The ritual of getting dressed tends to lend itself to repetition. The dormancy of the leaves in winter mirrors how I’ve felt creatively stagnant, with survival instincts taking over in my outfit choices. In an attempt to rekindle my sense of curiosity and play when getting dressed, I will start documenting my outfits as a sort of logbook of my headspace at a certain time. I find the underlying psychology behind the clothes we wear fascinating and love analysing the reasons behind our wardrobe choices and how we choose to show up in the world.
Last year, I realised that my tendency to overthink led to decision fatigue, so I made it a goal to simplify my daily choices, particularly when it came to getting dressed. I’ve found that by curating a wardrobe of pieces that speak for themselves, I don’t have to overthink or overcomplicate my choices. Instead, I can focus on effortless combinations, like the ones I wore this past week, and trust in the quality of the pieces I own. Items with elevated silhouettes, clothing with interesting textures, and shoes with intentional toe shapes. These details allow me to default to the usual “shoes, trousers and coat” whilst still feeling put together.
Monday
This was a day where I didn’t want to spend too much time deliberating over what to wear, so I gravitated towards something that required no extra effort to look put together. The Noyoco coat was a no-brainer – just slip it on and feel instantly elevated. The classic double-breasted, wool coat with a slightly cinched waist gave me the elevation I craved with a more fashion-forward spin on this classic item. This same instinct drew me towards using my Reformation jumper as a scarf to, again, push past the typical aesthetic of a scarf and add a bit of a twist to a fashionable yet functionally important layer to the outfit. My Aeyde shoes give the look a sleekness with a pointed toe and add a chic touch to my Tibi sweatpants (similar here) without me having to think too hard. This thoughtless outfit looks anything but, and that is what I strive for most when getting dressed.
Tuesday
I woke up feeling drained and needed something to lift my mood, so I reached for my Reformation coat. Some days, dressing for mood rather than practicality takes the guesswork out of getting ready. The brightness of the cream Reformation coat not only lifted my spirits but also helped me project a sense of freshness, without having to plan or think too much. To contrast, I added my black beanie to keep me warm on my morning commute, and stuck with the same Tibi sweatpants (similar here) and Aeyde pumps from the day before. Trusting in the quality and complementing silhouettes of these pieces made it easy to create a look that felt just right.
Wednesday
Casual was the name of the game this day, so my bomber and cap came out to play. I was craving something low-effort, but also wanted to look intentional, so this outfit was about balancing ease and sophistication. My fur bomber is from Frankie Shop (similar here), and when I bought the piece, I wanted the casualness of the bomber silhouette without the streetwear edge of a khaki green or nylon piece. I loved the idea of throwing on a bomber and cap for casual comfort, but the fur of the bomber and luxe fabric of the Tibi sweatpants (similar here) made sure it didn’t feel too thrown-together. I continued with the high-low theme throughout by finishing the outfit with my army-print NY cap and my Gucci loafers on my feet. This outfit speaks to my need to be casual without looking like I rolled out of bed, even if I did.
Thursday
The excitement for the weekend ahead inspired me to pull out the most playful coat I own. My Jil Sander coat has an oversized funnel-neck collar and balloon sleeves, which are clown-esque, and serve as a reminder to embrace the playful side of dressing. I’ve learned that certain pieces like this one are perfect for when I want my outfit to mirror my mood—light-hearted yet still with purpose. I opted for my Cos wool-tailored trousers to complement the coat and continue the sharpness throughout the outfit. My Massimo Dutti suede boots allowed me to add height to the outfit, as well as that pointed toe to cut through the wide leg of the Cos trousers, adding a slimline effect. This outfit was serious yet playful because of the coat’s accents, and it allowed me to finish off the week strong, mirroring my attitude on the day.
Friday
By Friday, comfort was a must, but I also wanted to keep a sense of polish. The Skims hoodie gave me the cosiness I craved, but pairing it with the Cos trousers and Celine loafers was a way to maintain my ‘effortless’ approach. Even on days when I’m feeling drained, I know I can rely on a few key pieces to give my look a touch of intentionality.
Reflecting on these outfits has been a valuable exercise, offering me a deeper understanding of my approach to getting dressed. By approaching my wardrobe with this mindset, I’m learning to think more intentionally about the psychology behind my clothing choices and how they express different aspects of who I am, moment to moment.
I hope you all have an amazing rest of your week!
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I'm new to your work but I love your writing, your thoughts and your STYLE! Officially obsessed.
Whew. I’ve figured it out. Beyond being GORGEOUS (which you are)- it’s your outer ware that stops me dead. Like every day, another incredible coat.