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Closet thoughts...

• fashion

I was so inspired last year by Amber’s yearly reflections on her wardrobe and wanted to do one myself, but I completely forgot about it until her post for this year! So, before I forget, I’d like to log down my thoughts about my wardrobe as well

general thoughts

I did a bit of exploring styles this year, which I’m really happy about since it’s really fun Finally, I think I’ve found more sources of really comfortable and easy to wear pieces that mix easily in with my closet, whether I’m relaxing at home, going out to explore, or snoozing away.

Near the end of the year, I started a diet where I dropped about a size and some items stopped fitting as well. It has made me re-evaluate a lot of the items in my closet, so I’m hoping to use this thought to help with decluttering and downsizing. It is a little weird because I’m used to referencing the same measurements for many years shopping online, but now I’ve had to change it up and question whether or not things fit in ways that I didn’t consider before. Also, I tried on some pieces that I previously thought were fit too tightly in case that was why I felt uncomfortable in them, but I realised I just can’t do certain fabrics and it had nothing to do with fit - so that was an interesting discovery.

new acquisitions

I’m not going to list or share everything I bought in 2024, but I ventured into a few different styles and brands that caught my eye, so I’d like to reflect about them here!

• New-to-me brand: pium Immediately dove into the deep end with pium after I discovered how comfortable and versatile their pieces can be within my closet (which is primarily plainer Evelyn pieces). I did have a quality issue with their bag arriving defective but otherwise, I’ve been mostly satisfied with their pieces - just two cardigans were lower quality than expected (sadly), but I think the quality is on par with most other j-fashion brands. I probably spent a lot more on them then I should have, but I’ve been really happy adding their styles to my closet.

• Rediscovered enjoyment: Michellmacaron I actually wore a bit of Michellmacaron back near college and afterwards when I was trying out office-friendly yet trendy/cute styles, but stepped away from it for a long time - now I’m back to enjoy. I really like how versatile their pieces are, though I think their quality is somewhat mediocre, so I try to stick to only picking up pieces I really like.

• I managed to get this Liz Lisa white onepiece that I wanted sooo badly!! I talked myself out of buying it when it first dropped but I couldn’t stop thinking about how cute it is. Sadly, Liz Lisa has not rerun it at all surprisingly even though it sold out in less than a day. This is one of my the most comfortable pieces in my closet. I’m only a bit afraid of wearing it since it feels so rare… haha

• Liz Lisa’s floral off-shoulder chiffon onepiece is one item that I’m really torn about. The design is one of my favourites - such a beautiful and unique cut, but the fabric is really a nightmare for my body. Unfortunately, my skin is pretty sensitive so it feels really scratchy and uncomfortable. I’m still thinking about this piece since I’d really like to keep it and maybe an additional underlayer might help, but I also have comfort issues wearing layers of clothes, so it’s really going to be a piece to think about.

things that didn’t work

• Some of pium’s sizing is extremely odd. I acquired a top that disappointingly felt extremely tiny - like US size XXS or smaller. Thankfully, my other tops from them fit well, but I was so puzzled by this one knit - the sizing for it is completely off from their other items! It’s made me a bit apprehensive about buying their fitted tops/dresses.

• Struggles with tops and fabrics… just like my comments on the LL chiffon onepiece above, I’ve realised this year that my sensory issues related to fabrics and tightness has either gotten worse or I’ve gotten less tolerant of it. Due to this, I’ve concluded that I should really let go of many of my old blouses and tops that fit too restrictively or are designed for layering as I have a hard time feeling comfortable. It makes me sad since I still like that style, but it’s uncomfortable to wear, so I’ve focused more on wearing and acquiring knitted tops instead. Unfortunately, sometimes I can’t tell if a top will cause discomfort issues until I try it on, so I will probably have some more exploration in this area.

favourite buys

Some of my favourite new basics! These are always tough to find as I’m very picky… but I’m happy to say I found these new items this year that I really love and wear often. I repurchased these after finding myself wearing them a lot!

