Day #5 – Too Fancy

Featuring: Harly Jae Aura Shorts

Purchased: Last summer
Status: Sold on poshmark

So as I mentioned before, these shorts are long gone. They were beautifully made but always felt too “precious” when I wore them. I was always afraid of ruining the beautiful knit or staining it with my poor table habits and tendency to sit on/climb anything. So I sold them off and found myself a cheaper more casual looking pair (to be featured later) that better met my lifestyle. I think it’s important to be honest with yourself about what “vibe” you go for on a day to day basis. I don’t like feeling overly casual or overly formal. These shorts just felt too formal so I never reached for them unless I forced myself to. So off they went, to a hopefully better home to be loved.

Outfit:
Aritzia Taupe Cropped Tee (4yo/bought new/1st feat.)
Harly Jae Aura Shorts (1yo/bought new/poshmarked)
TKEEs toe strap sandal (1yo/bought new/1st feat.)

Day #2 – Long Gone

Featuring: Aritzia Striped Tie Crop Top

Purchased: 1 year ago
Status: Traded via Bunz

Oh look, another old photo. Oh and another item I no longer have in my closet. However that’s what I want to process today. The idea that even if I can make a great outfit photo out of an item (although looking back this outfit photo isn’t so great), if I don’t feel comfortable wearing it, then I’ll never reach for it. That was the story of this Aritzia top. It honestly hit the mark on everything I wanted from a top at the time – boyish flare, crop length, and easy drape. Put on? Made me feel like a potato sack. Was it the slightly oversized fit? The barely breathable material? Who knows. So after months of deciding if I was OK being a potato sack that day (and unsurprisingly the answer was always no), I turned on my bunz app and traded it away for some btz (bunz digital currency) I have yet to use. But at least this top isn’t hanging in my closet giving me decision fatigue. Small wins.

Outfit:
Aritzia striped crop button shirt (6mon/bought new/traded)
Aritzia grey slit maxi skirt (5yo/bought new/1st feature)
TKEES black strap toe sandal (1yo/bought new/2nd feature)

Day #11 – Another day, another Thunderstorm

Item: H&M black tank maxi dress

Purchased: Over 5 years ago
Last worn: 3 summers ago

Truth be told, I’ve probably only worn this dress now 3 times. It’s a super classic simple cut and style. It’s not too thick or thin. I think part of me has always been self conscious about my arms so I tend to shy away from sleeveless anything. However it’s been 30degC these past few days which calls for exposed shoulders with my own flavour of modesty. I will note that I was sad to see a hole in my dress considering I’ve worn it only twice before. I think it’s from the fact I’ve had it so long and keep packing and repacking it into different places every year. It also could be the fast-fashion quality that doesn’t hold up after time and wears. I plan on taking another old H&M skirt and sewing it under the hole to patch it up and hopefully prolong it for a few more years. Part of this project was not just to wear clothing I haven’t loved in a long time but also to be mindful of favourites that I can repair and prolong the life of instead of going out to buy a replacement new. I still wore it out though because… I’m lazy and it wasn’t noticeable unless for whatever reason you were looking up at my 5 foot nothing frame from under my chest.

tiny hole, sad panda

Verdict: repair and keep

Styled with:
Unknown brand super old belt (more than 5 years old)
Old Navy gold flip flops (new this year to replace lost 10 year old pair)
Etsy bar necklace (old 2 years ago)
Bonlook men’s round frame glasses (2 years ago)