not having a consistent colour palette
Hi there - new to your channel and really enjoying it! I am personally looking to make some changes to my jean collection. I want to embrace a more classic look - I'm not a college student anymore and am working to dress more like a lady! I was wondering if you have any guidance on selecting a good pair of go-to denim jeans. For example, what do you look for when choosing a pair? Do you have any brand/designer recommendations?
Hi Elisabeth! 🙋♀️ Thank you so much for making the time to watch and share your feedback, I really appreciate it 🙏
🤔 That's a really good question...I think for me I try to consider the style of jeans I'm looking for, at the moment I'm trying out different styles to my standard skinny leg jeans, e.g. straight leg, flared, high-waisted.
🎨 Second is the colour, so I'll consider if I need to introduce a new colour into my wardrobe. Usually I steer towards an indigo/dark blue denim colour - but I'm including white, cream, mid-blue as alternatives.
❤ For skinny leg jeans, my favourite brand is Ted Baker as I find the stretch in the material lasts a long time and they're made really well. I also have a pair of Lee skinny jeans which have lasted me many years. 👖 For straight leg and flares, I've recently purchased some from Sézane and have been really happy with the quality. I've also heard great things about denim from the Arket brand, so have placed an order for a couple of their regular straight leg in their cropped style. Waiting for the order on that to arrive, when it does I will create a video and share my thoughts on the jeans here on my channel.
I think another thing to consider is body shape as well. I'm petite, so I know high-waisted jeans help with creating the illusion of height. Having a pair in white or cream is lovely for a fresh spring (or possibly summer) look. Black is obviously great for autumn and winter. And blue for all year round!
🧶 I'm also loving the "heavier" jeans which have a high cotton % in the fabric composition. I feel these jeans will last longer than those with a high elastane (or high stretch) composition. They seem to retain their structure well. Hope this helps, let me know if you have any questions 😘
@@LaurenGraceHarding This is all great, thank you for sharing! I have never shopped Sezane or Arket, so I will definitely check them out. Looking forward to hearing how your order turns out!
My pleasure! Hope you enjoy your weekend 😘
Such a nice video, Lauren. I can connect with most of the reasons :-) I also discovered the Austin pants by Sézane and it was completetly the same like for you. A step out of my comfort zone. Did you get them in another colour?
Thanks Susanna, it's lovely to hear your thoughts on this, much appreciated! 🙏 How great are the Austin pants! 🥰 Yes, I ended up purchasing the charcoal grey as well, so will be sharing those in an upcoming video! Which colourway in the Austin pants did you decide on?
@@LaurenGraceHarding ♥️♥️♥️♥️ Yes, they are so great! I got them in black and grey like you 🥰 I also like the rosewood colour…can‘t wait to watch your next video.
@@susanna4957 ooh we are pants twins, hehe! They are such great colours and yes, the rosewood also looks lovely 😍 The black and grey are almost sold out online, we're quite lucky to have added these to our collection
@@LaurenGraceHarding 🥰🥰🥰♥️♥️♥️ Have a very nice day and a good upcoming week.
Thank you lovely! 🙋♀️
love it ❤❤❤
Thank you, really happy you liked it 🤗