Style From My 20’s to my 30’s

So lately I’ve found myself at a bit of a crossroads when it comes to my closet… I look in there and feel like a lot of the stuff “just doesn’t fit ME anymore” and I don’t mean physically. I couldn’t really put my finger on why exactly I was feeling this way. Until I was talking with a friend about it and she mentioned her struggle with her closet from her 20’s to her 30’s. And the light bulb went on. That was exactly how I was feeling, like suddenly I joined the 30 club and nothing in my closet felt right. 

I turned the big 3-0 this year and I also had a baby.. And I feel like both of those things sort of put me into a style crisis where I really don’t have anything that “fits” those two things. And boy, has having a baby propelled me into scrambling to build up a new wardrobe and PURGE ALL THINGS. I blame my late night nursing shopping on all the packages that have been coming to it seems daily, but in reality, I am just trying to find myself and put together a new style. 

So what has changed when it comes to my style? 

“Trendy” Prints to Classic Neutrals

If you were to take a look in my closet, the vast majority of it is prints. I gravitate towards prints and I really don’t know WHY I naturally wanted to do this. Prints are great, however, it is hard to pick and choose what prints are going to be trendy this season and prints that are going to be timeless. Most prints also don’t lend well to mixing and matching outfits nearly as well as neutrals do. For things like traveling, this makes it difficult because you are limited on how many outfit combinations you can utilize. I don’t think I have bought anything printed in quite some time, but have been slowly building up a closet of neutral pieces I can mix and match. 

Inexpensive Items Every Season

For a long, long time I was your classic Target, Old Navy, inexpensive big box store shopper. It was easy to find things while I was already there and it was inexpensive. But after a couple wears of items and certainly after a season of wear, these items were ready for the donate or throw away pile. They just didn’t last. I am not sure why it is so difficult for us to accept the fact that spending on one pair of designer, well made jeans that will last years versus buying up several cheapies every season is a much better strategy. But I guess we get sticker shock and then go with the cheaper ones. Or we want instant gratification versus saving up for that higher priced item. Either way, this is something I have been trying to get better at. Investing in pieces that will last and are quality. A good way to pick up these items is to watch for sales or buy things out of season! 

Getting Rid of Anything that Resembles Club Wear

Last time I went to a “club” I felt insanely old and ridiculously out of place. Needless to say, that time of my life is long gone. And so are the clothes that go with it. Instead, I look for more sophisticated and classic pieces that can be worn at a variety of events like weddings, funerals, date nights, showers, Holidays, etc. 

Spending on Essential Items

Much like my fascination with prints, I also avoided buying anything that seemed “essential” simply because I didn’t want to spend money on it. I wanted to spend money on fun! But staples are important because much like classic neutrals, they go with everything. This could be anything from a great pair of ballet flats to the perfect cardigan or even a classic wool coat. Since moving to North Dakota, my staple items have expanded greatly to include a GOOD winter coat and boots as well as things like quality pullovers, wool socks, and base layers. Anything to keep this California girl warm. Although these things may not be “fun”, they are essential! 

My NEw Style Must Haves

So what is this “new style” of mine? Well here’s a roundup list of things I now consider MUST HAVES in my closet

• Basic White Tee (other solid colors are great too)
• Comfortable, Good Quality Jeans that fit great
• Quality pair of Leggings that will last
• Button Down Shirts (solids, simple stripe, and chambray)
• Sweaters (lightweight and more heavy, quality)
• Cardigans (solids and quality material)
• Classic Black Dress
• Simple Printed Dress
• Shirt Dress (solid or classic print) 
• Wool or Wool Blend Coat
• Good Quality Winter Coat
• Moto Jacket (leather or faux)
• Cute Vest (Quilted, Puffer, Sherpa, etc.) 
• Quality Pull Over
• Ballet Flats
• Booties or Tall Boots
• Slides or Mules
• Slip on Tennis Shoes or Loafers (like Sperry’s)

SHOP MY STYLE

To give you an idea of some of the things I have been looking at, buying, and drooling over when it comes to this “new style” I’ve found in my 30’s, I put together a lookbook of items that fit the “new me” style. 

** May contain affiliate links ** 

What would you consider to be essentials in your closet? Did you experience a style crisis from your 20’s to your 30’s?