Ok, but how do we know this isn't just the next thing?? I love the tiktok creator's outfits you screengrabbed but I am starting to see "I am done with neutrals and want color in my wardrobe" everywhere. How do we know this is not just hivemind again? (Also let's not even get started on how every fast fashion retailer will just follow in 1 second and have baby blue and burgundy in their styling next week.)
I say this as someone who wants and admires personal style but always ends up realizing that I keep following the trends one way or another. I am not sure there is a real way out. Maybe just getting older and smarter?!
Luca, you bring up such a good point. How do we know that it's not the algo telling us to leave Quiet Luxury and we are walking into a new trap? Firstly, I'm advocating for keeping all those lovely things we bought and simply thoughtfully adding to it.
My personal story is that Quiet Luxury happened to coincide with me rebuilding my wardrobe after having kids so I actually recommend people invest in that aesthetic because it builds such a good base. BUT then, inevitably, I think we find ourselves wanting personality pieces. I'm approaching this with trepidation; buying a small number of pieces to supplement my wardrobe. What I definitely don't need is a sweater in every color!
I sure hope that I will mature into even more discernment but I'm also getting better at saying "no" to things that aren't for me; which feels like a step in the right direction. I truly want to go have a coffee and talk about this exact thing for hours!
I have the same thoughts. I forget where I heard this (it honestly might be from Mina Lee's video, linked in this post), but the following quote came to mind: "To be stylish, look everywhere other than the fashion industry." For me, I think that means relying less on social media to inform me about what's "in" and instead turning to art, literature, other industries, and real people I encounter in real life!
Yes! And I would add that the more hobbies you can have outside of fashion help clarify your style. I have started 4-5 little hobbies in the last 2 years and I feel more certain of my taste generally.
I was thinking the same. I think it’s becoming the new ‘trend’, away from quite luxury. You get used to what you see. It’s probably the same with the skinny jeans. Everyone was wearing them until the eye adjust to other styles. First only the ‘trendsetters’ where wearing other style jeans, years later no one is wearing the skinny jeans anymore.
I really believe my inherent and personal style is minimalistic, but my style (or better wardrobe) changed after becoming a mum. And it has many similarities with the quite luxury trend (influenced by the trend???) I’m curious how it holds up if everyone is wearing ‘midimalist’ style. If I will follow and adjust my style or keep my ‘own’ minimal style. I think it will change without a doubt in the future, but if i follow the trend or get a deeper sense of my own style I don’t know.
I’m glad you are thinking; you, me and Luca need a virtual coffee to discuss. And touchpoints in a year to see how we are doing. I realized that I would keep the lessons of minimalism; tailoring, neutrals, quality and apply them towards things that made me feel happy. I’ve been training my wardrobe towards midimalism for, at least, a year now and I think most days I still look quite minimal because it’s a good aesthetic for a lot of us!!
Shifting from exterior influence to internal resonance, using the framework of a merchandised concept to suggest, rather than fully influence our personal style - love this sm Kelly!! xx
You are the best Bari. I’m so glad you liked this. I’m going to write myself a note to hang in my closet that says “INTERNAL RESONANCE” because it really should be the reason I get dressed in the morning.
Change is good and inevitable. I always go back to what makes me feel good and happy and a little sexy and feminine and preppy and put together. My 4-5 words?😂. I never get down to 3.
Put together or crisp or tailored is something I’ve added to myself in the last decade I’d say. With jobs and babies and life, it makes me feel calm when I’m not all over the place with style the way we all are in young adulthood.
What I’ve appreciated about the quiet luxury run is the tailoring I’ve done to my closet. Is it me- QL- absolutely not. But it has helped me define myself + my clothes a bit better.
So whatever “newness” we have in store in the cycle of fashion- bring it. Will keep me me, but might find something new to tweek + improve.
My goal with fashion is to have my set closet that is maybe 80% me and occasionally buy a piece or 2 to tweek things when I’m inspired.
YES!! QL was helpful for me but I only let it into my wardrobe in ways that served me. I’ve never latched on to other trends because they didn’t serve my lifestyle. I *really* love the open mindedness you have!
