This year has been a bit of a weird one for me. I've completely fallen out of love with the fashion industry and the whole circus around it, and gone back to basics. There was a time when this was unthinkable though, where I'd be out on the high street every week, devouring the latest offerings. At one stage, I was actually finding Topshop bags under the bed filled with still-tagged clothes and receipts from months ago. Yet still, I'd find myself falling in to that most cliched of traps:
"I have nothing to wear..."
How could it be, that I'm buying so much, yet when it comes to the simplest of tasks - dressing myself - my mind is drawing a complete blank? And so it was, that the third time I found a shopping bag full of tagged clothes and a receipt dating back a month or so, I decided: "I've had enuf."
I stopped buying clothes, I didn't so much as stop by for a cursory glance at the shops that had given me so much joy in the past, because it was never really joy. It was accumulation for the sake of accumulation, and I wasn't going to be about that life anymore.
Besides, I'd noticed that fashion is so fickle and really does work in cycles. Today's trend is out of fashion tomorrow, but back in vogue the day after, and during that time you've bought today, thrown it out, bought tomorrow, thrown it out and bought today again. I've never really been about trends or seasons anyway, I was just constantly buying things that looked pretty - to the point I was buying too much and literally stuffing it under the bed and forgetting about it.
What brings me joy now is makeup, because makeup is different to fashion in that sense. Sure there are cycles of repetition, but with makeup there's genuine innovation, real competition and disruption from smaller, independent brands - like Phee's Makeup Shop, and her Luxe Highlighter in Gloaming that I'm wearing in these photos, it's just beautiful and shiny AF.
I have started to buy clothes again though, mostly online, but I'm only buying things that I actually need. I'm not thinking twice before I buy anymore, I'm thinking three or four times - 'Is this worth it, am I going to wear it more than once?' If the answer is no, it doesn't get bought. The three wardrobes I currently have are due to be stripped back down to two, and actually I'm feeling pretty excited about that. The dreaded "What shall I wear today/tonight?" question, no longer sparks a three hour internal debate - it's over within minutes. You don't need to stick to the same combinations: a jacket, for example, can be worn in so many different ways.
17 comments
YES! I love this post. Good for you! I'm more into makeup at the moment too. xx
ReplyDeleteLove this Lima, I can totally relate! I've been trying to curb my spending habits on fast fashion too, your tips will definitely help and inspire me <3
ReplyDeleteAndini xx | Adventures of an Anglophile
I love this post. I've been stripping back my own wardrobe (hoarding more than excessive spending, but it's still the same sort of thing) and I'm definitely leaning towards more investment pieces if I do decide to get anything, or things that I know will get more than one wear out of. Buying on a whim just because X is trending or Y is wearing it is pretty ridic, when you actually start to look at things.
ReplyDeleteFii | little miss fii | uk fashion & lifestyle
such a good post! i need to cut down on my wardrobe so bad! classic hoarding is my issue! http://sarahinwonderlust.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/the-clothes-show-2016.html
ReplyDeleteI love what you are wearing. You look fabulous. Nice bag :)
ReplyDeleteBeauty and Fashion Freaks
Love this post! I stopped paying attention to fashion ages ago, I was a textile student and used to be completely wrapped up in it. It's refreshing to leave the circus behind and not stress about wearing the same thing twice!
ReplyDeleteLooks great! love this look!
ReplyDeleteYes yes yes - I mean, I still buy clothes but I try to pick classic, basic things that will complement items I already own! And I have a weakness for soft knitwear too. Conversely I used to be even worse with makeup, buying hundreds of lipsticks, eyeshadows, blushes, foundations, always looking for the holy grail. I've really cut down over the last 2 years and now only buy when I've used something up! Often the blogging/social media environment encourages to spend spend spend and there is a pressure to keep up. But over the last couple of years I've tried to invest more in moments than material things. I'm not quite there yet (I still nurse a slight ASOS addiction) but I'm much better than I used to be and I hope my blog reflects that!
ReplyDeleteAlso - LOVE the photos in this post, they're simply perfection xxx
Hooray! I've recently stripped down my wardrobe massively and it's actually a joy getting ready in the mornings. I only have clothes I like and that mix well. Makes it much easier when half asleep at 6am. I do still have a few fun things, just for the craic though. Makeup is much more fun to play with :)
ReplyDeleteHonestly Aine
I had the same epiphany earlier this year! But I think I've also come to the point where I need to stop buying beauty products lol. Aaaand I need new winter clothes since I haven't bought any. Anyways love the look and your lipstick shade! It pairs so well with the blush palette of your outfit :)
ReplyDeleteMili | Sharmtoaster
Your layers look so comfy and chic!! Love it!
ReplyDeletexx
Lauren
Blame It On Barneys
http://www.blameitonbarneys.com
You look so beautiful! Your scenery is stunning as well. Just well done for such perfect pictures you! I totally am on board with the whole fashion industry, I now wear what I wanna wear whenever I wanna wear it, even if it is tracksuit bottoms or a ski suit (dont ask).
ReplyDeleteYeah for Phee's makeup, shes such a little cutie as well. x
Halima I can relate to this post a lot, although I was never massively into fashion, makeup always drew me in because I was fascinated by the art of it and how a totally natural look or a really dramatic look could subtly/boldly shift the dynamic of just about anybody! I adore your style and makeup artistry, as I frequently can't help gushing to you xD Stunning photography too, I'm so happy I stumbled across you on IG cause now I can spend a good half an hour reading your beautiful blog and feeling even more inspired ^_^
ReplyDeleteIqra | The Blushing Giraffe x
OMG, this is so me!! I love this post and can totally relate.
ReplyDeleteXo,
www.chiclyyours.com
I know exactly what you mean. I always tell myself I have nothing to wear even though I have clothes bursting out of my wardrobe. I love makeup too but I am not as talented as you in that department!
ReplyDeleteOh and your hair looks so pretty in this picture too xxx
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fadedspring.co.uk
Love this post! I always tell myself I have nothing to wear too even though I have two closets full of clothes. I'm trying to only buy things I really need now and things that are true to my personal style.
ReplyDelete❤
Emma Amitis