a feeling

A feeling has been waiting patiently at the edge of my mind for a while. It's an inkling that I am almost ready to settle into a deep knowing of what (little) I need + like + want to own.

I have wanted to own less + less for years, but I have also held a place for myself to be ok with having a little more. I don't want to be rigid with myself (or anyone) about what is too much. I want to have fun with fashion + to be playful with color, style + shape. None these aspirations are dependent on a vast number of pieces though. A single button up shirt can be worn a number of ways. A few tops + bottoms can interact in an abundance of combinations.

And I seem to end up wanting to wear the same shapes + colors year after year. There is something to love about that too. So, I'm wondering if I can lean into it + really find some peace there. Because I'd really like to:

• stop feeling like I'm always looking for something new to add to my wardrobe 
• stop feeling like that next new thing will help me feel more...cool, relevant, pretty...
• not add or keep things out of fear of not having enough
• find rest in the idea that my clothes just facilitate the main event...living!
• note that ethical wardrobes have an inherent element of boringness to them + process that knowledge into ease, comfort + appreciation

The changing seasons always feels like an opportune time to look back at the passing season for information + inspiration. I have a clear idea of what I've reached for over the past few warmer months + can plan ahead with similar thoughts toward enough in the cooler months to come.

This summer I have mainly worn:

• 5 tops 
• 4 tees
• 8 tanks 
• 3 shorts
• 3 pants
• birks

I also wore:

• 2 shorts for biking (tried wearing shorts above, but needed these)
• long sleeved tops (as layers)
• 2 soft pants a few times (don't reliably have the tops figured out for these)
• a hat

This collection of things was enough for going out, staying in, camping, exercising, working, gardening + socializing. The same sort of collections have worked for years, so clearly I don't need more (though I would like to add a couple dresses to this collection).  

I'm letting go of a few things that I was holding onto, just in case. These are things that I just don't really like wearing. I'm keeping a couple things that I didn't wear much, but still really like. Those soft pants fit this category, and I'm setting them aside for cooler days when I can wear long sleeves with them.

Of the few just-in-case pieces I kept out of rotation this summer, one top felt like a welcome addition when I added it back last week. This has to do with the main practice I'm going to bring into the cooler weather months ahead. I think it's useful to remove a piece or two from some categories + to switch them out every so often. It's a good way to keep some variety + novelty in my wardrobe without continually shopping. 

I'm looking forward to seeing if I can trust + rest my own deep knowing going forward.  :)

Love,
Jane