Ding dong! I agree one million percent that the quiet luxury "look" is dead. I don't even know if people* even really got it right to begin with? I read something a long time ago that analyzed TV shows that gained popularity under "dark/scary" geopolitical times tend to be comedies, because people just cannot go home at night and watch tense thrillers. On the flip side, when things are fairly stable in the world, you start to see some pretty dark drama because people can handle it. This is not a political rant or analysis BUT 1) I think there's something to it and 2) I'm willing to bet that it also applies to fashion. Prediction: we'll start to see more comedy and whatever the sartorial counterpart to that is. *By "people" I mean me. Yes, I just footnoted my own comment.
Excuse me! Professor Klee’s class is in session and I am sat with my notebook. This is a brilliant deduction. This makes me want to analyze trends during different political times because it tracks that instability/fear/sadness/you name it would create space for people to retreat inward to create the joy. You just blew my mind.
Reading this I realized I kind of have a uniform lately that happened unintentionally of barrel legged pants and a slim top. It’s working for me! Although I also notice myself craving some long boot-cut jeans as the pendulum always swings. Great and thoughtful post as always.
Sita, your BSides jeans look good every single time I see them on you. It’s a perfect uniform for you. I spent so much time this summer/fall not wearing blue denim and guess what I’m wearing every day of winter? Haha denim. So, yes, the pendulum swings!
Yes to all of this. Especially everyone dressing like everyone else, thanks in part of the algo on social media. Where the real styling comes into play, is NOT forgetting YOUR OWN style in that algorithm. It's makes me crazy and sad to see the same things over and over. And I always appreciate a color pairing in a post too. This is one of the many reasons I like Substack!
Yes! I find it SOOOO easy to lose my PERSONAL style in the seasons that I’ve been rebuilding after my wardrobe (for me it was after having a baby, but it happens for all different reasons). It’s not until you step back and start listening to your own preferences that things actually stick.
Really relate to over-editing my closet and realizing I can't necessarily shop my way back to personal style. It takes time, effort, and intentional styling! I love that we all seem willing to try though and I'm excited to see all the different looks that pop up in the coming year!
Gosh, so guilty of over editing. I’m so grateful that I have a really solid base of amazing pieces now so there is no reason I should let any of them go for (forever!).
Dear Kelly, not only is your post good, but it is full of points to reflect on and look at. Personally, I have gone through times when there were too many special items in my closet and others, like now, when everything has become basic, perhaps not so much in shape, but in clothes. I think these oscillations are necessary, as long as they are in line with your moment. I think that silent luxury will never die, but the absurd belief that it is for everyone will. Personally, I live to see the details, the changes that each person adds and how they gave it their own essence even though I take a base that is already produced. I take note of the recommendations, everything that comes from you always fills me with good knowledge. Hugs and kisses from the other side of the pond ☺️❤️
Wahooo! Susan, this was perfectly said. I don't like the (as you said) absurd belief that any trend is for everyone and I feel like we think that if everyone is wearing it we should be too but that's crazy talk. As you said; the small details that each person adds is the best. I have some friends and we find ourselves wearing the same base (blue button down and white dress/skirt) but it's the accessories and styling that make it exciting. I love everything you said!
Hahaha! ❤️ I learn from your newsletter and your outfits. I recommend that anyone reading this invest in your newsletter (is there anyone missing out on this amazing piece yet?), as it focuses more on style from the perspective of "try it on yourself and don't buy just because you've seen it before." I like how you make each outfit your own. You are a great inspiration.
I am the biggest proponent of using brooches and pins and whatever else to slightly tweak silhouettes! I've been doing it with blazers (I have a lot of oversized silhouettes, this is a great hack to make them fitted)... But I'm so glad minimalism is being left behind - I love expression through clothing!
Literally "Vintage brooch/vintage silver pin/vintage minimal brooch/vintage abstract brooch" just so many iterations of "vintage brooch"... I also get a lot at my local thrift store... A lot of the time they're super cheap if you can find a less curated store because people aren't really buying them!
