I’m seeing posts like these all over my substack and post feeds – posts about what people are buying and not buying. And it prompted me to pause for a hot minute to unpack my style. After moving to the UK, I am seeing that the way I dress has changed quite a bit, and this seems as good a time as any to understand more about what I need more of, and what I need to drop from my everyday wardrobe.
Things to drop
This list is fairly easy to make, but also hard emotionally, as the items in this list are things I love style-wise, but which are no longer practical for my lifestyle.
- Anything that requires dry cleaning or handwashing (except for winter wear) – All my soft silks and delicate linens are out of place here. Either they are too light for the weather, or they are too tricky to wash.
- Dressing-up clothes – I no longer have a lifestyle where we go to fancy restaurants/hotels/weddings/social occasions. We don’t know anyone here, so there’s no point wearing my nice sarees, jewellery, or party clothes.
- Uncomfortable shoes – In India, I drove everywhere, so I didn’t really feel the need to buy shoes with comfort in mind. I could wear heels, loafers, open toes, whatever, and the only thing that I cared about was how pretty they looked. Now, with all the walking I am doing? It’s only flats, closed shoes, and supportive shoes wide enough to avoid pinching. Of all the things in my wardrobe, it’s the footwear that’s undergone a dramatic change.
- All things print – Sadly, the UK is a country where my favorite loud prints would not be suitable. Everyone here is in solid colors. While I am not getting rid of my existing prints, the really out there wacky clothes are staying in a suitcase in my mom’s home in India.
Things I am eyeing
The first two months in the UK had me living in office clothes as I had to work from the office. But I have now fully transitioned to working from home, and so I have been mostly wearing the same 3-4 garments in rotation.
That said, because my lifestyle has changed so much, I do feel some wardrobe options opening up to me.
- Short skirts, shorts, and dresses – I’ve always loved short skirts, but I felt self-conscious in them in India. Now, I am indulging in this. I get to wear as short as I want, and pair them with stockings, and it makes me feel so fresh, without feeling cold or worrying about blotchy, mosquito-bitten legs. Plus, I am happy to show off my newly toned legs (with all that walking I am doing these days).
- Sneakers – I’ve always been a sneaker gal, but probably now I have become an only sneaker gal? I mean, I am doing sneaker reviews on my blog. Who even am I?
- Sweatpants, sweatshirts, and leggings – This is one wardrobe area that I see expanding a lot. Athleisure has been my comfort for those days running errands – and there are lots of these outings nowadays as no Swiggy Instamart, Dunzo, etc. 😭.
- Sweaters, jackets, fleeces, coats, boots, thermals – All the boring winter wear stuff. I hate wearing layers of clothing. The luxury of getting out of bed and not having to reach out for a cover-up is something I really miss. And the fact that I need to carry an umbrella and a jacket everywhere I go? Ugh 😏. It may be practically summer, but there’s always a slight nip in the air, and the few times I eschewed carrying an extra layer, I have regretted it. So, yes, really leaning into the extra jackets, thermals, and trying to find my sense of style while still being practical about the weather.
Some things, I am eyeing on the net, and waiting for the sales.
Got this Patagonia fleece jacket from a charity shop (second-hand sales where all profits go to charity). Buying from charity shops are pretty huge here. The stuff is fairly good quality, and it feels nice that one’s shopping is contributing to something.
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I am not a boots person at all. They always seem to give me shoe bite. I hope the winters are not so severe that I need to wear boots. But if I had to, I may be able to accept something like this pair I saw on ebay. It looks fashionable, but I am not yet sure about the comfort factor. Sigh! I really hope I don’t need those hideous tall boots that would make me look like 4 feet tall and wide at the same time.
And that’s it – what was supposed to be a short and snappy list, as usual, has turned into a long, rambly post. An evolution of my style that would probably interest no one but my mother 😂!
