When you were in school did you get new clothes for the start of the school year?

We did. At least one new outfit.

Fall Fashion Reinvention

I remember to this day the very outfit I wore to my first day of grade one at school because it was the first time I owned

brand.

new.

clothes.

Clothes that my Grandma hadn’t sewn. Clothes that we bought from a real store and that I had helped pick out.

It was a yellow short sleeve ribbed sweater with a red elephant on it in satin and some bell bottom jeans. I LOVED that outfit! 

I can remember the anticipation and excitement of meeting all those new kids wearing something that I felt represented me as a person.

I was going to be someone special wearing that red elephant! I would make friends easier. Everyone would like me!

Every year thereafter the first day of school was always devoted to choosing the perfect outfit that would best represent myself as I desired to be seen. The chance to create a new first impression. It was an opportunity to become the person I aspired to be.

Would I go for understated plaid? Or the same bomber jacket as everyone else with a hoodie underneath? Did I want to blend in or stand out? Did I want to be a nerd or a jock? Where did I fit in and how would my clothing ensure that I was accepted?

I’m sure it won’t surprise you that after grade six (maybe even earlier) I didn’t want to blend in. I was on my own path and I wasn’t part of any cliques. By high school that meant skinny jeans (we just called them tight back then ha ha!) blue suede fringed boots, a boho blouse and a fake fur super shaggy sheepskin vest. That was grade ten and I haven’t looked back since.

When September rolls around my palms get a bit sweaty and I feel the itch to buy something new and try to reinvent myself or showcase a different aspect of my personality to the world.

Who doesn’t want to give a new first impression of themselves?

Who doesn’t want to see themselves with fresh eyes?

 

Giving yourself the permission to experiment and play with clothing allows you to escape the you that you know and discover the you that you’d like to know.

 

If you haven’t had a chance to listen yet to Mel’s fabulous series of interviews on 60 and Me (there are five of them) I highly recommend them.

This might be my favourite one so far… Exploring the Power of Simple Black White and Grey With Mel Kobayashi. I really like the bit at the 8:35 mark.  All of the interviews are great though. Mel is a natural and so wonderful to watch and listen to. I might add she hasn’t paid me a dime to write that…yet! Ha ha!

 

I will admit that I went a bit overboard and picked up a few other very weird cool pieces for my new identity. Toys to be played with and utilized for creating joy in my wardrobe.

It is my UNcapsule wardrobe for fall.

Only items that made my heart smile or stimulated me to see myself differently but still work with items I already own were considered.

I’ll be sharing a few more pieces that made the cut with you soon.

 

Do you feel the calling to buy new clothes in fall and reinvent yourself?

 

Linking up with the lovely Patti over at Visible Monday.