Australian fashion people style a piece they’ve fallen out of love with
Words by Fashion Journal
While pieces may feel old to us, they don’t always look that way to others.
Wriggle your way to the back of your wardrobe and it’s likely there are pieces that have lain dormant for a while. These may be pieces you bought on a whim, only to be worn once or twice before being relegated to the bottom of a drawer. Or they may be pieces you once adored, lovingly worn again and again before you eventually moved on, sartorially speaking.
You may have heard the term ‘shopping your wardrobe’: it invites us to review the pieces we already own and select the clothing that’s moved out of our regular rotation. The idea is that by pulling out pieces we once loved (but are now largely ignored), we can reinvigorate our day-to-day wardrobe and make it feel new again. Think about it, that dress at the back of your closet, when was the last time you wore it?
While pieces may feel old to us, they don’t always look that way to others. For proof, we invited some of our favourite Australian creatives to show us how they style the pieces they once cherished, but have since fallen out of love with.
Annika Nielsen, content creator
I’ve had this mesh slip dress for years after it was given to me by a friend. I love the side splits because they make the dress a bit flowy (and not constricting when walking), but the top just doesn’t quite fit. Since it’s a little slinky mesh dress, you can’t really hide any part of it! After trying to make it work, it was banished to the back of the closet to one day be sold.
As much as I loved it, I didn’t think my style had developed enough to know how to wear it when it first entered my wardrobe. Because the top doesn’t fit well, I never thought to layer it. I definitely think now that I’ve cracked the style code, you’ll be seeing me in it a lot more!
Annie Enoka, designer and Goodbyes resale assistant
I’m wearing a Paloma Wool skirt and Fenty bolero cardigan, both bought from Goodbyes for a festival earlier in the year. I thought I would wear these pieces more but now that it’s winter, I haven’t reached for them. I love the idea of wearing bright colours all year ’round but I can’t seem to gravitate towards them now that it’s cold.
Currently, I’m wearing dark browns, reds and black. I won’t be wearing these pieces again, but someone else will. Back to Goodbyes they go! I love the idea of being able to rotate my wardrobe, sell something I once loved and in return bring home a new piece.
Anabelle Ussher, makeup artist and content creator with Bella Management
Leaning into form-fitting silhouettes, I’ve incorporated different styles of maxi dresses into my wardrobe over the years. However, my personal style is constantly evolving and is less focused on ‘snug styles’ right now. I’ve been embracing oversized and relaxed fits that drape over my figure instead of clinging to me. I definitely prefer playing around with different textures and silhouettes now – it’s more interesting and elevated.
For example, this denim maxi dress is beautiful and fits really well but I wouldn’t style it the same way now. I’d add a plain white or light blue striped button-up shirt underneath, pointy mules or boots, and more accessories. Even though I’m not obsessed with maxis at the moment, I’d still definitely revisit it and find new ways of styling it.
Matea Gluščević, shoemaker
I’m wearing three items I’ve fallen out of love with. One is a green dress that a friend made eight years ago, maybe longer. We had matching ones and hers was pink and I loved them because they were bright, velvet and tight. I last wore it around eight years ago because I didn’t really have anywhere to wear it as it’s just a short party dress. The second is a pair of shimmery pink pants that I got four years ago and really liked how they fit and fell, but I started disliking how high-waisted they were. I also added a pink shirt that I used to really like, but never ended up wearing as I realised that collars don’t really suit me.
After styling them, I think I would wear them more! The dress over the pants is helping both the garments, and the shirt is pretty passable as a waist accessory. Also, the colours are so great together. Plus, with the hat and my Frangipani Seahorse Mules, it kind of creates a clown cowboy vibe which works perfectly for me.
Erica Jade, content creator with Bella Management
This colourful scarf from Grace and Willow was my favourite winter accessory around two to three years ago. Everyone had the Acne Studios one and although I loved it, I couldn’t justify dropping so much money on a scarf! When I spotted the dupe for $50, I purchased it immediately. I loved it initially because I felt like I was part of the trend without feeling guilty about the price tag. The last time I wore it was probably 2021 and I fell out of love with it because everyone had it!
I’ve styled it today with my Camilla and Marc denim trench, a white tee, some chunky loafers from Wittner and my trusty Dissh black pants. I actually love how it’s made a simple outfit fun and I forgot how colour can instantly improve my mood. I felt so happy when I put this on and actually got a compliment at the flower shop, which made my day! I think I’ll start wearing it again, and although it’s not trending, who cares?! She’s cute and deserves a few more winters with me.
Sunday Stephens, jeweller
From being my absolute favourite pair of earrings to slipping to the bottom of my jewellery box, my Chub earrings (designed by me) have a special place in my heart. When I first created them, I wore them non-stop for months – I was completely obsessed! But, with any accessory, you eventually move on to new favourites and those cherished pieces can get forgotten. You fall out of love with the old and in love with the new.
Also as a jewellery designer, I can’t play favourites. I need to share the love and wear all my pieces equally, so restyling something I had fallen out of love with was a fun challenge. There are only so many ways you can wear earrings differently, but since I last wore them, I got my seconds pierced, so I decided to double them up! I love the luxe look of the doubled Chub and will definitely be putting these back on rotation.
For more tips on restyling pieces in your wardrobe, try this.
Liked this? You’ll love these...
