Notes on Styling | 62 | Feeling like you in your holiday clothes.
and some things I've been enjoying wearing in Paris.
I had a conversation with a client a while ago that’s stuck with me. It was about summer holiday/ warm weather dressing; that part of our wardrobes and those items we tend to see as ‘away’ items, when we are out of our normal day-to-day lives - and crucially there might actually be some sunshine!
She asked me, ‘If I’m realigning my style, I’m not sure how I feel about all those things I own for holidays that don’t feel like me anymore?’
I have to admit, I had to stop and think about answering this one as best I could because things are changing for my lovely client and feeling like items are out of sync is part of this process of change - it’s normal. But also, life goes on and a new direction takes time, patience and practically, money.
The reality is, our lives and our wardrobes will always have more than one defining direction, more than one goal or purpose and there will also always be items we have bought that we look at (even without taking any style journey) that feel a bit difficult to know how we feel about, like you are coming through some clouds into a new version of who you are.
Should you move these clothes on? Answer - Not if the clothes make you feel happy when you wear them in that context (holidays or whatever) and at that time.
We all have those ‘wild card’ items and outfits for holidays or trips. The floral slip dress we would never dare wear at home? The colour yellow for when we have that tan? Exploring around the style edges of our style is what holidays can be about, but it’s also lovely to have more self-awareness, style goals and intention to help you make decisions like this and know what feels good to you. Maybe for you, this will mean letting go of things. Or, maybe on holidays, it feels good to you to play with lots of things you would not wear at home.
Once you put on some of these items you own, that perhaps you have not worn since last year or longer, just remember, that how you feel in them is your answer.
Here in Paris, (yes, still here!) I have been saving little videos to share with you of a couple of the outfit formulas that have been feeling nice to me, on the days the sun has been shining!
I too have items from the past that I’ve been questioning, that were bought for reasons specific to that time, without a bigger style picture in mind. Being in Paris (for you this applies to wherever you might take a trip too this Summer) has been a chance to keep a little track of what feels good, to reflect on how many of those wild card items do get enjoyed that I packed (or not) and to use this trip to lean into my own Style Design & the outfit formulas that give me more of the feeling I love in my clothes.
Julie x
P.S A reminder of my Style Words that help guide me - Natural, Effortless & Elevated.
OUTFIT 1
The Tee-Shirt Dress + Comfy Shoes + Interesting Accessories.
My day-to-day popping out in Paris usually involves bringing the doggie and so this simple formula just works. It’s a small, no fuss bag, a dog lead!, a comfy dress and natural-feeling sandals! I’ve been living in this long stipe tee shirt dress from Arket (similar here). I have it since last summer but it’s the perfect balance of natural and still a little elevated for me. I bought in a L - I like it loose to tick that effortless box. To me, this dress would feel entirely different if it was too fitted or snug!
I usually wear it with this little Sessun bag (other options here), which was a great Spring buy. (I also love this little lavender bag from the Smaak Amsderdam sale, or this one.) While I like my clothes to feel minimal and natural, I do like a little something to elevate or add interest, hence the textured/ interesting cool tones in this little bag. I’m living in this dress with my black suede Birkenstocks or black Havaianas. The little necklace is a find from a market on holidays many moons ago.
OUTFIT 2
The High Waisted Long Linen Skirt + Crop Top + Sandals + Textured Bag.
I bought this lovely heavy linen skirt from COS (with slits and pockets) in Paris and I’ve hit gold with it for my style. It’s just so me. It seems to be sold out but here are some others I really like - This Oat Linen maxi skirt from Pixie Market. The Amalfi skirt in Black Linen from Asceno (be careful of VAT & duties). The Ula Maxi Cargo skirt from Hush Clothing.
When you love an item so much you just recreate the same outfit formula with little tweaks, you know you are onto a wardrobe winner. One of my favourite little summer season things to do is to stock up on some high street crop tops because for me, it’s always a really high waist in bottoms, whether that’s a skirt or trousers. When I was home in the UK recently, I popped into Primark with about 15 minutes to spend and honestly bought 6 or 7 little tops like this one I’m wearing above. They will get covered in sun lotion no doubt, will have the dog climbing all over them and day to day just work and feel nice. I’m not precious about them. I also like one or two ‘nicer’ options too - like this little knit bralette from COS.
