I love the point about wearing midi dresses and people commenting that you're overdressed. Every single time I wear a skirt or dress, I get asked why I'm dressed up. I don't really get it, wearing a dress is less work than planning a top and bottom, it's easier! I need to remember that thinking I'm overdressed is a them problem, not a me problem.
Love your channel. I'm now an old lady but was very blessed to buy very good quality, classic clothes during my professional life. Except for one period when I believed "if you haven't worn it in a year get rid of it!", which I have regretted many times, I still have everything--& with some tweaks, it's pretty much back in style! So my advice is buy wisely and keep it all. It's an incentive to keep your figure, too!
Im 40 and have clothes that I bought when I was 32. They still fit - just differently. This is an amazing tip, investing in quality and longevity. I’d only add that I’ve never bought clothes that are too tight, hence any body changes due to aging or having children etc that naturally occur havent really gotten in the way of wearing my older clothes and they look just as new if you take good care of them! ☺️
Unless you have extremely limited storage, I hate the universal advice to get rid of things after a year. Maybe get rid of the cheap, low quality stuff, but the high quality clothing/bags/shoes you will miss in a few years.
I’m writing a novel. Sorry. I’ve been reflecting a lot lately and here’s what I’ve realized about myself. In middle school, I spent one year trying desperately to fit in and make people like me and be like the most popular girls. The second year, I kinda came into my own and got comfortable with myself and made friends that I genuinely liked. The third year, I didn’t care what people thought and wore the weirdest stuff ever-a 60s psychedelic polyester shirt and some pants I made out of these 70s floral curtains. I think that’s kinda how my adulthood has gone too. My 20s I was unsure of myself, I had my daughter at 21 and kept the toxic relationship with her dad for the rest of my 20s. I’d try making friends as a grown up, but that was so much harder, especially with a crazy boyfriend. Your 30s are great. I recognized a lot of my traits and preferences during this decade, from physical to mental to romantic. I really got to know myself and made some amazing friendships. I just turned 40 last year, but I’ve already started to just do what makes me happy and not care about what other people think. I do think the most important things I’ve learned as far as style goes are -wear whatever makes you happy and confident -learn what flatters you, colors and silhouettes, but don’t let it rule you. You don’t always have to dress flatteringly. I’m a soft dramatic, but that is soooooo not my vibe. I can do the flared jeans and try to make sure I have a waist in most outfits, but so many of the outfits feel like stuff my 50 year old mother in law was wearing in 2008, no offense if you like it, I just don’t. I do wear my seasonal colors though. I’m a bright winter, but I wear all of the winter colors. I just use the dark winter palette like they’re neutrals. -choose natural over plastic whenever possible-cotton, silk, cashmere, wool is always going to feel and wear better than acrylics and polyesters -buy second hand whenever you can-you’ll be able to afford better quality pieces and potentially save something from the landfill. -if you’re going to buy new, research, save for the best you can reasonably get, and be super selective. If I’m going to spend a lot of money on something, I want to support businesses that share my ethics and values and make things that will last potentially for the rest of my life. -learn to fix things or how to find people who can. Practical things like mending a sweater or patching a hole in your jeans, cleaning your own leather, learning how to handwash your dry clean items or clean leather pieces, and resoling shoes. But also fun things like embroidering or hand painting things, turning a sheet or some curtains into a dress or some pants, dying clothes that may have become faded or stained or boring, and altering things to better fit your body or style. Sorry to go on for so long, tldr have fun, buy quality pieces that make you feel good and learn how to best take care of them. ❤
Your videos are getting better and better! I've been especially enjoying your content recently!! You've grown so much this year as a youtuber, reflecting more on purchases and style, instead of hauls only, which also can be enjoyable from time to time. I guess you are finding your niche! I'd love top see more french fashion and midsize related lookbooks / outfits.
In my 40s and having done both color and style analysis, I agree that knowing your style (essence) is incredibly valuable. I wish I had done it years ago. I am 6’ tall and very angular and now realize why romantic, feminine, floral, etc items never worked on me. Give me ALL the geometric, sleek and angular items! BUT, I will say I found color analysis extremely valuable too. While I don’t always stick exactly to it, I CAN see how dramatically certain colors enhance my natural features. It’s tool, not a rule. But sticking to that palette does help me feel my best, save money, and make my wardrobe more cohesive.
"It's not your body type or your season, it's your essence" 👏🏻yes!! Absolutely loved this video, I found it to be such refreshing response to a lot of the style tips I've seen shared online recently and full of hard-won, amazing advice. ❤
41- I think the most important style lesson I’ve learned is to always have 1-3 high quality outfits on hand for every occasion in my life so that I don’t scramble right before something. Ex: always have a funeral outfit and coat, always have something you can wear to a semi-casual wedding and a formal wedding, always have nude shoes that look nice but can be worn all day, etc. This way I’m always prepared for life, but I don’t have so many options that I get overwhelmed and my wardrobe isn’t unmanageable. Future me always appreciates past me for taking care of business without the pressure. I have purchased so many outfits last minute and then never wore again because I didn’t actually like them, they just satisfied an urgent need.