I love all of this and I’m excited to add more fun color combos into my wardrobe. That orange coat is fantastic and it’s taking alllll of my willpower not to add those pink barrel jeans to cart!
I was shook at how that pink feels totally approachable?! When I read that she wore pink jeans I went looking for them half-heartedly. Now I have them on my wishlist 😅
Kelllllly! You know I love me a post that hits on color combos! This was excellent. We are all craving ideas for how to break from the quiet luxury mold that pervaded so deeply - tons of fab ideas here. I love the silhouette idea too bc it keeps things EASY! (My word of 2025). Thanks for the great insights as usual! X
I love this, but I also want to note that some seasons feel more "free" to me. In the summer, I feel more inclined to be more colorful. I'll buy a yellow dress or a bold print. It's harder for me to do so with jeans per say, when I focus so much on rewearability. That might be part of my issue though.
I do love the call out of turning inward instead of outward for validation. I've actually being writing an article along the lines of that after I fell in love with a purse but everyone else I asked told me a neutral color would be best. I'm glad I got clear and went back to my initial love for the initial color I fell for but it made me wonder why did I ask people for their opinion and why wasn't mine enough?
Yes! The seeking of validation! I have found myself doing this when I put together an outfit and wanting my friends to say that it looks cute instead of just feeling good (or bad) in it. Really I’m trying to treat this year as a space when I get in touch with what draws me in and not worried about if other people will like it.
I've been thinking the same. I've been telling myself I want to have outward opinions this year. Be less afraid to just be - even if it's different or no one agrees. Ultimately, not seeking for validation outside of myself.
So good, as always Kelly! You have such a great way of writing that breaks things down into very clear “A-HA” moments. Ive been noticing both a craving to edit out to the extremes and on the flip side, to bring more fun and personality into wardrobes. At the end of the day, both of these still feel like broader trends, so getting clear on your POV helps weather through these pendulum swings!
I think depending on where you are at in your journey, you have to rebuild the foundation (ie: minimal pieces) to appreciate and understand that less can be more powerful in cultivating your preferences. You can learn so much about what you like and don’t like from a basic white tee more than a statement piece (IMO!) bc you can’t hide behind all the details. And you can learn so much from what your current wardrobe tells you if you take the time to play with it and get to really know it. I always find having an understanding of those preferences can help provide so much more clarity and intention when seeking the shinier objects. Love all the inspo you pulled - creates such a strong story and POV!
Angie, I was thinking about you and wondering what you’re seeing as a stylist after I heard Allison Bornstein’s comments. As you said there’s value in both the “basics” and “heroes” but it’s in the eye of the be(wearer) 😉
This is a perfect guide for building on what you already have in your closet - your midimalist concept is brilliant. V inspired by the image you shared of the Moosgaard twins and Allison Bornstein's Fashion People episode is one of my very favorites!
Good morning! First time ‘chatter’ here! Just relocated to the East Coast (DC) and apparently need a pair (or two!) of warm, walkable and CUTE shoes/booties. Not looking to plow through snow or climb mountains, just for walking about town, sometimes on dirty and wet/slushy sidewalks. Thank you so much! Really enjoying this platform. 🩷
Yay Rowena, so excited you are here!! I did a round up of cute slip on boots for winter in a previous post that may be under paywall now. Here are links BUT you may be searching for something nicer; let me know if so because it could make for a great round up. https://shopmy.us/collections/1043113
Ok, but how do we know this isn't just the next thing?? I love the tiktok creator's outfits you screengrabbed but I am starting to see "I am done with neutrals and want color in my wardrobe" everywhere. How do we know this is not just hivemind again? (Also let's not even get started on how every fast fashion retailer will just follow in 1 second and have baby blue and burgundy in their styling next week.)
I say this as someone who wants and admires personal style but always ends up realizing that I keep following the trends one way or another. I am not sure there is a real way out. Maybe just getting older and smarter?!
Luca, you bring up such a good point. How do we know that it's not the algo telling us to leave Quiet Luxury and we are walking into a new trap? Firstly, I'm advocating for keeping all those lovely things we bought and simply thoughtfully adding to it.
