Old and New Favourites

pattern mixing

I’m wearing what has almost become my ‘uniform’: the relaxed knitted joggers and a striped top. I seem to be wearing this exact combo at least 3-5 times a week. Mainly because I’ve packed most of my clothes away, and this is what I wear at home. You know, when I’m packing…

OK, I admit: this is also what I wear to work these days. Mainly because I’ve packed most of my clothes away… I know, I’m repeating myself. Sartorially and verbally.

casual chic over 50autumn casual chic

Yes, I’ve packed away the coat you see here. The bag, too. And the sunglasses and the gloves. All I have left is a very small selection of boring basics (suitable for packing, my new, all-consuming hobby).

But I haven’t packed away the scarf. Mainly because it’s new, and I plan to wear it all the time for the next couple of weeks.

I now what you’re thinking: “It’s new? But it looks like something you’ve had forever. Or like all the other cashmere scarves you have.” Or maybe that was my husband saying that. That’s what he usually says when I buy something: that it looks like something I already have…

Trust me, there’s nothing as effective as moving to force you to take stock of your possessions and face the uncomfortable truth: nobody needs half a dozen striped tops…

wool coat 1300 x 1000

Outfit details:
coat: Sand (old) / cashmere scarf: Balmuir / top: Selected Femme (old) / joggers: Repeat /
bag: Coccinelle / sunglasses: Longchamp/ gloves: Global Accessories (old) / shoes: Ecco (old)

Tiina

Do you wear all of your clothes? Or do you have clothes you never wear but still keep in your closet?

PS: Have you seen the latest Dilettante Artist post, “November Mood”?

Linking up with:

Elegantly Dressed and StylishHigh Latitude StyleA Labour of LifeCurly Crafty Mom, Doused in Pink,  Not Dressed As LambLiving on Cloud NineElegance and Mommyhood, Nancy’s Fashion StyleShelbee on the EdgeA Pocketful of Polka Dots Style SplashAway from the BlueMummabstylish Mutton Years Style and I, Confessions of a Montreal Styling DivaIndependent Fashion Bloggers

22 Comments

  1. Natalie
    15 November 2020 / 7:34 pm

    LOVE your leather gloves. Such a beautiful color! I haven’t been able to find this color in the states. I see a burgandy here with a purple cast. Not my color! Love your scarf as well. Just keep packing and everything will fall into place. God bless!

    • Tiina
      Author
      18 November 2020 / 4:53 pm

      Thanks, Natalie. I know what you mean: have several accessories, scarves, cardigans etc in burgundy, and they’re all different shades! Some are a bit bluish, some more brownish… It’s challenging trying to match these different tones sometimes to wear them in the same outfit.

  2. q
    15 November 2020 / 8:03 pm

    If your husband does not recognise new scarf, just the opposite happened to me today: I wore a wore a ten year old cardigan and my younger daughter greeted it cheerily “Oh you have got a new cardigan”. Even if I try to wear all my clothes, I’ve to be honest, some of them are worn more often than others. This specific cardigan has been saved for “occasions” as it has silky top attached to it (that was sort of trendy eh.. ten years ago) and has open neckline. Not very easy top for office, but it has potential as remote office wear for winter. -q

    • Tiina
      Author
      18 November 2020 / 4:57 pm

      Oh well, old stuff looks new again when it’s been out of sight long enough… And 10 years is a long time for your daughter, so it’s no wonder she couldn’t remember it. I sometimes find old clothes I’d completely forgot about hidden at the back of the closet. Unfortunately, they seldom look ‘new’ enough, or appealing enough, to wear again.

  3. 16 November 2020 / 7:09 pm

    Hope your packing will come to an end asap!
    I do love this outfit, the striped top, the accessories, the burgundy gloves and scarf (even if it looks ‘familiar’ to your husband, but this is a colour that fits you so nicely!).
    One of the few positive things about packing is that you can see the real amount of stuff you own. I had to cope with the real volume of my own wardrobe and it was an eye-opening experience. I didn’t buy new stuff for months after our last move. I’m still following the general rule of ‘one in-two out’. But old habits die hard.
    besos

    • Tiina
      Author
      18 November 2020 / 5:02 pm

      I’m so tired of packing, and it seems that there’s an endless supply of stuff. I keep wondering where it comes from; it’ as if stuff somehow multiplies in our closets…