Over the decades my lifestyle has changed so much, my weight fluctuated, my hair style and color changed, my career demanded a different work uniform, my appearance constantly changed per year even per season, and many other factors will change my appearance and influence my choices of wardrobe but there are definitely things that will always remain constant and have stayed with me for years. Those are my best shoes, bags, jewelry and coats. They are all simple but versatile, boring yet timeless, repetitive yet most worn, expensive but best investments. They are not all luxury brands but their quality does feel like it. I still feel comfortable wearing them and when I feel comfortable, I will feel more confident.
I’m 37, and loved the point about “timeless style” and always looking back and cringing. I kinda fell into that earlier this year, trying to gather basics. However, I have always enjoyed eclectic and somewhat edgy clothing, and enjoy trying trends. Too many “timeless basics” made me feel like my outfits didn’t have my personality woven into them and I didn’t feel great. I really love looking back on outfits from decades past, the cringe is part of the fun, and it shows that I wasn’t afraid to show off what I felt good in!
I completely agree with you about capsule wardrobes and that most influencers always look like they are heading into a 9-5 office job! Haha. I’m a lawyer and tend to wear the shirts & blazers when i go into work but would hate to wear the same corporate clothes on weekends!
"Just because it's expensive (or from a luxury brand) doesn't mean it's good quality." So true Katie Louise! I was just in a posh consignment store and didn't find a thing worth investing in. There are a LOT of luxury/expensive pieces that are vulgar/ugly/unflattering/made of garbage etc. It's a shame that high schools don't have mandatory "home-ec" courses any more. In my day, both genders had to take both cooking and sewing classes for at least a year in high school - not only did we learn about budgeting, how to read a recipe/pattern and how to make basic clothing repairs (buttons, hems) - we learned what goes into making a durable / quality sewn piece. Even if we hated the classes (!) they were great life skills.
I have a young co worker who was going to thrift her blouse because a couple buttons had fallen off even though she still loved it. I helped her pick out a new packet of even nicer buttons ($2) and showed her how to sew them on. She's so happy because it feels like a new blouse and that's cool, glad I could help. Sad to think, though, if she hadn't coincidentally mentioned her issue to me, she'd have gotten rid of a perfectly good blouse owing to a lack of skill most people would have had 20/30 years ago.
Very much enjoyed the different point of view in this video; it is thought provoking. The idea of a capsule wardrobe is appealing because I travel frequently for extended periods of time. The "rules" say that if you have a blazer in your capsule it should be camel, navy, or black. However, I love purples, from pale lavender to dark, saturated purple. My winter capsule includes a tailored wool tweed lavender blazer. I feel amazing when I wear it and it goes with jeans, trousers, skirts, and dresses.
Also, I couldn't agree more with the samey samey lists of basics - they literally *can't* flatter all of us. The best fashion advice I've gotten is exactly this - figure out your own style and silhouette and dress to flatter YOU. e.g., nothing makes *me* look worse than camel, tan or beige. No, actually, I really don't need a camel cashmere sweater, nor any sort of "crisp button-down" or wide legged trousers. None of these pieces will ever in a million years look good on me so I'm going to sit those "must haves" out. forever 😉
Im 40 and still found your video to be helpful and inspiring! Thank you for all your honest reviews in 2024 and looking forward to watching more of your videos in 2025. Happy New Year!
Your critique of the capsule wardrobe “essentials” is so real. As a stay at home wife/soon to be mom, it would simply be odd for me to be doing my Walmart/Costco trips in a trousers and a blazer 😂 even when I was working, it was too overdressed most of the time for my office. Lifestyle and personal aesthetic are far more important factors!
Great message! Knowing what makes you feel comfortable and confident is so important. I always look for inspiration but I also find it’s important to not fight your body shape. Find what suits you best in terms of silhouette and always work your style around those silhouettes. And quality always. There are so many great entrepreneurs with great lines. They key is finding them.
Amazing video with such a knowledgeable content! I’m only slightly older than you, will be 32 next year and I have to say I understand much more about myself and my style since I turned 30. I really admire your style and get so much inspiration from you! I just discovered you this year and I’m really looking forward to watch more of your videos in coming months! Happy new year Katie!
So much of this is truly facts that I don't think many people realize until they reach their thirties and beyond. I love color analysis and how those colors truly brighten my face in a healthy way. Without makeup on and the style of clothes I like to wear I'm constantly having people think I'm still in high school. Considering I'm twice that age it makes me laugh and boosts my confidence in how I choose to represent myself to the world. Granted, people don't take me seriously but being a woman they never have anyway so not much had changed on that front. I'd love to get an essence analysis done too but I know the basics that I do and don't like on my body so that'll have to wait until I can fit it in financially. I see color and essence analysis as tools that help me shop in ways that make me feel like myself. I'll use these tools a bit out-of-the-box at times but I believe that's moments where I'm really leaning into my own individual style. I love that trends are moving toward people being their authentic selves instead of looking like everyone else for a moment in time. We all deserve to shine in whatever colors and fashion combinations make us smile. Who cares if it makes others question our decisions? The ones doing so would probably nitpick how off our "fashion sense" was even if it fit their ideals. Be you and rock it 🤘🏼
Agree on the “essentials”, I don’t need/want/possess a blazer anymore, since I am not working in consulting, also a t-shirt is just a piece of cloth to wear around the house for me.
