About a year ago I bought a top. It was black. V-neck. Long sleeves.
I knew what I’d wear it with.
The part that caused me to pause were the lower half of the sleeves. They had colorful paisley and floral print. Not my usual choice of prints. But I thought I’d step outside of my style box and give it a try.
The top arrived and I did what I typically do— tried it on with the pieces I had visualized in my head. It looked OK — but something felt off.
I couldn’t put my finger on it right away.
A few days later I decided to wear it to run errands. On the way into the pharmacy, I caught my reflection in the door of the store. Something felt off.
I went to get a few groceries and I got several compliments on my look. I appreciated them.
But every time I caught my reflection in a store window, the exit door, or a mirror, I had the same thought. Why do I feel so uncomfortable?
What is interfering with my vibe?
Then it hit me.
It felt like I was trying to be someone I wasn’t.
I came home and took it off and hung it in the closet.
I thought maybe I just needed to get used to it.
It was several weeks before I reached for it again. I figured I’d give it a second chance. But then I remembered that off feeling the first time I wore it.
I put it back.
That’s when I realized we spend so much time asking whether a piece of clothing looks good, and not nearly enough time asking if it feels like me!
A few months later, I bought a Kelly green trench coat.
I saw it on the online model. She twirled around and revealed the “party” in the back—
Pleats!!
As she moved the pleats fanned out beautifully.
I was sold!
But wait—it was KELLY GREEN! Not a typical color in my wardrobe. It was bold. Definitely outside of my usual style box.
Much like that top.
I went for it anyway. I mean it had flowy pleats across the back! I didn’t own anything like it.
It arrived. I immediately put it on and swirled around.
It felt great.
I wore it out and got compliments. Lots of them. I caught my reflection in the door of the grocery store, then later in the mirrors in the department store.
It felt like me. I even actually liked the color on me.
I can tell you that whenever I wear that coat—no matter where I go, people compliment me. I had a lady at the airport call out “I love that green coat on you!” -across several rows of chairs as she waited to board her plane.
One day I wore it running errands with my grandsons and one of them said “Gammy, how many people are going to tell you they like your coat?”
Looking back, I’d buy them both again. Not because I’d keep them. Because each one taught me something about myself.
One taught me what doesn’t feel like me.
One reminded me not to be afraid of trying something new.
Both were worth the lesson.
So play.
Play with the color.
Try the style.
Wear it out into the world.
Catch your reflection.
Listen to yourself.
If it feels like you, you’ve learned something.
If it doesn’t, you’ve learned something too.
You’re never married to a piece of clothing.
I’d love to hear from you.
Have you ever bought something that looked great but just didn’t feel like you?
Or have you ever taken a chance on something completely outside your comfort zone and discovered it became one of your favorite pieces?
Tell me your story in the comments. I have a feeling we’ve all had both experiences.
I am in a season of trying to expand what I’m comfortable with because I feel a little safe and very “modern classic” in need of more modern. I’m mostly a solid and stripe/gingham woman, and I want a little more vibrance. Any recommendations?