5 Years Later: Ellen Vibes
Every month this year, I’m picking an outfit that I first wore and blogged back in 2016 (a whole five years ago, if you can believe it!) and recreating it using the same (or very similar) pieces! I actually could have started this series in 2020 or even 2019, but 2016 is the first full year I used a DSLR for blog photos, and no one needs to be reminded of the photos I took with the camera prior to that (lol).
My goals with this series are to put together updated versions of some of my favorite past outfits, see how much my style has changed over the years (if at all), highlight the items that are still in my closet five or more years later, determine if it’s time to pass on some of my older items, inspire you to evaluate the longevity in your own wardrobe, and most importantly, remind you (and myself) that it’s cool to rewear your favorite outfits/items!
Let’s dissect the first 5 years later outfit of spring!
ELLEN VIBES — 2021 vs. 2016
I called this outfit Ellen vibes as a nod to Ellen DeGeneres because the blazer—sneaker combo is probably one of her most worn uniforms (she also wears a lot of bomber jackets). (We’ve since learned how problematic she is, which was a highly disappointing development.)
I debated between this outfit and a different outfit for this month’s 5 years later outfit but ended up going with this one because I could recreate it easily and it’s still a great casual workwear outfit idea that I’d wear to the office now! In 2016, I wore a J.Crew blazer, ModCloth tee, J.Crew pants, New Balance sneakers, and Madewell stud earrings. I still own three of the original five items and included two of them in the new 2021 version.
This J.Crew classic schoolboy blazer was my first “big girl” blazer purchase back in spring 2014. I love it because it truly is a simple, classic wool blazer that works perfectly for the office or any other formal affair (I got it when I was in grad school and wore it to many conferences and symposiums as well as my Master’s defense!). I’m a big fan of the pinstripe lining inside the sleeves and the gold buttons. The unfortunate thing is it’s too tight on my broad shoulders; I should have definitely sized up when I first bought it, and it’s only getting tighter now that I’ve gained a few COVID pounds. I have my eyes peeled on Poshmark for an exact replacement because J.Crew stopped making it. (Though apparently J.Crew Factory carries it now… no clue if it’s the same quality level, though.)
I’m also wearing the same ModCloth tee, which I purchased in January 2014 (before I started blogging my clothing purchases). ModCloth was my first real brand obsession; I placed my first order in 2012, and then I placed approximately 10,000 orders in 2013 (kidding, kinda). I haven’t shopped at ModCloth in years now as my style evolved throughout grad school. This tee is one of my only remaining ModCloth items because the fit is perfect and it’s slightly more interesting than your typical basic grey tee with the black specks and curved hemline. After wearing it for a few years now, it is showing signs of wear, primarily with pilling along the back and hem.
I no longer own the pants and sneakers I wore in the original 2016 outfit, but I do still own the Madewell stud earrings. The cost per wear of those earrings is down to pennies I wore them so much! I opted to wear my new-ish Maison Miru crystal stud earrings instead for a little more sparkle and for something different. (PSA: They’re still available for the price of shipping only! I wear mine constantly and highly recommend.)
The other two swaps were easy: I added these straight leg crop pants from Everlane to my wardrobe a couple of years ago and they’re quite similar to my old pair of chino pants, so these were a no-brainer. The pants show the most obvious fit and style change—5 years ago, I lived in low- to mid-rise pants, and now I prefer a higher rise! I’m kinda hoping the rise trend doesn’t swing back around anytime soon because I don’t think I can go back to low-rise anything, haha.
I selected white sneakers this time instead of grey even though I do have a new pair of grey sneakers because the grey in my current sneakers doesn’t go well with the grey in the tee. I quite like the contrast provided by the white sneakers, though. The crisp white feels slightly dressier than grey. Don’t be fooled, though—my sneakers are not as white as they appear here!
Now for the moment of truth: Which outfit do you prefer—the updated 2021 version or 2016 original? I think I’m partial to the new version!
Check out all outfits in the 5 years later series!
OUTFIT DETAILS
J.Crew blazer / old; J.Crew Factory version (also available from Amazon)
ModCloth tee / old; similar by Target, Everlane, or Bloomingdale's
Everlane pants c/o / exact style or similar from Amazon (last seen here)
Earth sneakers c/o / old; similar from Kohl's (last seen here)
Maison Miru earrings / exact (for a limited time, get a pair for the price of shipping!)
Dior Lip Glow in pink / exact