Great tips! I can totally relate to the hair-dyeing one! From the ages of 15 to about 24, I cycled between being blonde, ginger, and brunette. Now, I'm happy with my natural mousy dark blonde/brunette hair (which coincidentally is the "in" colour). I'm just glad to no longer have regrowth after 6 weeks or the eye-watering costs of hair salons and the time wasted waiting for it to take or putting highlights in (granted I did use box dye for some of those years). Now just a quick hair wash and I get an instant refresh! So until I grow grey (I'm 33 so not any time soon), I'm not wasting the effort on that anymore 😉
Wonderful advice! The first piece I ever bought from Sezane was a white button-down shirt, thanks to all these “essentials” lists that made me think I needed one. Well, turns out that I love the shirt but despise how I look wearing crisp white. Virtually any other color is better on me. Now I have to decide whether to sell the shirt or consider dyeing it to suit me better.
Never get rid of items that are good quality and fit you, even if you have not worn them a year of two. Oh I have so many regrets that i gave away when i was in my twenties as I would so like to wear them now (no matter that I´m going to be 50 in less than two years). When I was in my twenties i thought that shoes and bag had to match in colour, always. Thank god I do not think like that any more. I also wore ultra high heels all the time and thought that flat shoes look ugly, I did not own any sneakers nor trousers. Those times have luckily in the past :) Have a wonderful New Year!
Katie I loved your thoughts on the capsule wardrobe. I agree with what you talked about. Earlier in the year, in an effort to simplify, I was trying to implement the capsule wardrobe concepts, but I found that wearing only the basics weren’t suited to my vibe. I admire people who enjoy doing capsule wardrobe lifestyles, but personally I am someone who enjoys having more than the limited basics. So as of now I try to employ principles of a capsule but I do not limit myself strictly. Besides “hustle culture” workwear doesn’t suit everyone’s physiques. I found this to be my case, as I have a youthful or petite essence. Great ideas in this one! 🫶
Loved every point you made in this video! Especially the bit about embracing natural features and only feeling a little vulnerable the first time you wear a new item. Also, the bit about essence. All the points lol
This was my first year of being chronically online among style content so there were a lot of good and bad changes for me 😅 The one thing I've learnt is not to focus on "problems" and "mistakes" to solve all the time and appreciate what I have. I don't need additional stress in my life from literal pieces of fabric lol, keep it light and fun instead.
I totally agree with finding the 'essence' of style. I have similar features with a rounder softer face. I would love to see recommendations for more office/blazer style clothing for softer features in your future videos! I love office wear but I just find I can't pull off the traditional collared shirt & blazer look. I loved this video talk alot, happy new year as well!
I didn’t get interested in clothes until I was 40. Man I wish I could go back in time and tell myself that I’ll feel so much better if I just put in 20% more effort.
Those were great advices Katie! I especially appritiate when someone advices against everyone looking the same, I'm so tired of being adviced to wear white t-shirt in every occation, it is something I don't wear at all, the only times I ever wore that thing is at p.e. classes and I'd like it to stay that way😂. Being in my early forties I can't say I learned something new but I enjoyed the video and complitely agree with all the points you made!
Such a good video! I really like the thought that went into this - something different and very heartfelt...giving us lots to think about! I am twice your age and finally think I am figuring out my style!
Also turning 30 next year. I don’t regret my style because it’s fun to make fun of myself for being trendy or trying too hard but I do wish I was more careful with my money and who I was supporting. There’s so much greenwashing in the last 5 years. Next year I’m doing a low - no buy and invest my money on businesses and travel experiences. Fashion was fun before covid and tiktok.
I agree with you on essence. I was a hard-driven business woman in corporate settings, and I looked best in business wear and suits. I always looked like I was "walking into a business office", as you say. I think that clothing manufacturers are now catering to working women who have to look put together for their jobs and then need to go out for dinner or stop on the way home for an errand. They also have the money to spend on clothes. If you work at the corner store, you don't need those clothes and you can't afford them anyway. I'm 71 now, and while I prefer those business looks, I can't afford them anymore and they are just not necessary for retired life.
I am in my fifties so I’m a bit past 30. I have learned that I look best with my natural hair color. I used to use highlights, but everyone loves my natural color. I have dark green eyes and they popped when I went natural. I have developed my own style as I’ve gotten older. Your style changes as you age and it’s a fun journey. I would love suggestions on spotting quality. Thanks for the suggestions.