• Moxiu cat paw sheer tights in 光腿肤. After tutuanna’s sheer tights (my near-daily driver for many, many years…) suddenly started affecting my discomfort level to the point of not being able to wear them, I was so sad until I found these! They’re SUPER soft and a great colour match for me! The only “drawback” is that the compression isn’t as good as tutuanna’s, but as I get older I care less about that, so I don’t mind.

• Roji Roji’s overknee dot socks - a new favourite! They’re so super comfortable and were one of my first pairs of overknee socks that don’t compress my upper leg unflatteringly. They match most of the styles in my closet and come in this very California-friendly lightweight material without being overly thin.

For specific items, I have a few that I loved wearing a lot this year

• Setups!! I am still obsessed with this style. Since I’ve mostly accepted that onepieces from Liz Lisa don’t fit me well and skirts are hit or miss, setups have been consistent in their fit for me which I really appreciate. I love how versatile they are Since finding some I really like, it’s easier to let go of pieces that don’t make me 100% happy since I have these pieces that feel wonderful to wear in comparison.

• Really loving pium’s knit fitted pieces - I was so surprised at how comfortable they are and found myself constantly reaching to wear them, despite the style being one that’s a bit edgier than I imagined myself pulling off. They really are “easy-wear” pieces (my favourite). I’ve been eyeing some of the new knit onepieces that evelyn has been putting out too for more affordable (especially secondhand) options as well!

• This shirokuma bag I got for $2 used obviously intended for kids has been a hidden gem! It seems so impractical as it has neither a shoulder strap nor a closure, but since I do a lot of casual visits or outings I don’t mind it too much. It brings me great joy to use this shirokuma If I can’t decide on a bag to use, normally I grab this one

• GRL Knee High Boots - such versatile shoes that I almost wondered if I should put them in basics. Anyway, I recommend either buying them secondhand without a box or ask your SS to remove the box - cause you can get such a good pair of boots for a great price!! They’re really comfortable (although not for all day non-stop walking - still had to rest) despite the high platform. I’m really happy with them (so much that I got it in two colours) (They are fairly consistent for sizing, which I’m grateful GRL provides for their boot openings etc.)

• Impulsively purchased an $18 Honey Cinnamon blouson-style jacket off mercari and it has been such a gem! I’ve been wearing it all winter as it works well with my non-jfashion wardrobe and is neither too OTT nor lacking girliness, and is incredibly comfy and warm. Despite the low price, it barely had any worn feeling at all.

next fashion focus

Styles & brands: I love comfy and cute I’ve been enjoying wearing a lot of girly brands while acquiring less himekaji pieces While I still love the style lots, I find that I hesitate to get new himekaji pieces because of fabric discomfort and pieces feeling too dressy. Usually, I try to make sure any new piece can be coordinated with many existing pieces in my closet, so sometimes that mix is a bit challenging since I tend to prefer toned down pieces and the recent himekaji trends seems to be more idol-like and dressy. In terms of style, I still reach more for my slightly older Liz Lisa sukapan instead.

Focusing on better comfort: time to let go of itchy ill-fitters Since I’ve come to accept that I just can’t handle wearing certain fabrics and also changed sizes, I’ll need to consider material and size more carefully when acquiring pieces in the future

Overdue cleaning: please begone Truly overdue… anyway, due to several reasons (fabric woes, change in size, moving on from older pieces, preparing to move eventually) I’ll be trying to focus on downsizing a bit of my closet this year, particularly for those halfway enjoyable pieces that aren’t fully enjoyable due to fabric or fit

Usage: wearing things without fright This is an issue I have with brand new adorable things such as stickers and notebooks, too, but… I really struggle to use cute and new things because the annoying part of my brain convinces me I don’t deserve them. I know it’s not true, but it’s really a challenge to look past! This means that a lot of time when I buy new, I don’t want to wear it at all out of fear of messing it up, but in truth, that garment is wasted when it’s not appreciated or worn. So, in this coming year, I’m going to try harder to wear new clothes that I buy (knowing I choose to buy them only if I really love that piece) instead of feeling unworthy.

Lots to look forward to