  4. mireilleftm
    17 November 2020 / 4:21 pm

    I think that it is ok to by similar items when you know that you will wear them. There are certain types of things that usually call my name when shopping .
    http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

    • Tiina
      Author
      18 November 2020 / 5:03 pm

      Absolutely! I definitely have a ‘type’ when it comes to clothes. Still, half a dozen striped t-shirts is too much…

  5. arlene gomes
    19 November 2020 / 6:46 pm

    I had a joke going with my daughter about how many different striped tops I could wear in a week. So I know what you mean. You have alot of coats so your outfit always looks different every day. And you also have alot of scarves which really changes up the look. It seems you are very good at picking accessories that change your look even if you are wearing a striped top under the coat. We are all probably doing the same thing – wearing casual clothing around the house (and also outdoors). It’s ok with me! We are now experiencing the worse covid days and not many people are out and about. I just grab a casual, clean sweater or top and some comfy pants and ‘m ok with that. Hope everything is good with you and that you are staying safe and healthy. Arlene from NJ

    • Tiina L
      Author
      14 December 2020 / 7:30 pm

      Thanks, Arlene. Yes, I have a lot of coats (too many, I think, now that I had to pack them all and unpack them again and try to store them somewhere…). I decluttered my stash of striped t-shirts, though. And as much as I love accessories, moving house has really made me want to streamline my collection. Maybe I’m just a it overwhelmed at this point and will get back to my senses soon.

  6. 21 November 2020 / 8:57 am

    Well, half a douzen isn’t that much. It all depends on the size of the washer. Our is so huge that if I had only so much tights as I had when living in Europe, I wouldn’t have any after two weeks. It takes three weeks to fill a load of dark and a month for light clothes. And it was the smallest available in town!

    • Tiina L
      Author
      14 December 2020 / 7:35 pm

      That’s a huge washing machine! I don’t have a washing machine as there’s a laundry room in the building I live in (that’s standard in apartment buildings in Finland). It’s the closet space that is usually the bigger issue here.

  7. 21 November 2020 / 9:52 am

    I used to have an overabundance of grey tees. Since I started whittling it down I only have a handful, but now I find I have an awful lot of striped tops, haha! I think that they are a staple and everyone is a little different – so easy to justify, especially when I wear stripes a lot!

    That scarf is lovely too, it goes so well with your coat 🙂

    Thanks so much for joining the #WeekdayWearLinkup! Hope you are having a great weekend 🙂

    • Tiina L
      Author
      14 December 2020 / 7:37 pm

      Yes, it makes sense to have a few extras, especially when it comes to closet staples, doesn’t it?

  8. shelbeeontheedge1
    21 November 2020 / 3:34 pm

    Tiina, I absolutely love this outfit combination! That coat is gorgeous and the colors are so perfect together. But I will admit that I am that person who owns probably 2 dozen striped tees! Overconsumption much? Yep, that would be me! Thanks for linking up.

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • Tiina L
      Author
      14 December 2020 / 7:40 pm

      Thank you! I used to have a quite a few t-shirts, but I’m in serious decluttering mode now (you know, moving house, too little storage space, having to face my clutter…) and whittling them down gradually.

  9. NATALIE
    21 November 2020 / 9:47 pm

    Oh wow! That brings back memories! The German washing machine by BOSCH we had was so small as well as the dryer! I also remember getting used to shopping with the small fridge and freezer. We adjusted! I shopped every other day atleast.

    • Tiina L
      Author
      14 December 2020 / 7:44 pm

      I suppose it depends how easy it is to get to the shops. I prefer to buy less as I have to carry everything (no car). Also, if the fridge is too full, I can’t find anything and end up wasting a lot of food!

  10. thestylesplash
    27 November 2020 / 10:51 pm

    I love that coat, and it works so well with the striped top and burgundy accessories. I have loads of clothes in my wardrobe (and several suitcases) that I rarely wear – I’m hoping I’ll get more wear out of them next year…providing Covid goes away! Thanks for linking up!

    Emma xxx
    http://www.style-splash.com

    • Tiina L
      Author
      14 December 2020 / 7:50 pm

      Thanks, Emma! I always feel a bit guilty for not wearing something, it seems so wasteful. Maybe that’s why I’m so eager to get rid of anything I don’t seem to wear; hide my sins, so to speak…

    • Tiina L
      Author
      14 December 2020 / 7:51 pm

      Thanks, Ada!. I suppose we all have our sartorial favourites, something we wear over and over again.

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