5 Years Later: Embrace the Wrinkle
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!
Here’s the first 5 years later outfit of summer! (As an aside, we made some cute lil squirrel friends during this shoot; can you see them behind me?)
EMBRACE THE WRINKLE — 2021 vs. 2016
I named this monochrome summer outfit Embrace the wrinkle back in 2016 because it was all about my relatively recent discovery of linen garments and dealing with their wrinkles. Yes, linen wrinkles easily…but I’d rather look a little rumpled than melt in some sort of unnatural fabric blend in the summer heat. Linen really is the best summer fabric! In 2016, I wore a Uniqlo shirt, Gap denim shorts, Madewell sandals, a Madewell belt, and Madewell earrings. I still own the shirt, belt, and earrings from the original 2016 look, and this time, I also added a bag!
I purchased the linen button-down shirt from one of my favorite brands for basics, Uniqlo. (FYI, my shirt is currently on sale…but it’s available in limited sizes.) And even though I love linen, I’ve only worn this shirt a handful of times. It seems like it’d be a great work shirt, but it’s slightly sheer, which limits its usefulness. It’s also feeling a little tighter than I remember it being, probably from my pandemic weight gain. I had to pin the bust together so it wouldn’t gap. Guess it’s good I’m doing this challenge—I need to try on all of my clothes to figure out what fits and what doesn’t!
The belt and earrings, both from Madewell, also make excellent basics and I’ve owned both for years. The belt almost perfectly matched the shoes I wore in the 2016 outfit, but I found that I reached for that pair less than this pair of embellished sandals that I’m wearing in the new version, so I let the old pair go. It still looks fine with the embellished sandals! I keep it around because it also matches a pair of ankle boots I love. The cost per wear of my stud earrings is down to well under $1 because I’ve worn them so much. Can’t go wrong with a pair of simple studs!
I no longer own the shorts and sandals that I wore in the original 2016 outfit. Like with my previous 5 years later outfit, though, I was able to find suitable alternatives! I also added a bag this time around.
I sold my white denim shorts a couple of years ago because I wasn’t crazy about the fit, and really the only option I had for the swap was my pair of Everlane cotton twill shorts. I don’t love the mismatch of the white shirt and “bone” (ivory) shorts. I had this outfit picked out for this series before I tried all the pieces on together so I really didn’t have a backup plan. I do prefer the higher rise in my cotton twill shorts compared to the denim shorts. It was perfect for doing a lil front tie on the shirt!
For many years, I owned both pairs of sandals: the Madewell sandals from the 2016 look and the Target sandals I’m wearing in the new look. (Fun fact: Franish mailed me the Target sandals when I couldn’t find any near me! She owns (or did own) the same pair.) As mentioned above, I found that I reached for that other pair less than this pair of embellished sandals that I’m wearing in the new version, so I let the old pair go. They basically served the same purpose in my wardrobe.
And because this outfit felt a little bit boring as it was, I added a straw bag to my 2021 look! I’m sure you figured out that I picked this bag because the straps match my belt and sandals (I’m nothing if not absolutely obsessed with matchy-matchy outfits haha). The bag adds some much-needed texture and additional color without straying completely from the monochrome color palette. Plus, straw bags are super summery and I only have a limited window of time to wear ‘em!
Now for the moment of truth… Which outfit is your favorite—the updated 2021 version or the 2016 original? I think I still prefer the true white-on-white monochrome outfit that I wore in 2016!
Check out all outfits in the 5 years later series!
OUTFIT DETAILS
Uniqlo shirt / exact or similar by LOFT
Everlane shorts / exact (review here)
Madewell belt / old; similar
Target sandals / old; similar or similar by Steve Madden
Madewell earrings / old; similar (also available from Zappos and Nordstrom)
& Other Stories bag / old; similar
Le Specs sunglasses / exact via Shopbop or Nordstrom
Dior Lip Glow in rosewood / exact