Happy Monday! I’ve a feeling that this week is going to fly by. I’ve a lengthy to-do list to get through for work and I’m also going into the office on Wednesday and Thursday. Why does going to the office feel like a task now? Tomorrow evening, I’m organizing an intimate gender reveal party for two close friends and have taken Tuesday afternoon off to do some of the preparations for the party. Gender reveal parties don’t align with my politics, but I’m thrilled for my friends who’re becoming first time parents and want them to enjoy every little milestone on their baby journey.
For the blog, I’m trying to put out two posts per week and despite all that’s going on this week, I’m determined to stick to my goal. Today, I want to share a bit of an anti-haul for fall and winter. What’s an anti-haul? It’s the opposite of a haul; so, instead of showing you my fall and winter purchases, I’m sharing all the purchases I’ll not make this season and why.
Until a few years ago, I thought I had to buy into every trend to be stylish. With very little understanding of my body type and personal style, I didn’t know better. In recent years though, I’ve come to understand my pear-shaped body and learned to dress it to feel my most comfortable and confident self. This newfound knowledge and confidence has been incredibly empowering. I’m able to easily look away from fashion trends that don’t fit my personal style, body type, or wallet even.
So which trends am I looking away from this fall and winter?
# 1 Oversized cropped blazers
I absolutely love cropped blazers. They’re much more flattering on my pear-shaped silhouette than the classic blazer that hits at the hip. But the ones trending this season are wider at the shoulders, cut at the midriff instead of the waist, and much baggier overall. I don’t find the fit very flattering on my body type. I’ve a petite torso and anything too oversized drowns me. The cut of the blazer also makes it hard to style. Good with a cropped top but what else? So all in all, I’m not going to jump on this trend because it is not practical for my lifestyle.
#2 Drop-waist dresses
I love dresses, but I’ve worn them much less since we started working from home during the pandemic. Somehow I like wearing pants much more when wfh so I’m not looking to buy dresses. I’m especially not interested in the drop-waist silhouette because it puts all the attention on the hips and I don’t like that look for my pear-shaped figure. A-line dresses are much more complementary to my body type, so this drop waist silhouette is a hard pass from me no matter how pretty.
#3 Voluminous sleeves
Big sleeves have been on trend for at least a year now and I’ve had a love-hate relationship with them. I like voluminous sleeves if they’re ever so slightly puffed but anything too big and it just sits at the back of my closet. I think it’s because my hair is long and voluminous and I wear it down most of the time. I find that big sleeves fight for attention with my hair and just end up making my top half look all too busy. I also think big sleeves drown me a little because of my petite torso. So all in all, I’ll be staying clear of adding big volume to my sleeves.
#4 Puffer skirts
Even wearing my puffer jacket in the winter makes me feel annoyed, so why would I ever give a second thought to the puffer skirt trend? Hard pass from me. I love wearing more breathable, cozy and long-lasting natural materials. Anytime I opt for more synthetic fabric compositions, it’s for practical reasons for e.g. rain jackets or suit trousers. I also don’t think this trend is versatile enough for my wardrobe. Okay, may be puffer skirts would fly on Amsterdam streets, but can I wear them to work? Over all, I don’t see a point wearing what’s essentially a plastic skirt when I can opt for more versatile fall and winter fabrics like wool, cashmere, and cotton.
Patchwork jackets
In true corporate style, I want to say “refer to the above.” Patchwork jackets, like puffer skirts, don’t fit the practicality or versatility bill in my wardrobe. I tend to lean towards classic styles with modern twists. Patchwork jackets are way too hipster for my wardrobe and I don’t want to get one just to be on trend for a season. If you’ve a more boho chic style though, this is possibly one of my favorite trends. Think white tee and sneakers, light washed, distressed jeans, and a big canvas tote topped with a busy patchwork jacket. Love! But just not for me.