James Perse wool/cotton tee | size 2
James Perse fleece skirt | so old…sold out
Vince Warren platform sneakers
Marsell 4 Dritta bag
I decided last week when I was playing around with my clothing, that I would wear things THIS week I might not otherwise wear. I wanted to try and be more “artsy” Grechen, or Avant Garde Grechen, without overthinking, and without changing outfits a million times, or finally into something boring and practical (gag).
This outfit is neither artsy, nor avant garde, but it is “vintage” Grechen, if you remember back to 2008-2009.
Back in 2008, or before, I bought “the original” version of this James Perse twisted seam skirt. It was a little lighter weight than this one, but otherwise the same, and I wore it until I could legitimately no longer wear it (it was too big for me, and quite faded). I replaced it in 2014 with this one, and have worn it a lot, but not nearly as much as I wore the other one.
Years ago, I thought I had a uniform: JP slim dress or slim skirt, JP tee and a cardigan on top (usually Inhabit cotton – I had several of those). I actually did wear some sort of variation of that most days, with sandals, clogs, or a pair of Repetto ballet flats (I had several pairs of those too…). But now, I don’t wear skirts or dresses as much as I did 10 years ago. Nor do I think I have a uniform.
I’m not sad I have this skirt; every time I wear it I am reminded, yet again, why I love James Perse, and, I’m super-comfortable in this outfit. But I also remember why I no longer buy multiples, or try to replace things that wear out, or that I get rid of, with exactly the same thing I had before. I’m not that same person, and I don’t want to dress like she did.
This outfit feels like me, but a “dated” version of me, if that makes sense. If I was going to “modernize” the skirt, I think I’d try it with a cropped white button front top and my Elizabeth Suzann mules. Hmmm….stay tuned for that 🙂
Have you replaced something you wore many years ago and loved with the same piece and then realize you don’t want to wear it as much as you did before?
Happy Monday!!
Lovely outfit – I do like this so-called “dated” (does not feel like it) Grechen 🙂
First of all, I love this outfit and it doesn’t look dated at all (but I know what you meant, it was early in your personal style evolution). I love the JP wool blend T and hope they offer something similar again, that would be perfect for me. The flannel skirt is also great and very flattering on you.
I rarely buy multiples anymore either in clothing, especially in different colors as I always find I will wear one color all the time and not wear the other colors. If I find a T or undergarment that fits well, that is the exception but I will usually buy, say 2 in black rather than feel the pressure to diversify what are really staple base or under layers (I wear black/grey all the time so why would I need all these other colors). With a more minimal approach I do try to choose to launder my items sooner (or wear the item more than once before tossing in the laundry bag) and if I approach it that way then I often cannot justify buying multiples. For example, I love the JP spiral shirred dress so I am automatically tempted to buy another, particularly when it goes on sale. But when I stop and think about it, I mainly wear it out at night, which has cooler temps, with my BF (to dinner). So, I don’t need another. I can hang it up when we get home and wear it at least one other occasion before washing. Even if I did have to launder it (Hawaii is much more humid July to Sep), I typically only wear it once a week. The same approach for exercise clothing. Workout gear is best washed right away otherwise the sweat doesn’t fully wash out. So, I have very few workout items now. I don’t need them as I am washing more frequently.
I went crazy in 2016 or 2017 buying a lot of Tradlands button downs. I loved that look 15-20 years ago (in college and high school) but eventually stopped wearing them because of boob gap issues. My first two shirts were wonderful, and then I went crazy during sales, and acquired four more. Stopping at two would have been more than enough for my wardrobe needs. I put the three in storage, and will pull them out as the first wear out. But at least now I know.
This is really helpful to consider (the buying multiples and searching for replacements). I did just buy replacement booties for some I still have in brown and also had in black and wore out in black and wanted again in black, and at this point, I’m quite glad I did, but I do feel an echo of the enthusiasm I had for the original pair when they were new and exactly what I was looking for for then-now (vs. now-now). Clear as mud, right?
Avante-garde Grechen made me laugh. My children really love the story “Olivia and the Fairy Princesses” and Olivia, eschewing all things bubble-gum pink and floofy, jokes that she’s trying out a more “stark, modern style”, a la the dancer, Martha Graham. Maybe a little more avante-garde than your present aims…!
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I love this outfit on you! It does kind of remind me of Grechen 1.0, but that was around when I met you, so they are fond memories. I used to try and replace items with a duplicate, but it’s never the same. You can’t recapture the magic of that piece, and I find that it’s best for my brain and my closet to keep moving forward. Staying with the same fashion choices makes me feel like I’m stuck. And even if I loved something a whole lot, I have to keep myself open to new things to love. Trying new styles helps me find new parts of myself, and if I stick to the same old stuff, I won’t eve discover new things.
As Yogi Berra would have said, “It’s like Deja vu all over again!” I remember that skirt and it’s frequent appearance with an Inhabit cardigan and a James Perse tee. You ARE a different person! And thankfully, we are still willing to accept, if not wholly embrace, change in our lives. Imagine how boring life would be if we never tried anything new and only stuck to the comfortable.
I’m sure there are things I’ve replaced and haven’t worn, but I can’t think of them now. Probably one of those “10 Pieces Every Woman MUST Have in Her Wardrobe!” that I never wore the first time around. 😉
I really like how comfortably casual you look in this outfit. Vintage Gretchen is a good look.
thank you 🙂