Fashion Forward?

I've been thinking a lot about my wardrobe lately.  Shallow?  Maybe.  But clothing is necessary and I'm sort of going through a "metamorphosis" at the moment and my clothes have been a part of it.  Since January 1 I have lost 16 pounds (and have 10-15 more to go before I'm at my goal.)  Two pregnancies, being a stay at home mom who's too close to the pantry, and an overall "meh" attitude toward exercise for the majority of my life have not been kind to my figure.  I have clothes that range in size from 2 to 12.  Some are new with tags, some are ten years old.  Some are well worn and loved.  Some are "one time" pieces that may or may not be worn again.  As I look through my closet one thing is very clear...I have no specific "style" but I'm also not a slave to trends.  My wardrobe is functional, but definitely not on the cutting edge of fashion.

In high school I was all about the sheer volume of my closet.  I'm not exaggerating when I confess that I had enough clothes that I didn't repeat any single item from the start of school in September until at least Thanksgiving.  I had green rubber shoes.  I had purple jeans.  And more earrings than the sale rack at Claire's.  I also had a spiral perm, big ol' bangs, and occasionally matched my eye makeup to my outfits.  Oh yeah, baby.  This was the 80's!

I've never been too big on brand names and have always enjoyed the "thrill of the hunt" for "good deals" at places like TJ Maxx and Marshall's.  Department stores still somewhat intimidate me, but I do love a good outlet mall.  As I survey what is currently filling my closet, I see that probably 50% of my wardrobe is from Gap (or more likely, Gap outlet.)  I have a few items from Anthropologie, a handful of basics from Target, and a bit of Limited and Nordstrom for good measure.  But it's really just a hodge podge...and that's OK.  As for shoes, I'm a bit more picky due to foot problems, but I don't buy (what I consider) expensive shoes unless they're on sale.  In San Diego I lived in wedge sandals and flip flops, but unfortunately NorCal requires more "sensible" shoes due to the weather.  I've learned that boots can be fun, too!

I periodically read fashion blogs looking for inspiration...and I'm most impressed with "normal" women who make the most of what they already have by accessorizing with a new accessory or two as opposed to women (trophy wives?) who purchase brand new brand name wardrobes every season.  Even if I had an unlimited clothing budget I don't think I'd feel comfortable dropping thousands of dollars on clothing four times a year when I know that I'll only want new trendy items in a few months.  It just seems silly.  The writer of one blog I used to read (I don't any more because it just got nauseating) admitted that she owned over 60 bathing suits and 20 Juicy Couture track suits.  Another woman just recently bought 5 pairs of the same exact $200 jeans.  Another writer purchases a new Louis Vuitton handbag (about $1000) every season.  Really?  When there are people who have nothing?

As a stay at home mom I have no need for a closet full of cocktail dresses and stilletos...jeans and t-shirts are more my speed.  I may not be fashion forward, but I'm not necessarily frumpy either.  Women like me exist.  Women who like to look cute but don't plan their lives around the seasonal shifts of their wardrobes.  At 38, my days of low rise jeans are over, but I won't be buying "Not Your Daughter's Jeans" anytime soon either.

How has your style evolved over time?