My personal story is that Quiet Luxury happened to coincide with me rebuilding my wardrobe after having kids so I actually recommend people invest in that aesthetic because it builds such a good base. BUT then, inevitably, I think we find ourselves wanting personality pieces. I'm approaching this with trepidation; buying a small number of pieces to supplement my wardrobe. What I definitely don't need is a sweater in every color!
I sure hope that I will mature into even more discernment but I'm also getting better at saying "no" to things that aren't for me; which feels like a step in the right direction. I truly want to go have a coffee and talk about this exact thing for hours!
I have the same thoughts. I forget where I heard this (it honestly might be from Mina Lee's video, linked in this post), but the following quote came to mind: "To be stylish, look everywhere other than the fashion industry." For me, I think that means relying less on social media to inform me about what's "in" and instead turning to art, literature, other industries, and real people I encounter in real life!
Ah, it is from that video! I misquoted them, but here's the link (starting at 28:50):
https://youtu.be/pXtBFiF_32k?si=mpKyzh8n2LIeVm3v&t=1730
"If you're interested in fashion, learn about everything except fashion...Politics, art, painting, anything except fashion."
Different message, but a similar train of thought!
Yes! And I would add that the more hobbies you can have outside of fashion help clarify your style. I have started 4-5 little hobbies in the last 2 years and I feel more certain of my taste generally.
I was thinking the same. I think it’s becoming the new ‘trend’, away from quite luxury. You get used to what you see. It’s probably the same with the skinny jeans. Everyone was wearing them until the eye adjust to other styles. First only the ‘trendsetters’ where wearing other style jeans, years later no one is wearing the skinny jeans anymore.
I really believe my inherent and personal style is minimalistic, but my style (or better wardrobe) changed after becoming a mum. And it has many similarities with the quite luxury trend (influenced by the trend???) I’m curious how it holds up if everyone is wearing ‘midimalist’ style. If I will follow and adjust my style or keep my ‘own’ minimal style. I think it will change without a doubt in the future, but if i follow the trend or get a deeper sense of my own style I don’t know.
Thanks for the article. It got me thinking!
I’m glad you are thinking; you, me and Luca need a virtual coffee to discuss. And touchpoints in a year to see how we are doing. I realized that I would keep the lessons of minimalism; tailoring, neutrals, quality and apply them towards things that made me feel happy. I’ve been training my wardrobe towards midimalism for, at least, a year now and I think most days I still look quite minimal because it’s a good aesthetic for a lot of us!!
Shifting from exterior influence to internal resonance, using the framework of a merchandised concept to suggest, rather than fully influence our personal style - love this sm Kelly!! xx
You are the best Bari. I’m so glad you liked this. I’m going to write myself a note to hang in my closet that says “INTERNAL RESONANCE” because it really should be the reason I get dressed in the morning.
💯!!!
Change is good and inevitable. I always go back to what makes me feel good and happy and a little sexy and feminine and preppy and put together. My 4-5 words?😂. I never get down to 3.
Put together or crisp or tailored is something I’ve added to myself in the last decade I’d say. With jobs and babies and life, it makes me feel calm when I’m not all over the place with style the way we all are in young adulthood.
What I’ve appreciated about the quiet luxury run is the tailoring I’ve done to my closet. Is it me- QL- absolutely not. But it has helped me define myself + my clothes a bit better.
So whatever “newness” we have in store in the cycle of fashion- bring it. Will keep me me, but might find something new to tweek + improve.
My goal with fashion is to have my set closet that is maybe 80% me and occasionally buy a piece or 2 to tweek things when I’m inspired.
YES!! QL was helpful for me but I only let it into my wardrobe in ways that served me. I’ve never latched on to other trends because they didn’t serve my lifestyle. I *really* love the open mindedness you have!
Ding dong! I agree one million percent that the quiet luxury "look" is dead. I don't even know if people* even really got it right to begin with? I read something a long time ago that analyzed TV shows that gained popularity under "dark/scary" geopolitical times tend to be comedies, because people just cannot go home at night and watch tense thrillers. On the flip side, when things are fairly stable in the world, you start to see some pretty dark drama because people can handle it. This is not a political rant or analysis BUT 1) I think there's something to it and 2) I'm willing to bet that it also applies to fashion. Prediction: we'll start to see more comedy and whatever the sartorial counterpart to that is. *By "people" I mean me. Yes, I just footnoted my own comment.