Loved the video, some really great tips that I will definitely take into 2025! I giggled at the colour analysis comment as I literally just did one online to help me work out what might suit me because I feel clueless when it comes to colours 😂Also the capsule wardrobe essentials haha maybe those minimal basics have always worked for me because I do work in an office, never really thought of it that way!
You are spot on about finding your essence. I love your content and bought a Nobody's child puffed sleeved dress this summer because I loved how it looked on you. Unfortunately, I do not have romantic essence nor rounded features and I feel out of place in it. I will probably end up selling or gifting it. Lesson learned, I still love your content but are more conscious about what might look good on you or any other influencer may not suit me the same way.
I'm over 30 and my tip is NOT to asume I need to get rid of some items just because it's old. Some clothes are really timeless, and you don't use them that much, especially if you take good care of it. I used to think: OK, this jeans are 2 years old - I need new ones. But when I looked closely, they were just fine, and not used or damged at all. That's a good thing to remember for the new year :)
I love quality and I also feel different wearing something natural over synthethic, but maybe if we take the time to learn how SO MUCH wool (and other animal derived fabrics) are produced we would not feel like we are wearing luxury. Look into mulesing one of the most common practices in the wool industry in developed country (and thats just one of the issues) and see if you will still associate it with luxury.
I've never cringed at my old outfits because I've never followed trends. I've always worn what I liked at that particular time in my life and I can look back fondly knowing I was happy and comfortable NOT being 'trendy' - I really do feel for the younger generations (yourself included, I'm almost 40) who care SO much about what other people think - the only reason to wear trendy clothing, imo, is so that you can be regarded by others in a certain way. I still own most of what I wore 10+ years ago, and it still looks great because it suits my personality and body shape. If I wore what was trending at any given time, sure, I'd look back and cringe about how little personality I had because I wore what everyone else wore and not what I genuinely liked. Gen Z (and subsequent generations) really are fucked.
That’s kinda my point though! Wear what you like and you’ll look back fondly - even if it’s not what you would wear in the present moment. 😊 I wouldn’t say I dress particularly trendy at all, but I’ll probably dress slightly differently in another ten years (whilst keeping a few of the same pieces). Im a millennial but I’m also more optimistic than to brandish a whole generation as ‘fucked’. Sure, Gen Z may be succumbing more to trends and quicker trend cycles than previously, but they also thrift and DIY clothing far more than previous generations
amen to the "insipid influencers" and capsule wardrobe point! I always laugh at these "capsule wardrobe videos" that come up every single month... in the end it's a huge wardrobe divided in monthly capsules. Not to mention it's often boring, neutral, and copy-paste (but only if you're skinny lol)...
I did like your comment regarding not being able to see how you look all day, but knowing how you feel. I have always preferred my clothing to be comfortable And suit my taste, but I still, to this day, at 49, occasionally snap and buy e.g. a gorgeous, slightly itchy mohair sweater. Then I wear it twice, and stare at it multiple mornings, trying to psych myself up to tolerate the end of day itch for the look. It's not worth it.
I remember when Marks and Sparks sold great quality garments. I’m not saying it’s all rubbish but the small store in my town is absolutely full of synthetics. I won a voucher at work this Christmas for m& s and ended up buying food as I couldn’t find one item which spoke quality. It’s a shame. Other larger stores perhaps have the capacity for more premium items
@@katie_louiseI have a pair of suede black heeled leather boots from years ago that I bought in m&s. They are as good as new one of my best ever buys. Especially as I bought them in the sale donkey years ago. As you say I have really developed a spider sense recognising what suits me and what I know would be a fantasy item. 😊
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I love the point about wearing midi dresses and people commenting that you're overdressed. Every single time I wear a skirt or dress, I get asked why I'm dressed up. I don't really get it, wearing a dress is less work than planning a top and bottom, it's easier! I need to remember that thinking I'm overdressed is a them problem, not a me problem.
hehe I agree with you! Dresses are my 'lazy' option - just throw on and go :')
Exactly!! This makes me feel so seen!
Completely agree! Dresses are easier! And frequently more comfortable.
"You don't truly know what you look like, but you always know how you feel" - LOVE that !!
Love your channel. I'm now an old lady but was very blessed to buy very good quality, classic clothes during my professional life. Except for one period when I believed "if you haven't worn it in a year get rid of it!", which I have regretted many times, I still have everything--& with some tweaks, it's pretty much back in style! So my advice is buy wisely and keep it all. It's an incentive to keep your figure, too!
Im 40 and have clothes that
I bought when I was 32. They still fit - just differently. This is an amazing tip, investing in quality and longevity. I’d only add that I’ve never bought clothes that are too tight, hence any body changes due to aging or having children etc that naturally occur havent really gotten in the way of wearing my older clothes and they look just as new if you take good care of them! ☺️
Unless you have extremely limited storage, I hate the universal advice to get rid of things after a year. Maybe get rid of the cheap, low quality stuff, but the high quality clothing/bags/shoes you will miss in a few years.
