8. When life changes, so do your clothes

I’m writing this sipping a coffee in my pretty newish (tiny) little garden. I ask myself, can I call it a garden if it has no grass? Well, it’s the most gardeny garden I have ever had so that’s good enough for me.

It’s not quite so ‘styled’ today - as I look around. This photo was taken a few weekends ago, when we had friends over - my first proper chance to bring all the bits together. The bits I have spent so much time mulling over, internet searching for and waiting to arrive.

The joy of building slowly.

However, don’t be fooled - I am definitely not green-fingered. But I am very much enjoying this new part of my life in Devon and I am learning. Doing up my little garden is helping me slow down a little, and realise not everything has to be completed and ticked off yesterday.

Since moving to Devon and through this process; I have really been thinking about how much our clothes change/ need to change when life changes?

Arket Oversized Sweater; H&M Heavy Linen Culottes (similar from COS); Monclear Sunglasses, I got mine from Secret Sales; Birkenstock Arizona.

Moving to Devon mid-COVID, shifted a lot for me. At the same time, I have been shifting my work to a slower, more intentional long-term styling approach with clients who also want to build a style with more intention.

And more recently if I am really honest with myself, perhaps I have changed too.

It takes time to shift our mindset from buying for the person we used to be and the life we used to have.

Even without house moves or big life changes, our way of doing things - particularly our clothes - stick with us for so many reasons.

Thinking about our clothes through a frame that serves life RIGHT NOW is a hard thing to do. It makes us face things that perhaps are hard.

This is the most ‘dressy’ I have been in weeks - A white COS Tee (the best quality Tee’s), An old much loved Warehouse Army jacket (similar here), A Vintage gold chain from a market in Mexico, Jeans are the ‘Editor’ Jeans from Topshop; Sandals from Dune & Bag is my most recent purchase from Smaak Amsterdam - The ‘Ravel’ in Limestone.

Here are a couple of style frames (ways of thinking) I have seen that can hold your style back.

Being drawn to clothes that serve a life you used to have (my own personal frame right now).

Wanting to buy for a shape or size you used to be that feels JUST out of reach but not being able to let go.

Having fond memories of a particular time of your life and wanting more of these clothes to make you feel good but not actually getting wear from them.

Feeling stuck in any out-of-date pattern that doesn’t feel good - with shapes, lengths, ideas.

Questions to consider:

Am I truly buying for the life I have?

Do I have items to turn to in my everyday that feel effortless but still stylish to me?

Are there any patterns to what I buy or where I shop that feel out of line for me now?

If I was introduced to some new and interesting brands, would I buy what I have been buying?

What 3 brands really feel most like they serve my current day-to-day life?

Here are a couple of the brands I am enjoying and how I have been styling them as I have been making my own transition.

BIRKENSTOCK

Birkenstock Arizona Suede Sandal (Soft Bed version for my wide dodgy feet)

White Agolde Low Rise Baggy Jeans (Post coming soon); Birkenstock Arizona Sandals; Coach ‘Tabby’ Bag; Black Zara Long Sleeve Top (old); Missoma Earrings (similar here); Ray Bans.

ARKET

Arket Oversized Sweater in Grey

Arket Oversized Sweater; H&M heavy Linen culottes, Monclear Sunglasses. I will definitely be wearing my Birkenstocks with this outfit aswell :-)

ROTATE

Rotate Iris Crew Sweatshirt

Rotate ‘Iris’ Sweater; White Agolde Low Rise Jeans in ‘Milkshake’ shortened to suit; Coach ‘Tabby’ Bag; Zara Loafers (old, similar here from Bobbies).

AMERICAN VINTAGE

American Vintage is a new brand for me to buy. Their sets :-) There is something about a matching set that feels more luxe and dressed even though it is essentially still a tracksuit! Here is one I love. There is an outlet in Kildare Village, which is where I first tried.

Keep exploring your style! Would love to know your thoughts below or drop me a mail anytime - hi@juliecobbe.ie

Big Love,

Julie x