Excuse me! Professor Klee’s class is in session and I am sat with my notebook. This is a brilliant deduction. This makes me want to analyze trends during different political times because it tracks that instability/fear/sadness/you name it would create space for people to retreat inward to create the joy. You just blew my mind.
Reading this I realized I kind of have a uniform lately that happened unintentionally of barrel legged pants and a slim top. It’s working for me! Although I also notice myself craving some long boot-cut jeans as the pendulum always swings. Great and thoughtful post as always.
Sita, your BSides jeans look good every single time I see them on you. It’s a perfect uniform for you. I spent so much time this summer/fall not wearing blue denim and guess what I’m wearing every day of winter? Haha denim. So, yes, the pendulum swings!
Yes to all of this. Especially everyone dressing like everyone else, thanks in part of the algo on social media. Where the real styling comes into play, is NOT forgetting YOUR OWN style in that algorithm. It's makes me crazy and sad to see the same things over and over. And I always appreciate a color pairing in a post too. This is one of the many reasons I like Substack!
Yes! I find it SOOOO easy to lose my PERSONAL style in the seasons that I’ve been rebuilding after my wardrobe (for me it was after having a baby, but it happens for all different reasons). It’s not until you step back and start listening to your own preferences that things actually stick.
This is exactly the type of article I'm needing right now to push me into creativity with my clothes and my styling - you're a genius.
Make me blush 😚 Honestly your post of the aqua socks this morning felt totally inline with adding color.
I'm not one to "add a pop of colour", but I do love finding colour pairings that just *work*. You know?
Really relate to over-editing my closet and realizing I can't necessarily shop my way back to personal style. It takes time, effort, and intentional styling! I love that we all seem willing to try though and I'm excited to see all the different looks that pop up in the coming year!
Gosh, so guilty of over editing. I’m so grateful that I have a really solid base of amazing pieces now so there is no reason I should let any of them go for (forever!).
Dear Kelly, not only is your post good, but it is full of points to reflect on and look at. Personally, I have gone through times when there were too many special items in my closet and others, like now, when everything has become basic, perhaps not so much in shape, but in clothes. I think these oscillations are necessary, as long as they are in line with your moment. I think that silent luxury will never die, but the absurd belief that it is for everyone will. Personally, I live to see the details, the changes that each person adds and how they gave it their own essence even though I take a base that is already produced. I take note of the recommendations, everything that comes from you always fills me with good knowledge. Hugs and kisses from the other side of the pond ☺️❤️
Wahooo! Susan, this was perfectly said. I don't like the (as you said) absurd belief that any trend is for everyone and I feel like we think that if everyone is wearing it we should be too but that's crazy talk. As you said; the small details that each person adds is the best. I have some friends and we find ourselves wearing the same base (blue button down and white dress/skirt) but it's the accessories and styling that make it exciting. I love everything you said!
Hahaha! ❤️ I learn from your newsletter and your outfits. I recommend that anyone reading this invest in your newsletter (is there anyone missing out on this amazing piece yet?), as it focuses more on style from the perspective of "try it on yourself and don't buy just because you've seen it before." I like how you make each outfit your own. You are a great inspiration.
I am the biggest proponent of using brooches and pins and whatever else to slightly tweak silhouettes! I've been doing it with blazers (I have a lot of oversized silhouettes, this is a great hack to make them fitted)... But I'm so glad minimalism is being left behind - I love expression through clothing!
I love the idea of pulling a blazer to the side and securing with a vintage pin/brooch. Tell me your favorite search terms?!
Literally "Vintage brooch/vintage silver pin/vintage minimal brooch/vintage abstract brooch" just so many iterations of "vintage brooch"... I also get a lot at my local thrift store... A lot of the time they're super cheap if you can find a less curated store because people aren't really buying them!
HA! Of course, keep it simple stupid. I'm going to add "vintage abstract brooch" to my Etsy scroll tonight.