I’m writing a novel. Sorry.
I’ve been reflecting a lot lately and here’s what I’ve realized about myself. In middle school, I spent one year trying desperately to fit in and make people like me and be like the most popular girls. The second year, I kinda came into my own and got comfortable with myself and made friends that I genuinely liked. The third year, I didn’t care what people thought and wore the weirdest stuff ever-a 60s psychedelic polyester shirt and some pants I made out of these 70s floral curtains.
I think that’s kinda how my adulthood has gone too. My 20s I was unsure of myself, I had my daughter at 21 and kept the toxic relationship with her dad for the rest of my 20s. I’d try making friends as a grown up, but that was so much harder, especially with a crazy boyfriend. Your 30s are great. I recognized a lot of my traits and preferences during this decade, from physical to mental to romantic. I really got to know myself and made some amazing friendships. I just turned 40 last year, but I’ve already started to just do what makes me happy and not care about what other people think.
I do think the most important things I’ve learned as far as style goes are
-wear whatever makes you happy and confident
-learn what flatters you, colors and silhouettes, but don’t let it rule you. You don’t always have to dress flatteringly. I’m a soft dramatic, but that is soooooo not my vibe. I can do the flared jeans and try to make sure I have a waist in most outfits, but so many of the outfits feel like stuff my 50 year old mother in law was wearing in 2008, no offense if you like it, I just don’t. I do wear my seasonal colors though. I’m a bright winter, but I wear all of the winter colors. I just use the dark winter palette like they’re neutrals.
-choose natural over plastic whenever possible-cotton, silk, cashmere, wool is always going to feel and wear better than acrylics and polyesters
-buy second hand whenever you can-you’ll be able to afford better quality pieces and potentially save something from the landfill.
-if you’re going to buy new, research, save for the best you can reasonably get, and be super selective. If I’m going to spend a lot of money on something, I want to support businesses that share my ethics and values and make things that will last potentially for the rest of my life.
-learn to fix things or how to find people who can. Practical things like mending a sweater or patching a hole in your jeans, cleaning your own leather, learning how to handwash your dry clean items or clean leather pieces, and resoling shoes. But also fun things like embroidering or hand painting things, turning a sheet or some curtains into a dress or some pants, dying clothes that may have become faded or stained or boring, and altering things to better fit your body or style.
Sorry to go on for so long, tldr have fun, buy quality pieces that make you feel good and learn how to best take care of them. ❤
Your videos are getting better and better! I've been especially enjoying your content recently!! You've grown so much this year as a youtuber, reflecting more on purchases and style, instead of hauls only, which also can be enjoyable from time to time. I guess you are finding your niche!
I'd love top see more french fashion and midsize related lookbooks / outfits.
In my 40s and having done both color and style analysis, I agree that knowing your style (essence) is incredibly valuable. I wish I had done it years ago. I am 6’ tall and very angular and now realize why romantic, feminine, floral, etc items never worked on me. Give me ALL the geometric, sleek and angular items! BUT, I will say I found color analysis extremely valuable too. While I don’t always stick exactly to it, I CAN see how dramatically certain colors enhance my natural features. It’s tool, not a rule. But sticking to that palette does help me feel my best, save money, and make my wardrobe more cohesive.
"It's not your body type or your season, it's your essence" 👏🏻yes!! Absolutely loved this video, I found it to be such refreshing response to a lot of the style tips I've seen shared online recently and full of hard-won, amazing advice. ❤
41- I think the most important style lesson I’ve learned is to always have 1-3 high quality outfits on hand for every occasion in my life so that I don’t scramble right before something. Ex: always have a funeral outfit and coat, always have something you can wear to a semi-casual wedding and a formal wedding, always have nude shoes that look nice but can be worn all day, etc. This way I’m always prepared for life, but I don’t have so many options that I get overwhelmed and my wardrobe isn’t unmanageable. Future me always appreciates past me for taking care of business without the pressure. I have purchased so many outfits last minute and then never wore again because I didn’t actually like them, they just satisfied an urgent need.
Over the decades my lifestyle has changed so much, my weight fluctuated, my hair style and color changed, my career demanded a different work uniform, my appearance constantly changed per year even per season, and many other factors will change my appearance and influence my choices of wardrobe but there are definitely things that will always remain constant and have stayed with me for years. Those are my best shoes, bags, jewelry and coats. They are all simple but versatile, boring yet timeless, repetitive yet most worn, expensive but best investments. They are not all luxury brands but their quality does feel like it. I still feel comfortable wearing them and when I feel comfortable, I will feel more confident.
I’m 37, and loved the point about “timeless style” and always looking back and cringing. I kinda fell into that earlier this year, trying to gather basics. However, I have always enjoyed eclectic and somewhat edgy clothing, and enjoy trying trends. Too many “timeless basics” made me feel like my outfits didn’t have my personality woven into them and I didn’t feel great. I really love looking back on outfits from decades past, the cringe is part of the fun, and it shows that I wasn’t afraid to show off what I felt good in!