OUTFIT 3
Comfy Jumpsuit + Ray Bans + Trainers.
I was too busy eating ice cream to take a video of this one ;-) but I have been loving this Uniqlo jumpsuit. It feels natural and loose and effortless but still a little elevated to me with nice sunnies and my Novesta trainers. This particular day, my only accessory was the dog! This jumpsuit comes with a belt, which I immediately took off. I don’t like anything that draws attention to my hips or tries to cinch me in too much at the waist - the feeling must be natural and effortless! I bought in a Medium.
(This little place, Folderol is a must visit in Paris. They only serve ice-cream and wine and both are delicious!).
OUTFIT 4
Long Loose dress in a neutral colour + Interesting Bag + Flip Flops + Sunnies.
I have this full length Samsoe Samsoe dress for 5 or 6 years (similar here and I also really love this one). It washes really well, has a lovely textured feel and little rope straps that I love. But in truth, I feel lovely in this dress because I get to lean into feeling natural & fuss-free! I don’t even wear a bra! - perfect summer outfit for me right here lol! The lighter colour feels elevated & chic to me. I play with the bag depending on whether I want to dress it up a little. Last night I swapped my havaiana flip-flops for cream leather mules I have from Jigsaw and swapped my Sessun cross body bag for my textured Zara bag. I love how it’s the little things that change the feeling of something but still remaining true to your style.
OUTFIT 5
A Denim Dress + Nice Sunnies + Trainers.
Ok, I usually wear this dress with my Birkenstocks day to day but this video was taken on a dog walk. I do love that it works just as well with trainers as with sandals.
Perfect for the Wood part of my style personality (needs to work, move, be practical!)
I bought this little denim dress last year when visiting a friend in Copenhagen. It’s from a Danish brand called MSCH, which I have spoken about here before. I bought in a large. It’s a little big under the sleeve but to be honest that’s part of what I love. It feel so EASY and relaxed. The denim feels natural and effortless to me and it’s got pockets!
This denim dress is nice if you like the idea of a longer-length denim dress. I also love this pinafore style. Nobody’s Child have lots of different shapes and styles here.
The little bag is my dog walking bag from Uniqlo (truly the best throw-over-your-shoulder bag, which they keep bringing out new versions of).
To circle back to that conversation. I think it’s interesting that once you begin to align your style in a way that feels clear to you, it begins to get easier to see pieces that give you more of what feels good. That’s not to say other items can’t get worn and enjoyed but you are bringing more self-awareness to your ‘why’. Over time, I do think it feels best when more of what you buy and have for those ‘sunny’ trips feel aligned with your style, just like you want to feel at home but also what’s styling without a little fun and experimentation and play?
Only you know how much of that feels good to you.
Final thoughts:
Change takes time. If you are realigning your everyday style at home, concentrate on that for now and enjoy all those summer clothes that may not feel perfectly you anymore. Eat the elephant one bite at a time.
Reflecting on the little videos I’ve been saving of my favourite summer items so far, in truth these outfits do lean into my Style Design mostly and my style words are the core guiding part of that - natural, effortless, elevated.
Enjoy bringing self-awareness to your clothes and outfits. The clothes never lie and you will feel what you feel! You can’t make something feel good if it doesn’t.
When your style feels aligned, you realise you need a lot less items than you think for a great holiday capsule. Great pieces that just feel like you, also bring a feeling of flexibility and creativity in wearing them different ways, that other pieces don’t.
We all have a ‘wild card’ part of ourselves that’s built into our Style Design. It’s why the 5 Elements of Feng Shui are so good to help give us a framework of understanding to break things down and help us draw on what we need and when - both for buying and styling our outfits.
Thanks for being here as always. If you enjoyed this week’s post, please do share with friends and as always I love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Speak to you soon and happy styling!
Julie x
Lots of food for thought, Julie! I love the examples: holiday and summer clothes. And I love your suggestions that guide us to how we feel as the deciding factor whether to keep or pitch. Beautiful piece and it has me thinking. Thank you so much.