I love all of this and I’m excited to add more fun color combos into my wardrobe. That orange coat is fantastic and it’s taking alllll of my willpower not to add those pink barrel jeans to cart!
I was shook at how that pink feels totally approachable?! When I read that she wore pink jeans I went looking for them half-heartedly. Now I have them on my wishlist 😅
Kelllllly! You know I love me a post that hits on color combos! This was excellent. We are all craving ideas for how to break from the quiet luxury mold that pervaded so deeply - tons of fab ideas here. I love the silhouette idea too bc it keeps things EASY! (My word of 2025). Thanks for the great insights as usual! X
Guuurrl. You know I was thinking of you when I pulled the image of those pink pants. You are my color guru and I am learning your ways.
You are both my gurus!! I love all your work so much. Kelly, this post is a masterpiece! Like an entire opus on How To Dress for 2025. I loved it!!
You, me and Sogole are like performers on a busy corner shouting the virtues of color and joy. I’m happy to be in that company.
Wait the visual of this in my head is 😂😂😂 I love it. #streetperformersofsubstack
I love this, but I also want to note that some seasons feel more "free" to me. In the summer, I feel more inclined to be more colorful. I'll buy a yellow dress or a bold print. It's harder for me to do so with jeans per say, when I focus so much on rewearability. That might be part of my issue though.
I do love the call out of turning inward instead of outward for validation. I've actually being writing an article along the lines of that after I fell in love with a purse but everyone else I asked told me a neutral color would be best. I'm glad I got clear and went back to my initial love for the initial color I fell for but it made me wonder why did I ask people for their opinion and why wasn't mine enough?
Yes! The seeking of validation! I have found myself doing this when I put together an outfit and wanting my friends to say that it looks cute instead of just feeling good (or bad) in it. Really I’m trying to treat this year as a space when I get in touch with what draws me in and not worried about if other people will like it.
I've been thinking the same. I've been telling myself I want to have outward opinions this year. Be less afraid to just be - even if it's different or no one agrees. Ultimately, not seeking for validation outside of myself.
So good, as always Kelly! You have such a great way of writing that breaks things down into very clear “A-HA” moments. Ive been noticing both a craving to edit out to the extremes and on the flip side, to bring more fun and personality into wardrobes. At the end of the day, both of these still feel like broader trends, so getting clear on your POV helps weather through these pendulum swings!
I think depending on where you are at in your journey, you have to rebuild the foundation (ie: minimal pieces) to appreciate and understand that less can be more powerful in cultivating your preferences. You can learn so much about what you like and don’t like from a basic white tee more than a statement piece (IMO!) bc you can’t hide behind all the details. And you can learn so much from what your current wardrobe tells you if you take the time to play with it and get to really know it. I always find having an understanding of those preferences can help provide so much more clarity and intention when seeking the shinier objects. Love all the inspo you pulled - creates such a strong story and POV!
Angie, I was thinking about you and wondering what you’re seeing as a stylist after I heard Allison Bornstein’s comments. As you said there’s value in both the “basics” and “heroes” but it’s in the eye of the be(wearer) 😉
This is a perfect guide for building on what you already have in your closet - your midimalist concept is brilliant. V inspired by the image you shared of the Moosgaard twins and Allison Bornstein's Fashion People episode is one of my very favorites!
I thought of you with that Moosgaard pic because it reminded me of a blazer from Another Nue (or collective love).
Good morning! First time ‘chatter’ here! Just relocated to the East Coast (DC) and apparently need a pair (or two!) of warm, walkable and CUTE shoes/booties. Not looking to plow through snow or climb mountains, just for walking about town, sometimes on dirty and wet/slushy sidewalks. Thank you so much! Really enjoying this platform. 🩷
Yay Rowena, so excited you are here!! I did a round up of cute slip on boots for winter in a previous post that may be under paywall now. Here are links BUT you may be searching for something nicer; let me know if so because it could make for a great round up. https://shopmy.us/collections/1043113
Thank you so much, Kelly! Sounds like I need to get behind (or jump over) the paywall! I will definitely up my subscription 😊