I completely agree with you about capsule wardrobes and that most influencers always look like they are heading into a 9-5 office job! Haha. I’m a lawyer and tend to wear the shirts & blazers when i go into work but would hate to wear the same corporate clothes on weekends!
"Just because it's expensive (or from a luxury brand) doesn't mean it's good quality." So true Katie Louise! I was just in a posh consignment store and didn't find a thing worth investing in. There are a LOT of luxury/expensive pieces that are vulgar/ugly/unflattering/made of garbage etc. It's a shame that high schools don't have mandatory "home-ec" courses any more. In my day, both genders had to take both cooking and sewing classes for at least a year in high school - not only did we learn about budgeting, how to read a recipe/pattern and how to make basic clothing repairs (buttons, hems) - we learned what goes into making a durable / quality sewn piece. Even if we hated the classes (!) they were great life skills.
I have a young co worker who was going to thrift her blouse because a couple buttons had fallen off even though she still loved it. I helped her pick out a new packet of even nicer buttons ($2) and showed her how to sew them on. She's so happy because it feels like a new blouse and that's cool, glad I could help. Sad to think, though, if she hadn't coincidentally mentioned her issue to me, she'd have gotten rid of a perfectly good blouse owing to a lack of skill most people would have had 20/30 years ago.
Very much enjoyed the different point of view in this video; it is thought provoking. The idea of a capsule wardrobe is appealing because I travel frequently for extended periods of time. The "rules" say that if you have a blazer in your capsule it should be camel, navy, or black. However, I love purples, from pale lavender to dark, saturated purple. My winter capsule includes a tailored wool tweed lavender blazer. I feel amazing when I wear it and it goes with jeans, trousers, skirts, and dresses.
Also, I couldn't agree more with the samey samey lists of basics - they literally *can't* flatter all of us. The best fashion advice I've gotten is exactly this - figure out your own style and silhouette and dress to flatter YOU. e.g., nothing makes *me* look worse than camel, tan or beige. No, actually, I really don't need a camel cashmere sweater, nor any sort of "crisp button-down" or wide legged trousers. None of these pieces will ever in a million years look good on me so I'm going to sit those "must haves" out. forever 😉
Im 40 and still found your video to be helpful and inspiring! Thank you for all your honest reviews in 2024 and looking forward to watching more of your videos in 2025. Happy New Year!
Your critique of the capsule wardrobe “essentials” is so real. As a stay at home wife/soon to be mom, it would simply be odd for me to be doing my Walmart/Costco trips in a trousers and a blazer 😂 even when I was working, it was too overdressed most of the time for my office. Lifestyle and personal aesthetic are far more important factors!
Great message! Knowing what makes you feel comfortable and confident is so important. I always look for inspiration but I also find it’s important to not fight your body shape. Find what suits you best in terms of silhouette and always work your style around those silhouettes. And quality always. There are so many great entrepreneurs with great lines. They key is finding them.
Amazing video with such a knowledgeable content! I’m only slightly older than you, will be 32 next year and I have to say I understand much more about myself and my style since I turned 30. I really admire your style and get so much inspiration from you! I just discovered you this year and I’m really looking forward to watch more of your videos in coming months! Happy new year Katie!
So much of this is truly facts that I don't think many people realize until they reach their thirties and beyond. I love color analysis and how those colors truly brighten my face in a healthy way. Without makeup on and the style of clothes I like to wear I'm constantly having people think I'm still in high school. Considering I'm twice that age it makes me laugh and boosts my confidence in how I choose to represent myself to the world. Granted, people don't take me seriously but being a woman they never have anyway so not much had changed on that front. I'd love to get an essence analysis done too but I know the basics that I do and don't like on my body so that'll have to wait until I can fit it in financially. I see color and essence analysis as tools that help me shop in ways that make me feel like myself. I'll use these tools a bit out-of-the-box at times but I believe that's moments where I'm really leaning into my own individual style. I love that trends are moving toward people being their authentic selves instead of looking like everyone else for a moment in time. We all deserve to shine in whatever colors and fashion combinations make us smile. Who cares if it makes others question our decisions? The ones doing so would probably nitpick how off our "fashion sense" was even if it fit their ideals. Be you and rock it 🤘🏼
Agree on the “essentials”, I don’t need/want/possess a blazer anymore, since I am not working in consulting, also a t-shirt is just a piece of cloth to wear around the house for me.
Thank you for enlightening us about the capsule wardrobe. You’re so right!
