5 Years Later: 6th & Main, Old Boise
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 first 5 years later outfit of summer 2022!
6TH & MAIN — 2022 vs. 2017
June 2017 marked my final month as a grad student! I finalized my dissertation edits, turned in the final draft, and then moved back to Boise (with the help of Korri, who drove the moving truck with my stuff). We shot the original outfit when I was back in Boise and playing tourist (I believe we had stopped at a local BBQ shop where Korri bought his Traeger, ha; the shop is sadly no longer there). I love this historic corner of downtown Boise, 6th and Main, so much. In 2017, I wore a Madewell shirt, Gap shorts, Salt Water sandals, and Hat Attack bag. I still own three of the four items and included all three in the new look for 2022!
Items from 2017 I’m Still Wearing in 2022
The sleeveless chambray shirt by Madewell is a wardrobe workhorse for me. I purchased it in summer 2016 and have adored it ever since! I originally purchased the shirt in size XXS because that was the only size available (it was a sale rack find), and while it fit, I knew a larger size would be a little more comfortable, and I found one on Poshmark last summer. Woo! I’m thrilled that I can keep it in the rotation.
I also still own and love my Salt Water sandals! (And they’re still being made! You can find them at Zappos and Amazon.) I think they’re designed for kids, but I don’t care. I wear mine all the time in the summer, and they always come with me on beach vacations because they can get wet with no problems.
My Hat Attack straw crossbody bag is another that makes frequent appearances during my beach vacations (of which I have maybe one a year, haha). It feels less weird to wear it out in Boise than it used to; there’s something about straw that made it seem out of place to carry it in a city versus at a beach! I tied the strap of the bag to make it shorter, and now I can hold onto it from a more natural angle. And I love that the blue tassels coordinate with the navy sandals.
What’s New in 2022
Two of the items in the 2022 version are new! (Plus, I’m wearing my signature sunglasses in the new look, of course.) As with most of my 5 years later outfits, I opted to stick as close to the original outfit as I could. Cooler weather forced me to go with jeans instead of shorts this time!
I no longer own the Gap denim shorts I wore in the original outfit, and I haven’t had luck finding a suitable replacement. I also recently bought the Way-High Canvas Short by Everlane and was going to wear them for this outfit, but it was way too chilly for shorts! Instead I opted for a pair of white skinny jeans from Everlane for the re-creation (though this style has unfortunately been discontinued). They’re a fairly standard pair of white skinny jeans. The higher rise holds my gut in, and I love that more retailers are offering curvy styles now! They’re a game changer.
I wasn’t wearing earrings in the original outfit, but I added my sapphire stud earrings from Aurate for the 2022 look. I felt like I needed a little bling to go with the double denim, and the sapphire coordinates perfectly with the blue tassels on the bag and with my navy sandals! I love the subtle sparkle.
I’d love to know which outfit you would wear: the 2017 original with shorts or the new 2022 version with jeans?
OUTFIT DETAILS
Madewell top / old; similar by Karen Kane, H&M, or Topshop
Everlane jeans / exact (curvy: limited sizes; also available in regular) or similar by Madewell
Salt Water sandals / exact via Zappos (also available from Amazon)
Aurate earrings c/o / exact or similar by Wolf & Badger (last seen here)
Hat Attack bag / old; similar by Madewell or Olivia Miller
Le Specs sunglasses / exact from Revolve, Shopbop, or Nordstrom
Dior Lip Glow in rosewood / exact