5 Years Later: Cold Weather Classics
Last year, I started doing the 5 years later outfit challenge: I picked out an outfit I first wore and blogged back in 2016 and recreated it using the same (or very similar) items. I had so much fun that I decided to keep it going for 2022, so now I’m recreating outfits I wore back in 2017! (Wow, I can’t believe 2017 was 5 years ago already…that was the year I finished my PhD!)
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 break down the next 5 years later outfit of 2022!
COLD WEATHER CLASSICS — 2022 vs. 2017
This outfit that I wore back in February 2017 featured a selection of cold weather classics—pieces that you can wear year after year and still look (relatively) on trend. I know skinny jeans are technically "out", but you really can't wear any other style of jean with tall boots...so take that, Gen Z! That said, are tall boots in? Bleh, who cares. I never really stopped wearing mine even though I haven't reached for them quite as much the past couple of years as I had in previous years. In 2017, I wore a ModCloth coat, Amour Vert sweater, Madewell jeans, Cole Haan boots, and LOFT ear muffs. I still own two of the five items and included both in the new look for 2022!
My cable knit sweater from Amour Vert is one of my most cherished garments. I received it as a gift many years ago, and you wouldn't even know it's that old because cable knit sweaters are always in style, ESPECIALLY ivory cable knit sweaters. They're the quintessential classic preppy winter necessity! Mine has been loved so much that it really needs a good (gentle) scrub and wash. This exact sweater is long gone unfortunately, but keep an eye out for one on the ReAmour site (a new resale marketplace!) and check out Amour Vert's other responsibly-made sweaters!
The Cole Haan tall boots are another long-time favorite of mine. These were another gift, in a roundabout way: my mom had purchased a different pair of boots for me, and when those didn't work, I returned them and opted for these boots instead even though I had to pay a little bit extra. It was SO WORTH IT. I picked these mostly because they fit snug on my calves; I hate it where there's too much space at the top (blame my years of being a horseback rider!). Because these boots are plain, they've really been on trend for years now (I have never been a fan of a lot of buckles/extra embellishments on my shoes). Every time I look at them I feel so incredibly happy that I own them, and that's really how I want to feel with everything in my closet!
Three of the five items in the 2022 version are new! (Plus I added my signature sunglasses.) My coat, jeans, and beanie are all different. I opted to stick true to the original outfit and keep my skinny jean and tall boot outfit combination, even though there is some question as to the cool status of skinny jeans. I promise to keep wearing them like the proud millennial I am. 😉
I no longer own the Madewell skinny jeans I wore in the original outfit because they were tight and uncomfortable to wear/sit in for long periods of time. I currently own three similar pairs of skinny jeans, and at first I was leaning towards my dark wash authentic stretch skinny jeans from Everlane, but I hadn’t gotten the chance to wear my newest pair of Madewell skinny jeans so here they are! These are the Lanette wash, which is one of my favorite washes in a while. I’m sort of weird about how “blue” a wash is, and these are not too blue! These are also a curvy style, and I highly recommend shopping curvy if you also deal with the dreaded waist gap!
The camel coat in my 2017 outfit (my first ever camel coat!) was from ModCloth. If you’ve been reading since the early days, you may remember how much I used to love ModCloth! I ended up selling this coat because it wasn’t the best quality, and the wool exterior was really itchy, especially against my neck. It was also just way too busy with all the buttons and straps and seams and such. It took me a few years, but I found my perfect replacement: this beautiful topcoat from Banana Republic! It’s simple and instantly elevates any outfit I wear with it. I sized up in this coat for my broad shoulders but probably should’ve gone up one more for thick sweaters. It’s not uncomfortably tight but I definitely don’t have a full range of motion with a thick sweater underneath!
I also don’t own the ear muffs in the original outfit. I’m not really sure why I didn’t like them, but I definitely sold them on Poshmark a while ago, lol. This outfit didn’t feel complete without some kind of accessory, and luckily my new pom-pom beanie in camel (my favorite beanie!) almost exactly matched my coat! They coordinated well enough that I really like how it came together.
And now for the moment of truth! Which version do you prefer: the 2017 original or the 2022 refresh? There really isn’t much different besides the coat style and earmuffs/beanie swap!
OUTFIT DETAILS
Banana Republic coat / old; similar by Calvin Klein or Vince Camuto
Amour Vert sweater / old; similar by Topshop or Treasure & Bond (shop all AV sweaters)
Madewell jeans / exact (also available from Zappos)
Cole Haan boots / old; similar (limited sizes) or similar by Frye
J.Crew hat / exact
Le Specs sunglasses / exact via Revolve, Shopbop, or Nordstrom
Dior Lip Glow in rosewood / exact