There is nothing like the feeling of finally finding an item you adore. You realise that because you wear it most days, it only makes sense to buy it in every colour. However, you quickly notice that even though you are wearing a variety of colours, your outfits still feel... the same. Your outfits now feel more like a uniform instead of an expression of your multidimensionality, and once again you feel stuck in your wardrobe. As well intended as that instinct is, it doesn't account for the various moods we tend to be in when we are getting dressed. A wool pant won't cut it if you are craving a jersey trouser. A polo neck jumper doesn't always make the most sense when a v-neck jumper is what your outfit calls for. Introducing a new item into your wardrobe demands more intentionality so that you aren't left with more of the same and can actually create outfits that cater to the mood of the day. Keep reading to see how I created enough diversity in the sweater/knitwear category of my own wardrobe to ensure that it gratifies my mood on any given day (my Scorpio moon says hi).
Starting off with a trusted staple, the Uniqlo lambswool jumper. These crewneck jumpers are the perfect foundational piece that hits both function and fashion seamlessly. For fashion, a crew neck is a classic and complements the rest of my wardrobe perfectly. Whereas functionally this jumper is an effective layering piece that supports me whilst I navigate various weather scenarios. In this case, I did go with the advice of getting a beloved piece in more than one colour; however, the colour choice was extremely intentional. The navy blue was a more attractive option than the black because the navy adds more dimension to a darker outfit, so this effortless elevation would be perfect on days that I didn’t want to think too much about my outfit. On the other hand, the lighter grey sweater is perfect when I need to brighten a look without being cream or white; that would be too contrasting to the darker shades throughout my wardrobe. In this way, I was able to get the same sweater with two very different use cases to not feel repetitive when putting outfits together.
The Hades knit is similar to the Uniqlo ones in that it shares the same crewneck silhouette, but the simple addition of the pink letter A takes it into a different category. This jumper has the same use case as a graphic t-shirt by infusing a simple outfit with enough personality to make it more lighthearted. A classic crewneck jumper has a certain seriousness to it, which I tend to offset with a more casual bottoms choice. With the Hades sweater, however, the graphic allows it to be the perfect option when I am in a silly, goofy mood and want to add a humorous nod to my outfit.
Next up we have the Tricot Paris polo, which, in terms of cost per wear, is one of the best items I own. The two things that were important when making my decision were the colour and silhouette. In terms of colour, black made the most sense to fill that gap in my knitwear options. However, with it being black, I knew I wanted a more dynamic silhouette, and so I finalised on the polo option. This is an ideal option when I want to stick to all neutrals but still crave a more distinct point of view and an outfit that doesn't fall flat. Compared to the Hades or Uniqlo jumpers, its preppy edge brings a fresh touch to my overall wardrobe.
Lastly, the newest addition to my jumper/sweater collection has been the SKIMS grey hoodie. I know this is not a knitwear piece, but walk with me here. The hoodie has the same function as the pieces above in that it provides a warm base for me to enter into the bitter winter cold. However, the hoodie immediately brings a casual contrast to my winter outfits. Most of my winter wardrobe consists of tailored pieces in the form of a wool trouser or double-breasted coat, so a lot of my knitwear is in line with this feel. The hoodie brings an air of effortlessness that allows me to feel less fussy in my outfits. The ability to achieve this friction in my outfits is what makes them more interesting and, again, will allow me to tend to a different mood when choosing my outfits.
Getting dressed doesn’t have to be monotonous, and having this mindset when deciding on a new item to buy allows for variety and therefore optionality when creating our outfits.
Hope you have the best week and speak soon :)
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