You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful :)
Great tips! I can totally relate to the hair-dyeing one! From the ages of 15 to about 24, I cycled between being blonde, ginger, and brunette. Now, I'm happy with my natural mousy dark blonde/brunette hair (which coincidentally is the "in" colour). I'm just glad to no longer have regrowth after 6 weeks or the eye-watering costs of hair salons and the time wasted waiting for it to take or putting highlights in (granted I did use box dye for some of those years). Now just a quick hair wash and I get an instant refresh! So until I grow grey (I'm 33 so not any time soon), I'm not wasting the effort on that anymore 😉
Wonderful advice! The first piece I ever bought from Sezane was a white button-down shirt, thanks to all these “essentials” lists that made me think I needed one. Well, turns out that I love the shirt but despise how I look wearing crisp white. Virtually any other color is better on me. Now I have to decide whether to sell the shirt or consider dyeing it to suit me better.
Never get rid of items that are good quality and fit you, even if you have not worn them a year of two. Oh I have so many regrets that i gave away when i was in my twenties as I would so like to wear them now (no matter that I´m going to be 50 in less than two years). When I was in my twenties i thought that shoes and bag had to match in colour, always. Thank god I do not think like that any more. I also wore ultra high heels all the time and thought that flat shoes look ugly, I did not own any sneakers nor trousers. Those times have luckily in the past :) Have a wonderful New Year!
Katie I loved your thoughts on the capsule wardrobe. I agree with what you talked about. Earlier in the year, in an effort to simplify, I was trying to implement the capsule wardrobe concepts, but I found that wearing only the basics weren’t suited to my vibe. I admire people who enjoy doing capsule wardrobe lifestyles, but personally I am someone who enjoys having more than the limited basics. So as of now I try to employ principles of a capsule but I do not limit myself strictly. Besides “hustle culture” workwear doesn’t suit everyone’s physiques. I found this to be my case, as I have a youthful or petite essence. Great ideas in this one! 🫶
Loved the point about knowing your essence. Never thought about it but makes sense now!
Loved every point you made in this video! Especially the bit about embracing natural features and only feeling a little vulnerable the first time you wear a new item. Also, the bit about essence. All the points lol
This was my first year of being chronically online among style content so there were a lot of good and bad changes for me 😅 The one thing I've learnt is not to focus on "problems" and "mistakes" to solve all the time and appreciate what I have. I don't need additional stress in my life from literal pieces of fabric lol, keep it light and fun instead.
I totally agree with finding the 'essence' of style. I have similar features with a rounder softer face. I would love to see recommendations for more office/blazer style clothing for softer features in your future videos! I love office wear but I just find I can't pull off the traditional collared shirt & blazer look. I loved this video talk alot, happy new year as well!
Hi Katie, what a great video! I love all the points you made. you are so well spoken and delivered your message beautifully. xo
I didn’t get interested in clothes until I was 40. Man I wish I could go back in time and tell myself that I’ll feel so much better if I just put in 20% more effort.
I adore following your personal style journey and you have taught me so much!
Those were great advices Katie! I especially appritiate when someone advices against everyone looking the same, I'm so tired of being adviced to wear white t-shirt in every occation, it is something I don't wear at all, the only times I ever wore that thing is at p.e. classes and I'd like it to stay that way😂. Being in my early forties I can't say I learned something new but I enjoyed the video and complitely agree with all the points you made!
Spot on video! You’re a modern day Snow White! Happy New Year!
Such a good video! I really like the thought that went into this - something different and very heartfelt...giving us lots to think about! I am twice your age and finally think I am figuring out my style!
Happy birthday in advance, Katie! I couldn't agree more on the quality vs price point. I keep seeing 100 euro 100% polyester coats and it's painful.
Also turning 30 next year. I don’t regret my style because it’s fun to make fun of myself for being trendy or trying too hard but I do wish I was more careful with my money and who I was supporting. There’s so much greenwashing in the last 5 years. Next year I’m doing a low - no buy and invest my money on businesses and travel experiences. Fashion was fun before covid and tiktok.
Wise words, happy birthday lady!🥰
Wise words. Thank you.
I agree with you on essence. I was a hard-driven business woman in corporate settings, and I looked best in business wear and suits. I always looked like I was "walking into a business office", as you say. I think that clothing manufacturers are now catering to working women who have to look put together for their jobs and then need to go out for dinner or stop on the way home for an errand. They also have the money to spend on clothes. If you work at the corner store, you don't need those clothes and you can't afford them anyway. I'm 71 now, and while I prefer those business looks, I can't afford them anymore and they are just not necessary for retired life.
I am in my fifties so I’m a bit past 30. I have learned that I look best with my natural hair color. I used to use highlights, but everyone loves my natural color. I have dark green eyes and they popped when I went natural. I have developed my own style as I’ve gotten older. Your style changes as you age and it’s a fun journey. I would love suggestions on spotting quality. Thanks for the suggestions.
omg songmont sponsor!! congrats! I might have to splurge now...
They are great!! 🤍
Loved the video, some really great tips that I will definitely take into 2025! I giggled at the colour analysis comment as I literally just did one online to help me work out what might suit me because I feel clueless when it comes to colours 😂Also the capsule wardrobe essentials haha maybe those minimal basics have always worked for me because I do work in an office, never really thought of it that way!
