21 Comments
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Grace van M's avatar

I love these reflections from you! I can let go of the idea of a ruffly nap dress, flare pants, and pointy flats. I love these for other people but never feel like myself in them!

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Corinne Fay's avatar

Wow, I love all of this but really relate to the shopping secondhand part! I’ve bought so many things that aren’t quite right in the name of sustainability.

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Louise's avatar

I love this! I have given away all my heels - I’m never going to wear them again. Trends I can never get into, no matter how many times they come around are very long pants that cover the shoe, and stripes. Neither will ever be for me - the dragging hems I think look awful on everyone but the stripes are hard; they are so cute! Everyone else looks great in them!

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Maureen McLennon Welton's avatar

I struggle with the ones I like on others but not to wear myself. I get you!!

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Lynn Chen's avatar

No slip skirts for me either!!!

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Grace's avatar

I was talking with a friend yesterday about the mentality surrounding vintage 501 jeans. She was disappointed that she is giving up finding her “perfect pair,” since they’re lauded as this universally flattering essential.

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Louise's avatar

They are great if you have hips and a small waist - I have neither so had to give them a miss the first time around. Also worth noting that anything people insists is universally flattering won’t work on anyone without a small waist.

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Maureen McLennon Welton's avatar

Ugh I get her!! I wrote a whole post about straight leg denim (aka Levi’s) earlier this year, I don’t think I can link in a comment, but it’s unpaywalled if you think she’d like it!

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Whew I’m still working on using second hand sites with more responsibility. I am so bummed out when my Poshmark purchase doesn’t fit right and my best option is to try and resell it (usually at a loss 🫠)

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Maureen McLennon Welton's avatar

It is not simple!!

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Michelle Ruiz Keil's avatar

I really feel the second hand vs new dilemma! I'm really trying to let go of buying anything non returnable unless I know it will work.

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Anna Eleri Hart's avatar

I am SO with you on the slip skirts. I feel naked when I wear them 😂

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Amy's avatar

I feel the one about shopping second hand so hard! I try to curate a sustainable wardrobe, either by creating my own clothes (sewing and knitting) or thrifting things I can't, or don't want to, make. I definitely have an 'all or nothing' streak, where I go through phases of making myself feel bad if I want to buy something new. I'm using your post to give myself permission to buy the odd thing new, if that what brings me joy! Mindful purchases can be just as sustainable in the long run, as something bought second hand that ultimately isn't right and needs passed on somehow.

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Reiko Megan's avatar

Love this thoughtful reminder that our wardrobes are our own! I’m letting go of oversized blazers. I love them on other people, but, I’ve yet to meet one that resonates with my style, and my closet just doesn’t need one.

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Maureen McLennon Welton's avatar

Yes!!!

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Dacy Gillespie's avatar

I'm definitely working through the part about overconsuming secondhand. I do it SO much less than I used to, but I still don't feel bad when I buy something at a thrift store to experiment with and then release it back into the secondhand chain when I've decided it doesn't work or I don't need it. I wonder if that's because I do most of it in person and so don't worry about the shipping?

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Maureen McLennon Welton's avatar

In person thrifting I think is much better!

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Sheila (of Ephemera)'s avatar

Maureen, this was a good reminder for us to step away from the content to once in a while!

I loved this:

“we have free will, we can wear what we want and leave behind what we don't.”

A good reminder! Awesome article, thank you. 💕

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Maureen McLennon Welton's avatar

So glad you got something out of it! ❤️

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Stephanie Johnson's avatar

Obsessed! Mine unfortunately is blouses, I’ve purchased so many pretty white lace ones and never wear them! 🤷‍♀️

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Maureen McLennon Welton's avatar

Yes!! Totally understand, so covetably, so hard to actually wear (and wash) lok

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