You are spot on about finding your essence. I love your content and bought a Nobody's child puffed sleeved dress this summer because I loved how it looked on you. Unfortunately, I do not have romantic essence nor rounded features and I feel out of place in it. I will probably end up selling or gifting it. Lesson learned, I still love your content but are more conscious about what might look good on you or any other influencer may not suit me the same way.
I'm over 30 and my tip is NOT to asume I need to get rid of some items just because it's old. Some clothes are really timeless, and you don't use them that much, especially if you take good care of it. I used to think: OK, this jeans are 2 years old - I need new ones. But when I looked closely, they were just fine, and not used or damged at all. That's a good thing to remember for the new year :)
stupendo!really great video thank you :)
Glad you liked it!
Great video, thank you!
Love this 🥰🥰 I’m so happy to see your channel growing ❤xx
I love quality and I also feel different wearing something natural over synthethic, but maybe if we take the time to learn how SO MUCH wool (and other animal derived fabrics) are produced we would not feel like we are wearing luxury. Look into mulesing one of the most common practices in the wool industry in developed country (and thats just one of the issues) and see if you will still associate it with luxury.
I've never cringed at my old outfits because I've never followed trends. I've always worn what I liked at that particular time in my life and I can look back fondly knowing I was happy and comfortable NOT being 'trendy' - I really do feel for the younger generations (yourself included, I'm almost 40) who care SO much about what other people think - the only reason to wear trendy clothing, imo, is so that you can be regarded by others in a certain way. I still own most of what I wore 10+ years ago, and it still looks great because it suits my personality and body shape. If I wore what was trending at any given time, sure, I'd look back and cringe about how little personality I had because I wore what everyone else wore and not what I genuinely liked. Gen Z (and subsequent generations) really are fucked.
That’s kinda my point though! Wear what you like and you’ll look back fondly - even if it’s not what you would wear in the present moment. 😊 I wouldn’t say I dress particularly trendy at all, but I’ll probably dress slightly differently in another ten years (whilst keeping a few of the same pieces). Im a millennial but I’m also more optimistic than to brandish a whole generation as ‘fucked’. Sure, Gen Z may be succumbing more to trends and quicker trend cycles than previously, but they also thrift and DIY clothing far more than previous generations
amen to the "insipid influencers" and capsule wardrobe point! I always laugh at these "capsule wardrobe videos" that come up every single month... in the end it's a huge wardrobe divided in monthly capsules. Not to mention it's often boring, neutral, and copy-paste (but only if you're skinny lol)...
❤❤❤ keep it natural! My fave comment.
I did like your comment regarding not being able to see how you look all day, but knowing how you feel. I have always preferred my clothing to be comfortable And suit my taste, but I still, to this day, at 49, occasionally snap and buy e.g. a gorgeous, slightly itchy mohair sweater. Then I wear it twice, and stare at it multiple mornings, trying to psych myself up to tolerate the end of day itch for the look. It's not worth it.
Haha I relate to this so much!! I’ve done exactly the same
I remember when Marks and Sparks sold great quality garments. I’m not saying it’s all rubbish but the small store in my town is absolutely full of synthetics. I won a voucher at work this Christmas for m& s and ended up buying food as I couldn’t find one item which spoke quality. It’s a shame. Other larger stores perhaps have the capacity for more premium items
100% agreed! I said the exact same thing in my recent 'tier ranking' video. M&S is such a massive disappoint (clothing wise) these days
@@katie_louiseI have a pair of suede black heeled leather boots from years ago that I bought in m&s. They are as good as new one of my best ever buys. Especially as I bought them in the sale donkey years ago. As you say I have really developed a spider sense recognising what suits me and what I know would be a fantasy item. 😊
Where is your necklace from?
It's an older style from Astley Clarke, they still do it in different sizes though - go.shopmy.us/p-11658355
@@katie_louise Thank you Katie!
Great advice ❤ may I ask what is that beautiful ecru or beige cardigan in the video? Thank you ❤
Titouan Cardigan from Sézane, it’s not available anymore but you could have a look secondhand! 🤍
@katie_louise thank you so much! I'll keep an eye for second hand options! Thank you for the nice videos and wishing you a happy new year!
Nobody needs advice from an influencer, who has never set foot in an office, what to wear to an office.
Such good points, but I couldn’t stop staring at your necklace haha! Do you remember where it’s from?
Haha yes it’s from Astley Clarke a long time ago but is similar to this one - go.shopmy.us/p-11658355
Yay, thanks so much!
Does the drippy roof bag fit a book in it? X
Yes, easily!
Nice dress on you, I think it fits your essence a lot, you have a lot romantic undercurrent)
I don’t understand all the hate towards Sézane.
I'm not sure I understand your comment, this video wasn't about Sezane?
@ Every photo while you talked about expensive, low quality clothes was of Sézane items
@@aleshianeb it's just b-roll to keep the video more engaging, the reason I use mostly Sezane is because that's the bulk of my wardrobe 😂
@ Fair enough